Ozair Alam

Current status of pyrazole and its biological activities.

Pyrazole are potent medicinal scaffolds and exhibit a full spectrum of biological activities. This review throws light on the detailed synthetic approaches which have been applied for the synthesis of pyrazole. This has been followed by an in depth analysis of the pyrazole with respect to their medical significance. This follow-up may help the medicinal chemists to generate new leads possessing pyrazole nucleus with high efficacy.

Synthesis of new benzimidazole and phenylhydrazinecarbothiomide hybrids and their anticonvulsant activity

A series of new benzimidazole derivatives (4a–p) were synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in albino mice against two most adopted models, i.e. maximal electroshock seizure (MES)- and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ)-induced seizures. Synthesized compounds were also screened for possible neurotoxicity using rotarod test. Among the synthesized compounds, 4p showed the most promising activity in MES and scPTZ screens, which was further subjected for oral activity in rats. At a dose of 30xa0mg/kg, it showed tremendous activity in the scPTZ screen. The acute toxicity study (LD50) of compounds showed that only two tested compounds 4f and 4m did not produce any mortality at any of the dose level. Molecular properties and pharmacokinetic parameters of the titled compounds were also determined using Lipinski’s rule of five. The promising results encourage future investigation on the rational modification of this nucleus for development of better compounds.

Therapeutic journey of 2,4-thiazolidinediones as a versatile scaffold: An insight into structure activity relationship

Thiazolidinedione is an important heterocyclic ring system, a pharmacophore and a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry; is a derivative of thiazolidine ring which came into existence for its role as antihyperglycemic agent and a specific ligand of PPARs (Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor). Exhaustive research has led to determination of its vast biological profile with wide range of therapeutic applications. This review covers recent pharmacological advancements of thiazolidinedione moiety along with structure activity relationship so as to provide better correlation among different structures and their receptor interactions.

Synthesis, molecular docking and anti-diabetic evaluation of 2,4-thiazolidinedione based amide derivatives

A series of thiazolidinedione based amide derivatives were designed, synthesized and docked against the PPARγ receptor target. 11 compounds from the series with good glide scores were selected for in vivo antidiabetic study based on streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model. It was observed that 4 compounds (6c, 6e, 6m &6n) showed significantly good antidiabetic activity in comparison to rosiglitazone and pioglitazone as reference drugs. Compound 6c appeared as the most potent derivative in lowering blood glucose level and showed excellent interaction with SER 342, ILE 281, pi-pi interaction with ARG 288 and halogen bond interaction with LYS 367. Further, PPARγ transactivation and gene expression studies of compound 6c were carried out to investigate the possible mechanism of action through PPARγ modulation. Compound 6c exhibited 53.65% transactivation and elevated PPARγ gene expression by 2.1 folds. The biochemical parameters (AST, ALT and ALP levels) were found within the range with no noteworthy damage to liver.

Benzimidazole Scaffold as Anticancer Agent: Synthetic Approaches and Structure–Activity Relationship

Cancer, also known as malignant neoplasm, is a dreadful disease which involves abnormal cell growth having the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Benzimidazole is an organic compound that is heterocyclic and aromatic in nature. It is a bicyclic compound formed by the fusion of the benzene and imidazole ring systems. It is an important pharmacophore and a privileged structure in medicinal chemistry. According to the World Health Organisation (2015 survey), one in six deaths is due to cancer around the globe, accounting for 8.8 million deaths of which 70% of the cases were from low‐ and middle‐income countries. In the efforts to develop suitable anticancer drugs, medicinal chemists have focussed on benzimidazole derivatives. This review article covers the current development of benzimidazole‐based anticancer agents along with the synthetic approaches and structure–activity relationships (SAR).

Molecular modeling and snake venom phospholipase A2 inhibition by phenolic compounds: Structure???activity relationship

In our earlier study, we have reported that a phenolic compound 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde from Janakia arayalpatra root extract was active against Viper and Cobra envenomations. Based on the structure of this natural product, libraries of synthetic structurally variant phenolic compounds were studied through molecular docking on the venom protein. To validate the activity of eight selected compounds, we have tested them in in vivo and in vitro models. The compound 21 (2-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzaldehyde), 22 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde) and 35 (2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylalcohol) were found to be active against venom-induced pathophysiological changes. The compounds 20, 15 and 35 displayed maximum anti-hemorrhagic, anti-lethal and PLA2 inhibitory activity respectively. In terms of SAR, the presence of a formyl group in conjunction with a phenolic group was seen as a significant contributor towards increasing the antivenom activity. The above observations confirmed the anti-venom activity of the phenolic compounds which needs to be further investigated for the development of new anti-snake venom leads.

