Antispasmodic Effect of Asperidine B,a Pyrrolidine Derivative,through Inhibition of L-Type Ca2+ Channel in Rat Ileal Smooth Muscle

Antispasmodic agents are used for modulating gastrointestinal motility. Several compounds isolated from terrestrial plants have antispasmodic properties. This study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect of the pyrrolidine derivative, asperidine B, isolated from the soil-derived fungus Aspergillus sclerotiorum PSU-RSPG178, on spasmodic activity. Isolated rat ileum was set up in an organ bath. The contractile responses of asperidine B (0.3 to 30 µM) on potassium chloride and acetylcholine-induced contractions were recorded. To investigate its antispasmodic mechanism, CaCl₂, acetylcholine, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), nifedipine, methylene blue and tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) were tested in the absence or in the presence of asperidine B. Cumulative concentrations of asperidine B reduced the ileal contraction by ~37%. The calcium chloride and acetylcholine-induced ileal contraction was suppressed by asperidine B. The effects of asperidine B combined with nifedipine, atropine or TEA were similar to those treated with nifedipine, atropine or TEA, respectively. In contrast, in the presence of l-NAME and methylene blue, the antispasmodic effect of asperidine B was unaltered. These results suggest that the antispasmodic property of asperidine B is probably due to the blockage of the L-type Ca²⁺ channel and is associated with K⁺ channels and muscarinic receptor, possibly by affecting non-selective cation channels and/or releasing intracellular calcium.     

The Involvement of l-Arginine-Nitric Oxide-cGMP-ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel Pathway in Antinociception of BBHC,a Novel Diarylpentanoid Analogue,in Mice Model

The present study focuses on the possible involvement of l-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP-ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel pathway in the antinociceptive activity of a novel diarylpentanoid analogue, 2-benzoyl-6-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene)cyclohexen-1-ol (BBHC) via a chemical nociceptive model in mice. The antinociceptive action of BBHC (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was attenuated by the intraperitoneal pre-treatment of l-arginine (a nitric oxide synthase precursor) and glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel blocker) in acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction tests. Interestingly, BBHC’s antinociception was significantly enhanced by the i.p. pre-treatment of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a selective inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase (p < 0.05). Altogether, these findings suggest that the systemic administration of BBHC is able to establish a significant antinociceptive effect in a mice model of chemically induced pain. BBHC’s antinociception is shown to be mediated by the involvement of l-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP-ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel pathway, without any potential sedative or muscle relaxant concerns.     

AuICl-bound N-heterocyclic carbene ligands form MII4(LAuCl)6 integrally gilded cages

The incorporation of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) moiety into a self-assembled MII4L₆ cage framework required the NHC first to be metallated with gold(i). Bimetallic cages could then be constructed using zinc(ii) and cadmium(ii) templates, showing weak luminescence. The cages were destroyed by the addition of further gold(i) in the form of Au^I(2,4,6-trimethoxybenzonitrile)₂SbF₆, which caused the reversibly-formed cages to disassemble and controllably release the Au^I-NHC subcomponent into solution. This release in turn induced the growth of gold nanoparticles. The rate of dianiline release could be tuned by capsule design or through the addition of chemical stimuli, with different release profiles giving rise to different nanoparticle morphologies.     

DFT insight into asymmetric alkyl–alkyl bond formation via nickel-catalysed enantioconvergent reductive coupling of racemic electrophiles with olefins

A DFT study has been conducted to understand the asymmetric alkyl–alkyl bond formation through nickel-catalysed reductive coupling of racemic alkyl bromide with olefin in the presence of hydrosilane and K₃PO₄. The key findings of the study include: (i) under the reductive experimental conditions, the Ni(ii) precursor is easily activated/reduced to Ni(0) species which can serve as an active species to start a Ni(0)/Ni(ii) catalytic cycle. (ii) Alternatively, the reaction may proceed via a Ni(i)/Ni(ii)/Ni(iii) catalytic cycle starting with a Ni(i) species such as Ni(i)–Br. The generation of a Ni(i) active species via comproportionation of Ni(ii) and Ni(0) species is highly unlikely, because the necessary Ni(0) species is strongly stabilized by olefin. Alternatively, a cage effect enabled generation of a Ni(i) active catalyst from the Ni(ii) species involved in the Ni(0)/Ni(ii) cycle was proposed to be a viable mechanism. (iii) In both catalytic cycles, K₃PO₄ greatly facilitates the hydrosilane hydride transfer for reducing olefin to an alkyl coupling partner. The reduction proceeds by converting a Ni–Br bond to a Ni–H bond via hydrosilane hydride transfer to a Ni–alkyl bond via olefin insertion. On the basis of two catalytic cycles, the origins for enantioconvergence and enantioselectivity control were discussed.

