Ortho-dihydroxy Groups Research Articles

A Diboronic Acid-Based Fluorescent Sensor Array for Rapid Identification of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos.

Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF) and Lonicerae flos (LF) are traditional Chinese herbs that are commonly used and widely known for their medicinal properties and edibility. Although they may have a similar appearance and vary slightly in chemical composition, their effectiveness as medicine and their use in clinical settings vary significantly, making them unsuitable for substitution. In this study, a novel 2 × 3 six-channel fluorescent sensor array is proposed that uses machine learning algorithms in combination with the indicator displacement assay (IDA) method to quickly identify LJF and LF. This array comprises two coumarin-based fluorescent indicators (ES and MS) and three diboronic acid-substituted 4,4'-bipyridinium cation quenchers (Q1-Q3), forming six dynamic complexes (C1-C6). When these complexes react with the ortho-dihydroxy groups of phenolic acid compounds in LJF and LF, they release different fluorescent indicators, which in turn causes distinct fluorescence recovery. By optimizing eight machine learning algorithms, the model achieved 100% and 98.21% accuracy rates in the testing set and the cross-validation predictions, respectively, in distinguishing between LJF and LF using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The integration of machine learning with this fluorescent sensor array shows great potential in analyzing and detecting foods and pharmaceuticals that contain polyphenols.

Functional and structural dissection of glycosyltransferases underlying the glycodiversity of wolfberry-derived bioactive ingredients lycibarbarspermidines

Lycibarbarspermidines are unusual phenolamide glycosides characterized by a dicaffeoylspermidine core with multiple glycosyl substitutions, and serve as a major class of bioactive ingredients in the wolfberry. So far, little is known about the enzymatic basis of the glycosylation of phenolamides including dicaffeoylspermidine. Here, we identify five lycibarbarspermidine glycosyltransferases, LbUGT1-5, which are the first phenolamide-type glycosyltransferases and catalyze regioselective glycosylation of dicaffeoylspermidines to form structurally diverse lycibarbarspermidines in wolfberry. Notably, LbUGT3 acts as a distinctive enzyme that catalyzes a tandem sugar transfer to the ortho-dihydroxy group on the caffeoyl moiety to form the unusual ortho-diglucosylated product, while LbUGT1 accurately discriminates caffeoyl and dihydrocaffeoyl groups to catalyze a site-selective sugar transfer. Crystal structure analysis of the complexes of LbUGT1 and LbUGT3 with UDP, combined with molecular dynamics simulations, revealed the structural basis of the difference in glycosylation selectivity between LbUGT1 and LbUGT3. Site-directed mutagenesis illuminates a conserved tyrosine residue (Y389 in LbUGT1 and Y390 in LbUGT3) in PSPG box that plays a crucial role in regulating the regioselectivity of LbUGT1 and LbUGT3. Our study thus sheds light on the enzymatic underpinnings of the chemical diversity of lycibarbarspermidines in wolfberry, and expands the repertoire of glycosyltransferases in nature.

In Vitro Metabolism of Six C-Glycosidic Flavonoids from Passiflora incarnata L.

Several medical plants, such as Passiflora incarnata L., contain C-glycosylated flavonoids, which may contribute to their efficacy. Information regarding the bioavailability and metabolism of these compounds is essential, but not sufficiently available. Therefore, the metabolism of the C-glycosylated flavones orientin, isoorientin, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, vitexin, and isovitexin was investigated using the Caco-2 cell line as an in vitro intestinal and epithelial metabolism model. Isovitexin, orientin, and isoorientin showed broad ranges of phase I and II metabolites containing hydroxylated, methoxylated, and sulfated compounds, whereas schaftoside, isoschaftoside, and vitexin underwent poor metabolism. All metabolites were identified via UHPLC-MS or UHPLC-MS/MS using compound libraries containing all conceivable metabolites. Some structures were confirmed via UHPLC-MS experiments with reference compounds after a cleavage reaction using glucuronidase and sulfatase. Of particular interest is the observed cleavage of the C–C bonds between sugar and aglycone residues in isovitexin, orientin, and isoorientin, resulting in unexpected glucuronidated or sulfated luteolin and apigenin derivatives. These findings indicate that C-glycosidic flavones can be highly metabolized in the intestine. In particular, flavonoids with ortho-dihydroxy groups showed sulfated metabolites. The identified glucuronidated or sulfated aglycones demonstrate that enzymes expressed by Caco-2 cells are able to potentially cleave C–C bonds in vitro.

