A novel series of urea-linked ciprofloxacin (CP)-chalcone hybrids 3a-j were synthesized and screened by NCI-60 cancer cell lines as potential cytotoxic agents. Interestingly, compounds 3c and 3j showed remarkable antiproliferative activities against both colon HCT-116 and leukemia SR cancer cells compared to camptothecin, topotecan and staurosporine with IC50 = 2.53, 2.01, 17.36, 12.23 and 3.1 μM for HCT-116 cells, respectively and IC50 = 0.73, 0.64, 3.32, 13.72 and 1.17 μM for leukemia SR cells, respectively. Also, compounds 3c and 3j exhibited inhibitory activities against Topoisomerase (Topo) I with % inhibition = 51.19% and 56.72%, respectively, compared to camptothecin (% inhibition = 60.05%) and Topo IIβ with % inhibition = 60.81% and 60.06%, respectively, compared to topotecan (% inhibition = 71.09%). Furthermore, compound 3j arrested the cell cycle of leukemia SR cells at G2/M phase. It induced apoptosis both intrinsically and extrinsically via activation of proteolytic caspases cascade (caspases-3,

New azidosulfonamide–chalcone derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their structures were elucidated by 1H and 13CNMR spectral analyses, in addition to elemental analyses. The synthesized derivatives were tested for their antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal strains. Three azidosulfonamide–chalcones showed relatively broad activity against tested strains. Two compounds exhibited eminent antibacterial activity toward S. aureus, M. luteus, and S. marcens (better than ampicillin trihydrate). The synthesized compounds exhibited moderate activity against K. pneumonia and a lower ability to inhibit E. coli growth. Among six tested fungal species, the most potent derivatives demonstrated strong activity toward only two of the fungal strains (T. rubrum and G. candidum). Assessment of drug-likeness, bioavailability, and promiscuity indicated that the compounds are viable drug candidates. In silico molecular docking analysis revealed that the synthesized azidosulfonamide–chalcones successfully occupied pterin-binding site of the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), implying that the prepared compounds could exert their activity by the inhibition of the microbial DHPS enzyme. These results provided essential information for the prospective design of more effective antimicrobial compounds.

A facile and convenient synthesis of new pyridazines suitable for use as antimicrobial agents was reported. The hydrazide intermediate was coupled with various benzaldehydes and/or acetophenones and cyclized instantaneously to afford target pyridazine derivatives. The structures of new pyridazines were confirmed by IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR, elemental analysis in addition to representative LC/MS. Antimicrobial activity was screened against 10 bacterial and fungal strains. The new pyridazines showed strong to very strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (GNB) bacteria, while none of them showed significant antifungal activity at the same concentration range. Chloro derivatives exhibited the highest antibacterial activity with MICs (0.892–3.744 μg/mL) lower than that of chloramphenicol (2.019–8.078 μg/mL) against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. marcescens. Prediction of ADME parameters, pharmacokinetics, and substrate promiscuity revealed that these new pyridazines could be promising drug candidates. Cytotoxic studies on rat hepatocytes showed how much safe these new pyridazines on living organisms (IC50>64 μg/mL). MOE docking studies showed a good overlay of these new pyridazines with co-crystallized ligand within an E. coli DNA gyrase subunit B active sites (4KFG).

A new series of antiproliferative casein kinase 2a (CK2a) inhibitors were synthesized incorporating either a hydrophilic group (carboxylic or hydrazide) or a hydrophobic group (ester) at N1 or N2 of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBBt). New compounds were prepared via N-alkylation of TBBt followed by base-catalysed hydrolysis or hydrazinolysis. All the compounds demonstrated low sub-micromolar inhibition of CK2a and antiproliferative activity against both breast and lung cancer cell lines (MCF-7, and A549, respectively), at low micromolar concentrations with N2-regioisomers exhibiting higher activity than their corresponding N1-isomers. The most active compound incorporates an acetic acid hydrazide moiety at the N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus with IC50 at 0.131 mM (CK2a), 9.1 mM (MCF-7) and 6.3 mM (A549). It induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line through upregulation of bax (pro-apoptotic gene) four to five times higher than the corresponding ester or acid analogues. Molecular docking suggests that the hydrophilic group at N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus provides binding with important residues (Asp175, Lys68 and Trp176) in the ATP binding site of the CK2a enzyme. We are the first to experimentally estimate the lipophilicity of TBBt derivatives. Our study demonstrated that TBBt hydrazides are more lipophilic than their corresponding acids in contrast to the contradicting calculated lipophilicity using four well-known software programs. This may explain the higher anticancer activity of the most active hydrazide over its corresponding acid despite their nearly equipotent enzyme inhibition.

