Ru(bpy)2Cl2: A catalyst able to shift the course of the photorearrangement in the Boulton-Katritzky reaction

The Boulton-Katritzky reaction represents one of the most popular and efficient strategies used to realize azole-into-azole conversions. For example, under different experimental conditions, it allows the rearrangement of Z-arylhydrazones of 3-benzoyl-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles (1) into 2-aryl-4-benzoylamino-5-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazoles (2) in very high yields. Moreover, we have recently realized this conversion also by UV-photostimulation. Now we have enlarged the scope of the reaction irradiating with visible or UV light an acetonitrile solution of some Z-arylhydrazones (1a-e) in the presence of catalytic amounts of Ru(bpY)(2)Cl-2. We have observed the unexpected formation of the 1-aryl-5-…

Curcumin-like compounds designed to modify amyloid beta peptide aggregation patterns

International audience; Curcumin is a natural polyphenol able to bind the amyloid beta peptide, which is related to Alzheimer's disease, and modify its self-assembly pathway. This paper focuses on a multi-disciplinary study that starts from the design of curcumin-like compounds with the key chemical features required for inhibiting amyloid beta aggregation, and reports the effects of these compounds on the in vitro aggregation of amyloid beta peptides. Chemoinformatic screening was performed through the calculation of molecular descriptors that were able to highlight the drug-like profile, followed by docking studies with an amyloid beta peptide fibril. The computational design underlined t…

Low mimosine content and nutrient-rich foliage of two Leucaena leucocephala varieties: a potential fodder resource in Mediterranean agroforestry systems

Leucaena leucocephala is worldwide used for wood production, reforestation and for feeding livestock. To assess the potential use of leucaena for animal nutrition, we analysed the composition of methanolic extracts of leaf samples of two varieties occurring in Sicily (Mediterranean area), also determining the presence of mimosine.

The dissociation of the Hsp60/pro-Caspase-3 complex by bis(pyridyl)oxadiazole copper complex (CubipyOXA) leads to cell death in NCI-H292 cancer cells

Abstract Cell survival and proliferation are central to carcinogenesis, involving various mechanisms among which those that impede apoptosis are important. In this, the role of the molecular chaperone Hsp60 is unclear since it has been reported that it can be both, pro- or anti-apoptotic. A solution to this riddle is crucial to the development of anti-cancer therapies targeting Hsp60. We addressed this question using a tumor cell line, NCI-H292, and [Cu(3,5-bis(2′-pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 , CubipyOXA , a copper-containing compound with cytotoxic properties. We treated cells with various doses of the compound and measured cell viability; apoptosis indicators; and le…

The Anti-Cancer Effect of Mangifera indica L. Peel Extract is Associated to γH2AX-mediated Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cells

Ethanolic extracts from Mangifera indica L. have been proved to possess anti-tumor properties in many cancer systems. However, although most effects have been demonstrated with fruit pulp extract, the underlying molecular mechanisms of mango peel are still unclear. This study was designed to explore the effects of mango peel extract (MPE) on colon cancer cell lines. MPE affected cell viability and inhibited the colony formation trend of tumor cells, while no effects were observed in human dermal fibroblasts used as a non-cancerous cell line model. These events were a consequence of the induction of apoptosis associated to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, activation of players of th…

Fluorinated Heterocyclic Compounds. An Effective Strategy for the Synthesis of Fluorinated Z-Oximes of 3-Perfluoroalkyl-6-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazin- 5-ones via a Ring-Enlargement Reaction of 3-Benzoyl-5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and Hydrazine

The reaction of 3-benzoyl-5-perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with hydrazine has been investigated, evidencing the possibility of competitive reaction paths. Nucleophilic addition of the hydrazine to the electrophilic C(5) of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring, followed by ring opening and ring closure with enlargement, leads with high yield and in very mild experimental conditions to the formation of Z-oximes of 3-perfluoroalkyl-6-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazin-5-ones (11a-c) as major products of the reaction. In turn, the hydrazine can attack the electrophilic carbonyl carbon giving 4-perfluoroacylamino-5-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazoles (13a-c) through the well-known Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement of the inter…

Phytochemical-rich extracts of Helianthemum lippii possess antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-biofilm activities

Helianthemum lippii is a perennial shrubby plant growing in the sandy environments of Italy, Mediterranean countries of North Africa and Middle East. H. lippii is used in traditional medicine but there are very few reports referring to the phytochemical characterization, the ethnopharmacology, and the biological activity of H. lippii. The goal of this study was todetermine the phytochemical composition of different H. lippii extracts, cold (CME) and hot (HME) methanol, cold (CPEE) and hot (HPEE) petroleum ether, as well as to evaluate their anticancer and antimicrobial activities and biofilm formation reduction. Fifty-fours phytocompounds have been determined by HPLC-UV-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis…

New linezolid-like 1,2,4-oxadiazoles active against Gram-positive multiresistant pathogens

