Evaluation of novel 2-(quinoline-2-ylthio)acetamide derivatives linked to diphenyl-imidazole as α-glucosidase inhibitors: Insights from in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies on their anti-diabetic properties.

The inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme is crucial for targeting type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). This study introduces a series of synthetic analogs based on thiomethylacetamide-quinoline derivatives linked to diphenyl-imidazole as highly potential α-glucosidase inhibitors. Twenty derivatives were synthesized and screened in vitro against α-glucosidase, revealing IC50 values ranging from 0.18 ± 0.00 to 2.10 ± 0.07 µM, in comparison to the positive control, acarbose. Among these derivatives, compound 10c (IC50 = 0.180 µM) demonstrated the highest potency and revealed a competitive inhibitory mechanism in kinetic studies (Ki = 0.15 µM). Docking and molecular dynamic evaluations elucidated the binding mode of 10c with the active site residues of the α-glucosidase enzyme. Moreover, in vivo assessments on a rat model of DM affirmed the anti-diabetic efficacy of 10c, evidenced by reduced fasting and overall blood glucose levels. The histopathological evaluation enhanced pancreatic islet architecture and hepatocytes in liver sections. In conclusion, novel 2-(quinoline-2-ylthio)acetamide derivatives as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors were developed. Compound 10c emerged as a promising candidate for diabetes management, warranting further investigation for potential clinical applications and mechanistic insights.

Facile green synthesis of CaO NPs using the Crataegus pontica C.Koch extract for photo-degradation of MB dye.

In this research, a novel synthesis of CaO nanoparticles via a green, environmentally, and economical method is developed. Crataegus pontica C.Koch leaves extract was used as a green reducing and stabilizing agent to synthesize the calcium oxide nanoplates ranging from 40 to 65 nm. The synthesized CaO NPs are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The CaO NPs were evaluated successfully for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye with 98.99% degradation efficiency under sunlight by a simple technique. The recoverability and reusability of the CaO photocatalyst were considered under the optimized reaction conditions, which are showed high chemical stability after at least five runs.

Green and four-component cyclocondensation synthesis and in silico docking of new polyfunctionalized pyrrole derivatives as the potential anticholinesterase agents.

Synthesis of new substituted pyrrole scaffolds containing substituted thiadiazol-2-amine moiety was successfully developed through one-pot and multi-component tandem condensation reaction utilizing of triethyl ammonium hydrogen sulfate ([Et3NH][HSO4]) ionic liquid as a green media under solvent-free conditions. The chemical structures of all newly synthesized compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR) and elemental analyzes. The molecular docking studies were also performed to predict the possible binding sites of the derivatives on the active site gorge of cholinesterase enzymes (AChE and BuChE). The results showed that all the seventeen derivatives interact with the enzymes with high affinity and among them 7d and 7f possess the greatest ability to bind to AChE and BuChE, respectively.

Evaluation of essential oils for maintaining postharvest quality of Thompson seedless table grape.

The effects of postharvest spraying of essential oils from sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), summer savory (Satureja hortensis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on fungal decay and quality parameters of the 'Thompson seedless' table grape stored at 0 ± 1°C for 60 days were evaluated. Results showed that the essential oils, especially of thyme and fennel, have a good inhibitory effect on the development of fungal decay in Thompson table grapes. In addition, essential oils reduced weight loss, berry and rachis browning and had no considerable adverse effect on the flavour of the fruits. GC-MS analysis showed that the main compounds identified in sweet basil, fennel, summer savory and thyme oils are linalool (65.25%), trans-anethole (64.72%), carvacrol (54.14%) and ß-ocimene (12.62%), respectively. Therefore, these essential oils have good potential for use as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for the preservation and storage of table grapes.

Triterpenoidal alkaloids from Buxus hyrcana and their enzyme inhibitory, anti-fungal and anti-leishmanial activities.

