Development of a Hydrazine-Based Solid-Phase Extraction and Clean-Up Method for Highly Selective Quantification of Zearalenone in Edible Vegetable Oils by HPLC-FLD.

Rapid, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly methods are desired today for routine analysis of the Fusarium mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) in edible vegetable oils. Liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) is commonly used to reliably control the specified ZEN maximum levels, which requires efficient sample clean-up to avoid matrix interferences. Therefore, a highly selective extraction and clean-up method based on reversible covalent hydrazine chemistry (RCHC) using hydrazine-functionalized silica was developed. This efficient solid-phase extraction (SPE) involves reversible hydrazone formation of ZEN with the hydrazine moiety covalently bound to a solid phase. Optimal conditions were achieved with 1 mL SPE cartridges filled with 400 mg of hydrazine-functionalized silica. The developed RCHC-SPE method was validated in an interlaboratory comparison study (ILC) with twelve participants analyzing six edible vegetable oils with a focus on maize oils. The derived method parameters (ZEN recovery 83%, repeatability 7.0%, and reproducibility 18%) meet the performance criteria of Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006. The developed RCHC-SPE-based HPLC-FLD method allows the reliable quantification of ZEN in the range of 47-494 µg/kg for different types of edible vegetable oils, also for matrix-reach native oils. Due to the high efficiency, the significantly reduced matrix load helps to extend the lifetime of analytical equipment. Furthermore, the re-useability of the RCHC-SPE cartridges contributes to an eco-friendly approach and reduced analysis costs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on ZEN quantification in edible vegetable oils based on manual RCHC-SPE cartridges. Due to its high performance, the developed RCHC-SPE method is a promising alternative to the current European standard method EN 16924:2017 (HPLC-FLD part).

New silver(I) phosphino complexes: Evaluation of their potential as prospective agents against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Despite being a preventable and curable disease, Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's top infectious killer. Development of new drugs is urgently needed. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of new silver(I) complexes, that include N'-[(E)-(pyridine-2-ylmethylene)pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide, HPCPH, as main ligand and substituted aryl-phosphines as auxiliary ligands, is reported. HPCPH was synthesized from pyrazinoic acid, the active metabolite of the first-line antimycobacterial drug pyrazinamide. Complexes [Ag(HPCPH)(PPh3)2]OTf (1), [Ag(HPCPH)((P(p-tolyl)3)2]OTf (2) and [Ag(HPCPH)(P(p-anisyl)3)2]OTf (3) were characterized in solid state and in solution by elemental analysis and FTIR and NMR spectroscopies (OTftriflate). Crystal structures of (1,2) were determined by XRD. The Ag atom is coordinated to azomethine and pyridine nitrogen atoms of HPCPH ligand and to the phosphorous atom of each aryl-phosphine co-ligand. Although HPCPH did not show activity, the Ag(I) compounds demonstrated activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), H37Rv strain, and multi-drug resistant clinical isolates (MDR-TB). Globally, results showed that the compounds are not only effective against the sensitive strain, but are more potent against MDR-TB than antimycobacterial drugs used in therapy. The compounds showed low to moderate selectivity index values (SI) towards the bacteria, using MRC-5 cells (ATCC CCL-171) as mammalian cell model. Interaction with DNA was explored to get insight into the potential mechanism of action against the pathogen. No significant interaction was detected, allowing to discard this biomolecule as a potential molecular target. Compound 1 was identified as a hit compound (MIC90 2.23 µM; SI 4.4) to develop further chemical modifications in the search for new drugs.

Hydrazine Radiolysis by Gamma-Ray in the N2H4-Cu+-HNO3 System.

