Synthesis and in-vitro Evaluation of S-allyl Cysteine Ester - Caffeic Acid Amide Hybrids as Potential Anticancer Agents

Abstract

We have synthesized a series of S-allyl cysteine ester-caffeic acid amide hybrids and evaluated them in order to determine their possible anticancer activity and selectivity in colorectal cancer, which is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. All compounds were tested against SW480 human colon adenocarcinoma cells and the non-malignant CHO-K1 cell line. Among the tested compounds, hybrids 6e, 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9e exhibited the highest effect on viability (IC_{50 SW480-48h}= 0.18, 0.12, 0.12, 0.11, and 0.12 mM, respectively) and selectivity (SI = 10.3, 1.5, >83.33, >90.91 and >83.33, respectively) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Besides, our results were even better as regards lead compounds (S-allyl cysteine and caffeic acid) and the standard drug (5-FU). Additionally, these five compounds induced mitochondrial depolarization that could be related with an apoptotic process. Moreover, hybrids 6e, 9a, and 9e induced cell cycle arrest in G₂/M phase, and compound 9c in S- phase, which suggests that these hybrid compounds could have also a cytostatic effect in SW480 cell line. The SAR analysis showed that hydroxyl groups increased the activity. Besides, there was not a clear relationship between the antitumor properties and the length of the alkyl chain. Since hybrid compounds were much more selective than the conventional drug (5-FU), this makes them promising candidates for further studies against colorectal cancer.

Introduction

Although colorectal cancer (CRC) can be prevented by healthy lifestyle habits this disease is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide (1). In the most recent report of GLOBOCAN, the estimated burden of CRC until 2018 has exhibited an important increase through the years, being now the second most lethal cancer, preceded only by lung cancer. In addition, CRC is still the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide (2,3). Current chemotherapy for CRC involves multi-drug treatments such as FOLFIRI (folic acid/5-FU/irinotecan) and FOLFOX (5-FU/leucovorin/oxaliplatin) which are composed of 5-fluorouracil as the backbone of treatment. Although these therapies are effective, there are many undesirable gastrointestinal and neurological side effects associated with these treatments, which many times result in dose limitations or cessation of the anti-cancer therapy (4,5). Given the toxicity of the current chemotherapy, it is necessary to discover new, more potent and selective agents for treating this disease. According to this, the studies dealing with hybrid compounds have been reported as a promising strategy (6), since these molecules may display a dual activity (7,8).

S-allyl cysteine (SAC), a naturally occurring water-soluble constituent of garlic, has exhibited antioxidant properties both in-vitro (9,10) and in-vivo (11-13). Furthermore, SAC displayed antiproliferative effects on neuroblastoma (14) and melanoma (15). Additionally, in prostate carcinoma cells this compound induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phases and cell apoptosis with decreased in Bcl-2 expression and increased expression of Bax and caspase 8 (16,17). Although this compound did not show growth-inhibitory effects in HCT15 colon cancer cells or in lung and skin carcinoma cell lines (18), its administration prior to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injection significantly inhibited colonic nuclear damage in female in a dose–dependent manner. These data show that the allyl group coupled to a single sulfur atom might play an important structural role in the inhibition of chemical toxicity and carcinogenesis induced with DMH in the colon (19).

On the other hand, caffeic acid and its derivatives display a broad spectrum of biological properties, among them, antioxidant (20,21), cytotoxic (22), pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic activity (23). Caffeic acid phenylethyl caffeate (CAPE, 1), Methyl caffeate 2 and Phenylethyl dimethyl caffeate 3 (Figure1) significantly inhibited cell growth and syntheses of RNA, DNA, and protein of HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells. Moreover, when CAPE was tested in CT26 colon adenocarcinoma cells, it exhibited a decrease in cell viability in a dose–dependent manner, without displaying significant influence on the growth of human umbilical vein epithelial cells (24). Additionally, high anti-proliferative activity was observed when 2´-propoxyl CAPE derivative 4 was tested against Hela and DU-145 human cancer cell lines (25). Furthermore, treatment with CAPE reduced the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and tumor in the rat colon (26). In addition, caffeic acid was found to be the least effective growth inhibitor of HT-29 cells when compared to its ester analogs, highligting the potency of the derivatives (27). In this sense, cyanoamide derivative 5 showed in-vitro inhibitory activities against human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-823, human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line KB, and human hepatoma cell line BEL-7402 with IC₅₀ values of 5.6 µg/mL, 13.1 µg/mL, and 12.5 µg/mL, respectively (28). Finally, caffeic acid amide 6 and CAPE exhibited proapoptotic activity through activation of caspase-8 (29).

Figure 1.

Caffeic acid derivatives endowed with antitumoral activity

There is an emerging strategy in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery research based on obtaining hybrid molecules that combine two or more structural fragments of the drugs that have a relevant pharmacological action (30,31). These hybrids may display dual activity but do not necessarily act on the same biological target (6,7). We have synthesized several S-allyl cysteine ester–caffeic acid amide hybrids (Figure 2) and their effect on proliferation, mitochondrial membrane permeability, and cell cycle distibution was determined in order to identify posible therapeutic approaches for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Figure 2.

Design of S-allyl cysteine ester-caffeic acid amide hybrids as anti-cancer agents

Experimental section

Chemical synthesis

General remarks

Microwave reactions were carried out in a CEM Discover microwave reactor in sealed vessels (monowave, maximum power 300 W, temperature control by IR sensor, and fixed temperature). ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian instrument operating at 300, 600 and 75, 125 MHz, respectively. The signals of the deuterated solvent (CDCl₃ or DMSO-D₆) were used as reference. Chemical shifts (δ) are expressed in ppm with the solvent peak as reference and TMS as an internal standard; coupling constants (J) are given in Hertz (Hz). Carbon atom types (C, CH, CH₂, CH₃) were determined by using the DEPT pulse sequence. The signals were assigned using two-dimensional heteronuclear correlations (COSY, HSQC and HMBC). High resolution mass spectra were recorded using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). A QTOF Premier instrument with an orthogonal Z-spray-electrospray interface (Waters, Manchester, UK) was used operating in the W-mode. The drying and cone gas was nitrogen set to flow rates of 300 and 30 L/h, respectively. Methanol sample solutions (ca. 1 × 10⁻⁵ M) were directly introduced into the ESI spectrometer at a flow rate of 10 µL/min. A capillary voltage of 3.5 kV was used in the positive scan mode, and the cone voltage set to Uc = 10 V. For accurate mass measurements, a 2 mg/L standard solution of leucine enkephalin was introduced via the lock spray needle at a cone voltage set to 85 V and a flow rate of 30 μL/min. IR spectra were recorded on a Spectrum RX I FT-IR system (Perkin-Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA) in KBr disks. Optical rotations were measured (Na-D line) at 25°C using a cell with 1dm path length on a Polartronic (Jasco model p-2000) polarimeter. Silica gel 60 (0.063–0.200 mesh, Merck, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) was used for column chromatography, and precoated silica gel plates (Merck 60 F254 0.2 mm) were used for thin layer chromatography (TLC). Monitoring of the reaction progress and product purification was carried out by TLC.

