Synthesis,cytotoxicity, and haemolytic activity of chacotrioside lupane-type neosaponins and their germanicane-type rearrangement products

The concise synthesis, via a stepwise glycosylation approach, of lupeol, betulin and betulinic acid O-glycosides bearing a chacotriosyl moiety at the C-3 position is described. All neosaponins as well as their rearrangement products of the germanicane-type were evaluated in vitro for their anticancer and haemolytic activities. Although betulinic acid and betulin 3β-O-chacotriosides were neither cytotoxic nor haemolytic, their rearrangement products allobetulin and 28-oxoallobetulin 3β-O-chacotriosides (9 and 10) exhibited a cytotoxicity profile up to fourfold superior to betulinic acid against human breast (MCF7) and prostate (PC-3) adenocarcinomas cell lines (IC₅₀ = 10–18 μM). One important result was that only chacotriosides featuring non-polar functions at the C-28 position (6, 9 and 10) exerted a haemolytic activity against red blood cells.     

(S)-Camphorsulfonic acid catalyzed highly stereoselective synthesis of pseudoglycosides

A mild and efficient synthesis of pseudoglycosides has been developed using metal free (S)-camphorsulfonic acid. (S)-CSA acts as an excellent catalyst for conversion of 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal to 2,3-unsaturated O-glycosides. A wide range of biologically active natural products, alcohols and thiols could be coupled with glucal to give the desired pseudoglycosides in good to excellent yields with exclusive α-stereoselectivity.     

1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione complexes of middle transition elements: Mono- and dinuclear derivatives

The synthesis and the characterization of several mono- and dinuclear middle transition metal derivatives of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione, 1, are presented. The reaction of 1 with CrCl₂(THF)₂ gives CrCl₂(O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)(THF)₂, 2, while the halides of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) afford adducts of general formula MX₂(N,N′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂), M = Fe, 4, Co, 5, X = Cl; M = Ni, 6, X = Br. DFT calculations on CrCl₂(L)(THF)₂ with L = O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂ or O,O′-C₁₄H₈O₂ allowed a direct comparison of the coordination properties of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone and 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione to be made. Dinuclear compounds of general formula CrCl₂(THF)₂(O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂-N,N′)MX_nL_m, M = Zr, 7, X = Cl, n = 4, m = 0; M = Cr, 8, X = Cl, n = 2, L = THF, m = 2; M = Fe, 9, Co, 10, X = Cl, n = 2, m = 0; M = Ni, 11, X = Br, n = 2, m = 0, are prepared from 2 and the corresponding metal halide, while VCp₂(O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂-N,N′)FeCl₂, 12, is synthesized by reacting 4 with VCp₂. The electronic properties of the different complexes are investigated by magnetic moment measurements and EPR spectroscopy.     

O2 and Reactive Oxygen Species Detoxification Complex, Composed of O2-Responsive NADH:Rubredoxin Oxidoreductase-Flavoprotein A2-Desulfoferrodoxin Operon Enzymes, Rubperoxin, and Rubredoxin, in Clostridium acetobutylicum

Clostridium acetobutylicum, an obligate anaerobe, grows normally under continuous-O₂-flow culture conditions, where the cells consume O₂ proficiently. An O₂-responsive NADH:rubredoxin oxidoreductase operon composed of three genes (nror, fprA2, and dsr), encoding NROR, functionally uncharacterized flavoprotein A2 (FprA2), and the predicted superoxide reductase desulfoferrodoxin (Dsr), has been proposed to participate in defense against O₂ stress. To functionally characterize these proteins, native NROR from C. acetobutylicum, recombinant NROR (rNROR), FprA2, Dsr, and rubredoxin (Rd) expressed in Escherichia coli were purified. Purified native NROR and rNROR both exhibited weak H₂O₂-forming NADH oxidase activity that was slightly activated by Rd. A mixture of NROR, Rd, and FprA2 functions as an efficient H₂O-forming NADH oxidase with a high affinity for O₂ (the K_m for O₂ is 2.9 ± 0.4 μM). A mixture of NROR, Rd, and Dsr functions as an NADH-dependent O₂⁻ reductase. A mixture of NROR, Rd, and rubperoxin (Rpr, a rubrerythrin homologue) functions as an inefficient H₂O-forming NADH oxidase but an efficient NADH peroxidase with a low affinity for O₂ and a high affinity for H₂O₂ (the K_ms for O₂ and H₂O₂ are 303 ± 39 μM and ≤1 μM, respectively). A gene encoding Rd is dicistronically transcribed with a gene encoding a glutaredoxin (Gd) homologue, and the expression levels of the genes encoding Gd and Rd were highly upregulated upon exposure to O₂. Therefore, nror operon enzymes, together with Rpr, efficiently function to scavenge O₂, O₂⁻, and H₂O₂ by using an O₂-responsive rubredoxin as a common electron carrier protein.     

