*Corresponding Author:
Varalakshmi Devi Kothamunireddy
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
Sri Krishnadevaraya University College of Pharmaceutical sciences,
Sri Krishnadevaraya University,
Anantapur,
Andhra Pradesh
515003
E-mail:
kvaralakshmidevi.kvd@gmail.com
Date of Received 29 March 2020
Date of Revision 02 July 2021
Date of Acceptance 05 October 2021
Indian J Pharm Sci 2021;83(5):1016-1023  

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Abstract

Synthesis and investigation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies of novel N-(5-substituted phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine derivatives are presented in this article. The title compounds were synthesized by the condensation reaction of 9-chloroacridine and 5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine analogues in presence of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidine and ethyl acetate. All the compounds were screened for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities by carrageenan induced rat hind paw edema method and acetic acid induced writhing method respectively. Among the tested compounds, the compound N-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine and N-(5-(4-flourophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine with chloro and flouro substituents respectively displayed potent activity when compared to the standard drugs. We also investigated the drug likeness score of the synthesized compounds, the drug likeness score was in correlation with the results obtained in biological activity. The semi planar heterocyclic structure of the acridine nucleus may be the reason for its appreciable reactivity with varied biological receptors. In addition, the drug likeness data of synthesized compounds made them promising leads for the future development of anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.

Keywords

Acridine derivatives, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, drug likeness score

At present major health problems faced by mankind are inflammatory and cancer diseases. Various drugs available in the market for the treatment of inflammatory diseases have serious side effects such as gastroduodenal ulcers, dyspepsia, gastritis bleeding etc. and hence cannot be used continuously for long time [1]. Acridine nucleus is one of the most versatile and well-known heterocyclic nucleus, which is seen as common and integral feature of natural products and medicinal agents. Owing to its varied biological activities and industrial applications of acridine derivatives, it has drawn the interest for medicinal chemists. It is present as core structural component in an array of drug categories and is proven as pharmacologically important scaffold. It is well documented that the semi planar heterocyclic structure of the acridine makes it to interact appreciably with different biomolecular targets. Acridine and its derivatives are reported with activities like anti-inflammatory [2,3], anti-cancer [4-7], anti-microbial [8,9], anti-tubercular [10,11], anti-parasitic [12], anti-malarial [13-15], antiviral [16,17], fungicidal [18,19] larvicidal [20-22] and anthelmintic [23] activities. Furthermore, acridines are utilised as dyes, fluorescent dyes for visualization of biomolecules and in laser technologies. A few drugs were also featured with acridine skeleton such as proflavine with antiseptic property, amsacrine with anticancer activity etc. (fig. 1). On the other hand, thiadiazole and their derivatives were studied colossally because of their distinct biological activities. The substituted 1, 3, 4 thiadiazoles are particularly ubiquitous and observed as basic pharmacophore in marketed drugs like acetazolamide, sulfamethizole, cefazolin etc. (fig. 1). In light of the above-mentioned considerations, it is considered as worthwhile to synthesize acridine derivatives fused with thiadiazole ring system. This is coinciding with the previous reports that the addition of aryl rings to the acridine ring system has enhanced the selective binding to the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) binding site (394 A3) than COX-1 (316 A3) due to enhanced molecular volume of the compounds [24]. The present study is an attempt to exploit the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the acridine core containing compounds in conjunction with substituted thiadiazole derivatives.

IJPS-pharmacophore

Figure 1: Drugs with 1,3,4 thiadiazole pharmacophore and acridine pharmacophore

Materials and Methods

All chemicals and solvents were purchased from SD fine and Merck and were used as such without further purification. Clean and sterile laboratory equipment’s were used. The melting points of all the reported compounds were determined in open capillaries by using Ana lab melting point apparatus and were uncorrected. The progression of the reaction and homogeneity of the compounds was monitored on Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) plates using ethyl acetate and n-hexane solvent system. The Infrared (IR) spectrums of the compounds were recorded using Potassium Bromide (KBr) pellets on a Perkin-Elmer 1760 spectrophotometer. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1HNMR) spectra of the pure compounds were recorded on Bruker Advance 400 MHz spectrophotometer. Chemical shift values (delta-δ) were reported in Parts Per Million (ppm). Mass spectral data of the title compounds were recorded on a JEOL JMS-D 300 instrument. Perkin-Elmer 240 analyzer was used for the elemental analysis (Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N)).

