The content of indole and the pH have been determined post mortem in shrimps (Pandalus borealis) caught in the Barents Sea and in shrimps caught outside Malaysia, India and Taiwan. These two criteria were compared with organoleptic assessment and the contents of volatile nitrogen bases (ammonia, trimethylamine) and living bacteria. For shrimps caught in the Barents Sea, both raw shrimps stored in ice and processed (broiled, peeled and single-frozen) shrimps were investigated. The results showed that only low levels of indole had been formed during ice-storage. Not until an advanced state of spoilage could a distinct increase in the indole content in raw and in boiled, peeled shrimps be discerned. pH increased slowly and varied in the area between acceptable and not acceptable quality. Neither the indole content nor the pH seems therefore to be a useful criterion for quality assessment either of raw shrimps caught in the Barents Sea or of such shrimps after processing (boiling and peeling). Most of the samples of boiled, peeled shrimps from the Far East were assessed organoleptically as less good-spoiled, and bacterial growth was significant. The content of trimethylamine oxide and volatile nitrogen was low, while the content of indole was high and exceeded 25 microgram/100 g in 8 or 14 samples. This is the upper limit for import in USA. The content of indole seems to be an important quality criterion for shrimps caught in warmer countries. The content of indole exceeded 25 microgram/100 g in some samples which were assessed organoleptically as acceptable. The pH was lower in brine-treated shrimps than in the others.
To keep COVID-19 at bay, most countries have mandated the use of face masks in public places and imposed heavy penalties for those who fail to do so. This has inadvertently created a huge demand for disposable face masks and worsened the problem of littering, where a large number of used masks are constantly discarded into the environment. As such, an efficient and innovative waste management strategy for the discarded face mask is urgently needed. This study presents the transformation of discarded face mask into catalyst termed 'mask waste ash catalyst (MWAC)' to synthesise bisindolylmethanes (BIMs), alkaloids that possess antibacterial, antioxidant and antiviral properties. Using commercially available aldehydes and indole, an excellent yield of reaction (62-94%) was achieved using the MWAC in the presence of water as the sole solvent. On the other hand, the FT-IR spectrum of MWAC showed the absorption bands at 2337 cm-1, 1415 cm-1 and 871 cm-1, which correspond to the signals of calcium oxide. It is then proposed that the calcium oxides mainly present in MWAC can protonate oxygen atoms in the carbonyl molecule of the aldehyde group, thus facilitating the nucleophile attack by indole which consequently improved the product yield. Moreover, the MWAC is also observed to facilitate the photodegradation of methylene blue with an efficiency of up to 94.55%. Our results showed the potential applications of the MWAC derived from discarded face masks as a sustainable catalyst for bioactive compound synthesis and photodegradation of dye compounds.
Polydopamine has been widely used as an additive to enhance membrane fouling resistance. This study reports the effects of two-step dopamine-to-polydopamine modification on the permeation, antifouling, and potential anti-UV properties of polyethersulfone (PES)-based ultrafiltration membranes. The modification was performed through a two-step mechanism: adding the dopamine additive followed by immersion into Tris-HCl solution to allow polymerization of dopamine into polydopamine (PDA). The results reveal that the step of treatment, the concentration of dopamine in the first step, and the duration of dipping in the Tris solution in the second step affect the properties of the resulting membranes. Higher dopamine loadings improve the pure water flux (PWF) by more than threefold (15 vs. 50 L/m2·h). The extended dipping period in the Tris alkaline buffer leads to an overgrowth of the PDA layer that partly covers the surface pores which lowers the PWF. The presence of dopamine or polydopamine enhances the hydrophilicity due to the enrichment of hydrophilic catechol moieties which leads to better anti-fouling. Moreover, the polydopamine film also improves the membrane resistance to UV irradiation by minimizing photodegradation's occurrence.
