Validation of a novel in vitro assay using ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) to detect and quantify hydroxylated metabolites of BDE-99 in rat liver microsomes

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) method to investigate the hepatic oxidative metabolism of 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99), a widely used flame retardant and ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Hydroxylated metabolites were extracted using liquid-to-liquid extraction, resolved on a C₁₈ column with gradient elution and detected by mass spectrometry in single ion recording mode using electrospray negative ionization. The assay was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of quantification, range and recovery. Calibration curves were linear (R² ≥ 0.98) over a concentration range of 0.010–1.0 μM for 4-OH-2,2′,3,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (4-OH-BDE-90), 5′-OH-2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (5′-OH-BDE-99) and 6′-OH-2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (6′-OH-BDE-99), and a concentration range of 0.0625–12.5 μM for 2,4,5-tribromophenol (2,4,5-TBP). Inter- and intra-day accuracy values ranged from −2.0% to 6.0% and from −7.7% to 7.3%, respectively, and inter- and intra-day precision values ranged from 2.0% to 8.5% and from 2.2% to 8.6% (n = 6), respectively. The limits of quantification were 0.010 μM for 4-OH-BDE-90, 5′-OH-BDE-99 and 6′-OH-BDE-99, and 0.0625 μM for 2,4,5-TBP. Recovery values ranged between 85 and 100% for the four analytes. The validated analytical method was applied to identify and quantify hydroxy BDE-99 metabolites formed in vitro. Incubation of BDE-99 with rat liver microsomes yielded 4-OH-BDE-90 and 6′-OH-BDE-99 as major metabolites and 5′-OH-BDE-99 and 2,4,5-TBP as minor metabolites. To our knowledge, this is the first validated UPLC/MS method to quantify hydroxylated metabolites of PBDEs without the need of derivatization.     

Identification of tertiary aminomethylenedioxy-propiophenones as urinary metabolites of safrole in the rat and guinea pig

Three nitrogen-containing metabolites of safrole (1-allyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-benzene) are excreted in the urine of rats and/or guinea pigs following oral or intraperitoneal administration. The major safrole basic ninhydrin-positive metabolites of the guinea pig and rat are 3-N-N-dimethylamino-1-(3′,4′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1-propanone and 3-piperidyl-1-(3′,4′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1-propanone, respectively. In addition, the rat also excretes the above N,N-dimethylaminoketone and trace amounts of 3-pyrrolidinyl-1-(3′,4′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-1-propanone. All three of these aminoketones decompose to form 1-(3′,4−methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-propen-1-one.     

Discovery of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors with potential for decreased active metabolite load compared to dirlotapide

Analogues related to dirlotapide (1), a gut-selective inhibitor of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) were prepared with the goal of further reducing the potential for unwanted liver MTP inhibition and associated side-effects. Compounds were designed to decrease active metabolite load: reducing MTP activity of likely human metabolites and increasing metabolite clearance to reduce exposure. Introduction of 4′-alkyl and 4′-alkoxy substituents afforded compounds exhibiting improved therapeutic index in rats with respect to liver triglyceride accumulation and enzyme elevation. Likely human metabolites of select compounds were prepared and characterized for their potential to inhibit MTP in vivo. Based on preclinical efficacy and safety data and its potential for producing short-lived, weakly active metabolites, compound 13 (PF-02575799) advanced into phase 1 clinical studies.     

Potential defense-related prenylated isoflavones in lactofen-induced soybean

An integrated LC-MS and NMR metabolomic study was conducted to investigate metabolites whose formation was induced by lactofen (1), a soybean (Glycine max L.) disease resistance-inducing herbicide. First, LC-MS analyses of control and lactofen (1)-induced soybean extracts were performed. The LC-MS raw data were then processed by a custom designed bioinformatics program to detect the induced metabolites so formed. Finally, structures of unknown induced metabolites were determined on the basis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. Structure of two previously unreported compounds, 7,8-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-3′-prenylisoflavone (2) and 7-hydroxy-4′,8-dimethoxy-3′-prenylisoflavone (3) were elucidated together with four known prenylated compounds, 3′-prenyldaidzein (4), 8-prenyldaidzein (5), 3′-prenylgenistein (6), and 4-prenylcoumestrol (7). Compounds (2-6) are reported for the first time in soybean, as are the ¹³C chemical shift assignments for compound (7). Formation of these six prenylated compounds was also induced by the primary defense glucan elicitor from the cell wall of the pathogen Phytophthora sojae (Kauf. and Gerde.), further suggesting a potential role in soybean defense. These results highlight the metabolic flexibility within soybean secondary product pathways and suggest that prenylation may be associated with defense responses. Moreover, this study demonstrates a promising future approach using metabolomics on elicitor-induced plants for discovery of unknown compounds even in relatively well studied plants.     

