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Meeting of the Council of the Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy this is Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Eleven o'clock in the morning

God willing, The Pharmacognosy Department Council will hold its regular monthly meeting number (54) this is on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Eleven o'clock in the morning

In the department board meeting room

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خبر عام

Schedule of Lectures and Practical Lessons for the First Year, Clinical Pharmacy Program, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Research at the National University, Second Semester of the Academic Year 2024/2025

Design, Synthesis and Antiproliferative Evaluation of Novel 1,2,4-Triazole/Schiff Base Hybrids with EGFR and B-RAF Inhibitory Activities

Research Abstract

Abstract: Background: 1,2,4-triazoles possess a broad spectrum of biological activities such as analgesic,
antimicrobial, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic activities. This heterocycle and their derivatives
were included into a wide variety of therapeutically interesting drugs. Hence, it is of great interest to explore
new 1,2,4-triazoles as cytotoxic agents targeting EGFR, B-Raf kinases.
Methods: The final compounds 9a-b, 10a-b, 11a-b, 12a-b, 13a-b and 14a-f were prepared by refluxing a mixture
of triazole 3a-b and 7a-d with the corresponding benzaldehyde derivatives 8a-d in absolute ethanol to afford
the target final compounds in good yields. The newly synthesized triazole-containing compounds were
assessed according to standard protocols for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against four human cancer
cell lines including human pancreas cancer cell line (Panc-1), pancreatic carcinoma cells (PaCa-2), colon cancer
cells (HT-29) and lung cancer cells (H-460) using the propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence assay. Compounds 9a
and 13a were evaluated against EGFR, B-Raf and Tubulin anticancer targets.
Results: Compounds 9a, 9b, 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a and 13b showed remarkable antiproliferative activity against
the tested cell lines with IC50 range of 1.3-5.9μM. Compounds 9a and 13a with the least IC50 values in the anticancer
screening assay were tested against three known anticancer targets including EGFR, B-Raf kinase and
Tubulin. The results revealed that compound 13a showed the highest potency against B-Raf and EGFR kinases
with IC50 = 0.7 and 1.9 μM, respectively.
Conclusion: 1,2,4-triazoles reported herein are potent EGFR, B-Raf inhibitors. These lead compounds will be
subjected to more detailed mechanistic studies.

Research Authors
Hany A. M. El-Sherief, Bahaa G. M. Youssif, Ahmed H. Abdelazeem, Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, Hamdy M. Abdel-Rahman.
Research Journal
Anticancer agents in medicinal chemistry
Research Publisher
Weily
Research Rank
Medicinal chemistry, Q2
Research Vol
19
Research Year
2019

Synthesis and In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of New 1-Phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea Scaffold-Based Compounds

Research Abstract

A series of novel compounds carrying pyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1(2H)-one scaffold (5a-g) and their reaction
intermediates, indole-2-carboxamides, (3a-g) were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to
inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant activity and anticancer activity against a
panel of cancer cell lines using MTT assay. The results showed that these compounds can inhibit ROS
generation during the metabolic phase of phagocytosis in a dose-dependent manner where compounds
5d and 5e were the most potent samples with higher inhibitory activities (IC50 values 3.3 and
1.4 mM, respectively) than that of the reference acetylsalicylic acid (IC50 ¼ 9.7 mM). Results for the
determination of potential antioxidant properties of the synthesized compounds showed that compounds
5d and 5e containing pyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1-one backbone were the most acive and even
comparable to Trolox. Compounds 3d-f and 5d-f with the least IC50 values in MTT assay were tested
against three known anticancer targets EGFR, BRAF and Tubulin. Histopathological and immunohistochemical
study were performed to determine the consequence of exposure to chronic low dose of
chlorpyrifos on the testis of male mice and results revealed that these effects can be ameliorated by cotreatment
with the most active antioxidant compounds 5d and 5e. Finally, molecular docking studies
were performed to explore the binding mode of the most active compounds against EGFR and BRAF
kinases.

Research Authors
Mohammad M. Al-Sanea, Mohammed Safwan Ali Khan, Ahmed Z. Abdelazem, So Ha Lee, Pooi Ling Mok, Mohammed Gamal, Mohamed E. Shaker, Muhammad Afzal, Bahaa G. M. Youssif and Nesreen Nabil Omar
Research Journal
Molecules
Research Publisher
MDPI
Research Rank
Medicinal Chemistry, Q2
Research Vol
23
Research Year
2018

Novel 1,2,4-triazole derivatives as potential anticancer agents: Design, synthesis, molecular docking and mechanistic studies

Research Abstract

A series of novel compounds carrying 1,2,4-triazole scaffold was synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer
activity against a panel of cancer cell lines using MTT assay. Compounds 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 10b, 10e,
and 10 g showed remarkable antiproliferative activity against the tested cell lines. Compounds 8a, 8b, 8c,
8d, 10b, 10e, and 10 g with the least IC50 values in MTT assay were tested against three known anticancer
targets including EGFR, BRAF and Tubulin. The results revealed that compounds 8c and 8d showed almost
same BRAF inhibitory activity and were discovered to be potent inhibitors of cancer cell proliferation and
were also observed to be strong Tubulin inhibitors. Moreover, 8c also showed the best EGFR inhibition
with IC50 = 3.6 lM. Finally molecular modeling studies were performed to explore the binding mode
of the most active compounds to the target enzymes.