The synthesis and the in vitro antibacterial activity of novel linezolid-like oxadiazoles are reported. Replacement of the linezolid morpholine C-ring with 1,2,4-oxadiazole results in an antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant comparable or even superior to that of linezolid. While acetamidomethyl or thioacetoamidomethyl moieties in the C(5) side-chain are required, fluorination of the phenyl B ring exhibits a slight effect on an antibacterial activity but its presence seems to reduce the compounds cytotoxicity. Molecular modeling performed using two different approaches - FLAP and Amber software - shows that in the binding…

Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted 4,4'-Biimidazoles

Highly substituted 4,4'-biimidazoles were synthesized, in good to excellent yields, through a multicomponent imidazole ring synthesis by using imidazol-4-yl-ethane-1,2-diones as starting materials. The obtained compounds were preliminarily tested as chromogenic and fluorescent sensors for heavy metals.

Heterocyclic Scaffolds for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Background: The treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are two of the most urgent goals for research around the world. The cognitive decline is generally associated with the elevated levels of extracellular senile plaques, intracellular neurofibril- lary tangles (NFTs), and with a progressive shutdown of the cholinergic basal forebrain neurons transmission. Even if several key targets are under fervent investigation in the cure of AD, till now, the only approved therapeutic strategy is the treatment of symptoms by using cholinesterases inhibitors. It has been demonstrated that both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes are not only responsible of…

Photochemical Functionalization of Allyl Benzoates by C-H Insertion

The photoreactivity of allyl benzoates, containing an electron-rich double bond, has been explored by irradiation at 305 nm in different solvents. Solvent addition products arising from an insertion of the alpha H–C bonds of THF, dioxane, and i-PrOH to the allylic double bond was realized. The observed reactivity depended on reaction conditions and substitution pattern of the substrate. A DFT study on this unusual reaction was performed allowing the formulation of two mechanistic pathways.

Editorial for Special Issue “Bioactive Oxadiazoles”

Oxadiazoles are electron-poor, five-membered aromatic heterocycles containing one oxygen and two nitrogen atoms [...]

Streptomyces coelicolor Vesicles: Many Molecules To Be Delivered

ABSTRACT Streptomyces coelicolor is a model organism for the study of Streptomyces, a genus of Gram-positive bacteria that undergoes a complex life cycle and produces a broad repertoire of bioactive metabolites and extracellular enzymes. This study investigated the production and characterization of membrane vesicles (MVs) in liquid cultures of S. coelicolor M145 from a structural and biochemical point of view; this was achieved by combining microscopic, physical and -omics analyses. Two main populations of MVs, with different sizes and cargos, were isolated and purified. S. coelicolor MV cargo was determined to be complex, containing different kinds of proteins and metabolites. In particul…

Synthesis, characterization, cellular uptake and interaction with native DNA of a bis(pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole copper(II) complex

The copper(II) complex of 3,5-bis(2'-pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole was synthesized and characterized. X-Ray crystallography revealed that the complex consists of a discrete [Cu(3,5-bis(2'-pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) cation and two ClO(4)(-) anions. The Cu(II) coordination sphere has a distorted octahedral geometry and each ligand chelates the copper ion through the N(4) nitrogen of the oxadiazole ring and the nitrogen of one pyridine moiety. The coordinated water molecules are in cis position and each of them is H-bonded to the 5-pyridyl nitrogen of the oxadiazole ligand and to an oxygen of the perchlorate anion. Biological assays showed that, despite the free ligand not being …

Oxadiazolyl-Pyridinium as Cationic Scaffold for Fluorinated Ionic Liquid Crystals

The synthesis and characterization of a new class of 1,2,4-oxadiazolylpyridinium as a cationic scaffold for fluorinated ionic liquid crystals is herein described. A series of 12 fluorinated heterocyclic salts based on a 1,2,4-oxadiazole moiety, connected through its C(5) or C(3) to an N-alkylpyridinium unit and a perfluoroheptyl chain, differing in the length of the alkyl chain and counterions, has been synthesized. As counterions iodide, bromide and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide have been considered. The synthesis, structure, and liquid crystalline properties of these compounds are discussed on the basis of the tuned structural variables. The thermotropic properties of this series of sa…

On the reaction of some 5-polyfluoroaryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with methylhydrazine: synthesis of fluorinated indazoles

The reaction of 5-polyfluoroaryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with methylhydrazine has been studied and the synthesis of fluorinated N-methylindazoles has been realized. Rearrangement reactions showed predominantly formation of N(1)-methylindazole regioisomers. Starting compounds were preliminarily functionalized at the polyfluoroaryl moiety through fluorine displacement with nucleophiles (methanol, methylamine, dimethylamine), allowing the obtainment of target indazoles substituted at the C(6) position.

Synthesis of fluorinated oxadiazoles with gelation and oxygen storage ability

A new family of fluorinated low molecular weight (LMW) gelators has been synthesized through SNAr substitution of 5-polyfluoroaryl-3-perfluoroheptyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with glycine ester. The obtained compounds give thermal and pH-sensitive hydrogels or thermo-reversible organogels in DMSO. Oxygen solubility studies showed the ability to maintain high oxygen levels in solution and in gel blend with plate counter agar (PCA).