An electrochemiluminescence sensor of magnetic glycosyl-imprinted microspheres based on multi-probe signal amplification for CD44v6 determination

A CD44v6 detection method was developed by using glycosyl-imprinted technique and enhanced with multi-probe signal amplification. Oligomeric hyaluronic acid was used as the template molecule, which was prepared by the cleavage of polyhyaluronic acid using hyaluronidase. Mercaptophenylboronic acid was self-assembled on the surface of core-shell [email protected]3O4 magnetic microspheres through the covalent interaction between its thio group and Au. Then oligomeric hyaluronic acid (<10 kDa) was linked on [email protected]3O4 via the formation of a cyclic ester between boronic acid and the ortho-dihydroxy group of oligomeric hyaluronic acid. By using oligomeric hyaluronic acid as a template and p-aminophenylboronic acid (p-APBA) as the functional monomer, boronate affinity glycosyl-imprinted polymer films were prepared on [email protected]3O4 by chemical polymerization. The magnetic glycosyl-imprinted polymer microspheres (MGIP) were attached on the surface of the magnetron-controlled glassy carbon electrode (MGCE) as the recognition component rebinding for the template, and CD44v6 was specifically recognized by the binding of the imprinted cavities to the oligomeric hyaluronic acid. The boronic acid functionalized tris-(2,2’-bipyridyl) ruthenium (II) (Ru(bpy)3-BO3) was used as a molecular probe to label the adsorbed oligomeric hyaluronic acid of CD44v6. With the aid of the multiply captured Ru(bpy)32+ probes on CD44v6 and the high luminescence efficiency of Ru(bpy)32+, the electrochemiluminescence response of the sensor exhibits a high sensitivity for CD44v6 determination with a detection limit of 0.08 ng/L. The method was applied in the assay of CD44v6 in serum samples.

A Sialylated-Bortezomib Prodrug Strategy Based on a Highly Expressed Selectin Target for the Treatment of Leukemia or Solid Tumors.

This study aimed to explore the potential of sialic acid - related selectin targeting strategy in the treatment of leukemia and some solid tumors. Weexpected it could "actively" bind tumor cells and kill them, reducing non-specific toxicity to normal cells. BOR-SA prodrug was synthesized by reacting an ortho-dihydroxy group in SA with a boronic acid group in BOR. Two kinds of leukemia cells (RAW264.7 and HL60 cells), one solid sarcoma cell model (S180 cells) and their corresponding normal cells (monocytes (MO), neutrophil (NE) and fibroblast (L929)) were selected for the in vitro cell experiments (cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, cell cycle and apoptosis experiments). The S180 tumor-bearing Kunming mice model was established for anti-tumor pharmacodynamic experiments. In vitro cell assay results showed that uptake of BOR-SA by HL60 and S180 cells were increased compared with the control group. BOR-SA induced a lower IC50, higher ratio of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of tumor cells. In vivo anti-S180 tumor pharmacodynamics experiments showed that mice in the BOR-SA group had higher tumor inhibition rate, higher body weight and lower immune organ toxicity compared with the control group. sialic acid-mediated selectin targeting strategy may have great potential in the treatment of related tumors.

Silicic Acid-Mediated Formation of Tannic Acid Nanocoatings.

Tannic acid (TA) adheres to a broad variety of different materials and forms versatile surface coatings for technical and biological applications. In mild alkaline conditions, autoxidation processes occur and a firm monolayer is formed. Up to now, thicker coatings are obtained in only a cross-linked multilayer fashion. This study presents an alternative method to form continuous TA coatings using orthosilicic acid (Siaq). Adsorption kinetics and physical properties of TA coatings in the presence of Siaq were determined using a quartz-crystal microbalance and nanoplasmonic spectroscopy. An in situ TA layer thickness of 200 nm was obtained after 24 h in solutions supplemented with 80 μM Siaq. Dry-state measurements indicated a highly hydrated layer in situ. Furthermore, chemical analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed possible complexation of TA by Siaq, whereas UV-vis spectroscopy did not indicate an interaction of Siaq in the autoxidation process of TA. Investigation of additional metalloid ions showed that germanic acid was also able to initiate a continuous coating formation of TA, whereas boric acid prevented the polymerization process. In comparison to that of TA, the coating formation of pyrogallol (PG) and gallic acid (GA) was not affected by Siaq. PG formed continuous coatings also without Siaq, whereas GA formed only a monolayer in the presence of Siaq. However, Siaq induced a continuous layer formation of ellagic acid. These results indicate the specific importance of orthosilicic acid in the coating formation of polyphenolic molecules with multiple ortho-dihydroxy groups and open new possibilities to deposit TA on interfaces.