Procedure for the synthesis of S-Allylcysteine ( 2 ): S-Cysteine hydrochloride (1 g, 6.34 mmol) was added to allyl bromide (1.15 g, 823 µL, 9.51 mmol) in 2M NH₄OH (20 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20h. Then, the reaction mixture was concentrated to precipitate the product as a white solid. The solid was filtered, washed with ethanol (3 × 10 mL) and dried under reduced pressure, affording 818 mg (80%) of compound 2. This compound was used in the following step without further purification.

¹H NMR (DMSO-D₆, 300 MHz): δ 2.48 (NH₂), 2.72 (1H, dd, J = 14.6, 8.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 2.87 (1H, dd, J = 14.6, 4.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.06 (2H, d, J = 7.3 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.56 (1H, dd, J = 8.0, 4.2 Hz, -CH-N), 4.29 (-NH₂), 4.98-5.13 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.59-5.75 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 31.33 (S-CH₂CHN), 33.93 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 53.45 (CH-N), 118.48 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 133.77 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 171.33 (-C=O)

Procedure for the synthesis of S-Allylcysteine methyl ester ( 3a ):

Thionyl chloride (442.6 mg, 3.72 mmol, 270 µL) was added over 5 min. to dry methanol (15 mL) cooled to -10 °C and the resulting solution was stored for a further 5 min. Then, S-allyl cysteine (500 mg, 3.1 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 10 min. The resulting solution was stored at -10 °C for 2h, kept at room temperature for other 24 h, and then poured into ether (100 mL) and refrigerated for 2 h. The product (488 mg, 90%) separated as colorless needles, was removed by

filtration.

M.p. 114-116 °C; [α]²⁵ + 4.778 (C = 0,013, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3366 (N-H), 1736 (C=O), 1238 (C-O-C); ¹H NMR (DMSO-D₆, 300 MHz): δ 2.51 (NH₂), 2.84 (1H, dd, J = 14.7, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 2.93 (1H, dd, J = 14.7, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.09 (2H, d, J = 7.3 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.70 (3H, s, OCH₃), 4.14 (1H, dd, J = 7.1, 5.0 Hz, -CH-N), 5.04-5.15 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.59-5.77 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 30.09 (S-CH₂CHN), 34.20 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.09 (OCH₃), 54.52 (CH-N), 118.86 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 133.37 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 168.96 (-C=O). EIMS: m/z 176,0732 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₇H₁₄NO₂S: 176.0354.

General procedure for the synthesis of S-Allyl cysteine esters ( 3b-3e ):

Thionyl chloride (3eq) was added over 5 min. to dry ethyl, propyl, butyl, or pentyl alcohol (15 mL) cooled to -10 °C and the resulting solution was stored for a further 5 min. Then, S-allyl cysteine (500 mg, 3.1 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was stored at -10 °C for 2 h and the kept at room temperature for a further 24 h. Then the excess of alcohol was removed by distillation. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel eluting with dichloromethane-methanol (95:5 ratio) to obtain S-allyl cysteine ethyl ester, S-allyl cysteine propyl ester, S-allyl cysteine butyl ester and S-allyl cysteine pentyl ester in 60% (352 mg), 71% (447 mg), 621% (418 mg) and 85% (609 mg) yields, respectively. Monitoring the reaction progress and product purification was carried out by TLC.

Ethyl S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 3b ): M.p. 121-123°C; [α]²⁵ + 1.40 (C = 0,62, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3472 (N-H), 1748 (C=O), 1231 (C-O-C); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.96 (3H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 2.63 (NH₂), 3.22-3.25 (2H, m, S-CH₂CHN), 3.18-3.22 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.29 (1H, dd, J = 7.5, 5.0 Hz, -CH-N), 4.29 (2H, q, J = 7.0 Hz, OCH₂), 5.15 (1H, d, J = 10 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.24 (1H, d, J = 18 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.74-5.85 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 14.05 (CH₃), 30.48 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.10 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.69 (CH-N), 62.94 (OCH₂), 118.51 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 133.37 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 167.95 (-C=O). EIMS: m/z 190,0879 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₈H₁₆NO₂S: 190.0356.

Propyl S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 3c ): M.p. 115-117 °C; [α]²⁵ + 3.750 (C = 0,015, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3375 (N-H), 1736 (C=O), 1182 (C-O-C); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 0.91 (3H, t, J = 7.5 Hz), 1.53-1.72 (2H, m), 1.98 (NH₂), 2.83 (1H, dd, J = 13.5, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 2.65 (1H, dd, J = 13.5, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.11 (2H, d, J = 7.0 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.58 (1H, dd, J = 7.4, 5.0 Hz, -CH-N), 4.05 (2H, t, J = 6.7 Hz, OCH₂), 5.07-5.16 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.64-5.82 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 10.41 (CH₃), 21.97 (CH₂), 35.14 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.82 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 54.11 (CH-N), 66.82 (OCH₂), 117.61 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 134.01 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 174.15 (-C=O). EIMS: m/z 204,1036 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₉H₁₈NO₂S: 204.0603.

Butyl S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 3d ): M.p. 101-103°C; [α]²⁵ + 3.40 (C = 0,57, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3396 (N-H), 1750 (C=O), 1233 (C-O-C); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.93 (3H, t, J = 7.5 Hz), 1.34-1.43 (2H, m), 1.62-1.70 (2H, m), 2.62 (NH₂), 3.19 (2H, d, J = 6.8 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.23 (1H, dd, J = 13.9, 7.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.29 (1H, dd, J = 13.9, 7.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 4.17-4.28 (1H, m, -CH-N), 4.38 (2H, t, J = 6.5 Hz, OCH₂), 5.14 (1H, d, J = 10 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.24 (1H, d, J = 17 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.74-5.83 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 13.66 (CH₃), 19.02 (2CH₂), 30.53 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.11 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.67 (CH-N), 66.75 (OCH₂), 118.49 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 133.38 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 168.08 (-C=O). EIMS: m/z 218,1206 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₁₀H₂₀NO₂S: 218.0457.

Pentyl S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 3e ): M.p. 98-100°C; [α]²⁵ + 1.558 (C = 0,018, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3448 (N-H), 1747 (C=O), 1234 (C-O-C); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.93 (3H, t, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.31-1.42 (4H, m), 1.60-1.74 (2H, m), 1.82 (NH₂), 2.71 (1H, dd, J = 13.5, 5.3 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 2.90 (1H, dd, J = 13.5, 5.3 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.18 (2H, d, J = 7.17 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.60-3.69 (1H, m, -CH-N), 4.16 (2H, t, J = 6.7 Hz,-OCH₂), 5.11-5.20 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.72-5.89 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 13.70 (CH₃), 22.03 (CH₂), 27.78 (CH₂), 28.01 (CH₂), 34.83 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.53 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 54.84 (CH-N), 65.04 (OCH₂), 117.23 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 134.82 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 173.91 (-C=O); EIMS: m/z 232.1368 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₁₁H₂₂NO₂S: 232.1371.

