Synthesis and Evaluation of Thymol-Based Synthetic Derivatives as Dual-Action Inhibitors against Different Strains of H. pylori and AGS Cell Line

Following a similar approach on carvacrol-based derivatives, we investigated the synthesis and the microbiological screening against eight strains of H. pylori, and the cytotoxic activity against human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells of a new series of ether compounds based on the structure of thymol. Structural analysis comprehended elemental analysis and ¹H/¹³C/¹⁹F NMR spectra. The analysis of structure–activity relationships within this molecular library of 38 structurally-related compounds reported that some chemical modifications of the OH group of thymol led to broad-spectrum growth inhibition on all isolates. Preferred substitutions were benzyl groups compared to alkyl chains, and the specific presence of functional groups at para position of the benzyl moiety such as 4-CN and 4-Ph endowed the most anti-H. pylori activity toward all the strains with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values up to 4 µg/mL. Poly-substitution on the benzyl ring was not essential. Moreover, several compounds characterized by the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration/minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC) values against H. pylori were also tested in order to verify a cytotoxic effect against AGS cells with respect to 5-fluorouracil and carvacrol. Three derivatives can be considered as new lead compounds alternative to current therapy to manage H. pylori infection, preventing the occurrence of severe gastric diseases. The present work confirms the possibility to use natural compounds as templates for the medicinal semi-synthesis.     

Exploring the influence of conserved lysine69 on the catalytic activity of the helicobacter pylori shikimate dehydrogenase: A combined QM/MM and MD simulations

Shikimate dehydrogenase (SDH) catalyzes the reversible, NADPH-dependent reduction of 3-dehydroshikimate to shikimate, involved in the shikimate pathway. This pathway has emerged as an important target for the development of antimicrobial agent. Structural and functional analyses suggest that the conserved Lys69 plays an important role in the catalytic activity of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) SDH. However, the detailed mechanism how mutation of Lys69 affects the catalytic activity of H. pylori SDH remains unclear. Here, two-layered ONIOM-based quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculation and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to explore the role of Lys69 in the H. pylori SDH. Our results showed that in addition to act as a catalytic base, the conserved Lys69 plays an additional, important role in the maintenance of the substrate shikimate in the active site, facilitating the catalytic reaction between the cofactor NADP⁺ and shikimate. Mutation of Lys69 triggers the movement of shikimate away from the active site of SDH, thereby disrupting the catalytic activity. This result can advance our understanding the catalytic mechanism of SDH family, which may benefit of the rational design of SDH inhibitors.     

β-Carotene Inhibits Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-10 and Invasion in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastric Epithelial Cells

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), key molecules of cancer invasion and metastasis, degrade the extracellular matrix and cell–cell adhesion molecules. MMP-10 plays a crucial role in Helicobacter pylori-induced cell-invasion. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, which activates activator protein-1 (AP-1), is known to mediate MMP expression. Infection with H. pylori, a Gram-negative bacterium, is associated with gastric cancer development. A toxic factor induced by H. pylori infection is reactive oxygen species (ROS), which activate MAPK signaling in gastric epithelial cells. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) mediates the expression of antioxidant enzymes including catalase. β-Carotene, a red-orange pigment, exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to investigate whether β-carotene inhibits H. pylori-induced MMP expression and cell invasion in gastric epithelial AGS (gastric adenocarcinoma) cells. We found that H. pylori induced MMP-10 expression and increased cell invasion via the activation of MAPKs and AP-1 in gastric epithelial cells. Specific inhibitors of MAPKs suppressed H. pylori-induced MMP-10 expression, suggesting that H. pylori induces MMP-10 expression through MAPKs. β-Carotene inhibited the H. pylori-induced activation of MAPKs and AP-1, expression of MMP-10, and cell invasion. Additionally, it promoted the expression of PPAR-γ and catalase, which reduced ROS levels in H. pylori-infected cells. In conclusion, β-carotene exerts an inhibitory effect on MAPK-mediated MMP-10 expression and cell invasion by increasing PPAR-γ-mediated catalase expression and reducing ROS levels in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells.     

Effect of the Oral Intake of Probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici BA28 on Helicobacter pylori Causing Peptic Ulcer in C57BL/6 Mice Models

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria are being proposed to cure peptic ulcers by reducing colonization of Helicobacter pylori within the stomach mucosa and by eradicating already established infection. In lieu of that, in vitro inhibitory activity of pediocin-producing probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici BA28 was evaluated against H. pylori by growth inhibition assays. Further, chronic gastritis was first induced in two groups of C57BL/6 mice by orogastric inoculation with H. pylori with polyethylene catheter, and probiotic P. acidilactici BA28 was orally administered to study the eradication and cure of peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori and P. acidilactici BA28 were detected in gastric biopsy and fecal samples of mice, respectively. A probiotic treatment with P. acidilactici BA28, which is able to eliminate H. pylori infection and could reverse peptic ulcer disease, is being suggested as a co-adjustment with conventional antibiotic treatment. The study provided an evidence of controlling peptic ulcer disease, by diet modulation.     