Radiolysis of chemical agents occurs during the decontamination of nuclear power plants. The γ-ray irradiation tests of the N2H4-Cu+-HNO3 solution, a decontamination agent, were performed to investigate the effect of Cu+ ion and HNO3 on N2H4 decomposition using a Co-60 high-dose irradiator. After the irradiation, the residues of N2H4 decomposition were analyzed by Ultraviolet-visible (UV) spectroscopy. NH4+ ions generated from N2H4 radiolysis were analyzed by ion chromatography. Based on the results, the decomposition mechanism of N2H4 in the N2H4-Cu+-HNO3 solution under γ-ray irradiation condition was derived. Cu+ ions form Cu+N2H4 complexes with N2H4, and then N2H4 is decomposed into intermediates. H+ ions and H● radicals generated from the reaction between H+ ion and eaq- increased the N2H4 decomposition reaction. NO3- ions promoted the N2H4 decomposition by providing additional reaction paths: (1) the reaction between NO3- ions and N2H4●+, and (2) the reaction between NO● radical, which is the radiolysis product of NO3- ion, and N2H5+. Finally, the radiolytic decomposition mechanism of N2H4 obtained in the N2H4-Cu+-HNO3 was schematically suggested.

Identification and optimization of 3-bromo-N'-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methylbenzohydrazide derivatives as mTOR inhibitors that induce autophagic cell death and apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a worse prognosis than other types of breast cancer due to its special biological behavior and clinicopathological characteristics. TNBC cell proliferation and progression to metastasis can be suppressed by inducing cytostatic autophagy. mTOR is closely related to autophagy and is involved in protein synthesis, nutrient metabolism and activating mTOR promotes tumor growth and metastasis. In this paper, we adopted the strategy of structure simplification, aimed to look for novel small-molecule inhibitors of mTOR by pharmacophore-based virtual screening and biological activity determination. We found a lead compound with 3-bromo-N'-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methylbenzohydrazide for rational drug design and structural modification, then studied its structure-activity relationship. After that, compound 7c with the best TNBC cells inhibitory activities and superior mTOR enzyme inhibitory activity was obtained. In addition, we found that compound 7c could induce autophagic cell death and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines. In conclusion, these findings provide new clues for our 3-bromo-N'-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methylbenzohydrazide derivatives, which are expected to become drug candidates for the treatment of TNBC in the future.

Pyrazol(in)e derivatives of curcumin analogs as a new class of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents.

Aim: We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a small library of 15 functionalized 3-styryl-2-pyrazolines and pyrazoles, derived from curcuminoids, as trypanosomicidal agents. Methods & results: The compounds were prepared via a cyclization reaction between the corresponding curcuminoids and the appropriate hydrazines. All of the derivatives synthesized were investigated for their trypanosomicidal activities. Compounds 4a and 4e showed significant activity against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, with IC50 values of 5.0 and 4.2 µM, respectively, accompanied by no toxicity to noncancerous mammalian cells. Compound 6b was found to effectively inhibit T. cruzi triosephosphate isomerase. Conclusion: The up to 16-fold higher potency of these derivatives compared with their curcuminoid precursors makes them a promising new family of T. cruzi inhibitors.

Identification of new 3-phenyl-1H-indole-2-carbohydrazide derivatives and their structure-activity relationships as potent tubulin inhibitors and anticancer agents: A combined in silico, in vitro and synthetic study.

Virtual screening of commercially available molecular entities by using CDRUG, structure-based virtual screening, and similarity identified eight new derivatives of 3-phenyl-1H-indole-2-carbohydrazide with anti-proliferative activities. The molecules were tested experimentally for inhibition of tubulin polymerisation, which revealed furan-3-ylmethylene-3-phenyl-1H-indole-2-carbohydrazide (27a) as the most potent candidate. Molecule 27a was able to induce G2/M phase arrest in A549 cell line, similar to other tubulin inhibitors. Synthetic modifications of 27a were focussed on small substitutions on the furan ring, halogenation at R1 position and alteration of furyl connectivity. Derivatives 27b, 27d and 27i exhibited the strongest tubulin inhibition activities and were comparable to 27a. Bromine substitution at R1 position showed most prominent anticancer activities; derivatives 27b-27d displayed the strongest activities against HuCCA-1 cell line and were more potent than doxorubicin and the parent molecule 27a with IC50 values <0.5 µM. Notably, 27b with a 5-methoxy substitution on furan displayed the strongest activity against HepG2 cell line (IC50 = 0.34 µM), while 27d displayed stronger activity against A549 cell line (IC50 = 0.43 µM) compared to doxorubicin and 27a. Fluorine substitutions at the R1 position tended to show more modest anti-tubulin and anticancer activities, and change of 2-furyl to 3-furyl was tolerable. The new derivatives, thiophenyl 26, displayed the strongest activity against A549 cell line (IC50 = 0.19 µM), while 1-phenylethylidene 21b and 21c exhibited more modest anticancer activities with unclear mechanisms of action; 26 and 21c demonstrated G2/M phase arrest, but showed weak tubulin inhibitory properties. Molecular docking suggests the series inhibit tubulin at the colchicine site, in agreement with the experimental findings. The calculated molecular descriptors indicated that the molecules obey Lipinski's rule which suggests the molecules are drug-like structures.

