Two Novel Alkylating Structural Analogues of Chloramphenicol Suitable for Topical Treatment of Dermal Neoplasms

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of two alkylating structural analogues of chloramphenicol that have potential for application for treatment of dermal sited neoplasms.

Study Design: Two compounds have been shown to alkylate guanosine-5’-diphosphate (GDP) at physiological conditions. These same compounds are evaluated for dermal penetration based on Kp and compared to other alkylating agents applied for treatment of skin cancer.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Nebraska, Omaha Nebraska from December 2013 to May 2014 and March to August of 2002.

Methodology: Two analogues of chloramphenicol were synthesized and shown to alkylate GDP at pH 7.4 and 37ºC. Various pharmacological properties of these two analogues, such as Log P, molecular weight, polar surface area, etc, were determined and compared. The dermal permeability coefficient Kp was determined for two analogues based on their molecular weight and partition coefficient Log P. The numerical values of Kp were used to prediction of the distance each analogue is expected to travel in penetration of a dermal barrier. Result was plotted and compared to the anticancer agent’s carmustine, mustargen, and 5-fluorouracil. Evaluation of the analogues included findings of previous studies.

Results: Two analogues of chloramphenicol alkylate sites on GDP. The properties of compound 1 and compound 2 were determined and when compared to the parent structure chloramphenicol were found to have favorable drug likeness. Values of Log P and permeability coefficient Kp for compounds 1 and 2 are; 3.343, 3.312, 0.00244 cm/hour, 0.000768 cm/hour, respectively. Values of Kp for both compound 1 and 2 were greater than that of chloramphenicol at 0.000131 cm/hour. Plots of skin penetration showed compounds 1 and 2 to be superior to 5-fluorouracil.

Conclusion: Analogues 1 and 2 were shown to have alkylation activity and properties suitable for drug likeness. Both compounds have high penetration rates of dermal layers.