Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines

Pre-clinical evaluation of 99mTc-labeled chalcone derivative for amyloid-β imaging post-head trauma

Aβ42 plaque formation is one of the preliminary pathologic events that occur post traumatic brain injury (TBI) which is also among the most noteworthy hallmarks of AD. Their pre symptomatic detection is therefore vital for better disease management. Chalcone-picolinic acid chelator derivative, 6-({[(6-carboxypyridin-2-yl)methyl](2-{4-[(2E)-3-[4-(dimethyl amino)phenyl]prop-2-enoyl]phenoxy}ethyl)amino}methyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, Py-chal was synthesized to selectively identify amyloid plaques formed post head trauma using SPECT imaging by stable complexation to 99mTc with > 97% efficiency without compromising amyloid specificity. The binding potential of the Py-chal ligand to amyloid plaques remained high as confirmed by in vitro binding assay and photophysical spectra. Further, the Py-chal complex stained amyloid aggregates in the brain sections of rmTBI mice model. In vivo scintigraphy in TBI mice model displayed high uptake followed by high retention while the healthy rabbits displayed higher brain uptake followed by a rapid washout attributed to absence of amyloid plaques. Higher uptake in brain of TBI model was also confirmed by ex vivo biodistribution analysis wherein brain uptake of 3.38 ± 0.2% ID/g at 2 min p.i. was observed for TBI mice model. This was followed by prolonged retention and more than twofold higher activity as compared to sham mice brain. This preliminary data suggests the specificity of the radiotracer for amyloid detection post head trauma and applicability of 99mTc labeled Py-chal complex for TBI-induced β-amyloid SPECT imaging.

Design, synthesis, in vitro biological assessment and molecular modeling insights for novel 3-(naphthalen-1-yl)-4,5-dihydropyrazoles as anticancer agents with potential EGFR inhibitory activity

Currently, the humanity is in a fierce battle against various health-related challenges especially those associated with human malignancies. This created the urge to develop potent and selective inhibitors for tumor cells through targeting specific oncogenic proteins possessing crucial roles in cancer progression and survive. In this respect, new series of pyrazole-thiazol-4-one hybrids (9a–p) were synthesized as potential anticancer agents. All the synthesized molecules exhibited potent antiproliferative actions against breast cancer (BC) T-47D and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with IC₅₀ ranges 3.14–4.92 and 0.62–58.01, respectively. Moreover, the most potent anti-proliferative counterparts 9g and 9k were assessed against EGFR. They displayed nanomolar inhibitory activity, IC₅₀ 267 ± 12 and 395 ± 17 nM, respectively. Worth noting, both compounds 9g and 9k induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells, and resulted in a cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Furthermore, an in silico analysis including docking and molecular dynamic simulations was performed.

The Compositional Aspects of Edible Flowers as an Emerging Horticultural Product

Edible flowers are becoming very popular, as consumers are seeking healthier and more attractive food products that can improve their diet aesthetics and diversify their dietary sources of micronutrients. The great variety of flowers that can be eaten is also associated with high variability in chemical composition, especially in bioactive compounds content that may significantly contribute to human health. The advanced analytical techniques allowed us to reveal the chemical composition of edible flowers and identify new compounds and effects that were not known until recently. Considering the numerous species of edible flowers, the present review aims to categorize the various species depending on their chemical composition and also to present the main groups of compounds that are usually present in the species that are most commonly used for culinary purposes. Moreover, special attention is given to those species that contain potentially toxic or poisonous compounds as their integration in human diets should be carefully considered. In conclusion, the present review provides useful information regarding the chemical composition and the main groups of chemical compounds that are present in the flowers of the most common species.