Active Hydroxy Research Articles

Multiple-perspective design of hollow-structured cerium-vanadium-based nanopillar arrays for enhanced overall water electrolysis

It is critical and challenging to develop highly active and low cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for the hydrogen/oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER) in water electrolysis. Herein, we propose cerium-vanadium-based hollow nanopillar arrays supported on nickel foam (CeV-HNA/NF) as bifunctional HER/OER electrocatalysts, which are prepared by etching the V metal–organic framework with Ce salt and then pyrolyzing. Etching results in multidimensional optimizations of electrocatalysts, covering substantial oxygen vacancies, optimized electronic configurations, and an open-type structure of hollow nanopillar arrays, which contribute to accelerating the charge transfer rate, regulating the adsorption energy of H/O-containing reaction intermediates, and fully exposing the active sites. The reconstruction of the electrocatalyst is also accelerated by Ce doping, which results in highly active hydroxy vanadium oxide interfaces. Therefore, extremely low overpotentials of 170 and 240 mV under a current density of 100 mA cm−2 are achieved for the HER and OER under alkaline conditions, respectively, with long-term stability for 300 h. An electrolysis cell with CeV-HNA/NF as both the cathode and anode delivers a small voltage of 1.53 V to achieve water electrolysis under 10 mA cm−2, accompanied by superior durability for 150 h. This design provides an innovative way to develop advanced bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water electrolysis.

Synthetic aporphine alkaloids are potential therapeutics for Leigh syndrome

Mitochondrial diseases are mainly caused by dysfunction of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and have a variety of genetic variants or phenotypes. There are only a few approved treatments, and fundamental therapies are yet to be developed. Leigh syndrome (LS) is the most severe type of progressive encephalopathy. We previously reported that apomorphine, an anti- “off” agent for Parkinson’s disease, has cell-protective activity in patient-derived skin fibroblasts in addition to strong dopamine agonist effect. We obtained 26 apomorphine analogs, synthesized 20 apomorphine derivatives, and determined their anti-cell death effect, dopamine agonist activity, and effects on the mitochondrial function. We found three novel apomorphine derivatives with an active hydroxy group at position 11 of the aporphine framework, with a high anti-cell death effect without emetic dopamine agonist activity. These synthetic aporphine alkaloids are potent therapeutics for mitochondrial diseases without emetic side effects and have the potential to overcome the low bioavailability of apomorphine. Moreover, they have high anti-ferroptotic activity and therefore have potential as a therapeutic agent for diseases related to ferroptosis.

Microwave-Induced Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation in Different Solvents Toward Optically Active Hydroxy β-Lactams: Effects of Penetration Depth

In present work, the stereospecific synthesis of optically active cis hydroxy β-lactams by catalytic transfer hydrogenation under diversemicrowave-induced conditions is invstigated. The effects of the penetration depth of the solvents are found to be more crucial than solvents with high dipole moments and dielectric constants. Despite significant progress of microwave-induced reactions, no reports have examined the penetration depth of the solvents used in these processes

The Anti-Glioma Effect of Juglone Derivatives through ROS Generation.

Juglone has been extensively reported as a natural antitumor pigment. However, it is easy to be oxidized due to active hydroxy in the quinone. Here, we designed some new juglone derivatives, as the hydroxy was replaced by methyl (D1), allyl (D2), butyl (D3), and benzyl (D4) groups. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and mass spectrometry were applied to confirm the derivatives and oxidative products of juglone. U87 and U251 cell lines were used for tests in vitro, and primary human glioblastoma cells were applied for in vivo experiments. The CCK8 and EdU assay demonstrated the anti-tumor effect of the four derivatives, and IC50 for U87 was 3.99, 3.28, 7.60, and 11.84 μM, respectively. In U251, IC50 was 7.00, 5.43, 8.64, and 18.05 μM, respectively. D2 and D3 were further selected, and flow cytometry showed that apoptosis rates were increased after D2 or D3 treatment via ROS generation. Potential targets were predicted by network pharmacology analysis, most of which were associated with apoptosis, cell cycle, and metabolism pathway. CDC25B and DUSP1 were two of the most likely candidates for targets. The orthotopic glioblastoma model was established to evaluate the anti-glioma effect and side-effect of juglone derivatives, and the in vivo experiments confirmed the anti-glioma effects of juglone derivatives. In conclusion, new derivatives of juglone were created via chemical group substitution and could inhibit glioma cell viability and proliferation and induce apoptosis rate via ROS generation.

