<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">IJOC</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>International Journal of Organic Chemistry</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2161-4687</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/ijoc.2013.33026</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">IJOC-37179</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Biomedical&amp;Life Sciences</subject><subject> Chemistry&amp;Materials Science</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Docking Studies, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities of N-Alkylated, 1,2,4-Triazole, 1,3,4-Oxa-, and Thiadiazole Containing the Aminopyrazolopyridine Derivatives
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>asser</surname><given-names>K. Abdelmonem</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Farag</surname><given-names>A. El-Essawy</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Saeda</surname><given-names>A. Abou El-Enein</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Mona</surname><given-names>M. El-Sheikh-Amer</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koam, Egypt</addr-line></aff><author-notes><corresp id="cor1">* E-mail:<email>farag.eleswi@science.menofia.edu.eg(FAE)</email>;</corresp></author-notes><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>27</day><month>08</month><year>2013</year></pub-date><volume>03</volume><issue>03</issue><fpage>198</fpage><lpage>205</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>June</day>	<month>27,</month>	<year>2013</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>August</day>	<month>5,</month>	<year>2013</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>August</day>	<month>21,</month>	<year>2013</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  Synthesis of some 1,3,4-thia-, oxa-diazol and 1,2,4 triazole incorporated the biologically active and the pyrazolopyri-dine derivative. Molecular modeling and docking of the active compounds into AKR1C3 complexed with its bound inhibitor indomethacin using Molsoft ICM 3.4-8C program were performed in order to predict the affinity and orientation of the synthesized compounds at the active site.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Pyrazolopyridine; Biologically Active; Molecular Modeling and Inhibitor</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines comprise a very interesting class of compounds because of their significant and versatile biological and pharmacological activities, such as antimalarial [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref1">1</xref>] antiproliferative [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref2">2</xref>] antimicrobial [3-5] inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref6">6</xref>] and cardiovascular [7-9] antiviral [10-12] and antileishmanial [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref13">13</xref>] activities. Pyrazole fused pyridines and pyrimidines are known to possess a wide range of biological activity. Specifically pyrazolopyridines exhibit antitubercular, anxiolytic [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref14">14</xref>].</p><p>It has been reported that certain compounds bearing 1,3,4-oxa-, thiadiazole, and 1,2,4-triazole nucleus possess significant anti-inflammatory activity [15,16]. Also, in view of these reports and in continuation of our recent work on the pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives, to synthesize a new heterocyclic compounds [17,18], we reported here the synthesis of a number of new alkylated 4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-amine, formation of 1,2,4-triazoles, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, and 1,3,4-thiadiazoles.</p><p>Design of drug targets containing two carboxylic groups appropriately attached to the opposite sides of the aromatic fragment (e.g., naphthalene ring) as shown by our synthesized compounds to interact with the active site hydrophobic pocket while the first carboxylate may occupy the oxyanion hole and the second forms H-bonds with oxygen of coenzyme’s diphosphate moiety will be a good rational for potent inhibitors.