Perturbation of the tris(2,2′‐bipyridine) ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed Belousov–Zhabotinsky oscillating chemiluminescence reaction by l‐cysteine and its application

Perturbation of the tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)₃²⁺]‐catalyzed Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) oscillating chemiluminescence (CL) reaction induced by l ‐cysteine was observed in the closed system. It was found that the CL intensity was decreased in the presence of l ‐cysteine. Meanwhile, oscillation period and oscillating induction period were prolonged. The sufficient reproducible induction period was used as parameter for the analytical application of oscillating CL reaction. Under the optimum conditions, the changes in the oscillating CL induction period were linearly proportional to the concentration of l ‐cysteine in the range from 8.0 × 10^?7 to 5.0 × 10^?5 mol L^?1 (r = 0.997) with a detection limit of 4.3 × 10^?7 mol L^?1. The possible mechanism of l ‐cysteine perturbation on the oscillating CL reaction was also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flow‐injection chemiluminescence determination of ofloxacin using the Ru(bpy)2(CIP)2+−Ce(IV) system and its application

This paper reports a flow‐injection chemiluminescence method for the determination of ofloxacin (OFLX) using the Ru(bpy)₂(CIP)²⁺–Ce(IV) system. Under the optimum conditions, the relative CL intensity was proportional to the concentration of OFLX in the range 3.0 × 10^–8–1.0 × 10^–5 mol/L and the detection limit was 4.2 × 10^–9 mol/L. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of ofloxacin in pharmaceuticals and human urine. The chemiluminescence mechanism of the system is also discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flow‐injection method for the determination of iodide/iodine using Ru(bpy)33+–NADH chemiluminescence detection

A two‐channel flow‐injection (FI) method is reported for the determination of iodide and iodine by its enhancement effect on the Ru(bpy)₃³⁺–NADH chemiluminescence (CL) system. The limit of detection (3 s of blank) was 1.0 × 10^–9 mol/L iodide/iodine, with a sample throughput of 60/h. The calibration graphs over the range 1.0–50 × 10^–8 mol/L gave correlation coefficients of 0.9994 and 0.999 (n = 5) with relative standard deviations (RSD; n = 4) of 1.0–2.5%, respectively. The effects of interfering cations, anions and some organic compounds were also studied. The method was applied to iodized salts and pharmaceutical samples and the results obtained were in good agreement with the value quoted. The CL method developed was compared with spectrophotometric method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Homogeneous electrogenerated chemiluminescence immunoassay for the determination of digoxin employing Ru(bpy)(2)(dcbpy)NHS and carrier protein.

A highly sensitive homogeneous electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay for the determination of anti-digoxin antibody and digoxin hapten was developed employing Ru(bpy)(2)(dcbpy)NHS (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl; dcbpy = 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid; NHS = N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) as an electrochemiluminescent label and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a carrier protein. A digoxin hapten was indirectly heavily labelled with Ru(bpy)(2)(dcbpy)NHS through BSA to form Ru(bpy)(2)(dcbpy)NHS-BSA-digoxin conjugate. The ECL intensity of the immunocomplex of the conjugate with anti-digoxin antibody markedly decreased when the immunoreaction between Ru(bpy)(2)(dcbpy)NHS-BSA-digoxin conjugate and anti-digoxin antibody took place. Two formats, direct homogeneous immunoassay for anti-digoxin antibody and competitive immunoassay for digoxin, were developed to determine anti-digoxin antibody and digoxin, respectively. The anti-digoxin antibody concentration in the range 7.6 x 10(-8)-7.6 x 10(-6) g/mL was determined by direct homogeneous format. Digoxin hapten was determined throughout the range 4.0 x 10(-10)-1.0 x 10(-7) g/mL with a detection limit of 1.0 x 10(-10) g/mL by competitive format. The relative standard derivation for 6.0 x 10(-9) g/mL was 4.3%. The method has been applied to assaying digoxin in control human serum.     

