Hajjaj H. M. Abdu-Allah

5-Aminosalyclic Acid (5-ASA): A Unique Anti-Inflammatory Salicylate

Salicylic acid (SA) derivatives are widely used for treatment of various diseases. Acetylsalicylic acid represents the most widely used drug in the world, 4-Aminosalicylic acid (4-ASA) was historically used as a systemic antituberculosis drug as well as diflunisal is a strong pain killer and antipyretic. 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) which had been synthesized at the end of 19th century and employed first for the production of azo dyes, was then identified as a very valuable medicinal agent as well as part of many biologically active agents. 5-ASA is not metabolized to salicylic acid for pharmacological activity. It is not considered a true salicylate. In contrary to other salicylates, 5-ASA doesn’t induce upper gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Moreover, It was found, especially, useful for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). It is unique among salicylates and has a broad specrum of biological activities including, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective and antitumor. Since we are interested in this compound and its derivatives, we prepared this review to give insight into its chemistry, anti-inflammatory activity, in particular, for treatment of IBD. Different approaches for colonic targeting of 5-ASA w ill be covered with emphasis on chemical methods as well as its proposed mechanisms of action.

Design and synthesis of novel 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA)-4-thiazolinone hybrid derivatives with promising antiproliferative activity.

Two privileged pharmacophores were assembled in one molecular frame involving 5-aminosalicylate and 4-thiazolinones that can be found in different stereochemical features. The compounds were fully characterized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity against four human cancer cell lines and some are equipotent to doxorubicin with lower cytotoxicity to normal cells. The most interesting finding relates to compound 10, which shows an IC50 value of 70nM against MCF-7 cells, while the IC50 against human fibroblasts is 10μM. The results of this study indicate that the new compounds are optimal anti-cancer leading compounds and merit further studies to optimize their structure, detect their biotargets and in vivo activity.

Novel N-substituted 5-aminosalicylamides as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase enzymes: Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking study

Three new series of 5-aminosalicylic acid derivatives; series I (14, 16-18), series II (19-30) and series III (31-41) were synthesized as potential dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors. Their chemical structures were confirmed using spectroscopic tools including IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The anti-inflammatory activity for all target compounds was evaluated in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema. Compound 36 showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity (114.12%) relative to reference drug indomethacin at 4 h interval. Selected derivatives were evaluated in vitro to inhibit ovine COX-1, human recombinant COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes. Compounds 34 &35 exhibited significant COX-2 inhibition (IC50 = 0.10 µM) with significant COX-2 selectivity indices (SI = 135 & 145 respectively) approximate to celecoxib (IC50 = 0.049 µM, SI = 308.16) and exceeding indomethacin (IC50 = 0.51 µM, SI = 0.08). Interestingly, all compounds showed superior 5-LOX inhibitory activity about 2-5 times relative to zileuton. Compound 16 was the superlative 5-LOX inhibitor that revealed (IC50 = 3.41 µM) relative to zileuton (IC50 = 15.6 µM). Compounds 34, 35, 36 and 41 showed significant dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitions. The gastric ulcerogenic effect of compound 36 was examined on gastric mucosa of albino rats and they showed superior GI safety profile compared with indomethacin. Molecular docking studies of the compounds into the binding sites of COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX allowed us to shed light on the binding mode of these novels dual COX and 5-LOX inhibitors.

Proximity labeling of cis-ligands of CD22/Siglec-2 reveals stepwise α2,6 sialic acid-dependent and -independent interactions

Lectins expressed on the cell surface are often bound and regulated by the membrane molecules containing the glycan ligands on the same cell (cis-ligands). However, molecular nature and function of cis-ligands are generally poorly understood partly because of weak interaction between lectins and glycan ligands. Cis-ligands are most extensively studied in CD22 (also known as Siglec-2), an inhibitory B lymphocyte receptor specifically recognizing α2,6 sialic acids. CD22, CD45 and IgM are suggested to be ligands of CD22. Here we labeled molecules in the proximity of CD22 in situ on B cell surface using biotin-tyramide. Molecules including CD22, CD45 and IgM were labeled in wild-type but not ST6GalI-/- B cells that lack α2,6 sialic acids, indicating that these molecules associate with CD22 by lectin-glycan interaction, and are therefore cis-ligands. In ST6GalI-/- B cells, these cis-ligands are located in a slightly more distance from CD22. Thus, the lectin-glycan interaction recruits cis-ligands already located in the relative proximity of CD22 through non-lectin-glycan interaction to the close proximity. Moreover, cis-ligands are labeled in Cmah-/- B cells that lack Neu5Gc preferred by mouse CD22 as efficiently as in wild-type B cells, indicating that very low affinity lectin-glycan interaction is sufficient for recruiting cis-ligands, and can be detected by proximity labeling. Thus, proximity labeling with tyramide appears to be a useful method to identify cis-ligands and to analyze their interaction with the lectins.

