New α-glucosidase inhibiting anthracenone from the barks of Harungana madagascariensis Lam

Two new 10-hydroxy-9(10H)-anthracenone, madagascenone A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the barks of Harungana madagascariensis Lam. The structures of the compounds were determined using 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. Both of the compounds showed an in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition with IC₅₀ = 69.9 ± 4.21 and 122.3 ± 1.13 μM, respectively, more potent than the standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 840 ± 1.23 μM).     

A GC-SIM-MS Method for the Determination of Butylidenephthalide in Rat Plasma and Tissue: Application to the Pharmacokinetic and Tissue Distribution Study

Abstract

Butylidenephthalide is one of the major active components isolated from Rhizoma Chuanxiong. This paper describes a simple, rapid, specific and sensitive method for the quantification of butylidenephthalide in rat plasma and tissue distribution using a liquid-liquid extraction procedure followed by capillary gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring mode-mass spectrometry (GC-SIM-MS) analysis. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranging from 0.02–10.0 µg/mL (r > 0.99) for plasma samples and 0.18–7.25 µg/g (r > 0.99) for the tissue samples. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 1.0 ng/mL or 1.0 ng/g (ten times signal/noise ratio). Within- and between-day precisions expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD) for the method were 2.39–2.98% and 2.97–4.26%, respectively. The methods of recovery for all samples were greater than 80% at the low, medium, and high concentrations. The method has been successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics study in rats after an oral administration of Butylidenephthalide with a dose of 20.0 mg/kg. The main pharmacokinetic parameters obtained were T _max  = (0.22 ± 0.06) h, C _max = (3 ± 1) µg/mL, AUC = (32 ± 6) h?µg/mL, and K _a  = (8.5 ± 0.8)/h. The results showed that the butylidenephthalide was easily absorbed. The concentrations of butylidenephthalide in rat kidney, lung, heart, and cerebellum were higher than those in other organs. To determine free fraction in serum, samples were filtered using ultrafiltration membranes with a molecular weight cut-off of 10,000 Da and extracted using liquid-liquid extraction. The extracts were evaporated and analyzed by GC-MS. The protein binding in rat plasma, human plasma, and human serum albumin were 83 ± 4%, 94 ± 3%, and 89 ± 3%, respectively.     

Structures and bioactivities of seven flavonoids from Osmanthus fragrans ‘Jinqiu’ essential oil extraction residues

Osmanthus fragrans are well-known for their fragrance, but it is wasteful if to discard O. fragrans flower after extracting their essential oils. In this paper, we found that O. fragrans flower residues were rich in flavonoids. Six flavonoids and one phenylethanoid glycoside were isolated from the ethanol extract of O. fragrans flower residues, identified as quercetin (1), rutin (2), verbascoside (3), genistin (4), kaempferol (5), isorhamnetin (6) and naringin (7). In bioactivity study, kaempferol (IC₅₀ = 1.43 μg/mL) showed the best anti-inflammatory activity. Isorhamnetin, quercetin, kaempferol, verbascoside and rutin (the values of IC₅₀ were 18.30, 11.05, 16.88, 20.21 and 22.76 μg/mL, respectively) showed excellent DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Verbascoside performed relatively well at inhibiting the growth of both CT26 colonic carcinoma cells (IC₅₀ = 46.87 μg/mL) and HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells (IC₅₀ = 30.58 μg/mL). In addition, quercetin and kaempferol showed strong anti-proliferation activity against HepG2 cells.     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Hydrazine

Abstract

A simple sensitive and selective method is described for the determination of trace amounts of hydrazine. The method is based on the reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Hydrazine in ammoniacal condition is used as reducing agent with copper(II) as catalyst. The nitrite prepared is determined based on the diazo coupling reaction between p‐nitroaniline and N‐(1‐naphthyl)ethylenediammine dihydrochloride(NEDA). The method obeys Beer's law in the concentration range of 0–15 µg of hydrazine in a sample volume of 10 ml at 545 nm and the colour is stable for 3 h. The molar absorptivity is calculated to be 3.83×10⁴ l/mol/cm with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The relative standard deviation is 1.8% (n=10) at 12 µg of hydrazine. Interferences due to foreign ions have been studied and the method has been applied for the determination of hydrazine in boiler feed water.     