Determination of oxytetracycline hydrochloride in milk and egg white samples using Ru(bipy)32+–Ce(SO4)2 chemiluminescence

A novel, rapid and sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) method for the determination of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTCH) is described in this paper. The presented method was based on the fact that OTCH could immensely enhance the CL of the reaction of cerium sulfate and tris(2,2‐bipyridyl) ruthenium (II) in acidic medium. Under optimal experimental conditions, CL intensity was favorably linear for OTCH in the range 5.0 × 10^?7 to 5.0 × 10^?5 g/ml, with a detection limit of 1.5 × 10^?7 g/ml (S/N = 3). The relative standard detection was 4.76% for 5.0 × 10^?6 g/ml (n = 11). This method was successfully applied to the analysis of OTCH in milk and egg white samples. According to the results of the kinetic curves for OTCH in the Ru(bipy)₃²⁺–Ce(SO₄)₂ CL system, together with CL and ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectra, the possible mechanism of the CL reaction is discussed briefly.     

Potential‐resolved electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)32+/C2O42− system on gold electrode

The electrogenerated chemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/C₂O₄^2? system on a pre‐polarized Au electrode was studied using a potential‐resolved electrochemiluminescence (PRECL) method. Two anodic ECL peaks were observed at 1.22 V (vs. SCE) (EP1), 1.41 V (vs. SCE) (EP2), respectively. The effects of the concentration of oxalate and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, adsorbed sulphur, CO₂, O₂, pH of the solution and pretreatment of the Au electrode on the two PRECL peaks were examined. The surface state of the pre‐oxidized gold electrode was also studied using the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique. Moreover, comparative studies on i–E and I–E curves were carried out and a possible mechanism involving both the catalytic and the direct electro‐oxidation pathways was proposed for the ECL of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺/C₂O₄^2? system. EP1 is attributed to the Ru(bpy)₃^2/3+ reaction catalysed by C₂O₄^2? to generate Ru(bpy)₃^2+*. EP2 is likely because C₂O₄^2? was oxidized at the electrode to form CO₂^?·, followed by reaction with Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ to generate Ru(bpy)₃^2+*. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemiluminescence detection of methamphetamine based on a Ru(bpy)32+‐doped silica nanoparticles/Nafion composite film modified electrode

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) approach for methamphetamine determination was developed based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a Ru(bpy)₃²⁺‐doped silica nanoparticles/Nafion composite film. The monodispersed nanoparticles, which were about 50 nm in size, were synthesized using the water‐in‐oil microemulsion method. The ECL results revealed that Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ doped in silica nanoparticles retained its original photo‐ and electrochemical properties. The ECL intensity was found to be proportional to methamphetamine concentration over the range from 1.0 × 10^?7 to 1.0 × 10^?5 mol L^?1, and the detection limit was found to be 2.6 × 10^?8 mol L^?1. The proposed ECL approach was used to analyze the methamphetamine content in drugs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dual effects of [Tyr6]‐γ2‐MSH(6–12) on pain perception and in vivo hyperalgesic activity of its analogues

[Tyr⁶]‐γ2‐MSH(6–12) with a short effecting time of about 20 min is one of the most potent rMrgC receptor agonists. To possibly increase its potency and metabolic stability, a series of analogues were prepared by replacing the Tyr⁶ residue with the non‐canonical amino acids 3‐(1‐naphtyl)‐L ‐alanine, 4‐fluoro‐L ‐phenylalanine, 4‐methoxy‐L ‐phenylalanine and 3‐nitro‐L ‐tyrosine. Dose‐dependent nociceptive assays performed in conscious rats by intrathecal injection of the MSH peptides showed [Tyr⁶]‐γ2‐MSH(6–12) hyperalgesic effects at low doses (5–20 nmol) and analgesia at high doses (100–200 nmol). This analgesic activity is fully reversed by the kyotorphin receptor‐specific antagonist Leu–Arg. For the two analogues containing in position 6, 4‐fluoro‐L ‐phenylalanine and 3‐nitro‐L ‐tyrosine, a hyperalgesic activity was not observed, while the 3‐(1‐naphtyl)‐L ‐alanine analogue at 10 nmol dose was found to induce hyperalgesia at a potency very similar to γ2‐MSH(6–12), but with longer duration of the effect. Finally, the 4‐methoxy‐L ‐phenylalanine analogue (0.5 nmol) showed greatly improved hyperalgesic activity and prolonged effects compared to the parent [Tyr⁶]‐γ2‐MSH(6–12) compound. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flow‐injection determination of vitamin A in pharmaceutical formulations using Tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)Ru(II)–Ce(IV) chemiluminescence detection

