Regio- and stereoselective oxygenation of proline derivatives by using microbial 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases

We evaluated the substrate specificities of four proline cis-selective hydroxylases toward the efficient synthesis of proline derivatives. In an initial evaluation, 15 proline-related compounds were investigated as substrates. In addition to l-proline and l-pipecolinic acid, we found that 3,4-dehydro-l-proline, l-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, cis-3-hydroxy-l-proline, and l-thioproline were also oxygenated. Subsequently, the product structures were determined, revealing cis-3,4-epoxy-l-proline, cis-3-hydroxy-l-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, and 2,3-cis-3,4-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-l-proline.     

Generation of the antioxidant yellow pigment derived from 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate in salted radish roots (takuan-zuke)

2-[3-(2-Thioxopyrrolidin-3-ylidene)methyl]-tryptophan (TPMT) is a yellow pigment of salted radish roots (takuan-zuke) derived from 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBITC), the pungent component of radish roots. Here, we prepared salted radish and analyzed the behavior of the yellow pigment and related substances in the dehydration process and long-term salting process. All salted radish samples turned yellow, and their b^* values increased with time and temperature. The salted radish that was sun-dried and pickled at room temperature turned the brightest yellow, and the generation of TPMT was clearly confirmed. These results indicate that tissue shrinkage due to dehydration, salting temperature, and pH play important roles in the yellowing of takuan-zuke.     

Nematocidal activity of 6-O-octanoyl- and 6-O-octyl-d-allose against larvae of Caenorhabditis elegans

ABSTRACT

The nematocidal activities of the fatty acid esters of d-allose were examined using the larvae of C. elegans. Among the fatty acid esters, 6-O-octanoyl-d-allose (3) showed significant activity. 6-O-octanoyl-d-glucose (5) showed no activity, indicating that the D-allose moiety is essential for the nematocidal activity of 3. A nonhydrolyzable alkoxy analog 6-O-octyl-d-allose (6) also showed activity equivalent to that of 3.     

Fourth‐derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetry and HPLC with fluorescence detection as two analytical techniques for the simultaneous determination of itopride and domperidone

Two simple, rapid and sensitive methods, namely, fourth‐derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetry (method I) and HPLC with fluorescence detection (method II) were developed for the simultaneous analysis of a binary mixture of itopride HCl (ITP) and domperidone (DOM) without prior separation. The first method was based on measuring the fourth derivative of the synchronous fluorescence spectra of the two drugs at Δλ = 40 nm in methanol. The different experimental parameters affecting the synchronous fluorescence of the studied drugs were carefully optimized. Chromatographic separation was performed in < 6.0 min using a RP C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm particle size) with fluorescence detection at 344 nm after excitation at 285 nm. A mobile phase composed of a mixture of 0.02 M phosphate buffer with acetonitrile in a ratio of 55 : 45, pH 4.5, was used at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Linearity ranges were found to be 0.1–2 µg/mL for ITP in both methods, whereas those for DOM were found to be 0.08–2 and 0.05–1.5 µg/mL in methods I and II, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of the studied drugs in synthetic mixtures and laboratory‐prepared tablets. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and synthesis of a series of serine derivatives as small molecule inhibitors of the SARS coronavirus 3CL protease

Synthesis of serine derivatives having the essential functional groups for the inhibitor of SARS 3CL protease and evaluation of their inhibitory activities using SARS 3CL R188I mutant protease are described. The lead compounds, functionalized serine derivatives, were designed based on the tetrapeptide aldehyde and Bai’s cinnamoly inhibitor, and additionally performed with simulation on GOLD softwear. Structure activity relationship studies of the candidate compounds were given reasonable inhibitors ent-3 and ent-7k against SARS 3CL R188I mutant protease. These inhibitors showed protease selectivity and no cytotoxicity.     

Biphenyl Derivatives from the Aerial Parts of Oenanthe javanica and Their COX‐2 Inhibitory Activities

Four new biphenyl derivatives ( 1 – 4 ), along with six known biphenyl derivatives ( 5 – 10 ) were isolated and elucidated by their detailed analyses of spectroscopic data and references from the aerial parts of Oenanthe javanica for the first time. Compounds ( 1 – 10 ) were assayed for their activities about the inhibition of COX‐2 enzyme in vitro for the first time. Compounds 1 , 2 , 4 , and 6 showed inhibitory activities against COX‐2 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 22.18±0.29 to 108.54±0.42 μm .     