Superfast Synthesis of Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Allium sativum (Garlic) Extract and Isoniazid Hydrazide Conjugates: Molecular Docking and In-Vitro Characterizations.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was synthesized from fresh garlic extract coupled with isoniazid hydrazide (INH), a commonly used antibiotic to treat tuberculosis. A molecular docking study conducted with the selected compounds compared with anthranilate phosphoribosyltransferase (trpD) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aqueous extract of garlic was prepared and mixed with silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution for the superfast synthesis of stable AgNPs. INH was then conjugated with AgNPs at different ratios (v/v) to obtain stable INH-AgNPs conjugates (AgNCs). The resulting AgNCs characterized by FTIR spectra revealed the ultrafast formation of AgNPs (<5 s) and perfectly conjugated with INH. The shifting of λmax to longer wavelength, as found from UV spectral analysis, confirmed the formation of AgNCs, among which ideal formulations (F7, F10, and F13) have been pre-selected. The zeta particle size (PS) and the zeta potential (ZP) of AgNPs were found to be 145.3 ± 2.1 nm and -33.1 mV, respectively. These data were significantly different compared to that of AgNCs (160 ± 2.7 nm and -14.4 mV for F7; 208.9 ± 2.9 nm and -19.8 mV for F10; and 281.3 ± 3.6 nm and -19.5 mV for F13), most probably due to INH conjugation. The results of XRD, SEM and EDX confirmed the formation of AgNCs. From UV spectral analysis, EE of INH as 51.6 ± 5.21, 53.6 ± 6.88, and 70.01 ± 7.11 %, for F7, F10, and F13, respectively. The stability of the three formulations was confirmed in various physiological conditions. Drug was released in a sustainable fashion. Besides, from the preferred 23 compounds, five compounds namely Sativoside R2, Degalactotigonin, Proto-desgalactotigonin, Eruboside B and Sativoside R1 showed a better docking score than trpD, and therefore may help in promoting anti-tubercular activity.

In vitro anti-leishmanial activity of Prunus armeniaca fractions on Leishmania tropica and molecular docking studies.

Prunus armeniaca (L.) is a member of the Rosaceae, subfamily Prunoideae, shows anticancer, antitubercular, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cardioprotective activities. Here we fractionated the leaves extract of this highly medicinally important plant for antileishmanial activity. In the current study, the leaves extract was fractionated and characterized using column and thin layer chromatography by n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol solvents. Twelve fractions were isolated and subjected for evaluation of their cytotoxicity and in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania tropica. Among all fractions used, the fraction (F7) exhibited the strongest antileishmanial activity. The bioactive fraction was further characterized by spectroscopy (FTIR, UV-Vis), and GC-MS analysis. The in silico docking was carried out to find the active site of PTR1. All derived fractions exhibited toxicity in the safety range IC50 > 100 µg/ml. The fraction (F7) showed significantly the highest antipromastigotes activity with IC5011.48 ± 0.82 µg/ml and antiamastigotes activity with IC50 21.03 ± 0.98 µg/ml compared with control i.e. 11.60 ± 0.70 and 22.03 ± 1.02 µg/ml respectively. The UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of six absorption peaks and the FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of alkane, aldehyde, carboxylic acid, thiols, alkynes, and carbonyls compounds The GC-MS chromatogram exhibited the presence of nine compounds: (a) benzeneethanol, alpha, beta dimethyl, (b)carbazic acid, 3-(1 propylbutylidene)-, ethyl ester, (c)1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester, (d)benzeneethanamine a-methyl, (e)2aminononadecane, (f)2-heptanamine-5-methyl, (g)cyclobutanol, (h)cyclopropyl carbine, and (i)nitric acid, nonyl ester. Among all compounds, the 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester bound well to the PTR1 receptor. Fraction (F7) showed acceptable results with no cytotoxicity. However, in vivo studies are required in the future.

