Cytotoxic Podophyllotoxin Type-Lignans from the Steam Bark of <em>Bursera fagaroides </em>var. <em>fagaroides</em>

The hydroalcoholic extract of the steam bark of B. fagaroides var. fagaroides displayed potent cytotoxic activity against four cancer cell lines, namely KB (ED₅₀ = 9.6 × 10^-2 μg/mL), PC-3 (ED₅₀ = 2.5 × 10^-1 μg/mL), MCF-7 (ED₅₀ = 6.6 μg/mL), and HF-6 (ED₅₀ = 7.1 × 10^-3 μg/mL). This extract also showed anti-tumour activity when assayed on mice inoculated with L5178Y lymphoma cells. Bioactivity-directed isolation of this extract, afforded seven podophyllotoxin-type lignans identified as podophyllotoxin (1), β-peltatin-A-methylether (2), 5'-desmethoxy-β-peltatin-A-methylether (3), desmethoxy-yatein (4), desoxypodophyllotoxin (5), burseranin (6), and acetyl podophyllotoxin (7) by 1D and 2DNMR and FAB-MS analyses, and comparison with reported values. All the isolated compounds showed potent cytotoxic activity in the cell lines tested, especially compound 3, which exhibited greater activity than camptothecin and podophyllotoxin against PC-3 (ED₅₀ = 1.0 × 10^-5 μg/mL), and KB (ED₅₀ = 1.0 × 10^-5 μg/mL). This is the first report of the isolation of podophyllotoxin and its acetate in a Bursera species.     

Efficient synthesis of cytotoxic quinones: 2-Acetyl-4H,9H-naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione (6) and (±)-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4H,9H-naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione (7)

From the ethanol extract of the stem bark of Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC (Bignoniaceae), Kingston and Rao [1] isolated two new furonaphthoquinones 6 and 7 that showed activity in KB cell culture assay (ED₅₀ 1.0 and 2.0 μg/ml, respectively). These values may be significant since lapachol, which has an ED₅₀ value of 4.4 μg/ml in the same assay, showed sufficient in vivo activity to reach clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute of the United States. The syntheses of these compounds ( 6 and 7 ) were realized in 36% overall yield starting from furan and phthalic anhydride.     

An Improved HPLC Method for the Determination of Furosemide in Plasma and Urine

Abstract

A sensitive HPLC method with minimal sample preparation and good reproducibility for the determination of furosemide in plasma and urine is described. Acidified plasma samples were extracted using CH₂Cl₂ containing desmethylnaproxen as internal standard (IS). Fresh urine samples were incubated with β-gluc-uronidase for 15 minutes and then treated with CH₃CN containing IS.

Chromatography was performed on a C18 column with 10 mcl sample injection, Mobile phases were: a) for plasma: 0.01 M NaH₂PO₄, pH 3.5 - CH₃OH (65:35), and b) for urine: acetic acid, pH 3.5 - CHS3OH (60:40) at 3 ml/min and fluorescence detection at Ex 235/Em 389 nm. The plasma standard curve was linear from 0.01 to 15.0 mcg/ml and the urine from 0.5 to 200.0 mcg/ml. The within run CV's were 3,2% at 0.74 mcg/ml plasma and 2.0% at 10.7 mcg/ml urine. Recovery from plasma was 69.9% at 2.0 mcg/ml and 98.6% from urine at 5.0 mcg/ml. The stability of furosemide and its glucuronide were studied. Both methods have been applied to the analysis of plasma and urine samples obtained from human volunteers.     

The stepwise formation of complexes in the uranyl/azide system in aqueous medium

The use of an indirect potentiometric method with the glass electrode in a ₃?/HN₃/UO₂2+ solution leads to ligand number $\text{n}\text{?}$, at several azide concentrations, at 2.0M ionic strength (NaClO₄), aqueous medium and 25.0±0.1°C. The analysis of data under conditions where hydrolysis is avoided leads to the six overall stepwise constants: β₁ = 1.39 × 10²M^?1; β₂ = 8.26 × 10³M^?2; β₃ = 4.9 × 10⁵M^?3; β₄ = 7.1 × 10⁵M^?4; β₅ = 2.3 × 10⁶M^?5; β₆ = 1.2 × 10⁷M^?6.     

Jaspines A and B: two new cytotoxic sphingosine derivatives from the marine sponge Jaspis sp.

