PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A J Lin

Publications and source records attributed to A J Lin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Antimalarial activity of new water-soluble dihydroartemisinin derivatives.

The usefulness of sodium artesunate (3), a water-soluble derivative of artemisinin (1), is impaired by its poor stability in aqueous solution. To overcome the ease of hydrolysis of the ester group in 3, a new series of derivatives of dihydroartemisinin (2) was prepared in which the solubilizing moiety, which contains a carboxylate group, is joined to dihydroartemisinin by an ether rather than an ester linkage. The new derivatives were prepared in good yield by treatment of dihydroartemisinin with an appropriate alcohol under boron trifluoride etherate catalysis at room temperature. All major condensation products are the beta isomer. Hydrolysis of the esters with 2.5% KOH/MeOH gave the corresponding potassium salts, which were converted to free acids (8b-d) by acidification. The derivatives were tested in vitro against two clones of human malaria, Plasmodium falciparum D-6 (Sierra Leone clone) and W-2 (Indochina clone). No cross-resistance to the antimalarial agents mefloquine, chloroquine, pyrimethamine, sulfadoxine, and quinine was observed. In general, the new compounds are more effective against the W-2 than the D-6 strain. Esters (5a-d) possess activity comparable to that of the parent compounds 1 and 2; however, conversion of the esters to their corresponding carboxylates (7a-d) or acids (8b-d), with the exception of artelinic acid (8d), drastically decreases the antimalarial activities in both cell lines. Artelinic acid, which is both soluble and stable in 2.5% K2CO3 solution, possesses superior in vivo activity against Plasmodium berghei than artemisinin or artesunic acid.

Animals↗

Stability studies of bis(pyridiniumaldoxime) reactivators of organophosphate-inhibited acetylcholinesterase.

Relative stability studies of three organophosphate-inhibited acetylcholinesterase reactivators, 1-(2-hydroximinomethyl-1-pyridinium)-3-(4-carbamoyl-1-pyridinium)- 2-oxapropane dichloride (HI-6), 1,1'-methylenebis(4-hydroximinomethylpyridinium) dichloride (MMB-4), and 1,1'-trimethylenebis(4-hydroximinomethylpyridinium) dibromide (TMB-4) were carried out by semiquantitative TLC and NMR methods. TMB-4 appears to be the most, and HI-6 the least stable of the three compounds. The extent of hydrolysis of HI-6, MMB-4, and TMB-4 in 0.05 M, pH 7 phosphate buffer was approximately 50, 25, and less than 1%, respectively, after 20 d at room temperature. The hydrolysis products of HI-6 were identified by NMR and MS (electron impact) as 2-pyridinealdoxime, picolinamide, and isonicotinamide, whereas that of MMB-4 was identified as 4-pyridinealdoxime. The stability of these reactivators decreases with increasing pH. TMB-4 was stable under both neutral and basic conditions at room temperature. Deuterium exchange of the methylene protons of MMB-4 in D2O and of the protons at the 2- and 6-positions of the pyridinium ring of TMB-4 in NaOD/D2O were observed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Synthesis and characterization of 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-aryl-1,5-benzodiazepines.

Four benzodiazepine derivatives, reported earlier by other authors, were resynthesized and characterized by NMR, IR, GC/MS and elemental analysis. Three of the four compounds have melting points different from those initially reported by 35-70 degrees C. The differences in melting point along with the discrepancies in IR spectra between our samples and those previously reported suggest that at least three of the eight compounds reported to be 1,5-benzodiazepines have incorrect structural assignments.

Anticonvulsants↗

2-Acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones XI: 2-(alpha-Hydroxyacetyl)pyridine thiosemicarbazones as antimalarial and antibacterial agents.