The enantioconvergent alkyl–alkyl coupling involves two competitive catalytic cycles with nickel(0) and nickel(i) active catalysts, respectively. K₃PO₄ plays a crucial role to enable the hydride transfer from hydrosilane to nickel–bromine species.     

Thermodynamics of extraction of tetravalent plutonium,uranium, thorium and zirconium

Thermodynamic treatment of the experimental data on the extraction of quadrivalent Pu, U, Th and Zr with tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) from nitric acid solutions is presented. It is shown that the extraction of all the quadrivalent metals studied is going according to the same mechanism: M(OH)^4?i+(4?i)NO ₃ ^? +2TBP?M(OH)_i(NO₃)_4?i·2 TBP. For Zr, i=0, 1, and 2; for the remaining M(IV), i=0 and 1. The thermodynamic constants of extraction of M(IV) with the kerosene solutions of TBP according to the above mentioned equation are as follows: Zr: K ₀ ⁰ =0.6; K ₁ ⁰ =14; K ₂ ⁰ =5. Pu: K ₀ ⁰ =380; K ₁ ⁰ =4.8·10⁴. U: K ₀ ⁰ =300; K ₁ ⁰ =1.8·10⁴. Th: K ₀ ⁰ ～150. It has been established that Zr and Pu(IV) are extracted into 2-thenoyltrifluoracetone (HA) from perchloric acid solutions under the formation of MA₄ and M(ClO₄)A₃ species. For the extraction from nitric acid solutions, the species formed are ZrA₄ and Zr(NO₃)A₃ in the case of Zr, PuA₄ and Pu(OH)A₃ in the case of Pu. The differences in the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the extraction of M(IV) with TBP and HA from nitric and perchloric acids are explained by the effect of the character of the acid and of ionic potential upon the structure of the hydration shell of M _aq ⁴⁺ .     

Production of 6-l-[18F]Fluoro-m-tyrosine in an Automated Synthesis Module for 11C-Labeling

6-l-[¹⁸F]Fluoro-m-tyrosine (6-l-[¹⁸F]FMT) represents a valuable alternative to 6-l-[¹⁸F]FDOPA which is conventionally used for the diagnosis and staging of Parkinson’s disease. However, clinical applications of 6-l-[¹⁸F]FMT have been limited by the paucity of practical production methods for its automated production. Herein we describe the practical preparation of 6-l-[¹⁸F]FMT using alcohol-enhanced Cu-mediated radiofluorination of Bpin-substituted chiral Ni(II) complex in the presence of non-basic Bu₄ONTf using a volatile iPrOH/MeCN mixture as reaction solvent. A simple and fast radiolabeling procedure afforded the tracer in 20.0 ± 3.0% activity yield within 70 min. The developed method was directly implemented onto a modified TracerLab FX C Pro platform originally designed for ¹¹C-labeling. This method enables an uncomplicated switch between ¹¹C- and ¹⁸F-labeling. The simplicity of the developed procedure enables its easy adaptation to other commercially available remote-controlled synthesis units and paves the way for a widespread application of 6-l-[¹⁸F]FMT in the clinic.     

Sensitization of wide band gap photocatalysts to visible light by molten CuCl treatment

Cu(i)-substituted metal oxide photocatalysts were prepared using molten CuCl treatment of wide band gap photocatalysts. The Cu(i)-substituted metal oxide photocatalysts possessed a new absorption band in the visible light region and showed photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from an aqueous solution containing sulfur sacrificial reagents under visible light irradiation. Notably, the Cu(i)–K₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ and Cu(i)–NaTaO₃ photocatalysts showed relatively high activities for hydrogen evolution and gave apparent quantum yields of 0.18% at 420 nm. These photocatalysts responded up to 620 nm. Thus, Cu(i)-substitution using a molten CuCl treatment was an effective strategy for sensitizing a metal oxide photocatalyst with a wide band gap to visible light.     

Complexation and redox chemistry of neptunium,plutonium and americium with a hydroxylaminato ligand

There is significant interest in ligands that can stabilize actinide ions in oxidation states that can be exploited to chemically differentiate 5f and 4f elements. Applications range from developing large-scale actinide separation strategies for nuclear industry processing to carrying out analytical studies that support environmental monitoring and remediation efforts. Here, we report syntheses and characterization of Np(iv), Pu(iv) and Am(iii) complexes with N-tert-butyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)hydroxylaminato, [2-(^tBuNO)py]⁻(interchangeable hereafter with [(^tBuNO)py]⁻), a ligand which was previously found to impart remarkable stability to cerium in the +4 oxidation state. An[(^tBuNO)py]₄ (An = Pu, 1; Np, 2) have been synthesized, characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption, ¹H NMR and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry, along with computational modeling and analysis. In the case of Pu, oxidation of Pu(iii) to Pu(iv) was observed upon complexation with the [(^tBuNO)py]⁻ ligand. The Pu complex 1 and Np complex 2 were also isolated directly from Pu(iv) and Np(iv) precursors. Electrochemical measurements indicate that a Pu(iii) species can be accessed upon one-electron reduction of 1 with a large negative reduction potential (E_1/2 = −2.26 V vs. Fc^+/0). Applying oxidation potentials to 1 and 2 resulted in ligand-centered electron transfer reactions, which is different from the previously reported redox chemistry of U^IV[(^tBuNO)py]₄ that revealed a stable U(v) product. Treatment of an anhydrous Am(iii) precursor with the [(^tBuNO)py]⁻ ligand did not result in oxidation to Am(iv). Instead, the dimeric complex [Am^III(μ₂-(^tBuNO)py)((^tBuNO)py)₂]₂ (3) was isolated. Complex 3 is a rare example of a structurally characterized non-aqueous Am-containing molecular complex prepared using inert atmosphere techniques. Predicted redox potentials from density functional theory calculations show a trivalent accessibility trend of U(iii) < Np(iii) < Pu(iii) and that the higher oxidation states of actinides (i.e., +5 for Np and Pu and +4 for Am) are not stabilized by [2-(^tBuNO)py]⁻, in good agreement with experimental observations.

The coordination modes and electronic properties of a strongly coordinating hydroxylaminato ligand with Np, Pu and Am were investigated.Complexes were characterized by a range of experimental and computational techniques.     

Genomics-driven discovery of chiral triscatechol siderophores with enantiomeric Fe(iii) coordination

Ferric complexes of triscatechol siderophores may assume one of two enantiomeric configurations at the iron site. Chirality is known to be important in the iron uptake process, however an understanding of the molecular features directing stereospecific coordination remains ambiguous. Synthesis of the full suite of (DHB^L/DLys^L/DSer)₃ macrolactone diastereomers, which includes the siderophore cyclic trichrysobactin (CTC), enables the effects that the chirality of Lys and Ser residues exert on the configuration of the Fe(iii) complex to be defined. Computationally optimized geometries indicate that the Λ/Δ configurational preferences are set by steric interactions between the Lys sidechains and the peptide backbone. The ability of each (DHB^L/DLys^L/DSer)₃ diastereomer to form a stable Fe(iii) complex prompted a genomic search for biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) encoding the synthesis of these diastereomers in microbes. The genome of the plant pathogen Dickeya chrysanthemi EC16 was sequenced and the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of CTC were identified. A related but distinct BGC was identified in the genome of the opportunistic pathogen Yersinia frederiksenii ATCC 33641; isolation of the siderophore from Y. frederiksenii ATCC 33641, named frederiksenibactin (FSB), revealed the triscatechol oligoester, linear-(DHB^LLys^LSer)₃. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy establishes that Fe(iii)–CTC and Fe(iii)–FSB are formed in opposite enantiomeric configuration, consistent with the results of the ferric complexes of the cyclic (DHB^L/DLys^L/DSer)₃ diastereomers.

Synthesis and genome mining leverage access to diastereomers of the siderophore cyclic trichrysobactin. Computational modeling and CD spectroscopy address effects that ligand-based stereochemistry exerts on the configuration at Fe(iii).     

