Utilization of maltodextrin based enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes for the enantioselective assay of S-perindopril

Enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes (EPMEs) based on carbon paste impregnated with different maltodextrins {dextrose equivalent (DE) 4.0-7.0 (I), 13.0-17.0 (II) and 16.5-19.5 (III)} as chiral selectors for the assay of S-perindopril is described. The proposed electrodes could be reliably employed in the assay of S-perindopril raw material and from its pharmaceutical formulation, Coversyl^® tablets. The electrode based on maltodextrin (I) showed the best enantioselectivity and time-stability. The surfaces of the electrodes are easily renewable by simply polishing on an alumina paper.     

Syntheses of 1-substituted 1,2,4-triazoles,imidazoles and benzimidazoles

Substituted 2-phenethyl-1,2,4-triazoles, 1-phenethylimidazoles 3 and 1-phenethylbenzimidazoles 5 were synthesized from the reaction of compound 8 with tri-n-butyltin hydride in good yield. The reaction of substituted-2-phenethyl halide with 1H-1,2,4-triazoles, imidazoles and benzimidazoles gave a low yield. The yield was increased by the use of substituted-2-phenethyl p-toluensulfonate.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of a ternary complex involving dipicolinatochromium(III) and DL‐aspartic acid by N‐bromosuccinimide

The kinetics of oxidation of [Cr^III(Dpc)(Asp)(H₂O)₂] (Dpc = dipicolinic acid and Asp = DL ‐aspartic acid) by N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) in aqueous solution have been found to obey the equation: where k₂ is the rate constant for the electron transfer process, K₁ is the equilibrium constant for deprotonation of [Cr^III(Dpc)(Asp)(H₂O)₂], K₂ and K₃ are the pre‐equilibrium formation constants of precursor complexes [Cr^III(Dpc)(Asp)(H₂O)(NBS)] and [Cr^III(Dpc)(Asp)(H₂O)(OH)(NBS)]^?. Values of k₂ = 4.85 × 10^?2 s^?1, K₁ = 1.85 × 10^?7 mol dm^?3, and K₂ = 78.2 mol^?1 dm³ have been obtained at 30°C and I = 0.1 mol dm^?3. The experimental rate law is consistent with a mechanism in which the deprotonated [Cr^III(Dpc)(Asp)(H₂O)(OH)]^? is considered to be the most reactive species compared to its conjugate acid. It is assumed that electron transfer takes place via an inner‐sphere mechanism. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 394–400, 2004     

Aggregation and dispersion characteristics of calcium oxalate monohydrate: effect of urinary species

In this research, screening and central composite experimental designs are used to determine the effect of various factors on the aggregation and dispersion characteristics of previously grown calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals in artificial urinary environments of controlled variables. The variables examined are pH and calcium, oxalate, pyrophosphate, citrate, and protein concentrations in ultrapure water and artificial urine. Optical density measurements, particle size analysis, optical microscopy, AFM force measurements, and protein adsorption have been used to assess the state of aggregation and dispersion of the COM crystals and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in such a complex system. The data indicate that our model protein, mucin, acts as a dispersant. This is attributed to steric hindrance resulting from the adsorbed mucoprotein. Oxalate, however, promotes aggregation. Interesting interactions between protein and oxalate along with protein and citrate are observed. Such interactions (synergistic or antagonistic) are found to depend on the concentrations of these species. Surface responses for these interactions are presented and discussed in this paper. In summary, solution, surface, and interface chemistries interact in a complex manner in the physiological environment to either inhibit or promote aggregation, and an understanding of such interactions may help determine and control the factors affecting kidney stone formation.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Biocompatible pH‐Sensitive Hydrogels as Colon‐Specific Drug Delivery Systems

Because of the growing importance of pH‐sensitive hydrogels as drug delivery systems, biocompatible copolymeric hydrogels based N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVP) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were designed and synthesized. These hydrogels were investigated for oral drug delivery. Radical copolymerizations of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVP) and methacrylic acid (MAA) with the various ratios of cross‐linking agent were carried out at 70 °C. Azabisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was the free‐radical initiator employed and Cubane‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (CDA) linked to two 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) group was the crosslinking agent (CA) used for hydrogel preparations. The hydrogels were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and FT‐IR. Equilibrium swelling studies were carried out in enzyme‐free simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively). A model drug, olsalazine [3,3′‐azobis (6‐hydroxy benzoic acid)] (OSZ) as an azo derivative of 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA), was entrapped in these gels and the in‐vitro release profiles were established separately in both enzyme‐free SGF and SIF. The drug‐release profiles indicated that the amount of drug released depended on the degree of swelling. The swelling was modulated by the amount of crosslinking of the polymer bonded drug (PBDs) prepared. Based on the great difference in hydrolysis rates at pH 1 and 7.4, these pH‐sensitive hydrogels appear to be good candidates for colon‐specific drug delivery.     

