Maria R. Mazzieri

Synthesis, stereoelectronic characterization and antiparasitic activity of new 1-benzenesulfonyl-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines.

The synthesis and full 3D structural characterization of nine new 1-benzenesulfonyl-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives are reported. These belong to a library whose rationale for the design was the previous knowledge of the biological relevant properties of both structural moieties. From protozoan antiparasitic screening, compounds 3 demonstrated interesting activity against Trypanozoma cruzi with low cytotoxicity. Besides, most compounds were moderately active against Plasmodium falciparum. Of these, 3 and 9 can be considered as lead scaffolds for further optimization. The substituent on BS did not influence the 3D structure properties and the (1)H NMR spectra revealed the existence of an intramolecular weak hydrogen bond, C-Hcdots, three dots, centeredOS. Molecular modeling and X-ray crystallography also confirmed this finding, which is relevant to compound conformational preference.

A new class of fluoroquinolones : benzenesulfonamidefluoroquinolones (BSFQs), antibacterial activity and SAR studies

Abstract N-Sulfanilylnorfloxacin was chosen as lead compound to develop a new series of benzenesulfonamidefluoroquinolones (BSFQs). Eight new compounds with different p -substituents on the phenyl group were prepared and their in vitro antibacterial activities were evaluated. The presence of the benzenesulfonylamido groups (BS) bound to the piperazinyl ring shifted the activity of classic antimicrobial fluoroquinolones from being more active against Gram negative to Gram positive strains. Analogs with p -NHCH 3 , p -H or p -NO 2 were more active than norfloxacin. QSAR studies through Hansch analysis showed a linear correlation of the activity with electronic distribution (empirical descriptors) along with Sterimol parameters. Small electron–donor groups with hydrophilic properties increase the in vitro activity against Gram positive bacteria.

In vitro activity of N-benzenesulfonylbenzotriazole on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote and trypomastigote forms.

Chagas disease is still an important health problem in Central and South America. However, the only drugs currently available for specific treatment of this disease may induce toxic side effects in the host. The aim of this work was to determine the activity of N-benzenesulfonylbenzotriazole (BSBZT) against the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The effects of BSBZT and benzotriazole (BZT) were compared to those of benznidazole (BZL) on epimastigote and trypomastigote forms. BSBZT was found to have an in vitro growth inhibitory dose-dependent activity against epimastigotes, with flow cytometry analysis confirming that the treated parasites presented size reduction. BSBZT showed an IC(50) of 21.56 μg/mL (81.07 μM) against epimastigotes at 72 h of incubation, whereas BZT did not affect the growth of this parasite form. Furthermore, the toxic effect of BSBZT, was stronger and appeared earlier (at 24h) in trypomastigotes than in epimastigotes, with the LC(50) of this compound being 28.40 μg/mL (106.79 μM) against trypomastigotes. The concentrations of BSBZT used in this study presented low hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity. Consequently, at concentrations near IC(50) and LC(50) (25μg/mL), BSBZT caused only 2.4% hemolysis and 15% of RAW 264.7 cell cytotoxicity. These results reveal the potential of BSBZT as a prototype in drug design for developing new anti-T. cruzi compounds.

TD-DFT calculations of UV absorption bands and their intensities in the spectra of some tetrahydroquinolines

A detailed analysis of the MOs involved in electronic transitions in UV spectra as well as a conformational study of 1-benzenesulfonyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (BSTHQs) derivatives have been carried out using the TD-DFT (B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)) method. Based on experimental solvent effects and theoretical investigations the long-wavelength bands have been assigned to π → π* transitions caused by HOMO–LUMO intramolecular charge transfer from the tetrahydroquinoline fragment (THQ) to the benzenesulfonyl moiety (BS). Nevertheless, for the NO2 derivative the HOMO–LUMO transition was found to be forbidden. In this case the long-wavelength band has been associated to an n → π* transition. Good correlation of theoretical and experimental data for the energy transitions and the molar extinction coefficients of the compounds studied has been obtained and is presented for the first time.

