Open Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
 Vol.2 No.4(2012), Article ID:25390,4 pages DOI:10.4236/ojmc.2012.24013

Antiproliferative Properties of Vinyl Dipeptides: Synthesis and MCF-7 Cell Line Testing

Ashraf Hassan Bayoumi

Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Email: Bayoumi.ashraf@hotmail.com

Received October 18, 2012; revised November 23, 2012; accepted December 2, 2012

Keywords: Piptidomimetics; Vinyl Dipeptides; 2-Aminopropenamide; Antiproliferative; Breast Cancer; Furan Derivatives

ABSTRACT

Peptide mimics derived with close structure to peptide have vast utility because they are expected to interfere with biological targets while having superior drug-like properties if compared to peptides. In this work, novel vinyl dipeptides which are different in a double bond between the α-carbon of peptide and C1 of its side chain. Added to that, suitable substituents were selected to harness drug-like properties. The compounds were found to have moderate activities when tested against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. For instance, the adamantyl analogue 2-(benzoylamino)-3-(2-furyl)-N- (1-adamantyl) propenamide (1c) and the heterocyclic analogue 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-furyl)-N-[2-(5-cyanothia-zol-2- yl)] propenamide (1o) exhibited inhibition potency at 27.4 and 37.8 µM, respectively.

1. Introduction

Peptides are involved in most of uncontrolled cell division activities that lead to several malignant and immunologic diseases [1]. Enzymes in rapidly dividing cells utilize peptides as substrates or sometimes as activating agents. One of the established strategies to combat proliferative diseases is to interfere with peptides in their binding with active sites using mimic molecules leading to interruption of cell division activities [2]. The vinylpeptide 2-acylamino-N-substituted acrylamide scaffold 1 (Figure 1) has proven activities in several disor-

Figure 1. Peptidomimetic vinyl dipeptides. Top left normal dipeptide (left) and three dimensional of a representative example while the vinyl peptide is shown to the right. The three dimensional structure was generated using 3D-Galaxy module of Molinispiration.

ders such as malaria [3], respiratory disease [4], inflammation [5], viral diseases [6]. Compounds belonging to this pseudopeptide scaffold were synthesized and tested for their antiproliferative activities in different cancer cell lines [7,8]. Few reports investigated geranylgeranyltransferase [5], dishevelled PDZ domain [9] as possible targets for tumor inhibition mechanisms of vinyl peptides.

We envisaged that the versatility of vinyl peptides enables them to have polypharmacology profile [10]. Therefore, preliminary screening of vinyl dipeptides should start with cell line inhibition tests rather than screening against specific protein target(s). In addition, the vinyl dipeptides showed ability to penetrate cells in several reports and in some cases they had in vivo potencies efficacies [11,12].

We believe that this scaffold is indeed interesting for development of drug-like viable leads with potent antiproliferative activity and therefore, we decided to investigate some of its derivatives against breast cancer cell lines.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Chemistry

Compounds were synthesized as described in Scheme 1 starting from in-house prepared hippuric acid 2 which was reacted with 2-furaldehyde to afford 4-furfurylidene-2-phenyloxazol-5(4H)-one (3) under standard Erlenmeyer conditions [13]. The lactone intermediate 3 was heated with a set of different aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic amines under microwave conditions in N, Ndimethylformamide (DMF) to give the vinylamide titled compounds except the 4-aminophenol that underwent dehydration and ring closure, under the same experimental conditions, giving the 5(4H)-imidazolone 4. The 1H NMR, HPLC/ES-MS and elemental analyses supported this interpretation. The imidazolone 4 did not show the two distinct amide NH signals characteristic for the vinyl diamide open analogues. In addition, ES-MS showed molecular ion peak at m/z (M-18)+ off the expected open structure. FT-IR of open analogues showed characteristic NH bands in the range of 3300 - 3100 cm–1. The ringclosure observed in case of compound 4 was referred to the strong positive resonance effect of the parahydroxy group that increases the nucleophilicity of the NH moiety facilitating the cyclization process as depicted in Scheme 2.