Design, synthesis, anticonvulsant evaluation and docking study of 2-[(6-substituted benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl)methyl]-1-(4-substituted phenyl)isothioureas

In this paper, we report the synthesis of 2-[(6-substituted benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl)methyl]-1-(4-substituted phenyl)isothiourea derivatives (4a-y) carrying active pharmacophores essential for anticonvulsant activity. The anticonvulsant activity was evaluated in vivo by maximal electroshock (MES) test and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) test in mice. Most of the compounds showed promising anticonvulsant activity. The most active compounds 4b and 4q were found active in both MES and scPTZ models, without signs of neurotoxicity. Compound 4b showed the moderate change in SGOT and alkaline phosphatase level as compared to control. Compounds 4b and 4w were also found to elevate GABA levels in the olfactory lobe, mid brain, medulla oblongata and cerebellum regions of rat brain. In molecular docking study, the title compounds exhibited good binding properties with epilepsy molecular targets such as GABA-A. Structure-activity relationships are also elaborated along with the analysis of lipophilicity. The results suggested that compound 4b is likely to have varied mechanisms of action including voltage-gated ion channel inhibition and modulating GABAergic action.

Design, Synthesis, and Docking Study of Pyrimidine-Triazine Hybrids for GABA Estimation in Animal Epilepsy Models: Pyrimidine-Triazine Hybrids as Anticonvulsants

A series of new pyrimidine–triazine hybrids (4a–t) was designed and synthesized, from which potent anticonvulsant agents were identified. Most of the compounds exhibited promising anticonvulsant activity against the maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) tests, along with minimal motor impairment with higher safety compared to the standard drugs, phenytoin and carbamazepine. In the series, 5‐(4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐6‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐thioxo‐5,6‐dihydropyrimidin‐1(2H)‐yl)‐1,2‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazin‐3(6H)‐one (4o) and 5‐(6‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐4‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐thioxo‐5,6‐dihydropyrimidin‐1(2H)‐yl)‐1,2‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazin‐3(6H)‐one (4s) emerged as most potent anticonvulsant agents with median doses of 22.54 and 29.40u2009mg/kg (MES ED50), 285.02 and 293.42u2009mg/kg (scPTZ ED50), and 389.11 and 412.16u2009mg/kg (TD50), respectively. Docking studies were also performed for all synthesized compounds to get insight into the binding pattern toward the GABAA receptor as a possible mechanism of their anticonvulsant action, and in silico ADME studies were carried out to predict the safety and stability of the molecules. The increased GABA level in the experimental animals in the neurochemical estimation assay confirmed their GABAergic modulating activity. The most potent compounds were also evaluated for their neurotoxic and hepatotoxic effects. Fortunately, they did not show any sign of neurotoxicity or hepatotoxicity, suggesting that they have a broad spectrum of anticonvulsant activity with a large safety margin. Together, this research suggested that 4o and 4s may serve as leads in the discovery and development of new anticonvulsant drugs.

Development of thiazole-5-carboxylate derivatives as selective inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase as a target in Cancer

INTRODUCTIONnThe signalling function of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in endocannabinoid system is delineated by Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). MAGL readdresses the lipid stores in the direction of pro-tumorigenic signalling lipids in cancer cells. Selective as well as potent MAGL inhibitors are limited in number hence their continuous development may lead to a breakthrough invention in the field of MAGL inhibitors. In succession of the above, we have synthesised 2-amino-4- methylthiazole-5-carboxylate derivatives and characterised them by collective use of IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Mass spectral data and elemental analysis.nnnMETHODOLOGYnThirteen compounds (3c-g, 4c, 4e, 4f and 6b-f) inhibited MAGL with IC50 value 0.037- 9.60 µM. Two compounds (3g and 4c) were found to be most potent with IC50 values 0.037 and 0.063µM, respectively. Thirty synthesised compounds were sent to NCI for anticancer screening, out of which nine compounds were selected for one dose anticancer assay. Compounds 3g (NSC:788170) and 4c (NSC:788176)were found to be the most potent during one dose anticancer screening and fulfilled the specified threshold for growth inhibition criteria of NCI and were further selected for full panel five dose assay at 10-fold dilutions of five different concentrations.nnnCONCLUSIONnCompound 3g displayed GI50 value 0.865 μM against EKVX (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer cell line), and 1.20 µM against MDA-MB-468 (Breast Cancer cell Line), while (4c) showed GI50 value 0.34 and 0.96 µM against HOP-92 and EKVX (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer cell line) and 1.08 µM against MDA-MB-231/ATCC(Breast Cancer cell Line). In addition, molecular docking studies of the said MAGL inhibitors have also been presented in this article.

Pyrrole: An insight into recent pharmacological advances with structure activity relationship

Pyrrole is a heterocyclic ring template with multiple pharmacophores that provides a way for the generation of library of enormous lead molecules. Owing to its vast pharmacological profile, pyrrole and its analogues have drawn much attention of the researchers/chemists round the globe to be explored exhaustively for the benefit of mankind. This review focusses on recent advancements; pertaining to pyrrole scaffold, discussing various aspects of structure activity relationship and its bioactivities.