Lipophilic Groups Research Articles

Preparation, characterization and tribological properties of coal indirect liquefied diesel soot modified by oleylamine

Coal indirect liquefied diesel soot (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis diesel soot, F-T DS) was collected by burning coal indirect liquefied diesel (F-T Diesel) with a self-made soot trap device in the laboratory. F-T DS was modified with oleylamine modification method to obtain oleylamine modified F-T DS (F-T DS-OLA). The effect of 10# white oil with F-T DS or F-T DS-OLA on the lubrication performance was investigated using a long-time four-ball friction and wear tester. The composition, structure, morphology and tribological mechanism for F-T DS and F-T DS-OLA had been studied by using FTIR, XPS, Raman, XRD and other instruments. The results show that F-T DS modified by oleylamine can increase lipophilic groups. The average particle size of F-T DS and F-T DS-OLA are 64 nm and 38 nm respectively. The main structure component is amorphous carbon with a small amount of graphite crystallites. The average friction coefficient (AFC) first decreases and then increases as the mass fraction of F-T DS and F-T DS-OLA increases in 10# white oil. When the mass fraction of F-T DS is 0.6 wt%, the AFC reaches the minimum, and the AFC reaches the minimum when the mass fraction of F-T DS-OLA is 0.8 wt%. The average wears scar diameter (AWSD) of the steel ball also decreases first and then increases. F-T DS reaches the minimum at 0.6 wt%, and F-T DS-OLA reaches the minimum at 0.8 wt%. Comprehensive AFC and AWSD analysis, the antifriction and anti-wear effect of F-T DS is greatly improved after oleylamine modified. Through the analysis of the surface morphology of the upper ball wear scar and valence state of the surface elements, it can be obtained that the wear scar of the upper test ball becomes shallow after adding F-T DS-OLA. A lubricating film containing C, O and iron oxides is formed on the surface, which can improve the antifriction and anti-wear effects of 10# white oil.

Tribological performances of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets via surface modification with silane coupling agent

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a promising lubricant additive for decreasing wear and friction. However, the poor dispersion stability and bulky size of h-BN restricted its lubrication application. In this paper, bulk h-BN was exfoliated into h-BN nanosheets (h-BNNSs), and then the self-made h-BNNSs were chemically modified with silane coupling agent via a facile and scalable reaction method. The morphology and structure of surface-functionalized h-BNNSs (m-BNNSs) were certified using a series of characterizations. Results revealed that h-BNNSs could be chemically well capped by surface modifier and the lipophilic groups were covalently attached to h-BNNSs surfaces. The m-BNNSs composite possessed long-term dispersion in liquid paraffin (LP). At the optimal adding content of 0.6 wt%, coefficient of friction and wear volume of m-BNNSs composite were decreased by about 31.9% and 53.8% compared with those of LP, respectively. Therefore, m-BNNSs composite as a lubricating oil additive has high research value and good prospects of lubrication applications.

Las Dioxinas en Colombia: Un Análisis Desde la Salud Ambiental

Las dioxinas hacen referencia a dos clases los compuestos: policloro dibenzo-p-dioxinas (PCDDs) y policloro dibenzo-furanos (PCDFs) que pertenecen al grupo de los contaminantes orgánicos lipofílicos y persistentes (POP). Son sustancias que presentan una alta toxicidad en humanos, prolongada persistencia en el ambiente en razón a su limitada capacidad de biodegradarse. El objetivo de la investigación fue desarrollar un análisis de las dioxinas desde un enfoque de salud ambiental. La metodología utilizada fue la revisión de literatura científica y técnica con el fin de lograr un estudio descriptivo de los aspectos más relevantes en salud ambiental, siendo la salud pública el marco teórico-conceptual. El presente estudio presenta cinco resultados: una descripción de la dinámica ambiental de las dioxinas respecto a los ciclos biogeoquímicos, un desarrollo teórico respecto a la toxicología ambiental de las dioxinas, una identificación de la sintomatología asociada a intoxicaciones por dioxinas, una identificación de biomarcadores asociados en un marco epidemiológico y por último un análisis normativo - legal internacional y para Colombia. Como conclusiones, se determina que la principal vía de exposición humana es por ingesta de alimentos contaminados por dioxinas, así mismo la población de mayor riesgo a exposición son los lactantes y población mayor. Como cierre, no hay reportes directos de resultados de investigaciones científicas en salud ambiental respecto a ingesta de alimentos contaminados por dioxinas en Colombia.

