Imidazolidin-4-one peptidomimetic derivatives of primaquine: synthesis and antimalarial activity

The synthesis of imidazolidin-4-one derivatives of primaquine containing the five-membered ring at the C-terminus of a dipeptide backbone coupled to the parent drug is described. These peptidomimetic derivatives were active against a chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain and inhibited the development of the sporogonic cycle of Plasmodium berghei, affecting the appearance of oocysts in the midguts of the mosquitoes. The novel imidazolidin-4-ones are extremely stable, both in human plasma and in pH 7.4 buffer, as a result of N¹-acylation. Thus, ‘internal’ imidazolidin-4-ones derived from dipeptidyl 8-aminoquinolines represent a new entry in antimalarial structure–activity relationships.     

Synthesis and biological activity of new glycyrrhizic acid conjugates with amino acids and dipeptides

New glycyrrhizic acid (GA) conjugates were synthesized with the use of tert-butyl esters of amino acids or benzyl esters of dipeptides; they contained two residues of L-amino acids (Met, Phe, Pro, and Ile or dipeptides Gly-Leu and Gly-Phe). Activation of GA carboxy groups was carried out with the help of N-hydroxysuccinimide, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, or N-hydroxybenzotriazole with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. A proline-containing GA derivative is a low-toxic substance; it raises the level of agglutinins by 3.7 times in the blood of mice and 3 times that of hemolysins compared with the control. Dipeptide GA derivatives possess an expressed anti-HIV-1 activity in cultures of MT-4 cells and are 90-70 times less cytotoxic than azidothymidine. The selectivity index of the compounds exceeds those of GA by 110 and 34 times, respectively.     

四氢蒽醌类化合物结构及其生物活性研究进展

四氢蒽醌类化合物是一类比较少见的天然结构,以微生物次生代谢产物居多,少量来源于植物,具有细胞毒活性、抗菌活性、抗疟原虫等生物活性。本文主要从四氢蒽醌类化合物及其衍生物的结构和生物活性两方面来对天然四氢蒽醌化合物进行综述,共综述了54个四氢蒽醌类化合物,45个来源于微生物,9个来源于植物南山花的根中,其中altersolanol A具有很好的抗肿瘤活性,是一个有很大吸引力的抗癌先导化合物。通过对四氢蒽醌类化合物的综述,为四氢蒽醌类化合物的进一步研究和开发提供依据。     

Synthesis and biological activity of amino acid conjugates of abscisic acid

We prepared 19 amino acid conjugates of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) and investigated their biological activity, enzymatic hydrolysis by a recombinant Arabidopsis amidohydrolases GST-ILR1 and GST-IAR3, and metabolic fate in rice seedlings. Different sets of ABA-amino acids induced ABA-like responses in different plants. Some ABA-amino acids, including some that were active in bioassays, were hydrolyzed by recombinant Arabidopsis GST-IAR3, although GST-ILR1 did not show hydrolysis activity for any of the ABA-amino acids. ABA-L-Ala, which was active in all the bioassays, an Arabidopsis seed germination, spinach seed germination, and rice seedling elongation assays, except in a lettuce seed germination assay and was hydrolyzed by GST-IAR3, was hydrolyzed to free ABA in rice seedlings. These findings suggest that some plant amidohydrolases hydrolyze some ABA-amino acid conjugates. Because our study indicates the possibility that different plants have hydrolyzing activity toward different ABA-amino acids, an ABA-amino acid may function as a species-selective pro-hormone of ABA.     