Experimentally calibrated computational chemistry of tryptophan hydroxylase: Trans influence, hydrogen-bonding, and 18-electron rule govern O2-activation

Insight into the nature of oxygen activation in tryptophan hydroxylase has been obtained from density functional computations. Conformations of O₂-bound intermediates have been studied with oxygen trans to glutamate and histidine, respectively. An O₂-adduct with O₂trans to histidine (O_his) and a peroxo intermediate with peroxide trans to glutamate (P_glu) were found to be consistent (0.57-0.59 mm/s) with experimental Mössbauer isomer shifts (0.55 mm/s) and had low computed free energies. The weaker trans influence of histidine is shown to give rise to a bent O₂ coordination mode with O₂ pointing towards the cofactor and a more activated O-O bond (1.33 Å) than in O_glu (1.30 Å). It is shown that the cofactor can hydrogen bond to O₂ and activate the O-O bond further (from 1.33 to 1.38 Å). The O_his intermediate leads to a ferryl intermediate (F_his) with an isomer shift of 0.34 mm/s, also consistent with the experimental value (0.25 mm/s) which we propose as the structure of the hydroxylating intermediate, with the tryptophan substrate well located for further reaction 3.5 Å from the ferryl group. Based on the optimized transition states, the activation barriers for the two paths (glu and his) are similar, so a two-state scenario involving O_his and P_glu is possible. A structure of the activated deoxy state which is high-spin implies that the valence electron count has been lowered from 18 to 16 (glutamate becomes bidentate), giving a “green light” that invites O₂-binding. Our mechanism of oxygen activation in tryptophan hydroxylase does not require inversion of spin, which may be an important observation.     

In vitro survival and development of goat preantral follicles in two different oxygen tensions

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two different oxygen (O₂) concentrations on survival and development of preantral follicles of goats cultured in vitro. Preantral ovarian follicles (≥150 μm) were isolated from ovarian cortex fragments of goats and individually cultured for 30 days under two different O₂ concentrations (5% and 20% O₂). Follicle development was evaluated on the basis of antral cavity formation, increase in follicular diameter, presence of healthy cumulus oocyte complexes and fully grown oocytes. Results showed with progression of culture period from 6 to 12 days, a decrease in follicular survival was observed in both O₂ concentrations (P < 0.05). When the O₂ tensions were compared to each other in the different days of culture, 20% O₂ was more efficient in promoting an increase in follicular diameter from day 24 of culture onward than 5% O₂ (P < 0.05). However, follicles cultured with 5% O₂ had an increased percentage of antrum formation from 12 days to the end of culture, compared with 20% O₂ (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was no difference in percentage of fully developed oocytes with the different O₂ tensions. However, only oocytes (16.7%) from follicles cultured in 20% O₂ resumed meiosis. In conclusion, concentration of 20% O₂ was more efficient in promoting follicular growth and oocyte meiosis resumption from preantral follicles of goats when grown in vitro.     