A Novel Baker’s Yeast-Mediated Microwave-Induced Reduction of Racemic 3-Keto-2-Azetidinones: Facile Entry to Optically Active Hydroxy β-Lactam Derivatives

Objective: Microwave technology, together with enzymatic catalysis, is a nature-friendly chemical synthesis method with low wastage of solvent and a good yield of the products. Methods: Enzymes from various microorganisms can be used in the biochemical processes of a wide range of compounds assisted by microwave irradiation. Results: In this work, the microwave-induced reaction of α-keto β-lactams by Baker's yeast in organic solvent was conducted to afford optically active cis and trans-α-hydroxy-β-lactams for the first time. Conclusion: These hydroxy compounds are the precursors of numerous natural products of medicinal significance.

Antioxidant Activity of Diatomic Phenols

Nine compounds are studied for antioxidant activity, including those from the class of catecholamines containing 3,4-hydroxyphenyl (catechol) as a common structural fragment, which imparts antioxidant properties to the compounds in the reactions of hydrocarbon substrate oxidation. The antiradical activity is determined by the chemiluminescent method by the interception of peroxyl radicals in the model reaction of the initiated oxidation of ethylbenzene (RH). The mechanism of the inhibition of chain oxidation processes by diatomic phenol compounds is provided by the presence of two active hydroxy groups with a possible intramolecular hydrogen bond, leading to a weakening of the О–Н bond and a high rate constant of hydrogen abstraction in the reaction with peroxyl radicals (kinh). This reaction is dominant and determines the inhibitory activity of antioxidants in oxidation processes. The maximum inhibitory activity is shown by 3,5- and 3,6-di-tert-butylpyrocatechins, dopamine, and epicatechin.

Preliminary Investigation on Simvastatin-Loaded Polymeric Micelles in View of the Treatment of the Back of the Eye.

There is increasing consensus in considering statins beneficial for age-related macular degeneration and in general, for immune and inflammatory mediated diseases affecting the posterior segment of the eye. However, all available data relate to oral administration, and safety and effectiveness of statins directly administered to the eye are not yet known, despite their ophthalmic administration could be beneficial. The aim was the development and the characterization of polymeric micelles based on TPGS or TPGS/poloxamer 407 to increase simvastatin solubility and stability and to enhance the delivery of the drug to the posterior segment of the eye via trans-scleral permeation. Simvastatin was chosen as a model statin and its active hydroxy acid metabolite was investigated as well. Results demonstrated that polymeric micelles increased simvastatin solubility at least 30-fold and particularly TPGS/poloxamer 407 mixed micelles, successfully stabilized simvastatin over time, preventing the hydrolysis when stored for 1 month at 4 °C. Furthermore, both TPGS (1.3 mPas) and mixed micelles (33.2 mPas) showed low viscosity, suitable for periocular administration. TPGS micelles resulted the best performing in delivery simvastatin either across conjunctiva or sclera in ex vivo porcine models. The data pave the way for a future viable ocular administration of statins.

