Naik Jui Pravin , Rohini S. Kavalapure , Shankar Gharge , Shankar G. Alegaon , Shriram D. Ranade , Rahul Koli , B.R. Prashantha Kumar , Sachin Gudasi , Vilas Gowda K B , Ramith Ramu
{"title":"Modulating glucose homeostasis via expression of PPAR-γ TF: Pharmacological insights into quinolone-based hydrazones","authors":"Naik Jui Pravin , Rohini S. Kavalapure , Shankar Gharge , Shankar G. Alegaon , Shriram D. Ranade , Rahul Koli , B.R. Prashantha Kumar , Sachin Gudasi , Vilas Gowda K B , Ramith Ramu","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118168","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118168","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents targeting glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. In this study, a new series of quinolone-based hydrazone derivatives (7a–7k) was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to modulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), a key regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. Among them, compounds 7c and 7e showed strong, concentration-dependent activation of PPAR-γ in HepG2 and L6 myotube cell lines, comparable to pioglitazone. In vivo studies using STZ-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats confirmed their efficacy, with 7e significantly lowering fasting blood glucose, improving glucose tolerance, and restoring metabolic balance. Histopathological analysis revealed protection of pancreatic islets, hepatocytes, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. Molecular studies further demonstrated upregulation of Pparg, Glut4, and AdipoQ, alongside suppression of TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB p65, highlighting both insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory effects. Docking and 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations validated the stable binding of 7c and 7e within the PPAR-γ ligand-binding domain. Collectively, these findings identify 7c and 7e as promising multifunctional candidates for type 2 diabetes management through dual regulation of glucose homeostasis and inflammation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 118168"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Environmentally sensitive fluorescent probes for the visualization of selective proteins: Recent progress and biomedical applications","authors":"Jinhui Hu, Lulu Jiang, Lanqing Li, Wen-Hua Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Environmentally sensitive fluorescent probes represent an emerging class of chemical tools that enable the visualization of selective proteins. These probes typically consist of a target-selective ligand, an appropriate linker and a responsive fluorophore that generally undergoes turn-on emission when its local microenvironments such as polarity and viscosity changes. In contrast to traditional always-on dyes, this modular design affords high signal-to-noise ratios and wash-free imaging. Recent advances have expanded the application of such probes from kinases and histone deacetylases to regulators of protein-protein interaction, metabolic enzymes, channels and receptors. Key strategies for the design of these probes include the use of environmentally sensitive fluorophores to enhance fluorescence contrast. A couple of turn-on probes have been applied to assess the activity of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), while fluorescent PROTACs allow direct tracking of target degradation in living systems. This review summarizes recent advances (2020–2025) in strategies for design, mechanisms of activation, and biological applications, and outlines future directions including the development of NIR-II fluorophores, AI-assisted discovery and <em>in vivo</em> translation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 118158"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Overcoming EGFR mutation resistance: Dual inhibition strategies using TKIs in non-small cell lung cancer therapy","authors":"Jeevitha Sivam , Azhar Ariffin , Ajantha Sinniah , Anwar Norazit , Muhammad Kumayl Abdulwahab","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a critical target in the development of novel anticancer therapies, particularly for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Currently, third-generation EGFR inhibitors, such as osimertinib, are at the forefront of clinical treatment for EGFR-mutant NSCLC. However, their therapeutic efficacy has been significantly compromised by the emergence of drug resistance, driven by EGFR mutations and alternative oncogenic pathways. Given the complex interplay between EGFR and other oncogenic pathways, including MET, HER2, VEGFR-2, and PI3K, dual-target inhibitors have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of existing therapies by simultaneously targeting multiple pathways involved in tumour growth and survival. The development of dual-target EGFR inhibitors offers several advantages, including improved therapeutic efficacy, reduced dosage requirements, lower toxicity, and a decreased likelihood of resistance development. In this review, we emphasize the rational selection of target combinations and explore key scaffold designs, examining how specific chemical structures influence their biological activity as dual-target inhibitors. The advancement of dual-target inhibitors represents a transformative approach to NSCLC treatment, offering a more effective