A class of novel Schiff's bases: Synthesis, therapeutic action for chronic pain, anti-inflammation and 3D QSAR analysis

Membrane-confined liquid-liquid phase separation toward artificial organelles

As the basic unit of life, cells are compartmentalized microreactors with molecularly crowded microenvironments. The quest to understand the cell origin inspires the design of synthetic analogs to mimic their functionality and structural complexity. In this work, we integrate membraneless coacervate microdroplets, a prototype of artificial organelles, into a proteinosome to build hierarchical protocells that may serve as a more realistic model of cellular organization. The protocell subcompartments can sense extracellular signals, take actions in response to these stimuli, and adapt their physicochemical behaviors. The tiered protocells are also capable of enriching biomolecular reactants within the confined organelles, thereby accelerating enzymatic reactions. The ability of signal processing inside protocells allows us to design the Boolean logic gates (NOR and NAND) using biochemical inputs. Our results highlight possible exploration of protocell-community signaling and render a flexible synthetic platform to study complex metabolic reaction networks and embodied chemical computation.

Synthesis of amphiphilic meso-tetrasubstituted porphyrin-L-amino acid and -heterocyclic conjugates based on m-THPP

Two series of amphiphilic meso-tetrasubstituted porphyrin conjugates based on 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin ([Formula: see text]-THPP) covalently linked to L-amino acids and heterocycles were synthesized efficiently in the context of a program targeting new photosensitizers for PDT. 5,10,15-Tris(3-hydroxyphenyl)-20-(3-oxyacetic acid)phenyl]porphyrin and the respective trihexyl ether derivatives were conjugated with polar and non-polar natural L-amino acids such as glycine, L-proline, and L-tyrosine via an amide bond linker using [Formula: see text]-tetramethyl-[Formula: see text]-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)uroniumhexafluorophosphate in diisopropylethylamine (HBTU/DIPEA). [Formula: see text]-THPP was also conjugated with heterocyclic systems such as indole 3-acetic acid, 4-methylthiazole-5-carboxylic acid, and thiophene-2-carboxylic acid via ester linker using [Formula: see text]-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-[Formula: see text]-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride in [Formula: see text]-hydroxysuccinamide or 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (EDCI, NHS or HOBt). The members of the two series were obtained in good yields and characterized by UV-vis, HRMS MALDI-TOF, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

A copper-catalyzed arylation/nucleophilic addition/fragmentation/C–S bond formation cascade: synthesis of bis(arylthio)imines

A new arylation/nucleophilic addition/fragmentation/C–S bond formation cascade was developed using isothiocyanates and diaryliodonium salts.

A new fluorescent sensor containing glutamic acid for Fe3+ and its resulting complex as a secondary sensor for PPi in purely aqueous solution

A new fluorescence sensor L with benzimidazo[2,1-α]benz[de]isoquinoline-7-one as the fluorophore and glutamic acid moiety as the receptor was synthesized and characterized.

Novel metal chelating molecules with anticancer activity. Striking effect of the imidazole substitution of the histidine-pyridine-histidine system

Previously we have reported a metal chelating histidine-pyridine-histidine system possessing a trityl group on the histidine imidazole, namely HPH-2Trt, which induces apoptosis in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma AsPC-1 cells. Herein the influence of the imidazole substitution of HPH-2Trt was examined. Five related compounds, HPH-1Trt, HPH-2Bzl, HPH-1Bzl, HPH-2Me, and HPH-1Me were newly synthesized and screened for their activity against AsPC-1 and brain tumor cells U87 and U251. HPH-1Trt and HPH-2Trt were highly active among the tested HPH compounds. In vitro DNA cleavage assay showed both HPH-1Trt and HPH-2Trt completely disintegrate pUC19 DNA. The introduction of trityl group decisively potentiated the activity.

Electroactive and bioactive films of random copolymers containing terthiophene, carboxyl and Schiff base functionalities in the main chain

Copolymers made of a bis-thienyl monomer with preformed azomethine linkages and terthiophene are promising functional biomaterials.

Enantiospecific synthesis of the diacid side-chain of deoxyharringtonine and homodeoxyharringtonine

The enantiospecific synthesis of the diacid side-chain of deoxyharringtonine (2) and homodeoxyharringtonine (3) was accomplished from (L)-N-Boc-α-amino alcohol 10 in high yield. A key feature of the synthesis is the construction of the chiral tertiary alcohol by a three-step sequence (i.e., Wittig reaction, Meisenheimer rearrangement, and catalytic hydrogenation).

One single HPLC-PDA/(-)ESI-MS/MS analysis to simultaneously determine 30 components of the aqueous extract of Rabdosia rubescens

In China the leaves of Rabdosia rubescens have been cooked in water and widely drank to treat inflammatory and pain related diseases. To explore the components that were possibly absorbed by people the aqueous extract of the leaves was prepared, and one single HPLC-PDA/(-)ESI-MS/MS analysis was developed to simultaneously determine the components. Using the HPLC-PDA analysis 39 peaks were found in the aqueous extract, while using the (-)ESI-MS/MS analysis we were able to identify 30 peaks represented components, including 5 nucleic acids, 21 phenolic acids and 4 diterpenoids. On mouse models the in vivo anti-inflammation and analgesic actions demonstrate that 0.32 g/kg of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Rabdosia rubescens can effectively inhibit the inflammation-induced chronic pain.