Fluorescent Zn(II)-Based Metal-Organic Framework: Interaction with Organic Solvents and CO2 and Methane Capture.

Adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as many other kinds of small molecules, is of importance for industrial and sensing applications. Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based adsorbents are spotlighted for such applications. An essential for MOF adsorbent application is a simple and easy fabrication process, preferably from a cheap, sustainable, and environmentally friendly ligand. Herein, we fabricated a novel structural, thermally stable MOF with fluorescence properties, namely Zn [5-oxo-2,3-dihydro-5H-[1,3]-thiazolo [3,2-a]pyridine-3,7-dicarboxylic acid (TPDCA)] • dimethylformamide (DMF) •0.25 H2O (coded as QUF-001 MOF), in solvothermal conditions by using zinc nitrate as a source of metal ion and TPDCA as a ligand easy accessible from citric acid and cysteine. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and microscopic examination revealed the two-dimensional character of the formed MOF. Upon treatment of QUF-001 with organic solvents (such as methanol, isopropanol, chloroform, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, hexane), interactions were observed and changes in fluorescence maxima as well as in the powder diffraction patterns were noticed, indicating the inclusion and intercalation of the solvents into the interlamellar space of the crystal structure of QUF-001. Furthermore, CO2 and CH4 molecule sorption properties for QUF-001 reached up to 1.6 mmol/g and 8.1 mmol/g, respectively, at 298 K and a pressure of 50 bars.

Inhibitory Effect of 1,5-Dimethyl Citrate from Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response in RAW 264.7 Mouse Macrophages.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Elaeagnaceae; commonly known as "sea buckthorn" and "vitamin tree"), is a spiny deciduous shrub whose fruit is used in foods and traditional medicines. The H. rhamnoides fruit (berry) is rich in vitamin C, with a level exceeding that found in lemons and oranges. H. rhamnoides berries are usually washed and pressed to create pomace and juice. Today, the powder of the aqueous extract of H. rhamnoides berries are sold as a functional food in many countries. As part of our ongoing effort to identify bioactive constituents from natural resources, we aimed to isolate and identify those from the fruits of H. rhamnoides. Phytochemical analysis of the extract of H. rhamnoides fruits led to the isolation and identification of six compounds, namely, a citric acid derivative (1), a phenolic (2), flavonoids (3 and 4), and megastigmane compounds (5 and 6). Treatment with compounds 1-6 did not have any impact on the cell viability of RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. However, pretreatment with these compounds suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. Among the isolated compounds, compound 1 was identified as the most active, with an IC50 of 39.76 ± 0.16 µM. This value was comparable to that of the NG-methyl-L-arginine acetate salt, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor with an IC50 of 28.48 ± 0.05 µM. Western blot analysis demonstrated that compound 1 inhibited the LPS-induced expression of IKKα/ß (IκB kinase alpha/beta), I-κBα (inhibitor of kappa B alpha), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65, iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase), and COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, LPS-stimulated cytokine production was detected using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compound 1 decreased interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In summary, the mechanism of action of 1 included the suppression of LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting IKKα/ß, I-κBα, NF-κB p65, iNOS, and COX-2, and the activities of IL-6 and TNF-α.