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Design and synthesis of new triarylimidazole derivatives as dual inhibitors of BRAFV600E/p38α with potential antiproliferative activity

Research Authors
Bahaa G. M. Youssif, Ahmed M. Gouda, Amr H. Moustafa, Antar A. Abdelhamid, Hesham A. M. Gomaa, Islam Kamal, Adel A. Marzouk
Research Date
Research Journal
Journal Molecular Structure
Research Publisher
Science direct
Research Rank
Medicinal Chemistry
Research Vol
1253
Research Year
2022
Research_Pages
13221
Research Abstract

Recent studies have shown that combining kinase inhibitors has additive and synergistic effects. BRAF V600E and p38 αhave been extensively studied as potential therapeutic targets for a variety of dis- eases. In keeping with our interest in developing multi-targeted anticancer agents, a series of novel triaryl-imidazole-based analogues containing 3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles moiety ( 4a-h , Scaffold B) and their reaction intermediates aryl carboximidamides moiety ( 3a-h, Scaffold A) have been rationally designed, synthesized, and evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative activity as dual p38 α/BRAF V600E inhibitors. The results revealed that the presence of the carboximidamide moiety is required for activity, and the best activity correlates with the Ar = 1,2-benzodioxole ( 3e ) ≥4-CH 3 O-C 6 H 5 -( 3c ) > 2-naphthyl (3h) > 4-Cl-C 6 H 5 ( 3b ). Ring closure of carboximidamide to 1,2,4-oxadiazole significantly reduces the activity. The results of docking study into p38 αrevealed higher binding affinities for compounds 3c, 3e , and 3h compared to the co-crystallized ligand, SB2. However, the docking study of compounds 3c and 3e into BRAF V600E revealed slightly lower affinities than vemurafenib.