A new flavonol glycoside and other flavonoids from the aerial parts of Taverniera aegyptiaca

Isolation of flavonoids from the aerial parts of Taverniera aegyptiaca Bioss. (Fabaceae) led to identification of one new flavonol glycoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside (1), along with eleven compounds, which previously have not been isolated from this plant quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-galactopyranoside] (2), isorhamnetin-3-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside (3), quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), isorhamnetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), isorhamnetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-galactopyranoside] (8), isorhamnetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside] (9), kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-galactopyranoside] (10), isorhamnetin (11), 4,4′-dihydroxy-2′-methoxychalcone (12), formononetin (13) and calycosin (15)] and some compounds already known from this plant [quercetin-3-O-robinobioside (5), isorhamnetin-3-O-robinobioside (6), afrormosin (14) and odoratin (16)].     

Mass spectra of substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazines

High resolution electron impact mass spectrometric measurements have been made on twelve pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazines. Substituents attached to carbon atoms 2, 4, 7, and 8 were used to label the various fragments. Three major ions were observed (a) the molecular ion, (b) an ion corresponding to M-RCN where R is the substituent attached to C-4 and (c) an aryl cyclopropenyl cation which was observed in 7-aryl derivatives. Intensities and accurate mass-measurements are given for all ions having intensities exceeding 2% of the base peak. Nine of the twelve pyrazolo-[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazines included in this study are described here for the first time.     

Diminished Respirative Growth and Enhanced Assimilative Sugar Uptake Result in Higher Specific Fermentation Rates by the MutantPichia stipitis FPL-061

A mutant strain ofPichia stipitis, FPL-061, was obtained by selecting for growth on L-xylose in the presence of respiratory inhibitors. The specific fermentation rate of FPL-061, was higher than that of the parent,Pichia stipitis CBS 6054, because of its lower cell yield and growth rate and higher specific substrate uptake rate. With a mixture of glucose and xylose, the mutant strain FPL-061 produced 29.4 g ethanol/L with a yield of 0.42 g ethanol/g sugar consumed. By comparison, CBS 6054 produced 25.7 g ethanol/L with a yield of 0.35 gJg. The fermentation was most efficient at an aeration rate of 9.2 mmoles O₂ L^-1 h^-1. At high aeration rates (22 mmoles O₂ L^-1 h^-1), the mutant cell yield was less than that of the parent. At low aeration rates, (1.1 to 2.5 O₂ L^-1 h^-1), cell yields were similar, the ethanol formation rates were low, and xylitol accumulation was observed in both the strains. Both strains respired the ethanol once sugar was exhausted. We infer from the results that the mutant, P.stipitis FPL-061, diverts a larger fraction of its metabolic energy from cell growth into ethanol production.     

A high-frequency and high-field EPR study of new azide and fluoride mononuclear Mn(III) complexes

The isolation, structural characterization and electronic properties of three new six-coordinated Mn(III) complexes, [Mn(bpea)(F)(3)] (1), [Mn(bpea)(N(3))(3)] (2), and [Mn(terpy)(F)(3)] (3) are reported (bpea = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylamine; terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine). As for [Mn(terpy)(N(3))(3)] (4) (previously described by Limburg J.; Vrettos J. S.; Crabtree R. H.; Brudvig G. W.; de Paula J. C.; Hassan A.; Barra A-L.; Duboc-Toia C.; Collomb M-N. Inorg. Chem. 2001, 40, 1698), all these complexes exhibit a Jahn-Teller distortion of the octahedron characteristic of high-spin Mn(III) (S = 2). The analysis of the crystallographic data shows an elongation along the tetragonal axis of the octahedron for complexes 1 and 3, while complex 2 presents an unexpected compression. The electronic properties were investigated using a high-field and high-frequency EPR study performed between 5 and 15 K (190-575 GHz). The spin Hamiltonian parameters determined in solid state are in agreement with the geometry of the complexes observed in the crystal structures. A negative D value found for 1 and 3 is related to the elongated tetragonal distortion, whereas the positive D value determined for 2 is in accordance with a compressed octahedron. The high E/D values, in the range of 0.103 to 0.230 for all complexes, are correlated with the highly distorted geometry present around the Mn(III) ion. HF-EPR experiments were also performed on complex 1 in solution and show that the D value is the only spin Hamiltonian parameter which is slightly modified compared to the solid state (D = -3.67 cm(-1) in solid state; D = -3.95 cm(-1) in solution).     

Complexation of palladium cyanide with imidazolidine-2-thione and its derivatives

Summary Pd(CN)₂ reacts with imidazolidine-2-thione (Imt), 1,3-diazinane-2-thione(Diaz), 1,3-diazipnane-2-thione (Diap) and their derivatives to yield complexes of stoichiometry [PdL₂(CN)₂] or [PdL(CN)₂] (L = Imt, Diaz or Diap and L = Imt having N-Me, Et or Pr substituents), which were characterized by elemental analysis, i.r., ¹H and ¹³C n.m.r. spectroscopy. Both mono- and bis ligand complexes are thought to be square planar with the monoligand binding to metal via sulphur (bridging) and the bis ligand via the monodentate thione group. The ¹³C enriched Pd(¹³CN)₂ complex was prepared and the ¹³C n.m.r. recorded. The C-2 resonance of ¹³C n.m.r. of Imt, Diaz or Diap complexes of the copper(I), silver(I), gold(I) and palladium(II) were compared.