(1R,2S)-4-(2-cyano-cyclohexyl-oxy)-2-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile, a potent androgen receptor antagonist for stimulating hair growth and reducing sebum production

Synthesis, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetic profiles of (1R, 2S)-4-(2-cyano-cyclohexyl-oxy)-2-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile are reported. This compound demonstrated remarkable potency for stimulating hair growth in a male C3H mouse model as well as reducing sebum production in the male Syrian hamster ear model.     

Identification of 2-phenylethanol with a rose-like odor from anal sac secretions of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus)

The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) is an invasive species in Okinawa and Amami-Oshima, Japan. Major strategies for their eradication have been the use of baited traps, which suffer from decreasing efficiency with declining populations and the bycatch of native animals. To address these concerns, mongoose-specific lures are required. In this study, we aimed to identify species- and/or sex-specific compounds from anal sac secretions of small Indian mongooses. Volatile compounds emitted from male and female mongoose anal sac secretions were analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition to several fatty acids, 2-phenylethanol was identified as a minor compound, which is uncommon in mammalian secretions but a dominant odorant in roses. Female samples emitted higher levels of 2-phenylethanol than male samples did. These findings indicate that 2-phenylethanol is a female-specific volatile compound of anal sac secretions in small Indian mongooses, and it may be useful as an ingredient of mongoose-specific scent lures.     

2‐(Undecyloxy)‐ethanol is a major component of the male‐produced aggregation pheromone of Monochamus sutor

The small white‐marmorated longicorn beetle, Monochamus sutor (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia. It is a potential vector of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle, the causal agent of the devastating pine wilt disease. Volatiles were collected from both male and female beetles after maturation feeding. In analyses of these collections using gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry, a single male‐specific compound was detected and identified as 2‐(undecyloxy)‐ethanol. In analyses by GC coupled to electroantennography the only consistent responses from both female and male antennae were to this compound. Trapping tests were carried out in Spain, Sweden, and China. 2‐(Undecyloxy)‐ethanol was attractive to both male and female M. sutor beetles. A blend of the bark beetle pheromones ipsenol, ipsdienol, and 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol was also attractive to both sexes in Spain and Sweden, and further increased the attractiveness of the 2‐(undecyloxy)‐ethanol. The host plant volatiles α‐pinene, 3‐carene, and ethanol were weakly attractive, if at all, in all three countries and did not significantly increase the attractiveness of the blend of 2‐(undecyloxy)‐ethanol and bark beetle pheromones. 2‐(Undecyloxy)‐ethanol is thus proposed to be the major, if not only, component of the male‐produced aggregation pheromone of M. sutor, and its role is discussed. This compound has been reported as a pheromone of several other Monochamus species and is another example of the parsimony that seems to exist among the pheromones of many of the Cerambycidae. Traps baited with 2‐(undecyloxy)‐ethanol and bark beetle pheromones should be useful for monitoring and control of pine wilt disease, should M. sutor be proven to be a vector of the nematode.     

Inhibition by gossypol of phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase from pig testis

Gossypol, a polyphenolic binaphthalene-dialdehyde extracted from cotton plants which possesses male antifertility action in mammals, is a potent inhibitor of phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase from pig testis. Gossypol inhibited Ca2+-dependent activity of the enzyme without affecting its basal activity. The IC50 value (concentration causing 50% inhibition) was 31 microM when lysine-rich histone was used as substrate. Kinetic analysis indicated that the compound inhibited the enzyme non-competitively with respect to ATP (Ki = 31 microM) or lysine-rich histone (Ki = 30 microM), and competitively with respect to phosphatidylserine (Ki = 2.1 microM). With Ca2+, irrespective of the presence or absence of 1,3-diolein, the compound lowered Vmax and increased the apparent Ka for Ca2+. The compound also inhibited phosphorylation by the enzyme of high-mobility-group 1 protein (one of the endogenous substrates in the testis for the enzyme located in nucleosome), with an IC50 value of 88 microM. These results suggested that a phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein phosphorylation system in the testis is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis.     

