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This work describes the synthesis of series hydrobromides of N-(4-biphenyl)methyl-N'-dialkylaminoethyl-2-iminobenzimidazoles, which, due to the presence of two privileged structural fragments (benzimidazole and biphenyl moieties), can be considered as bi-privileged structures. Compound 7a proved to activate AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and simultaneously inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) with similar potency. This renders it an interesting prototype of potential antidiabetic agents with a dual-target mechanism of action. Using prove of concept in vivo study we show that dual targeting compound 7a has a disease-modifying effect in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus via improving insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism.

A series of new triterpenic and sitosterol derivatives containing 1,2,3,4-(tetrazol-5-yl)ethoxy and -ethoxyimine fragments at positions C-2, C-3, and C-12 have been synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitriles to sodium azide. The structure of the obtained compounds was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, including two-dimensional correlation experiments, and mass spectrometry. It was found that such steric factors as the presence of 23,24-gem-dimethyl groups or a second cyanoethyl group at position C-2 affect the yield of the reaction product. In vitro studies have shown that methyl 2-[2-(1Н-tetrazol-5-yl)]-2,4-seco-3-norlupa-4(23),20(29)-dien-28-oate and 24-ethyl-3-[2-(1Н-tetrazol-5-yl)ethoxy]cholestan-5-ene have the highest anticancer and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, respectively.

Five scaffolds (phenoxybenzene, benzofuran, azolobenzimidazole, oxoindole, and uracil), which are promising as sources of compounds with high RAGE inhibitory activity, were found in silico among ten structurally different classes of the synthesized substances using a multitarget neural network model of the dependence of the RAGE inhibitory activity on the affinity of the compounds to the target proteins of the RAGE—NF-κB signal pathway. The derivatives of these scaffolds are characterized by the predominantly post-receptor effect and manifest different target activity spectra to signal kinases of the RAGE—NF-κB chain. The revealed multitarget compounds were recommended for experimental investigation in order to determine their RAGE inhibitory activity. They can form a basis for the development of new promising drugs for the treatment of complications after diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease.

3-Phenoxybenzoic acid derivatives were synthesized. Their pharmacological activity was studied. Several compounds, in particular 2-cyanoprop-2-yl 3-phenoxybenzoate, were found to exhibit peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist activity and to be capable of activating glucokinase and inhibiting protein glycation. The studied compounds did not influence dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activity.

New 2-amino- and 2-hydroxymethylbenzimidazoles were synthesized and used to prepare the previously unknown 1,2,3-tri- and 1,2,3,5-tetrasubstituted benzimidazolium bromides with a biphenyl-containing substituent at the imidazole nitrogen atom. In some cases, these bromides exhibit activity against targets associated with diabetes mellitus. These compounds are strong protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors, exhibit chelating and antiglycation activity, but have no significant AT1 receptor antagonist activity. Hence, biphenyl-containing benzimidazolium derivatives can be considered as a basis for the development of new promising agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and other diseases mediated by high phosphatase PTP1B activity.

According to the in silico consensus activity prediction, a series of 3,6-disubstituted 1,2,4,5-tetrazines were synthesized as promising inhibitors of the Maillard reaction. In addition to the studies of antiglycation activity, a comparative in vitro evaluation of the effect of the synthesized compounds on the ADP-induced rabbit platelet aggregation model was carried out. Compounds with antiglycation and antiplatelet activities significantly higher than that of the reference drugs, aminoguanidine and acetylsalicylic acid, were revealed.

The Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE-1) attracts ongoing attention as a validated drug target for the management of cardiovascular and ocular diseases owing to cytoprotective, anti-ischemic and anti-inflammatory properties of NHE-1 inhibitors. Herein we report novel NHE-1 inhibitors realized via functionalization of N1-alkyl quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione and quinazoline-4(3H)-one with N-acylguanidine or 3-acyl(5-amino-1,2,4-triazole) side chain. Lead compounds show activity in a nanomolar range. Their pharmacophoric features were elucidated with neural network modeling. Several compounds combine NHE-1 inhibition with antiplatelet activity. Compound 6b reduces intraocular pressure in rats and effectively inhibits the formation of glycated proteins. Compounds 3e and 3i inhibit pro-inflammatory activation of murine macrophages, LPS-induced interleukin-6 secretion and also exhibit antidepressant activity similar to amiloride. Hence, novel compounds represent an interesting starting point for the development of agents against cardiovascular diseases, thrombotic events, excessive inflammation, long-term diabetic complications and glaucoma.

