Role of Indole Scaffolds As Pharmacophores in The
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molecules Review Role of Indole Scaffolds as Pharmacophores in the Development of Anti-Lung Cancer Agents Jyothi Dhuguru and Rachid Skouta * Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-413-577-4167 Received: 13 February 2020; Accepted: 30 March 2020; Published: 1 April 2020 Abstract: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women worldwide, affecting millions of people. Between the two types of lung cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is more common than small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Besides surgery and radiotherapy, chemotherapy is the most important method of treatment for lung cancer. Indole scaffold is considered one of the most privileged scaffolds in heterocyclic chemistry. Indole may serve as an effective probe for the development of new drug candidates against challenging diseases, including lung cancer. In this review, we will focus on discussing the existing indole based pharmacophores in the clinical and pre-clinical stages of development against lung cancer, along with the synthesis of some of the selected anti-lung cancer drugs. Moreover, the basic mechanism of action underlying indole based anti-lung cancer treatment, such as protein kinase inhibition, histone deacetylase inhibition, DNA topoisomerase inhibition, and tubulin inhibition will also be discussed. Keywords: lung cancer; indole; non-small cell lung cancer; kinase inhibition; apoptosis; DNA topoisomerase, histone deacetylase inhibition 1. Introduction Lung cancer remains the deadliest disease on record, with approximately 2.09 million new cases reported each year. According to the World Health Organization, it is responsible for 1.7 million cancer deaths worldwide per year [1]. There are two major types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among these two types of lung cancers, NSCLC is responsible for approximately 80%–90% of cancerous tumors [2,3]. NSCLC is further divided into three major histological subtypes: squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma. SCLC and squamous-cell carcinoma are strongly linked to smoking, while adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in patients who have never smoked [4]. Treatment of lung cancer is commonly addressed by surgical removal of the affected area and by chemotherapy, which applies a combination of one or more drugs in conjunction with radiation therapy. However, multidrug resistance and the severe side effects associated with chemotherapy persists as one of the major challenges in the treatment of lung cancer. 1.1. Indole and its Pharmacological Significance Indole is a pervasive and naturally occurring heterocyclic compound, the structure of which comprises of a six-membered benzene ring tethered to a five-membered pyrrole ring [5] (Figure1). With its 10 π-electrons, indole follows Huckel’s rule of aromaticity. It is more prone to electrophilic substitution reactions similar to the benzene ring. Molecular orbital studies showed that the 3-position of indole is more reactive towards the electrophilic substitution reactions. Indoles can undergo N-substitution reactions under basic conditions owing to the slightly acidic nature of the—NH bond in Molecules 2020, 25, 1615; doi:10.3390/molecules25071615 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules Molecules 2019, 24, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 26 [7]. Due to the diverse applications of the indole scaffold in both the biological and pharmacological fields, hundreds of synthetic schemes were published. The most prominent and widely used ones are Molecules 20202019,, 2524,, 1615x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 2526 those reported by Fisher [8], Bischler [9], Hemetsberger [10], Nenitzescu [11], Bartoli [12], and others [13,14]. [7]. Due to the diverse applications of the indole scaffold in both the biological and pharmacological indoleOwing [6]. The to firstits bioavailability synthesis of indole and waspharmacological accomplished applications, in 1866 by Adolf indole von is Baeyer considered [7]. Due the tomost the fields, hundreds of synthetic schemes were published. The most prominent and widely used ones are privileged scaffold in heterocyclic chemistry with such widespread applications as antiviral, diversethose reported applications by Fisher of the [8], indole Bischler scaff [9],old Hemetsberger in both the biological [10], Nenitzescu and pharmacological [11], Bartoli fields,[12], and hundreds others of[13,14].antimicrobial, synthetic schemes anti-inflammatory, were published. anti-cancer, The most prominentanti-hypertensive, and widely anti-diabetic, used ones and are those antioxidant reported [15– by Fisher17]. Owing [8], Bischler