Flávio S. de Carvalho

Cytotoxicity and antiangiogenic activity of grandisin.

Objectives The antitumoural properties of grandisin, a tetrahydrofuran neolignan from Piper solmsianum, were investigated by in‐vitro and in‐vivo assays using the Ehrlich ascites tumoural (EAT) model.

Chemoprotective effect of the tetrahydrofuran lignan grandisin in the in‐vivo rodent micronucleus assay

Objectives  The chemoprotective effect of the tetrahydrofuran lignan grandisin against DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) has been evaluated using the in vitro rodent micronucleus assay.

Anxiolytic-like effect of 2-(4-((1-phenyl-1H -pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethan-1-ol is mediated through the benzodiazepine and nicotinic pathways

In this study, we proposed the design, synthesis of a new compound 2‐(4‐((1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)methyl)piperazin‐1‐yl)ethan‐1‐ol (LQFM032), and pharmacological evaluation of its anxiolytic‐like effect. This new compound was subjected to pharmacological screening referred to as Irwin test, prior to sodium pentobarbital‐induced sleep, open‐field and wire tests. The anxiolytic‐like effect of this compound was evaluated using elevated plus maze and light–dark box tests. In addition, the mnemonic activity was evaluated through step‐down test. In sodium pentobarbital‐induced sleep test, LQFM032 decreased latency and increased duration of sleep. In the open‐field test, LQFM032 altered behavioral parameter, that suggested anxiolytic‐like activity, as increased in crossings and time spent at the center of open field. In the plus maze test and light–dark box test, the LQFM032 showed anxiolytic‐like activity, increased entries and time spent on open arms, and increased in number of transitions and time spent on light area, respectively. Those effects was antagonized by flumazenil but not with 1‐(2‐Methoxyphenyl)‐4‐(4‐phthalimidobutyl)piperazine (NAN‐190). The LQFM032 did not alter mnemonic activity. Moreover, the anxiolytic‐like activity of LQFM032 was antagonized by mecamylamine. In summary, LQFM032 showed benzodiazepine and nicotinic pathways mediated anxiolytic‐like activity without altering the mnemonic activity.

Induction of apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells via p53 activation by a novel small-molecule MDM2 inhibitor – LQFM030

The activation of the p53 pathway through the inhibition of MDM2 has been proposed as a novel therapeutic strategy against tumours. A series of cis‐imidazoline analogues, termed nutlins, were reported to displace the recombinant p53 protein from its complex with MDM2 by binding to MDM2 in the p53 pocket, and exhibited an antitumour activity both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the antitumour properties of LQFM030 (2), a nutlin analogue created by employing the strategy of molecular simplification.

LQFM030 reduced Ehrlich ascites tumor cell proliferation and VEGF levels

Aims: This study reports the biological properties of LQFM030 in vivo, a molecular simplification of the compound nutlin‐1. Main methods: Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT)‐bearing mice were treated intraperitoneally with LQFM030 (50, 75 or 150 mg/kg) for 10 days to determine changes in ascites tumor volume, body weight, cytotoxicity and angiogenesis. Moreover, flow cytometric expression of p53 and p21 proteins and caspase‐3/7, − 8 and − 9 activation were investigated in EAT cells from mice treated. Acute oral systemic toxicity potential of LQFM030 in mice was also investigated using an alternative method. Key findings: Treatment of EAT‐bearing mice with LQFM030 resulted in a marked decline in tumor cell proliferation and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels along with enhanced survival of the mice. Apoptotic tumor cell death was detected through p53 and p21 modulation and increase of caspase‐3/7, − 8 and − 9 activity. LQFM030 also showed orally well tolerated, being classified in the UN GHS category 5 (LD50 > 2000–5000 mg/Kg). Significance: LQFM030 seems to be a promising antitumor candidate for combinatory therapy with typical cytotoxic compounds, reducing the toxicity burden while allowing a superior anticancer activity. Moreover, these data also open new perspectives for LQFM030 as an antiangiogenic agent for treatment of diseases involving VEGF overexpression.

Toxico-pharmacological evaluations of the small-molecule LQFM166: Inducer of apoptosis and MDM2 antagonist