Analyses of Synthetic N-Acyl Dopamine Derivatives Revealing Different Structural Requirements for Their Anti-inflammatory and Transient-Receptor-Potential-Channel-of-the-Vanilloid-Receptor-Subfamily-Subtype-1 (TRPV1)-Activating Properties.

We studied the chemical entities within N-octanoyl dopamine (NOD) responsible for the activation of transient-receptor-potential channels of the vanilloid-receptor subtype 1 (TRPV1) and inhibition of inflammation. The potency of NOD in activating TRPV1 was significantly higher compared with those of variants in which the ortho-dihydroxy groups were acetylated, one of the hydroxy groups was omitted ( N-octanoyl tyramine), or the ester functionality consisted of a bulky fatty acid ( N-pivaloyl dopamine). Shortening of the amide linker (ΔNOD) slightly increased its potency, which was further increased when the carbonyl and amide groups (ΔNODR) were interchanged. With the exception of ΔNOD, the presence of an intact catechol structure was obligatory for the inhibition of VCAM-1 and the induction of HO-1 expression. Because TRPV1 activation and the inhibition of inflammation by N-acyl dopamines require different structural entities, our findings provide a framework for the rational design of TRPV1 agonists with improved anti-inflammatory properties.

Probing the role of ortho-dihydroxy groups on lysozyme fibrillation

Changes in the microenvironment of Trp in lysozyme are one of the key factors in the fibrillation process. Gallic acid through the oxidation of o-dhydroxy moiety into quinone was shown to inhibit lysozyme fibrillation by stabilizing the Trp microregions [Konar et al., Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 103 (2017) 1224–1231]. In this article we compare the inhibitory effects of several gallic acid-based phenolic compounds. The results show that pyrogallol, and 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid, each containing the o-dihydroxy moiety exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on lysozyme fibrillation which is further supported by docking studies. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of pyrogallol is almost similar to that observed for gallic acid. The lower inhibitory effect of 3,5-dihydroxy benzoic acid and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid corroborates this finding as neither of the compounds can be transformed into quinone intermediates. The ineffectiveness of benzoic acid towards fibrillation questions the role of the COOH group in the inhibition. The IC20 values determined show the similar trends. Results of the Thioflavin T binding assay and parameters from the docking studies reveal a strong correlation based on which a relation has been obtained that could be used to identify potential polyphenol based inhibitors by considering docking studies alone.

Relationship between Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Trihydroxyflavones.

Plant polyphenols have been highlighted not only as chemopreventive, but also as potential anticancer substances. Flavones are a subclass of natural flavonoids reported to have an antioxidant and anticancer activity. The aim of our study was to evaluate antioxidant and anticancer activity of seventeen trihydroxyflavone derivatives, including apigenin (API) and baicalein (BCL). Also, we wanted to find out if there is a correlation between those two effects. Cell growth inhibition testing was carried out using MTT assay in three different human cancer cell lines: lung (A549), breast (MCF-7) and brain epithelial (U87). Antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH radical scavenging method. Thirteen trihydroxyflavones possessed anticancer activity against at least one tested cancer cell line. They were more active against the MCF-7 cell line, and the lowest activity was determined against the U87 cell line. The majority of compounds inhibited cancer cell growth at EC50 values between 10–50 µM. The most active compound was 3’,4’,5-trihydroxyflavone 7, especially against A549 and MCF-7 cell lines. The correlation between anti-proliferative and antioxidant activity was only moderate, and it was determined for A549 and U87 cancer cell lines. The most important fragment for those two effects is the ortho-dihydroxy group in ring B. Conclusions. Trihydroxyflavones demonstrated anticancer activity. Further and more detailed studies should to be carried out to estimate the structure–activity relationship of these compounds.