From the aerial parts of Buxus hyrcana, three triterpenoidal alkaloids, 17-oxo-3-benzoylbuxadine (1), buxhyrcamine (2), and 31-demethylcyclobuxoviridine (3), along with 16 known compounds, cyclobuxoviridine (4), N(b)-dimethylcyclobuxoviricine (5), E-buxenone (6), Z-buxenone (7), moenjodaramine (8), homomoenjodarmine (9), buxamine A (10), buxamine B (11), 31-hydroxybuxamine B (12), N(20)-formylbuxaminol E (13), papillozine C (14), buxmicrophylline F (15), buxrugulosamine (16), cyclobuxophylline O (17), spirofornabuxine (18) and arbora-1,9(11)-dien-3-one (19) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by using NMR spectroscopic methods. All of the compounds exhibited moderate to weak acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase inhibitory activities. Compounds 1-19 also exhibited modest anti-fungal activities against Candidaalbicans. Compounds 1, 2, 8, 9 and 18 also exhibited weak anti-leishmanial activity.

Antibacterial activity and chemical constitutions of essential oils of Thymus persicus and Thymus eriocalyx from west of Iran.

The essential oils of Thymus persicus and Thymus eriocalyx were collected in Lorestan province, west of Iran and were examined by GC/MS and bacteriological tests. Twenty seven compounds representing 92.095% of T. persicus and 99.77% of Thymus eriocalyx essential oils were identified. The major constituents of T. persicus were thymol (10.71%), carvacrol (25.71%), gamma-terpinene (5.63%), alpha-pinene (1.14%), beta-pinene (1.02%), limonene (11.65%) trans-sabinene hydrate (7.78%) and 1-borneol (4.07%) and the major compounds of T. eriocalyx. were 1, 8-cinole (3.07%), L-linalool (1.01%), thymol (66.34%), caryophyllene oxide (2.96%) and carvacrol (7.5%). The oils also were examined for antibacterial activities against 6 standard bacteria by the broth microdilution and disc diffusion methods. They exhibited significant antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC =1 : 235, MBC =1:20), Escherichia coli (MIC = 1:320, MBC =1:80) and Pseudomonas aeroginosa (MIC = MBC = 1:1280). The results were compared with control antibiotics.

Chemical compositions of the essential oils of stems, leaves and flowers of Prangos acaulis (Dc) Bornm.

Chemical composition of the essential oils obtained of stems, leaves and flowers of the Prangos acaulis, at full flowering stage were isolated by hydrodistilation method and investigated by GC/MS. A total of 11 compounds constituting 100% of stems oil, eighteen compounds constituting 99.74% of leaves oil and 22 compounds constituting 98.18% of flowers oil have been identified and quantified. The major components of stems oil were 3-ethylidene-2-methyl-1-hexen-4-yne (56.8%) and alpha-pinene (34.2%). The major components of leaves oil were a-pinene (39.54%), 3-ethylidene-2-methyl-1-hexen-4-yne (37.94%) and alpha-terpinene (10.9%) and the major components of flowers oil were alpha-pinene (25.04%), 3-ethylidene-2-methyl-1-hexen-4-yne (23.51%), alpha-terpinene (17.26%) and limonene (13.64%).

New bioactive steroidal alkaloids from Buxus hyrcana.

Phytochemical studies on the crude methanolic extract of Buxus hyrcana, collected from Iran, resulted in the isolation of two new steroidal alkaloids, (+)-O6-buxafurandiene (1) and (+)-7-deoxy-O6-buxafurandiene (2) along with four known steroidal bases, (+)-benzoylbuxidienine (3), (+)-buxapapillinine (4), (+)-buxaquamarine (5) and (+)-irehine (6). The structures of these new and known compounds were established with the aid of extensive NMR spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1 and 2 belong to the rarely occurring class of Buxus alkaloids having a tetrahydrofuran ring incorporated in their structures. Compounds 1-6 exhibited acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitory activity.