1,4-Dioxane-2,5-dione-type monomers derived from l-ascorbic and d-isoascorbic acids. Synthesis and polymerisation

l-Ascorbic and d-isoascorbic acids have been used as the starting materials for the preparation of (3R,4′S)-3-(2′,2′-dimethyl-1′,3′-dioxolan-4′-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPTA), (3R and S, 4′S,6R)-3-methyl-6-(2′,2′-dimethyl-1′,3′-dioxolan-4′-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPTP) and (3R,4′R)-3-(2′,2′-dimethyl-1′,3′-dioxolan-4′-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPEA), three novel 1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione-type monomers. Ring-opening homopolymerisation and copolymerisation of the IPTA monomer, derived from l-ascorbic acid, with d,l-lactide have been performed. The polymers were characterised by elemental microanalysis, as well as IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. GPC was used to estimate product molecular weights, and thermal studies (DSC and TGA) revealed that all the polymers were amorphous, being stable up to 250 °C under nitrogen.     

Enantiopure dihalocyclopropyl alcohols and esters by lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution

Four halogenated cyclopropane derivatives with a side chain containing a primary (1 and 2) or secondary (3 and 4) alcohol moiety were subject to kinetic resolution catalyzed by lipases. Two of them containing secondary alcohol groups gave excellent results with Candida antarctica lipase B with E-values around 1000. Two enantiopure alcohols and two enantiopure butanoates are described: (1S,1′S)-1-(2′,2′-dichloro-3′,3′-dimethylcyclopropyl) ethanol (3), the corresponding (1R,1′R)-butanoate (3b) and (1S,1′S)-1-(1′-methyl-2′,2′-dibromocyclopropyl) ethanol (4) and the corresponding (1R,1′R)-butanoate (4b).     

Structural requirements of (E)-6-benzylidene-4a-methyl-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2(3H)-one derivatives as novel melanogenesis inhibitors

Chalcone type compound 1a ((E)-6′-benzylidene-4a′-methyl-4′,4a′,7′,8′-tetrahydro-3′H-spiro[[1,3]dithiolane-2,2′-naphthalen]-5′(6′H)-one) was discovered as an potent inhibitor in melanogenesis. To define its structure-activity relationship, a series of analogs 1b-n, dithiolane truncated 2a-b and ring A removed 3a-e were prepared and evaluated. The electron donating substitution on the phenyl ring (ring C) rather than an electron withdrawing group and dithiolane motif of 1 are needed for the activity enhancement. The scaffold containing both rings A and B associated with α,β-unsaturated system connected to phenyl of 1 was essential for antimelanogenesis.     

Synthesis, properties and crystal structures of new binuclear lead(II) complexes based on phenyl, naphthyl-containing fluorine β-diketones and substituted 2,2′-bipyridines

Four lead(II) complexes with substituted 2,2′-bipyridine adducts and β-diketonates ligands, [Pb(5,5′-dm-2,2′-bpy)(tfpb)₂]₂1, [Pb(4,4′-dmo-2,2′-bpy)(tfpb)₂]₂2, [Pb(4,4′-dm-2,2′-bpy)(tfnb)₂]₂3 and [Pb(5,5′-dm-2,2′-bpy)(tfnb)₂]₂4, (“4,4′-dm-2,2′-bpy”, “5,5′-dm-2,2′-bpy”, “4,4′-dmo-2,2′-bpy”, “Htfpb” and “Htfnb” are the abbreviations of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione and 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedione, respectively) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and also studied by thermal and electrochemical as well as X-ray crystallography. The supramolecular features in these complexes are guided/controlled by weak directional intramolecular interactions.     