Inhibition of p53-MDM2 complex has been emerging as a strategy for antitumoral drug development considering the pro-apoptotic role of functional p53 in tumor cells. In our study, the prototype LQFM166 (2), designed through molecular simplification strategy inspired in the Nutlins compounds, was synthetized, characterized and the mechanisms of cell death were investigated. In addition, we estimated the starting doses for acute oral systemic toxicity tests according to the OECD Guidance Document No.129 - 3T3 NRU. The cytotoxic profile of LQFM166 (2) was determined in K-562 cells, a p53-null cell line, since previous studies also showed activity of LQFM166 (2) on this cells. After 24, 48 or 72 h of compound treatment, using MTT reduction assay, the IC50 values found were 100.1 μM, 56.76 μM and 45.11 μM, respectively. LQFM166 (2) was cytotoxic for leukemia cells in a concentration-time-dependent manner. Cell death mechanisms studies of LQFM166 on K-562 cells, revealed that the compound induced cell cycle arrest, increased the expression of caspase 3/7, 8 and 9, cytochrome c, Bax, p21 and p27. Additionally, a decrease in the expression of the Bcl-2 and cyclin-B1 was observed. The apoptotic inducer profile of the compound was confirmed by phosphatidylserine externalization. Investigation of complexation of p53/MDM2 was carried out by ELISA assay using 3T3 cell, showing a decrease in the p53-MDM2 complex induced by the compound. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity in basal fibroblasts 3T3 was determined to estimate LD50. LQFM166 (2) reduced 3T3 cells viability with the IC50 of 185.3 μM and estimated LD50 of 706.7 mg/kg (category 4 of GHS). The rationally designed of the prototype LQFM166 (2) induced cell death by apoptotic mechanisms in leukemic cells and showed MDM2 complexation antagonism in 3T3 cells.

Tert-butyl 4-((1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) methyl) piperazine-1-carboxylate (LQFM104)– New piperazine derivative with antianxiety and antidepressant-like effects: Putative role of serotonergic system

The piperazine derivatives correspond to an extensive chemical class of compounds with numerous neuropharmacological activities, including antidepressant (e.g., nefazodone, trazodone) and anxiolytic (e.g., buspirone) properties. Therefore, aiming to identify a new antidepressant and antianxiety lead-compound, our group designed, synthesized, and investigated the effects of a new piperazine compound, namely, LQFM104, on the behavior of mice. Male albino Swiss mice were treated with LQFM104 prior to predictive behavioral tests as open field (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swimming (FST), and tail suspension tests (TST). The participation of the serotonergic system was evaluated by pretreatment with a 5-HT1A antagonist receptor (WAY100635) and serotonin (5-HT) synthesis inhibitor (p-chlorphenylalanine, pCPA) before oral administration of LQFM104 and behavioral tests. The treatment with LQFM104 did not interfere with locomotor activity but revealed suggestive data of anxiolytic-like effects by the increase in the time spent in the center of the OFT. This activity was confirmed by the results obtained in the EPM, and it was abolished after pretreatment with WAY100635 and pCPA. The immobility time decreased in both the FST and TST. The antidepressant-like activity was completely abolished after WAY100635 pretreatment. Altogether, these data revealed that LQFM104 possesses anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties in behavioral tests on mice, and these activities are possibly mediated, directly and/or indirectly, by serotonergic pathways.

The novel piperazine-containing compound LQFM018: Necroptosis cell death mechanisms, dopamine D 4 receptor binding and toxicological assessment

Piperazine is a promising scaffold for drug development due to its broad spectrum of biological activities. Based on this, the new piperazine-containing compound LQFM018 (2) [ethyl 4-((1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate] was synthetized and some biological activities investigated. In this work, we described its ability to bind aminergic receptors, antiproliferative effects as well as the LQFM018 (2)-triggered cell death mechanisms, in K562 leukemic cells, by flow cytometric analyses. Furthermore, acute oral systemic toxicity and potential myelotoxicity assessments of LQFM018 (2) were carried out. LQFM018 (2) was originally obtained by molecular simplification from LASSBio579 (1), an analogue compound of clozapine, with 33% of global yield. Binding profile assay to aminergic receptors showed that LQFM018 (2) has affinity for the dopamine D4 receptor (Ki = 0.26 μM). Moreover, it showed cytotoxicity in K562 cells, in a concentration and time-dependent manner; IC50 values obtained were 399, 242 and 119 μM for trypan blue assay and 427, 259 and 50 μM for MTT method at 24, 48 or 72 h, respectively. This compound (427 μM) also promoted increase in LDH release and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. Furthermore, it triggered necrotic morphologies in K562 cells associated with intense cell membrane rupture as confirmed by Annexin V/propidium iodide double-staining. LQFM018 (2) also triggered mitochondrial disturb through loss of ΔΨm associated with increase of ROS production. No significant accumulation of cytosolic cytochrome c was verified in treated cells. Furthermore, it was verified an increase of expression of TNF-R1 and mRNA levels of CYLD with no involviment in caspase-3 and -8 activation and NF-κB in K562 cells. LQFM018 (2) showed in vitro myelotoxicity potential, but it was orally well tolerated and classified as UN GHS category 5 (LD50 > 2000-5000 mg/Kg). Thus, LQFM018 (2) seems to have a non-selective action considering hematopoietic cells. In conclusion, it is suggested LQFM018 (2) promotes cell death in K562 cells via necroptotic signaling, probably with involvement of dopamine D4 receptor. These findings open new perspectives in cancer therapy by use of necroptosis inducing agents as a strategy of reverse cancer cell chemoresistance.