Modified TLC bioautographic method for screening acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from plant extracts

The present work describes modifications to an existing TLC bioautographic method for detecting acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from plant extracts. The basic principle of the method is that the enzyme converts 1‐naphthyl acetate into naphthol which reacts with Fast Blue B salt to make a purple‐colored background on the TLC plates. Inhibitors of acetylcholinesterases produced white spots on the background. Our modifications involve changes in the concentration of the enzyme, the reagents, and the time of the reaction. With these changes, the consumption of the enzyme was reduced by 85% and the detection limits were decreased remarkably.     

Synthesis of betulin derivatives and the determination of their relative lipophilicities using reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography

A series of superlipophilic or highly lipophilic semisynthetic betulin derivatives was prepared and their relative lipophilicity was measured by reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography (RP‐TLC) at different pH values using 1,4‐dioxane–acetate buffer mixtures as mobile phases. Cholesterol, 17β‐estradiol and pure betulin were used as the reference compounds. Linear relationships were found between R_M values and 1,4‐dioxane concentrations in the mobile phases. LogP values were also calculated with computer programs ACD/LogP (ChemSketch 11.0, Advanced Chemistry Development Inc.) and ClogP (Daylight Chemical Information Systems Inc.). The empirical and theoretical data were compared, and the R_M0 values correlated well with logP. Two of the synthesized betulin derivatives are reported for the first time. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lipophilicity study of eight cephalosporins by reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatographic method

The lipophilicity (R_M0) and specific hydrophobic surface area for the representatives of four generation cephalosporins have been determined by reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography, and the effect of different mobile‐phase modifiers (such as methanol, acetonitrile, acetone, 1,4‐dioxane and 2‐propanol) on the retention has been studied. The compounds studied showed typical retention behavior; their R_M values decreased linearly with increasing concentration of the organic modifier in the eluent. The linear correlations between the volume fraction of the organic solvent and the R_M values over a limited range were established for each solute, resulting in high values of correlation coefficients (>0.95 in most cases). R_M values were determined by various concentrations of organic modifier, and the correlation obtained was extrapolated to 0% of organic modifier. Chromatographically established logP (R_M0) parameters were compared with computationally calculated partition coefficients values (AClogP, ALOGP, KOWWIN, ALOGPs, XLOGP2, MLOGP and XLOGP3) and experimental octanol–water logP values (measured by the shake flask method). The received results demonstrate that RP‐TLC may be a good alternative technique for analytics in describing the lipophilic nature of investigated cephalosporins as well as the activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Indirect reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic and direct thin‐layer chromatographic enantioresolution of (R,S)‐Cinacalcet

Enantioresolution of the calcimimetic drug (R,S)‐Cinacalcet was achieved using both indirect and direct approaches. Six chiral variants of Marfey's reagent having l ‐Ala‐NH₂, l ‐Phe‐NH₂, l ‐Val‐NH₂, l ‐Leu‐NH₂, l ‐Met‐NH₂ and d ‐Phg‐NH₂ as chiral auxiliaries were used as derivatizing reagents under microwave irradiation. Derivatization conditions were optimized. Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography was successful using binary mixtures of aqueous trifluoroacetic acid and acetonitrile for separation of diastereomeric pairs with detection at 340 nm. Thin silica gel layers impregnated with optically pure l ‐histidine and l ‐arginine were used for direct resolution of enantiomers. The limit of detection was found to be 60 pmol in HPLC while in TLC it was found to be in the range of 0.26–0.28 µg for each enantiomers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrophobic‐hydrophilic monolithic dual‐phase layer for two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatography coupled with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection

Hydrophobic‐hydrophilic monolithic dual‐phase plates have been prepared by a two‐step polymerization method for two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatography of low‐molecular‐weight compounds, namely, several dyes. The thin 200 μm poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) layers attached to microscope glass plates were prepared using a UV‐initiated polymerization method within a simple glass mold. After cutting and cleaning the specific area of the layer, the reassembled mold was filled with a polymerization mixture of butyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate and subsequently irradiated with UV light. During the second polymerization process, the former layer was protected from the UV light with a UV mask. After extracting the porogens and hydrolyzing the poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) area, these two‐dimensional layers were used to separate a mixture of dyes with great difference in their polarity using reversed‐phase chromatography mode within the hydrophobic layer and then hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode along the hydrophilic area. In the latter dimension only the specific spot was developed further. Detection of the separated dyes could be achieved with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy.     