A series of A-ring modified oleanolic and ursolic acid derivatives including C28 amides (3-oxo-C2-nicotinoylidene/furfurylidene, 3β-hydroxy-C2-nicotinoylidene, 3β-nicotinoyloxy-, 2-cyano-3,4-seco-4(23)-ene, indolo-, lactame and azepane) were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxic activity against the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. The results of the first assay of thirty-two tested compounds showed that eleven derivatives exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells, and six of them were selected for complete dose–response studies. A systematic study of local SARs has been carried out by comparative analysis of potency distributions and similarity relationships among the synthesized compounds using network-like similarity graphs. Among the oleanane type triterpenoids, C2-[4-pyridinylidene]-oleanonic C28-morpholinyl amide exhibited sub-micromolar potencies against 15 different tumor cell lines and revealed particular selectivity for non-small cell lung cancer (HOP-92) with a GI50 value of 0.0347 μM. On the other hand, superior results were observed for C2-[3-pyridinylidene]-ursonic N-methyl-piperazinyl amide 29, which exhibited a broad-spectrum inhibition activity with GI50 &lt, 1 μM against 33 tumor cell lines and &lt, 2 μM against all 60 cell lines. This compound has been further evaluated for cell cycle analysis to decipher the mechanism of action. The data indicate that compound 29 could exhibit both cytostatic and cytotoxic activity, depending on the cell line evaluated. The cytostatic activity appears to be determined by induction of the cell cycle arrest at the S (MCF-7, SH-SY5Y cells) or G0/G1 phases (A549 cells), whereas cytotoxicity of the compound against normal cells is nonspecific and arises from apoptosis without significant alterations in cell cycle distribution (HEK293 cells). Our results suggest that the antiproliferative effect of compound 29 is mediated through ROS-triggered apoptosis that involves mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and caspase activation.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic progressive disease that usually requires polypharmacological treatment approaches. Previously we have described a series of 2-oxindole derivatives as GSK3β inhibitors with in vivo antihyperglycemic activity. α-Glucosidase is another antidiabetic target that prevents postprandial hyperglycemia and corresponding hyperinsulinemic response. Herein we report a study of 3,5-disubstituted indolin-2-one derivatives as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors. These inhibitors were identified via efficient synthesis, in vitro screening, and biological evaluation. The most active compound 5f inhibits yeast α-glucosidase with IC50 of 6.78 µM and prevents postprandial hyperglycemia in rats after maltose and sucrose challenge at 5.0 mg/kg dose. Two lead glucosidase inhibitors, 5f and 5m, are also GSK3β inhibitors with submicromolar potency. Hence, structure-activity studies elucidate foundation for development of dual GSK3β/α-glucosidase inhibitors for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) is a widely investigated molecular target for numerous diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and diabetes mellitus. Inhibition of GSK-3β activity has become an attractive approach for treatment of diabetes and cancer. We report the discovery of novel GSK-3β inhibitors of 3-arylidene-2-oxindole scaffold with promising activity. The most potent compound 3a inhibits GSK-3β with IC50 4.19 nM. In a cell-based assay 3a shows no significant leucocyte toxicity at 10 µM and is moderately cytotoxic against A549 cells. Compound 3a demonstrated high antidiabetic efficacy in obese streptozotocin-treated rats improving glucose tolerance at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight thus representing an interesting lead for further optimization.