Chemistry:

General procedure for preparation of 5-substituted phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3a-l): Synthesis of 5-substituted phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine derivatives was done in accordance with the previously reported procedure [25]. During the process of synthesis, various substituted carboxylic acids (0.1 mol) and thiosemicarbazide (0.1 mol) in phosphorous oxychloride (30 ml) were refluxed for 30 min (fig. 2). Then the reaction mixture is cooled, followed by quenching with ice. The separated solid was filtered and suspended in water and basified with aqueous potassium hydroxide. The product is filtered, dried and recrystallized from Dimethyl Formamide (DMF) and ethanol (9:1).

General procedure for the synthesis of N-(5-substituted phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2- yl) acridin-9-amine (5a-l): 9-chloroacridine (1.0 equivalent) and 5-(3,4-substituted phenyl)- 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (1.0 equivalent) were added to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidine (10 times with reference to weight of 9-chloroacridine). This reaction mixture was stirred at 25-30° for 24-30 h (fig. 2). The completion of the reaction is monitored by using TLC using Methylene Di Chloride (MDC) and methanol in 8:2 ratio. Then 20 ml of ethyl acetate is added to the mixture, filtered the solid and washed thoroughly with ethyl acetate. Yield is 50-60 %.

IJPS-thiadiazol

Figure 2: Preparation of 5-substituted phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (scheme 1) and synthesis of N-(5-substituted phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (scheme 2)

Physical and spectral data of the compounds:

N-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5a): Yield: 58 %, melting point (MP): 284-286, 1HNMR (dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 (DMSO-d6)) δ/ppm: 9.74 (s, 1H, NH), 8.5-8.2 (m, 3H), 7.9-7.4 (m, 10H); electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS): 355 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C21H14N4S: C, 71.16; H, 3.98; N, 15.81; S, 9.05; found C, 71.25; H, 3.89; N, 15.64.

N-(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5b): Yield: 61 %, MP: 358-360, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.78 (s, 1H, NH), 8.4 (m, 2H), 8.0-7.2 (m, 10H), 3.86 (s, 3H, methoxy (OCH3)): ESI-MS: 385 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C22H16N4OS: C, 68.73; H, 4.19; N, 14.57; O, 4.16; S, 8.34, found C, 68.43; H, 4.03; N, 14.12.

N-(5-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin- 9-amine (5c): Yield: 56 %, MP: 374-376°, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.72 (s, 1H, NH), 8.01 (m, 2H), 7.62-7.12 (m, 10H),: ESI-MS: 400 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C21H13N5O2S: C, 63.15; H, 3.28; N, 17.53; O, 8.01; S, 8.03, found C, 63.01; H, 3.21; N, 17.40.

N-(5-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin- 9-amine (5d): Yield: 52 %, MP: 372-374°, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.5 (s, 1H, NH), 7.87-7.80 (m, 1H), 7.2-6.5 (m, 11H), ESI-MS: 400 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C21H13N5O2S: C, 63.15; H, 3.28; N, 17.53; O, 8.01; S, 8.03, found C, 63.05; H, 3.20; N, 17.42

N-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5e): Yield: 60 %, MP: 358-360, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.7 (s, 1H, NH), 8.23-8.22 (m, 2H), 7.75-7.73 (m, 2H), 7.55-7.53 (m, 4H), 7.27- 7.24 (m, 4H); ESI-MS: 389.48 (M+H+), 391.50 (M+2), analytically calculated for C12H13ClN4S: C, 64.86; H, 14.41; N, 14.41, found C, 64.76; H, 3.25; N, 14.12.

N-(5-(4-bromophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5f): Yield: 51 %, MP: 386-388°, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.72 (s, 1H, NH), 8.0 (m, 2H), 7.6-7.4 (m, 10H); ESI-MS: 433.8 (M+H+), 435.90 (M+2), analytically calculated for C12H13BrN4S: C, 58.2; H, 3.02; Br, 18.44; N, 12.93; S, 7.40 found C, 58.02; H, 3.06; N, 12.82.

N-(5-(3,4-dibromophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5h): Yield: 55 %, MP: >380, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.8 (s, 1H, NH), 8.6 (m, 2H), 8.2- 7.2 (t, 9H), ESI-MS: 513.91 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C21H12Br2N4S: C, 49.24; H, 2.36; Br, 31.20; N, 10.94; S, 6.26, found C, 49.13; H, 2.24; N, 10.89.

N-(5-(4-methoxy-3-nitrophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol- 2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5i): Yield: 50 %, MP: 356- 358°, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.8 (s, 1H, NH), 8.72(m, 2H), 8.4-7.2 (m, 9H), 3.86 (s, 3H, OCH3): ESI-MS: 430 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C22H15N5O3S: C, 61.53; H, 3.52; N, 16.31; O, 11.18; S, 7.71, found C, 61.42; H, 3.45; N, 16.22.