CD22-Binding Synthetic Sialosides Regulate B Lymphocyte Proliferation Through CD22 Ligand-Dependent and Independent Pathways, and Enhance Antibody Production in Mice

Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) are expressed in various immune cells and most of them carry signaling functions. High-affinity synthetic sialoside ligands have been developed for various Siglecs. Therapeutic potentials of the nanoparticles and compounds that contain multiple numbers of these sialosides and other reagents such as toxins and antigens have been demonstrated. However, whether immune responses can be regulated by monomeric sialoside ligands has not yet been known. CD22 (also known as Siglec-2) is an inhibitory molecule preferentially expressed in B lymphocytes (B cells) and is constitutively bound and functionally regulated by α2,6 sialic acids expressed on the same cell (cis-ligands). Here, we developed synthetic sialosides GSC718 and GSC839 that bind to CD22 with high affinity (IC50 ~100 nM), and inhibit ligand binding of CD22. When B cells are activated by B cell antigen receptor (BCR) ligation, both GSC718 and GSC839 downregulate proliferation of B cells, and this regulation requires both CD22 and α2,6 sialic acids. This result suggests that these sialosides regulate BCR ligation-induced B cell activation by reversing endogenous ligand-mediated regulation of CD22. By contrast, GSC718 and GSC839 augment B cell proliferation induced by TLR ligands or CD40 ligation, and this augmentation requires CD22 but not α2,6 sialic acids. Thus, these sialosides appear to enhance B cell activation by directly suppressing the inhibitory function of CD22 independently of endogenous ligand-mediated regulation. Moreover, GSC839 augments B cell proliferation that depends on both BCR ligation and CD40 ligation as is the case for in vivo B cell responses to antigens, and enhanced antibody production to the extent comparable to CpG oligonuleotides or a small amount of alum. Although these known adjuvants induce production of the inflammatory cytokines or accumulation of inflammatory cells, CD22-binding sialosides do not. Thus, synthetic sialosides that bind to CD22 with high-affinity modulate B cell activation through endogenous ligand-dependent and independent pathways, and carry an adjuvant activity without inducing inflammation.

Synthesis of some benzimidazole derivatives endowed with 1,2,3-triazole as potential inhibitors of hepatitis C virus

Abstract New derivatives of 2-thiobenzimidazole incorporating triazole moiety were synthesized, characterized and tested in vitro for antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Their cytotoxicity was determined by the reduction in the number of viable cell. All of the synthesized compounds are inactive against HBV and some showed activity against HCV. In particular, two compounds showed significant activity, 2-{4-[(1-benzoylbenzimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}-N-(p-nitro-phenyl)-acetamide (13) and 2-(4-{[1-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-benzimidazol-2-ylthio)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}-N-(p-nitrophenyl)-acetamide (17). The results give an insight into the importance of the substituent at position 2 of benzimidazole for the inhibition of HCV.

Bis-(5-substituted-2-thiono-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-3-yl) butane as a scaffold of anti-proliferative activity, blended by a multicomponent process

AbstractIn the search for promising anti-proliferative agents that might be helpful in the treatment of cancer effectively, several compounds in a series (4b–j) comprising 1,4-bis (5-substituted -2-thiono-2H-tetrahydro-1,3,5-thiadiazin-3-yl) butane derivatives have been isolated. The aimed two privileged thiadiazinane pharmacophores were symmetrically assembled in one molecular frame via 1,4-diaminobutane; the endogenous compound produced by the breakdown of some amino acids that’s known as putrescine. The thiadiazinane rings bearing variable substituents at N-5 as well. The structure of the new derivatives, which were obtained by domino-reactions in water are confirmed by NMR and ESI-MS spectra. Data of 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. NMR-spectra revealed symmetrical structural features. The anti-proliferative activity was evaluated against five different human cancer cell lines. Compounds 4b, 4d, 4e, and 4j (IC50 range 0.11–0.24 µM), were found potent against Hep3B (hepatocellular carcinoma). Compounds 4d and 4e are also potent (IC50 = 0.42 and 0.41 µM) against U-87 MG (Brain (glioblastoma astrocytoma)). Moreover, 4d provided (IC50 = 0.53 µM) against HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), (A549 (lung carcinoma), and HT-29 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), as well as normal cell line (fibroblast F180). All the derivatives 4b, 4d, 4e, and 4j are not only more potent, but also relatively safer than doxorubicin in the cell-lines mentioned. The anti-proliferative profile indicates that these compounds are good leads as anti-cancer agents and merit further studies to optimize their structure, detect their bio-targets and in vivo activity. New butane-bis-thiadiazinanes 4e, 4d, 4j, and 4b were found potent against Hep3B (hepatocellular carcinoma) providing (IC50 of 0.11, 0.21, 0.21, and 0.24 µM, respectively) and of high safety index (SI), compared to doxorubicin.