A series of 2-(alpha-hydroxyacetyl)pyridine thiosemicarbazones was synthesized as potential antimalarial and antibacterial agents. Their synthesis was achieved by the condensation of N4-mono- or N4,N4-disubstituted thiosemicarbazides with 2-(alpha-hydroxyacetyl)pyridine. The latter was prepared by selective bromine oxidation of (2-pyridinyl)-1,2-ethanediol. The new compounds show potent inhibitory activity against penicillin-sensitive as well as penicillin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (MIC, 0.5-0.004 micrograms/mL), against Neisseria meningitidis (MIC, 0.5-0.032 micrograms/mL), and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC, 0.5-2 micrograms/mL). Good in vitro antimalarial effects against Plasmodium falciparum (Smith strain; ID50, 6.7-38 ng/mL) were observed in most of these new agents, but only 3 of 12 compounds exhibit moderate in vivo activity against Plasmodium berghei. These new agents appear to be less toxic to the host and more water soluble than the corresponding 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones.

Animals↗

2-Acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazones. 6.2-Acetylpyridine and 2-butyrylpyridine thiosemicarbazones as antileukemic agents.

N4-Monosubstituted and N4,N4-disubstituted thiosemicarbazones derived from 2-acetylpyridine, 2-acetyl-6-methylpyridine and 2-butyrylpyridine, and N4,N4-disubstituted selenosemicarbazones derived from 2-acetylpyridine were evaluated against leukemia P388 in the mouse. Significant antitumor activity (T/C greater than 125%) was observed for members of each class. Enhancement of antitumor activity resulted from increasing the size of the N4-substituent of the thiosemicarbazone moiety. Selenosemicarbazones were less active than the corresponding thiosemicarbazones.

Animals↗

Agents with potential specificity against melanotic melanoma.

Agents were designed to exploit the high tyrosinase activity in melanotic melanoma relative to normal tissues. If specific tyrosinase activation of these agents occurred, the production of toxic metabolites in the melanoma cells would produce selective cell kill. Synthesis and antitumor activities of three new amino acids, 1a [beta-[(p-hydroxyphenyl)amino]alanine hydrochloride], 1b [N delta-(p-hydroxyphenyl)ornithine hydrochloride], and 1c [N delta-(m-hydroxyphenyl)ornithine dihydrochloride], were described. Compounds 1a and 1b were approximately 2-fold more active against the B-16 melanotic melanoma than the amelanotic melanoma cell line in vitro. Compound 1b was approximately 2-fold more potent than compound 1a against either cll line and was 8-fold more potent than L-glutamic acid gamma-(4-hydroxyanilide), a natural product isolated from mushroom. No significant growth inhibitory activity was found for the m-hydroxy analogue 1c at 100 micrometers, the highest concentration tested. Similarly, compound 1b exhibited better activity against P-388 (ED50 = 9.5 x 10(-6) M) than 1a (ED50 = 3.2 x 10(-5) M) and was about 30-fold more potent than 1c. Against human epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx (KB), these agents showed modest inhibitory activity with ED50 values in the range of 1.2 to 3 x 10(-4) M. No in vivo activity against P-388 and B-16 at doses up to 150-200 mg/kg was observed. The biological results suggest that a nonspecific oxidation rather than a specific tyrosinase activation is involved in the biological action of these new compounds.

Animals↗

Characterization of 2,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone induced mitochondrial swelling.

Mitochondrial swelling induced by 2,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone (CMNQ) was found to be a non-energy linked, oxygen and sulfhydryl-dependent, substrate-independent, osmotic process, that lack cation specificity. Swelling was inhibited by cysteine and DTNB, and the CMNQ induced swelling resulted in a decrease in mitochondrial reactive sulfhydryl groups; thus, mitochondrial sulfhydryl interaction was mandatory in the CMNQ swelling process. The non-enzymatic reaction of CMNQ with cysteine but not cystine resulted in the consumption of oxygen, implicating sulfhydryl redox activity in the swelling process. High level of tocopherol and histidine depressed the CMNQ induced swelling, suggesting that free radicals and singlet oxygen are important in the CMNQ induced swelling process. These findings support the proposition that CMNQ interacts with mitochondrial reductase systems and sulfhydryl groups in such a way as to generate superoxide radical which subsequently may dismute to H2O2 and produce .OH and possibly singlet oxygen. These toxic oxygen species may be responsible for the CMNQ-promoted sulfhydryl depletion and mitochondrial swelling.

