Template-directed approach to solid-phase combinatorial synthesis of furan-based libraries

A novel furan based scaffold 5-hydroxymethylfurfural has been identified for the generation of combinatorial libraries using template directed approach on solid phase. This scaffold has been utilized to afford furan-based bi-heterocyclic structures with extensive chemical diversity using cycloaddition, multicomponent and cyclization reactions.     

NiO/ZnO Composite Derived Metal-Organic Framework as Advanced Electrode Materials for Zinc Hybrid Redox Flow Battery

NiO/ZnO composite derived metal-organic framework (MOF) is used as to modify carbon felt (CF) via a conventional solid-state reaction followed by ultrasonication. The prepared electrode material is used in zinc-hybrid redox flow batteries (RFBs) due to their high redox activity of Zn²⁺/Zn. The electrochemical performance of composite modified CF and pre-treated CF was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 0.5 M aqueous zinc chloride with 5 M potassium hydroxide solutions showed clear confirmation for enhanced electrocatalytic activity. The unique porous structure of NiO/ZnO-derived MOF with increased surface area improves the battery behavior significantlyThe peak current ratio for the as-prepared material is about 3 times higher than that of the pre-treated CF due to more active sites. Zinc-based RFB with modified CF electrode exhibited better electrochemical performance with voltage efficiency (VE, 88 %), which is higher than true redox flow batteries.     

The Alzheimer's beta amyloid (Abeta1-39) monomer in an implicit solvent

Results from replica-exchange and regular room temperature molecular dynamics simulations of the Alzheimer's beta amyloid (Abeta(1-39)) monomer in an implicit solvent are reported. Our data indicate that at room temperature, the monomer assumes random-coil and soluble conformations. No beta content is observed which therefore seems to be a product of oligomerization and aggregation of monomers.     

β-Sitosterol Circumvents Obesity Induced Inflammation and Insulin Resistance by down-Regulating IKKβ/NF-κB and JNK Signaling Pathway in Adipocytes of Type 2 Diabetic Rats

β-sitosterol (SIT), the most abundant bioactive component of vegetable oil and other plants, is a highly potent antidiabetic drug. Our previous studies show that SIT controls hyperglycemia and insulin resistance by activating insulin receptor and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) in the adipocytes of obesity induced type 2 diabetic rats. The current research was undertaken to investigate if SIT could also exert its antidiabetic effects by circumventing adipocyte induced inflammation, a key driving factor for insulin resistance in obese individuals. Effective dose of SIT (20 mg/kg b.wt) was administered orally for 30 days to high fat diet and sucrose induced type-2 diabetic rats. Metformin, the conventionally used antidiabetic drug was used as a positive control. Interestingly, SIT treatment restores the elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines including leptin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) to normalcy and increases anti-inflammatory adipocytokines including adiponectin in type 2 diabetic rats. Furthermore, SIT decreases sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and enhances Peroxisome Proliferator–activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) gene expression in adipocytes of diabetic rats. The gene and protein expression of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK1), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta (IKKβ) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were also significantly attenuated in SIT treated groups. More importantly, SIT acts very effectively as metformin to circumvent inflammation and insulin resistance in diabetic rats. Our results clearly show that SIT inhibits obesity induced insulin resistance by ameliorating the inflammatory events in the adipose tissue through the downregulation of IKKβ/NF-κB and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway.     

Targeting the menaquinol binding loop of mycobacterial cytochrome bd oxidase

Molecular Diversity - Mycobacteria have shown enormous resilience to survive and persist by remodeling and altering metabolic requirements. Under stringent conditions or exposure to drugs,...     

Synthesis,X-ray, 1H-NMR and DFT analysis of the phthalimide–hydrazone probes as selective anion sensor

Two simple phthalimide–hydrazone probes with nitro groups were synthesised and characterised by NMR, FT-IR, HR-MS and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The synthesised receptors were evaluated for application in anion sensing. The receptors displayed strong, sensitive and selective colouration in the presence of cyanide ions by forming a stable complex with cyanide ion. The use of variable nitro groups helped in the elucidation of the mechanism of the complex formation. The ¹H NMR spectroscopy was used to support the mechanism of the complex formation. DFT methods were used to understand the stability of the complex with respect to the reactant. The absorbance data were also compared with the TD-DFT calculated excitation parameters. The experimental results were found to correlate well with the theoretical data.     

Isolation and characterisation of bioactive isoflavonoids from the roots of Dalbergia horrida

The roots of Dalbergia horrida yielded two new isoflavanones, Dalhorridin (I) - 5,5'-dihydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-5'-prenyl-6',6'-dimethyl-dihydropyrano(2',3' : 7,8)-isoflavanone and Dalhorridinin (II) - 5,7,5'-trihydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-8-[5-methyl-2-(2-hydroxyisopropyl)-1,4-hexadienyl]isoflavanone along with two known isoflavones, Dalspinin and Dalspinosin. Preliminary biological screening of the enriched extract revealed that it showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, CNS depressant and mild anti-bacterial properties.