Rational discovery of molecular glue degraders via scalable chemical profiling.

Targeted protein degradation is a new therapeutic modality based on drugs that destabilize proteins by inducing their proximity to E3 ubiquitin ligases. Of particular interest are molecular glues that can degrade otherwise unligandable proteins by orchestrating direct interactions between target and ligase. However, their discovery has so far been serendipitous, thus hampering broad translational efforts. Here, we describe a scalable strategy toward glue degrader discovery that is based on chemical screening in hyponeddylated cells coupled to a multi-omics target deconvolution campaign. This approach led us to identify compounds that induce ubiquitination and degradation of cyclin K by prompting an interaction of CDK12-cyclin K with a CRL4B ligase complex. Notably, this interaction is independent of a dedicated substrate receptor, thus functionally segregating this mechanism from all described degraders. Collectively, our data outline a versatile and broadly applicable strategy to identify degraders with nonobvious mechanisms and thus empower future drug discovery efforts.

3D Bioprinting of Carbohydrazide-Modified Gelatin into Microparticle-Suspended Oxidized Alginate for the Fabrication of Complex-Shaped Tissue Constructs.

Extrusion-based bioprinting of hydrogels in a granular secondary gel enables the fabrication of cell-laden three-dimensional (3D) constructs in an anatomically accurate manner, which is challenging using conventional extrusion-based bioprinting processes. In this study, carbohydrazide-modified gelatin (Gel-CDH) was synthesized and deposited into a new multifunctional support bath consisting of gelatin microparticles suspended in an oxidized alginate (OAlg) solution. During extrusion, Gel-CDH and OAlg were rapidly cross-linked because of the Schiff base formation between aldehyde groups of OAlg and amino groups of Gel-CDH, which has not been demonstrated in the domain of 3D bioprinting before. Rheological results indicated that hydrogels with lower OAlg to Gel-CDH ratios possessed superior mechanical rigidity. Different 3D geometrically intricate constructs were successfully created upon the determination of optimal bioprinting parameters. Human mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were also bioprinted at physiologically relevant cell densities. The presented study has offered a novel strategy for bioprinting of natural polymer-based hydrogels into 3D complex-shaped biomimetic constructs, which eliminated the need for cytotoxic supplements as external cross-linkers or additional cross-linking processes, therefore expanding the availability of bioinks.

Synthesis, in vitro, and in vivo (Zebra fish) antitubercular activity of 7,8-dihydroquinolin-5(6H)-ylidenehydrazinecarbothioamides.

We, herein, describe the synthesis of a series of novel aryl tethered 7,8-dihydroquinolin-5(6H)-ylidenehydrazinecarbothioamides 4a-v, which showed in vitro and in vivo antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv. The intermediates dihydro-6H-quinolin-5-ones 3a-v were synthesized from ß-enaminones, reacting with cyclochexane-1,3-dione/5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione and ammonium acetate using a modified Bohlmann-Rahtz reaction conditions. They were further reacted with thiosemicarbazide to give the respective hydrazine carbothioamides 4a-v. All the new analogues 4a-v, were characterized by their NMR and mass spectral data analysis. Among the twenty-two compounds screened for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC27294), two compounds, 4e and 4j, exhibited the highest inhibition with an MIC of 0.39 µg/mL. Compounds 4a, 4g, and 4k were found to inhibit Mtb at an MIC of 0.78 µg/mL. Hydrazinecarbothioamides 4a-k, exhibited enhanced activity than dihydroquinolinones 3a-k. The observed increase in potency provides a clear evidence that hydrazinecarbothioamide is a potential pharmacophore, collectively imparting synergistic effect in enhancing antitubercular activity of the dihydroquinolinone core. The in vivo (Zebra fish) antimycobacterial screening of the in vitro active molecules led to the identification of a hit compound, 4j, with significant activity in the Mtb nutrient starvation model (2.2-fold reduction). Docking studies of 4j showed a hydrogen bond with the P156 residue of the protein.