Absolute configuration of podophyllotoxin related lignans from Bursera fagaroides using vibrational circular dichroism

The ethanol extract from the dried exudate of Bursera fagaroides (Burseraceae) showed significant cytotoxic activity in the HT-29 (human colon adenocarcinoma) test system. The extract provided four podophyllotoxin related lignans, identified as (7′R,8R,8′R)-(−)-deoxypodophyllotoxin (3), (7′R,8R,8′R)-(−)-morelensin (4), (8R,8′R)-(−)-yatein (5), and (8R,8′R)-(−)-5′-desmethoxyyatein (6), whose spectroscopic and chiroptical properties were compared with those of (7R,7′R,8R,8′R)-(−)-podophyllotoxin (1) and its acetyl derivative (2). Their absolute configurations were assigned by comparison of the vibrational circular dichroism spectra of 1 and 3 with those obtained by density functional theory calculations.     

Inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells by lignans isolated from Euonymus alatus leaves and twigs

The 80% methanolic extract of Euonymus alatus leaves and twigs afforded three new lignans, (−)-threo-4,9,4′,9′-tetrahydroxy-3,7,3′,5′-tetramethoxy-8-O-8′-neolignan (1), (−)-threo-4,9,4′,9′-tetrahydroxy-3,5,7,3′-tetramethoxy-8-O-8′-neolignan (2), (7R,8R,7′R)-(+)-lyoniresinol (3), together with seventeen known lignans (4-20). The structures of 1-20 were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D spectroscopic methods including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY. All the isolated compounds except for dilignans (19 and 20) significantly inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.     

Oxime-phosphazenes containing dioxybiphenyl groups

2,2-Dichloro-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2′,2′′-dioxy-1′,1′′-biphenylyl]cyclotriphosphazene (2) was obtained from the reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (1) with biphenyl-2,2′-diol. 2,2-Bis(4-formylphenoxy)-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2′,2′′-dioxy-1′,1′′-biphenylyl]cyclotriphosphazene (3) was synthesized from the reaction of 2 with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The novel oxime-cyclophosphazene containing dioxybiphenyl groups (4) was synthesized from the reaction of 3 with hydroxylaminehydrochloride in pyridine. The reactions of this oxime-cyclophosphazene with propanoyl chloride, allyl bromide, acetyl chloride, methyl iodide, benzoyl chloride, 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride, benzenesulfonyl chloride, chloroacetyl chloride, ethyl bromide, benzyl chloride and 2-chlorobenzoyl chloride were studied. Disubstituted compounds were obtained from the reactions of 4 with propanoyl chloride, allyl bromide, acetyl chloride, methyl iodide, benzoyl chloride, 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride, chloroacetyl chloride, ethyl bromide, and 2-chlorobenzoyl chloride, however, the oxime groups on 4 rearranged to nitrile (11) in the reaction of 4 with benzenesulfonyl chloride. A monosubstituted compound was obtained from the reaction of 4 with benzyl chloride. All products were generally obtained in high yields. The structures of the compounds were defined by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.     

X-ray structure and magnetic properties of dinuclear and polymer iron(II) complexes

