Nutraceutic Potential of Bioactive Compounds of Eugenia dysenterica DC in Metabolic Alterations

The fruit and leaves of Eugenia dysenterica DC., locally known as cagaita, are rich in antioxidant glycosylated quercetin derivatives and phenolic compounds that have beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus, hypertension and general inflammation. We conducted a literature search to investigate the nutraceutical potentials of these phenolic compounds for treating obesity, diabetes mellitus and intestinal inflammatory disease. The phenolic compounds in E. dysenterica have demonstrated effects on carbohydrate metabolism, which can prevent the development of these chronic diseases and reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and hypertension. E. dysenterica also improves intestinal motility and microbiota and protects gastric mucosa, thereby preventing inflammation. However, studies are necessary to identify the mechanism by which E. dysenterica nutraceutical compounds act on such pathological processes to support future research.     

Continuous Production of Highly Tuned Silk/Calcium-Based Composites: Exploring New Pathways for Skin Regeneration

Calcium plays an important role in barrier function repair and skin homeostasis. In particular, calcium phosphates (CaPs) are well established materials for biomedical engineering due to their biocompatibility. To generate biomaterials with a more complete set of biological properties, previously discarded silk sericin (SS) has been recovered and used as a template to grow CaPs. Crucial characteristics for skin applications, such as antibacterial activity, can be further enhanced by doping CaPs with cerium (Ce) ions. The effectiveness of cell attachment and growth on the materials highly depends on their morphology, particle size distribution, and chemical composition. These characteristics can be tailored through the application of oscillatory flow technology, which provides precise mixing control of the reaction medium. Thus, in the present work, CaP/SS and CaP/SS/Ce particles were fabricated for the first time using a modular oscillatory flow plate reactor (MOFPR) in a continuous mode. Furthermore, the biological behavior of both these composites and of previously produced pure CaPs was assessed using human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). It was demonstrated that both CaP based with plate-shaped nanoparticles and CaP-SS-based composites significantly improved cell viability and proliferation over time. The results obtained represent a first step towards the reinvention of CaPs for skin engineering.     

Viscosity Investigations on the Binary Systems of (1 ChCl:2 Ethylene Glycol) DES and Methanol or Ethanol

In this study, the viscosity behavior of two mixtures of Ethaline (1 ChCl:2 ethylene glycol) with either methanol or ethanol were investigated over the temperature range of 283.15–333.15 K at atmospheric pressure. The measured viscosities of neat Ethaline, methanol, and ethanol showed reliable agreement with the corresponding reported literature values. The mixture viscosities were modeled by an Arrhenius-like model to determine the behavior of viscosity with respect to temperature. The data were also modeled by the four well-known mixture viscosity models of Grunberg–Nissan, Jouyban–Acree, McAllister, and Preferential Solvation. All of the model results were reliable, with the Jouyban–Acree and Preferential Solvation models showing the most accurate agreement with the experimental measurements. The Jones–Dole viscosity model was also investigated for the measured viscosities, and by analyzing the results of this model, strong interactions among Ethaline and the alcohol molecules were proposed for both systems. As a final analysis, viscosity deviations of the investigated systems were calculated to study the deviations of the viscosity behaviors with respect to ideal behavior. Both systems showed negative viscosity deviations at all of the investigated temperatures, with the negative values tending towards zero, and hence more ideal behavior, with increasing temperatures. Moreover, in order to correlate the calculated viscosity deviations, the Redlich–Kister model was successfully used for both systems and at each investigated temperature.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 2-azetidinones as cholesterol-absorption inhibitors

The synthesis of two 2-azetidinones possessing powerful cholesterol-absorption inhibition properties has been accomplished by a short and highly stereoselective reaction sequence. The key step is the condensation of the titanium enolate of the easily prepared 2-pyridylthioester (R)-11 with imine 6 which affords the desired β-lactam intermediate in the correct relative and absolute configuration. Conversion to the pharmacologically active compounds is readily accomplished by simple functional group manipulation.     

A study on the interactions between coenzyme Q 0 and superoxide anion. Could ubiquinones mimic superoxide dismutase (SOD)?

