Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the Genus Cissampelos

Cissampelos is a significant genus comprising of approximately 21 species of the medicinal plants (Menispermaceae). The plants of this genus are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as asthma, arthritis, dysentery, hyperglycemia, cardiopathy, hypertension and other related problems. These plants are rich in bioactive dibenzylisoquinoline and aborphine as well as small amounts of other ingredients. In recent years, the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Cissampelos genus have been paid more and more attention due to their diversity. Herein, we compile the chemical constituents and biological activities on this genus, and summarize the ¹³C-NMR data of the main bioactive ingredients. All information comes from scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Sci-Finder, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and CNKI. It provides valuable data for the future research and development of Cissampelos genus.     

New Phenylpropanoid Glycosides from Illicium majus and Their Radical Scavenging Activities

Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of the branch and leaves of Illicium majus resulted in the isolation of four new phenylpropanoid glycosides ( 1 – 4 ) and one new phenolic glycoside ( 9 ), along with 13 known ones. Spectroscopic techniques were used to elucidate the structures of the new isolates such as 3-[(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propyl β-D-glucopyranoside ( 1 ), [(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]methyl 2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 2 ), [(2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]methyl 2-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-xylopyranoside ( 3 ), 3-[(2R,3S)-3-({[2-O-(4-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]oxy}methyl)-7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]propyl acetate ( 4 ), and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenyl 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 9 ). Free radical scavenging activities of the isolates were elucidated through the DPPH assay method. The most active compounds, 1-O-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranose ( 17 ) and soulieana acid 1 ( 18 ), exhibited moderate radical scavenging activities (IC₅₀=37.7±4.4 μM and IC₅₀=97.2±3.4 μM, respectively). The antibacterial activities of the isolates against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were also assessed, and no activity was shown at the measured concentration (<32 μg/mL).     

Cyberlindnera fabianii: primer aislamiento clínico en Chile

BackgroundAlthough considered an unusual etiological agent, Cyberlindnera (Candida) fabianii has been related to septicemia in several reports in recent years. Its doubtful or uncertain identification when using tests such as CHROMagar Candida, API® Candida, API® ID32C or VITEK® MS, leads to an underestimation of the cases produced by this yeast.AimsTo report the first isolation of C. fabianii in Chile and its identification.MethodsThe sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was performed. Antifungal susceptibility profiles were obtained by means of the broth microdilution technique.ResultsThe identification was only reached by sequencing the ITS regions, which shows the limited usefulness of the conventional techniques in the identification of some yeast species. A dendrogram shows the phylogenetic relationship of the isolated strain with some other yeast species.ConclusionIn the identification of fastidious microorganisms or microorganisms whose identification is not completely reliable when using classical or even advanced methodologies, such as mass spectrometry, sequencing techniques are essential.     

Studies toward the comprehension of fungal-macroalgae interaction in cold marine regions from a biotechnological perspective

In marine ecosystems, macroalgae are the habitat for several microorganisms, fungi being among them. In the Antarctic benthic coastal ecosystem, macroalgae play a key role in organic matter cycling. In this study, 13 different macroalgae from Potter Cove and surrounding areas were sampled and 48 fungal isolates were obtained from six species, four Rhodophyta Ballia callitricha, Gigartina skottsbergii, Neuroglossum delesseriae and Palmaria decipiens, and two Phaeophyceae: Adenocystis utricularis and Ascoseira mirabilis. Fungal isolates mostly belonged to the Ascomycota phylum (Antarctomyces, Cadophora, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Phialocephala, and Pseudogymnoascus) and only one to the phylum Mucoromycota. Two of the isolates could not be identified to genus level, implying that Antarctica is a source of probable novel fungal taxa with enormous bioprospecting and biotechnological potential. 73% of the fungal isolates were moderate eurypsychrophilic (they grew at 5–25 °C), 12.5% were eurypsychrophilic and grew in the whole range, 12.5% of the isolates were narrow eurypsychrophilic (growth at 15–25 °C), and Mucoromycota AUe4 was classified as stenopsychrophilic as it grew at 5–15 °C. Organic extracts of seven macroalgae from which no fungal growth was obtained (three red algae Georgiella confluens, Gymnogongrus turquetii, Plocamium cartlagineum, and four brown algae Desmarestia anceps, D. Antarctica, Desmarestia menziesii, Himantothallus grandifolius) were tested against representative fungi of the genera isolated in this work. All extracts presented fungal inhibition, those from Plocamium cartilagineum and G. turquetii showed the best results, and for most of these macroalgae, this represents the first report of antifungal activity and constitute a promising source of compounds for future evaluation.     

Investigating the bioactivity of cells and cell-free extracts of Streptomyces griseus towards Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4

The antifungal activity of viable cells of Streptomyces griseus (St 4) and its cell-free extracts were investigated against the pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (FOC race 4), causal agent of wilt disease in bananas. Results from in vitro and soil assays showed cells and cell-free extracts of S. griseus were able to inhibit FOC race 4 with varying degree of success. Antifungal activity was attributed to chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase, detected in both cells and cell-free extracts, which caused lysis of fungal cell wall and inhibited sporulation. Interestingly, β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities were significantly higher in cell-free extracts compared to cells, with 8.30 and 5.43 against 7.96 and 4.95 U mL⁻¹, respectively. Application to soil however, showed inoculation using S. griseus cells were more effective in suppressing growth of FOC race 4 than crude extracts, with 6 log₁₀ CFU of FOC race 4 g⁻¹ soil enumerated compared to 7 log₁₀ CFU of FOC race 4 g⁻¹ soil after 20 days. To summarize, this study has shown that cell-free extracts of S. griseus have antifungal properties but may not be suitable for soil application in its current form (liquid suspension). Further investigations on bioformulation may address this limitation.     