New diphenylsulfimide derivatives containing substituents with the 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol moiety at the nitrogen atom were synthesized. Their molecular structures were established by X-ray diffraction. Antioxidant activity was experimentally evaluated by spectrophotometry based on hydrogen transfer to the stable radicals, namely, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS·+), and using in vitro lipid peroxidation in rat brain and liver homogenates. The presence of phenol and diphenylsulfimide moieties in one molecule leads to a significant enhancement of antioxidant activity. The new compounds exhibit moderate inhibitory activity against enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The evaluation of antiglycation activity showed that the new sulfimides taken at a concentration of 100 μmol L–1 have activity comparable with that of aminoguanidine.

A series of two new and twenty earlier synthesized branched extra-amino-triterpenoids obtained by the direct coupling of betulinic/betulonic acids with polymethylenpolyamines, or by the cyanoethylation of lupane type alcohols, oximes, amines, and amides with the following reduction were evaluated for cytotoxicity toward the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel, &alpha, glucosidase inhibitory, and antimicrobial activities. Lupane carboxamides, conjugates with diaminopropane, triethylenetetramine, and branched C3-cyanoethylated polyamine methyl betulonate showed high cytotoxic activity against most of the tested cancer cell lines with GI50 that ranged from 1.09 to 54.40 &micro, M. Betulonic acid C28-conjugate with triethylenetetramine and C3,C28-bis-aminopropoxy-betulin were found to be potent micromolar inhibitors of yeast &alpha, glucosidase and to simultaneously inhibit the endosomal reticulum &alpha, glucosidase, rendering them as potentially capable to suppress tumor invasiveness and neovascularization, in addition to the direct cytotoxicity. Plausible mechanisms of cytotoxic action and underlying disrupted molecular pathways were elucidated with CellMinner pattern analysis and Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, according to which the lead compounds exert multi-target antiproliferative activity associated with oxidative stress induction and chromatin structure alteration. The betulonic acid diethylentriamine conjugate showed partial activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus and the fungi C. neoformans. These results show that triterpenic polyamines, being analogs of steroidal squalamine and trodusquemine, are important substances for the search of new drugs with anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities.

A series of 2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)- and 2-trifluoromethyl-9-dialkylaminoalkylimidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazoles were synthesized for the first time by reacting 2-amino-1-dialkylaminoalkylbenzimidazoles and 2-bromo-1-[(4-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethanone or 1-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoroacetone and were tested for analgesic and antiplatelet activity, glycogen phosphorylase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitory activity, and in vitro glycation of bovine serum albumin.

Thiazolo[2, 3-f]purine derivatives and their analogs – dihydrothiazolo[2, 3-f]purine, 7-(thietan-3-yl)purine, and 8-(2-hydroxypropylthio)purine derivatives – were synthesized. The compounds synthesized here had no effects on protein glycation reactions using glucose; they gave weak inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase; they had no hemorheological activity. Substances with hypotensive activity greater than that of Dibazol were found. A number of substances had hypoglycemic effects greater than those of chlorpropamide and Adebit. Two compounds inhibited dipeptidylpeptidase-4, but were less active than reference agent vildagliptin.

An efficient method for the synthesis of novel 9H-imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives containing a biphenyl substituent at position 2 was developed. These compounds, belonging to the privileged substructures, have been tested for a wide range of pharmacological activities in the in vitro test panel. It was shown that the synthesized derivatives demonstrated high antioxidant activity, some of them inhibit type 1B protein tyrosine phosphatase, activate AMP-activated protein kinase, possess antiplatelet properties, and a rare and very interesting kind of activity, the ability to break cross-links of glycated proteins. The most active compounds can be suggested for further optimization.

Validation of the method for studies of glucokinase activators by the spectrophotometric method in an in vitro test system is carried out. The advantage of NAD coenzyme vs. thio-NAD is proven. Manifest activation of glucokinase by MBX-2982 compound (GPR119 agonist) in a wide range of concentrations is demonstrated experimentally.