Uncovering the Pharmacological Mechanism of Stemazole in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases Based on a Network Pharmacology Approach.

Stemazole exerts potent pharmacological effects against neurodegenerative diseases and protective effects in stem cells. However, on the basis of the current understanding, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of stemazole in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease have not been fully elucidated. In this study, a network pharmacology-based strategy integrating target prediction, network construction, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses, and molecular docking was adopted to predict the targets of stemazole relevant to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and to further explore the involved pharmacological mechanisms. The majority of the predicted targets were highly involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1), caspase-3 (CASP3), caspase-8 (CASP8), mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) are the core targets regulated by stemazole and play a central role in its anti-apoptosis effects. This work provides a scientific basis for further elucidating the mechanism underlying the effects of stemazole in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Residue dissipation and dietary exposure risk assessment of methoxyfenozide in cauliflower and tea via modified QuEChERS using UPLC/MS/MS.

BACKGROUND: Methoxyfenozide possesses efficacy against a variety of lepidopteron pests, including the major pests in cauliflower and tea, so it is of great importance to generalize the practical use of methoxyfenozide in the field. RESULTS: An efficient method was developed and validated in both vegetable matrix and extract-rich matrix (cauliflower and tea) using modified QuEChERS combined with UPLC/MS/MS analysis. The recoveries in cauliflower, made tea and tea shoots ranged from 94.5 to 108.0%, from 85.0 to 91.6% and from 77.3 to 82.0% respectively, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 17.3% in all cases. The field results showed that methoxyfenozide dissipated in cauliflower with half-life (t1/2 ) at 2.5-3.5 days and in tea with t1/2 at 1.2 days. Combining the above experimental data and statistical food intake values, the risk quotient (RQ) values were significantly lower than 1. CONCLUSION: The quantification method of methoxyfenozide in cauliflower or tea has not been established until this study. The dissipation and dietary exposure risk assessment of methoxyfenozide in cauliflower and tea were investigated in the field. Methoxyfenozide dissipated rapidly in cauliflower despite different climates, and it dissipated faster in tea. The dietary risk of methoxyfenozide through cauliflower or tea was negligible to humans. This study not only provides guidance for the safe use of methoxyfenozide but also serves as a reference for the establishment of maximum residue limits (MRLs) in China. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effective Virtual Screening Strategy toward heme-containing proteins: Identification of novel IDO1 inhibitors.

Developing small molecules occupying the heme-binding site using computational approaches remains a challenging task because it is difficult to characterize heme-ligand interaction in heme-containing protein. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is an intracellular heme-containing dioxygenase which is associated with the immunosuppressive effects in cancer. With IDO1 as an example, herein we report a combined virtual screening (VS) strategy including high-specificity heme-binding group (HmBG)-based pharmacophore screening and cascade molecular docking to identify novel IDO1 inhibitors. A total of four hit compounds were obtained and showed proper binding with the heme iron coordinating site. Further structural optimization led to a promising compound S18-3, which exerted potent anti-tumor efficacy in BALB/c mice bearing established CT26 tumors by activating the host's immune system. These results suggest that S18-3 merits further study to assess its potential for the intervention of cancer. Furthermore, our study also unveils a novel in silico-based strategy for identifying potential regulators for hemeproteins within short timeframe.

Structure-Based Screening of Tetrazolylhydrazide Inhibitors versus KDM4 Histone Demethylases.

