Photophysical, photochemical and electrochemical properties of a series of aromatic electron acceptors based on N-heterocycles

The electronic absorption and luminescence spectra, photoreactivity, and the electrochemical properties of a series of aromatic electron acceptors based on the 4,4′-bipyridinium, 1,2-bis(4-pyridinium)ethylene, and 2,7-diazapyrenium cations have been investigated. All these species exhibit distinctive absorption spectra and some of them show fluorescence and phosphorescence bands. The compounds based on the 1,2-bis(4-pyridinium)ethylene unit provide the interesting possibility of studying the E-Z photoisomerization of the vinylic double bond. The photophysical and photochemical properties have been also interpreted on the basis of quantum chemical calculations. All the examined compounds exhibit reduction processes at mild negative potentials that reveal their electron accepting character. We found that the photophysical, photochemical and electrochemical properties of such compounds are not only determined by the structure of the N-heterocyclic central moiety, but are also remarkably affected by the peripheral substituents linked to the quaternarized nitrogen atoms.     

Computational investigation of the properties of double furazan-based and furoxan-based energetic materials

As a kind of promising energetic materials, the double furazan-based and furoxan-based compounds have raised concerns of many researchers in recent years. In this paper, the optimized structures, energetic properties, heat of formation (HOF), detonation properties, and bond dissociation energies of these compounds were calculated by density functional theory (DFT) method. The results show that the N-O bond, which is close to the adjacent coordinated oxygen atom in furoxan ring, is more fragile than the other N-O bonds in the ring. The double furazan-based derivatives are more stable than the double furoxan-based derivatives. All the titled compounds are divided into five groups because of the different substitute groups on both ends. The HOFs of the substances offer the order of 4 group (the both ends are 1,2,3,4-tetrazine ) ≈ 5 group (1,2,4,5-tetrazine) > 3 group (tetrazole) ≈ 1 group (1,2,3-triazole) > 2 group (1,2,4-triazole). All the title compounds also can be divided into three types with the different linkages, -N=N-, -N=N(O)-, and -NH-NH-. The results show that the HOFs of the compounds with different linkages obey the order -N=N- type > -N=N(O)- type> -NH-NH- type. For all titled compounds, bis(4-(1,2,4,5-tetrazin-3-yl)-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl) diazene (E5) has the best gas-phase and solid-phase HOFs. The heat of detonation(Q) of bis(3-(1,2,3,4-tetrazin-5-yl)-1,2,5-oxidiazole-2 -oxide)diazene-1,2-diyl (B4) is the best of all titled compounds. The density of bis((3-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,2,5-oxidiazole -2-oxide)oxidodiazene-1,2-diyl (A3) is the best and the second best is bis((4-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,2,5-oxidiazol-3-yl) diazene (E3). The detonation velocities and detonation pressure of A3 and E3 are better than other titled compounds. 1,2-bis((4-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,2,5 -oxidiazol-3-yl) diazene-1-oxide (D3) and 1,2-bis((4-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1,2,5-oxidiazol-3-yl) hydrazine (F3) have superior D and P with low sensitivity. The tetrazole ring plays a vital role in improving detonation velocities and pressure. The results can provide some foundational information for designing new high-density energetic materials.     

Different classes of tryptophan residues involved in the conformational changes characteristic of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2(+)-ATPase cycle

Various classes of tryptophan residues in the Ca2(+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes have been distinguished on the basis of their sensitivities to certain fluorescence quenchers: the brominated phospholipid 1,2-bis(9,10-dibromostearoyl)-sn-glycero(3)phosphocholine, the calcium ionophore calcimycin (A23187) and its brominated analog (4-bromo-A23187), and the nucleotide analog 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-adenosine 5'-triphosphate. We show that tryptophans located at the protein-lipid interface are the main contributors to the well-known fluorescence intensity change occurring in parallel with the conformational rearrangement induced by addition of calcium to the ATPase or its removal; Trp-794 on the ATPase chain may be one of these tryptophans. We also show that tryptophans more deeply embedded in the transmembrane protein structure contribute to the fluorescence change observed upon phosphorylation from inorganic phosphate of the calcium-free ATPase. This phosphorylation step involves opposite changes in the fluorescence quantum yield of tryptophans located in the membrane and in the cytoplasmic regions of the ATPase. This result is in agreement with models in which phosphorylation from inorganic phosphate not only changes the ATPase conformation locally around the catalytic center, but also reorganizes the membrane portion of the ATPase by long-range action, allowing, for instance, the calcium sites to become accessible from the luminal medium.     

