The Novel Benzothiazole Derivative PB11 Induces Apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in Human Cancer Cell Lines

Among several anti-cancer therapies, chemotherapy can be used regardless of the stage of the disease. However, development of anti-cancer agents from potential chemicals must be executed very cautiously because of several problems, such as safety, drug resistance, and continuous administration. Most chemotherapeutics selectively cause cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. In this study, we tested the effects of a novel chemical, the benzothiazole derivative N-[2-[(3,5-dimethyl-1,2-oxazol-4-yl)methylsulfanyl]-1,3-benzothiazol-6-yl]-4-oxocyclohexane-1-carboxamide (PB11) on the human cell lines U87 (glioblastoma), and HeLa (cervix cancer). It was observed that this chemical was highly cytotoxic for these cells (IC50s < 50 nM). In addition, even 40 nM PB11 induced the classical apoptotic symptoms of DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation. The increase of caspase-3 and -9 activities also indicated an increased rate of apoptosis, which was further confirmed via Western blotting analysis of apoptosis-associated proteins. Accordingly, PB11 treatment up-regulated the cellular levels of caspase-3 and cytochrome-c, whereas it down-regulated PI3K and AKT. These results suggest that PB11 induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in cancer cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and, thus, may serve as an anti-cancer therapeutic.

Pentafluorophenylammonium triflate: A Mild, Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for the Synthesis of 2-Arylbenzothiazole and 2-Arylbenzothiazoline Derivatives in a Green Chemical Approach

In this work, one pot, simple and environmentally benign effective synthesis of 2-substituted benzothiazole and benzothiazoline derivatives are described in presence of PFPAT (pentafluorophenylammonium triflate) catalyst in water successfully. A series of benzothiazole derivative were synthesized by the reaction between 2-aminothiophenol and various aldehydes in good yields. Recyclability of the catalyst is observed for four times without loss of its activity in aqueous medium.

A novel mitochondria-targeted ratiometric fluorescent probe for endogenous sulfur dioxide derivatives as a cancer-detecting tool

A new mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe RBC, constructed using a coumarin moiety which was selected as the donor and a benzothiazole derivative as the acceptor, for SO2 derivatives (HSO3−/SO32−) was presented.