Antibiofilm and Anti-Quorum Sensing Potential of Cycloartane-Type Triterpene Acids from Cameroonian Grassland Propolis: Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract

Propolis is very popular for its beneficial health properties, such as antimicrobial activity and antioxidant effects. It is one of the most long-serving traditional medicines to mankind due to its interesting chemical diversity and therapeutic properties. The detailed chemical information of propolis samples is very necessary to guarantee its safety and for it to be accepted into health care systems. The phenolic profile of the hydroethanolic extract was determined using HPLC-DAD, and the antioxidant was evaluated using five complementary methods. Triterpenoids were isolated using column chromatography and characterized using ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. The effects of the extract and the isolated compounds on quorum sensing mediated processes and biofilm formation in bacteria were evaluated. Protocatechic acid (40.76 ± 0.82 µg/g), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (24.04 ± 0.21 µg/g), vanillic acid (29.90 ± 1.05 µg/g), quercetin (43.53 ± 1.10 µg/g), and luteolin (4.44 ± 0.48 µg/g) were identified and quantified. The extract showed good antioxidant activity in the DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, CUPRAC, and metal chelating assays, and this antioxidant effect was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry. 27-Hydroxymangiferonic acid (1), Ambolic acid (2), and Mangiferonic acid (3) were isolated from anti-quorum sensing activity at MIC, and it was indicated that the most active sample was the extract with inhibition diameter zone of 18.0 ± 1.0 mm, while compounds 1, 2, and 3 had inhibition zones of 12.0 ± 0.5 mm, 9.0 ± 1.0 mm, and 12.3 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. The samples inhibited the P. aeruginosa PA01 swarming motility at the three tested concentrations (50, 75, and 100 μg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. The propolis extract was able to inhibit biofilm formation by S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis at MIC concentration. Compound 1 proved biofilm inhibition on S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, E. faecalis, E. coli, and C. tropicalis at MIC and MIC/2; compound 2 inhibited the formation of biofilm at MIC on S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, S. typhi, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis; and compound 3 inhibited biofilm formation on E. faecalis, E. coli, C. albicans, and C. tropicalis and further biofilm inhibition on E. coli at MIC/4 and MIC/8. The studied propolis sample showed important amounts of cycloartane-type triterpene acids, and this indicates that there can be significant intra-regional variation probably due to specific flora within the vicinity. The results indicate that propolis and its compounds can reduce virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria.     

Energetic Approach to Kinetics of Mechanochemical Process

Kinetics of a mechanochemical process is proposed to describe quantitatively with a problem set-up scaled to energy instead of time. This makes possible the comparability of experimental data obtained in machines with different intensities of treatment. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Triterpene Glycosides of Tetrapanax papyriferum. I. Isolation and Structure of Glycosides St-H2 and St-I2 from Stem Bark

Stem bark ofTetrapanax papyriferumC. Koch., Araliaceae, yielded new triterpene glycosides 28-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl-(14)-O-(6-O-acetyl--D-glucopyranosyl)-(16)-O--D-glucopyranosyl esters of the 3-O-[-D-glucopyranosyl-(13)-[-D-galactopyranosyl-(12)]-O--L-arabinopyranosides of oleanolic and echinocystic acids. The structures of these substances were established using chemical and physicochemical methods     

Preparation of Some Substituted Terephthalic Acids

We report in detail the preparation of two substituted terephthalic acids: 2‐sulfomethylterephthalic acid (1) and 2‐phosphonoterephthalic acid (2). Efficient, short syntheses have been developed for both compounds. They are potentially useful monomers for construction of acid‐pendant polymer chains.     

Triterpene Glycosides of Tetrapanax papyriferum. II. Isolation and Structure Determination of Glycosides St-E2, St-F2, St-J2, and St-K2 from Stem Bark

Stem bark ofTetrapanaxpapyriferum yielded the new triterpene glycosides 3-O-[-D-glucopyranosyl-(13)]--D-galactopyranosyl-(12)-O--L-arabinopyranosides of oleanolic and echinocystic acids and their 28-O--L-rhamnopyranosyl-(14)-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-O--D-glucopyranosyl esters. Their structures were established using chemical and physicochemical methods     

Simple Preparation of Sulfate Anion‐Doped Polyaniline‐Clay Nanocomposites by an Environmentally Friendly Mechanochemical Synthesis Route

Summary: Conducting polyaniline (PANI) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared from aniline sulfate and MMT by a mechanochemical synthesis route. X‐Ray diffraction analysis confirmed that, by controlling the aniline sulfate content, mechanochemical synthesis led to two types of different formations. After polymerization, the mechanochemical route synthesized much more PANI between the clay layers compared to a solution method. The electrical conductivities of the synthesized PANI‐MMT nanocomposites in pressed pellets ranged in the order of between 10⁻⁴ and 10⁻³ S · cm⁻¹.

X‐ray powder diffraction patterns of the intercalation products prepared by grinding montmorillonite with various amounts of Ani‐SO₄ in a mortar.     

