Antioxidant potential of aminothiazole derivative and its protective effect on H2O2-induced oxidative damage on pBR322 DNA and RBC cellular membrane

The present work was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of aminothiazole derivative by performing various in vitro assays; to study its protective effect on H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage on pBR322 DNA and on RBC cellular membrane. The in vitro assays were performed with different concentrations of aminothiazole derivative (6.15, 12.29, 18.44, 24.59, and 30.73 microM) and the results were compared with standards like ascorbic acid and trolox. Our results clearly indicated that aminothiazole derivative at a dose of 18.44 microM exhibited radical scavenging activity greater than that of ascorbic acid and trolox. The DNA protective effect on pBR322 DNA showed that there was a concentration-dependent inhibition of the disappearance of supercoiled (ccc) form of DNA on incubation with 30 mM H(2)O(2) in the presence of different concentrations of aminothiazole derivative. Thus our compound at 1.5 mM prevents the conversion from supercoiled (ccc) form to open circular form (oc) form of pBR322 DNA. Pretreatment with aminothiazole derivative at a dose of 18.44 microM prevents membrane damage and exhibits an IC(50) value, which is the concentration of the sample required to inhibit 50% of the radical formed greater than that of the standards (ascorbic acid and trolox). Thus our compound of interest aminothiazole derivative exhibits antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties greater than that of standards like ascorbic acid and trolox and thereby protects pBR322 DNA and RBC cellular membrane from free radical induced oxidative damage.     

Antioxidant and antiradical activities of L-carnitine

L-carnitine plays an important regulatory role in the mitochondrial transport of long-chain free fatty acids. In this study, the antioxidant activity of L-carnitine was investigated as in vitro. The antioxidant properties of the L-carnitine were evaluated by using different antioxidant assays such as 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH.) scavenging, total antioxidant activity, reducing power, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and metal chelating activities. Total antioxidant activity was measured according to ferric thiocyanate method. alpha-tocopherol and trolox, a water-soluble analogue of tocopherol, were used as the reference antioxidant compounds. At the concentrations of 15, 30 and 45 microg/mL, l-carnitine showed 94.6%, 95.4% and 97.1% inhibition on lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. On the other hand, 45 microg/mL of standard antioxidant such as alpha-tocopherol and trolox indicated an inhibition of 88.8% and 86.2% on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively. In addition, L-carnitine had an effective DPPH. scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, total reducing power and metal chelating on ferrous ions activities. Also, those various antioxidant activities were compared to alpha-tocopherol and trolox as references antioxidants.     

Free radical scavenging activity of a novel antioxidative peptide purified from hydrolysate of bullfrog skin, Rana catesbeiana Shaw

In the present study, a peptide having antioxidant properties was isolated from bullfrog skin protein, Rana catesbeiana Shaw. Bullfrog skin protein was hydrolyzed using alcalase, neutrase, pepsin, papain, alpha-chymotrypsin and trypsin. Antioxidant activities of respective hydrolysates were evaluated using lipid peroxidation inhibition assay and direct free radical scavenging activity by using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer. Among hydrolysates, alcalase derived hydrolysate exhibited the highest antioxidant activities than those of other enzyme hydrolysates. In order to purity a peptide having potent antioxidant properties, alcalase hydrolysate was separated using consecutive chromatographic methods on a Hiprep 16/10 DEAE FF anion exchange column, Superdex Peptide 10/300 GL gel filtration column and highan octadecylsilane (ODS) C18 reversed phase column. Finally, a potent antioxidative peptide was isolated and its sequence was identified to be LEELEEELEGCE (1487 Da) by Q-TOF ESI mass spectroscopy. This antioxidant peptide from bullfrog skin protein (APBSP) inhibited lipid peroxidation higher than that of alpha-tocopherol as positive control and efficiently quenched different sources of free radicals: DPPH radical (IC(50)=16.1 microM), hydroxyl radical (IC(50)=12.8 microM), superoxide radical (IC(50)=34.0 microM) and peroxyl radical (IC(50)=32.6 microM). Moreover, MTT assay showed that this peptide does not exert any cytotoxicity on human embryonic lung fibroblasts cell line (MRC-5).     

