Several camptothecin derivatives containing a modified hydroxy lactone ring have been synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of topoisomerase I and cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Each of the groups of the hydroxy lactone moiety, the carbonyl oxygen, the ring lactone oxygen, and the 20-hydroxy group, were shown to be critical for enzyme inhibition. For example the lactol, lactam, thiolactone, and 20-deoxy derivatives did not stabilize the covalent DNA-topoisomerase I complex. With a few exceptions, those compounds that did not inhibit topoisomerase I were not cytotoxic to mammalian cells. Two cytotoxic derivatives that did not inhibit topoisomerase I were shown to produce non-protein-associated DNA single-strand breaks and are likely to have a different mechanism of action. One of these compounds was tested for antitumor activity and was found to be inactive. The present findings, as well as other reports that the hydroxy lactone ring of camptothecin is critical for antitumor activity in vivo, correlate with the structure-activity relationships at the level of topoisomerase I and support the hypothesis that antitumor activity is related to inhibition of this target enzyme.
Water-soluble analogues of the antitumor alkaloid camptothecin (1) were prepared in which aminoalkyl groups were introduced into ring A or B. Most of the analogues were prepared by oxidation of camptothecin to 10-hydroxycamptothecin (2) followed by a Mannich reaction to give N-substituted 9-(aminomethyl)-10-hydroxycamptothecins (4-12) or by subsequent modification of Mannich product 4 (13, 15, 17, 19, 21). Others were obtained by modification of the hydroxyl group of 2 (25,26) or by total synthesis (35,42,43). These analogues, as well as some of their synthetic precursors, were evaluated for inhibition of topoisomerase I, cytotoxicity, and antitumor activity. Although there was not a quantitative correlation between these assays, compounds that inhibited topoisomerase I were also cytotoxic and demonstrated antitumor activity in vivo. Further evaluation of the most active water-soluble analogue led to the selection of 9-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-10-hydroxycamptothecin (4, SK&F 104864) for development as an antitumor agent. In addition to its water solubility, ease of synthesis from natural camptothecin, and high potency, 4 demonstrated broad-spectrum activity in preclinical tumor models and is currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials in cancer patients.
The DNA alkylation and sequence specificity of a group of natural and synthetic pyrrolo- [1,4]benzodiazepines [P(1,4)Bs] were evaluated by using an exonuclease I11 stop assay, and the results were compared with in vitro and in vivo biological potency and antitumor activity. The P(1,4)B antibiotics are potent antitumor agents produced by various Actinomycetes, which are believed to mediate their cytotoxic effects by covalent bonding through N-2 of guanine in the minor groove of DNA. In this article we describe the results of a sensitive DNA alkylation assay using exonuclease I11 which permits both estimation of the extent of DNA modification as well as location of the precise guanines to which the drugs are covalently bound. Using this assay, we have evaluated a series of natural and synthetic compounds of the P(1,4)B class for their ability to bind to DNA and also determined their DNA sequence preference. The compounds included in this study are P(1,4)Bs carrying different substituents in the aromatic ring, having varying degrees of saturation in the five-membered ring, or differing in the stereochemistry a t C-lla. These same compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against B16 melanoma cells, for potency in vivo in B6D2F1 mice (LDm), and for antitumor activity (ILS,) against P388 leukemia cells. A good correlation was found between extent of DNA alkylation and in vitro and in vivo potency. Furthermore, on the basis of electronic and steric considerations, it was possible to rationalize why those compounds that showed negligible biological activity were unable to bond covalently to DNA. Last, we have determined that the degree of saturation in the five-membered ring of the P(1,4)Bs has a significant effect on the DNA bonding reactivity and biological activity of this class of compounds.
Salvinorin A (1) is a hallucinogenic neoclerodane diterpene isolated from the widely available psychoactive plant Salvia divinorum and is the first example of a non-nitrogenous opioid receptor ligand. At present, there is little information available as to why this compound is selective for κ opioid receptors. One approach to better understanding the mode of binding of 1 at κ receptors is to systematically alter the structure of 1 and examine the effects on opioid receptor affinity and activity. Currently, there is a paucity of methods described for the preparation of analogues derived from 1. Here, we report the investigation of several chemical transformations of 1 isolated from S. divinorum. In particular, this work provides a semisynthesis of salvinicins A (2) and B (3) and has identified 10a as the first neoclerodane diterpene with δ opioid antagonist activity. Keywords salvinorin A; salvinicin A; salvinicin B; neoclerodane diterpenes; and Salvia divinorumExtracts of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, have been used for centuries to relieve pain and to induce sleep. 1 Among the most important constituents in opium are the alkaloids morphine and codeine. Many of the agonists and antagonists derived from these alkaloids are essential for the practice of modern medicine. While many potent agonists are effective analgesics, they have undesirable side effects, such as tolerance, dependence, and respiratory depression. 2Recently, opioid receptors have been implicated in the actions of salvinorin A (1), the major active ingredient of Salvia divinorum Epling & Játiva (Lamiaceae), a hallucinogenic plant that has been used historically in the traditional practices of the Mazatecs in Oaxaca, This finding is unique because 1 represents the only known lipid-like small molecule that † This work was presented in part at the American Society of Pharmacognosy 46 th Annual Meeting, July 23 -July 27, 2005.*To whom correspondence should be addressed, S327 PHAR, MNPC, 115 S. Grand Ave. Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1112, Telephone: (319) Fax: (319) selectively and potently activates a peptidergic G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). 7, 8 Diterpene 1 was found to be a high efficacy agonist for κ opioid receptors (κOR). 6, 9 Thus, 1 provides a truly unique template for the development of novel agents to attenuate pain with a potential for reduced abuse liability.Recently, we 10, 11 and others 12-15 have described the isolation and synthesis of several novel neoclerodane diterpenes with opioid receptor activity. Among these compounds were salvinicin A (2) and salvinicin B (3). 11 Diterpene 2 was identified as a partial κOR agonist, whereas, 3 was found to be the first neoclerodane diterpene with μ antagonist activity. There is a growing body of information as to why 1 and related analogues have activity at opioid receptors. 10, 11, 13-17 However, there are few synthetic methods described for related analogues of 1. Based on previous reports, 10, 11, 13,14 the C-2 position and furan ring appear to be important sites for the op...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.