Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 3-[(Naphthalen-2-yl)methyl]Isocoumarin

Abstract 3-[(Naphthalen-2-yl) methyl]isocoumarin was synthesized by the reaction of homophthalic acid with 2-(naphthalen-2-yl)acetyl chloride at elevated temperature and its crystal structure has been determined (C₂₀H₁₄O₂), Mr = 286.31, a = 13.704(3), b = 7.356(4), c = 7.042(7) ?, β = 99.21(3)°, space group Pc, Z = 2, and V = 700.7(8) ?³. The isocoumarin and the naphthalene ring systems are individually planar and the dihedral angle between the mean planes of these two ring systems is 70.05(8)°. Graphical Abstract Synthesis and crystal structure of 3-[(Naphthalen-2-yl)methyl]isocoumarin Aamer Saeed, Junmei Liang, Masood Parvez The synthesis and crystal structure of a novel isocoumarin, 3-[(naphthalen-2-yl)methyl]isocoumarin has been presented.      

Using HPLC–DAD and GC–MS Analysis Isolation and Identification of Anticandida Compounds from Gui Zhen Cao Herbs (Genus Bidens): An Important Chinese Medicinal Formulation

Gui Zhen Cao is an herbal formulation that has been documented in Chinese traditional medicine as a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, inflammation, and toxicity. The sources of this formulation (Bidens pilosa L., Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr. & Sherff, Bidens bipinnata L.) are also listed in ethnomedicinal reports all over the world. In this study, all these plants are tested for in vitro anticandida activity. A quantitative evaluation of the phytochemicals in all these plants indicated that their vegetative parts are rich in tannins, saponins, oxalates, cyanogenic glycoside and lipids; moreover, the roots have high percentages of alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols. The results indicated significant anticandida activity, especially for the hexane extract of B. bipinnata leaves which inhibited C. albicans (42.54%), C. glabrata (46.98%), C. tropicalis (50.89%), C. krusei (40.56%), and C. orthopsilosis (50.24%). The extract was subjected to silica gel chromatography and 220 fractions were obtained. Purification by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC–DAD) and Gas Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis led to the identification of two anticandida compounds: dehydroabietic and linoleic acid having an inhibition of 85 and 92%, respectively.     

Janerin Induces Cell Cycle Arrest at the G2/M Phase and Promotes Apoptosis Involving the MAPK Pathway in THP-1, Leukemic Cell Line

Janerin is a cytotoxic sesquiterpene lactone that has been isolated and characterized from different species of the Centaurea genus. In this study, janerin was isolated form Centaurothamnus maximus, and its cytotoxic molecular mechanism was studied in THP-1 human leukemic cells. Janerin inhibited the proliferation of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Janerin caused the cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase by decreasing the CDK1/Cyclin-B complex. Subsequently, we found that janerin promoted THP-1 cell death through apoptosis as indicated by flow cytometry. Moreover, apoptosis induction was confirmed by the upregulation of Bax, cleaved PARP-1, and cleaved caspase 3 and the downregulation of an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 biomarker. In addition, immunoblotting indicated a dose dependent upregulation of P38-MAPK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation during janerin treatment. In conclusion, we have demonstrated for the first time that janerin may be capable of inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through the MAPK pathway, which would be one of the mechanisms underlying its anticancer activity. As a result, janerin has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for leukemia.     

A comparison of local structures in crystalline P(EO)3LiCF3SO3 and glyme-LiCF3SO3 systems

The newly discovered crystal structures of CH₃(OCH₂CH₂)OCH₃(LiCF₃SO₃)₂, monoglyme:(LiTf)₂, and CH₃(OCH₂CH₂)₃OCH₃(LiCF₃SO₃)₂, triglyme:(LiTf)₂, are briefly described. The coordination of lithium cations and the CF₃SO₃⁻ anions in these structures is compared with the cation and anion coordination in the crystalline phase of high molecular weight P(EO)₃LiCF₃SO₃. Comparison is also made with the previously reported crystalline phase of CH₃(OCH₂CH₂)₂OCH₃LiCF₃SO₃, diglyme:LiTf. A tendency to form trans-gauche-trans conformations for the bond order -O-C-C-O- is noted in adjacent ethylene oxide sequences interacting with a five-coordinate lithium ion.