Supramolecular complex of [60]fullerene-grafted polyelectrolyte and surfactant: mechanism and nanostructures

Water-soluble, pH-responsive mono- and di-[60]fullerene end-capped poly(acrylic acid)s (PAA-C60 and C60-PAA-C60) were synthesized using the atom transfer radical polymerization technique. Isothermal titration calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, UV-vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were employed to study the supramolecular complexation between fullerene end-capped PAAs and nonionic surfactant, polyethylene glycol (9-10) tert-octylphenyl ether, also known as Triton X100 (TX100) at different pH values. At pH < 4, TX100 bound specifically to C60 domains driven by hydrophobic and pi-pi interactions between TX100 and fullerene molecules. The binding was exothermic, and the magnitude of the interaction decreased gradually with increasing pH. The amount of polymer-bound TX100 was proportional to the fullerene content, which was approximately 1.3 and approximately 2.5 mM for 5 mM (concentration of carboxylic groups) PAA-C60 and C60-PAA-C60, respectively. Morphological transformations resulting in the formation of polymer/surfactant complex (PSC) precipitates in the course of binding were observed for both polymers. The PSC of PAA-C60 possessed a dense spherical structure, whereas the PSC of C60-PAA-C60 possessed a lamellar stacking structure. The PSC precipitates resolubilized in excess amounts of TX100 to form stable aggregates.     

Quantitative determination of tolazoline in serum and urine

A high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure is described for the analysis of tolazoline in serum and urine. This assay procedure is suitable for the analysis of micro-samples (50 or 100 microliters serum and 100 microliters urine). Samples are extracted in a single step and injected into a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography system for detection at 210 nm. The clinical applicability of this assay is demonstrated by the determination of tolazoline serum and urine concentrations in neonates. In addition, the presence of urine conjugates and the extent of serum protein binding were investigated. This assay procedure has the required sensitivity (0.1 microgram/ml), accuracy and precision for both routine monitoring and pharmacokinetic characterization of tolazoline in neonates and adults.     

Nucleophilic substitution by arenethiolates at the carbene carbon of pentacarbonyl(methoxymethylcarbene)-metal(o) complexes (metal = Cr,Mo, or W)

The phenylthiocarbene complexes, [(CO)₅MC(CH₃)(SPh)] (M = Cr, Mo, or W) have been prepared in good yield by the reaction of [(CO)₅MC(CH₃)(OCH₃)] (M = Cr, Mo, or W) with NaSPh in benzene/methanol in the presence of HCl. A series of para-substituted phenylthiocarbene complexes of tungsten. [(CO)₅WC(CH₃)SC₆H₄Y)], (Y = p-Br, p-F, p-H, p-CH₃, p-OCH₃ or p-OH) have also been prepared by the reaction of the appropriate arenethiolate ion with [(CO)₅WC(CH₃)(OCH₃)]. Poor nucleophiles such as p-nitrobenzenethiolate and pentafluorobenzenethiolate did not react with [(CO)₅WC(CH₃)(OCH₃) to form the corresponding phenylthiocarbene complex. A mechanism accounting for the formation of these phenylthiocarbene complexes is proposed. The complexes have been characterized by their infrared, electronic, mass, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra. These spectroscopic data have been used to establish the structure of these complexes in solution and indicate that the phenyl ring bonded to sulfur is probably not coplanar with the “carbene” plane.     

Triblock copolymers based on cyclic ethers: Preparation and properties of tetrahydrofuran and 3,3-bis(azidomethyl) oxetane triblock copolymers

Novel energetic thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) based on tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 3,3-bis (azidomethyl) oxetane (BAMO) were prepared in this present study by cationic living polymerization. A bifunctional catalyst, triflic anhydride [(CF₃SO₂)₂)O] was selected to be an initiator for the polymerization THF and BAMO. The resulting polymers were characterized by IR, NMR, and DSC, which demonstrated that triblock copolymers with A-B-A type were formed. The polymers were indicated from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to have decomposed at approximately 243°C. The decomposition enthalpies were determined by DSC. These enthalpies were varied with the poly-BAMO contents of the copolymers. The synthesized polymers exhibited relatively good mechanical properties and thermoplastic characteristics at room temperature. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies of Coumarin Derivatives for Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) Activation

Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) activation has found to ameliorate diabetes in animal models. However, no CAR agonists are available clinically. Therefore, a safe and effective CAR activator would be an alternative option. In this study, sixty courmarin derivatives either synthesized or purified from Artemisia capillaris were screened for CAR activation activity. Chemical modifications were on position 5,6,7,8 with mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substitutions. Among all the compounds subjected for in vitro CAR activation screening, 6,7-diprenoxycoumarin was the most effective and was selected for further preclinical studies. Chemical modification on the 6 position and unsaturated chains were generally beneficial. Electron-withdrawn groups as well as long unsaturated chains were hazardous to the activity. Mechanism of action studies showed that CAR activation of 6,7-diprenoxycoumarin might be through the inhibition of EGFR signaling and upregulating PP2Ac methylation. To sum up, modification mimicking natural occurring coumarins shed light on CAR studies and the established screening system provides a rapid method for the discovery and development of CAR activators. In addition, one CAR activator, scoparone, did showed anti-diabetes effect in db/db mice without elevation of insulin levels.     

Diterpenoid Compounds Isolated from Chloranthus oldhamii Solms Exert Anti-Inflammatory Effects by Inhibiting the IKK/NF-κB Pathway

Chloranthus oldhamii Solms (CO) is a folk medicine for treating infection and arthritis pain but its pharmacological activity and bioactive compounds remain mostly uncharacterized. In this study, the anti-inflammatory compounds of C. oldhamii were identified using an LPS-stimulated, NF-κB-responsive RAW 264.7 macrophage reporter line. Three diterpenoid compounds, 3α-hydroxy-ent-abieta-8,11,13-triene (CO-9), 3α, 7β-dihydroxy-ent-abieta-8,11,13-triene (CO-10), and decandrin B (CO-15) were found to inhibit NF-κB activity at nontoxic concentrations. Moreover, CO-9 and CO-10 suppressed the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory effect of CO-9 on TNF-α and IL-6 expression was further demonstrated using LPS-treated bone marrow-derived macrophages. Furthermore, CO-9, CO-10, and CO-15 suppressed LPS-triggered COX-2 expression and downstream PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 cells. CO-9 and CO-10 also reduced LPS-triggered iNOS expression and nitrogen oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of the most effective compound, CO-9, was further investigated. CO-9 attenuated LPS-induced NF-κB activation by reducing the phosphorylation of IKKα/β (Ser176/180), IκBα (Ser32), and p65 (Ser534). Conversely, CO-9 did not affect the LPS-induced activation of MAPK signaling pathways. In summary, this study revealed new anti-inflammatory diterpenoid compounds from C. oldhamii and demonstrated that the IKK-mediated NK-κB pathway is the major target of these compounds.