Computational studies on statins photoactivity

Abstract Statins are popular drugs widely prescribed to control hypercholesterolaemia and to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Synthetic statins constitute a group of pharmaceuticals which are very sensitive to exposure to light in both UVA and UVB ranges. Light, by causing drugs degradation, can essentially change their pharmaceutical properties leading even to the loss of therapeutic activity and/or to the formation of deleterious photoproducts. Drugs which exhibit photochemical reactivity may elicit undesired adverse effects. A detailed understanding of mechanisms involved in molecular basis of these effects origin is very important for evaluating the photobiological risk associated with therapy in which drugs prone to exposure to light are involved. In this work we critically discussed finding regarding the mechanisms of synthetic statins phototransformation. We showed inconsistency of some previously reported facts and revised earlier presented studies. We also completed the lack of information on pitavastatin photobehaviour. This all together resulted in proposal of new schemes for the statins photodecomposition. We reviewed data derived from both experimental and computational methods. Studies of photochemical problems by the use of theoretical methods enable getting insight into areas of some fascinating events that experimental techniques can touch only indirectly. Besides effect of light, phenomenon of statins’ sensitivity to pH and resulting implications were discussed. Statins undergo pH-dependent interconversion between their pharmacologically active hydroxy acid and inactive lactone forms, and it was shown that for both forms, drugs’ interactions should be considered. Knowledge of the statins interconversion mechanisms is important for understanding how differences in the structures of their molecules can affect the drugs’ activity.

Selective inhibition of aldo-keto reductase 1C3: a novel mechanism involved in midostaurin and daunorubicin synergism.

Midostaurin is an FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 receptor (FLT3) inhibitor that provides renewed hope for treating acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The limited efficacy of this compound as a monotherapy contrasts with that of its synergistic combination with standard cytarabine and daunorubicin (Dau), suggesting a therapeutic benefit that is not driven only by FLT3 inhibition. In an AML context, the activity of the enzyme aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is a crucial factor in chemotherapy resistance, as it mediates the intracellular transformation of anthracyclines to less active hydroxy metabolites. Here, we report that midostaurin is a potent inhibitor of Dau inactivation mediated by AKR1C3 in both its recombinant form as well as during its overexpression in a transfected cell model. Likewise, in the FLT3- AML cell line KG1a, midostaurin was able to increase the cellular accumulation of Dau and significantly decrease its metabolism by AKR1C3 simultaneously. The combination of those mechanisms increased the nuclear localization of Dau, thus synergizing its cytotoxic effects on KG1a cells. Our results provide new in vitro evidence of how the therapeutic activity of midostaurin could operate beyond targeting the FLT3 receptor.

Stereoselective Bioreduction of Telluro‐Acetophenones to Optically Active Hydroxy Tellurides

Organotellurium compounds exhibit a broad range of useful applications in organic synthesis, materials science and medicinal chemistry fields. Despite their increasing applicability, the synthesis of enantiomerically pure organotellurium compounds remains nowadays scarcely reported in the literature. Herein, the chemical synthesis and biocatalyzed reductions of a set of telluro‐acetophenones using both (R) and (S)‐selective alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) is described for the first time, obtaining enantiomerically enriched hydroxy tellurides with excellent selectivities under very mild reaction conditions. On the one hand, enantiopure para‐substituted (S)‐hydroxy tellurides were obtained using the Ras‐ADH (77–95 % conversion) and ADH‐A (52–75 %), the ADH‐A leading to the enantiopure (S)‐hydroxy tellurides substituted at the meta‐position (69–75 %). On the other hand, the evo‐1.1.200 displayed high selectivity towards the preparation of optically alcohols with substitutions at the para‐position of the aromatic ring (60–68 % conversion and 92–97 % ee), while the Lb‐ADH led to the best results when reducing bulky ketones at the meta‐position (79–82% conversion and 88–99 % ee).

