The possible involvement of 3-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone in the etiology of Narthecium asiaticum maxim. associated nephrotoxicity in cattle

Two samples of Narthecium asiaticum Maxim leaves collected in Japan were found to contain 103 microg(-1) and 160 microg g(-1) dry matter of 3-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone respectively. 3-Methoxy-2(5h)-furanone was suggested to be the toxic principle of N. asiaticum causing nephrotoxicity in cattle in Japan. Two other furanones, which are thought to be non-toxic, were also isolated from the two samples. These were 4-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone and 5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone.     

Developmental toxicity evaluation of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) in Wistar rats

3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) is a genotoxic chlorination by-product in drinking water. There is some evidence that it has developmental toxic effects in vitro but its potential to cause developmental effects in vivo is not known. The developmental effects were evaluated in Wistar rats. Rats (22-26 dams per dose group) were administered MX by gavage at the dose levels of 3, 30, or 60 mg/kg in water on gestation days 6-19. Control animals received plain water. Clinical signs, body weight, and food and water consumption were recorded for the dams. On gestation day 20, a cesarean section was performed and the ovaries anduterine contents of the dams were examined and the liver, kidneys, spleen, and thyroid glands weighed. The fetuses of all dose groups were weighed, sexed, and observed for external and skeletal malformations and the fetuses of the two highest dose groups were evaluated for visceral malformations. The highest dose, 60 mg/kg of MX, was slightly toxic to the dams. It decreased the corrected body weight gain of dams by 32% and the water consumption by 16-17%. Kidney and liver weights were slightly increased. MX did not affect the number of implantations nor did it cause any resorptions. The body weights of fetuses were not significantly affected. MX did not cause external malformations or skeletal anomalies. Two fetuses at 60 mg/kg and one fetus at 30 mg/kg had major visceral malformations (persistent truncus arteriosus, diaphragmatic hernia, dilated aorta with a stenosis of pulmonary arteries) and two minor artery abnormalities were observed in those animals. The frequency of unilateral displaced testis was slightly higher (9.2%) in the 60-mg/kg dose group than in controls (1.6%). Since the abnormalities did not form a consistent pattern and occurred most at maternally toxic dose, we conclude that MX can be regarded as non-teratogenic.     

The mode of toxic action of the pesticide gliftor: the metabolism of 1,3-difluoroacetone to (-)-erythro-fluorocitrate

The biochemical toxicology of 1,3-difluoroacetone, a known metabolite of the major ingredient of the pesticide Gliftor (1,3-difluoro-2-propanol), was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Rat kidney homogenates supplemented with coenzyme A, ATP, oxaloacetate, and Mg2+ converted 1,3-difluoroacetone to (-)-erythro-fluorocitrate in vitro. Administration of 1,3-difluoroacetone (100 mg kg(-1) body weight) to rats in vivo resulted in (-)-erythro-fluorocitrate synthesis in the kidney, which was preceded by an elevation in fluoride levels and followed by citrate accumulation. Animals dosed with 1,3-difluoroacetone did not display the 2-3 hour lag phase in either (-)-erythro-fluorocitrate synthesis or in citrate and fluoride accumulation characteristic of animals dosed with 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol. We demonstrate that the conversion of 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol to 1,3-difluoroacetone by an NAD+-dependent oxidation is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of the toxic product, (-)-erythro-fluorocitrate from 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol. Prior administration of 4-methylpyrazole (90 mg kg(-1) body weight) was shown to prevent the conversion of 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol (100 mg kg(-1) body weight) to (-)-erythro-fluorocitrate in vivo and to eliminate the fluoride and citrate elevations seen in 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol-intoxicated animals. However, administration of 4-methylpyrazole (90 mg kg(-1) body weight) to rats 2 hours prior to 1,3-difluoroacetone (100 mg kg(-1) body weight) was ineffective in preventing (-)-erythro-fluorocitrate synthesis and did not diminish fluoride or citrate accumulation in vivo. We conclude that the prophylactic and antidotal properties of 4-methylpyrazole seen in animals treated with 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol derive from its capacity to inhibit the NAD+-dependent oxidation responsible for converting 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol to 1,3-difluoroacetone in the committed step of the toxic pathway.     

Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of newer 1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-6-fluoro-7-(substituted secondary amino)-8-methoxy-5-(sub)-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids

Thirty-four newer 1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-6-fluoro-7-(substituted secondary amino)-8-methoxy-5-(sub)-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids were synthesized from 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro benzene and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo antimycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB), multi-drug resistant M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Mycobacterium smegmatis (MC(2)) and also tested for the ability to inhibit the supercoiling activity of DNA gyrase. Among the synthesized compounds, 7-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-5-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (13n) was found to be the most active compound in vitro with MIC of 0.16 and 0.33 microM against MTB and MDR-TB, respectively. In the in vivo animal model 13n decreased the bacterial load in lung and spleen tissues with 2.54 and 2.92-log10 protections, respectively, at the dose of 50mg/kg body weight. Compound 13n also inhibited the supercoiling activity of mycobacterial DNA gyrase with IC(50) of 30.0 microg/ml.     

3-(4-Methyl-3-pentenyl)-2(5H)-furanone, alpha,alpha-acariolide and 4-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2(5H)-furanone, alpha,beta-acariolide: new monoterpene lactones from the astigmatid mites, Schwiebea araujoae and Rhizoglyphus sp. (Astigmata: Acaridae)

A new monoterpene lactone from the acarid mite, Schwiebea araujoae, was elucidated without its isolation by GC/FT-IR and GC/MS analyses to be 3-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2(5H)-furanone (1) and tentatively named as alpha,alpha-acariolide. The structure of 1 was identified by its synthesis from alpha-bromo-gamma-butyrolactone via 4 reaction steps. The synthesized compound gave the same GC/MS and GC/FT-IR spectra as those of the natural product. The other monoterpene lactone was likewise elucidated from the unidentified Rhizoglyphus mite to be 4-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2(5H)-furanone (2) and named as alpha,beta-acariolide; it was also identified by its synthesis in 5 reaction steps from the same butyrolactone as the starting material. GC/MS and GC/FT-IR spectra of the preparation were identical to those of the natural product.     

Volatile constituents of alphonso mango (mangifera indica)

Concentrates of fresh, ripe Indian Alphonso mango fruit were analysed by HRGC and HRGC/MS. In total, 152 aroma substances were identified, of which 70 are reported for the first time as mango fruit constituent. Quantitative HRGC revealed a considerable quantity of aroma compounds (ca 57 mg/kg fresh fruit pulp) of which 90% consisted of mono- and sesqui-terpene hydrocarbons. Major constituents included (Z)-(44 mg/kg) and (E)-ocimene (3 mg/kg) and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (2 mg/kg)     

Experimental Narthecium ossifragum nephrotoxicity in cervids from Norway

One moose (Alces alces), two red deer (Cervus elaphus), two reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) and two fallow deer (Dama dama) were dosed intraruminally with an aqueous extract made from 30 g of bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) (wet weight) per kg live weight. The moose and one of the two reindeer were mildly depressed and had reduced appetite 3 to 7 days and 1 to 4 days after dosing, respectively. The serum creatinine and urea concentrations increased markedly in the moose and red deer, and moderately in the reindeer. No increase in serum creatinine and urea was observed in the fallow deer. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of the animals, killed 8 to 10 days after dosing, revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration, necrosis, and regeneration in the moose, red deer and reindeer. The renal lesions were severe in the moose, moderate in the red deer and mild in the reindeer. No histopathological lesions were seen in the kidneys of the fallow deer.     

Alpha-pyrones and a 2(5H)-furanone from Hyptis pectinata

Three pyrones and a 2(5H)-furanone, designated pectinolides D-G, have been isolated from the dichloromethane extract of Hyptis pectinata. The metabolites were characterized on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. The pyrones were identified as 6S-[3S,6S-(diacetoxy)-5R-hydroxy-1Z-heptenyl]-5S-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (1)- pectinolide D, 6S-[3S,5R,6S-(triacetoxy)-1Z-heptenyl]-5S-acetoxy-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (2)- pectinolide E and 6S-[3S,5R,6S-(triacetoxy)-1Z-heptenyl]-5S-acetoxy-4R-methoxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4H pyran-2-one (3)- pectinolide F. The furanone was identified as [2'Z,5(1')Z] 5-(4'S,6'R,7'S-triacetoxy-2-octenylidene)-2(5H)-furanone (4)-pectinolide G.     

