Enzyme-hydrolyzed Fruit of Jurinea mollis: A Rich Source of (-)-(8R,8′R)-Arctigenin

In Jurinea mollis fruit, the dibenzylbutyrolactone-type lignan glycoside arctiin and its aglycone arctigenin were determined for the first time using a combination of optimized enzymatic treatment and complementary spectrometric (HPLC-MS, GC-MS) and spectroscopic (CD and NMR) methods. Analysis of separated fruit parts, i.e., the fruit wall and embryo, demonstrated the specific accumulation of arctiin, since it was exclusively found in the embryo. Arctiin in the embryo samples (71.5 mg/g) was found to be quantitatively converted into arctigenin (50.7 mg/g) by endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis, resulting in one of the highest arctigenin-containing plant tissues reported to date and allowing the selective isolation of arctigenin by our recently reported three-step isolation method. The absolute configuration of the isolated arctigenin was determined to be (-)-(8 R,8′ R). Conformational analysis of arctigenin was also performed, resulting in three major low energy conformations.

Enzyme-hydrolyzed Fruit of Jurinea mollis: a Rich Source of (-)-(8R,8'R)-Arctigenin

In Jurinea mollis fruit, the dibenzylbutyrolactone-type lignan glycoside arctiin and its aglycone arctigenin were determined for the first time using a combination of optimized enzymatic treatment and complementary spectrometric (HPLC-MS, GC-MS) and spectroscopic (CD and NMR) methods. Analysis of separated fruit parts, i.e., the fruit wall and embryo, demonstrated the specific accumulation of arctiin, since it was exclusively found in the embryo. Arctiin in the embryo samples (71.5 mg/g) was found to be quantitatively converted into arctigenin (50.7 mg/g) by endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis, resulting in one of the highest arctigenin-containing plant tissues reported to date and allowing the selective isolation of arctigenin by our recently reported three-step isolation method. The absolute configuration of the isolated arctigenin was determined to be (-)-(8R,8'R). Conformational analysis of arctigenin was also performed, resulting in three major low energy conformations.

Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry enantioseparation of pomalidomide on cyclodextrin-bonded chiral stationary phases and the elucidation of the chiral recognition mechanisms by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling

A sensitive and validated liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method was developed for the enantioseparation of the racemic mixture of pomalidomide, a novel, second-generation immunomodulatory drug, using β-cyclodextrin-bonded stationary phases. Four cyclodextrin columns (β-, hydroxypropyl-β-, carboxymethyl-β-, and sulfobutyl-β-cyclodextrin) were screened and the effects of eluent composition, flow rate, temperature, and organic modifier on enantioseparation were studied. Optimized parameters, offering baseline separation (resolution = 2.70 ± 0.02) were the following: β-cyclodextrin stationary phase, thermostatted at 15°C, and mobile phase consisting of methanol/0.1% acetic acid 10:90 v/v, delivered with 0.8 mL/min flow rate. For the optimized parameter at multiple reaction monitoring mode 274.1-201.0 transition with 20 eV collision energy and 100 V fragmentor voltage the limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 0.75 and 2.00 ng/mL, respectively. Since enantiopure standards were not available, elution order was determined upon comparison of the circular dichroism signals of the separated pomalidomide enantiomers with that of enantiopure thalidomide. The mechanisms underlying the chiral discrimination between the enantiomers were also investigated. Pomalidomide-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The thermodynamic aspects of chiral separation were also studied.

Site- and species-specific hydrolysis rates of heroin

The hydroxide-catalyzed non-enzymatic, simultaneous and consecutive hydrolyses of diacetylmorphine (DAM, heroin) are quantified in terms of 10 site- and species-specific rate constants in connection with also 10 site- and species-specific acid-base equilibrium constants, comprising all the 12 coexisting species in solution. This characterization involves the major and minor decomposition pathways via 6-acetylmorphine and 3-acetylmorphine, respectively, and morphine, the final product. Hydrolysis has been found to be 18-120 times faster at site 3 than at site 6, depending on the status of the amino group and the rest of the molecule. Nitrogen protonation accelerates the hydrolysis 5-6 times at site 3 and slightly less at site 6. Hydrolysis rate constants are interpreted in terms of intramolecular inductive effects and the concomitant local electron densities. Hydrolysis fraction, a new physico-chemical parameter is introduced and determined to quantify the contribution of the individual microspecies to the overall hydrolysis. Hydrolysis fractions are depicted as a function of pH.

