An enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR) for enantioseparation of (R,S)-ketoprofen via Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) as biocatalyst was investigated. A comparative study of free and immobilized CALB was further conducted. The catalytic behaviour of CALB in an EMR was affected by the process parameters of enzyme load, substrate concentration, substrate molar ratio, lipase solution pH, reaction temperature, and substrate flow rate. Immobilization of CALB in the EMR was able to reduce the amount of enzyme required for the enantioseparation of (R,S)-ketoprofen. Immobilized CALB in the EMR assured higher reaction capacity, better thermal stability, and reusability. It was also found to be more cost effective and practical than free CALB in a batch reactor.
In this study, a series of novel 3-(substituted phenyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-3a,4-dihydro-3H-indeno[1,2-c]isoxazole analogues were synthesized and evaluated for antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H(37)Rv and isoniazid resistant M. tuberculosis (INHR-MTB). All the newly synthesized compounds were showing moderate to high inhibitory activities. The compound 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-chloro phenyl)-4H-indeno[1,2-c]isoxazole (4b) was found to be the most promising compound, active against MTB H(37)Rv and INHR-MTB with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.22 and 0.34 μM.
Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are a group of chiral amine drugs which are commonly abused for their sympathomimetic and stimulant properties. ATS are extensively metabolised by hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes. As metabolism of ATS has been shown to be highly stereospecific, stereoselective analytical methods are essential for the quantitative determination of ATS concentrations for both in vivo and in vitro studies of ATS metabolism. This paper describes a new stereoselective method for the simultaneous determination of amphetamine (AM), methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA), 3,4-hydroxymethamphetamine (HHMA) and 3,4-hydroxyamphetamine (HHA) in human urine samples validated according to the United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines. In this method, analytes are simultaneously extracted and derivatized with R-(-)-α-methoxy-α-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetyl chloride (R-MTPCl) as the chiral derivatization reagent. Following this, the analytes were subjected to a second derivatization with N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA) which targets the hydroxyl groups present in HMMA, HMA, HHMA and HHA. The derivatized analytes were separated and quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The method was evaluated according to the established guidelines for specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery and stability using a five-day protocol. Intra-day precision ranged from 0.89 to 11.23% RSD whereas inter-day precision was between 1.03 and 12.95% RSD. Accuracy values for the analytes ranged from -5.29% to 13.75%. Limits of quantitation were 10 μg/L for AM, MA, MDMA, HMA and HMMA and 2μg/L for MDA, HMA and HHA. Recoveries and stability values were also within accepted values. The method was applied to authentic ATS-positive samples.
Five new stilbenoids, vatalbinosides A-E (1-5), and 13 known compounds (6-18) were isolated from the stem of Vatica albiramis. The effects of these new compounds on interleukin-1β-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in human dermal fibroblasts were examined. Three resveratrol tetramers, (-)-hopeaphenol (6), vaticanol C (13), and stenophyllol C (14), were identified as strong inhibitors of MMP-1 production.
Leucofoline and leuconoline, representing the first members of the aspidospermatan-aspidospermatan and eburnane-sarpagine subclasses of the bisindole alkaloids, respectively, were isolated from the Malayan Leuconotis griffithii. The structures of these bisindole alkaloids were established using NMR and MS analysis, and in the case of leuconoline, confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Both alkaloids showed weak cytotoxicity towards human KB cells.
Literature data relevant to the decision to allow a waiver of in vivo bioequivalence (BE) testing for the approval of immediate-release (IR) solid oral dosage forms containing bisoprolol as the sole active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) are reviewed. Bisoprolol is classified as a Class I API according to the current Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS). In addition to the BCS class, its therapeutic index, pharmacokinetic properties, data related to the possibility of excipient interactions, and reported BE/bioavailability problems are taken into consideration. Qualitative compositions of IR tablet dosage forms of bisoprolol with a marketing authorization (MA) in ICH (International Conference on Harmonisation) countries are tabulated. It was inferred that these tablets had been demonstrated to be bioequivalent to the innovator product. No reports of failure to meet BE standards have been made in the open literature. On the basis of all these pieces of evidence, a biowaiver can currently be recommended for bisoprolol fumarate IR dosage forms if (1) the test product contains only excipients that are well known, and used in normal amounts, for example, those tabulated for products with MA in ICH countries and (2) both the test and comparator dosage form are very rapidly dissolving, or, rapidly dissolving with similarity of the dissolution profiles demonstrated at pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8.
Structural modification of steroids through whole-cell biocatalysis is an invaluable procedure for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and key intermediates. Modifications could be carried out with regio- and stereospecificity at positions hardly available for chemical agents. Much attention has been focused recently on the biotransformation of 17α-ethynyl substituted steroidal drugs using fungi, bacteria and plant cell cultures in order to obtained novel biologically active compounds with diverse structure features. Present article includes studies on biotransformation on 17α-ethynyl substituted steroidal drugs using microorganisms and plant cell cultures. Various experimental and structural elucidation methods used in biotransformational processes are also highlighted.