The correlation between the surface-active characteristics of SAFOL 23 – alcohol – water systems and the length of the alkyl radical of the alcohol

The effect of isobutyl and isoamyl alcohols on the surface-active characteristics of SAFOL 23 nonionic sur-factant was studied. The surface tension isotherms (STI) of an aqueous solution of surfactant and its water-alcohol compositions are obtained. The structure of mixed micelles and the values of the surfactant interac-tion factor in the micelle, based on the STIs of SAFOL 23 – alcohol – water systems, were calculated. The dependence of surface activity on the SAFOL 23: alcohol ratio passes through a maximum, which is associat-ed with the transition of alcohol from co-surfactant to co-solvent due to the increase in its quantity. The wet-ting process of high dispersed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) by SAFOL 23 – alcohol – water compositions was studied, contact angle isotherms were constructed. The PTFE surface was hydrophilized by compositions at ratios which comply with surface activity maximum. SAFOL 23 is more adsorbed on the surface of the sol-id phase than on the liquid-gas interface. The appending of alcohol into an aqueous solution of surfactant changes the ratio between hydrophilic and lipophilic groups of the composition, which affects cloud point. It significantly expands the range of application of surfactants and allows the use of SAFOL 23 as a solubilizer, emulsifier and wetting agent.

Exploring the Anti-Cancer Mechanism of Novel 3,4'-Substituted Diaryl Guanidinium Derivatives.

We previously identified a guanidinium-based lead compound that inhibited BRAF through a hypothetic type-III allosteric mechanism. Considering the pharmacophore identified in this lead compound (i.e., “lipophilic group”, “di-substituted guanidine”, “phenylguanidine polar end”), several modifications were investigated to improve its cytotoxicity in different cancer cell lines. Thus, several lipophilic groups were explored, the di-substituted guanidine was replaced by a secondary amine and the phenyl ring in the polar end was substituted by a pyridine. In a structure-based design approach, four representative derivatives were docked into an in-house model of an active triphosphate-containing BRAF protein, and the interactions established were analysed. Based on these computational studies, a variety of derivatives was synthesized, and their predicted drug-like properties calculated. Next, the effect on cell viability of these compounds was assessed in cell line models of promyelocytic leukaemia and breast, cervical and colorectal carcinomas. The potential of a selection of these compounds as apoptotic agents was assessed by screening in the promyelocytic leukaemia cell line HL-60. The toxicity against non-tumorigenic epithelial MCF10A cells was also investigated. These studies allowed for several structure-activity relationships to be derived. Investigations on the mechanism of action of representative compounds suggest a divergent effect on inhibition of the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway.

Rational in silico drug design of HIV-RT inhibitors through G-QSAR and molecular docking study of 4-arylthio and 4-aryloxy-3-iodopyridine-2(1-H)-one derivative

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) against HIV infection offers the promise of controlling disease progression and prolonging the survival of HIV-infected patients. Reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors remain the cornerstone of the drug regimen to treat AIDS. In this direction, by using group-based QSAR study (G-QSAR), identification of the structural need for the development of lead structure with reverse transcriptase inhibition on 97 reported structures was carried out. Docking analysis was performed further and suggested the structural properties required for binding affinity with the receptor. The molecules in the data set were fragmented into six (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6) by applying the fragmentation pattern. Three G-QSAR models were selected based on the statistical significance of the model. The molecular docking study was performed to explain the structural properties required for the design of potent HIV-RT inhibitors.ResultsThe statistically validated QSAR models reveal the presence of higher hydrophobic groups containing single-bonded –Br atom, 2 aromatic bonded –NH group with less electronegativity, and entropic interaction fields at R2 essential for better anti-HIV activity. The presence of a lipophilic group at R3, oxygen and sulfur connected with two aromatic bonds at R4, and –CH3 group at R5 was fruitful for reverse transcriptase inhibition. Docking studies of the selected inhibitors with the active site of reverse transcriptase enzyme showed hydrogen bond, Van der Waal’s, charge, aromatic, and π–π interactions with residues present at the active site.ConclusionThe results of the generated models provide significant site-specific insight into the structural requirements for reverse transcriptase inhibition during the design and development of novel anti-HIV compounds. Molecular docking study revealed the binding interaction between the ligand and the receptor which gave insight towards the structure-based design for the discovery of more potent compounds with better activity against HIV infection.

