In this study, two types of new boron-phenyl including compounds were synthesized with the inclusion of quercetin, a flavonoid compound naturally found in plants. The structures of the synthesized compounds were illuminated by various spectroscopic methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Ultra Violet Visible (UV Vis) spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H and 13C NMR) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS). All the reagents and chemicals were supplied by Sigma-Aldrich (Steinheim, Germany) and Fluka (St. Gallen, Switzerland). 1H and 13C NMR spectrums were recorded on an Agilent 600 MHz spectrometer. FTIR spectra were recorded on an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) apparatus on a Perkin Elmer Spectrum 100 Fourier transform spectrophotometer. LC-MS analyses were performed by a Shimadzu LC/MS 8040 instrument (Kyoto, Japan). Melting points were measured by a Barnstead Electrothermal 9100 (San Francisco, USA).
1.1. Methods
Synthesis of B1 (2,2'-(1,4-phenylenebis (benzo [1,3,2] dioxaborole-2,5-diyl)) bis (3,5,7-trihydroxy-4H- chromen-4-one).
Quercetin (2 mmol, 0.604 g) was dissolved in 25 mL THF and refluxed at 120 oC. After about 10 minutes, 1 mmol 1,4-phenyl diboronic acid (0.165 g) of solution in 15 mL THF was added to this mixture and reflux was continued for 24 hours. The solid product (B1) was precipitated after removal of the solvent and water, which was washed with ethanol and water and then dried in an oven (Figure 1.).
Melting point: >350 oC. 1H NMR (ppm, EtOH-d1): δ = 9.30, 10.74, 12.47 (Ar-OH), δ = 6.17-7.73 (Ar-H). 13C NMR (ppm, EtOH- d1): δ = 94, 97, 104, 155, 115-146 (Ar-C), δ = 175 (C=O), δ = 136, 161, 164 (C-OH), δ = 132 (Ar-C-B). FT-IR (cm−1) : 1355-1316 υ(BO), 1043, 1008 υ(B-C), 879υ(B-Ph), 1160 υ(Ar-O), 2959 υ(Aliph. C-H), 1649 υ(C=O), 1597 υ(C=C). UV-Vis (nm) : λ1 = 256, λ2 = 302, λ3 = 371, λ4 = 390. m/z: 697 [B1-H+]ˉ C36H20O14B2 (MW: 698.16 g/mol).
Synthesis of B2 (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)benzo[d][1,3,2]dioxaborol-5-yl)-4H-chromene-4-one).
Quercetin (1 mmol, 0.302 g) was dissolved in 25 mL THF and refluxed at 120 oC. After about 10 minutes, 1 mmol (0.153 g) of 6-methoxy-3-pyridinylboronic acid solution in 15 mL THF was added to this mixture and reflux was continued for 24 hours. The solid product (B2) was precipitated after removal of the solvent and water, which was washed with ethanol and water and then dried in an oven (Figure 2.).
Melting point: 180 oC. 13C NMR (ppm, EtOH-d1): δ = 94, 99, 102, 154, 110-148 (Ar-C), δ = 177 (C=O), δ = 134, 160, 163 (C-OH), δ = 122 (Ar-C-B), δ = 25(O-CH3). FT-IR (cm−1) : 1368-1316 υ(BO), 1021 υ(B-C), 811 υ(B-Ph), 1162 υ(Ar-O), 2953 υ(aliph. C-H), 1639 υ(C=O), 1590 υ(C=C). UV-Vis (nm) : λ1 = 216, λ2 = 223, λ3 = 228, λ4 = 257, λ5 = 303, λ6 = 368, λ7 = 374, λ8=387. m/z: 418 [B2-H+]ˉ C21H14O8NB (MW: 419.09 g/mol). 1H NMR could not be obtained due to the low solubility of the B2 ligand.
1.2. Antioxidant activity
Antioxidant activities of novel boron compounds synthesized were determined by three methods, DPPH (Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-Azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and CUPRAC (Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity). DPPH is commonly used as reference for the evaluation of molecules, which are able to act as radical scavengers in the antioxidant activity experiments. 10 mg of each compound was dissolved in 10 mL of absolute ethanol to prepare the stock solutions. 2, 5, 10 and 20 µL of stock solutions were diluted into 40 µL with the absolute ethanol. Then 160 µL of DPPH solutions were added into each well in the micro plate. After incubation under dark condition at room temperature, the absorbances were measured at 517 nm. Free radical scavenging activities (% Inhibition) were calculated according to equation 1:
% Inhibition = (Acontrol – Asample) / Acontrol x 100
where A is the absorbance.