Human histone demethylases are known to play an important role in the development of several tumor types. Consequently, they have emerged as important medical targets for the treatment of human cancer. Herein, structural studies on tetrazolylhydrazide inhibitors as a new scaffold for a certain class of histone demethylases, the JmjC proteins, are reported. A series of compounds are structurally described and their respective binding modes to the KDM4D protein, which serves as a high-resolution model to represent the KDM4 subfamily in crystallographic studies, are examined. Similar to previously reported inhibitors, the compounds described herein are competitors for the natural KDM4 cofactor, 2-oxoglutarate. The tetrazolylhydrazide scaffold fills an important gap in KDM4 inhibition and newly described, detailed interactions of inhibitor moieties pave the way to the development of compounds with high target-binding affinity and increased membrane permeability, at the same time.

A Tyrosinase Inhibitor from a Nitrogen-Enriched Chemically Engineered Extract.

The enzyme tyrosinase is involved in the biosynthesis of melanin and the enzymatic browning of fruits and vegetables, and therefore, its inhibitors have potential to treat hyperpigmentary disorders or to function as food antibrowning agents. The use of hydrazine monohydrate as a reagent to prepare chemically engineered extracts can lead to semisynthetic compounds that contain the portion N-N, a fragment rarely found in natural products and present in some tyrosinase inhibitors. Here, we report the tyrosinase inhibition screening of a series of chemically engineered extracts that are diversified by reaction with hydrazine. LC-MS was used to evaluate the change in composition produced by the reaction. Bioguided fractionation of the most active chemically engineered extract, prepared from Matricaria recutita L., led to the discovery of a pyrazole that inhibits tyrosinase with an IC50 value of 28.20 ± 1.13 µM. This compound was produced by a one-pot double chemical transformation of its natural precursor, which includes an unexpected selective removal of one -OH group.

Novel fluorine-containing chiral hydrazide-hydrazones: Design, synthesis, structural elucidation, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity, and in silico studies.

In this study, a series of fluorine-containing chiral hydrazide-hydrazone derivatives [III-XII] from ʟ-cysteine ethyl ester hydrochloride was synthesized as new antioxidant and anticholinesterase agents. The antioxidant activity of these derivatives was evaluated by ABTS+· and DPPH· scavenging and CUPRAC assays and the anticholinesterase activity by the Ellman method spectrophotometrically. The results of the antioxidant assay showed that compounds V, IX, and X exhibited higher activity than BHT and α-tocopherol used as positive standards. Among the synthesized derivatives, compound IX (IC50 : 2.3 ± 1.6 µM) exhibited higher acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity than galantamine (IC50 : 4.5 ± 0.8 µM). Compounds XI (IC50 : 9.6 ± 1.0 µM), IX (IC50 : 12.5 ± 1.6 µM), III (IC50 : 16.0 ± 1.6 µM), X (IC50 : 17.2 ± 1.8 µM), VI (IC50 : 20.2 ± 0.8 µM), XII (IC50 : 21.5 ± 1.0 µM), and VII (IC50 : 24.6 ± 0.6 µM) displayed better butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity than galantamine (IC50 : 46.03 ± 0.14 µM). ADME-Tox analysis was used to probe the drug-like properties of the compounds. Molecular docking studies were also applied to understand the interactions between compounds and targets. The docking calculations were supported by the experimental data. In particular, compound IX, having better activity than galantamine against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes, was visualized using molecular docking.

Deciphering the 'Elixir of Life': Dynamic Perspectives into the Allosteric Modulation of Mitochondrial ATP Synthase by J147, a Novel Drug in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