General procedure for condensation using HBTU

A solution of 3,4-diacetoxycaffeic acid (5) or 3,4-disilylated caffeic acid (7) (1 mmol) and triethylamine (4 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was stirred for 15 min. Then, HBTU (1.5 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 10 min. Then, S-allyl cysteine ester (3a-3e) (1.2 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was allowed to stir for 15 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was chromatographed on silica gel. Elution with hexane-ethyl acetate (1:1 ratio) afforded compounds 6a-6e in yields ranging 30-40% [6a, 35% (148 mg); 6b, 39% (170 mg); 6c, 34% (153 mg); 6d, 33% (153 mg) and 6e, 40% (191 mg)] or 8a-8e in yields ranging 50-60% [8a, 50% (283 mg); 8b, 50% (578 mg); 8c, 52% (309 mg); 8d, 50% (304 mg) and 8e, 60% (373 mg)].

Methyl N-{(2E)-3-[3,4-bis(acetyloxy)phenyl]prop-2-enoyl}-S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 6a ): M.p. 107-109°C; [α]²⁵ + 5.292 (C = 0,019, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3394 (N-H), 1770, 1743 and 1662 (C=O), 1259 (C-O-C), 1205 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 2.30 (3H, s, ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.31 (3H, s, (CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.95 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.04 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.13 (2H, d, J = 7.0 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.79 (3H, s, OCH₃), 4.89-4.98 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.07-5.17 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.66-5.82 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.40 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=), 6.47 (1H, d, J = 7.5 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 7.20 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, Ar-H), 7.39 (1H, d, J = 1.8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.35 (1H, dd, J = 8.3, 1.8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.59 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 20.76 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 20.79 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 32.76 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.33 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.05 (CH-N), 52.88 (OCH₃), 118.19 (C=C-CO-), 121.08 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 122.61 (Ar), 123.99 (Ar), 126.45 (Ar), 129.16 (Ar), 133.64 (Ar), 133.54 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 140.37 (Ar-C=C), 142.50 (Ar-O), 143.29 (Ar-O), 165.09 (-NH-C=O), 168.21 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 168.25 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 171.44 ((NCH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 444.1090 [M + Na]⁺, Calcd for C₂₀H₂₄NO₇S: 444.1093

Ethyl N-{(2E)-3-[3,4-bis(acetyloxy)phenyl]prop-2-enoyl}-S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 6b ): M.p. 96-99°C; [α]²⁵ + 13.60 (C = 0,835, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3317 (N-H), 1774, 1734 and 1655 (C=O), 1265 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 1.31 (3H, t, J = 7.1 Hz), 2.30 (3H, s, ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.31 (3H, s, (CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.96 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.4 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.05 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.4 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.14 (2H, d, J = 7.02 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.26 (2H, q, J = 7.0 Hz, OCH₂), 4.90-4.94 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.10-5.15 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.71-5.80 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.41 (1H, d, J = 15.7 Hz, –CO–CH=), 6.51 (1H, d, J = 7.5 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 7.21 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar-H), 7.34 (1H, d, J = 2.0 Hz, Ar-H), 7.37 (1H, dd, J = 8.4, 2.0 Hz, Ar-H), 7.58 (1H, d, J = 15.7 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 14.28 (CH₃), 20.76 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 20.79 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 32.89 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.39 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.16 (CH-N), 62.11 (OCH₂), 118.03 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 118.13 (C=C-CO-), 121.16 (Ar), 122.61 (Ar), 123.99 (Ar), 126.44 (Ar), 133.73 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 140.30 (Ar-C=C), 142.50 (Ar-O), 143.29 (Ar-O), 165.08 (-NH-C=O), 168.20 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 168.26 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 170.94 ((NCH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 436.1430 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₂₁H₂₆NO₇S: 436.1431.

Propyl N-{(2E)-3-[3,4-bis(acetyloxy)phenyl]prop-2-enoyl}-S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 6c ): M.p. 80-82°C; [α]²⁵ + 1.442 (C = 0,011, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3315 (N-H), 1766, 1735 and 1658 (C=O), 1209 (C-O-C), 1184 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 0.96 (3H, t, J = 7.5 Hz), 1.62-1.77 (2H, m), 2.29 (3H, s, ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.30 (3H, s, (CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.94 (1H, dd, J = 13.9, 5.3 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.04 (1H, dd, J = 13.9, 4.9 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.13 (2H, d, J = 7.20 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.14 (2H, t, J = 6.7 Hz, OCH₂), 4.87-4.97 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.05-5.18 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.64-5.82 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.41 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=), 6.52 (1H, d, J = 7.5 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 7.20 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, Ar-H), 7.24 (1H, d, J = 1.6 Hz, Ar-H), 7.34 (1H, dd, J = 8.3, 1.6 Hz, Ar-H), 7.58 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 10.46 (CH₃), 20.77 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 22.00 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 32.86 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.37 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.16 (CH-N), 67.61 (OCH₂), 118.12 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 121.16 (=C-CO-), 122.58 (Ar), 123.97 (Ar), 126.44 (Ar), 129.14 (Ar), 133.66 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 140.25 (Ar-C=), 142.48 (Ar-O), 143.25 (Ar-O), 165.09 (N-C=O), 168.19 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 168.24 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 171.62 ((NCH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 472.1401 [M + Na]⁺, Calcd for C₂₂H₂₇NO₇S-Na: 472.1406.

Butyl N-{(2E)-3-[3,4-bis(acetyloxy)phenyl]prop-2-enoyl}-S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 6d ): M.p. 94-97°C; [α]²⁵ + 8.30 (C = 0,65, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3309 (N-H), 1774, 1742 and 1662 (C=O), 1265 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.95 (3H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 1.36-1.44 (2H, m), 1.61-1.72 (2H, m), 2.30 (3H, s, ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.31 (3H, s, ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.95 (1H, dd, J = 13.8, 5.4 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.05 (1H, dd, J = 13.9, 5.4 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.10-3.16 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.19 (2H, q, J = 6.9 Hz, OCH₂), 4.90-4.96 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.08-5.15 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.70-5.79 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.41 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=), 6.50 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 7.21 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz, Ar-H), 7.35 (1H, s, Ar-H), 7.38 (1H, d, J = 8.3, Ar-H), 7.59 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 13.77 (CH₃), 19.19 (CH₂), 20.70 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 20.78 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 23.18 (CH₂), 32.97 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.41 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.20 (CH-N), 65.94 (OCH₂), 118.01 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 118.11 (=C-CO-), 121.17 (Ar), 122.60 (Ar), 123.98 (Ar), 126.43 (Ar), 133.73 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 140.29 (Ar-C=), 142.51 (Ar-O), 143.29 (Ar-O), 165.09 (N-C=O), 168.18 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 168.23 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 171.02 ((NCH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 464.1743 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₂₃H₂₉NO₇S: 464.1745.

