Teicoplanin-functionalized magnetic beads for detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> via inhibition of the luminol chemiluminescence by intracellular catalase

An affinity-based protocol is described for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). It is utilizing teicoplanin-functionalized magnetic beads as carriers. Teicoplanin, which binds to the walls of cells of S. aureus via five hydrogen bonds, acts as the recognition agent. Captured S. aureus is magnetically separated from the sample matrix and then specifically lysed by lysostaphin which cleaves the cross-linking pentaglycine bridges of peptidoglycan in the cell wall. Lastly, S. aureus is quantified via the inhibitory effect of released intracellular catalase on a chemiluminescent (CL) system composed of peroxidase, luminol, H₂O₂ and p-iodophenol because catalase decomposes H₂O₂. S. aureus can be detected with CL response in the 140 to 1.4?×?10⁷ CFU·mL^?1 concentration range and a detection limit as low as 47 CFU·mL^?1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The method was evaluated by analyzing spiked samples including milk, human urine and saline injection solutions. The reliability was demonstrated by a recovery test and by comparison with a conventional plate counting method.

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Graphical abstract An antibiotic-affinity protocol is developed to detect Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) by utilizing teicoplanin-functionalized magnetic beads (Teic-MBs) as carriers. S. aureus can be quantified by measuring the inhibition of luminol chemiluminescence (CL) signal by intracellular catalase.

     

Synthesis,characterization, antimicrobial activity and ultrastructure of the affected bacteria of new quinoline compounds

The reaction on 8-hydroxy quinoline-7-aldehyde azo compounds (HL _n ) (where n = 1–5) with 4-amino-1,2-dihydro-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one to obtain HL _n (where n = 6–10) have been characterized by means of TLC, melting point and spectral data, such as IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectra and thermal studies. The X-ray diffraction patterns of two starting materials 8-hydroxy quinoline-7-aldehyde (start 1), 4-amino-1,2-dihydro-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one (start 2) and the ligands (HL_5,10) are investigated in powder form. All the ligands have been screened for their antimicrobial activity against four local bacterial species, two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) as well as against four local fungi; Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium italicum and Fusarium oxysporium. The results show that the azo ligands (HL _n ) (where n = 1–5) have no antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi while most azomethine ligands (HL _n ) (where n = 6–10) are good antibacterial agents against E. coli and K. pneumoniae as well as antifungal agents against P. italicum and A. alternata. The results were compared to standard substances (start 1) and (start 2). Among the azomethine ligands, HL₁₀ was the most effective against the most microorganisms tested. The size of clear zone was ordered as p-(OCH₃ < CH₃ < H < Cl < NO₂) as expected from Hammett’s constant (σ ^R ). Also, the ultrastructure study of the affected bacteria confirmed that HL₈ is good antibacterial agent against E. coli and S. aureus.     

Specific detection and effective inhibition of a single bacterial species <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> using peptide mineralized Au cluster probes

Increasingly serious microbial infections call for the development of new simpler methods for the precise diagnosis and specific inhibition of such pathogens. In this work, a peptide mineralized Au cluster probe was applied as a new simplified strategy to both recognize and inhibit a single bacteria species of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) simultaneously. The probes are composed of peptides and Au clusters. Moreover, the peptides specifically target S. aureus cells and the Au clusters provide fluorescent imaging and have an antibacterial effect. These new probes enable the simultaneous specific detection and effective destruction S. aureus cells in situ.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation,quantitative-SAR and docking studies of novel chalcone derivatives as antibacterial and antioxidant agents

