Rational design and action mechanisms of chemically innovative organoselenium in cancer therapy

Abstract

This minireview focuses on the rational design and action mechanisms of chemically innovative organoselenium in cancer therapy, and also provides information for design of nanomaterials-based pharmaceuticals to improve drug development.

Visible Light‐Promoted Selenylation/Cyclization of Enaminones toward the Formation of 3‐Selanyl‐4H‐Chromen‐4‐Ones

“…Organoselenium compounds have attracted considerable attention in medicinal chemistry owing to their well‐known biological activities, [4] which mainly attributed to the fact that the selenium atom may serve as an electron donor or a hydrogen bond acceptor in these applications, altering the chemical characteristics of enzyme active sites [5] . Recent studies revealed that chromones containing selenyl‐substituents show unique bioactivities and chemical properties, and widely adopted in drug design and regulation of biological processes [6]…”

Zero-, one-, two- and three-dimensional supramolecular architectures sustained by Se…O chalcogen bonding: A crystallographic survey

“…The crucial role of selenium in natural biological functions implies a selenium-deficient diet causes disease and requires intervention [6] . Complimenting dietary supplements, synthetic selenium compounds also play a role/have potential as therapeutics [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] . The most prominent selenium drug is Ebselen™, i.e.…”

“…N-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one, which is known to exhibit a variety of biological activities, partially owing to its ability to mimic the glutathione peroxidase enzyme, which regulates redox homeostasis and which protects cells from oxidative stress [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] . Other medicinal benefits of Ebselen™ include cytoprotective and neuroprotective properties, and potential therapeutic applications relate to anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] . With this background, it is not surprising the biological mechanism(s) of Ebselen™ and related species have been investigated thoroughly [11] , [12] .…”

Visible‐Light‐Promoted Selenylative Spirocyclization of Indolyl‐ynones toward the Formation of 3‐Selenospiroindolenine Anticancer Agents

“…Organoselenium compounds have been extensively studied due to their well-known biological activities, [1] which mainly attributed to the fact that the selenium atom may serve as an electron donor or a hydrogen bond acceptor in these applications, altering the chemical characteristics of enzyme active sites. [2] Considering the importance of organoselenium compounds in medicinal chemistry, introducing selenium to heterocyclic molecules are expected to find applications in drug discovery programmes. [3] Spirocyclic compounds have attracted great attention in the chemical world because of its original stereostructure and challenging complexity of their synthesis.…”