Porphyrin with amino acid moieties: a tumor photosensitizer

A porphyrin with amino acid moieties was synthesized in this work, which may be a latent photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Adler's strategy was used to synthesize meso-tetra (4-nitrophenyl) porphyrin (TNPP) through cyclolization of 4-nitrobenzaldhyde and pyrrole in refluxed nitrobenzene. Reduction of TNPP yielded meso-tetra(4-aminophenyl) porphyrin (TAPP). The synthesis was improved by employing lactic acid as a catalyst. Based on TAPP, porphyrin with valine (TAPP-4Val) was obtained. The application of the resultant TAPP-4Val as tumor photosensitizer on human breast tumor cells for photodynamic therapy (PDT) was preliminarily explored. Dark-toxicity evaluations showed that, under a concentration at up to 6 x 10(-6) M, the survival of MCF-7 cells was larger than 90%, which means TAPP-4Val is almost of non-cytotoxicity. However, TAPP-4Val showed remarkable phototoxicity after visible light irradiation. Effects of irradiation time on the survival of cells under typical concentrations of TAPP-4Val were also studied. The new porphyrin with amino acid moieties, TAPP-4Val, is of high phototoxicity but minimal or no dark-toxicity, which can be used as an effective photosensitizer for PDT.     

广西三种真红树植物可培养细菌多样性及其生物活性初筛

为了挖掘真红树植物潜在细菌新物种和生物活性物质,丰富红树林微生物多样性,为新型活性产物开发提供菌株资源。该文从秋茄、木榄和红海榄三种广西来源的真红树植物及其生境中,按根、茎、叶、花、果实和泥土分成22份样品,选用8种不同培养基分离可培养细菌,通过16S rRNA基因序列鉴定,分析其多样性,采用纸片法筛选细菌发酵粗提物的抑菌活性,点植法测试其酶活性。结果表明：(1)共分离获得可培养细菌35株,隶属于23个科28个属,芽孢杆菌属占细菌总数的14.3%,为优势菌属,同时发现11株潜在的新细菌资源。(2)活性筛选获得4株细菌具有抑菌活性,16株细菌具有酶活性,芽孢杆菌属是酶活性优势菌属。综上所述,广西真红树植物可培养细菌多样性丰富,部分细菌具有抑菌活性和酶活性,在新型抗生素和酶应用方面具有一定的开发潜力。     

Magnesium and biological activity of oxytocin analogues modified on aromatic ring of amino acid in position 2.

For the purpose of evaluating substitution effects in the ortho, meta or para positions of the aromatic ring of tyrosine or phenylalanine in position 2 of oxytocin on uterotonic activity in vitro in the presence and absence of magnesium ions, six new analogues of oxytocin ([D- and L-m-methylphenylalanine2]oxytocin, [D- and L-m-methoxyphenylalanine2]oxytocin and [D- and L-o-methyltyrosine2]-oxytocin) were synthesized and several previously described analogues resynthesized. For the phenylalanine series, it is found that, in the absence of magnesium ions, substitution of the ortho and meta positions leads to loss of intrinsic activity (the analogues are antagonists) in contrast to the para position. In the tyrosine series, only methyl substitution in the meta position has this effect (substitution of ortho position only attenuates the agonistic biological activity). Addition of Mg ions restores to a certain degree the agonistic activity in the case of the o-methylphenylalanine analogue and enhances the agonistic activity of o-methyltyrosine oxytocin. All other analogues keep the original qualities as in the absence of Mg. Molecular modelling calculations of the structure of the above analogues was carried out to help explain these findings of the molecular level.     

Synthesis and biological activity of abscisic acid esters

16 ABA esters including 11 new compounds were prepared by two different esterification routes. All the structures of ABA esters were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS. Their biological activity and hydrolysis stability were investigated. Fortunately, there were 15 and 9 compounds which displayed much better or nearly the same inhibition activity for rice seedling growth and Arabidopsis thaliana seed germination compared to ABA, respectively. Especially, compounds 2d and 2g showed better biological activities than ABA in the three tests. Moreover, we found that chemical hydrolysis ability of the esters in vitro had little relationship to their biological activity.     