Inhibition of SHP2 by new compounds induces differential effects on RAS/RAF/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways in different cancer cell types

SummaryKinases and phosphatases are important players in growth signaling and are involved in cancer development. For development of targeted cancer therapy, attention is given to kinases rather than phosphatases inhibitors. Src homology region 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase2 (SHP2) is overexpressed in different types of cancers. We investigated the SHP2-inhibitory effects of two new 5-aminosalicylate–4-thiazolinones in human cervical (HeLa) and breast (MCF-7 & MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. In-silico molecular docking showed preferential affinity of the two compounds towards the catalytic over the allosteric site of SHP2. An enzymatic assay confirmed the docking results whereby 0.01 μM of both compounds reduced SHP2 activity to 50%. On cellular level, the two compounds significantly reduced the expression of SHP2, KRAS, p-ERK and p-STAT3 in HeLa but not in the other two cell lines. Phosphorylation of AKT and JNK was enhanced in HeLa and MCF7. Both compounds exhibited anti-proliferative/anti-migratory effects on HeLa and MCF7 but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. These results indicate that inhibition of SHP2 and its downstream pathways by the two compounds might be a promising strategy for cancer therapy in some but not all cancer types.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking study of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-thiazolidinone hybrids as anti-inflammatory agents with dual inhibition of COX-2 and 15-LOX

Selective inhibition of both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 15-lipooxygenase (15-LOX) may provide good strategy for alleviation of inflammatory disorders while minimizing side effects associated with current anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study describes the synthesis, full characterization and biological evaluation of a series of thiadiazole-thiazolidinone hybrids bearing 5-alk/arylidene as dual inhibitors of these enzymes. Our design was based on merging pharmacophores that exhibit portent anti-inflammatory activities in one molecular frame. 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3) was efficiently synthesized, chloroacetylated and cyclized to give the key 4-thiazolidinone (5). Knovenagel condensation of 5 with different aldehydes afforded the final compounds 6a-m, 7, 8 and 9. These compounds were subjected to in vitro COX-1/COX-2, 15-LOX inhibition assays. Compounds (6a, 6f, 6i, 6l, 6m and 9) with promising potency (IC50 = 70-100 nM) and selectivity index (SI = 220-55) were further tested for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and effect on gastric mucosa. The most promising compound (6l) inhibits COX-2 enzyme at a nanomolar concentration (IC50 = 70 nM, SI = 220) with simultaneous inhibition of 15-LOX (IC50 = 11 µM). These results are comparable to the potency and selectivity of the standard drugs of both enzymes; celecoxib (COX-2 IC50 = 49 nM, SI = 308) and zileuton (15-LOX IC50 = 15 µM) in one construct. Interestingly three compounds (6a, 6l and 9) exhibited equivalent to or even higher than that of celecoxib in vivo anti-inflammatory activity at 3 h interval with good GIT safety profile. Molecular docking study conferred binding sites of these compounds on COX-2 and 15-LOX. Such type of compounds would represent valuable leads for further investigation and derivatization.

Synthesis of B- and C-ring-modified lithocholic acid analogues as potential sialyltransferase inhibitors

In order to identify structural features of lithocholic acid (LCA) critical for inhibition of the enzyme sialyltransferase (ST) novel analogues with modifications of the skeleton (7-9, 16-18 and 20) were designed and synthesized. Methyl 3α-acetoxy-7-oxo-cholanate (1), methyl 3α-acetoxy-12-oxo-cholanate (2) and methyl 3α,7α-diacetoxy-12-oxo-cholanate (3) were subjected to Baeyer-Villiger oxidation to provide homolactones (7-9) or to the Beckmann rearrangement of the corresponding oximes to give homolactams (16-18). Both reactions proceed regio- and stereoselectively. Ring B homolog of lithocholic acid (20) was efficiently synthesized. Among these compounds, 7, 9 and 16 were found to have the significant activity, with IC50 values ⩽3μM against α-2,6-(N)-ST selectively, which are 5-fold lower than that of Lith-O-Asp. Given the reality that LCA and its analogue, Lith-O-Asp, have been revealed to improve inhibitory efficacy of ST and to have a wide range of antimetastatic activities in different human cancer cells, the up-to-date findings have noteworthy pharmacological significance as they open a promising path to the improvement of a prospective molecular targeted application of modified LCA analogues as agents for the treatment of cancer metastasis.