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Biomedical subjects

A Brossi

Publications and source records attributed to A Brossi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The nitrogen of the acetamido group of colchicine modulates P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance.

The substituents of drug molecules and the specific amino acid residues of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) implicated in drug/protein interactions are largely unknown. We have used a series of colchicine analogs modified on the A, B, and C rings to identify the discrete chemical groups on the colchicine molecule that are required for recognition by P-gp. For this, the toxicity of these analogs was tested on independent cell clones expressing either of the two mouse mdr genes, mdr1 and mdr3, known to confer multidrug resistance. Modifications of the methoxy groups on the A and C rings modulated cellular toxicity but had no effect on P-gp recognition; however, modifications at the C7 position of the B ring, in particular the removal of the nitrogen atom of the acetamido group, had a dramatic effect. Analogs bearing a hydrogen at that position were not substrates for P-gp. The importance of the nitrogen at C7 was independently verified in thiocolchicine and allocolchicine analogs similarly modified, although overall levels of resistance to these compounds were somewhat reduced compared to their colchicine counterparts. The study of allocolchicine congeners bearing a six-carbon C ring and of two other analogs completely lacking a B ring suggested that intact B and C rings were important for interaction with P-gp. These results suggest that the structural determinants for cytotoxicity (tubulin binding) and P-gp recognition map to nonoverlapping sites in the colchicine analogs analyzed. Examination of calculated molar refractivities (CMR) revealed that only compounds showing CMR values greater than 9.7 were P-gp substrates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1993

Phenserine: a physostigmine derivative that is a long-acting inhibitor of cholinesterase and demonstrates a wide dose range for attenuating a scopolamine-induced learning impairment of rats in a 14-unit T-maze.

Phenserine ((-)-N-phenylcarbamoyl eseroline), a carbamate analog of physostigmine (Phy), is a long-acting inhibitor of cholinesterase. We have assessed the potential clinical value of phenserine for cholinomimetic therapy of cognitive impairments associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease by evaluating its duration of in vivo activity against rat plasma acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and its effect on attenuating a scopolamine-induced impairment in learning performance of young rats in a shock-motivated 14-unit T-maze. Phenserine achieved maximum AChE inhibition of 73.5% at 5 min and maintained a high and relatively constant inhibition for more than 8 h. For analysis of effects on learning performance, 69, 3-month-old male Fischer-344 rats were pretrained in a straight runway to avoid electric footshock. On the following day, each animal received 15 trials in the 14-unit T-maze. Sixty minutes prior to the maze training, each rat received the first IP injection of either vehicle (Tween 80, ethanol and 0.9% NaCl) or phenserine at 1.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5, or 10.0 mg/kg. Then 30 min prior to the training, each animal received a second IP injection of either 0.9% NaCl or scopolamine hydrochloride (0.75 mg/kg; SCOP). Compared to the vehicle-SCOP group, all but the 7.5 mg/kg dose of phenserine significantly ameliorated error performance, runtime, shock frequency and shock duration in SCOP-treated rats at the final block of three trials. Appearing to have a long effect and a wide therapeutic window, phenserine deserves further study as a cognitive enhancer.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1993

Effects of mescaline and some of its analogs on cholinergic neuromuscular transmission.

Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylethylamine; MES) and its analogs, anhalinine (ANH) and methylenemescaline trimer (MMT) were investigated, using sciatic-sartorius preparations of the frog and cortical tissue from the rat. The effects of MES and its analogs were examined with respect to muscle twitch, resting membrane potential and nicotinic receptor binding. Mescaline and its analogs (10-100 microM) blocked both directly and neurally evoked twitches but their effects on neurally evoked twitches were greater than those on directly evoked twitches. Mescaline, ANH and MMT decreased amplitude of the miniature endplate and endplate potentials, decreased acetylcholine (ACh) quantal content, hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential and prolonged duration of the action potential. They did not significantly displace the binding of [125I]-alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BTX) to nicotinic receptors, at concentrations which blocked neuromuscular transmission. These results suggest that MES and its analogs inhibit cholinergic neuromuscular transmission by blocking release of ACh; they also affect K+ conductance.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1992

Chloroacetates of 2- and 3-demethylthiocolchicine: specific covalent interactions with tubulin with preferential labeling of the beta-subunit.