An electrochemical study was carried out on 1,4-benzoquinone, duroquinone, coenzymes Q ₀ and Q ₁₀ in the absence and in the presence of molecular oxygen in aprotic (DMF) and protic (DMF/H₂O 95:5 (v/v)) media. Water was added because the investigated reactions are deeply influenced by the presence of protons. Q ₀ and Q ₁₀ exhibited a similar electrochemical behaviour. Since Q ₀ is more soluble in protic medium than the biologically more important analogue Q ₁₀ , it was chosen as a model for a more detailed investigation. Voltammetric studies of Q ₀ carried out in aprotic and protic media in the presence of oxygen showed that, besides simple O₂ ^·− dismutation, the Q ₀ promoted dismutation of O₂ ^·− should also be considered. Spectroelectrochemical experiments with the same experimental conditions support the electrochemical results, showing that in the presence of superoxide and in aprotic medium semiquinone Q ₀ ^·− gives rise to a disproportionation equilibrium, while in the presence of water it tends to be reoxidized to the starting Q ₀ by OOH^·. EPR measurements are also in agreement with these results.     

Structural Characteristics and Permeability of Ethyl Cellulose Films Containing Different Plasticizers

The effect of different type of plasticizers was investigated in ethyl cellulose as coating polymer for manufacturing coated pellets of modified release containing a water soluble model drug. Scanning electron microscopic image analysis (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic chemical surface analysis (XPS) were used to study the films, and the dissolution profiles of coated pellets were evaluated. The effect of the different plasticizers and coating levels on the first order dissolution rate constant is determined by statistical experimental design. Correlation was found between the dissolution rate constant and the structural characteristics of the coating layer containing different plasticizers. Partial segregation of the plasticizers was detected especially on the surface of the films, which is in correlation with the differences in the glass transition temperatures. PEG 400 is found to be compatible enough to form continuous, durable EC coating at 5% concentration level, which gave the slowest dissolution.     

Ionic Liquids and Water: Hydrophobicity vs. Hydrophilicity

Many chemical processes rely extensively on organic solvents posing safety and environmental concerns. For a successful transfer of some of those chemical processes and reactions to aqueous media, agents acting as solubilizers, or phase-modifiers, are of central importance. In the present work, the structure of aqueous solutions of several ionic liquid systems capable of forming multiple solubilizing environments were modeled by molecular dynamics simulations. The effect of small aliphatic chains on solutions of hydrophobic 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide ionic liquids (with alkyl = propyl [C₃C₁im][NTf₂], butyl [C₄C₁im][NTf₂] and isobutyl [iC₄C₁im][NTf₂]) are covered first. Next, we focus on the interactions of sulphonate- and carboxylate-based anions with different hydrogenated and perfluorinated alkyl side chains in solutions of [C₂C₁im][C_nF_2n+1SO₃], [C₂C₁im][C_nH_2n+1SO₃], [C₂C₁im][CF₃CO₂] and [C₂C₁im][CH₃CO₂] (n = 1, 4, 8). The last system considered is an ionic liquid completely miscible with water that combines the cation N-methyl-N,N,N-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium [N_{1 2OH 2OH 2OH}]⁺, with high hydrogen-bonding capability, and the hydrophobic anion [NTf₂]^–. The interplay between short- and long-range interactions, clustering of alkyl and perfluoroalkyl tails, and hydrogen bonding enables a wealth of possibilities in tailoring an ionic liquid solution according to the needs.     

Über die Decamethylferroceniumpolyiodide [(Me5C5)2Fe]Ix mit x = 3, 5 und 6,5. Darstellung und strukturelle Charakterisierung eines Triiodids (DMFc)I3, eines Pentaiodids (DMFc)I5 und eines Hexacosaiodids (DMFc)4I26

