[Broader substrate specifity of Candida parapsilosis SCR II for catalyzing acetophenone derivatives by site-directed mutagenesis]

OBJECTIVE

The function for catalyzing acetophenone derivatives of short-chain carbonyl reductase II (SCR II) from Candida parapsilosis was modified by site-directed mutagenesis.

METHODS

An important site (E228) was selected for mutagenesis through amino acid sequence and protein structure alignment, and the corresponding variant E228S was constructed in E. coli. Using the acetophenone derivatives as substrates, we determined specific activities and biotransformation function of the variant.

RESULTS

The specific activity of the variant E228S was reduced to 25% of the wild type for 2-hydroxyacetophenone reduction. However, it increased approximately 7-20 times for acetophenone, 4'-methylacetophenone and 4'-chloroacetophenone. The biotransformation results showed that the variant catalyzed the transformation of (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol in a yield of less than 10%, while exhibited excellent performance to afford (R)-1-phenethylethanol, (R )-1-(4-methylpheyl) ethanone and (R)-1-(4-chlorophenyl) ethanol from acetophenone, 4'-methylacetophenone and 4'-chloroacetophenone with high optical purity of 99% in a yield of above 80%.

CONCLUSION

We broadened the substrate specificity and catalytic function of SCR II by replacement of the critical amino acid (E228) inside the substrate binding pocket, which provided a novel approach for rational modification of short-chain carbonyl reductases, making it as a potential tool for asymmetric reduction and chiral alcohol preparation.

[Study on chemical constituents from active fraction of Cynanchum versicolor]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical constituents of active fraction of Cynanchum versicolor.

METHODS

The ethanol extract of Cynanchum versicolor was purified by macroporous resin, silica gel column and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and structures of the isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with those of literatures.

RESULTS

Six compounds were isolated and identified as glaucogenin C (I), 24-methyl-5α-cholesta-7,22-diene-3β,5,6β-triol (II), syringic acid (III), 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone (IV), 4-hydroxyacetophenone (V), and 4-hyroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone (VI).

CONCLUSION

Compounds I, II and IV are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Enzyme (α-Glucosidase, α-Amylase, PTP1B & VEGFR-2) Inhibition and Cytotoxicity of Fluorinated Benzenesulfonic Ester Derivatives of the 5-Substituted 2-Hydroxy-3-nitroacetophenones

The prevalence of small multi-target drugs containing a fluorinated aromatic moiety among approved drugs in the market is due to the unique properties of this halogen atom. With the aim to develop potent antidiabetic agents, a series of phenylsulfonic esters based on the conjugation of the 5-substituted 2-hydroxy-3-nitroacetophenones 1a-d with phenylsulfonyl chloride derivatives substituted with a fluorine atom or fluorine-containing (-CF3 or -OCF3) group were prepared. Their structures were characterized using a combination of spectroscopic techniques complemented with a single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis on a representative example. The compounds were, in turn, assayed for inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B (PTP1B) and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) all of which are associated with the pathogenesis and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The antigrowth effect of selected compounds was evaluated on the human breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines. The compounds were also evaluated for cytotoxicity against the African Green Monkey kidney (Vero) cell line. The results of an in vitro enzymatic study were augmented by molecular docking (in silico) analysis. Their ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) properties have been evaluated on the most active compounds against α-glucosidase and/or α-amylase to predict their drug likeness.

Inhibitory Activity Against Rhizoctonia Solani and Chemical Composition of Extract from Moutan Cortex

Rice sheath blight (RSB), caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is a significant disease of rice. The negative effects of chemical fungicides have created an urgent need for low-toxicity botanical fungicides. Our previous research revealed that the ethanol crude extract of Moutan Cortex (MC) exhibited superior antifungal activity against R. solani at 1000 μg/mL, resulting in a 100 % inhibition rate. The antifungal properties were mainly found in the petroleum ether extract. However, the active ingredients of the extract are still unclear. In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was utilised for the analysis of its chemical components. The mycelium growth rate method was utilized to detect the antifungal activity. The findings indicated that paeonol constituted the primary active component, with a content of more than 96 %. Meanwhile, paeonol was the most significant antifungal active ingredient, the antifungal activity of paeonol (EC50=44.83 μg/mL) was much higher than that of β-sitosterol and ethyl propionate against R. solani. Observation under an optical microscope revealed that paeonol resulted in abnormal mycelial morphology. This study provided theoretical support for identifying monomer antifungal compounds and developing biological fungicides for R. solani.