Hsp60 chaperonopathies and chaperonotherapy: targets and agents

Hsp60 (Cpn60) assembles into a tetradecamer that interacts with the co-chaperonin Hsp10 (Cpn10) to assist client polypeptides to fold, but it also has other roles, including participation in pathogenic mechanisms.Hsp60 chaperonopathies are pathological conditions, inherited or acquired, in which the chaperone plays a determinant etiologic-pathogenic role. These diseases justify selection of Hsp60 as a target for developing agents that interfere with its pathogenic effects. We provide information on how to proceed.The information available encourages the development of ways to improve Hsp60 activity (positive chaperonotherapy) when deficient or to block it (negative chaperonotherapy) when pa…

Synthesis of Isoxazoline Derivatives through Boulton-Katritzky Rearrangement of 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles

The base-induced rearrangement of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles into isoxazoline derivatives is reported. This represents the first example of a three-atom side-chain rearrangement that involves a saturated CCO side chain at C-3 of the oxadiazole. Nonaromatic 3-amino-isoxazoline derivatives are obtained in good yields. Interestingly, this reaction occurs through the rearrangement of aromatic oxadiazoles to form less stable bonds than those that are broken.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new class of benzo[b]furan derivatives as antiproliferative agents, with in silico predicted antitubulin activity

A new series of 3-benzoylamino-5-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylaminobenzo[b]furans were synthesized and screened as antitumor agents. As a general trend, tested compounds showed concentration-dependent antiproliferative activity against HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, exhibiting GI50 values in the low micromolar range. In most cases, insertion of a methyl substituent on the imidazole moiety improved the antiproliferative activity. Therefore, methyl-imidazolyl-benzo[b]furans compounds were tested in cell cycle perturbation experiments, producing cell cycle arrest with proapoptotic effects. Their core similarity to known colchicine binding site binders led us to further study the structure featur…

Human Hsp60 with Its Mitochondrial Import Signal Occurs in Solution as Heptamers and Tetradecamers Remarkably Stable over a Wide Range of Concentrations

It has been established that Hsp60 can accumulate in the cytosol in various pathological conditions, including cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Part or all of the cytosolic Hsp60 could be naive, namely, bear the mitochondrial import signal (MIS), but neither the structure nor the in solution oligomeric organization of this cytosolic molecule has still been elucidated. Here we present a detailed study of the structure and self-organization of naive cytosolic Hsp60 in solution. Results were obtained by different biophysical methods (light and X ray scattering, single molecule spectroscopy and hydrodynamics) that all together allowed us to assay a wide range of concentrations of Hsp60…

Iodolactonization of 3-Alkynylthiophene-2-Carboxylic and 3-Alkynylpicolinic Acids for the Synthesis of Fused Heterocycles

The iodolactonization of 3-alkynylthiophene-2-carboxylic acids and 3-alkynylpicolinic acids has been investigated. Using I2 as the iodine source and NaHCO3 as the base in MeCN, the process took place smoothly to afford thienopyranones and pyranopyridinones, respectively, from 6-endo-dig cyclization. The method also worked nicely for the transformation of 2-(phenylethynyl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid and 3-(phenylethynyl) isonicotinic acid into 7-iodo-6-phenyl-4H-thieno[3,2-c]- pyran-4-one and 4-iodo-3-phenyl-1H-pyrano[4,3-c]pyridin-1- one, respectively. Although with some 3-alkynylpicolinic acids the process led to a mixture of the 6-endo-dig and 5-exo-dig products, it could be still made se…

Catalytic Carbonylative Double Cyclization of 2-(3-Hydroxy-1-yn-1-yl)phenols in Ionic Liquids Leading to Furobenzofuranone Derivatives

A catalytic carbonylative double cyclization method for the synthesis of furo[3,4-b]benzofuran-1(3H)-ones is reported. It is based on the reaction between readily available 2-(3-hydroxy-1-yn-1-yl)phenols, CO, and oxygen carried out in the presence of catalytic amounts of PdI2 (1 mol %) in conjunction with KI (20 mol %) and 2 equiv of diisopropylethylamine at 80 degrees C for 24 h under 30 atm of a 1:4 mixture of CO-air. Interestingly, the process was not selective when carried out in classical organic non-nucleophilic solvents (such as MeCN or DME), leading to a mixture of the benzofurofuranone derivative and the benzofuran ensuing from simple cycloisomerization, whereas it turned out chemo…

Ammonium formate-Pd/C as a new reducing system for 1,2,4-oxadiazoles. Synthesis of guanidine derivatives and reductive rearrangement to quinazolin-4-ones with potential anti-diabetic activity

