Allelic differentiations and effects of the Rf3 and Rf4 genes on fertility restoration in rice with wild abortive cytoplasmic male sterility

To reveal the allelic differentiations at the two genes for fertility restoration (Rf) on chromosomes 1 (Rf3) and 10 (Rf4), 15 chromosome single segment substitution lines (SSSLs) with the Rf3 locus and 18 SSSLs with the Rf4 locus were crossed with Bobai A (BbA), a cytoplasmic male sterility line with wild abortive type of cytoplasm (WA-CMS), respectively. Based on the pollen and seed fertility of the F₁ hybrids, the Rf3 and Rf4 genes were each classified into four alleles, namely Rf3-1, Rf3-2, Rf3-3, and Rf3-4 for Rf3, and Rf4-1, Rf4-2, Rf4-3, and Rf4-4 for Rf4. Out of the 33 SSSLs, an SSSL W23-19-06-06-11 carrying the genotype Rf3-4Rf3-4/Rf4-4Rf4-4 possessed the strongest restoring ability for BbA. To determine the genetic effects of Rf3 and Rf4 for WA-CMS, one BC₃F₂ population possessing the genetic background of W23-19-06-06-11 was generated from the cross between W23-19-06-06-11 and BbA by backcrossing and marker-assisted selection. In the BC₃F₂ population, the plants carrying the Rf3Rf3/Rf4Rf4, Rf3Rf3/rf4rf4, and rf3rf3/Rf4Rf4 genotypes were selected and their phenotyping for pollen and spikelet fertility were evaluated. The result showed that under the genetic background of SSSL W23-19-06-06-11, the effect of Rf4 appeared to be slightly larger than that of Rf3 and their effects were additive for WA-CMS system. These studies will lead to the transfer of Rf genes into adapted cultivars through marker-assisted selection in active hybrid rice breeding programs.     

Synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition of 2-cyclopropyl-4-thiophenyl-quinoline mevalonolactones

A novel series of 2-cyclopropyl-4-thiophenyl quinoline-based mevalonolactones were synthesized from the substituted anilines by several reactions. Among them, (4R,6S)-6-[(E)-2-(2-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-(4-fluoro-thiophenyl)-quinoline-3-yl)-ethenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one (1d), (4R,6S)-6-[(E)-2-(2-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-(3-methoxy-thiophenyl)-quinoline-3-yl)-ethenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one (1f) and (4R,6S)-6-[(E)-2-(2-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4,7-di(3-methoxy-thiophenyl)-quinoline-3-yl)-ethenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one (1q) showed potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity comparable with pitavastatin.     

N-Substituted acetamide glycosides from the stems of Ephedra sinica

Five new N-mono-/bis-substituted acetamide glycosides, N-{4-O-[3-O-(4-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]-phenethyl}-acetamide (1), N-methyl-N-{4-O-[3-O-(4-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]-phenethyl}-acetamide (2), N-methyl-N-{4-O-[3-O-(6-O-benzoyl-4-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]-phenethyl}-acetamide (3), N-methyl-N-{4-O-[3-O-(6-O-benzoyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]-phenethyl}-acetamide (4), and N-methyl-N-{4-O-[3-O-(6-O-trans-cinnamoyl-4-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]-phenethyl}-acetamide (5), along with one known acetamide derivative, N-methyl-N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-acetamide, the shared aglycone of 2–5, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the stems of Ephedra sinica. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic examination, mainly including multiple 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS examinations, and qualitative chemical tests. All N,N-bissubstituted acetamide glycosides were found to show the obvious rotamerism, as in the case of the isolated known N-methyl-N-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-acetamide, under the experimental NMR conditions, with the ratios of integrated intensities between anti- and syn-rotamers always being found to be about 4 to 3.     

Synthesis of daunosamine-containing disaccharides

Treatment of 2,3,6-trideoxy-1,4-di-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-3-(trifluoroacetamido)-l-lyxo-hexopyranose (1) with benzyl 2,3-dideoxy-d-glycero-pentopyranoside and p-toluenesulfonic acid gave a mixture of benzyl 2,3,6-trideoxy-4-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-3- (trifluoroacetamido)-l-lyxo-hexopyranoside (49%) and benzyl 2,3-dideoxy-4-O-[2,3,6-trideoxy-4-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-3-(trifluoroacetamido)-α-l-lyxo-hexopyranosyl]-d-glycero-pentopyranoside (4, 20 %). The structure of the disaccharide 4 was confirmed by a detailed, mass-spectrometric analysis in three modes, namely, negative- and positive-ion, chemical ionization, and electron impact. Similar treatment of the bis(p-nitrobenzoate) 1 with ethyl 2,3-dideoxy-d-glycero-pentopyranoside gave the ethyl glycoside and the desired disaccharide, showing that the transglycosylation is not restricted to benzyl glycosides. Removal of the p-nitrobenzoyl and the benzyl groups from 4 gave the disaccharide 2,3-dideoxy-4-O-(2,3,6-trideoxy-3-trifluoroacetamido-α-l-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)-d-glycero-pentopyranose.     