Alkylating Agents↗

Synthesis and antineoplastic activity of hydroquinone dialdehydes.

A number of hydroquinone dialdehydes and structurally related compounds were synthesized and tested for antineoplastic efficacy against transplanted murine tumors. 3,6-Dihydroxy-4,5-dimethylphthalaldehyde,3,6-dihydroxy-4,5-dipropylphthalaldehyde, and 3,6-dihydroxy-4,5-dimethylphthalaldehyde hemialdal tetraacetate significantly prolonged the survival time of mice bearing either Sarcoma 180, Ehrlich carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma 755 ascites tumors. In addition, these agents were cytotoxic to Sarcoma 180 cells in culture at concentrations in the range of 25-30 microM.

Aldehydes↗

Synthesis and biological activities of ftorafur metabolites. 3'- and 4'-hydroxyftorafur.

Four isomers of ftorafur were synthesized as authentic samples of possible ftorafur (FT) metabolites. 2,3-Dihydrofuran was treated with perbenzoic acid in MeOH to give 2-methoxy-3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran, which upon treatment with Ac2O/pyridine yielded the key intermediate 2-methoxy-3-acetoxytetrahydrofuran. The other intermediate, 2-ethoxy-4-acetoxytetrahydrofuran, was prepared by acid hydrolysis (HCl/50% EtOH) of 1,1-diethoxy-3,4-dihydroxybutane, followed by acetylation (Ac2O/pyridine). Treatment of 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-5-fluorouracil with either 2-methoxy-3-acetoxytetrahydrofuran or 2-ethoxy-4-acetoxytetrahydrofuran in 1,2-dichloroethane at room temperature using SnCl4 as catalyst afforded cis- and trans-3'-OAc-FT or 4'-OAc-FT, respectively. However, trans-3'-OAc-FT and cis-4'-OAc-FT were the major condensation products. In each case, separation of these cis and trans isomers was achieved by silica gel column chromatography. Treatment of 3'- or 4'-OAc-FT with NH3/CH3OH at 5 degrees C overnight yielded the described hydroxylated FT. Both trans-3'-OH-FT and cis-4'-OH-FT showed no significant activity against L1210 up to 100 mg/kg. These two agents produced an inhibitory effect on HeLa cell growth equal to that of ftorafur, with ID50 = 200 MICROGRAMS/KG.

Animals↗

Effects of the bioreductive alkylating agent 2,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone on coupled mitochondria isolated from sarcoma 180 ascites cells.

The effect of CMNQ was studied on mitochondria isolated from S-180 ascites tumor cells. It was found that the primary metabolic event upon addition of CMNQ to S-180 mitochondria was a stimulation of oxygen uptake. The oxygen utilization rate was maximized at about 50 nmoles CMNQ/mg protein; at doses higher than this, inhibition of respiration was observed relative to the stimulation of respiration produced by CCCP. It was also up to 50 nmoles CMNQ/mg protein. S-180 ATPase activity is stimulated maximally by 125 nmoles CMNQ/mg protein; at doses higher than this, slight inhibition of the ATPase activity relative to the stimulation produced by CCCP is seen. In vivo treatment of CMNQ to tumor bearing animals leads to a significant reduction of in vitro S-180 cellular respiration rates. The data presented in this work coupled with previously published reports involving CMNQ support the proposal for a mitochondrial level of action for this bioreductive alkylating antineoplastic agent.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Synthesis and antitumor activity of halogen-substituted 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinolines.

Halogenated 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinolines were synthesized as potential antitumor agents on the basis of the biochemical pharmacological properties of existing triazenes, their structural-activity relationships, and the high melanin binding of chloroquine and iodoquine in vivo and in vitro. They were synthesized by diazotization of appropriate halogen-substituted 4-aminoquinolines in fluoboric acid at -5 degrees C followed by coupling with dimethylamine. Among these new compounds, 8-chloro-4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinoline produces significant antitumor activity against both P-388 and L1210 murine leukemias. Although only marginally active or inactive against P-388, the other chloro, bromo, or iodo analogues show activity against L1210 comparable to that of dacarbazine (DIC). However, none of these compounds is active against B-16 melanoma. Compared with DIC these new agents demonstrate a higher in vitro affinity for melanin; however, this affinity is apparently not correlated with their antitumor activity.

