两个dpa类配体的铜(Ⅱ)配合物的合成、结构、核酸酶活性及细胞毒性

以dpa衍生配体合成2个单核铜配合物[CuL（NO₃）₂]（1）和[CuL（OAc）（H₂O）]ClO₄（2）,并对其进行了表征。单晶结构显示,配合物1中的Cu中心可以描述为畸变的五角双锥构型,而2的Cu中心为畸变的八面体构型。运用电子吸收和发射光谱法研究了配合物与CT-DNA的键合作用,结果表明2个配合物与DNA的相互作用均为部分插入模式。通过改变浓度、时间进一步检测配合物切割DNA的能力,以及验证其切割机理,结果表明在外界诱导剂存在下,2个配合物均表现出强的切割DNA的能力,其作用机理为氧化切割机理,其中活性氧可能为·OH和1O2。利用MTT法测定了配合物对体外HeLa、HepG-2和SGC-7901肿瘤细胞增殖的抑制能力。     

Zethrene and Dibenzozethrene: Masked Biradical Molecules?

The syntheses, structures, and physical properties of dibenzozethrenes were explored. The results thus obtained were compared with those for zethrenes. Dibenzozethrenes were synthesized by the nickel‐catalyzed cyclodimerization of 9‐ethynyl‐1‐iodoanthracenes. The substituents in zethrene and dibenzozethrene twisted their backbones, and remarkably influenced their properties. Unlike closed‐shell disubstituted derivatives, the parent zethrene and dibenzozethrene are singlet open‐shell biradicals, which were studied by variable‐temperature ¹H NMR, ESR, SQUID and computational methods. Since substituents were observed to affect significantly the biradical properties, the relevant mechanisms were analyzed. The nonlinear optical performance of each of these compounds depends on its π‐conjugation and biradical properties. Dibenzozethrenes have larger two‐photon absorption cross‐sections than zethrenes, as most strongly evidenced by the parent dibenzothrene [σ_max=4323 GM at 530 nm].     

Novel cytotoxic nine-membered macrocyclic polysulfur cembranoid lactones from the soft coral Sinularia sp.

One novel nine-membered macrocyclic polysulfur cembranoid lactone, sinulariaoid A (1); three new multioxygenated cembranoids, sinulariaoid B (2), sinulariaoid C (3), sinulariaoid D (4); and four known cembranoids, capilloloid (5), dihydrosinularin (6), sinularin (7), and dihydrosinuflexolide (8) were isolated from the soft coral Sinularia sp. collected off of Sanya Bay in the South China Sea. Their stereochemical structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods, including single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Sinulariaoid A (1) is the first reported nine-membered macrocyclic polysulfur cembranoid from soft coral. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–8 were determined in four human cancer cell lines (HepG2, HepG2/ADM, MCF-7, and MCF-7/ADM). Of these, sinulariaoid A (1) exhibited the most potent anticancer activity in vitro, and its cytotoxicity in HepG2/ADM was more potent than in the other three cell lines. Furthermore, it was found that sinulariaoid A (1) induced apoptosis, and its selective toxicity toward HepG2/ADM cells was not related to P-glycoproteins.     

Regioselective synthesis of thiophene fused sultam derivatives via iodocyclization approach and their application towards triazole linker

An efficient regioselective synthesis of 4-iodo-2,3-disubstituted-2H-thieno[3,2-e][1,2]thiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives via iodocyclization approach using iodine under mild reaction condition described herein. This coupling–iodocyclization strategy tolerated a variety of functional groups such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl producing the six-membered heterocyclic ring selectively. The resulting 4-iodo-2,3-disubstituted-2H-thieno[3,2-e][1,2]thiazine-1,1-dioxide was coupled with a variety of boronic acids (Suzuki coupling) and activated alkenes (Heck coupling). The iodo group was utilized for Sonogashira coupling followed by efficient transformation to azido precursor, which was used for the synthesis of various thieno-sultam linked with triazole.     

On the Size Evolution of Monolayer‐Protected Gold Clusters during Ligand Place‐Exchange Reactions: The Effect of Solvents

Ligand place‐exchange (LPE) reactions are extensively applied for the post‐functionalization of monolayer‐protected gold clusters (MPCs) by using excessive incoming ligands to displace initial ones. However, the modified MPCs are often enlarged or degraded; this results in ill‐defined size‐dependent properties. The growth of MPCs essentially involves an unprotected surface that is subsequently has gold atoms added or is fused with other gold cores owing to collision. Reported herein is a guideline for the selection of solvents to suppress unwanted MPC growth. Favorable solvents are those with significant affinity to gold or with low solubility for desorbed ligands because these properties retard LPE reactions and minimize the time available for unprotected gold cores. This finding provides a general and convenient approach to regulate the size of functionalized MPCs.     