Identification of chemical structure and free radical scavenging activity of diphlorethohydroxycarmalol isolated from a brown alga, Ishige okamurae

To obtain a natural antioxidant from a marine biomass, this study investigated the antioxidative activity of methanolic extracts from the marine brown alga, Ishige okamurae collected off Jeju Island. A potent free radical scavenging activity was detected in the ethyl acetate fraction containing polyphenolic compounds, and the potent antioxidant elucidated as a kind of phlorotannin, diphlorethohydroxycarmalol, by NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The free radical scavenging activities of the diphlorethohydroxycarmalol were investigated in relation to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), alkyl, and hydroxyl radicals using an electron spin resonance (ESR) system. The diphlorethohydroxycarmalol was found to scavenge DPPH (IC50=3.41 microM) and alkyl (IC50=4.92 microM) radicals more effectively than the commercial antioxidant, ascorbic acid. Therefore, these results present diphlorethohydroxycarmalol as a new phlorotannin with a potent antioxidative activity that could be useful in cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceuticals.     

Antioxidant and radical scavenging properties of curcumin

Curcumin (diferuoyl methane) is a phenolic compound and a major component of Curcuma longa L. In the present paper, we determined the antioxidant activity of curcumin by employing various in vitro antioxidant assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH*) scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (DMPD) radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity determination by ferric thiocyanate, total reducing ability determination by the Fe(3+)-Fe(2+) transformation method, superoxide anion radical scavenging by the riboflavin/methionine/illuminate system, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and ferrous ions (Fe(2+)) chelating activities. Curcumin inhibited 97.3% lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at 15 microg/mL concentration (20 mM). On the other hand, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA, 123 mM), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 102 mM), alpha-tocopherol (51 mM) and trolox (90 mM) as standard antioxidants indicated inhibition of 95.4, 99.7, 84.6 and 95.6% on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion at 45 microg/mL concentration, respectively. In addition, curcumin had an effective DPPH* scavenging, ABTS*(+) scavenging, DMPD*(+) scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, ferric ions (Fe(3+)) reducing power and ferrous ions (Fe(2+)) chelating activities. Also, BHA, BHT, alpha-tocopherol and trolox, were used as the reference antioxidant and radical scavenger compounds. According to the present study, curcumin can be used in the pharmacological and food industry because of these properties.     

Free radical scavenging activity of vanillin and o-vanillin using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical

Vanillin, a plant derived natural product, used as food flavoring agent and its positional isomer o-vanillin, have been tested for their ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Trolox, a water-soluble analogue of vitamin E and a well-known antioxidant was used as a reference compound. The DPPH radical was monitored at 517 nm and its retention time was 8.6 min. From the decrease in optical density of DPPH radical in the presence of the test compounds, it was observed that o-vanillin was a more effective scavenger than vanillin. At equimolar concentrations (1 mM), vanillin and o-vanillin exhibited 22.9% and 66.4% DPPH radical scavenging activity, respectively. The kinetics of the reaction of vanillin and o-vanillin with DPPH radical was studied using stopped flow spectrophotometry and their rate constants were estimated to be 1.7 +/- 0.1 M(-1)s(-1) and 10.1 +/- 0.8 M(-1)s(-1), respectively. In comparison, the rate constant for the reaction of trolox with DPPH was estimated to be 360.2 +/- 10.1 M(-1)s(-1). These scavenging reactions involve electron/H-atom transfer from antioxidant to DPPH. To confirm this, one electron reduction potentials of these compounds were estimated using cyclic voltammetry which showed that o-vanillin was more easily oxidized than vanillin. The reduction potential for o-vanillin was about 1.5 times that of trolox. These results demonstrate that o-vanillin is a more potent antioxidant than vanillin.     

