Dimerisation increases the immunogenicity of recombinant Parj1/Parj2 allergens.

Purified recombinant Parj1 and Parj2 allergens bind an IgE repertoire common to the Parietaria species, allowing their use as marker molecules for diagnosis and therapy of allergic disease induced by the Urticaceae family. Preclinical studies on the in vivo immunogenicity of recombinant Parj1, Parj2 and their isoforms indicated differential capacity to induce IgG1 antibody responses, as indication of potential clinical use. A recombinant hetero-dimeric hybrid derivative (PjED), encompassing the shorter Parj1 isoform (Parj1.0201) and Parj2 allergen, was characterised. In vivo immunisation with PjED induces IgG1 antibodies capable of binding all the isoforms of Parietaria major allergens, overcoming the poor immunogenicity of single monomeric allergens. This feature makes PjED a promising candidate molecule to be further characterised for clinical applications in the treatment of Parietaria allergy.

Preparation and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles containing cloricromene.

This article describes the development of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as colloidal carriers for cloricromene. Nanoparticles were prepared by the microemulsion or precipitation technique. In vitro drug release profile from SLN was studied under various experimental conditions mimicking some body fluids. The drug release rate of drug at pH 7.4 and human plasma is high. In plasma, after 15 min, about 70% of drug was released. The cloricromene that was not released within 4 hr was found in the SLN. This result suggests that this colloidal system could be useful for targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system after intravenous administration.

Semisynthetic derivatives of ent-kauranes and their antifeedant activity.

Chemical modification of functional groups on linearol yielded several ent-kaurane derivatives. These compounds were tested for their antifeedant activity against larvae of Spodoptera littoralis. Although linearol did not influence the feeding behaviour of larvae, some of its derivatives showed significant antifeedant activity.

Neoclerodane diterpenoids from Teucrium maghrebinum.

Eight neoclerodane diterpenoids were identified in the extract of the aerial parts of Teucrium maghrebinum. Three of these, 12-epi-teucjaponin A (1), 12-epi-montanin D (2), and 12-epi-montanin B (3), are new natural products, whereas five, teucjaponin A, montanin D, 19-deacetylteuscorodol, teusalvin C (4), and montanin B, are already known. These eight compounds form four pairs of epimers at carbon C-12.

Minor diterpenoids from Scutellaria polyodon.

Four minor neoclerodane diterpene constituents were isolated from the aerial parts of Scutellaria polyodon. These compounds were characterized as the new scupolins J (1) and K (2) and the previously known scutalpin O (3) and scutalsin.