Phytotherapy of alcoholism

Alcoholism is a medical, social, and economic problem where treatment methods mostly include difficult and long-lasting psychotherapy and, in some cases, quite controversial pharmacological approaches. A number of medicinal plants and pure natural compounds are reported to have preventive and therapeutic effects on alcoholism and alcohol dependency, but their constituents, efficacy and mechanism of action are mostly unknown so far. Recently, kudzu [Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi], St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.), Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis Thunb.), ibogaine (Tabernanthe iboga H. Bn.), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.), prickly pear fruit (Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill.), purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and many others drew the attention of researchers. Can, therefore, drugs of natural origin be helpful in the treatment of alcoholism or in decreasing alcohol consumption?     

Partitioning of π-electrons in Rings of Polycyclic Conjugated Hydrocarbons. Part 4. Benzenoids with More Than One Geometric Kekulé Structure Corresponding to the Same Algebraic Kekulé Structure

A rigorous proof is provided for the theorem on the necessary and sufficient conditions for the algebraic Kekulé structure of a peri-condensed or corona-condensed benzenoid hydrocarbon to correspond to more than one geometric Kekulé structure.     

Selectivity of monolithic supports under overloading conditions and their use for separation of human plasma and isolation of low abundance proteins

Human serum albumin (HSA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) represent over 75% of all proteins present in human plasma. These two proteins frequently interfere with detection, determination and purification of low abundance proteins that can be potential biomarkers and biomarker candidates for various diseases. Some low abundance plasma proteins such as clotting factors and inhibitors are also important therapeutic agents. In this paper, the characterization of ion-exchange monolithic supports under overloading conditions was performed by use of sample displacement chromatography (SDC). If these supports were used for separation of human plasma, the composition of bound and eluted proteins in both anion- and cation-exchange mode is dependent on column loading. Under overloading conditions, the weakly bound proteins such as HSA in anion-exchange and IgG in cation-exchange mode are displaced by stronger binding proteins, and this phenomenon was not dependent on column size. Consequently, small monolithic columns with a column volume of 100 and 200 μL are ideal supports for high-throughput screening in order to develop new methods for separation of complex mixtures, and for sample preparation in proteomic technology.     

h-Adic quantum vertex algebras associated with rational R-matrix in types B,C and D

Letters in Mathematical Physics - We introduce the h-adic quantum vertex algebras associated with the rational R-matrix in types B, C and D, thus generalizing Etingof–Kazhdan’s...     

Antioxidative and antiproliferative activities of novel pyrido[1,2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]benzimidazoles

A series of pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles has been designed, and novel examples are synthesized and evaluated for their potential antiproliferative activity against four human tumour cell lines—cervical (HeLa), colorectal (SW620), breast (MCF-7) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). In addition, their antioxidative potency has been evaluated by in vitro spectrophotometric assays. Preliminary structure–activity relationships among the synthesized compounds are discussed. Evaluation of their antioxidative capacity has shown that two compounds (25 and 26) possess promising reducing characteristics and free radical scavenging activity. Selective antiproliferative effect in the single-digit micromolar range was observed for compound 25 on MCF-7 \((\hbox {IC}_{50} = 6\,{\upmu }\hbox {M})\) and HeLa \((\hbox {IC}_{50} = 8\,{\upmu }\hbox {M})\) cell lines, comparable to the standards 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. The combination of the radical scavenging activity and antiproliferative activity of compound 25 positions this compound as a potential lead candidate for further optimization.     

Ferrocene compounds. XXV. Synthesis and characterization of ferrocene‐containing oligoamides,their precursors,and analogues

A general method for preparation of ferrocene‐containing monoamines (5–7) and diamines (10, 11) starting from the corresponding quaternary ammonium iodide 3 and ferrocene mono‐ (4) and dithiaaliphatic acids (8, 9) was developed. Amines obtained have been characterized as acet‐ and benzamides (12–15). The oligoamide precursors (16, 17, 22, 23) were synthesized by reactions of succinic or glutaric anhydride with amines (6, 7, 10, 11). Their conversion into oligoamide analogs (20, 21, 25) failed. The desired diamides (20, 21) were prepared by condensation of amines (6, 7) with alkanedioyl chlorides, (CH₂)_n(COCl)₂ (n = 0, 1, 2, 3). Reactions of diamine 10 with succinic or glutaric anhydride gave amino acids 28—formal monomers for the planned oligomerization. Oligomers 29 were synthesized by condensation of equimolar amounts of diamines 10 and the above mentioned alkanedioyl chlorides in dichloromethane at 0°C. The structure of oligomers 29 was indicated from their IR and ¹H‐NMR spectra in comparison with the model substances 12–28. The degree of polymerization of compounds 29 was determined by ¹H‐NMR end‐group analysis (DP_n = 4–6). © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 25–36, 1999     