In the present study, a series of chalcone derivatives including 17 new compounds were synthesised; their antibacterial activities against eleven bacteria, and their free radical-scavenging activities using DPPH were evaluated. All compounds showed significant antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In particular, compound IIIf strongly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (JMC 2151) and Enterococcus faecalis (CARS 2011-012) with MIC values of 6.25 µg mL^?1 and 12.5 µg mL^?1, respectively, which are comparable to that of the standard antibiotic, nalidixic acid. Compound IIIg also inhibited S. aureus with a MIC value similar to that of nalidixic acid (6.25 µg mL^?1). Furthermore, like nalidixic acid (MIC value of 25 µg mL^?1), compounds IIIa, IIIc and IIId inhibited Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 43256) with MIC values of 25 µg mL^?1, 12.5 µg mL^?1 and 25 µg mL^?1, respectively. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (Q-SAR) studies using physicochemical calculations indicated that the antibacterial activities of chalcone derivatives correlated well with predicted physicochemical parameters (logP and PSA). Docking simulation by positioning the most active compound IIIf in the active site of the penicillin-binding protein (PBP-1b) of S. aureus was performed to explore the feasible binding mode. Furthermore, most of the compounds synthesised exhibited significant DPPH radical-scavenging activity, although compounds IIc and IIIc exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.68 µM and 1.44 µM, respectively, comparable to that of the standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid (1.03 µM).     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Commiphora caudata</Emphasis> Leaves Extract and the Study of Bactericidal Efficiency

The present study reports the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from silver nitrate solution using leaf extracts of Commiphora caudata. The formation of Ag NPs in the colloidal solution is confirmed by UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis. The identification of biomolecules is analyzed through fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction pattern shows that an average particle size of the synthesized nanoparticles are in the range of 40–24 nm. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirm the formation Ag NPs in spherical shape. The photoluminescence study of the synthesized Ag NPs interprets the influence of C caudata leaf concentrations on emission behavior. Zeta potential measurement is carried out to determine the stability of synthesized Ag NPs. GC–MS analysis revealed that the C. caudata contained 11 compounds, such as Stigmasterol (24.14 %), Hexacosanoic acid, methyl ester (15.13 %) and 2-bromophenyl morpholine-4-carboxylate (11.71 %). The antibacterial activity of Ag NPs shows that these bio capped Ag NPs have higher inhibitory action for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pheumoniea, Micrococcus flavus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus aureus.     

Synthesis,SAR and in vitro therapeutic potentials of thiazolidine-2,4-diones

Background

Thiazolidinedione is a pentacyclic moiety having five membered unsaturated ring system composed with carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur molecules at 1 and 3 position of the thiazole ring and widely found throughout nature in various form. They favourably alter concentration of the hormones secreted by adipocytes, particularly adiponectin. They also increase total body fat and have mixed effects on circulating lipids. Thiazolidinedione nucleus is present in numerous biological moieties and has different pharmacological activities likes, e.g. antimalarial, antimicrobial, antimycobacterial, anticonvulsant, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and antituberculosis.

Results and discussion

The synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial potential against Gram (positive and negative) bacterial and fungal strains by tube dilution technique. In this series, compound 10 exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against B. subtilis and S. aureus with MIC?=?4.2?×?10^?2 µM/ml, compound 15 showed significant activity against K. pneumonia with MIC?=?2.60?×?10^?2 µM/ml and compound 4 displayed potent antibacterial activity against E. coli with MIC?=?4.5?×?10^?2 µM/ml. Compound 10 had most potent antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. niger with MIC?=?4.2?×?10^?2 µM/ml. Compounds 12 and 15 were found as most active antidiabetic agents having IC₅₀?=?27.63 μg/ml and 22.35 μg/ml, respectively, using DPPH assay. Antioxidant activity results indicated that compounds 3 and 9 displayed good antioxidant agent with IC₅₀?=?29.04 μg/ml and 27.66 μg/ml respectively, using α amylase assay.

Conclusion

All the synthesized derivatives exhibited good antimicrobial, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities using specific methods then compared with mentioned standard drugs. Especially, compounds 3, 4, 9, 10, 12 and 15 displayed highest activity. Structure activity relationship demonstrated that presence of electron withdrawing group (o-NO₂, p-Cl, p-Br) enhanced the antibacterial activity against E. coli as well as increased the antioxidant activity while the presence of electron releasing group (o/p-OCH₃, 3,4,5-trimethoxy) enhanced the antibacterial activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. typhi, K. pneumonia, C. albicans and A. niger as well as the antidiabetic activity.