Fluorescence studies of ATP-diphosphohydrolase from Solanum tuberosum var. Desirée

Chemical modification of potato apyrase suggests that tryptophan residues are close to the nucleotide binding site. Kd values (+/- Ca2+) for the complexes of apyrase with the non-hydrolysable phosphonate adenine nucleotide analogues, adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylene) triphosphate and adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta-methylene) diphosphate, were obtained from quenching of the intrinsic enzyme fluorescence. Other fluorescent nucleotide analogues (2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5'-triphosphate, 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5'-diphosphate. 1,N6-ethenoadenosine triphosphate and 1,N6-ethenoadenosine diphosphate) were hydrolysed by apyrase in the presence of Ca2+, indicating binding to the active site. The dissociation constants for the binding of these analogues were calculated from both the decrease of the protein (tryptophan) fluorescence and enhancement of the nucleotide fluorescence. Using the sensitised acceptor (nucleotide analogue) fluorescence method, energy transfer was observed between enzyme tryptophans and ethene-derivatives. These results support the view that tryptophan residues are present in the nucleotide-binding region of the protein, appropriately oriented to allow the energy transfer process to occur.     

Inhibition of octopus glutathione transferase by Meisenheimer complex analog, S-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) glutathione

The tight binding of Meisenheimer intermediate with octopus digestive gland glutathione transferase was analyzed with 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, which forms a trapped Meisenheimer complex with glutathione because there is no leaving group at the ipso carbon. By steady-state enzyme kinetic analysis, an inhibition constant of 1.89 ± 0.17 M was found for the transient formed, S-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) glutathione. The above inhibition constant is 407-fold smaller than the K _m value for the substrate (2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene). Thus, S-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) glutathione is considered to be a transition-state analog. The tight binding of this inhibitor to the enzyme provides an explanation for the involvement of the biological binding effect on the rate enhancement in the glutathione transferase-catalyzed S_NAr mechanism.     

Carbamoylating Activity Associated with the Activation of the Antitumor Agent Laromustine Inhibits Angiogenesis by Inducing ASK1-Dependent Endothelial Cell Death

The anticancer agent 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[(methylamino)carbonyl]hydrazine (laromustine), upon decomposition in situ, yields methyl isocyanate and the chloroethylating species 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine (90CE). 90CE has been shown to kill tumor cells via a proposed mechanism that involves interstrand DNA cross-linking. However, the role of methyl isocyanate in the antineoplastic function of laromustine has not been delineated. Herein, we show that 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-[(methylamino)carbonyl]hydrazine (101MDCE), an analog of laromustine that generates only methyl isocyanate, activates ASK1-JNK/p38 signaling in endothelial cells (EC). We have previously shown that ASK1 forms a complex with reduced thioredoxin (Trx1) in resting EC, and that the Cys residues in ASK1 and Trx1 are critical for their interaction. 101MDCE dissociated ASK1 from Trx1, but not from the phosphoserine-binding inhibitor 14-3-3, in whole cells and in cell lysates, consistent with the known ability of methyl isocyanate to carbamoylate free thiol groups of proteins. 101MDCE had no effect on the kinase activity of purified ASK1, JNK, or the catalytic activity of Trx1. However, 101MDCE, but not 90CE, significantly decreased the activity of Trx reductase-1 (TrxR1). We conclude that methyl isocyanate induces dissociation of ASK1 from Trx1 either directly by carbamoylating the critical Cys groups in the ASK1-Trx1 complex or indirectly by inhibiting TrxR1. Furthermore, 101MDCE (but not 90CE) induced EC death through a non-apoptotic (necroptotic) pathway leading to inhibition of angiogenesis in vitro. Our study has identified methyl isocyanates may contribute to the anticancer activity in part by interfering with tumor angiogenesis.     