Evaluation of different purification procedures for the electrochemical quantification of mussel metallothioneins

Several different procedures were applied to purify metallothionein (MT) isolated from the digestive glands of the mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) exposed to cadmium: heat treatment (at 70 and 85 °C), solvent precipitation, and gel-filtration. Using electrochemical method, the MT contents were determined. Based on the obtained results each procedure was statistically evaluated. Application of the post-hoc Scheffé test showed that there were significant differences between all the treatments applied. Heat treatment and solvent precipitation effectively remove high molecular weight (HMW) proteins from the samples. In untreated as well as in heat or solvent treated samples MT10 isoform remains unchanged. MT20 isoform is significantly reduced by heat treatment and drastically reduced by solvent precipitation. Due to the fact that MT20 is considered as ‘target’ MT isoform for metal effect and exposure it is recommended to use the purification procedure which less affects MT20 fraction. According to the presented results it is the heat treatment.     

Dispiro[adamantane‐2,2′‐1′,3′,6′,9′,11′,14′‐hexathiacyclohexadecane‐10′,2′′‐adamantane]

The conformational features of the title compound, C₂₈H₄₄S₆, are compared with previously reported analogous macrocycles. The type of substituent affects considerably the conformation of the macrocycle. A ¹H NMR titration of the title compound with AgBF₄ indicated the formation of the 1:1 complex, which was not crystallized.     

Optimization of Bioactive Phenolics Extraction and Cosmeceutical Activity of Eco-Friendly Polypropylene-Glycol–Lactic-Acid-Based Extracts of Olive Leaf

Olive leaf is a rich source of phenolic compounds with numerous activities related to skin health and appearance. In this study, a green extraction method was developed using eco-friendly solvents: polypropylene glycol (PPG), lactic acid (LA), and water. The optimal extraction conditions were established, including solvent, extraction time, technique (magnetic stirrer vs. ultrasound-assisted extraction), and herbal material/solvent ratio. The composition of the solvent mixture was optimized using a mixture design. The content of phenolic compounds, including oleuropein and verbascoside, was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric methods. Using different extraction conditions, three extracts were prepared and their phytochemical compositions and antioxidant and skin-related bioactivities were investigated. The extracts were excellent inhibitors of elastase, collagenase, tyrosinase, and lipoxygenase. The best activity was shown by the extract richest in phenolics and prepared using magnetic-stirrer-assisted extraction for 20 min, with 0.8 g of herbal material extracted in 10 mL of PPG/LA/water mixture (28.6/63.6/7.8, w/w/w), closely followed by the extract prepared using the same extraction conditions but with 0.42 g of herbal material. The investigated PPG/LA/water mixtures contributed to the overall enzyme-inhibitory activity of the extracts. The prepared extracts were appropriate for direct use in cosmetic products, thus saving the time and energy consumption necessary for the evaporation of conventional solvents.     

Biological Activity of Newly Synthesized Benzimidazole and Benzothizole 2,5-Disubstituted Furane Derivatives

Newly designed and synthesized cyano, amidino and acrylonitrile 2,5-disubstituted furane derivatives with either benzimidazole/benzothiazole nuclei have been evaluated for antitumor and antimicrobial activity. For potential antitumor activity, the compounds were tested in 2D and 3D cell culture methods on three human lung cancer cell lines, A549, HCC827 and NCI-H358, with MTS cytotoxicity and BrdU proliferation assays in vitro. Compounds 5, 6, 8, 9 and 15 have been proven to be compounds with potential antitumor activity with high potential to stop the proliferation of cells. In general, benzothiazole derivatives were more active in comparison to benzimidazole derivatives. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated with Broth microdilution testing (according to CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute) guidelines) on Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was included in testing as a eukaryotic model organism. Compounds 5, 6, 8, 9 and 15 showed the most promising antibacterial activity. In general, the compounds showed antitumor activity, higher in 2D assays in comparison with 3D assays, on all three cell lines in both assays. In natural conditions, compounds with such an activity profile (less toxic but still effective against tumor growth) could be promising new antitumor drugs. Some of the tested compounds showed antimicrobial activity. In contrast to ctDNA, the presence of nitro group or chlorine in selected furane-benzothiazole structures did not influence the binding mode with AT-DNA. All compounds dominantly bound inside the minor groove of AT-DNA either in form of monomers or dimer and higher-order aggregates.