Arylpiperazine Derivatives and Cancer: A New Challenge in Medicinal Chemistry.

In recent decades, there has been a startling rise in the number of cancer patients worldwide, which has led to an amazing upsurge in the development of novel anticancer treatment candidates. On a positive note, arylpiperazines have garnered attention in cancer research due to their potential as scaffolds for developing anticancer agents. These compounds exhibit a diverse array of biological activities, including cytotoxic effects against cancer cells.

Development and evaluation of nanostructured systems for cutaneous delivery of HS-releasing corticosteroids for skin inflammatory diseases.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease that causes major psychosocial impact. Topical corticosteroids represent the standard pharmacological treatment for mild-to-moderate disease, but their local and systemic adverse effects reinforce the need for treatment innovations. Here we developed lamellar phase-based formulations for topical delivery of a hybrid dexamethasone and hydrogen sulfide (HS) donor molecule (Dexa-TBZ), aiming to potentiate the effects of the glucocorticoid with HS.

A New Process for the Synthesis of Budesonide 21-Phosphate and Evaluation in a Murine Model of Inflammation.

In this study, a new and straightforward process for the preparation of budesonide 21-phosphate (Bud-21P) and its disodium salt (Bud-21P-Na2) is described. The method results in a yield comparable to those obtained by diphosphoryl chloride, but it is more manageable, less expensive, and safer. The new compounds are characterized by better water solubility compared to the parent compound.

Newly Synthesized Indolylacetic Derivatives Reduce Tumor Necrosis Factor-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Prolong Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice.

The debilitating neurodegenerative disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons (MNs) in the brain, spinal cord, and motor cortex. The ALS neuroinflammatory component is being characterized and includes the overexpression of mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Currently, there are no effective treatments for ALS.

Pills of Multi-Target HS Donating Molecules for Complex Diseases.

Among the various drug discovery methods, a very promising modern approach consists in designing multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) able to modulate multiple targets of interest, including the pathways where hydrogen sulfide (HS) is involved. By incorporating an HS donor moiety into a native drug, researchers have been able to simultaneously target multiple therapeutic pathways, resulting in improved treatment outcomes. This review gives the reader some pills of successful multi-target HS-donating molecules as worthwhile tools to combat the multifactorial nature of complex disorders, such as inflammatory-based diseases and cancer, as well as cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Isothiocyanate-Corticosteroid Conjugates against asthma: Unity makes strength.

Asthma is a major noncommunicable disease, affecting both children and adults, and represents one of the major causes leading to high health care costs due to the need for chronic pharmacological treatments. The standard gold therapy of inflammation in asthmatic patients involves the use of glucocorticoids even if their chronic use is often related to serious adverse effects. Growing evidence suggests the biological relevance of hydrogen sulfide (HS) in the pathogenesis of airway diseases.

GKT137831 and hydrogen peroxide increase the release of 6-nitrodopamine from the human umbilical artery, rat-isolated right atrium, and rat-isolated vas deferens.

The human umbilical artery (HUA), rat-isolated right atrium, and rat-isolated vas deferens present a basal release of 6-nitrodopamine (6-ND). The basal release of 6-ND from these tissues was significantly decreased (but not abolished) when the tissues were pre-incubated with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). In this study, the effect of the pharmacological modulation of the redox environment on the basal release of 6-ND was investigated.

3-Nitroatenolol: First Synthesis, Chiral Resolution and Enantiomers' Absolute Configuration.

4-Nitro and 7-nitro propranolol have been recently synthesized and characterized by us. (±)-4-NO-propranolol has been shown to act as a selective antagonist of 6-nitrodopamine (6-ND) receptors in the right atrium of rats. As part of our follow-up to this study, herein, we describe the first synthesis of (±)-3-nitroatenolol as a probe to evaluate the potential nitration of atenolol by endothelium.

Prednisone-hydrogen sulfide releasing hybrid shows improved therapeutic profile in asthma.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is emerging as an important potential therapeutic option for respiratory inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a novel corticosteroid derivative, that is chemically linked to an HS donor, in managing asthma features. The effects of prednisone (PS), HS donor (4-hydroxybenzamide; TBZ), and their combination (PS-TBZ) have been evaluated and .

