Experimental, Theoretical and Biological Activity Study on the Acyl-Substituted Benzo-18-crown-6, Dibenzo-18-crown-6 and Dibenzo-24-crown-8

Endemic Mountain Tea (Sideritis dichotoma Huter): Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities, Mineral Content by ICP-MS and Phytochemical Content by LCHR-MS

Endemic Sideritis dichotoma Huter, herbal tea, is used for colds, coughs and digestive ailments. Since at least 25 % of the active ingredients of pharmacological drugs are obtained from plants, it is important to investigate many plants, both traditionally used and whose potential hasnt yet been discovered, before they disappear. When the results compared to other Sideritis species, it has better antioxidant activity in DPPH⋅ scavenging activity, Fe3+ and Cu2+ reducing capacity methods and is also rich in minerals, necessary for human body, K, Mg, Ca, P, S. Zone values (10-19,5 mm) obtained on S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S.enteritidis, E. faecalis, P. putida and K. pnemoniae strains are an indication that the plant has antibacterial activity. 27 secondary metabolites were identified by LC-HRMS. Verbascoside, pharmacologically active compound known to have antitumor effect, cytotoxic selectivity and anticancer activity, is the most abundant phenolic in ethanol extract (49297.13 mg/kg).

Biomedical potentials of crown ethers: prospective antitumor agents

Crown ethers are of enormous interest and importance in chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, catalysis, separation, transport and encapsulated processes, as well as in the design and synthesis of various synthetic systems with specific properties, diverse capabilities, and programmable functions. Classical crown ethers are macrocyclic polyethers that contain 3-20 oxygen atoms separated from each other by two or more carbon atoms. They are exceptionally versatile in selectively binding a range of metal ions and a variety of organic neutral and ionic species. Crown ethers are currently being studied and used in a variety of applications beyond their traditional place in chemistry. This review presents additional applications and the ever-increasing biomedical potentials of these intriguing compounds, with particular emphasis on the prospects of their relevance as anticancer agents. We believe that further research in this direction should be encouraged, as crown compounds could either induce toxicities that are different from those of conventional antitumor drugs, or complement drugs in current use, thereby providing a valuable adjunct to therapy.

Undecylenic acid: a valuable and physiologically active renewable building block from castor oil

A lot of attention is currently being paid to the transition to a biobased economy. In this movement, most efforts concentrate on the development of bioenergy applications including bioethanol, biodiesel, thermochemical conversion of biomass, and others. However, in the energy sector other nonbiomass alternatives are known, whereas no valuable alternatives are available when thinking about chemical building blocks. Therefore, it is also essential to develop new routes for the synthesis of bio-based chemicals and materials derived thereof. Such intermediates can originate either from plants or from animals. Castor oil is a non-edible oil extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae), which grows in tropical and subtropical areas. Globally, around one million tons of castor seeds are produced every year, the leading producing areas being India, PR China, and Brazil.2 10-Undecenoic acid or undecylenic acid is a fatty acid derived from castor oil that, owing to its bifunctional nature, has many possibilities to develop sustainable applications.