Hydroxytyrosol inhibits hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptotic signaling via labile iron chelation

Although it is known that Mediterranean diet plays an important role in maintaining human health, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the potential role of ortho-dihydroxy group containing natural compounds in H2O2-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. For this purpose, the main phenolic alcohols of olive oil, namely hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, were examined for their ability to protect cultured cells under conditions of oxidative stress. A strong correlation was observed between the ability of hydroxytyrosol to mitigate intracellular labile iron level and the protection offered against H2O2-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. On the other hand, tyrosol, which lacks the ortho-dihydroxy group, was ineffective. Moreover, hydroxytyrosol (but not tyrosol), was able to diminish the late sustained phase of H2O2-induced JNK and p38 phosphorylation. The derangement of intracellular iron homeostasis, following exposure of cells to H2O2, played pivotal role both in the induction of DNA damage and the initiation of apoptotic signaling. The presented results suggest that the protective effects exerted by ortho-dihydroxy group containing dietary compounds against oxidative stress-induced cell damage are linked to their ability to influence changes in the intracellular labile iron homeostasis.

ISOLASI DAN UJI AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN SENYAWA FLAVONOID DARI EKSTRAK DAUN JAMBU BIJI PUTIH (Psidium guajava Linn)

Antioxidant is molecules that can inhibit the activity of free radical. White guava (Psidium guajava Linn) is one of many plants that have potential as antioxidant. This research was aimed to identify the flavonoid compounds and to determine IC50 values in the white guava leaf extract. Extraction was done by maceration method. The separation and purification was done by TLC and coloumn chromatography method. Flavonoid compound was identified using FTIR and UV-Vis spectrofotometry and antioxidant activity was tested with DPPH method. A 1000 grams of white guava leaf powder was extracted by n-hexane produced 103,40 grams of concentrated n-hexane extract and extraction procces by ethanol 70 % produced 128,49 grams of concetrated etanol extract. Eighty grams of ethanol extract partition produced 1.01 grams of n-hexane extract, 1.95 grams of chloroform extract, and 3.77 grams of n-butanol extract. The results of phytochemical test indicated that n-butanol extract positively contained flavonoids. The results of antioxidant activity towards DPPH from n-butanol extract showed IC50 of 37,14 ppm. The separation and purification n-butanol extract with n-hexane : ethyl acetate : n-butanol (8:2:1) as the eluent resulted 5 fractions (A, B, C, D, E), with C fraction positively contained flavonoids. FTIR analysis showed C isolates contained functional groups of CH aliphatic, CH aromatic, C = C aromatic, C = O, OH, and C - O. C fraction was analyzed with UV-Vis showing 2 peaks at ? 347.30 nm (band I) and ? 278.50 nm (band II) suggesting the presence of flavones group with possibility of OH groups attached to C-3, C-2’ atoms, ortho-dihydroxy groups attached to C-5', C- 6; C-4', C-5', and O-glycoside group at C-7 atom.

Mobilization of Copper ions by Flavonoids in Human Peripheral Lymphocytes Leads to Oxidative DNA Breakage: A Structure Activity Study.

Epidemiological studies have linked dietary consumption of plant polyphenols with lower incidence of various cancers. In particular, flavonoids (present in onion, tomato and other plant sources) induce apoptosis and cytotoxicity in cancer cells. These can therefore be used as lead compounds for the synthesis of novel anticancer drugs with greater bioavailability. In the present study, we examined the chemical basis of cytotoxicity of flavonoids by studying the structure–activity relationship of myricetin (MN), fisetin (FN), quercetin (QN), kaempferol (KL) and galangin (GN). Using single cell alkaline gel electrophoresis (comet assay), we established the relative efficiency of cellular DNA breakage as MN > FN > QN > KL > GN. Also, we determined that the cellular DNA breakage was the result of mobilization of chromatin-bound copper ions and the generation of reactive oxygen species. The relative DNA binding affinity order was further confirmed using molecular docking and thermodynamic studies through the interaction of flavonoids with calf thymus DNA. Our results suggest that novel anti-cancer molecules should have ortho-dihydroxy groups in B-ring and hydroxyl groups at positions 3 and 5 in the A-ring system. Additional hydroxyl groups at other positions further enhance the cellular cytotoxicity of the flavonoids.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticle based solid phase extraction of trace Alizarin Violet, followed by its specrophotometric determination

Nanometer-sized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) is shown to be a viable material for the preconcentration of Alizarin Violet (AV, a common dye and biological stain). In the preconcentration step, a 5-ring cyclic ester is formed between the ortho-dihydroxy groups of AV and two hydroxy groups of the titanic acid on the surface of the nano-TiO2. Under optimized conditions, the adsorption capacity of nano-TiO2 is ~ 20 μg · mg−1, the adsorption efficiency is 98 %. The adsorbed AV can be eluted with 5 mL of 5 mol · L−1 5-sulfosalicylic acid with an elution efficiency of more than 91.8 %. The preconcentration factor is 50 in case of 250 mL samples. Spectrophotometric determination of AV in the eluate gives a linear calibration plot in the range between 18.8 μg · L−1 and 10 mg · L−1 and a detection limit (3 s; for n = 11) of 18.8 μg · L−1. The method is simple and fast. It was successfully applied to the analysis of AV in spiked natural waters, and recoveries were found to range between 94.2 and 97.3 %.