Formation of 1-D ladder- and 2-D sheet-like networks due to stereospecific π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding between enantiomeric sulfur-bridged dinuclear complexes of penicillaminates

Reaction of trans(N)-[Co(D-pen)₂]^? (pen = penicillaminate) or trans(N)-[Co(L-pen)₂]^? with [MCl₂(L)] {M = Pd or Pt, L = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)} in the presence of tetrafluoroborate stereoselectively gave an optically active S-bridged dinuclear complex, [M(L){Co(D-pen)₂}]BF₄ · 2H₂O or [M(L){Co(L-pen)₂}]BF₄ · 2H₂O. The mixture of equimolar amounts of these enantiomers in H₂O crystallizes as [M(L){Co(D-pen)₂}]_0.5[M(L){Co(L-pen)₂}]_0.5BF₄ · 4H₂O (DLbpyM · 4H₂O, DLphenM-A · 4H₂O), in which the enantiomeric complex cations are included by the ratio of 1 : 1. In crystals of DLbpyM · 4H₂O and DLphenM-A · 4H₂O, [M(L){Co(D-pen)₂}]⁺ and [M(L){Co(L-pen)₂}]⁺ interact stereospecifically with each other through π-conjugated systems to form dimeric structures. Other racemic crystals with the same chemical compositions as DLphenM-A · 4H₂O, DLphenM-B · 4H₂O, were obtained from equimolar amounts of [M(phen){Co(D-pen)₂}]⁺ and [M(phen){Co(L-pen)₂}]⁺ in aqueous acetonitrile solution. In the crystals of DLphenM-B · 4H₂O, [M(phen){Co(D-pen)₂}]⁺ and [M(phen){Co(L-pen)₂}]⁺ are arranged alternately while overlapping phen planes, and the π electronic systems of phen interact with each other. Although stereospecific hydrogen bonds between the coordinated ?NH₂ and ?COO^? groups are formed in both DLphenM-A · 4H₂O and DLphenM-B · 4H₂O, their bonding modes differ noticeably from each other. As a result, DLphenM-A · 4H₂O builds up 1-D ladder-like networks due to the stereospecific π–π stackings and hydrogen bondings between enantiomers, while 2-D sheet-like networks are established for DLphenM-B · 4H₂O.     

Separation,Purification, Structural Characterization,and Anticancer Activity of a Novel Exopolysaccharide from Mucor sp.

Mucor sp. has a wide range of applications in the food fermentation industry. In this study, a novel exopolysaccharide, labeled MSEPS, was separated from Mucor sp. fermentation broth through ethanol precipitation and was purified by ion-exchange chromatography, as well as gel filtration column chromatography. MSEPS was composed mostly of mannose, galactose, fucose, arabinose, and glucose with a molar ratio of 0.466:0.169:0.139:0.126:0.015 and had a molecular weight of 7.78 × 10⁴ Da. The analysis of methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance results indicated that MSEPS mainly consisted of a backbone of →3,6)-α-d-Manp-(1→3,6)-β-d-Galp-(1→, with substitution at O-3 of →6)-α-d-Manp-(1→ and →6)-β-d-Galp-(1→ by terminal α-l-Araf residues. MTT assays showed that MSEPS was nontoxic in normal cells (HK-2 cells) and inhibited the proliferation of carcinoma cells (SGC-7901 cells). Additionally, morphological analysis and flow cytometry experiments indicated that MSEPS promoted SGC-7901 cell death via apoptosis. Therefore, MSEPS from Mucor sp. can be developed as a potential antitumor agent.     

Increased arginase II activity contributes to endothelial dysfunction through endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling in aged mice

The incidence of cardiovascular disease is predicted to increase as the population ages. There is accumulating evidence that arginase upregulation is associated with impaired endothelial function. Here, we demonstrate that arginase II (ArgII) is upregulated in aortic vessels of aged mice and contributes to decreased nitric oxide (NO) generation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling. Inhibiting ArgII with small interfering RNA technique restored eNOS coupling to that observed in young mice and increased NO generation and decreased ROS production. Furthermore, enhanced vasoconstrictor responses to U46619 and attenuated vasorelaxation responses to acetylcholine in aged vasculature were markedly improved following siRNA treatment against ArgII. These results might be associated with increased L-arginine bioavailability. Collectively, these results suggest that ArgII may be a valuable target in age-dependent vascular diseases.     