1,2,4-Oxadiazole is a heterocycle with wide reactivity and many useful applications. The reactive O-N bond is usually reduced using molecular hydrogen to obtain amidine derivatives. NH4CO2H-Pd/C is here demonstrated as a new system for the O-N reduction, allowing us to obtain differently substituted acylamidine, acylguanidine and diacylguanidine derivatives. The proposed system is also effective for the achievement of a reductive rearrangement of 5-(2′-aminophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles into 1-alkylquinazolin-4(1H)-ones. The alkaloid glycosine was also obtained with this method. The obtained compounds were preliminarily tested for their biological activity in terms of their cytotoxicity, induce…

WRKY gene family drives dormancy release in onion bulbs

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important bulb crop grown worldwide. Dormancy in bulbous plants is an important physiological state mainly regulated by a complex gene network that determines a stop of vegetative growth during unfavorable seasons. Limited knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that regulate dormancy in onion were available until now. Here, a comparison between uninfected and onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV)-infected onion bulbs highlighted an altered dormancy in the virus-infected plants, causing several symptoms, such as leaf striping, growth reduction, early bulb sprouting and rooting, as well as a lower abscisic acid (ABA) level at the start of dormancy. Furthermore, by compar…

Polyaminoazide mixtures for the synthesis of pH-responsive calixarene nanosponges

Two mixtures of polyaminoazides were synthesized by a nucleophilic displacement strategy providing no separation of the components. The mixtures were adequately characterized by means of combined HR-ESIMS, FTIR and NMR techniques and, despite their complexity, they were successfully used to accomplish the subsequent preparation of pH-sensitive calixarene hyper-reticulated nanosponge materials. The desired responsivity to pH variations of the nanosponges obtained was verified by means of absorption tests on a set of organic pollutant model molecules.

Hsp60, a Novel Target for Antitumor Therapy: Structure-Function Features and Prospective Drugs Design

Heat shock protein 60 kDa (Hsp60) is a chaperone classically believed to be involved in assisting the correct folding of other mitochondrial proteins. Hsp60 also plays a role in cytoprotection against cell stressors, displaying for example, antiapoptotic potential. Despite the plethora of studies devoted to the mechanism of Hsp60's function, especially in prokaryotes, fundamental issues still remain unexplored, including the definition of its role in cancer. Key questions still unanswered pertain to the differences in structure-function features that might exist between the well-studied prokaryotic GroEL and the largely unexplored eukaryotic Hsp60 proteins. In this article we discuss these …

One-pot synthesis of fluorinated 2-amino-pyrimidine-N-oxides. Competing pathways in the four-atom side-chain rearrangements of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles

Abstract Trifluoromethylated 2-amino-pyrimidine N-oxides have been synthesized by reaction of the 3-amino-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole with trifluoromethyl-β-diketones in the presence of perchloric acid, followed by hydrolysis. In this ring-to-ring transformation an initial formation of (unisolated) 1,2,4-oxadiazole-pyrimidinium salts, and subsequent ring-opening at the oxadiazole moiety occurs. Isolation of 2-(hydroxyamino)-pyrimidine from the reaction mixture evidenced the presence of a competing pathway where the N(4) nitrogen of the oxadiazole is involved in the formation of a regioisomeric pyrimidinium salt. The effect of the trifluoromethyl group on the product distribution is discussed.…

Fluorescent Hg2+ Sensors: Synthesis and Evaluation of a Tren-Based Starburst Molecule Containing Fluorinated 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles.

A new tren-based starburst molecule containing fluorinated 1,2,4-oxadiazoles as fluorophores has been synthesized and its sensing behavior toward several metal cations has been investigated by UV/Vis, fluorescence, 1 H NMR and 19 F NMR spectroscopy. Selective sensing for Hg 2+ ions through a PET-based mechanism was evidenced, suggesting application as fluorescent sensor for Hg 2+ of the off-on type.

Heat Shock Proteins in Alzheimer’s Disease: Role and Targeting

Among diseases whose cure is still far from being discovered, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been recognized as a crucial medical and social problem. A major issue in AD research is represented by the complexity of involved biochemical pathways, including the nature of protein misfolding, which results in the production of toxic species. Considering the involvement of (mis)folding processes in AD aetiology, targeting molecular chaperones represents a promising therapeutic perspective. This review analyses the connection between AD and molecular chaperones, with particular attention toward the most important heat shock proteins (HSPs) as representative components of the human chaperome: Hsp60,…

The dimer-monomer equilibrium of SARS-CoV-2 main protease is affected by small molecule inhibitors

AbstractThe maturation of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which is the etiological agent at the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, requires a main protease Mpro to cleave the virus-encoded polyproteins. Despite a wealth of experimental information already available, there is wide disagreement about the Mpro monomer-dimer equilibrium dissociation constant. Since the functional unit of Mpro is a homodimer, the detailed knowledge of the thermodynamics of this equilibrium is a key piece of information for possible therapeutic intervention, with small molecules interfering with dimerization being potential broad-spectrum antiviral drug leads. In the present study, we exploit Small Angle X-ray Scattering (…