2.2. MCF-7 Cell Line Test

Breast cancer is our focus in this work because it is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide. About half of the breast cancer cases and 60% of the deaths are estimated to occur in economically developing countries [14].

Thus, inhibition of breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was determined using SRB method as previously described by Skehan et al. [15]. Compounds 1c, 1d, 1k, 1o exhibited promising inhibition potency (<50 µM) as described in Tables 1(a) and (b).

Scheme 1. Synthesis of vinyl diamide compounds.

Scheme 2. Proposed mechanism of formation of compound 4.

Table 1. (a), (b) Molecular properties and MCF-7 breast cancer cell line inhibition testing of title compounds.

2.3. Discussion

The goal of this work is to explore the antiproliferative activity and to find some lead structures as a starting point for future disciplined search of optimized drug candidates. Cytotoxic evaluation of the prepared vinyl dipeptides using the MCF-7 cell line test revealed moderate cellular inhibition potencies of vinyl dipeptide compounds as measured by their IC50 values (Table 1). For N-aliphatic series, it is clear that increasing the bulkiness of the alicyclic group led to a significant increase in the anticancer potency. The adamantyl derivative 1c had approximately 20-fold potency of N-ethyl derivative 1a while it was observed to have 10 times better cytotoxicity than the N-cyclopentyl analogue 1b. The N-benzenoid series showed inconsistent results indicating that the aryl group may not have a role in binding with the receptor. Another possibility of the inconsistent SAR observations is multiple modes of actions and interfering with more than one biological target. This is agreeing with our polypharmacology hypothesis for these compounds [10]. The three dimensional illustration of normal dipeptide vs. vinyl dipeptide of compound 1b (Figure 1) gave insight to differences between the two structures and hence, their biological actions. It is noteworthy to underscore the rigidity added by this double bond in our pseudopeptide scaffold.

Concerning possible toxicities, we performed Chimney Test to perform preliminary evaluation of neuromotor acute toxicity [17]. The most potent anti-proliferative compound 1c passed the test as all animals climbed the tube successfully within 30 seconds. The second potent compound 1o showed weak neurotoxicity evidenced by results of Chimney Test as five out of six animals passed the test. The ring-closed analogue 4 showed only weak antitumor activity compared to vinyl dipeptides 1 but it is not an indication of activity trend of this different chemical species. Initial results above encouraged us to decide the follow-up studies on the open-chain series 1.

Towards developing drug-like molecules, we subjected all synthesized compounds to a variety of molecular descriptors calculations (Table 1). No violation for Lipinski’s Rule of 5 (Ro5) was observed in any compound [18]. Another tactic in this present study is to fix two diversity points featured in the scaffold 1 (Figure 1) by using benzoyl and furfurylidene groups at positions R1 and R2. Therefore, our focus was to define SAR by different amines on one diversity point. Our selection of the hydrophilic furyl group was based on keeping control on physico-chemical properties by balancing the hydrophobic N-benzoyl substituent. This balance allowed using wide range of hydrophobic amines such as the adamantyl derivative 1c as well as hydrophilic arylamines such as the cyanothiazolyl analogue 1o on the N-terminal of the scaffold without violating the principles of druglikeness [19].

3. Conclusion

The newly prepared pseudopeptides have shown promising activities as anticancer agents. It is noteworthy to mention that all significantly active compounds (<50 µM) are having molecular weight under 400 mass unit. This is important because future research to discover more potent leads may require adding further molecular mass without concern of breaching the Ro5. Plans for future work are clear: Studying SAR on R1 and R2 that cover broader molecular space. Driving potency to comparable level to doxorubicin should be reached and then followed by determining the anticancer mechanism by deeper biochemical and genetic studies.

