Two new guaianolide-type sesquiterpenoids from Kadsura interior

Two new guaianolide-type sesquiterpenoids,4β,9β-dihydroxy-1α,5α-H-guaia-6,10(14)-dien(1) and 4β,9β,10α-trihydroxy-1α,5α-H-guaia-6-en(2),along with four known sesquiterpenoids(3a,3b,4 and 5),were isolated from Kadsura interior.Their structures and configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR and HR-MS techniques.Compounds 3a and 3b were obtained as a pair of enantiomers,and their structure and absolute configuration were established from their extensive NMR spectra and by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Enantiomeric separations of four basic drugs containing N-alkyl groups by a RP-HPLC system using SBE-β-CD as chiral mobile phase additive

The chiral separations of four pharmaceutical racemates which contain N-alkyl groups were satisfactorily resolved using SBE-β-CD as a chiral mobile phase additive(CMPA)in a RP-HPLC system(the resolution is 2.701 for ondansetron hydrochloride,1.996 for sulpiride,1.293 for clenbuterol hydrochloride and 0.816 for omeprazole).In addition,the effects of different parameters such as CD type and CD concentration were investigated.The separation mechanism arises through the combination of several potential interactions,including electrostatic interactions as well as hydrogen bonding interactions and hydrophobic inclusion interactions,which allow for the SBE-β-CD–drug complexation with strong stereoselectivity and stability.The resolution also relates to the number and location of N atoms in the enantiomers.This method will be applicable to the isolation of various types of biologically important enantiomers containing N-alkyl groups.     

An approach to the Paal–Knorr pyrroles synthesis in the presence of β-cyclodextrin in aqueous media

An efficient and facile method for the synthesis of N-substituted pyrroles in moderate to good yields by the Paal–Knorr reaction of γ-diketones with amines in the presence of β-cyclodextrin in aqueous media has been developed.Moreover,this process tolerated diamines(e.g.,para-,meta- or orthophenylenediamine)to construct bis-pyrrole or mono-pyrrole derivates.β-Cyclodextrin can be recovered easily after the reactions and reused without evident loss in activity.     

The Protection of Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented-Mango Peel against Neuronal Damage Induced by Amyloid-Beta

Mango peels are usually discarded as waste; however, they contain phytochemicals and could provide functional properties to food and promote human health. This study aimed to determine the optimal lactic acid bacteria for fermentation of mango peel and evaluate the effect of mango peel on neuronal protection in Neuron-2A cells against amyloid beta (Aβ) treatment (50 μM). Mango peel can be fermented by different lactic acid bacteria species. Lactobacillus acidophilus (BCRC14079)-fermented mango peel produced the highest concentration of lactic acid bacteria (exceeding 10⁸ CFU/mL). Mango peel and fermented mango peel extracts upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression for 1.74-fold in Neuron-2A cells. Furthermore, mango peel fermented products attenuated oxidative stress in Aβ-treated neural cells by 27%. Extracts of L. acidophilus (BCRC14079)-fermented mango peel treatment decreased Aβ accumulation and attenuated the increase of subG1 caused by Aβ induction in Neuron-2A cells. In conclusion, L. acidophilus (BCRC14079)-fermented mango peel acts as a novel neuronal protective product by inhibiting oxidative stress and increasing BDNF expression in neural cells.     

Azobioisosteres of Curcumin with Pronounced Activity against Amyloid Aggregation,Intracellular Oxidative Stress,and Neuroinflammation

Many (poly-)phenolic natural products, for example, curcumin and taxifolin, have been studied for their activity against specific hallmarks of neurodegeneration, such as amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) aggregation and neuroinflammation. Due to their drawbacks, arising from poor pharmacokinetics, rapid metabolism, and even instability in aqueous medium, the biological activity of azobenzene compounds carrying a pharmacophoric catechol group, which have been designed as bioisoteres of curcumin has been examined. Molecular simulations reveal the ability of these compounds to form a hydrophobic cluster with Aβ42, which adopts different folds, affecting the propensity to populate fibril-like conformations. Furthermore, the curcumin bioisosteres exceeded the parent compound in activity against Aβ42 aggregation inhibition, glutamate-induced intracellular oxidative stress in HT22 cells, and neuroinflammation in microglial BV-2 cells. The most active compound prevented apoptosis of HT22 cells at a concentration of 2.5 μm (83 % cell survival), whereas curcumin only showed very low protection at 10 μm (21 % cell survival).     

Interaction with the Surrounding Water Plays a Key Role in Determining the Aggregation Propensity of Proteins

Understanding the molecular determinants of the relative propensities of proteins to aggregate in a cellular environment is a central issue for treating protein‐aggregation diseases and developing peptide‐based therapeutics. Despite the expectation that protein aggregation can largely be attributed to direct protein–protein interactions, a crucial role the surrounding water in determining the aggregation propensity of proteins both in vitro and in vivo was identified. The overall protein hydrophobicity, defined solely by the hydration free energy of a protein in its monomeric state sampling its equilibrium structures, was shown to be the predominant determinant of protein aggregation propensity in aqueous solution. Striking discrimination of positively and negatively charged residues by the surrounding water was also found. This effect depends on the protein net charge and plays a crucial role in regulating the solubility of the protein. These results pave the way for the design of aggregation‐resistant proteins as biotherapeutics.     

QuEChERS结合高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定饲料中的18种β-兴奋剂

建立了饲料中克仑特罗、莱克多巴胺、喷布特罗、妥布特罗等18种β-兴奋剂的QuEChERS结合高效液相色谱-串联质谱的检测方法。饲料样品加水分散后经4%(v/v)氨水乙腈提取,加入25 mg十八烷基硅烷(C18)和50mg N-丙基乙二胺(PSA)吸附剂分散固相萃取净化后,以高效液相色谱-串联质谱进行定性和定量分析。采用Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18(50 mm×4.6 mm,1.8μm)分析柱,以甲醇-0.1%(v/v)甲酸水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,串联质谱在多反应监测(MRM)正离子模式下进行检测,基质外标法定量。结果表明,18种待测物在质量浓度为5~200μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9912~0.9995;在0.05、0.1、0.5 mg/kg 3个浓度加标水平下,饲料中18种β-兴奋剂的平均回收率为78.4%~107.1%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为3.5%~12.3%,定量限(以信噪比≥10计)均为0.05 mg/kg。该方法准确、灵敏,前处理简单,可作为饲料中克仑特罗等18种β-兴奋剂筛选和确认的检测方法。     

Synthesis and characterization of acetylated sept-D-glucopyranose carbamate as an oligosaccharide donor简

An oligosaccharide donor, acetylated sept-o-glucopyranose tetradecyl carbamate, was designed and synthesized. This compound could be easily linked to hydroxyl-containing compounds through an Oglycosidic bond. Characterization of all the oligosaccharide intermediates and the final product was thoroughly discussed.