Hydration/elimination reactions of trapped protonated fluoroalkyl triazines

Can phthalates move into the eggs of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta? The case of the nests on the Linosa Island in the Mediterranean Sea

During the monitoring of Caretta caretta nests on the island of Linosa, 30 unhatched eggs from four nests were collected to study the presence of phthalates in their three components (shell, yolk, and albumen). Four phthalates, namely diethyl (DEP), dibutyl (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP), and dioctyl (DOTP) phthalic acid esters (PAE), which are widely used as additives in plastics, were detected in all egg components. The most frequently found phthalate was DBP, followed by DEHP in eggshell and yolk. Dimethyl- (DMP) and butylbenzyl-phthalate (BBP) were below the limits of detection for all samples. The high total phthalate recorded in the yolk suggests that contamination could arise by vit…

On the rearrangement of some Z-arylhydrazones of 3-benzoyl-5-phenylisoxazoles into 2-aryl-4-phenacyl-2H-1,2,3-triazoles: a kinetic study of the substituent effects in Boulton-Katritzky reactions

Abstract The rearrangement of eight new Z -arylhydrazones of 3-benzoyl-5-phenylisoxazoles ( 3d – k ) into the relevant 2-aryl-4-phenacyl-2 H -1,2,3-triazoles ( 4d – k ) in dioxane/water solution at different proton concentrations has been quantitatively studied in a wide temperature range (293–333 K). The data collected together with some our previous ones on compounds 3a – c have allowed a deep study of the substituent effects on the course of the rearrangement, thus increasing our knowledge on the Boulton–Katritzky reactions in isoxazole derivatives and on the temperature effects on free energy relationships.

Salphen metal complexes as potential anticancer agents: interaction profile and selectivity studies toward the three G-quadruplex units in the KIT promoter

DNA G-rich sequences can organize in four-stranded structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s). These motifs are enriched in significant sites within the human genomes, including telomeres and promoters of cancer related genes. For instance, KIT proto-oncogene promoter, associated with diverse cancers, contains three adjacent G4 units, namely Kit2, SP, and Kitt. Aiming at finding new and selective G-quadruplex binders, we have synthesized and characterized five non-charged metal complexes of Pt(II), Pd(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) of a chlorine substituted Salphen ligand. The crystal structure of the Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes was determined by XRPD. FRET measurements indicated that Pt(II) an…

Curcumin Affects HSP60 Folding Activity and Levels in Neuroblastoma Cells.

The fundamental challenge in fighting cancer is the development of protective agents able to interfere with the classical pathways of malignant transformation, such as extracellular matrix remodeling, epithelial−mesenchymal transition and, alteration of protein homeostasis. In the tumors of the brain, proteotoxic stress represents one of the main triggering agents for cell transformation. Curcumin is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties with promising potential for the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancer as well as neurodegenerative diseases. Among the mediators of cancer development, HSP60 is a key factor for the maintenance of…

Modulating disease-relevant tau oligomeric strains by small molecules

The pathological aggregation of tau plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease and many other related neurodegenerative diseases, collectively referred to as tauopathies. Recent evidence has demonstrated that tau oligomers, small and soluble prefibrillar aggregates, are highly toxic due to their strong ability to seed tau misfolding and propagate the pathology seen across different neurodegenerative diseases. We previously showed that novel curcumin derivatives affect preformed tau oligomer aggregation pathways by promoting the formation of more aggregated and nontoxic tau aggregates. To further investigate their therapeutic potential, we have extended our studies o disease-relevant bra…

New potent antibacterials against Gram-positive multiresistant pathogens: effects of side chain modification and chirality in linezolid-like 1,2,4-oxadiazoles.

The effects of side chain modification and chirality in linezolid-like 1,2,4-oxadiazoles have been studied to design new potent antibacterials against Gram-positive multidrug-resistant pathogens. The adopted strategy involved a molecular modelling approach, the synthesis and biological evaluation of new designed compounds, enantiomers separation and absolute configuration assignment. Experimental determination of the antibacterial activity of the designed (S)-1-((3-(4-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5- yl)phenyl)-oxazolidin-2-one-5-yl)methyl)-3-methylthiourea and (S)-1-((3-(3-fluoro-4-(3-methyl-1,2,4- oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl)-oxazolidin-2-one-5-yl)methyl)-3-methylthiourea against multidrug resistan…

Synthesis of 4(5)-phenacyl-imidazoles from isoxazole side-chain rearrangements

A novel base-induced rearrangement of isoxazoles into imidazole derivatives is reported. In the isoxazole series, this represents the first example of a three-atom side-chain rearrangement involving a CNC sequence. The reactions are carried out under nitrogen and produced 2-aryl-4(5)-phenacyl-5(4)-phenyl-imidazoles in high yields. In the presence of oxygen, a cascade rearrangement-oxidation reaction sequence was observed and imidazole derivatives bearing an oxidized side-chain were isolated.