While modulatory effects of gut microbes on neurological phenotypes have been reported, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that indole, a tryptophan metabolite produced by tryptophanase-expressing gut microbes, elicits neurogenic effects in the adult mouse hippocampus. Neurogenesis is reduced in germ-free (GF) mice and in GF mice monocolonized with a single-gene tnaA knockout (KO) mutant Escherichia coli unable to produce indole. External administration of systemic indole increases adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus in these mouse models and in specific pathogen-free (SPF) control mice. Indole-treated mice display elevated synaptic markers postsynaptic density protein 95 and synaptophysin, suggesting synaptic maturation effects in vivo. By contrast, neurogenesis is not induced by indole in aryl hydrocarbon receptor KO (AhR-/-) mice or in ex vivo neurospheres derived from them. Neural progenitor cells exposed to indole exit the cell cycle, terminally differentiate, and mature into neurons that display longer and more branched neurites. These effects are not observed with kynurenine, another AhR ligand. The indole-AhR-mediated signaling pathway elevated the expression of β-catenin, Neurog2, and VEGF-α genes, thus identifying a molecular pathway connecting gut microbiota composition and their metabolic function to neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus. Our data have implications for the understanding of mechanisms of brain aging and for potential next-generation therapeutic opportunities.
A new series of triazinoindole analogs 1-11 were synthesized, characterized by EI-MS and (1)H NMR, evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. All eleven (11) analogs showed different range of α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC50 value ranging between 2.46±0.008 and 312.79±0.06 μM when compared with the standard acarbose (IC50, 38.25±0.12 μM). Among the series, compounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 showed excellent inhibitory potential with IC50 values 2.46±0.008, 37.78±0.05, 28.91±0.0, 38.12±0.04, 37.43±0.03, 36.89±0.06 and 37.11±0.05 μM respectively. All other compounds also showed good enzyme inhibition. The binding modes of these analogs were confirmed through molecular docking.
The quorum sensing (QS) system has been used by many opportunistic pathogenic bacteria to coordinate their virulence determinants in relation to cell-population density. As antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise, interference with QS has been regarded as a novel way to control bacterial infections. As such, many plant-based natural products have been widely explored for their therapeutic roles. These natural products may contain anti-QS compounds that could block QS signals generation or transmission to combat QS pathogens. In this study, we report the anti-QS activities of four different Chinese herbal plant extracts: Poria cum Radix pini, Angelica dahurica, Rhizoma cibotii and Schizonepeta tenuifolia, on Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. All the plants extracted using hexane, chloroform and methanol were tested and found to impair swarming motility and pyocyanin production in P.aeruginosa PAO1, particularly by Poria cum Radix pini. In addition, all the plant extracts also inhibited violacein production in C.violaceum CV026 up to 50% while bioluminescence activities were reduced in lux-based E. coli biosensors, pSB401 and pSB1075, up to about 57%. These anti-QS properties of the four medicinal plants are the first documentation that demonstrates a potential approach to attenuate pathogens’ virulence determinants.
Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri are free-living amoebae that can cause life-threatening infections involving the central nervous system. The high mortality rates of these infections demonstrate an urgent need for novel treatment options against the amoebae. Considering that indole and thiazole compounds possess wide range of antiparasitic properties, novel bisindole and thiazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated against the amoebae. The antiamoebic properties of four synthetic compounds i.e., two new bisindoles (2-Bromo-4-(di (1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)phenol (denoted as A1) and 2-Bromo-4-(di (1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol (A2)) and two known thiazole (4-(3-Nitrophenyl)-2-(2-(pyridin-3-ylmethylene)hydrazinyl)thiazole (A3) and 4-(Biphenyl-4-yl)-2-(2-(1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)thiazole (A4)) were evaluated against B. mandrillaris and N. fowleri. The ability of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) conjugation to enrich antiamoebic activities of the compounds was also investigated. The synthetic heterocyclic compounds demonstrated up to 53% and 69% antiamoebic activities against B. mandrillaris and N. fowleri respectively, while resulting in up to 57% and 68% amoebistatic activities, respectively. Antiamoebic activities of the compounds were enhanced by up to 71% and 51% against B. mandrillaris and N. fowleri respectively, after conjugation with AgNPs. These compounds exhibited potential antiamoebic effects against B. mandrillaris and N. fowleri and conjugation of synthetic heterocyclic compounds with AgNPs enhanced their activity against the amoebae.