Tyrosol 1,2,3-triazole analogues as new acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors

The present work proposed the preparation of triazolic analogues of tyrosol, a biophenol found in olive oil and whose wide range of bioactivities has been the target of many studies. We obtained fifteen novel tyrosol derivatives and the compounds of the series were later evaluated as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The study of AChE inhibition is important for the development of new drugs and pesticides, and especially the research for managing Alzheimer's disease. The most active compound, namely 7-({1-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}methoxy)-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one (30), showed IC₅₀ value of 14.66 ± 2.29 μmol L⁻¹. Docking experiments corroborated by kinetic assay are suggestive of a competitive inhibition mechanism. Derivatives interacted with amino acids from the AChE active site associated to the development of Alzheimer's disease. The results indicate that the compounds synthesized have a high potential as prototypes for the development of new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.     

Direct analysis of pharmaceutical formulations from non‐bonded reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography plates by desorption electrospray ionisation ion mobility mass spectrometry

The direct analysis of pharmaceutical formulations and active ingredients from non‐bonded reversed‐phase thin layer chromatography (RP‐TLC) plates by desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI) combined with ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) is reported. The analysis of formulations containing analgesic (paracetamol), decongestant (ephedrine), opiate (codeine) and stimulant (caffeine) active pharmaceutical ingredients is described, with and without chromatographic development to separate the active ingredients from the excipient formulation. Selectivity was enhanced by combining ion mobility and mass spectrometry to characterise the desorbed gas‐phase analyte ions on the basis of mass‐to‐charge ratio (m/z) and gas‐phase ion mobility (drift time). The solvent composition of the DESI spray using a step gradient was varied to optimise the desorption of active pharmaceutical ingredients from the RP‐TLC plates. The combined RP‐TLC/DESI‐IM‐MS approach has potential as a rapid and selective technique for pharmaceutical analysis by orthogonal gas‐phase electrophoretic and mass‐to‐charge separation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural modifications of dicationic acetylcholinesterase reactivators studied under ion‐pairing mechanism in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography

A study focused on the chromatographic behavior of several acetylcholinesterase reactivators under ion‐pairing mechanism is reported. Among these reactivators, dicationic oximes and carbamoyl‐based pyridinium congeners were studied, which form ion pairs with alkylsulfonate anions. This mechanism was studied for some major experimental parameters, such as the chain length of the ion‐pairing agent added to the aqueous phase, its concentration, temperature, and nature of the organic modifier from mobile phase. Retention data showed one or two possibilities of forming ion pairs and the tautomerism of the studied reactivators, for different pH values of the aqueous component. Double sigmoid shapes were obtained for the studied compounds for the dependence between retention factor and pH, indicating the possibility of one or two tautomeric equilibria: at pH close to 7 these compounds are not stable as dicationic species and they participate in the retention process as nitroso forms, which are not able to form ion pairs with alkylsulfonates. The dependences of the retention factor on the organic modifier content from mobile phase were linear. Two complementary theoretical models were used to explain the functional dependences for the retention data on the experimental parameters.     

Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection to screen nitric oxide synthases inhibitors

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors are potential drug candidates due to the critical role of an excessive production of nitric oxide in a range of diseases. At present, the radiometric detection of l ‐[³H]‐citrulline produced from l ‐[³H]‐arginine during the enzymatic reaction is one of the most accepted methods to assess the in vitro activity of NOS inhibitors. Here we report a fast, easy, and cheap reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection, based on the precolumn derivatization of l ‐citrulline with o‐phthaldialdehyde/N‐acetyl cysteine, for the in vitro screening of NOS inhibitors. To evaluate enzyme inhibition by the developed method, N‐[3‐(aminomethyl)benzyl]acetamidine, a potent and selective inhibitor of inducible NOS, was used as a test compound. The half maximal inhibitory concentration obtained was comparable to that derived by the well‐established radiometric assay.     

Extraction and isolation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Citrus limon peel using an in vitro method

A simple and efficient ultrafiltration–liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry–based method was developed for the rapid screening and identification of ligands from Citrus limon peel, which are suitable acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Subsequently, the anti‐Alzheimer's activity of these compounds was assessed using a PC12 cell model. Six major compounds, viz. neoeriocitrin, isonaringin, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, and limonin, were identified as potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. A continuous and efficient online method, which involved the use of a microwave‐assisted extraction device, solvent concentration tank, and centrifugal partition chromatography column, was developed for the scale‐up of these compounds, and the obtained compounds presented high purity. Next, their bioactivity was evaluated using a PC12 cell model. This novel approach, which was based on ultrafiltration–liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, microwave‐assisted extraction online coupled with solvent concentration tank, and centrifugal partition chromatography along with in vitro evaluation, could represent a powerful tool for the screening and extraction of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from complex matrices, and could be a useful platform for the large‐scale production of bioactive and nutraceutical ingredients.     

Influence of pH and organic modifiers on the dissociation constants of selected drugs using reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography: Comparison with other techniques and computational tools

Knowledge of the acid–base dissociation constants of drugs is the key to understanding their biopharmaceutical characteristics. In the present work, the effect of pH and organic modifiers (acetonitrile and methanol) was investigated in the determination of dissociation constants (pK_a) of nine representative drugs (atenolol, betahistine, clarithromycin, deferiprone, diclofenac, ibuprofen, metoprolol, naproxen and propranolol) using reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography. Mobile phase consisting of various buffers and methanol–acetonitrile (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60%, v/v) was used to evaluate the retention pattern on reversed‐phase plates. Compared with methanol, acetonitrile gave better results for the experimentally determined pK_a values by extrapolation to zero organic modifier volume fractions. To assess the effectiveness of the developed method the results were correlated using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. The calculated values of the aqueous dissociation constant were compared with those reported previously using potentiometry and capillary electrophoresis and also with different computational platforms like ACD/Lab, ChemAxon and Jchem calculator. The results obtained by the RPTLC method were in good agreement with potentiometric methods for pK_a determination.     

A metabolomic study of the urine of rats with Alzheimer's disease and the efficacy of Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan on the afflicted rats

As a well‐known traditional Chinese medicine formula, Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan has long been used for the routine treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, the mechanism of Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan in treating Alzheimer's disease is unclear. Therefore, a nontargeted metabolomics method based on ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry has been established to explore the metabolic variations in the urine of Alzheimer's disease rats and investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan on Alzheimer's disease. To develop a better rat model of Alzheimer's disease, amyloid β25‐35 was injected into the bilateral hippocampus of Sprague–Dawley rats. Multivariate analysis approaches were applied to differentiate the urine components between the four groups. Thereafter, a targeted metabolomics method was used to verify the identified endogenous metabolites and determine the mechanism of action of Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan. Altogether, 26 potential biomarkers were found, of which 15 biomarkers (10 of which are potential biomarkers found in nontargeted metabolomics) were identified. The results show that Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan mainly affects the pathways of taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism. Ding‐Zhi‐Xiao‐Wan might play a role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by mediating antioxidative stress, regulation of energy metabolism, improvement of intestinal microbes, and protection of nerve cells.     