N-(5-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5j): Yield: 60 %, MP: 352-354, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.78 (s, 1H, NH), 8.72 (m, 2H), 8.6-7.3 (m, 9H), 3.82 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH3): ESI-MS: 415 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C23H18N4O2S: C, 66.65; H, 4.38; N, 13.52; O, 7.72; S, 7.74, found C, 66.52; H, 4.23; N, 13.45.

N-(5-(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5k): Yield: 52 %, MP: 338-340, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.76 (s, 1H, NH), 8.01 (m, 2H), 7.5-6.9 (m, 10H), 2.34 (s, 3H, Methyl (CH3)): ESI-MS: 369 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C22H16N4S: C, 71.71; H, 4.38; N, 15.21; S, 8.70, found C, 71.64; H, 4.32; N, 15.11

N-(5-(3-methylphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine (5l): Yield: 51 %, MP: 328-330, 1HNMR (DMSO-d6) δ/ppm: 9.72 (s, 1H, NH), 8.6 (m, 2H), 7.6-6.8 (m, 10H), 2.24 (s, 3H, CH3): ESIMS: 369 (M+H+), analytically calculated for C22H16N4S: C, 71.71; H, 4.38; N, 15.21; S, 8.70, found C, 71.64; H, 4.31; N, 15.12.

Pharmacological evaluation:

General: The chemicals used in the pharmacological studies were procured from Merck and Himedia.

Swiss Albino rats of 180-200 g were received from Sri Venkateswara Enterprises, Bangalore. The animal care and maintenance were done in accordance with the ethical guidelines specified by World Health Organization (WHO). All the animals were maintained under regulated conditions of temperature and light. Paw edema of the experimental animals was measured by using Basile 7140 Plethysmometer. Analgesic activity is established by using Eddy’s hot plate method. The experimental protocols were approved by the institutional animal ethical committee, with Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) registration No. SVCOP/IAEC/018/2017-18 and utmost care was taken to ensure that the animals were treated in the most humane and acceptable manner.

Acute toxicity studies: Acute toxicity studies for the title compounds were performed in mice (10 mg/kg to 2000 mg/kg body weight, orally (p.o)) as per the guidelines of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) [26]. During this study, the control and test compound treated groups were observed for any significant changes in the body weight, food, water intake, any behavioural changes and mortality among the animal groups. The animals were kept starved before 4 h to the evaluation of the biological activities.

Anti-inflammatory activity: The anti-inflammatory activity of the title compounds was evaluated by carrageenan induced rat paw edema method in Wistar albino rats [27]. The experimental animals were divided into six groups. Group 1 is labelled as control group and is given only vehicle that is 0.5 % Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) solution, while groups 2 to 4 were administered synthesized compounds (200 mg/kg body weight) as homogenous suspension in aqueous solution of sodium CMC (0.5 % w/v) by p.o route. Groups 5 and 6 were assigned as the standard groups and received diclofenac and celecoxib. The rats were injected with test compounds and standard drug 1 h prior to the administration of carrageenan suspension (0.05 ml of 1 % suspension) in the sub plantar region of rat hind paw to induce inflammation. A mark was made at the lateral malleolus and the foot was immersed to the same extent into the arm of plethysmograph. The volume of the injected paw is measured immediately after the carrageenan injection by water displacement method in a digital plethysmograph. The paw edema volume is again measured after 30, 60, 120 and 180 min. Average edema volumes for the test and standard treated groups were compared statistically with those of control group and expressed as the percentage edema inhibition which was calculated using the formula

Percentage inhibition=100 (1-Vt/Vc)

Where Vc is the volume of the edema in the control group and Vt the volume of the edema in the treated group. Statistical significance of the results was tested by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett’s t- test.

Analgesic activity by writhing method: The analgesic activity of the title compounds is evaluated by a chemical method namely acetic acid induced writhing [28,29]. The basic concept behind this screening process is that the injected chemical produces pain reaction which is characterized by a writhing response such as constriction of abdomen, trunking of the trunk and extension of the hind limbs. The Swiss albino mice of 20-30 g were chosen and divided into groups, each consisting of five animals. The animals were administered with the test compounds and standard drug aspirin 100 mg/kg p.o for a group as positive control and CMC as negative control for a group. Then after 1 h, 10 ml/kg dose of 0.6 % acetic acid was injected intraperitoneally. The mice were observed for the total number of writhes for 15 min starting 5 min after the acetic acid injection and the total number of writhes was recorded. The mean value of writhes for each group was calculated and compared statistically with the vehicle treated control group. The mean value, SEM was calculated for all groups and percentage inhibition of the number of writhes is calculated by using the formula, Percentage (%) analgesic activity=100 (1-Wt-Wc), where Wt is the average number of writhes observed in test group and Wc is the average number of writhes observed in control group. Statistical significance of the results was tested by ANOVA and Dunnett’s t- test.