Research Authors
Hany A.M. El-Sherief , Bahaa G.M. Youssif, Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari, Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, Hamdy M. Abdel-Rahman.
Research File
Research Journal
Bioorganic Chemistry
Research Publisher
Science direct
Research Rank
Medicinal Chemistry, Q1
Research Vol
76
Research Year
2018

Synthesis and characterization of new palladium (II) and silver (I) thiosemicarbazone derived by acenaphthenequinone complexes and their antimicrobial activity

Research Abstract

The ability of substituted acenaphthenequinone-thiosemicarbazones to do complexation with Pd(II) and Ag(I) salts was investigated. The obtained Pd(II) 5a-f and Ag(I) 7a-f complexes showed that ligation was occurred during the reaction of two equivalents of the ligands with one equivalent of the metal salts. In case of Pd complexes 5a-f, two moles of HCl were eliminated during complexation process. Whereas direct ligation was occurred during complexation of one mole of AgNO3 and two moles of ligands to form the corresponding cationic-anionic salts 7a-f. IR, NMR, and UV–vis spectra were used to deduce the structure of the formed metal complexes. X-ray structure analysis proved the syn-form of bis(bidentate) structure of Pd complex 5e, as Pd showed a square planar coordination with two sulfur and two nitrogen atoms. The cationic-anionic nature of silver complexes was revealed by molar conductance. UV–visible spectra were also investigated by means of Time-Dependent Density-Functional Theory (TD-DFT) computations. The obtained metal complexes were also investigated asantibacterial and antifungal agents. Compounds 5f5e7d, and 7f were found to be the most active and effective against the four bacterial strains, with compound 7f having the most potent action. Compound 7f (R = 3-OMe-Ph) showed MIC values of 0.066, 0.018, 0.018, and 0.033 µg/mL against B. subtilis, S. aureusE. coli, and K. pneumoniae, respectively. For compound 7d (R = Benzyl), the MIC values are found as 0.028, 0.057, 0.028, and 0.028 µg/mL against the same previous bacterial strains. Compounds 5d5e7c, and 7f demonstrated promising antifungal activity against C. albicans with MIC values of 0.029, 0.023, 0.018, and 0.027 µg/ml, respectively, when compared to the reference fluconazole, which had a MIC value of 0.020 µg/ml. Compound 7f revealed inhibitory activity of E. coli DNA gyrase (IC50 = 210 ± 15 nM, respectively) being 1.2-folds less potent than the reference novobiocin (IC50 = 170 ± 20 nM).

Research Authors
Ashraf A. Aly, Elham M. Abdallah, Salwa A. Ahmed, Mai M. Rabee, Olaf Fuhr, Mahmoud A.A. Ibrahim, Hayat Ali Alzahrani, Bahaa G.M. Youssif
Research Journal
Polyhedron
Research Publisher
Science direct
Research Rank
Medicinal Chemistry, Q2
Research Vol
251
Research Year
2024

Synthesis, enzyme inhibition, and docking studies of new Schiff bases of disalicylic acid methylene-based derivatives as dual-target antibacterial agents

Research Abstract

Introduction: Bacteria have acquired resistance to almost all antibiotics currently
in use due to their extensive, broad, and improper utilization over a prolonged
period. DNA gyrase and DHFR exhibit significant promise as targets for
antibacterial therapeutics.
Methods: We have developed a series of disalicylic acid methylene/Schiff bases
hybrids (6a-l) that function as antibacterial agents by targeting DNA gyrase
and DHFR.
Results and discussion: The findings showed that 6a-l have significant
antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones (IZ) comparable to or even higher than the reference Ciprofloxacin. MIC testing revealed that 6h and 6l were 1.5 times as effective than ciprofloxacin against S. aureus. Compounds 6h and 6l had MBC values of 28 and 33 nM for S. aureus, compared to Ciprofloxacin’s 45 nM, indicating that they are more potent bactericidal agents. The MIC values for compounds 6c, 6e, 6h, 6j, and 6l against A. flavus were between 14.50 and 19.50 μM, while the MIC value for fluconazole was 11.50 μM. Also, the studied compounds had MIC values between 18.20 and 22.90 μM against C. albicans, while Fluconazole had a MIC value of 17.50 μM. Compound 6h showed a MIC value of 1.70 μM against the clinical strain S. aureus (ATCC 43300) (MRSA), making it an effective antibacterial agent. Compounds 6h, 6j, and 6l inhibited E. coli DNA gyrase with IC50 values of 79, 117, and 87 nM, respectively, compared to the reference novobiocin (IC50 = 170 nM). Additionally, compounds 6h and 6l, the most potent E. coli gyrase inhibitors, showed encouraging results on DHFR. Compounds 6h and 6l exhibit IC50 values of 3.80 μM and 4.25 μM, respectively. These values are significantly lower and hence more effective than Trimethoprim’s IC50 of 5.20 μM.