Synthesis of the Lewis b pentasaccharide and a HSA-conjugate thereof

Helicobacter pylori, a gastric pathogen, binds to various blood group antigens, including the Lewis types, present in the gastric tissue and a relation between the presentation of the ligands and the overall strength of binding has been assumed. Synthetic Lewis b tetra- and hexasaccharide conjugates are available but not the analogous pentasaccharide. An efficient synthesis of the amino spacer equipped Lewis b pentasaccharide, 3-aminopropyl α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-galactopyranoside, is presented to enable further investigation of the carbohydrate recognition process of H. pylori.     

Towards understanding the origins of the different specificities of binding the reduced (NADPH) and oxidised (NADP+) forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate coenzyme to dihydrofolate reductase

Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) binds more than a thousand times tighter to NADPH than to NADP⁺. The origins of the difference in binding affinity to DHFR between NADPH and NADP⁺ are investigated in the present study using experimental NMR data and hybrid density functional, B3LYP, calculations. Certain protein residues (Ala 6, Gln 7, Ile 13 and Gly 14) that are directly involved in hydrogen bonding with the nicotinamide carboxamide group show consistent differences in ¹H and ¹⁵N chemical shift between NADPH and NADP⁺ in a variety of ternary complexes. B3LYP calculations in model systems of protein-coenzyme interactions show differences in the H-bond geometry and differences in charge distribution between the oxidised and reduced forms of the nicotinamide ring. GIAO isotropic nuclear shieldings calculated for nuclei in these systems reproduce the experimentally observed trends in magnitudes and signs of the chemical shifts. The experimentally observed reduction in binding of NADP⁺ compared with NADPH results partly from NADP⁺ having to change its nicotinamide amide group from a cis- to a trans-conformation on binding and partly from the oxidised nicotinamide ring of NADP⁺ being unable to take up its optimal hydrogen bonding geometry in its interactions with protein residues.     

Synthesis,In Silico Studies,and Evaluation of Syn and Anti Isomers of N-Substituted Indole-3-carbaldehyde Oxime Derivatives as Urease Inhibitors against Helicobacter pylori

Gastrointestinal tract infection caused by Helicobacter pylori is a common virulent disease found worldwide, and the infection rate is much higher in developing countries than in developed ones. In the pathogenesis of H. pylori in the gastrointestinal tract, the secretion of the urease enzyme plays a major role. Therefore, inhibition of urease is a better approach against H. pylori infection. In the present study, a series of syn and anti isomers of N-substituted indole-3-carbaldehyde oxime derivatives was synthesized via Schiff base reaction of appropriate carbaldehyde derivatives with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The in vitro urease inhibitory activities of those derivatives were evaluated against that of Macrotyloma uniflorum urease using the modified Berthelot reaction. Out of the tested compounds, compound 8 (IC₅₀ = 0.0516 ± 0.0035 mM) and compound 9 (IC₅₀ = 0.0345 ± 0.0008 mM) were identified as the derivatives with potent urease inhibitory activity with compared to thiourea (IC₅₀ = 0.2387 ± 0.0048 mM). Additionally, in silico studies for all oxime compounds were performed to investigate the binding interactions with the active site of the urease enzyme compared to thiourea. Furthermore, the drug-likeness of the synthesized oxime compounds was also predicted.     

Sensitive assay for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and its reduced form based on the bioluminescence method

An assay of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) by bioluminescence was investigated and applied for NADP⁺. The NADP⁺ is first reduced by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and then assayed in a mixture containing a NADPH/flavin mononucleotide oxidoreductase which in turn activates luciferase. Many interferences were observed and the method was modified accordingly. NADP⁺ and NADPH can be assayed separately or simultaneously within the range 1–100 pmol, which is sufficiently sensitive to be applied to biological materials. Many details and precautions must be taken into consideration.     

NADP+-Specific Isocitrate Dehydrogenase from Oleaginous Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica CLIB122: Biochemical Characterization and Coenzyme Sites Evaluation

NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase from Yarrowia lipolytica CLIB122 (YlIDP) was overexpressed and purified. The molecular mass of YlIDP was estimated to be about 81.3 kDa, suggesting its homodimeric structure in solution. YlIDP was divalent cation dependent and Mg²⁺ was found to be the most favorable cofactor. The purified recombinant YlIDP displayed maximal activity at 55 °C and its optimal pH for catalysis was found to be around 8.5. Heat inactivation studies revealed that the recombinant YlIDP was stable below 45 °C, but its activity dropped quickly above this temperature. YlIDP was absolutely dependent on NADP⁺ and no NAD-dependent activity could be detected. The K _m values displayed for NADP⁺ and isocitrate were 59 and 31 μM (Mg²⁺), 120 μM and 58 μM (Mn²⁺), respectively. Mutant enzymes were constructed to tentatively alter the coenzyme specificity of YlIDP. The K _m values for NADP⁺ of R322D mutant was 2,410 μM, being about 41-fold higher than that of wild type enzyme. NAD⁺-dependent activity was detected for R322D mutant and the K _m and k _cat values for NAD⁺ were 47,000 μM and 0.38 s^?1, respectively. Although the R322D mutant showed low activity with NAD⁺, it revealed the feasibility of engineering an eukaryotic IDP to a NAD⁺-dependent one.     

