Withanolide-Type Steroids from Withania aristata as Potential Anti-Leukemic Agents

Leukemia is a blood or bone marrow cancer with increasing incidence in developed regions of the world. Currently, there is an ongoing need for novel and safe anti-leukemic agents, as no fully effective chemotherapy is available to treat this life-threatening disease. Herein, are reported the isolation, structural elucidation, and anti-leukemic evaluation of twenty-nine withanolide-type steroids (1–29) from Withania aristata. Among them, the new isolated withanolides, withaperoxidins A–D (1–4) have an unusual six-membered cyclic peroxide moiety on the withasteroid skeleton as a structural novelty. Their structures have been elucidated by means of spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR experiments. In addition, extensive structure–activity relationships and in silico ADME studies were employed to understand the pharmacophore and pharmacokinetic properties of this series of withasteroids. Compounds 15, 16, and 22 together with withaferin A (14) were identified as having improved antiproliferative effect (IC₅₀ ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 μM) on human leukemia HL-60 cell lines compared with the reference drug, etoposide. This cytotoxic potency was also coupled with good selectivity index (SI 33.0–9.2) on non-tumoral Vero cell line and in silico drug likeness. These findings revealed that these natural withasteroids are potential candidates as chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of leukemia.     

The understanding of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation and mechanism as the effect of flouro-o-phenylenedimaleimaide (F-MI) additive on lithium-ion battery

Solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is a critical factor that influences battery performance. SEI layer is formed by the decomposition of organic and inorganic compounds after the first cycle. This study investigates SEI formation as a product of electrolyte decomposition by the presence of flouro-o-phenylenedimaleimaide (F-MI) additive. The presence of fluorine on the maleimide-based additive can increase storage capacity and reversible discharge capacity due to high electronegativity and high electron-withdrawing group. The electrolyte containing 0.1 wt% of F-MI-based additive can trigger the formation of SEI, which could suppress the decomposition of remaining electrolyte. The reduction potential was 2.35 to 2.21 V vs Li/Li⁺ as examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) cell with F-MI additive showed the lowest SEI resistance (Rsei) at 5898 Ω as evaluated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The morphology and element analysis on the negative electrode after the first charge-discharge cycle were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS result showed that MCMB cell with F-MI additive provides a higher intensity of organic compounds (RCH₂OCO₂Li) and thinner SEI than MCMB cell without an additive that provides a higher intensity of inorganic compound (Li₂CO₃ and Li₂O), which leads to the performance decay. It is concluded that attaching the fluorine functional group on the maleimide-based additive forms the ideal SEI formation for lithium-ion battery.     

Stochastic modified Beverton–Holt model with Allee effect II: the Cushing–Henson conjecture

We consider a single-species stochastic modified Beverton–Holt model with Allee effects caused by predator saturation. We prove that, under some conditions on the parameters, there exists a Markov operator that is asymptotically stable. A stochastic version of the Cushing–Henson conjecture on attenuance and resonance is investigated.     

Some new Ag(I), VO(II) and Pd(II) chelates incorporating tridentate imine ligand: Design,synthesis, structure elucidation,density functional theory calculations for DNA interaction,antimicrobial and anticancer activities and molecular docking studies

Some new complexes derived from VO(II), Ag(I) and Pd(II) metal ions and HNA imine ligand (L), i.e. (2‐((6‐allylidene‐2‐hydroxycyclohexa‐1,3‐dienylmethylene)amino)benzoic acid), have been prepared and their structures elucidated via molar conductance measurements, elemental analyses, infrared, NMR and electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility estimations. Moreover, stability constants of the synthesized complexes were evaluated utilizing a spectrophotometric technique. On the basis of molar conductance and elemental analyses, the metal imine chelates have structure [M(L)], where M = Pd(II), VO(II) and Ag(I). The results indicate that the prepared HNA imine ligand acts as a tridentate moiety via nitrogen atom of azomethine group and two oxygen atoms of phenolic and carboxylic groups. All the complexes are found to be monomeric with 1:1 stoichiometry with square planar geometry for Pd(II), tetrahedral geometry for Ag(I) and distorted square pyramidal for VO(II). Theoretical density functional theory calculations were applied to verify the molecular geometry of the chelators and their metal chelates. The geometry optimization results are in agreement with experimental observations. The antimicrobial properties of the prepared HNA imine ligand and its metal chelates were evaluated against numerous plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The results of these studies indicate that the metal complexes exhibit a stronger antibacterial and antifungal effect compared to the imine ligand. In addition, the interaction of the metal imine chelates with calf thymus DNA was observed by way of viscosity, gel electrophoreses and spectral studies. Absorption titration studies reveal that each of the complexes is an avid binder to calf thymus DNA. Also, there are appreciable changes in the relative viscosity of DNA, which are consistent with enhanced hydrophobic interaction of the aromatic rings and intercalation mode of binding. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity of the investigated compounds against various cancer cell lines shows promising results which makes them prospective compounds for antibiotic and anticancer medicament studies. Furthermore, docking studies of the prepared compounds were conducted for confirming the biological results.     

