Esterase-Responsive Fluorogenic Prodrugs of Aldose Reductase Inhibitor Epalrestat: An Innovative Strategy toward Enhanced Anticancer Activity.

In addition to the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, potent inhibitors of key enzymes that are differentially overexpressed in cancer cells and associated with its progression are often considered as the drugs of choice for treating cancer. Aldose reductase (AR), which is primarily associated with complications of diabetes, is known to be closely related to the development of cancer and drug resistance. Epalrestat (EPA), an FDA-approved drug, is a potent inhibitor of AR and exhibits anticancer activity.

Synthetic Benzylic Diselenides and Disulfides: Potential Anticancer Activities via Modulation of the ROS-Dependent Akt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

The natural and synthetic organodiselenides have garnered much research attention due to their chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive activities. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a series of benzylic diselenides, which were synthesized by coupling the in situ generated disodium diselenide with the corresponding benzylic halides. The diselenides were evaluated for their anticancer activities in the highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Recent Developments On Activatable Turn-On Fluorogenic Donors of Hydrogen Sulfide (HS).

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is considered the third member of the gasotransmitter family, along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Besides its role in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, the promising therapeutic potential of this small-molecule makes it advantageous for various pharmaceutical applications. The endogenous production of HS at a lower concentration is crucial in maintaining redox balance and cellular homeostasis, and the dysregulation leads to various disease states.