Differential pulse polarography as a tool for the determination of trace levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) in aqueous solution

The differential pulse polarographic behavior of NAD⁺ and NADP⁺ has been investigated in phosphate buffer. The peaks obtained at pH 8.0 are recommended for the trace determination of these compounds. Linear calibration curves are obtained over the concentration ranges from 2.6 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.6 × 10⁻⁵M for NAD⁺ and from 2 × 10⁻⁶ to 4 × 10⁻⁵ for NADP⁺.     

Reverse Phase Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of the Impurities in Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotides

Abstract

Commercial preparations of several different nicotine adenine dinucleotides were examined by liquid chromatography on an octadecylsilane column (Margolis, S., et al., Clin. Chem., 22, 1322, 1976). Seven impurity peaks were detected in NADP⁺, eight in NADPH, and five in NAD⁺. The estimated purity of NADP⁺ from different commercial suppliers varied from 89 to 95 percent. For NADPH the purity ranged from 77.5 to 96 percent and for NAD⁺ from 90 to 93.5 percent. Preparations of NAD⁺ contained AMP, ADPR, nicotinamide, and two unidentified impurities. The impurities found in NADP⁺ and NADPH preparations did not correspond to compounds that we could identify. Four of the impurity peaks found in NADPH form under acidic storage conditions. Five of the impurity peaks observed in NADP⁺ and three of the impurity peaks in NAD⁺ form as products of alkali-catalyzed rearrangements.     

Urease inactivation by an unusual GroES chaperonin

It remains uncovered yet how the common gastric pathogen,Helicobacter pylori,survives through the acidic barrier and the immune response simultaneously in the stomach.Herein we report a unique GroES chaperonin that effectively inactivates Helicobacter pylori urease in Escherichia coli model.Such a function depends on the quaternary structure as well as the metal binding at the C terminus.Surprisingly,the C-terminal metal capacity seems not closely relevant to the apparent urease inactivation.Our findings have possibly revealed a survival strategy of Helicobacter pylori after its gastric localization.     

Expression,Purification, and Characterization of NADP+-Dependent Malic Enzyme from the Oleaginous Fungus Mortierella Alpina

Malic enzymes are a class of oxidative decarboxylases that catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of malate to pyruvate and carbon dioxide, with concomitant reduction of NAD(P)⁺ to NAD(P)H. The NADP⁺-dependent malic enzyme in oleaginous fungi plays a key role in fatty acid biosynthesis. In this study, the malic enzyme-encoding complementary DNA (cDNA) (malE1) from the oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpina was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant protein (MaME) was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme used NADP⁺ as the cofactor. The K _m values for l-malate and NADP⁺ were 2.19?±?0.01 and 0.38?±?0.02 mM, respectively, while the V _max values were 147?±?2 and 302?±?14 U/mg, respectively, at the optimal condition of pH 7.5 and 33 °C. MaME is active in the presence of Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and low concentrations of Zn²⁺ rather than Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, or high concentrations of Zn²⁺. Oxaloacetic acid and glyoxylate inhibited the MaME activity by competing with malate, and their K _i values were 0.08 and 0.6 mM, respectively.     

Analysis of NAD(P) and NAD(P)H cofactors by means of imprinted polymers associated with Au surfaces:: A surface plasmon resonance study

Crosslinked films consisting of the acrylamide-acrylamidophenylboronic acid copolymer that are imprinted with recognition sites for β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate NADP⁺, and their reduced forms (NAD(P)H), are assembled on Au-coated glass supports. The binding of the oxidized cofactors NAD⁺ or NADP⁺ or the reduced cofactors NADH or NADPH to the respective imprinted sites results in the swelling of the polymer films through the uptake of water. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is employed to follow the binding of the different cofactors to the respective imprinted sites. The imprinted recognition sites reveal selectivity towards the association of the imprinted cofactors. The method enables the analysis of the NAD(P)⁺ and NAD(P)H cofactors in the concentration range of 1×10⁻⁶ to 1×10⁻³ M. The cofactor-imprinted films associated with the Au-coated glass supports act as active interfaces for the characterization of biocatalyzed transformations that involve the cofactor-dependent enzymes. This is exemplified with the characterization of the biocatalyzed oxidation of lactate to pyruvate in the presence of NAD⁺ and lactate dehydrogenase using the NADH-imprinted polymer film.     

The consecutive loss of two H2O molecules from protonated 1,2- and 1,3- cyclohexanediols in the gas phase: An example for the incidence of skeletal rearrangement in chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The consecutive dehydration of protonated molecules [MH]⁺ of 1,2- and 1,3-cyclohexanediols (cis and trans isomers) by loss of two H₂O molecules has been investigated. Analysis of ²H labelled compounds showed that loss of the first H₂O molecule represents a simple heterolysis, i.e. a dissociation without exchange of hydrogens between O—H and C—H bonds. Subsequent elimination of the second H₂O molecule in the process [MH–H₂O]⁺→[MH–2H₂O]⁺ followed several competing paths. The two major ones corresponded formally (with reference to an intact 6-ring skeleton) to 1,3- and 1,4-eliminations; in comparison, the alternative 1,2-elimination is only a minor route at most. At least for the 1,3-elimination, water loss from the [MH–H₂O]⁺ ions is not direct, but is associated with skeletal rearrangement, most probably of the Wagner-Meerwein-type, effecting contraction of the 6- to a 5-membered ring.     

Syntheses and Properties of New Pendant‐armed Calix[4]arene Derivatives as Cesium Selective Ionophore

Two new pendant‐armed calix[4]arene derivatives 5 and 6 have been synthesized. The study of alkali metal picrates extraction indicates that both compounds show preference of cesium cation, compound 6 in 1,3‐alternate conformation has better extractibility for Cs⁺ than compound 5. The coordination behavior of compound 6 with cesium cation was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The Cs⁺ selective electrode based on compound 6 exhibits a linear, near Nernstian response characteristics, the slope is 56.4 mV/decade in me concentration range of 10^?4—10^?1 mol/L, the selectivity coefficient (logK^pot_Cs.Na) is ?3.39.     

A comparative study on the behaviour of 1,3-diheterocyclopentanes (X = O,O; S,S; O,S) under electron impact. The formation of thioacetyl and thiiranyl cations

The electron-impact-induced mass spectra of 1,3-dioxolane (la), 1,3-dithiolane (2a) and 1,3-oxatbiolane (3a) and their 2-methyl (1b–3b) and 2,2-dimethyl [(CH₃)₂: 1c–3c or (CD₃)₂: 1d–3d] derivatives have been studied in detail to gain further insight into their ion structures and competing reaction pathways with low-resolution, high-resolution, metastable and collision-induced dissociation (CID) techniques. For compounds 1a–1d the most significant reaction is loss of H^˙ and CH₃^˙ by α-cleavage and a subsequent formation of CHO⁺ and C₂H₃O⁺ ions. The [M ? H]⁺ ions from 1a and 1b give a C₂H₃O⁺ ion which does not have the acyl cation structure as shown by their CID spectra. In compounds 3a–3d the sulphur-containing ions predominate, the C₂H₃O⁺ now having the acyl cation structure. 1,3-Dithiolanes (2a–2d) exhibit the most complicated fragmentation patterns. Furthermore the [M ? H]⁺ ion from 2a and [M ? CH₃]⁺ ion from 2b have different structures as well as the [M ? H]⁺ ion from 2b and [M ? CH₃]⁺ ion from 2c, as shown by their CID spectra. This can be utilized to explain why 3a–3c and 2a give principally a thiiranyl cation, whereas 2b gives a mixture of this and the thioacyl cation and 2c practically only the open-chain thioacetyl cation.     

Neuroprotective Activities of Boophone haemanthoides (Amaryllidaceae) Extract and Its Chemical Constituents

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that progresses as age increases, and some of its major symptoms include tremor and postural and movement-related difficulties. To date, the treatment of PD remains a challenge because available drugs only treat the symptoms of the disease or possess serious side effects. In light of this, new treatment options are needed; hence, this study investigates the neuroprotective effects of an organic Boophone haemanthoides extract (BHE) and its bioactive compounds using an in vitro model of PD involving the toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. A total of seven compounds were isolated from BHE, viz distichamine (1), 1α,3α-diacetylnerbowdine (2), hippadine (3), stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione (4), cholest-4-en-3-one (5), tyrosol (6), and 3-hydroxy-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propanone (7). Six compounds (1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7) were investigated, and five showed neuroprotection alongside the BHE. This study gives insight into the bioactivity of the non-alkaloidal constituents of Amaryllidaceae, since the isolated compounds and the BHE showed improved cell viability, increased ATP generation in the cells as well as inhibition of MPP⁺-induced apoptosis. Together, these findings support the claim that the Amaryllidaceae plant family could be a potential reserve of bioactive compounds for the discovery of neuroprotective agents.