Endophytic Bacteria and Essential Oil from Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare Share Some VOCs with an Antibacterial Activity

Medicinal aromatic plants’ essential oils (EOs) are mixtures of volatile compounds showing antimicrobial activity, which could be exploited to face the emerging problem of multi-drug resistance. Their chemical composition can depend on the interactions between the plant and its endophytic microbiota, which is known to synthesize volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, it is still not clear whether those volatile metabolites can contribute to the composition of the aroma profile of plants’ EOs. The aims of this study were to characterize medicinal plant O. vulgare ssp. vulgare bacterial endophyte VOCs, evaluating their ability to antagonize the growth of opportunistic human pathogens bel…

Experimental and DFT Studies on Competitive Heterocyclic Rearrangements. Part 2:1 A One-Atom Side-Chain versus the Classic Three-Atom Side-Chain (Boulton−Katritzky) Ring Rearrangement of 3-Acylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The experimental investigation of the base-catalyzed rearrangements of 3-acylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles evidenced a new reaction pathway which competes with the well-known ring-degenerate Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement (BKR). The new reaction consists of a one-atom side-chain rearrangement that is base-activated, occurs at a higher temperature than the BKR, and irreversibly leads to the corresponding 2-acylamino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. An extensive DFT study is reported to elucidate the proposed reaction mechanism and to compare the three possible inherent routes: (i) the reversible three-atom side-chain ring-degenerate BKR, (ii) the ring contraction-ring expansion route (RCRE), and (iii) the one-…

Perfluorocarbons–graphene oxide nanoplatforms as biocompatible oxygen reservoirs

Abstract 3-Pentadecafluoroheptyl,5-perfluorophenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (FOX) molecules were attached onto a graphene oxide (GO) via a facile aromatic substitution in alkaline environment. This approach allows achieving high degree of functionalization under mild conditions. The covalent attachment of perfluoromoieties onto GO lamellae was confirmed by spectroscopic analyses. The performance of these nanoplatforms (GOF) as oxygen reservoirs was assessed at different concentrations and temperature. The results revealed that under physiologic conditions GO and FOX synergistically operate for increasing oxygen uptake and release, either from a thermodynamic and a kinetic point of view. Even at low…

Photochemically Produced Singlet Oxygen: Applications and Perspectives

This Review aims to provide early stage researchers with an updated guide to applications of photochemically produced singlet oxygen and, at the same time, widen the experienced researcher's perspectives in a holistic approach to singlet oxygen chemistry. Without being exhaustive, literature between 2010 and early 2018 has been surveyed by focusing on a critical evaluation of new knowledge and applications. After an introductory section concerning singlet oxygen production, detection, and interactions with biological systems, subsequent sections describe current applications of singlet-oxygen-enabled technology. Besides strictly chemical synthesis applications, attention has been given to t…

Synthesis of Amino-1,2,4-triazoles by Reductive ANRORC Rearrangements of 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles

The reaction of various 1,2,4-oxadiazoles with an excess of hydrazine in DMF has been investigated. 3-Amino- 1,2,4-triazoles are produced through a reductive ANRORC pathway consisting of the addition of hydrazine to the 1,2,4-oxadiazole followed by ring-opening, ring-closure, and final reduction of the 3-hydroxylamino-1,2,4-triazole intermediate. The general applicability of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles ANRORC reactivity is demonstrated also in the absence of C(5)-linked electron-withdrawing groups.

Toxic Tau Oligomers Modulated by Novel Curcumin Derivatives

AbstractThe pathological aggregation and accumulation of tau, a microtubule-associated protein, is a common feature amongst more than 18 different neurodegenerative diseases that are collectively known as tauopathies. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the soluble and hydrophobic tau oligomers are highly toxic in vitro due to their capacity towards seeding tau misfolding, thereby propagating the tau pathology seen across different neurodegenerative diseases. Modulating the aggregation state of tau oligomers through the use of small molecules could be a useful therapeutic strategy to target their toxicity, regardless of other factors involved in their formation. In this study, we screen…

Synthesis of Fluorinated Indazoles Through ANRORC-Like Rearrangement of 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles with Hydrazine.

A series of 6-substituted fluorinated indazoles has been obtained through an ANRORC-like rearrangement (Addition of Nucleophile, Ring-Opening and Ring-Closure) of 5-tetrafluorophenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with hydrazine. The initial addition of the bidentate nucleophile to the electrophilic C(5) of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring, followed by ring opening and ring closure, leads to the formation of fluorinated indazoles in high yield under mild experimental conditions. Functionalization of the C(6) in the final indazole nucleus was preliminarily achieved through a nucleophilic aromatic substitution on the starting 5-pentafluorophenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole.

Unexpected Substituent Effects in the Iso-Heterocyclic Boulton-Katritzky Rearrangement of 3-Aroylamino-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles: A Mechanistic Study.