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Material and Methods</title><sec id="s2_1"><title>2.1. Experimental</title><p>Melting points were determined on a Buchi melting point. IR spectra were recorded with a Perkin-Elmer model 1720 FTIR (KBr), 1H NMR spectra were recorded with Bruker AC 250 FT NMR spectrometer at 250 MHz with TMS as an internal standard. EIMS and FABMS spectra were recorded with a Finnigen MAT 312 = AMD. The microanalyses were performed at the microanalytical unit, Cairo University.</p><p>Ethyl 2-(3-amino-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridin-1-yl)acetate (2). To a stirred suspension of pyrazolopyridine 1 (0.81 g, 5 mmol) in dry DMF (10 mL) contaning K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> (0.67 g, 5 mmol), the ethyl chloroacetae (0.61 g, 5 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for an additional 13 h and then poured into ice cold water with stirring. The obtained solid product was collected by the filtration, washed with water and recrystallized from ethanol to afford the pale yellow crystals of ester 2. (0.77 g, 95%), m.p. 127˚C - 129˚C. IR (KBr, ν<sub>max</sub>, cm<sup>−1</sup>): 3316 (NH<sub>2</sub>), 2923, 2853 (CH aliphatic), 1722 (C=O), 1596 (C=N). <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>), δ, ppm: 1.13 (3H, t, J = 7 Hz, CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>), 4.22 (2H, q, J = 13 Hz, CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>), 2.70 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.79 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 5.09 (2H, s, CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.57 (1H, s, H-5), 7.14 (2H, bs, NH<sub>2</sub>). Mass spectrum, m/z (I, %): 249 [M<sup>+</sup>+1] (35), 248 [M<sup>+</sup>] (100), 161 (70), 131 (16). Found, %: C 58.05; H 6.50; N 22.57. C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>16</sub>N<sub>4</sub>O<sub>2</sub> Calculated, %: C 57.99; H 6.22; N 22.32.</p><p>2-(3-Amino-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridin-1-yl) acetohydrazide (3). To a suspension of ester 2 (1.24 g, 5 mmol) in ethanol (15 ml), an excess of hydrazine hydrate (4 ml) was added. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 4 h , cooled, the solid product was collected by filteration, deried, and recrystalized from methanol to give the pale yellow crystals of compound 3 (0.91 g, 77%). mp 150˚C - 152˚C IR (KBr) (cm<sup>−1</sup>), ν = 3343 - 3202 (NHNH<sub>2</sub>), 2938, 2892 (CH aliphatic), 1660 (C=O), 1589 (C=N).<sup> 1</sup>H NMR (DMSO-d<sub>6</sub>), δ, ppm: 2.45 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.51 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 4.98 (2H, s, CH<sub>2</sub>), 5.12 (2H, bs, NH<sub>2</sub>NH), 6.54 (1H, s, CH-5), 6.79 (2H, bs, NH<sub>2</sub>), 9.16 (1H, bs, NH<sub>2</sub>NH). Mass spectrum, m/z (I, %): 234 [M<sup>+</sup>] (8), 252 (25), 219 (23), 175 (100). Found, %: C 51.27; H 6.02; N 35.88. C<sub>10</sub>H<sub>14</sub>N<sub>6</sub>O Calculated, %: C 51.13; H 5.88; N 35.47.</p><p>5-((3-amino-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridin-1-yl)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol (4). Hydrazid 3 (0.94 g, 4 mmol) and CS<sub>2</sub> (0.3 g, 4 mmol) were added to a solution of KOH (0.22 g, 4 mmol) in water (10 ml) and ethanol (10 ml). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 4 h. After evaporation under reduced pressure, a solid was obtained. This was dissolved in water and acidified with conc. HCl. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, and recrystallized from methanol to give colorless powder, yield 0.72 g, 65%, mp 230˚C - 233˚C (MeOH). IR spectrum (thin layer), ν, cm<sup>−1</sup>: 2784, 2725 (S˗H), 1566 (C=N). <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectrum (300 MHz, DMSO-d<sub>6</sub>), δ, ppm (J, Hz): 2.45 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.52 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 4.18 (s, 2H, CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.74 (1H, s, CH-5), 6.87 (2H, bs, NH<sub>2</sub>) 13.82 (brs, 1H, SH).<sup> 13C NMR spectrum (75.5 MHz, DMSO-d</sup><sub>6</sub>), δ, ppm: 15.13, 19.62 (2 CH<sub>3</sub>), 33.30 (CH<sub>2</sub>), 115.12, 125.17, 128.59, 128.79, 129.37, 129.72, 135.84, 144.28 (Ar-C). Mass spectrum (EI, 70 ev), m/z (I<sub>rel</sub>, %): 277 [M<sup>+</sup>+ 1] (2), 276 [M<sup>+</sup>] (20), 194 (18), 161 (24), 129 (22), 44 (74), 28 (100). Found, %: C, 47.81, H, 4.38, N, 30.41. C<sub>11</sub>H<sub>12</sub>N<sub>6</sub>OS.Calculated, %: C, 47.32; H, 4.31; N, 30.29.