Complex formation of curium(III) with amino acids of different functionalities: L-threonine and O -phospho-L-threonine

The speciation of curium(III) with L-threonine and O-phospho-L-threonine was determined by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) at trace Cm(III) concentrations (3?×?10^?7?M). Curium species of the type M_pH_qL_r were identified in the L-threonine- and O-phospho-L-threonine system. These complexes are characterized by their individual luminescence spectra and luminescence lifetimes. The following formation constants were determined (a) for L-threonine: log?β₁₀₁?=?6.72?±?0.07, log?β₁₀₂?=?10.22?±?0.09, and log?β_1–22?=?(7.22?±?0.19) at ionic strength I?=?0.5?M and (b) for O-phospho-L-threonine: log?β₁₂₁?=?18.03?±?0.13 and log?β₁₁₁?=?14.17?±?0.09 at ionic strength I?=?0.154?M. Possible structures of the identified curium species are discussed on the basis of the luminescence lifetime measurements and the magnitude of the formation constants.     

Synthesis,characterization and fluorescent properties of lanthanide complexes with two aryl amide ligands

Two aryl amide ligands, N-(p-tolyl)-2-(quinolin-8-yloxy)acetamide (L¹ ) and N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(quinolin-8-yloxy)acetamide (L² ), were synthesized. With these ligands, two series of lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared, Ln(L ⁿ )₂(NO₃)₃ (n = 1, 2; Ln = La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy), and characterized by the elemental analyses, molar conductivity, ¹H NMR spectra, IR spectra and TG-DTA. The fluorescence properties of the complexes and the triplet state energies of the ligands were studied in detail. In addition, the quantum yields of both Eu(III) complexes and Eu(L⁰)₂(NO₃)₃ [where L⁰ is N-(phenyl)-2-(quinolin-8-yloxy)acetamide] 1 Wu, WN, Yuan, WB, Tang, N, Yang, RD, Yan, L and Xu, ZH. 2006. Spectrochim. Acta A, 65: 912[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] were calculated. The results indicate that among the lowest triplet energies (T) of the three ligands, that of L² is most suitable to the resonance level (⁵D₁) of Eu(III) ion. Furthermore, Eu(L²)₂(NO₃)₃ has the highest fluorescence intensity and quantum yield of the three Eu(III) complexes.     

Synthesis of Four Orthogonally Protected Rare l-Hexose Thioglycosides from d-Mannose by C-5 and C-4 Epimerization

l-Hexoses are important components of biologically relevant compounds and precursors of some therapeuticals. However, they typically cannot be obtained from natural sources and due to the complexity of their synthesis, their commercially available derivatives are also very expensive. Starting from one of the cheapest d-hexoses, d-mannose, using inexpensive and readily available chemicals, we developed a reaction pathway to obtain two orthogonally protected l-hexose thioglycoside derivatives, l-gulose and l-galactose, through the corresponding 5,6-unsaturated thioglycosides by C-5 epimerization. From these derivatives, the orthogonally protected thioglycosides of further two l-hexoses (l-allose and l-glucose) were synthesized by C-4 epimerization. The preparation of the key intermediates, the 5,6-unsaturated derivatives, was systematically studied using various protecting groups. By the method developed, we are able to produce highly functionalized l-gulose derivatives in 9 steps (total yields: 21–23%) and l-galactose derivatives in 12 steps (total yields: 6–8%) starting from d-mannose.     

Hydrophilic sulfonated bis-1,2,4-triazine ligands are highly effective reagents for separating actinides(iii) from lanthanides(iii) via selective formation of aqueous actinide complexes

We report the first examples of hydrophilic 6,6′-bis(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine (BTBP) and 2,9-bis(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (BTPhen) ligands, and their applications as actinide(iii) selective aqueous complexing agents. The combination of a hydrophobic diamide ligand in the organic phase and a hydrophilic tetrasulfonated bis-triazine ligand in the aqueous phase is able to separate Am(iii) from Eu(iii) by selective Am(iii) complex formation across a range of nitric acid concentrations with very high selectivities, and without the use of buffers. In contrast, disulfonated bis-triazine ligands are unable to separate Am(iii) from Eu(iii) in this system. The greater ability of the tetrasulfonated ligands to retain Am(iii) selectively in the aqueous phase than the corresponding disulfonated ligands appears to be due to the higher aqueous solubilities of the complexes of the tetrasulfonated ligands with Am(iii). The selectivities for Am(iii) complexation observed with hydrophilic tetrasulfonated bis-triazine ligands are in many cases far higher than those found with the polyaminocarboxylate ligands previously used as actinide-selective complexing agents, and are comparable to those found with the parent hydrophobic bis-triazine ligands. Thus we demonstrate a feasible alternative method to separate actinides from lanthanides than the widely studied approach of selective actinide extraction with hydrophobic bis-1,2,4-triazine ligands such as CyMe₄-BTBP and CyMe₄-BTPhen.     

