Anti-α-Glucosidase and Antiglycation Activities of α-Mangostin and New Xanthenone Derivatives: Enzymatic Kinetics and Mechanistic Insights through In Vitro Studies

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia that promotes ROS formation, causing severe oxidative stress. Furthermore, prolonged hyperglycemia leads to glycation reactions with formation of AGEs that contribute to a chronic inflammatory state. This research aims to evaluate the inhibitory activity of α-mangostin and four synthetic xanthenone derivatives against glycation and oxidative processes and on α-glucosidase, an intestinal hydrolase that catalyzes the cleavage of oligosaccharides into glucose molecules, promoting the postprandial glycemic peak. Antiglycation activity was evaluated using the BSA assay, while antioxidant capacity was detected with the ORAC assay. The inhibition of α-glucosidase activity was studied with multispectroscopic methods along with inhibitory kinetic analysis. α-Mangostin and synthetic compounds at 25 µM reduced the production of AGEs, whereas the α-glucosidase activity was inhibited only by the natural compound. α-Mangostin decreased enzymatic activity in a concentration-dependent manner in the micromolar range by a reversible mixed-type antagonism. Circular dichroism revealed a rearrangement of the secondary structure of α-glucosidase with an increase in the contents of α-helix and random coils and a decrease in β-sheet and β-turn components. The data highlighted the anti-α-glucosidase activity of α-mangostin together with its protective effects on protein glycation and oxidation damage.     

Using high pressure to prepare polymorphs of the Ba2Co(1-x)Zn(x)S3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) compounds

In this work, high pressure was used as a tool to induce structural transition and prepare metastable polymorphs of ternary sulfides. Structural transformations under high pressure of compounds belonging to the Ba(2)Co(1-x)Zn(x)S(3) (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) series were studied using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. All members of the Ba(2)Co(1-x)Zn(x)S(3) series show the Ba(2)CoS(3)-type one-dimensional structure, but, after heating under pressure, the Ba(2)CoS(3) compound (x = 0) separates into BaS and the two-dimensional BaCoS(2-δ) (δ ≈ 0), while Ba(2)Co(1-x)Zn(x)S(3) compounds with x ≥ 0.25 maintain their one-dimensional features but rearrange into polymorphs showing the Ba(2)MnS(3)-type structure. All structural transformations can be linked to shortening in interchain metal-metal distances caused by the high pressure, and the role of the zinc in preventing loss of one-dimensionality is discussed.     

Synthetic tripodal receptors for carbohydrates. Pyrrole, a hydrogen bonding partner for saccharidic hydroxyls

The carbohydrate recognition properties of synthetic tripodal receptors relying on H-bonding interactions have highlighted the crucial role played by the functional groups matching saccharidic hydroxyls. Herein, pyrrole and pyridine, which emerged as two of the most effective H-bonding groups, were quantitatively compared through their isostructural substitution within the architecture of a shape-persistent bicyclic cage receptor. NMR and ITC binding studies gave for the pyrrolic receptor a 20-fold larger affinity toward octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside in CDCl(3), demonstrating the superior recognition properties of pyrrole under conditions in which differences would depend on the intrinsic binding ability of the two groups. The three-dimensional structures of the two glucoside complexes in solution were elucidated by combined NMR and molecular mechanics computational techniques, showing that the origin of the stability difference between the two closely similar complex structures resides in the ability of pyrrole to establish shorter/stronger H-bonds with the glucosidic ligand compared to pyridine.     

Quantitative determination of small selenium species in human serum by HPLC/ICPMS following a protein-removal, pre-concentration procedure

Protein precipitation was incorporated into a sample preparation method for the quantitative determination of small "non-protein" selenium species in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC/ICPMS). The advantages of cleaner matrix and concomitant concentration of the small compounds result in quantification limits in the native serum at the sub-micrograms Se per litre level. Spiking experiments with methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1-seleno-β-D-galactopyranoside (selenosugar 1), trimethylselenonium ion, selenomethionine, methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) and selenate yielded recoveries from 73% to 103%. Selenite had a low recovery (44%), possibly owing to protein binding. The validated method was applied to serum samples from two volunteers before and after ingestion of a selenium food supplement. HPLC/ICPMS analysis showed, besides ingested selenate, the presence of selenosugar 1 and trace amounts of MeSeCys and methyl 2-amino-2-deoxy-1-seleno-β-D-galactopyranoside, which have not been reported in human serum before.     