</p><p>4,6-dimethyl-1-((5-(alkylthio)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-amine (5a-c). To a stirred suspension of oxadiazol thion 4 (1mmol) in dry DMF (10 ml), sodium hydride (0.04 g, 1 mmol, 60% dispersion oil) was added. When liberation of hydrogen had ceased (1.5 h), the appropriate alkyl reagent (ethyl-, methyl iodide and benzylchloride) was added in dropwise, and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 - 15 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was triturated with cold water with stirring for 2 - 5 h, the products was filtered off, deride and recrystallized with ethanol to give 5a-c.</p><p>1-((5-(Ethylthio)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-amine (5a). Colorless crystals, yield 0.19 g 61%, mp 139˚C -140˚C;<sup> 1</sup>H NMR spectrum (300 MHz, CDCl<sub>3</sub>), δ, ppm (J, Hz): 0.93 (3H, t, J = 7.0 Hz, CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>), 2.45 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.53 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 3.11 (2H, q, J = 7.1, SCH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>), 4.87 (2H, s, N-CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.88 (1H, s, H-5), 7.02 (2H, bs, NH<sub>2</sub>). Mass spectrum (EI, 70 ev), m/z (I<sub>rel</sub>, %): 304 [M<sup>+</sup>] (20), 290 [M-CH<sub>3</sub>], 148 (100). Found, %: C, 51.30; H, 5.30; N, 27.16. C<sub>13</sub>H<sub>16</sub>N<sub>6</sub>OS. Calculated, %: C, 51.15; H, 5.14; N, 27.09.</p><p>4,6-Dimethyl-1-((5-(methylthio)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-amine (5b). Colorless crystals, yield 0.24 g, 77%, mp 160˚C - 162˚C;<sup> 1</sup>H NMR spectrum (300 MHz, CDCl<sub>3</sub>), δ, ppm (J, Hz): 2.33 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.49 (3H, s, SCH<sub>3</sub>), 2.54 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>) , 4.55 (2H, s, N-CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.67 (1H, s, H-5), 7.25 (2H, bs, NH<sub>2</sub>). Mass spectrum (EI, 70 ev), m/z (I<sub>rel</sub>, %): 290 (M<sup>+</sup>, 43), 148 (100). Found, %: C, 49.64; H, 4.86; N, 28.95. C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>14</sub>N<sub>6</sub>OS. Calculated, %: C, 49.45; H, 4.52; N, 28.65.</p><p>1-((5-(benzylthio)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl)-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-amine (5c). Colorless powder, yield 0.31 g, 78%, mp 202˚C - 204˚C;<sup> </sup> H<sup>1</sup> NMR spectrum (300 MHz, CDCl<sub>3</sub>), δ, ppm (J, Hz): 2.53, 2.64 (6H, 2s, 2CH<sub>3</sub>), 4.40 (2H, s, SCH<sub>2</sub>Ph), 4.55 (2H, s, CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.32 (1H, s, H-5), 6.67 - 7.47 (5H, m, Ph). Mass spectrum (EI, 70 ev), m/z (I<sub>rel</sub>, %): 366 [M<sup>+</sup>], 289 (55), 275 (34), 91 (100). Found, %: C, 59.00; H, 4.95; N, 22.93. C<sub>18</sub>H<sub>18</sub>N<sub>6</sub>OS. Caculated, %: C, 58.87; H, 4.34; N, 22.86.</p><p>2-(2-(3-Amino-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridin-1-yl)acetyl)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (6). To suspension of acid hydrazide 3 (2.34 g, 10 mmol) in absolute ethanol (20 mL), PhNCS (1.35 g, 10 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 6 h. The product that separated on cooling was filtered off, washed with ethanol dried and recrystallized from methanol to give a colorless crystals of compound 6, yield, 3.46 g, 94%, m.p. 173˚C - 175˚C. IR (KBr, ν<sub>max</sub>, cm<sup>−1</sup>): 3336 - 3244 (NH, NH<sub>2</sub>), 4035, 2978, 2886 (CH aliphatic), 1697 (CONH), 1593 (C=N), 1195 - 1130 (C=S). <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>), δ, ppm: 2.55 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.68 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 4.95 (2H, s, CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.98 (1H, s, H-5), 7.93-8.54 (7H, m, NH, ph), 8.77 (1H, s, N=CH), 9.07 (1H, bs, CSNH), 10.43 (1H, bs, CONH). Mass spectrum, m/z (I, %): 270 [M<sup>+</sup>+1, 20], 269 [M<sup>+</sup>, 70], 192 (35), 240 [M<sup>+</sup>] (100), 161 (70), 131 (16). Found, %: C 55.27; H 5.18; N 26.54. C<sub>17</sub>H<sub>19</sub>N<sub>7</sub>OS Calculated, %: C 55.33; H 5.15; N 26.57.