棉酚抗生育新机制——对磷脂酶A_2活力的抑制作用(英文)

 采用微孔比色法及荧光分析法 ,研究抗男性生育化合物棉酚与猪胰腺磷脂酶A2 (phospho lipaseA2 ,PLA2 ,EC3 1 1 4 )温育并透析前后对酶活力及荧光的影响 .结果表明 ,棉酚与PLA2 不可逆地结合明显地降低了PLA2 活力及荧光强度 .棉酚对酶活力抑制作用的IC50 为 35μmol L ;当其浓度达到 80 μmol L时 ,能够完全抑制PLA2 ( 4 11μmol L)对合成底物 2 硫代十六酰乙基磷酸胆碱(HEPC ,0 .2 5mmol L)的水解作用 .PLA2 的最大激发波长与发射波长分别为 2 75nm ,34 3nm ,荧光强度与酶浓度呈良好的线性关系 .棉酚对PLA2 的荧光具有较强的淬灭作用 .由于PLA2 与男性生育密切相关 ,棉酚对PLA2 活力的影响可能是其避孕作用及伴随的副作用的一种新的重要机制     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of substituted 5-[4-[2-(6,7-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-oxo-4-quinoxalinyl)ethoxy]phenyl]methylene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives as potent euglycemic and hypolipidemic agents

A series of substituted 5-[4-[2-(6,7-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-oxo-4-quinoxalinyl)ethoxy]phenyl]methylene]thiazolidine-2,4-diones were synthesized and their euglycemic and hypolipidemic activities were investigated in Wistar male rats. Based on the in vivo data in rats, compound 4a was identified as a potent euglycemic and hypolipidemic agent.     

Synthesis and evaluation in vitro and in vivo of a 11C-labeled cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor

The radiosynthesis and radiopharmacological evaluation of 1-[(11)C]methoxy-4-(2-(4-(methanesulfonyl)phenyl)cyclopent-1-enyl)-benzene [(11)C]5 as novel PET radiotracer for imaging of COX-2 expression is described. The radiotracer was prepared via O-methylation reaction with [(11)C]methyl iodide in 19% decay-corrected radiochemical yield at a specific activity of 20-25GBq/mumol at the end-of-synthesis within 35 min. The radiotracer [(11)C]5 was evaluated in vitro using various pro-inflammatory and tumor cell lines showing high functional expression of COX-2 at baseline or after induction. In vivo biodistribution of compound [(11)C]5 was characterized in male Wistar rats. Compound [(11)C]5 was rapidly metabolized in rat plasma, and more pronounced, in mouse plasma. In vivo kinetics and tumor uptake were demonstrated by dynamic small animal PET studies in a mouse tumor xenograft model. Tumor uptake of radioactivity was clearly visible overtime. However, radioactivity uptake in the tumor could not be blocked by the pre-injection of nonradioactive compound 5. Therefore, it can be concluded that radioactivity uptake in the tumor was not COX-2 mediated.     

Interaction of the complex copper compound Cu-2 with liver monooxygenases

It has been shown that the antitumour drug Cu-2 (copper complex compound) inhibited the activity of liver monooxygenases in male CBA mice. The in vivo experiments have revealed a considerably increased duration of sleep in mice treated with hexenal after the administration of different Cu-2 doses. In vitro, after the incubation of intact mouse liver microsomal fractions with different concentrations of Cu-2 the level of cytochrome Y-450 was decreased and a non-active form of hemoprotein--cytochrome P-420--appeared. At the same time, after the incubation of Cu-2 with liver microsomal fractions stabilized by 20% glycerol type I spectral changes (Ks 330 microM) were registered. This shows the possible metabolism of Cu-2 by cytochrome P-450. The role of the revealed interaction of Cu-2 with liver microsomes is being discussed for the chemotherapy of cancer.     

N-acetyl derivative as the major active metabolite of 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole in rat bile

2-Amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) is a mutagen and carcinogen isolated from a glutamic acid pyrolysate. When this 14C-labeled compound was administered to male F344 rats at a dose of 0.3 mCi (20.8 mg)/kg b.w., 70% of the radioactivity was excreted into the bile in 24 h. On HPLC analysis of this bile, several metabolites of Glu-P-1 were found with unmetabolized Glu-P-1. One of the mutagenic metabolites was identified as N-acetyl-Glu-P-1. This metabolite had a specific mutagenic activity of about one quarter of that of Glu-P-1 and its amount in the bile corresponded to a few percent of the dose of Glu-P-1 administered.     