A series of benzofuran derivatives was synthesized as analogues of known natural α-glucosidase inhibitors. Their activity was evaluated in enzymatic assay and in rat model of diabetes mellitus. Newly identified inhibitors demonstrate significant potency with IC50 values ranging from 6.50 to 722.2 μM, as well as hypoglycemic activity exceeding the reference drug acarbose. Docking simulations provided insight to structure-activity relationships to direct further development of these novel hypoglycemic agents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Fifteen adamantane derivatives were synthesized. Preliminary evaluation of their potential as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors was performed in silico by the Microcosm informational technology, PASS system, and docking in AutoDock Vina. The DPP-4 inhibition was studied in vitro. The selectivity of action of the most active compounds was studied by the direct inhibition of human plasma DPP-4 and recombinant human DPP-8. The highest activity was found for the compounds containing a nitrogen atom in the β-position of the side chain, namely, derivatives of adamantane carboxylic acid and N-(3-adamantyl-allyl) thiourea. We demonstrated that the most active compound of the series, 3,5-dimethyladamantane 1-carboxamide, was a selective DPP-4 inhibitor with IC50 53.94 μM.

Guanidine derivatives are widely used antidiabetic drugs. Metformin (biguanide) is the first-line therapy for the type 2 diabetes mellitus due to its multi-target and pleiotropic effects. Compounds that comprise guanidine moiety integrated in a heterocycle, i.e. cyclic guanidines, represent an increasing area of interest. We have synthesized and studied hypoglycemic effects of a range of cyclic guanidines, namely 2-aminobenzimidazoles and structurally related imidazo[1,2-a]-, pyrimido[1,2-a]-, pyrrolo[1,2-a]-, triazolo[1,5-a]benzimidazole tricyclic derivatives. We have determined the potential of these scaffolds using molecular modeling and QSAR analysis. Experimental studies have shown that N 9-(diethylamino)ethyl-2,3-dihydro-imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole (RU-254, diabenol) exhibits potent antidiabetic effects along with a low toxicity. We have found that diabenol exerts long-term glucose-lowering effects in prediabetic and diabetic animals, stimulates the first phase of insulin secretion and reduces the rate of liver glycogenolysis. Additionally, diabenol has been shown to exhibit antiplatelet, geroprotective and antitumor activities in animals. Clinical trials confirm that diabenol produces a range of antidiabetogenic effects such as improved glycemia, reduced HbA1c, stimulation of insulin secretion, decreased thrombogenic potential of blood and ameliorated hemorheology.

New esters of N-benzoyl-3-phenoxyphenylcarboxamide acid and N-benzoyl-N′-4-bromophenyl-3-phenoxybenzamidine were synthesized. Some of the synthesized compounds were shown to inhibit the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins and manifested antiplatelet and antioxidant properties. The compounds tested did not display the antagonistic effect toward angiotensin II type 1 receptor, did not influence the activity of glycogen phosphorylase and had very little ability to break cross-links of the glycated proteins. The derivatives with the biological activity of two types were found, which can serve as basic molecules in the search for new drug products.

Managing the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) concentration is a reliable approach to achieve control over the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is also an attractive way to tackle type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We showed previously that azoloazine heterocycles have the potential to prevent the formation of AGEs and in this work, we conducted docking studies with DPP-4 of 5-alkylamino-6-nitro-1,3,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines. Consequently, we have developed a synthetic approach to these structures by chlorodeoxygenation and amination reactions. Antidiabetic properties of obtained compounds were studied by evaluating DPP-4 (ex vivo/in vitro) and AGEs formation inhibition (in vitro). It was shown that the nitrothiadiazolopyrimidines exhibit a higher antiglycation activity than reference compound aminoguanidine, but only moderate inhibition of DPP-4. The most active DPP-4 inhibitor 1l had IC50 of 55.87 μM and showed the ability to inhibit serum DPP-4 activity in rats after 10 mg/kg oral administration but with the less and shorter effect than vildagliptin. At the same time, 1l was the most active antiglycating compound in the series (IC50 134.4 μM). Copper chelation properties of synthesized compounds were also investigated since the formation of AGEs is catalyzed by the transition metal cations. A noticeable correlation between antiglycation activity and metal chelation was revealed. Both activities (antiglycation and copper chelation) correlated with quantum-chemical properties (calculated with ab initio) of the tested compounds. These findings will allow us to predict both activities in the future, without the need to model multiple steps of glycation reaction.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder requiring polypharmacology approaches for effective treatment. Combinatorial library of fifteen new tricyclic benzimidazole derivatives have been designed and synthesized to combine fragments commonly found in allosteric AMPK activators and AT1 receptor antagonists. It was found that 2'-cyanobiphenyl serves as the pharmacophore of AMPK-activating activity, which also increases with the expansion of the external hydrogenated cycle. Also, pronounced antiplatelet activity is characteristic of the studied compounds. One of derivatives was identified as a potent inhibitor of the formation of advanced protein glycation end-products with reactive dicarbonyl scavenging activity. Two submicromolar AMPK activators 2b and 3b prevents inflammatory activation of murine macrophages. Along with good water solubility and synthetic availability, these results render biphenyl derivatives of fused benzimidazoles as a valuable starting point for the development of AMPK activators with multi-target antidiabetic activity.

