Ferraria A, M. Botelho do Rego A, Correia LMM, Saraiva MS, Pombeiro AJL. Ultrasound and Radiation-Induced Catalytic Oxidation of 1-Phenylethanol to Acetophenone with Iron-Containing Particulate Catalysts

Iron-containing particulate catalysts of 0.1–1 µm size were prepared by wet and ball-milling procedures from common salts and characterized by FTIR, TGA, UV-Vis, PXRD, FEG-SEM, and XPS analyses. It was found that when the wet method was used, semi-spherical magnetic nanoparticles were formed, whereas the mechanochemical method resulted in the formation of nonmagnetic microscale needles and rectangles. Catalytic activity of the prepared materials in the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol to acetophenone was assessed under conventional heating, microwave (MW) irradiation, ultrasound (US), and oscillating magnetic field of high frequency (induction heating). In general, the catalysts obtained by wet methods exhibit lower activities, whereas the materials prepared by ball milling afford better acetophenone yields (up to 83%). A significant increase in yield (up to 4 times) was observed under the induction heating if compared to conventional heating. The study demonstrated that MW, US irradiations, and induction heating may have great potential as alternative ways to activate the catalytic system for alcohol oxidation. The possibility of the synthesized material to be magnetically recoverable has been also verified.

Targeting cellular microtubule by phytochemical apocynin exhibits autophagy-mediated apoptosis to inhibit lung carcinoma progression and tumorigenesis

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Several targets have been identified for lung cancer therapy, amongst which 'Microtubule' and its dynamics are the most widely studied and used in therapy. Tubulin-microtubule polymer dynamics are highly sought after targets in the field of anti-cancer drug designing. Natural compounds are important sources for developing anticancer therapeutics owing to their efficacy and lower cytotoxicity. Evidence suggested that therapeutic targeting of microtubule by natural compounds is amongst the most widely used interventions in numerous cancer therapies including lung cancer.

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy of apocynin (a natural compound) in suppressing the progression of lung carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo, along with the identification of targets and the underlying mechanism for developing a novel therapeutic approach.

METHODS

We have demonstrated themicrotubule depolymerizing role of apocynin by established protocols in cellular and cell-free system. The efficacy of apocynin to inhibit lung carcinoma progression was studied on A549 cells.The tumoricidal ability of apocynin was studied in BALB/c mice model as well.Mice were classified into 4 groups namely-group II mice as tumor control; group III-IV mice asalso tumor-induced but treated with differential apocynin doses whereas group I mice were kept as normal.

RESULTS

Apocynin, showed selective cytotoxicity towards lung cancer cells rather than normal lung fibroblast cells. Apocynin inhibited oncogenic properties including growth, proliferation (p < 0.05), colony formation (p < 0.05), invasion (p < 0.05) and spheroid formation (p < 0.05) in lung cancer cells. Apart from other established properties, apocynin was found to be a novel and potent component to bind with tubulin and depolymerize cellular microtubule network. Apocynin mediated cellular microtubule depolymerization was the driving mechanism to trigger autophagy-mediated apoptotic cell death (p < 0.05) which in turn retarded lung cancer progression. Furthermore, apocynin showed tumoricidal characteristics to inhibit lung tumorigenesis in mice as well.

CONCLUSION

Targeting tubulin-microtubule equilibrium with apocynin could be the key regulator to catastrophe cellular catabolic processes to mitigate lung carcinoma. Thus, apocynin could be a potential therapeutic agent for lung cancer treatment.

Electrochemical characteristics of the decolorization of three dyes by laccase mediator system (LMS) with synthetic and natural mediators

