Madindoline A

A series of oxazolidinone and indole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as IL-6 signaling blockers by measuring the effects of these compounds on IL-6-induced luciferase expression in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells transfected with p-STAT3-Luc. Among different compounds screened, compound 4d was emerged as the most potent IL-6 signaling blockers with IC50 value of 5.9 μM which was much better than (+)-Madindoline A (IC50=21 μM), a known inhibitor of IL-6.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor of which the occurrence and development, the tumorigenicity of HCC is involving in multistep and multifactor interactions. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional inflammatory cytokine, has increased expression in HCC patients and is closely related to the occurrence of HCC and prognosis. IL-6 plays a role by binding to the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and then triggering the Janus kinase (JAK) associated with the receptor, stimulating phosphorylation and activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) to initiate downstream signals, participating in the processes of anti-apoptosis, angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance of cancer cells. IL-6/STAT3 signal axes elicit an immunosuppressive in tumor microenvironment, it is important to therapy HCC by blocking the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Recent, some inhibitors of IL-6/STAT3 have been development, such as S31-201 or IL-6 neutralizing monoclonal antibody (IL-6 mAb), Madindoline A (Inhibits the dimerization of IL-6/IL-6R/gpl30 trimeric complexes), C188-9 and Curcumin (Inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation), etc. for treatment of cancers. Overall, consideration of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, and its role in the carcinogenesis and progression of HCC will contribute to the development of potential drugs for targeting treatment of liver cancer.

The furo [2,3-b] indoline ring system is one of the most important structural units in various natural products. It has been known to have inherent biological activities and is utilized as a synthetic target for a number of natural compounds; therefore, this has contributed to a great demand for the growth of synthetic methods for this ring system. Most important compounds with furoindoline ring system are physovenine, madindoline A and B and makomotindoline etc. These compounds are well known to exhibit biological activity against different diseases such as glaucoma, cancer, cachexia, Castleman's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The current article focuses on various synthetic approaches for furoindoline containing compounds and essential furoindoline moiety, such as oxindole-5-O-tetrahydropyranyl ether route etc., and various other diastereoand enantio- controlled approach in a very concise way.