Study of the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Biological Extracts of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus Using Two Extraction Methods

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus has long been used in traditional medicine and cuisine. In this study, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus extracts were isolated by maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction and were evaluated for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The obtained results show that both extracts (maceration and ultrasound) were rich in bioactive molecules and exerted substantial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The P. tetragonolobus extracts’ treatment in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages resulted in a significant downregulation of the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β mRNA. In addition, the P. tetragonolobus extracts’ treatment attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. Our observations indicate that there is no significant difference between the two studied extracts of P. tetragonolobus in terms of biological properties (specifically, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Regardless of the extraction method, P. tetragonolobus could be used for treating diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions.     

Biopolymer Skeleton Produced by Rhizobium radiobacter: Stoichiometric Alternation of Glycosidic and Amidic Bonds in the Lipopolysaccharide O‐Antigen

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O‐antigen structure of the plant pathogen Rhizobium radiobacter strain TT9 and its possible role in a plant‐microbe interaction was investigated. The analyses disclosed the presence of two O‐antigens, named Poly1 and Poly2. The repetitive unit of Poly2 constitutes a 4‐α‐l ‐rhamnose linked to a 3‐α‐d ‐fucose residue. Surprisingly, Poly1 turned out to be a novel type of biopolymer in which the repeating unit is formed by a monosaccharide and an amino‐acid derivative, so that the polymer has alternating glycosidic and amidic bonds joining the two units: 4‐amino‐4‐deoxy‐3‐O‐methyl‐d ‐fucose and (2′R,3′R,4′S)‐N‐methyl‐3′,4′‐dihydroxy‐3′‐methyl‐5′‐oxoproline). Differently from the O‐antigens of LPSs from other pathogenic Gram‐negative bacteria, these two O‐antigens do not activate the oxidative burst, an early innate immune response in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, explaining at least in part the ability of this R. radiobacter strain to avoid host defenses during a plant infection process.     

1,3-Dialkylimidazolium-2-carboxylates as versatile N-heterocyclic carbene-CO2 adducts employed in the synthesis of carboxylates and α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates

1,3-Dialkylimidazolium-2-carboxylate compounds of formulas 1a, 2, and 4 have been synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray spectroscopy quite recently. Up today, these compounds have found some interesting applications as precursors of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) used as ligands for metal-complexes or in the synthesis of organic compounds and ionic liquids. We have recently reported the use of 1-butyl, 3-methylimidazolium-2-carboxylate and 1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-carboxylate in a CO₂-transfer reaction to CH₃OH and acetophenone for the synthesis of methylcarbonate and benzoylacetate. The scope of this CO₂-transfer reaction has been expanded to several organic compounds with active hydrogen (acetone, cyclohexanone, and benzylcyanide) for the synthesis of carboxylates of pharmaceutical interest, and to propargyl alcohols for the synthesis of α-alkylidene cyclic carbonates.     

Dihydrogen to dihydride isomerization mechanism in [(C5Me5)FeH2(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)]+ through the experimental and theoretical analysis of kinetic isotope effects

The isomerization of complex [Cp*Fe(dppe)(eta2-H2)]+, generated in situ by low-temperature protonation of Cp*Fe(dppe)H with either HBF4 or CF3COOH, to the dihydride tautomer trans-[Cp*Fe(dppe)(H)2]+ is irreversible and follows first-order kinetics in the -10 to +15 degrees C range with Delta H double dagger = 21.6 +/- 0.8 kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS double dagger = 5 +/- 3 eu. The isomerization rate constant is essentially independent of the nature and quantity of a strong acid. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on various models, including the complete system at both the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) and full QM levels, probe the relative importance of steric and electronic effects for the relative stability of the nonclassical and classical isomers and identify two likely isomerization mechanisms: a "direct" pathway involving simultaneous H-H bond breaking and cis-trans isomerization and a "via Cp" pathway involving agostic C5Me5H intermediates. Both pathways are characterized by activation energies in close correspondence with the experimental value (21.3 and 22.2 kcal mol(-1), respectively). Further kinetic studies were carried out for the Cp*Fe(dppe)H + CF3COOD and Cp*Fe(dppe)D + CF3COOD systems at 273 K. The [Cp*Fe(dppe)(eta2-HD)]+ complex establishes a very rapid isotope redistribution equilibrium with the eta2-H2 and eta2-D2 analogues. The equilibrium constant value (K = 3.3 +/- 0.3) indicates a significant equilibrium isotope effect. Simulation of the rate data provides access to the individual isomerization rate constants kHH, kHD, and kDD for the three isotopomers, yielding kinetic isotope effects: kHH/kHD = 1.24 +/- 0.01 and kHD/kDD = 1.58 +/- 0.01 (and, consequently, kHH/kDD = 1.96 +/- 0.02). The analysis of the DFT-calculated frequencies, using the [Cp*Fe(dhpe)H2]+ model system, for the [Cp*Fe(dhpe)(eta2-XY)]+ isotopomers as well as transition states for the "direct" (TSdir) and "via Cp" (TSrot) pathways (X = H, D) allowed the computation of the expected isotope effects. A comparison with the experiment strongly suggests that the mechanism occurs via the "direct" pathway for the present system, although the small difference in the calculated energy barriers suggests that the "via Cp" pathway may be preferred in other cases.     

Synthesis of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-2-carboxylates by direct carboxylation of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium chlorides with CO2

1,3-Dialkylimidazolium-2-carboxylates 1a and 1b are obtained in good to excellent yield and selectivity by carboxylation of the corresponding 1,3-dialkylimidazolium chloride salts with a CO₂/Na₂CO₃ system at temperatures ranging from 80 to 135 °C. The effect of temperature and reaction time on the yield and the selectivity of the carboxylation products has been studied. Coupling the CO₂-based synthesis of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-2-carboxylates with the transcarboxylation reaction described earlier [Tommasi, I.; Sorrentino, F.; Tetrahedron Lett., 2005, 46, 2141] allows us to set up a new synthetic procedure for the synthesis of organic carboxylates and alkylcarbonate anions avoiding the use of strong bases.     