Separation and Removal of Mercury(II) from Water Samples Using (Acetylacetone)‐2‐Thiol‐Phenyleneimine Immobilized on Anion‐Exchange Resin Prior to Determination by Cold Vapor Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

Abstract

(Acetylacetone)‐2‐thiol‐phenyleneimine (H₂L) immobilized on an anion‐exchange resin (Dowex) was used for separation and removal of mercury from natural water samples and for preconcentration prior to its determination by cold vapor inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The metal was eluted from the column using a solution of 10% thiourea in 0.1 M HCl. The modified resin is higly selective with an exchange capacity of 1.60 mmol g^?1. Various parameters like pH, column flow rate, and desorbing agents are optimized. The proposed method has a linear calibration range of 15–1000 ng/ml Hg(II), with a relative standard deviation at the 15 ng/ml level of 3.5%. The precision of the method (evaluated as the relative standard deviation obtained after analyzing six series of five replicates) was ±4.2% at the 50 ng/ml level of Hg(II). The method has been used for routine determination of trace levels of mercury species in natural waters. The potential application of modified resin for the removal of mercury(II) from two natural water samples (top water and lake water) spiked with 50 ng/ml of mercury (II) was studied by ICP‐AES, and the results proved that excellent percent extraction of mercury(II) from both natural water samples was obtained by column method using modified resin.     

Europium(III)-Sensitized Chemiluminescence Determination of Ibuprofen in Pharmaceutical Preparations and Biological Fluids

Abstract

Chemiluminescence reaction of the system containing europium(III) ion, KMnO₄, Na₂SO₃, and ibuprofen was investigated for the determination of ibuprofen. The introduction of Eu(III) ion into the system of KMnO₄-Na₂SO₃-ibuprofen caused a significant increase in the chemiluminescence signal. The increment of the chemiluminescence signal is proportional to ibuprofen concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10^?8–5.0 × 10^?6 g/ml with a detection limit of 1 × 10^?8 g/ml. The relative standard deviation for 1.0 × 10^?7 g/ml ibuprofen solution was 1.7% (n = 11). The proposed method was successfully applied to determine ibuprofen in tablets and human plasma.     

Three new biflavonoids from the branches and leaves of Cephalotaxus oliveri and their antioxidant activity

Three new biflavonoids, named oliveriflavones A-C (1–3), together with two known flavonoids (quercetin (4) and rutin (5)), were isolated from the endangered plant Cephalotaxus oliveri. The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods including NMR, HRESIMS, IR, UV, and CD spectra. Compounds 1–5 were first isolated from the genus Cephalotaxus. All the compounds were tested for their antioxidant activity. Compounds 4 and 5 showed excellent activity with IC₅₀ values of 0.03 ± 0.06 μM and 0.02 ± 0.10 μM, respectively.     

Chemiluminometric Determination of the Pesticide Pirimicarb by a Flow Injection Analysis Assembly

Abstract

A flow injection (FI) method is described for the determination of pirimicarb. It was found that an enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) signal is obtained when employing the luminol–H₂O₂–horseradish peroxidase (HRP) system. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the enhanced CL intensity was linear with the concentration 4.25–30.75 ng mL^?1 (r = 0.997, n = 8) with a relative standard deviation of 0.99%, containing 12.75 ng mL^?1 (n = 8). The limit of detection of the investigated compound was 0.12 ng mL^?1. The method shows a moderate selectivity against other pesticides (Amitrole, Atrazine, 2,4,5-T, Dichlorprop, and Metamidophos).The proposed method was sensitive, simple, rapid, and successfully applied to the determination of pirimicarb when it is applied in freshwater; the mean recoveries were 98.3–118.5%.     

