RESUMEN
Three chiral ligands with variable denticity, H2L2-H2L4, conjugated by N,N'-ethylenebis[N-methyl-(S)-alanine] and an ortho-heterosubstituted aromatic amine, were newly synthesized as analogues of previously reported H2L1. Four contracted-Λoxo cobalt(III) complexes [Co(L)](+) with left-handed helical structure of Λ4Δ2 configuration were prepared by one-electron oxidation of the corresponding contracted-Λred cobalt(II) complexes [Co(L)], which were generated from chiral ligands and Co(ClO4)2·6H2O or Co(CF3SO3)2·5.2H2O in the presence of an organic base. Although the prepared cobalt(III) complexes were very inert and kinetically stable against protonation and NO3(-) complexation, cobalt(III) reduction in the presence of CF3SO3H and/or Bu4NNO3 allowed immediate changing of their three-dimensional structures from the contracted-Λoxo form to the extended-Λ [Co(H2L)Y2](n+) (Y = solvent and/or anion, n = 0-2) form with left-handed helicity or to the extended-Δ [Co(H2L)(NO3)](+) form with right-handed helicity via N- to O-amide coordination switching. Both extended forms were contracted to the original Λoxo form by oxidation of the cobalt(II) center in the presence of an organic base. Thus, redox reactions triggered dynamic helicity inversion of the chiral cobalt complexes, via multiple molecular motions consisting of relaxation/compression, extension/contraction, and helicity inversion motions in combination with deprotonation/protonation of amide linkages and NO3(-) anion complexation.
RESUMEN
Pycnogenol(®) (PYC) is a standardized bark extract from French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton). We examined the inhibitory effects of PYC on alveolar bone resorption, which is a characteristic feature of periodontitis, induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and osteoclast differentiation. In rat periodontitis model, rats were divided into four groups: group A served as the non-infected control, group B was infected orally with P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, group C was administered PYC in the diet (0.025%: w/w), and group D was infected with P. gingivalis and administered PYC. Administration of PYC along with P. gingivalis infection significantly reduced alveolar bone resorption. Treatment of P. gingivalis with 1 µg/ml PYC reduced the number of viable bacterial cells. Addition of PYC to epithelial cells inhibited adhesion and invasion by P. gingivalis. The effect of PYC on osteoclast formation was confirmed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. PYC treatment significantly inhibited osteoclast formation. Addition of PYC (1-100 µg/ml) to purified osteoclasts culture induced cell apoptosis. These results suggest that PYC may prevent alveolar bone resorption through its antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis and by suppressing osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, PYC may be useful as a therapeutic and preventative agent for bone diseases such as periodontitis.