MedChemComm最新文献

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is an effective approach to counteract bacterial infections that are not possible to be treated through antibiotics. In this study, three cationic Sn(IV) porphyrins bearing triaryl phosphonium substituents (SnP1, SnP2, and SnP3) were synthesized and evaluated as antibacterial photosensitizers (PSs). All compounds exhibited efficient singlet oxygen generation with quantum yields (Φ_Δ) in the range of 0.72–0.78. Aggregation studies show reduced aggregation of SnP1 and SnP2 than SnP3. Lipophilicity (log P) values indicated that SnP2, containing fluoro substituents, possesses a balanced amphiphilic character favorable for effective bacterial uptake and antimicrobial activity. The photodynamic antibacterial activity (427 nm LED; 22 mW cm⁻²) of SnP1, SnP2 and SnP3 was evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). SnP2 exhibited significant photoantimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (MRSA) bacteria with a log reduction of 8.7 at 10 μM and 8.5 at 20 nM, respectively. Overall, our study highlights the importance of structural tuning of lipophilicity and aggregation in enhancing the efficacy of Sn(IV)-porphyrin-based photosensitizers.

Although measles has been effectively controlled by vaccination, sporadic outbreaks still occur worldwide, highlighting the need for antiviral agents as complementary measures to achieve sustained elimination. Previously, we reported an anti-measles virus (MV) peptide derived from the HR2 region of MV fusion (F) protein that inhibits viral membrane fusion by disrupting the interaction between HR1 and HR2 regions. Here, we aimed to optimize this peptide by minimizing its sequence and interaction characteristics, thereby identifying a short derivative that retains potent antiviral activity. Structure–activity relationship analyses revealed that both hydrophobic and polar residues in HR2-derived peptides are crucial for efficient interaction with HR1. Thermal stability analysis of potential six-helical bundles using HR1-40, a 40-residue peptide of the HR1 region, showed no clear correlation with antiviral activity. To address this, we designed HR1Y, a C-terminally extended HR1 variant, which allowed a more accurate assessment of complex stability. Furthermore, molecular modeling of the HR2-derived peptide–HR1Y complex reproduced several experimental trends and provided structural insight into the HR1–HR2 interface. These findings clarify the structural determinants of fusion inhibitors against MV and support the rational optimization of HR2-derived antiviral peptides.

1,3-Thiazolidin-4-ones are versatile heterocyclic scaffolds with diverse biological activities, however efficient synthesis and identification of potent lipid-lowering derivatives remain challenging. Here, we report a rapid, scalable sealed-tube, acid-catalyzed three-component synthesis of 2,3-diaryl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones, enabling broad substrate tolerance and the preparation of thirty synthetic derivatives, including twelve novel compounds, with moderate to excellent yields (from 25% to quantitative yield). Biological evaluation in HepG2 cells identified compound 9y as a non-toxic lead with superior lipid-lowering activity in both prophylactic and therapeutic oleic acid-induced steatosis models, comparable to the clinically used hepatoprotective agent silymarin. Mechanistic studies revealed that 9y robustly activates AMPKα, promoting lipid catabolism while suppressing lipogenesis, as confirmed by western blot, immunofluorescence, and molecular docking. Lipidomic profiling further demonstrated that 9y selectively reduces pathogenic ceramide and phosphatidylethanolamine species, highlighting its broad lipidome remodeling potential. These results establish 9y as a promising lead for the treatment of fatty liver disease and provide a practical synthetic platform for the development of thiazolidin-4-one-based metabolic therapeutics.

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes (RPCs) have generated substantial interest due to their biomolecular binding capabilities, favourable photophysical properties, and anticancer activity. DNA is widely reported as a target for RPCs, and their recent development as photosensitisers for photodynamic therapy further emphasises DNA damage as a key biological outcome. The aim of this review is to highlight recent studies in the design of RPCs as pharmacological DNA-targeting agents and describe what is known about their impact on the DNA damage response (DDR). This, in turn, provides insight into the nature of the DNA lesions induced by these complexes. The relationship between binding mode, activation of specific DDR pathways, and resultant cell fate in human cancer cell lines is examined and, where appropriate, placed in a therapeutic context. Implications for enhancing cancer selectivity, including the use of RPCs alongside DDR inhibitors in combination strategies, as well as associated safety considerations, are discussed.

Sulfone/sulfoxide functional groups are extremely important functional groups widely utilized in the design of biologically active drugs. Pharmaceuticals incorporating sulfone/sulfoxide have shown a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer activities, etc. They have also exhibited excellent metabolic stability and pharmacokinetic properties. Over the past decades, regulatory agencies, including the FDA, have approved numerous drugs featuring these functional groups for treating various clinical conditions, and the incorporation of sulfone/sulfoxide groups continues to attract significant attention from medicinal chemists. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of 33 approved drugs containing sulfone/sulfoxide moieties, focusing on their targets, pharmacokinetic properties, and structure–activity relationship studies. Specifically, the SAR is validated by comparing the biological activity and pharmacokinetics of each drug with its structurally analogous compounds lacking sulfone/sulfoxide groups, offering actionable evidence for the functional roles of these moieties.

A novel series of pyrrole–pyrazoline/chalcone hybrids were designed, synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity to target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated in the NCI panel of 59 human cancer cell lines, where compound 6b emerged as the most active analogue. Enzyme-binding assays confirmed its potent EGFR inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 0.225 μM), comparable to the reference inhibitor erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 0.198 μM). Flow cytometry analysis of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) showed that 6b induces significant cell arrest in the G2/M phase. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments further confirmed the molecular mechanisms, revealing that 6b modulated key apoptotic regulators, significantly increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and upregulating p53, BAX, and caspase-7, while concurrently suppressing Bcl-2 expression. Molecular simulation studies provide evidence for the preferential binding of 6b to the active state of EGFR, consistent with the experimental results. The synthetic strategy used to prepare the pyrrole–pyrazoline/chalcone scaffold is simple, hence providing efficient access to the title compounds whose potential can be further explored as an EGFR-targeted anticancer chemotype.

