Low iron stress nutrition for evaluation of Fe-efficient genotype physiology, photosynthesis, and essential monoterpene oil(s) yield of Ocimum sanctum

Genotypic variations were observed among 6 variants and an indigenous one as a control. An efficient genotype OCD(L) of Ocimum sanctum had the greatest content of chlorophylls [2.15 g kg⁻¹(FM)], Chl a/b ratio of 1.86, net photosynthetic rate of 0.72 mg(CO₂) m⁻² s⁻¹, and 1.56 % oil formation. Methyl chavicol formed 50.31 % of total oil in OSP-6 genotype, which had also maximum peroxidase activity [ΔOD 2.4 mg⁻¹(protein)] and maximum production of eugenol (30.44 % of total oil). We found an oxido-reducible reaction of peroxidase and high bands of peroxidase isoenzymes in this OSP-6 genotype for the formation of monoterpene essential oil(s) and possibly the major constituents of eugenol through the high production of photosynthates.     

Binding and photocleavage of cationic porphyrin-phenylpiperazine hybrids to DNA

The binding properties of cationic porphyrin-phenylpiperazine hybrids to calf thymus (CT) DNA were investigated by using absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and the apparent affinity binding constants (K(app)) of the porphyrins for CT DNA were determined by using a competition method with ethidium bromide (EB). Intercalation of porphyrin into CT DNA occurred when two phenylpiperazines were introduced at cis position onto the periphery of cationic porphyrin. The photocleavages of pBR322 plasmid DNA by the porphyrins were consistent with the values of K(app). With [porphyrin]/[DNA base pairs] ratio increased, the binding mode tended to be outside binding, and the cleavage abilities of the porphyrins varied. In the presence of sodium azide, a quencher of 1O2, the cleavage of DNA by the porphyrin of intercalation was less inhibited.     

Nuclear estrogen receptor targeted photodynamic therapy: selective uptake and killing of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by a C17alpha-alkynylestradiol-porphyrin conjugate

We hypothesized that over-expression of estrogen receptor (ER) in hormone-sensitive breast cancer could be harnessed synergistically with the tumor-migrating effect of porphyrins to selectively deliver estrogen-porphyrin conjugates into breast tumor cells, and preferentially kill the tumor cells upon exposure to red light. In the present work we synthesized four (4) conjugates of C17-alpha-alkynylestradiol and chlorin e6-dimethyl ester with varying tether lengths, and showed that all these conjugates specifically bound to recombinant ER alpha. In a cellular uptake assay with ER-positive MCF-7 and ER-negative MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cell-lines, we observed that one such conjugate (E17-POR, XIV) was selectively taken up in a dose-dependent and saturable manner by MCF-7 cells, but not by MDA-MB 231 cells. Furthermore, MCF-7 cells, but not MDA-MB 231 cells, were selectively and efficiently killed by exposure to red light after incubation with E17-POR. Therefore, the combination approach, including drug and process modalities has the potential to be applied clinically for hormone-sensitive cancers in organs where ER is significantly expressed. This could potentially be carried out either as monotherapy involving a photo-induced selective destruction of tumor cells and/or adjuvant therapy in post-surgical treatment for the destruction of residual cancer cells in tissues surrounding the tumor.     

A critical reappraisal of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. (Phytolaccaceae) – A manganese-hyperaccumulating plant

Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. (Phytolaccaceae) was reported in 2004 to be a manganese-hyperaccumulating plant. Phytolacca americana L., growing at the same site was then independently reported in 2007 to have the same property. An apparent confusion in the taxonomy of the genus Phytolacca and interest in the Mn hyperaccumulative trait reported in P. acinosa has led to an extended field sampling, glasshouse cultivation and comparison with herbarium materials of P. americana s.l. Our specific aim was to identify and name the Mn hyperaccumulator plant correctly. P. acinosa is closely related to P. americana but it differs from the former in having an erect infructescence with usually eight distinct carpels, while from the latter has a nutant infructescence usually with 10 concrescent carpels. Our study indicated that the Mn hyperaccumulator plant P. acinosa which we first reported from the Xiangtan Mn tailings wasteland must now be reduced to P. americana as a synonym in order to prevent further confusion in identity and nomenclatural redundancy.     