Selective recognition of luteolin and quercetin based on the specific interaction of ortho-dihydroxy substituents with a zinc(ii) complex

Selective recognition of ortho-dihydroxy-substituted flavonoids has been developed based on their specific interaction with the fluorescent complex, 4-(methylphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine–Zn(II) (mptpy–Zn(II)). Six related flavonoids, including quercetin, naringenin, genistein, luteolin, daidzein, and morin, which have hydroxyl substituents in different positions, have been investigated. It has been observed that the ortho-3′,4′-dihydroxy substituents in luteolin and quercetin play an important role in the fluorescence quenching of mptpy–Zn(II) as ternary complexes are formed between luteolin/quercetin and mptpy–Zn(II). The quenching constants and fluorescence lifetime measurements indicated that the quenching was static. As the easy oxidation of 3-hydroxy and 4′-hydroxy in quercetin reduced the number of ortho-dihydroxy groups, luteolin had a greater quenching efficiency than quercetin under the same conditions. Furthermore, this fluorimetric method was successfully applied in the determination of the luteolin content in Lamiophlomis capsules from two factories, with satisfactory results compared with an HPLC method.

Ortho-dihydroxychalcones as cupric ion-dependent prooxidants: Activity and mechanisms

The activity and chemical mechanisms of ortho-dihydroxychalcones as cupric ion-dependent prooxidants were investigated under aerobic conditions. This work confirms that 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone and cupric ions could synergistically advance strand breakage of plasmid DNA, but also effectively induce DNA damage and apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells under low concentrations by promoting ROS production. Interestingly, ortho-dihydroxy groups on the aromatic B ring, connected by a double bond, possess higher DNA-cleaving activity than those on the aromatic A ring directly attached to a carbonyl group. Further mechanistic investigation on the cupric ion-mediated oxidation of 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone, by UV/vis spectral changes, reveals that at neutral pH, electron transfer is facilitated by means of sequential proton loss from the 4′-OH on the aromatic A ring and the subsequent formation of phenolate anion-Cu(II) complexes; the resulting phenoxyl radical could undergo the second deprotonation and electron transfer to give an ortho-quinone on the aromatic B ring.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of hydroxylated 3-phenylcoumarins as antioxidants and antiproliferative agents

Based on the observed biological activities of coumarins and resveratrol, we synthesized fourteen hydroxylated 3-phenylcoumarins (stilbene-coumarin hybrids) including six novel ortho-hydroxy-methoxy substituted derivatives, 1-14, by Perkin reaction. We characterized these compounds concerning their antioxidant activity against 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH)-induced pBR322 DNA strand breakage, and their antiproliferative effects on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial A549 cells. Structure-activity relationship information suggests that the introduction of ortho-hydroxy-methoxy groups and ortho-dihydroxy groups on the aromatic A ring could efficiently improve antiproliferative activity. Interestingly, a new derivative, 6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)coumarin, 9, behaved as a poor antioxidant but appeared to be the most potent antiproliferative agent among the compounds examined, and this activity was mediated by deregulation in cell cycle and induction of apoptosis.