Triphenylphosphonium-conjugated glycol chitosan microspheres for mitochondria-targeted drug delivery

To develop an efficient vector for mitochondria-targeted drug delivery, we synthesized triphenylphosphonium (TPP)-modified glycol chitosan polymeric microspheres that had a unique chemical structure with both lipophilic phenyl groups and cationic phosphonium. Notably, TPP can easily pass through the phospholipid bilayer of mitochondria, thereby resulting in specific accumulation of a combined drug molecule in the mitochondria due to the membrane potential between TPP and its membrane. Therefore, TPP has been widely used as a mitochondria-targeting moiety. Triphenylphosphonium-glycol chitosan derivatives (GC-TPP and GME-TPP) with two different degrees of substitution (11% and 36%) were prepared by amidation and Michael addition. The chemical structures of GC-TPP and GME-TPP were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and their sizes were measured via field emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Cellular uptake through flow cytometric analysis and confocal microscopy confirmed that both GC-TPP and GME-TPP were well introduced into cells, targeting the mitochondria. In addition, cytotoxicity testing of the most common cell lines, such as HEK293, HeLa, NIH3T3, and HepG2, indicated the absence of polymer toxicity. To evaluate the carrier effectiveness of TPP for drug delivery, doxorubicin (Dox) was used as an anticancer drug. Confocal microscopy images showed that Dox-loaded GME-TPP accumulated inside cells more than Dox-loaded GC-TPP. The anticancer effects of Dox were also determined by MTT assay, apoptosis/necrosis assay, and three-dimensional spheroids. In summary, the results indicate that GC-TPP and GME-TPP microspheres possess great potential as effective drug delivery carriers.

Library of Derivatizable Multiblock Copolymers by Nucleophilic Substitution Polymerization and Targeting Specific Properties.

Multiblock copolymers (MBCs) are fascinating in the field of biology-polymer chemistry interfaces. Synthesizing libraries of MBCs with tailor-made functionality is challenging as it involves multiple steps. Herein, a simple synthesis, analogous to polyurethane/Michael addition reactions, has been introduced to obtain a library of derivatizable MBCs. Nucleophilic substitution polymerization (SNP) of poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol) blocks containing activated halide termini by primary mono/di/coamines or clickable amines provides functional MBCs. The structure of amines directs the properties of the MBCs. The self-assembly of small molecular weight primary diamine-based MBCs shows controlled release of hydrophobic model guest molecules and therapeutics. The primary diamine (no dangling chain) helps to form MBC micelles having a relatively tight core with a low diffusion property. Antimicrobial property in the MBCs has been introduced by separating the cationic centers from the lipophilic groups using a coamine as a nucleophilic agent and a small molecular weight dihalide as a chain extender. Clickable MBCs were synthesized by changing the structure of the nucleophile to obtain degradable amphiphilic conetworks and hydrogels. Varieties of macromolecular entities could be obtained by switching the nucleophilic agent and introducing a small molecular weight chain extender. This synthesis approach provides an opportunity to tune the chemical functionality, topological structure, and biological properties of macromolecular entities.