Effect of (E4, Z6)-4,6-Hexadecadienal in attraction of Stathmopoda masinissa with its pheromone components of Korean population

Timely insecticidal application for Stathmopoda masinissa Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Stathmopodidae), is important, for reducing damage to persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.), an important tree fruit cultivated in Korea. In this regard, the early and precise detection of adult S. masinissa is desirable. In this study, we report the effect of (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadienal (E4,Z6-16Ald) with sex pheromone components in attracting S. masinissa males. The sex pheromone of S. masinissa in the Korean population comprised two components, (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadienyl acetate (E4,Z6-16Ac) and (E4,Z6)-4,6-hexadecadienol (E4,Z6-16OH). It was shown that the E4,Z6-16Ald acts as a synergist of E4,Z6-16Ac for attracting S. masinissa in the Japanese population. To test whether E4,Z6-16Ald could be used as an attractant in the Korean population, the E4,Z6-16Ald with the two pheromone components was evaluated in attracting S. masinissa males. Electroantennography (EAG) assays were performed to determine the antennal responses of S. masinissa males to the two pheromone components and E4,Z6-16Ald tested. A field attraction test with a combination of pheromones and E4,Z6-16Ald was carried out for 3 years in three different regions in Korea. E4,Z6-16Ald elicited as high a response as the two pheromone components. A mixture of the two pheromone components and E4,Z6-16Ald and a mixture of E4,Z6-16Ac and E4,Z6-16Ald attracted more S. masinissa males than a mixture of E4,Z6-16Ac and E4,Z6-16OH, the pheromone of Korean population. This new pheromone lure formulation with E4,Z6-16Ald is expected to contribute to the precise detection of S. masinissa by luring males to pheromone-baited traps.     

Structure guided inhibitor designing of CDK2 and discovery of potential leads against cancer

On the basis of stereo specific information obtained from crystal structures of CDK2, indole and chromene analogues were designed by suitably substituting the pharmacophores on their moiety and docked with target protein for calculating binding affinities. The binding affinities are represented in glide score. (5E)-5-[(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylidene]-2,4,6-trioxotetrahydro-2H-pyrimidin-1-ide (I₁), (5E)-5-(1H-indol-3-ylmethylidene)-2,4,6-trioxotetrahydro-2H-pyrimidin-1-ide (I₂) and 2-amino-4-(4-methyl phenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile (C₉) were selected for synthesis and biological testing based on vital interactions. (5E)-5-(1H-indol-3-ylmethylidene)-2,4,6-trioxotetrahydro-2H-pyrimidin-1-ide(I₂) and 2-amino-4-(4-methyl phenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile (C₉) were proved to be active against MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines.     

2-Butyl-4-chloroimidazole based substituted piperazine-thiosemicarbazone hybrids as potent inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Here a series of 2-butyl-4-chloroimidazole based substituted piperazine-thiosemicarbazone hybrids were designed by combining three different pharmacophoric fragments in single molecular architecture. 2-Butyl-4-chloro-1-(3-(4-substituted)piperazin-1-yl)propyl)-1H-imidazole-5-carbaldehydes (4a–p) prepared by reacting carboxaldehyde 2 with N-alkyl piperazines 3a–p which were condensed with thiosemicarbazine to give desired compounds 5a–p in very good yields. Among all sixteen compounds screened for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB), two compounds (E)-2-((2-butyl-4-chloro-1-(3-(4-(o-tolyl) piperazin-1-yl)propyl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide 5e and (E)-2-((2-butyl-4-chloro-1-(3-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)propyl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methylene) hydrazine carbothioamide 5f were found to be the most potent antitubercular agents (MIC: 3.13 μg/mL) with low toxicity profile.     