Each of the samples was applied three times to verify the results. α-Toc and BHT were also used as standard compounds. ABTS is an assay depending on the radical cation decolorization. In this assay, the addition of antioxidants into the solution including radical cation form of the ABTS converted this compound back into the neutral form in a variety of time-sclae. The different antioxidant efficiencies of boronic compounds were responsible for this issue. The degree of decolorization as percentage inhibition of ABTS•+ radical cation is obtained as a function of time and concentration, and calculated relative to the activity of α-Toc and BHT. The preparation of stock solutions was carried out by dissolving 10 mg of each compound in 10 mL absolute ethanol. 2, 5, 10 and 20 µL of stock solutions were diluted into 40 µL with the absolute ethanol. Then 160 µL of ABTS solutions were added into each well in the micro plate. After keeping them in tightened place for 6 min in the absence of sunlight at room temperature, the absorbances were measured at 734 nm. ABTS radical cation decolorization activities as % Inhibition were determined by using the equation 2:
% Inhibition = (Acontrol – Asample) / Acontrol x 100
where A is the absorbance.
CUPRAC method comprises the reduction of Cu(II)-neocuproine into its colored form Cu(I)-Neocuproine chelate in the presence of antioxidant compounds. The absorbance at 450 nm was measured when the complex was obtained. Cu(II), neocuproine and NH4OAc were added into the prepared solutions to adjust the as concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 100 µg/mL. The absorbance values were compared with the standard molecules α-Toc and BHT. Each of samples was applied three times to verify the results.
1.3. Anticholinesterase Activity Determination Method
Ellman method, which is a colorimetric method in which thiocholine reacts with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) as a result of the decomposition of Acetylcholine into thiocholine by AChE, yields the yellow 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoate anion, was carried out in 96-well microplates(Ellman et al. 1961).
1.4. AChE Activity Test
In this test, acetylcholinesterase is used as the enzyme and acetylthiocholine iodide is used as the substrate. The concentration of the 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoate anion is measured at 412 nm with a microplate reader.
130 µL of phosphate buffer (pH = 8), 10 µL of 4000 ppm solutions of boron compounds prepared using ethanol, and 20 µL of enzyme solution were added to the wells of the plate. This solution was incubated at 25ºC for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, 20 µL of DTNB reagent and substrate (acetylthiocholine iodide) were added. Galantamine was used as standard. The plate was placed in the ELISA device and its absorbance was read at a wavelength of 412 nm. AChE % inhibition activity was calculated with the following equation.
% Inhibition = (Acontrol – Sample) / Acontrol x 100
Three parallel runs were performed for each sample.
1.5. BChE Activity Test
The method used in the AChE activity test was used. Differently, butyrylcholinesterase obtained from horse serum was used as enzyme and butyrylthiocholine iodide was used as substrate. BChE % inhibition activity was calculated with the following equation.
% Inhibition = (Acontrol – Sample) / Acontrol x 100
Three parallel runs were performed for each sample.
1.6. Antiurease Activity Test
In this test method, urease is used as an enzyme and urea is used as a substrate (Zahid et al. 2015). Firstly, 10 µL of boron compounds in 4000 ppm concentration solution prepared in ethanol and 25 µL of enzyme solution were added to the wells of the plate, then 50 µL of substrate (urea) was added. The first absorbance was read at 630 nm wavelength by placing the plate on the ELISA reader. This solution was incubated at 30ºC for 15 minutes. At the end of the period, 45 µL of phenol reagent and 70 µL of alkaline reagent were placed on this solution. After 20 minutes of incubation, a second reading was taken at 630 nm and absorbance was read. Tyrosinase % inhibition activity was calculated with the following equation. Thiourea was used as standard.
% Inhibition = (Acontrol – Sample) / Acontrol x 100
Three parallel runs were performed for each sample.
1.7. Antityrosinase Activity Test
In this test method, tyrosinase is used as the enzyme and L-DOPA is used as the substrate (Hearing and Jiménez 1987). 150 µL of phosphate buffer (pH = 6.8), 10 µL of 4000 ppm solutions of boron compounds prepared in ethanol and 20 µL of enzyme solution were added to the wells on the plate. The first absorbance was read at 475 nm wavelength by mixing the plate for 3 minutes in the ELISA reader. This solution was incubated at 37°C for 10 minutes. At the end of the period, 20 µL of substrate (L-DOPA) was added. The absorbance was read by making a second reading at 475 nm wavelength by incubating again at 37ºC for 10 minutes. Tyrosinase % inhibition activity was calculated with the following equation. Kojic acid was used as a standard.
% Inhibition= (Acontrol – Sample) / Acontrol x 100
1.8. Bacterial Strains and Culture Conditions
The bacterial strains used in the study was C. violaceum ATCC 12472 and C. violaceum O26. The wild-type strain C. violaceum ATCC 12472 (CV12472) was used as biosensor strain for QS. CV12472 and CVO26 was a kind gift from Prof. Dr Robert J.C. McLean (University of Texas, TX, USA). Before the experiments, the C. violaceum strain was cultured at the appropriate temperature of 30°C and inoculated on Luria Bertani medium for 16 hours in a shaking oven. E. coli ATCC 25922 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 strains were acquired from Department of Biology/Biotechnology of Hacettepe Unıversity respectively. Cell culture maintenance of these strains was carried out in
BHI medium at 37 ◦C. Colonies were counted as needed by serial decimal dilution incubation in sterile distilled water and at optimum temperature suitable for biofilm and for 48 hours for this bacteria.