The ethanolic extract of the sponge Jaspis sp. collected in Vanuatu showed cytotoxicity against KB tumour cells (IC₉₅=10 μg/ml). A bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two new cytotoxic sphingosine derivatives, jaspine A and jaspine B. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and absolute configuration by chemical derivatisation. The cytotoxicity of jaspine B hydrochloride was evaluated against the A549 lung tumour cell line (IC₅₀=3.4×10⁻⁷ M).     

Liquid-liquid extraction and spectrophotometric determination of palladium with 2-mercaptobenz-amide

2-Mercaptobenzamide (MBA) was investigated as a reagent for the extraction of palladium. The palladium complex of MBA was extracted into tributyl phosphate (TBP). The pK_a of the ligand was 5.45 with the stability constant of the palladium complex β₂=10^7.1. The composition of the complex in TBP was Pd:MBA:TBP=1:2:2. Addition of sodium chloride accelerated the rate of extraction. Various interfering ions could be masked with EDTA; Ag(I), Au(III), Os(VIII), Se(IV), Te(IV) etc. interfered. The molar absorptivity was 1.59×10⁴ l mol^?1 cm^?1; 1–35 μg Pd could be determined at pH 6.0.     

芦丁金属配合物的合成、表征及与血清白蛋白的相互作用

本文合成了芦丁的过渡金属配合物，通过红外及元素分析等方法对其进行了表征。采用荧光光谱和紫外光谱法研究了芦丁的过渡金属配合物与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)和人血清白蛋白(HSA)的相互作用。通过二者的荧光光谱的变化，求得芦丁过渡金属配合物与血清白蛋白的结合常数。探讨了它们之间作用力的类型。     

Complex formation of Ni(II) and Fe(III) with the nitrite anion

The stepwise stabilities of the complexes formed by Ni(II) and Fe(III) with the nitrite anion have been determined potentiometrically in an aqueous sodium perchlorate medium of unit ionic strength at 25.0°C. Two fairly weak mononuclear complexes are formed in the Ni(II)-nitrite system with the overall formation constants at β₁ = 5.9±0.9 M⁻¹ and β₂ = 12±2 M⁻², while for the Fe(III)-nitrite system three mononuclear complexes of moderate strengths, namely β₁ = (3.9±0.7) × 10² M⁻¹, β₂ = (5±2) × 10³ M⁻² and β₃ = (2.8±0.6) × 10⁵ M⁻³, are found. No evidence has been found for the formation of polynuclear or acid complexes in the concentration range studied.     

A Selective Fluorimetric Method for the Determination of Some β-Lactamic AntibioticsSupported by Natural Science Foundations of China and Shandong province

Abstract

Based on the reaction between acetylacetone-formaldehyde and β-lactamic antibiotics at pH=4.0, in which product can emit strong fluorescence, a selective simple fluorimetric method is described for the determination of both α-aminocephalosporins (namely cepharadine and cefalexin) and 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) in pure form and in pharmaceutical form. Other β-lactamic antibiotics free from α-amino group do not interfere with the assay. The linear ranges are 1.0×10^?4-8.0×10^?2 mg/ml, 2.0×10^?4-3.0×10^?2 mg/ml and 3.0×10^?4-2.0×10^?2mg/ml for cepharadine, cefalexin and 6-APA, respectively. Their detection limits (S/N=3) are 3.0×10^?5mg/ml, 4.0×10^?5mg/ml and 6.0×10^?5mg/ml.     

Radiochemische Bestimmung der Beständigkeitskonstanten des Komplexes aus Triphenyltetrazoliumchlorid und Antimon(V) in stark salzsaurer Lösung

It is possible to extract Sb(V), even in traces, nearly completely from 6M HCl by 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazoliumchloride (TTC). The molar ratio of the ion associate in the organic phase is found to be 1∶1. Graphic evaluation of radiometric measurements using¹²⁵Sb as tracer give the following results: extraction constant K_ex=1.65·10⁴, distribution constant K_D=19.95, stability constant of the ion associate β=0.83·10³.     