Heavy metals in agricultural soils of the European Union with implications for food safety

Soil plays a central role in food safety as it determines the possible composition of food and feed at the root of the food chain. However, the quality of soil resources as defined by their potential impact on human health by propagation of harmful elements through the food chain has been poorly studied in Europe due to the lack of data of adequate detail and reliability. The European Union's first harmonized topsoil sampling and coherent analytical procedure produced trace element measurements from approximately 22,000 locations. This unique collection of information enables a reliable overview of the concentration of heavy metals, also referred to as metal(loid)s including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn, Sb. Co, and Ni. In this article we propose that in some cases (e.g. Hg and Cd) the high concentrations of soil heavy metal attributed to human activity can be detected at a regional level. While the immense majority of European agricultural land can be considered adequately safe for food production, an estimated 6.24% or 137,000km(2) needs local assessment and eventual remediation action.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of the antitumor potential and chemo-sensitizing activity of fluorinated ecdysteroid derivatives

Efflux pumps, like the ABCB1 transporter, play an important role in the chemo-resistance of various tumors and particularly of cancer stem cells.

NMR, CD and UV spectroscopic studies reveal uncommon binding modes of dapoxetine to native cyclodextrins

Complex formation between the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug (S)-dapoxetine (Dpx) and β-, γ-, and methylated γ-cyclodextrins (CyDs) was studied by complementary experimental techniques.

Chiral Separation of Uncharged Pomalidomide Enantiomers Using Carboxymethyl-β-Cyclodextrin: A Validated Capillary Electrophoretic Method

The racemic mixture of pomalidomide (POM), a second-generation immunomodulatory uncharged drug, was separated into enantiomers by capillary zone electrophoresis for the first time. Seven different chargeable cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives were screened as complexing agents and chiral selectors, investigating the stability of the POM-CD inclusion complexes and their enantiodiscriminating capacities. Based on preliminary experiments, carboxymethyl-β-CD (CM-β-CD) was found to be the most effective chiral selector. Factors influencing enantioseparation were systematically optimized, using an orthogonal experimental design. Optimal parameters (background electrolyte [BGE]: 50 mM Tris-acetate buffer, pH 6.5, containing 15 mM CM-β-CD; capillary temperature: 20°C; voltage applied +15 kV) allowed baseline separation of POM enantiomers with a resolution as high as 4.87. The developed method was validated, in terms of sensitivity (limit of detection and limit of quantification), linearity, accuracy, repeatability, and intermediate precision.

Characterization of antioxidant phenolics in Syringa vulgaris L. flowers and fruits by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS

In this study the polyphenolic composition of lilac flowers and fruits was determined for the first time. For the identification of compounds, accurate molecular masses and formulas, acquired by LC and ESI-TOF-MS and fragmentation pattern given by LC-ESI/MS/MS analyses, were used. Our chromatographic system in conjunction with tandem MS was found to be valuable in the rapid separation and determination of the multiple constituents in methanolic extracts of lilac flowers and fruits. Altogether 34 phenolics, comprising 18 secoiridoids, seven phenylpropanoids, four flavonoids and five low-molecular-weight phenols, were identified. As marker compounds two secoiridoids (oleuropein and nuzhenide), two phenylpropanoids (acteoside and echinacoside) and rutin were quantified by validated methods. As a result of quantitative analysis, it was confirmed that flowers contain significant amounts of phenylpropanoids (acteoside, 2.48%; echinacoside, 0.75%) and oleuropein (0.95%), while in fruits secoiridoid oleuropein (1.09%) and nuzhenide (0.42%) are the major secondary metabolites. The radical scavenging activities of the extracts and the constituents were investigated by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] assays. Both extracts show remarkable antioxidant activities. Our results clearly show that lilac flowers and fruits are inexpensive, readily available natural sources of phenolic compounds with pharmacological and cosmetic applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Quantum Nondemolition Measurement Enables Macroscopic Leggett-Garg Tests

We show how a test of macroscopic realism based on Leggett-Garg inequalities (LGIs) can be performed in a macroscopic system. Using a continuous-variable approach, we consider quantum nondemolition (QND) measurements applied to atomic ensembles undergoing magnetically driven coherent oscillation. We identify measurement schemes requiring only Gaussian states as inputs and giving a significant LGI violation with realistic experimental parameters and imperfections. The predicted violation is shown to be due to true quantum effects rather than to a classical invasivity of the measurement. Using QND measurements to tighten the "clumsiness loophole" forces the stubborn macrorealist to recreate quantum backaction in his or her account of measurement.