Characterization of nitrogen-bridged 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-, furazan-, and 1H-tetrazole-based polyheterocyclic compounds: heats of formation, thermal stability, and detonation properties

The heats of formation (HOFs), thermal stability, and detonation properties for a series of nitrogen-bridged 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-, furazan-, and 1H-tetrazole-based polyheterocyclic compounds (3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazole-5-ylamino)-1,2,4,5- tetrazine (TST), 3,6-bis(furazan-5-ylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (FSF), 3,4-bis(1,2,4,5- tetrazine-3-ylamino)-furazan (SFS), 3,4-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazole-5-ylamino)-furazan (TFT), 1,5-bis(1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3-ylamino)-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazole (STS), and 1,5-bis(furazan-3-ylamino)-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazole (FTF) derivatives) were systematically studied by using density functional theory. The results show that the -N(3) or -NHNH(2) group plays a very important role in increasing the HOF values of the derivatives. Among these series, the SFS derivatives have lower energy gaps, while the TFT derivatives have higher ones. Incorporation of the -NH(2) group into the FSF, SFS, STS, or FTF ring is favorable for enhancing its thermal stability, whereas the substitution of the -NHNH(2) group could increase the thermal stability of the TST, SFS, STS, or FTF ring. The calculated detonation properties indicate that the -NO(2) or -NF(2) is very helpful for enhancing the detonation performance for these derivatives. Considering the detonation performance and thermal stability, six derivatives may be regarded as promising candidates of high-energy density materials (HEDMs). These results provide basic information for the molecular design of novel HEDMs.     

The C-C bond cleavage of a lignin model compound, 1,2-diarylpropane-1,3-diol, with a heme-enzyme model catalyst tetraphenylporphyrinatoiron(III)chloride in the presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide

The catalytic C-C bond cleavage of a lignin model compound was investigated by use of tetraphenylporphyrinatoiron(III)chloride as a model for enzymic degradation of lignin. The C-C bond of the lignin model compound 1,2-bis(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propane-1,3-diol was oxidatively cleaved by catalysis of iron-porphyrins in the presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide or iodosylbenzene at a room temperature. The products formed after complete oxidation of the substrate were identified as 4-O-ethylvanillin, alpha-hydroxy-4-ethoxy-3-methoxyacetophenone, 4-O-ethylvanillic acid, 4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol, 4-ethoxy-3-methoxy-alpha-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-beta-hydroxypropi ophenone and formaldehyde.     

Deuteration and fluorination of 1,3-bis(2-phenylethyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione to improve its pharmacokinetic properties

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and death, most often from respiratory failure. Over 200 pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (PYT) small molecules, which prevent aggregation and reduce the associated toxicity of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) found in patients with familial ALS, have been synthesized and tested. One of the compounds (1,3-bis(2-phenylethyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, (1) was previously found to have an excellent combination of potency efficacy, and some desirable pharmacokinetic properties. To improve the solubility and metabolic stability properties of this compound, deuterium and fluorine were introduced into 1. New analogs with better solubility, plasma stability, and human microsome stability were identified.     

Preparation and properties of 2′(or 3′)-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5′-triphosphate, an analog of adenosine triphosphate

An analog of adenosine triphosphate, 2′(or 3′)-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5′-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), was synthesized as a reporter-labeled substrate of heavy meromyosin ATPase. TNP-ATP was hydrolyzed by heavy meromyosin in the presence of CaCl₂ MgCl₂ or EDTA.TNP-ATP had absorption maxima at 259 nm, 408 nm and 470 nm at neutral pH. When bound to heavy meromyosin, TNP-ATP underwent the characteristic spectral shift. The difference spectrum resulting from the binding of TNP-ATP to heavy meromyosin at pH 8.0 had positive peaks at 415 nm and 518 nm, and a negative trough at 458 nm.The difference spectrum due to the binding of 2′(or 3′)-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine (TNP-adenosine) to heavy meromyosin had small positive peaks at 420 nm and 495 nm. This difference spectrum was similar to that of TNP-ATP or TNP-adenosine produced by 20% (v/v) ethyleneglycol perturbation. The positive peak at 495 nm in the difference spectrum due to the binding of TNP-adenosine to heavy meromyosin shifted toward 505 nm, when pyrophosphate or ATP was added to the reaction mixture.These results suggest that the difference spectrum of TNP-ATP due to the interaction with heavy meromyosin arises not only from the binding of the chromophoric portion of the TNP-ATP molecule but also from that of the phosphate portion.     