A series of nineteen nitrogen-containing lupane triterpenoids was obtained by modification of C2, C3, C20 and C28 positions of betulonic acid and their α-glucosidase inhibiting activity was investigated. Being a leader compound from our previous study, 2,3-indolo-betulinic acid was used as the main template for different modifications at C-(28)-carboxyl group to obtain cyano-, methylcyanoethoxy-, propargyloxy- and carboxamide derivatives. 20-Oxo- and 29-hydroxy-20-oxo-30-nor-analogues of 2,3-indolo-betulinic acid were synthesized by ozonolysis of betulonic acid followed by Fischer indolization reaction. To compare the influence of the fused indole or the seven-membered A-ring on the inhibitory activity, lupane A-azepanones with different substituents at C28 were synthesized. The structure-activity relationships revealed that the enzyme inhibition activity dramatically increased (up to 4730 times) when the carboxylic group of 2,3-indolo-betulinic acid was converted to the corresponding amide. Thus, the IC50 values for glycine amide and L-phenylalanine amides were 0.04 and 0.05 μM, respectively. This study also revealed that 2,3-indolo-platanic acid is 4.5 times more active than the parent triterpenoid with IC50 of 0.4 μM. Molecular modeling suggested that improved potency is due to additional polar interactions formed between C28 side chain and a sub-pocket of the α-glucosidase allosteric site.

Graphical abstract, The need for novel therapeutic options to fight herpesvirus infections still persists. Herein we report the design, synthesis and antiviral evaluation of a new family of non-nucleoside antivirals, derived from 1-[ω-(4-bromophenoxy)alkyl]uracil derivatives – previously reported inhibitors of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Introduction of the N-(4-phenoxyphenyl)acetamide side chain at N3 increased their potency and widened activity spectrum. The most active compounds in the series exhibit submicromolar activity against different viral strains of HCMV and varicella zoster virus (VZV) replication in HEL cell cultures. Inactivity against other DNA and RNA viruses, including herpes simplex virus 1/2, points to a novel mechanism of antiviral action.

New well-soluble in 10% DMSO phosphonate derivatives of substituted benzophenone have been synthesized using different methods. Preliminary computer modeling of proposed structures in the reverse transcriptase HIV-1 hydrophobic pocket suggested these molecules as potential non-nucleoside inhibitors of this enzyme.

Herein we report a study of novel arylchromene derivatives as analogs of naturally occurring flavonoids with prominent α-glucosidase inhibitory properties. Novel inhibitors were identified via simple stepwise in silico screening, efficient synthesis, and biological evaluation. It is shown that 2-aryl-4H-chromene core retains pharmacophore properties while being readily available synthetically. A lead compound identified through screening inhibits yeast α-glucosidase with IC50 of 62.26 µM and prevents postprandial hyperglycemia in rats at 2.2 mg/kg dose.

Glucokinase is one of the promising targets for glucose-lowering agents, and the development of GK activators are now considered as one of the most promising strategies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this work, a series of novel symmetric molecular constructs, in which two pyridoxine moieties are connected via sulfur-containing linkers, have been synthesized and tested in vitro for glucokinase activation potential. The enzyme activation rates by two most active compounds at 100 μM (~150% and 130%) were comparable to that of the reference agent PF-04937319 (~154%). Both leading compounds demonstrated low cytotoxicity and excellent safety profile in acute toxicity experiment in rats after oral administration with LD50 exceeding 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Binding mode of the active compounds in comparison with the reference agent was studied using molecular docking. The leading compounds represent viable preclinical candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as a promising starting point for the design of structural analogs with improved activity.