4. Experimental

All melting points were uncorrected and measured using capillary melting point instrument (Stuart, UK). IR spectra were recorded as potassium bromide pellets on a Perkin-Elmer 1650 spectrophotometer (USA), Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. 1H-NMR spectra were determined on Avance III 600 MHz spectrometer (Bruker, Germany) and chemical shifts were expressed as ppm against TMS as internal reference (King Fahd Center for Medical Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). Analyses by LC/MS were performed on Agilent 6120 Single Quad system with the following settings: Constant Phase Eclipse Plus C18 column 4.6 × 150 mm, particle size 5 µm; Mobile phase 0.1% formic acid in water/acetonitrile gradient (starting 80 water: 20 MeCN and ends 20 water: 80 MeCN); Total run time = 20 minutes. Microanalyses were operated using Vario, Elmentar apparatus (Shimadzu, Japan), Organic Microanalysis Unit, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Column chromatography was performed on silica gel 60 (particle size 0.06 mm - 0.20 mm). All compounds prepared in this paper are new and confirmed with spectral data. Hippuric acid and oxazolone 3 were prepared according to standard procedures and their structure confirmation data were found identical to literature [12].

4.1. General Procedure for Preparation of Vinyl Peptide 1a-q

In the microwave reaction tube, 5 mmol of both oxazolone 3 and the appropriate amine were placed and 5 mL of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was added. The reaction was heated to 200˚C while stirring in Milestone microwave reactor (SynthLab) for 10 minutes. After cooling, the mixture was added slowly to dilute HCl mixed with crushed ice. The resulting solid was collected by filtration, washed with water and purified using silica gel chromatography (petroleum ether/CHCl3/EtOH, gradient).

4.1.1. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-NEthylpropenamide (1a) [20]

White solid, mp: 133˚C - 134˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 8.48 (1H, s, NH), 7.96 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.60 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.51 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.45 ( 1H, s, ArH), 6.89 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.52 (1H, d, J = 2.4 Hz, ArH), 6.46 (2H, s, ArH and NH), 3.45 (2H, q, J = 6.6 Hz, CH2), 0.95 (3H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, CH3). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3162, 3053, 3018, 2940, 1687, 1636, 1620.

4.1.2. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-NCyclopentylpropenamide (1b)

White solid, mp: 169˚C - 171˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 9.71 (1H, s, NH), 8.03 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.93 (1H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.73 (1H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.60 (1H, br, NH), 7.53 (2H, t, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.05 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.66 (1H, d, J = 2.4 Hz), 6.56 (1H, s, HC = C), 3.45 (2H, q, J = 6.6 Hz CH-Cylopentyl), 1.82 (2H, m, CH-cyclopentyl), 1.65 (2H, m, CH-cyclopentyl), 1.50 (4H, m, CH-cyclopentyl). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3162, 3053, 3018, 3005, 2937, 1676, 1631, 1623.

4.1.3. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N-(1-Adamantyl) Propenamide (1c)

White solid, mp: 185˚C - 187˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 9.71 (1H, s, NH), 8.02 (2H, d, J = 6.0 Hz, ArH), 7.74 (1H, s, ArH), 7.61 (1H, t, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.54 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.11 (1H, s, HC = CH), 6.99 (1H, s, NH), 6.66 (1H, d, J = 3.0 Hz), 6.56 (1H, s, ArH), 3.33 (1H, m, CH-adamanty), 2.03 (3H, m, CH-adamantyl), 1.99 (6H, m, CH-adamantyl), 1.64 (7H, m, CH-adamantyl). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3146, 3048, 3030, 2952 - 3926, 1662, 1641, 1618. Anal.Calcd. For C24H26N2O3: C, 73.82; H, 6.71; N, 7.17. Found: C, 74.20; H, 6.73; N, 7.32.