to its bioavailability [9], Hemetsberger and [ 10pharmacological], Nenitzescu [11 applications,], Bartoli [12 ],indole and others is considered [13,14]. the most privileged scaffold in heterocyclic chemistry with such widespread applications as antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant [15– 17]. FigureFigure 1.1. Structure of indole. Owing to its bioavailability and pharmacological applications, indole is considered the most 1.2. Natural Abundance of Indoles privileged scaffold in heterocyclic chemistry with such widespread applications as antiviral, antimicrobial,Naturally anti-inflammatory, occurring indole anti-cancer, derivatives,Figure 1. anti-hypertensive, Structure such as of indole.glucobrassicin anti-diabetic, and andindole-3-carbinol, antioxidant [15– 17are]. commonly found in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and sprouts [18]. Indole-3-carbinol 1.2.and Natural its dimeric Abundance product of 3,3’-diindolylmethaneIndoles have been found to induce apoptosis in cancer cells [18]. This is a property that has increasingly commanded the attention of researchers from around Naturally occurringoccurring indole indole derivatives, derivatives, such such as glucobrassicin as glucobrassicin and indole-3-carbinol, and indole-3-carbinol, are commonly are the world. To get the greatest benefits, indole rich sources belonging to the Brassica family are foundcommonly in cruciferous found in cruciferous vegetables vegetables like cabbage, like broccoli,cabbage, andbroccoli, sprouts and [sprouts18]. Indole-3-carbinol [18]. Indole-3-carbinol and its particularly recommended by the National Cancer Institute to reduce the risk of cancer [18]. dimericand its dimeric product product 3,30-diindolylmethane 3,3’-diindolylmethane have been have found been to inducefound apoptosisto induce inapoptosis cancer cells in cancer [18]. This cells is a[18]. property TryptophanThis is that a property has containing increasingly that hasindole commanded increasingly is an essential the commanded attention amino ofacid the researchers foundattention in from many of researchers around natural the resources. world.from around To It get is thealso greatestworld. a biosynthetic benefits,To get theprecursor indole greatest rich for sourcesbenefits, the tryptamine, belonging indole rich to5-hydroxy-tryptophan, the sources Brassica belonging family are toan particularly theimmediate Brassica recommended precursor family are of byparticularlyserotonin the National (Figure recommended Cancer 2). Institute by the to National reduce the Cancer risk of Institute cancer [to18 reduce]. the risk of cancer [18]. Tryptophan containingcontaining indole is an essentialessential amino acid found in manymany naturalnatural resources.resources. It is also a biosynthetic precursor for thethe tryptamine,tryptamine, 5-hydroxy-tryptophan,5-hydroxy-tryptophan, an immediate precursor of serotonin (Figure2 2).). Figure 2. Indole scaffold in biologically important compounds. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is an important neurotransmitter associated with the transmission of nerve impulses. It further serves as a precursor to melatonin, a neuro-hormone Figure 2. IndoleIndole scaffold scaffold in biologically important compounds. secreted by the pineal gland. Besides, melatonin is involved in several physiological processes beyond the circadian rhythm [19,20]. Indole-3-acetic acid is the most common and widely studied Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is an importantimportant neurotransmitter associated with the transmissionplant hormones of of nervenerve the auxin impulses.impulses. class It(Figure It further further 2) [21].serves serves It isas as also a precursorprecurso the normalr to urinary melatonin,melatonin, tryptophan a neuro-hormoneneuro-hormone metabolite secretedobserved byby to the bethe pinealelevated pineal gland. ingland. patients Besides, Besides, wi melatoninth variousmelatonin is forms involved is involvedof liver in several disease in several physiological [22]. physiological processes processes beyond thebeyond circadian the circadian rhythm rhythm [19,20]. [19,20]. Indole-3-acetic Indole-3-acetic acid is acid the mostis the common most common and widely and widely studied studied plant 1.3. Significance of Indole Based Drugs hormonesplant hormones of the of auxin the auxin class class (Figure (Figure2)[ 212)]. [21]. It isIt is also also the the normal normal urinary urinary tryptophantryptophan metabolitemetabolite observedDelavirdine to be elevated is an inindole patients based withwith variousvariousanti-retroviral formsforms ofofdrug liverliver diseasediseaseapproved [[22].22 ].by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 for the treatment of HIV patients (Figure 3). The drug acts as a non- 1.3. Significance