Honey extracts inhibit PTP1B, upregulate insulin receptor expression, and enhance glucose uptake in human HepG2 cells.

Honey is a food known for its medical properties. In this work, we have studied the impact of different types of honey on insulin signalling pathway. We found that honey extracts inhibit the enzyme PTP1B, one of the main negative regulators of insulin receptor signalling. HPLC-MS analysis allowed us to confirm the presence of several natural PTP1B inhibitors in the honey extracts analysed. Statistical analysis methods show a correlation between specific 1H-NMR resonance frequencies/HPLC peaks and the inhibitory power of the samples. This finding will allow the prediction of the biological properties of honey samples applying relative simple analytical methods. Finally, we demonstrated that the treatment of HepG2 cells with honey extracts enhances the expression of insulin receptor, and stimulates glucose uptake. For the first time, our results demonstrate that bioactive components of honey could improve glycaemic control by both inhibiting PTP1B and stimulating the expression of insulin receptor in liver cells.

Human serum proinsulin.

Gel filtration of human serum extracts on Bio-Gel P-30 columns produced two peaks of material reactive with insulin antisera. The earlier eluting fraction appeared at the elution position of proinsulin (serum proinsulin-like component, PLC) while the second fraction corresponded in elution volume to insulin. In assays using porcine insulin-(131)I and an antiserum against porcine insulin, human pancreatic proinsulin was less reactive than human insulin. Serial dilutions of the serum PLC in the immunoassay showed immunological identity with the human proinsulin standard. Partial tryptic digestion of the serum PLC yielded products with increased immunological reactivity as estimated with insulin as the standard. With larger amounts of trypsin, all the serum PLC was converted to insulin-like components (desthreonine and desoctapeptide insulin). On the basis of these results we conclude that the earlier eluting fraction of human serum extracts is proinsulin. The fasting values of proinsulin in normal subjects ranged between 0.05 and 0.4 ng/ml, representing from 5 to 48% of the insulin concentration. In one subject the values of proinsulin were higher than those of insulin. After oral administration of 100 g of glucose, the proinsulin levels tended to rise similarly to insulin. Three obese patients with hyperinsulinemia had higher fasting levels of proinsulin and a greater increase after glucose than the normal subjects. As the high levels of proinsulin coexisted with raised insulin concentration in these obese subjects, the relative proportions of the two hormones were in the same range observed in the normal group. Thus hyperinsulinemia in these obese subjects was not accompanied by an increase in the fraction of serum proinsulin. When the values for serum proinsulin were expressed as percentage of the insulin levels, there was a decrease in the per cent proinsulin in the first hour of the glucose tolerance test. After the second hour, the per cent tended to rise towards the fasting levels.

Chromatographic heterogeneity of insulin extracted from insulomas.

On gel filtration of acid-ethanol extracts from three pancreatic beta-cell adenomas 1.4% to 1.8% of total immunomeasurable insulin (IMI) eluted ahead of proinsulin. This high molecular IMI was resolved into three components. The presence of urea in the dilute acetic acid solutions of extracted tumor tissue did not influence the pattern of gel filtration. High molecular IMI dissolved in dilute acetic acid showed to be stable if immediately rechromatographed, but a partial dissociation to insulinlike and proinsulinlike components (ILC and PLC) was found if rechromatography was performed after 48 h of incubation. Mainly ILC and PLC were found on rechromatography provided high molecular IMI was dissolved and incubated briefly in 0.04M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. It proved improbable that the proteolytic action of some protein being extracted with the hormones caused a splitting of high molecular IMI at pH 7.4. We conclude from our findings that the components of high molecular IMI are not precursors of proinsulin and insulin but are either self-associated products of the hormones or associations of insulin and proinsulin to other proteins extracted from insuloma tissue.

Structure-activity relationships of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a] quinoxalines and their 1-deaza analogues imidazo[1,2-a]quinoxalines at the benzodiazepine receptor.

The synthesis, BZR binding activity, and GABA ratio of some 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines and imidazo[1,2-a]quinoxalines are reported. Both series of compounds displayed similar affinities while their efficacies were different. The structure-activity relationships have provided the opportunity to localize on the BZR accessory areas which are able to enhance the affinity and evaluate the importance of the presence or absence of a proton acceptor atom to determine different trends of efficacy.

Pyrazolo[4,5-c]quinolines. 2. Synthesis and specific inhibition of benzodiazepine receptor binding.

A series of 1-aryl-3,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-ones (2a-e) and 1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,5-c]quinolines (3-7a-e) bearing different substituents at position 4 were prepared and tested for their ability to displace specific [3H]flunitrazepam binding from bovine brain membranes. The 5-N-methyl derivatives 2a-c,e were the compounds that bound with the highest affinity within this class. The replacement of the carbonyl group with other substituents and the resulting aromatization of the pyridine moiety greatly decreased the binding affinity. From a Lineweaver-Burk analysis on the most active compound 2b, it appears that the inhibition is a competitive one.