A flow injection method with chemiluminescence detection is reported for the determination of vitamin A. The method is based on the enhancement effect of vitamin A on chemiluminescence of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)Ru(II)–Ce(IV) in acidic medium. The proposed procedure is used to quantitate vitamin A in the range 1.0–100 × 10^?6 mol/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991 (n = 9) and relative standard deviation in the range 1.2–2.3% (n = 4). The limit of detection (3 × blank) was 8.0 × 10^?8 mol/L with a sample throughput of 100/h. The effect of common excipients used in pharmaceutical formulations and some clinically important compounds was also studied. The method was applied to determine vitamin A in pharmaceutical formulations and the results obtained were in reasonable agreement with the amount quoted. The results were compared using spectrophotometric method and no significant difference was found between the results of the two methods at 95% confidence limit. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of carbamazepine in human urine and serum samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with post‐column Ru(bipy)‐Ce(SO4)2 chemiluminescence detection

A novel, sensitive and rapid CL method coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography separation for the determination of carbamazepine is described. The method was based on the fact that carbamazepine could significantly enhance the chemiluminescence of the reaction of cerium sulfate and tris(2,2‐bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) in the presence of acid. The chromatographic separation was performed on a Kromasil® (Sigma‐Aldrich) TM RP‐C18 column (id: 150 mm × 4.6 mm, particle size: 5 µm, pore size: 100 Å) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol–water‐glacial acetic acid (70:29:1, v/v/v) at a flowrate of 1.0 mL/min, the total analysis time was within 650 s. Under optimal conditions, CL intensity was linear for carbamazepine in the range 2.0 × 10^?8 ~ 4.0 × 10^?5 g/mL, with a detection limit of 6.0 × 10^?9 g/mL (S/N = 3) and the relative standard detection was 2.5% for 2.0 × 10^?6 g/mL (n = 11). This method was successfully applied to the analysis of carbamazepine in human urine and serum samples. The possible mechanism of the CL reaction is also discussed briefly. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Doping of [In2(phen)3Cl6]·CH3CN·2H2O Indium‐Based Metal–Organic Framework into Hole Transport Layer for Enhancing Perovskite Solar Cell Efficiencies

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained a promising position during the past few years. However, as far as it goes, there is rare combination of the merits of metal–organic framework with PSCs. In this work, a 3D metal–organic framework, namely, [In₂(phen)₃Cl₆]·CH₃CN·2H₂O (In2) is first introduced into hole transport material of PSCs through band alignment engineering. By this facile strategy, the pinholes in the hole transport layer are effectively reduced, and the migration of Au into the entire PSC structure can be alleviated simultaneously. Meanwhile, In2 also plays a role in enhancing the light absorption of perovskite, which is due to: (1) the large particles of In2 acting as light scattering centers; (2) the emission wavelength of In2 is almost the same as the excitation wavelength of perovskite. Consequently, short‐current density (J_sc), open circuit voltage (V_oc), and fill factor (FF) gain a significant increase from 19.53 to 21.03 mA cm^?2, 0.98 to 1.01 V, and 0.67 to 0.74, respectively. Thereby, the power conversion efficiency is remarkably enhanced from 12.8% to 15.8%. In the end, the stability of PSCs should also be improved.     

Analysis of fexofenadine in pharmaceutical formulations using tris(1,10‐phenanthroline)–ruthenium(II) peroxydisulphate chemiluminescence system in a multichip device

A simple, rapid and sensitive method has been developed for the analysis of fexofenadine (FEX) in pharmaceutical formulations, using a tris(1,10‐phenanthroline)–ruthenium(II) [Ru(phen)₃²⁺] peroxydisulphate chemiluminescence (CL) system in a multichip device. Various parameters that influence the CL signal intensity were optimized. These included pH, flow rates and concentration of reagents used. Under optimum conditions, a linear calibration curve in the range 0.05–5.0 µg/mL was obtained. The detection limit was found to be 0.001 µg/mL. The procedure was applied to the analysis of FEX in pharmaceutical products and was found to be free from interference from concomitants usually present in these preparations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The light switch effect upon the association of [Ru(1,10-phenanthroline)2dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine]2+ with single stranded poly(dA) and poly(dT)

