Neuroprotective Bioorthogonal Catalysis in Mitochondria Using Protein-Integrated Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks

Mitochondria-targeted bioorthogonal catalysis holds promise for controlling cell function precisely, yet achieving selective and efficient chemical reactions within organelles is challenging. In this study, we introduce a new strategy using protein-integrated hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) to enable synergistic bioorthogonal chemical catalysis and enzymatic catalysis within mitochondria. Utilizing catalytically active tris(4,4′-dicarboxylicacid-2,2′-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) to self-assemble with [1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-biscarboximidamide, we synthesized nanoscale RuB-HOFs that exhibit high photocatalytic reduction activity. Notably, RuB-HOFs efficiently enter cells and preferentially localize to mitochondria, where they facilitate bioorthogonal photoreduction reactions. Moreover, we show that RuB-HOFs encapsulating catalase can produce hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in mitochondria through photocatalytic reduction of pro-H₂S and degrade hydrogen peroxide through enzymatic catalysis simultaneously, offering a significant neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress. Our findings not only introduce a versatile chemical toolset for mitochondria-targeted bioorthogonal catalysis for prodrug activation but also pave the way for potential therapeutic applications in treating diseases related to cellular oxidative stress.     

一种新型化合物的合成及对PC12高分化细胞的神经保护作用

研究了一种新合成化合物(3h8b)的神经保护作用及初步分子机制. 该化合物具有缓解神经毒素6-羟基多巴胺(6-OHDA)和L-谷氨酸(L-Glu)诱导高分化PC12细胞损伤的作用. 可有效改善神经毒素对高分化PC12细胞的损伤, 明显增强细胞活力, 降低细胞核凋亡比率, 抑制细胞内钙离子过载. 经3h8b处理之后, 神经毒素引起的细胞内线粒体膜电位异常显著恢复. 进一步的实验表明, 3h8b可以逆转神经毒素造成的Bcl-2和Bcl-xL抑制性表达. 实验证实3h8b通过线粒体相关途经对高分化PC12细胞起保护作用, 为通过化学合成法获得具有治疗神经退行性病变作用的新型化合物提供了理论依据.     

Autocatalytic synthesis of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxy-indole-2-ones and their neuroprotection and antitumor activities' evaluation

In this study, a series of 3-ethyl-3-hydroxy-indole-2-ones were synthesized through the addition reaction of Et₂Zn and N-substituted isatin by an autocatalytic process. The synthesized compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and the reaction mechanism was discussed. The antitumor and neuroprotection activities of these compounds were evaluated. The results showed that several compounds display protection activity on H₂O₂-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells, which are more effective than that of (±)-α-tocopherol Vitamin E (VE). Moreover, these compounds also show antitumor activity against A549 and P388 cell lines.     

Facile one-step synthesis of 2,5-diketopiperazines

We report a one-step protocol for the general synthesis of 2,5-diketopiperazines from an Fmoc-protected amino acid and an amino acid ester. The application of the method is highlighted by rapid and efficient preparation of various 2,5-diketopiperazines.     

Melaleucadines A and B: Two rare benzylic phloroglucinol-terpene hybrids from Melaleuca leucadendron

Melaleucadines A and B (1 and 2), two rare benzylic phloroglucinol-terpene hybrids (meroterpenoids), have been isolated and identified from the branches and leaves of the Australian “tea tree” Melaleuca leucadendron L. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by 1D/2D NMR, HR-MS, and the CD exciton chirality method. Compound 1 was a hybrid of a benzylic phloroglucinol and rearranged β-pinene via a rare 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrooxepine ring, and 2 was the adduct of a benzylic phloroglucinol and a humulene-type sesquiterpene via an oxa-heterocycle. Bioactivity screening revealed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited neuroprotective effects at a concentration of 50.0?μM.     

Isolation of indole alkaloid and anthranilic acid derivatives from Indigo Pulverata Levis

A new indole alkaloid, pulveratinol (1), and two new anthranilic acid derivatives (2 and 3) were isolated from Indigo Pulverata Levis, together with 12 known compounds (4–15). The structures of the new compounds (1–3) were determined through spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed further by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis and computational method with advanced statistics (DP4). All isolated compounds (1–15) were evaluated for their potential neuroprotective effects through induction of nerve growth factor (NGF) in C6 glioma cells.     

HGF protects cultured cortical neurons against hypoxia/reoxygenation induced cell injury via ERK1/2 and PI-3K/Akt pathways

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been revealed to exert multipotent activities on a variety of cells. In this study, we investigated whether HGF had a direct neuroprotection on cultured cerebral cortical neurons subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and explored the intracellular signalings mediated the effects. The decrease in cell viability and increase in number of apoptotic cells resulting from H/R were significantly prevented by HGF pre-treatment. HGF stimulated both ERK1/2 and Akt activities in cortical neurons. Inhibition of ERK activation completely abolished the protective effects of HGF, and inhibition of Akt activation reduced, but did not completely eliminate the HGF mediated neuroprotection. It is suggested that the neuroprotection of HGF depend on ERK1/2 pathway, and, to a lesser extent, PI-3K/Akt pathway. In addition, we found that pre-treatment with HGF remarkably attenuated the decrease in expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL induced by H/R, but failed to affect the amount of Bax. It is likely that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL contribute to the protective effects of HGF.     

Neolignans from the Fruits of Magnolia obovata Inhibit NO Production and Have Neuroprotective Effects

One new sesquineolignan, obovatalignan A ( 1 ), and one new neolignan, obovatalignan B ( 2 ), were isolated from the Magnolia obovata fruits. Their chemical structure, including absolute configuration, was determined based on various spectroscopic methods, such as HR‐EI‐MS, 1D‐NMR (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT), 2D‐NMR (gCOSY, gHSQC, gHMBC, NOESY), and CD spectroscopy. The compounds were evaluated for protective effects against glutamate‐induced oxidative stress in HT22‐immortalized hippocampal cells and inhibitory activity against NO production in LPS‐induced RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited protective effects against glutamate‐induced oxidative stress with EC₅₀ values of 18.1 ± 1.23 and 7.10 ± 0.78 μm , respectively, as well as inhibitory effects on NO production with IC₅₀ values of > 30.0 and 8.22 ± 2.01 μm , respectively.     

A new neuroprotective bakkenolide from the rhizome of Petasites tricholobus

A new bakkenolide-type compound, bakkenolide-Va（1）, was isolated from the rhizome of Petasites tricholobus. The structure was characterized on the basis of various NMR （1H, 13C, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY） and mass spectrometry data. The neuroprotective activity of bakkenolide-Va was investigated in primarily cultured neurons treated by hypoxia-ghicose deprivation and various types of oxidative insults.