Laccase mediator system (LMS), a very attractive candidate for refractory organics biodegradation, harbors tremendous potential on industry application. However, the performance of LMS usually varies with the discrepancy of mediators and substrates in their chemical structures. Here, we adopt electrochemical analysis that is able to assess the degradation performance of various LMS on three different dyes by quantitative analysis of reaction outcome. Two mechanisms were suggested to explain the grafting of three mediators (1-Hydroxybenzotriazole, Violuric Acid and Acetosyringone), involving the transformation of proton or electron to produce active moieties, which subsequently react with target substrates. A thorough electrochemical insight into the redox features of mediators and its change in the presence of laccase and substrates were carried out using electrochemical analysis. The effectiveness of each kind of LMS on substrates was preliminarily evaluated by analyzing the change of the peak current and potential of mediators. The actual conversion rate of dyes was used to verify the analysis results, which confirms the important role of the stability of the oxidized form as well as their redox potential of the mediators in determining the mechanism of substrate oxidation. The application of electrochemical analysis in efficiency evaluation of LMS shed new light on effective selection of suitable mediators for degradation of refractory organics. It was therefore possible to prejudge the efficacy of LMS by analyzing the electrochemical parameters of target substances and mediators, which undoubtedly has broad further application prospects of LMS.

Prenylated Acetophloroglucinol Dimers from Acronychia trifoliolata: Structure Elucidation and Total Synthesis

The isolation of 12 secondary metabolites, including seven new acetophenone monomers, from the 50% CH3OH/CH2Cl2 extract (N089419-L/6) of Acronychia trifoliolata was reported previously. In the present work, three new prenylated acetophenone dimers (1-3) and five known dimers (4-8) were isolated, and their structures were elucidated by using various NMR spectroscopic techniques and HRMS. Among the new dimers, an unprecedented 4-isobutyl-3-isopropyltetrahydro-2H-pyran ring was observed in the structure of 1. This study is the first to report the formation of a 2H-pyran ring between two prenylated acetophloroglucinols. Only four related dimers have been reported before, and they were formylated phloroglucinol dimers from the family Eucalypteae. Compounds 2 and 3 are acrovestone-like dimers, and the structure of 3 was confirmed by total synthesis. The evaluation of the antiproliferative activity of isolated and synthesized acrovestone-like dimers indicated that a double bond in the prenyl-like moiety as found in the more active compounds might be important for mediating activity, while the pendant isobutyl group seems to be less important.

Transient UV-vis absorption spectroscopic characterisation of 2'-methoxyacetophenone as a DNA photosensitiser

2'-Methoxyacetophenone (2M) presents improved UVA absorption as compared with other acetophenone derivatives. On the basis of transient infrared spectroscopy it has been previously claimed that 2M is an interesting photosensitiser for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) formation. In the present paper, a complete UV-Vis transient absorption spectroscopic characterisation of this compound is provided, including triplet-triplet spectra, triplet lifetimes and rate constants for quenching of 2M by a dimeric thymine derivative. Furthermore, generation of singlet oxygen has been proven by time-resolved near IR phosphorescence measurements. Overall, the obtained results confirm the potential of 2M as a DNA photosensitiser, not only for CPDs formation, but also for oxidative damage.

Synthesis of 6,12-Disubstituted Methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]dioxocins: Pyrrolidine Catalyzed Self-Condensation of 2′-Hydroxyacetophenones

The preparation of unprecedented 6,12-disubstituted methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]dioxocins from pyrrolidine catalyzed self-condensation of 2′-hydroxyacetophenones is herein described. This method provides easy access to this highly bridged complex core, resulting in construction of two C–O and two C–C bonds, a methylene bridge and two quaternary centers in a single step. The intricate methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]dioxocin compounds were obtained in up to moderate yields after optimization of the reaction conditions concerning solvent, reaction times and the use of additives. Several halide substituted methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]dioxocins could be prepared from correspondent 2′-hydroxyacetophenones.

Isolation, Chiral-Phase Resolution, and Determination of the Absolute Configurations of a Complete Series of Stereoisomers of a Rearranged Acetophenone with Three Stereocenters

A synthesis-inspired chemical investigation of the leaves of Melicope ptelefolia led to the isolation of evodialones A-D (1-4), four rearranged acetophenone stereoisomers possessing a prenylated acylcyclopentenone skeleton with three stereogenic carbons. Evodialones C and D (3 and 4) are new minor constituents. The chiral-phase HPLC resolution gave (+)-1-4 and (-)-1-4, eight enantiomers forming a complete stereoisomer library. Their absolute configurations were elucidated via extensive spectroscopic data and a modified Mosher's method. The relationship between the chiral structures and their NMR and ECD data is discussed. Compounds (±)-1, -2, and -4 have significant protective effects on high-glucose-induced oxidative stress in human vein endothelial cells.