Oxidative metabolism of some hydrazine derivatives by rat liver and lung tissue fractions

The enzyme systems in rat liver and lung responsible for the oxidative metabolism of hydrazine derivatives were studied to determine whether these enzymes, cytochrome P-450 and monoamine oxidase, were responsible for metabolically activating hydrazines to carcinogenic/toxic metabolites. Cytochrome P-450 preferentially oxidized the nitrogen to nitrogen bond of 1,2-disubstituted hydrazines and hydrazides, while monoamine oxidase oxidized the nitrogen to nitrogen bond of all the classes of hydrazine derivatives that were tested. Oxidation of the nitrogen to nitrogen bond led to the formation of stable azo intermediates in the case of 1,2-disubstituted hydrazines and to unstable monoazo (diazene) metabolites in the case of monosubstituted hydrazines and hydrazides. In addition, cytochrome P-450 preferentially oxidized the carbon to nitrogen bond of monoalkylhydrazines; this reaction resulted in the formation of aldehyde metabolites (via hydrazone intermediates). Monosubstituted hydrazines were shown to be potent, irreversible inhibitors of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase. In contrast, the 1,2-disubstituted hydrazines appeared to be good substrates for the monoamine oxidase and served as competitive inhibitors at high concentrations. There did not appear to be any monoamine oxidase isozyme (form A or B) specificity in the metabolism of either the 1,2-disubstituted hydrazines or the monoalkylhydrazines, ethyl- and n-propylhydrazine.     

Fluorescence energy transfer between nucleotide binding sites in an F-actin filament

Fluorescence energy transfer between nucleotide binding sites in an F-actin filament was measured using 1-N6-ethenoadenosine diphosphate (epsilon-ADP) as a fluorescent donor and 2'(or 3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5'-diphosphate (TNP-ADP) as an acceptor, both of which were bound to F-actin. Taking into consideration the helical structure of the F-actin filament, the radial coordinate of the nucleotide binding site was calculated to be 25 A, which corresponds to a distance between these sites along the long-pitch helix of 56.3 A and along the genetic helix of 56.7 A.     

Investigation of inhibitory properties of some hydrazone compounds on hCA I,hCA II and AChE enzymes

Recently, inhibition of carbonic anhydrase (hCA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) have appeared as a promising approach for pharmacological intervention in a variety of disorders such as glaucoma, epilepsy, obesity, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Keeping this in mind, N,N′-bis[(1-aryl-3-heteroaryl)propylidene]hydrazine dihydrochlorides, N1-N11, P1, P4-P8, and R1-R6, were synthesized to investigate their inhibitory activity against hCA I, hCA II, and AChE enzymes. All compounds in N, P, and R-series inhibited hCAs (I and II) and AChE more efficiently than the reference compounds acetazolamide (AZA), and tacrine. According to the activity results, the most effective inhibitory compounds were in R-series with the K_i values of 203 ± 55–473 ± 67 nM and 200 ± 34–419 ± 94 nM on hCA I, and hCA II, respectively. N,N′-Bis[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(morpholine-4-yl)propylidene]hydrazine dihydrochlorides, N8, in N-series, N,N′-Bis[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(piperidine-1-yl)propylidene]hydrazine dihydrochlorides, P4, in P-series, and N,N′-bis[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(pyrrolidine-1-yl)propylidene]hydrazine dihydrochlorides, R5, in R-series were the most powerful compounds against hCA I with the K_i values of 438 ± 65 nM, 344 ± 64 nM, and 203 ± 55 nM, respectively. Similarly, N8, P4, and R5 efficiently inhibited hCA II isoenzyme with the K_i values of 405 ± 60 nM, 327 ± 80 nM, and 200 ± 34 nM, respectively. On the other hand, P-series compounds had notable inhibitory effect against AChE than the reference compound tacrine and the K_i values were between 66 ± 20 nM and 128 ± 36 nM. N,N′-Bis[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(piperidine-1-yl)propylidene]hydrazine dihydrochlorides, P7, was the most potent compound on AChE with the K_i value of 66 ± 20 nM. The other most promising compounds, N,N′-bis[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(morpholine-4-yl)propylidene]hydrazine dihydrochlorides, N4 in N-series and N,N′-bis[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(pyrrolidine-1-yl)propylidene]hydrazine dihydrochlorides, R4 in R-series were againts AChE with the K_i values of 119 ± 20 nM, 88 ± 14 nM, respectively.     