Stimulatory effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 6-38, M65 and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide 6-28 on trigeminal sensory neurons

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) acts on G protein-coupled receptors: the specific PAC1 and VPAC1/VPAC2 receptors. PACAP6-38 was described as a potent PAC1/VPAC2 antagonist in several models, but recent studies reported its agonistic behaviors proposing novel receptorial mechanisms. Since PACAP in migraine is an important research tool, we investigated the effect of PACAP and its peptide fragments on trigeminal primary sensory neurons. Effect of the peptides was studied with ratiometric Ca-imaging technique using the fluorescent indicator fura-2 AM on primary cultures of rat and mouse trigeminal ganglia (TRGs) neurons. Specificity testing was performed on PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor-expressing cell lines with both fluorescent and radioactive Ca-uptake methods. Slowly increasing intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca(2+)]i was detected after PACAP1-38, PACAP1-27, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and the selective PAC1 receptor agonist maxadilan administration on TRG neurons, but interestingly, PACAP6-38, VIP6-28 and the PAC1 receptor antagonist M65 also caused similar activation. The VPAC2 receptor agonist BAY 55-9837 induced similar activation, while the VPAC1 receptor agonist Ala(11,22,28)VIP had no significant effect on [Ca(2+)]i. It was proven that the Ca(2+)-influx originated from intracellular stores using radioactive calcium-45 uptake experiment and Ca-free solution. On the specific receptor-expressing cell lines the antagonists inhibited the stimulating actions of the respective agonists, but had no effects by themselves. PACAP6-38, M65 and VIP6-28, which were described as antagonists in numerous studies in several model systems, act as agonists on TRG primary sensory neurons. Currently unknown receptors or splice variants linked to distinct signal transduction pathways might explain these differences.

Chiral separation of asenapine enantiomers by capillary electrophoresis and characterization of cyclodextrin complexes by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and molecular modeling

The enantiomers of asenapine maleate (ASN), a novel antipsychotic against schizophrenia and mania with bipolar I disorder have been separated by cyclodextrin (CD) modified capillary zone electrophoresis for the first time. 15 different CDs were screened as complexing agents and chiral selectors, investigating the stability of the inclusion complexes and their enantiodiscriminating capacities. Although initially, none of the applied chiral selectors gave baseline separation, β-CD proved to be the most effective chiral selector. In order to improve resolution, an orthogonal experimental design was employed, altering the concentration of background electrolyte, organic modifier, pH, capillary temperature and applied voltage in a multivariate manner. The developed method (160 mM TRIS-acetate buffer pH 3.5, 7 mM β-CD, at 20 °C, applying 15 kV) was successful for baseline separation of ASN enantiomers (R(s)=2.40±0.04). Our method was validated according to ICH guidelines and proved to be sensitive, linear, accurate and precise for the chiral separation of ASN. Properties of the inclusion complexes, such as stoichiometry, atomic level intermolecular host-guest connections are proposed on the basis of ROESY NMR measurement, ESI-MS spectrometry and molecular modeling studies. It was found that the ASN-β-CD complex is of 1:1 composition, and either of the aromatic rings can be accommodated in the β-CD cavity.

[Occurence of diarylheptanoids in Corylus species native to Hungary]

Since the last decade naturally occurring diarylheptanoids have been in the focus of scientific interest due to their various. beneficial biological effects. Besides the outstanding importance of the curcuminoids isolated from members of the Curcuma genus (Zingiberaceae), several different diarylheptanoids identified in Alnus species (Betulaceae) have been proved to possess notable pharmacological effects. Chemoprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antiviral, antibacterial, antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities suggest their potential role in clinical practice. The aim of our study was the phytochemical investigation of the Corylus (Betulaceae) species native to Hungary: the Common hazel (Corylus avellana L.), the Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna L.) and the Filbert (Corylus maxima Mill.) in order to characterise their phenolic-profile. Although these plants have been used in traditional medicine for long time, literature data regarding their phytochemical composition is limited to the flavonoid and hydroxycinnamic-acid derivatives of C. avellana leaves. No previous studies have been published reporting the presence of diarylheptanoid compounds in any of the Corylus species. Soxhlet extraction with solvents of increasing polarity was performed on the bark and leaves of the mentioned three Corylus species. The phenolic-profile of the methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts was investigated by HPLC-DAD-ESI-TOF-MS and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS methods. Altogether 37 different phenolic compounds were detected in the extracts: twenty diarylheptanoids (1-20), nine flavonols (21-29) and eight other phenolics: caffeic and quinic acid derivatives and flavanones (30-37). The main compounds of the extracts were identified as myricetin- quercetin- and kaempferol-3-O-rhanmosides.

