Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Transition metals in organic synthesis - Part 83#: Synthesis and pharmacological potential of carbazoles

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Medicinal Chemistry Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A series of carbazole derivatives with promising pharmacological properties has been prepared using either an iron-mediated or a palladium-catalyzed synthetic approach. The carbazole alkaloids carbazoquinocin C, carbazomadurin A and B, epocarbazolin A and B, neocarazostatin B, and carquinostatin A are antioxidants acting as free-radical scavengers. Thus, they represent potential lead compounds for the development of novel drugs against diseases initiated by oxygen-derived free radicals. Initiated by the first naturally occurring carbazole alkaloids with antituberculosis (anti-TB) activity, clausine K and micromeline, a study on the structure–activity relationships for anti-TB-active carbazole derivatives has been carried out. The 6-oxygenated carbazoles glycozoline and glycozolinine show antibiotic activity towards several microorganisms. The 7-oxygenated carbazole siamenol exhibits anti-HIV activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Scheme 1
Scheme 2
Scheme 3
Scheme 4
Scheme 5
Scheme 6
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agarwal S, Cämmerer S, Filali S, Fröhner W, Knöll J, Krahl MP, Reddy KR, Knölker H-J (2005) Novel routes to pyrroles, indoles and carbazoles – applications in natural product synthesis. Curr Org Chem 9:1601–1614

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agarwal S, Filali S, Fröhner W, Knöll J, Krahl MP, Reddy KR, Knölker H-J (2006) Application of oxidative cyclizations to the synthesis of bioactive nitrogen-containing heterocycles. In: Kartsev VG (ed) The chemistry and biological activity of synthetic and natural compounds – nitrogen-containing heterocycles, vol. 1. ICSPF Press, Moscow, p 176–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharyya P, Sarkar T, Chakraborty A, Chowdhury BK (1984) Structure & synthesis of glycozolinol, a new carbazole alkaloid from Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz) DC. Indian J Chem 23B:49–51

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty DP (1966) Glycozoline, a carbazole derivative from Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz) DC. Tetrahedron Lett 661–664

  • Chakraborty DP, Das K, Das BP, Chowdhury BK (1975) On the antibiotic properties of some carbazole alkaloids. Trans Bose Res Inst 38:1–4

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty DP, Roy S (1991) Carbazole alkaloids III. In: Herz W, Grisebach H, Kirby GW, Steglich W, Tamm C (eds.) Progress in the chemistry of organic natural products, vol. 57. Springer, Wien, pp 71–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty DP (1993) Chemistry and biology of carbazole alkaloids. In: Cordell GA (ed) The alkaloids, vol. 44. Academic, New York, p 257–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi T, Czerwonka R, Fröhner W, Krahl MP, Reddy KR, Franzblau SG, Knölker H-J (2006) Synthesis and activity of carbazole derivatives against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Chem Med Chem 1:812–815

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collins LA, Franzblau SG (1997) Microplate alamar blue assay versus BACTEC 460 system for high-throughput screening of compounds against Mycobaterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 41:1004–1009

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Czerwonka R, Reddy KR, Baum E, Knölker H-J (2006) First enantioselective total synthesis of neocarazostatin B, determination of its absolute configuration and transformation into carquinostatin A. Chem Commun 711–713

  • Falzari K, Zhu Z, Pan D, Liu H, Hongmanee P, Franzblau SG (2005) In vitro and in vivo activities of macrolide derivatives against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 49:1447–1454

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forke R, Krahl MP, Krause T, Schlechtingen G, Knölker H-J (2007) First total synthesis of methyl 6-methoxycarbazole-3-carboxylate, glycomaurrol, the anti-TB active micromeline, and the furo[2,3-c]carbazole alkaloid eustifoline-D. Synlett 268–272

