Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of a new pyridocarbazole derivative covalently linked to a thymidine nucleoside as a potential targeted antitumoral agent. I

The therapy of human cancer is one of the more pursued goals by medicinal chemistry research. Most of the compounds clinically used as a treatment owe their efficacy to their cytotoxic interaction (direct or indirect) with nuclear DNA. This interaction results in the inhibition of DNA synthesis and the degradation of nucleic strands. Ellipticine is a naturally occurring 6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole alkaloid endowed with antitumor activity, and several ellipticine derivatives have been used in clinical trials. We previously reported some 1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazole derivatives structurally related to ellipticine. The purpose of our research was to transform the pyridocarbazole in a prodrug so that it would have more penetration in the tumor cells and block their replication. Our prodrug is slowly hydrolyzed in human plasma in the corresponding acid. From these preliminary results, we deduce that our compound can block cellular replication. Our hypothesis is that the antitumoral activity is probably related to the induction of damage to DNA, without cellular lysis in the short term.     

The design, synthesis and photochemical study of a biomimetic cyclodextrin model of photoactive yellow protein (PYP)

The design, synthesis and study of the photophysical and photochemical properties of the first biomimetic cyclodextrin (CD) model of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) are described. This model bears a deprotonated trans-p-coumaric acid chromophore, covalently linked via a cysteine moiety to a permethylated 6-monoamino β-CD. NMR and UV/Visible spectroscopy studies showed the formation of strong self-inclusion complexes in water at basic pH. Steady-state photolysis demonstrated that, unlike the free chromophore in solution, excitation of the model molecule leads to the formation of a photoproduct identified as the cis isomer by NMR spectroscopy. These observations provide evidence that the restricted CD cavity offers a promising framework for the design of biomimetic models of the PYP hydrophobic pocket.     

Isolation of C-glycosyl xanthones from Coffea pseudozanguebariae and their location

The biochemical composition of leaves from Coffea pseudozanguebariae, a wild caffeine-free coffee species, was determined. Two phenolic compounds were extracted from leaves, separated and characterized. Their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and were shown to be mangiferin (1) and isomangiferin (2), which were the main polyphenol products. Multiphoton fluorescence imaging was performed to visualize polyphenol distribution in leaf cross sections. Consistent biochemical analysis cell imaging techniques on leaves revealed yellow fluorescence in the epidermis and parenchyma cells corresponding to xanthone compounds.     

Study of the acidity of H3PW12O40 supported on activated carbon by microcalorimetry and methanol dehydration reaction

H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/activated carbon catalysts have been studied by microcalorimetry and by the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether. It has been shown that the acidity of the polyacid is greatly reduced upon grafting on activated carbon. The decrease is so high that, at low polyanion loadings, the catalysts are relatively inactive in the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether.     

Introduction of Primary Amino Groups on Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Surfaces by Ammonia and a Mix of Nitrogen and Hydrogen Plasma

With the aim of introducing primary amino groups on the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), two methods were compared—the use of ammonia or a combination of nitrogen and hydrogen low-pressure microwave plasma. Several plasma parameters were optimized on the reactor to increase the –NH₂ surface density, which was estimated by colorimetric titration and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These techniques show that whatever the plasma treatment, almost 2 –NH₂/nm2 are incorporated on PET films. Emission spectroscopy highlighted a correlation between the density of primary amino groups and the ratio between an NH peak intensity and an Ar peak intensity (I_NH/I_Ar). Variation in surface hydrophilicity with aging in air after plasma treatment was monitored with contact angle measurements and showed a hydrophobic recovery. This was confirmed by XPS, which suggests also that surfaces treated by NH₃ plasma are more stable than surfaces treated by N₂/H₂.     

Inclusion complexes of trivalent lutetium cations with an acidic derivative of per(3,6-anhydro)-alpha-cyclodextrin

The cyclodextrin derivative (hexakis (2-O-carboxymethyl-3,6-anhydro)-alpha-cyclodextrin) forms mono- and bimetallic complexes with lutetium(III) in aqueous solution; the X-ray structure of the binuclear complex [Lu2(ACX)(H2O)2] is the first example of a lanthanide-cyclodextrin inclusion complex.     

Interactions between cyclodextrins and fluorescent T-2 and HT-2 toxin derivatives: a physico-chemical study

T-2 and HT-2 toxins are mycotoxins produced by several Fusarium species that are commonly found in various cereal grains, including oats, barley, wheat and maize. Intake estimates indicate that the presence of these mycotoxins in the diet can be of concern for public health. In this work, the inclusion processes occurring between fluorescent anthracene-derivatives of T-2 and HT-2 toxins and different cyclodextrin (CD) molecules were investigated in aqueous solutions by means of UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence emission and dynamic light scattering. Binding constant values and chemico-physical parameters were calculated. It was found that β-CDs give stronger inclusion reactions with both T-2 and HT-2 derivatives, as stated by important emission intensity increments. Such interactions were found to be fundamentally enthalpy-driven. Among β-CDs, the effect of the methylation at hydroxyl groups was tested: as a result, the di-methyl form of β-CD was found to induce the best fluorescence intensity enhancements.     

Mycotoxin profile of Fusarium langsethiae isolated from wheat in Italy: production of type‐A trichothecenes and relevant glucosyl derivatives

Fusarium langsethiae, formally described as a new species over a decade ago, has been identified as the main producer of HT‐2 (HT2) and T‐2 (T2) toxins in Europe in small cereal grains. Mycotoxin contamination caused by this Fusarium species can represent a food safety hazard that deserves further attention. In the present work, the mycotoxin profile in wheat cultures of F. langsethiae is presented with particular reference to the production of major type‐A trichothecenes and their glucosyl derivatives. F. langsethiae isolates, representative of the major Italian wheat cultivation areas, were tested for the production of T2, HT2, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) and neosolaniol (NEO), and relevant glucosyl derivatives. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) was used for the identification and chemical characterization of these metabolites. F. langsethiae isolates under investigation resulted to be potent producers of T2, HT2 and NEO. Furthermore, a well‐defined set of isolates, all originating from Central Italy, produced also DAS. All isolates were found to be able to produce HT2 glucosyl derivatives, whereas only traces of T2 glucoside were detected in one sample. Furthermore, two mono‐glucosyl derivatives of NEO and one mono‐glucoside derivative of DAS were identified and characterized. The screening for the presence/absence of glucosylated trichothecenes in analyzed fungal extracts revealed a general co‐occurrence of these derivatives with the parent toxin at levels that could be roughly estimated to account up to 37% of the relevant unconjugated toxin. This is the first report of the production of glucosylated trichothecenes by F. langsethiae cultured on small grains. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Convenient Synthesis of Diversely Substituted N,N-Dimethyl-4-oxo-2-(E)-alkenamides

An efficient synthesis of diversely substituted N,N-dimethyl-4-oxo-2-(E)-alkenamides is reported. These derivatives were obtained in three steps from I,4benzodioxin with fair to good yields