A fluorescent screening assay for collagenase using collagen labeled with 2-methoxy-2,4-diphenyl-3(2H)-furanone

This report describes the use of the compound 2-methoxy-2,4-diphenyl-3(2H)-furanone to label collagen as a substrate for the detection of mammalian collagenase in a fluorescent assay which is suitable for screening large numbers of samples. The compound 2-methoxy-2,4-diphenyl-3(2H)-furanone presents distinct advantages over other fluorophores, since both the unbound reagent and its hydrolysis products are nonfluorescent. The labeling procedure uses commercially available collagen, is fast and simple, and gives a 90% yield of labeled substrate. The fluorescent collagen substrate is stable and retains fluorescence over a wide range of pH. The assay detects, reproducibly, metal-dependent collagenase activity in microliter volumes of conditioned media from cultured neoplastic cells or in chromatographic fractions from such media.     

Phytochemical studies and effect on urine volume of Glossostemon bruguieri Desf. constituents

Two new flavonoids, takakin 7-O-glucoside (1) and (2) bucegin 7-O-glucoside, and six other known compounds (3-8), takakin, isosctullarien, its 7-O-glucoside, takakin 8-O-glucoside, xanthotoxin and esculetin, were separated and identified from Glossostemon bruguieri. The new compounds were characterized using modern spectroscopic techniques, including UV spectroscopy, proton nuclear resonance (1HNMR), carbon thirteen nuclear resonance (13CNMR), homomolecular quantum coherance (HMQC), heteromolecular bonding connectivity (HMBC) and chemical ionization mass spectra (CI). The effect on rats urine volume of the plant powder, its ethanolic extract, (500 mg kg(-1)) along with four of the purified compounds (1,4-6), (100 mg kg(-1)) are described. Eight groups of albino rats (200-300 g body weight) (n=5 for each group) were used in the tests for a one-time treatment, and other seven groups (150-180 g body weight) (n=5 for each group) were tested using the same dose with repeated administration for 15 days. The rat sera were collected and used to determine liver and kidney functions based on alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) for both single and repeated administration. Levels of urea, creatinine and uric acid were determined for both sets of experiments. The toxic effects of both the powder and its alcoholic extract were also studied on mice to determine their LD50, both materials proved to be non-toxic up to 2500 mg kg(-1) body weight.     

Mechanism of inactivation of Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase by 2'-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-diphosphate: evidence for generation of a 2'-deoxy-3'-ketonucleotide via a net 1,2 hydrogen shift

Sodium borohydride or ethanethiol protects the Escherichia coli ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase (RDPR) from inactivation by 2'-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-diphosphate (ClUDP). Incubation of [3'-3H]ClUDP with RDPR in the presence of NaBH4 allowed trapping of [3H]-2'-deoxy-3'-ketouridine 5'-diphosphate. Degradation of the reduced ketone by a combination of enzymatic and chemical methods indicated that the hydrogen originally present in the 3'-position of ClUDP is transferred to the beta-face of the 2'-position of 2'-deoxy-3'-keto-UDP. RDPR therefore catalyzes a net 1,2 hydrogen shift. Incubation of RDPR with ClUDP in the presence of ethanethiol allowed trapping of 2-methylene-3(2H)-furanone, the species responsible for inactivation of RDPR. Trapped 2-[(ethylthio)methyl]-3(2H)-furanone was identical by 1H NMR spectroscopy with material synthesized chemically. Both subunits of the enzyme are covalently radiolabeled in the reaction of RDPR with [5'-3H]ClUDP. Studies with [3'-3H]ClUDP and prereduced RDPR in the absence of a reductant and with oxidized RDPR indicated that the redox-active thiols of the B1 subunit are not involved in inactivation of the enzyme by ClUDP.     