1-Iodo-2methylundecane, a putative estrus-specific urinary chemo-signal of female mouse (Mus musculus)

The present study was designed to identify the urinary volatiles across various reproductive stages of female mice in order to detect estrus-specific chemical signal. The urine of adult female mice were extracted with dichloromethane (1:1 ratio, v/v) and analyzed by gas chromatography linked mass-spectrometry (GC-MS). Numerous compounds were identified during estrus cycle of female mice urine. Among these, the compounds, namely, isocroctylhydrazine, 4-methyl-2-heptanone and auzulene were specific to proestrus stage and the compounds, 1-H-cyclopop-e.auzulene, caryophyllene, copanene were specific to estrus stage. However, the compound, 1-iodo-2methyl undecane (1I2MU) was observed both in proestrus and estrus phases and was absent in all other phases. The volatile signal produced at the end of proestrus and the beginning of estrus phase appears to be behaviourally important in the attraction of males. Moreover, the behaviour assay revealed that the compound, 1I2MU, is involved in attracting the male mice. This result concludes that the 1-iodo-2methyl undecane is considered as a putative estrus-specific chemo-signal.     

Design and synthesis of (4E)-4-(4-substitutedbenzylideneamino)-3-substituted-2,3-dihydro-2-thioxothiazole-5-carbonitrile as novel A2A receptor antagonists

Novel 2-thioxothiazole derivatives (6–19) as potential adenosine A_2A receptor (A_2AR) antagonists were synthesized. The strong interaction of the compounds (6–19) with A_2AR in docking study was confirmed by high binding affinity with human A_2AR expressed in HEK293T cells using radioligand-binding assay. The compound 19 demonstrated very high selectivity for A_2AR as compared to standard A_2AR antagonist SCH58261. Decrease in A_2AR-coupled release of endogenous cAMP in treated HEK293T cells demonstrated in vitro A_2AR antagonist potential of the compound 19. Attenuation in haloperidol-induced impairment (catalepsy) in Swiss albino male mice pre-treated with compound 19 is evocative to explore its prospective in therapy of PD.     

2-(2-(2-Ethoxybenzoylamino)-4-chlorophenoxy)-N-(2-ethoxybenzoyl)benzamine inhibits EAT cell induced angiogenesis by down regulation of VEGF secretion

Compounds containing amide bond play a pivotal role in various pharmaceutical applications. 2-(2-(2-Ethoxybenzoylamino)-4-chlorophenoxy)-N-(2-ethoxybenzoyl)benzamine 4 is shown to be a potent antiangiogenic agent. In this study, we report the microwave-assisted synthesis, single crystal X-ray structure, and antiangiogenic effect of compound 4 in EAT cell induced angiogenesis. Treatment with compound 4 in vivo demonstrated down regulation of the secretion of VEGF in EAT cells and inhibition of blood vessel formation indicating the potential angioinhibitory effect of the compound in EAT cells.     

Tomoxiprole Selectively Inhibits Cyclooxygenase-2

Tomoxiprole is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compound that was reported to have low ulcerogenic potential, a quality that would be expected of a cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitor, and, in fact, we find it is selective for this isozyme. In stably transfected COS cells, the compound inhibits recombinant human cyclooxygenase-2 (IC₅₀ = 7 nM) more potently than recombinant cyclooxygenase-1 (IC₅₀ = 240 nM), and similar results are obtained with partially pure ovine enzyme preparations. The compound is thus a very potent as well as selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2. As is true of some other cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitors, tomoxiprole inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 but not cyclooxygenase-1 is time-dependent.     