Polarographic and Voltammetric Study of the Sc(III)-Acid Chrome Blue K Complex and Determination of Trace Scandium

Abstract

A new system of polarographic adsorptive wave for determining trace scandium was proposed. In 0.2 mol/L NH₄OAc, the Sc(III)- ACBK [1,8- dihydroxy- 2- (2- hydroxy- 5- sulfo- 1- phenylazo)- 3,6- disulfo- naphthalene, called acid chrome blue K] complex emerged a sensitive adsorptive complex wave(Ep′ = -0.67V). The molar ratio of Sc(III) to ACBK in the complex was established as 1: 2 and the apparent stability constant β₂ = 2.7 × 10¹⁵. But for Y(III), the molar ratio was 1: 1 and β = 1.5 × 10⁵. Because of the particularity of Sc complex, the sensitivity and the selectivity of determination Sc are much better than that of other rare earth ions. The detection limit is 1.1 × 10^?7 mol/L for oscillopolarography and 2.0 × 10^?8 mol/L for adsorptive stripping voltammetry.     

RECTIFYING EFFECT OF POLYANILINE(PANI)/N-TYPE POROUS SILICONE HETEROJUNCTION*

Heterojunctions between polyaniline (PANI) and n-type porous silicon (PS), Al/PS-PANI/Au cell,were fabricated, and the rectifying parameters of this heterojunction diode were measured as a function of thepreparation conditions of PANI and PS, the electronic structure of PANI as well as cell structure. Therectifying parameters of Al/PS-PANI/Au cell were determined to be γ= 1 .8×10~1～ 1 .0×10~5 for the rectifyingratio at 3V, n = 3 ～12 for the ideal factor,j_0 = 8.0×10~(-5)～5.6×10~(-2) mA/cm~2 for the reversed saturated currentdensity, and φ_b = 0.67～ 0.83 V for the barrier height, respectively. The best rectifying heterojunction diodemade between PANI and n-type PS with higher rectifying factor (γ= 1 .0×10~5 at 3V ), output current (>1500mA/cm~2 at 3V) and lower ideal factor (n = 3.3) was obtained by preventing the oxidation of PS beforeevaporating Al electrode.     

THE PHOTOEXCITED TRIPLET STATE OF TETRAPHENYL CHLORIN, MAGNESIUM TETRAPHENYL PORPHYRIN AND WHOLE CELLS OF CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDI. A LIGHT MODULATION-EPR STUDY

Abstract— The photoexcited triplet states of frozen solutions of tetraphenyl chlorin (TPC), magnesium tetraphenyl porphyrin (MgTPP) and whole cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardi have been studied by light modulation-EPR spectroscopy. The porphyrins were chosen to be studied as model compounds for chlorophyll molecules, From EPR spectra the zero field splitting parameters (ZFS) were calculated. For TPC, |D| = 0.0364 ± 0.0002 cm^-1, |E| = 0.0063 ± 0.0002 cm^-1. For MgTPP, |D| = 0.0310 ± 0.0002 cm^-1. For chloroplasts, |D| = 0.0280 ± 0.0004 cm^-1, |E| = 0.0032 ± 0.0004 cm^-1. In all compounds studied, except MgTPP, electron spin polarization (ESP) was observed. From the analysis of the kinetic curves at each canonical orientation we evaluated the spin lattice relaxation rate W, the depopulation rate constants k_p, and the ratio between the population rate constants, A_p, at zero magnetic field. For TPC in ethanol-toluene (5:1) k_x= (0.70 ± 0.10) × 10³ s^-1, k_y= (0.40 ± 0.07) × 10³ s^-1, k_x= (0.24 ± 0.05) × 10³ s^-1; A_x:A_y:A_z? 1.0:0.6:0.4; W= (2.60 ± 0.40) × 10³ s^-1. For MgTPP, only the total decay rate constant, k_T, was calculated: (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10 s^-1 in n-octane and (4.8 ± 0.8) × 10 s^-1 in ethanol. The results for TPC and MgTPP are compared to those reported previously for chlorophyll. It is concluded that the dynamics of the photoexcited triplet state in chlorophylls are mainly governed by the chlorin macrocycle. From the EPR spectrum and ZFS parameters of chloroplasts, we propose that both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are the main constituents of the EPR spectrum. From the analysis of the kinetic curves we obtain separately the kinetic parameters for chlorophylls a and b, k^a_x= (1.30 ± 0.20) × 10³ s^-1, k^a_y;= (0.85 ± 0.15) × 10³ s^-1k^a_x= (0.32 ± 0.05) × 10³ s^-1; A^a_x:A^a_y:A^a_z? 1.0:0.7:0.2; W^a= (1.20 ± 0.20) × 10³ s^-1; k^b_x= (0.56 ± 0.09) × 10³ s^-1, k^b_y= (0.30 ± 0.04) × 10³ s^-1, k^b_z= (0.06 ± 0.01) × 10³ s^-1; A^b_x:A^b_y:A^b_x? 1.0:0.6:0.1; W^b= (5.00 ± 0.80) × 10³ s^-1. These results are very close to those found separately for chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b oligomers in vitro.     