Speciation of organic-soluble europium(III) α1-Wells-Dawson complexes

In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the speciation of the Eu(III) complex of the lacunary Wells-Dawson isomer, α1-[P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-) in organic media. The Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate, α1-[P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-) (abbreviated as α1) forms well-defined complexes with europium(III) (and other lanthanide(III)) ions in aqueous solution of predominantly 1 : 1 stoichiometries. The 8-coordinate Eu(III) ion is bound to 4 basic terminal oxygens (O(α1)) and four water molecules (O(H(2)O)) that complete the coordination sphere. Tetra-n-butylammonium (TBA) cations are employed to render the [(H(2)O)(4)Eu(α1-P(2)W(17)O(61))](7-) (Eu-α1) complex soluble in acetonitrile. Europium(III) provides the unique opportunity to employ luminescence spectroscopy and multinuclear NMR to probe the coordination environment. We interrogate the innermost coordination sphere of the Eu(III) ion in acetonitrile solution and in MeCN/H(2)O mixtures. We provide evidence toward the fractional displacement and coordination of acetonitrile within the TBA salts, that is consistent with recent EXAFS data. (31)P NMR and Stern-Volmer quenching studies suggest that dimerization to the 2 : 2 species is negligible in acetonitrile and MeCN-H(2)O mixtures. The decreasing transition energy in the excitation spectroscopy of the TBA-Eu-α1 analog upon dilution is consistent with a nephelauxetic effect, which is attributed to a slight increase in covalency upon replacement of water with acetonitrile. Determination of the number of bound waters (q) is also consistent with acetonitrile-water exchange. The reactivity of the 1 : 1 TBA-Eu-α1 with heterocyclic aromatic amines (1,10-phenanthroline, phen, and 2,2' bipyridine, bipy) in MeCN was probed by titrations monitoring the Eu(III) emission upon sensitization by the "antenna ligands". Binding constants for the products 1 : 1 TBA(x-y)H(y)[(Phen)(H(2)O)(2)Eu(α1-P(2)W(17)O(61))] and 1 : 2 TBA(x-y)H(y)[(Phen)(2)Eu(α1-P(2)W(17)O(61))] (denoted 1 : 1 TBA-Eu-α1:phen and 1 : 2 TBA-Eu-α1:phen, respectively), were determined: logK(1): 7.05 ± 0.04 and logK(2): 4.63 ± 0.10. These are reasonably strong formation constants for Ln phenanthroline complexes. In comparison the bipyridine complexes are much weaker. Excitation spectroscopy reveals that the coordination environment about the Eu(III) center is consistent with the ternary 1 : 1 TBA-Ln-α1:phen or 1 : 2 TBA-Ln-α1:phen complexes. Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy shows significant chemical shift changes at 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 stoichiometries and the chemical shift of bound water tracks with the titration to validate expulsion of the H(2)O upon coordination of phenanthroline.     

An Investigation of the Enhanced Fatigue Performance of Low-porosity Auxetic Metamaterials

Experimental Mechanics - An experimental and numerical investigation of fatigue life and crack propagation in two-dimensional perforated aluminum structures is presented. Specifically, the...     

Photoreduction of 99Tc pertechnetate by nanometer-sized metal oxides: new strategies for formation and sequestration of low-valent technetium