Results and Discussion

The synthesis of the title compounds N-(5- substituted phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin- 9-amine derivatives (5a-l) was carried out as per the scheme outlined in the fig. 2. The intermediate, 5-(3,4 substitutedphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (3a-l) was prepared by the condensation of the various substituted aromatic carboxylic acids (1a-l) with thiosemicarbazide. Then the above obtained thiadiazole derivatives (3a-l) upon reacts with the 9-chloroacridine (4) in presence of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidine (fig. 2) afforded the title compounds.

The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were in full agreement with the spectral data obtained. In the 1HNMR spectra the signals related to the protons of the title compounds were verified and the structures were established. The 1HNMR spectra of the title compounds (5a -l) showed a singlet at δ 9.0 to 9.6 group due to NH proton and aromatic protons were observed as multiplet at δ 6.5 to 8.1. In mass spectra of all the synthesized compounds (5a-l), the molecular ion peaks are all in accordance with their molecular weights. Detailed spectral data is given in experimental protocols. The elemental analysis data of all the compounds were in good agreement with the theoretical values.

Biological evaluation was described below. Acute toxicity studies showed that the compounds were safe up to 2000 mg/kg p.o dose and no mortality or gross behavioural changes were observed in the animals used.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds is shown here. Carrageenan induced rat hind paw method is used to measure the inhibitory potencies of the compounds (5a-l) against the inflammatory process. From the results obtained (Table 1 and fig. 3), the compounds (5a-l) exhibited profound anti-inflammatory activity when compared with the standard drug, diclofenac. Among them the compounds 5e (69.4 %) with chloro group as substituent exhibited remarkable antiinflammatory activity, followed by the compounds 5f (67.7 %) with bromo group, 5g (63.5 %) with flouro group and 5b (62.5 %) with methoxy group showed significant and comparable activity with the standard drug diclofenac (71.6 %). The semi planar heterocyclic structure of the acridine nucleus makes it to react appreciably with varied biological receptors. Most of the COX-2 inhibitors with proven activity possess substituents like Cl, F, NO2 etc. along with diaryl ring system.

IJPS-representation

Figure 3: Graphical representation of anti-inflammatory activity of title compounds

S. No Compound R1 R2 Anti-inflammatory activity % inhibition Analgesic activity % inhibition
1 5a H H 54.2*** 50.9***
2 5b H OCH5 62.5*** 66.5***
3 5c H NO2 46.4*** 47.1***
4 5d NO2 H 45.2*** 46.1***
5 5e H Cl 69.4*** 71.2***
6 5f H Br 67.7*** 62.5***
7 5g H F 65.5*** 68.2***
8 5h Br Br 47.4*** 50.0***
9 5i NO2 OCH5 44.0*** 59.4***
10 5j OCH5 OCHs 59.5*** 61.5***
11 5k H CH5 59.0*** 55.7***
12 5l CH5 H 48.4*** 51.9***
13 Standard drug Diclofenac
Celecoxib
  71.6***
73.2***
68.2***
71.8***

Table 1: Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Title Compounds

The title compounds are evaluated for analgesic activity by using acetic acid induced writhing assay at 100 mg/kg p.o (Table 1 and fig. 4). Among all the compounds, compound 5e (71.2 %) and 5g (68.2 %) with chloro and flouro groups respectively as substituents was found to possess equipotent analgesic activity when compared with the standard drug aspirin (68.2 %). Compounds 5b exhibited significant analgesic activity.

IJPS-analgesic

Figure 4: Graphical representation of analgesic activity of title compounds

Drug likeness score of the synthesized compounds were predicted using molsoft online server tool (Table 2). Good drug likeness scores of 0.65 and 0.55 were obtained for 5e and 5g compounds with chloro and flouro substituents, respectively. This result is adding support to the biological activities observed for these compounds.

S. No Compound Drug likeness score
1 5a 0.06
2 5b 0.47
3 5c -0.51
4 5d -0.54
5 5e 0.65
6 5f 0.52
7 5g 0.55
8 5h -0.08
9 5i -0.62
10 5k 0.55
11 5l 0.19
12 5m 0.19

Table 2: Drug Likeness Score of the Title Compounds

In the present study, some N-(5-substituted phenyl- 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) acridin-9-amine derivatives (5a-l) were synthesized and were screened for antiinflammatory and analgesic activities. Among the tested compounds, the compounds 5e and 5g displayed potent activity when compared to the standard drugs. Thus, the study emphasizes the importance of acridine pharmacophore as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.

Acknowledgements:

We are thankful to Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad and to Principal, Raghavendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (RIPER), Anantapur for providing the spectral data.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

References