Kinetics and Mechanism of Ni(II) Chelation in Model and Real Solutions of Xylem Sap of Quercus ilex

The kinetics of formation and dissociation of Ni(II) complexes with oxalic and citric acids was studied by cyclic voltammetry in model solutions of xylem sap of Q. ilex (the dominant tree growing on serpentine soils of Northeast Portugal) using representative concentrations, pH and ionic strength. The role of magnesium on complex formation was analyzed from solutions where Mg is present at concentration levels found in the xylem sap of Q. ilex growing on both nonserpentine and serpentine soils. Kinetics studies were also done in diluted solutions of real xylem sap samples, spiked with increasing amounts of magnesium. The values obtained for the apparent rate constants were those anticipated by the proposed model. To test the validity of the methodology and mechanisms, formation rate constants, k_f (M^?1 s^?1) of Ni(II) complexes with citrate and oxalate were evaluated that compare with the values from Eigen mechanism.     

Plants as sources of new antimicrobials and resistance-modifying agents

Covering: up to November 2011Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are an increasing problem due to the emergence and propagation of microbial drug resistance and the lack of development of new antimicrobials. Traditional methods of antibiotic discovery have failed to keep pace with the evolution of resistance. Therefore, new strategies to control bacterial infections are highly desirable. Plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals) have already demonstrated their potential as antibacterials when used alone and as synergists or potentiators of other antibacterial agents. The use of phytochemical products and plant extracts as resistance-modifying agents (RMAs) represents an increasingly active research topic. Phytochemicals frequently act through different mechanisms than conventional antibiotics and could, therefore be of use in the treatment of resistant bacteria. The therapeutic utility of these products, however, remains to be clinically proven. The aim of this article is to review the advances in in vitro and in vivo studies on the potential chemotherapeutic value of phytochemical products and plant extracts as RMAs to restore the efficacy of antibiotics against resistant pathogenic bacteria. The mode of action of RMAs on the potentiation of antibiotics is also described.     

New chain-extended analogues of salacinol and blintol and their glycosidase inhibitory activities. Mapping the active-site requirements of human maltase glucoamylase

The synthesis of new chain-extended sulfonium and selenonium salts of 1,4-anhydro-4-thio-(or 4-seleno)-d-arabinitol, analogues of the naturally occurring glycosidase inhibitor salacinol, is described. Nucleophilic attack at the least hindered carbon atom of 4,6-O-benzylidene-2,5-di-O-p-methoxybenzyl-d-mannitol-1,3-cyclic sulfate by 2,3,5-tri-O-p-methoxybenzyl-1,4-anhydro-4-thio-(or 4-seleno)-d-arabinitol gave the sulfonium and selenonium sulfates, respectively. Subsequent deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid yielded the target compounds. In these analogues, an extended polyhydroxylated aliphatic side chain has been incorporated while maintaining the stereochemistry of C-2' and C-3' of salacinol or blintol. These compounds were designed to probe the premise that they would bind with higher affinity to glucosidases than salacinol because the extra hydroxyl groups in the acyclic chain would make favorable polar contacts within the active site. Both target compounds inhibited recombinant human maltase glucoamylase, one of the key intestinal enzymes involved in the breakdown of glucose oligosaccharides in the small intestine, with Ki values in the low micromolar range. Comparison of these values to those of related compounds synthesized in previous studies has provided a better understanding of structure-activity relationships and the optimal stereochemistry at the different stereogenic centers required of an inhibitor of this enzyme. With respect to chain extension, the configurations at C-2' and C-4' are critical for activity, the configuration at C-3', bearing the sulfate moiety, being unimportant. The desired configuration at C-5' is also specified. However, comparison of the activities of the chain-extended analogues with those of salacinol and blintol indicates that there is no particular advantage of the chain-extension relative to salacinol or blintol. These results are similar to those reported earlier for kotalanol, a 7-carbon-extended derivative, versus salacinol against rat intestinal maltase, sucrase, and isomaltase.     

Infrared spectroscopy of racemic and enantiomeric forms of atenolol

The molecular structure of conformational isomorphs given by X-ray diffraction for racemic and enantiomeric atenolol were optimized at the HF/6-31G* level of theory and the infrared spectra of the structure were calculated. These spectra are used to characterize the differences between the various atenolol conformers. The spectra of the (R,S)- and S-atenolol solid forms were recorded and the bands corresponding to the functional groups identified with the aid of the calculated spectra, fitting analysis, temperature effect and H/D isotopic exchange. Particular attention was paid to the stretch vibration modes of the functional groups present in the atenolol.     

Biological properties of two enantiomorphic forms of N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐2,2‐dioxo‐1H‐2λ6,1‐benzothiazine‐3‐carboxamide,a structural analogue of piroxicam

The title benzothiazine‐3‐carboxamide, C₁₇H₁₆N₂O₄S, crystallized in two enantiomorphic crystal forms with the space groups P3₂ and P3₁ despite the absence of a classic stereogenic atom. The molecular structures are mirror images of each other. Only one sulfonyl O atom takes part in intramolecular hydrogen bonding as a proton acceptor and this atom is different in the two enantiomorphic structures. As a result, the S atom becomes a pseudo‐stereogenic centre. This fact is worth taking into account due to the different biological activities of the enantiomorphic forms. One form possesses a high analgesic activity, while the other form revealed a high anti‐inflammatory activity.     

Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Mannich Reaction with Dithiomalonates as Excellent Mannich Donors: Organocatalytic Synthesis of (R)‐Sitagliptin

In this study, dithiomalonates (DTMs) were demonstrated to be exceptionally efficient Mannich donors in terms of reactivity and stereoselectivity in cinchona‐based‐squaramide‐catalyzed enantioselective Mannich reactions of diverse imines or α‐amidosulfones as imine surrogates. Owing to the superior reactivity of DTMs as compared to conventional malonates, the catalyst loading could be reduced to 0.1 mol % without the erosion of enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Furthermore, by the use of a DTM, even some highly challenging primary alkyl α‐amidosulfones were smoothly converted into the desired adducts with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee), whereas the use of a malonate or monothiomalonate resulted in no reaction under identical conditions. The synthetic utility of the chiral Mannich adducts obtained from primary alkyl substrates was highlighted by the organocatalytic, coupling‐reagent‐free synthesis of the antidiabetic drug (?)‐(R)‐sitagliptin.     

Sulfonamide carbazole receptors for anion recognition

Carbazole-based receptors functionalized with two sulfonamide groups have been synthesized and their properties as anion receptors have been evaluated. The receptor with bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline groups has shown a very high affinity for halide ions, especially remarkable as only two hydrogen bonds are formed in the complexes. (1)H NMR and fluorescence titrations have been carried out and binding constants up to 7.9 × 10(6) M(-1) have been reached. X-ray structures have been obtained and a modelling study has shown the possible reasons for the large affinity of these compounds for halide anions.     

Preparation and characterization of octadecyl acrylate monoliths for capillary electrochromatography by photochemical,thermal, and chemical initiation†

Monolithic stationary phases based on octadecyl acrylate for CEC using different initiating systems (UV irradiation, thermal, and chemical initiation) in the presence of lauroyl peroxide as initiator were synthesized. For each initiation mode, the influence of the porogenic solvent composition on both the morphological and electrochromatographic properties of the resulting monoliths was investigated. Under optimal conditions, excellent efficiencies for the photochemically and chemically polymerized monoliths (minimum plate heights of 6.9–10.7 and 6.5–12.6 μm, respectively) were achieved. Thermally initiated columns gave lower efficiency values, permeabilities, and longer analysis times compared to these initiating systems. The produced monolithic stationary phases were evaluated in terms of reproducibility and gave RSD values below 9.2, 10.6, and 9.8% for UV, thermally, and chemically initiated columns, respectively.     

Sesquiterpenoids—27: X-ray crystallographic analysis of istanbulin-B,A 1-oxo-eremophilenolide

The stereochemistry of istanbulin-B has been defined by X-ray crystal-structure analysis. Rings A and B are transfused, with the Me groups at C(4) and C(5) cis. The α,β-unsaturated,γ -lactone ring is essentially planar. Crystals of istanbulin-B are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁,2₁, with a = 6.729(2), b = 13.447(3), c = 14.721(3)Â,and Z = 4. The crystal structure was determined by direct phasing and the atomic parameters were subsequently adjusted by least-squares calculations that converged at R 38% over 1179 diffractometer |F_a| values     

Chemical Composition of a Novel Distillate from Fermented Mixture of Nine Anti-Inflammatory Herbs and Its UVB-Protective Efficacy in Mouse Dorsal Skin via Attenuating Collagen Disruption and Inflammation

Since ancient times, various herbs have been used in Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan, for wound healing and antiaging of the skin. In this study, we manufactured and chemically analyzed a novel distillate obtained from a fermented mixture of nine anti-inflammatory herbs (Angelica gigas, Lonicera japonica, Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz., D. opposita Thunb., Ulmus davidiana var. japonica, Hordeum vulgare var. hexastichon Aschers., Xanthium strumarium L., Cnidium officinale, and Houttuynia cordata Thunb.). The fermentation of natural plants possesses beneficial effects in living systems. These activities are attributed to the chemical conversion of the parent plants to functional constituents which show more potent biological activities. In our current study, the distillate has been manufactured after fermenting the nine oriental medical plants with Lactobacillus fermentum, followed by distilling. We analyzed the chemical ingredients involved in the distillate and evaluated the effects of topical application of the distillate on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin damage in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. Topical application of the distillate significantly ameliorated the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the dorsal skin against photodamage induced by UVB radiation. Additionally, our current results showed that topical application of the distillate alleviated collagen disruption and reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 β expressions) in the dorsal skin against UVB radiation. Taken together, our current findings suggest that the distillate has a potential to be used as a material to develop a photoprotective adjuvant.