A novel indirubin derivative that increases somatic cell plasticity and inhibits tumorigenicity

Indirubin-based compounds affect diverse biological processes, such as inflammation and angiogenesis. In this study, we tested a novel indirubin derivative, LDD-1819 (2-((((2Z,3E)-5-hydroxy-5′-nitro-2′-oxo-[2,3′-biindolinylidene]-3-ylidene)amino)oxy)ethan-1-aminium chloride) for two major biological activities: cell plasticity and anti-cancer activity. Biological assays indicated that LDD-1819 induced somatic cell plasticity. LDD-1819 potentiated myoblast reprogramming into osteogenic cells and fibroblast reprogramming into adipogenic cells. Interestingly, in an assay of skeletal muscle dedifferentiation, LDD-1819 induced human muscle cellularization and blocked residual proliferative activity to produce a population of mononuclear refractory cells, which is also observed in the early stages of limb regeneration in urodele amphibians. In cancer cell lines, LDD-1819 treatment inhibited cell invasion and selectively induced apoptosis compared to normal cells. In an animal tumor xenograft model, LDD-1819 reduced human cancer cell metastasis in vivo at doses that did not produce toxicity. Biochemical assays showed that LDD-1819 possessed inhibitory activity against glycogen synthase kinase-3β, which is linked to cell plasticity, and aurora kinase, which regulates carcinogenesis. These results indicate that novel indirubin derivative LDD-1819 is a dual inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and aurora A kinase, and has potential for development as an anti-cancer drug or as a reprogramming agent for cell-therapy based approaches to treat degenerative diseases.     

Chemical constituents from Neopestalotiopsis clavispora culture medium with estrogenic effects in MCF-7 cells

Estrogen is a vital hormone responsible for the development of the female reproductive system. Hence, estrogen deficiency in menopause increases various symptoms. This study aimed to discover biologically active compounds from an EtOAc-extract of Neopestalotiopsis clavispora culture medium which has previously shown estrogenic activity. A new α-pyrone (1) and a new tetramic acid derivative (2), together with hymenosetin (3) and pestalotiollide B (4), were isolated from the extract. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated using MS and NMR spectroscopy, and the absolute configurations were established by quantum mechanical calculations of electronic circular dichroism and gauge-including atomic orbital NMR chemical shift, followed by DP4 + analysis. The isolated compounds were initially tested for their estrogenic activities using MCF-7 estrogen responsive human breast cancer cells. Hymenosetin (3) showed estrogenic activity by increasing the proliferation of MCF-7 cells at the concentration of 2.5 μM via the phosphorylation of estrogen receptor-α.     

Preparation and application of freeze-dried platelets

Clinical platelet infusion is primarily used to prevent or stop bleeding, but can also have a role in treating infections or promoting wound healing. The demand for platelets has increased in recent years. However, as platelets can only be stored for short periods, there is a substantial loss due to the products reaching their expiry date. Platelet lyophilization is a particularly valuable and important research field. The purpose of studying the freeze-drying preservation of platelets is to realize the long-term preservation of platelets at room temperature. It is very possible to prepare qualified freeze-dried platelets. However, there are still problems that have not been solved in the process of platelet lyophilization. This review mainly summarizes research progress in the preparation and application of freeze-dried platelets.     

Enantioselective epoxidation of non-functionalized alkenes using carbohydrate based salen-Mn(III) complexes

Three new salen ligands with carbohydrate moieties were prepared from a salicylaldehyde derivative obtained by reaction of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranose with 3-tert-butyl-5-(chloro-methyl)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. These ligands were coordinated with Mn(III) to give three chiral salen-Mn(III) complexes. The complexes were characterized and employed in the asymmetric epoxidation of unfunctionalized alkenes. Catalytic results showed that although there are no chiral groups on the diimine bridge, these complexes had some enantioselectivity, which indicates the carbohydrate moiety has an asymmetric inducing effect in the epoxidation reaction.