2-Phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinones: From a Multitarget Antitrypanosomal to a Potential Antitumor Profile

J Med Chem. 2015 Aug 27;58(16):6422-34. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00748. Epub 2015 Aug 11.

Abstract

A small library of 2-phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-phenoxy-1,4-anthraquinone derivatives was initially developed to optimize the antitrypanosomatid profile of the multitarget hit compound B6 (1). The whole series was evaluated against the three most important human trypanosomatid pathogens (Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania donovani), and two compounds (14 and 21) showed good activity, despite a concomitant mammalian cytotoxicity. Furthermore, a subset also inhibited the glycolytic TbGAPDH enzyme in vitro. In light of these results and aware of the antitumor properties of quinones, the anticancer potential of some selected derivatives was investigated. Intriguingly, the tested compounds displayed antitumor activity, while being less toxic against noncancerous cells. The observed cytotoxic potency was ascribed to a multitarget mechanism of action accounting for hGAPDH inhibition and mitochondrial toxicity. Overall, the development of further derivatives, able to finely modulate multiple pathways of cancer or parasite cell metabolism, might lead to more effective treatments against these devastating diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (Phosphorylating) / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Leishmania donovani / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Naphthoquinones / chemical synthesis*
  • Naphthoquinones / pharmacology*
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Trypanocidal Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Trypanocidal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / drug effects
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Naphthoquinones
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Trypanocidal Agents
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (Phosphorylating)