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Development of Isoselenocyanate Compounds' Syntheses and Biological Applications
Emily E Frieben1, Shantu Amin1, Arun K Sharma1
1Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Cancer Institute, CH72 , Penn State College of Medicine , 500 University Drive , Hershey , Pennsylvania 17033 , United States.
Abstract:
As the number of cases and cancer-related deaths are projected to rise in upcoming years, it is urgent to find ways to prevent or treat cancer. As such, food-derived products have gained attention as potential chemopreventive agents due to their availability, safety, and low cost. Isothiocyanates, the breakdown products of sulfur-containing glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables, have shown substantial anticarcinogenic and chemopreventive activities for different human cancers. Furthermore, organoselenium compounds are known to exhibit chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity; moreover, these compounds are more effective anticancer agents than their sulfur isosteres. Hence, isothiocyanates have been modified to yield isoselenocyanates, which are more cytotoxic toward cancer cells when compared to their corresponding sulfur analogues. Herein, the synthesis and development of isoselenocyanates as novel treatments for cancer and other diseases are reviewed, highlighting the diverse chemistry and computational studies of this class of compounds as well as their pertinent biological applications.
Insights
New organoselenium compounds called isoselenocyanates show promise as cancer treatments. Derived from cruciferous vegetables, these agents are more effective than their sulfur-based counterparts in fighting cancer.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Cancer cases and deaths are rising, necessitating novel prevention and treatment strategies.
- Food-derived compounds, particularly isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables, show chemopreventive potential.
- Organoselenium compounds demonstrate superior anticancer activity compared to sulfur analogues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the synthesis and development of isoselenocyanates as novel therapeutic agents.
- To highlight the chemical diversity and computational studies of isoselenocyanates.
- To discuss the biological applications of isoselenocyanates in cancer and other diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on isoselenocyanate synthesis and chemical properties.
- Analysis of computational studies related to isoselenocyanate structure-activity relationships.
- Compilation of biological data on the efficacy of isoselenocyanates against cancer cells.
Main Results:
- Isoselenocyanates, modified from isothiocyanates, exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
- These organoselenium compounds offer a more potent alternative to their sulfur-containing analogues.
- Diverse chemical structures and computational insights support their therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Isoselenocyanates represent a promising class of novel anticancer agents.
- Their development warrants further investigation for clinical applications in cancer therapy.
- This review underscores the potential of isoselenocyanates in treating various diseases.