[Reactions of 1-(X-benzoyl)-4R-thiosemicarbazide with chloroacetone and omega-bromoacetophenone. IV. 4-phenyl and 4-(p-tolyl)-thiosemicarbazide of o-chlorobenzoic acid]

The reactions of 4-phenyl and 4-(p-tolyl)-thiosemicarbazide of o-chlorobenzoic acid (Ig, h) with chloroacetone and omega-bromoacetophenone were investigated in: methanolic medium (method D); methanolic medium in the presence of anhydrous CH3COONa (method E); methanolic medium in the presence of N(C2H5)3 (method F). In the methods E and F mercaptotriazoles Vg, h were obtained. The properties of compounds II ł-o and III ł-o were determined under the conditions of basic and acidic hydrolysis. The results of UV, IR and NMR spectroscopic measurements were reported.

[Study on improvement of dissolution rate of water-honeyed pills of six herbs with rehmunnia by technique of super fine crushing]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the affection of crushing technology on quality. The dissolution of Pills of Six Herbs with Rehmunnia prepared by different crushing technology was determined by taking the dissolution of Paeonol as test marker.

METHOD

The Pills was prepared with the fine powder which was crushed by normal crusher or super fine crusher. The rotatory-basket method was used, and the cumulative dissolution percentage was determined by UV.

RESULT

Statistics indicated there was a significant difference in dissolution parameter (T50) between super fine crushing powder Pills and normal fine-crushing powder Pills (P < 0.01), and there was a difference in dissolution of different batches of Pills of Six Herbs with Rehmunnia prepared by the normal crush technique (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The determination of dissolution of Pills of Six Herbs with Rehmunnia is necessary. In order to improve the quality of drugs, we should adopt the technique of super fine crushing in the preparation procedure.

[The solubilization effect of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin on paeonolum]

OBJECTIVE

To study the solubilization effect of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin(HPCD) on paeonolum at various pH value.

METHOD

Phase-solubility method was adopted to study the solubilization effect at 25 degrees C and UV spectrohotometer was used to determine paeonolum content.

RESULTS

The apparent solubility of paeonolum was significantly enhanced by increased HPCD concentration. The apparent stability constant of paeonolum compounds was calculated up to 1 425 in which pH was 3 and HPCD concentration was 133.33 mmol x L(-1). The solubility of paeonolum came up to 10 mg x mL(-1).

CONCLUSION

HPCD is an ideal solubilizer for paeonolum.

[Preparation of chiral alcohol by stereoselective reduction of acetophenone and chloroacetophenone with yeast cells]

Four strains of microorganisms which have activity of chloroacetophenone reduction were screened, in which Saccharomyces cerevisiae B5 showed the highest activity and good stereoselectivity. This strains showed different activity on the reduction of various substrates in the following order: 2'-chloroacetophenone > 2-chloromethylacetophenone > 4'-chloroacetophenone > 3'-chloroacetophenone > acetophenone. Ethanol is the best cosubstrate and its optimal concentration is 5%.

Synthesis of paeonol hydrazone derivatives and their anti-oomycete, anti-fungal, and nematicidal activities

BACKGROUND

The natural product paeonol is a rich and sustainable natural bioresource, and its derivatives have various unique biological efficacy. As is well known, Schiff bases are a class of organic compounds with a wide range of biological activities, including anti-fungal, insecticidal, anti-viral, and nematicidal.

RESULTS

To discover biorational natural product-based pesticides, nine intermediates (2-10), 12 sulfonylhydrazones (11a-11c, 12a-12c, 13a-13c, and 14a-14c) and 20 benzylidene hydrazones (18a-18r, 19a, and 20a) were synthesized by structural modification of paeonol, and their structures were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), carbon-13 (13C) NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The stereochemical configurations of compounds 14a, 18d, and 18r were unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, bioactivities of these compounds as anti-oomycete, anti-fungal, and nematicidal agents against three serious agricultural pests, Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium graminearum, and Heterodera glycines were evaluated. Among all tested compounds: (i) compound 7 exhibited promising anti-oomycete against Phytophthora capsici, with a half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 15.81 mg L-1; (ii) compounds 2, 7, 10, and 19a displayed promising anti-fungal against F. graminearum, with EC50 values of 12.22, 14.72, 23.39, and 33.10 mg L-1, respectively; (iii) ten compounds (12a-12c, 14c, 18g-18j, 18m, and 19a) showed significant nematicidal activity against H. glycines, with median lethal concentration (LC50) values all less than 30.00 mg L-1. Especially for compound 18g, its LC50 value is the smallest, at 12.65 mg L-1.

