A rapid and highly sensitive UPLC-QTOF MS method for quantitative evaluation of Nardostachys jatamansi using Nardin as the marker

Nardostachys jatamansi DC. is a highly reputed Medhya and Nootropic (Learning and Memory) Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Its use as herbal medicine singly and as an ingredient of multi‐herbal formulations is fast increasing. In order to authenticate and evaluate it quantitatively, its standardization is highly warranted with respect to a reliable marker. In this connection a rapid and highly sensitive UPLC‐QTOF MS method has been developed. The analysis was carried out on an Acquity BEH C₁₈ column with gradient elution of methanol–water and 3 mm ammonium acetate using QTOF mass detector in negative ionization mode. The method was validated over a concentration range of 9.76–156.25 ng/mL nardin. The calibration curve is linear with the correlation coefficient (r) and coefficient of determination (R²) were 0.9997 and 0.9995 respectively. The LOD and LOQ were 3.050 and 9.277 ng/mL respectively. The recovery of nardin in the range 96.36–111.13% achieved from spiked samples was consistent and reproducible. The inter‐day and intra‐day assay precision of the analytes over the entire concentration range was less than 5%. The developed method required only 4 min for chromatography to authenticate and quantify the marker, viz. nardin in N. jatamansi samples, in addition to the sample preparation time. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of Physical Process Conditions for Enhanced Production of Novel Glutaminase-Free L-Asparaginase from <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Pectobacterium carotovorum</Emphasis> MTCC 1428

Statistically based experimental design was applied to maximize the production of glutaminase-free L-asparaginase from Pectobacterium carotovorum MTCC 1428. The effect of physical process parameters (initial pH of the medium, temperature, rpm of the shaking incubator, and inoculum size) on the production of L-asparaginase from P. carotovorum MTCC 1428 was studied using central composite design technique. The individual optimum levels of initial pH of the medium, temperature, rpm of shaking incubator, and inoculum size were found to be 6.90, 29.8 °C, 157 rpm, and 2.61% (v/v), respectively, for the production of L-asparaginase. After physical process parameters optimization, the production and productivity of L-asparaginase was enhanced by 26.39% (specific activity) and 10.19%, respectively. Maximization of L-asparaginase production was achieved at 12 h under optimal levels of physical process parameters in shake flask level.     

Electrochemical-coupling layer-by-layer (ECC-LbL) assembly

Electrochemical-coupling layer-by-layer (ECC-LbL) assembly is introduced as a novel fabrication methodology for preparing layered thin films. This method allows us to covalently immobilize functional units (e.g., porphyrin, fullerene, and fluorene) into thin films having desired thicknesses and designable sequences for both homo- and heteroassemblies while ensuring efficient layer-to-layer electronic interactions. Films were prepared using a conventional electrochemical setup by a simple and inexpensive process from which various layering sequences can be obtained, and the photovoltaic functions of a prototype p/n heterojunction device were demonstrated.     

Diterpene glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana

Three novel diterpene glycosides were isolated for the first time from the commercial extract of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, along with several known steviol glycosides, namely stevioside, rebaudiosides A-F, rubusoside and dulcoside A. The new compounds were identified as 13-[(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-15-en-19-oic acid, 13-[(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-16β-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid and 13-methyl-16-oxo-17-nor-ent-kauran-19-oic acid-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester on the basis of extensive 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic data as well as chemical studies.     

Recyclable heterogeneous copper oxide on alumina catalyzed coupling of phenols and alcohols with aryl halides under ligand-free conditions

An efficient alumina-supported CuO-catalyzed O-arylation of phenols and aliphatic alcohols with various aryl as well as heteroaryl halides under ligand-free conditions are reported. This protocol provides a variety of diaryl ether and bis-diaryl ether motifs by reacting different aryl/aliphatic halides with differently substituted phenols and saturated alcohols in the presence of a catalytic amount of CuO on alumina and KOH as a base at moderate temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. The described methodology is simple, straightforward and efficient to afford the cross-coupled products in high yields under ligand-free conditions. The explored catalyst is inexpensive, air-stable and recyclable up to three cycles.     

Synthesis of Allyl Aryl Sulfone Derivatives from Baylis?Hillman Acetates in Water

Various phenyl and p‐tolyl allyl sulfone derivatives were prepared stereoselectively by reacting Baylis? Hillman acetates with sodium 4‐R‐benzenesulfinate (R=H, Me) in H₂O. The reaction was very efficient in providing the corresponding sulfone derivatives in good to excellent yields (Table).     

Synthesis of novel quinoline analogues of nimesulide: An unusual observation

Reduction of nimesulide followed by treating the N‐acyl derivative of resulting arylamine with Vilsmeier‐Haack reagent provided novel 2‐chloro‐3‐formylquinoline derivatives. The construction of quinoline ring using Vilsmeier‐Haack reagent afforded an unexpected compound, N‐(2‐chloro‐3‐formyl‐7‐phenoxy quinolin‐6‐yl)formamide, in addition to the expected product. The structure of this unexpected quinoline derivative was established via single‐crystal X‐ray analysis and its formation could be explained by an unprecedented N‐S bond cleavage under Vilsmeier‐Haack reaction conditions. The 2‐chloro‐3‐formylquinoline derivatives obtained were converted to a number of corresponding Schiff bases with potential pharmacological importance. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2011.     

Reduction of amine N-oxides by diboron reagents

Facile reduction of alkylamino-, anilino-, and pyridyl-N-oxides can be achieved via the use of diboron reagents, predominantly bis(pinacolato)- and in some cases bis(catecholato)diboron [(pinB)(2) and (catB)(2), respectively]. Reductions occur upon simply mixing the amine N-oxide and the diboron reagent in a suitable solvent, at a suitable temperature. Extremely fast reductions of alkylamino- and anilino-N-oxides occur, whereas pyridyl-N-oxides undergo slower reduction. The reaction is tolerant of a variety of functionalities such as hydroxyl, thiol, and cyano groups, as well as halogens. Notably, a sensitive nucleoside N-oxide has also been reduced efficiently. The different rates with which alkylamino- and pyridyl-N-oxides are reduced has been used to perform stepwise reduction of the N,N'-dioxide of (S)-(-)-nicotine. Because it was observed that (pinB)(2) was unaffected by the water of hydration in amine oxides, the feasibility of using water as solvent was evaluated. These reactions also proceeded exceptionally well, giving high product yields. In constrast to the reactions with (pinB)(2), triethylborane reduced alkylamino-N-oxides, but pyridine N-oxide did not undergo efficient reduction even at elevated temperature. Finally, the mechanism of the reductive process by (pinB)(2) has been probed by (1)H and (11)B NMR.