Metabolism of JWH-015, JWH-098, JWH-251, and JWH-307 in silico and in vitro: a pilot study for the detection of unknown synthetic cannabinoids metabolites

This pilot study was performed to study the main metabolic reactions of four synthetic cannabinoids: JWH-015, JWH-098, JWH-251, and JWH-307 in order to setup a screening method for the detection of main metabolites in biological fluids. In silico prediction of main metabolic reactions was performed using MetaSite^? software. To evaluate the agreement between software prediction and experimental reactions, we performed in vitro experiments on the same JWHs using rat liver slices. The obtained samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight and the identification of metabolites was executed using Mass-MetaSite^? software that automatically assigned the metabolite structures to the peaks detected based on their accurate masses and fragmentation. A comparison between the experimental findings and the in silico metabolism prediction using MetaSite^? software showed a good accordance between experimental and in silico data. Thus, the use of in silico metabolism prediction might represent a useful tool for the forensic and clinical toxicologist to identify possible main biomarkers for synthetic cannabinoids in biological fluids, especially urine, following their administration.

Direct chemical profiling of olive (Olea europaea) fruit epicuticular waxes by direct electrospray‐ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry

In the present paper, an electrospray ionization (ESI)‐Orbitrap method is proposed for the direct chemical profiling of epicuticular wax (EW) from Olea europaea fruit. It constitutes a rapid and efficient tool suitable for a wide‐ranging screening of a large number of samples. In a few minutes, the method provides a comprehensive characterization of total EW extracts, based on the molecular formula of their components. Accurate mass measurements are obtained by ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, and compositional restrictions are set on the basis of the information available from previous studies of olive EW. By alternating positive and negative ESI modes within the same analysis, complementary results are obtained and a wide range of chemical species is covered. This provides a detailed compositional overview that otherwise would only be available by applying multiple analytical techniques. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determination of polyphenolic compounds in red and white grapes grown in Sardinia by high performance liquid chromatography–electron spray ionisation-mass spectrometry

A new method for the identification and the quantification of nonanthocyanin phenolic compounds from six Vitis Vinifera grape varieties native to Sardinia (three native: Vermentino, Malvasia and Cannonau and three non-native types: Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon; Argiolas vineyard) was developed. This rapid and selective method employs LC/ESI-MS in negative mode. Different solvents extraction and different sorbents for purification were compared to the direct analysis of the initial extracts without further sample preparation. A total of 54 phenolic compounds were identified either in the freeze-dried skins or seeds, including nonflavonoids (hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives, stilbenes) and flavonoids (flavanols, flavonols, dihydroxyflavonols).     

Copper(II) and lanthanoid(III) complexes of a new β-diketonate ligand with an appended non-coordinating phenol group

New mononuclear compounds of the ligand 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-phenylpropane-1,3-dione (H₂L) with Cu(II) and several lanthanoid(III) ions, where Ln(III) = Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystal structure determinations. In all compounds, the ligand coordinates in a bidentate chelating manner, using the diketone function. In the [Cu(HL)₂], the coordination geometry of Cu(II) ion is slightly distorted square-planar; two strong intramolecular (OH?O) hydrogen-bonding interactions are established between the phenolate group and the neighboring ketone function. The lanthanoid(III) compounds have the general formula [Ln(HL)₃(CH₃OH)₂] · CH₃OH · 2H₂O; the lanthanoid(III) ion (Ln) is eight-coordinated and the coordination geometry is based on a distorted square-antiprism. In addition to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding (OH?O), intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions are also present between the coordinated methanol molecule and the non-coordinated methanol molecule giving rise to a three-dimensional network.     

Chiral Lewis base promoted trichlorosilane reduction of ketimines. An enantioselective organocatalytic synthesis of chiral amines

The reduction of the carbon-nitrogen double bond is an important transformation. Here we report our studies on a family of chiral organic catalysts able to promote the stereoselective reduction of ketimines with trichlorosilane. The very cheap, metal-free catalysts were easily prepared in one step from commercially available products, namely a chiral aminoalcohol and picolinic acid derivatives. The catalyst structure was extensively modified in a study that allowed to identify an extremely active species, able to promote the reduction on a large variety of substrates with high efficiency (up to 95% ee). A three component methodology has been also developed, where the enantiomerically enriched amine was isolated after performing the reaction by mixing a ketone and an amine in the presence of trichlorosilane and the catalyst. Its synthetic potentiality was demonstrated by employing the present metal-free catalytic procedure in the preparation of (S)-metolachlor, a potent and widely used herbicide.     

Determination of dimethylarginine levels in rats using HILIC-MS/MS: an in vivo microdialysis study

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most important mediators and neurotransmitters and its levels change under pathological conditions. NO production may be regulated by endogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, in particular asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Most of the interest is focused on ADMA, since this compound is present in plasma and urine and accumulation of ADMA has been described in many disease states but little is known about cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of this compound and of its structural isomer symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). To determine the levels of methylarginines, we here present a new hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC)-MS/MS method for the precise determination of these substances in CSF from microdialysis samples of rat prefrontal cortex (PFC). The method requires only minimal sample preparation and features isotope-labelled internal standards.     

Efficient and simple synthesis of 6-aryl-1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazoles

A synthetic method for the preparation of 6-aryl-1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazoles involving a palladium catalyzed coupling reaction of 1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazole-6-boronic acids and (hetero)aryl halides is described.     

Myoglobin modification by enzyme-generated dopamine reactive species

The generation of reactive quinone species (DAQ) from oxidation of dopamine (DA) is involved in neurodegenerative pathologies like Parkinson's disease (A. Borta, G. U. H?glinger, J. Neurochem. 2007, 100, 587-595). The oxidation of DA to DAQ can occur either in a single two-electron process or in two consecutive one-electron steps, through semiquinone radicals, giving rise to different patterns of reactions. The former type of reaction can be promoted by tyrosinase, the latter by peroxidases in the presence of H(2)O(2), which can be formed under oxidative stress conditions. Both enzymes were employed for the characterization of the thiol-catechol adducts formed by reaction of DA and cysteine or glutathione, and for the identification of specific amino acid residues modified by DAQs in two representative target proteins, human and horse heart myoglobin. Our results indicate that the cysteinyl-DA adducts are formed from the same quinone intermediate independently of the mechanism of DA oxidation, and that the hallmark of a radical mechanism is the formation of the cystine dimer. The reactivity of quinone species also controls the DA-promoted derivatization of histidine residues in proteins. However, for the modification of the cysteine residue in human myoglobin, a radical intramolecular mechanism has been proposed, in which the protein acts both as the catalyst and target of the reaction. Most importantly, the modification of myoglobins through DAQ linkages, and in particular by DA oligomers, has dramatic effects on their stability, as it induces protein unfolding and incorporation into insoluble melanic precipitates.