Inhibition of peroxidase activity and scavenging of reactive oxygen species by astilbin isolated from Dimorphandra mollis (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae)

Astilbin (5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-2,3-dihydroflavonol-3-?-o-rhamnoside), a flavonoid with a large range of biological activities, was isolated from Dimorphandra mollis, a shrub common to the Brazilian Cerrado. The purpose of this study is to verify the effects of astilbin on myeloperoxidase (MPO) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and its antioxidant activity against hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and total antioxidant activity (TAC) by the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS?+). Astilbin inhibited MPO and HRP activities in a concentration-dependent relationship and effectively scavenged HOCl. The TAC by ABTS?+ of astilbin (IC50 ~ 20 mM) was higher than that of uric acid, which was used as a positive control. These data demonstrate that astilbin is a potent antioxidant and that it inhibits MPO and HRP activities efficiently.     

Antioxidant activity of anthocyanin glycoside derivatives evaluated by the inhibition of liposome oxidation

Cyanidin-3-glycosides (arabinoside, rutinoside, galactoside and glucoside) and delphinidin-3-rutinoside were examined for their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced either by Fe(II) ions, UV irradiation or 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) peroxyl radicals in a liposomal membrane system. The antioxidant abilities of anthocyanins were compared with a water-soluble tocopherol derivative, trolox. The antioxidant efficacies of these compounds were evaluated by their ability to inhibit the fluorescence intensity decay of the extrinsic probe 3-[p-(6-phenyl)-1,3,5,-hexatrienyl] phenylpropionic acid, caused by the free radicals generated during peroxidation. All the anthocyanins tested (at concentrations of 15-20 microM) exhibited higher antioxidant activities against Fe(II)-induced peroxidation than UV- and AAPH-induced peroxidation, suggesting that metal chelation may play an important role in determining the antioxidant potency of these compounds. It was also found that delphinidin-3-rutinoside had a higher antioxidant activity against Fe(II)-induced liposome oxidation than cyanidin-3-rutinoside, which indicates an important role of the OH group in the B ring of delphinidin-3-rutinoside in its antioxidant action. The antioxidant activity of all the anthocyanins studied was higher than that of trolox in the case of Fe(II)-induced liposome oxidation and was comparable with the action of trolox in the case of UV- and AAPH-induced liposome membrane oxidation.     

Antioxidant activity of extract from Polygonum aviculare L

Free radicals induce numerous diseases by lipid peroxidation, protein peroxidation, and DNA damage. It has been reported that numerous plant extracts have antioxidant activities to scavenge free radicals. Whether Polygonum aviculare L. (Polygonaceae) has antioxidant activity is unknown. In this study, dried Polygonum aviculare L. was extracted by ethanol, and the extract was lyophilized. The antioxidant activities of extract powder were examined by free radical scavenging assays, superoxide radical scavenging assays, lipid peroxidation assays and hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand scission assays. The results show that the IC50 value of Polygonum aviculare L. extract is 50 microg/ml in free radical scavenging assays, 0.8 microg/ml in superoxide radical scavenging assays, and 15 microg/ml in lipid peroxidation assays, respectively. Furthermore, Polygonum aviculare L. extract has DNA protective effect in hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand scission assays. The total phenolics and flavonoid content of extract is 677.4 +/- 62.7 microg/g and 112.7 +/- 13 microg/g. The results indicate that Polygonum aviculare L. extract clearly has antioxidant effects.     

Antioxidant potential of n-butanol fraction from extract of Jasminum mesnyi Hance leaves

Methanolic extract of Jasminum mesnyi Hance leaves having antidiabetic activity was subjected to fractionation to obtain antioxidant and antihyperglycemic rich fraction. Different concentrations of ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were subjected to antioxidant assay by DPPH method, nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power assay. The fractions showed dose dependent free radical scavenging property in all the models. IC50 values for ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were 153.45 +/- 6.65 and 6.22 +/- 0.25 microg/ml, respectively, as compared to L-ascorbic acid and rutin (as standards; IC50 values 6.54 +/- 0.24 and 5.43 +/- 0.21 microg/ml, respectively) in DPPH model. In nitric oxide scavenging activity, IC50 values were 141.54 +/- 9.95 microg/ml, 35.12 +/- 1.58 microg/ml, 21.06 +/- 0.95 microg/ml and 29.93 +/- 0.32 microg/ml for ethyl acetate, n-butanol fractions, L-ascorbic acid and rutin, respectively. n-Butanol fraction showed a good reducing potential and better free radical scavenging activity as compared to ethyl acetate fraction. Potent antioxidant n-butanol fraction showed better oral glucose tolerance test (antihyperglycemic) at par with metformin (standard drug), n-Butanol fraction contained secoiridoid glycosides which might be responsible for both antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity.     