Hydroxamate represents a versatile zinc binding group for the development of new carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Hydroxamates (R-CONHOH) have been scarcely investigated as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors (CAIs). An inhibition/structural study of PhCONHOH is reported against all human isoforms. Comparing aliphatic (R = Me and CF(3)) and aromatic (R = Ph) hydroxamates as CAIs, we prove that CONHOH is a versatile zinc binding group. Depending on the nature of the R moiety, it can adopt different coordination modes to the catalytic ion within the CA active site.     

Ziziphus nummularia: A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties

Ziziphus nummularia, a small bush of the Rhamnaceae family, has been widely used in traditional folk medicine, is rich in bioactive molecules, and has many reported pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Objective: To gather the current knowledge related to the medicinal characteristics of Z. nummularia. Specifically, its phytochemical contents and pharmacological activities in the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, are discussed. Methods: Major scientific literature databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Chemical Abstracts, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstracts, Henriette’s Herbal Homepage, Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases, were searched to retrieve articles related to the review subject. General web searches using Google and Google scholar were also utilized. The search period covered articles published between 1980 and the end of October 2021.The search used the keywords ‘Ziziphus nummularia’, AND (‘phytochemical content’, ‘pharmacological properties, or activities, or effects, or roles’, ‘anti-inflammatory’, ‘anti-drought’, ‘anti-thermal’, ‘anthelmintic’, ‘antidiabetic’,’ anticancer’, ‘anticholinesterase’, ‘antimicrobial’, ‘sedative’, ‘antipyretic’, ‘analgesic’, or ‘gastrointestinal’). Results: This plant is rich in characteristic alkaloids, especially cyclopeptide alkaloids such as nummularine-M. Other phytochemicals, including flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, tannins, and phenolic compounds, are also present. These phytochemicals are responsible for the reported pharmacological properties of Z. nummularia, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, anticancer, analgesic, and gastrointestinal activities. In addition, Z. nummularia has anti-drought and anti-thermal characteristics. Conclusion: Research into the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Z. nummularia has demonstrated that this plant is a rich source of novel bioactive compounds. So far, Z. nummularia has shown a varied pharmacological profile (antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective), warranting further research to uncover the therapeutic potential of the bioactives of this plant. Taken together, Z. nummularia may represent a new potential target for the discovery of new drug leads.     

Origanum syriacum Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties: A Comprehensive Review

Herbal medicine has been gaining special interest as an alternative choice of treatment for several diseases, being generally accessible, cost-effective and safe, with fewer side-effects compared to chemically synthesized medicines. Over 25% of drugs worldwide are derived from plants, and surveys have shown that, when available, herbal medicine is the preferred choice of treatment. Origanum syriacum (Lamiaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant in the Middle East, both as a home and a folk remedy, and in the food and beverage industry. Origanum syriacum contains numerous phytochemical compounds, including flavonoids, phenols, essential oils, and many others. Because of its bioactive compounds, O. syriacum possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic capacities. In addition, it can be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and peptic ulcers. In this review, the chemical compositions of different types of extracts and essential oils from this herb will first be specified. Then, the pharmacological uses of these extracts and essential oils in various contexts and diseases will be discussed, putting emphasis on their efficacy and safety. Finally, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of O. syriacum phytochemicals in disease treatment will be described as a basis for further investigation into the plant’s pharmacological role.     

Reductive lithiation of 1,3-dimethyl-2-arylimidazolidines

Naphthalene catalyzed lithiation of 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenylimidazolidine led to cleavage of the benzylic carbon-nitrogen bond, with formation of an intermediate dianion. Under similar conditions, 1,3-dimethyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazolidine underwent regioselective cleavage of the aromatic carbon-chlorine bond, leading to a 4-formylphenyllithium equivalent, whilst 1,3-dimethyl-2-(4-methoxymethylphenyl)imidazolidine underwent regioselective cleavage of the benzylic carbon-oxygen bond, leading to a 4-formylbenzyllithium equivalent.     

Inclusion Complexation of Carbaryl and β-Cyclodextrin in Solution and in the Solid State

This study was carried out with the aim ofinvestigating the interactions between-cyclodextrin and carbaryl, a carbamatepesticide, and their effect on some physico-chemicalproperties of carbaryl, such as aqueous solubility andlipophilicity. The interactions between carbaryl and-cyclodextrin were thoroughly investigated bothin solution and in the solid state. The effect of-cyclodextrin on the aqueous solubility ofcarbaryl was evaluated by the phase solubility method.The amount of carbaryl dissolved increased linearlywith the addition of -cyclodextrin according toan A_L type plot and without precipitation of thecomplex. The apparent stability constant of thecomplex was 289 ± 21 M^-1, assuming a 1 : 1stoichiometry; this value was confirmed by a methodbased on circular dichroism measurements.Equimolar carbaryl/-cyclodextrin solid systemswere prepared by physical-mixing and freeze-drying,and fully characterised by Differential ScanningCalorimetry, X-ray powder diffractometry and FourierTransform Infra-Red analysis. The results of the solidstate study demonstrated that the freeze-drying methodyields a system with a high degree of amorphisationand yields an inclusion complex.The dissolution profile of the pesticide was affectedby the physico-chemical properties of each solidsystem, the freeze-dried form dissolving more rapidly. However, the physical association of-cyclodextrin and carbaryl enhanced the aqueoussolubility of the insecticide as well.