and durable solution to combat drug resistance and improve clinical outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 118135"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of phenylsulfonylfuroxan-β-carboline-hydroxamic acid ternary hybrids for cancer","authors":"Chao Gao , Wanning Wang , Yongbo Yu , Jianhui Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A total of 21 novel ternary hybrids containing phenylsulfonylfuroxan, β-carboline, and hydroxamic acid moieties were designed and synthesized. Their antitumor activities and underlying mechanisms of action were systematically evaluated. <em>In vitro</em> studies demonstrated that most of the target compounds exhibited moderate to potent antiproliferative activity. Among them, compound <strong>23a</strong> showed the most promising activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells, with a significant antiproliferative effect (IC<sub>50</sub> = 0.29 μM) and favorable selectivity. Further investigations revealed that <strong>23a</strong> significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration in MDA-MB-231 cells. Mechanistically, <strong>23a</strong> exerted its antitumor effects through simultaneous targeting of HDAC6, DNA, and the release of high levels of nitric oxide (NO). Additionally, <strong>23a</strong> induced apoptosis and caused G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Pharmacokinetic parameters indicate that <strong>23a</strong> possesses good absorption and rapid clearance in rat plasma, suggesting that it has suitable pharmacokinetic properties for antitumor activity <em>in vivo</em>. <em>In vivo</em> antitumor studies demonstrated that <strong>23a</strong> achieved a superior tumor growth inhibition (54.49 %) compared to SAHA (34.16 %). In a Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) metastatic mouse model, <strong>23a</strong> significantly inhibited pulmonary metastasis formation. Moreover, <strong>23a</strong> exhibited good safety profiles in ICR mice. These results collectively demonstrate that compound <strong>23a</strong> represents a promising multi-target anticancer and anti-metastatic drug candidate with favorable development potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 118157"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tian-Ze Li , Feng-Dan Huang , Jia-Xin Yan , Min-Min Hu , Feng-Jiao Li , Yun-Bao Ma , Ya-Bo Li , Wen-Jing Ma , Yong-Cui Wang , Ji-Jun Chen
{"title":"Discovery of dimeric guaianolides with all carbon linkers as potential antihepatoma agents","authors":"Tian-Ze Li , Feng-Dan Huang , Jia-Xin Yan , Min-Min Hu , Feng-Jiao Li , Yun-Bao Ma , Ya-Bo Li , Wen-Jing Ma , Yong-Cui Wang , Ji-Jun Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>HCC is a major malignancy in humans, and the discovery of new anti-HCC agents is urgently needed. In this study, 25 dimeric guaianolides with all carbon linkers were designed and synthesized <em>via</em> a bis-Diels-Alder reaction. An evaluation of the inhibitory effects of these dimers on the proliferation of three hepatoma cell lines indicated that compound <strong>17</strong> was the most active dimer with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 1.5 (HepG2), 1.1 (Huh-7), and 1.1 μM (SK-Hep-1), which were 4.7-, 5.5- and 8.0-fold more active than sorafenib, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis predicted CDC45 as a potential target of compound <strong>17</strong>, which was confirmed by CETSA, DARTS, and SPR assays. Compound <strong>17</strong> exerted its antiproliferative effect in a CDC45-dependent manner as demonstrated in <em>CDC45</em> knockdown and overexpression HCC cells, promoted CDC45 nuclear export, arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, induced apoptosis, and inhibited the migration and invasion of Huh-7 and SK-Hep-1 cells. <em>In vivo</em> experiments showed that compound <strong>17</strong> at 30 and 60 mg/kg inhibited tumor weight up to 76 % and 84 % without causing toxicity to major organs or impairing liver and kidney function. This study suggested compound <strong>17</strong> as a potential antihepatoma therapeutic agent targeting CDC45.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 118160"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Application of Carboxylic Acid Bioisosteres in Drug Structure Optimization","authors":"Xudong Luo, Yu Deng, Xiaoxiao Li, Yujun Zhang, Chaoyi Deng, Wensheng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118104","url":null,"abstract":"Carboxylic acids represent one of the most prevalent functional groups in pharmaceutical chemistry, yet their inherent limitations including poor membrane permeability, metabolic instability, and limited blood-brain barrier penetration necessitate innovative structural modifications. This comprehensive review examines the application of carboxylic acid bioisosteres as a fundamental strategy in drug structure optimization, analyzing their structure-property relationships, synthetic accessibility, and therapeutic applications. Various bioisosteric replacements including hydroxamic acids, sulfonic acids, squaric acid derivatives, heterocyclic systems, phosphorus-containing groups, and boronic acids are systematically evaluated through experimental data and computational modeling. The analysis reveals that successful bioisosteric replacement requires careful balance between maintaining critical pharmacophoric