Chiral enantiomers [Cu(phen)(L-threo)(H2O)]NO3 1 and [Cu(phen)(D-threo)(H2O)]NO3 2 (threo = threoninate) underwent aldol-type condensation with formaldehyde, with retention of chirality, to yield their respective enantiomeric ternary copper(II) complexes, viz. L- and D-[Cu(phen)(5MeOCA)(H2O)]NO3·xH2O (3 and 4; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; 5MeOCA = 5-methyloxazolidine-4-carboxylate; x = 0-3) respectively. These chiral complexes were characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, circular dichroism, UV-Visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy (FL), molar conductivity measurement, ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography. Analysis of restriction enzyme inhibition by these four complexes revealed modulation of DNA binding selectivity by the type of ligand, ligand modification and chirality. Their interaction with bovine serum albumin was investigated by FL and electronic spectroscopy. With the aid of the crystal structure of BSA, spectroscopic evidence suggested their binding at the cavity containing Trp134 with numerous Tyr residues in subdomain IA. The products were more antiproliferative than cisplatin against cancer cell lines HK-1, MCF-7, HCT116, HSC-2 and C666-1 except HL-60, and were selective towards nasopharyngeal cancer HK-1 cells over normal NP69 cells of the same organ type.
An efficient one-pot microwave assisted stereoselective synthesis of novel dihydro-2'H-spiro[indene-2,1'-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole]-tetraone derivatives through three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated in situ from ninhydrin and sarcosine with a series of 1-aryl-1H-pyrrole-2,5-diones is described. The synthesised compounds were screened for their antimycobacterial and AChE inhibition activities. Compound 4b (IC50 1.30µM) has been found to display twelve fold antimycobacterial activity compared to cycloserine and it is thirty seven times more active than pyrimethamine. Compound 4h displays maximum AchE inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 0.78±0.01µmol/L.
A library of 26 novel carboxamides deriving from natural fislatifolic acid has been prepared. The synthetic strategy involved a bio-inspired Diels-Alder cycloaddition, followed by functionalisations of the carbonyl moiety. All the compounds were evaluated on Bcl-xL, Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 proteins. In this series of cyclohexenyl chalcone analogues, six compounds behaved as dual Bcl-xL/Mcl-1 inhibitors in micromolar range and one exhibited sub-micromolar affinities toward Mcl-1 and Bcl-2. The most potent compounds evaluated on A549 and MCF7 cancer cell lines showed moderate cytotoxicities.
Although dietary trans fatty acids can affect plasma lipoproteins negatively in humans, no direct comparison with specific saturated fatty acids has been reported, even though trans fatty acids were designed to replace saturates in foods and food processing. In this study, dietary trans 18:1 [elaidic acid at 5.5% energy (en)] was specifically exchanged for cis 18:1, 16:0 or 12:0 + 14:0 in 27 male and female subjects consuming moderate fat (31% en), low cholesterol (<225 mg/d) whole food diets during 4-wk diet periods in a crossover design. The trans-rich fat significantly elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol relative to the 16:0-rich and 18:1-rich fats and uniquely depressed HDL cholesterol relative to all of the fats tested. Trans fatty acids also elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] values relative to all dietary treatments. Furthermore, identical effects on lipoproteins were elicited by 16:0 and cis 18:1 in these subjects. The current results suggest that elaidic acid, one of the principal trans isomers produced during industrial hydrogenation of edible oils, adversely affects plasma lipoproteins. Thus, the negative effect of elaidic acid on the lipoprotein profile of humans appears to be unmatched by any other natural fatty acid(s).
A computer-aided predictions of antioxidant activities were performed with the Prediction Activity Spectra of Substances (PASS) program. Antioxidant activity of compounds 1, 3, 4 and 5 were studied using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and lipid peroxidation assays to verify the predictions obtained by the PASS program. Compounds 3 and 5 showed more inhibition of DPPH stable free radical at 10⁻⁴ M than the well-known standard antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Compound 5 exhibited promising in vitro inhibition of Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation of the essential egg yolk as a lipid-rich medium (83.99%, IC₅₀ 16.07 ± 3.51 μM/mL) compared to α-tocopherol (α-TOH, 84.6%, IC₅₀ 5.6 ± 1.09 μM/mL). The parameters for drug-likeness of these BHT analogues were also evaluated according to the Lipinski’s “rule-of-five” (RO5). All the BHT analogues were found to violate one of the Lipinski’s parameters (LogP > 5), even though they have been found to be soluble in protic solvents. The predictive polar surface area (PSA) and absorption percent (% ABS) data allow us to conclude that they could have a good capacity for penetrating cell membranes. Therefore, one can propose these new multipotent antioxidants (MPAOs) as potential antioxidants for tackling oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation processes.