A solid-phase extraction method that eliminates matrix effects of complex pulp mill effluents for the analysis of lipophilic wood extractives

Abstract The extraction of lipophilic wood extractives from pulp and paper process waters proves to be a challenging task, due to harsh and alternating process and sample conditions. This study has determined the potential use of polymeric sorbents for solid-phase extraction (SPE) and compared to classical silica-based reversed-phase packed columns, with polymeric hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) cartridges being the sorbent with the most potential. Recovery functions were obtained with an internal standard mixture representative for the main lipophilic wood extractive groups, which are fatty acids and alcohols, sterols, sterol esters and triglycerides. The impact of pH, sample volume and sample matrix, expressed as TOC and cations, on the retention behavior of lipophilic extractives during SPE of industrial samples were determined with polymeric HLB sorbent. High variations in the composition of pulp mill matrices led to different optimal extraction conditions. Thus, a new SPE protocol was developed, which bypasses matrix interferences and omits the loss of analytes due to sample preparation. The method is applicable to different pulp mill effluents with large discrepancies in pH and sample matrices, resulting in recoveries >90 % with RSD <5 % for all lipophilic wood extractives.

REDUCE-IT: outcomes by baseline statin type

Abstract Background REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial) randomized 8,179 statin-treated patients with elevated triglycerides and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk to either icosapent ethyl (IPE), a pure, stable prescription form of eicosapentaenoic acid, 4g/day or placebo. IPE significantly reduced time to first occurrence of the primary composite endpoint of major adverse CV events (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI], nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina) (HR 0.75, CI 0.68–0.83) and key secondary endpoint events (composite of CV death, nonfatal MI, or nonfatal stroke) (HR 0.74, CI 0.65–0.83) versus placebo (all p<0.0001). A modest reduction in placebo-corrected LDL-C was observed (−6.6%; p<0.0001). The mechanisms for the CV benefit of icosapent ethyl are not fully understood. Purpose Explore the impact of statin type and lipophilic/lipophobic category on outcomes, and on LDL-C, to further consider the possible relevance of LDL-C pathways to the observed CV benefit of icosapent ethyl. Methods Primary and key secondary endpoint analyses and LDL-C changes from baseline were explored by individual statin type (atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, or pravastatin) at baseline, and then by categorizing these statins into lipophilic (i.e., hydrophobic: atorvastatin, simvastatin) and lipophobic (i.e., hydrophilic: rosuvastatin, pravastatin) statin groups; 96.1% of patients fell within these individual statin groups. Results CV outcomes were similar across statin types (interaction p=0.61) and lipophilic/lipophobic categories (interaction p=0.51) (Figure). Statin type and category had a similar lack of meaningful impact on the modest placebo-corrected median LDL-C changes from baseline to one year, which ranged from −5.8 to −8.4% (all p≤0.0003). Conclusion No meaningful treatment differences in the primary or key secondary endpoints across statin type or lipophilic/lipophobic category were observed. A similar lack of treatment difference was observed in LDL-C changes from baseline to one year. Therefore, the LDL-C changes and CV risk reduction in REDUCE-IT appear independent of the type of concomitant statin therapy. These data provide clinicians with additional insight regarding concomitant statin therapy considerations when prescribing icosapent ethyl and suggest there are important mechanisms of action for the substantial CV risk reduction observed with icosapent ethyl that are distinct from the LDL receptor pathway. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): The study was funded by Amarin Pharma, Inc.

Synthesis and Properties of 1,3-Disubstituted Ureas and Their Isosteric Analogs Containing Polycyclic Fragments: V. 1-(Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl)-3-R- and 1-(1,7,7-Tricyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl)-3-R-ureas

A series of 1,3-disubstituted ureas containing a bicyclic lipophilic group of natural origin were synthesized by the reactions of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-yl isocyanate with amines in yields of up to 82% and by the reactions of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-amine and 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-amine with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole in yields of up to 94%. The synthesized ureas are potent inhibitors of RNA virus replication and soluble epoxide hydrolase.

Lipid-lowering medication use and cancer-specific survival among endometrial or lung cancer patients: an Australian nationwide cohort study.