Characterization of an O-Methyltransferase from Streptomyces avermitilis MA-4680

A search of the Streptomyces avermitilis genome reveals that its closest homologs are several O-methyltransferases. Among them, one gene (viz., saomt5) was cloned into the pET-15b expression vector by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific oligonucleotide primers. Biochemical characterization with the recombinant protein showed that SaOMT5 was S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent Omethyltransferase. Several compounds were tested as substrates of SaOMT5. As a result, SaOMT5 catalyzed Omethylation of flavonoids such as 6,7-dihydroxyflavone, 2',3'-dihydroxyflavone, 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone, quercetin, and 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, and phenolic compounds such as caffeic acid and caffeoyl Co-A. These reaction products were analyzed by TLC, HPLC, LC/MS, and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, SaOMT5 could convert phenolic compounds containing ortho-dihydroxy groups into Omethylated compounds, and 6,7-dihydroxyflavone was known to be the best substrate. SaOMT5 converted 6,7- dihydroxyflavone into 6-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone and 7-hydroxy-6-methoxyflavone, and caffeic acid into ferulic acid and isoferulic acid, respectively. Moreover, SaOMT5 turned out to be a Mg2+-dependent OMT, and the effect of Mg2+ ion on its activity was five times greater than those of Ca2+, Fe2+, and Cu2+ ions, EDTA, and metal-free medium.

Anti-tumor Properties of Stilbene-based Resveratrol Analogues: Recent Results

Recent literature about stilbene-based analogues of resveratrol (1) has been reviewed, and a total of 94 compounds are reported (see structures 4 – 97), selected either for their promising anti-tumor properties or as comparative terms in SAR studies. As a general outline, these recent literature data confirm the previously reported observation that minimal modification in the nature and position of the substituents on the stilbene nucleus may cause large variations in their biological activity and, more specifically, in their anti-tumor properties. Among the polyhydroxylated stilbenes, it has been established that those with either a catechol or pyrogallol moiety are far better radical scavengers than either 1 or other analogues lacking an ortho-dihydroxy group, and this property was shown to be related to pro-apoptotic activity. In the large majority of cases where couples of E- and Z-isomers were evaluated for either cytotoxic or pro-apoptotic activity, the Z-isomers were significantly more active than their E analogues; nevertheless, a general rule stating that stilbenoids with Z configuration of the double bond display a considerably higher antiproliferative activity than their E-isomers cannot be considered as established. A variety of methoxystilbenes has been reported recently: in many cases these analogues showed either potent antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity or strong inhibition of TNFα-induced activation of NF- kB. Globally considered, polymethoxystilbenes are a sub-group of great interest among the resveratrol analogues: these analogues appear worthy of a deeper evaluation also in connection with their potential anti-angiogenic properties. In addition, in vivo studies indicate that methoxystilbenes undergo different metabolic conversion and have a higher bioavailability than resveratrol. The potent activity of some amino- and halogenated stilbenes is undoubtedly worthy of attention, but the toxicity of these compounds to normal cells has rarely been evaluated. In conclusion, the synthesis and evaluation of stilbene-based resveratrol analogues proved to be a highly active field of research and has recently afforded compounds with either cytotoxic or pro-apoptotic activity in the nanomolar range. Nevertheless, the exact structural determinants to optimize the anti-tumor properties of these compounds and details of their mechanism of action remain to be clarified.

Plant Phenolics Inhibit Neutrophil Elastase

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease, which is present in its active form in inflamed tissue as well as in psoriatic lesions. In extension of our research on natural compounds as inhibitors of HNE or of its release, several phenolics of different size were tested. The ellagitannins agrimoniin and pedunculagin were the most potent direct HNE inhibitors (IC (50) = 0.9 and 2.8 microM, respectively). Ligand docking calculations provided evidence that inhibition may occur in an unspecific manner. Agrimoniin also showed anti-proliferative effects in the ATP assay (IC (50) = 3.2 microM), suggesting that this type of tannin could have beneficial effects in the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis. Tests with other phenolics combined with ligand docking experiments revealed that, besides the presence of ORTHO-dihydroxy groups, a specific lipophilic shape is necessary for an inhibitory activity. The phenolic genistein deserves special interest as an inhibitor of elastase release because its effect was remarkably potent (IC (50) = 0.6 microM).

The ortho hydroxy-amino group: Another choice for synthesizing novel antioxidants

Four ortho hydroxy-amino derivatives have been designed based on the structures of flavonoids to explore the effect of the ortho hydroxy-amino group on the antioxidant properties of molecules, and their bond dissociation enthalpies (BDE), ionization potentials (IP), the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO), and spin densities have been calculated. The results reveal that the ortho hydroxy-amino group plays an important role in promoting the antioxidant properties of molecules because of its lowering effect on BDE, IP, and spin density. The derivatives with ortho hydroxy-amino group show stronger antioxidant activity than the derivatives with mono hydroxy or ortho dihydroxy group. Thus, the ortho hydroxy-amino group can be used as another potential functional group to synthesize novel antioxidants as guessed.