CONCLUSION

The research results indicate that introducing nitro groups at the C5 position of paeonol, or introducing halogens at both C5 and C3 positions, can significantly enhance its biological activity against Phytophthora capsici, F. graminearum, and H. glycines. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Establishing Composition of Solid Solution Based on Single Crystal and Powder X-ray Measurement: The Case of Halogenated Bismuth(III) Complexes with Acetophenone-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone

New bismuth (III) complexes with acetophenone-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (L) and halogens (Cl and Br) in both bridging and terminal positions have been synthesized and structurally characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The pure complexes (Cl or Br) were found to be highly isostructural, which motivated our attempts to create solid solutions of these complexes. A series of such compounds was prepared using various procedures and stoichiometries. A method for determining the mutual concentrations of different halogens, based on the positions of selected peaks in powder diffraction patterns, was tested and compared with other methods.

[Effect of phenolic ketones on ethanol fermentation and cellular lipid composition of Pichia stipitis]

Lignin degradation products are toxic to microorganisms, which is one of the bottlenecks for fuel ethanol production. We studied the effects of phenolic ketones (4-hydroxyacetophenone, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-acetophenone and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-acetophenone) derived from lignin degradation on ethanol fermentation of xylose and cellular lipid composition of Pichia stipitis NLP31. Ethanol and the cellular fatty acid of yeast were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results indicate that phenolic ketones negatively affected ethanol fermentation of yeast and the lower molecular weight phenolic ketone compound was more toxic. When the concentration of 4-hydroxyacetophenone was 1.5 g/L, at fermentation of 24 h, the xylose utilization ratio, ethanol yield and ethanol concentration decreased by 42.47%, 5.30% and 9.76 g/L, respectively, compared to the control. When phenolic ketones were in the medium, the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (UFA/SFA) of yeast cells was improved. When 1.5 g/L of three aforementioned phenolic ketones was added to the fermentation medium, the UFA/SFA ratio of yeast cells increased to 3.03, 3.06 and 3.61, respectively, compared to 2.58 of the control, which increased cell membrane fluidity and instability. Therefore, phenolic ketones can reduce the yeast growth, increase the UFA/SFA ratio of yeast and lower ethanol productivity. Effectively reduce or remove the content of lignin degradation products is the key to improve lignocellulose biorefinery.

In vitro-in vivo assessments of apocynin-hybrid nanoparticle-based gel as an effective nanophytomedicine for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Apocynin (APO), a well-known bioactive plant-based phenolic phytochemical with renowned anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pharmacological activities, has recently emerged as a specific nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor. As far as we know, no information has been issued yet regarding its topical application as a nanostructured-based delivery system. Herein, APO-loaded Compritol® 888 ATO (lipid)/chitosan (polymer) hybrid nanoparticles (APO-loaded CPT/CS hybrid NPs) were successfully developed, characterized, and optimized, adopting a fully randomized design (32) with two independent active parameters (IAPs), namely, CPT amount (XA) and Pluronic® F-68 (PF-68) concentration (XB), at three levels. Further in vitro-ex vivo investigation of the optimized formulation was performed before its incorporation into a gel base matrix to prolong its residence time with consequent therapeutic efficacy enhancement. Subsequently, scrupulous ex vivo-in vivo evaluations of APO-hybrid NPs-based gel (containing the optimized formulation) to scout out its momentous activity as a topical nanostructured system for beneficial remedy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were performed. Imperatively, the results support an anticipated effectual therapeutic activity of the APO-hybrid NPs-based gel formulation against Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CFA-induced RA) in rats. In conclusion, APO-hybrid NPs-based gel could be considered a promising topical nanostructured system to break new ground for phytopharmaceutical medical involvement in inflammatory-dependent ailments.