</p><p>5-((3-amino-2-yl-methyleneamino)-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-1-yl)methyl)-N-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (7). The phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide 6 (1.34 g, 5 mmol) was added gradually with stirring to cold conc. H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> (10 ml) during 10 min. The mixture was further stirred for another 2 h in an ice bath. The solid separated out was filtered, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from methanol to give a yellow crystals of compound 7, yield, (2.95 g, 84%), m.p. 190˚C -192˚C. IR (KBr, ν<sub>max</sub>, cm<sup>−1</sup>): 3316 - 3285 (NH), 2955 - 2933 (CH aliphatic), 1598 (C=N). <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>), δ, ppm: 2.51 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.64 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 5.33 (2H, s, CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.33 (1H, s, H-5),7.21 (2H, bs, NH<sub>2</sub>) 7.55 - 7.76 (6H, m, ph), 11.55 (1H, bs, NHPh). Mass spectrum, m/z (I, %): 352 [M<sup>+</sup>+1] (35), 351 [M<sup>+</sup>] (100), 161 (70), 131 (16). Found, %: C 58.01; H 4.88; N 27.90. C<sub>17</sub>H<sub>17</sub>N<sub>7</sub>S Calculated, %: C 58.17; H 4.74; N 27.72.</p><p>5-((3-amino-2-yl-methyleneamino)-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-1-yl)methyl)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (8). A suspension of thiosemicarbazide 8 (2.68 g, 10 mmol) in ethanol (50 ml) was dissolved in 4N aqueous sodium hydroxide (50 ml), resulting in the formation a clear solution. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 4 h on water bath, concentration, cooled, and filtered. The pH of the filtrate was adjusted between 5-6 with acetic acid and kept aside for 2 h. The solid separated out was filtered, washed with water, dried and recrystallized with ethanol to give white powder of compound 8, (2.35 g, 67%), m.p. 217˚C - 219˚C. IR (KBr, ν<sub>max</sub>, cm<sup>−1</sup>): (NH<sub>2</sub>), 3022 (CH aromatic), 2955-2933 (CH aliphatic), 2786 - 2715 (SH), 1638 (C=N). <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>), δ, ppm: 2.50 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.61 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 5.39 (2H, s, CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.23 (1H, s, H-5), 7.22 - 7.75 (8H, m, ph, NH<sub>2</sub>), 12.05 (1H, bs, SH). Mass spectrum, m/z (I, %): 352 [M<sup>+</sup>+1] (35), 351 [M<sup>+</sup>] (69), 160 (35), 131 (100). Found, %: C 58.01; H 4.88; N 27.90. C<sub>17</sub>H<sub>17</sub>N<sub>7</sub>S Calculated, %: C 58.28; H 4.95; N 27.66.</p><p>5-((3-amino-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-1-yl)methyl)-N-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-amine (9): Mercuric oxide (2.37 g , 11 mmol) was added to solution of thiosemicarbazide 6 (2.69 g, 10 mmol) in methanol (20 mL) and the resulting mixture was refluxed for 3 h. The precipitate mercuric sulfide was filtered off and washed with hot methanol. The filtrate on cooling gave a solid product which was filtered, dried and recrystallized from methanol to give a yellow crystals of oxadiazol 9 (2.78 g, 83%), m.p. 210C˚ - 212˚C. IR (KBr, ν<sub>max</sub>, cm<sup>−1</sup>): 3230 - 3205 (NH, NH<sub>2</sub>), 3055 (CH aromatic), 2944 - 2910 (CH aliphatic), 1635 (C=N). <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>), δ, ppm: 2.29 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 2.50 (3H, s, CH<sub>3</sub>), 5.28 (2H, s, CH<sub>2</sub>), 6.13 (1H, s, H-5), 7.05 - 7.20 (8H, m, ph, NH<sub>2</sub>), 10.12 (1H, bs, NHPh). Mass spectrum, m/z (I, %): 336 [M<sup>+</sup>+1] (35), 335 [M<sup>+</sup>] (100), 147 (70), 128 (16). Found, %: C 60.96; H 5.25; N 29.32. C<sub>17</sub>H<sub>17</sub>N<sub>7</sub>O Calculated, %: C 60.88; H 5.11; N 29.24.</p></sec><sec id="s2_2"><title>2.2. Molecular Modeling Studies</title><sec id="s2_2_1"><title>2.2.1. Generation of Ligand and Enzyme Structures</title><p>The crystal structure of AKR1C3 complexed with its bound inhibitor Indomethacin was downloaded through the Protein Data Bank PDB/ RCSB site and saved as <sup>*</sup>.pdb file [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref18">18</xref>].