The kinetics of the iso-heterocyclic mononuclear rearrangement of some 3-aroylamino-5-methyl-1,2,4-ozadiazoles was carefully examined under largely variable acidic or alkaline conditions. This reaction may proceed via two different mechanistic pathways (an uncatalyzed and a base-catalyzed one), as accounted for also by the evaluation of the relevant activation parameters. Substituent effects, as quantified by means of the Hammett’s equation, appear relatively modest; however, they reveal some interesting anomalies, which enabled us to draw a very precise picture of the intimate reaction course.

The Binding Mechanism of Epolactaene to Hsp60 Unveiled by in Silico Modelling

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and DFT/MM calculations were performed in order to rationalize available experimental results and to provide structural details on the binding mechanism of Epolactaene (EPO) to the 60 KDa Heat Shock Protein (Hsp60). The available crystal structure of Hsp60 represents the last step of the chaperone folding cycle, while the Hsp60-EPO complex was obtained by using a homology model of Hsp60, in order to simulate a state related to the beginning of the folding cycle (Rs1). The results of MD simulations point out that EPO shows the highest binding affinity for the empty ATP binding site. The presence of ATP opens a channel that allows the entrance of both EPO d…

Tandem Reactions of 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles with Allylamines

A reaction of 3-chloro-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with allylamine and diallylamine has been investigated. 3,3a,4,5-Tetrahydroisoxazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines are produced through a tandem ANRORC/[3 + 2]cycloaddition pathway consisting of the addition of allylamine to the 1,2,4-oxadiazole, followed by ring opening, nitrone formation, and finally cycloaddition. 3-N-Allylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles were also obtained as minor products through a classical SNAr. Conversely, a reaction with diallylamine produces 3-N,N-diallylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazole and imidazoline through tandem SNAr/aziridination and nucleophilic ring opening.

An integrated proteomic and metabolomic study to evaluate the effect of nucleus-cytoplasm interaction in a diploid citrus cybrid between sweet orange and lemon.

Key message: Our results provide a comprehensive overview how the alloplasmic condition might lead to a significant improvement in citrus plant breeding, developing varieties more adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Abstract: Citrus cybrids resulting from somatic hybridization hold great potential in plant improvement. They represent effective products resulting from the transfer of organelle-encoded traits into cultivated varieties. In these cases, the plant coordinated array of physiological, biochemical, and molecular functions remains the result of integration among different signals, which derive from the compartmentalized genomes of nucleus, plastids and mitochondria. To dissect …

Sicilian Litchi Fruit Extracts Induce Autophagy versus Apoptosis Switch in Human Colon Cancer Cells

Litchi chinensis Sonnerat is a tropical tree whose fruits contain significant amounts of bioactive polyphenols. Litchi cultivation has recently spread in Sicily where the climate conditions are particularly favorable for this crop. Recent findings have shown that Litchi extracts display anti-tumor and pro-apoptotic effects in vitro, but the precise underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we report for the first time the effects of Sicilian litchi fruit extracts on colon cancer cells. The results indicated that litchi exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp fractions reduce the viability and clonogenic growth of HT29 cells. These effects were due to cell cycle arrest in t…

Curcumin as Scaffold for Drug Discovery against Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are one of major public health problems and their impact is continuously growing. Curcumin has been proposed for the treatment of several of these pathologies, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to the ability of this molecule to reduce inflammation and aggregation of involved proteins. Nevertheless, the poor metabolic stability and bioavailability of curcumin reduce the possibilities of its practical use. For these reasons, many curcumin derivatives were synthetized in order to overcome some limitations. In this review will be highlighted recent results on modification of curcumin scaffold in the search of new effective therap…

Toward a Rationale for the PTC124 (Ataluren) Promoted Readthrough of Premature Stop Codons: A Computational Approach and GFP-Reporter Cell-Based Assay

The presence in the mRNA of premature stop codons (PTCs) results in protein truncation responsible for several inherited (genetic) diseases. A well-known example of these diseases is cystic fibrosis (CF), where approximately 10% (worldwide) of patients have nonsense mutations in the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. PTC124 (3-(5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-benzoic acid), also known as Ataluren, is a small molecule that has been suggested to allow PTC readthrough even though its target has yet to be identified. In the lack of a general consensus about its mechanism of action, we experimentally tested the ability of PTC124 to promote the readthrough of premature termination c…

Genomic Analysis of Endophytic Bacillus-Related Strains Isolated from the Medicinal Plant Origanum vulgare L. Revealed the Presence of Metabolic Pathways Involved in the Biosynthesis of Bioactive Compounds

Multidrug-resistant pathogens represent a serious threat to human health. The inefficacy of traditional antibiotic drugs could be surmounted through the exploitation of natural bioactive compounds of which medicinal plants are a great reservoir. The finding that bacteria living inside plant tissues, (i.e., the endophytic bacterial microbiome) can influence the synthesis of the aforementioned compounds leads to the necessity of unraveling the mechanisms involved in the determination of this symbiotic relationship. Here, we report the genome sequence of four endophytic bacterial strains isolated from the medicinal plant Origanum vulgare L. and able to antagonize the growth of opportunistic pa…

