Molecular organization of 4-cyano-4′-nonylbiphenyl in a dielectric medium: A statistical analysis

The molecular organization of 4-cyano-4′-nonylbiphenyl (CNBP) in a dielectric medium has been explored using a statistical model based on quantum mechanics and computer simulation. The complete neglect differential overlap (CNDO/2) method has been employed to evaluate the net atomic charge and atomic dipole components at each atomic centre of the molecule. The modified Rayleigh-Schrodinger perturbation theory along with multicentered multipole expansion method has been employed to evaluate the long-range intermolecular interactions, while the 6-exp potential function has been assumed for short-range interactions. The total interaction energies obtained through these computations were used as input to calculate the probability of occurrence of each configuration in a dielectric medium, benzene, at room temperature (300 K) using the MB formula. The various possible geometrical arrangements between a molecular pair during the different modes of interactions have been considered. This provides theoretical support to the experimental observations.     

Noscapine Prevents Rotenone-Induced Neurotoxicity: Involvement of Oxidative Stress,Neuroinflammation and Autophagy Pathways

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the resultant loss of dopamine in the striatum. Various studies have shown that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation plays a major role in PD progression. In addition, the autophagy lysosome pathway (ALP) plays an important role in the degradation of aggregated proteins, abnormal cytoplasmic organelles and proteins for intracellular homeostasis. Dysfunction of ALP results in the accumulation of α-synuclein and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in PD. Thus, modulating ALP is becoming an appealing therapeutic intervention. In our current study, we wanted to evaluate the neuroprotective potency of noscapine in a rotenone-induced PD rat model. Rats were administered rotenone injections (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.,) daily followed by noscapine (10 mg/kg, i.p.,) for four weeks. Noscapine, an iso-qinulinin alkaloid found naturally in the Papaveraceae family, has traditionally been used in the treatment of cancer, stroke and fibrosis. However, the neuroprotective potency of noscapine has not been analyzed. Our study showed that administration of noscapine decreased the upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and α-synuclein expression with a significant increase in antioxidant enzymes. In addition, noscapine prevented rotenone-induced activation of microglia and astrocytes. These neuroprotective mechanisms resulted in a decrease in dopaminergic neuron loss in SNpc and neuronal fibers in the striatum. Further, noscapine administration enhanced the mTOR-mediated p70S6K pathway as well as inhibited apoptosis. In addition to these mechanisms, noscapine prevented a rotenone-mediated increase in lysosomal degradation, resulting in a decrease in α-synuclein aggregation. However, further studies are needed to further develop noscapine as a potential therapeutic candidate for PD treatment.     

Substituent and solvent effects on UV‐visible absorption spectra of liquid crystalline disubstituted biphenylcyclohexane derivatives – a computational approach

A computational approach has been carried out on liquid crystalline disubstituted biphenylcyclohexanes (BCHs) of general formula R‐C₆H₁₀‐C₆H₄‐C₆H₄‐X with R: C₃H₇; X: H (BCH30) and R: C₅H₁₁; X: CN (BCH5CN) using the CNDO/S + CI and INDO/S + CI methods. These methods have been employed to calculate and analyze the spectral shifts, and absorbance measurements in UV‐visible range of the systems. The electronic transitions, absorption wavelength, HOMO (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital), and LUMO (Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital) energies have been calculated. Further, ultraviolet (UV) stability of the molecules has been discussed in the light of absorption wavelength and electronic transition oscillator strength (f). The effect of different solvent media and substituents on transition energies, oscillator strength, and other absorption parameters has also been reported. The present article provides valuable information regarding enhancing the UV stability of molecules by marinating their conductivity. Further, these absorption spectra will provide valuable data base for future computational studies, and the other experimental investigations. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Metal Derivatives of Thiosemicarbazones: Crystal and Mole­cular Structures of Mono‐ and Dinuclear Copper(II) Complexes with N1‐Subsitituted Salicylaldehyde Thiosemicarbazones

Reactions of copper(II) acetate with N¹‐subsitituted salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazones [R¹R²C²=N³–N²H–C¹(=S)–N¹HR³;R¹ = 2‐HO–C₆H₄–, R² = H : R³ = Me (H₂L¹), Et (H₂L²)] are described. Copper(II) acetate was reacted with H₂L¹ and H₂L² ligands in the presence of polypyridyl co‐ligands, and this led to the formation ofmononuclear complexes, [Cu(κ³‐O, N, S‐L¹)(κ²‐N, N‐bipy)] ( 1 ),[Cu(κ³‐O, N, S‐L)(κ²‐N, N‐phen)] [L = L¹ ( 3 ), L² ( 4 )], [Cu(κ³‐O, N, S‐L)(κ²‐N, N‐tmphen)] [L =L¹ ( 5 ), L² ( 6 )] and a dinuclear complex, [Cu₂L²₂(bipy)] ( 2 ) (bipy = 2, 2′‐bipyridine, phen = 1, 10‐phenanthroline, tmphen = 3, 4, 7, 8‐tetramethyl‐1, 10‐phenanthroline). In dinuclear complex 2 , one ligand is O, N³,S‐chelating, while second is O, N³,S‐chelation‐cum‐N²‐bridging; and in all others thio‐ligands are O, N³,S‐chelating. The μ_eff values for the complexes lie in the range of 1.79–1.83 BM. Complexes 1 , 3 – 6 have square pyramidal arrangement, whereas complex 2 has two independent molecules in the crystal lattice, and each molecule has trigonal bipyramidal square planar (5:4) coordination pair. Complexes 2 , 4 , and 6 showed fluorescence properties.     