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Herein, we report the identification and structure–activity relationship studies of a new series of 3H-spiro[benzofuran-2,4′-piperidine] IRAK4 inhibitors designed to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of a previously identified series. The representative compound 13 showed strong inhibitory activity against IRAK4, significant antiproliferative effect against DLBCL cells, and improved pharmacokinetic properties. In addition, compound 13 effectively inhibited the activation of IRAK4 signaling pathway and induced DLBCL cell apoptosis. These results indicated that compound 13 was a promising lead compound for the development of anti-DLBCL agents.

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) predominantly occupy beyond-rule-of-5 (bRo5) chemical space, where the mechanisms governing their cellular uptake remain incompletely understood and are not captured by classical models of passive membrane diffusion. Considerable progress has been made in rationalizing the permeability of bRo5 compounds, including the contributions of chameleonic conformational behavior, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and lipophilicity-driven membrane partitioning. However, these factors do not fully explain the intracellular activity observed for certain large and polar PROTACs, suggesting that additional uptake mechanisms may be involved. Recent studies have proposed that receptor-mediated processes may contribute to the cellular uptake of selected PROTACs. Among these, CD36-mediated endocytosis has emerged as one potential pathway for certain bRo5 PROTACs, including SIM1-Me and MZ1, although the current evidence remains limited and its broader applicability across PROTAC chemical space is unclear and likely context-dependent. In this review, I critically examine emerging uptake mechanisms for bRo5 PROTACs within the broader framework of established permeability models. Experimentally supported observations are clearly distinguished from mechanistic hypotheses, and I evaluate the biological plausibility of receptor-mediated contributions, with particular focus on CD36 in the context of its established roles in lipid and lipoprotein uptake. Within this framework, CD36-mediated endocytosis is considered as a complementary, context-dependent pathway that may operate alongside passive diffusion and other permeability mechanisms, particularly for subsets of PROTACs with structural features that enable receptor engagement. Finally, I outline key structural and biological determinants that may influence uptake pathway selection and highlight critical experimental questions required to assess the generality and design relevance of these mechanisms for PROTAC development.

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with the limitations of conventional single-target therapies, such as severe side effects and drug resistance, driving the need for innovative treatment strategies. Molecular hybridization has emerged as a powerful rational drug design approach to develop multi-target agents capable of simultaneously modulating various oncogenic pathways. Among the diverse scaffolds explored, the acridine core, a tricyclic, planar heteroaromatic structure, stands out due to its inherent DNA-intercalating ability and potent antiproliferative activity through mechanisms like topoisomerase inhibition. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances (2019–2025) in the design, synthesis, evaluation, and perspectives of acridine-based hybrids as antiproliferative agents. It systematically surveys a vast array of hybrids, classifying them by their dominant secondary pharmacophores to offer a structured and practical overview of the field. Particular attention is given to structure–activity relationships (SARs), illustrating how strategic modifications can affect cytotoxicity, selectivity, and underlying mechanistic pathways. The biological evaluation of these hybrids encompasses a range of in vitro assays, including cytotoxicity against diverse human cancer cell lines, enzyme inhibition studies, antiangiogenic assays, and preliminary in vivo experiments, reflecting their multifaceted pharmacological profiles. Computational approaches, such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and quantitative SAR (QSAR), have further contributed mechanistic insights and informed rational optimization of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. The review concludes by addressing current challenges and future directions, emphasizing the transformative potential of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with computer-aided drug design (CADD) and advanced delivery systems. By compiling these developments, this work aims to serve as a useful reference to assist researchers in the design of new, more effective acridine-based anticancer agents.

Background: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine-metabolic disorder often associated with insulin resistance and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), both linked to impaired autophagy. This study evaluates the effects of metformin and levothyroxine on autophagy regulation in a PCOS-induced MAFLD rat model. Materials and methods: PCOS was induced in female Wistar rats by testosterone enanthate (7.5 mg, E16–19). Post-weaning, rats were assigned to control, model, metformin (300 mg kg⁻¹ per day), levothyroxine (50 μg kg⁻¹ per day), or combination groups. Body/liver weight, serum markers (ALT, AST, TSH, lipid profile, testosterone, LH, estradiol), insulin sensitivity, autophagy-related proteins (LC3II, ATG7, p62, CK18), and histology were assessed. Network pharmacology, protein–protein interaction, KEGG enrichment, and molecular docking were performed. Results: combination therapy reduced body weight (10.29%) and liver weight (37.08%) and lowered ALT (26.17%), AST (42.69%), TSH (77.9%), cholesterol (41.32%), triglycerides (32.37%), and LDL (43.42%). Testosterone and LH declined (37.25%, 14.43%), while estradiol rose (37.4%). HOMA-IR decreased by 51.85%. Autophagy markers (CK18, LC3II, P62, ATG7) were suppressed, with improved hepatic and ovarian histology. Network analysis identified NOS2, KRT18, MAP1LC3B, ATG7, and SQSTM1 as key targets, with KEGG pathways implicated in autophagy, mitophagy, ferroptosis, and apelin signaling. Docking analysis showed stronger binding of levothyroxine to LC3II and ATG7, suggesting a direct modulatory role. Conclusion: metformin and levothyroxine synergistically improve PCOS-related MAFLD by restoring autophagy and metabolic-endocrine balance. System-level and docking analyses support autophagy regulation as a key therapeutic mechanism, highlighting the potential role of levothyroxine in modulating autophagy.