Bio-Waste Products of Mangifera indica L. Reduce Adipogenesis and Exert Antioxidant Effects on 3T3-L1 Cells

Several studies highlighted the beneficial value of natural compounds in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Here, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of extracts of peel and seed of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivated in Sicily (Italy) in 3T3-L1 cells. Mango Peel (MPE) and Mango Seed (MSE) extracts at a 100 µg/mL concentration significantly reduced lipid accumulation and triacylglycerol contents during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation without toxicity. HPLC-ESI-MS analysis showed that both the extracts contain some polyphenolic compounds that can account for the observed biological effects. The anti-adipogenic effect of MPE and MSE was the result of down-regulation of th…

Bioactive compounds containing benzoxadiazole, benzothiadiazole, benzotriazole.

ChemInform Abstract: Ru(bpy)2Cl2: A Catalyst Able to Shift the Course of the Photorearrangement in the Boulton-Katritzky Reaction.

Abstract The Boulton–Katritzky reaction represents one of the most popular and efficient strategies used to realize azole-into-azole conversions. For example, under different experimental conditions, it allows the rearrangement of Z-arylhydrazones of 3-benzoyl-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles (1) into 2-aryl-4-benzoylamino-5-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazoles (2) in very high yields. Moreover, we have recently realized this conversion also by UV-photostimulation. Now we have enlarged the scope of the reaction irradiating with visible or UV light an acetonitrile solution of some Z-arylhydrazones (1a–e) in the presence of catalytic amounts of Ru(bpy)2Cl2. We have observed the unexpected formation of the 1-a…

Gas phase behavior of radical cations of perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-triazines: an experimental and theoretical study

Electron ionization mass spectrometry and low-energy collision-induced decomposition reactions occurring in a tridimensional ion trap, together with density functional theory (DFT) calculations on neutrals, even- and odd-electron cations, have been used to study the gas-phase ion chemistry of a series of perfluoroalkyl-1,2,4-triazines. Loss of oxygen, due to thermal degradation occurring before ionization, likely involving the hydroxylamino group, has been observed. Compounds having a carbonyl group at position 6 of the triazine ring fragment in the source by elimination of NO followed by HF or CO. The decomposition pathways occurring due to CID experiments have shown interesting features d…

Antiproliferative Activity Predictor: A New Reliable In Silico Tool for Drug Response Prediction against NCI60 Panel.

In vitro antiproliferative assays still represent one of the most important tools in the anticancer drug discovery field, especially to gain insights into the mechanisms of action of anticancer small molecules. The NCI-DTP (National Cancer Institute Developmental Therapeutics Program) undoubtedly represents the most famous project aimed at rapidly testing thousands of compounds against multiple tumor cell lines (NCI60). The large amount of biological data stored in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) database and many other databases has led researchers in the fields of computational biology and medicinal chemistry to develop tools to predict the anticancer properties of new agents in advan…

The Boulton-Katritzky Reaction: A Kinetic Study of the Effect of 5-Nitrogen Substituents on the Rearrangement of Some (Z)-Phenylhydrazones of 3-Benzoyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The kinetics of the ring-into-ring conversion of some new (Z)-phenylhydrazones of 3-benzoyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole containing different nitrogen-substituents at C-5 (3b–d; X = NHMe, NMe2, and NHCOMe) into the relevant triazoles 4b–d have been examined in a wide range of pS+ (0.1–11.9) in 1:1 (v/v) dioxane/water solution. The obtained results have been compared with previous data concerning the (Z)-phenylhydrazone of 5-amino-3-benzoyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (3a; X = NH2). All of the studied (Z)-phenylhydrazones rearrange through three different pathways (specific acid-catalysed, uncatalysed and general base-catalysed). The different effects of the substituents on the course of the rearrangement in the t…

On the photoreaction of some 1,2,4-oxadiazoles in the presence of2,3-dimethyl-2-butene. Synthesis of N-imidoyl-aziridines

Fhe photochemistry of some 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-oxadiazoles in the presence of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene has been investigated. The irradiation in acetonitrile yielded differently substituted N-imidoyl-aziridines through an aziridination reaction involving an acyliminonitrene intermediate. Pyrolysis of N-imidoyl-aziridines produced the corresponding N-allylamidines through a ring opening process.

Synthesis and preliminary antibacterial evaluation of Linezolid-like 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives

In the present study the synthesis of new Linezolid-like molecules has been achieved by substitution of the oxazolidinone central heterocyclic moiety with a 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring. Two series of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, bearing different side-chains and containing a varying number of fluorine atoms, were synthesized and preliminarily tested for biological activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using Linezolid and Ceftriaxone as reference drugs

CCDC 1029103: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Maurizio D’Auria, Vincenzo Frenna, Magda Monari, Antonio Palumbo-Piccionello, Rocco Racioppi, Domenico Spinelli, Licia Viggiani|2015|Tetrahedron Lett.|56|6598|doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2015.10.030