Saulo Fernandes Andrade

New insights into the chemistry and antioxidant activity of coumarins.

Coumarins are considered to be privileged structures due to their broad range of biological properties, including anticoagulant, anti-neurodegenerative, antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial activities. These interesting properties of coumarins can be ascribed to the chemical attributes of the 2H-chromen-2-one core; its aromatic ring can establish a series of hydrophobic, π-π, CH-π and cation-π interactions, and the two oxygen atoms in the lactone ring may hydrogen-bond to a series of amino acid residues in different classes of enzymes and receptors. Additionally, the double bond in the lactone helps to make the entire system planar, allows charge delocalization between the carbonyl group of the lactone and the aromatic ring and confers the characteristic fluorescence of this class of compounds, which can be explained by their preventing the trans-cis transformation of the double bond under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. It is the possibility of radical delocalization in the 2H-chromen-2-one nucleus that makes most of the coumarins good antioxidants by acting as free radical scavengers, although some coumarins (mainly hydroxycoumarins) may also prevent the formation of free radicals by chelating metal ions. In this review, we provide a systematic analysis of the most important aspects surrounding the development of coumarins as antioxidants. Our analysis includes the synthesis of some complex antioxidant coumarins, strategies for structural modification to improve their antioxidant activities, qualitative/ quantitative structure-antioxidant relationships studies and the main in vitro assays used to evaluate their antioxidant properties.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 6-triazolo-6-deoxy eugenol glucosides.

A new series of 1,2,3-triazole eugenol glucosides were synthesized. The new compound structures were confirmed by MS, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. All of the synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. Five compounds exerted significant activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Salmonella typhimurium with low IC50 values (49.73-68.53 μΜ), and seven compounds were active against the Gram-positive bacteria Micrococcus luteus (42.89-210.94 μM). In vitro cytotoxicity on mouse spleen cells was also evaluated. One compound bearing a phenyl substituent at the triazole ring showed good activity against Salmonella typhimurium (49.73 μM) and low toxicity to normal cells (CC50=157.83 μM). Thus, the compounds herein can be considered for further modification for improving their antibacterial activity or obtaining novel antibacterial drug candidates.

Synthesis of a novel series of 2,3,4-trisubstituted oxazolidines designed by isosteric replacement or rigidification of the structure and cytotoxic evaluation

We have previously reported on a study of the structure–activity relationship in a series of 2,3,4-substituted oxazolidines recently discovered by our group varying the substituent at the ring or stereochemistry of the oxazolidine ring. We discovered the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic potential of compounds 1 and 2 with good selectivity against cancer cell lines. In the present study we describe the synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation against cancer cell lines (HL60, JURKAT, MDA-MB-231 and LNCaP) of a series of oxazolidines designed by isosteric replacement or rigidification of the oxymethylene spacer of compounds 1 and 2. Alkenes 3 and 4 retained the activity against MDA-MB-231 cells and they were more active on HL60, JURKAT and LNCaP cells. Considering LNCaP cells, E-isomer 4 was at least 7 times and about 3 times more potent than lead 1 and Z-isomer 3, respectively. Compound 4 exerted significant activity against LNCaP with IC50 in the low micromolar range (11 μM) without affecting VERO cells and PBMC proliferation (IC50 > 100 μM) indicating its low toxicity to normal cells.

Evaluation of 8-Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives as Hits for Antifungal Drug Design

Abstract Clioquinol is an 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivative that was widely used from the 1950s to 1970s as an oral antiparasitic agent. In 1970, the oral forms were withdrawn from the market due to reports of toxicity, but topical formulations for antifungal treatment remained available. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity, anti‐Candida and antidermatophyte activity and to determine pharmacodynamic characteristics of clioquinol and other 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives (8‐hydroxy‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid and 8‐hydroxy‐7‐iodo‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid). Antifungal activity was tested by broth microdilution and the fungicidal or fungistatic effect was checked by a time‐kill assay. Permeation and histopathological evaluation were performed in Franz diffusion cells with ear skin of pigs and examined under light microscopy. An HET‐CAM test was used to determine the potential irritancy. The three compounds were active against all isolates showing anti‐Candida and antidermatophyte activity, with MIC ranges of 0.031‐2 &mgr;g/ml, 1‐512 &mgr;g/ml, and 2‐1024 &mgr;g/ml for clioquinol, 8‐hydroxy‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid, and 8‐hydroxy‐7‐iodo‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid, respectively. All compounds showed fungistatic effect for Candida, 8‐hydroxy‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid, and 8‐hydroxy‐7‐iodo‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid showed a fungicidal effect for M. canis and T. mentagrophytes, and clioquinol showed a fungicidal effect only for T. mentagrophytes. Furthermore, they presented a fungicidal effect depending on the time and concentration. The absence of lesions was observed in histopathological evaluation and no compound was irritating. Moreover, clioquinol and 8‐hydroxy‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid accumulated in the epithelial tissue, and 8‐hydroxy‐7‐iodo‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid had a high degree of permeation. In conclusion, 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives showed antifungal activity and 8‐hydroxy‐5‐quinolinesulfonic acid demonstrated the potential for antifungal drug design.