Synthesis of benzene ruthenium triazolato complexes by [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of activated alkynes and fumaronitrile to benzene ruthenium azido complexes

The dinuclear complex [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(μ-N₃)Cl]₂ (1) is obtained by the reaction of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ with sodium azide in ethanol. The benzene ruthenium β-diketonato complexes of the general formula [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L∩L)Cl] {L∩L = O,O′-acac (2); O,O′-bzac (3); O,O′-dbzm (4)} are obtained in methanol by the reaction of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ with the corresponding β-diketonates. These complexes further react with sodium azide in ethanol to yield complexes of the type [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L∩L)N₃] [L∩L = O,O′-acac (5); L∩L = O,O′-bzac (6); L∩L = O,O′-dbzm (7)]. The complexes 5-7 are obtained as well by treating 1 with sodium salts of β-diketonates. These neutral benzene ruthenium azido complexes undergo [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition reaction with activated alkynes (MeO₂CCCCO₂Me, EtO₂CCCCO₂Et) or fumaronitrile (NCHCCHCN) to yield the corresponding benzene ruthenium triazolato complexes; [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-acac){N₃C₂(CO₂Me)₂}] (8), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-acac){N₃C₂(CO₂Et)₂}] (9), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-acac){N₃C₂HCN}] (10), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-bzac){N₃C₂HCN}] (11) and [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′-dbzm){N₃C₂HCN}] (12). These complexes are fully characterized on the basis of microanalyses, FT-IR and FT-NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(O,O′- acac){N₃C₂(CO₂C₂H₅)₂}] (9) is confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies of complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical (UV-Vis, IR, EPR) of pd (pd = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), Pt(N,N′-pd)Cl2, Pd(N,N′-pd)Cl₂, [Ru(bpy)₂(N,N′-pd)]Cl₂ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and Pt(O,O′-pd)(PPh₃)₂, where N,N′ and O,O′ refers to coordination of pd to the metal centre via N and O atoms, respectively, reveals that the electron transfer processes between +0.5 and −1.25 V all occur at the pd ligand in agreement with DFT calculations. The two CO groups carry a significant amount of the negative charge in mono-reduced pd¹⁻. The mode of coordination of pd has a greater influence on its redox chemistry than the metal centre or the ancillary ligands.     

Preparation and structural organisation of heteroleptic tetraphenylantimony(V) complexes comprising unidentately and bidentately coordinated O,O′-dialkyldithiophosphate groups: Multinuclear (C, P) CP/MAS NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies

O,O′-dipropyldithiophosphate and O,O′-di-iso-butyldithiophosphate (Dtph) tetraphenylantimony(V) complexes of the general formula [Sb(C₆H₅)₄{S₂P(OR)₂}] (R = C₃H₇, i-C₄H₉) were prepared and studied by means of ¹³C, ³¹P CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Distorted octahedral and trigonal bipyramidal molecular structures have been established for prepared complexes. These unexpected structural distinctions between chemically related compounds are defined by the principally different coordination modes of O,O′-dipropyldithiophosphate and O,O′-di-iso-butyldithiophosphate ligands in their molecular structures (i.e., S,S′-bidentate chelating and S-unidentately coordinated, respectively). To characterise quantitatively phosphorus sites in both species of dithiophosphate ligands, ³¹P chemical shift anisotropy parameters (δ_aniso and η) were calculated from spinning sideband manifolds in MAS NMR spectra. The ³¹P chemical shift tensors for the bidentate chelating and unidentately coordinated dithiophosphate ligands display a profoundly rhombic and nearly axially symmetric characters, respectively.     

Mn3O4 nanoparticles: Synthesis,characterization and their antimicrobial and anticancer activity against A549 and MCF-7 cell lines

Due to their inexpensive and eco-friendly nature, and existence of manganese in various oxidation states and their natural abundance have attained significant attention for the formation of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles (Mn₃O₄ NPs). Herein, we report the preparation of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles using manganese nitrate as a precursor material by utilization of a precipitation technique. The as-prepared Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles (Mn₃O₄ NPs) were characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), High-Resolution Transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The antimicrobial properties of the as-synthesized Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles were investigated against numerous bacterial and fungal strains including S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, A. flavus and C. albicans. The Mn₃O₄ NPs inhibited the growth of S. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 40 μg/ml and C. albicans with a MIC of 15 μg/ml. Furthermore, the Mn₃O₄ NPs anti-cancer activity was examined using MTT essay against A549 lung and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. The Mn₃O₄ NPs revealed significant activity against the examined cancer cell lines A549 and MCF-7. The IC₅₀ values of Mn₃O₄ NPs with A549 cell line was found at concentration of 98 µg/mL and MCF-7 cell line was found at concentration of 25 µg/mL.     