Evaluation of caffeic acid amide analogues as anti-platelet aggregation and anti-oxidative agents

A series of amides of caffeic acid were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-platelet and anti-oxidative activities. N-(2-Bromo-phenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-acrylamide (12) and N-(3-Bromo-phenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-acrylamide (13) exhibited potent inhibitory activity (IC(50)=5.8 and 6.7 microM, respectively) against arachidonic acid-induced (AA) platelet aggregation, comparable with invalid caffeic acid. Most of the synthesized caffeic acid anilides exhibited the promising anti-platelet aggregation in AA-induced assay and anti-oxidative activities. This study also exhibited that caffeic anilides displayed more potent anti-oxidative activity in the radical scavenging activity assay than trolox and vitamin E.     

Metalloporphyrins are potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation

The objectives of these studies were to determine whether metalloporphyrins could inhibit lipid peroxidation, characterize factors that influence their potency and compare their potency to prototypical antioxidants. Lipid peroxidation was initiated with iron and ascorbate in rat brain homogenates and the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species was used as an index of lipid peroxidation. Metalloporphyrins were found to be a novel and potent class of lipid peroxidation inhibitors. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation by metalloporphyrins was dependent on the transition metal ligated to the porphyrin, indicating that metal centered redox chemistry was important to the mechanism of their antioxidant activities. Manganese porphyrins with the highest superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, MnOBTM-4-PyP and MnTM-2-PyP (charges are omitted throughout text for clarity), were the most potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation with calculated IC50s of 1.3 and 1.0 microM, respectively. These manganese porphyrins were 2 orders of magnitude more potent than either trolox (IC50 = 204 microM) or rutin (IC50 = 112 microM). The potencies of the manganese porphyrins were related not only to their redox potentials and SOD activities, but also to other factors that may contribute to their ability to act as electron acceptors. The broad array of antioxidant activities possessed by metalloporphyrins make them attractive therapeutic agents in disease states that involve the overproduction of reactive oxygen species.     

Antioxidant activity of extract from Polygonum cuspidatum

Numerous diseases are induced by free radicals via lipid peroxidation, protein peroxidation and DNA damage. It has been known that a variety of plant extracts have antioxidant activities to scavenge free radicals. Whether Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zuce has antioxidant activity is unknown. In this study, dried roots of Polygonum cuspidatum were extracted by ethanol and the extract was lyophilized. Free radical scavenging assays, superoxide radical scavenging assays, lipid peroxidation assays and hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand scission assays were employed to study antioxidant activities. The results indicate that the IC50 value oí Polygonum cuspidatum extract is 110 microg/ml in free radical scavenging assays, 3.2 microg/ml in superoxide radical scavenging assays, and 8 microg/ml in lipid peroxidation assays, respectively. Furthermore, Polygonum cuspidatum extract has DNA protective effect in hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand scission assays. The total phenolics and flavonoid content of extract is 641.1 +/- 42.6 mg/g and 62.3 +/- 6.0 mg/g. The results indicate that Polygonum cuspidatum extract clearly has antioxidant effects.     

Inhibitory activity of novel kojic acid derivative containing trolox moiety on melanogenesis

A novel kojic acid derivative containing a trolox moiety, (±)-5-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-pyran-2-yl methyl 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylate (3a), was synthesized. The two biologically active compounds, namely, kojic acid and trolox, were conjugated via an ester bond as they are expected to behave synergistically. The antioxidant activity and the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of this novel kojic acid derivative on melanogenesis were evaluated. Compound 3a exhibited potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity and radical scavenging activity. Limited structure–activity relationship (SAR) investigations indicated that the tyrosinase inhibitory activities may originate from the kojic acid moiety, and the radical scavenging activity may be due to the phenolic hydroxyl group of trolox. Compound 3a also exhibited potent depigmenting activity in a cell-based assay. The limited SAR investigations revealed that the depigmenting activity of 3a may be due to the synergistic activities of kojic acid and its trolox moiety.     