     

Tetrakis [<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(2-pyridyl) sulfonamide] di palladium: synthesize,X-ray diffraction,antibacterial properties and as a novel binuclear Pd-complex for coupling reactions

The N-(2-pyridyl) 4-toluene sulfonamide as a free ligand (PTS) was prepared from the reaction of 2-amino pyridine and 4-toluenesulfonyl chloride in the presence of potassium hydroxide solution 1 M as a base and THF was used as a solvent. The complex tetrakis [N-(2-pyridyl) sulfonamide] di palladium (1) (Pd₂L₄) was also prepared from the reaction of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ using (PTS) in the presence of NaOH 0.5 M and its application in Heck and Suzuki reactions. This complex consists of a binuclear unit consisting of four ligands linked to two palladium atoms via the nitrogen of pyridines ring and the nitrogen of sulfonamides. These compounds were confirmed by FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, the structure of the complex was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. The green crystal of Pd₂L₄ [L = N-(2-pyridyl) sulfonamide](1) was found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 18.2013(19), b = 19.7544(16), c = 17.2898(19) Å, β = 120.179(8) °; V = 5374.0(9) ų; Z = 4; the final R ₁ = 0.0894, wR ₂ = 0.1754 (or 5867 observed reflections and 318 variables). The Pd–Pd distance is 2.567(2) Å. In addition, PTS and Pd₂L₄ presented different antibacterial behaviors. The free ligand was active against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, but the complex was inactive against them.     

Synthesis,characterization and crystal structures of new Zinc(II) and Nickel(II) complexes containing morpholine moiety and their antibacterial studies

The ligand 1,2-dimorpholinoethane (DME) was used to prepare Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes of the general formulation MLX₂ (L = DME, X = Cl or NO₃). Zinc(II) complex exhibits spectral properties indicative of a distorted tetrahedral geometry, with DME coordinating through two nitrogen atoms and two chlorides completing the tetrahedron. This is in contrast to the six-coordinated, distorted octahedral geometry exhibited by nickel(II) complex of DME when NO₃ was used as counter ions. The X-ray diffraction confirms the structures of two complexes and shows that the ligand coordinates through two nitrogen atoms while the two ether linkages are not involved in complexation, which would have been the case if the morpholine rings were in the boat form. The ligand and related complexes have antibacterial activity against the five Gram-positive bacteria: Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Bacillus cereus NRRL-B-3711, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Streptococcus pyogenes and also against the three Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli ATCC 11230, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 and Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 70063. The results showed that in some cases the antibacterial activity of the complexes exceeded the one of sulfisoxazole used as a standard.     

Cotton Stalk Pretreatment Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daedalea flavida</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phlebia radiata</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavodon flavus</Emphasis>: Lignin Degradation,Cellulose Recovery,and Enzymatic Saccharification

Lignocellulolytic enzyme activities of selective fungi Daedalea flavida MTCC 145 (DF-2), Phlebia radiata MTCC 2791 (PR), and non-selective fungus Flavodon flavus MTCC 168 (FF) were studied for pretreatment of cotton stalks. Simultaneous productions of high LiP and laccase activities by DF-2 during early phase of growth were effective for lignin degradation 27.83 ± 1.25 % (w/w of lignin) in 20-day pretreatment. Production of high MnP activity without laccase in the early growth phase of PR was ineffective and delayed lignin degradation 24.93 ± 1.53 % in 25 days due to laccase production at later phase. With no LiP activity, low activities of MnP and laccase by FF yielded poor lignin degradation 15.09 ± 0.6 % in 20 days. Xylanase was predominant cellulolytic enzyme produced by DF-2, resulting hemicellulose as main carbon and energy source with 83 % of cellulose recovery after 40 days of pretreatment. The glucose yield improved more than two fold from 20-day DF-2 pretreated cotton stalks after enzymatic saccharification.     