Seco-Abietanoids from Cryptomeria japonica and Their Inhibitory Activity Toward Xanthine Oxidase

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - A new seco-abietanoid, 12-methoxy-7-oxo-6,7-secoabieta-8,11,13-trien-6-oic acid (1), and a known seco-abietanoid,12-hydroxy-6,7-secoabieta-8,11,13-triene-6,7-dial...     

Toward efficient catalysts for electrochemical CO2 conversion to C2 products

With impressive progress in carbon capture and renewable energy, carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion into useful chemicals has become a potential tool against climate change. Electrochemical CO₂ conversion into C₂ products (ethylene and ethanol) is an especially economically promising approach and an active research area. Nonetheless, catalyst layer design for CO₂ conversion is challenging because of the complex CO₂-to-C₂ reaction pathways. In this review, we highlight key ideas in catalyst layer design for CO₂ conversion to C₂ in the past few years. We identify three fundamental principles to control catalyst selectivity—local CO₂ and CO concentration, local pH, and intermediate–catalyst interaction. To achieve these goals, we introduce design strategies for both catalytic materials and overall catalyst layer morphology.     

Ultrasound Microbubbles Enhance the Efficacy of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Therapy for the Treatment of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

The application of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) to the round window membrane (RWM) is an emerging treatment for inner ear diseases. RWM permeability is the key factor for efficient IGF-1 delivery. Ultrasound microbubbles (USMBs) can increase drug permeation through the RWM. In the present study, the enhancing effect of USMBs on the efficacy of IGF-1 application and the treatment effect of USMB-mediated IGF-1 delivery for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) were investigated. Forty-seven guinea pigs were assigned to three groups: the USM group, which received local application of recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1, 10 µg/µL) following application of USMBs to the RWM; the RWS group, which received IGF-1 application alone; and the saline-treated group. The perilymphatic concentration of rhIGF-1 in the USM group was 1.95- and 1.67- fold of that in the RWS group, 2 and 24 h after treatment, respectively. After 5 h of 118 dB SPL noise exposure, the USM group had the lowest threshold shift in auditory brainstem response, least loss of cochlear outer hair cells, and least reduction in the number of synaptic ribbons on postexposure day 28 among the three groups. The combination of USMB and IGF-1 led to a better therapeutic response to NIHL. Two hours after treatment, the USM group had significantly higher levels of Akt1 and Mapk3 gene expression than the other two groups. The most intense immunostaining for phosphor-AKT and phospho-ERK1/2 was detected in the cochlea in the USM group. These results suggested that USMB can be applied to enhance the efficacy of IGF-1 therapy in the treatment of inner ear diseases.     

Betulinic Acid Affects the Energy-Related Proteomic Profiling in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease with a 5-year survival rate of <8%. Therefore, finding new treatment strategies against PDAC cells is an imperative issue. Betulinic acid (BA), a plant-derived natural compound, has shown great potential to combat cancer owing to its versatile physiological functions. In this study, we observed the impacts of BA on the cell viability and migratory ability of PDAC cell lines, and screened differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) by an LC-MS/MS-based proteomics analysis. Our results showed that BA significantly inhibited the viability and migratory ability of PDAC cells under a relatively low dosage without affecting normal pancreatic cells. Moreover, a functional analysis revealed that BA-induced downregulation of protein clusters that participate in mitochondrial complex 1 activity and oxidative phosphorylation, which was related to decreased expressions of RNA polymerase mitochondrial (POLRMT) and translational activator of cytochrome c oxidase (TACO1), suggesting that the influence on mitochondrial function explains the effect of BA on PDAC cell growth and migration. In addition, BA also dramatically increased Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) expression and decreased NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) expression, which may be involved in the dampening of PDAC migration. Notably, altered expression patterns of APOA1 and NLRC4 indicated a favorable clinical prognosis of PDAC. Based on these findings, we identified potential proteins and pathways regulated by BA from a proteomics perspective, which provides a therapeutic window for PDAC.     

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.