</p><p>A set of novel N-Alkylated, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,3,4-oxa-, thiadiazole and complexes containing the aminopyrazolopyridine derivatives were designed to inhibit AKR1C3. All compounds were built in ChemDraw Ultra version 8.0.3 and their energy minimized through Chem3D Ultra version 8.0.3/ MM2, Jop Type: minimum RMS Gradient of 0.100, and saved as MDL MolFile (<sup>*</sup>.mol).</p></sec><sec id="s2_2_2"><title>2.2.2. Docking Using Molsoft ICM 3.4-8C Program</title><p>The novel energy-minimized Indomethacin analogues were docked into the active site of AKR1C3 crystal structure using ICM-Pro software version 3.4 - 8 C. ICM-Pro scores the binding of a ligand to a receptor based upon the comparison of a series of small molecule/ protein interactions that have been reported in the PDB database. A rigid receptor/flexible ligand approach was adopted that uses five potential energy maps combining hydrophobicity, electrostatics, hydrogen bond formation, and two van-der-Waals parameters. In all cases, the program’s default parameters were used.</p></sec></sec></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Results and Discussion</title><p>The starting material 4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridin-3-amine (1) was prepared according to the reported method [19,20], which was alkylated, after its treatment with anhydrous potassium carbonate in dry N,N-dimethylformamide, with ethyl-2-chloroacetate to give Ethyl 2-(3-amino-4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridin-1-yl)acetate (2) in good yield. The <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectrum of derivative 2 showed that N-CH<sub>2</sub> of the N-alkylated product appeared as a triplet at δ 1.13 and quartet at δ 4.22 ppm respectively. The latter derivative 2 was treated with hyfrazine hydrate, in ethanol on boiling, to afford the corresponding acid hydrazid. 2-(3-Amino- 4,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-1-yl) acetohydrazide (3) was cyclized on treating with carbon disulfide, in basic medium, to give the 5-((3-amino-4,6-dimethyl- 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-1-yl)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol (4) which showed the broad singlet at δ 13.82 ppm corresponding to the SH group in its H<sup>1</sup> NMR, the latter oxadiazole 4 was also elucidated via its alkylation reactions with some alkylation agents such as methy, ethyl iodide and benzyl chloride to afford the S-alkyl derivatives 5a-c. These alkylated derivatives were elucidated by the MS spectra which showed the molecular ion peaks corresponding to its molecular wights (Scheme 1).</p><p>The acetohydrazide 3 was treated with phenylisothiocyanate to give the corresponding phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide derivative 6. which was elucidated, besides the <sup>1</sup>H NMR and IR, by the mass spectrum which showed the molecular ion peak at m/z 270 corresponding to [M<sup>+</sup> + 1], m/z When the thiosemicarbazide 6 was reacted with concentrated sulfuric acid. 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivative 7 was obtained which showed in its <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectrum of the broadband of the NHPh at δ 11.55 ppm. The formation of the thiadiazole ring, under such acidic conditions, is due to the loss of nucleophilicity of N-4 as a result of its protonation leading to an increase in the nucleophilicity of the sulfur atom toward the attack of the carbonyl carbon as shown in Scheme 2. On the other hand, when the cyclization of 6 was carried out under basic conditions, the nucleophilicity of N-4 was enhanced and affording cyclization with carbonyl carbon atom to afford 1,2,4-triazole derivative in 67% yield. In the treatment of thiosemicarbazide 6 with mercuric oxide, the cyclization was performed, affording the 1,3,4- oxadiazole derivative 9. The method of cyclization includes desulfurization by HgO. The <sup>1</sup>H NMR of triazole 8 showed a broad singlet at δ 12.05 ppm corresponding to the SH group. The oxadiazole derivatve 9 was elucidated besides, NMR, elemental analysis, by the mass spectrum which showed a [M<sup>+</sup>] peak, in agreement with its molecular formula (Scheme 3).