Chloroethylating and methylating dual function antineoplastic agents display superior cytotoxicity against repair proficient tumor cells

Two new agents based upon the structure of the clinically active prodrug laromustine were synthesized. These agents, 2-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methyl-1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-N-nitrosohydrazinecarboxamide (1) and N-(2-chloroethyl)-2-methyl-1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-N-nitrosohydrazinecarboxamide (2), were designed to retain the potent chloroethylating and DNA cross-linking functions of laromustine, and gain the ability to methylate DNA at the O-6 position of guanine, while lacking the carbamoylating activity of laromustine. The methylating arm was introduced with the intent of depleting the DNA repair protein O⁶-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT). Compound 1 is markedly more cytotoxic than laromustine in both AGT minus EMT6 mouse mammary carcinoma cells and high AGT expressing DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells. DNA cross-linking studies indicated that its cross-linking efficiency is nearly identical to its predicted active decomposition product, 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine (90CE), which is also produced by laromustine. AGT ablation studies in DU145 cells demonstrated that 1 can efficiently deplete AGT. Studies assaying methanol and 2-chloroethanol production as a consequence of the methylation and chloroethylation of water by 1 and 2 confirmed their ability to function as methylating and chloroethylating agents and provided insights into the superior activity of 1.     

Preparation, properties and reactions of metal-containing heterocycles Part LXXXIX. Metalla[n]- and metalla[m.n]orthocyclophanes as mediators for the synthesis of cyclic ketones

The reaction of the bis(triflates) 1,2-bis[2-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)ethyl]benzene (1), 1,2-bis[3-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)propyl]benzene (3) and 1,2-bis{2-[2-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)ethyl]phenyl}ethane (6), respectively, with the carbonyl metalates [M(CO)₄]^2- (M=Os (a), Ru (b), Fe (c)) results in the formation of the osmaorthocyclophanes 2a, 4a, 7a and 8a, the ruthenacylophane 2b and the ferracyclophanes 2c and 7c, respectively. Carbon monoxide insertion into the Fe-Cσ bonds of the ferracycles 2c and 7c, respectively, affords the ketones 3-oxo[5]orthocyclophane (9) and 3-oxo[5.2]orthocyclophane (11). The structure of 2a was investigated by an X-ray structural analysis. 2a crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with Z=4.     

Looking for high energy density compounds among polynitraminepurines

A series of purine derivatives with nitramine groups are calculated by using density functional theory (DFT). The molecular theory density, heats of formation, bond dissociation energies and detonation performance are investigated at DFT-B3LYP/6-311G** level. The isodesmic reaction method is employed to calculate the HOFs of the energies obtained from electronic structure calculations. Results show that the position of nitramine groups can influence the values of HOFs. The bond dissociation energies and the impact sensitivity are analyzed to investigate the thermal stability of the purine derivatives. The calculated bond dissociation energies of ring-NHNO₂ and NH-NO₂ bond show that the NH-NO₂ bond should be the trigger bond in pyrolysis processes. The H₅₀ of most compounds are larger than that of CL-20 and RDX.     

Synthesis of 4-O- and 6-O-(2′-iodoethyl)-d-glucose

O-Allylation of 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-acetyl- -glucopyranose followed by an ozonation/reduction sequence gave the 4-hydroxyethyl derivative. This hydroxyethyl substituent was also introduced at C-6, starting from 1,2:3,5-bis(O-methylidene)-α- -glucofuranose using an alkylation/reduction sequence. These 4- and 6-O-hydroxyethyl derivatives were then converted to the title compounds by iodination followed by deprotection. Noteworthy is the particular stability of the carbon–iodine bond in these ethers, a prerequisite for their potential use in Single Photon Emitted Computed Tomography medical imaging (SPECT).     