4.1.4. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-NPhenylpropenamide (1d)

White solid, mp: 192˚C - 194˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.06 (1H, s, NH), 9.96 (1H, s, NH), 8.08 (2H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.81 (1H, s), 7.72 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.62 (1H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.56 (2H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.33 ( 2H, t, J = 7.2, ArH), 7.14 ( 1H, s, HC = C), 7.08 (1H, t, J = 6.6, ArH), 6.78 (1H, d, J = 3.0 Hz, ArH), 6.62 (1H, s, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3162, 3053, 3018, 1687, 1636, 1620. Anal.Calcd. For C20H16N2O3: C, 72.28; H, 4.85; N, 8.43. Found: C, 72.48; H, 5.11; N, 8.32.

4.1.5. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (3-Methylphenyl) Propenamide (1e)

Off-white solid, mp: 162˚C - 163˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 8.59 (2H, s, NH), 7.99 (2H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.61 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.52 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.47 (1H, s, ArH), 7.43 (1H, s, ArH), 7.39 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.18 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH), 6.97 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.91 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 6.51 (1H, s, ArH), 6.47 (1H, s, ArH), 2.32 (3H, s, CH3). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3155, 3092, 3011, 2931, 1665, 1621, 1618.

4.1.6. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (4-Methylphenyl) Propenamide (1f)

Pale brown solid, mp: 182˚C - 184˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 8.56 (2H, br, NH), 7.98 (2H, d, J = 6.0 Hz, ArH), 7.60 (1H, t, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.53 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.46 (2H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.10 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 6.99 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.52 (1H, s, ArH), 6.46 (1H, s, ArH), 2.30 (3H, s, CH3). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3154, 3096, 3016, 2935, 1669, 1629, 1617.

4.1.7. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (3-Fluorophenyl) Propenamide (1g)

White solid, mp: 217˚C - 218˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.26 (1H, s, NH), 9.99 (1H, s, NH), 8.07 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.82 (1H, s), 7.70 (1H, d, J = 12 Hz, ArH), 7.61 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.56 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.52 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.36 (1H, dd, J = 7.2 and 15.0 Hz, ArH), 7.13 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.91 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 6.80 (1H, d, J = 3.0 Hz, ArH), 6.63 (1H, s, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3162, 3041, 3015, 1678, 1621, 1618.

4.1.8. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (4-Fluorophenyl) Propenamide (1h)

White solid, mp: 200˚C - 202˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.12 (1H, s, NH), 9.97 (1H, s, NH), 8.08 (2H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.81 (1H, s), 7.74 (1H, dd, J = 3.6 and 4.8 Hz, ArH), 7.62 (1H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.56 (2H, t, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.17 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH) 7.14 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.79 (1H, d, J = 3.0 Hz, ArH), 6.62 (1H, s, Ar). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3160, 3039, 3015, 1675, 1620, 1618. LC/MS: Rt 15.70 min, m/z 351 (M + 1, 35%), 240 (100%).

4.1.9. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (3-Chlorophenyl) Propenamide (1i)

Off-white solid, mp: 206˚C - 208˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.23 (1H, s, NH), 9.99 (1H, s, NH), 8.07 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.91 (1H, s), 7.82 (1H, s, ArH), 7.68 (1H, d, J = 6.0 Hz, ArH), 7.62 (1H, d, J = 6.0 Hz, ArH), 7.56 (2H, t, J = 6.0 Hz, ArH), 7.36 (1H, t, J = 6.0 Hz, ArH), 7.14 (2H, m, ArH and HC = C), 6.81 (1H, d, J = 6.0 Hz, ArH), 6.63 (1H, s, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3166, 3032, 3018, 1684, 1620, 1613.

4.1.10. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (3-Methoxyphenyl) Propenamide (1j)

White solid, mp: 160˚C - 161˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 8.59 (1H, br, NH), 8.64 (1H, br, NH), 7.95 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.57 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.47 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.38 (1H, s, ArH), 7.38 (1H, s, ArH), 7.34 (1H, s, ArH), 7.12 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.08 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH), 6.80 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.59 (1H, dd, J = 7.8 and 1.8 Hz, ArH), 6.38 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 3.76 (3H, s, OCH3). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3160, 3039, 3015, 1675, 1620, 1618. Anal.Calcd. For C21H18N2O4: C, 69.60; H, 5.01; N, 7.73; O, 17.66. Found: C, 69.59; H, 5.13; N, 7.89.