Facile route for the synthesis of the iminosugar nucleoside (3R,4R)-1-(pyren-1-yl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol

N-(Pyren-1-yl)-(3R,4S)-4-[(1S,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]pyrrolidin-3-ol (4) was obtained in 36% yield from 3-deoxy-3-C-formyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (3) by combined hydrolysis and aminoalkylation reactions with 1-aminopyrene in a one-pot reaction. Cleavage reactions of the exocyclic triol chain in 4 with NaIO₄ and NaBH₄ resulted in iminosugars 7 and 8, which are analogues of the furanose forms of 2-deoxy-d-allose and of 2-deoxy-d-ribose, the latter analogue N-(pyren-1-yl)-(3R,4R)-4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol (8) being formed in 83% yield.     

Lignan glycosides from the Rhizomes of Smilax trinervula and their Biological activities

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Smilax trinervula led to isolation and structure elucidation of eight lignan glycosides, including five new lignans, namely, (7S, 8R, 8′R)-4, 4′, 9-trihydroxy-3, 3′, 5, 5′-tetramethoxy-7, 9′-epoxylignan-7′-one 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), (7S, 8R, 8′R)-4, 4′, 9-trihydroxy-3, 3′, 5, 5′-tetramethoxy-7, 9′-epoxylignan-7′-one 4-O-β-d- glucopyranoside (2) (7S, 8R)-4, 9, 9′-trihydroxy-3, 3′, 5-trimethoxy-4′, 7-epoxy-8, 5′-neolignan 9′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), (7R, 8R)-4, 9, 9′-trihydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxy-7.O.4′, 8.O.3′- neolignan 9′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), and (7S, 8R)-4, 9, 9′-trihydroxy-3, 3′, 5-trimethoxy-8, 4′-oxy-neolignan 4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), along with three known compounds (6-8). Their structures were established mainly on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data, ESI–MS and comparison with the literature. Compounds 1-8 were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against four human tumor cell lines (SH-SY5Y, SGC-7901, HCT-116, Lovo). Compounds 3 and 5 exhibited cytotoxic activity against Lovo cells, with IC₅₀ value of 10.4 μM and 8.5 μM, respectively.     

Oxidation of the primary hydroxyl group of galactose of galactaosyl ceramide analogue by chemical method—precursors for the synthesis of labeled conjugates

Isotopic labeling of the C-6 of a model glycosphingolipid (2S, 3R, 4E)-2-(1-adamantanacetamido)-3-hydroxy-4-octadecenyl-β-d-galactopyranoside, GalCAda, is described. Oxidation of (2S, 3R, 4E)-2-(1-adamantanacetamido)-3-(benzoyloxy)-4-octadecenyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-β-d-galactopyranoside with o-iodoxybenzoic acid gave the dialdoside derivative in good yield. Reduction of the dialdoside with sodium borodeuteride gave the deuterium labeled d-GalCAda, with a cumulative yield of 35%.     

Facile synthesis of carbon-11-labeled sEH/PDE4 dual inhibitors as new potential PET agents for imaging of sEH/PDE4 enzymes in neuroinflammation

To develop PET tracers for imaging of neuroinflammation, new carbon-11-labeled sEH/PDE4 dual inhibitors have been synthesized. The reference standard N-(4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)benzamide (1) and its corresponding desmethylated precursor N-(4-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)benzamide (2) were synthesized from (4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanamine and benzoic acid in one and two steps with 84% and 49% overall chemical yield, respectively. The standard N-(4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-1-propionylpiperidine-4-carboxamide (MPPA, 4) and its precursor N-(4-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-1-propionylpiperidine-4-carboxamide (5) were synthesized from methyl 4-piperidinecarboxylate, propionyl chloride and (4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanamine in two and three steps with 62% and 34% overall chemical yield, respectively. The target tracers N-(4-[¹¹C]methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)benzamide ([¹¹C]1) and N-(4-[¹¹C]methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-1-propionylpiperidine-4-carboxamide ([¹¹C]MPPA, [¹¹C]4) were prepared from their corresponding precursors 2 and 5 with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 25–35% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (A_M) at EOB was 370–740 GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of 35–40-minutes from EOB.     

Unusual properties of glycuronans [poly(glycosyluronic) compounds]

2-Methyl-[3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-d-glucopyrano]-[2,1-d]-2-oxazoline (4) was prepared from 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-d- glucopyranosyl chloride. Condensation of 3,4:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-mannose dimethyl acetal with 4 in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid afforded O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1 → 4)-O-(2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1 → 2)-3,4:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-mannose dimethyl acetal (6) in 8.6% yield. Catalytic deacetylation of 6 with sodium methoxide, followed by hydrolysis with dilute sulfuric acid, gave O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1 → 2)-d-mannose (7). The inhibitory activities of 7 and related sugars against the hemagglutinating activities of various lectins were assayed, and 7 was found to be a good inhibitor against Phaseolus vulgaris hemagglutinin.     

