Synthesis,structural characterizations,spectroscopic and magnetic properties of MnII and MnIII complexes with an unprecedented bridging coordination mode of 2-salicylichydrazono-1,3-dithiolane ligand

Two new complexes [Mn^III(HL)₂(acac)] and [Mn^II(HL)₂]_n have been obtained by reacting manganese(III) acetylacetonate monohydrate or manganese(II) chloride monohydrate with 2-salicylichydrazono-1,3-dithiolane ligand (H₂L). Both compounds have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, the molecular packing are described and discussed in term of weak H-bonds and short contacts. The unprecedented bridging coordination mode of this ligand lead to the first 2-salicylichydrazono-1,3-dithiolane-bridged coordination polymer [Mn^II(HL)₂]_n. The EPR spectrum of this compound was obtained with g ≈ 2.07, corresponding to a manganese ion (+II) in octahedral high-spin coordination sphere. The Mn^II complex exhibit paramagnetic behavior corresponding to quasi-isolated metal centers.     

Improved microwave steam distillation apparatus for isolation of essential oils. Comparison with conventional steam distillation

Steam distillation (SD) is routinely used by analysts for the isolation of essential oils from herbs, flowers and spices prior to gas chromatographic analysis. In this work, a new process design and operation for an improved microwave steam distillation (MSD) of essential oils from aromatic natural products was developed. To demonstrate its feasibility, MSD was compared with the conventional technique, SD, for the analysis of volatile compounds from dry lavender flowers (Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Lamiaceae). Essential oils isolated by MSD were quantitatively (yield) and qualitatively (aromatic profile) similar to those obtained by SD, but MSD was better than SD in terms of rapidity (6 min versus 30 min for lavender flowers), thereby allowing substantial savings of costs in terms of time and energy. Lavender flowers treated by MSD and SD were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs provide evidence of more rapid opening of essential oil glands treated by MSD, in contrast to conventional SD.     

Very strong ferromagnetic interaction in a new binuclear mu-methoxo-bridged Mn(III) complex: synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and DFT calculations

New mononuclear [Mn(HL)3].2CHCl3 (H2L = 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiolane) and binuclear Mn2(mu-OCH3)2(HL)4 manganese (III) complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The binuclear complex, described in this communication, displays very strong intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling (J = + 19.7 cm-1), which is confirmed by DFT calculations. The negative sign of the axial magnetic anisotropy parameter, which is crucial for a possible single molecule magnet behavior and for any future use of this complex in more complex extended architectures, is also unambiguously determined by careful fit of magnetization curves and by DFT calculations.     

Cobalt complexes supported by salicylichydrazono derivative ligands and various coordination solvents

We report the synthesis and molecular solid-state structures of five novel Co^II and Co^III mononuclear complexes supported by the 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiolane (L1) and 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiane (L2) ligands. Moreover, one novel diamagnetic μ-oxo dinuclear Co^III complex [Co^III₂(HL)₄(μ-O)₂] supported by the ligand L1 was stabilized and characterized. Crystal structure of the supporting ligand L2 was also determined.     

Antibacterial Activity of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Nanoparticles Against Staphylococcus aureus

The formation of bacterial biofilms on material surfaces is a recurrent problem in public health. Antibacterial nanoparticles (NPs) are promising because pathogens have not yet developed resistance mechanisms and encapsulation of the drug can protect it from the surrounding medium and improve pharmacokinetics. Biocompatible and biodegradable particles of various sizes (nano- and micro-scale) based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) are elaborated using a simple and free toxic nanoprecipitation process. Particles are poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-ylated in order to reduce unwanted interactions with biological fluids, or loaded with the large spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP). NPs are studied against Staphylococcus aureus in planktonic and biofilm modes. Empty NPs with smallest size (60 nm) are able to totally eradicate planktonic culture after 24 h, even in the presence of serum proteins. CIP-loaded NPs present slightly lower antimicrobial activity against planktonic microorganisms compared with the free antibiotic, due to progressive release of CIP over time. In biofilm mode, CIP-loaded NPs show a very good antibiofilm activity, much better than free CIP, thanks to NPs penetration within the polymer matrix and a consequent release of the antibiotic close to the embedded bacteria. The present results open the way for widespread applications of PLGA-NPs in the pharmaceutical or medical fields.     

Identification and in vitro antioxidant activities of phenolic compounds isolated from Cynoglossum cheirifolium L.

In an extensive search for bioactive compounds from plant sources, the quantitative and qualitative characterisation of the compounds present in Cynoglossum cheirifolium extracts was studied. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric techniques. In vitro antioxidant and radical scavenging profiling was determined through DPPH^? scavenging activity and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Our study showed that leaves produce more phenolic compounds, followed by flowering aerial part. The butanolic fraction obtained from leaves extract exhibited the highest total phenolics (78.65 ± 3.58 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoids (22.15 ± 4.66 mg CE/g DW). In contrast, this fraction displayed the highest DPPH^? scavenging ability with IC₅₀ values of 0.06 ± 0.003 mg/mL. The RP-HPLC-PDA analysis of phenolic compounds from leaves of C. cheirifolium lets to identify: rosmarinic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid and rutin. The obtained results indicate that this plant represent a valuable source of natural antioxidants.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Fluorinated Galactopyranosides as Potential Molecular Probes for Galactophilic Proteins: Assessment of Monofluorogalactoside–LecA Interactions

The replacement of hydroxyl groups by fluorine atoms on hexopyranoside scaffolds may allow access to invaluable tools for studying various biochemical processes. As part of ongoing activities toward the preparation of fluorinated carbohydrates, a systematic investigation involving the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of mono- and polyfluorinated galactopyranosides is described. Various monofluorogalactopyranosides, a trifluorinated, and a tetrafluorinated galactopyranoside have been prepared using a Chiron approach. Given the scarcity of these compounds in the literature, in addition to their synthesis, their biological profiles were evaluated. Firstly, the fluorinated compounds were investigated as antiproliferative agents using normal human and mouse cells in comparison with cancerous cells. Most of the fluorinated compounds showed no antiproliferative activity. Secondly, these carbohydrate probes were used as potential inhibitors of galactophilic lectins. The first transverse relaxation-optimized spectroscopy (TROSY) NMR experiments were performed on these interactions, examining chemical shift perturbations of the backbone resonances of LecA, a virulence factor from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, taking advantage of the fluorine atom, the ¹⁹F NMR resonances of the monofluorogalactopyranosides were directly monitored in the presence and absence of LecA to assess ligand binding. Lastly, these results were corroborated with the binding potencies of the monofluorinated galactopyranoside derivatives by isothermal titration calorimetry experiments. Analogues with fluorine atoms at C-3 and C-4 showed weaker affinities with LecA as compared to those with the fluorine atom at C-2 or C-6. This research has focused on the chemical synthesis of “drug-like” low-molecular-weight inhibitors that circumvent drawbacks typically associated with natural oligosaccharides.     

Identification of phenolic compounds from the leaf part of Teucrium pseudo-Scorodonia Desf. collected from Algeria

In the present paper,we reported for the first time, the identification of the phenolic compounds in butanolic fraction obtained from the leaf part of Teucrium pseudo-Scorodonia Desf. collected from Algeria using RP-HPLC-PDA (Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Photo Diode Array) technique. Several standards were used for this purpose. The analysis led to the identification of six phenolic acids (ferulic, sinapic, rosmarinic, syringique, caffeic, p-coumaric acids) and one flavonoid (rutin), the last one, has interesting pharmacological properties.