The effects of feeding on the swimming performance and metabolic response of juvenile southern catfish,Silurus meridionalis,acclimated at different temperatures

To test whether the effects of feeding on swimming performance vary with acclimation temperature in juvenile southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis), we investigated the specific dynamic action (SDA) and swimming performance of fasting and feeding fish at acclimation temperatures of 15, 21, 27, and 33 °C. Feeding had no effect on the critical swimming speeding (U_crit) of fish acclimated at 15 °C (p = 0.66), whereas it elicited a 12.04, 18.70, and 20.98% decrease in U_crit for fish acclimated at 21, 27 and 33 °C, respectively (p < 0.05). Both the maximal postprandial oxygen consumption rate (VO_2peak) and the active metabolic rate (VO_2active, maximal aerobic sustainable metabolic rate of fasting fish) increased significantly with temperature (p < 0.05). The postprandial maximum oxygen consumption rates during swimming (VO_2max) were higher than the VO_2active of fasting fish at all temperature groups (p < 0.05). The VO_2max increased with increasing temperature, but the relative residual metabolic scope (VO_2max? VO_2peak) during swimming decreased with increasing in temperature. The present study showed that the impairment of postprandial swimming performance increased with increasing temperature due to the unparalleled changes in the catfish's central cardio-respiratory, peripheral digestive and locomotory capacities. The different metabolic strategies of juvenile southern catfish at different temperatures may relate to changes in oxygen demand, imbalances in ion fluxes and dissolved oxygen levels with changes in temperature.     

Aerobic scaling and resting metabolism in oviferous and post-spawning Barents Sea capelin Mallotus villosus villosus (Müller, 1776)

As part of the quantitative investigations into the bioenergetic relationships of the Barents Sea capelin, Mallotus villosus villosus (Müller, 1776), resting metabolic rates were examined in the oviferous and post-spawning fish in order to provide insights to aerobic scaling and the basal energetic costs associated with reproduction. Aerobic scaling of the different categories of sexually mature fish (body weight, W=13-54 g) could be expressed as: Q_O2=0.106W^1.049 (oviferous fish; N=11), Q_O2=0.411W^0.430 (post-spawning females; N=9), and Q_O2=0.075W^1.012 (post-spawning males; N=14), where Q_O2 is the oxygen consumption (ml O₂ h⁻¹) per fish. The weight specific oxygen consumption of oviferous capelin was about 30% higher (∼125 ml O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) compared to those of the post-spawning fish (79-87 ml O₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹). The results are discussed in context with other empirical studies on the aerobic scaling and metabolic costs involved with the build-up of roe in the fish.     

Effect of thiocyanate on the peroxidase and pseudocatalase activities of Leishmania major ascorbate peroxidase

We report here that the Leishmania major ascorbate peroxidase (LmAPX), having similarity with plant ascorbate peroxidase, catalyzes the oxidation of suboptimal concentration of ascorbate to monodehydroascorbate (MDA) at physiological pH in the presence of added H₂O₂ with concurrent evolution of O₂. This pseudocatalatic degradation of H₂O₂ to O₂ is solely dependent on ascorbate and is blocked by a spin trap, α-phenyl-n-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), indicating the involvement of free radical species in the reaction process. LmAPX thus appears to catalyze ascorbate oxidation by its peroxidase activity, first generating MDA and H₂O with subsequent regeneration of ascorbate by the reduction of MDA with H₂O₂ evolving O₂ through the intermediate formation of O₂⁻. Interestingly, both peroxidase and ascorbate-dependent pseudocatalatic activity of LmAPX are reversibly inhibited by SCN⁻ in a concentration dependent manner. Spectral studies indicate that ascorbate cannot reduce LmAPX compound II to the native enzyme in presence of SCN⁻. Further kinetic studies indicate that SCN⁻ itself is not oxidized by LmAPX but inhibits both ascorbate and guaiacol oxidation, which suggests that SCN⁻ blocks initial peroxidase activity with ascorbate rather than subsequent nonenzymatic pseudocatalatic degradation of H₂O₂ to O₂. Binding studies by optical difference spectroscopy indicate that SCN⁻ binds LmAPX (Kd = 100 ± 10 mM) near the heme edge. Thus, unlike mammalian peroxidases, SCN⁻ acts as an inhibitor for Leishmania peroxidase to block ascorbate oxidation and subsequent pseudocatalase activity.     