Investigation of Chemiluminescence Behavior of Flavonoids with Cerium (IV)‐Rhodamine B System

Abstract

The chemiluminescence (CL) behavior of five major flavonoid types in cerium (IV)‐rhodamine B system was investigated by flow‐injection. Strong CL was observed when cerium (IV) reacted with rhodamine B in sulfuric acid medium in the presence of flavonoids. This reaction system has been established as a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive flow injection CL analysis for quercetin and kaempferol, and their detection limit (3σ) was 2.7 and 0.22 nmol/L, respectively. The relative standard deviation (n=8) was 1.2% for 1.0 µmol/L quercetin and 1.9% for 0.5 µmol/L kaempferol. This method was successfully applied to the determination of quercetin in the hydrolysate of rutin and compared well with the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. From a comparison of several related flavonoids, it was concluded that only flavonoids that contain a free 3‐hydroxyl and 2, 3‐double bond in conjugation with 4‐oxo function could produce a relatively strong CL emission.     

Study on Chemiluminescence Assay of Surfactant PEG-400 Using Luminol–Hydrogen Peroxide System

Abstract

Based on the fact that nonionic surfactant polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400) catalyzed the chemiluminescence of luminol-H₂O₂ system, a novel and simple chemiluminescence method has been developed for the determination of PEG-400. Under the optimal conditions, the standard curve was Y = 198835X–2091.8, where the correlation coefficient (R) was 0.9999. The detection limit was 4 × 10^?5 g·ml^?1 PEG-400 and the linear range was 1.0 × 10^?4–4.0 × 10^?2g·ml^?1. The relative standard deviation was 3.2% at 2.0 × 10^?3 g·ml^?1 PEG-400 (n = 7). This method has been applied to the determination of PEG-400 in cosmetic samples with satisfactory results. Furthermore, the dynamics characteristic curve of PEG-400 in luminol-H₂O₂ system was compared to typical metallic ion and other surfactants. Moreover, the mechanism of the luminol-H₂O₂-PEG-400 chemiluminescence system was studied, assisted by fluorescence spectra and UV spectra.     

Synthesis,characterization, and magnetochemical properties of two Mn4 clusters derived from 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Schiff base ligands

Two tetranuclear manganese complexes, [Mn₄(L¹)₆](ClO₄)₂?2.75H₂O (1) [HL¹ = 4-methyl-2-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)phenol] and [Mn₄(L²)₄(NO₃)₃(OH)]?pz?3H₂O (2) [HL² = (1H-pyrazol-1-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)methanol, pz = pyrazole], have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. The structural analysis revealed that the central manganese ion is linked with three apical manganese ions through six phenoxo-bridges creating a Mn₄O₆ core for 1; 2 has a cubane-like topology with the Mn(II) ions and the deprotonated oxygens from L² alternatively occupying vertices. The magnetic studies indicated a weak ferromagnetic coupling interaction (J = 0.48 ± 0.087 cm^?1, g = 2.00, θ = ?0.78 K) for 1 and a weak antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction (J₁ = ?0.50 ± 0.075 cm^?1, J₂ = ?0.13 ± 0.082 cm^?1, g = 1.98) between Mn(II) ions for 2. The magnetostructural correlations of the two Mn₄ clusters have been discussed tentatively.     

A 1-D alternating copper(II) chain based on three acetate-bridging modes: synthesis,crystal structure,DNA binding and magnetic properties

A new 1-D alternating copper(II) polymer, [Cu₂(L)(OAc)₄]_n (1) (L = 5-chloro-2-(pyridine-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole), has been isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility. The complex crystallized in the triclinic space group P-1, a = 8.2277(16) Å, b = 9.4233(19) Å, c = 15.831(3) Å, α = 103.38(3)°, β = 99.95(3)°, γ = 92.70(3)°, V = 1171.3(4) Å³, and comprises a 1-D polymer linked by three kinds of acetate-bridging modes in an alternating manner. UV–visible and fluorescence spectra revealed that 1 is bound to CT-DNA in a partial intercalation mode. Through gel electrophoresis assays, 1 displayed an efficient oxidative cleavage activity on supercoiled plasmid DNA (pUC19) in the presence of H₂O₂. Magnetic measurements were performed from 2 to 300 K, and the experimental results were satisfactorily reproduced with J₁ = –160 ± 20 cm^?1, J₂ = 5.8 ± 0.2 cm^?1, zJ′ = 0.381 ± 0.005 cm^?1 and g = 2.1, showing antiferromagnetic coupling between Cu1 and Cu1i, ferromagnetic exchange between Cu2 and Cu2ii, and a weak ferromagnetic molecular field correction accounting for all interspecies interactions.     

