In Silico and Experimental Investigation of the Biological Potential of Some Recently Developed Carprofen Derivatives

The efficient regioselective bromination and iodination of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) carprofen were achieved by using bromine and iodine monochloride in glacial acetic acid. The novel halogenated carprofen derivatives were functionalized at the carboxylic group by esterification. The regioselectivity of the halogenation reaction was evidenced by NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by X-ray analysis. The compounds were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against planktonic cells and also for their anti-biofilm effect, using Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). The cytotoxic activity of the novel compounds was tested against HeLa cells. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of carprofen derivatives, as well as their toxicity, were established by in silico analyses.     

New Polymeric Adsorbents Functionalized with Aminobenzoic Groups for the Removal of Residual Antibiotics

In this paper, we present the synthesis of new polymeric adsorbents derived from macroporous chloromethylated styrene–divinylbenzene (DVB) copolymers with different cross-linking degrees functionalized with the following aminobenzoic groups: styrene—6.7% DVB (PAB1), styrene—10% DVB (PAB2), and styrene—15% DVB (PAB3). The new polymeric products, PAB1, PAB2, and PAB3, were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and EDX, SEM, and BET analysis, respectively. The evolution of the functionalization reaction was followed by FTIR spectroscopy, which revealed a decrease in the intensity of the γCH₂Cl band at 1260 cm⁻¹, and, simultaneously, the appearance of C=O carboxylic bands from 1685–1695 cm⁻¹ and at 1748 cm⁻¹. The thermal stability increased with the increase in the cross-linking degree. The data obtained from the EDX analysis of the novel cross-linked copolymers confirmed the functionalization with aminobenzoic groups through the presence and content of nitrogen, as follows: PAB1: N% = 0.47; PAB2: N% = 0.85; and PAB3: N% = 1.30. The adsorption performances of the novel polymeric adsorbents, PAB1, PAB2, and PAB3, were tested in the adsorption of three antibiotics, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, and amoxicillin, from aqueous solutions, by using extensive kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies. The best adsorption capacity was demonstrated by the tetracycline. Amoxicillin adsorption was also attempted, but it did not show positive results.