Determination of camptothecin in biological fluids using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Camptothecin, a plant alkaloid with antitumor activity, is a potent and rapidly acting inhibitor of DNA synthesis. The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the detection and estimation of the camptothecin concentration in biological fluids. Using HPLC coupled with fluorescence detection, at an excitation wavelength of 370 nm and an emission wavelength of 434 nm, we found that the lower limits of detection for camptothecin in aqueous, plasma and urine samples were 0.5, 1 and 10 ng/ml, respectively. The ideal mobile phase used was methanol-10 mM potassium phosphate (75:25, v/v, pH 4.0). To determine the utilization of the method in a biological system, we studied the pharmacokinetics of camptothecin in mice. Elimination of camptothecin from mice blood was triphasic and followed first-order kinetics. The half-life of camptothecin in mouse blood was 25.7 min. Our studies indicate that HPLC with fluorescence detection for the determination of camptothecin in different media is a simple, rapid, sensitive and reproducible method.     

Dichotenone-a and -b: two new enones from the marine brown alga Dictyota dichotoma (Hudson) Lamour

Marine brown alga Dictyota dichotoma (Dictyotaceae) collected from Karachi coast of Arabian Sea yielded two new (1 and 2) enones (dolastane-diterpenoids) named: dichotenone-A and -B along with an olide (loliolide, 3) as a new source. Their structures have been characterized with the aid of 2D-NMR spectroscopic techniques.     

Characterisation and ac-electrical investigation of sublimated bis(dimethylglyoximato)palladium(II) thin films

Thin films of bis(dimethylglyoximato)palladium(II) complex of polycrystalline structure were prepared by sublimation in a vacuum at 140 °C, on glass and p-Si substrates. The films were characterised by spectral optical absorption, energy dispersion X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. After characterisation, metal-insulator (complex)-semiconductor MIS devices were fabricated to measure the frequency dependence of ac-conductivity in a range of 5-100 kHz. Data of ac-measurements follow the correlated barrier-hopping CBH model, from which one of the fundamental absorption peaks, the minimum hopping distance, and other parameters of the CBH model were determined, connecting and relating the optical, structural, and electrical measurements. The dielectric properties of the complex were studied through Debye model, from which the relaxation time for the dipoles (2.45 × 10⁻⁶ s) and the molecular dipole moment (3.63 × 10⁻³⁰ C m ) were determined.     

Reactions with Carbo(heterylhydrazonoyl) Halides. I. Chemistry of Carbo(3-phenylpyrazol-5-yl-hydrazonoyl) Chlorides

The Carbo(3-phenylpyrazol-5-yl-hydrazonoyl) halides 1a , b react with active methylene compounds to yield the 1-(3-phenylpyrazol-5-yl)-pyrazole derivatives 2a – k (Scheme 1). The acyclic intermediates 3a , b could be isolated from reaction of 1a , b with acetylacetone, thus establishing the substitution mechanism for these reactions. Compounds 1a , b reacted with carbon disulfide, phenyl isothiocyanate, methyl cyanide, and with p-chlorobenzaldehyde to yield the corresponding heterocyclic derivatives 5 – 8 , respectively (Scheme 2). The behaviour of compounds 2 with hydrazine hydrate is reported.     

Microemulsion-based synthesis of CeO(2) powders with high surface area and high-temperature stabilities

Pure ceria powders, CeO(2), were synthesized in heptane-microemulsified aqueous solutions of CeCl(3) or Ce(NO(3))(3) stabilized by AOT (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate), DDAB (di-n-didodecyldimethylammonium bromide), or DDAB + Brij 35 surfactant mixtures. Micellar DTAB (n-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) and vesicular DDAB systems were also used as media for generating CeO(2). Characterization of the powders by X-ray powder diffractometry, laser-Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that in the presence of surfactants almost-agglomerate-free nanosized crystallites (6-13 nm) of anionic vacancy-free cubic CeO(2) were produced. In the absence of surfactants 21-nm-sized crystallites were formed, comparing with the 85-nm-sized crystallites when cubic CeO(2) was created via thermal decomposition of cerium oxalate. Surface characterization, by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N(2) sorptiometry, and high-resolution electron microscopy showed AOT- or (DDAB + Brij 35)-stabilized microemulsions to assist in formation of crystallites exposing surfaces of large specific areas (up to ca. 250 m(2)/g) but of low stability to high-temperature calcination (28-13 m(2)/g at 800 degrees C). In contrast, the double-chained DDAB was found to generate cubic CeO(2) crystallites of lower initial surface areas (144 (microemulsion) to 125 (vesicles) m(2)/g)) but of higher thermal stability (55-45 m(2)/g at 800 degrees C). Hence, the latter cerias could be considered as appropriate components for total oxidation (combustion) catalysts.     