The synthetic indole Mannich bases 1-13 have been investigated for their ability to modulate immune responses measured in vitro. These activities were based on monitoring their affects on T-lymphocyte proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), IL (interleukin)-2, IL-4, and nitric oxide production. Compound 5 was found to be the most potent immunomodulator in this context. Four of the synthesized compounds, 5, 11, 12, and 13, have significant potent inhibitory effects on T-cell proliferation, IL-4, and nitric oxide production. However, none of the thirteen indole compounds exerted any activity against ROS production.
Hybrid bisindole-thiosemicarbazides analogs (1-18) were synthesized and screened for β-glucuronidase activity. All compounds showed varied degree of β-glucuronidase inhibitory potential when compared with standard d-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone (IC50=48.4±1.25μM). Compounds 4, 7, 9, 6, 5, 12, 17 and 18 showed exceptional β-glucuronidase inhibition with IC50 values ranging from 0.1 to 5.7μM. Compounds 1, 3, 8, 16, 13, 2 and 14 also showed better activities than standard with IC50 values ranging from 7.12 to 15.0μM. The remaining compounds 10, 11, and 15 showed good inhibitory potential with IC50 values 33.2±0.75, 21.4±0.30 and 28.12±0.25μM respectively. Molecular docking studies were carried out to confirm the binding interaction of the compounds.
Discovery of α-glucosidase inhibitors has been actively pursued with the aim to develop therapeutics for the treatment of type-II diabetes mellitus and the other carbohydrate mediated disease. In continuation of our drug discovery research on potential antidiabetic agents, we synthesized novel tris-indole-oxadiazole hybrid analogs (1-21), structurally characterized by various spectroscopic techniques such as 1H NMR, EI-MS, and 13C NMR. Elemental analysis was found in agreement with the calculated values. All compounds were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibiting potential and showed potent inhibitory activity in the range of IC50=2.00±0.01-292.40±3.16μM as compared to standard acarbose (IC50=895.09±2.04µM). The pharmacokinetic predictions of tris-indole series using descriptor properties showed that almost all compounds in this series indicate the drug aptness. Detailed binding mode analyses with docking simulation was also carried out which showed that the inhibitors can be stabilized by the formation of hydrogen bonds with catalytic residues and the establishment of hydrophobic contacts at the opposite side of the active site.
In search of potent α-amylase inhibitor we have synthesized eighteen indole analogs (1-18), characterized by NMR and HR-EIMS and screened for α-amylase inhibitory activity. All analogs exhibited a variable degree of α-amylase inhibition with IC50 values ranging between 2.031 ± 0.11 and 2.633 ± 0.05 μM when compared with standard acarbose having IC50 values 1.927 ± 0.17 μM. All compounds showed good α-amylase inhibition. Compound 14 was found to be the most potent analog among the series. Structure-activity relationship has been established for all compounds mainly based on bringing about the difference of substituents on phenyl ring. To understand the binding interaction of the most active analogs molecular docking study was performed.
Two independent molecules that differ in terms of rotation about the central S-N bond comprise the asymmetric unit of the title compound 1. The molecules have a V-shape with the dihedral angles between the fused ring system and benzene ring being 79.08(6)° and 72.83(5)°, respectively. The packing is mostly driven by p···p interactions occurring between the tolyl ring of one molecule and the C6 ring of the indole fused ring system of the other. DFT and IRC calculations for these and related 1-(arylsulfonyl)indole molecules showed that the rotational barrier about the S-N bond between conformers is within the 2.5-5.5 kcal/mol range. Crystal data for C16H13NO3S (1): Mr = 299.33, space group Pna21, a = 19.6152(4) Å, b = 11.2736(4) Å, c = 12.6334(3) Å, V = 2793.67(13) Å3, Z = 8, Z' = 2, R = 0.034.