Screening of antiradical and antioxidant activity of monodesmosides and crude extract from Leontice smirnowii tuber.

Leontice smirnowii is a member of the Berberidaceae family. In the current study we investigated the possible antiradical and antioxidant activity of the monodesmosides (MLS) and crude extract (CELS) of Leontice smirnowii using different antioxidant tests: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, scavenging of superoxide anion radical-generated non-enzymatic system, ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and metal chelating activities. Experiment revealed that MLS and CELS have an antioxidant effect concentration-dependently. Total antioxidant activity was performed according to FTC method. At the 30mug/ml concentration, the inhibition effects of MLS and CELS on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion were found to be 95.3% and 95.6%, respectively. On the other hand, percentage inhibition of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), alpha-tocopherol and trolox were found to be 98.2%, 98.5%, 84.0% and 87.9% inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively, at the same concentration. In addition, MLS and CELS had effective DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activities. Also, these various antioxidant activities were compared with BHA, BHT, alpha-tocopherol and trolox which were accepted as references antioxidants.     

Bioactive aristolactams from Piper umbellatum

Four alkaloids named piperumbellactams A-D (1-4) were isolated from branches of Piper umbellatum together with known N-hydroxyaristolam II (5), N-p-coumaroyl tyramine (6), 4-nerolidylcatechol (7), N-trans-feruloyltyramine, E-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-N-2-[4-hydroxyphenylethyl]-2-propenamide, beta-amyrin, friedelin, apigenin 8-C-neohesperidoside, acacetin 6-C-beta-d-glucopyranoside, beta-sitosterol, its 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside and its 3-O-beta-d-[6'-dodecanoyl]-glucopyranoside. Glycosidase inhibition, antioxidant and antifungal activities of these compounds were evaluated. Compounds 1-3 showed moderate alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition with IC50 values 98.07+/-0.44, 43.80+/-0.56 and 29.64+/-0.46, respectively. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, compounds 2, 3 and 6 showed potent inhibitory activity while compounds 4, 5 and 7 showed potent antifungal activity.     

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid is a potent in vitro scavenger of peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion and hypochlorous acid and prevents in vivo ozone-induced tyrosine nitration in lungs

The antioxidant nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) has recently become well known as a putative anticancer drug. In this paper, it was evaluated the in vitro peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)), hydroxyl radical (OH(v)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), superoxide anion and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) scavenging capacity of NDGA. It was found that NDGA scavenges: (a) ONOO(-) (IC(50) = 4 +/- 0.94 microM) as efficiently as uric acid; (b) (1)O(2) (IC(50) = 151 +/- 20 microM) more efficiently than dimethyl thiourea, lipoic acid, N-acetyl-cysteine and glutathione; (c) OH(v) (IC(50) = 0.15 +/- 0.02 microM) more efficiently than dimethyl thiourea, uric acid, trolox, dimethyl sulfoxide and mannitol, (d) (IC(50) = 15 +/- 1 microM) more efficiently than N-acetyl-cysteine, glutathione, tempol and deferoxamine and (e) HOCl (IC(50) = 622 +/- 42 microM) as efficiently as lipoic acid and N-acetyl-cysteine. NDGA was unable to scavenge H(2)O(2). In an in vivo study in rats, NDGA was able to prevent ozone-induced tyrosine nitration in lungs. It is concluded that NDGA is a potent in vitro scavenger of ONOO(-), (1)O(2), OH(v), and HOCl and is able to prevent lung tyrosine nitration in vivo.     