New generation of hydraulic pedotransfer functions for Europe

A range of continental-scale soil datasets exists in Europe with different spatial representation and based on different principles. We developed comprehensive pedotransfer functions (PTFs) for applications principally on spatial datasets with continental coverage. The PTF development included the prediction of soil water retention at various matric potentials and prediction of parameters to characterize soil moisture retention and the hydraulic conductivity curve (MRC and HCC) of European soils. We developed PTFs with a hierarchical approach, determined by the input requirements. The PTFs were derived by using three statistical methods: (i) linear regression where there were quantitative input variables, (ii) a regression tree for qualitative, quantitative and mixed types of information and (iii) mean statistics of developer-defined soil groups (class PTF) when only qualitative input parameters were available. Data of the recently established European Hydropedological Data Inventory (EU-HYDI), which holds the most comprehensive geographical and thematic coverage of hydro-pedological data in Europe, were used to train and test the PTFs. The applied modelling techniques and the EU-HYDI allowed the development of hydraulic PTFs that are more reliable and applicable for a greater variety of input parameters than those previously available for Europe. Therefore the new set of PTFs offers tailored advanced tools for a wide range of applications in the continent.

[The pharmacotherapy of obesity]

Obesity is considered the most concerning and blatantly visible--yet most neglected--public health problem by the WHO. The steadily increasing number of overweight and obese people has reached 2.3 billion and 700 million worldwide, respectively. Obesity is a complex condition, one that presents serious health risks with respect to type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension, therefore controlling the global obesity epidemic decreases not only health problems, but also expenditure. The underlying cause of obesity is a metabolic disorder of genetic, central nervous system or endocrine etiology that manifests in increased nutritional intake and/or decreased physical activity ultimately leading to excessive lipogenesis. The natural treatment of obesity, that is often advised, is comprised of healthy lifestyle choices, namely low-calorie diet and exercise. However, the pharmaceutic treatment of obesity is just as important; having a better compliance rate, anti-obesity drugs also improve quality of life and patient-care outcome concerning accompanying diseases. In most countries only one drug is currently available against obesity: orlistat, which is a specific and irreversible lipase inhibitor. One of the reasons for the scarce number of anti-obesity drugs is the complex pathomechanism involved in obesity. Interference with the intricate biochemical processes that govern alimentation may lead to widespread adverse effects. The advances of the field however, have prompted novel drug leads. In the past few years FDA has approved new drugs for the treatment of obesity, recently liraglutide in 2014. The approval of drug combinations, such as phentermine/topiramate and bupropion/naltrexone are also noteworthy, the components of which have been previously approved, but not necessarily for obesity as main indication. Furthermore, there are many anti-obesity drug candidates currently in clinical phase trials, with promisingly modest adverse effect profiles; hence the expansion of the anti-obesity agents in the near future can be foreseen. The present work summarizes the central and peripheral regulatory pathways of energy consumption, nutrition, and appetite. The possible drug targets, the currently available and novel anti-obesity agents, and the new trends in obesity research are also discussed.

First characterisation of flavonoid- and diarylheptanoid-type antioxidant phenolics in Corylus maxima by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS

Corylus maxima Mill. (Betulaceae) leaves have been used in traditional medicine both internally and externally, nevertheless phytochemical exploration of the plant remains incomplete. In this study, the in vitro antioxidant activity and polyphenolic composition of the ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of C. maxima leaves and bark are reported for the first time. The radical scavenging activities of the extracts were investigated by the ABTS and DPPH assays. All the extracts of C. maxima possessed notable antioxidant activity. By mean of a HPLC-DAD-ESI-TOF and a HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS method, altogether twenty-two phenolics were tentatively characterised: one flavan derivative (1), seven flavonol derivatives (4, 6, 12, 13, 16, 20 and 21) and fourteen diarylheptanoids (2, 3, 5, 7-11, 14, 15, 17-19 and 22). The amount of the two main flavonoids - myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside (6) and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (13) - and two diarylheptanoids - oregonin (3) and hirsutenone (15) - in the extracts were determined by a validated HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Our results showed that C. maxima could be considered as a valuable source of pharmacologically important natural products that might contribute to the revaluation of the phytotherapeutical potential of the plant.