Comparison of the inhibitory effect of ketoconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics of bosentan and its corresponding active metabolite hydroxy bosentan in rats

1. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of azole antifungal agents, including ketoconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole, on the pharmacokinetics of bosentan (BOS) and its active metabolite hydroxy bosentan (OHBOS) in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats.2. A total of 25 healthy male SD rats were divided into five groups and treated with various azole antifungal agents by gavage, followed by a single dose of BOS after 30 min.3. The study found that ketoconazole led to a significant increase (5.1-fold) in the AUC(0-t) of BOS, associated with a 5.8-fold elevation in the Cmax, which was greater than that for fluconazole (2.6- and 2.9-fold) and voriconazole (1.1- and 1.7-fold). Accordingly, the Vz/F and CLz/F of BOS reduced by 89.2% and 83.7%, respectively, on administering ketoconazole concomitantly. However, fluconazole caused a decrease in Vz/F and CLz/F by 77.4% and 72.2%, respectively, compared with voriconazole that exhibited a decrease in CLz/F by 51.7% with a negligible change in Vz/F. Also, obvious differences were observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters of OHBOS between the control and treated groups.4. Collectively, treatment with ketoconazole resulted in a prominent inhibitory effect on the metabolism of BOS, followed by treatment with fluconazole, voriconazole, and itraconazole. Therefore, these details of animal studies may help draw more attention to the safety of BOS while combining it with ketoconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, or itraconazole clinically.

Transformations of Statins: Effect of Light and pH

Statins are popular drugs widely prescribed in Europe and the USA to control hypercholesterolemia and to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Among these drugs, synthetic statins possess the ability to absorb UV radiations in both UVA and UVB ranges. Light can induce drugs degradation leading to essential changes in their pharmaceutical properties and even to the loss of therapeutic activity, and/or to the formation of deleterious photoproducts. Drugs which exhibit photochemical reactivity may elicit undesired adverse effects. Knowledge of mechanisms involved in the molecular basis of these effects origin is of great importance for understanding chemical nature of occurring processes and their biological and medicinal implications, as well as for evaluating the photobiological risk associated with therapy in which drugs sensitive to light are involved. In this work, photophysical properties and photochemical behaviour of synthetic statins were reviewed, and findings regarding photodegradation mechanisms were summarised and critically discussed resulting in the revision of some previously reported facts as well as in proposing new schemes for the transformations of this important group of organic compounds. Moreover, possible biological consequences of statins photoinstability were also discussed. Besides the effect of light, statins’ sensitivity to pH and resulting implications were discussed. Statins undergo pH-dependent interconversion between their pharmacologically active hydroxy acid and inactive lactone forms and it was shown that for both forms, drugs’ interactions should be considered. Knowledge of the statins interconversion mechanisms is important for understanding how differences in the structures of their molecules can affect the activity of the drug at the molecular level and can have an impact on designing more effective novel and safe drugs. Keywords: Statins, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, lactonisation, drugs’ interactions, photosensitizers.

Co-Immobilization of Ketoreductase and Glucose Dehydrogenase

A two-enzyme system composed of immobilized ketoreductase (Hansenula polymorpha) and glucose dehydrogenase (Bacillus megaterium) was developed for the asymmetric reduction of keto esters to optically active hydroxy esters via immobilization in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel particles. The concentration of enzymes was optimized, and the final particles were used 18 times in a row in a batch mode to achieve minimal loss of activity and complete conversion of the model substrate, β-ketoester ethyl-2-methylacetoacetate. Excellent stability was also achieved using new storage conditions of PVA particles, with 80% of activity being retained after almost 10 months.

Chemoselectivity Control in the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of γ‐ and δ‐Keto Esters into Hydroxy Esters or Diols

AbstractThe asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic γ‐ and δ‐keto esters into optically active hydroxy esters or diols under the catalysis of a novel DIPSkewphos/3‐AMIQ–RuII complex was studied. Under the optimized conditions (8 atm H2 , Ru complex/t‐C4H9OK=1:3.5, 25 °C) the γ‐ and δ‐hydroxy esters (including γ‐lactones) were obtained quantitatively with 97–99 % ee. When the reaction was conducted under somewhat harsh conditions (20 atm H2 , [t‐C4H9OK]=50 mm, 40 °C), the 1,4‐ and 1,5‐diols were obtained predominantly with 95–99 % ee. The reactivity of the ester group was notably dependent on the length of the carbon spacer between the two carbonyl moieties of the substrate. The reaction of β‐ and ϵ‐keto esters selectively afforded the hydroxy esters regardless of the reaction conditions. This catalyst system was applied to the enantioselective and regioselective (for one of the two ester groups) hydrogenation of a γ‐ϵ‐diketo diester into a trihydroxy ester.