  • Fröhner W, Krahl MP, Reddy KR, Knölker H-J (2004) Synthetic routes to naturally occurring furocarbazoles. Heterocycles 63:2393–2407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grammel H, Wolf H, Gilles E-D, Huth F, Laatsch H (1998) Carbazole Antibiotics Synthesis in a Streptomyces tendae bald mutant, created by acriflavine treatment. Z Naturforsch 53c:325–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Hibino S, Sugino E (1995) Synthesis of [b]-annelated indoles by thermal electrocyclic reactions. In: Moody CJ (ed) Advances in nitrogen heterocycles, vol 1. JAI, Greenwich (CT), p 205–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito C, Furukawa H (1990) New carbazole alkaloids from Murraya euchrestifolia Hayata. Chem Pharm Bull 38:1548–1550

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ito C, Ohta H, Tan H T-W, Furukawa H (1996) Constituents of Clausena excavata. Isolation and structural elucidation of seven new carbazole alkaloids and a new coumarin. Chem Pharm Bull 44:2231–2235

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ito C, Katsuno S, Ohta H, Omura M, Kajiura I, Furukawa H (1997) Constituents of Clausena excavata. Isolation and structural elucidation of new carbazole alkaloids. Chem Pharm Bull 45:48–52

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ito C, Katsuno S, Ohta H, Omura M, Kajiura I, Furukawa H. (1997) Constituents of Clausena excavata. Isolation and structural elucidation of new carbazole alkaloids. Chem Pharm Bull 45:48–52

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kataeva O, Krahl MP, Knölker H-J (2005) First total synthesis of the biologically active 2,7-dioxygenated tricyclic carbazole alkaloids 7-methoxy-O-methylmukonal, clausine H (clauszoline-C), clausine k (clauszoline-J) and clausine O. Org Biomol Chem 3:3099–3101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kato S, Shindo K, Kataoka Y, Yamagishi Y, Mochizuki J (1991) Studies on free radical scavenging substances from microorganisms – II. Neocarazostatins A, B and C, novel free radical scavengers. J Antibiot 44:903–907

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kawasaki T, Sakamoto M (1994) Electrocyclisations for synthesis of carbazoles and their annulated compounds. J Indian Chem Soc 71:443–457

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirsch GH (2001) Heterocyclic analogues of carbazole alkaloids. Curr Org Chem 5:507–518

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knölker H-J, Reddy KR (2002) Isolation and synthesis of biologically active carbazole alkaloids. Chem Rev 102:4303–4427

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knölker H-J, Fröhner W, Reddy KR (2002) Total synthesis of the potent lipid peroxidation inhibitor carbazoquinocin C by an intramolecular palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of an anilino-1,4-benzoquinone. Synthesis 557–564

  • Knölker H-J, Knöll J (2003) First total synthesis of the neuronal cell protecting carbazole alkaloid carbazomadurin A by sequential transition metal-catalyzed reactions. Chem Commun 1170–1171

  • Knölker H-J (2005) Occurrence, biological activity, and convergent organometallic synthesis of carbazole alkaloids. Top Curr Chem 244:115–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Knölker H-J, Reddy KR (2005) Total synthesis of furocarbazole alkaloids. In: Kartsev VG (ed.) Selected methods for synthesis and modification of heterocycles – the chemistry and biological activity of natural indole systems (Part 1), vol. 4. ICSPF, Moscow, pp 166–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Knöll J, Knölker H-J (2006) First total synthesis and assignment of the absolute configuration of the neuronal cell protecting alkaloid carbazomadurin B. Synlett 651–653

  • Knöll J, Knölker H-J (2006) First total synthesis of (±)-epocarbazolin A and epocarbazolin B, and asymmetric synthesis of (–)-epocarbazolin A via Shi epoxidation. Tetrahedron Lett 47:6079–6082

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kotoda N, Shin-ya K, Furihata K, Hayakawa Y, Seto H (1997) Isolation and structure elucidation of novel neuronal cell protecting substances, carbazomadurins A and B produced by Actinomadura madurae. J Antibiot 50:770–772

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krahl MP, Jäger A, Krause T, Knölker H-J (2006) First total synthesis of the 7-oxygenated carbazole alkaloids clauszoline-K, 3-formyl-7-hydroxycarbazole, clausine M, clausine N and the anti-HIV active siamenol using a highly efficient palladium-catalyzed approach. Org Biomol Chem 4:3215–3219

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar V, Reisch J, Wickramasinghe A (1989) Glycomaurin and glycomaurrol, new carbazole alkaloids from Glycosmis mauritiana (Rutaceae) Bark. Aust J Chem 42:1375–1379

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lemster T, Pindur U (2002) Design synthesis and biological/biophysical evaluation of new oligopyrrole carboxamides, biscarbazoles, oxocarbazoles and benzo[a]carbazoles: antitumor and antioxidative compounds. Recent Res Dev Org Bioorg Chem 5:99–115

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li W-S, McChesney JD, El-Feraly FS (1991) Carbazole alkaloids from Clausena lansium. Phytochemistry 30:343–346

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma C, Case RJ, Wang Y, Zhang H-J, Tan GT, Hung NV, Cuong NM, Franzblau SG, Soejarto DD, Fong HHS, Pauli GF (2005) Anti-tuberculosis constituents from the stem bark of Micromelum hirsutum. Planta Med 71:261–267

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meragelman KM, McKee TC, Boyd MR (2000) Siamenol, a new carbazole alkaloid from Murraya siamensis. J Nat Prod 63:427–428

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moody CJ (1994) Synthesis of carbazole alkaloids. Synlett 681–688

  • Mukherjee S, Mukherjee M, Ganguly SN (1983) Glycozolinine, a carbazole derivative from Glycosmis pentaphylla. Phytochemistry 22:1064–1065

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nihei Y, Yamamoto H, Hasegawa M, Hanada M, Fukagawa Y, Oki T (1993) Epocarbazolins A and B, novel 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors – taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, structures and biological activities. J Antibiot 46:25–33

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pauli GF, Case RJ, Inui T, Wang Y, Cho S, Fischer NH, Franzblau SG (2005) New perspectives on natural products in TB drug research. Life Sci 78:485–494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruangrungsi N, Ariyaprayoon J, Lange GL, Organ MG (1990) Three new carbazole alkaloids isolated from Murraya siamensis. J Nat Prod 53:946–952

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shin-ya K, Tanaka M, Furihata K, Hayakawa Y, Seto H (1993) Structure of carquinostatin A, a new neuronal cell protecting substance produced by Streptomyces exfoliatus. Tetrahedron Lett 34:4943–4944

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sunthitikawinsakul A, Kongkathip N, Kongkathip B, Phonnakhu S, Daly JW, Spande TF, Nimit Y, Rochanaruangrai S (2003) Coumarins and carbazoles from Clausena excavata exhibited antimycobacterial and antifungal activities. Planta Med 69:155–157

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka M, Shin-ya K, Furihata K, Seto H (1995) Isolation and structural elucidation of antioxidative substances, carbazoquinocins A to F. J Antibiot 48:326–328

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu T-S, Huang S-C, Wu P-L (1996) Carbazole alkaloids from stem bark of Clausena excavata. Phytochemistry 43:1427–1429

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu T-S, Huang S-C, Wu P-L, Teng C-M (1996) Carbazole alkaloids from Clausena excavata and their biological activity. Phytochemistry 43:133–140

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu T-S, Huang S-C, Wu P-L, Kuoh C-S (1999) Alkaloidal and other constituents from the root bark of Clausena excavata. Phytochemistry 52:523–527

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yenjai C, Sripontan S, Sriprajun P, Kittakoop P, Jintasirikul A, Tanticharoen M, Thebtaranonth Y (2000) Coumarins and carbazoles with antiplasmodial activity from Clausena harmandiana. Planta Med 66:277–279

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to the European Funds for Regional Development and the State of Saxony (EFRE project 4212/06-08) for financial support of our research. We would also like to thank JADO Technologies, Dresden, for their support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hans-Joachim Knölker.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Choi, T.A., Czerwonka, R., Forke, R. et al. Transition metals in organic synthesis - Part 83#: Synthesis and pharmacological potential of carbazoles. Med Chem Res 17, 374–385 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-007-9073-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-007-9073-0

Keywords

Navigation