A theoretical study on 1,5-diazido-3-nitrazapentane (DANP) and 1,7-diazido-2,4,6-trinitrazaheptane (DATNH): molecular and crystal structures, thermodynamic and detonation properties, and pyrolysis mechanism

1,5-Diazido-3-nitrazapentane (DANP) and 1,7-diazido-2,4,6-trinitrazaheptane (DATNH) are two energetic plasticizers. To better understand them, a detailed theoretical investigation was carried out using density functional theory and molecular mechanics methods. The crystal structures, spectra, thermodynamic properties, heats of formation, detonation velocity, detonation pressure, specific impulse and thermal stability were estimated. Possible initiation steps of pyrolysis were discussed by considering the bond breaking of N–NO₂, C–N₃, and N–N₂ (via hydrogen transfer) for both compounds and the cyclization of the adjacent nitro and azido groups for DATNH. Results show that the rupture of N–NO₂ and N–N₂ (via hydrogen transfer) may happen simultaneously as the initial step of pyrolysis. Both crystals have P-1 symmetry as was observed experimentally. DANP has higher stability than DATNH, while DATNH has better detonation performance than DANP. In addition, DANP has a lower while DATNH has a higher specific impulse than RDX, which shows their prospects as propellant components.     

Curcumin derivative 1, 2-bis [(3E, 5E)-3, 5-bis [(2-chlorophenyl) methylene]-4-oxo-1-piperidyl] ethane-1, 2-dione (ST03) induces mitochondria mediated apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells and inhibits tumor progression in EAC mouse model

Curcumin is known for its anticancer properties, but its clinical application is limited due to its poor bioavailability and chemical stability. In this study we report the curcumin derivative, ST03 (1,2-bis[(3E,5E)-3,5-bis[(2-chlorophenyl)methylene]-4-oxo-1-piperidyl]ethane-1,2-dione) exhibits ∼ 14 fold better bioavailability compared to curcumin and is detectable in plasma up to 12 h. ST03 induces ROS, activates the intrinsic apoptotic pathway as evident by disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and induction of proapoptotic proteins in ovarian cancer lines PA1 and A2780. ST03 also blocked the migration of ovarian cancer cells. ST03 exerted its antitumor effect in-vivo in the EAC mouse model by activating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Our findings demonstrate ST03, a curcumin derivative, with better bioavailability and stability with no discernable toxicity in vivo to be a promising drug candidate for anticancer therapies.     

The effect of temperature and ionic strength on the apparent Ca-affinity of EGTA and the analogous Ca-chelators BAPTA and dibromo-BAPTA

The apparent calcium association constants (K'Ca) of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) and 1,2-bis 2-bis(o-amino-5-bromophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (dibromo-BAPTA) were measured using the method described by Bers (Am. J. Physiol. 242 (1982) C404-408). The purity of the three ligands determined from the chi-intercept of Scatchard plots were 96.3%, 79.0% and 97.3% for EGTA, BAPTA and dibromo-BAPTA, respectively. The impurity of BAPTA was found to be water by drying several samples to constant weight. Increasing temperature from 1 to 36 degrees C led to an increase in K'Ca which was of similar magnitude for the three ligands. Increasing ionic strength from 0.104 to 0.304 M led to a reduction of K'Ca in all cases, though EGTA was affected much less than BAPTA or dibromo-BAPTA. Experimental results were compared with values of K'Ca calculated from the individual association constants of the ligands for calcium and protons which were modified for the experimental conditions using the Debye-Hückel limiting law and the Van't Hoff Isochore to correct for ionic strength and temperature, respectively. The experimental values of K'Ca of EGTA agree well with those in the literature and with the calculated values. Good agreement was also found between the experimental and calculated values of K'Ca for the temperature and ionic strength dependence of BAPTA and dibromo-BAPTA.