Enantioselective,Potentiometric Membrane Electrodes Based on Cyclodextrins for the Assay of L‐ and D‐2‐Hydroxyglutaric Acid

Abstract

Enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes (EPMEs) based on immobilization of β‐, γ‐cyclodextrin (CD) or 2‐hydroxy‐3‐trimethylammoniopropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (as chloride salt) (β‐CD‐derivative) in carbon paste have been designed. The β‐CD and β‐CD‐derivative‐based electrodes were applied in the 10^?8–10^?6 and 10^?7–10^?5 mol/L concentration ranges for the determination of L‐2‐hydroxyglutaric acid (L‐2‐HGA), whereas γ‐CD‐based electrode was applied for the determination of D‐2‐hydroxyglutaric acid (D‐2‐HGA) in the concentration range 10^?6–10^?4 mol/L. The β‐CD‐based EPME showed the lowest detection limit (1×10^?9 mol/L). The enantioselectivity and selectivity of the proposed electrodes for the assay of L‐2‐HGA and D‐2‐HGA, respectively, were determined over D‐2‐HGA/L‐2‐HGA, creatine, and creatinine. The proposed EPMEs can be applied for the enantioanalysis of 2‐hydroxyglutaric acid in urine samples.     

Analyses of Antioxidative Properties of Selected Cyclitols and Their Mixtures with Flavanones and Glutathione

The conditions for determining the antioxidant properties of cyclitols (d-pinitol, l-quebrachitol, myo-, l-chiro-, and d-chiro-inositol), selected flavanones (hesperetin, naringenin, eriodictyol, and liquiritigenin) and glutathione by spectrophotometric methods—CUPRAC and with DPPH radical, and by a chromatographic method DPPH-UHPLC-UV, have been identified. Interactions of the tested compounds and their impact on the ox-red properties were investigated. The RSA (%) of the compounds tested was determined. Very low antioxidative properties of cyclitols, compared with flavanones and glutathione alone, were revealed. However, a significant increase in the determined antioxidative properties of glutathione by methyl-ether derivatives of cyclitols (d-pinitol and l-quebrachitol) was demonstrated for the first time. Thus, cyclitols seem to be a good candidate for creating drugs for the treatment of many diseases associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.     

Targeting antioxidant pathways with ferrocenylated N-heterocyclic carbene supported gold(i) complexes in A549 lung cancer cells

Ferrocene containing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligated gold(i) complexes of the type [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ were prepared and found to be capable of regulating the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via multiple mechanisms. Single crystal X-ray analysis of bis(1-(ferrocenylmethyl)-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (5) and bis(1,3-di(ferrocenylmethyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (6) revealed a quasi-linear geometry around the gold(i) centers (i.e., the C–Au–C bond angle were measured to be ∼177° and all the Au–C_carbene bonds distances were in the range of 2.00 (7)–2.03 (1) Å). A series of cell studies indicated that cell proliferation inhibition and ROS generation were directly proportional to the amount of ferrocene contained within the [Au(NHC)₂]⁺ complexes (IC₅₀ of 6 < 5 < bis(1-benzyl-3-mesitylimidazol-2-ylidene)-gold(i) chloride (4)). Complexes 4–6 were also confirmed to inhibit thioredoxin reductase as inferred from lipoate reduction assays and increased chelatable intracellular zinc concentrations. RNA microarray gene expression assays revealed that 6 induces endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathways as a result of ROS increase.     

The gold(i)···lead(ii) interaction: a relativistic connection

The crystal structure of complex [Pb{HB(pz)₃}Au(C₆Cl₅)₂] 1 displays an unsupported Au(i)···Pb(ii) interaction. This complex emits at 480 nm in the solid state due to an aurate(i) to lead(ii) charge transfer, in which the existence of a metallophilic interaction is a pre-requisite. Ab initio calculations show a very strong Au(i)···Pb(ii) closed-shell interaction of –390 kJ mol^–1, which has an ionic plus a dispersive (van der Waals) nature strengthened by large relativistic effects (>17%).