Chemoselectivity Control in the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of γ- and δ-Keto Esters into Hydroxy Esters or Diols.

The asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic γ- and δ-keto esters into optically active hydroxy esters or diols under the catalysis of a novel DIPSkewphos/3-AMIQ-RuII complex was studied. Under the optimized conditions (8 atm H2 , Ru complex/t-C4 H9 OK=1:3.5, 25 °C) the γ- and δ-hydroxy esters (including γ-lactones) were obtained quantitatively with 97-99 % ee. When the reaction was conducted under somewhat harsh conditions (20 atm H2 , [t-C4 H9 OK]=50 mm, 40 °C), the 1,4- and 1,5-diols were obtained predominantly with 95-99 % ee. The reactivity of the ester group was notably dependent on the length of the carbon spacer between the two carbonyl moieties of the substrate. The reaction of β- and ϵ-keto esters selectively afforded the hydroxy esters regardless of the reaction conditions. This catalyst system was applied to the enantioselective and regioselective (for one of the two ester groups) hydrogenation of a γ-ϵ-diketo diester into a trihydroxy ester.

Transporter-Mediated Disposition, Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Cholestatic Potential of Glyburide and Its Primary Active Metabolites.

Glyburide is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We studied the mechanisms involved in the disposition of glyburide and its pharmacologically active hydroxy metabolites M1 and M2b and evaluated their clinical pharmacokinetics and the potential role in glyburide-induced cholestasis employing physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. Transport studies of parent and metabolites in human hepatocytes and transfected cell systems imply hepatic uptake mediated by organic anion-transporting polypeptides. Metabolites are also subjected to basolateral and biliary efflux by P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein, and multidrug resistance-associated proteins, and are substrates to renal organic anion transporter 3. A PBPK model in combination with a Bayesian approach was developed considering the identified disposition mechanisms. The model reasonably described plasma concentration time profiles and urinary recoveries of glyburide and the metabolites, implying the role of multiple transport processes in their pharmacokinetics. Predicted free liver concentrations of the parent (∼30-fold) and metabolites (∼4-fold) were higher than their free plasma concentrations. Finally, all three compounds showed bile salt export pump inhibition in vitro; however, significant in vivo inhibition was not apparent for any compound on the basis of a predicted unbound liver exposure-response effect model using measured in vitro IC50 values. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the important role of multiple drug transporters in the disposition of glyburide and its active metabolites, suggesting that variability in the function of these processes may lead to pharmacokinetic variability in the parent and the metabolites, potentially translating to pharmacodynamic variability.

Prediction of the Transporter-Mediated Drug-Drug Interaction Potential of Dabrafenib and Its Major Circulating Metabolites.

The BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib was recently approved for the treatment of certain BRAF V600 mutation-positive tumors, either alone or in combination therapy with the mitogen-activated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 (MEK1) and MEK2 inhibitor, trametinib. This article presents the dabrafenib transporter-mediated drug-drug interaction (DDI) risk assessment, which is currently an important part of drug development, regulatory submission, and drug registration. Dabrafenib and its major circulating metabolites (hydroxy-, carboxy-, and desmethyl-dabrafenib) were investigated as inhibitors of the clinically relevant transporters P-gp, BCRP, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OCT2, OAT1, and OAT3. The DDI Guidance risk assessment decision criteria for inhibition of BCRP, OATP1B1 and OAT3 were slightly exceeded and therefore a minor DDI effect resulting from inhibition of these transporters remained possible. Biliary secretion is the major excretion pathway of dabrafenib-related material (71.1% of orally administered radiolabeled dose recovered in feces), whereas urinary excretion was observed as well (22.7% of the dose). In vitro uptake into human hepatocytes of the dabrafenib metabolites, but not of dabrafenib parent compound, was mediated, at least in part, by hepatic uptake transporters. The transporters responsible for uptake of the pharmacologically active hydroxy- and desmethyl dabrafenib could not be identified, whereas carboxy-dabrafenib was a substrate of several OATPs. Dabrafenib, hydroxy-, and desmethyl-dabrafenib were substrates of P-gp and BCRP, whereas carboxy-dabrafenib was not. Although a small increase in exposure to carboxy-dabrafenib upon inhibition of OATPs and an increase in exposure to desmethyl-dabrafenib upon inhibition of P-gp or BCRP cannot be excluded, the clinical significance of such increases is likely to be low.

Assessing the stereoselectivity of Serratia marcescens CECT 977 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase

The meso-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase from Serratia marcescens CECT 977 can produce several optically active hydroxy ketones from both the alcohol or ketone precursor.

Oxidative Cycloaddition of Aldoximes with Maleimides using Catalytic Hydroxy(aryl)iodonium Species

AbstractA mild catalytic procedure for the efficient oxidative cyclization of aldoximes with maleimides mediated by hypervalent iodine(III) active species has been developed. This catalytic cyclization affords the corresponding pyrrolo‐isoxazole products in generally good yields. The catalytic cycle involves active hydroxy(aryl)iodonium species generated in situ from 2‐iodobenzoic acid as precatalyst and m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m‐CPBA) as terminal oxidant in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The presence of active hydroxy(aryl)iodonium species in this reaction has been confirmed by ESI‐mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy.magnified image

The role of acid-base imbalance in statin-induced myotoxicity

Disturbances in acid-base balance, such as acidosis and alkalosis, have potential to alter the pharmacologic and toxicologic outcomes of statin therapy. Statins are commonly prescribed for elderly patients who have multiple comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular, and renal diseases. These patients are at risk of developing acid-base imbalance. In the present study, the effect of disturbances in acid-base balance on the interconversion of simvastatin and pravastatin between lactone and hydroxy acid forms have been investigated in physiological buffers, human plasma, and cell culture medium over pH ranging from 6.8–7.8. The effects of such interconversion on cellular uptake and myotoxicity of statins were assessed in vitro using C2C12 skeletal muscle cells under conditions relevant to acidosis, alkalosis, and physiological pH. Results indicate that the conversion of the lactone forms of simvastatin and pravastatin to the corresponding hydroxy acid is strongly pH dependent. At physiological and alkaline pH, substantial proportions of simvastatin lactone (SVL; ∼87% and 99%, respectively) and pravastatin lactone (PVL; ∼98% and 99%, respectively) were converted to the active hydroxy acid forms after 24 hours of incubation at 37°C. At acidic pH, conversion occurs to a lower extent, resulting in greater proportion of statin remaining in the more lipophilic lactone form. However, pH alteration did not influence the conversion of the hydroxy acid forms of simvastatin and pravastatin to the corresponding lactones. Furthermore, acidosis has been shown to hinder the metabolism of the lactone form of statins by inhibiting hepatic microsomal enzyme activities. Lipophilic SVL was found to be more cytotoxic to undifferentiated and differentiated skeletal muscle cells compared with more hydrophilic simvastatin hydroxy acid, PVL, and pravastatin hydroxy acid. Enhanced cytotoxicity of statins was observed under acidic conditions and is attributed to increased cellular uptake of the more lipophilic lactone or unionized hydroxy acid form. Consequently, our results suggest that comorbidities associated with acid-base imbalance can play a substantial role in the development and potentiation of statin-induced myotoxicity.