Total Synthesis of Rapamycin

Rapamycin (1) is a macrocyclic natural product, established as a potent immunosuppressant and currently of interest to the scientific community as the framework for a series of novel anticancer drugs. Extensive studies have culminated in a new convergent total synthesis of 1 , which features a number of group‐derived methodologies and an unusual catechol‐templating strategy for the construction of the challenging macrocyclic core.

     

Laterally-extended porphyrin systems incorporating a switchable unit

p-Quinone units incorporated into the central portion of rigid pi-systems linking either two porphyrin macrocycles or a porphyrin and a phenanthroline group have the potential to function as a chemically and electrochemically controllable switch, thus acting as a means of modulating electronic communication between the two end groups.     

A cytotoxic triketone-phloroglucinol-bullatenone hybrid from Lophomyrtus bullata

Cytotoxic activity against the P388 cell line was seen in a crude extract of the New Zealand shrub Lophomyrtus bullata(Myrtaceae). Bioactivity-guided isolation led to a compound with NMR spectra complicated by the presence of two isomers. These crystallised together and an X-ray structure showed them to be stereoisomeric hybrids of triketone, phloroglucinol and bullatenone units. NMR measurements on the mixed isomers, as well as a cyclic ether produced from them by acid catalysed dehydration, were consistent with these structures. The natural products, named bullataketals A and B, have cytotoxic activity against the P388 cell line (IC(50) 1 microg ml(-1)), and antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis.     

Musculoskeletal Patterns in Patients With Voice Disorders

This study correlated the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and physiotherapy input on 26 patients who presented with voice problems and were found by the ENT surgeon to have a degree of musculoskeletal issues. It also looked for patterns of musculoskeletal findings. Although all patients referred were found by the physiotherapist to have musculoskeletal abnormalities, the correlation proved to be excellent among the subgroup of performers, but only fair-to-good among the other voice professionals. Certain patterns of musculoskeletal abnormalities were frequently encountered, including a high held larynx, a shortening or contraction of the stylohyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscles, and a weak deep flexor mechanism. In this small group, most patients seemed to improve, although it must be noted that management was not limited to physiotherapy. In summary, physiotherapy input proved helpful in the evaluation and management of this group of patients presenting with voice problems.     

Modulation of macrophage immune responses by Echinacea

Echinacea preparations are widely used herbal medicines for the prevention and treatment of colds and minor infections. There is little evidence for the individual components in Echinacea that contribute to immune regulatory activity. Activity of an ethanolic Echinacea extract and several constituents, including cichoric acid, have been examined using three in vitro measures of macrophage immune function - NF-kappaB, TNF- alpha and nitric oxide (NO). In cultured macrophages, all components except the monoene alkylamide (AA1) decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated NF-kappaB levels. 0.2 microg/ml cichoric acid and 2.0 microg/mL Echinacea Premium Liquid (EPL) and EPL alkylamide fraction (EPL AA) were found to significantly decrease TNF-alpha production under LPS stimulated conditions in macrophages. In macrophages, only the alkylamide mixture isolated from the ethanolic Echinacea extract decreased LPS stimulated NO production. In this study, the mixture of alkylamides in the Echinacea ethanolic liquid extract did not respond in the same manner in the assays as the individual alkylamides investigated. While cichoric acid has been shown to affect NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and NO levels, it is unlikely to be relevant in the Echinacea alterations of the immune response in vivo due to its non- bioavailability - i.e. no demonstrated absorption across the intestinal barrier and no detectable levels in plasma. These results demonstrate that Echinacea is an effective modulator of macrophage immune responses in vitro.     

Structural and EPR characterisation of single electron and alkyl transfer products from reaction of dimethyl magnesium with bulky alpha-diimine ligands

Treatment of dimethylmagnesium with bulky alpha-diimine ligands provides either the biradical methyl-bridged complexes [(alpha-diimine-.)Mg+(mu-CH3)]2 via single electron transfer (SET), or the product of methyl transfer to an imine carbon atom depending upon conditions.     

Studies toward the synthesis of luminacin D: assembly of simplified analogues devoid of the epoxide displaying antiangiogenic activity

[reaction: see text] A series of structurally simplified luminacin analogues devoid of the epoxide ring are assembled in a stereocontrolled manner from 2,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde using a syn-selective aldol reaction as the key step. The success of the approach is critically dependent on the nature and extent of the alcohol protecting groups. The synthetic analogues inhibit VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis in an in vitro assay indicating that the epoxide is not essential for biological activity in this compound class.     

Ab initio calculation of optical rotation in (P)-(+)-[4]triangulane

Optical rotation, the angle through which plane-polarized light rotates when passed through an enantiomerically pure medium, plays a vital role in the determination of the absolute configurations of chiral molecules such as natural products. We describe new quantum mechanical methodology designed to assist in this endeavor by providing high-accuracy computational optical rotatory dispersion data for matching to experimental results. Comparison between theory and experiment for the rigid, helical molecule trispiro[2.0.0.2.1.1]nonane [also known as (P)-(+)-[4]triangulane], recently synthesized with enantiomeric purity, shows that the coupled cluster quantum chemical model provides superb agreement for optical rotation across a wide range of wavelengths (589-365 nm), with errors averaging only 1%.     

Drug-induced modifications of the immune response part 94-(Arylamino)-2,5-dihydro-2-oxo-N-(trans-2-phenylcycolopropyl)furan-3-carboxamides as Novel Antiallergic Compounds

The synthesis and antiallergic activity of a series of 4-(arylamino)-2,5-dihydro-2-oxo-N-(trans-2-phenyl-cyclopropyl)furan-3-carboxamides 10 are described. Treatment of N-substituted 2-amino-4,5-dihydro-4-oxofuran-3-carboxylic acids 9 with chlorooxobis(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl)phosphorus ( 2 ) and an appropriate aromatic amine in the presence of Et₃N, resulted in a novel 3(2H)-furanone-→2(5H)-furanone rearrangement that led to the facile preparation of the new amides 10 . The latter exerted a potent antiallergic activity when tested in the dermal vascular permeability and active anaphylaxis assays in rats. The most active compound 10b inhibited the action of serotonin, histamine, and bradykinin by 94, 92, and 100%, respectively, when administered intraperitoneally to rats at doses of 100 mg/kg. The present series of 10 represents a novel class of antiallergic agents.