Inconsistent results of lipid-lowering medications (LLMs) on improved cancer survival need more investigations. We tested the hypothesis that adherence to the drug would be associated with a lower cancer-specific mortality in a homogeneous population who has ever used the drug. Utilising data from the Australian Cancer database, linked to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data and the National Death Index, we identified two separate cohorts of 4519 and 3083 women patients with newly diagnosed endometrial and lung cancer respectively between 2003 and 2013. Adherence to this drug was calculated by proportion of days covered. Cox regression models with time-varying covariates were used to estimate the multivariable-adjusted cause-specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of adherence to LLMs, statins, lipophilic and hydrophilic statins, and cancer-specific mortality. Each 10% increase in 1-year adherence to LLMs reduced cancer-specific mortality among women with endometrial cancer (adjusted HR=0.93, 95% CI0.90-0.96) or lung cancer (adjusted HR=0.95, 95% CI0.93-0.97). The inverse associations remained unchanged in different subgroup analyses. The reductions in lung cancer mortality were not apparent for women who adhered to lipophilic statins albeit better endometrial cancer survival appeared in the lipophilic statin group and borderline statistical improvement in thehydrophilic statin group. Among LLM users, adherence to this drug is inversely associated with reduced cancer-specific mortality. Together with previous evidence, randomised controlled trials are called for to confirm whether LLMs could be considered as an adjuvant treatment to improve prognosis.

Amphiphilic "Like-a-Brush" Oligonucleotide Conjugates with Three Dodecyl Chains: Self-Assembly Features of Novel Scaffold Compounds for Nucleic Acids Delivery.

The conjugation of lipophilic groups to oligonucleotides is a promising approach for improving nucleic acid-based therapeutics’ intracellular delivery. Lipid oligonucleotide conjugates can self-aggregate in aqueous solution, which gains much attention due to the formation of micellar particles suitable for cell endocytosis. Here, we describe self-association features of novel “like-a-brush” oligonucleotide conjugates bearing three dodecyl chains. The self-assembly of the conjugates into 30–170 nm micellar particles with a high tendency to aggregate was shown using dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force (AFM), and transmission electron (TEM) microscopies. Fluorescently labeled conjugates demonstrated significant quenching of fluorescence intensity (up to 90%) under micelle formation conditions. The conjugates possess increased binding affinity to serum albumin as compared with free oligonucleotides. The dodecyl oligonucleotide conjugate and its duplex efficiently internalized and accumulated into HepG2 cells’ cytoplasm without any transfection agent. It was shown that the addition of serum albumin or fetal bovine serum to the medium decreased oligonucleotide uptake efficacy (by 22.5–36%) but did not completely inhibit cell penetration. The obtained results allow considering dodecyl-containing oligonucleotides as scaffold compounds for engineering nucleic acid delivery vehicles.

Internal Oligoguanidinium Transporter: Mercury-Free Scalable Synthesis, Improvement of Cellular Localization, Endosomal Escape, Mitochondrial Localization, and Conjugation with Antisense Morpholino for NANOG Inhibition to Induce Chemosensitization of Taxol in MCF-7 Cells.

A nontoxic delivery vehicle is essential for the therapeutic applications of antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides (PMOs). Though guanidinium-rich or arginine-rich cellular transporter conjugated Vivo-PMO or PPMO has been developed for in vivo application, however, either their toxicity or stability has become an issue. Previously, we reported nonpeptidic internal guanidinium transporter (IGT) mediated delivery of PMO for gene silencing and got encouraging results. In this paper, we report the synthesis of IGT using a Hg-free method for scale up and N-terminal modification of IGT with a suitable hydrophobic or lipophilic group to improve the cell permeability, endosomal escape, and mitochondrial localization and to reduce toxicity in the MTT assay. For the delivery of PMO, IGT-PMO conjugate was synthesized to target NANOG in cells, a transcription factor required for cancer stem cell proliferation and embryonic development and is involved in many cancers. Our data shows IGT-PMO-facilitated NANOG inhibition, and thereby the prevention of EpCAM-N-Cadherin-Vimentin axis mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, unlike taxol, NANOG inhibition influences the expression of stemness factor c-Myc, Hh-Gli signaling proteins, other cancer related factors, and their respective phenotypes in cancer cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to illustrate that the IGT-PMO-mediated NANOG inhibition increases the therapeutic potential of taxol and induces G0-G1 arrest in cancer cells to prevent cancer progression. However, it warrants further investigation in other cancer cells and preclinical platforms.