Large enhancement in the luminescence intensity of the Delta- and Lambda-Ru(phenanthroline)(2)dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine](2+) ([Ru(phen)(2)DPPZ](2+)) complexes upon their association with single stranded poly(dA) and poly(dT) is reported in this work. As the mixing ratio ([[Ru(phen)(2)DPPZ](2+)]/[DNA base]) increases, the luminescence intensity increase in a sigmoidal manner, indicating that the enhancement involves some cooperativity. At a high mixing ratio, the luminescence properties are affected by the nature of the DNA bases and not by the absolute configuration of the [Ru(phen)(2)DPPZ](2+) complex, indicating that the single stranded poly(dA) and poly(dT) do not recognize the configuration of the metal complex. In the case of the Lambda-[Ru(phen)(2)DPPZ](2+)-poly(dT) complex, the manner of the enhancement is somewhat different from the other Ru(II) complex-polynucelotide combinations: the luminescence intensity reached a maximum at an intermediate mixing ratio of 0.32, and gradually decreased as the mixing ratio increased. In contrast to other complexes at high mixing ratios, an upward bending curve was found in the Stern-Volmer plot, which indicates that the micro-environment of the Lambda-[Ru(phen)(2)DPPZ](2+) is heterogeneous. In the Delta-[Ru(phen)(2)DPPZ](2+)-poly(dT) complex case, formation of this highly luminescent species at an intermediate mixing ratio is far less effective.     

The role of the C(2) configuration and methyl substitution on the catalytic activity of novel 2,3,3‐ and 2,7,7‐trimethyl‐substituted γ‐aminonorbornan‐2‐ols

A new set of optically active 2,3,3‐ and 2,7,7‐trimethyl‐substituted γ‐aminonorbornan‐2‐ols have been obtained from 2‐methylenenorbornane‐1‐carbonitriles derived from (+)‐camphor and (?)‐fenchone and probed as chiral ligands for the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. This has allowed the study of the structural factors influencing the chirality transfer, such as variation of the relative configuration at C(2) and steric hindrance at C(2), C(3), and C(7) positions of norbornane, which result in the observance of the important role played by the gem‐dimethyl position in γ‐aminonorbornan‐2‐exo‐ols. An empirical rationalization of the obtained experimental results has been realized on the basis of energetically‐favored diastereomeric Noyori‐like transition states. Chirality 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Determination of nucleic acid by [tetra‐(3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)]–Tb3+ porphyrin as the fluorescence spectral probe in bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate sodium salt micelle system

A new system for the determination of nucleic acid by rare earth metallic porphyrin of [tetra‐(3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)]–Tb³⁺ [T(3‐MO‐4HP)–Tb³⁺] porphyrin as fluorescence spectral probe has been developed in this paper. Nucleic acid can enhance the fluorescence intensity of the T(3‐MO‐4HP)–Tb³⁺ porphyrin in the presence of bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate sodium salt(AOT) micelle. In pH 8.00 Tris–HCl buffer solution, under optimum conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity is in proportion to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range of 0.05–3.00 µg mL^?1 for calf thymus DNA (ct DNA) and 0.03–4.80 µg mL^?1 for fish sperm DNA(fs DNA). Their detection limits are 0.03 and 0.01 µg mL^?1, respectively. In addition, the binding interaction mechanism between T(3‐MO‐4HP)–Tb³⁺ porphyrin and ct DNA is also investigated by resonance scattering and fluorescence spectra. The maximum binding number is calculated by molar ratio method. The new system can be used for the determination of nucleic acid in pig liver, yielding satisfactory results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of chemiluminescence method for determination of 10‐hydroxycamptothecin based on luminol–[Ag(HIO6)2]5− reaction in alkaline solution

A novel chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed for the determination of 10‐hydroxycamptothecin(HCPT) based on the CL reaction between [Ag(HIO₆)₂]^5? and luminol in alkaline solution. CL emission of Ag(III) complex–luminol in alkaline medium was very different from that in acidic medium. A possible mechanism of enhanced CL emission was suggested. The enhanced effect of HCPT on CL emission of the [Ag(HIO₆)₂]^5?–luminol system was found. The enhanced degree of CL emission was proportional to HCPT concentration. The effect of the reaction conditions on CL emission was examined. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection was 6.5 × 10^?9 g mL^?1. The proposed method was applied for the determination of HCPT in real samples with the recoveries of 93.2–109% with the RSD of 1.7–3.3%. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Are nociceptin(1‐13)NH2 and its structural analogue [ORN9]nociceptin(1‐13)NH2 able to affect brain antioxidant status in control and kainic acid‐treated rats?