We synthesized two chemically reactive A ring modified analogs of colchicine, 2-chloroacetyl-2-demethylthiocolchicine (2-CTC) and 3-chloroacetyl-3-demethylthiocolchicine (3-CTC). Both are similar to colchicine as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and act as competitive inhibitors of colchicine binding (apparent Ki values, 3 microM). [14C]-labeled 2-CTC and 3-CTC bound to tubulin at 37 degrees C but not at 0 degree C, and bound drug formed covalent bond(s) with tubulin. The binding and covalent reactions were inhibited by podophyllotoxin. About 60% of the bound 3-CTC rapidly formed a covalent bond with tubulin. With 2-CTC the covalent reaction was slower than the binding reaction, and only one-third of the bound 2-CTC reacted covalently with tubulin. The ratio of radiolabel in beta-tubulin to that in alpha-tubulin was about 4:1 with both 2-CTC and 3-CTC.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1992

The long-acting cholinesterase inhibitor heptyl-physostigmine attenuates the scopolamine-induced learning impairment of rats in a 14-unit T-maze.

Heptyl-physostigmine (heptyl-Phy), a new carbamate derivative of physostigmine (Phy), has been assessed for potential clinical value by evaluating its in vitro activity against human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), its duration of in vivo activity against rat plasma AChE, and its effects on attenuating a scopolamine-induced impairment in learning performance of young rats in a 14-unit T-maze. Heptyl-Phy demonstrated potent cholinesterase inhibition, with activity similar to that of Phy against AChE, IC50 values 21.7 +/- 2.0 nM and 27.9 +/- 2.4 nM, respectively, and significantly greater than that of Phy against BChE, IC50 values 5.0 +/- 0.1 nM and 16.0 +/- 2.9 nM, respectively. Heptyl-Phy achieved maximum AChE inhibition of 92.5% at 60 min and maintained a high and relatively constant inhibition for more than 8 h. For analysis of effects on learning performance, heptyl-Phy at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 or 3.0 mg/kg, or vehicle was administered i.p. to 52 3-month-old male Fischer-344 rats 60 min prior to maze training. Thirty minutes prior to training, each animal received either 0.9% NaCl or scopolamine hydrochloride (0.75 mg/kg). Only a 2.0 mg/kg dose of heptyl-Phy significantly reduced the number of errors in scopolamine-treated rats. The other doses did not improve any aspect of maze performance. Although the therapeutic window of heptyl-Phy did not appear wide enough for clinical use, the longer duration of action of heptyl-Phy would appear beneficial.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1992

Colchicine analogues: effect on amyloidogenesis in a murine model and, in vitro, on polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Colchicine has been used in diverse clinical settings such as gout, familial Mediterranean fever, liver cirrhosis, Behcet's disease and pericarditis. It also has an antimitotic potential hitherto unexplored due to its narrow therapeutic toxic ratio. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness and the toxicity of colchicine and three analogues: thiocolchicine, 2,3 dimethyl-colchicine and 3-dimethylthiocolchicine in the blockage of amyloid synthesis in a murine model. 3-demethylthiocolchicine was equipotent to colchicine in the blockage of casein induced amyloidogenesis. However, it was markedly less toxic (LD50 11.3 mg kg-1 vs. 1.6 mg kg-1). Thiocolchicine was toxic (LD50 1.0 mg kg-1) and 2,3 didemethyl-colchicine was far less effective. The effect of 3-dimethylthiocolchicine on polymorphonuclear leukocytes was then compared to colchicine. The effect of this analogue on inhibition of chemotaxis was equivalent to that of colchicine whereas the latter was superior to the analogue in the suppression of phagocytosis (by a ratio of 2:1) and in the inhibition of bactericidal activity (by a ratio of 10:1). Since in therapeutic concentrations the only detectable effect of colchicine on PMNs is inhibition of chemotaxis, our data may point to 3-demethylthiocolchicine as an optional, perhaps superior alternative to colchicine for some of its therapeutic indications.

Amyloid↗
PubMed1991

Oxoaporphine alkaloids: conversion of lysicamine into liriodendronine and its 2-O-methyl ether, and antifungal activity.

Pschorr reaction of diazonium salt 7 in aqueous methanolic sulfuric acid afforded, besides lysicamine 2, the orange colored sulfate of oxodibenzopyrrocoline (8). The structure is fully supported by an X-ray analysis of its picrate salt. Selective ether cleavage of lysicamine (2) with 48% HBr afforded a hydrobromide of 9, and free betaine 9 on treatment with pyridine-water. Both compounds methylated on treatment with etherial diazomethane on nitrogen to give the known 2-O,N-dimethylliriodendronine (11). Liriodendronine (10) was obtained from lysicamine (2) on heating with pyridine HBr at 189 degrees C, and treatment with pyridine-water, as a dark violet betaine. Betaine 12 was obtained by heating 11.HCl to 200 degrees C. The quaternary salts of lysicamine, lysicamine methiodide (3) and lysicamine methosulfate (4) were comparable in anticandidal activity to liriodenine (1), but were not as active as liriodenine methiodide (13).