Tricyclic heteroaromatic systems. [1]benzopyranopyrrol-4-ones and [1]benzopyrano-1,2,3-triazol-4-ones as benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships.

The synthesis, ability to displace [3H]flunitrazepam binding from bovine brain membranes, and GABA ratio of some [1]benzopyranopyrroles 1a-i and [1]benzopyrano-1,2,3-triazoles 2a,b are reported. The GABA ratios of some previously synthesized pyrazoloquinolines A and [1]benzopyranopyrazoles C are also presented in order to draw some structure-activity relationships among our benzodiazepine receptor ligands. 1,3-Diarylpyrrole derivatives 1a-h show similar affinity and efficacy to that of diazepam, while the 1-aryltriazoles 2a,b have no receptor affinity. Comparison of the latter results with those on previously reported compounds suggests that there are several hydrophobic regions on the benzodiazepine recognition site whose occupation gives rise to different affinity and efficacy.

1,3-Diarylpyrazolo[4,5-c]- and -[5,4-c]quinolin-4-ones. 4. Synthesis and specific inhibition of benzodiazepine receptor binding.

A series of 1,3-diarylpyrazolo[4,5-c]- and -[5,4-c]quinolin-4-ones were prepared and tested for their ability to displace [3H]flunitrazepam from bovine brain membranes. While the 1,3-diarylpyrazolo[4,5-c]quinoline derivatives showed affinity for the receptor site, their [5,4-c] isomers were devoid of binding activity.

Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance study of naproxen interaction with cyclodextrins in solution.

Changes in naproxen (NAP) 13C-chemical shifts were measured as a function of the concentration of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrin (alpha Cd, beta Cd, and gamma Cd, respectively) in aqueous solution in order to obtain details on the mechanism, geometry, and stoichiometry of the respective interactions. The probable structures of the inclusion compounds of NAP with natural cyclodextrins were constructed using a molecular graphics program. The higher stability of the beta Cd:NAP 1:1 (mol/mol) complex in comparison with alpha Cd:NAP 2:1 (mol/mol) and gamma Cd:NAP 1:1 or 1:2 (mol/mol) complexes was accounted for in terms of a deeper, more complete, and better fitting inclusion of the drug into the cavity of beta Cd. The inclusion behavior of NAP with some statistically substituted beta Cd derivatives [hydroxyethyl-beta Cd (HE beta Cd), hydroxypropyl-beta Cd (HP beta Cd), and methyl-beta Cd (M beta Cd)] was also investigated through 13C-NMR, UV, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and phase-solubility analysis. The stoichiometry of host:guest interactions was the same as with beta Cd, as were thermodynamics and basic complexation mechanisms. The binding between the host and guest molecules is thought to be mainly due to van der Waals, dipole-dipole, and hydrophobic interactions. The inclusion ability of the parent beta Cd was enhanced by the introduction of methyl, hydroxyethyl, and hydroxypropyl groups. The M beta Cd formed the most stable inclusion complex (apparent formation constant K(1:1) = 6892 L.mol-1 at 298 K); it was about three times more stable than those with HP beta Cd or HE beta Cd and four times more stable than that with beta Cd.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Determination of ketoprofen by direct injection of deproteinized body fluids into a high-pressure liquid chromatographic system.

A rapid, sensitive, and specific determination of ketoprofen in human and animal deproteinized body fluids by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography is presented. The acid is detectable in amounts as low as 0.1 microgram/ml. Limits of error are in the range of +/- 5.1% of the sample mean.

Tricyclic heteroaromatic systems: synthesis, [3H]flunitrazepam brain membrane binding inhibition, and structure-activity relationships of 2,3-dihydro-2-aryl-4-R-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-ones.

We report the synthesis and binding activity to the central benzodiazepine receptors of some 2,3-dihydro-2-aryl-4-R-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-ones, which are isosteres of the CGS series. Although the compounds of the CGS series are potent ligands of the benzodiazepine receptors, none of the isosteres tested showed any significant inhibiting potency. This may be due to the change in electronic properties brought about by the replacement of the NH of the CGS series with an oxygen atom.

Synthesis of 1,5-diaryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,5-c]isoquinolines and studies of binding to specific peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites.

Some 1,5-diaryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,5-c]isoquinolines were synthesized and tested for their ability to displace [3H]clonazepam or [3H]Ro 5-4864 from their specific binding on the central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors. None of the tested compounds showed any activity as central binding inhibitors, while most of them were specific as peripheral binding inhibitors, although they were not very potent.

Tricyclic heteroaromatic systems: [1]benzopyrano-pyrazol-4-ones as benzodiazepine receptor ligands.

The synthesis of a series of 8-substituted 1,4-dihydro-1-aryl-3-methyl-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-d]pyrazol-4-ones (series 7) 2,4-dihydro-2-aryl-3-methyl[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-4-ones (series 8) is reported. Compounds of series 7 and 8 were tested for their ability to displace [3H]flunitrazepam from bovine brain membranes and for their in vitro biological activity. The results allowed some conclusions to be drawn about the structural requirements of the benzodiazepine recognition site within this class of unusual ligands.