</p>Molecular Modeling Studies<p>To pre-assess the anti-tumorigenic behavior of our NAlkylated, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,3,4-oxa-, thiadiazole and complexes containing the aminopyrazolopyridine derivatives 5(a-c) and (7-9) on a structural basis, automated docking studies were carried out using MOLSOFT ICM 3.4 - 8C program [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref21">21</xref>]. The scoring functions and hydrogen bonds formed with the surrounding amino acids are used to predict their binding modes, their binding affinities and orientation of these compounds at the active site of AKR1C3 enzyme. The protein-ligand complex was constructed based on the X-ray structure (PDB entry 1S2A) AKR1C3 with its bound inhibitor indomethacin [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref22">22</xref>].</p><p>The scoring functions of the compounds were calculated from minimized ligand protein complexes. The X-ray crystal structure of AKR1C3 reveals a substratebinding site that consists mainly of: hydrophobic aromatic amino acid side chains (Tyr24, Tyr55, Leu54, Trp227, and Phe306). An oxyanion hole, which is located at the bottom of the hydrophobic pocket, is formed by active site tyrosine (Tyr55), histidine (His117), and the coenzymes nicotinamide ring [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref21">21</xref>].</p><p>In our investigation, the 3D-coordinates in X-ray crystal structure of AKR1C3 in complex with the ligand, indomethacin (PDB entry 1S2A) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref21">21</xref>] was used as the receptor model in AKR1C3 docking simulation. The docked model of indomethacin with AKR1C3 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>) was consistent with the previously reported X-ray analysis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.37179-ref22">22</xref>] and revealed the following binding mode: The carbonyl oxygen is far away from Tyr 55 or His 117 to H-bond directly. Instead, the carboxylate group points toward and interacts with the oxygen atoms O<sub>1</sub>n, O<sub>2</sub>n from the nicotinamide half of the NADP<sup>+</sup> diphosphate moiety, forming two hydrogen bonds, and additional H-bond if formed between indomethacin O<sub>2</sub> of COOH and He<sub>2</sub> of Glu 222.</p><p>Our active compounds 5(a-c) and (7-9) when modeled in the active site of AKR1C3 enzyme (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>, Figures 2,3) revealed strong binding affinities. Their binding energies were −67.08, −88.58, −96.73, −103.82, −88.74 and −97.28 Kcal/mol, respectively compared to −80.45 of</p><p>indomethacin. It is interesting to point out that compounds 5(a-c) and (7-9) are found to be very promising</p><table-wrap-group id="1"><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Docking of compounds on AKR1C3</title></caption></table-wrap-group><p>AKR1C3 inhibitors, as they take advantageof their ability to make H bond with the amino acid present in the oxyanion hole (Tyr 55 and Glu222) in the presence of the coenzyme’s nicotinamide with the aromatic residues located in the hydrophobic pocket, and at the same time to NADP<sup>+</sup> diphosphate.</p><p>Using Molsoft ICM 3.4 - 8C program, molecular modelling and docking studies of the synthesized compounds into ARK1C3 complexed with its bound inhibitor indomethacin (1S2A) were performed in order to predict The binding affinities and orientations of these compounds at the active site. The ICM score values of 5(a-c) and (7-9) were −67.08, −88.58, −96.73, −103.82, −88.74 and −97.28 Kcal/mol, respectively compared to −80.45 of indomethacin. These derivatives will encourage researchers to help to design future anticancer agents with therapeutic potentials.</p></sec><sec id="s4"><title>REFERENCES</title></sec><sec id="s5"><title>    NOTES</title><p>&#160;&#160;&#160; <sup>*</sup>Corresponding author.</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.37179-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">C. M. S. Menezes, C. M. R. Sant’Anna, C. R. Rodrigues and E. J. Barreiro, “Molecular Modeling of Novel 1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine Derivatives Designed as Isosters of the Antimalarial Mefloquine,” Journal of Molecular Structure: THEOCHEM, Vol. 579, No. 1-3, 2002, pp. 31-39.  
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