具抗菌及乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制活性珊瑚真菌的筛选

为开发利用珊瑚真菌资源,以徐闻珊瑚保护区珊瑚样品中分离鉴定的43株海洋真菌为研究对象,采用双层平板法和Ellman法分别对其进行抗菌和乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE）抑制活性筛选。结果显示,43株菌株至少对一种指示菌有抑制作用,且有12株菌株对革兰阳性菌和革兰阴性菌均表现出不同程度的抗菌活性,抗菌谱较广;当浓度为1 mg/mL时,有8株菌株的发酵液提取物对乙酰胆碱酯酶的抑制率达到50%以上。其活性菌株中曲霉属(Aspergillus)为优势属。     

Synthesis,characterization, and cellular localization of a fluorescent probe of the antimalarial 8-aminoquinoline primaquine

Primaquine (PQ) is the only commercially available drug that clears dormant liver stages of malaria and blocks transmission to mosquito vectors. Although an old drug, much remains to be known about the mechanism(s) of action. Herein we develop a fluorescent tagged PQ to discover cellular localization in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Successful synthesis and characterization of a primaquine-coumarin fluorescent probe (PQCP) demonstrated potency equivalent to the parent drug and the probe was not cytotoxic to HepG2 carcinoma cells. Cellular localization was found primarily in the cytosol of the asexual erythrocytic and gametocyte stages of parasite development.     

柱[5]芳烃衍生物对细菌抗菌活性及生物被膜抑制的研究进展北大核心

病原体的耐药性很强,其生物被膜(biofilm,BF)的形成是导致耐药性的主要原因之一。生物被膜一旦形成,根除难度很大,会导致患者持久性感染,引发多种慢性疾病,并给全球医疗体系带来沉重负担。柱芳烃(pillararenes)是一类具有独特柱状结构的新型大环化合物,由于其在构建功能化和生物活性材料开发中的潜在应用引起人们广泛的关注。此外,它们在预防和控制抗生素耐药性(antimicrobial resistance,AMR)方面具有广阔的应用前景。本文综述了柱[5]芳烃衍生物对细菌病原菌的抗菌活性,并进一步揭示其在抗菌活性中的抑菌机制,尤其是对生物被膜的抑制作用。在此基础上,探索新的抑菌杀菌策略,用非传统药物以解决抗生素耐药性问题,以期为开发新的抗菌剂防控生物被膜或治疗细菌感染提供理论依据。     

羟基酪醇抑菌活性及抑菌稳定性研究

本研究探究了羟基酪醇对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、铜绿假单胞杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌等四种供试菌的抑菌活性及抑菌稳定性。采用试管半倍稀释法确定MIC和MBC,并探讨羟基酪醇对供试菌的生长和细胞膜完整性的影响以及在不同介质下的抑菌稳定性。结果表明,羟基酪醇对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、铜绿假单胞杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌的MIC分别为0.625、0.625、1.250、2.500 mg/mL,MBC分别为1.250、1.250、2.500、5.000 mg/mL。与对照组相比,四种供试菌核酸和可溶性蛋白泄漏显著,细胞膜的完整性被破坏。在不同NaCl浓度下,羟基酪醇对枯草芽孢杆菌的抑菌活性稳定;在1.0%和2.0%NaCl浓度下,羟基酪醇对大肠杆菌和铜绿假单胞杆菌的抑菌活性稳定;在2.0%NaCl介质下低浓度的羟基酪醇对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌活性稳定,在0.5%、1.5%和2.0%NaCl介质下高浓度的羟基酪醇对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌活性稳定。在蔗糖介质中,羟基酪醇对四种供试菌的抑菌活性均不稳定。因此,羟基酪醇可以作为一种新型的防腐剂。     

1株植物乳杆菌的抑菌作用及其生物学特性的研究

植物乳杆菌（Lactobacillus plantarum）是乳酸杆菌中的一种,常存在于发酵的蔬菜和果汁中。植物乳杆菌作为人体肠道的益生菌群,具有维持肠道菌群平衡、提高机体免疫力和促进营养物质吸收等多种作用。研究从市售腌渍蔬菜中分离筛选获得一株植物乳杆菌,以9种菌作为指示菌,采用牛津杯琼脂扩散法检测筛选菌株的抑菌谱大小。结果表明,该菌株能较强的抑制大肠杆菌、柠檬色葡萄球菌、藤黄微球菌和枯草芽孢杆菌等指示菌。此外,研究了菌株对温度的稳定性,p H值的耐受性及其酶的敏感性等生物学特性,结果显示该株植物乳杆菌菌株具有良好的热稳定性,酸碱稳定性,并且对3种蛋白酶具有很好的敏感性。这为今后深入研究与开发植物乳杆菌奠定了基础。     

Antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria included in inoculants for silage and in silages treated with these inoculants

AIMS: To determine antibacterial activity in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) silage inoculants and in wheat and corn silages which were treated with these inoculants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Wheat and two corn silages were prepared in 0.25 l sealed glass jars. Inoculant treatments were prepared for each type of silage with each of 10 LAB silage inoculants at inoculation rate of 10(6) CFU g(-1). Untreated silages served as controls. Antibacterial activity was determined in the inoculants and in their respective silages with Micrococcus luteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibacterial activity was detected in nine of the 10 inoculants whereas such activity in the silages varied. Control silages did not have antibacterial activity. CONCLUSIONS: Many LAB silage inoculants have antibacterial activity and in some cases this activity is imparted on inoculated silages. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study was conducted as part of a broader research objective, which is to find out how LAB silage inoculants enhance ruminant performance. The results of this study indicate that LAB silage inoculants produce antibacterial activity, and therefore, have a potential to inhibit detrimental micro-organisms in the silage or in the rumen.     

从Granulysin抗菌机理出发合理设计抗菌肽

Granulysin是一种表达于人体毒性T淋巴细胞中的抗菌蛋白,其作用相当于广谱抗菌素。随着分子模拟技术的发展,人们已经初步掌握了其结构与功能的关系,有关这方面的研究也取得了较大的进展。根据Granulysin的覆膜作用机理重新设计出具有活性的抗菌小肽,并通过实验对该片段的活性进行检验。     

Effects of primaquine on serum biochemical and hematological parameters in anesthetized Macaca fascicularis

Primaquine phosphate treatment (0.5 mg/kg/day, per os [p.o.], 14 days) significantly increased values for serum sodium, potassium, and uric acid, while calcium levels were decreased in male Macaca fascicularis. Serum values returned to baseline (pretreatment) levels by 30 days following primaquine treatment.     

盘针孢菌发酵及其胞外多糖抗氧化活性

[目的]研究盘针孢菌的发酵条件及其胞外多糖(EPS)抗氧化活性.[方法]分别研究碳源、氮源、生长因子、pH值和培养时间等条件对盘针孢菌多糖产量的影响作用,并通过测定其多糖的还原能力及对羟自由基(·OH)和1,1-二苯基苦基苯肼(DPPH)自由基的清除作用研究该多糖的抗氧化活性.[结果]盘针孢菌多糖发酵的最佳条件为20%的马铃薯浸汁,20g/L麦芽糖,5 g/L(NH4)2SO4,0.01 g/L L-胱氨酸,pH 5.0,25℃下培养10 d.在此条件下,多糖产量达到37.52 mg/L,与在基础发酵培养基条件下相比,其多糖产量提高了84.10%.盘针孢菌多糖对·OH和DPPH自由基均有较好的清除作用,在多糖浓度为50 mg/L时,对·OH的清除率达到50.81%;多糖浓度为20 mg/L时,对DPPH自由基的清除率达到14.21%.[结论]发酵条件对盘针孢菌多糖代谢具有重要的调控作用,且该多糖具有明显的抗氧化活性.     

Antitumor activity of titanocene amino acid complexes

Seven ionic titanocene -amino acid (aa) complexes [(C₅H₅)₂Ti(aa)₂]²⁺[X]₂ ^– with aa = glycine,l-alanine, 2-methylalanine,d-l-phenylalanine,d,l-4-fluorophenylalanine and X = Cl or AsF₆, were investigated for antitumor activity against fluid Ehrlich ascites tumor growing in CF1 mice. These complexes are the first stable model compounds of titanocene units with protein components, synthesized from a water-like, methanolic medium. All titanocene amino acid complexes induced antitumor activity which was manifested by maximum cure rates ranging from 30 to 70% and increases in life span from 78 to 276% in comparison with untreated control animals. The complexes containing chloride as anion X were more effective than the hexafluoroarsenate derivatives, which surprisingly showed a low substance toxicity. In all cases, the antitumor activity of the ionic titanocene amino acid complexes tested was less pronounced than that of the neutral parent compound [(C₅H₅)₂TiCl₂].