Imidazolic H2-agonists: importance of 2-amino substitution for pharmacological activity

The results of 2-aminohistamine (compound I) and 2-amino-5-methylhistamine (compound II) on cat acid secretion and on guinea pig gall-bladder motility are described and compared with those of Histamine or Dimaprit. The compound (I) showed a greater H2- than H1-receptor stimulating activity, while compound (II), inactive on H1, was effective on H2-receptors, being endowed with a less "potency" and "efficacy" than compound (I). The pharmacological activities of both compounds, related to their chemical structure, are discussed.     

Male Cones in Taxaceae s. l. - an Example of Wettstein's Pseudanthium Concept

Abstract: Male cones of Taxus baccata L. and Torreya californica Torr. are mostly regarded as simple strobili ("flowers"). In the past some authors assumed that every single "sporangiophore" of Taxus baccata represents a whole "flower". The male cone of Taxus would then represent a compound strobilus ("inflorescence"). A cone of Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Knight ex J. Forbes) K. Koch and Cephalotaxus fortunei Hook. can easily be recognized as a compound strobilus composed of several simple strobili.
Our developmental studies by SEM give clues to the assumption that a simple male strobilus in Cephalotaxus is not homologous to the male strobili in Taxus and Torreya. Developmental, morphological and anatomical studies suggest that the simple strobili of Taxus and Torreya are derived from the compound strobili in Cephalotaxus by a transformation of the simple strobili into single sporangiophores. With respect to morphology, the male cones in Taxus and Torreya are simple strobili, but comparative developmental studies show that they are derived from compound strobili in a process similar to Wettstein's pseudanthium hypothesis. In the light of our studies, it is not unlikely that the male cones in Pinaceae also represent transformed compound strobili.     

New N-aryl-N-alkyl-thiophene-2-carboxamide compound enhances intracellular Ca2+ dynamics by increasing SERCA2a Ca2+ pumping

The type 2a sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA2a) plays a central role in the intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis of cardiac myocytes, pumping Ca²⁺ from the cytoplasm into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) lumen to maintain relaxation (diastole) and prepare for contraction (systole). Diminished SERCA2a function has been reported in several pathological conditions, including heart failure. Therefore, development of new drugs that improve SERCA2a Ca²⁺ transport is of great clinical significance. In this study, we characterized the effect of a recently identified N-aryl-N-alkyl-thiophene-2-carboxamide (or compound 1) on SERCA2a Ca²⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺ transport activities in cardiac SR vesicles, and on Ca²⁺ regulation in a HEK293 cell expression system and in mouse ventricular myocytes. We found that compound 1 enhances SERCA2a Ca²⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺ transport in SR vesicles. Fluorescence lifetime measurements of fluorescence resonance energy transfer between SERCA2a and phospholamban indicated that compound 1 interacts with the SERCA-phospholamban complex. Measurement of endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ dynamics in HEK293 cells expressing human SERCA2a showed that compound 1 increases endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ load by enhancing SERCA2a-mediated Ca²⁺ transport. Analysis of cytosolic Ca²⁺ dynamics in mouse ventricular myocytes revealed that compound 1 increases the action potential-induced Ca²⁺ transients and SR Ca²⁺ load, with negligible effects on L-type Ca²⁺ channels and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger. However, during adrenergic receptor activation, compound 1 did not further increase Ca²⁺ transients and SR Ca²⁺ load, but it decreased the propensity toward Ca²⁺ waves. Suggestive of concurrent desirable effects of compound 1 on RyR2, [³H]-ryanodine binding to cardiac SR vesicles shows a small decrease in nM Ca²⁺ and a small increase in μM Ca²⁺. Accordingly, compound 1 slightly decreased Ca²⁺ sparks in permeabilized myocytes. Thus, this novel compound shows promising characteristics to improve intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics in cardiomyocytes that exhibit reduced SERCA2a Ca²⁺ uptake, as found in failing hearts.     

Kinetic studies on the formation and decomposition of compounds II and III. Reactions of lignin peroxidase with H2O2.