Animals↗

Potential bioreductive alkylating agents. 7. Antitumor effects of phenyl-substituted 2-chloromethyl-3-phenyl-1,4-naphthoquinones.

Functional groups such as nitro, chloro, bromo, and methoxy were introduced in the meta and para positions of the phenyl ring of the antineoplastic agent 2-chloromethyl-3-phenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. Tests for tumor-inhibitory potency of these derivatives against Sarcoma 180 ascites cells in mice indicated that the para-substituted methoxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, and bromophenyl derivatives possessed antitumor activity comparable to that of the parent compound 2-chloromethyl-3-phenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, whereas meta-substituted nitro and bromo derivatives were either inactive or only weakly active anticancer agents in this system.

Alkylating Agents↗

Mode of action of the bioreductive alkylating agent, 2,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone.

The bioreductive alkylating agent, 2,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,4-napthoquinone (CMNQ), has been shown to inhibit the growth of Sarcoma 180 ascites cells in vivo. Evidence for the reductive activation of this agent via the mitochondrial respiratory chain was provided by CMNQ-induced oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; the interaction was shown to be on the substrate side of the site of rotenone inhibition. Consistent with the concept that reduction of CMNQ to a hydroquinone results in the generation of an alkylating species (i.e., a quinone methide) was the finding that radioactivity from [14C]CMNQ present in Sarcoma 180 ascites cells was associated with DNA, RNA, and protein for a period of up to 72 hr after exposure to tumor-bearing animals to this agent. Inhibition of the incorporation of [3H]thymidine, [3H]uridine, and [14C]leucine into DNA, RNA, and protein, respectively, of Sarcoma 180 ascites cells was produced by this agent, with DNA biosynthesis being the most susceptible. The inhibitory effect of CMNQ on the formation of DNA was, at least in part, the result of a prevention of the conversion of thymidine to its nucleotide forms. This action was due to (a) a drug-induced decrease in intracellular levels of adenosine 5'-triphosphate, presumably resulting from uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by CMNQ; and (b) a partial loss of thymidine kinase activity in Sarcoma 180 cells, which did not appear to be due to direct inhibition of the enzyme by the drug. Although the primary event produced by CMNQ at the mitochondrial level appeared to be release of respiratory control, other effects of mitochondrial metabolism occurred. These included inhibition of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and succinoxidase activities, as previously demonstrated, and mitochondrial swelling, which suggested interaction of CMNQ with the inner mitochondrial membrane. These findings indicate a variety of biochemical lesions are associated with the antineoplastic activity of CMNQ and demonstrate a relationship between the effects of this drug on mitochondrial respiratory control and DNA biosynthesis.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Potential bioreductive alkylating agents. 5. Antineoplastic activity of quinoline-5,8-diones, naphthazarins, and naphthoquinones.

A number of 2-chloromethyl and 2-bromomethyl derivatives of naphthoquinones, quinolinediones, and naphthazarins were designed and synthesized as potential bioreductive alkylating agents, and the antitumor activity of these compounds was assessed in mice bearing Sarcoma 180 ascites cells. The results indicated that, with the exception of 3-benzamido-2-chloromethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, which was inactive, all newly synthesized naphthoquinones possessed strong antitumor activity against this neoplasm. 6,7-Bis(bromomethyl)quinoline-5,8-dione had moderate inhibitory activity against Sarcoma 180 at its optimal daily dosage level of 15 mg/kg. 3-Bromo-2-bromomethyl- and 3-bromo-2-chloromethylnaphthazarin produced a moderate extension of the life span of tumor-bearing mice; whereas, in contrast, 6,7-dimethyl analogs of these agents were inactive when employed in daily doses up to 40 mg/kg body weight.

Alkylating Agents↗