Antioxidant potentials and rosmarinic acid levels of the methanolic extracts of Salvia virgata (Jacq), Salvia staminea (Montbret & Aucher ex Bentham) and Salvia verbenaca (L.) from Turkey

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antioxidant activities and rosmarinic acid levels of the methanol extracts of Salvia virgata, Salvia staminea and Salvia verbenaca. The extracts were screened for their possible antioxidant activity by two complementary test systems, namely DPPH free radical scavenging and beta-carotene/linoleic acid systems. In the first case, the most active plant was S. verbenaca (14.30+/-1.42 microg mg(-1)), followed by S. virgata (65.70+/-2.12 microg mg(-1)). S. staminae exhibited the weakest antioxidant activity in this test system of which IC(50) value is 75.40+/-0.57 microg mg(-1). In beta-carotene/linoleic acid test system, S. verbenaca extract was superior to the other extracts studied (inhibition value is 77.03%+/-0.42). Antioxidant activities of BHT, ascorbic acid, curcumin and alpha-tocopherol were determined in parallel experiments. Activity of rosmarinic acid was also screened for better establishing the relationship between rosmarinic acid level and antioxidant activity for the plant extracts. According to the results obtained by spectrophotometric analysis and further supported by HPLC, S. verbenaca has the highest rosmarinic acid level with a value of 29.30+/-0.24 microg mg(-1). Our results showed that the rosmarinic acid and its derivatives are more likely to be responsible for most of the observed antioxidant activities of Salvia species.     

Anti-plasmodial and antioxidant activities of constituents of the seed shells of Symphonia globulifera Linn f

A xanthone derivative, named gaboxanthone (1), has been isolated from the seed shells of Symphonia globulifera, together with known compounds, symphonin (2), globuliferin (3), guttiferone A (4), sistosterol, oleanolic acid and methyl citrate. The structure of the compound was assigned as 5,10-dihydroxy-8,9-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-12-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) pyrano [3,2-b]xanthen-6(2H)-one, by means of spectroscopic analysis. The anti-plasmodial and antioxidant activities of the phenolic compounds were evaluated, respectively, in culture against W2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum and using the free radical scavenging activity of the DPPH radical, respectively. Compounds 1-4 were found to be active against the Plasmodium parasites (IC(50) of 3.53, 1.29, 3.86 and 3.17 microM, respectively). Guttiferone A (4) showed a potent free radical scavenging activity compared to the well-known antioxidant caffeic acid.     

Development of new insulinomimetic zinc(II) picolinate complexes with a Zn(N2O2) coordination mode: structure characterization, in vitro, and in vivo studies

Three zinc(II) complexes of picolinic acid and its derivatives with a Zn(N2O2) coordination mode were prepared and evaluated for their insulinomimetic activities by in vitro and in vivo studies. By introducing an electron-donating methyl group into the picolinate ligand (pic), bis(6- or 3-methylpicolinato)zinc(II) complexes [Zn(6-mpa)2 or Zn(3-mpa)2, respectively] were prepared. The Zn(6-mpa)(2) complex was crystallized as a water adduct [Zn(6-mpa)2(H2O)].H2O, in which two carboxylate oxygens and two pyridine nitrogens of 6-mpa and a water oxygen coordinate to a zinc(II) with a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. By in vitro evaluation of the inhibition of free fatty acid (FFA) release from isolated rat adipocytes in the presence of epinephrine, the insulinomimetic activities of Zn(pic)2, Zn(6-mpa)2, and Zn(3-mpa)2 (IC50=0.64 +/- 0.13, 0.31 +/- 0.05, and 0.40 +/- 0.07 mM, respectively) were found to be higher than those of VOSO(4) (IC50=1.00 mM) and ZnSO(4) (IC50=1.58 +/- 0.05 mM) in terms of IC50 value, the 50% inhibition concentrations for the FFA release from the adipocytes. Then, Zn(6-mpa)2, which exhibited the highest in vitro insulinomimetic activity among three complexes examined, was given at a dose of 3.0 mg (45.9 micromol) Zn/kg body weight to KK-A(y) mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus by daily intraperitoneal injections for 14 days and it was found that the hereditary high blood glucose levels were lowered during the administration of the complex. The improvement of diabetes mellitus was confirmed with the oral glucose tolerance test.