A new approach for the solid-phase synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines involving reductive cleavage

A methodology based on reductive cleavage followed by cyclization, for the solid-phase synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines employing DIBAL-H, is described.     

Viscoelasticity,mechanical properties,and in vivo biocompatibility of injectable polyvinyl alcohol/bioactive glass composite hydrogels as potential bone tissue scaffolds

Abstract

An injectable composite hydrogel composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and bioactive glass (BG) particles were synthesized by a physical crosslinking approach. The morphology, mechanical properties, and viscoelasticity of the PVA/BG composite hydrogel were characterized. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) showed uniform and homogeneous distribution of BG particles throughout the composite hydrogel. The incorporation of 2.5?wt% of BG particles in the composite hydrogel formulations, enhanced the static compressive strength and static elastic modulus by 325% and 150%, respectively. The storage molds (G′) was greater than the loss modules (G′′) at all the frequency range studied, which revealed a self-standing elastic composite hydrogel with a smooth injectability. The PVA/BG composite hydrogel was also implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal region of adult male rats. After 4?weeks of implantation, no inflammatory cells were seen within and around the implant, which indicated that the composite hydrogel was biocompatible. The properties of the synthesized injectable PVA/BG composite hydrogel demonstrate its capability toward bone regeneration.     

Inhibition of Pb-Leaching from Lead Crystal Glass by Coating with Films Prepared by the Sol-Gel Method

The chemical durability of lead glass tumblers (24% PbO) in a 4% (v/v) acetic acid solution before and after coating with sol-gel derived SiO2 films was assessed to determine the extent of reduction in Pb-leaching that can be achieved. It was found that by coating the internal surface of the glass tumblers with 1 ml of 10% TEOS solutions at 100°C and densifying the coating formed at 500°C for 1 h, it was possible to reduce Pb-leaching to about one quarter of that of the uncoated glass.     

Soot deep oxidation catalyzed by molybdena and molybdates: a thermogravimetric investigation

Molybdena (MoO₃) and molybdates of bismuth (Bi₂Mo₃O₁₂), chromium (Cr₂Mo₃O₁₂), barium (BaMoO₄), manganese (MnMoO₄) and copper (Cu₃Mo₂O₉) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffractometry and infrared spectroscopy. They were then assessed as ‘loose contact' catalysts for soot deep oxidation (combustion) in air by thermogravimetry. A similar assessment was carried out on commercial chromia (Cr₂O₃) and tungsta (WO₃). Observed high oxidation activity of MoO₃, as compared to both Cr₂O₃ and WO₃, is attributed to the higher volatility (mobility) of MoO_x species. On similar grounds, observed high activity of MoO₃ and Cu₃Mo₂O₉, as compared to the other test molybdates, is explained. Relatively speaking, however, a higher activity was observed for Cu₃Mo₂O₉ than MoO₃, whereby soot ignition temperature decreased from 571°C (uncatalyzed oxidation) to 430°C, to occur within the temperature range of diesel exhaust (200–450°C). This observation is ascribed to copper-promoted redox conduct of Mo(VI) in the oxidation reaction of soot. Kinetics of the reaction was studied non-isothermally, and the kinetic parameters (A, k, ΔE and the reaction order) were calculated.     

Utility of N‐[4‐(N‐Substituted Sulfamoyl)Phenyl] Cyanothioformamides in the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds

The novel cyanothioformamides 2a‐d were prepared by treatment of isothiocyanatosulfonamides 1a‐d with potassium cyanide at room temperature. Cyclocondensation of compounds 2b,c with phenyl isocyanate as electrophile furnished the corresponding imidazolidines 3a,b . The reactivity of compound 3a towards some nitrogen nucleophiles was investigated. Thus, the thiosemicarbazone 4 and imidazo[4,5‐b]quinoxaline 6 were synthesized by condensation of compound 3a with thiosemicarbazide and o‐phenylenediamine, respectively. Treatment of 3a with hydrochloric acid afforded compound 7 . Our investigation was extended to include the reactivity of cyanothioformamide 2 towards o‐aminophenol, anthranilic acid, and o‐phenylenediamine and yielded the corresponding heterocycles 9 , 11 and 13 derivatives, respectively. Structures of the synthesized compounds were established by their elemental analysis and spectral data.