This article describes discovery of 29 novel bisindolylmethanes consisting of thiourea moiety, which had been synthesized through three steps. These novel bisindolylmethane derivatives evaluated for their potential inhibitory activity against carbonic anhydrase (CA) II. The results for in vitro assay of carbonic anhydrase II inhibition activity showed that some of the compounds are capable of suppressing the activity of carbonic anhydrase II. Bisindoles having halogen at fifth position showed better inhibitory activity as compared to unsubstituted bisindoles. Derivatives showing inhibition activity docked to further, understand the binding behavior of these compounds with carbonic anhydrase II. Docking studies for the active compound 3j showed that nitro substituent at para position fits into the core of the active site. The nitro substituent of compound 3j is capable of interacting with Zn ion. This interaction believed to be the main factor causing inhibition activity to take place.
A series of indole-aminoquinazolines was prepared via amination of the 2-aryl-4-chloroquinazolines with the 7-amino-2-aryl-5-bromoindoles. It was then evaluated for cytotoxicity in vitro against human lung cancer (A549), epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), hepatocellular carcinoma (C3A), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. A combination on the quinazoline and indole moieties of a 2-phenyl and 2-(4-fluorophenyl) rings in compound 4b; 2-(4-fluorophenyl) and 3-chlorophenyl rings in compound 4f; or the two 2-(4-fluorophenyl) rings in compound 4g, resulted in significant and moderate activity against the Caco-2 and C3A cell lines. The indole-aminoquinazoline hybrids compounds 4f and 4g induced apoptosis in Caco-2 and C3A cells, and were also found to exhibit moderate (IC50 = 52.5 nM) and significant (IC50 = 40.7 nM) inhibitory activity towards epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) against gefitinib (IC50 = 38.9 nM). Molecular docking suggests that 4a⁻h could bind to the ATP region of EGFR like erlotinib.
We synthesized a series of novel 5-24 derivatives of oxindole. The synthesis started from 5-chlorooxindole, which was condensed with methyl 4-carboxybezoate and result in the formation of benzolyester derivatives of oxindole which was then treated with hydrazine hydrate. The oxindole benzoylhydrazide was treated with aryl acetophenones and aldehydes to get target compounds 5-24. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for urease inhibition; the compound 5 (IC50 = 13.00 ± 0.35 μM) and 11 (IC50 = 19.20 ± 0.50 μM) showed potent activity as compared to the standard drug thiourea (IC50 = 21.00 ± 0.01 μM). Other compounds showed moderate to weak activity. All synthetic compounds were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques including (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, IR and EI MS. The molecular interactions of the active compounds within the binding site of urease enzyme were studied through molecular docking simulations.
In this study, 45 bisindolylmethanes having sulfonamide moiety had been synthesized through 3 steps. In vitro assay for inhibition of carbonic anhydrase showed that some of the compounds having sulfonamide moiety are capable of inhibiting carbonic anhydrase II. Bisindoles having halogens at fifth position showed better inhibitory activity as compared to unsubstituted bisindoles. The results obtained from in vitro inhibitory activity were subjected through 3D QSAR and docking studies to identify important features contributing to the activity and further improve the structure. Pharmacophore studies suggest that bisindolylmethane moiety is contributing significantly towards the inhibition activity. Docking studies showed that compounds having nitro substituent (5g and 5i) were found to be able interact with Zn(2+) ion, Thr199, His94, His96, and His119, which interferes with the ZnOHThr199Glu106 hydrogen bond network. Bulky nitro substituent at ortho position for compound 5g prevents the compound from interacting with other residues like Thr199 and Thr200. Methyl substituent at ortho position for Compound 5i induces less steric hindrance effect, thus allowing second oxygen atom of sulfonamide to interact with Thr199 (2.51Å). Hydrogen bonding between NH on indole ring with Glu69 might have increased stability of ligand-receptor complex.