Bacterio- and lymphocytotoxicity of silver nanocomposite with sulfated arabinogalactan

The antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of the silver-containing drug, which is zerovalent metallic silver nanoparticles stabilized by sulfated arabinogalactan, towards human lymphocytes were evaluated. The bacteriostatic concentration towards E. coli ATCC 25922, E. coli ESBL1224, S. aureus MRSA34R, S. aureus ATCC 29213, and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and hospital strains E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and P. mirabilis ranges from 3 to 50 μg mL^?1. Their bactericidal activity varies from 5 to 100 μg mL^?1, and the concentration of the nanocomposite toxic to isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes is 5 μg m^L?1.     

Design,synthesis and therapeutic potential of 3-(2-(1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>]imidazol-2-ylthio)acetamido)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(substituted phenyl)benzamide analogues

Background

The emergence of bacterial resistance is a major public health problem. It is essential to develop and synthesize new therapeutic agents with better activity. The mode of actions of certain newly developed antimicrobial agents, however, exhibited very limited effect in treating life threatening systemic infections. Therefore, the advancement of multi-potent and efficient antimicrobial agents is crucial to overcome the increased multi-drug resistance of bacteria and fungi. Cancer, which remains as one of the primary causes of deaths and is commonly treated by chemotherapeutic agents, is also in need of novel and efficacious agents to treat resistant cases. As such, a sequence of novel substituted benzamides was designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial and anticancer activities.

Methodology

All synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, NMR, Mass and elemental analysis followed by in vitro antimicrobial studies against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative (Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacterial and fungal (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) strains by the tube dilution method. The in vitro anticancer evaluation was carried out against the human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT116), using the Sulforhodamine B assay.

Results, discussion and conclusion

Compound W6 (MIC_{sa, st, kp}?=?5.19 µM) emerged as a significant antibacterial agent against all tested bacterial strains i.e. Gram-positive (S. aureus), Gram-negative (S. typhi, K. pneumoniae) while compound W1 (MIC_{ca, an}?=?5.08 µM) was most potent against fungal strains (A. niger and C. albicans) and comparable to fluconazole (MIC?=?8.16 µM). The anticancer screening demonstrated that compound W17 (IC₅₀?=?4.12 µM) was most potent amongst the synthesized  compounds and also more potent than the standard drug 5-FU (IC₅₀?=?7.69 µM).

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Biogenic synthesis from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">yedoensis</Emphasis> leaf extract,characterization, and photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles

Green synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) from Prunus × yedoensis leaf extract (PYLE), and their application for removal of phosphate and their antibacterial activity, were studied for the first time. NPs were obtained using a green chemistry approach from 0.1 M TiO₂ and PYLE at ratio of 1:1 (v/w). Initial confirmation of production of TiO₂ NPs was provided by a color change from white to light yellow, then calcination was performed at 500 °C for 1 h. The TiO₂ NPs were characterized using various analytical techniques such as ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the optimal amount of TiO₂ NPs for removal of phosphate was 10 mg/l (10 ppm) with duration of 25 min. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of TiO₂ NPs was also investigated using two different bacteria (Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli) in aqueous medium. The results revealed highly efficient sunlight-driven photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of TiO₂ NPs.     

Europium and terbium Schiff base peptide complexes as potential antimicrobial agents against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella typhimurium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis>

Eu(III) and Tb(III) Schiff base complexes are applicable in various fields such as sensing, assays, screening protocols in vitro, and imaging studies in vitro or in vivo. Fluorescent europium and terbium complexes and their interaction with cell penetrating peptide (KKKRKC) can represent an excellent key for understanding pathway of peptide transportation though cell membrane and the application of Schiff base complexes as potential antibacterial drugs. The Schiff base–metal complexes and its conjugates with peptide were tested for their antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium. Schiff base–metal complexes conjugated with peptide show minor toxicity in normal human PNT1A cells and high antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and S. typhimurium, where IC50 down to 125.9 and/or 36.1 µM were found for P. aeruginosa and S. typhimurium, respectively. Our results strongly suggest that Schiff base–metal complexes conjugated with peptide have great potential to be developed into highly effective antibacterial drug.     