In order to identify new antiretroviral agents, a series of novel uracil derivatives have been synthesized. Optimized conditions for coupling of Weinreb amides with aromatic Grignard reagents allow the convenient preparation of key benzophenone intermediates in high yields and purities. The use of a modified silyl Hilbert–Johnson reaction affords the target compounds under mild conditions.

In order to identify novel nonnucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase two series of amide-containing uracil derivatives were designed as hybrids of two scaffolds of previously reported inhibitors. Subsequent biological evaluation confirmed acetamide uracil derivatives 15a–k as selective micromolar NNRTIs with a first generation-like resistance profile. Molecular modeling of the most active compounds 15c and 15i was employed to provide insight on their inhibitory properties and direct future design efforts.

Prevention of the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) is a reliable approach to achieve control over hyperglycemia and the associated pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. In these terms, new synthetic approaches to 6-nitroazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines have been developed on the basis of the promising antiglycation activity of their structural analogues, such as azolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine-4(1H)-ones. A number of nitroazolopyrimidines were obtained by using nitration, chlorodeoxygenation, and amination reactions, and their antidiabetic properties were elucidated in vitro. It was shown that triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7(4H)-ones exhibit a higher antiglycation activity than the corresponding 7-alkylamino analogs and aminoguanidine, as the reference compound. It is suggested that this kind of activity can be associated with the chelating properties possessed by the synthesized 6-nitro-7-oxoderivatives. Furthermore, the compounds obtained were tested for their inhibitory activity against dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), glycogen phosphorylase, and α-glucosidase in vitro, but their activities proved to be significantly inferior to those of the reference compounds.

Inhibition of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) enzyme activity and prevention of advanced glycation end (AGE) products formation represents a reliable approach to achieve control over hyperglycemia and the associated pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. In the frames of this research study, several triazolo- and pyrazolotriazines were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of AGE products formation, DPP4, glycogen phosphorylase and α-glucosidase activities, as well as AGE cross-link breakers. From the two considered classes of heterocyclic compounds, the pyrazolotriazines showed the highest potency as antiglycating agents and DPP4 inhibitors. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) for these compounds, which can be considered as potential drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, were evaluated.

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1-[ω-(Phenoxy)alkyl and -alkenyl]uracil derivatives were synthesized via condensation of equimolar amounts of 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)pyrimidine and 1-halo-ω-(phenoxy)alkane or -alkene in order to discover new non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Their anti-HIV-1 activity was studied in CEM-cell culture and against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. It was found that several compounds exhibited marked activity.

Several 5-aminouracil derivatives that have previously been shown to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth at concentrations of 5-40 g/mL are demonstrated to act also as noncompetitive non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase without causing toxicity in vitro (МT-4 cells) and ex vivo (human tonsillar tissue).

Graphical abstract, HCMV infection represents a life-threatening condition for immunocompromised patients and newborn infants and novel anti-HCMV agents are clearly needed. In this regard, a series of 1-[ω-(phenoxy)alkyl]uracil derivatives were synthesized and examined for antiviral properties. Compounds 17, 20, 24 and 28 were found to exhibit highly specific and promising inhibitory activity against HCMV replication in HEL cell cultures with EC50 values within 5.5–12 μM range. Further studies should be undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of action of these compounds and the structure–activity relationship for the linker region.

Graphical abstract, A series of phenyloxyethyl and cinnamyl derivatives of substituted uracils were synthesized and found to exhibit potent activity against HIV-RT and HIV replication in cell culture. In general, the cinnamyl derivatives proved superior to the phenyloxyethyl derivatives, however 1-[2-(4-methylphenoxy)ethyl]-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl)uracil (19) exhibited the highest activity (EC50 = 0.27 μM) thus confirming that the 3-benzyluracil fragment in the NNRTI structure can be regarded as a functional analogue of the benzophenone pharmacophore typically found in NNRTIs.