1.9. Assessment of Anti-Quorum Sensing (Anti-QS) Activity
Anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) activities was assessed as described elsewhere (Erdönmez et al. 2018). Five mL of warm molten Soft Top Agar (1.3 g agar, 2.0 g Tryptone, 1.0 g sodium chloride and 200 ml deionized water) were seeded with 100 µL of overnight CV026 culture and 20 µL of 100 µg/ml C6HSL as a source of external AHL (acyl homoserine lactone) was added. This preparation was mixed and poured onto the surface of an immediately solidified Luria Bertani Agar (LBA) plate. After the poured mixture solidified, wells containing boron compounds with a diameter of 5 mm were opened on each plate. Each well was prepared with a sub-MIC concentration of 20 µL. A white or cream colored halo around an activated purple disc indicated QSI, despite the production of AHL-activated violasin pigment by CV026 bacteria (Zahin et al. 2010; Kalia et al. 2018). Each experiment was repeated 3 times. The assay plates were incubated at 30°C for 3 days and then the diameters of the quorum sensing inhibition zones were measured.
1.10. Violacein Pigment Inhibition
Boron compounds were subjected to qualitative analysis to find their QSI (Quorum-sensing inhibition) potential against C. violaceum ATCC 12472. 24-h fresh culture of C. violaceum (10 µL), (adjusted to an OD of 0.4 at 600 nm). ) were incubated by adding 100 µL of LB medium and lower MIC concentrations of boron compounds. These plates were incubated at 30°C for 24 hours, after which a reduction in violacein pigment production was observed. First, 200 µL of treated and untreated cultures were placed in an Eppendorf tube and lysed by addition of 200 µL of 10% SDS, vortexed for 5 s and incubated at room temperature for 5 min. Sub¬sequently, 900 µL of water-saturated butanol (50 mL n-bu¬tanol mixed with 10 mL distilled water) were added to the cell lysate, followed by vortexing for 5 s and centrifugation at 13 000×g for 5 min. The upper (butanol) phase containing the violacein was collected and the absorbance was read at 585 nm in UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Packiavathy et al. 2012; Erdönmez et al. 2018). Each experiment was performed in triplicate and the percent inhibition of violacein was calculated by the formula:
Violacein inhibition (%) = OD 585 control−OD585 sample × 100
OD 585 control
1.11. Biofilm formation evaluation
The experiment was performed by crystal violet staining (CV) using 96-well cell culture plates. E. coli and P. aeruginosa were grown in LB broth to 0.5 McFarland turbidity (bacterial concentration 1,2 × 108 CFU/mL). Next, the concentration of bacterial suspension was adjusted to approximately 106 CFU/mL in liquid MH medium. 200 µL of the diluted bacterial solution was added to the 96-well plates. After the addition the boron compounds, 100 µL of the culture were pipetted into the wells of the microtiter plates and the plates were incubated for 48h at 37°C. When the appropriate incubation time was reached, the 96-well plates were removed from the incubator. Bacterial culture from the 96-well plate was discarded. 250 µL of sterile phosphate buffer (PBS) was gently added to the wells, rinsed repeatedly 3 times and discarded. The 96-well plates were dried and fixed at 65°C for 1 hour. Then, 200 µL of 0.1% (v/v) CV solution was added to each well and staining was performed for 20 minutes. Plates were rinsed 3 times with PBS and dried at room temperature. Finally, 95% (v/v) ethanol (200 µL) was added to the wells and left for 5 minutes. The OD value at 595 nm was measured with a microplate reader. Inhibitor-mediated reduction of biofilm formation was assessed by comparing it to the control without the boron compounds and the standart antibiotic, ampicillin (2µg/ml), was also used as a positive control (Wagh et al. 2013; Erdönmez et al. 2017). The percentage inhibition of biofilm was calculated as:
Biofilm inhibition (%) = (Control OD595nm-Test OD595 nm/Control OD595 nm)x100
1.12. Investigation of the Effects of Compound B1 on Cell Proliferation
The effects of one of the synthesized compounds, B2, on the proliferation of cancer cells (MCF-7 and HT-29) and healthy cell line (PDF) were performed using the MTT Cell Proliferation Kit (Sigma) and following the company's instructions for use(Mojarrab et al. 2013). Briefly, 1x104 cells were placed in a 96-well plate and incubated for 24 hours in a humid environment at 37 ºC, 5% CO2 for the cells to adhere to the plate. After 24 hours, cells were treated with samples at various concentrations for 48 hours. After 48 hours of treatment, cells were incubated with 10 µL of MTT solution for 4 hours. After incubation, a dark blue formazan dye was formed. After washing the cells with the washing solution that came with the kit and keeping them in the dark at room temperature for 2 hours, the absorbance of the formazan dye at 570 nm was measured with a plate reader (Thermo/MultiscanGo). The MTT assay was performed in triplicate for each concentration and each MTT assay was repeated 3 times.
1.13. Statistical Analysis
All the experiments were performed in triplicate and repeated at least twice. All values are expressed as the mean ± SD. The differences between the control and test samples were analysed using t-test and one-way ANOVA. Differences at p<0.05 were considered statis¬tically significant.