水溶性负性光致抗蚀剂的研制

以自制丙烯酰胺-双丙酮丙烯酰胺共聚物和聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)为成膜基体物质,芳香族叠氮化合物为感光剂,研制出水溶性负性光致抗蚀剂配方.通过正交试验确定了最优配方.即共聚物中AM与DAAM质量比为1:1;P(AM-DAAM)与PVP质量比为1:2;感光剂用量为占成膜基体物质质量的1/6;偶联剂用量占成膜基体物质质量的1/60;表面活性剂G-18用量占成膜基体物质质量的1/40.在该配方下配制的光致抗蚀剂达到商品规格要求.通过与国外同类商品的比较得出自制光致抗蚀剂具有同国外商品相当的感光性能.     

Preparation of Phosphonoterephthalic Acids via Palladium-Catalyzed Coupling of Aromatic Iodoesters

The current article reports in detail the preparation of two phosphonoterephthalic acids: 2-phosphonoterephthalic acid (1) and 2,5-diphosphonoterephthalic acid (2). Efficient, scalable syntheses have been developed for both compounds based on Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions of iodinated terephthalate esters. Phosphonoterephthalic acids are potentially useful as flame-retardant additives or as monomers for the construction of acid-pendant polymer chains.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.     

固定化D-氨基酸氧化酶催化DL-氨基酸去消旋化制备非天然L-氨基酸

在过氧化氢酶和氧气存在下,固定化D-氨基酸氧化酶(D-AAO)对映选择性催化DL-氨基酸中的D-对映体氧化脱氨为相应酮酸,L-对映体保留.研究了D-AAO的底物特异性并对反应条件进行了优化.结果表明:D-AAO具有较宽的底物谱,能够催化疏水性α-氨基酸的D-对映体氧化脱氨.在最优反应条件下,D-AAO催化DL-2-氨基丁酸、DL-2-氨基戊酸去消旋化,L-2-氨基丁酸、L-2-氨基戊酸的收率分别为48%和47%,ee分别为99.5%和99.8%.进一步地利用Pd-C/HCOONH4催化氧化脱氨过程中产生的亚氨基酸原位还原,有效提高了L-2-氨基丁酸、L-2-氨基戊酸的收率并保持高的光学纯度.     

Preparation of Non-natural L Amino Acids via Deracemization of DL-Amino Acids Catalyzed by Immobilized D-amino Acid Oxidase

在过氧化氢酶和氧气存在下,固定化D-氨基酸氧化酶（D-AAO）对映选择性催化DL-氨基酸中的D-对映体氧化脱氨为相应酮酸,L-对映体保留.研究了D-AAO的底物特异性并对反应条件进行了优化.结果表明：D-AAO具有较宽的底物谱,能够催化疏水性α-氨基酸的D-对映体氧化脱氨.在最优反应条件下,D-AAO催化DL-2-氨基丁酸、DL-2-氨基戊酸去消旋化,L-2-氨基丁酸、L-2-氨基戊酸的收率分别为48%和47%,ee分别为99.5%和99.8%.进一步地利用Pd-C/HCOONH4催化氧化脱氨过程中产生的亚氨基酸原位还原,有效提高了L-2-氨基丁酸、L-2-氨基戊酸的收率并保持高的光学纯度.     

Preparation of Enamines Catalyzed by Lewis Acids in the Presence of Solid Supports

A simple and effective preparation of enamines from bulky ketones and secondary amines has been achieved with the aid of Lewis acid on various solid supports. The optimized yields were higher than those obtained without the solid support. Factors affecting the yield and regioselectivity of these reactions were also studied. Evidence showed that the reaction proceeded simultaneously in solution and on the solid support.     

人工神经网络用于连钱草中总黄酮和三萜酸类成分的含量预测

以连钱草的毛细管电泳指纹图谱为输入数据,以总黄酮和三萜酸类成分含量为输出数据,构建了反向传播网络、径向基函数网络和广义回归网络三种人工神经网络模型.采用三种网络模型和两种预测方法对未知样本的总黄酮和三萜酸类成分含量进行了预测,并分别比较了三种网络和两种预测方法的预测结果.另外,结合聚类分析结果和输入数据的相似度,分析了预测误差的来源.结果表明:三种网络对大部分样本的预测值与实际值都比较接近,而广义回归网络的预测效果最优;扣除奇异值后,广义回归网络的两种预测方法对未知样本的总黄酮和三萜酸类成分含量的平均预测误差分别为10.9%和0.00073%.     

Triterpene Acids from the Leaves of Planchonella Duclitan (Blanco) Bakhuizan

From the methanolic extract of the leaves of Planchonella duclitan, 2α,3α,19α,23‐tetrahydroxy‐13,27‐cyclours‐11‐en‐28‐oic acid (1), myrianthic acid (2), 2‐hydroxyursolic acid (3), ursolic acid (4), pomolic acid (5), rotundic acid (6), and jacoumaric acid (7) were isolated, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic analysis. Among them, compound 1 was a new cyclopropyl ursane‐type triterpene acid. Additionally, compounds 4 and 7 showed significant cytotoxicity toward human colorectal carcinoma cell line HT29 and human breast carcinoma cell line MCF‐7 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.8 ± 1.4 to 6.5 ± 1.9 μM.     