Aroma compounds in Japanese sweet rice wine (Mirin) screened by aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA)

Thirty-nine key aroma compounds were newly identified or tentatively identified in the aroma concentrate of Japanese sweet rice wine (Mirin) by an aroma extract dilution analysis technique based on the 68 detected peaks. Among them, 3-(methylthio)propanal, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone, 3-methylbutanoic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol were detected with the highest FD factors in this study.     

Isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, and thiazolylpropionic acid derivatives as potent alpha(4)beta(1) integrin antagonists

A series of isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, and thiazolylpropionic acid derivatives derived from LDV was found to be a potent antagonist of the alpha(4)beta(1) integrin. The synthesis and SAR leading up to 3-[3-(1-[-[3-methoxy-4-(3-o-tolyl-ureido)-phenyl]-acetylamino]-3-methyl-butyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-propionic acid (22) are reported. In an allergic mouse model, compound 22 was efficacious delivered systemically (58% inhib @ 10 mg/kg, sc) as well as by intra-tracheal instillation (ED(50)=2 microg/kg).     

Developmental toxicity of pentostatin (2'-deoxycoformycin) in rats and rabbits

The developmental toxicity of the potent adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitor, pentostatin (2'-deoxycoformycin), was investigated in pregnant rats and rabbits administered daily iv doses during organogenesis. Rats received 0, 0.01, 0.10, or 0.75 mg/kg on gestation days 6-15 and rabbits received 0, 0.005, 0.01, or 0.02 mg/kg on gestation days 6-18 and maternal and fetal parameters were evaluated on gestation day 21 (rats) or 30 (rabbits). Live fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations and variations. In rats, maternal body weight gain and food consumption were significantly suppressed at doses of 0.10 and 0.75 mg/kg during the treatment period but returned to control levels during posttreatment. Increased postimplantation loss and decreased numbers of live fetuses, litter size, and fetal body weight were observed at 0.75 mg/kg. A statistically significant increase in the incidence of vertebral malformations occurred at 0.75 mg/kg. The incidence of certain skeletal variations (extra presacral vertebrae, extra ribs, hypoplastic vertebrae) was also increased at 0.75 mg/kg. Ossification of cervical centra was reduced at 0.75 mg/kg compared with controls. In rabbits, marked maternal toxicity (death, body weight loss, and decreased food consumption) and reproductive toxicity (abortion and premature delivery) occurred in all pentostatin-treated groups. However, there were no significant effects on number of live fetuses, pre- or postimplantation loss, litter size, or fetal body weights in the animals with live litters. There was also no apparent increase in the incidence of malformations or variations in the live fetuses of pentostatin-treated rabbits. Thus, these studies demonstrate developmental toxicity of pentostatin in rats and rabbits, and teratogenicity in rats, at maternally toxic doses.     

Inhibition of biofilm formation and swarming of Bacillus subtilis by (5Z)-4-bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-3-butyl-2(5H)-furanone

AIMS: (5Z)-4-Bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-3-butyl-2(5H)-furanone(furanone) of the marine alga Delisea pulchra was synthesized, and its inhibition of swarming motility and biofilm formation of Bacillus subtilis was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Furanone was found to inhibit both the growth of B. subtilis and its swarming motility in a concentration-dependent way. In addition, as shown by confocal scanning laser microscopy, furanone inhibited the biofilm formation of B. subtilis. At 40 microg ml(-1), furanone decreased the biofilm thickness by 25%, decreased the number of water channels, and reduced the percentage of live cells by 63%. CONCLUSIONS, SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Natural furanone has potential for controlling the multicellular behaviour of Gram-positive bacteria.     

Production of Bacteriophage T7

Bacteriophage T7 was grown with Escherichia coli B as the host organism in 3- and 20-liter vessels. Under the best growth conditions devised, the yields of T7 in the culture lysates averaged 1.33 x 10(12) and 0.95 x 10(12) plaque-forming units per ml, respectively, compared with the best previously reported yields of 10(11) to 3 x 10(11) plaque-forming units per ml in 1-liter batches grown in the presence of air, or double this in similar batches grown in the presence of oxygen. The bacteriophage was purified by a simple method which gave average yields of 143 mg/liter and 131 mg/liter from the 3- and 20-liter batches, respectively. The efficiency of plating of the final material ranged from 18 to 42%. The purified bacteriophage is a convenient source of monodisperse deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecular weight of which is about 25 x 10(6).     

