Design, semi-synthesis and examination of new gypsogenin derivatives against leukemia via Abl tyrosine kinase inhibition and apoptosis induction

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 222; pp. 1487 - 1499
• Main Authors: Ulusoy, Nafia Gökçe, Emirdağ, Safiye, Sözer, Ece, Radwan, Mohamed O., Çiftçi, Halilibrahim, Aksel, Mehran, Bölükbaşı, Serap Şahin, Özmen, Ali, Yaylı, Nurettin, Karayıldırım, Tamer, Alankuş, Özgen, Tateishi, Hiroshi, Otsuka, Masami, Fujita, Mikako, Sever, Belgin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Abl tyrosine kinase; Apoptosis; Chronic myelogenous leukemia; Gypsogenin derivatives; Imatinib; Molecular docking; Chronic myelogenous leukemia; Gypsogenin derivatives; Imatinib; Abl tyrosine kinase; Molecular docking; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.257

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by Philadelphia translocation arising from Bcr-Abl fusion gene, which encodes abnormal oncoprotein showing tyrosine kinase (TK) function. Certain mutations in kinase domain, off-target effects and resistance problems of current TK inhibitors require the discovery of novel Abl TK inhibitors. For this purpose, herein, we synthesized new gypsogenin derivatives (6a-l) and evaluated their anticancer effects towards CML cells along with healthy cell line and different leukemic cells. Among these compounds, compound 6l was found as the most active anti-leukemic agent against K562 CML cells compared to imatinib exerting less cytotoxicity towards PBMCs (healthy). This compound also revealed significant anti-leukemic effects against Jurkat cell line. Besides, compound 6l enhanced apoptosis in CML cells with 52.4 % when compared with imatinib (61.8 %) and inhibited Abl TK significantly with an IC50 value of 13.04 ± 2.48 μM in a large panel of kinases accentuating Abl TK-mediated apoptosis of compound 6l in CML cells. Molecular docking outcomes showed that compound 6l formed mainly crucial interactions in the ATP-binding cleft of Abl TK similar to that of imatinib. Ultimately, in silico pharmacokinetic evaluation of compound 6l indicated that this compound was endowed with anti-leukemic drug candidate features. •New gypsogenin derivatives (6a-l) were synthesized via well-established synthetic procedures.•Compound 6l was found to have the strongest cytotoxic effect on K562 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells compared to imatinib.•Compound 6l caused a significant apoptotic death of K562 cell line.•Compound 6l inhibited Abl tyrosine kinase (TK) significantly.•Compound 6l formed key interactions in the ATP-binding pocket of Abl TK.