Large scale highly organized single-walled carbon nanotube networks for electrical devices

Large-scale room-temperature liquid-phase directed assembly of highly organized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) over large areas is demonstrated. The presented process utilizes lithographically patterned template to guide the fluidic self-assembly of SWNTs on a silicon-dioxide substrate. The width of these highly organized SWNT structures are in the micron range while their heights are in orders of nanometers. Room temperature electrical I–V characterization of these fabricated high coverage SWNT wires show linear ohmic behavior. The resistivity of these assembled SWNT network is in the order of 10⁻⁶ Ω m demonstrating their metallic characteristics during conductance. Scaling of the assembly processes on a wafer level with high yield is demonstrated. Our developed assembly process is compatible with complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes and provides a simple and flexible way of building SWNT nanotube-based electronics in a large scale.     

Synthesis,DFT Calculations,Antiproliferative, Bactericidal Activity and Molecular Docking of Novel Mixed-Ligand Salen/8-Hydroxyquinoline Metal Complexes

Despite the common use of salens and hydroxyquinolines as therapeutic and bioactive agents, their metal complexes are still under development. Here, we report the synthesis of novel mixed-ligand metal complexes (MSQ) comprising salen (S), derived from (2,2′-{1,2-ethanediylbis[nitrilo(E) methylylidene]}diphenol, and 8-hydroxyquinoline (Q) with Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Al(III), and La(III). The structures and properties of these MSQ metal complexes were investigated using molar conductivity, melting point, FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–VIS, mass spectra, and thermal analysis. Quantum calculation, analytical, and experimental measurements seem to suggest the proposed structure of the compounds and its uncommon monobasic tridentate binding mode of salen via phenolic oxygen, azomethine group, and the NH group. The general molecular formula of MSQ metal complexes is [M(S)(Q)(H₂O)] for M (II) = Co, Ni, and Cd or [M(S)(Q)(Cl)] and [M(S)(Q)(H₂O)]Cl for M(III) = La and Al, respectively. Importantly, all prepared metal complexes were evaluated for their antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The metal complexes exhibited high cytotoxic potency against human breast cancer (MDA-MB231) and liver cancer (Hep-G2) cell lines. Among all MSQ metal complexes, CoSQ and LaSQ produced IC₅₀ values (1.49 and 1.95 µM, respectively) that were comparable to that of cisplatin (1.55 µM) against Hep-G2 cells, whereas CdSQ and LaSQ had best potency against MDA-MB231 with IC₅₀ values of 1.95 and 1.43 µM, respectively. Furthermore, the metal complexes exhibited significant antimicrobial activities against a wide spectrum of both Gram-positive and -negative bacterial and fungal strains. The antibacterial and antifungal efficacies for the MSQ metal complexes, the free S and Q ligands, and the standard drugs gentamycin and ketoconazole decreased in the order AlSQ > LaSQ > CdSQ > gentamycin > NiSQ > CoSQ > Q > S for antibacterial activity, and for antifungal activity followed the trend of LaSQ > AlSQ > CdSQ > ketoconazole > NiSQ > CoSQ > Q > S. Molecular docking studies were performed to investigate the binding of the synthesized compounds with breast cancer oxidoreductase (PDB ID: 3HB5). According to the data obtained, the most probable coordination geometry is octahedral for all the metal complexes. The molecular and electronic structures of the metal complexes were optimized theoretically, and their quantum chemical parameters were calculated. PXRD results for the Cd(II) and La(III) metal complexes indicated that they were crystalline in nature.     

Soliton perturbation theory for nonlinear wave equations

This paper studies the soliton perturbation that are described by three nonlinear wave equations. The adiabatic dynamics of the soliton parameters and the soliton velocity is obtained, in the presence of perturbation terms. The fixed point is also determined in a couple of cases.     