Interface-Induced Ag Monolayer Film for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Water-Insoluble Enrofloxacin

Water-insoluble molecules usually show poor surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals, because they are hardly adsorbed on the surface of most commonly used SERS substrates, such as aqueous Ag or Au colloids. In this work, a highly sensitive and reproducible Ag monolayer film (Ag MLF) SERS substrate prepared by self-assembly of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on water/oil interface can realize the trace SERS detection of water-insoluble enrofloxacin. The positively charged phase transfer catalyst can transfer the negatively charged Ag nanoparticles in aqueous solution to the water/oil interface. At the same time, the water-insoluble enrofloxacin can also be attracted to the interface because of its lipophilic group. The type/volume of the oil phase and phase transfer catalyst and the vortex mixing time were all optimized to maximize the SERS effect of Ag MLF. Results showed that trace water-insoluble enrofloxacin can be identified by Ag MLF and its detection sensitivity was significantly improved. The proposed novel Ag MLF can be further applied to detect other water-insoluble molecules in SERS.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of 2-(4-(3 (Substituted Phenyl) Acryloyl) Phenoxy)-N, N Diphenylacetamides

Recently a series of Schiff bases of diphenylamine derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their antibacterial activity against pathogenic both Gram-positive bacteria B. subtitles and Gram-negative bacteria E. coli using ciprofloxacin as standard drug at conc. of 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml. Literature review revels that chalcones possesses various biological activities like antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and sedative etc. Therefore the present study was designed on synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 2-(4-(3 (Substituted Phenyl) Acryloyl) Phenoxy)-N, N Diphenylacetamides. Target compound was synthesized by reaction of chloroacetylchloride with diphenylamine to afford 2-chloro-N, N-diphenylacetamide which further by reaction with substituted Chalcones and characterized following recrystallization and evaluated for anti-microbial potential through cup-diffusion method. In results, the target compounds were tested for activity against B. Subtilis, E.Coli and C. albicans. The chalcones having the lipophilic 4-chloro group (RKCT2) showed the greatest antimicrobial activity (zone of inhibition 20 & 22 mm against. B. subtilis, E. Coli, C. Albicans respectively. It suggests further researchers to go through anti-microbial evaluations against a more varieties of bacteria and fungi.
 Keywords: Schiff bases of diphenylamine derivatives, antibacterial activity, Gram-positive bacteria, 2-(4-(3 (Substituted Phenyl) Acryloyl) Phenoxy)-N, N Diphenylacetamides

Phosphodiesterase 2 inhibitor Hcyb1 reverses corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity and depression-like behavior.

Currently available PDE2 inhibitors have poor brain penetration that limits their therapeutic utility in the treatment of depression. Hcyb1 is a novel selective PDE2 inhibitor that was introduced more lipophilic groups with polar functionality to the scaffold pyrazolopyrimidinone to improve the blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Our previous study suggested that Hcyb1 increased the neuronal cell viability and exhibited antidepressant-like effects, which were parallel to the currently available PDE2 inhibitor Bay 60-7550. The present study investigated whether Hcyb1 protected HT-22 cells against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity and produced antidepressant-like effects in behavioral tests in stressed mice. The neuroprotective effects of Hcyb1 against corticosterone-induced cell lesion were examined by cell viability (MTS) assay. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot analysis were used to determine the levels of cAMP or cGMP and expression of pCREB or BDNF, respectively, in the corticosterone-treated HT-22 cells. The antidepressant-like effects of Hcyb1 were determined in the tail suspension and novelty suppressed feeding tests in stressed mice. In the cell-based assay, Hcyb1 significantly increased cell viability of HT-22 cells against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Hcyb1 also rescued corticosterone-induced decreases in both cGMP and cAMP levels, pCREB/CREB and BDNF expression. These protective effects of Hcyb1 were prevented by pretreatment with either the PKA inhibitor H89 or the PKG inhibitor KT5823. Moreover, Hcyb1 reversed acute stress-induced increases in immobility time and the latency to feed in the tail suspension and novelty suppressed feeding tests, respectively, which were prevented by pretreatment with H89 or KT5823. These findings provide evidence that the neuroprotective effects of Hcyb1 are mediated by PDE2-dependent cAMP/cGMP signaling.