Electrochemical Studies and Square‐Wave Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry of Spironolactone Drug

Abstract

A sensitive and reliable stripping voltammetric method was developed to determine Spironolactone drug. This method is based on the adsorptive accumulation of the drug at a hanging mercury drop electrode and then a negative sweep was initiated, which yield a well defined cathodic peak at ?1000 mV versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode. To achieve high sensitivity, various experimental and instrumental variables were investigated such as supporting electrolyte, pH, accumulation time and potential, drug concentration, scan rate, frequency, pulse amplitude, convection rate and working electrode area. The monitored adsorptive current was directly proportional to the concentration of Spironolactone and it shows a linear response in the range from 1×10^?8 to 2.5×10^?7 mol l^?1 (correlation coefficient=0.999) and the detection limit (S/N=3) is 1.72×10^?10 mol l^?1 at an accumulation time of 90 sec. The developed AdSV procedure shows a good reproducibility, the relative standard deviation RSD% (n=8) at a concentration level of 1.5×10^?7 mol l^?1 was 1.4%, whereas the method accuracy was indicated via the mean recovery of 97.5%±2.04. Possible interferences by several substances usually present in the pharmaceutical formulations have been also evaluated. The applicability of this approach was illustrated by the determination of Spironolactone in pharmaceutical preparation and biological fluids such as serum and urine.     

Biamperometric Determination of Tetracycline in Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

A fast, reliable, and low cost biamperometric flow‐injection method, with an error of 1.3% and an analytical throughput of 55 samples h^?1, for determination of tetracycline hydrochloride in pharmaceuticals capsules is proposed. The analytical curve was linear (r=0.998) in the range 10 to 50 mg l^?1 using Fe(CN)₆ ^3? and NaOH solutions as reagent and carrier stream/supporting electrolyte, respectively. A relative standard deviation of 1.6% (10 sequential injections of 30.0 mg l^?1) was verified with detection and quantification limits of 0.6 and 3.4 mg l^?1, respectively.     

Determination of Epinephrine in Carp Brain Cells by Square-Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry with Carbon Nanotubes

Real-time assay of the neurotransmitter epinephrine (EP) was investigated using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) with modified carbon nanotubes (CNE) electrode. The developed results indicated a sensitive oxidation peak current for EP. A linear working range was obtained within of 5–40 and 40–240 ug/L, with a 45-sec accumulation time in an acetic acid electrolyte. Under optimum conditions, the relative standard deviation of 30.0 ug/l EP was 0.1016% (n = 12) via SW. Here analytical detection limit (S/N) was 0.30 ug/L (1.63 × 10^?9 M). The results can be applied to the brain cells and core of a carp. These findings can have applications in biological neurodiagnostics and in other fields of EP analysis.     

Lipolytic effect of compounds isolated from leaves of mulberry (Morus alba L.) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

In this study, 19 known compounds were isolated from mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves. The lipid accumulation inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was investigated. Compounds 4 and 12 showed good anti-adipogenic activity based on 3T3-L1 adipocytes with values of 36.6 ± 9.0 and 34.7 ± 4.0%, respectively. In addition, compounds 3, 6 and 15 showed significant inhibitory activity with values from 15.4 to 21.2% and compounds 2, 8–9 and 17–18 exhibited weak activity with values ranging from 2.1 to 10.7% at a concentration of 40.0 μM. These results show the potentiality that mulberry leaf is an excellent inhibitory phytochemical source against lipid accumulation.     