Spectrophotometric stability-indicating methods for the determination of leflunomide in the presence of its degradates

Five simple and sensitive methods were developed for the determination of leflunomide (I) in the presence of its degradates 4-trifluoromethyl aniline (II) and 3-methyl-4-carboxy isoxazole (III). Method A was based on differential derivative spectrophotometry by measuring the delta(1)D value at 279.5 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range of 2.00-20.00 microg/mL with mean percentage accuracy of 100.07 +/- 1.32. Method B depended on first-derivative spectrophotometry and measuring the amplitude at 253.4 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range of 2.00-16.00 microg/mL with mean percentage accuracy of 98.42 +/- 1.61. Method C was based on the reaction of degradate (II) with 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chloroimide (Gibbs reagent). The colored product was measured at 469 nm. Method D depended on the reaction of degradate (II) with para-dimethyl aminocinnamaldehyde (p-DAC). The absorbance of the colored product was measured at 533.4 nm. Method E utilized 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone in the presence of cerric ammonium sulfate with degradate (II). The green colored product was measured at 605.5 nm. The linearity range was 40.00-280.00, 2.40-24.00, and 30-250 microg/mL with mean percentage accuracy of 100.75 +/- 1.21, 100.13 +/- 1.45, and 99.74 +/- 1.39 for Methods C-E, respectively. All variables were studied to optimize the reaction conditions. The proposed methods have been successfully applied to the analysis of leflunomide in pharmaceutical dosage forms and the results were statistically compared with that previously reported.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Theoretical Studies,and Antimicrobial/Antitumor Potencies of Salen and Salen/Imidazole Complexes of Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Cd (II), Al (III) and La (III)

Although salens and imidazoles are well-studied motifs among bioactive and therapeutic agents, their properties when combined in transition metal complexes are not well developed. To explore the structure/reactivity of this class of compounds, a salen-based ligand, namely (2,2′-{1,2-ethanediylbis[nitrilo(E)methylylidene]}diphenol, S), and its binary (MS) and ternary (MSI) complexes (I = imidazole; M = Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Cd (II), Al (III), and La (III)) have been synthesized and fully characterized by standard physicochemical and theoretical methods. Evidence from structural analysis tools along with DFT modeling revealed an unusual monobasic tridentate salen binding mode, involving the phenolic oxygen, the nitrogen of the azomethine group, and NH group formed via phenol-to-cyclohexadienone tautomerization, giving rise to a general molecular formula of MSI complexes as [M(S)(I)₂(Cl)] for M (II) = Co, Ni, Cu and Cd or [M(S)(I)(Cl)₂] for M (III) = Al and La, respectively. The antimicrobial activities of S, MS, and MSI were screened against several bacterial and fungal strains. Of all tested complexes, CdS and CuSI were the most effective antimicrobials, giving larger inhibition zones than the reference antibiotics. The antimicrobial efficacy for the MS complexes follows the order: CdS > gentamicin > CuS > NiS > CoS > LaS > AlS > S, whereas MSI complex, potencies are ordered as CuSI > gentamicin > CdSI >NiSI > CoSI > LaSI > AlSI > S. In vitro cytotoxicity screening of MSI complexes disclosed that both CuSI and CdSI exhibited higher activity against human liver (Hep-G2) and breast (MDA-MB231) carcinoma cell lines than the reference (cisplatin) drug. The satisfactory bioactivities observed for several of these compounds supports the underlying design idea for combining important bioactive motifs for possible therapeutic benefit.     

Dehydrative Cyclization of Hydrazones: Synthesis of Pyrazolo and Pyrazolyl Quinoxalines

Abstract

A number of 3-(l-arylhydrazono-D-erythro-2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)-6,7-dimethyl-lH-quinoxalin-2-ones (6–8) as well as the semi-and thiosemicarbazones have been prepared. Their periodate oxidation afforded the corresponding 3-(1-arylhydrazono-glyoxal-l-ýl)-6,7-dimethyl-lH-quinoxalin-2-ones (11–13), and their methylation gave 3-(l-arylhydrazono-D-erythro-2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl)-1,6,7-trimethyl-quinoxalin-2-ones (15–17). The action of alkali on the starting hydrazones (6–8) caused a loss of one mole of water to give 1-aryl-6,7-dimethyl-3-(D-erythro-glycerol-l-yl)-flavazoles (18–20) while the action of acetic anhydride afforded 3-(5-acetoxymethyl-l-arylpyrazol-3-yl)-6,7-dimethyl-lH-quinoxalin-2-ones (21–23).