Pyrazolo[4,5-c]quinolines. 3. Synthesis, receptor binding, and 13C NMR study.

Some 1-aryl-3-methylpyrazolo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-ones, were prepared and tested for their ability to displace specific [3H]flunitrazepam binding from bovine brain membranes. The 1-meta-aryl derivatives were the compounds that bound with the highest affinity within this class. Our 13C NMR study suggested a correlation between the binding affinity and the chemical shift value of a carbon atom of the tricyclic system.

1H-NMR and molecular modelling techniques for the investigation of the inclusion complex of econazole with alpha-cyclodextrin in the presence of malic acid.

Carrying on a study where the combination of alpha-cyclodextrin and malic acid was found to be the most effective in improving the solubility of econazole, an antifungal drug very poorly water soluble, in the present work 1H-NMR and nuclear overhauser effect (NOE) experiments and molecular modelling studies were performed to gain insight into the interactions in solution between such three components and the structure of the supposed multicomponent complex. Findings demonstrated that two different complexes can be simultaneously present in solution involving, respectively, the inclusion of econazole monochloro-phenyl group within the host cavity from the primary hydroxyl side of the cyclodextrin cavity, or that of the other phenyl group through the opposite side of the cavity. It was shown that also malic acid is strictly involved in the molecular assembly of the complex, particularly through interactions with primary hydroxyl groups of the cyclodextrin molecule. Molecular modelling studies allowed to elaborate possible geometric models of the multicomponent complex and to select the more energetically favourable conformations which complied better with experimental data. Results suggested the possible formation in solution of stable oligomeric aggregates constituted by the repeated concatenation of the three components.

Plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of isoxicam in meniscectomized patients.

Concentrations of isoxicam in the plasma and synovial fluid of 7 patients were investigated by means of high-pressure liquid chromatography. The samples were collected after 7 days' treatment with a single 200 mg isoxicam capsule taken each morning. A highly significant correlation was found (r = 0.82; p less than 0.05) between isoxicam concentrations in the plasma and in the synovial fluid. The mean concentration (+/- s.d.) was 25.54 +/- 10.91 micrograms/ml in the plasma and 17.47 +/- 6.54 micrograms/ml in the synovial fluid; the ratio between isoxicam concentrations in the synovial fluid and in the plasma was 71.06% +/- 18.83.

Tricyclic heteroaromatic systems 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines: synthesis and benzodiazepine receptor activity.

The synthesis, the benzodiazepine binding activity and the "in vitro" biological effect of some 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines, 3-aza-analogues of some previously reported pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines, are described. Molecular modelling is used to define the structural requirements of the benzodiazepine recognition site which influence the affinity and different efficacy of these rigid ligands.

Dipyrazolo[5,4-b:3',4'-d]pyridines. Synthesis, inhibition of benzodiazepine receptor binding and structure-activity relationships.

Some 2,6,8-trisubstituted dipyrazolo[5,4-b:3',4'-d]pyridin-3-ones related to the CGS series were synthesized and tested for their ability to displace [3H]flunitrazepam binding from bovine brain membranes. However the affinity for the benzodiazepine receptor of the tested compounds was lower than that of the CGS series, although it was comparable to that of chlordiazepoxide. It follows that some structure-activity relationships on the tested compounds can be drawn.

Tricyclic heteroaromatic systems. Synthesis of 1,3 and 1,2 disubstituted [1]benzopyrano[4,3-b]pyrrol-4-ones and structure-activity relationships as benzodiazepine receptor ligands.

The synthesis of some 1,3- and 1,2- disubstituted [1]benzopyrano-pyrrol-4-ones is reported as well as their benzodiazepine receptor affinity, as measured by the ability to displace [3H]flunitrazepam from its specific central binding. The structure-activity relationships on the whole series of disubstituted [1]benzopyrano-pyrrol-4-ones show the importance of the presence of the 1-aryl substituent and the size limitation of the 3-substituent. The size of the latter seems also to be important for the "in vitro" efficacy.

Reaction of 1-aminophthalazines with alpha-halocarbonyl compounds: imidazo[2,1-a]phthalazines and their benzodiazepine receptor activities.

The one-pot synthesis and the benzodiazepine receptor binding activity of some imidazo[2,1-a]phthalazines bearing different substituents at position-2 and/or 3 and/or 6 is reported. The dissimilar binding results of the reported compounds are discussed in relation to the nature and/or position of the substituents on the tricyclic ring system.

Synthesis and A1 and A2A adenosine binding activity of some pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4-ones.

A series of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4-ones was synthesized and evaluated for bovine brain adenosine A1 and A2A receptor binding affinity. Substituents at positions 5 and/or 6 were varied in order to define the structure-activity relationships in these new kinds of adenosine receptor ligands. The most selective and potent ligand among the reported compounds was the 1,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-3-methyl-6-(3-aminophenyl)-pyrano[2,3-c]pyraz ol-4-one 11 which showed a 27-fold selectivity for A1 receptor and a Ki value of 84 nM.