Mirta L. Fascio

Inhibition of Junin virus RNA synthesis by an antiviral acridone derivative

There are no specific approved drugs for the treatment of agents of viral hemorrhagic fevers (HF) and antiviral therapies against these viruses are urgently needed. The present study characterizes the potent and selective antiviral activity against the HF causing arenavirus Junin virus (JUNV) of the compound 10-allyl-6-chloro-4-methoxy-9(10H)-acridone, designated 3f. The effectiveness of 3f to inhibit JUNV multiplication was not importantly affected by the initial multiplicity of infection, with similar effective concentration 50% (EC(50)) values in virus yield inhibition assays performed in Vero cells in the range of 0.2-40 plaque forming units (PFU)/cell. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that 3f did not affect the initial steps of adsorption and internalization. The subsequent process of viral RNA synthesis was strongly inhibited, as quantified by real time RT-PCR in compound-treated cells relative to non-treated cells. The addition of exogenous guanosine rescued the infectivity and RNA synthesis of JUNV in 3f-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner, but the reversal was partial, suggesting that the reduction of the GTP pool contributed to the antiviral activity of 3f, but it was not the main operative mechanism. The comparison of 3f with two other viral RNA inhibitors, ribavirin and mycophenolic acid, showed that ribavirin did not act against JUNV through the cellular enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibition whereas the anti-JUNV activity of mycophenolic acid was mainly targeted at this enzyme.

Synthesis and evaluation of N-substituted acridones as antiviral agents against haemorrhagic fever viruses.

Background: In the present study, a series of N-substituted acridone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated against two haemorrhagic fever viruses (HFV). Methods: Compounds were tested against Junin virus (JUNV), an arenavirus agent of Argentine haemorrhagic fever, and dengue virus (DENV), a flavivirus agent of the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease in humans. Results: Among tested compounds, two N-allyl acridones (derivatives 3c and 3f) elicited a potent and selective antiviral activity against JUNV (strain IV4454) and DENV-2 (strain NGC) with 50% effective concentration values between 2.5 and 5.5 µM, as determined by virus yield inhibition. No cytotoxicity was detected at concentrations up to 1,000 µM, resulting in selectivity indices > 181.8–400.0. Both acridones were effective against a wide spectrum of arenaviruses and the four serotypes of DENV. Furthermore, 3c and 3f failed to inactivate virus before cell infection as well as to induce a refractory state by cell pretreatment, indicating that the inhibitory effect was exerted through a blockade in virus multiplication during the infectious process. Conclusion: These data are the first demonstration that acridone derivatives have a potent antiviral activity that block in vitro multiplication of HFV belonging to Arenaviridae and Flaviviridae, such as JUNV and DENV.

1,2,4-Triazole d-ribose derivatives: Design, synthesis and antitumoral evaluation

Herein we report the design, synthesis and characterization of novel 1,2,4-triazole d-ribose derivatives, as well as their synthetic precursors. The antitumoral activity against T cell lymphoma cell line of these products was studied. Structures containing a 1,2,4-triazolic ring linked by sulfur to the carbohydrate moiety showed a moderate antiproliferative activity. The presence of the second heterocyclic ring did not show significant changes in their biological activity. Meanwhile, structures with 3-thiobenzyl-5-substituted-1,2,4-triazole ring linked by nitrogen leads to compounds with a biphasic behavior, stimulating cell proliferation at low concentrations and inhibiting it at higher ones. An increment in the polarity was associated with a decrease in the activity of the evaluated compounds. A preliminary antitumoral screening pointed the 1,2,4-triazolic structures linked to protected sugars as promising leaders for further studies.

Imidazothiazole and related heterocyclic systems. Synthesis, chemical and biological properties

Fused heterobicyclic systems have gained much importance in the field of medicinal chemistry because of their broad spectrum of physiological activities. Among the heterocyclic rings containing bridgehead nitrogen atom, imidazothiazoles derivatives are especially attractive because of their different biological activities. Since many imidazothiazoles derivatives are effective for treating several diseases, is interesting to analyze the behavior of some isosteric related heterocycles, such as pirrolothiazoles, imidazothiadiazoles and imidazotriazoles. In this context, this review summarizes the current knowledge about the syntheses and biological behavior of these families of heterocycles. Traditional synthetic methodologies as well as alternative synthetic procedures are described. Among these last methodologies, the use of multicomponent reaction, novel and efficient coupling reagents, and environmental friendly strategies, like microwave assistance and solvent-free condition in ionic liquids are also summarized. This review includes the biological assessments, docking research and studies of mechanism of action performed in order to obtain the compounds leading to the development of new drugs.