This paper discusses the application of a reagentless, selective microbiosensor as a useful alternative tool for monitoring D-serine in neural samples. The main components of the 125-μm-diameter disk biosensor were D-amino acid oxidase for D-serine sensitivity (linear region slope, 61 ± 7 μA cm(-2) mM(-1); limit of detection, 20 nM), and poly-phenylenediamine for rejection of electroactive interference. The response time of the biosensor was of the order of 1 s, ideal for 'real-time' monitoring, and detection of systemically administered D-serine in brain extracellular fluid is demonstrated. Exploitation of this probe might resolve queries involving regulation of D-serine in excitotoxicity, and modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function by D-serine and glycine in the central nervous system.
A new tetramer oligostilbenoid possessing tetrahydrofuran ring, malaysianol C (1), was isolated from the acetone extract of the stem bark of Dryobalanops lanceolata, together with four known oligostilbenoids nepalensinol E (2), ϵ-viniferin (3), laevifonol (4), and ampelopsin F (5). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral evidence. The antibacterial activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated using resazurin microtitre-plate assay, whereas the cytotoxic activity was tested using MTT assay. The plausible biogenetic routes of the isolated compounds are also discussed.
A series of novel hybrid spiro heterocycles comprising pyrrolizine, spiroxindole and piperidine moieties was synthesized chemo-, regio- and stereoselectively in good yields from 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of a series of 1-acryloyl-3,5-bisarylmethylidenepiperidin-4-ones with azomethine ylides generated in situ from 5-choloroisatin and l-proline in methanol. These cycloadducts displayed significant cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Among the compounds screened, 8g and 8e, showed maximum inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinestrase (BChE) with IC50 values of 3.33 and 3.13μM, respectively.
In our screening program for new photosensitizers from Malaysian biodiversity for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer, MeOH extracts of ten terrestrial plants from Cameron Highlands in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia, were tested. In a short-term 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 20 μg/ml each of these extracts were incubated in a pro-myelocytic leukemia cell-line, HL60, with or without irradiation with 9.6 J/cm(2) of a broad spectrum light. Three samples, Labisia longistyla, Dichroa febrifuga, and Piper penangense, were photocytotoxic by having at least twofold lower cell viability when irradiated compared to the unirradiated assay. The extract of the leaves of Piper penangense, a shrub belonging to the family Piperaceae and widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions in the world, was subsequently subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation using standard chromatography methods. Eight derivatives of pheophorbide-a and -b were identified from the fractions that exhibited strong photocytotoxicity. By spectroscopic analysis, these compounds were identified as pheophorbide-a methyl ester (1), (R,S)-13(2) -hydroxypheophorbide-a methyl ester (2 and 3), pheophorbide-b methyl ester (4), 13(2) -hydroxypheophorbide-b methyl ester (5), 15(2) -hydroxylactone pheophorbide-a methyl ester (6), 15(2) -methoxylactone pheophorbide-a methyl ester (7), 15(2) -methoxylactone pheophorbide-b methyl ester (8).
A phytochemical study on the bark of Neisosperma oppositifolia (Apocynaceae) yielded two new beta-carboline indole alkaloids, oppositinines A (1) and B (2), together with five known alkaloids, isoreserpiline, isocarapanaubine, vobasine, 10-methoxydihydrocorynantheol-N-oxide, and ochropposinine oxindole. Structural elucidation of 1 and 2 was performed using 2D NMR methods. Oppositinines A (1) and B (2) showed potent vasorelaxant effects on the rat aorta.
Two new bisindole alkaloids, bisnicalaterines B and C (1 and 2) consisting of an eburnane and a corynanthe type of skeletons, were isolated from the bark of Hunteria zeylanica. Their absolute structures were determined by combination of NMR, CD, and computational methods, and each of them was shown to be in an atropisomeric relationship. Bisnicalaterines B and C (1 and 2) showed potent vasorelaxant activity on isolated rat aorta.
A method for the chiral separation of propiconazole using cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography (CD-MEKC) with hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HP-gamma-CD) as chiral selector is reported. The use of a mixture of 30 mM HP-gamma-CD, 50mM SDS, methanol-acetonitrile 10%:5% (v/v) in 25 mM phosphate buffer solution was able to separate two enantiomeric pairs of propiconazole. Stacking- and sweeping-CD-MEKC under neutral pH (pH 7) and under acidic condition (pH 3.0) were used as two on-line preconcentration methods to increase detection sensitivity of propiconazole. Good repeatabilities in the migration time, peak area and peak height were obtained in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD). A sensitivity enhancement factor of 100-fold was achieved using sweeping-CD-MEKC at acidic pH. This is the first report on the separation of two pairs of propiconazole enantiomers and all the enantiomers of fenbuconazole and tebuconazole using sweeping-CD-MEKC. The limit of detection (S/N=3) for the three triazole fungicides ranged from 0.09 to 0.1 microg/mL, which is well below the maximum residue limits (MRL) set by Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). Combination of solid-phase extraction (SPE) pretreatment and sweeping-CD-MEKC procedure was applied to the determination of selected triazole fungicides in grapes samples spiked at concentration 10-40 times lower than the MRL established by the CAC. The average recoveries of the selected fungicides in spiked grapes samples were good, ranging from 73% to 109% with RSD of 9-12% (n=3).