Vol 31, No 8 (2024)

Anti-Infectives and Infectious Diseases

Meet the Country Editor

Marazziti D.
Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2024;31(8):919-919
pages 919-919 views

A Review on Shikonin and its Derivatives as Potent Anticancer Agents Targeted against Topoisomerases

Olatunde O., Yong J., Lu C., Ming Y.

Abstract

The topoisomerases (TOPO) play indispensable roles in DNA metabolism, by regulating the topological state of DNA. Topoisomerase I and II are the well-established drug-targets for the development of anticancer agents and antibiotics. These drugs-targeting enzymes have been used to establish the relationship between drug-stimulated DNA cleavable complex formation and cytotoxicity. Some anticancer drugs (such as camptothecin, anthracyclines, mitoxantrone) are also widely used as Topo I and Topo II inhibitors, but the poor water solubility, myeloma suppression, dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, and multidrug resistance (MDR) limited their prolong use as therapeutics. Also, most of these agents displayed selective inhibition only against Topo I or II. In recent years, researchers focus on the design and synthesis of the dual Topo I and II inhibitors, or the discovery of the dual Topo I and II inhibitors from natural products. Shikonin (a natural compound with anthraquinone skeleton, isolated from the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon) has drawn much attention due to its wide spectrum of anticancer activities, especially due to its dual Topo inhibitive performance, and without the adverse side effects, and different kinds of shikonin derivatives have been synthesized as TOPO inhibitors for the development of anticancer agents. In this review, the progress of the shikonin and its derivatives together with their anticancer activities, anticancer mechanism, and their structure-activity relationship (SAR) was comprehensively summarized by searching the CNKI, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases.

Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2024;31(8):920-937
pages 920-937 views

Perspective and Prospects on Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles for Biological Imaging and Tumor Therapy

Sun M., Chen M., Wang J.

Abstract

Persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) are photoluminescent materials that can still emit luminescence after the cessation of the excitation light source. In recent years, due to their unique optical properties, the PLNPs have attracted extensive attention in the biomedical field. Since the PLNPs effectively eliminate autofluorescence interference from biological tissues, many researchers have contributed a lot of work in the fields of biological imaging and tumor therapy. This article mainly introduces the synthesis methods of the PLNPs and their progress in the application of biological imaging and tumor therapy, as well as the challenges and development prospects.

Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2024;31(8):938-951
pages 938-951 views

Enlightening the Mechanism of Ferroptosis in Epileptic Heart

Akyüz E., Saleem Q., Sari Ç., Auzmendi J., Lazarowski A.

Abstract

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological degenerative disease with a high incidence, affecting all age groups. Refractory Epilepsy (RE) occurs in approximately 30-40% of cases with a higher risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Recent studies have shown that spontaneous seizures developed in epilepsy can be related to an increase in oxidative stress and reactive oxygen derivatives (ROS) production. Increasing ROS concentration causes lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, destruction of nuclear genetic material, enzyme inhibition, and cell death by a mechanism known as "ferroptosis" (Fts). Inactivation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) induces Fts, while oxidative stress is linked with increased intracellular free iron (Fe+2) concentration. Fts is also a non-apoptotic programmed cell death mechanism, where a hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) dependent hypoxic stress-like condition appears to occur with accumulation of iron and cytotoxic ROS in affected cells. Assuming convulsive crises as hypoxic stress, repetitive convulsive/hypoxic stress can be an effective inducer of the "epileptic heart" (EH), which is characterized by altered autonomic function and a high risk of malignant or fatal bradycardia. We previously reported that experimental recurrent seizures induce cardiomyocyte Fts associated with SUDEP. Furthermore, several genes related to Fts and hypoxia have recently been identified in acute myocardial infarction. An emerging theme from recent studies indicates that inhibition of GPX4 through modulating expression or activities of the xCT antiporter system (SLC7A11) governs cell sensitivity to oxidative stress from ferroptosis. Furthermore, during hypoxia, an increased expression of stress transcriptional factor ATF3 can promote Fts induced by erastin in a HIF-1α-dependent manner. We propose that inhibition of Fts with ROS scavengers, iron chelators, antioxidants, and transaminase inhibitors could provide a therapeutic effect in epilepsy and improve the prognosis of SUDEP risk by protecting the heart from ferroptosis.

Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2024;31(8):952-969
pages 952-969 views

Aldehyde Dehydrogenases as Promising Targets for Treating Toxic Aldehyde-related Diseases

Chen Y., Li X.

Abstract

Background:Mammals are exposed to various endogenous and exogenous aldehydes, and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) function to metabolize these aldehydes into acids in order to counteract aldehyde over-load. ALDHs, therefore, play important roles in a series of physiological and pathophysiological processes. ALDHs activators and inhibitors are not only important probes for exploring ALDHs functions, but promising for the treatment of toxic aldehyde-related diseases.

Methods:This review has comprehensively summarized the categories and characteristics of 19 human ALDHs, elaborated their related biological pathways, such as alcohol metabolism, retinoic acid (RA) production, neurotransmitter metabolism, etc. In addition, reported ALDHs activators and inhibitors have been summarized by listing their target, inhibition form, and clinical application.

Results:On the one hand, summarization of the types and relative functions is useful for further research on aldehyde metabolic pathways and related diseases. On the other hand, a review of existing activators and inhibitors of ALDHs contributes to discovering new leading compounds and provides new insights.

Conclusion:In consideration of the important role ALDH plays in toxic aldehyde-related diseases, ALDHs are promising targets for the treatment of toxic aldehyde-related diseases, and more research efforts are required to explore their pathophysiology and to develop new regulators.

Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2024;31(8):970-994
pages 970-994 views

Research Progress in Small Molecules as Anti-vitiligo Agents

Wu H., Niu C., Aisa H.A.

Abstract

Vitiligo is a disease characterized by skin discoloration, and no safe and effective drugs have been developed until now. New drug research and development are imminent. This article reviews the research on small-molecule drugs for vitiligo from 1990 to 2021 at home and abroad. They are classified according to their structures and mechanisms of action, including natural products and derivatives, anti-oxidative stress drugs, immunosuppressants, prostaglandins, etc. The research on their anti-vitiligo activity, structural modification, new dosage forms, clinical trials, and the development trend in new anti-vitiligo drugs are reviewed, which provides important references for the development of new drugs.

Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2024;31(8):995-1035
pages 995-1035 views

Novel Pyrimidin-4-yl-3-amino-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazoles as Protein Kinase C Inhibitors for Treating Diseases

De S.

Abstract

This patent describes the series of compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, such as compound K7 (as a representative potent compound). These protein kinase C selective inhibitors are useful for treating diabetes mellitus and its complications, cancer, ischemia, inflammation, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, dermatological disease, virus diseases, inflammatory disorders, or diseases in which the liver is a target organ.

Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2024;31(8):1036-1039
pages 1036-1039 views

Pyrazolo[4,3-H]quinazolines as Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitors for Treating Cancer

De S.

Abstract

The application describes the synthesis of 1H-pyrazolo[4,3-H]quinazoline compounds for treating cell proliferation dysfunction and is a broad-spectrum and strongly- active inhibitor for a cell cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK).

Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2024;31(8):1040-1043
pages 1040-1043 views