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1991

Chemistry of colchicine.

Chemical structures of colchicine and related analogs, including allo-compounds with a six-membered ring, are presented here with correct absolute configurations, showing the natural representatives as a S-atropisomers. Spectral data, synthesis, biosynthesis, and metabolism of colchicine are discussed. Structural requirements required for these compounds to inhibit polymerization of tubulin and binding of radiolabeled colchicine in vitro are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Fluorinated colchicinoids: antitubulin and cytotoxic properties.

The synthesis of B-ring and C-ring trifluoroacetamide-substituted colchicinoids and fluoro-substituted colchicineethylamides is presented. The B-ring trifluoroacetamido-substituted analogues exhibit moderate enhancement of potency compared to the nonfluorinated analogues for tubulin assembly inhibition and cytotoxicity toward two wild type cell lines. The C-ring substituted fluoroethylamides have reduced relative potencies in the same systems due to the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the fluoro derivatives. The fluoro colchicinoids are much more cytotoxic toward drug-resistant cell lines than to the wild type cell lines. Their enhanced potency is probably due to an effect of the fluoro moiety on functions specific to resistant cells and/or their higher hydrophobicity that may result in higher intracellular drug content. This finding may suggest the application of designed fluorinated anticancer drugs to overcome acquired resistance which may develop after several regiments of treatment with a nonfluorinated chemotherapeutic agent.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Mammalian Alkaloids: Conversions of Tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic Acids Derived from Dopamine*.

Racemic and optically active mammalian 6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acids derived from dopamine, and quinonemethides obtained from them by oxidative decarboxylation at physiological pH 7-9, are methylated by S-adenosyl- L-methionine in the presence of catechol- O-methyl-transferase IN VITRO exclusively at the OH-group at C-7. It can, therefore, be stated that these acids are unlikely intermediates in the biosynthesis of isoquinolines en route to morphine. Enantiospecific and regioselective O-methylations observed with ( S)- and ( R)-norcoclaurines, leading in the ( S)-series predominantly to compounds methylated at the hydroxy group at C-6, and in the ( R)-series to isomers methylated at the hydroxy group at C-7, respectively, are in full accord with similar reactions occurring in the plant biosynthesis of morphine. Since the same methylation pattern is ascertained in reactions catalyzed by mammalian enzymes, it is suggested that mammals might be capable of synthesizing morphine from the same isoquinoline precursors.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Mammalian alkaloids: conversions of tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acids derived from dopamine.

Racemic and optically active mammalian 6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acids derived from dopamine, and quinonemethides obtained from them by oxidative decarboxylation at physiological pH 7-9, are methylated by S-adenosyl-L-methionine in the presence of catechol-O-methyl-transferase in vitro exclusively at the OH-group at C-7. It can, therefore, be stated that these acids are unlikely intermediates in the biosynthesis of isoquinolines en route to morphine. Enantiospecific and regioselective O-methylations observed with (S)- and (R)-norcoclaurines, leading in the (S)-series predominantly to compounds methylated at the hydroxy group at C-6, and in the (R)-series to isomers methylated at the hydroxy group at C-7, respectively, are in full accord with similar reactions occurring in the plant biosynthesis of morphine. Since the same methylation pattern is ascertained in reactions catalyzed by mammalian enzymes, it is suggested that mammals might be capable of synthesizing morphine from the same isoquinoline precursors.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of mass spectral techniques using organic peroxides related to artemisinin.

The mass spectra of three peroxides related to artemisinin (1) are compared in nine different ionization modes. Ion trap mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra reveal numerous pathways for the electron impact (EI) decompositions. In the EI mode, the best spectra are obtained by using the ion trap mass spectrometer at low temperatures. Loss of oxygen is observed with the other EI spectrometers, suggesting catalytic decomposition in the ion source. Methane positive and negative chemical ionization (CI) spectra show considerable fragmentation, while isobutane CI spectra show only (M + H)+ for 1 and (M + H - H2O)+ for dihydroartemisinin (2) and (3). An unusually abundant (2M + H)+ is observed for 1 in both positive-ion plasma desorption and fast atom bombardment mass spectra.

Artemisinins↗
PubMed1990

N-acetylcolchinol O-methyl ether and thiocolchicine, potent analogs of colchicine modified in the C ring. Evaluation of the mechanistic basis for their enhanced biological properties.