Pentyl N-{(2E)-3-[3,4-bis(acetyloxy)phenyl]prop-2-enoyl}-S-prop-2-en-1-ylcysteinate ( 6e ): M.p. 101-103°C; [α]²⁵ + 3.087 (C = 0,0119, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3317 (N-H), 1768, 1743 and 1656 (C=O), 1219 (C-O-C), 1184 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 0.90 (3H, t, J = 7.1 Hz), 1.28-1.39 (4H, m), 1.60-1.74 (2H, m), 2.29 (3H, s, ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.30 (3H, s, ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 2.94 (1H, dd, J = 13.9, 5.3 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.05 (1H, dd, J = 13.9, 4.8 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.13 (2H, d, J = 7.3 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.18 (2H, t, J = 6.8 Hz, OCH₂), 4.87-4.96 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.06-5.10 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.66-5.82 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.40 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=), 6.48 (1H, d, J = 7.4 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 7.20 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz, Ar-H), 7.34 (1H, d, J = 1.8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.38 (1H, dd, J = 8.4, 1.8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.58 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 14.07 (CH₃), 20.77 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 20.80 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 22.37 (CH₂), 28.07 (CH₂), 28.29 (CH₂), 32.89 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.41 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.18 (CH-N), 66.23 (OCH₂), 118.13 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 119.0 (=C-CO-), 121.15 (Ar), 122.60 (Ar), 123.99 (Ar), 126.44 (Ar), 133.67 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 140.29 (Ar-C=C), 142.50 (Ar-O), 143.28 (Ar-O), 165.07 (N-C=O), 168.20 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 168.25 ((CH₃-C=O)-O), 171.02 ((NCH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 500.1719 [M + Na]⁺, Calcd for C₂₄H₃₁NO₇S-Na: 500.1719.

Methyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-bis{[tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl]oxy}phenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-S-prop-2-en-1-yl-L-cysteinate (8a): colorless oil; [α]²⁵ + 2.50 (C = 0,50, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3309 (N-H), 1742 and 1666 (C=O), 1424 (Si-C), 1249 (C-O-C), 1202 ((C=O)-O), 1106 (Si-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.21 (12H, s, -Si-CH₃), 0.98 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.0 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 2.96 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.04 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.14 (2H, t_app, J = 7.5 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.80 (3H, s, OCH₃), 4.93-4.98 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.08-5.16 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.70-5.80 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.25 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.35 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 6.81 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar-H), 6.98-7.02 (2H, m, Ar-H), 7.52 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ -3.92 (-Si-CH₃), -3.44 (-Si-CH₃), 18.60 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.64 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 26.03 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 26.07 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 32.96 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.40 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.04 (CH-N), 52.85 (OCH₂), 117.58 (Ar), 118.07 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 118.16 (Ar), 120.88 (C=C-CO-), 121.29 (Ar), 122.01 (Ar), 133.73 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 142.07 (Ar-C=C), 147.27 (Ar-O), 149.23 (Ar-O), 165.90 (-NH-C=O), 171.67 (CH-C=O)-O).

EIMS: m/z 566, 2751 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₂₈H₄₈NO₅SSi₂: 566.1994.

Ethyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-bis{[tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl]oxy}phenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-S-prop-2-en-1-yl-L-cysteinate (8b): colorless oil; [α]²⁵ + 2.30 (C = 0,585, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3293 (N-H), 1750 and 1662 (C=O), Si-C (1416), 1257 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O), 1209 (Si-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.21 (12H, s, -Si-CH₃), 0.98 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.0 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.31 (3H, t, J = 7.2 Hz), 2.96 (1H, dd, J = 13.94, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.05 (1H, dd, J = 13.94, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.14 (2H, t_app, J = 6.8 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.26 (2H, q, J = 7.1 Hz, OCH₂), 4.91-4.96 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.09-5.16 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.70-5.79 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.26 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.36 (1H, d, J = 7.5 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 6.81 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar-H), 6.98-7.02 (2H, m, Ar-H), 7.52 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ -3.92 (-Si-CH₃), -3.43 (-Si-CH₃), 14.31 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.60 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.64 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 26.03 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 26.07 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 33.03 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.45 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.15 (CH-N), 62.06 (OCH₂), 117.54 (Ar), 118.09 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 120.62 (Ar), 121.29 ((C=C-CO-), 121.99 (Ar), 128.32 (Ar), 133.77 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 138.59 (Ar-C=C), 147.27 (Ar-O), 149.60 (Ar-O), 165.88 (-NH-C=O), 171.17 (CH-C=O)-O). EIMS: m/z 580,2944 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₂₉H₅₀NO₅SSi₂: 580.2170.

Propyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-bis{[tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl]oxy}phenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-S-prop-2-en-1-yl-L-cysteinate (8c): colorless oil; [α]²⁵ + 1.70 (C = 0,665, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3277 (N-H), 1742 and 1662 (C=O), 1416 (Si-C), 1257 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O), 1122 (Si-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.21 (12H, s, -Si-CH₃), 0.98 (3H, t, J = 7.0 Hz), 0.99 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.0 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.67-1.74 (2H, m), 2.95 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.3 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.05 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.3 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.15 (2H, t_app, J = 6.8 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.15 (2H, t, J = 6.6 Hz, OCH₂), 4.92-4.97 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.10-5.15 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.71-5.79 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.25 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.37 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 6.81 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar-H), 6.98-7.02 (2H, m, Ar-H), 7.52 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ -4.06 (-Si-CH₃), -3.92 (-Si-CH₃), 10.50 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.60 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.64 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 22.05 (CH₂), 26.03 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 26.06 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 33.09 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.46 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.16 (CH-N), 67.60 (OCH₂), 117.17 (Ar), 118.10 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 120.62 (Ar), 121.29 ((C=C-CO-), 121.98 (Ar), 128.32 (Ar), 133.76 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 142.05 (Ar-C=C), 147.26 (Ar-O), 149.19 (Ar-O), 165.90 (-NH-C=O), 171.27 (CH-C=O)-O). EIMS: m/z 594, 3136 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₃₀H₅₂NO₅SSi₂: 594.2331.

Butyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-bis{[tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl]oxy}phenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-S-prop-2-en-1-yl-L-cysteinate (8d): colorless oil; [α]²⁵ + 2.50 (C = 0,64, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3285 (N-H), 1742 and 1655 (C=O), 1416 (Si-C), 1265 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O), 1122 (Si-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.21 (12H, s, -Si-CH₃), 0.95 (3H, t, J = 7.1 Hz), 0.98 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.0 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.34-1.45 (2H, m), 1.61-1.71 (2H, m), 2.95 (1H, dd, J = 13.90, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.05 (1H, dd, J = 13.90, 5.4 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.05 (2H, t_app, J = 6.7 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.20 (2H, t, J = 6.7 Hz, OCH₂), 4.91-4.96 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.08-5.016 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.70-5.79 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.25 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.36 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 6.81 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar-H), 6.97-7.02 (2H, m, Ar-H), 7.52 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ -4.02 (-Si-CH₃), -3.92 (-Si-CH₃), 13.80 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.60 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.64 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 19.22 (CH₂), 26.03 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 26.07 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 30.65 (CH₂), 33.10 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.47 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.17 (CH-N), 65.90 (OCH₂), 117.68 (Ar), 118.09 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 120.62 (Ar), 121.99 ((C=C-CO-), 123.62 (Ar), 128.32 (Ar), 133.77 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 142.05 (Ar-C=C), 147.27 (Ar-O), 149.20 (Ar-O), 165.90 (-NH-C=O), 171.26 (CH-C=O)-O). EIMS: m/z 609.3315 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₃₁H₅₄NO₅SSi₂: 609.3293.

Pentyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-bis{[tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl]oxy}phenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-S-prop-2-en-1-yl-L-cysteinate (8f): colorless oil; [α]²⁵ + 2.80 (C = 0,925, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3277 (N-H), 1750 and 1662 (C=O), 1416 (Si-C), 1249 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O), 1122 (Si-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.21 (12H, s, -Si-CH₃), 0.91 (3H, t, J = 7.0 Hz), 0.98 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.0 (9H, s, -C-(CH₃)₃), 1.29-1.39 (4H, m), 1.60-1.73 (2H, m), 2.95 (1H, dd, J = 13.90, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.05 (1H, dd, J = 13.90, 5.4 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.15 (2H, t_app, J = 6.9 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.18 (2H, t, J = 6.6 Hz, OCH₂), 4.91-4.97 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.10-5.16 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.70-5.80 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.24 (1H, d, J = 15.7 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.37 (1H, d, J = 7.5 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 6.81 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar-H), 6.98-7.02 (2H, m, Ar-H), 7.52 (1H, d, J = 15.7 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ -4.02 (-Si-CH₃), -3.92 (-Si-CH₃), 14.09 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.60 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 18.64 (-Si-C-(CH₃)₃), 22.40 (CH₂), 26.03 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 26.06 (-C-(CH₃)₃), 28.12 (CH₂), 28.30 (CH₂), 33.09 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.46 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.17 (CH-N), 66.18 (OCH₂), 117.68 (Ar), 118.08 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 120.61 (Ar), 121.29 ((C=C-CO-), 121.98 (Ar), 128.32 (Ar), 133.77 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 142.04 (Ar-C=C), 147.26 (Ar-O), 149.19 (Ar-O), 165.88 (-NH-C=O), 171.25 (CH-C=O)-O). EIMS: m/z 623,3478 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₃₂H₅₆NO₅SSi₂: 623.3431.

Procedure for desprotection of compounds 8a-8e

To a solution of compound 8 (1 mmol) in THF-H₂O (1:1) (10 mL) was added KF (4 mmol) and the mixture was stirred for 12 h. Then an aqueous saturated solution of NH₄Cl was added and the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3 × 10 mL). The combined organic phases were dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to afford hybrids 9a-9e in yields ranging 50%-96% [9a, 69% (233 mg); 9b, 50% (176 mg); 9c, 67% (246 mg); 9d, 86% (326 mg) and 9e, 96% (378

mg)].

Methyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-S-2-propen-1-yl-L-cysteinate ( 9a ): M.p. 101-103°C; [α]²⁵ + 10.10 (C = 0,60, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3460 (OH), 3222 (N-H), 1750 and 1665 (C=O), 1265 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 2.93 (1H, dd, J = 14.0, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.02 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.0 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.12 (2H, t_app, J = 7.0 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 3.78 (s, OCH₃), 4.86-4.96 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.04-5.16 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.67-5.78 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.26 (1H, d, J = 15.7 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.78 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 6.81 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar), 6.86 (1H, dd, J = 8.0, 1.5 Hz, Ar), 7.02 (1H, d, J = 1.5 Hz, Ar), 7.47 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 32.65 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.26 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.22 (CH-N), 68.13 (OCH₃), 114.55 (Ar), 115.54 (Ar), 116.62 ((C=C-CO-), 118.27 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 121.98 (Ar), 127.16 (Ar), 133.59 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 143.13 (Ar-C=C), 144.39 (Ar-O), 146.96 (Ar-O), 167.18 (-NH-C=O), 171.83 (CH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 338.1062 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₁₆H₂₀NO₅S: 338.1061.

Ethyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-S-2-propen-1-yl-L-cysteinate ( 9b ): M.p. 110-112°C; [α]²⁵ + 12.70 (C = 0,54, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3467 (OH), 3213 (N-H), 1742 and 1662 (C=O), 1265 (C-O-C), 1202 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 1.29 (3H, t, J = 7.0 Hz), 2.93 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.03 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.13 (2H, t_app, J = 6.2 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.24 (2H, t, J = 7.0 Hz, OCH₂), 4.86-4.93 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.07-5.13 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.67-5.77 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.26 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.77-6.87 (3H, m, Ar-H, -CH-NH-C=O), 7.01 (1H, s, Ar-H), 7.46 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 14.24 (CH₃), 32.66 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.28 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.34 (CH-N), 62.41 (OCH₂), 114.76 (Ar), 115.57 (Ar), 116.57 ((C=C-CO-), 118.25 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 121.95 (Ar), 127.12 (Ar), 133.59 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 143.18 (Ar-C=C), 144.36 (Ar-O), 147.0 (Ar-O), 167.31 (-NH-C=O), 171.40 (CH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 352.1219 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₁₇H₂₂NO₅S: 352.1215.

Propyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-S-2-propen-1-yl-L-cysteinate ( 9c ): M.p. 129-131°C; [α]²⁵ + 12.70 (C = 0,61, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3467 (OH), 3206 (N-H), 1750 and 1662 (C=O), 1257 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.95 (3H, t, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.63-1.73 (CH₂, m), 2.94 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.03 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.13 (2H, t_app, J = 6.2 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.15 (2H, q, J = 7.0 Hz, OCH₂), 4.89-4.94 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.08-5.14 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.69-5.77 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.27 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.76 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 6.82 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar), 6.86 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz, Ar), 7.02 (1H, s, Ar), 7.48 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 10.48 (CH₃), 22.0 (CH₂), 32.77 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.32 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.31 (CH-N), 67.90 (OCH₂), 114.74 (Ar), 115.50 (Ar), 116.63 ((C=C-CO-), 118.24 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 121.86 (Ar), 127.15 (Ar), 133.60 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 143.13 (Ar-C=C), 144.33 (Ar-O), 146.97 (Ar-O), 167.15 (-NH-C=O), 171.45 (CH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 366.1375 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₁₈H₂₄NO₅S: 366.1377.

Butyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-S-2-propen-1-yl-L-cysteinate ( 9d ): M.p. 119-121°C; [α]²⁵ + 11.0 (C = 0,65, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3467 (OH), 3206 (N-H), 1734 and 1662 (C=O), 1265 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.93 (3H, t, J = 7.0 Hz), 1.32-1.46 (CH₂, m), 1.57-1.71 (CH₂, m), 2.94 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.03 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.13 (2H, t_app, J = 6.2 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.19 (2H, q, J = 6.2 Hz, OCH₂), 4.88-4.94 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.07-5.15 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.66-5.80 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.27 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.73 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, -CH-NH-C=O), 6.83 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz, Ar), 6.88 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz, Ar), 7.04 (1H, s, Ar), 7.49 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 13.77 (CH₃), 19.19 (CH₂), 30.60 (CH₂), 32.80 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.34 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.33 (CH-N), 66.19 (OCH₂), 114.77 (Ar), 115.52 (Ar), 116.70 ((C=C-CO-), 118.22 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 121.84 (Ar), 127.19 (Ar), 133.63 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 143.11 (Ar-C=C), 144.38 (Ar-O), 146.96 (Ar-O), 167.10 (-NH-C=O), 171.41 (CH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 380.1532 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₁₉H₂₆NO₅S: 380.1536.

Pentyl N-[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl]-S-2-propen-1-yl-L-cysteinate ( 9e ): M.p. 111-113°C; [α]²⁵ + 14.4 (C = 0,80, CHCl₃); IR (KBr, cm^-1): ν _max 3460 (OH), 3206 (N-H), 1734 and 1655 (C=O), 1265 (C-O-C), 1209 ((C=O)-O); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 600 MHz): δ 0.89 (3H, t, J = 6.5 Hz), 1.28-1.37 (CH₂, m), 1.61-1.69 (CH₂, m), 2.92 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.03 (1H, dd, J = 14.10, 5.2 Hz, S-CH₂CHN), 3.13 (2H, t_app, J = 6.2 Hz, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 4.17 (2H, q, J = 6.2 Hz, OCH₂), 4.87-4.94 (1H, m, -CH-N), 5.07-5.14 (2H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 5.68-5.77 (1H, m, S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 6.25 (1H, d, J = 15.6 Hz, –CO–CH=C), 6.78-6.87 (3H, m), 7.01 (1H, s, Ar), 7.46 (1H, d, J = 15.5 Hz, Ar-CH=C); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 125 MHz): δ 14.06 (CH₃), 18.12 (CH₂), 21.20 (CH₂), 28.06 (CH₂), 32.74 (S-CH₂CHN), 35.29 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 52.31 (CH-N), 66.47 (OCH₂), 114.54 (Ar), 115.47 (Ar), 116.59 ((C=C-CO-), 118.21 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 121.98 (Ar), 127.13 (Ar), 133.60 (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), 143.11 (Ar-C=C), 144.40 (Ar-O), 146.99 (Ar-O), 167.18 (-NH-C=O), 171.55 (CH-C=O)-O); EIMS: m/z 394.1688 [M + H]⁺, Calcd for C₂₀H₂₈NO₅S: 394.1691.

4.2. Biological activity assays

Cell lines and culture medium

Biological assays were performed using an adenocarcinoma colon cancer cell line (SW480) and non-malignant cells (CHO-K1). These were obtained from the European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC, England) and maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium, supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated (56 °C) horse serum, 1% penicillin/streptomycin and 1% non-essential amino acids (Gibco Invitrogen, Carlsbad, USA). For all experiments, horse serum was reduced to 3%, and the medium was supplemented with 5 mg/ml transferrin, 5 ng/mL selenium and 10 mg/ml insulin (ITS-defined medium; Gibco, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, USA) (32).

Cell Viability

The cell viability of the synthesized hybrids, lead, and reference compounds was evaluated through Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, a colorimetric test that is based on staining of total cellular protein of adherent cells. The cells were seeded to a final density of 20.000 cells/well in 96-well tissue culture plates and incubated at 37 °C in a humidified atmosphere at 5% CO₂. All cultures were allowed to grow for 24 h and afterward they were treated with DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide; vehicle control 1%) or increasing concentrations (0.01–0.1 mM) of the synthesized hybrids, as well as SAC and caffeic acid (Lead compounds) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; the standard drug). After treatment, the cells were fixed with trichloroacetic acid (50% v/v) (MERCK) for a period of one h at 4 °C. The cell proteins were determined by staining with 0.4% (w/v) SRB (Sigma-Aldrich, United States), then they were washed with 1% acetic acid for the removal of unbound SRB and left for air-drying. Protein bound SRB was solubilized in 10 mM Tris-base and the absorbance was measured at 492 nm in a microplate reader (Mindray MR-96A) (33). All of the experiments were performed at least in quintuplicate.

Antiproliferative activity

Antiproliferative effect of the most active compounds was also tested through Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Briefly, the cells were seeded to a final density of 2500 cells/well in 96-well tissue culture plates and incubated in the same conditions described for viability. The cultures were allowed to grow for 24 h and then were treated with increasing concentrations of the selected hybrids (0.1 – 0.55 mM, ranges depended on the IC₅₀ -50% inhibitory concentration- values) or DMSO (vehicle control, 1%), for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days. Culture media was replaced every 48 h. After each incubation time, the cells were fixed, stained, and read as previously described for this technique (32).

Measurement of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨm)

Mitochondrial membrane permeability changes were assessed through the fluorescent dye DiOC₆ (3,3’-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), and propidium iodide (PI). The cells were seeded to a final density of 2.5 x 10⁵ cells/well in 6-well tissue culture plates and were allowed to grow for 24 h. Then, they were treated with hybrids 6e, 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9e with its respective IC₅₀ (0.18, 0.12, 0.12, 0.11, and 0.12 mM, respectively), being harvested by scrapping at 48 h in the same culture mean, and stained with DiOC₆ and PI at room temperature for 30 min in darkness. The cells were collected to analyze 10,000 events by flow cytometry with excitation at 488 nm and detection of the emission with the green (530/15 nm) and the red (610/20 nm) filters. This method allowed us quantifying cells with depolarized mitochondrial membrane (34).

Cell cycle analysis

Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by labelling cells with propidium iodide (PI). Assays were carried out as described by Nicoletti et al. (1991). In brief, cells were seeded in 6-well tissue culture plates at a density of 2.5 x 10⁵ cells/well, incubated at 37 °C in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere. The cultures were allowed to grow for 24 h and then were treated for 48 h with 1% DMSO (vehicle control) or hybrids 6e, 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9e with the IC₅₀ for each compound (0.18, 0.12, 0.12, 0.11, and 0.12mM, respectively). After the treatment, the cells were collected by scraping and the centrifuged cell pellet was resuspended with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The cell suspension was fixed in 1.8 mL 70% ethanol at 4°C overnight, afterward, these were centrifuged, washed twice in PBS and resuspended in 300 µL of PBS containing 0.25 mg/mL RNAse (Type I-A, Sigma-Aldrich, Germany) and 0.1 mg/mL PI. Following the incubation in the dark at room temperature for 30 min, the PI fluorescence of 10,000 cells was analyzed using a FACS Canto II flow cytometer and the software BD FACS Diva 6.1.3. (BD Biosciences, San Jose). PI signal was analyzed with excitation at 488 nm, using a Sapphire laser, and fluorescence was detected at 610nm. The cell clumps were excluded with the PI-Area vs PI-Width signals. The cell cycle model was fixed using the software FlowJo 7.6.2 (Ashland, OR, USA), applying the Dean-Jett-Fox model (34, 35).