Synthesis of 5‐(4′‐carboxyphenyl)‐10,15,20‐tris‐(4 pyridyl)‐porphyrin and its peptidyl phosphonate derivatives

The synthesis and characterization of three new 4‐pyridyl porphyrin‐peptidyl‐phosphonate compounds, containing a diphenyl 3‐pyridylmethyl‐phosphonate moiety, is described in this article. Nitrogen atoms in the pyridine rings of the obtained compounds were alkylated using methyl iodide, to give additional three, water soluble derivatives of these peptidyl‐porphyrin conjugates. All the synthesized compounds could serve as potential photosensitizers for the photodynamic therapy (PDT) method of tumor therapy and displayed activity as inhibitors of aminopeptidase N. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The photochemical and electrochemical properties of chiral porphyrin dimer and self-aggregate nanorods of cobalt(II) porphyrin dimer

In this paper, the novel chiral porphyrin dimer ligand and its cobalt(II) porphyrin dimer were synthesized by using a glutamate bridging group. The FT-IR and Raman spectra of the chiral porphyrin dimer were investigated. Furthermore, the photochemical and electrochemical properties of dimer were studied. In addition, we prepared the nanorods of the cobalt(II) porphyrin dimer using liquid-solid-solution (LSS) technologies. The shape and dimension of the spontaneous aggregates of cobalt(II) porphyrin dimer were characterized by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show the diameter and shape of the aggregates can be controlled by refining the stocked solution temperature.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, and characterization of three coordination compounds constructed from 4-sulfophthalic acid ligand

Three new coordination compounds with 4-sulfophthalic acid (H₃SPA) ligand, namely {[Pb₃(4-SPA)₂(H₂O)](H₂O)}_n (1), [Mn(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄][Mn₂(4-SPA)₂-(4,4′-bpy)₄(H₂O)₄]·7.5(H₂O) (2) and Cu₂(4-HSPA)₂(2,2′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₂ (3) (4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine and 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized. The structures exhibit different dimensionality depending on the nature of the metal ions and/or the ancillary ligands. Compound 1 has a 2D layered architecture constructed from one-dimensional inorganic lead(II) oxygen chains containing tetranuclear [Pb₄(μ₂-O)₄] cluster. Compound 2 has a dinuclear manganese [Mn₂(4-SPA)₂(4,4′-bpy)₄(H₂O)₄] motif charged with mononuclear [Mn(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cation. Compound 3 is a discrete dinuclear copper(II) structure that linked by extensive hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. In the solid state, compound 1 exhibits blue photoluminescence with the maximum at 432 nm upon excitation at 350 nm. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility data of 2 have been investigated. The Curie constant C and Weiss constant θ are 3.14 emu K mol⁻¹ and −2.09 K, respectively, revealing antiferromagnetically magnetic interactions between the Mn²⁺ ions. In addition, these compounds are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, IR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis.     

High-valent tin(IV) porphyrin: An efficient and reusable catalyst for tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols under mild conditions

In this paper, rapid and highly efficient tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (DHP) in the presence of catalytic amounts of high-valent tin (IV) tetraphenylporphyrinato trifluoromethanesufonate, [Sn^IV(TPP)(OTf)₂] is reported. In this catalytic system, primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols as well as phenols were converted to their corresponding tetrahydropyranyl ethers (THP-ethers) in excellent yields and short reaction times at room temperature. It is noteworthy that this method can be used for chemoselective tetrahydropyranylation of primary alcohols in the presence of secondary and tertiary alcohols and phenols. The catalyst was reused several times in the protection reactions without loss of its catalytic activity.     

Divalent Mn in calcium hydroxyapatite by pulse laser deposition

Pulse laser deposition (PLD) was used to deposit Mn containing calcium hydroxyapatite (HAMn). The PLD process ensures that the composition of the target and the deposited layer is the same. In some cases additional effort should be made to preserve some volatile components, namely OH. This was ensured by water steam supply. Calcium hydroxyapatite deposited by this method has the same properties as the target in respect to lattice parameters and valence state of Mn, which ensures the fixation between hard tissue and metal implants. This fact makes PLD grown HAMn layer covering implants to be improved for practical use.