Study on the Total Synthesis of Ecteinascidin 743 and Its Analogues-Construction of A Pentacyclic Intermediate

A concise and efficient synthesis of the pentacyclic intermediate 1,as a simple model compound of Ecteinascidin 743 and its analogues,is described.     

Flow injection fluorimetric determination of L-dopa and dopamine based on a photochemical inhibition process

An automatic procedure has been developed for the determination of L-dopa and dopamine. It is based on the strong inhibition of the photochemical reaction between thionine blue and ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid by these catecholamines. The proposed flow-injection method allows for the fluorimetric determination of L-dopa in the range of 1.9–98 μg mL⁻¹ and that of dopamine in the range of 1.9–75 μg mL⁻¹ with a sampling frequency of 35 samples h⁻¹. The method was applied successfully to the determination of dopamine in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Modeling of Thermodynamic Properties of Amino Acids and Peptides Using Additivity and HKF Theory

Relative densities, , and heat capacity ratios, of aqueous L-histidine, L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, and L-2,3-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) have been measured at 15, 25, 40, and 55°C and 0.1 MPa. Apparent molar volumes, V _2,, apparent molar heat capacities, C_P2,, partial molar volumes at infinite dilution, , and partial molar heat capacities at infinite dilution, , have been calculated from these measurements and compared to available literature values. The partial molar properties at infinite dilution for these systems have been added to those previously obtained for amino acids and peptides in water and the combined set used as input to a novel additivity analysis. The model we develop is based upon the equations of state of Helgeson, Kirkham, and Flowers (HKF) and has been constructed with additive parameters. The model may be used to predict thermodynamic properties of many aqueous biochemicals over an extended temperature range. Group contributions to the parameters in our model and effective Born coefficients are reported for 24 aqueous amino acid and peptide systems. Our results are compared to data previously published in the literature.     

Mucuna pruriens Seed Aqueous Extract Improved Neuroprotective and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Effects Compared with Synthetic L-Dopa

L-dopa, a dopaminergic agonist, is the gold standard for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, due to the long-term toxicity and adverse effects of using L-dopa as the first-line therapy for Parkinson’s disease, a search for alternative medications is an important current challenge. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine has suggested the use of Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Fabaceae) as an anti-Parkinson’s agent. The present study aimed to quantify the amount of L-dopa in M. pruriens seed extract by HPLC analysis. The cytotoxicity and neuroprotective properties of M. pruriens aqueous extract were investigated by two in vitro models including the serum deprivation method and co-administration of hydrogen peroxide assay. The results showed the significant neuroprotective activities of M. pruriens seed extracts at a concentration of 10 ng/mL. In addition, the effects of L-dopa and M. pruriens seed extract on in vitro acetylcholinesterase activities were studied. M. pruriens seed extract demonstrated acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, while synthetic L-dopa enhanced the activity of the enzyme. It can be concluded that the administration of M. pruriens seed might be effective in protecting the brain against neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. M. prurience seed extract containing L-dopa has shown less acetylcholinesterase activity stimulation compared with L-dopa, suggesting that the extract might have a superior benefit for use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.     

A validated LC–MS/MS method for quantitative determination of L-dopa in Fagioli di Sarconi beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

An analytical method based on ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI/MS/MS) was validated and applied for determining L-dopa in four ecotypes of Fagioli di Sarconi beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), marked with the European label PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). The selectivity of the proposed method was ensured by the specific fragmentation of the analyte. Simple isocratic chromatographic conditions and mass spectrometric detection in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode were used for sensitive quantification. The LC–ESI/MS/MS method was validated within a linear range of 0.001–5.000 μg/mL. Values of 0.4 and 1.1 ng/mL were obtained for the limits of detection and quantification, respectively. The repeatability, inter-day precision, and recovery values ranges were 0.6%–4.5%, 5.4%–9.9%, and 83%–93%, respectively. Fresh and dried beans, as well as pods, cultivated exclusively with organic methods avoiding any synthetic fertilizers and pesticides were analyzed showing an L-dopa content ranging from 0.020 ± 0.005 to 2.34 ± 0.05 μg/g dry weight.