A new series of antiproliferative casein kinase 2a (CK2a) inhibitors were synthesized incorporating either a hydrophilic group (carboxylic or hydrazide) or a hydrophobic group (ester) at N1 or N2 of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBBt). New compounds were prepared via N-alkylation of TBBt followed by base-catalysed hydrolysis or hydrazinolysis. All the compounds demonstrated low sub-micromolar inhibition of CK2a and antiproliferative activity against both breast and lung cancer cell lines (MCF-7, and A549, respectively), at low micromolar concentrations with N2-regioisomers exhibiting higher activity than their corresponding N1-isomers. The most active compound incorporates an acetic acid hydrazide moiety at the N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus with IC50 at 0.131 mM (CK2a), 9.1 mM (MCF-7) and 6.3 mM (A549). It induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line through upregulation of bax (pro-apoptotic gene) four to five times higher than the corresponding ester or acid analogues. Molecular docking suggests that the hydrophilic group at N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus provides binding with important residues (Asp175, Lys68 and Trp176) in the ATP binding site of the CK2a enzyme. We are the first to experimentally estimate the lipophilicity of TBBt derivatives. Our study demonstrated that TBBt hydrazides are more lipophilic than their corresponding acids in contrast to the contradicting calculated lipophilicity using four well-known software programs. This may explain the higher anticancer activity of the most active hydrazide over its corresponding acid despite their nearly equipotent enzyme inhibition.

A new series of antiproliferative casein kinase 2a (CK2a) inhibitors were synthesized incorporating either a hydrophilic group (carboxylic or hydrazide) or a hydrophobic group (ester) at N1 or N2 of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBBt). New compounds were prepared via N-alkylation of TBBt followed by base-catalysed hydrolysis or hydrazinolysis. All the compounds demonstrated low sub-micromolar inhibition of CK2a and antiproliferative activity against both breast and lung cancer cell lines (MCF-7, and A549, respectively), at low micromolar concentrations with N2-regioisomers exhibiting higher activity than their corresponding N1-isomers. The most active compound incorporates an acetic acid hydrazide moiety at the N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus with IC50 at 0.131 mM (CK2a), 9.1 mM (MCF-7) and 6.3 mM (A549). It induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line through upregulation of bax (pro-apoptotic gene) four to five times higher than the corresponding ester or acid analogues. Molecular docking suggests that the hydrophilic group at N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus provides binding with important residues (Asp175, Lys68 and Trp176) in the ATP binding site of the CK2a enzyme. We are the first to experimentally estimate the lipophilicity of TBBt derivatives. Our study demonstrated that TBBt hydrazides are more lipophilic than their corresponding acids in contrast to the contradicting calculated lipophilicity using four well-known software programs. This may explain the higher anticancer activity of the most active hydrazide over its corresponding acid despite their nearly equipotent enzyme inhibition.

A new series of antiproliferative casein kinase 2a (CK2a) inhibitors were synthesized incorporating either a hydrophilic group (carboxylic or hydrazide) or a hydrophobic group (ester) at N1 or N2 of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBBt). New compounds were prepared via N-alkylation of TBBt followed by base-catalysed hydrolysis or hydrazinolysis. All the compounds demonstrated low sub-micromolar inhibition of CK2a and antiproliferative activity against both breast and lung cancer cell lines (MCF-7, and A549, respectively), at low micromolar concentrations with N2-regioisomers exhibiting higher activity than their corresponding N1-isomers. The most active compound incorporates an acetic acid hydrazide moiety at the N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus with IC50 at 0.131 mM (CK2a), 9.1 mM (MCF-7) and 6.3 mM (A549). It induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line through upregulation of bax (pro-apoptotic gene) four to five times higher than the corresponding ester or acid analogues. Molecular docking suggests that the hydrophilic group at N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus provides binding with important residues (Asp175, Lys68 and Trp176) in the ATP binding site of the CK2a enzyme. We are the first to experimentally estimate the lipophilicity of TBBt derivatives. Our study demonstrated that TBBt hydrazides are more lipophilic than their corresponding acids in contrast to the contradicting calculated lipophilicity using four well-known software programs. This may explain the higher anticancer activity of the most active hydrazide over its corresponding acid despite their nearly equipotent enzyme inhibition.