In‐vivo effects of nociceptin (N/OFQ(1‐13)NH₂) on the levels of lipid peroxidation and cell enzyme (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and non‐enzyme (glutathione) antioxidants in brain of control and kainic acid‐treated rats were studied. N/OFQ(1‐13)NH₂ effects were compared with those of its structural analogue [Orn⁹]N/OFQ(1‐13)NH₂. Kainic acid (25 µg, i.c.v) increased the lipid peroxidation (4 and 24 h after kainic acid treatment) and decreased the glutathione level (1 h after kainic acid injection). We failed to find, any changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, independently of the time of kainic acid treatment. At the background of kainic acid‐effects, N/OFQ(1‐13)NH₂ and [Orn⁹] N/OFQ(1‐13)NH₂, injected 30 min before kainic acid, had no effects on all parameters, tested in brain. In addition, the neuropeptides did not change the antioxidant status in brain of control animals. It might be concluded that N/OFQ(1‐13)NH₂ and [Orn⁹]N/OFQ(1‐13)NH₂ have neither pro‐ nor anti‐oxidant activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enantiospecific enzymatic preparation of (2S,3S)-3-alkylaspartic acids of current interest in the synthesis of stereoregular poly[β-(2S,3S)-3-alkylmalic acids] as new optically active functional polyesters

(2S,3S)-3-methyl- and 3-isopropylaspartic acids were synthesized by bioconversion of the corresponding alkylfumarates (mesaconate and 3-isopropylfumarate) using β-methylaspartase from cell-free extracts of Clostridium tetanomorphum. Optically pure (2S,3S)-3-alkylaspartic acids were transformed in several steps to benzyl (3S,4R)-3-alkylmalolactonates without any racemization of the two chiral centers. These optically active α,β-substituted-β-lactones were polymerized by anionic ring opening polymerization yielding optically active semi-crystalline polyesters. ¹³C NMR analysis of poly[benzyl β-3-isopropylmalate] in CDCl₃ has shown that only the iso-type stereosequence is present in the polymer, indicating that the macromolecular chain is constituted by the only units of benzyl β-(2S,3S)-3-isopropylmalate monomer. The polymerization reaction was done without any racemization of the two stereogenic centers as in the case of benzyl (3S,4R)-3-methylmalolactonate. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ex vivo protective effects of nicotinamide and 3‐aminobenzamide on rat synaptosomes treated with Aβ(1–42)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, along with synaptic loss. The underlying mechanisms of AD are not clarified yet, but oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are important factors. Overactivation of poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) enzyme has been known to cause neuroinflammation and cell death in neurodegenerative processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of the PARP‐1 inhibitors, 3‐aminobenzamide (3‐AB) and nicotinamide (NA), against amyloid β peptide (1–42) (Aβ(1–42))‐induced oxidative damage and mitochondrial reduction capacity on isolated synaptosomes. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 3‐AB (30–100 mg kg^?1), NA (100–500 mg kg^?1) or with saline for 7 days. Synaptosomes were incubated with 10–30 μM Aβ(1–42) or saline for 6 h at 37 °C. Ex vivo Aβ(1–42) treatment significantly induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in synaptosomes of the saline group, while synaptosomes of 3‐AB and NA groups showed significant decreases in lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species production and protein oxidation. Moreover, both NA and 3‐AB were able to improve the mitochondrial reduction capacity against Aβ(1–42). These data suggest that NA and 3‐AB may have protective effects in neurodegenerative processes because of the reduced levels of oxidative stress and the improvement of mitochondrial function. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of solvent fractions of Allomyrina dichotoma larvae through the inhibition of in vitro BACE1 and β‐amyloid(25–35)‐induced toxicity in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells

Amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) generation initiated by β‐site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 BACE1 is a critical cause of Alzheimer's disease. In the course of our ongoing investigation of natural anti‐dementia resources, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction exerted strong BACE1‐specific inhibition with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 9.2 × 10^?5 μg/mL. Furthermore, Aβ(25–35)‐induced cell death was predominantly prevented by the EtOAc fraction of Allomyrina dichotoma larvae through diminishing of cellular oxidative stress and attenuating apoptosis by inhibiting caspase‐3 activity. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that A. dichotoma larvae possess novel neuroprotective properties not only via the selective and specific inhibition of BACE1 activity but also through the alleviation of Aβ(25–35)‐induced toxicity, which may raise the possibility of therapeutic application of A. dichotoma larvae for preventing and/or treating dementia.