4.1.11. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (3-Hydroxyphenyl) Propenamide (1k)

White solid, mp: 110˚C - 112˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 9.45 (1H, s, NH), 9.31 (1H, s, NH), 8.90 (1H, s, OH), 8.06 (2H, m, ArH), 7.63 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.58 (1H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.51 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.30 (1H, s, ArH), 7.18 (1H, s, ArH), 7.05 (2H, m, ArH), 6.64 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.53 (1H, d, J = 7.2, ArH), 6.48 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3360, 3160, 3039, 3015, 1675, 1618. Anal.Calcd. For C20H16N2O4: C, 68.96; H, 4.63; N, 8.04. Found: C, 68.59; H, 4.32; N, 7.98.

4.1.12. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (4-Aminosulfonylphenyl) Propenamide (1l)

White solid, mp: 140˚C - 143˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.35 (1H, s, NH), 9.98 (1H, s, NH), 8.05 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.87 (2H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH), 7.80 (1H, d, J = 1.2 Hz, ArH), 7.76 (1H, s, ArH), 7.74 (1H, s, ArH), 7.60 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.53 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.24 (2H, s, SO2NH2), 7.13 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.78(1H, d, J = 3.6 Hz, ArH), 6.60 (1H, dd, J = 3.6 and 1.8 Hz, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3510, 3390, 3352, 3160, 3039, 3029, 1681, 1622.

4.1.13. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (4-Nitrophenyl) Propenamide (1m)

Off-white solid, mp: 229˚C - 230˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 10.67 (1H, s, NH), 10.06 (1H, s, NH), 8.25 (2H, dd, J = 7.2 and 2.4 Hz, ArH), 8.07 (2H, m, ArH), 8.01 (2H, dd, J = 7.8 and 2.4 Hz, ArH), 7.85 (1H, s, ArH), 7.63 (1H, s, ArH), 7.56 (2H, s, ArH), 7.16 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.85 (1H, d, J = 3.0 Hz, ArH), 6.65 (1H, s, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3307, 3279, 3220, 3096, 1685, 1619, 1598, 1507, 1344.

4.1.14. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N- (4-Fluorobenzyl) Propenamide (1n)

White solid, mp: 128˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6)

δ: 9.85 (1H, s, NH), 8.68 (1H, br, NH), 8.07 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.75 (1H, d, J = 1.2 Hz, ArH), 7.61 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.54 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.35 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.22 (1H, s, HC = C), 7.14 (2H, t, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH), 6.71 (1H, d, J = 13.0 Hz, ArH), 6.57 (1H, dd, J = 3 and 1.8 Hz, ArH), 4.36 (2H, s). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3132, 3046, 3032, 2937, 1632, 1617.

4.1.15. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N-[2- (5-Cyanothiazol-2-Yl)] Propenamide (1o)

Yellow-white solid, mp: 198˚C - 199˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ: 13.32 (1H, s, NH), 10.10 (1H, s, NH), 8.43 (1H, s, ArH), 8.08 (2H, d, J = 6.6), 7.87 (1H, s), 7.63 (m, 2H, ArH), 7.56 (2H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.38 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.9 (1H, s, ArH), 6.65 (s, 1H, ArH). Anal.Calcd. For C18H12N4O3S: C, 59.33; H, 3.32; N, 15.38; O, 13.17; S, 8.80. Found: C, 58.99; H, 3.52; N, 15.37.