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel N-Arylpiperazines Containing a 4,5-Dihydrothiazole Ring.

Arylpiperazines represent one of the most important classes of 5-HTR ligands and have attracted considerable interests for their versatile properties in chemistry and pharmacology, leading to the research of new derivatives that has been focused on the modification of one or more portions of such pharmacophore. An efficient protocol for the synthesis of novel thiazolinylphenyl-piperazines (-) and the corresponding acetylated derivatives was used (-). The new compounds were tested for their functional activity and affinity at 5-HT receptors, showing an interesting affinity profile with a Ki value of 412 nM for compound .

Beneficial Effects of Two Hydrogen Sulfide (HS)-Releasing Derivatives of Dexamethasone with Antioxidant Activity on Atopic Dermatitis in Mice.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is particularly produced in the skin, where it participates in the regulation of inflammation, pruritus, cytoprotection, scarring, and angiogenesis. In this study, we compared the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) with two HS-releasing Dex derivatives in a murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD) induced by topical application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). After sensitization with DNCB, the animals were topically treated for five consecutive days with either the HS-releasing compounds 4-hydroxy-thiobenzamide (TBZ) and 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-dithione-3-thione (ADT-OH), Dex, or the derivatives Dex-TBZ or Dex-ADT.

Synthesis, Chiral Resolution and Enantiomers Absolute Configuration of 4-Nitropropranolol and 7-Nitropropranolol.

We recently identified 6-nitrodopamine and other nitro-catecholamines (6-nitrodopa, 6-nitroadrenaline), indicating that the endothelium has the ability to nitrate the classical catecholamines (dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline). In order to investigate whether drugs could be subject to the same nitration process, we synthesized 4-nitro- and 7-nitropropranolol as probes to evaluate the possible nitration of the propranolol by the endothelium. The separation of the enantiomers in very high yields and excellent enantiopurity was achieved by chiral HPLC.

Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Molecular Hybrids between Antiglaucoma Drugs and HS Donors.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases consisting of optic nerve damage with corresponding loss of field vision and blindness. Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a gaseous neurotransmitter implicated in various pathophysiological processes. It is involved in the pathological mechanism of glaucomatous neuropathy and exerts promising effects in the treatment of this disease.

Enhanced efficacy of formoterol-montelukast salt in relieving asthma features and in preserving β2-agonists rescue therapy.

Adrenergic β2-agonists represent a mainstay in asthma management. Their chronic use has been associated with decreased bronchoprotection and rebound hyperresponsiveness. Here we investigate on the possible therapeutic advantage of a pharmacological association of β2-agonists with montelukast, a highly selective leukotriene receptor antagonist, in modulating bronchial reactivity and controlling asthma features.

Synthesis, Docking Studies and Pharmacological Evaluation of Serotoninergic Ligands Containing a 5-Norbornene-2-Carboxamide Nucleus.

A new series of 5-norbornene-2-carboxamide derivatives was prepared and their affinities to the 5-HT, 5-HT, and 5-HT receptors were evaluated and compared to a previously synthesized series of derivatives characterized by exo-N-hydroxy-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboximidenucleus, in order to identify selective ligands for the above-mentioned subtype receptors. Arylpiperazines represents one of the most important classes of 5-HTR ligands, and recent research concerning new derivatives has been focused on the modification of one or more portions of such pharmacophore. The combination of structural elements (heterocyclic nucleus, propyl chain and 4-substituted piperazine), known to be critical to the affinity to 5-HT receptors, and the proper selection of substituents led to compounds with high specificity and affinity towards serotoninergic receptors.

HS donating corticosteroids: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation in a murine model of asthma.

Introduction: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a fundamental biological endogenous gas-mediator in the respiratory system. It regulates pivotal patho-physiological processes such as oxidative stress, pulmonary circulation, airway tone and inflammation.

Objectives: We herein describe the design and synthesis of molecular hybrids obtained by the condensation of several corticosteroids with different hydrogen sulfide releasing moieties.