The anti-Zika virus and anti-tumoral activity of the citrus flavanone lipophilic naringenin-based compounds

Flavonoids are natural products widely recognized for their plurality of applications such as antiviral, antiproliferative, antitumor activities and, antioxidant properties. The flavanone naringenin is presented in citrus fruits and has been studied to combat recurrent diseases that still lack effective treatment. Research groups have been investing efforts to the development of new, safe and active candidates to combat these agents or conditions and despite good results recently reported against the Zika virus (ZIKV) and tumor cells, the use of citrus naringenin is limited due to its low bioavailability. Structural exchanges through functionalization, for example, attaching lipophilic groups instead of hydroxyl groups, can further enhance biological properties.Here, the synthesis and characterization of regioselective naringenin mono-7-O-ethers and both mono and di-fatty acid esters, structurally lipophilic ones were demonstrated. Finally, in vitro studies of anti-ZIKV action and antiproliferative activities against melanoma (B16–F10) and breast carcinoma (4T1) cells showed the ether derivatives were actives, with IC50 ranging from 6.76, 18.5 and 22.6 μM to 28.53, 45.1 and 32.3 μM referring to ZIKV, B16–F10 and 4T1 cell lines, respectively. The lipophilic ethers present the ability to inhibit selectively ZIKV-replication in human cells and inhibitions.This class of modifications in flavonoid molecules could be further explore in the future development of specific anti-ZIKV compounds.

Focused structure-activity relationship profiling around the 2-phenylindole scaffold of a cannabinoid type-1 receptor agonist-positive allosteric modulator: site-III aromatic-ring congeners with enhanced activity and solubility

Specific tuning of cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) activity by small-molecule allosteric modulators is a therapeutic modality with multiple properties inherently advantageous to therapeutic applications. We previously generated a library of unique CB1R positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) derived from GAT211, which has three pharmacophoric sites critical to its ago-PAM activity. To elaborate our CB1R PAM library, we report the rational design and molecular-pharmacology profiling of several 2-phenylindole analogs modified at the “site-III” aromatic ring. The comprehensive structure–activity relationship (SAR) investigation demonstrates that attaching small lipophilic functional groups on the ortho-position of the GAT211 site-III phenyl ring could markedly enhance CB1R ago-PAM activity. Select site-III modifications also improved GAT211’s water solubility. The SAR reported both extends the structural diversity of this compound class and demonstrates the utility of GAT211’s site-III for improving the parent compound’s drug-like properties of potency and/or aqueous solubility.

Novel monomolecular derivatives of the anti-HIV-1 G-quadruplex-forming Hotoda's aptamer containing inversion of polarity sites.

Here we report on the design, preparation and investigation of four analogues of the anti-HIV G-quadruplex-forming Hotoda's aptamer, based on an unprecedented linear topology. In these derivatives, four TGGGAGT tracts have been joined together by exploiting 3'-3' and 5'-5' inversion of polarity sites formed by canonical phosphodiester bonds or a glycerol-based linker. Circular dichroism data suggest that all oligodeoxynucleotides fold in monomolecular G-quadruplex structures characterized by a parallel strand orientation and three side loops connecting 3'- or 5'-ends. The derivative bearing two lipophilic groups, namely HT353LGly, inhibited virus entry into the host cell, with anti-HIV-1 activity in the low nanomolar range; the other derivatives, albeit sharing the same base sequence and similar topology, were inactive. These results highlight that monomolecular Hotoda's aptamers with inversion of polarity sites represent a successful alternative strategy that merges the easiness of synthesis with the maintenance of remarkable activity. They also indicate that two lipophilic groups are necessary and sufficient for biological activity. Our data will inspire the design of further simplified derivatives with improved biophysical and antiviral properties.