A new series of antiproliferative casein kinase 2a (CK2a) inhibitors were synthesized incorporating either a hydrophilic group (carboxylic or hydrazide) or a hydrophobic group (ester) at N1 or N2 of 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBBt). New compounds were prepared via N-alkylation of TBBt followed by base-catalysed hydrolysis or hydrazinolysis. All the compounds demonstrated low sub-micromolar inhibition of CK2a and antiproliferative activity against both breast and lung cancer cell lines (MCF-7, and A549, respectively), at low micromolar concentrations with N2-regioisomers exhibiting higher activity than their corresponding N1-isomers. The most active compound incorporates an acetic acid hydrazide moiety at the N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus with IC50 at 0.131 mM (CK2a), 9.1 mM (MCF-7) and 6.3 mM (A549). It induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line through upregulation of bax (pro-apoptotic gene) four to five times higher than the corresponding ester or acid analogues. Molecular docking suggests that the hydrophilic group at N2 of the TBBt triazole nucleus provides binding with important residues (Asp175, Lys68 and Trp176) in the ATP binding site of the CK2a enzyme. We are the first to experimentally estimate the lipophilicity of TBBt derivatives. Our study demonstrated that TBBt hydrazides are more lipophilic than their corresponding acids in contrast to the contradicting calculated lipophilicity using four well-known software programs. This may explain the higher anticancer activity of the most active hydrazide over its corresponding acid despite their nearly equipotent enzyme inhibition.

A new series of hybrid structures 14a–l containing thiohydantoin as anti-cancer moiety and pyrazole core possessing SO2Me pharmacophore as selective COX-2 moiety was designed and synthesized to be evaluated for both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their COX inhibition, in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, ulcerogenic liability, in vitro cytotoxic activity and human topoisomerase-1 inhibition. All compounds were more selective for COX-2 isozyme and showed good in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Also, all derivatives were significantly less ulcerogenic (ulcer indexes=2.64–3.87) than ibuprofen (ulcer index=20.25) and were of acceptable ulcerogenicity when compared with the non-ulcerogenic reference drug celecoxib (ulcer index=2.99). Regarding anti-cancer activity, most of the target derivatives showed activities against A-549, MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines (IC50=5.32–17.90, 3.67–19.04 and 3.19–14.87 μM respectively) in comparison with doxorubicin (IC50=0.20, 0.50 and 2.44 μM respectively). Compound 14a inhibited the human topoisomerase-1 with IC50=29.7 μg/ml while 14b and 14c showed more potent inhibitory activity with IC50=26.5 and 23.3 μg/ml. respectively in comparison with camptothecin (IC50=20.2 μg/ml). Additionally, COX-2 and human topoisomerase-1 docking studies were carried out to explain the interaction of the synthesized hybrid structures 14a–l with the target enzymes.

Simple, small, drug-like molecules bearing aryl azide and aryl sulfonamide moieties were designed and synthesized. The cytotoxic activity of these compounds was measured on colon cancer HCT116, lung cancer A549, and normal fibroblast cells F180 cell lines. All the synthesized compounds showed a significant cytotoxic activity below 100 μM in both HCT116 and A549 cells. Compounds 10e and 10f exhibited the most potent activity with IC50 values of 2.20 and 6.27 μM on A549 and HCT116 cells, respectively. Also, compounds 10e and 10f showed significant tumor selectivity on HCT116 and A549 cell lines when compared with the reference cytotoxic agent staurosporine. This indicated the promising safety of these compounds on normal cells. In addition, flow cytometry studies showed that HCT116 cell lines treated with the most active compound 10f were arrested in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. 10f boosted both early and late apoptosis at HCT116 cells. A hypothetical pharmacophore model was built using 14 reported potent carbonic anhydrase I inhibitors. The pharmacophoric study revealed that the tested sulfonamide derivatives 10e and 10f showed significant fitting on the pharmacophore query with reasonable RMSD values. Molecular docking study showed a chelation reaction with the key Zn atom, in addition to different hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals interactions with several important amino acids inside the CA Ι active site.