Spectroscopy and Dynamics of Cryptolepine in the Nanocavity of Cucurbit[7]uril and DNA

Herein, we explored the photophysical properties of the antimalarial, anticancer drug cryptolepine (CRYP) in the presence of the macrocyclic host cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and DNA with the help of steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence techniques. Ground‐state and excited‐state calculations based on density functional theory were also performed to obtain insight into the shape, electron density distribution, and energetics of the molecular orbitals of CRYP. CRYP exists in two forms depending on the pH of the medium, namely, a cationic (charge transfer) form and a neutral form, which emit at λ=540 and 420 nm, respectively. In a buffer solution of pH 7, the drug exists in the cationic form, and upon encapsulation with CB7, it exhibits a huge enhancement in fluorescence intensity due to a decrement in nonradiative decay pathways of the emitting cryptolepine species. Furthermore, docking and quantum chemical calculations were employed to decipher the molecular orientation of the drug in the inclusion complex. Studies with natural DNA indicate that CRYP molecules intercalate into DNA, which leads to a huge quenching of the fluorescence of CRYP. Keeping this in mind, we studied the DNA‐assisted release of CRYP molecules from the nanocavity of CB7. Strikingly, DNA alone could not remove the drug from the nanocavity of CB7. However, an external stimulus such as acetylcholine chloride was able to displace CRYP from the nanocavity, and subsequently, the displaced drug could bind to DNA.     

Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD)-oriented RP-UFLC method for quantification of lansoprazole with superior method robustness

A reversed-phase ultrafast liquid chromatography method was developed for quantification of lansoprazole in pharmaceutical dosage form using analytical quality by design approach. Systematic planning and experimentation using design of experiment approach were used for method development and optimization studies. A central composite design was used for optimizing the chromatography, by choosing organic phase proportion and flow rate as the critical method variables for evaluating their effect on critical analytical attributes like resolution, plate number, and tailing factor. The optimal chromatography was accomplished on a C-18 column (250?×?4.6?mm, 5?µm) using methanol:water (70:30, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0?mL/min. Photo diode array (PDA) detection was performed at 284?nm. Caffeine was used as the internal standard. Method validation studies revealed that the calibration curve was linear over 1.0–300?µg/mL. The method was found accurate with average recovery between 98.99 and 102.87%. The percent relative standard deviation values obtained for precision were as per ICH guideline and within the acceptance limits (<2%). Results of system suitability indicated superior method robustness. In a nutshell, the method was found to be highly suitable for its applicability in the determination of lansoprazole in bulk and tablet dosage form.     

Applications of Monte-Carlo simulation and chemometric techniques for development of bioanalytical liquid chromatography method for estimation of rosuvastatin calcium

In the present work, we investigated the development of a bioanalytical HPLC method of rosuvastatin (RSV) calcium as per the Quality by Design (QbD)-based systematic chemometric tools. At first, the method objectives were framed and critical analytical attributes (CAAs) were chosen. Risk assessment and factor screening was performed using Hybrid Risk Matrix and Plackett–Burman design for identifying vital factors influencing the critical method parameters (CMPs). Monte-Carlo simulation analysis was conducted which confirmed excellent process robustness (Ppk >1.33) for the studied ranges of CMPs. Furthermore, systematic method development was carried out using custom experimental design, where mobile phase ratio, pH, and injection volume were taken as CMPs at three levels. The obtained trials were evaluated for peak area, retention time, theoretical plates, and peak tailing as CAAs. Mathematical response surface modeling was carried out and optimal chromatographic solution was identified using response optimizer plots. Method transfer was made to bioanalytical scale for estimation of the analyte in rat plasma samples. Extensive method validation was performed as per the ICH Q2 guideline, which indicated validation parameters within the acceptable limits. Overall, the studies construed successful development of QbD compliant HPLC method of rosuvastatin with potential utility bioanalytical testing.     

Facile synthesis of CuO nanosheets as electrode for supercapacitor with long cyclic stability in novel methyl imidazole-based ionic liquid electrolyte

Hierarchical CuO nanosheets were synthesized through a facile, eco-friendly reflux deposition approach for supercapacitor electrode material for energy storage. The resultant CuO nanosheets were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm techniques. The supercapacitor behavior of CuO nanosheets was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in novel 0.1 M aqueous 1-(1′-methyl-2′-oxo-propyl)-3-dimethylimidazolium chloride [MOPMIM][Cl] ionic liquid as an electrolyte. The result demonstrate that CuO nanosheets exhibit specific capacitance of 180 F g^?1 at 10 mV s^?1 scan rate which is the highest value in ionic liquid electrolyte and 87% specific capacitance retention after 5000th cycle. The electrochemical performance proves CuO nanosheets as electrode with ionic liquid electrolyte for developing green chemistry approach in supercapacitor.