Studies on Polyhalides. 30 On Decamethylferriciniumpolyiodides [(Me₅C₅)₂Fe]I_x with x = 3, 5, 6.5: Preparation and Crystal Structures of a Triiodide (DMFc)I₃, a Pentaiodide (DMFc)I₅ and a Hexacosaiodide (DMFc)₄I₂₆ Decamethylferrocene (DMFc) may be oxidized by iodine analogous to ferrocene (Fc) to the decamethylferrocenium ion (DMFc)⁺ and precipitated as the crystalline solids decamethylferrocenium triiodide (DMFc)I₃, decamethylferrocenium pentaiodide (DMFc)I₅ and tetracisdecamethylferrocenium hexacosaiodide (DMFc)₄I₂₆. The two compounds with higher iodine content are new. These are characterized by X-ray diffraction methods on single crystals. The structures are built up from complex cations of expected geometry and isolated or remarkably connected polyiodide ions. Decamethylferrocenium triiodide C₂₀H₃₀FeI₃ crystallizes monoclinically in C2/m with a = 1489.9(4) pm, b = 1133.0(2) pm, c = 765.9(3) pm, β = 111.76(3)° and Z = 2. The crystal structure follows the CsCl-type and contains isolated triiodide ions of the linear symmetric form. Decamethylferrocenium pentaiodide C₂₀H₃₀FeI₅ crystallizes monoclinically in P2₁/c with a = 1130.0(2) pm, b = 1442.6(1) pm, c = 1716.6(2) pm, β = 96.62(1)° and Z = 4. The crystal structure may be deduced from the primitiv quadratic bundle of alternating cationic and anionic rods. It contains exceptionally isolated somewhat opened out pentaiodide ions. Tetrakisdecamethylferrocenium hexacosaiodide (C₂₀H₃₀Fe)₄I₂₆ crystallises monoclinically in P2₁/n with a = 1331.3(8) pm, b = 1319.4(4) pm, c = 3564(2) pm, β = 90.84(5)° and Z = 2. The crystal structure of this compound with unusual composition may be described as an inclusion compound with channels for the cations. The outstanding anionic grating may be derived from the primitive cubic lattice of iodide ions with iodine bridges on all edges by removing systematically 1/12 of the iodine molecules.     

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Can Enhance Oral Absorption of Khellin,a Natural Pleiotropic Molecule

A novel formulation based on nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) was developed to increase solubility and intestinal absorption of khellin. K-NLCs were prepared with stearic acid, hempseed oil, Brij S20, and Labrafil M 1944 CS, using the emulsification-ultrasonication method. Developed nanoparticles were chemically and physically characterized by liquid chromatography, light scattering techniques, and electron microscopy. The size, about 200 nm, was optimal for oral delivery, and the polydispersity index (around 0.26), indicated high sample homogeneity. Additionally, K-NLCs showed a spherical morphology without aggregation by microscopic analysis. The encapsulation efficiency of khellin was about 55%. In vitro release studies were carried out in media with different pH to mimic physiological conditions. K-NLCs were found to be physically stable in the simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, and they preserved about 70% of khellin after 6 h incubation. K-NLCs were also successfully lyophilized testing different lyoprotectants, and obtained freeze-dried K-NLCs demonstrated good shelf life over a month. Lastly, permeability studies on Caco-2 cells were performed to predict khellin passive diffusion across the intestinal epithelium, demonstrating that nanoparticles increased khellin permeability by more than two orders of magnitude. Accordingly, developed NLCs loaded with khellin represent a versatile formulation with good biopharmaceutical properties for oral administration, possibly enhancing khellin’s bioavailability and therapeutic effects.     

Exploring Gunnera tinctoria: From Nutritional and Anti-Tumoral Properties to Phytosome Development Following Structural Arrangement Based on Molecular Docking

Gunnera tinctoria, an underexplored invasive plant found in Azores, Portugal, was studied regarding its nutritional, antioxidant, and antitumoral properties. Higher antioxidant activity was found in baby leaves, followed by adult leaves and inflorescences. A phenolic fraction of the plant was enriched using adsorbent resin column chromatography (Diaion^TM HP20LX, and Relite EXA90). Antitumoral effects were observed with the enriched fractions in breast (MCF-7) and pancreatic (AsPC-1) cancer cell lines, being more pronounced in the latter. To improve protection and membrane absorption rates of phenolic compounds, nano-phytosomes and cholesterol-conjugated phytosomes coated with natural polymers were loaded with the enriched fraction. The particles were characterized, and their physiochemical properties were evaluated and compared. All samples presented anionic charge and nanometer size in relation to the inner layer and micrometer size regarding the external layers. In addition, the molecular arrangement of phenolics within both types of phytosomes were studied for the first time by molecular docking. Polarity and molecular size were key factors on the molecular arrangement of the lipid bilayer. In conclusion, G. tinctoria showed to be an interesting source of nutrients and phenolic compounds with anti-tumoral potential. Moreover, phytosome loading with these compounds can increase their stability and bioavailability having in view future applications.