Dual inhibitors of Interleukin-6 and acetylcholinesterase for treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Design,docking, synthesis and biological evaluation

Multitarget compounds intercept two or more functionally complementary pathways simultaneously, and are therefore considered to have potential in effectively treating complex multifactorial diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, novel molecules are designed by coupling a chromone and a N,N-disubstituted carbamoyl amine as pharmacophore for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, respectively. Four series (Y1–Y4) of 40 compounds are designed by using alkyl linkers of different lengths (1–4 carbon atoms) for the coupling of the two selected pharmacophore. Docking of all designed compounds in AChE leads to the identification of twelve best fit compounds (Docking score >8.3). The data suggests that a 1- or 2-carbon atom linker is the most conducive to orient the pharmacophore for optimum binding with AChE active site. The predicted ADME properties of the 12 selected compounds suggest that these can cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) with good oral bioavailability. These compounds are synthesised and evaluated for anti-AChE activity. Five compounds, showing >45% inhibition of AChE, are further evaluated for IL-6 inhibitory activity. Compound Y1f is found to be the most potent inhibitor of both AChE and IL-6 (IC₅₀ 0.7 and 0.8 ​μM, respectively). It suggests that a chromone moiety connected to a piperidine ring through a 1-carbon atom linker may provide a useful template to medical chemists for the development of new chemical entities effective against AD.     

Generalizing the Concept of Specific Compound Formulation Additives towards Non‐Fluorescent Drugs: A Solubilization Study on Potential Anti‐Alzheimer‐Active Small‐Molecule Compounds

Tailor‐made compound formulation additives enable the testing of potential drugs with undesirable pharmacological profiles. A combinatorial approach using Raman microscopy as the readout method is presented to select peptide sequences from large one‐bead‐one‐compound libraries. The resulting peptide–PEG conjugates solubilize potential prophylactic and therapeutic anti‐Alzheimer compounds and can be used as specific additives not only for fluorescent but also for non‐fluorescent compounds.     

Comparison of reversed‐phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the fingerprint analysis of Radix isatidis

Radix isatidis is a famous anti‐influenza virus herbal medicine traditionally taken as a water decoction. However, the chemical fingerprint analysis of Radix isatidis is dominantly based on RPLC, from which it is difficult to obtain fingerprint information of hydrophilic compounds. Here, we developed the separation of Radix isatidis by RPLC and hydrophilic interaction chromatography, comparing the traditional RPLC fingerprint with the hydrophilic interaction chromatography fingerprint. Besides, an anti‐viral assay of Radix isatidis was conducted to evaluate its efficacy. The fingerprint–efficacy relationships between the fingerprints and the anti‐viral activity were further investigated with principal component regression analysis. The results showed that the anti‐viral activity correlated better with the hydrophilic interaction chromatography fingerprint than with the RPLC fingerprint. This study indicates that hydrophilic interaction chromatography could not only be a complementary method to increase the fingerprint coverage of conventional RPLC fingerprint, but also can better represent the efficacy and quality of Radix isatidis.     

Ion‐exchange vs reversed‐phase chromatography for separation and determination of basic psychotropic drugs

Ion exchange chromatography, an alternative to reversed‐phase (RP) chromatography, is described in this paper. We aimed to obtain optimal conditions for the separation of basic drugs because silica‐based RP stationary phases show silanol effect and make the analysis of basic analytes hardly possible. The retention, separation selectivity, symmetry of peaks and system efficiency were examined in different eluent systems containing different types of buffers at acidic pH and with the addition of organic modifiers: methanol and acetonitrile. The obtained results reveal a large influence of the salt cation used for buffer preparation and the type of organic modifier on the retention behavior of the analytes. These results were also compared with those obtained on an XBridge C₁₈ column. The obtained results demonstrated that SCX stationary phases can be successfully used as alternatives to C₁₈ stationary phases in the separation of basic compounds. The most selective and efficient chromatographic systems were applied for the quantification of some psychotropic drugs in fortified human serum samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.