Recent advances in application and progress of advanced materials as adsorbents in sample preparation for plant growth regulators

Plant growth regulators are a class of physiologically active substances that could modify or regulate basic physiological processes in the plant and defense against abiotic and biotic stresses, including natural plant growth regulators and synthetic ones. Different from natural plant growth regulators with low content and high cost of extraction in plants, synthetic ones can be produced in large-scale production and widely used in agriculture for increasing and securing yield and quality of the harvested produce. However, like pesticides, the abuse of plant growth regulators will have negative impacts on human beings. Therefore, it is important to monitor plant growth regulators residues. Due to the low concentration of plant growth regulators and complex matrices of food, it is necessary to isolate and extract plant growth regulators by appropriate adsorbents in sample preparation for obtaining satisfactory results. In the last decade, several advanced materials as adsorbents have shown superiority in sample preparation. This review briefly introduces the recent application and progress of advanced materials as adsorbents in sample preparation for extraction of plant growth regulators from the complex matrix. In the end, the challenge and outlook about the extraction of plant growth regulators of these advanced adsorbents in sample preparation are presented.     

Preparation of Bromoiodopropenoic Acids by Stereospecific Nucleophilic Substitution at Vinylic Carbon

The bromoiodopropenoic acids (E)‐2‐bromo‐3‐iodopropenoic acid 5 and (Z)‐2‐bromo‐3‐iodopropenoic acid 6 were prepared by stereospecific nucleophilic substitution of the corresponding vinylic bromides. The structure of the (Z)‐isomer was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.     

噻吩基1,2-迁移制备2-噻吩基酸类的研究

以α-卤代烷基噻吩基酮为原料,制得2-(2-噻吩基)丙酸、2-(5-溴-2-噻吩基)丙酸和2-(5-乙基-2-噻吩基)丙酸,研完了α-卤代烷基噻吩基酮的迁移基团、烷基、离去基、催化剂、温度和溶剂等对重排的影响,以及光学活性的2-(5-乙基-2-噻吩基)丙酸的制备,证明噻吩基1,2-迁移属邻基参与的S_N2缺电子重排。     

Shock Processing of Amino Acids Leading to Complex Structures—Implications to the Origin of Life

The building blocks of life, amino acids, are believed to have been synthesized in the extreme conditions that prevail in space, starting from simple molecules containing hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. However, the fate and role of amino acids when they are subjected to similar processes largely remain unexplored. Here we report, for the first time, that shock processed amino acids tend to form complex agglomerate structures. Such structures are formed on timescales of about 2 ms due to impact induced shock heating and subsequent cooling. This discovery suggests that the building blocks of life could have self-assembled not just on Earth but on other planetary bodies as a result of impact events. Our study also provides further experimental evidence for the ‘threads’ observed in meteorites being due to assemblages of (bio)molecules arising from impact-induced shocks.     

Microwave-Assisted Esterification of Diverse Carboxylic Acids and Chiral Amino Acids

A facile and efficient synthetic method of esters from their corresponding carboxylic acids and amino acids is described. The esterification reaction of carboxylic acids and amino acids could be greatly accelerated under microwave irradiation because the reactions described in this article took place in only 5 min with almost quantitative yields, and distinct acidity of catalytic acids was well tolerated. Unlike the racemation problem in microwave-assisted N-acylation reactions, the esters of chiral amino acids could be achieved with retention of configuration under this condition.     

Preparation of Pseudo-Arsonolipids: Dl-2,3-Diacyloxybutane-1,4-Bis(Arsonic Acids)

Abstract

The title pseudo-arsonolipid with palmitoyl side chain has been prepared in ～70% yield from its parent DL-2,3-dihydroxybutane-1,4-bis(arsonic acid) after reduction of the As(V) to As(III) by thiophenol, acylation with palmitoyl chloride in the presence of pyridine and catalytic amounts of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, and reoxidation of As(III) to As(V) by hydrogen peroxide. In CDCl₃/CD₃OD esterification of the –AsO₃H₂ groups was detected by ¹H NMR.     

Triterpene Glycosides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cussonia paniculata</Emphasis>. II. Acetylated Glycosides from Leaves

Structures of 13 new acetylated triterpene glycosides from leaves of Cussonia paniculata (Araliaceae) were established as 28-O-(2-O-acetyl- and 3-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β -D-glucopyranosides of 23-hydroxybetulinic acid (1a and 1b) and hederagenin (2a and 2b), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-(2-O-acetyl- and 3-O-acetyl-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→ 4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glycopyranosides of oleanic (3a and 3b) and ursolic (3c and 3d) acids, 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-(4-O-acetyl-, 2-O-acetyl-, and 3-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→ 6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosides of hederagenin (4, d5a and 5b), and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-(2-O-acetyl- and 3-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D- glucopyranosides of oleanic acid (6a and 6b). The structures of the compounds were established using chemical methods and NMR spectroscopy. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 351–356, July–August, 2005.