Root Growth and Oxygen Relations at Low Water Potentials. Impact of Oxygen Availability in Polyethylene Glycol Solutions

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is often used to impose low water potentials (ψ_w) in solution culture, decreases O₂ movement by increasing solution viscosity. We investigated whether this property causes O₂ deficiency that affects the elongation or metabolism of maize (Zea mays L.) primary roots. Seedlings grown in vigorously aerated PEG solutions at ambient solution O₂ partial pressure (pO₂) had decreased steady-state root elongation rates, increased root-tip alanine concentrations, and decreased root-tip proline concentrations relative to seedlings grown in PEG solutions of above-ambient pO₂ (alanine and proline accumulation are responses to hypoxia and low ψ_w, respectively). Measurements of root pO₂ were made using an O₂ microsensor to ensure that increased solution pO₂ did not increase root pO₂ above physiological levels. In oxygenated PEG solutions that gave maximal root elongation rates, root pO₂ was similar to or less than (depending on depth in the tissue) pO₂ of roots growing in vermiculite at the same ψ_w. Even without PEG, high solution pO₂ was necessary to raise root pO₂ to the levels found in vermiculite-grown roots. Vermiculite was used for comparison because it has large air spaces that allow free movement of O₂ to the root surface. The results show that supplemental oxygenation is required to avoid hypoxia in PEG solutions. Also, the data suggest that the O₂ demand of the root elongation zone may be greater at low relative to high ψ_w, compounding the effect of PEG on O₂ supply. Under O₂-sufficient conditions root elongation was substantially less sensitive to the low ψ_w imposed by PEG than that imposed by dry vermiculite.     

Transition metal derivatives of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione: Controlled growth of coordination polynuclear derivatives

The synthesis and the characterization of several mono- and polymetallic derivatives of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6,-dione (1) are presented.The reaction of 1 with M(CO)₆ (M = Cr, Mo) gives compounds of general formula M(O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₃, M = Cr (2), Mo (3).Compound 3 is also obtained starting from Mo(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂, whereas the reaction of Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂ with 1 affords the ionic derivative [Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂][C₁₂H₆N₂O₂] (4), which has been studied by EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations.FeCl₂(N,N′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₂ (6), is obtained by thermal decomposition of [Fe(N,N′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₃]Cl₂ (5).Polymetallic compounds of general formula Cr[O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂-N,N′-MCl₄]₃,containing chromium and a Group 4 element M = Ti (7), Zr (8), Hf (9), are prepared from Cr(O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₃ and the corresponding MCl₄ or MCl₄DME. Polynuclear derivatives of iron and chromium of formula [Fe(N,N′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂-O,O′-CrCl₂(THF)₂)₃][PF₆]₂ (10), and Cr[O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂-N,N′-FeCl₂(THF)]₃ (11), are obtained by the reaction of [Fe(N,N′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₃][PF₆]₂ with three equivalents of CrCl₂(THF)₂ and from Cr(O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₃ and FeCl₂(THF)_1.5, respectively. Compound 11 reacts with 1 (3 equivalents in sym-C₂H₂Cl₄ or 6 equivalents in ethanol) to give Cr[O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂-N,N′-FeCl₂(N,N′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)]₃ (12), and [Cr(O,O′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂-N,N′-Fe(N,N′-C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₂)₃]Cl₆ (13), respectively.     

