Discovery of Novel Cyclic Ethers with Synergistic Antiplasmodial Activity in Combination with Valinomycin

With drug resistance threatening our first line antimalarial treatments, novel chemotherapeutics need to be developed. Ionophores have garnered interest as novel antimalarials due to their theorized ability to target unique systems found in the Plasmodium-infected erythrocyte. In this study, during the bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extract of Streptomyces strain PR3, a group of cyclodepsipeptides, including valinomycin, and a novel class of cyclic ethers were identified and elucidated. Further study revealed that the ethers were cyclic polypropylene glycol (cPPG) oligomers that had leached into the bacterial culture from an extraction resin. Molecular dynamics analysis suggests that these ethers are able to bind cations such as K+, NH4+ and Na+. Combination studies using the fixed ratio isobologram method revealed that the cPPGs synergistically improved the antiplasmodial activity of valinomycin and reduced its cytotoxicity in vitro. The IC50 of valinomycin against P. falciparum NF54 improved by 4–5-fold when valinomycin was combined with the cPPGs. Precisely, it was improved from 3.75 ± 0.77 ng/mL to 0.90 ± 0.2 ng/mL and 0.75 ± 0.08 ng/mL when dosed in the fixed ratios of 3:2 and 2:3 of valinomycin to cPPGs, respectively. Each fixed ratio combination displayed cytotoxicity (IC50) against the Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line of 57–65 µg/mL, which was lower than that of valinomycin (12.4 µg/mL). These results indicate that combinations with these novel ethers may be useful in repurposing valinomycin into a suitable and effective antimalarial.

C(sp3)-H alkenylation promoted by uranyl cation as a visible-light photocatalyst

The alkenylation of cyclic ethers with β-nitroalkenes using uranyl cation as a photocatalyst is reported. Previous studies revealed the feasibility of incorporating organic photocatalyst in the visible light mediated alkenylation, while the uranyl cation serves as an alternative photocatalyst candidate successfully accomplish this transformation through a different pathway. The reaction features the direct hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process to activate alpha C(sp3)-H of cyclic ether, and consequently cyclic ether is coupled with β-nitroalkene to give the target product with F-selectivity through C-C bond formation.

Photoredox Catalyzed Ring-Opening Addition Reaction Between Benzyl Bromides and Cyclic Ethers

A novel nucleophilic reaction between cyclic ethers and benzyl bromides is achieved under photoredox catalysis. The reaction proceeds through a single electron transfer (SET) pathway rather than a common SN2 mechanism. By two steps of reduction and oxidation, a benzyl bromide heterolyzes to give a carbocation and bromide ion under mild conditions, and then a cyclic ether captures both the carbocation and bromide ion to afford the addition product.