The discovery of J147 represented a significant milestone in the treatment of age-related disorders, which was further augmented by the recent identification of mitochondrial ATP synthase as the therapeutic target. However, the underlying molecular events associated with the modulatory activity of J147 have remained unresolved till date. Herein, we present, for the first time, a dynamical approach to investigate the allosteric regulation of mATP synthase by J147, using a reliable human αÎ³ß protein model. The highlight of our findings is the existence of the J147-bound protein in distinct structural associations at different MD simulation periods coupled with concurrent open↔close transitions of the ß catalytic and α allosteric (ATP5A) sites as defined by Cα distances (d), TriCα (Θ) and dihedral (φ) angular parameters. Firstly, there was an initial pairing of the αγ subunits away from the ß subunit followed by the formation of the 'non-catalytic' αß pair at a distance from the γ subunit. Interestingly, J147-induced structural arrangements were accompanied by the systematic transition of the ß catalytic site from a closed to an open state, while there was a concurrent transition of the allosteric site from an open αE conformation to a closed state. Consequentially, J147 reduced the structural activity of the whole αÎ³ß complex, while the unbound system exhibited high atomistic deviations and structural flexibility. Furthermore, J147 exhibited favorable binding at the allosteric site of mATP synthase with considerable electrostatic energy contributions from Gln215, Gly217, Thr219, Asp312, Asp313, Glu371 and Arg406. These findings provide details on the possible effects of J147 on mitochondrial bioenergetics, which could facilitate the structure-based design of novel small-molecule modulators of mATP synthase in the management of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Highly potent radical scavenging-anti-oxidant activity of biologically reduced graphene oxide using Nettle extract as a green bio-genic amines-based reductants source instead of hazardous hydrazine hydrate.

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is relied upon to be the most promising candidate for high-proficiency. Hydrazine is the most conventional efficient reducing agent that has been frequently used for reduction of graphene oxide, however, it is not environmentally safe due to its toxic nature, causing unsatisfactory defects on the basal plan of GO. Therefore, employing green and efficient reducing agents from natural sources like plant extracts has become the research interest for obtaining high quality reduced graphene oxide sheets in recent years. Here a one-step, easy, cost-effective and green synthesis method based on Nettle leaves' extract has been introduced as an effective reduction method of graphene oxide compared with the toxic and harmful Hydrazine hydrate substance. In this study, GO and rGO were obtained from various methods and characterized by Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Results of different analytical techniques revealed that the Nettle leaves' extract could successfully reduce GO sheets to high performance reduced graphene oxide with 79% efficiency in comparison with conventional Hydrazine hydrate. On the other side the rGO obtained by Nettle solution could scavenge the free radicals with 70% inhibition capacity at least concentration. Existence of Histamine and Serotonin and many other polyphenols as a part of Nettle leaves composition by following anti-oxidants mechanisms (H donation or electron transfer) promote the anti-oxidant functionality of Nettle leaves. So the highlighted achievement of this paper is to obtain a highly anti-oxidant green reduced graphene oxide with a wide applications i.e medical and polymer composite with UV-shielding activity.

Chemistry, Alpha-glucosidase and Radical Scavenging Properties of Uranyl(VI) Hydrazide Complexes.

BACKGROUND: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antitumoral activities among others are essential characteristics in the development of novel therapeutic compounds. Acid hydrazides can form complexation with certain metal ions that positively enhance these biological characteristics. OBJECTIVE: Five new complexes of uranium with hydrazide ligands were synthesized at room temperature. METHODS: The characterization was done by spectroscopic methods (ESI-Mass, IR, 1H-NMR, 13CNMR), CHN analysis and conductivity measurements. Metal complexes along with their respective ligands were further screened for their antioxidant (DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide free radicals) properties and enzyme inhibition (α-glucosidase) activities. RESULTS: Elemental and spectral data indicate octahedral geometry around uranyl (UO2 2+) species. Magnetic moments indicate the diamagnetic nature of uranyl(VI) ion in the complex in solid state. IC50 values showed potential antioxidant behavior of uranyl complexes demonstrating interesting structure-activity relationships. In general, hydrazide ligands were not active against superoxide and nitric oxide radicals while varying degree of results were observed against DPPH radical whereas all uranyl-complexes showed promising radical scavenging activities against all of them. Promising inhibitory potential was displayed by UO2 +2 hydrazide complexes against α- glucosidases whereas free hydrazide ligands were inactive. CONCLUSION: Structure function relationship demonstrates that the nature of ligand, position of substituent, electronic and steric effects are significant factors affecting the radical scavenging and enzyme inhibition activities of the compounds.