A novel series of [2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-phenyl]-acetic acid N`-3-(substituted)-4-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl-hydrazide derivatives has been designed and synthesized. The structures of synthesized compounds were confirmed by their <sup>1</sup>H NMR, <sup>13</sup>C NMR and LCMS spectroscopic data. Target compounds were screened for their in vitro anticancer activity according to US NCI protocols, in vitro trypanocidal activity toward Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Tbb) and evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity on the carrageenan edema model in rats. Biological screening data led to identification of compounds 3.3 ([2-(2,6-dichloro-phenylamino)-phenyl]-acetic acid N`-(4-oxo-2-thioxo-thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-hydrazide) and 3.7 ([2-(2,6-dichloro-phenylamino)-phenyl]-acetic acid N`-(4-oxo-2-thioxo-3-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)thiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-hydrazide) which demonstrated moderate antitumor activity on the non-small-cell lung cancer NCI-H522 and colon cancer HCT-116 cell lines. Several hit compounds (3.2, 3.4) exhibited the promising and significant inhibition growth of the parasites at micromolar concentrations (IC₅₀ values of 4.8 and 7.06 μM, respectively). The synthesized compounds also demonstrated considerable anti-inflammatory effect comparable to the reference non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) diclofenac sodium or ketorolac tromethamine. Graphical Abstract

Combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy still remains a regimen in anticancer therapy. Novel 4-thiazolidinone-bearing hybrid molecules possess well-documented anticancer activity, and together with anti-HER2 antibodies, may represent a promising strategy in treating patients with gastric cancer with confirmed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. The aim of the study was to synthesize a new 4-thiazolidinone derivative (Les-4367) and investigate its molecular mechanism of action in combination with trastuzumab or pertuzumab in human AGS gastric cancer cells. AGS cell viability and antiproliferative potential were examined. The effect of the tested combinations as well as monotherapy on apoptosis and autophagy was also determined. Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were also demonstrated by the ELISA technique. We proved that pertuzumab and trastuzumab were very effective in increasing the sensitivity of AGS gastric cancer cells to novel Les-4367. The molecular mechanism of action of the tested combination is connected with the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, the anticancer activity is not associated with the autophagy process. Decreased concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, MMP-2 and ICAM-1—were observed. The novel combination of drugs based on anti-HER2 antibodies with Les-4367 is a promising strategy against AGS gastric cancer cells.

Medicinal plants and their combinations due to the wide range of biologically active substances can influence on various links of the pathogenetic mechanism of development of diabetes mellitus and its complications. One of such combinations is an antidiabetic herbal mixture (Urticae folia, Rosae frucrus, Myrtilli folia, Menthae folia and Taraxaci radices) with established hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, pancreatoprotective activity in previous pharmacological study in vivo. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify and establish the content of carbohydrates in free and bound form in the plant components of antidiabetic herbal mixture. The carbohydrates were separated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after conversion into volatile derivatives as aldononitrile acetate. The monomeric composition of polysaccharides was studied after their hydrolysis to form monosaccharides and polyalcohols. The results of the quantitative study showed that the predominant carbohydrate in free form was saccharose in Urticae folia, L-fructose in Myrtilli folia, Rosae frucrus, Taraxaci radices and Menthae folia, L-glucose in Rosae frucrus. Concerning the determination of monomers of polysaccharides after hydrolysis, L-glucose prevailed in all plant components of antidiabetic herbal mixture. The chromatographic study revealed a number of polyalcohols that are important for the treatment and prevention of progression of diabetes mellitus and its complications, namely, mannitol and myo-inositol.

A series of 5-methyl-7-phenyl-3H-thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ones has been designed, synthesized, and characterized by spectral data. Target compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity against some pathogenic bacteria and fungi, and most of them showed moderate activity, especially compound 3g, which displayed the potent inhibitory effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli with MIC value of 0.21 μM. The active thiazolopyridine derivatives 3c, 3f, and 3g were screened for their cytotoxicity effects on HaCat, Balb/c 3T3 cells using MTT assay, which revealed promising results. In silico assessment for compounds 3c, 3f, and 3g also revealed suitable drug-like parameters and ADME properties. The binding interactions of the most active compound 3g were performed through molecular docking against MurD and DNA gyrase, with binding energies and an inhibitory constant compared to the reference drug ciprofloxacin. The tested thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridines constitute an exciting background for the further development of new synthetic antimicrobial agents.

Cancer is one of the most important problems of modern societies. Recently, studies have reported the anticancer properties of rosiglitazone related to its ability to bind peroxisome proliferator receptor γ (PPARγ), which has various effects on cancer and can inhibit cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated the effect of new 4-thiazolidinone (4-TZD) hybrids Les-4369 and Les-3467 and their effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, metabolic activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, caspase-3 activity, and gene and protein expression in human foreskin fibroblast (BJ) cells and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. The ROS production and caspase-3 activity were mainly increased in the micromolar concentrations of the studied compounds in both cell lines. Les-3467 and Les-4369 increased the mRNA expression of PPARG, P53 (tumor protein P53), and ATM (ATM serine/threonine kinase) in the BJ cells, while the mRNA expression of these genes (except PPARG) was mainly decreased in the A549 cells treated with both of the tested compounds. Our results indicate a decrease in the protein expression of AhR, PPARγ, and PARP-1 in the BJ cells exposed to 1 µM Les-3467 and Les-4369. In the A549 cells, the protein expression of AhR, PPARγ, and PARP-1 increased in the treatment with 1 µM Les-3467 and Les-4369. We have also shown the PPARγ modulatory properties of Les-3467 and Les-4369. However, both compounds prove weak anticancer properties evidenced by their action at high concentrations and non-selective effects against BJ and A549 cells.

A range of hybrid molecules incorporating the ciminalum moiety in the thiazolidinone ring demonstrate significant anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the properties and mechanism of action of two 4-thiazolidinone-based derivatives, i.e., 3-{5-[(Z,2Z)-2-chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propenylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl}propanoic acid (Les-45) and 5-[2-chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propenylidene]-2-(3-hydroxyphenylamino)thiazol-4(5H)-one (Les-247). In our study, we analyzed the impact of Les-45 and Les-247 on metabolic activity, caspase-3 activity, and the expression of genes and proteins related to inflammatory and antioxidant defenses and cytoskeleton rearrangement in healthy human fibroblasts (BJ) and a human lung carcinoma cell line (A549). The cells were exposed to increasing concentrations (1 nM to 100 μM) of the studied compounds for 24 h and 48 h. A decrease in the metabolic activity in the BJ and A549 cell lines was induced by both compounds at a concentration range from 10 to 100 µM. Both compounds decreased the mRNA expression of NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and β-actin in the BJ cells. Interestingly, a significant decrease in the level of NF-κB gene and protein expression was detected in the BJ cell line, suggesting a direct impact of the studied compounds on the inhibition of inflammation. However, more studies are needed due to the ability of Les-45 and Les-247 to interfere with the tubulin/actin cytoskeleton, i.e., a critical system existing in eukaryotic cells.