interactions and optimizing physicochemical properties. Hydroxamic acids demonstrate exceptional utility in metalloenzyme inhibition, while tetrazoles and oxadiazolones offer improved metabolic stability with comparable binding affinity. Novel scaffolds such as cyclic sulfonimidamides and squaramides provide enhanced membrane permeability and blood-brain barrier penetration. Quantitative approaches including average electron density calculations and molecular dynamics simulations provide mechanistic insights into bioisosteric relationships. The successful clinical translation of multiple bioisostere-containing drugs across diverse therapeutic areas validates this approach. This review establishes a practical framework for rational selection and application of carboxylic acid bioisosteres, offering valuable guidance for medicinal chemists in lead optimization and drug development programs.","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145025504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unraveling the safety profile of GLP-1 receptor agonists: Mechanistic insights with a focus on semaglutide","authors":"Xinyi He , Zimo Zhao , Yan Sun , Xi Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118163","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118163","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Semaglutide, a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), has demonstrated remarkable therapeutic efficacy in managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity in recent years, emerging as a focal point in clinical research. However, with the expansion of its clinical application, there is increasing evidence that semaglutide can cause multisystem adverse reactions, leading to reduced patient compliance and safety. Recent research findings indicate that adverse events associated with semaglutide involve pathological changes across multiple systems (digestive, cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive, immune and respiratory) and organs (liver, kidneys, thyroid and retina). The precise mechanisms underlying these effects remain incompletely characterized, hindering early detection and targeted intervention in clinical practice. This review integrates evidence from preclinical studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and real-world data to systematically evaluate the safety profile of GLP-1RAs, with semaglutide as the primary focus. It elucidates the biological mechanisms underlying organ/system-specific adverse effects broadly applicable to the GLP-1RA class. Furthermore, we propose a stratified management framework to guide personalized treatment strategies aligned with precision medicine principles, aiming to optimize the dynamic equilibrium between therapeutic efficacy and safety risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 118163"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wessam I. Elsisi , Riham F. George , Yasmin M. Syam , Gamal E.F. Abd-Ellatef , Somaia S. Abd El-Karim
{"title":"Targeting EGFR with thiazolidin-4-ones: Structure-guided design, synthesis, and in silico profiling for anticancer drug discovery","authors":"Wessam I. Elsisi , Riham F. George , Yasmin M. Syam , Gamal E.F. Abd-Ellatef , Somaia S. Abd El-Karim","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118142","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118142","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A series of 5-benzylidene-2-hydrazinomethine-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives <strong>5a-y</strong> was designed and synthesized based on advanced EGFR TKIs. <em>In vitro</em> EGFR inhibition screening identified twelve compounds with activity comparable to or exceeding that of gefitinib and osimertinib. Thirteen compounds were selected from the NCI for single-dose assay leading to five-dose evaluation of four promising candidates. Compound <strong>5c</strong> emerged as the most promising candidate with an IC<sub>50</sub> value of 0.090 μM outperforming osimertinib (0.540 μM) and closely matching gefitinib (0.076 μM). In the NCI-60 panel, <strong>5c</strong> showed a mean GI% of 84.70 % in single-dose and GI<sub>50</sub> values between 2.77 and 20.70 μM in five-dose assays. Cell cycle analysis of <strong>5c</strong> revealed G<sub>0</sub>/G<sub>1</sub> arrest in 74.55 % of treated cells versus 58.29 % in controls. Apoptosis reached 26.51 % (vs. 0.65 %) and necrosis of 3.15 % (vs. 1.63 %). Gene expression analysis elicited upregulation of caspase-3 (5.565-fold), caspase-9 (3.549-fold) and Bax (5.029-fold) alongside downregulation of Bcl-2 (0.356-fold). Against mutant EGFR forms, <strong>5c</strong> maintained activity with IC<sub>50</sub>s between 0.147 and 0.703 μM. Molecular docking supported this activity showing favorable binding energies compared to gefitinib. Compound <strong>5c</strong> met Lipinski's, Veber's and Eagan's criteria for oral bioavailability. ADME and toxicity profiles suggested a safer profile than both gefitinib and osimertinib, including lower immunotoxicity (0.74 vs. 0.99) and negligible hepatotoxic, neurotoxic and respiratory risks. These findings highlight <strong>5c</strong> as a selective and potent EGFR TKI with strong therapeutic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 118142"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145025508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}