Determination of Ultra Trace Amounts of Uranium (VI) by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry Using L-3-(3, 4-dihydroxy phenyl) Alanine as a Selective Complexing Agent

Abstract

The spectrophotometric behavior of uranium (VI) with L-3-(3, 4-dihydroxy phenyl) alanine (LDOPA) reagent revealed that the uranium can form a ML₂ complex with LDOPA in solution. Thus a highly sensitive adsorptive stripping voltammetric protocol for measuring of trace uranium, in which the preconcentration was achieved by adsorption of the uranium-LDOPA complex at hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), is described. Optimal conditions were found to be a 0.02 M ammonium buffer (pH 9.5) containing 2.0 × 10^?5 M (LDOPA), an accumulation potential of ? 0.1 V (versus Ag/AgCl) and an accumulation time of 120 sec.

The peak current and concentration of uranium accorded with linear relationship in the range of 0.5–300 ng ml^?1. The relative standard deviation (at 10 ng ml^?1) is 3.6% and the detection limit is 0.27 ng ml^?1. The interference of some common ions was studied. Applicability to different real samples is illustrated. The attractive behavior of this reagent holds great promise for routine environmental and industrial monitoring of uranium.     

Phytochemical screening,antioxidant activity,total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of seven local varieties of Rosa indica L.

Rosa indica symbol of godness and beauty known for various healing power, has astringent, sedative, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant qualities. Standard methods were used for qualitative detection of phyto-compounds, and quantitative detection of antioxidants was done using DPPH radical scavenging assay, total phenolics and total flavonoids content were expressed in mg GAE/g dry weight and mg QE/g dry weight. Results revealed phyto-compounds presence in all varieties under study however maximum % inhibition was observed by R. indica var pink perfume (94 ± 0.6) with IC50 value 0.3376 ± 0.01 mg/mL. Highest phenolic and flavonoid content was observed in the leaves extract of R. indica var cardinal red, i.e. 3.3553 ± 0.11 (ethanol) mg of Gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight and 3.736 ± 0.001(ethanol) mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g dry weight, respectively, at conc. 0.125 mg/mL. Our finding provides evidence that all varieties of rose contain medicinally important bioactive compounds and justifies their use for treatment of different diseases.     

Discovery of potent and selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors: acacetin 7-O-methyl ether Mannich base derivatives synthesised from easy access natural product naringin

Naringin, as a component universal existing in the peel of some fruits or medicinal plants, was usually selected as the material to synthesise bioactive derivates since it was easy to gain with low cost. In present investigation, eight new acacetin-7-O-methyl ether Mannich base derivatives (1–8) were synthesised from naringin. The bioactivity evaluation revealed that most of them exhibited moderate or potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity. Among them, compound 7 (IC₅₀ for AChE = 0.82 ± 0.08 μmol?L^?1, IC₅₀ for BuChE = 46.30 ± 3.26 μmol?L^?1) showed a potent activity and high selectivity compared with the positive control Rivastigmine (IC₅₀ for AChE = 10.54 ± 0.86 μmol?L^?1, IC₅₀ for BuChE = 0.26 ± 0.08 μmol?L^?1). The kinetic study suggested that compound 7 bind to AChE with mix-type inhibitory profile. Molecular docking study revealed that compound 7 could combine both catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral active site (PAS) of AChE with four points (Trp84, Trp279, Tyr70 and Phe330), while it could bind with BuChE via only His 20.     

A new pair of enantiomeric lignans from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia and their absolute configuration

A new pair of sesamin-type lignan enantiomers (±)-morifolia A (1a/1b) together with eight known analogues (2–9) were isolated from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia. Their structures were established by spectroscopic data and the absolute configurations of 1a/1b were determined by ECD calculation. All compounds were examined for their inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and compounds 1a, 1b, 2–4 and 7–9 exhibited pronounced inhibition with IC₅₀ values in the range of 1.97–8.01 (μM, being more active than the positive control, quercetin (IC₅₀ = 15.32 (M).