Respiratory responses to temperature and hypoxia in the nonindigenous Brown Mussel, Perna perna (Bivalvia: Mytilidae), from the Gulf of Mexico

The respiratory responses to increasing temperature and progressive hypoxia were examined relative to temperature acclimation in the nonindigenous, brown mussel, Perna perna (Mytilidae) from the Gulf of Mexico. When oxygen uptake rate (V?_O2) was recorded at near full air O₂ saturation, rate-temperature curves for Texas specimens of P. perna were sigmoidal, V?_O2 generally increasing with increasing temperature but becoming suppressed as temperatures approached 10 and 30 °C, corresponding closely to this species' incipient thermal limits. At each tested temperature, V?_O2 did not differ among individuals acclimated to 15, 20, or 25 °C. Lack of thermal acclimation was also reflected in acclimatory Q₁₀ values>1.0 (range=1.34-2.14) recorded across acclimation groups at test temperatures equivalent to acclimation temperature. Low acute respiratory Q₁₀ values in all acclimation groups across 15-20 °C indicated a limited capacity for thermal regulation of V?_O2 within this temperature range. The ability of P. perna to regulate O₂ uptake with progressive hypoxia was temperature-dependent, increasing from poor O₂ regulation at 10 °C to good regulation at 30 °C. The O₂ regulatory ability of P. perna and other open-water mytilids in declining O₂ concentrations does not greatly differ from that of estuarine heterodont bivalves, suggesting that it is not a major factor preventing open-water species, such as P. perna, from invading estuarine environments. However, P. perna's inability to regulate O₂ uptake at temperatures>25 °C combined with its relatively low upper thermal limit of 30 °C will likely prevent it from establishing permanent estuarine populations on Gulf of Mexico shores.     

Enhancement of hydrogen peroxide formation by protophores and ionophores in antimycin-supplemented mitochondria

Rat and pigeon heart mitochondria supplemented with antimycin produce 0.3–1.0nmol of H₂O₂/min per mg of protein. These rates are stimulated up to 13-fold by addition of protophores (carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, carbonyl cyanide m-chloromethoxyphenylhydrazone and pentachlorophenol). Ionophores, such as valinomycin and gramicidin, and Ca²⁺ also markedly stimulated H₂O₂ production by rat heart mitochondria. The enhancement of H₂O₂ generation in antimycin-supplemented mitochondria and the increased O₂ uptake of the State 4-to-State 3 transition showed similar protophore, ionophore and Ca²⁺ concentration dependencies. Thenoyltrifluoroacetone and N-bromosuccinimide, which inhibit succinate–ubiquinone reductase activity, also decreased mitochondrial H₂O₂ production. Addition of cyanide to antimycin-supplemented beef heart submitochondrial particles inhibited the generation of O₂⁻, the precursor of mitochondrial H₂O₂. This effect was parallel to the increase in cytochrome c reduction and it is interpreted as indicating the necessity of cytochrome c₁³⁺ to oxidize ubiquinol to ubisemiquinone, whose autoxidation yields O₂⁻. The effect of protophores, ionophores and Ca²⁺ is analysed in relation to the propositions of a cyclic mechanism for the interaction of ubiquinone with succinate dehydrogenase and cytochromes b and c₁ [Wikstrom & Berden (1972) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 283, 403–420; Mitchell (1976) J. Theor. Biol. 62, 337–367]. A collapse in membrane potential, increasing the rate of ubisemiquinone formation and O₂⁻ production, is proposed as the molecular mechanism for the enhancement of H₂O₂ formation rates observed on addition of protophores, ionophores and Ca²⁺.     