In an effort to develop new antibacterial drugs, some novel bisindolylmethane derivatives containing Schiff base moieties were prepared and screened for their antibacterial activity. The synthesis of the bisindolylmethane Schiff base derivatives 3-26 was carried out in three steps. First, the nitro group of 3,3'-((4-nitrophenyl)-methylene)bis(1H-indole) (1) was reduced to give the amino substituted bisindolylmethane 2 without affecting the unsaturation of the bisindolylmethane moiety using nickel boride in situ generated. Reduction of compound 1 using various catalysts showed that combination of sodium borohydride and nickel acetate provides the highest yield for compound 2. Bisindolylmethane Schiff base derivatives were synthesized by coupling various benzaldehydes with amino substituted bisindolylmethane 2. All synthesized compounds were characterized by various spectroscopic methods. The bisindolylmethane Schiff base derivatives were evaluated against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Derivatives having halogen and nitro substituent display weak to moderate antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi A and S. paratyphi B.
In search of potent urease inhibitor indole analogues (1-22) were synthesized and evaluated for their urease inhibitory potential. All analogues (1-22) showed a variable degree of inhibitory interaction potential having IC50 value ranging between 0.60 ± 0.05 to 30.90 ± 0.90 µM when compared with standard thiourea having IC50 value 21.86 ± 0.90 µM. Among the synthesized analogues, the compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14, 18, 20 and 22 having IC50 value 3.10 ± 0.10, 1.20 ± 0.10, 4.60 ± 0.10, 0.60 ± 0.05, 5.30 ± 0.20, 2.50 ± 0.10, 7.50 ± 0.20, 3.90 ± 0.10, 3.90 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.05 and 0.90 ± 0.05 µM respectively were found many fold better than the standard thiourea. All other analogues showed better urease interaction inhibition. Structure activity relationship (SAR) has been established for all analogues containing different substituents on the phenyl ring. To understand the binding interaction of most active analogues with enzyme active site docking study were performed.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
In the study presented here, the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 5-[3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylhydrosulfide was carried out with different alkyl/aralkyl halides (5a-r) to form its different S-substituted derivatives (6a-r), as depicted in scheme 1. The structural confirmation of all the synthesized compounds was done by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and CHN analysis data. Bacterial biofilm inhibitory activity of all the synthesized compounds was carried out against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The anticancer activity of these molecules was ascertained using anti-proliferation (SRB) assay on HCT 116 Colon Cancer Cell lines while the cytotoxicity of these molecules was profiled for their haemolytic potential. From this investigation it was rational that most of the compounds exhibited suitable antibacterial and anticancer potential along with a temperate cytotoxicity.
Matched MeSH terms: Indoles/adverse effects; Indoles/chemical synthesis*; Indoles/therapeutic use
A series of nineteen (1-19) indole-based-thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized, characterized by 1HNMR, 13C NMR, MS, and screened for α-glucosidase inhibition. All analogs showed varied α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC50 value ranged between 0.95 ± 0.05 to 13.60 ± 0.30 µM, when compared with the standard acarbose (IC50 = 1.70 ± 0.10). Analogs 17, 2, 1, 9, 7, 3, 15, 10, 16, and 14 with IC50 values 0.95 ± 0.05, 1.10 ± 0.10, 1.30 ± 0.10, 1.60 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.10, 2.30 ± 0.10, 2.80 ± 0.10, 4.10 ± 0.20 and 4.80 ± 0.20 µM respectively showed highest α-glucosidase inhibition. All other analogs also exhibit excellent inhibitory potential. Structure activity relationships have been established for all compounds primarily based on substitution pattern on the phenyl ring. Through molecular docking study, binding interactions of the most active compounds were confirmed. We further studied the kinetics study of analogs 1, 2, 9 and 17 and found that they are Non-competitive inhibitors.