Validated green chromatographic methods for determination of amlodipine and celecoxib in presence of methylacetophenone

Aim: Green, accurate and rapid methods, namely LC-MS/MS and thin layer chromatography-densitometric methods, were developed for determination of amlodipine besylate and celecoxib in presence of its process-related impurities, 4-methylacetophenone in pure and formulated tablets. Results: LC-MS/MS was achieved on ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 column using methanol:aqueous solution of 5 mM formic acid (95:5 v/v). High sensitivity with low limit of detection values 0.00028, 0.00027 and 0.0003 for amlodipine, celecoxib and 4-methylacetophenone, respectively were obtained. While, thin layer chromatography-densitometric was established using methanol:water:ammonia (70:25:1.5, by volume). Good linearity was obtained in the range of 0.1-10 μg/band, 1-150 μg/band and 0.01-2 μg/band for amlodipine, celecoxib and 4-methylacetophenone, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed method validation was achieved according to ICH guidelines. Those methods possess advantages of being ecofriendly methods which permit their application in quality control laboratories.

Determining the Antimycobacterial Action of Rottlerin Against Mycobacterium Species and Toxicity, Antioxidant Properties, and Therapeutic Target Affinity of Rottlerin

Infections by Mycobacterium spp. are responsible for thousands of deaths every year worldwide. Microbial resistance, toxic effects, and adverse consequences of conventional therapies bring forth the need to search for new therapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial action of the molecule Rottlerin against Mycobacterium spp. The broth microdilution assay showed that Rottlerin inhibited the mycobacterial growth at concentrations ≤ 50 µg/mL (≤ 96.81 µM), and the lowest bactericidal concentration was observed against M. tuberculosis (25 µg/mL-48.40 µM). The cytotoxicity of Rottlerin was conducted in a epithelial cell culture and evaluated through 2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) colorimetric assay, revealing an IC50 equivalent to 81.89 ± 4.64 µM. The antioxidant action determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay demonstrated that Rottlerin reduced at least 50% of free radicals at 109.2 µM. To gain insights into the antimycobacterial activity of Rottlerin, we performed molecular docking simulations with therapeutic targets of M. tuberculosis and observed that Rottlerin binds into the inhibitory site of the anti-infective target diterpene synthase (Rv3378c). Our findings indicate that Rottlerin presents antimicrobial effects with antioxidant action and prominent therapeutic targets, showing its biotechnological potential for the development of new agent against Mycobacterium spp. infection.

Rapid and Non-Targeted Qualitative and Quantitative Detection of miRNA in Complex Biological Samples Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry with a 3-Aminoquinoline and 2',4',6'-Trihydroxyacetophenone Ionic Liquid Matrix

A novel ionic liquid MALDI matrix, 3-aminoquinoline/2',4',6'-trihydroxyacetophenone monohydrate (3-AQ/THAP), was developed for the rapid qualitative and quantitative detection of miRNA from biological samples. Compared to the traditional matrix 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) and previously reported oligonucleotide-specific matrices, such as 3-aminopicolinic acid (3-APA), 3-hydroxypicolinic acid (3-HPA), and 6-aza-2-thiothymine (ATT), the 3-AQ/THAP matrix offers several advantages. It produces fewer alkali metal adduct peaks, exhibits higher sensitivity, and ensures better spot-to-spot repeatability. The 3-AQ/THAP matrix provides broader mass coverage and can effectively detect oligonucleotides ranging from 3-mer to 50-mer while delivering single-base resolution and sequence information. Additionally, it significantly reduces the "sweet spot" effect with an RSD of less than 7% over 36 single-spot analyses. For oligonucleotides ranging from 16-mer to 26-mer, the linear range extends from 0.4 μM to 40 μM per spot, with an R2 greater than 0.988. Finally, miRNA in human plasma, fetal equine serum, and fetal bovine serum was successfully identified both qualitatively and quantitatively using the 3-AQ/THAP matrix. This matrix demonstrated excellent practicability for the detection of multiple miRNAs in complex biological samples.

[Reactions of 1-(X-benzoyl)-4-R-thiosemicarbazide with chloroacetone and omega-bromoacetophenone. V. 4-(o-tolyl)-thiosemicarbazide of of o-chloro- and p-chlorobenzoic acid]

The reactions of 4-(o-tolyl)-thiosemicarbazide of o-chloro- and p-chlorobenzoic acid (Ii, j) with chloroacetone and omega-bromoacetophenone were investigated in: methanolic medium (method D); methanolic medium in the presence of anhydrous CH3COONa (method E); methanolic medium in the presence of N(C2H5)3 (method F). The properties of compounds II p-t and III p-t were determined under the conditions of basic and acidic hydrolysis. The results of UV, IR and NMR spectroscopic measurements were reported.