The present study characterizes the serial reactions of H2O2 with compounds I and II of lignin peroxidase isozyme H1. These two reactions constitute part of the pathway leading to formation of the oxy complex (compound III) from the ferric enzyme. Compounds II and III are the only complexes observed; no compound III* is observed. Compound III* is proposed to be an adduct of compound III with H2O2, formed from the complexation of compound III with H2O2 (Wariishi, H., and Gold, M. H. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 2070-2077). We provide evidence that demonstrates that the spectral data, on which the formation of compound III* is based, are merely an artifact caused by enzyme instability and, therefore, rule out the existence of compound III*. The reactions of compounds II and III with H2O2 are pH-dependent, similar to that observed for reactions of compounds I and II with the reducing substrate veratryl alcohol. The spontaneous decay of the compound III of lignin peroxidase results in the reduction of ferric cytochrome c. The reduction is inhibited by superoxide dismutase, indicating that superoxide is released during the decay. Therefore, the lignin peroxidase compound III decays to the ferric enzyme through the dissociation of superoxide. This mechanism is identical with that observed with oxymyoglobin and oxyhemoglobin but different from that for horseradish peroxidase. Compound III is capable of reacting with small molecules, such as tetranitromethane (a superoxide scavenger) and fluoride (a ligand for the ferric enzyme), resulting in ferric enzyme and fluoride complex formation, respectively.     

Tandem mass spectrometric determination of 11-dehydrothromboxane B2, an index metabolite of thromboxane B2 in plasma and urine

11-Dehydrothromboxane B2 is one of the major enzymatic metabolites of thromboxane B2 (TXB2), a biologically inactive product of thromboxane A2. The short half-life of thromboxane A2 and ex vivo production of thromboxane B2 by platelet activation make these prostanoid metabolites inappropriate as indices of systemic thromboxane biosynthesis, whereas 11-dehydro-TXB2 has been shown to reflect the release of thromboxane A2 in the human blood circulation. Analysis of 11-dehydro-TXB2 in plasma and urine was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry using the chemically synthesized tetradeuterated compound as an internal standard. The high selectivity of triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometry (tandem mass spectrometry) considerably facilitates sample purification as compared to single quadrupole mass spectrometric determination. Plasma concentrations in five healthy male volunteers were in the range 0.8-2.5 pg/ml. Urinary excretion of 11-dehydro-TXB2 was higher than that of 2,3-dinor-TXB2: 1.2 +/- 0.36 micrograms/24 h vs 0.53 +/- 0.33 micrograms/24 h (n = 5). Thus 11-dehydro-TXB2 appears at present to be the best index metabolite of systemic TXA2 activity in plasma as well as in urine.     

The identification of C-18 neutral steroids in normal stallion urine

As part of a continuing research program associated with the detection of anabolic steroid residues in horse urine, normal samples from entire male horses have now been investigated. Isomers of three C-18 neutral steroids; 4-estren-17-ol-3-one (1), estrane-3,17-diol (2) and an unsaturated estranediol having a possible structure (3), have been identified in urine samples from two male horses aged 8 and 14 years. Of these three steroids, compound (2) was not detected in the urine of a 2.5 yr old entire male nor in the majority of post-race urine samples from entire male horses average age 3.8 yrs (n = 34). Ten of these samples showed tentative indications of this compound. Although the isolation of isomers of estrane-3,17-diol from human non-pregnancy urine has been reported previously, analysis of non-pregnancy urine samples in the present study did not reveal the presence of these compounds.     

Allyl‐2,6‐dimethoxyphenol,a female‐biased compound,is robustly attractive to conspecific males of Bactrocera dorsalis at close range

Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) play important roles in mate recognition and chemical communication. To explore the cues regulating courtship and mating behaviour in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), CHCs were extracted from mature virgin female and male oriental fruit flies using n‐hexane. Nine compounds – i.e., 4‐allyl‐2,6‐dimethoxyphenol (designated ‘compound 3’) and eight ester compounds – had significantly greater abundance in female samples than in males. Of these nine compounds, six (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8) elicited electrophysiological responses from the antennae of male flies. Compound 3 did not elicit a detectable male antennal response, but in Y‐tube olfactometer bioassays, it exhibited robust attractiveness to conspecific males at close range. We speculate that compound 3 is a close‐range sex pheromone in B. dorsalis. A mating competition experiment revealed that compound 3 significantly increased the competitiveness of males, which implied that compound 3 might be used in control programs of B. dorsalis.