Engineering <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis> for Efficient Production of a Novel Bifunctional <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus purpuratus</Emphasis> Invertebrate-Type Lysozyme

Lysozymes are known as ubiquitously distributed immune effectors with hydrolytic activity against peptidoglycan, the major bacterial cell wall polymer, to trigger cell lysis. In the present study, the full-length cDNA sequence of a novel sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus invertebrate-type lysozyme (sp-iLys) was synthesized according to the codon usage bias of Pichia pastoris and was cloned into a constitutive expression plasmid pPIC9K. The resulting plasmid, pPIC9K-sp-iLys, was integrated into the genome of P. pastoris strain GS115. The bioactive recombinant sp-iLys was successfully secreted into the culture broth by positive transformants. The highest lytic activity of 960 U/mL of culture supernatant was reached in fed-batch fermentation. Using chitin affinity chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography, recombinant sp-iLys was produced with a yield of 94.5 mg/L and purity of >?99%. Recombinant sp-iLys reached its peak lytic activity of 8560 U/mg at pH 6.0 and 30 °C and showed antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative bacteria (Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahemolyticus, and Aeromonas hydrophila) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). In addition, recombinant sp-iLys displayed isopeptidase activity which reached the peak at pH 7.5 and 37 °C with the presence of 0.05 M Na⁺. In conclusion, this report describes the heterologous expression of recombinant sp-iLys in P. pastoris on a preparative-scale, which possesses lytic activity and isopeptidase activity. This suggests that sp-iLys might play an important role in the innate immunity of S. purpuratus.     

Catalytic and antibacterial evaluation of silver nanoparticles synthesized by a green approach

In this work, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Salvia microphylla Kunth leaves extract as reducing agent and stabilizing agent. The effect of reaction time and plant extract amount on the biosynthesized nanoparticles were studied. The UV–Vis spectrum indicated that silver nanoparticles show a characteristic surface plasmon resonance at 427 nm. X-ray diffraction experiments show that the silver nanoparticles have a face-centered cubic crystal structure. The density of nanoparticles increases with increasing extract concentration and reaction time. TEM and SEM observations showed well-dispersed quasi-spherical nanoparticles sized in the range of 15–45 nm. The FT-IR analysis suggested the involvement of phenolic compounds in the reduction and stabilization of silver nanoparticles. Synthesized silver nanoparticles showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, the catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles were demonstrated through the degradation of congo red and methyl orange.     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Arachis hypogaea (Ground Nut) Root Extract for Antibacterial and Clinical Applications

The present study focused on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Arachis hypogaea (ground nut) root extract for the antibacterial and clinical application. The presence of major phytochemical compounds are found to be 2H-Pyaran,2,5-diethenyltetrahydro, Didodecyl phthalate, Decanoic acid, Tetradecanoic acid, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Dodecanoic acid, Phosphonic acid, 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-methoxynaphthyl) thiophene and Methyl 2-(N-Benzylimino)-4-chloro-3,3-dimethylbutanoate by GC–MS. Nanoparticles synthesis is confirmed by UV–Vis analysis by observing the maximum absorption spectrum at 450 nm. XRD and SEM–EDX results reveals the synthesized nanoparticles are cubic crystalline with agglomerated particles of silver oxide with biomolecules present around it. TEM images clearly shows that the biosynthesized nanoparticles are mostly spherical and irregular shaped with an average particles size of 30 nm. Highest susceptibility pattern of silver nanoparticle against Enterococcus sp. (35 ± 0.4 mm) which followed by Pseudomonas sp. (33 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (29 mm). Green synthesized nanoparticles are coated over the commercially available clinical band aid cloth by dip coating method. Silver nanoparticle incorporated band aid cloth showed good antibacterial activity against the harmful bacteria which usually cause infection and interfere during wound healing. Our findings revealed that green nanoparticle has a good antibacterial action against harmful bacteria and showed good response for efficient clinical application.     