Inhibition of Emulsin by D-Gluconhydroximo-1,5-lactone and Related Compounds

At pH 4.5 (citrate buffer), D -gluconhydroximo-lactone ( 2 ), the N-methylurethane 3 and the N-phenylurethane 4 inhibit competitively the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl β-D -glucopyranoside by emulsin. The IC₅₀ values of 2, 3 , and 4 were 1.6 × 10^?4, 1.0 × 10^?4, and 5.8 × 10^?6 M , respectively. The K_i values of 2 and 4 were 9.8 × 10^?5 and 2.3 × 10^?6 M , respectively, while D-glucono-1,5-lactone ( 1 ) showed IC₅₀ = 1.1 × 10^?4 M and K_i = 3.7 × 10^?5 M .     

p‐Toluate‐bridged dinuclear Cu(II) complexes in combination with tridentate chelating ligand: Crystal structure,density functional theory calculation,DNA/protein binding and catecholase activity

The dinuclear Cu(II) complexes [Cu₂(L¹)₂(mb)]?ClO₄ ( 1 ) and [Cu₂(L²)₂(mb)]?ClO₄ ( 2 ) (HL¹ = 2‐[(2‐diethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol; HL² = 2‐[1‐(2‐diethylaminoethylimino)propyl]phenol; mb = 4‐methylbenzoate) were synthesized and characterized using X‐ray crystal structure analysis and spectroscopic methods. Complexes 1 and 2 are dinuclear with distorted square pyramidal Cu (II) geometries, where Schiff base coordinates with tridentate (N,N,O) chelating mode and mb bridges two metal centres. Optimized structures and photophysical properties of ligands and complexes were calculated using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods using B3LYP functional with 6‐31G (d,p) and LanL2MB basis sets. Interactions of the complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) were studied using UV–visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies and the calculated values of association constants (M^?1) are 1.7 × 10⁵ ( 1 –BSA), 5.7 × 10⁵ ( 2 –BSA), 1.6 × 10⁵ ( 1 –HSA) and 6.9 × 10⁵ ( 2 –HSA). Interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA were also investigated and the binding affinities are 1.4 × 10⁵ and 1.6 × 10⁵ M^?1 for 1 and 2 , respectively. Both complexes catalytically oxidize 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol to 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzoquinone in the presence of molecular oxygen.     

Spectrofluorimetric study and determination of desipramine in the presence of β-cyclodextrin

The native fluorescence intensity of desipramine was enhanced in the presence of β-cyclodextrin in aqueous solution. The inclusion complex formation between these compounds was studied by spectrofluorimetry. A stable complex with a 2: 1 stoichiometry of β-cyclodextrin to desipramine was formed (logβ₂ = 9.29 ± 0.01). In the presence of an optimum concentration of β-cyclodextrin, the fluorescence intensity was linearly proportional to desipramine concentration in the range of 0.1–100 μg/mL (7.2 × 10^?7?1.0 × 10^?4 M) with a limit of detection of 7 × 10^?8 M. The method was successfully applied to the detection of desipramine in its tablets.     