Effects of p-Vinylphenyl Glycosides and Other Related Compounds on the Oviposition Behavior of Ceratitis capitata

Elaphoside-A [p-vinylphenyl (β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→3)-β-d-allopyranoside], a Mediterranean fruit fly oviposition deterrent, was previously isolated from an Argentine collection of the fern Elaphoglossum piloselloides. In order to establish the structural requirements for the observed oviposition inhibition, we synthesized and characterized 4 known and 21 new aromatic glycosides structurally related to elaphoside-A. Their effects on the oviposition behavior of Ceratitis capitata females are discussed.

Antimalarial activity of new acridinone derivatives

Malaria is one of the major threats concerning world public health. Resistance to the current antimalarial drugs has led to searches for new antimalarial compounds. Acridinone derivatives have recently demonstrated to be active against malaria parasite. We focused our attention on synthesized new acridinone derivatives, some of them resulting with high antiviral and trypanocidal activity. In this study new derivatives of 10-alyl-, 10-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)- and 10-(1,2-propadienyl)-9(10H)-acridinone were evaluated for their antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. To assess the selectivity, cytotoxicity was assessed in parallel against human MRC-5 cells. Inhibition of β-hematin formation was determined using a spectrophotometric assay. Mitochondrial bc(1) complexes were isolated from yeast and bovine heart cells to test acridinone inhibitory activity. This study resulted in the identification of three compounds with submicromolar efficacy against P. falciparum and without cytotoxic effects on human cellular line. One compound, IIa (1-fluoro-10-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-9(10H)-acridinone), can be classified as hit for antimalarial drug development exhibiting IC(50) less than 0.2 μg/mL with SI greater than 100. In molecular tests, no relevant inhibitory activity was obtained for our compounds. The mechanism of acridinones antimalarial action remains unclear.

Antiviral activity of an N-allyl acridone against dengue virus

BackgroundDengue virus (DENV), a member of the family Flaviviridae, is at present the most widespread causative agent of a human viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Despite the increasing incidence of this pathogen, there are no antiviral drugs or vaccines currently available for treatment or prevention. In a previous screening assay, we identified a group of N-allyl acridones as effective virus inhibitors. Here, the antiviral activity and mode of action targeted to viral RNA replication of one of the most active DENV-2 inhibitors was further characterized.ResultsThe compound 10-allyl-7-chloro-9(10H)-acridone, designated 3b, was active to inhibit the in vitro infection of Vero cells with the four DENV serotypes, with effective concentration 50% (EC50) values in the range 12.5-27.1xa0μM, as determined by virus yield inhibition assays. The compound was also effective in human HeLa cells. No cytotoxicity was detected at 3b concentrations up to 1000xa0μM. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that virus entry into the host cell was not affected, whereas viral RNA synthesis was strongly inhibited, as quantified by real time RT-PCR. The addition of exogenous guanosine together with 3b rescued only partially the infectivity of DENV-2.ConclusionsThe acridone derivative 3b selectively inhibits the infection of Vero cells with the four DENV serotypes without a direct interaction with the host cell or the virion but interfering specifically with the intracellular virus multiplication. The mode of antiviral action for this acridone apparently involves the cellular enzyme inosine-monophospahe dehydrogenase together with another still unidentified target related to DENV RNA synthesis.

Synthesis, high-resolution NMR spectroscopic analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction of isoxazoline tetracycles.

Three isoxazoline tetracycles were obtained enantiomerically pure by intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The characterization of the new compounds was performed by high-resolution 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The relative configuration of the new chiral centers was determined by NOESY experiments and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structural analysis.

Synthesis of Heterocylic Compounds of Biological Interest from Carbohydrate Derivatives

The synthesis of some isoxazolic compounds from carbohydrate derivatives is described. These products are obtained by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction and their functionalization leads to derivatives with potential biological activities.

A novel rearrangement in the gas phase under electron ionization for 3-glycosyl-5-aryl-2-isoxazolines

Some 3-glycosyl-5-aryl-2-isoxazolines were studied in the gas phase under electron ionization (EI) conditions in order to elucidate their behavior. These derivatives showed an interesting rearrangement involving opening of the heterocyclic ring with a concomitant ring closing to afford a new isoxazoline derivative. The first step of this reaction was the less common cleavage of the heterocyclic C(5)-O bond. The 5-aryl substituent was responsible for the pseudobenzylic stabilization of the new isoxazoline derivative. EI tandem mass spectrometry and EI high-resolution mass spectrometry allowed the elucidation of fragmentation pathways. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.