Five new octahedral iron(II) complexes [FeL2(4-dpa)]_n(EtOH) (1), [FeL2(bipy)]_n(DMF) (2), [FeL1(bpee)]_n (3), [Fe₂L3(1-meim)₄](1-meim)₄ (4) and [FeL1(DMAP)₂] (5), with L1 and L2 being tetradentate coordinating Schiff base like ligands (L1 = (E,E)-[{diethyl-2,2′-[1,2-phenylenebis(iminomethylidyne)]bis[3-oxobutanato](2-)-N,N′,O³,O³′}, L2 = (3,3′)-[{1,2-phenylenebis(iminomethylidyne)]bis(2,4-pentane-dionato)(2-)-N,N′,O²,O²′}) and L3 being a octadentate dinucleating coordinating Schiff base like ligand ({tetraethyl-(E,E,E,E)-2,2′,2′′,2′′′-[1,2,4,5-phenylentetra(iminomethylidine)]tetra[3-oxobutanoato](2-)-N,N′,N′′,N′′′,O³,O³′,O³′′,O³′′′}); 4-dpa = di(4-picolyl)-amine, bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bpee = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, 1-meim = 1-methylimidazole and DMAP = 4-dimethylaminopyridine, have been synthesized and characterised using X-ray structure analysis and T-dependent susceptibility measurements. Both methods indicate that all iron(II) centres are in the paramagnetic high-spin state over the whole temperature range investigated. The O-Fe-O angle, the so called bit of the equatorial ligand, is with an average of 111° in the region typical for high-spin iron(II) complexes of this ligand type. In the case of compound 1 an infinite two-dimensional hydrogen bond network can be found, for the compounds 2-4 no hydrogen bond interactions are observed between the complex molecules. A comparison of the curve progression obtained from the magnetic measurements of the mononuclear complex 5 and the polymeric complexes 1-3 leads to the conclusion that no magnetic interactions are mediated over the bridging axial ligands. For the dinuclear complex 4 weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the two iron centres are found.     

Flavones and flavone glycosides from Halophila johnsonii

Halophila johnsonii Eiseman is a shallow-water marine angiosperm which contains UV-absorbing metabolites. Studies on methanol extracts of H. johnsonii by means of HPLC-UV, NMR, HPLC-MS resulted in isolation and identification of seven previously unknown flavone glycosides: 5,6,7,3′,4′,5′-hexahydroxyflavone-7-O-β-glucopyranoside (1), 5,6,7,3′,4′,5′-hexahydroxyflavone-7-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-β-glucopyranoside (2), 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-β-glucopyranoside (3), 6-hydroxyapigenin-7-O-(6″-O-acetyl)-β-glucopyranoside (4), 6-hydroxyapigenin-7-O-(6″-O-[E]-coumaroyl)-β-glucopyranoside (5), 6-hydroxyapigenin-7-O-(6″-O-[E]-caffeoyl)-β-glucopyranoside (6) and 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-O-(6″-O-[E]-coumaroyl)-β-glucopyranoside (7). Also isolated were three known flavone glycosides, 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside (8), scutellarein-7-O-β-glucopyranoside (9), and spicoside (10), and five known flavones, pedalitin (11), ladanetin (12), luteolin (13), apegenin (14) and myricetin (15). Qualitative comparison of the flavonoid distribution in the leaf and rhizome-root portions of the plant was also investigated, with the aim of establishing the UV-protecting roles that flavonoids played in the sea grass.     

Isolation and indentification of a new toxin,altenuene, from the fungus Alternaria tenuis

A previously unknown metabolite was isolated from four week old cultured of the fungus, Alternaria tenuis. The compound shows cytotoxic activity against five bacteria tested by the paper-disc agar-plate method. After purification by column chromatography on silica gel, the metabolite crystallized from acetone: hexane mixtures as colorless neddles neddles that melted at 190–191° (corr.). High resolution mass spectrometry indicated a parent ion with mol. wt. 292.0938, which identified the empirical formula as C₁₅H₁₆O₆. Structural assignments based on infrared, proton magnetic resonance, and ultraviolet spectra established the structure of the compound as 2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-3,3′,4′-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-6′-mehyl-dibenzo-α-pyrone to which we have given the trival name, altenuene. Altenuene is structurally related to two previously characterized A. tenius metabolites, alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether.     

Synthesis and mass spectrometry of new compounds related to the tocopherols and plastoquinones

Seven new isomers of α-tocopherol acetate have been synthesized from di- and trimethylated phenols. The compounds synthesized are: 2,5,6,7-tetramethyl-8-acetoxy-2-(4′,8′,12′-trimethyltridecyl) chroman (“ortho tocopherol acetate”), 7, and the six possible structural isomers of dimethylphytyl-1-methoxy-4-acetoxy-benzene, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, and 19. Upon mass spectral determination, the seven synthetic compounds and natural α-tocopherol acetate produced the same fragment ions, the only differences in the spectra being in the relative intensities of some of the fragments.     

