Development of biodegradable co-poly( -lactic/glycolic acid) microspheres for the controlled release of 5-FU by the spray drying method

The water-soluble anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-fluoro-2,4-pyrimidinedione) (5-FU) is encapsulated into biodegradable co-poly ( -lactic/glycolic acid) (PLGA) using the spray drying method for the development of long-lasting controlled release systems. In this study, the effects of both polymeric composition and technological parameters on release profiles of 5-FU were investigated. The degradation of various microspheres was also investigated. The mixture of dichloromethane/chloroform/methanol (1:1:2 v/v) instead of dichloromethane/chloroform (1:1 v/v) resulted in the modification of morphology, while the physical structure of the microsphere varied from a porous PLGA microsphere to a dense PLGA microsphere. The results show that the average diameter was 2 μm and the anti-cancer drug loading of microspheres approached approximately 8% (w/w). In addition, the lactide/glycolide ratio of the polymer is an important parameter for controlling the release profile of the entrapped anticancer drug. Our results indicate that the mixture solvent using the spray drying method was more efficient than emulsification solvent diffusion.     

Isolation of One Sesquiterpenoid from the Endophytic Fungus Curvularia intermedia

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - One new natural product, cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid, (±)-(2S*,3S*)-dihydroxy-α-corocalene (1), has been isolated from the endophytic fungus Curvularia...     

Natural Bond Orbital Rationalizations of NMR Observations for Metal‐Ligand Bonding (II): Rehybridization of Phosphorus Arising from Coordination of Methyl‐Phenyl‐Phosphines

Carbonyls' 2π orbital populations, [2π], in W(CO)₅L {L = PPh₃, PPh₂Me, PPhMe₂} have been determined by NMR spin‐lattice relaxation techniques. Experimental values of axial [2π], compared with those reported for PMe₃ and P(OMe)₃, reveal that PMe₃ is a slightly better π‐acid than PPh₃. Through space interactions between carbonyl and phenyl groups are insignificant since values of [2π] do not vary significantly in the series of phosphines, going from PMep₃ to PPh₃. Natural bond orbital (NBO) studies indicate that π‐accepting capabilities for these phosphines are primarily governed by the nature of P‐C anti‐bonding, σ*_P‐C. Compared with PPh₃, the better π‐accepting σ*_P‐C, as well as the better s‐donating lone‐pair LP(P), in PMe₃ can both be explained by the higher extents of rehybridization of the coordinated phosphorus atom. Based on this rehybridization argument, the NBO predicted order of increasing π‐acidic strengths PPh₃ < PPh₂Me < PPhMe₂ < PMe₃, which cannot be clearly distinguished by NMR experiments, is ascribed to the same NBO trend of σ‐donating capabilities in a synergistic manner. Effects of coordination on P‐Y (Y = C, O, F) bonding strengths in phosphines (or phosphites) are depending on two conflicting effects: rehybridization of LP(P) and the hyperconjugative‐like d_π → σ*_P‐Y back‐donation.     

Xylariaone,A New Cyclohexanone from Xylaria sp. 12F0758

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - A new cyclohexan-1-one, named xylariaone (1), was isolated from the fungal strain Xylaria sp. 12F0758. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses,...     

New Triterpenoid and Anti-Inflammatory Constituents of Eriobotrya deflexa f. deflexa

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - A new triterpenoid, methyl 2α-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)oxy-3β-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oate (1), has been isolated from the leaves of Eriobotrya deflexa f. deflexa,...     

Isolation of a 2-oxetanone from the fruits of Synsepalum dulcificum

Ficumone, a 2-oxetanone isolated from the fruits of Synsepalum dulcificum, has been characterised as (R*)-4-hydroxy-2-oxetanone by means of spectroscopic methods.     

Syntheses of 2,4′-and 3,4′-Bipyridines Via Lithium Halogen Exchange of Bromopyridines and Addition to N-Ethoxycarbonylpyridinium Chloride in the Presence of Cul

2,4′-Bipyridines 4a, 4c, 4d and 3,4′-bipyridines 4b, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h are obtained in modest yield by the addition of organocuprate reagents derived from bromopyridines 2a-h to N-ethoxycarbonylpyridinium chloride 1 followed by air oxidation.     

Simultaneous determination of sweeteners and preservatives in preserved fruits by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

A micellar electrokinetic capillary method for the simultaneous determination of the sweeteners dulcin, aspartame, saccharin, and acesulfame-K and the preservatives sorbic acid; benzoic acid; sodium dehydroacetate; and methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, and isobutyl-p-hydroxybenzoate in preserved fruits is developed. These additives are ion-paired and extracted using sonication followed by solid-phase extraction from the sample. Separation is achieved using a 57-cm fused-silica capillary with a buffer comprised of 0.05 M sodium deoxycholate, 0.02 M borate-phosphate buffer (pH 8.6), and 5% acetonitrile, and the wavelength for detection is 214 nm. The average recovery rate for all sweeteners and preservatives is approximately 90% with good reproducibility, and the detection limits range from 10 to 25 microg/g. Fifty preserved fruit samples are analyzed for the content of sweeteners and preservatives. The sweeteners found in 28 samples was aspartame (0.17-11.59 g/kg) or saccharin (0.09-5.64 g/kg). Benzoic acid (0.02-1.72 g/kg) and sorbic acid (0.27-1.15 g/kg) were found as preservatives in 29 samples.