Antioxidant and Protective Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schinus terebinthifolius</Emphasis> Raddi Against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity

Doxorubicin is an anticancer drug whose toxic effects on non-cancer cells are associated with increased oxidative stress. This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi leaves (MESL) as well as effects against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in human erythrocytes, K562 human erythroleukemia cells, and mouse hearts. The chemical composition indicated the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and ascorbic acid. MESL showed antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting hemolysis and lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes incubated with an oxidizing agent, and was able to increase the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in human erythrocytes, without influencing the activity of enzyme catalase. The increase of oxidative hemolysis and malondialdehyde levels in erythrocytes incubated with doxorubicin was reduced by treatment with MESL. The cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin in erythroleukemia cells treated with MESL was unmodified. Additionally, the extract protected mice against the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, the MESL exhibits antioxidant activity, reducing doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress without changing the anticancer action of the drug, and protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Hence, these findings suggest that these effects are via anti-oxidative by inhibiting free radicals, decreased oxidative stress, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity.     

Quasisymmetric distortion and rigidity of expanding endomorphisms of

In this paper we examine a result of D. Sullivan according to which two expanding endomorphisms of the circle are conjugate as soon as they are symmetrically conjugate. We develop general a priori estimates on the local distortion of quasisymmetric mappings and combine them with the classical naive distortion lemma to present a complete proof of Sullivan's result. A new proof is offered at the end that renders unnecessary the use of Markov partitions or the control of eigenvalues at periodic points.

     

Fragmentation of dipyridamole and related dipyrimidines by electrospray ionization collisional activated decomposition mass spectrometry

The coronary vasodilator, co-activator of antitumor compounds and antioxidant drug dipyridamole and several of its derivatives were studied by electrospray ionization (ESI) combined with collisional activated decomposition (CAD) in both positive and negative modes. These compounds produce abundant monocharged ions ([M + H](+)) under ESI. Interpretation of the CAD spectra showed that fragmentation occurs preferentially in the ethanolamine groups attached at C-2, C-4, C-6 and C-8. 2-Methoxyethanol is eliminated when ethanolamines are in positions C-2/C-6 and 2-aziridinethanol is eliminated from C-4/C-8 ethanolamines. The proposed fragmentation schemes were supported by deuterium labeling experiments and tandem mass spectrometry.     

Structure, modelling and dynamic behaviour of aza- and azaoxamacrocyclic ligands derived from (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane

Investigations into the conformational behaviour of macrocyclic ligands 5 and 6 derived from (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane have been undertaken using molecular modelling, single crystal X-ray diffraction and variable temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. These have revealed that the lowest energy conformers in both cases do not possess the expected C2-element of symmetry, which can only be accessed at higher temperatures. Instead both molecules exist as C1-conformers at room temperature and in the solid state. In solution a range of dynamic exchange processes is observed which result, in part from the inherent strain in these fused bicyclic systems. An unexpected but characteristic feature of the C1-symmetric conformers is highlighted by the presence of a signal at unexpectedly low field in their 1H NMR spectra due to the interaction of two of the sulfonyl oxygen atoms with one of the bridgehead hydrogen atoms.     

Anti-Inflammatory and Immunoregulatory Action of Sesquiterpene Lactones

Sesquiterpene lactones (SL), characterized by their high prevalence in the Asteraceae family, are one of the major groups of secondary metabolites found in plants. Researchers from distinct research fields, including pharmacology, medicine, and agriculture, are interested in their biological potential. With new SL discovered in the last years, new biological activities have been tested, different action mechanisms (synergistic and/or antagonistic effects), as well as molecular structure–activity relationships described. The review identifies the main sesquiterpene lactones with interconnections between immune responses and anti-inflammatory actions, within different cellular models as well in in vivo studies. Bioaccessibility and bioavailability, as well as molecular structure–activity relationships are addressed. Additionally, plant metabolic engineering, and the impact of sesquiterpene lactone extraction methodologies are presented, with the perspective of biological activity enhancement. Sesquiterpene lactones derivatives are also addressed. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the therapeutic potential of sesquiterpene lactones within immune and inflammatory activities, highlighting trends and opportunities for their pharmaceutical/clinical use.     

Study of pyrolysis kinetic of green corn husk

In this paper, it was suggested the use of green corn husk, which is a biomass from agro-industry, as an alternative source of energy through its pyrolysis. Green corn husk characterization was done through immediate and elemental analysis of its components: cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. It was also measured its higher calorific value. The pyrolysis study of green corn husk was done by the isoconversion and the Master plots method. Thermogravimetric plots were obtained at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1. The pyrolysis kinetics parameters were studied through the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger, and Friedman models. The Master plots method was used to determine the pyrolysis reaction order. The results of the reaction energy activation were found to be in the range 105.21–157.46 kJ mol^?1 by the FWO method, 150.50 kJ mol^?1 by the Kissinger method, and ranged 120.66–163.81 kJ mol^?1 by the Friedman method. The Master plots method showed a three-way-transport diffusional kinetics for the biomass de-volatilization process. The higher calorific value found for green corn husk was 16.14 MJ kg^?1. The simulation showed correlation between the experimental data and the proposed model for conversion values up to 0.8.

     

Use of Nb(2)O(5)-SiO(2) in an automated on-line preconcentration system for determination of copper and cadmium by FAAS

A procedure for the determination of trace level of copper(II) and cadmium(II) by FAAS using an on-line preconcentration system has been proposed. In this system, copper and cadmium ions were adsorbed onto a minicolumn packed with silica gel modified with niobium(V) oxide (Nb₂O₅-SiO₂), followed by nitric acid elution in reverse mode and determination on-line by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) without interference of the matrix. Chemical and flow variables as well as concomitant ions were studied in the developed procedure. The enrichment factor for copper(II) and cadmium(II) was 34.2 and 33.0, respectively, using a preconcentration time of 2 min. The limit of detection for copper(II) and cadmium(II) was 0.4, and 0.1 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The precision of the method, evaluated as the relative standard deviation in solutions containing 15 μg l⁻¹ of copper and 10 μg l⁻¹ of cadmium, by analyzing a series of seven replicates, was 1.8 and 1.6%, respectively. The accuracy was assessed through recovery experiments of certified material and water samples.