Interactions of poly(tert-butyl acrylate)-poly(styrene) diblock copolymers with lipids at the air-water interface

Diblock copolymers with hydrophilic poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) and hydrophobic poly(styrene) (PS) blocks were synthesized with a view to use them as a surfactant in tear film for increasing the ocular comfort in dry eye syndrome. Interactions of six PtBA-PS copolymers with four important lipids found in the tear film, namely cholesterol, cholesteryl palmitate, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylinositol, were studied at the air-water interface using a Langmuir trough. Thermodynamics of mixing of the copolymers and the lipids in the mixed monolayers was determined by calculating excess free energy of mixing. The diblock copolymers showed repulsive interactions with cholesteol and cholesteryl palmitate, near neutral interactions with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, and attractive interactions with phosphatidylinositol. The lipids interacted with the PS component of the copolymer. The results indicate that a copolymer with a small hydrophilic group and a big hydrophobic group can be a likely candidate for forming stable interactions with the lipids present in the tear film and hence increase the ocular comfort.     

Adsorption of lysozyme to phospholipid and meibomian lipid monolayer films

It is believed that a lipid layer forms the outer layer of the pre-ocular tear film and this layer helps maintain tear film stability by lowering its surface tension. Proteins of the aqueous layer of the tear film (beneath the lipid layer) may also contribute to reducing surface tension by adsorbing to, or penetrating the lipid layer. The purpose of this study was to compare the penetration of lysozyme, a tear protein, into films of meibomian lipids and phospholipids held at different surface pressures to determine if lysozyme were part of the surface layer of the tear film. Films of meibomian lipids or phospholipids were spread onto the surface of a buffered aqueous subphase. Films were compressed to particular pressures and lysozyme was injected into the subphase. Changes in surface pressure were monitored to determine adsorption or penetration of lysozyme into the surface film. Lysozyme penetrated a meibomian lipid film at all pressures tested (max = 20 mN/m). It also penetrated phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylethanolamine lipid films up to a pressure of 20 mN/m. It was not able to penetrate a phosphatidylcholine film at pressures ≥10 mN/m irrespective of the temperature being at 20 or 37 °C. However, it was able to penetrate it at very low pressures (<10 mN/m). Epifluorescence microscopy showed that the protein either adsorbs to or penetrates the lipid layer and the pattern of mixing depended upon the lipid at the surface. These results indicate that lysozyme is present at the surface of the tear film where it contributes to decreasing the surface tension by adsorbing and penetrating the meibomian lipids. Thus it helps to stabilize the tear film.     

Metal ion-directed synthesis of 16-membered tetraazamacrocyclic complexes and their physico-chemical studies

Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) containing macrocyclic tetradentate nitrogen donor (N4) ligand have been synthesized from the template condensation reaction between o-phthalaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine. The newly synthesized ligand and its complexes have been characterized on the basis of results of elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, FT-IR, electronic, 1H FT NMR spectral data and Job's method. Their thermal behaviour has been studied by the thermogravimetric analysis. An octahedral geometry has been proposed for all of these complexes except the copper complexes, which show distorted octahedral geometry. The low conductivity data suggest their non-ionic nature. The biological activities of the metal complexes have also been studied against different bacteria.     

In Silico Evaluation of Natural Flavonoids as a Potential Inhibitor of Coronavirus Disease

The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China, has led to millions of infections and the death of approximately one million people. No targeted therapeutics are currently available, and only a few efficient treatment options are accessible. Many researchers are investigating active compounds from natural plant sources that may inhibit COVID-19 proliferation. Flavonoids are generally present in our diet, as well as traditional medicines and are effective against various diseases. Thus, here, we reviewed the potential of flavonoids against crucial proteins involved in the coronavirus infectious cycle. The fundamentals of coronaviruses, the structures of SARS-CoV-2, and the mechanism of its entry into the host’s body have also been discussed. In silico studies have been successfully employed to study the interaction of flavonoids against COVID-19 M^pro, spike protein PL^pro, and other interactive sites for its possible inhibition. Recent studies showed that many flavonoids such as hesperidin, amentoflavone, rutin, diosmin, apiin, and many other flavonoids have a higher affinity with M^pro and lower binding energy than currently used drugs such as hydroxylchloroquine, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and lopinavir. Thus, these compounds can be developed as specific therapeutic agents against COVID-19, but need further in vitro and in vivo studies to validate these compounds and pave the way for drug discovery.