DEHYDROHALOGENATION OF HALOALKANES PROMOTED BY METAL HALIDES. HYDROGEN HALOMETALATES FORMATION AND THEIR USE AS HYDROHALOGENATING AGENTS

Abstract In the dehydrohalogenation of 1,2-dihalo-1,1-diphenylethanes, 1, to 2-halo-1,1-diphenylethene, 2, either at 76°C or at 50°C, promoted by catalytic amount of the anhydrous bromides of Fe(III), Ru(III) and Al(III) and Fe(III) chloride the chemical transformation of the metal halides was observed. In reactions carried out in vacuum or under nitrogen atmosphere, the hydrogen halide eliminated from the organic substrate reacted with the metal halides rendering the unstable hydrogen perhalometalates H + n [MX 3+n ] n− . We demonstrate that these compounds behave as hydrogen halide donors in the hydrohalogenation of olefins at 4°C.

Lead selection of antiparasitic compounds from a focused library of benzenesulfonyl derivatives of heterocycles

A library of 89 synthetic benzenesulfonyl derivatives of heterocycles with drug-like properties was assayed for in vitro antiparasitic activity and the results were added to our previously reported derivatives for a comprehensive SAR evaluation. Four compounds showed an IC50 between 0.25 and 3μM against Leishmania donovani and low cytotoxicity. Compound G{16} (1-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenylsulfonyl)-2-methylindoline), was particularly interesting with an IC50 similar to the reference drug miltefosine. Seven compounds showed an IC50 below 6µM against Trypanosoma cruzi, and three of them (E{3}, E{9} and G{3}) were identified as lead scaffolds for further optimization based on their activity-toxicity profile. Two promising structures (B{15} and G{15}) showed moderate inhibitory activity against Plasmodium falciparum. In general, the presence of a benzenesulfonyl moiety improves the antiparasitic activity of the heterocycles included in this study (with the exception of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense), validating the criteria used in the selection of the privileged structures and diversification used to generate this library. SAR analysis showed that the presence of lipophilic and electron withdrawing groups were favorable for the antiparasitic activity.

Cooperative Behavior of Fluoroquinolone Combinations against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

The effects of different combinations of ciprofloxacin (CIP) and norfloxacin (NOR) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were studied using checkerboard, fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) and time-kill analysis methods. Results obtained by the checkerboard method showed that the more effectives combinations against Escherichia coli were 0.0009 µg/mL CIP+0.0312 µg/mL NOR and 0.0037 µg/mL CIP+0.0075 µg/mL NOR with a FIC index of 0.62. For Staphylococcus aureus, the combination of 0.0625 µg/mL CIP+0.2500 µg/mL NOR showed a synergistic effect, with a FIC index of 0.50. The results of the time-kill method demonstrated either indifference or additivity of the combinations 0.0009 µg/mL CIP+0.0312 µg/mL NOR, 0.0018 µg/mL CIP+0.0312 µg/mL NOR, 0.0037 µg/mL CIP+0.0075 µg/mL NOR and 0.0037 µg/mL CIP+0.0156 µg/mL NOR at 24 h against E. coli. The combination 0.0037 µg/mL CIP+0.0312 µg/mL NOR showed synergistic activity. All the analyzed combinations evidenced bactericidal effects at 4 h. The combinations 0.0625 µg/mL CIP+0.2500 µg/mL NOR and 0.0625 µg/mL CIP+0.0625 µg/mL NOR showed indifference or additivity against S. aureus. None of them generated bactericidal effect at 4 h. Moreover, this last equimolecular combination (equivalent to 1/4 minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) CIP+1/16 MIC NOR) generated higher reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium than drugs alone. By another way, combinations not equimolecular of CIP and NOR assayed, generated less levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than the components alone.

Structure-Fluorescence Relationships in Antimicrobial Fluoroquinolones (AMFQs)

The analysis of fluorescence spectra of a set of structurally related AMFQ let to identify the effects of structural changes and the presence of electric charge generated by acid-base reaction on the emission spectra.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity and Reactive Species Generation of N-Benzenesulfonyl Derivatives of Heterocycles

Two N-benzenesulfonyl (BS) derivatives of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) were designed, prepared, and screened for antibacterial activity. This approach was based on combining the two privileged structures, BS and THQ, which are known to be active. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of BS-THQ and its analogue 4-NH2BS-THQ, and to investigate the roles of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in their lethality. Both showed bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ATCC 43300, with transmission electron microscopy revealing a disturbed membrane architecture. Furthermore, an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in strains treated with BS-THQ with respect to the control was detected when fluorescent microscopy and spectrophotometric techniques were used. The analogue 4-NH2BS-THQ demonstrated a broader spectrum of activity than BS-THQ, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 100 µg/mL against reference strains of S. aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The assayed compounds represent promising structures for the development of new synthetic classes of antimicrobials.