Soil organic matter,nutrient distribution,fungal and microbial biomass and enzyme activities in a forest beech stand on the Apennines of southern Italy

The aim of this study was to analyse the amount and qualitative characteristics of organic matter (OM) in the litter horizon (considering leaf litter at different decomposition stages) and underlying soil to a 30-cm depth in a beech stand on the Apennines in southern Italy. Distribution of major nutrients as well as fungal and microbial biomass were also evaluated, in addition to beech leaf nutrient content monitor from full expansion to abscission in order to estimate annual nutrient input to soil from litterfall and nutrient retranslocation before abscission. OM was significantly higher in leaf litter. C/N ratio and the Na, Mn, Fe levels also decreased along the decomposition continuum, whereas N and S contents slowly decreased with soil depth. Generally, leaf nutrient content was also significantly lower in dead leaves, indicating efficient retranslocation to persistent organs. Fungal biomass was the highest in leaf layers, with no significant changes between spring and autumn samplings. Enzyme activities did not differ significantly along the decomposition continuum but marked decreases were found in the upper soil layer; these remained relatively constant, with the exception of laccase, at deeper soil depths. No seasonal effect on enzyme activities and OM content was found.     

4,5-Dihydro-1H-pyrazole: an indispensable scaffold

Abstract

Pyrazoles, categorized as nitrogen-containing heterocycles, are well known for their interminable participation in the field of perpetual research and development of therapeutical active agents. As a consequence pyrazoles became an inevitable core of numerous drugs having diverse activities. The broad spectrum of activities portrayed by the pyrazoles instigated the researchers to modify the pyrazole ring as 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles commonly known as 2-pyrazolines. The present review is a concerted effort to retrace compounds covered from 2009-till date which owe diverse biological activities to the 2-pyrazoline scaffold and also condenses the retro-synthetic approaches employed for their synthesis. This endeavor culminated in revelation that inhibitory potential varied when the substituents in particular N-substituents of 2-pyrazolines were altered.     

Antibacterial and Antifugal Mono- and Di-substituted Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Triazine-derived Schiff-bases and their Transition Metal Complexes

A new series of antibacterial and antifungal triazine-derived mono- and di-substituted (symmetrical and unsymmetrical) Schiff-bases and their cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) metal complexes have been synthesized and characterized by their elemental analyses, molar conductances, magnetic moments and IR and electronic spectral measurements. IR spectra indicated the ligands to act as tridentate towards divalent metal ions via a trazine-N, the azomethine-N and, indole-NH and deprotonated-O of salicylaldehyde. The magnetic moments and electronic spectral data suggest octahedral geometry for the Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)complexes and square-pyramid for Cu(II) complexes. NMR spectral data of the ligands and their diamagnetic zinc(II) complexes well-define their proposed structures/geometries. Elemental analyses data of the ligands and metal complexes agree with their proposed structures/geometries. The synthesized ligands, along with their metal complexes were screened for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtillis, Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi and for antifungal activity against Trichophyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporum canis, Fusarium solani and Candida glaberata. The results of these studies show the metal complexes to be more antibacterial/antifungal against two or more species as compared to the uncomplexed Schiff-base ligands.     

Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Novel Thiazolocarbazoles and Evaluation as Potential Anticancer Agents. Part III

Novel 6-substituted thiazolocarbazole derivatives have been synthesized under microwave irradiation via the corresponding imino-1,2,3-dithiazoles. In vitro antitumor potential of these polyheterocyclic compounds was evaluated. Among all the tested thiazolocarbazoles, compound 10 is the most effective in inhibiting cell growth.     

A convenient ‘one-pot’ synthesis and in vitro microbiological evaluation of novel 2,7-diaryl-[1,4]-diazepan-5-ones

A convenient method for the ‘one-pot’ synthesis of novel target molecule 2,7-diaryl-[1,4]-diazepan-5-ones from the respective 2,6-diaryl-piperidin-4-ones was catalyzed by NaHSO₄.Al₂O₃ heterogeneous catalyst in dry media under microwave irradiation in solvent-free conditions. Moreover, the catalyst could be recovered and re-used up to 4 times after washing with ethyl acetate. They were evaluated for potential antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, β-Haemolytic streptococcus, Vibreo cholerae, Salmonella typhii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas and antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor, Candida albicans and Rhizopus. Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) led to the conclusion that, of all the compounds 25–32 tested, compound 30 exerted strong in vitro antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. typhii, and Pseudomonas and all the compounds 25–32 were less active against E. coli, whereas all the compounds 25–32 displayed potent in vitro antifungal activity against all the fungal strains used, except compound 30, which was more effectual against Mucor.