Two colchicine analogs with modifications only in the C ring are better inhibitors than colchicine of cell growth and tubulin polymerization. Radiolabeled thiocolchicine (with a thiomethyl instead of a methoxy group at position C-10) and N-acetylcolchinol O-methyl ether (NCME) (with a methoxy-substituted benzenoid instead of the methoxy-substituted tropone C ring) were prepared for comparison with colchicine. Scatchard analysis indicated a single binding site with KD values of 1.0-2.3 microM. Thiocolchicine was bound 2-4 times as rapidly as colchicine, but the activation energies of the reactions were nearly identical (18 kcal/mol for colchicine, 20 kcal/mol for thiocolchicine). NCME bound to tubulin in a biphasic reaction. The faster phase was 60 times as fast as colchicine binding at 37 degrees C, and a substantial reaction occurred at 0 degrees C. The rate of the faster phase of NCME binding changed relatively little as a function of temperature, so the activation energy was only 7.0 kcal/mol. Dissociation reactions were also evaluated, and at 37 degrees C the half-lives of the tubulin-drug complexes were 11 min for NCME, 24 h for thiocolchicine, and 27 h for colchicine. Relative dissociation rates as a function of temperature varied little among the drug complexes. Activation energies for the dissociation reactions were 30 kcal/mol for thiocolchicine, 27 kcal/mol for NCME, and 24 kcal/mol for colchicine. Comparison of the activation energies of association and dissociation yielded free energies for the binding reactions of -20 kcal/mol for NCME, -10 kcal/mol for thiocolchicine, and -6 kcal/mol for colchicine. The greater effectiveness of NCME and thiocolchicine as compared with colchicine in biological assays probably derives from their more rapid binding to tubulin and the lower free energies of their binding reactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

aS,7S-absolute configuration of natural (-)-colchicine and allo-congeners.

The aS,7S-absolute configuration of (-)-colchicine (1) and (-)-N-acetylcolchinol methyl ether (3, NCME) suggested on the basis of 1H NMR data and negative Cotton effects at about 260 nm (EtOH) is firmly established by an X-ray analysis of urea 5, a compound derived from 3. Binding of these compounds to tubulin requires an aS-configuration of the biaryl system.

Colchicine↗
PubMed1990

Inhibition of monoamine oxidases A and B by simple isoquinoline alkaloids: racemic and optically active 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-, 3,4-dihydro-, and fully aromatic isoquinolines.

A series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-, 3,4-dihydro-, and fully aromatic isoquinolines were tested as substrates and/or inactivators of highly purified human monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO A and B). None were found to be a substrate for either enzyme, but many of these isoquinolines could selectively inhibit either MAO A or B. Stereoselective competitive inhibition of MAO A was found with the R enantiomer of all the stereoisomers tested, including salsolinol (Ki = 31 microM), salsoline (Ki = 77 microM), salsolidine (Ki = 6 microM), and carnegine (Ki = 2 microM). As a class, the 3,4-dihydro-isoquinolines were the most potent inhibitors tested (Ki = 2-130 microM), and the fully aromatic isoquinolines had intermediate activity (Ki = 17-130 microM) against MAO A. In contrast, only a few of these compounds markedly inhibited MAO B. 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline, its 2-methyl derivative, and o-methylcorypalline gave apparent Ki values of 15, 1, and 29 microM, respectively, and two 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines (compounds 22 and 25) showed substantial inhibition of MAO B (Ki = 76 and 15 microM, respectively). These results support the concept that the topography of the inhibitor binding site differs in MAO A and B.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1990

Antitubulin effects of derivatives of 3-demethylthiocolchicine, methylthio ethers of natural colchicinoids, and thioketones derived from thiocolchicine. Comparison with colchicinoids.

Esterification of the phenolic group in 3-demethylthiocolchicine and exchange of the N-acetyl group with other N-acyl groups or a N-carbalkoxy group afforded many compounds which showed superior activity over the parent drug as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and of the growth of L1210 murine leukemia cells in culture. A comparison of naturally occurring Colchicum alkaloids with thio isosters, obtained by replacing the OMe group at C(10) with a SCH3 group, showed the thio ethers to be invariably more potent in these assays. The comparison included 3-demethylthiodemecolcine prepared from 3-demethylthiocolchicine by partial synthesis. Thiation of thiocolchicine with Lawesson's reagent afforded novel thiotropolones which exhibited high antitubulin activity. Their structures are fully secured by spectral data. Colchicine and several of its analogues show good antitumor effect in mice infected with P388 lymphocytic leukemia, and all of them show high affinity for tubulin and inhibit tubulin polymerization at low concentration. Consequently, antitubulin assays with this class of compounds can serve as valuable prescreens for the initial evaluation of potential antitumor drugs.

Animals↗