4.1.16. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N-(2-Pyridyl) Propenamide (1p)

Pale Brown solid, mp: 160˚C. 1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 8.83 (1H, s, NH), 8.59 (1H, s, NH), 8.32 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 8.24 (1H, d, J = 4.2 Hz, ArH), 7.97 (2H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.70 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.59 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.52 (3H, m, ArH), 7.06 (1H, s, HC = C), 7.01 (1H, t, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 6.60 (1H, d, J = 3.6 Hz, ArH), 6.49 (1H, t, J = 1.8 and 1.2 Hz, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3169, 3055, 3026, 1692, 1600, 1560.

4.1.17. 2-(Benzoylamino)-3-(2-Furyl)-N-(3-Pyridyl) Propenamide (1q)

1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 9.05 (1H, s, NH), 8.67 (2H, s, NH and ArH), 8.31 (1H, d, J = 3.6 Hz, ArH), 8.18 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.98 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.61 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.47 (1H, d, J = 6.6 Hz, ArH), 7.22 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 6.98 (1H, s, HC = C), 6.60 (1H, d, J = 3.0 Hz, ArH), 6.47 (1H, s, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3159, 3061, 3028, 1694, 1598, 1558.

4.1.18. 4-[(Furan-2-yl) Methylene]-1- (4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Phenyl-1H-Imidazol- 5(4H)-One (4)

1H NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.67 (1H, s, ArH), 7.59 (2H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.56 (1H, s, HC = C), 7.41 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.30 (2H, t, J = 7.2 Hz, ArH), 7.20 (1H, s, OH), 6.97 (2H, d, J = 8.4 Hz, ArH), 6.75 (2H, d, J = 8.4 Hz, ArH), 6.63 (1H, s, ArH), 6.45 (1H, s, ArH). IR (KBr, ν, cm–1): 3360, 3084, 1745, 1622, 1578. LC/MS: LC/MS: Rt 18.65 min, m/z 331 (M + 1, 100%). Anal.Calcd. For C20H14N2O3: C, 72.72; H, 4.27; N, 8.48. Found: C, 72.88; H, 3.91; N, 8.71.

4.2. MCF-7 Cancer Cell Line Inhibition Test

4.2.1. Cell Culture

MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was grown in RPMI- 1640 medium, supplemented with 10% heat inactivated FBS, 50 units/mL of penicillin and 50 mg/mL of streptomycin and maintained at 37˚ in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2. The cells were maintained as “monolayer culture” by serial subculturing.

4.2.2. SRB Cytotoxicity Assay

Exponentially growing cells were collected using 0.25% Trypsin-EDTA and seeded in 96-well plates at 1000 - 2000 cells/well in RPMI-1640 supplemented medium. After 24 h, cells were incubated for 72 h with various concentrations of the tested compounds. Following 72 h treatment, the cells will be fixed with 10% trichloroacetic acid for 1 h at 4˚C. Wells were stained for 10 min at room temperature with 0.4% SRB dissolved in 1% acetic acid. The plates were air dried for 24 h and the dye was solubilized with Tris-HCl for 5 min on a shaker at 1600 rpm. The optical density (OD) of each well was measured spectrophotometrically at 564 nm with an ELISA microplate reader (ChroMate-4300, FL, USA). The IC50 values were calculated according to the equation for Boltzman sigmoidal concentration—response curve using the nonlinear regression fitting models (Graph Pad, Prism Version 5).

4.3. Chimney Test for Neurotoxicity

The animals had to climb backwards up a glass tube (3 cm inner diameter, 25 cm long). Motor impairment was evidenced by the inability of mice to climb backwards up the tube within 30 s. Mice were divided into groups of 6 animals each. The first group received vehicle (tween 80/saline) and it had no neurotoxic symptoms. The rest of Groups was given the tested compound at 0.15 M orally. The test was performed 30 minutes after oral administration.

5. Acknowledgements

I am thankful for Prof. Dr. Ashraf Bahai Abdul Naim, Professor of Pharmacology, Ain Shams University of performing all biological screening. We are also grateful to Mr. Magdy Ghazy, NMR chemist at King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University for assisting in 1H NMR spectroscopy.

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