The Mosaic of Rottlerin: The Sequel

Rottlerin (1) is a potent protein kinase C δ inhibitor that possesses a wide range of biological activities. However, the potential of this molecule to be developed as a drug has been restricted by its limited availability. We report herein a gram scale quantity synthesis of rottlerin in a five-step synthetic route that can be completed within 2 days. The methodology was extended by the reaction of the key aminochromene intermediate (15) with various electron-rich arenes, forming novel unsymmetrical methylene-bridged compounds. The X-ray crystal structure revealed the boomerang shape of this kind of molecule for the first time. The direct transformation of rottlerin (1) into the natural product, isorottlerin (35), was observed for the first time, and we named this transformation the "isorottlerin change". In addition, the antibacterial activities of rottlerin (1) and new rottlerin analogues 32-34 were examined against Staphylococcus aureus. The compounds showed MIC values as low as 2.0 μM, which were comparable to the clinically used antibiotic gentamicin.

Rottlerin Reduces cAMP/CREB-Mediated Melanogenesis via Regulation of Autophagy

Melanogenesis is the sequential process of melanin production by melanocytes in order to protect the skin from harmful stimuli. Melanogenesis is disrupted by radiation exposure, which results in the differentiation of melanocytes into melanoma. Recently, some methods have been developed to maintain the instability of melanogenesis in melanoma by activating cellular autophagy. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about how autophagy is involved in the regulation of melanogenesis in melanoma cells. Here, we used rottlerin as an autophagy inducer to investigate the role of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/cAMP response element binding (CREB) signaling pathway in melanogenesis. We found that rottlerin can inhibit melanin production by targeting cAMP, which is initially activated by alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Our findings suggest that rottlerin has a pivotal role as an autophagy inducer in the regulation of melanogenesis by targeting the cAMP/CREB signaling pathway.

An Improved Method for the Quaternization of Nicotinamide and Antifungal Activities of Its Derivatives

The quaternization reactions of nicotinamide, with different electrophiles: methyl iodide and substituted 2-bromoacetophenones (4-Cl, 4-Br, 4-H, 4-CH₃, 4-F, 4-OCH₃, 4-Ph, 2-OCH₃, 4-NO₂) are reported. The preparations were carried out by conventional synthesis and under microwave irradiation in absolute ethanol and acetone. The synthesis performed by microwave dielectric heating significantly improved yield, up to 8 times, and shortened down the reaction time from ca. one day in conventional, to 10⁻20 min. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The compounds have been screened for antifungal activities against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium culmorum, Macrophomina phaseolina and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum at concentrations of 10 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL. Six compounds showed the strong inhibition of mycelium growth at a concentration of 10 µg/mL. All tested compounds revealed the great inhibitory activities against S. sclerotiorum at a concentration of 100 µg/mL.

Stainless Steel Wire Mesh Supported Molecularly Imprinted Composite Membranes for Selective Separation of Ebracteolata Compound B from Euphorbia fischeriana

Stainless steel wire mesh supported molecularly imprinted composite membranes for selective separation of Ebracteolata Compound B (ECB) were prepared based on surface polymerization using ECB separated from Euphorbia fischeriana as a template, acrylamide as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker, azodiisobutyronitrile as an initiator, and stainless steel wire mesh as support. Structure and purity of ECB were characterized by nuclear magenetic resonance (¹H-NMR, 13C-NMR) and ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The molecularly imprinted composite membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The membrane adsorbed on the ECB reached equilibrium about 30 min later, with a maximum adsorption amount of 3.39 μmol/cm². Adsorption behavior between ECB and the molecularly imprinted composite membranes followed pseudo-second-order kinetics equation and Freundlich isotherm model. The molecularly imprinted composite membranes that could selectively identify and transport ECB in similar structures have a permeation rate of 38.71% to ECB. The ECB content in the permeation solution derived from the extract of Euphorbia fischeriana through the imprinted membrane was 87%. Overall, the obtained results demonstrated that an efficient approach with the molecularly imprinted composite membranes for selective separation of ECB from Euphorbia fischeriana.

Hits-to-Lead Optimization of the Natural Compound 2,4,6-Trihydroxy-3-geranyl-acetophenone (tHGA) as a Potent LOX Inhibitor: Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Study, and Computational Assignment

A new series of 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-geranyl-acetophenone (tHGA) analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity. Prenylated analogues 4a⁻g (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 35 μ M to 95 μ M) did not exhibit better inhibitory activity than tHGA (3a) (IC50 value: 23.6 μ M) due to the reduction in hydrophobic interaction when the alkyl chain length was reduced. One geranylated analogue, 3d, with an IC50 value of 15.3 μ M, exhibited better LOX inhibitory activity when compared to tHGA (3a), which was in agreement with our previous findings. Kinetics study showed that the most active analogue (3e) and tHGA (3a) acted as competitive inhibitors. The combination of in silico approaches of molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation revealed that the lipophilic nature of these analogues further enhanced the LOX inhibitory activity. Based on absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) and toxicity prediction by komputer assisted technology (TOPKAT) analyses, all geranylated analogues (3a⁻g) showed no hepatotoxicity effect and were biodegradable, which indicated that they could be potentially safe drugs for treating inflammation.

Significantly Accelerated Osteoblast Cell Growth on TiO2/SrHA Composite Mediated by Phenolic Compounds (BHM) from Hippocamp us kuda Bleeler

The microstructure of hydroxyapatite is known to influence cellular behavior, can be used as a substrate for osteoblast growth, and exploited as a drug-release platform. However, easy delamination and self-decomposition of hydroxyapatite caused by poor adhesion with substrates are the main problems currently. In this paper, we successfully fabricated titanium dioxide/strontium-doped hydroxyapatite (TiO₂/SrHA) composite scaffolds by self-generated strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite microspheres in TiO₂ nanotubes. Moreover, the active compound 1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone (BHM) from Seahorse ( Hippocampus kuda Bleeler) was loaded in this scaffold, and the controlled release kinetics of BHM was studied. It was found that in the first 5 h, the release concentration and time of BHM had a good linear relationship, and the correlation coefficient reached 0.98. TiO₂/SrHA/BHM composites exhibited favorable cytocompatibility at a given concentration of BHM (20 μmol/L). Compared to pure SrHA, TiO₂ nanotubes, and traditional TiO₂/SrHA composites, superior cytocompatibility (cell adhesion and proliferation) of MC3T3-E1 was obtained on TiO₂/SrHA/BHM composites. The expression levels of osteogenic marker genes such as alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, osteocalcin, runt-related transcription factor 2, and collagen I are also upregulated to varying degrees. This TiO₂/SrHA composite scaffold-mediated phenolic compound BHM could be applied in bone tissue repair.

Surface modification of sludge-derived carbon by phosphoric acid as new electrocatalyst for degradation of acetophenone

Sludge-derived carbons (SCs) were modified by different acids and used as electrocatalyst for electrochemical oxidation degradation of acetophenone. The results showed that SC treated with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄-SC) exhibited the highest catalytic activity. The degradation efficiency of acetophenone reached 87.0%, and TOC removal was 72.3% under the conditions of 100 mg L^-1 acetophenone, 90 mA cm^-2, and 180 min reaction time. The element content and chemical state of H₃PO₄-SC were measured by XRF, XRD, TGA, FTIR, and Mössbauer spectra, and the results indicated that ferric iron and phosphate on the surface of H₃PO₄-SC might play the main role in acetophenone degradation. The carbonyl-¹³C-labeled acetophenone was first used to investigate the degradation of acetophenone in electrochemical oxidation by NMR.

A New Pathway for the Synthesis of a New Class of Blue Fluorescent Benzofuran Derivatives

In this study an efficient and straightforward method for obtaining a new class of blue fluorescent bezofuran derivatives, under microwave irradiation, as well as under conventional thermal heating, is presented. Under conventional TH the reactions occur selectively, and a single type of benzofuran ester derivative was obtained. The synthesis under MW irradiation also led to benzofuran derivatives, but in a time-dependent manner. Irradiation for a short period of time led to a mixture of two types of benzofuran derivatives (3a⁻c and 4a⁻c), while MW irradiation for a longer period of time led to a single type of benzofuran (3-methylbenzofuran), the reaction becoming highly selective. Taking into consideration the advantages offered by MW irradiation in terms of a substantial decrease of solvent consumed, a substantial reduction in reaction time (from days to hours), and a consequent diminution in energy consumption, these methods could be considered environmentally friendly. Here, feasible reaction mechanisms for the benzofuran derivatives formation are described. The absorption and fluorescence emission of the obtained benzofuran derivatives were studied, with part of these compounds being intense blue emitters. A certain influence of the benzofuran substituents concerning absorption and fluorescent properties was observed. Only compounds anchored with a carbomethoxy group of furan ring have shown good quantum yields.

The Protective Effects of a Synthetic Geranyl Acetophenone in a Cellular Model of TNF-α-Induced Pulmonary Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction

Alveolar epithelial barrier dysfunction contributes to lung edema and can lead to acute lung injury (ALI). The features include increased epithelial permeability, upregulation of inflammatory mediators and downregulation of junctional complex molecules; these changes are often induced by inflammation. tHGA is an acetophenone analogue with therapeutic potential in asthma. Its therapeutic potential in ALI is presently unknown. Herein, the effects of tHGA on epithelial barrier dysfunction were determined in TNF-α-induced human alveolar epithelial cells. The anti-inflammatory properties of tHGA were assessed by monocyte adhesion assay and analysis of MCP-1 and ICAM-1 expression. The epithelial barrier function was assessed by paracellular permeability and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assays, and analysis of junctional complex molecules expression. To elucidate the mechanism of action, the effects of tHGA on the NF-κB and MAPK pathways were determined. Gene and protein expression were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting or ELISA, respectively. tHGA suppressed leukocyte adhesion to TNF-α-induced epithelium and reduced MCP-1 and ICAM-1 gene expression and secretion. tHGA also increased TEER readings, reduced epithelial permeability and enhanced expression of junctional complex molecules (zona occludens-1, occludin and E-cadherin) in TNF-α-induced cells. Correspondingly, the NF-κB, ERK and p38 MAPK pathways were also inhibited by tHGA. These findings suggest that tHGA is able to preserve alveolar epithelial barrier function in response to acute inflammation, via its anti-inflammatory activity and stabilization of epithelial barrier integrity, mediated by NF-κB, ERK and p38 MAPK signaling.

Hypouricemic Effect of 2,5-Dihydroxyacetophenone, a Computational Screened Bioactive Compound from Ganoderma applanatum, on Hyperuricemic Mice

Searching novel hypouricemic agents of high efficacy and safety has attracted a great attention. Previously, we reported the hypouricemic effect of Ganoderma applanatum, but its bioactives, was not referred. Herein, we report the hypouricemic effect of 2,5-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP), a compound screened from Ganoderma applanatum computationally. Serum parameters, such as uric acid (SUA), xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine were recorded. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot were exploited to assay RNA and protein expressions of organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), uric acid transporter 1 (URAT1), and gastrointestinal concentrative nucleoside transporter 2 (CNT2). DHAP at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg exerted excellent hypouricemic action on hyperuricemic mice, reducing SUA from hyperuricemic control (407 ± 31 μmol/L, p < 0.01) to 180 ± 29, 144 ± 13, and 139 ± 31 μmol/L, respectively. In contrast to the renal toxic allopurinol, DHAP showed some kidney-protective effects. Moreover, its suppression on XOD activity, in vivo and in vitro, suggested that XOD inhibition may be a mechanism for its hypouricemic effect. Given this, its binding mode to XOD was explored by molecular docking and revealed that three hydrogen bonds may play key roles in its binding and orientation. It upregulated OAT1 and downregulated GLUT9, URAT1, and CNT2 too. In summary, its hypouricemic effect may be mediated by regulation of XOD, OAT1, GLUT9, URAT1, and CNT2.

Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling of Simple Ketones via Activation of Unstrained Carbon-Carbon Bonds

Here, we describe that simple ketones can be efficiently employed as electrophiles in Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions via catalytic activation of unstrained C-C bonds. A range of common ketones, such as cyclopentanones, acetophenones, acetone and 1-indanones, could be directly coupled with various arylboronates in high site-selectivity, which offers a distinct entry to more functionalized aromatic ketones. Preliminary mechanistic study suggests that the ketone α-C-C bond was cleaved via oxidative addition.

Syntheses of 1-Aryl-5-nitro-1H-indazoles and a General One-Pot Route to 1-Aryl-1H-indazoles

An efficient route to substituted 1-aryl-1H-indazoles has been developed and optimized. The method involved the preparation of arylhydrazones from acetophenone or benzaldehyde substituted by fluorine at C2 and nitro at C5, followed by deprotonation and nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) ring closure in 45–90%. Modification of this procedure to a one-pot domino process was successful in the acetophenone series (73–96%), while the benzaldehyde series (63–73%) required a step-wise addition of reagents. A general one-pot protocol for 1-aryl-1H-indazole formation without the limiting substitution patterns required for the S_NAr cyclization has also been achieved in 62–78% yields. A selection of 1-aryl-1H-indazoles was prepared in high yield by a procedure that requires only a single laboratory operation.

Preliminary Quality Evaluation and Characterization of Phenolic Constituents in Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix

A new phenolic compound, 2-O-β-laminaribiosyl-4-hydroxyacetophenone (1), was isolated from Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix (CWR, the root of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley), along with 10 known aromatic compounds, including cynandione A (2), bungeisides-C (7) and –D (8), p-hydroxyacetophenone (9), 2′,5′-dihydroxyacetophenone (10), and 2′,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone (11). The structure of the new compound (1) was elucidated using spectroscopic methods and chemical methods. The structure of cynandione A (2), including a linkage mode of the biphenyl parts that remained uncertain, was unambiguously confirmed using the 2D ¹³C–¹³C incredible natural abundance double quantum transfer experiment (INADEQUATE) spectrum. Additionally, health issues related to the use of Cynanchi Auriculati Radix (CAR, the root of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight) instead of CWR have emerged. Therefore, constituents present in methanolic extracts of commercially available CWRs and CARs were examined using UV-sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), resulting in common detection of three major peaks ascribed to cynandione A (2), p-hydroxyacetophenone (9), and 2′,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone (11). Thus, to distinguish between these ingredients, a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method, combined with only UV irradiation detection, focusing on wilfosides C1N (12) and K1N (13) as marker compounds characteristic of CAR, was performed. Furthermore, we propose this method as a simple and convenient strategy for the preliminary distinction of CWR and CAR to ensure the quality and safety of their crude drugs.

Deuterium-Labeling Studies Reveal the Mechanism of Cytochrome P450-Catalyzed Formation of 2-Aminoacetophenone from 3-Methylindole (Skatole) in Porcine Liver Microsomes

2-Aminoacetophenone, a product of the hepatic 3-methylindole (skatole) clearance in pigs, contributes to the specific aroma of fat from tainted boar meat. Surprisingly, high formation rates for 2-aminoacetophenone from skatole in microsomal preparations from Pietrain × Baden-Württemberg hybrid type boars have been previously demonstrated, but the mechanism of this cytochrome P450-mediated reaction remained unknown. Therefore, microsomal fractions from boars were incubated with deuterium-labeled skatole and with possible reaction intermediates. 3-Methyloxindole and 3-hydroxy-3-methyloxindole were identified as degradation products of skatole en route to 2-aminoacetophenone. Additionally, the labeling studies provided further evidence for a cytochrome P450-mediated lyase reaction that leads to the cleavage of the indole heterocyclic ring system in 3-hydroxy-3-methyloxindole and demonstrated the involvement of several cytochrome P450-isoforms by employing isotopically sensitive branching experiments.

Multi-Component One-Pot Reaction of Aromatic Carbonyl Compounds, Tosylhydrazide, and Arylboronic Acids

In this paper, we developed a new method using 4-bromoacetophenone as the starting material, with tosylhydrazide and two arylboronic acids using Barluenga and Suzuki couplings in a four-component one-pot reaction to afford the target product 4-benzyl-1,1′-biphenyls. This system that we have developed enables the use of easily accessible starting materials and can be employed on a wide variety of substrates with good functional group tolerance. In particular, this protocol can be applied to the synthesis of 4-(1-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)ethyl)pyridine derivatives, a class of potential analogs of CPY17 inhibitors of prostate cancer.

Multifunctional protein microparticles for medical applications

Micro- and nano-scale intelligent devices can revolutionize the medical field. Although proteins are promising materials for creating biocompatible miniature medical devices with biological functions, construction of complicated solid-state architectures, using inherently vulnerable proteins, remains challenging. Here, I present a sophisticated strategy for constructing a multifunctional microparticle for medical applications using multiple proteins; this strategy achieved the retention of function, increased stability, and orientation control of the proteins in the fabricated particle. As proof-of-concept, the particle, designed to cope with excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in many diseases, was constructed by combining three proteins with different functions. The body of the particle was fabricated using albumin and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the antibody was incorporated into the surface of the particle in an orientation-controlled manner. The constructed protein microparticle exhibited coordinated activities for coping with ROS, such as capture of the ROS-secreting cells by the incorporated antibody, followed by the elimination of 70% ROS, secreted from the captured cells, by the SOD in the particle. Additionally, diapocynin, loaded to the particle via the drug-binding ability of albumin, was released from the particle, preventing ROS production in the cells. This multifunctional microparticle, constructed from proteins, will profoundly impact the development of intelligent protein-based miniature devices used in medical fields.

New approach for the quantification of metallic species in healthcare products based on optical switching of a Schiff base possessing ONO donor set

A new method is reported for the quantification of some metallic components of healthcare products utilizing a Schiff base chelator derived from 2-hydroxyacetophenone and ethanolamine. The Schiff base chelator recognizes some metallic species such as iron, copper and zinc (important components of some healthcare products), and cadmium (common contaminant in healthcare products) giving colorimetric/fluorimetric response. It coordinates with Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions via ONO donor set and switches the colour to bright red, green and orange, respectively. Similarly, it switches 'ON' a fluorometric response when coordinates with Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions. In the present approach, detailed studies on the colorimetric and fluorimetric response of ONO Schiff base is investigated in detail. The Job plot for the complexation of ONO switch with various metal ions suggested formation of 1:1 (metal-chelator) complex with Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Cu²⁺ while 1:2 (metal-chelator) for Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions. The limit of detection, limit of quantification are 6.73, 18.0, 25.0, 0.65, 1.10μM and 27.0, 72.0, 100.0, 2.60 and 4.40μM for Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions, respectively. Under the optimized conditions, chelator was used for the quantification of important metals present in healthcare products via direct dissolution and furnace treatment during sample preparation. The results were found precise and accurate for both sample preparation techniques using the developed method.

Evaluation of LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury Attenuation in Rats by Aminothiazole-Paeonol Derivatives

Paeonol is a key phenolic compound in the root bark of Moutan Cortex Radicis that has been used in traditional Chinese Medicine to ameliorate inflammation. A series of aminothiazole-paeonol derivatives (APDs) were synthesized in this work and subjected to preliminary evaluation in cells followed by verification in animals. Quantification of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in culture media of LPS-activated A549 cells, a lung epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line, were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory capability of APDs. ALI-bearing rats were employed to verify therapeutic efficacy of APDs according to observations of total cells, protein amounts, MCP-1 and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Histopathological examinations of lung tissues were consequently applied for validation of APDs. Among these compounds, 2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-5-methoxyphenol (4) had the most potent activity, showing comparable inhibition of MCP-1/IL-6 and superior elimination of neutrophil infiltration and protein exudation in lungs compared to others as well as dexamethasone. This study demonstrated a comprehensive strategy to evaluate APDs through integration of cell-based screening and animal-based verification. In order to fulfill unmet needs of treating acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), APDs introduced in this work could be promising lead compounds to develop high potent anti-inflammation agents.