Combining the Pharmacophore Features of Coumarins and 1,4-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazoles to Design New Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: Fast and Easy Generation of 4-Methylcoumarins/1,2,3-triazoles Conjugates via Click Chemistry

Coumarins are a large class of compounds that display a range of interesting biological properties, being considered privileged structures because of the ability of their 2H-chromen-2-one nuclei to bind to multiple pharmacological targets. We hypothesized that the linkage of a second pharmacophore nucleus to the 2H-chromen-2-one core, the 1,2,3-triazole moiety, would entail more selective and pharmacologically active coumarins. Therefore, we describe the synthesis of fourteen 4-methylcoumarins/1,4-substituted 1,2,3-triazole conjugates, which were predicted by in silico methods to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and proved to be moderate in vitro inhibitors of this enzyme. Molecular docking simulations suggest that the most active of these compounds has a putative binding mode similar to donepezil, both occupying the peripheral anionic site of AChE, which is associated with the secondary noncholinergic functions of the enzyme. This highlights the potential of this series for further optimization in the search of new coumarins for the treatment of Alzheimers disease.

New insights into the mechanism of antifungal action of 8-hydroxyquinolines

The 8-hydroxyquinoline core is a privileged scaffold for drug design explored to afford novel derivatives endowed with biological activity. Our research aimed at clarifying the antifungal mechanism of action of clioquinol, 8-hydroxy-5-quinolinesulfonic acid, and 8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid (three 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives). The antifungal mode of action of these derivatives on Candida spp. and dermatophytes was investigated using sorbitol protection assay, cellular leakage effect, ergosterol binding assay, and scanning electron microscopy. Clioquinol damaged the cell wall and inhibited the formation of pseudohyphae by C. albicans. The 8-hydroxy-5-quinolinesulfonic acid derivatives compromised the functional integrity of cytoplasmic membranes. To date no similar report was found about the antifungal mechanism of 8-hydroxyquinolines. These results, combined with the broad antifungal spectrum already demonstrated previously, reinforce the potential of 8-hydroxyquinolines for the development of new drugs.

Clioquinol is a promising preventive morphological switching compound in the treatment of Candida infections linked to the use of intrauterine devices

Purpose. Candida biofilm infections are frequently linked to the use of biomaterials and are of clinical significance because they are commonly resistant to antifungals. Clioquinol is an antiseptic drug and is effective against multidrug‐resistant Candida. We investigated the effect of clioquinol and two other 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives on Candida biofilm. Methodology. The ability to inhibit biofilm formation, inhibit preformed biofilm and remove established biofilms was evaluated using in vitro assays on microtitre plates. The action of clioquinol on biofilm in intrauterine devices (IUDs) was also investigated, describing the first protocol to quantify the inhibitory action of compounds on biofilms formed on IUDs. Results. Clioquinol was found to be the most effective 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivative among those tested. It prevented more than 90 % of biofilm formation, which can be attributed to blockade of hyphal development. Clioquinol also reduced the metabolic activity of sessile Candida but the susceptibility was lower compared to planktonic cells (0.031‐0.5 &mgr;g ml‐1 required to inhibit 50 % planktonic cells and 4‐16 &mgr;g ml‐1 to inhibit 50 % preformed biofilms). On the other hand, almost complete removal of biofilms was not achieved for the majority of the isolates. Candida spp. also showed the ability to form biofilm on copper IUD; clioquinol eradicated 80‐100 % of these biofilms. Conclusion. Our results indicate a potential application in terms of biomaterials for 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives. Clioquinol could be used as a coating to prevent morphological switching and thus prevent biofilm formation. Furthermore, clioquinol may have future applications in the treatment of Candida infections linked to the use of IUDs.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies of cruzain and rhodesain inhibitors

Chagas disease and Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) are important public health issues in Latin American and sub-Saharan African countries, respectively, and are responsible for a significant number of deaths. The drugs currently used to treat Chagas disease and HAT present efficacy, toxicity, and/or resistance issues; thus, there is a clear need for the discovery of novel targets and drug candidates to combat these diseases. In recent years, much effort has been made to find inhibitors of cruzain and rhodesain, which are promising targets for the design of novel trypanocidal compounds, since they are essential for parasite survival. Many reviews covering the design of novel cruzain and rhodesain inhibitors have been published; however, none have focused on the chemistry of the inhibitors. Thus, in the present work we reviewed the synthetic strategies and routes for the preparation of relevant classes of cruzain and rhodesain inhibitors. Perhaps the most important are the vinyl sulfone derivatives, and a very efficient synthetic strategy based on the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction was developed to yield these compounds. Modern approaches such as the asymmetric addition of substituted ethynyllithium to N-sulfinyl ketimines were used to produce the chiral alkynes that were employed in the preparation of important chiral triazole derivatives (potent cruzain inhibitors) and chiral HPLC resolution was used for the preparation of enantiopure 3-bromoisoxazoline derivatives (rhodesain inhibitors). Moreover, we also highlight the most important activity results and updated SAR results.