Glutathionylated 4-hydroxy-2-(E)-alkenal enantiomers in rat organs and their contributions toward the disposal of 4-hydroxy-2-(E)-nonenal in rat liver

The major route for elimination of 4-hydroxy-2-(E)-nonenal (4-HNE) has long been considered to be through glutathionylation and eventual excretion as a mercapturic acid conjugate. To better quantitate the glutathionylation process, we developed a sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the detection of glutathione (GSH) conjugates of 4-hydroxy-2-(E)-alkenal enantiomers having a carbon skeleton of C5 to C12. The newly developed method enabled us to quantify 4-hydroxy-2-(E)-alkenal–glutathione diastereomers in various organs, i.e., liver, heart, and brain. We identified the addition of iodoacetic acid as a critical step during sample preparation to avoid an overestimation of glutathione–alkenal conjugation. Specifically, we found that in the absence of a quenching step reduced GSH and 4-hydroxy-2-(E)-alkenals react very rapidly during the extraction and concentration steps of sample preparation. Rat liver perfused with d₁₁-4-hydroxy-2-(E)-nonenal (d₁₁-4-HNE) revealed enantioselective conjugation with GSH and transportation out of the liver. In the d₁₁-4-HNE-perfused rat livers, the amount of d₁₁-(S)-4-HNE–GSH released from the rat liver was higher than that of d₁₁-(R)-4-HNE–GSH, and more d₁₁-(R)-4-HNE–GSH than d₁₁-(S)-4-HNE–GSH remained in the perfused liver tissues. Overall, the glutathionylation pathway was found to account for only 8.7% of the disposition of 4-HNE, whereas catabolism to acetyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA, and formate represented the major detoxification pathway.     

Microbial enantioselective reduction of ethyl-2-oxo-4-phenyl-butanoate

Different microorganisms (MOs) were used to carry out the enantioselective reduction of ethyl-2-oxo-4-phenylbutanoate to (S)-(+)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoate or (R)-(+)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoate. Commercially available Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Dekera sp. led to over 92% ee of (S)-(+)-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoate. Kluyveromyces marxianus gave the opposite isomer with 32% ee (R). All reactions, except those with Hansenula sp., proceeded to greater than 90% conversion. This the first report on the use of Dekera sp., Hansenula sp. and K. marxianus in the reduction of α-ketoesters.     

On the ring transformation of hydrazine derivatives of l-ascorbic acid into nitrogen heterocyclic derivatives

l-hreo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(p-methoxyphenylhydrazone) (1) was condensed with arylhydrazines to give mixed bishydrazones, whose acetylation gave the corresponding di-O-acetyl derivatives. The hydrazone 1 undergoes elimination of one molecule of water per molecule during, the acetylation, and gives 4-(2-acetoxy- ethylidene)-4-hydroxy-2,3-dioxobutano-1,4-lactone 2-(p-methoxyphenylhydrazone), which reacts with methylhydrazine, via a ring transformation process, to give 1-methyl-3-(L-methylpyrazolin-3-yl)-4,5-pyrazoledione 4-(p-methoxyphenylhydrazone). Alkali rearranged the mixed bishydrazones to 1-aryl-3-(l-threo-glycerol-1-yl)-4,5- pyrazoledione 4-(p-methoxyphenylhydrazones), which gave triacetyl and tribenzoyl derivatives, and, upon periodate oxidation, afforded 1-aryl-3-formyl-4,5- pyrazolediones 4-(p-methoxyphenylhydrazones) that gave the corresponding phenylhydrazones. The n.m.r. and mass spectra of some of these derivatives have been investigated.     

Dilignol glycosides from needles of Picea abies

(2R,3R)-2 3-Dihydro-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-7-methoxy-5-benzofuranpropanol 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside [dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol glucoside], (2R,3R)-2 3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-benzofuranpropanol 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and 4′-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, 1-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-2- [2″-hydroxy-4″-(3-hydroxypropyl)phenoxy]-1, 3-propanediol 1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and 4′-O-β-d-xylopyranoside, 2,3-bis[(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-methyl]-1,4-butanediol 1-O-β-d-glucopyranoside [(?)-seco-isolariciresinol glucoside] and (1R,2S,3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-7-hydroxy-1-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-2 3-naphthalenedimethanol α²-O-β-d-xylopyranoside [(?)-isolariciresinol xyloside] have been isolated from needles of Picea abies and identified.     