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Graphical abstract As-synthesized, CuO nanosheets demonstrate excellent supercapacitor electrode performance with high specific capacitance of 180 F g^?1 at 10 mV s^?1 scan rate and 87% specific capacitance retention in 0.1 M aqueous [MOPMIM][Cl] IL electrolyte

     

Shannon-information entropy sum in the confined hydrogenic atom

The appearance of critical points in the Shannon entropy sum as a function of confinement radius, in ground and excited state confined hydrogenic systems, is discussed. We illustrate that the Coulomb potential in tandem with the hard sphere confinement are responsible for these points. The positions of these points are observed to vary with the intensity of the potential. The effects of the Coulomb potential on the system are further probed, by examining the differences between the densities of the confined atom and those of the particle confined in a spherical box, for the same confinement radius. These differences are quantified by using Kullback-Leibler and cumulative residual Kullback-Leibler distance measures from information theory. These measures detect that the effects of the Coulomb potential are squeezed out of the system as the confinement radius decreases. That is, the confined atom densities resemble the particle in a box ones, for smaller confinement radii. Furthermore, the critical points in the entropy sum lie in the same regions where there are changes in the distance measures, as the atom behaves more particle in a spherical box-like. The analysis is further complemented by examination of the derivative of the entropy sum with respect to confinement radius. This study illustrates the inhomogeneity in the magnitudes of the derivatives of the entropy sum components and their dependence on the Coulomb potential. A link between the derivative and the entropic force is also illustrated and discussed. Similar behaviors are observed when the virial ratio is compared to the entropic power one, as a function of confinement radius.     

Dynamic control of 3D chemical profiles with a single 2D microfluidic platform

Dynamic control of three-dimensional (3D) chemical patterns with both high precision and high speed is important in a range of applications from chemical synthesis, flow cytometry, and multi-scale biological manipulation approaches. A central challenge in controlling 3D chemical patterns is the inability to create rapidly tunable 3D profiles with simple and direct approaches that avoid complicated microfabrication. Here, we present the ability to rapidly and precisely create 3D chemical patterns using a single two-dimensional (2D) microfluidic platform. We are not only able to create these 3D patterns, but can rapidly switch from one mode to another (e.g. from a focused to a defocused pattern in less than 1 second) via simple changes in inlet pressures. A feedback control scheme with a pressure modulation mechanism controls the pressure changes. In addition to experiments, we conducted computational simulations for guiding the optimum design of the channels as well as revealing the sensitivity of the patterns to the channel dimensions; these simulations have high experimental correlations. We also show that microvortices play an important role in creating these tunable 3D patterns in this microfluidic platform. We quantitatively determine the degrees of the focused patterns in 2D cross-sections using a focus index with a 2D Gaussian function. Our integrated approach combining feedback control with simple microfluidics will be useful for researchers in diverse disciplines including chemistry, engineering, physics, and biology.     

Solid-state 13C NMR investigations of cyclophanes: [2.2]paracyclophane and 1,8-dioxa[8](2,7)pyrenophane

Solid-state NMR (ssNMR) and ab initio quantum mechanical calculations are used in order to understand and to better characterize the molecular conformation and properties of [2.2]paracyclophane and 1,8-dioxa[8](2,7)pyrenophane. Both molecules are cyclophanes, consisting of an aromatic ring assembly and a cyclic aliphatic chain connected to both ends of the aromatic portion. The aliphatic chain causes curvature in the six-membered aromatic ring structures. This led us to examine how the ring strain due to curvature affects the chemical shifts. Using X-ray structures of both [2.2]paracyclophane and 1,8-dioxa[8](2,7)pyrenophane as our starting model, we calculate the chemical shielding tensors and compare these data with those collected from the (13)C ssNMR FIREMAT experiment. We define curvature of [2.2]paracyclophane and 1,8-dioxa[8](2,7)pyrenophane using the π-orbital axis vector (POAV) pyramidalization angle (θ(p)).     

Intermolecular gold-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective [2+2+3] cycloadditions of 1,6-enynes with nitrones

Going for gold: The title reaction has been developed and demonstrates a wide substrate scope with respect to the 1,6-enynes and nitrones (see scheme; DCE = 1,2-dichloroethane, Tf = trifluoromethanesulfonyl). The results for the enantioselective versions are also presented.     

Regulation of Enzymatic Activity by Deamidation and Their Subsequent Repair by Protein l-isoaspartyl Methyl Transferase

The present study explored both spontaneous and stress-induced deamidation in acid trehalase and endo-xylanase. An alteration in optimum pH by 1.5 units and optimum temperature by 20 °C accelerated the process of deamidation with a rise in isoaspartate formation and ammonia loss. Spontaneous deamidation during an enzyme-substrate reaction at physiological conditions resulted in accretion of isoaspartyl residues within the enzymes which gradually impaired their catalytic efficacy. Deamidation appeared to be more pronounced in endo-xylanase owing to its secondary structure conformation and high asparagine content. The active sites, Ala 549 in acid trehalase and His184 and Trp188 in endo-xylanase contributed to the loss of enzyme activity as they were flanking the deamidation-susceptible Asn residues. Protein l-isoaspartyl methyl transferase seemed to have a repairing capability, which enabled the heat-damaged enzymes to regain their partial activity as evident from there rise in K _cat/K _m. Endo-xylanase could regain 38.1 % of its biological activity while a lesser 17.5 % reactivation was obtained in acid trehalase. A unique protein l-isoaspartyl methyl transferase recognition site, Asn 151 was also identified in acid trehalase. A mass increment of the tryptic peptides of repaired enzyme due to methylation catalyzed by protein l-isoaspartyl methyl transferase substantiated the repair hypothesis.