Biocatalytic synthesis of oxadiazole thioethers and evaluation of their antitumor activity.

A multicomponent enzyme-catalyzed process is suggested for the synthesis of a novel series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole thioether derivatives with yields ranging from 65 to 94%. Novozym 435, the immobilized form of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB), was found to efficiently catalyze the reaction. The products were evaluated for antitumor activities against two cancer cell lines, HT-29 (human colorectal cancer cell) and HepG2 (human liver cancer cell), by MTT assays. Among them, two compounds exhibited higher antitumor activities, for both cell lines, compared to doxorubicin. In silico molecular docking and computational ADME analysis were performed to propose a mode of action for the anti-cancer activities and to predict drug-likeness, respectively.

Effect of Concentrated Salts Solutions on the Stability of Immobilized Enzymes: Influence of Inactivation Conditions and Immobilization Protocol.

This paper aims to investigate the effects of some salts (NaCl, (NH4)2SO4 and Na2SO4) at pH 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 on the stability of 13 different immobilized enzymes: five lipases, three proteases, two glycosidases, and one laccase, penicillin G acylase and catalase. The enzymes were immobilized to prevent their aggregation. Lipases were immobilized via interfacial activation on octyl agarose or on glutaraldehyde-amino agarose beads, proteases on glyoxyl agarose or glutaraldehyde-amino agarose beads. The use of high concentrations of salts usually has some effects on enzyme stability, but the intensity and nature of these effects depends on the inactivation pH, nature and concentration of the salt, enzyme and immobilization protocol. The same salt can be a stabilizing or a destabilizing agent for a specific enzyme depending on its concentration, inactivation pH and immobilization protocol. Using lipases, (NH4)2SO4 generally permits the highest stabilities (although this is not a universal rule), but using the other enzymes this salt is in many instances a destabilizing agent. At pH 9.0, it is more likely to find a salt destabilizing effect than at pH 7.0. Results confirm the difficulty of foreseeing the effect of high concentrations of salts in a specific immobilized enzyme.

Porcine pancreas lipase as a green catalyst for synthesis of bis-4-hydroxy coumarins.

4-Hydroxycoumarins represents an important structural motif in life sciences molecules with remarkable biological properties. 4-Hydroxycoumarins are important precursors in the synthesis of organic compounds and critical pharmacophores in medicinal chemistry. One of the derivatives of this compound is biscoumarin, which has anticoagulant medicinal properties. Porcine pancreas lipase (PPL) has been used as an efficient green biocatalyst for the synthesis of bis-4-hydroxycoumarin compounds and expands the biocatalytic promiscuity of lipase in organic synthesis. Some aromatic aldehydes have been used in this investigation for screening and examining the ability of enzyme in knoevenagel condensation. Various parameters including temperature, solvent, and the amount of biocatalyst were investigated, ethanol, 45 °C and 10 mg of PPL gave rise to best yields. Bis-4-hydroxy coumarin compounds were synthesized under mild reaction conditions with high conversion yields (81-88%).

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Small Intestine Presenting with Peritonitis: A Case Report.

Malignant melanoma of the small intestine is mostly a metastatic tumor of other primary lesions, especially of skin origin. Primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine is very uncommon. The clinical presentation is usually nonspecific, thus leading to late diagnosis. We report a 42-year-old man who presented to the emergency department of Imam-Reza Hospital with symptoms and signs of peritonitis and was a candidate for emergency laparotomy and enterectomy. The medical and family history were unremarkable. A bulky mass was seen 190 cm away from the Treitz band, and a diagnosis of malignant melanoma was confirmed by histologic and immunohistochemical study. Further clinical examination revealed no primary tumor elsewhere, so the diagnosis of primary small intestinal melanoma was concluded. Although metastatic malignant melanoma in the GI tract is common, the primary one is a very rare entity. The diagnosis could be challenging because a thorough investigation is needed to rule out the possible initial origin.

Biocatalytic decarboxylative Michael addition for synthesis of 1,4-benzoxazinone derivatives.

The Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) is found to catalyze a novel decarboxylative Michael addition in vinylogous carbamate systems for the synthesis of 1,4-benzoxazinone derivatives. The reaction goes through Michael addition, ester hydrolysis and decarboxylation. A possible mechanism is suggested, with simultaneous lipase-catalyzed Michael addition and ester hydrolysis. The present methodology offers formation of complex products through multi-step reactions in a one pot process under mild and facile reaction conditions with moderate to high yields (51-90%) and no side product formation. The reaction seems to be is a great example of enzymatic promiscuity.