Synthesis of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives containing diamides as promising antibacterial and antiviral agents

In this paper, a variety of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives possessing diamides were synthesized and tested for their antibacterial and antiviral activity. Preliminary antibacterial assays indicated that some intermediates and title compounds displayed excellent inhibition effects against plant pathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac). Further studies revealed that compound H15 exhibited the strongest activities against Xoo and Xac with minimal EC₅₀ values of 0.7 and 5.9 μg/mL, respectively. Antiviral bioassays suggested that some of these structures displayed appreciable curative activities and moderate protective effects against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in vivo. Among them, compound H8 exerted the best chemotherapeutic effect against TMV with the curative rate of 60.0% at 500 µg/mL, which was comparable with those of commercial agricultural antiviral agent ningnanmycin (54.2%). Given their significant biological activities, this kind of compound could serve as new leading compounds in the study of antibacterial and antiviral chemotherapy.     

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial evaluation of 6-substituted 4-amino-pyrazolo[3,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>]pyrimidines

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines are one of the most important classes of fused heterocyclic compounds which exhibit a broad range of biological and medicinal properties. They are known as anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, some new 6-substituted 4-amino-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives were prepared via reaction of 5-amino-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile with various nitriles in the presence of sodium ethoxide as catalyst. The inhibitory properties of synthesized compounds were studied according to CLSI guidelines against some pathogenic bacteria including four gram-positive strains (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii) and three gram-negative strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica). The antibacterial effects of all derivatives were compared with those of antibiotics belonging to different classes. The values were reported as inhibition zone diameter (IZD), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The effect of substituents on the biological activity of derivatives was discussed as well. The inhibitory effect of compound 6a, was shown to be the most, with MIC values in the range of 32–4096 μg/mL. Since most of the synthesized compounds were effective against Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, they can be considered as inhibitors of these two bacteria.     

Radiolabeling of gemifloxacin with technetium-99m and biological evaluation in artificially <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus pneumoniae</Emphasis> infected rats

In the current investigation complexation of the gemifloxacin (GIN) with technetium-99 m (^99mTc) and its biological evaluation in artificially Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) infected rats was assessed as potential S. pneumoniae infection radiotracer. Radiochemically the ^99mTc-GIN complex was further analyzed in terms of stability in saline, in vitro stability in serum at 37 °C, in vitro binding with S. pneumoniae and biodistribution in artificially S. pneumoniae (living and heat killed) infected rats. The complex was found 97.25 ± 0.25% radiochemically stable in saline at 30 min after reconstitution. The stability of the ^99mTc-GIN complex was decreased to 90.50 ± 0.20% within 240 min after reconstitution. In serum the ^99mTc-GIN complex showed stable profile with the appearance of 18.85% free tracer within 16 h of incubation. The ^99mTc-GIN complex showed saturated in vitro binding with S. pneumoniae after different intervals. Almost five fold uptake was observed in living S. pneumoniae infected muscle of the rats as compared to the inflamed and normal muscle. No significant difference in the uptake of heat killed S. pneumoniae infected, inflamed and normal muscles of the rats. The high RCP yield in saline, in vitro permanence in serum, in vitro binding with living S. pneumoniae and biodistribution in artificially S. pneumoniae infected rats we recommend the ^99mTc-GIN as potential S. pneumoniae infection radiotracer.     

Bioactive compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Smilax excelsa</Emphasis> L.

Phytochemical investigation of EtOAc extract of Smilax excelsa has led to isolation and structure elucidation of five compounds. The structures of these compounds are established by different spectroscopic techniques including 1D and 2D-NMR, HRMS and ECD spectroscopy. The compounds were: solanesol (1), violasterol A (2), trans-resveratrol (3), 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid (4) and 6-O-caffeoyl-β-d-fructofuranosyl-(2-1)-α-d-glucopyranoside (5). The configuration of compound 2 was established by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. Meanwhile the cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of the compounds were evaluated by MTT and MIC assays. Compounds 1 and 2 showed promising inhibition on MCF-7 cell line with IC₅₀ of 161.6 and 190.0 µM, respectively. Also compounds 2 and 3 illustrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 142.5 and 136.9 µM, respectively.