Phenolic compounds and their anti-oxidative properties and protein kinase inhibition from the Chinese mangrove plant Laguncularia racemosa

Phenolic compounds, named integracin D (1), (7′R, 8′S, 8S)-8-hydroxyisoguaiacin (3), (2R, 3R) pinobanksin-3-caffeoylate (5) and threo-8S-7-methoxysyringylglycerol (6), respectively, were isolated from the Chinese mangrove plant Laguncularia racemosa (L) Gaertn. f. (Combretaceae), together with 23 known phenolic metabolites. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses including that of IR, UV, MS, CD, 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as by comparison with literature data. Compound 5 showed significant anti-oxidative activity in the DPPH and TEAC free-radical-scavenging assays, while several of the phenolic compounds were tested for protein kinase inhibitory activity in an assay involving 24 different human tumor related protein kinases. Compounds 5, 7, and 23 showed potential inhibition with IC₅₀ values between 2.2 and 3.6 μg/mL toward individual kinases. The ellagic acid derivatives were tested for insecticidal activity.     

Tyrosinase activity of Greyia flanaganii (Bolus) constituents

Hyper-pigmentation of the skin is a common problem that is prevalent in middle aged and elderly people. It is caused by over production of melanin. Tyrosinase is known to be the key enzyme in melanin production. Ethanolic extract of Greyia flanaganii leaves showed significant (P < 0.05) antityrosinase activity exhibiting the IC₅₀ of 32.62 μg/ml. The total extract was further investigated for its toxicity and effect on melanin production by melanocytes cells, and showed significant inhibition (P < 0.05) (20%) of melanin production at 6.25 μg/ml and low levels of cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ < 400 μg/ml). The amount of antioxidants necessary to decrease the initial DPPH absorbance by 50% (EC₅₀) by the total ethanolic extract was found to be 22.01 μg/ml. The effect of G. flanaganii against acne causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, was investigated using microdilution assay. The MIC of the extract of G. flanaganii was found to be 250 μg/ml. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of (3S)-4-hydroxyphenethyl 3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoate (1), 2′,4′,6′-trihydroxydihydrochalcone (2), 2′,6′,4-trihydroxy-4′-methoxydihydrochalcone (3), 2′,6′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxydihydrochalcone (4), 5,7-dihydroxyflavanone [(2S)-pinocembrin] (5), 2′,6′-dihydroxy-4′,4-dimethoxy dihydrochalcone (6) and (2R,3R)-3,5,7-trihydroxy-3-O-acetylflavanone (7). The isolated compounds were tested for their antioxidant, cytotoxicity, tyrosinase inhibition and antibacterial activities. Compound 2 exhibited significant (P < 0.05) antityrosinase activity exhibiting the IC₅₀ of 69.15 μM. The isolated compounds showed low toxicity of the cells with reduction of melanin content of the cells. All compounds tested showed good radical scavenging activity. These data indicates that G. flanaganii extract and its isolated phenolic constituents could be possible skin lightening agents.     

Four anti-protozoal and anti-bacterial compounds from Tapirira guianensis

Tapirira guianensis is a common tree used in traditional medicine in French Guiana against several infectious diseases (malaria, leishmaniasis, bacteria, etc.). The bioassay-guided purification of CH₂Cl₂ bark extract led to the isolation of four cyclic alkyl polyol derivatives: 4,6,2′-trihydroxy-6-[10′(Z)-heptadecenyl]-1-cyclohexen-2-one (1a), 1,4,6-trihydroxy-1,2′-epoxy-6-[10′(Z)-heptadecenyl]-2-cyclohexene (1b), 1,4,5,2′-tetrahydroxy-1-[10′(Z)-heptadecenyl]-2-cyclohexene (2), and 1,3,4,6-tetrahydroxy-1,2′-epoxy-6-[10′(Z)-heptadecenyl]-cyclohexane (3). The structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The anti-leishmanial, anti-plasmodial, anti-bacterial (on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli), and anti-fungal (on Candida albicans) activities of the extracts and of these original compounds were evaluated. Two showed medicinal interest supporting the traditional uses of the plant. The structures were established through spectral analyses of the isolates and their derivatives.