Statistical analysis

All experiments were performed at least three times. The data are reported as mean ± SE (standard error). Statistical differences between the control group (non-treated) and treated cells were evaluated by one-way ANOVA followed by the Dunnett′s test. Values with p  ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. The data were analyzed with GraphPad Prism version 7.04 for Windows (Graph Pad Software, San Diego, California, USA).

Results and Discussion

Chemistry

The design of the compounds were based on lipophilic modifications. Allyl cysteine 2 was obtained, in 80% yield, via nucleophilic sustitution between cysteine 1 and allyl bromide (36). Reaction of 1 with the corresponding alcohol in the presence of thionyl chloride (37) afforded, after purification by crystallization or column chromatography, compounds 3a-3e in 60-90% yields. When these compounds were submitted to peptide type-coupling with 3,4-diacetoxycaffeic acid 5 (38) using HBTU as amide bond promoter (39), the compounds 6a-6e were achieved in 30-40% yields.

On the other hand, the phenolic hydroxyl groups of caffeic acid were protected as TBDMS ethers upon the reaction of reacting caffeic with TBDMSCl and imidazole in a solvent-free reaction assisted by microwaves. In this conditions compound 7 was obtained in 50% yield (40). Then, the compound 7 was coupled with allylcysteine esters 3a-3e in the same conditions as above to afford amides 8a-8e in the yields ranging 50-60% (38). Finally, hybrids 9a-9e were obtained by deprotection from compounds 8 (yields 50-96%) (41). Obtention of hybrids 8 by deacetylation of compounds 6 (39, 42) was unsuccessful and a complex mixture was observed in all attempts carried out (Scheme 1).

Scheme 1.

Synthesis of S-allyl cysteine ester-caffeic acid amide hybrids

Reagents and conditions: (i) Allyl bromide, NH₄OH, 80% (ii) SOCl₂, ROH, -10°C, 60-90%. (iii) Ac₂O/NaOH, caffeic acid, 80%. (iv) HBTU, Et₃N, THF, 30-40% (6a-6e), 50-60% (8a-8e). (v) TBDMSCl, Imidazole, caffeic acid, MW, 50% (vi) TBAF, Benzoic acid, dioxane, 50-96% (9a-9e).

The structures of the all compounds have been established by a combined study of IR, ESI-MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, Carbon atom types (C, CH, CH₂, CH₃), determined by using the DEPT or APT pulse sequence. The signals were assigned using two-dimensional heteronuclear correlations (COSY and HSQC). IR spectra exhibited characteristic absorption peaks corresponding to N-H, C=O, C-O-C and (C=O)-O. ESI-MS spectra showed characteristic [M+H]⁺ peaks corresponding to their molecular weights. The assignments of all the signals to individual H or C-atoms have been performed on the basis of typical δ-values and J-constants. The ¹H-NMR spectra of hybrids 6 and 9 dissolved in CDCl₃ showed signals of S-CH₂CHN (2.90 and 3.00 ppm), S-CH₂CH=CH₂ (3.12 ppm), OCH₂ or OCH₃ (4.2 or 3.8, respectively), -CH-N (4.86-5.03 ppm), S-CH₂CH=CH₂ (5.10-5.22 ppm), S-CH₂CH=CH₂ (5.70-5.88), –CO–CH=C (6.26 ppm), -CH-NH-C=O ( 6.78 ppm), Ar-H (6.80-7,62 Ar-H), and Ar-CH=C (7.5 ppm). Additionally, compounds 6 showed signals of acetyl groups ((CH₃-C=O)-O (2.30 and 2.31). ¹³C-NMR spectra of compounds 6 and 8 showed at around 32.60, 35.25, 52.22, 68.13, 116.60, 118.25, 133.60, 143.13, 167.18, 171.80, ppm, corresponding to (S-CH₂CHN), (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), (CH-N), (OCH₂ or OCH₃), ((C=C-CO-), (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), (S-CH₂CH=CH₂), (Ar-C=C), (-NH-C=O), and ((CH-C=O)-O), respectively. Also, compounds 6 exhibited two signals around 20.76 and 20.79 corresponding to acetyl groups ((CH₃-C=O)-O).

Biological activity

Effect of S-allyl cysteine ester-caffeic acid amide hybrids on SW480 and CHO-K1 cell viability

In order to assess their effect on the viability, the synthesized S-allyl cysteine ester-caffeic acid amide hybrids were evaluated against SW480 and CHO-K1 cell lines through the sulforhodamine B assay. As shown in Figure 3, the activity was time- and concentration-dependent, with a higher cytotoxic effect on SW480 cells in relation to CHO-K1 cells. Cytotoxicity was reported as 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ values).

Figures. 3.

Effect of S-allyl cysteine ester - cafeic acid amide hybrids on cell viability of SW480 and CHO-K1 cells, 48 h post-treatment with different concentrations (0.01-0.1mM). Cell viability was calculated using 100% viability of control. Data are presented as the mean ± SE of three independent experiments (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; ****P < 0.0001).

All results regarding to the cytotoxic effect are summarized in Table 1. Among the compounds tested, hybrid 6b was the only one which did not exhibit activity neither at 24 h nor at 48 h after treatment. On the other hand, compounds 6a, 6c, and 6d exhibited good activity against the human colon adenocarcinoma SW480 cells, 24 h after treatment (IC₅₀= 0.67, 1.02, and 2.79 mM, respectively); however, the effect decreased after 48 h as evidenced by the rise in the IC₅₀ (>10 mM). Moreover, compounds 6e and 9a-9e showed the best activity against SW480 cells at 24 h after treatment, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.10 to 0.93 mM, besides, the activity was maintained through the time since the IC₅₀ values decreased 48 h after treatment with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.1-0.18 mM. Additionally, their activity against the normal cell line was significantly lower compared to the reference drug, which gave these compounds great selectivity indexes (6e: 10.3; 9a: 1.5; 9b: >83.33 9c: >90.91 9d: >66.67; 9e: >83.33) after the 48 h treatment. It is important to highlight that compounds 9b-9e were much more selective than the lead compounds and the standard drug (5-FU). Compounds 3a and 3c, which correspond to allyl esters without hybridization, exhibited higher cytotoxicity against CHO-K1 thus displaying low selectivity indexes. The results regarding the activity of our hybrid compounds are in accordance with those reported by Herrera-R et al. (2018), which also found better activity and selectivity indices (SI) with some styrylcoumarin hybrids when tested in SW480 cells (32). 

Table 1.

Cytotoxic effect of S-allyl cysteine ester-caffeic acid amide hybrids on SW480 and CHO K1 cell lines

Compounds	24 h			48 h
	IC 50 (mM) CHO-K1 cells	IC 50 (mM) SW480 cells	SI	IC 50 (mM) CHO-K1 cells	IC 50 (mM) SW480 cells	SI
3a	1.85	>10	<0.19	>10	>10	>1.0
3c	1.50	>10	<0.15	1.24	1.28	0.97
6a	2.77	0.67	4.2	7.83	>10	<0.78
6b	3.84	>10	<0.38	>10	>10	>1.0
6c	0.27	1.02	0.26	1.25	>10	<0.13
6d	0.21	2.79	0.08	9.97	>10	<1.0
6e	0.26	0.68	0.40	1.84****	0.18*	10.3
9a	0.47	0.24	2.0	0.18**	0.12*	1.5
9b	>10	0.93	>10.75	>10****	0.12*	>83.33
9c	0.12	0.10	1.2	>10****	0.11*	>90.91
9d	>10	0.11	>90.91	>10****	0.15*	>66.67
9e	0.21	0.20	1.03	>10****	0.12*	>83.33
S-Allylcysteine	>10	>10	>1.0	>10	0.38	>26.32
Caffeic acid	>10	7.06	>1.42	>10	3.47	>2.88
5-Fluorouracil	0.091	0.062	1,48	0.048	0.035	1.34

The IC50 values were obtained from dose response curves for each compound. Selectivity index was determined as ratio of IC50 against CHO-K1 to that of IC50 against SW480.

In the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, we noticed a synergistic action of the parent subunits when they are linked to form a single structure in the hybrid, as in the case of the compounds 6e and 9a-9e. Besides, allylcysteine esters such as 3a and 3c show a decreased activity, suggesting that the presence of the acid group is important within the mode of action that could involve the transference of a proton or formation of hydrogen bonds with a receptor (43). In addition, although higher selectivity indexes were achieved when the alkyl chain had two, three, and five carbon atoms (hybrids 9b, 9c and 9e, respectively), there was not a clear relationship between the antitumor activity and the length of the alkyl chain. On the other hand, hybrids with hydroxyl groups (9a-9e) showed better activity than acetylated derivatives (6a-6e), which is in agreement with the reports for several chalcones, coumarins, and caffeic acid esters (44-46), suggesting that this effect could be due to a better molecular recognition ability towards target bioreceptors upon hydrogen bond formation (43), oxidation processes across radical formation, and/or the ability of metal complexation (47).

Antiproliferative effect of S-allyl cysteine ester - caffeic acid amide hybrids on SW480 cells

The most active and selective compounds (6e, 9a–9e) were analized through a longer period of time in order to assess if they can display antiproliferative activity. After comparing each treatment with the control, the results indicated that the activity was time- and concentration-dependent. Among the results obtained, hybrids 6e, 9a-9c, and 9e displayed significant antiproliferative activity from day 2 onwards (p ≤  0.05), even at the lowest concentrations evaluated, while compound 9d required a longer period of time (4 days) to exert activity against SW480 cells (Figure 4A). Additionally, when observed with optical microscope, the cellular morphology of SW480 cells was severely perturbed, exhibiting changes in size and shape after treatment with S-allyl cysteine ester-caffeic acid amide hybrids, while the control displayed normal and healthy shape. Moreover, there was a clear decreased in number of the cells in comparison with the control, indicating either an increasing progression toward cell death or an arrest in cell cycle (Figure 4B).

Figure 4.

Antiproliferative effect of S-allyl cysteine ester - caffeic acid amide hybrids on SW480 colon cancer cell growth. A) Results obtained with sulforhodamine B assay. B) Representative images of SW480 cells 48 h after treatment with the IC₅₀ value (Magnification: 20x). Data are presented as the mean ± SE of at least three independent experiments (**p < 0.01; ***p< 0.001; ****p < 0.0001). Optical Density (O.D.) is directly proportional to cell mass of adherent cells

Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) induced by S-allyl cysteine ester - caffeic acid amide hybrids

The changes in Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨm) could cause mitochondrial dysfunction, a process that is determinant in the execution of the cell death (48). Therefore, to assess the role of mitochondria in SW480 cells treated with our hybrids, the carbocyanine fluorescent dye DiOC6 was used. This dye accumulates in mitochondria due to its large negative membrane potential and it is released to the cytosol after a membrane depolarization (membrane with reduced ΔΨm), staining intracellular membranes (34, 49). According to the results (Figure 5), all hybrids caused a depolarization in the mitochondrial membrane as regards control, as observed in the decrease of the DiOC6 high population. Besides, in all cases, there was an increase in the field of the cells in latency and with loosing membrane polarization (DiOC6 low). Furthermore, there was not a great population with damaged membrane, which can be appreciated in the field of the cells stained with PI. This behavior was similar for all the evaluated compounds; however, hybrids 9a and 9e exhibited the highest activity in this cell line. A possible explanation for this could be related with the ability of hybrids 9a and 9e to induce cell death through a cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis via caspase-8 and Bid activation, which leads to mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (50).

Figure 5.

Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in SW480 cells treated with either the most active hybrids or DMSO (1%) as control. DiOC6 high: live cells with high membrane polarization; DiOC6 low: cells in latency that lose membrane polarization; PI +: cells started to lose membrane polarization and in process of death

S-allyl cysteine ester - caffeic acid amide hybrids induce cell cycle arrest on SW480 cells

Numerous studies have suggested that cancer progression involves the loss of checkpoint controls that regulate the passage through the cell cycle (51-54), which is critical in cancer pathogenesis and may affect the effectiveness of chemotherapy (17, 55, 56). Thus, we focused on determine whether hybrids 6e, 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9e could have any effect in the regulation of this process. The results obtained show that hybrids 6e, 9a, and 9e caused an arrest in the cell cycle in G₂/M phase (22.7, 18.8 and 22.3%, respectively). In contrast, the proportion of the cells in G₀/G₁ phase significantly decreased with regard to the control (p < 0.05). A similar reduction in G₀/G₁ phase was observed with compound 9c (67.3%), along with an important increase in the S-phase of the cell cycle (23%). Additionally, compound 9b did not have any impact on the cell cycle. These findings complement our above findings, thus suggesting that our hybrids could have not only a cytotoxic effect but also a cytostatic activity (Figure 6).

Figure 6.

Effect of S-allyl cysteine ester - caffeic acid amide hybrids on cell cycle distribution. (A) Flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle distribution in SW480 cells. (B) The cell cycle distribution in SW480 cells after 48 h of treatment with each hybrid or DMSO 1% (control). p-values lower than 0.05 were considered statistically significant (*p< 0.05)

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that some S-allyl cysteine ester-caffeic acid amide hybrids may display antiproliferative activity by inducing mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cell cycle arrest in SW480 cells, being even more active than the lead compounds. Besides, according to the results, the evaluated hybrids exhibited more selectivity than 5-FU, the conventional chemotherapeutic drug. The SAR analysis showed that hydroxyl groups increased the activity, besides, there was not a clear relationship between the antitumor properties and the length of the alkyl chain. All these findings make these hybrid compounds promising candidates for further antitumor studies.