Technetium-99 ((99)Tc) (β(-)(max): 293.7 keV; t(1/2): 2.1 × 10(5) years) is a byproduct of uranium-235 fission and comprises a large component of radioactive waste. Under aerobic conditions and in a neutral-basic environment, the pertechnetate anion ((99)TcO(4)(-)) is stable. (99)TcO(4)(-) is very soluble, migrates easily through the environment and does not sorb well onto mineral surfaces, soils, or sediments. This study moves forward a new strategy for the reduction of (99)TcO(4)(-) and the chemical incorporation of the reduced (99)Tc into a metal oxide material. This strategy employs a single material, a polyoxometalate (POM), α(2)-[P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-), that can be photoactivated in the presence of 2-propanol to transfer electrons to (99)TcO(4)(-) and incorporate the reduced (99)Tc covalently into the α(2)-framework to form the (99)Tc(V)O species, (99)Tc(V)O(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-). This occurs via the formation of an intermediate species that slowly converts to (99)Tc(V)O(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-). Extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy analysis suggests that the intermediate consists of a (99)Tc(IV) α(2)- species where the (99)Tc is likely bound to two of the four W-O oxygen atoms in the α(2)-[P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-) defect. This intermediate then oxidizes and converts to the (99)Tc(V)O(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-) product. The reduction and incorporation of (99)TcO(4)(-) was accomplished in a "one pot" reaction using both sunlight and UV irradiation and monitored as a function of time using multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance and radio thin-layer chromatography. The process was further probed by the "step-wise" generation of reduced α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61)(12-) through bulk electrolysis followed by the addition of (99)TcO(4)(-). The reduction and incorporation of ReO(4)(-), as a nonradioactive surrogate for (99)Tc, does not proceed through the intermediate species, and Re(V)O is incorporated quickly into the α(2)-[P(2)W(17)O(61)](10-) defect. These observations are consistent with the periodic trends of (99)Tc and Re. Specifically, (99)Tc is more easily reduced compared to Re. In addition to serving as models for metal oxides, POMs may also provide a suitable platform to study the molecular level dynamics and the mechanisms of the reduction and incorporation of (99)Tc into a material.     

Synthesis, structure elucidation, and redox properties of 99Tc complexes of lacunary Wells-Dawson polyoxometalates: insights into molecular 99Tc-metal oxide interactions

The isotope (99)Tc (β(max), 293.7; half-life, 2.1 × 10(5) years) is an abundant product of uranium-235 fission in nuclear reactors and is present throughout the radioactive waste stored in underground tanks at the Hanford and Savannah River sites. Understanding and controlling the extensive redox chemistry of (99)Tc is important in identifying tunable strategies to separate (99)Tc from spent fuel and from waste tanks and, once separated, to identify and develop an appropriately stable waste form for (99)Tc. Polyoxometalates (POMs), nanometer-sized models for metal oxide solid-state materials, are used in this study to provide a molecular level understanding of the speciation and redox chemistry of incorporated (99)Tc. In this study, (99)Tc complexes of the (α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(10-) and (α(1)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(10-) isomers were prepared. Ethylene glycol was used as a "transfer ligand" to minimize the formation of TcO(2)·xH(2)O. The solution structures, formulations, and purity of Tc(V)O(α(1)/α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-) were determined by multinuclear NMR. X-ray absorption spectroscopy of the complexes is in agreement with the formulation and structures determined from (31)P and (183)W NMR. Preliminary electrochemistry results are consistent with the EXAFS results, showing a facile reduction of the Tc(V)O(α(1)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-) species compared to the Tc(V)O(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(7-) analog. The α(1) defect is unique in that a basic oxygen atom is positioned toward the α(1) site, and the Tc(V)O center appears to form a dative metal-metal bond with a framework W site. These attributes may lead to the assistance of protonation events that facilitate reduction. Electrochemistry comparison shows that the Re(V) analogs are about 200 mV more difficult to reduce in accordance with periodic trends.     

Screening of methylenedioxyamphetamine‐ and piperazine‐derived designer drugs in urine by LC–MS/MS using neutral loss and precursor ion scan

This study describes a method for the screening of methylenedioxyamphetamine‐ and piperazine‐derived compounds in urine by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. These substances, characterized by possessing common moieties, are screened using precursor ion and neutral loss scan mode and then quantified in multiple reaction monitoring acquisition mode. Based on the product‐ion spectra of different known molecules, chosen as ‘model’, characteristic neutral losses and product ions were selected: piperazines were detected in precursor ion scan of m/z 44 and neutral loss of 43 and 86 while amphetamines in precursor ion scan of m/z 133, 135 and 163. The applicability of the screening approach was studied in blank urine spiked with selected analytes and processed by solid‐phase extraction. Linearity, matrix effect, precision, accuracy, limits of detection and limits of quantification were evaluated both for the screening and the quantification methods. The ability of the screening method to provide semi‐quantitative data was demonstrated. This method appears to be a useful tool for the identification of designer drugs derived from piperazines or methylenedioxyamphetamines and can be potentially applied to other drug classes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.