HS Donors and Their Use in Medicinal Chemistry.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a ubiquitous gaseous signaling molecule that has an important role in many physiological and pathological processes in mammalian tissues, with the same importance as two others endogenous gasotransmitters such as NO (nitric oxide) and CO (carbon monoxide). Endogenous HS is involved in a broad gamut of processes in mammalian tissues including inflammation, vascular tone, hypertension, gastric mucosal integrity, neuromodulation, and defense mechanisms against viral infections as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection. These results suggest that the modulation of HS levels has a potential therapeutic value.

New Insights into the Structure-Activity Relationship and Neuroprotective Profile of Benzodiazepinone Derivatives of as Modulators of the Na/Ca Exchanger Isoforms.

Due to the neuroprotective role of the Na/Ca exchanger (NCX) isoforms NCX1 and NCX3, we synthesized novel benzodiazepinone derivatives of the unique NCX activator , named compounds . The derivatives are characterized by a benzodiazepinonic nucleus linked to five- or six-membered cyclic amines via a methylene, ethylene, or acetyl spacer. The compounds have been screened on NCX1/NCX3 isoform activities by a high-throughput screening approach, and the most promising were characterized by patch-clamp electrophysiology and Fura-2AM video imaging.

Rebound effects of NCX3 pharmacological inhibition: A novel strategy to accelerate myelin formation in oligodendrocytes.

The Na/Ca exchanger NCX3 is an important regulator of sodium and calcium homeostasis in oligodendrocyte lineage. To date, no information is available on the effects resulting from prolonged exposure to NCX3 blockers and subsequent drug washout in oligodendroglia. Here, we investigated, by means of biochemical, morphological and functional analyses, the pharmacological effects of the NCX3 inhibitor, the 5-amino-N-butyl-2-(4-ethoxyphenoxy)-benzamide hydrochloride (BED), on NCXs expression and activity, as well as intracellular [Na] and [Ca] levels, during treatment and following drug washout both in human MO3.

Antagonizing S1P Receptor with Cell-Penetrating Pepducins in Skeletal Muscle Fibrosis.

S1P is the final product of sphingolipid metabolism, which interacts with five widely expressed GPCRs (S1P). Increasing numbers of studies have indicated the importance of S1P in various pathophysiological processes. Recently, we have identified a pepducin (compound KRX-725-II) acting as an S1P receptor antagonist.

Hybrids between HS-donors and betamethasone 17-valerate or triamcinolone acetonide inhibit mast cell degranulation and promote hyperpolarization of bronchial smooth muscle cells.

Glucocorticoids represent the standard gold treatment of inflammation in asthmatic patients. More recently, HS has been described to exert positive effect on this disease. Bearing in mind that an improved pharmacological activity and a reduced toxicity can be obtained through hybridization of different molecules, simultaneously modulating multiple targets, we designed and synthesized novel betamethasone 17-valerate and triamcinolone acetonide hybrids with well-known HS-donor moieties.

Trends in HS-Donors Chemistry and Their Effects in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is an endogenous gasotransmitter recently emerged as an important regulatory mediator of numerous human cell functions in health and in disease. In fact, much evidence has suggested that hydrogen sulfide plays a significant role in many physio-pathological processes, such as inflammation, oxidation, neurophysiology, ion channels regulation, cardiovascular protection, endocrine regulation, and tumor progression. Considering the plethora of physiological effects of this gasotransmitter, the protective role of HS donors in different disease models has been extensively studied.

Synthesis, docking studies, and pharmacological evaluation of 2-hydroxypropyl-4-arylpiperazine derivatives as serotoninergic ligands.

A new series of norbornene and exo-N-hydroxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide derivatives was prepared, and their affinities to the 5-HT , 5-HT , and 5-HT receptors were evaluated and compared with a previously synthesized series of derivatives characterized by the same nuclei, to identify selective ligands for the subtype receptors.

Structure-activity relationships study of isothiocyanates for HS releasing properties: 3-Pyridyl-isothiocyanate as a new promising cardioprotective agent.

Introduction: The gasotransmitter hydrogen sulphide (HS), an endogenous ubiquitous signalling molecule, is known for its beneficial effects on different mammalian systems. HS exhibits cardioprotective activity against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) or hypoxic injury.

Methods: A library of forty-five isothiocyanates, selected for their different chemical properties, has been evaluated for its hydrogen sulfide (HS) releasing capacity.