Anticancer Activity of the Acetylenic Derivative of Betulin Phosphate Involves Induction of Necrotic-Like Death in Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

Betulin (BT) is a natural pentacyclic lupane-type triterpene exhibiting anticancer activity. Betulin derivatives bearing propynoyloxy and phosphate groups were prepared in an effort to improve the availability and efficacy of the drug. In this study, a comparative assessment of the in vitro anticancer activity of betulin and its four derivatives was carried out using two human breast cancer cell lines: SK-BR-3 and MCF-7. In both studied cell lines, 30-diethoxyphosphoryl-28-propynoylbetulin (compound 4) turned out to be the most powerful inhibitor of growth and inducer of cellular death. Detailed examination of that derivative pertained to the mechanisms underlying its anticancer action. Treatment with compound 4 decreased DNA synthesis and up-regulated p21WAF1/Cip1 mRNA and protein levels in both cell lines. On the other hand, that derivative caused a significant increase in cell death, as evidenced by increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and ethidium homodimer uptake. Shortly after the compound addition, an increased generation of reactive oxygen species and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected. The activation of caspase-3 and fragmentation of genomic DNA suggested an apoptotic type of cell death. However, analysis of cellular morphology did not reveal any nuclear features typical of apoptosis. Despite necrosis-like morphology, dead cells exhibited activation of the cascade of caspases. These observations have led to the conclusion that compound 4 pushed cells to undergo a form of necrotic-like regulated cell demise.

Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of New 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Thioglycosides and 1,2,3-Triazolyl-1,3,4-Thiadiazole N-glycosides

New 1,3,4-thiadiazole thioglycosides linked to substituted arylidine systems were synthesized via glycosylation of the prepared 1,3,4-thiadiazole thiol compounds. Click strategy was also used for the synthesis of new 1,3,4-thiadiazole and 1,2,3-triazole hybrid glycosides by reaction of the acetylenic derivatives with different glycosyl azids followed by deacetylation process. The cytotoxic activities of the prepared compounds were studied against HCT-116 (human colorectal carcinoma) and MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines using the MTT assay. The results showed that the key thiadiazolethione compounds 2 and 3, the triazole glycosides linked to p-methoxyarylidine derivatives 14 and 15 in addition to the free hydroxyl glycoside 20 were found potent in activity comparable to the reference drug doxorubicin against MCF-7 human cancer cells. The acetylenic derivative 2 and glycoside 20 were also found highly active against HCT-116 cell lines.

Nucleic acid related compounds. 78. Stereocontrolled syntheses of 6′(E and Z)-halovinyl analogues from uridine-derived vinylsulfones via vinyltin intermediates

Treatment of the 6′(E)-tosylvinyl homonucleoside 1a with Bu3SnH/AIBN/toluene/Δ gave separable mixtures of 6′-vinylstannanes 2a(E/Z) in high yields. Stereospecific halodestannylations with N-iodosuccinimide, bromine, and N-bromosuccinimide proceeded smoothly to give the 6′(E or Z)-iodo(and bromo) vinyl compounds with retention of configuration. Chlorine or iodobenzene dichloride effected moderately stereoselective chlorodestannylation. Treatment of 2a with NH4F/MeOH/Δ resulted in carbon–tin bond cleavage to give the free vinyl derivative 4a. Aqueous trifluoroacetic acid effected concomitant protiodestannylation and deprotection of 2a to give 4b. Treatment of 2a(E) with lead tetraacetate/acetonitrile and deprotection afforded acetylenic derivative 3b.