Thermally activated transformations in stable and metastable copper(II) pyrovanadate polymorphs

The structural transformations of α- and β′-Cu₂V₂O₇ phases over the entire temperature range of their existence and α → β′-Cu₂V₂O₇ and β′ → β-Cu₂V₂O₇ polymorphic transitions in α-Cu₂V₂O₇ are described from the crystal-chemical standpoint. Variations in the parameters of the polyhedral blocks of the α-Cu₂V₂O₇ structure implies that the greatest deformations occur with a negative and near-zero bulk thermal expansion in the range from room temperature to 400°C. The compression and rotation of vanadium-oxygen diortho groups is accompanied by unbending of zigzag copper-oxygen chains, with the distances between them unchanged, which is the reason for the anomalous volume expansion of the structure. Thermal distortion of β′-Cu₂V₂O₇ is insignificant. The thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) of unit cell parameters are as follows: α _a = ?1.36 × 10^?5 1/K, α _b = 1.95 × 10^?5 1/K, α _c = 1.37 × 10^?5 1/K, α_β = ?0.18 × 10^?5 1/K, and α _V = 1.93 × 10^?5 1/K. We demonstrate that the low-temperature Cu₂V₂O₇ phase can be formed without admixtures of metastable β-Cu₂V₂O₇ upon slow cooling (at about 1 K/min) of the high-temperature phase.     

Thermal ignition of acetonitrile. Experimental results and kinetic modeling

Ignition delay times of acetonitrile (CH₃CN) in mixtures containing acetonitrile and oxygen diluted in argon were studied behind reflected shock waves. The temperature range covered was 1420–1750 K at overall concentrations behind the reflected shock wave ranging from 2 to 4×10⁻⁵ mol/cm³. Over this temperature and concentration range the ignition delay times varied by approximately one order of magnitude, ranging from ca. 100 μs to slightly above 1 ms. From a total of some 70 tests the following correlation for the ignition delay times was derived: t_ign=9.77×10⁻¹² exp(41.7×10³/RT)×{[CH₃CN]^0.12[O₂]^−0.76[Ar]^0.34} s, where concentrations are expressed in units of mol/cm³ and R is expressed in units of cal/(K mol). The ignition delay times were modeled by a reaction scheme containing 36 species and 111 elementary reactions. Good agreement between measured and calculated ignition delay times was obtained. A least-squares analysis of 60 computed ignition delay times from six different groups of initial conditions gave the following temperature and concentration dependence: E=46.2×10³ cal/mol, β=0.43, β=−1.18, and β_Ar=0.18. The ignition process is initiated by H-atom ejection from acetonitrile. The addition of oxygen atoms to the system from the dissociation of molecular oxygen and from the reaction CH₃CN+O₂ → HO₂·+CH₂CN·is negligible. In view of the relatively high concentration of methyl radicals obtained in the reaction CH₃CN+H → CH₃+HCN, the branching step CH₃+O₂ → CH₃O+O plays a more important role than the parallel step H+O₂→ OH+O. A discussion of the mechanism in view of the sensitivity analysis is presented. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 839–849, 1997     

A Tetra-Porphyrin Host Exhibiting Interannular Cooperativity

Recently identified as another form of cooperativity, interannular cooperativity is rarely observed in supramolecular chemistry. A tetra-porphyrin molecular tweezer with two bis-porphyrin binding sites is reported that exhibits archetypal interannular cooperativity when complexing 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). The UV/Vis titration data best supported a 1:2 plus 2:2 plus 1:4 complexation model (host:guest), giving K₁₂=6.32×10¹³ m ⁻², K₂₂=3.04×10²⁰ m ⁻³, and K₁₄=1.92×10¹⁶ m ⁻⁴ in CHCl₃. The NMR titration data supported the formation of two sandwich species, including tetra-porphyrin⋅(DABCO)₂ as the major species, although there are speciation differences between UV/Vis and NMR concentrations. Using statistical analysis, interannular cooperativity (γ) for tetra-porphyrin⋅(DABCO)₂ was determined to be negative (γ=2.41×10⁻³), which may be explained by DABCO being too small to be optimally bound simultaneously at both bis-porphyrin binding sites.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of niobium with morin enhanced by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles

The effect of surfactants on the fluorescence of the niobium—morin system is described. Cationic surfactants strongly enhanced the intensity (e.g., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) gives an 80-fold increase), while anionic and non-ionic surfactants are without effect. The formation of 1:1 and 1:3 (Nb:morin) complexes is demonstrated spectrophotometrically. The conditional stability constants for these complexes in CTAB micelles are β₁ = (1.14 ± 0.01) × 10⁴ l mol^?1 amd β₃ = (5.66 ± 0.02 × 10¹⁰ l³ mol^?3. The micellar-enhanced fluorimetric method has a 1 μg l^?1 detection limit, and is highly selective. The r.s.d. for the determination of 50 μg l^?1 Nb is 3.5%.