Synthesis of new 1-(4-methane(amino)sulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-substituted-aminomethylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazoles: A search for novel nitric oxide donor anti-inflammatory agents

A group of 1-(4-methane(amino)sulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-substituted-aminomethylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazoles (12a–f) was synthesized and evaluated as anti-inflammatory agents. While all the compounds (20 mg/kg) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity after 3 h of inflammation induction (69–89%) as compared to celecoxib (80%), 1-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-methylaminomethylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole (12a) was found to be the most effective one (89%). The synthesis of model hybrid nitric oxide donor N-diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate derivatives of 1-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-substituted-aminomethylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazoles (10a–f) requires further investigation since the reaction of N-(4-(1-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzyl)ethanamine (12b) or 1-(4-(1-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzyl)piperazine (12c) with nitric oxide furnished N-nitroso derivatives (13 and 14), respectively, rather than the desired N-diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate derivatives (10b and 10c).     

Synthesis and urease inhibitory potential of benzophenone sulfonamide hybrid in vitro and in silico

This study deals with the synthesis of benzophenone sulfonamides hybrids (1–31) and screening against urease enzyme in vitro. Studies showed that several synthetic compounds were found to have good urease enzyme inhibitory activity. Compounds 1 (N′-((4′-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene)-4′′-nitrobenzenesulfonohydrazide), 2 (N′-((4′-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene)-3′′-nitrobenzenesulfonohydrazide), 3 (N′-((4′-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene)-4′′-methoxybenzenesulfonohydrazide), 4 (3′′,5′′-dichloro-2′′-hydroxy-N′-((4′-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene)benzenesulfonohydrazide), 6 (2′′,4′′-dichloro-N′-((4′-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene)benzenesulfonohydrazide), 8 (5-(dimethylamino)-N′-((4-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene)naphthalene-1-sulfono hydrazide), 10 (2′′-chloro-N′-((4′-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene)benzenesulfonohydrazide), 12 (N′-((4′-hydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methylene)benzenesulfonohydrazide) have found to be potently active having an IC₅₀ value in the range of 3.90–17.99?µM. These compounds showed superior activity than standard acetohydroxamic acid (IC₅₀?=?29.20?±?1.01?µM). Moreover, in silico studies on most active compounds were also performed to understand the binding interaction of most active compounds with active sites of urease enzyme. Structures of all the synthetic compounds were elucidated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, EI-MS and FAB-MS spectroscopic techniques.     

Biotransformation of naringin and naringenin by cultured Eucalyptus perriniana cells

The biotransformation of naringin and naringenin was investigated using cultured cells of Eucalyptus perriniana. Naringin (1) was converted into naringenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2, 15%), naringenin (3, 1%), naringenin 5,7-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (4, 15%), naringenin 4′,7-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (5, 26%), naringenin 7-O-[6-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (6, β-gentiobioside, 5%), naringenin 7-O-[6-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (7, β-rutinoside, 3%), and 7-O-β-d-gentiobiosyl-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylnaringenin (8, 1%) by cultured cells of E. perriniana. On the other hand, 2 (14%), 4 (7%), 5 (13%), 6 (2%), 7 (1%), naringenin 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (9, 4%), naringenin 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (10, 2%), and naringenin 4′,5-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (11, 5%) were isolated from cultured E. perriniana cells, that had been treated with naringenin (3). Products, 7-O-β-d-gentiobiosyl-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylnaringenin (8) and naringenin 4′,5-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (11), were hitherto unknown.     

Cytokinin activity of N-phenyl-N′-(4-pyridyl)urea derivatives

We have synthesized 35 N-phenyl-N′-(4-pyridyl)urea derivatives and tested their cytokinin activity in the tobacco callus bioassay. Among them, N-phenyl-N′- (2-chloro-4-pyridyl)urea is highly active, the optimum concentration of which is lower than 4 × 10^?9 M (0.001 ppm), 3 compounds, i.e. N-(2-methylphenyl)-N′-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)urea, N-(3-methylphenyl)-N′-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)urea and N-(3-chlorophenyl)-N′-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl) urea are as active as N⁶-benzyladenine (concentration for optimum yield: 4.4 × 10^?8 M or 0.01 ppm), and N-phenyl-N′-(2-methyl-4-pyridyl)urea and N-(2-chlorophenyl)-N′-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)urea are as active as N-phenyl-N′-(4-pyridyl)urea (concentration for optimum yield: 4.7 × 10^?7 M or 0.1 ppm), while the activity of the other 29 compounds are not so remarkable and 11 of them are almost or completely inactive.