[CuO-Ru/Al2O3 catalytic ozonation of acetophenone in water]

Two-component CuO-Ru based on active Al2O3 (CuO-Ru/Al2O3) catalyst was prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and used to catalytic ozonation of acetophenone (AP). The results showed that doping Ru could significantly improve the catalytic activity of CuO/Al2O3. For example, the COD removal rates of AP solution after 30 min by ozonation alone, CuO/Al2O3/O3, and CuO-Ru/Al2O3/O3 were 6.3%, 20.0% and 54.0%, respectively. The change of pH almost had no affect on degradation efficiency of AP. However, a comparison of COD removal between ozonation alone and catalytic ozonation indicated that CuO-Ru/Al2O3 catalyst was more suitable for application in neutral or acidic condition. CuO-Ru/Al2O3 catalyst could accelerate decomposition rate of ozone in water, and its decomposition rate constant reached 2.58 x 10(-3) s(-1) while that of ozone alone in double-water was 1.19 x 10(-3) s(-1). The experimental result of t-butanol indicated that CuO-Ru/Al2O3 catalytic ozonation of AP followed a radical-type mechanism.

[Spectrum-effect relationship of Moutan cortex against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury]

This research is to study the relationship between HPLC fingerprints of Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba and their activity on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. HPLC fingerprints of each extract of Moutan Cortex,Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba were established by an optimized HPLC-MS method. The activities of all samples against protein and tumor necrosis a factor were tested by the model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. The possible relationship between HPLC-MS fingerprints and the activitieswere deduced by the Partial least squares regression analysis method. Samples were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS to identify the major peaks. The results showed that each sample had some effect on acute lung injury. Four components with a lager contribution rate of efficacy were calculated by the research of spectrum-effect relationship. Moutan Cortex exhibited good activity on acute lung injury, and gallic acid, paeoniflorin, galloylpaeoniflorin and paeonol were the main effective components.

[Study on chemical constituents of Carthamus tinctorius]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical constituents in water-soluble fraction of Carthamus tinctorius.

METHODS

Compounds were isolated and purified by macroporus resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and preparative HPLC. The structures were identified by spectral analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve compounds were isolated and identified as 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde (1); E-1-(4'-hydroxypheny) -but-1-en-3-one (2); 3-Formylindole (3); 2-Acetyl-5-hydroxymethylfuran (4); p-Hydroxycinnamic acid (5); (6R, 7E, 9R) -9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmandien-3-one (6); 4-hydroxyacetophenone (7); 5-(hydroxymethyl) -2-furaldehyde (8); 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (9); Stigmasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10); Daucosterol (11); beta-sitosterol (12).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1 - 4, 6, 7, 10 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

In Vitro and In Silico Studies on 4-Nitroacetophenone Thiosemicarbazone Potential Cytotoxicity Against A549 Cell Lines

Lung malignancy is a major worldwide issue that occurs due to the dysregulation of various growth factors. Lung cancer has no apparent signs in the early stages, which makes it harder to catch it in time and leads to a higher fatality rate. So, the goal of this work was to create and analyze a novel chemical molecule called 4-nitro acetophenone thiosemicarbazone (4-NAPTSc) against the lung cancer cell line A549 and human non-tumorigenic lung epithelial cell line BAES-2B. The ligand was synthesized by refluxing the reaction mixture of 4-nitro acetophenone and thiosemicarbazide and was further characterized by UV, FTIR, and 1H and 13C NMR and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) study. Cytotoxicity assay/MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl))2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the compound. Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) were chosen as the target proteins for molecular docking to find potential ligand binding sites and inhibit their function. A novel yellow-colored crystalline solid has been synthesized. 4-NAPTSc had an IC50 of 2.93 μg/mL against the A549 lung cancer cells. When the dosage is increased from 5 to 15 μg/mL along with time, the cell viability falls. Docking results showed that the compound binds with the targeted proteins' amino acid residues, and the likeness profile of the compound is also favorable. This study reveals that the compound has the potential for further investigation and can be used in multitargeted cancer therapies.

Bioactive metabolites from biotransformation of paeonol by the white-rot basidiomycete Coriolus versicolor

Biotransformation of paeonol (1) with the white-rot basidiomycete Coriolus versicolor afforded two metabolites, 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone (2) and 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (3), which were identified by spectroscopic methods. Compound 3 showed higher antioxidative, antibacterial, antifungal activities than 1 or 2. The results demonstrate for the first time that C. versicolor has the capacities to catalyze hydroxylation and demethylation reactions on the aromatic compound.

[Study on the chemical constituents from fresh roots of Euphorbia fischeriana]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents in ethyl acetate fraction from the Euphorbia fischeriana.

METHODS

The compounds were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by means of spectral analyses.

RESULTS

Fourteen compounds were identified as 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylacetophenone (1), 12-deoxyphorbol-13-hexadecanoate (2), ethylgallate (3), esculetin (4), 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-acetophenone (5), 12-deoxyphorbol-13-acetate (6), 12-deoxyphorbol-13,20-diacetete (7), jolkinolide B (8), 17-hydroxyjolkinolide B (9), 17-hydroxy-jolkinolide A (10), langduin C (11), 3-methylp-hydroxybenzoic acid (12), methyl gallate (13), 3, 3'-diacetyl-pyridine-4,4'-dimethoxy-2, 2', 6, 6'-tetrahydroxydiphenylmethane (14).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 3, 5, 12, 13 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Study on stability and cutaneous permeation kinetics in vitro of positive-ionized liposome gel containing paeonol]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare positive-ionized liposome gel containing paeonol and study its stability and cutaneous permeation kinetics in vitro.

METHODS

Prepared the liposome gel by dispersion-ultrasonic and gridding method, and studied the stability with the impact factor experiments. Compared the permeation rate of liposome gel with conventional gel in vitro using the Franz-diffusion cell.

RESULTS

Mean diameter of the liposome was (132.7 +/- 14.1) nm with Zeta potential of (+33.54 +/- 1.95) mV and mean entrapment efficiency of (73.04 +/- 1.24)% (n=3), and the content of paeonol was (3.17 +/- 0.13) mg/g (n=3). The liposome gel had a promising appearance. It was stable at the humidity and the room temperature while was sensitive at the light and the temperature from 40 degrees C to 60 degrees C. The cumulative penetration amounts of the liposome gel was higher than that of the conventional gel (P < 0.05). Its cutaneous penetration rate and cumulative amounts in skin were higher than those of the conventional gel (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The positive-ionized liposome gel containing paeonol is stable and feasibly prepared. It can enhance the cutaneous permeation efficiency and guarantee the persistent release rate.

Phenolic compounds from Eucalyptus gomphocephala with potential cytotoxic and antioxidant activities

Two new phenolic compounds, 2,4,6-trihydroxy-5-methyl-acetophenone 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and benzyl alcohol 7-O-(3',4',6'-tri-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), together with eight known phenolic compounds, were isolated from the 70% aqueous acetone extract of Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC. (Myrtaceae). The isolated compounds were elucidated based on their 1H, 13C, DQF-COSY, selective 1D-TOCSY, HSQC, and HMBC NMR spectroscopic and ESI-MS data. The antioxidant effect of the phenolic compounds was tested using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical and super oxide anion radical scavenging assays. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was evaluated using HeLa cell line.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of imidazolylacetophenone oxime derivatives as novel brain-penetrant agents for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Alzheimer's disease (AD, also known as dementia) has become a serious global health problem along with population aging, and neuroinflammation is the underlying cause of cognitive impairment in the brain. Nowadays, the development of multitarget anti-AD drugs is considered to be one effective approach. Imidazolylacetophenone oxime ethers or esters (IOEs) were multifunctional agents with neuroinflammation inhibition, metal chelation, antioxidant and neuroprotection properties against Alzheimer's disease. In this study, IOEs derivatives 1-8 were obtained by structural modifications of the oxime and imidazole groups, and the SARs showed that (Z)-oxime ether (derivative 2) had stronger anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective ability than (E)-congener. Then, IOEs derivatives 9-30 were synthesized based on target-directed ligands and activity-based groups hybridization strategy. In vitro anti-AD activity screening revealed that some derivatives exhibited potentially multifunctional effects, among which derivative 28 exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity on NO production with EC50 value of 0.49 μM, and had neuroprotective effects on 6-OHDA-induced cell damage and RSL3-induced ferroptosis. The anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism showed that 28 could inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory factors PGE2 and TNF-α, down-regulate the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins, and promote the polarization of BV-2 cells from pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. In addition, 28 can dose-dependently inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Aβ42 aggregation. Moreover, the selected nuclide [18F]-labeled 28 was synthesized to explore its biodistribution by micro-PET/CT, of which 28 can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These results shed light on the potential of 28 as a new multifunctional candidate for AD treatment.