Microwave-assisted synthesis and antibacterial activity of some pyrazol-1-ylquinoxalin- 2(1H)-one derivatives

3-Hydrazinoquinoxalin-2(1H)-one was prepared from quinoxaline-2,3-dione and subsequently used for the synthesis of some potentially biologically active 3-(pyrazol-1-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives. While 3-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one showed a comparative effect with streptomycin, 3-(5-oxo-3-phenyl-4,5-di- hydropyrazol-1-yl)quinoxalin-2(1H)-one was found to be the most active with an MIC value of 7.8 μg/ml.     

Essential Oil Compositions and Antimicrobial Activity of the Leaves and Rhizomes of Alpinia calcicola from Vietnam

Chemistry of Natural Compounds -     

Spatial trends of petroleum hydrocarbons in water and sediments

Seasonal changes in petroleum hydrocarbons in water and streambed sediment from selected oil-related areas of Ondo State, Nigeria have been examined using gravimetric and infrared methods. The highest and lowest total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations (TPH) in water (sediments in brackets) gravimetrically were 3.49 mg L⁻¹ (199.3) mg kg⁻¹ and 0.003 mg L⁻¹ (81.0) mg kg⁻¹ while the concentrations found by IR were 24.0 mg L⁻¹ (135.0 mg kg⁻¹) and 14.0 mg L⁻¹ (33.0 mg kg⁻¹) respectively. The two seasons were positively correlated (α = 0.01) by both methods. The TPH level was well correlated with the sediment organic carbon (OC) during both seasons. The characteristic carbonyl (C=O) vibrations at 1650 cm⁻¹ and 1700 cm⁻¹ indicate oxidation of the oil residue. The study recommends further investigation into the type of organics present to evaluate their toxicity and appropriate remediation.      

Antioxidant and Starch-Hydrolyzing Enzymes Inhibitory Properties of Striga-Resistant Yellow-Orange Maize Hybrids

Most of the health benefits derived from cereals are attributed to their bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the levels of the bioactive compounds, and the antioxidant and starch-hydrolyzing enzymes inhibitory properties of six pipeline Striga-resistant yellow-orange maize hybrids (coded AS1828-1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11) in vitro. The maize hybrids were grown at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria. The bioactive compounds (total phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, and phytate) levels, antioxidant (DPPH^• and ABTS^•+ scavenging capacity and reducing power) and starch-hydrolyzing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibitory activities of the maize hybrids were determined by spectrophotometry. At the same time, carotenoids were quantified using a reverse-phase HPLC system. The ranges of the bioactive compounds were: 11.25–14.14 mg GAE/g (total phenolics), 3.62–4.67 mg QE/g (total flavonoids), 3.63–6.29 mg/g (tannins), 3.66–4.31% (phytate), 8.92–12.11 µg/g (total xanthophylls), 2.42–2.89 µg/g (total β-carotene), and 3.17–3.77 µg/g (total provitamin A carotenoids). Extracts of the maize hybrids scavenged DPPH^• (SC₅₀: 9.07–26.35 mg/mL) and ABTS^•+ (2.65–7.68 TEAC mmol/g), reduced Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ (0.25 ± 0.64–0.43 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g), and inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with IC₅₀ ranges of 26.28–52.55 mg/mL and 47.72–63.98 mg/mL, respectively. Among the six clones of the maize hybrids, AS1828-9 had the highest (p < 0.05) levels of tannins and phytate and the strongest antioxidant and starch-hydrolyzing enzymes inhibitory activities. Significant correlations were observed between total phenolics and the following: ABTS^•+ (p < 0.01, r = 0.757), DPPH^• SC₅₀ (p < 0.01, r = −0.867), reducing power (p < 0.05, r = 0.633), α-amylase IC₅₀ (p < 0.01, r = −0.836) and α-glucosidase IC₅₀ (p < 0.05, r = −0.582). Hence, the Striga-resistant yellow-orange maize hybrids (especially AS1828-9) may be beneficial for alleviating oxidative stress and postprandial hyperglycemia.     

On nonlinear coherent states properties for electron-phonon dynamics

This work addresses a construction of a dual pair of nonlinear coherent states (NCS) in the context of changes of bases in the underlying Hilbert space for a model pertaining to an electron-phonon model in the condensed matter physics, obeying a f-deformed Heisenberg algebra. The existence and properties of reproducing kernel in the NCS Hilbert space are studied and discussed; the probability density and its dynamics in the basis of constructed coherent states are provided. A Glauber-Sudarshan P-representation of the density matrix and relevant issues related to the reproducing kernel properties are presented. Moreover, a NCS quantization of classical phase space observables is performed and illustrated in a concrete example of q-deformed coherent states. Finally, an exposition of quantum optical properties is given.     

Essential oil constituents and biological activities of Peristrophe bicalyculata and Borreria verticillata

Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz) Nees (Acanthaceae) or 'The Goddess of Mercy' and Borreria verticillata (L.) G.F.W. Mey., (Rubiaceae), or 'Irawo-Ile' (Yoruba, South-west, Nigeria), are annual herbs, which are poorly exploited. The volatile oils obtained by hydrodistillation in an all glass Clevenger-type apparatus from the plant samples have been investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). With respect to the oil of P. bicalyculata, beta-caryophyllene (33.9%), alpha-zingiberene (10.4%), germacrene D and globulol (5.0%) were the compounds occurring in abundance. The oil of B. verticillata had an abundance of phytol (56.3%) and 1, 8-cineole (20.4%), with sizeable proportions of alpha-pinene (7.1%) and p-cymene (4.0%). In addition, the volatile oils displayed promising in-vitro antimicrobial activity against the tested micro-organisms, (MIC 12.5-22.3 microg/mL), while only the oil of P. bicalyculata displayed in-vitro cytotoxicity to MCF-7 (human breast tumor) and MDA-MB-468 (human breast tumor) cells. The present investigation may be the first of its kind for the evaluation of the volatile oil constituents of the studied plants.     

Allostery Inhibition of BACE1 by Psychotic and Meroterpenoid Drugs in Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy

In over a century since its discovery, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has continued to be a global health concern due to its incurable nature and overwhelming increase among older people. In this paper, we give an overview of the efforts of researchers towards identifying potent BACE1 exosite-binding antibodies and allosteric inhibitors. Herein, we apply computer-aided drug design (CADD) methods to unravel the interactions of some proposed psychotic and meroterpenoid BACE1 allosteric site inhibitors. This study is aimed at validating the allosteric potentials of these selected compounds targeted at BACE1 inhibition. Molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, and post-MD analyses are carried out on these selected compounds, which have been experimentally proven to exhibit allosteric inhibition on BACE1. The SwissDock software enabled us to identify more than five druggable pockets on the BACE1 structural surface using docking. Besides the active site region, a melatonin derivative (compound 1) previously proposed as a BACE1 allostery inhibitor showed appreciable stability at eight different subsites on BACE1. Refinement with molecular dynamic (MD) simulations shows that the identified non-catalytic sites are potential allostery sites for compound 1. The allostery and binding mechanism of the selected potent inhibitors show that the smaller the molecule, the easier the attachment to several enzyme regions. This finding hereby establishes that most of these selected compounds failed to exhibit strong allosteric binding with BACE1 except for compound 1. We hereby suggest that further studies and additional identification/validation of other BACE1 allosteric compounds be done. Furthermore, this additional allosteric site investigation will help in reducing the associated challenges with designing BACE1 inhibitors while exploring the opportunities in the design of allosteric BACE1 inhibitors.