Research Authors
Lamya H. Al-Wahaibi, Mohamed A. Mahmoud, Hayat Ali Alzahrani, Hesham A. Abou-Zied, Alshaimaa Abdelmoez, Bahaa G. M. Youssif, Stefan Bräse, Safwat M. Rabea
Research Journal
Frontiers in Chemistry
Research Publisher
Frontiers
Research Rank
Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
Research Vol
12
Research Year
2024

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel quinoline-based EGFR/HER-2 dual-target inhibitors as potential antitumor agents

Research Abstract

Dual targeting of EGFR and HER2 is a valid anti-cancer approach for treating solid tumors. We designed and synthesized a new series of EGFR/HER-2 dual-target inhibitors based on quinoline derivatives. The structure of the newly synthesized compounds was verified using 1 H NMR, 13C NMR, and elemental analysis. The targeted compounds were tested for antiproliferative efficacy against four cancer cell lines. All the compounds had GI50s ranging from 25 to 82 nM, with breast (MCF-7) and lung (A-549) cancer cell lines being the most sensitive. Compound 5a demonstrated the most significant antiproliferative action. With inhibitory (IC50) values of 71 and 31 nM, respectively, compound 5a proved to be the most effective dual-target inhibitor of EGFR and HER-2, outperforming the reference erlotinib (IC50 = 80 nM) as an EGFR inhibitor but falling short of the clinically used agent lapatinib (IC50 = 26 nM) as a HER2 inhibitor. The apoptotic potential activity of 5a was examined, and the findings demonstrated that 5a promotes apoptosis by activating caspase-3, 8, and Bax while simultaneously reducing the expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. The docking studies provided valuable insights into the binding interactions of compounds 3e and 5a with EGFR, effectively rationalizing the observed SAR trends

Research Authors
Lamya H. Al-Wahaibi, Essmat M. El-Sheref, Hendawy N. Tawfeek, Hesham A. Abou-Zied, Safwat M. Rabea, Stefan Bräse, Bahaa G. M. Youssif.
Research File
RSC 32978.pdf (1.66 MB)
Research Journal
RSC advances
Research Publisher
rsc
Research Rank
Medicinal Chemistry, Q2
Research Vol
14
Research Year
2024

New pyrazole/pyrimidine-based scaffolds as inhibitors of heat shock protein 90 endowed with apoptotic anti-breast cancer

Research Abstract

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Supported by a comparative study between conventional, grinding,
and microwave techniques, a mild and versatile method based on the [1 + 3] cycloaddition
of 2-((3-nitrophenyl)diazenyl)malononitrile to tether pyrazole and pyrimidine derivatives in good
yields was used. Methods: The newly synthesized compounds were analyzed with IR, 13C NMR,
1H NMR, mass, and elemental analysis methods. The products show interesting precursors for their
antiproliferative anti-breast cancer activity. Results: Pyrimidine-containing scaffold compounds 9
and 10 were the most active, achieving IC50 = 26.07 and 4.72 μM against the breast cancer MCF-7 cell
line, and 10.64 and 7.64 μM against breast cancer MDA-MB231-tested cell lines, respectively. Also,
compounds 9 and 10 showed a remarkable inhibitory activity against the Hsp90 protein with IC50
values of 2.44 and 7.30 μM, respectively, in comparison to the reference novobiocin (IC50 = 1.14 μM).
Moreover, there were possible apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase for both tested compounds
(supported by CD1, caspase-3,8, BAX, and Bcl-2 studies). Also, the binding interactions
of compound 9 were confirmed through molecular docking, and simulation studies displayed a
complete overlay into the Hsp90 protein pocket. Conclusions: Compounds 9 and 10 may have
apoptotic antiproliferative action as Hsp90 inhibitors.

Research Authors
Lamya H. Al-Wahaibi, Mohammed A. I. Elbastawesy, Nader E. Abodya, Bahaa G. M. Youssif, Stefan Bräse, Sara N. Shabaan, Galal H. Sayed, Kurls E. Anwer
Research Journal
Pharmaceuticals
Research Publisher
MDPI
Research Rank
Medicinal Chemistry, Q1
Research Vol
17(10)
Research Year
2024
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