Estimation of molecular weight by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using heat stable fluorophors

The utilization of 2-methoxy-2,4-diphenyl-3(2H)-furanone (MDPF) as a fluorescent label for proteins in SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophresis is described. The procedure is very sensitive and detects disks containing as little as 1 ng of protein. The fluorescence signal is linear with concentration of protein to 500 ng. Emphasis is placed on the use of MDPF-labeled proteins as standards for the estimation of molecular weights of fluorescamine-labeled proteins. Data are provided which demonstrate the need for only three standard proteins in the molecular weight curve. Finally, the relative mobilities of proteins from nonreplicate determinations exhibited an average variation of only 3.9%.     

Anti-hyperglycemic compound (GII) from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn.) seeds, its purification and effect in diabetes mellitus

An anti-hyperglycemic compound named GII was purified from the water extract of the seeds of fenugreek (T. foenum-graecum) and shown to be different from trigonelline and nicotinic acid isolated earlier from the same plant. GII (50 mg/kg body weight, po) reduced blood glucose in glucose tolerance test (GTT) in the sub-diabetic and moderately diabetic rabbits and significantly reduced the area under the curve (AUC) of GTT. Treatment for 7 days of the sub-diabetic rabbits with GII (50 mg/kg body weight, po) improved glucose tolerance without reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG) which was nearly normal. The results suggest that there is no risk of hypoglycemia in near normal animals (may be humans also) with abnormal GTT. Treatment of the moderately diabetic rabbits with GII (100 mg/kg body weight for 3 weeks) reduced FBG to nearly normal value and improved GTT. GII was more effective than the standard drug tolbutamide. Intermittent therapy given on days 1-5, 11-15, 26-30 and 56-60 to moderately diabetic rabbits leaving in between days without treatment brought down FBG to normal and AUC during GTT was normal. After 15 days treatment with GII (100 mg/kg body weight for 3 weeks) glycosylated hemoglobin came down and insulin increased to normal values in the sub-diabetic, moderately diabetic and severely diabetic rabbits. GII treatment (100 mg/kg body weight for 15 days) brought down all the altered serum lipids (TC, HDLC, TAG, PLs and FFAs) to normal levels. The results suggest that intermittent therapy, instead of daily therapy is possible and GII has good potential as an oral anti-diabetic drug with intermittent therapy.     

5,5-Difluoro- and 5-Fluoro-5-methyl-hexose-based C-Glucosides as potent and orally bioavailable SGLT1 and SGLT2 dual inhibitors

(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-2-Aryl-5,5-difluoro-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4-diols and (2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-2-aryl-5-fluoro-5-methyl-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4-diols were discovered as dual inhibitors of sodium glucose co-transporter proteins (e.g. SGLT1 and SGLT2) through rational drug design, efficient synthesis, and in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Compound 6g demonstrated potent dual inhibitory activities (IC₅₀ = 96 nM for SGLT1 and IC₅₀ = 1.3 nM for SGLT2). It showed robust inhibition of blood glucose excursion in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats when dosed at both 1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg orally. It also demonstrated postprandial glucose control in db/db mice when dosed orally at 10 mg/kg.     

Evaluation of a tetrazolium salt test to determine absence of live mycobacteria in tuberculin purified protein derivative.

Current methodology to determine absence of live mycobacteria in tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) takes up to 8 weeks to perform and may also involve testing on animals. In this paper we describe an in vitro test utilising the tetrazolium salt, 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphenyl)-(2H)-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) to monitor the absence of live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in PPD. In the presence of live cells XTT is converted to a coloured formazan product that can be measured spectrophotometrically. Live mycobacteria present in spiked PPD were detected by a marked change in optical density above background levels. This test is easy to perform and is complete in just 48 hr.