A new Cu/Zn carboxylato-bridged 1D polymer: Direct synthesis, X-ray structure and magnetic properties

A new complex [Cu₂Zn(O₂CMe)₆(NH₃)₂]_n was isolated as an unexpected product in an open-air synthesis of a mixed-metal compound using zero-valent copper, zinc oxide and ammonium acetate in the presence of 2-diethylaminoethanol in acetonitrile solution. Its structure consists of Cu₂(O₂CMe)₄ units situated on crystallographic inversion centres and Zn(NH₃)₂(O₂CMe)₂ units on crystallographic 2-fold axes. One O atom of each of the O₂CMe groups is attached via Zn bridges to the Cu atoms of the dimeric Cu₂(O₂CMe)₄ unit forming a 1D polymer in the bc direction. The polymer is not linear, with the dihedral angles between successive Cu-Cu vectors being 48.9°. Within the Cu₂(O₂CMe)₄ units the Cu···Cu distance is 2.675(2) Å and the angles between the O₂CMe planes are 88.8(5)°. The magnetic properties have been analyzed using the Hamiltonian ? = J?₁?₂ with J = 286 cm⁻¹ and g = 2.13. High-field EPR spectra showed both the exchange-coupled copper pair and non-interacting copper(II) ions. The presence of the latter species was explained as an effect of zinc atoms occupying a fraction of the copper sites.     

Biotransformation pathway and kinetics of the hydrolysis of the 3-O- and 20-O-multi-glucosides of PPD-type ginsenosides by ginsenosidase type I

Ginsenosidase type I from Aspergillus niger g.48 can hydrolyze the 3-O- and 20-O-multi-glycosides of PPD-type ginsenosides. The enzyme molecular weight is approximately 74 kDa. When hydrolyzing the glycosides of Rb1, Rb3, Rb2 and Rc, the structures of which only differ in their terminal 20-O-glycosides, ginsenosidase type I hydrolyzes both the 3-O- and 20-O-glycosides of Rb1 and Rb3 using two pathways, but the enzyme first hydrolyzes the 3-O-glucosides of Rb2 and Rc using one pathway. One pathway of Rb1 hydrolyzes the 20-O-Glc of Rb1 to Rd→F2→C-K; another pathway hydrolyzes the 3-O-Glc of Rb1 to Gyp17→Gyp75→C-K. Two hydrolysis pathways are used to hydrolyze the 20-O-Xyl and the 3-O-Glc of Rb3. According to the enzyme reaction parameters K_m, V_max and V₀ at a 10 mM substrate concentration, the enzyme hydrolysis velocity values decrease in the following order: the 20-O-Xyl of Rb3→Rd> the 20-O-Glc of Rb1→Rd> the 3-O-Glc of Rc> the 3-O-Glc of Rb2> the 3-O-Glc of Rd> the 3-O-Glc of Rb3→C-Mx1> the 3-O-Glc of Rb1→Gyp17> the 3-O-Glc of F2> the 3-O-Glc of 20(S)-Rg3.     

Impact of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in reducing the effect of lead acetate toxicity in mice

This study aimed to assess the impact of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaf extract against the poisoning of lead acetate; therefore, sixty mice were allocated into 4 groups with 15 in each, as G1) blank control, G2) supplied with 300 mg/kg body weight (BWT). M. oleifera extract, G3) supplied with 60 mg/kg BWT of lead acetate [Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂], and G4) supplied with extract of M. oleifera + lead acetate. The liver enzymes were elevated post-treatment with Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂, which then lowered to almost the normal level when M. oleifera was supplied to mice previously treated with Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂. The values in (G3) decreased when compared with G1 (92.33 ± 12.99, 21.67 ± 2.91 and 98.00 ± 13.20 U/L, respectively. Also, the cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were elevated post-supplementation with M. oleifera and Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂. Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ improves the lipid profile, whereas M. oleifera pretreatment reduced cholesterol (CHOL), high density low cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density low cholesterol (LDL-c) levels in animals fed Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂. Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ elevates the total protein but lowers the total bilirubin and triglycerides post M. oleifera treatment and Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ when contrasted with G1. The protective effect of M. oleifera was caused by the fact that it lowered triglycerides (TG) and total bilirubin (TBIL) and raised total protein (TP). After administration of Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂, the histological examination revealed alterations in the hepatocytes and kidneys of G3. Also, the liver and kidney cells in mice supplied with M. oleifera after Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂ poisoning recovered. In conclusion, Pb is toxic, and the usage of M. oleifera partially enhances the negative impacts induced by Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂.