Biofabrication of iron oxide nanoparticles by leaf extract of Rhamnus virgata: Characterization and evaluation of cytotoxic,antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials

In the present study, plant‐mediated synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using leaves extract of Rhamnus virgata (Roxb.) as a potential stabilizing, reducing and chelating agent is reported. The biogenic IONPs are extensively characterized for their physical and biological properties. The morphology, structure and physicochemical properties of biogenic IONPs were characterized using ultraviolet spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform‐infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The Scherrer equation deduced a mean crystallite size of ~20 nm for IONPs. Detailed in vitro biological activities revealed significant therapeutic potentials for IONPs. Potential antibacterial and antifungal activities are reported for IONPs. Bioinspired IONPs have shown potential results against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀: 13.47 μg/ml). Dose‐dependent cytotoxicity assays were revealed against Leishmania tropica (KMH₂₃) promastigotes (IC₅₀: 8.08 μg/ml) and amastigotes (IC₅₀: 20.82 μg/ml) using different concentrations of IONPs (1–200 μg/ml). The cytotoxic activity was also studied using brine shrimps, and their IC₅₀ value was calculated as 32.41 μg/ml. Significant antioxidant [TAC (51.4%), DPPH (79.4%) and total reducing power (62%)], protein kinase and alpha amylase inhibition assays were revealed. The biocompatibility assays using red blood cells (> 200 μg/ml) and macrophages (> 200 μg/ml) confirmed the biosafe nature of IONPs. In conclusion, bioinspired IONPs have shown potential biological applications and should be subjected to further research work to develop their nano‐pharmacological relevance in biomedical applications.     

A New Isoflavanol from the Fruits of Kotschya strigosa (Fabaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract from fruits of Kotschya strigosa using repeated normal and reversed‐phase column chromatography and Sephadex LH‐20 chromatography led to the isolation and characterization of a new isoflavanol, named kotstrigoisoflavanol ( 1 ), together with three known compounds, diosmetin ( 2 ), β‐sitosterol ( 3 ), and the 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside of β‐sitosterol ( 4 ). The antioxidant activity of crude extract, 1, and 2 was determined using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH˙) method. The crude extract (IC₅₀ 61.7 ± 0.2 μg/ml) and 2 (IC₅₀ 70.2 ± 0.1 μg/ml) showed moderate antioxidant activities, while 1 was weakly active (IC₅₀ 153.1 ± 0.1 μg/ml), as compared with the standard reference l ‐ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ 21.9 ± 0.0 μg/ml).     

Seco‐Tremulanes from Cultures of the Basidiomycete Flavodon flavus BCC 17421

A new seco‐tremulane, 11,12‐epoxy‐5,6‐secotremula‐1,6(13)‐dien‐5,12‐olide ( 1 ), was isolated together with the known compounds, conocenolides A ( 2 ) and B ( 3 ), tremulenediol A ( 4 ), tremulenolide A ( 5 ), and two lanostane triterpenoids, trametenolic acid B ( 6 ), and pinicolic acid A ( 7 ), from cultures of the basidiomycete Flavodon flavus BCC 17421. Interconversion of conocenolides A/B was demonstrated. Compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activities, whereas tremulenediol A showed antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ 8.6 μg/ml). Pinicolic acid A exhibited activity against herpes simplex virus type‐1 (IC₅₀ 15 μg/ml) as well as cytotoxic activities.     

Physiochemical properties and novel biological applications of Callistemon viminalis‐mediated α‐Cr2O3 nanoparticles

We report an eco‐friendly synthesis of α‐Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) using Callistemon viminalis (Bottle Brush) flower extracts as an efficient reducing and capping agent. NPs of sizes 15 nm and 17 nm were synthesized by annealing them at 400°C and 500°C, respectively, which were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, UV–Vis, Fourier transform‐infrared, high‐resolution‐transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, SAED, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and SQUID. Microplate‐based assay was used for examining antibacterial potential against 12 pathogenic bacterial strains, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated. MTT cytotoxic assay was accomplished on Leishmania tropica amastigotes and promastigotes, which revealed IC₅₀ values of 44 μg/ml and 10.56 μg/ml, respectively. An IC₅₀ value of 46.32 μg/ml was obtained for HepG2 cancer cells. Enzyme inhibition studies indicated good acetylcholinesterase, moderate butyrylcholinesterase and low alpha‐glucosidase inhibition. Hemolytic assay indicated hemocompatibility at low concentration. In addition, good DPPH radical scavenging and moderate reducing power and total antioxidant potential was revealed by α‐Cr₂O₃ NPs.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis and Antituberculosis Screening of Some 4‐((3‐(Trifluoromethyl)‐5,6‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrazin‐7(8H)‐l)methyl)benzenamine Hybrids

In the present investigation, a series of 4‐((3‐(trifluoromethyl)‐5,6‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrazin‐7(8H)‐yl)methyl)benzenamine analogs 6a–o were synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C), and mass spectra. All newly synthesized compounds 6a–o were prepared under conventional and microwave irradiation methods. These compounds obtained in higher yields and in shorter reaction times in the microwave irradiation method when compared with the conventional method. Synthesized compounds 6a–o were inspected for their in vitro antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Ra using an established XTT reduction menadione assay. Among the screened compounds, 6i (IC₅₀: 1.82 μg/mL), 6j (IC₅₀: 1.02 μg/mL), and 6k (IC₅₀: 1.59 μg/mL) showed excellent activity. Furthermore, compound 6i showed MIC₉₀ value of 16.02 μg/mL. In summary, the results indicate the identification of some novel, selective, and specific inhibitors against M. tuberculosis that can be explored further for the potential antitubercular drug.     

Synthesis,Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Activities of a New Series of Thieno[2,3‐d] Pyrimidine Derivatives

A new series from thieno[2,3‐d] pyrimidine derivatives have been synthesized based on 2‐(ethylmercapto)‐4‐mercapto‐6‐phenyl‐5‐pyrimidine carbonitrile, these compounds used in the synthesis of many pyrimidothienopyrimidine derivatives and triazolo[1″,5″:1″,6″]pyrimido[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐d] pyrimidine derivatives. The chemical composition of these compounds was confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and MS techniques. Some of the synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial and anticancer agent. Compound ( 9b ) showed strong effect on Aspergillus Fumigatus (RCMB 2568), Candida albicans (RCMB 05036), Saphylococcus aureus (RCMB 010010), Bacillis subtilis (RCMB 010067), Salmonella sp. (RCMB 010043), and Escherichia coli (RCMB 010052). Compounds ( 2 ) and ( 5a – k ) were evaluated for their IC₅₀ values against two cancer cell lines (MCF‐7 and HeLa cells) in the presence of Paclitaxel as reference material. Compound ( 5g ) showed the highest cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 (IC₅₀ values about 18.87 ± 0.2 μg/mL) cells compared with Paclitaxel (IC₅₀ values about 40.37 ± 1.7 μg/mL). Also, compound ( 5d ) showed the highest cytotoxicity against HeLa (IC₅₀ values about 40.74 ± 1.7 μg/mL) cells compared with Paclitaxel (IC₅₀ values about 45.78 ± 0.8 μg/mL).     

Inhibition of Pro-inflammatory Secreted Phospholipase A2 by Extracts from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cynara cardunculus L</Emphasis>.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae) during its growth using various solvents such as n-hexane, dichloromethane, acetone, and methanol for air-dried leaves and stems. The anti-inflammatory activities of crude extracts were evaluated by measuring the inhibition potency of mammalian non-pancreatic phospholipases A2 (hG-IIA). The methanol and acetone extracts of leaves harvested in February exhibit potent inhibition of hG-IIA (IC₅₀ = 50 and 70 μg/ml, respectively). However, the acetone extract of stems harvested in December inhibits the hG-IIA with a lower IC₅₀ around 130 μg/ml. Fractionation on silica gel and hydrophobic gel of the methanol extract of leaves harvested in February increases the inhibitory effect, and the IC₅₀ reached 10 μg/ml.     

Green Synthesis of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles from Berberis balochistanica Stem for Investigating Bioactivities

Green synthesis of nanomaterials is advancing due to its ease of synthesis, inexpensiveness, nontoxicity and renewability. In the present study, an eco-friendly biogenic method was developed for the green synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) using phytochemically rich Berberis balochistanica stem (BBS) extract. The BBS extract was rich in phenolics, flavonoids and berberine. These phytochemicals successfully reduced and stabilised the NiNO₃ (green) into NiONPs (greenish-gray). BBS-NiONPs were confirmed by using UV-visible spectroscopy (peak at 305 nm), X-ray diffraction (size of 31.44 nm), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (identified -OH group and Ni-O formation), energy dispersive spectroscopy (showed specified elemental nature) and scanning electron microscopy (showed rhombohedral agglomerated shape). BBS-NiONPs were exposed to multiple in vitro bioactivities to ascertain their beneficial biological applications. They exhibited strong antioxidant activities: total antioxidant capacity (64.77%) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (71.48%); and cytotoxic potential: Brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay with IC₅₀ (10.40 µg/mL). BBS-NiONPs restricted the bacterial and fungal pathogenic growths at 1000, 500 and 100 µg/mL. Additionally, BBS-NiONPs showed stimulatory efficacy by enhancing seed germination rate and seedling growth at 31.25 and 62.5 µg/mL. In aggregate, BBS extract has a potent antioxidant activity which makes the green biosynthesis of NiONPs easy, economical and safe. The biochemical potential of BBS-NiONPs can be useful in various biomedical and agricultural fields.     

Evaluation of newly synthesized derivatives of bis(hydrazine‐1‐carbothioamide) and their metal complexes synthesized in bulk and nano size as potent anticancer agents

A series of new metal complexes were synthesized in both bulk and nano size using green methods, starting with the reaction of (E)‐N′‐[(E)‐2‐bromobenzylidene]‐4‐oxo‐4‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)but‐2‐enehydrazide with thiosemicarbazide and different metal halides such as CuI·2H₂O, CuCl₂·2H₂O, CoCl₂·2H₂O, and ZnCl₂·2H₂O, and metal nitrate such as Ga(NO₃)₃·2H₂O. Structures of these metal complexes were confirmed using different spectroscopic methods, elemental analysis, electronic spectra, and microanalytical methods (scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy) for nano complexes. The distorted octahedral geometry for all complexes was suggested based on magnetic moments and electronic spectral studies. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds was investigated against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and human colorectal carcinoma (HCT‐116) cell lines. Most tested compounds had higher inhibitory activity than the standard vinblastine drug. Interestingly, the nano‐sized Ga(III) complex 11 was the most potent compound against the two tested cell lines, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 2.56 μg/mL for HepG2, compared with the reference drug vinblastine (IC₅₀ 15.6 μg/mL), and IC₅₀ 4.64 μg/mL for HCT‐116, compared with the standard (IC₅₀ 13.9 μg/mL). The bioassay results helped us identify new potent and selective anticancer agents.     

Synthesis and Ameliorative Effect of Isatin–Mesalamine Conjugates on Acetic Acid‐induced Colitis in Rats

A series of new isatin–mesalamine conjugates ( 9a – g ) were synthesized via conjugation of isatin ( 3a ) and its derivatives ( 3b – 3d , 4 , 5 , and 6 ) with mesalamine ( 7 ) by using chloroacetyl chloride as a bifunctional linker. Compounds 3a – 3d were prepared by employing Sandmeyer reaction. Compounds 4 , 5 , and 6 were obtained from isatin ( 3a ) via previously reported methods. The synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, mass, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectral techniques. Synthesized compounds ( 3a – d , 4 , 5 , 6 , and 9a – g ) were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH assay method using ascorbic acid as standard. Hybrids 9b (IC₅₀ = 368.6 ± 3.5 μM) and 9f (IC₅₀ = 335.1 ± 2.9 μM) showed better antioxidant activity than its parent compounds such as 3a (IC₅₀ = 556.8 ± 2.9 μM), 5 (IC₅₀ = 511.9 ± 3.6 μM), and 7 (IC₅₀ = 768.9 ± 2.7 μM). Acetic acid‐induced ulcerative colitis in rat model was chosen to examine the antioxidant potential of the synthesized hybrids ( 9b and 9f ) in the amelioration of ulcerative colitis. Colonic myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde enzymes were used as biomarkers of anti‐ulcerative colitis activity. In the present study, hybrids 9b and 9f reduced the levels of colonic myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde enzymes significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with control (colitic), at a dose (0.03 mM/12.5 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) (50%) less than that of its parent moieties mesalamine (0.16 mM/25 mg/kg) and isatin (0.16 mM/25 mg/kg). Thus, the molecular hybridization was proved to be significant in enhancing the activity of hybrids 9b and 9f by reducing the dose.     

Design,Synthesis, and in vitro Anti‐mycobacterial Evaluation of Propylene‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐methylene‐tethered (Thio)semicarbazone‐isatin‐moxifloxacin Hybrids

A new class of propylene‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐methylene‐tethered (thio)semicarbazone‐isatin‐moxifloxacin hybrids 6a – h was designed, synthesized, and screened for their in vitro anti‐mycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H₃₇Rv and MDR‐TB as well as cytotoxicity in VERO cell line. All the synthesized hybrids (MIC: 0.05–2.0 μg/mL) exhibited excellent activities against M. tuberculosis H₃₇Rv and MDR‐TB; in particular, conjugate 6c (MIC: 0.05 and 0.12 μg/mL) was no inferior to the three references MXFX (MIC: 0.10 and 0.12 μg/mL), RIF (MIC: 0.39 and 32 μg/mL), and INH (MIC: 0.05 and >128 μg/mL) against the tested two strains. All hybrids (CC₅₀: 2–8 μg/mL) were much more cytotoxic than the parent MXFX (CC₅₀: 128 μg/mL) should be further optimized.     

Synthesis of Substituted Quinolinyl Ether‐based Inhibitors of PI3K as Potential Anticancer Agents

A new strategy for the preparation of 8‐quinolyl ethers 3 ( a – g ), 5 ( a – g ), and 7 ( a – d ) was studied by copper (II)‐catalyzed methodology in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ and acetone–water mixture (1:1). Screening of quinolinyl‐8‐ethers was investigated against anticancer expressive studies to validate new chemical entity in medicinal chemistry. Approaches were evaluated against breast cancer (MCF‐7), skin cancer (G‐361), and colon cancer (HCT 116) cell lines. Inhibitory potentials against phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K) enzyme responsible for cancer development have been evaluated by competitive ELISA studies. In PI3K assay, 3a – c were inactive (IC₅₀ > 5 μM), while 3e – g , 5a , 5c – e , 5g , 7a , and 7d showed a moderate activity (IC₅₀ ≥ 0.05 μM). Compounds ( 5b , 5f , 7b , and 7c ) showed significant activity (IC₅₀ < 1.0 μM); thus, their anticancer activities were carried out. Anticancer activity was found to be selective towards breast cancer (MCF‐7); 5b , 5f , 7b , and 7c showed predominant relative percentage activities of 74.12%, 79.04%, 72.56%, and 78.47%, with IC₅₀ values of 5b (2.27 ± 0.88 μM), 5f (1.38 ± 0.60 μM), 7b (2.64 ± 0.86 μM), and 7c (1.87 ± 0.68 μM) compared with the standard doxorubicin 73.14% inhibition (IC₅₀ = 1.98 ± 0.75 μM). Docking study also conducted to find out the binding interactions with p110α (PDB ID: 3T8M) enzyme. Compounds 5b , 5f , 7b , and 7c showed best docking score into the active site of PI3K 12.59, 10.51, 56.52, and 8.61 nM. Structure–activity relationship studies demonstrated that the synthesized compounds are the potential PI3K inhibitors to treat various cancer‐related diseases.     

Synthesis of Novel 1,2,4‐Triazole‐3‐thione Derivatives as Influenza Neuraminidase Inhibitors

A series of 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione derivatives ( 6a – 6t ) were synthesized and evaluated against influenza viruses (H1N1) neuraminidase (NA) in vitro. Eighteen compounds exhibited inhibitory potency with IC₅₀ values ranging from 14.68 ± 0.49 to 39.85 ± 4.23 μg/mL. Among them, compounds 6e and 6h showed significant inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 14.97 ± 0.70 and 14.68 ± 0.49 μg/mL, respectively. Structure activity relationships were established. Molecular docking studies were performed to understand the binding interaction between active compounds and NA.     

Ciprofloxacin‐isatin‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole Hybrids: Design,Synthesis, and in vitro Anti‐tubercular Activity against M. tuberculosis

A new set of ciprofloxacin (CPFX)‐isatin‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole hybrids 6a – l with greater lipophilicity compared with the parent CPFX was designed, synthesized, and assessed for their in vitro anti‐mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H₃₇Rv as well as cytotoxicity in VERO cell line. The preliminary results showed that all hybrids (MIC: 0.39–50 μg/mL) exhibited promising activities against MTB H₃₇Rv, and six of them (MIC: 0.39–1.56 μg/mL) were more active than the parent CPFX (MIC: 3.12 μg/mL). In particular, the most active conjugate 6h (MIC: 0.39 μg/mL) was comparable with RIF (MIC: 0.39 μg/mL), and eight times more potent than CPFX. All conjugates (CC₅₀: 4–64 μg/mL) were more toxic than the parent (CC₅₀: 128 μg/mL) in VERO cell lines, and the most active hybrids, which also displayed the highest cytotoxicity, should be further optimized.     

Large‐scale separation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Zanthoxylum nitidum by pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography target‐guided by ultrafiltration high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometry screening

A new strategy by converging ultrafiltration high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometry and pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography was developed for the rapid screening and separation of potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from the crude alkaloidals extract of Zanthoxylum nitidum. An optimized two‐phase solvent system composed of chloroform/methanol/water (4:3:3, v/v) was used in this study. And, in the optimal solvent system, 45 mM hydrochloric acid was added to the aqueous stationary phase as the retainer, while 5 mM triethylamine was added to the organic mobile phase as the eluter. As a result, with the purity of over 95%, five alkaloids including jatrorrhizine ( 1 , 340 mg), columbamine ( 2 , 112 mg), skimmianine ( 3 , 154 mg), palmatine ( 4 , 226 mg), and epiberberine ( 5 , 132 mg) were successfully purified in one step from 3.0 g crude alkaloidals extract. And their structures were identified by ultraviolet, mass spectrometry, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Notably, compounds 2 , 4 and 5 were firstly reported in Z. nitidum. In addition, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of compounds 1–5 were evaluated, and compounds 3, 4 and 5 exhibited stronger acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ values at 8.52 ± 0.64, 14.82 ± 1.21 and 3.12 ± 0.32 μg/mL, respectively) than berberine (IC₅₀ value at 32.86 ± 2.14 μg/mL, positive control). The results indicated that the proposed method is an efficient technique to rapidly screen acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from complex samples, and could be served as a large‐scale preparative technique for separating ionizable active compounds.     

Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles by Allium cepa L. to produce silver nano‐coated fabric and their antimicrobial evaluation

This research work was proposed to study the antimicrobial activity of the silver nanocoated fabric with the purpose of producing good dressing and clothing material. We synthesized simple, ecofriendly, cost‐effective and sustainable silver nanoparticles by using the aqueous extract of Allium cepa L. Here, A. cepa L. acts as a good reducing and capping agent that produced stable silver nanoparticles having particle size of range 36 ± 1 to 98 ± 2 nm, Poly dispersiblity index 0.234 ± 0.61 to 1.023 ± 0.33 and Zeta potential ‐12 ± 1.5 mV to ‐26 ± 1.2 mV. The effect of temperature and extract volume used was considered for optimization of synthetic procedure. The nanocoated fabric was characterized for morphological study, size (using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and zeta‐potential (Zeta Potentiometer). The presence of functional groups were observed by using attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The crystallinity and structural property of the synthesized silver nanoparticles were studied in terms of Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD). An IC₅₀ value and zone of inhibition was studied which demonstrate that the silver nanocoated fabric have an excellent antibacterial property against Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Further nanocoated fabric material was washed (with function of time 0, 10, 25, and 50 laundry cycles) and still retained their anti‐bacterial activity towards both strain. Initially there was 52 μg/ml of silver nanoparticles on the cotton fabric but after 50 laundry cycle in 500 ml of distilled water the fabric showed 92% efficiency against gram positive and 90% efficacy toward gram negative bacteria. It was found that 4.16 μg/ml nano particles leached in case of S. Aureus and 5.2 μg/mL silver nanoparticles leached in case of E. coli. Nanocoated fabric material synthesized using green synthesis was found to be economical with good resistance to washing.     

Synthesis of novel 2,3‐disubstituted quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives containing hydrazone skeleton as potent urease inhibitors and their antimicrobial activities

A new series of quinazolinones containing hydrazone moiety were synthesized, and their inhibitory activities on urease were assessed in vitro. Most of the compounds exhibited potent urease inhibitory activity. Among the synthesized compounds, molecule 4a bearing furan ring has the best inhibitory effect against urease with IC₅₀ = 2.90 ± 0.11 μg/mL. Compounds 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , and 4j have hydroxy group on phenyl ring. Compound 4i is the most active inhibitor among these compounds with IC₅₀ = 5.01 ± 0.10 μg/mL, which has 3‐Cl and 4‐Br on phenyl ring. Also, newly synthesized compounds had been tested for their antimicrobial effects against three of Gram‐positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus 702 Roma, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615) and three of Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 13315, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). Antimicrobial activity results show that compounds 4a , 4h , 4j , 4f , and 4l have the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 1000 μg/mL to all tested bacteria. The other compounds have the MIC value of >1000 μg/mL to all tested bacteria.     

Design,Synthesis, and Anticancer Activities of Benzofuran–Isatin Hybrids Tethered by Pentylene and Hexylene

Fourteen benzofuran–isatin hybrids 6a – f and 7a – h tethered via alkyl linker (pentylene and hexylene) were designed and synthesized, and hybrids 6c – f and 7a – h were screened for their in vitro anticancer activity against various human cancer cell lines. The majority of the hybrids were active against the tested cancer cells, and the most active hybrids 7g (half maximal inhibitory concentration/IC₅₀: 77.2–88.9 μM) and 7h (IC₅₀: 65.4–89.7 μM), which possessed broad spectrum anticancer activity were as potent as the reference vorinostat (IC₅₀: 64.2–>100 μM) against all tested cancer cell lines, could act as leads for further investigations. The structure–activity relationship is also discussed, and the enriched structure–activity relationship may afford useful information for further rational design of the candidates with higher activity.     

Ferrocene conjugated copper(II) complexes of terpyridine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) anticancer ligands showing selective toxicity towards cancer cells

Six novel mixed‐ligand copper(II) complexes, namely, [Cu(R‐tpy)(L)]NO₃ ( 1–6 ), where R‐tpy is 4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (Ph‐tpy; 1–3 ) and 4′‐ferrocenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (Fc‐tpy; 4–6 ), L is the bidentate O,O donor monoanion of plumbagin (5‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone; plum in 1 , 4 ), chrysin (5,7‐dihydroxyflavone; chry in 2 , 5 ) and curcumin (bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,6‐diene‐3,5‐dione; curc in 3 , 6 ) have been synthesized and characterized and their in vitro cytotoxicity against cancer cells is evaluated. The energy optimized structures and the frontier orbitals of the complexes have been obtained from the DFT calculations. Complexes 4–6 with a conjugated ferrocenyl moiety and TCM anticancer ligands, namely, plum (in 4 ), chry (in 5 ) and curc (in 6 ) showed potent cytotoxicity giving respective IC₅₀ values of 1.2 μM, 0.62 μM and 0.21 μM in HeLa and 2.0 μM and 1.0 μM and 0.34 μM in MCF‐7 cancer cells while being much less toxic to MCF‐10A normal cells (IC₅₀: 8.3‐17.1 μM). In contrast, complexes 1–3 with a conjugated phenyl moiety were appreciably less toxic to HeLa cells with respective IC₅₀ values of 10.4 μM, 8.1 μM and 5.5 μM when compared with their ferrocenyl analogues 4–6 . Mechanistic studies using Hoechst staining and Annexin‐V‐FITC assays on cancer cells revealed an apoptotic pathway of cell death induced by the complexes. Fluorescence imaging study showed that complex 6 having curcumin as ligand localized primarily in the mitochondria of HeLa cells. Thus, we demonstrate in this study that ferrocene conjugation to copper(II) complexes of TCM anticancer ligands significantly increases the selectivity and cytotoxicity of the resulting complexes towards cancer cells over normal cells.     

Polarity guided extraction,HPLC based phytochemical quantification,and multimode biological evaluation of Otostegia limbata (Benth.) Boiss

Purpose of studyOtostegia limbata (Benth.) Boiss. (Family: Lamiacae) is an important underexplored ethnomedicinal plant that has been used as antinflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial herbal remedy previously. The present work was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antileishmanial, and anticancer prospective of O. limbata stem and leaf extracts.ResultsThe highest amount of phenolic and flavonoid content was obtained in the methanol-acetone and methanol stem extracts i.e., 53.29 ± 1.33 and 28.64 ± 1.16, respectively with highest DPPH scavenging in MeH stem extract (IC₅₀ = 34.5 ± 1.34 μg/ml). Significant amount of catechin, gallic acid, apigenin and rutin was quantified. A moderate antibacterial and substantial antifungal activity was observed. Cytotoxicity against brine shrimps categorized 21% of stem (3 out of 14 extracts) and 57% (8 out of 14 extracts) of leaf extracts as potent. Substantial cytotoxicity against THP-1 cell line (IC₅₀ = 3.46 ± 0.25 μg/ml) and Leishmania (IC₅₀ = 1.50 ± 0.23 μg/ml) was exhibited by methanol-distilled water leaf extract while noteworthy antiproliferative activity against Hep-G2 (IC₅₀ = 0.44 ± 0.45 μg/ml) was manifested by n-hexane stem extract. Absence of hemolysis in normal RBCs signified plant’s selective cytotoxicity. Methanol-distilled water and chloroform stem extracts displayed prominent protein kinase inhibition and antidiabetic potential of plant.ConclusionThe results of present study recommend O. limbata as a potential source of antifungal, antileishmanial, anticancer, and α-amylase inhibitory agents.