Control of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, the vectors of dengue and chikungunya, by using pheromone C21 with an insect growth regulator: Results of multicentric trials from 2007-12 in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Aedes mosquito control has gained much importance nowadays in view of rise in number of reported cases of dengue and chikungunya in India and other countries. In the present study, C21 attracticide (containing a pheromone and an insect growth regulator­IGR, developed by Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior, India was tested for its feasibility for surveillance and control of Aedes mosquito in a multicentric mode from October 2007 to June 2012 in urban (Delhi, and Bengaluru district, Karnataka) and suburban (Alappuzha district, Kerala) settings of the country in three phases. METHODS: Across the randomly selected households in each study area, two to four containers treated with attracticide (experimental) and untreated (control) were placed and monitored by trained surveillance workers on weekly/ fortnightly basis for determining the presence of eggs, larvae and pupae. Container positivity, percent larvae, egg and pupae collected were determined during different phases and analyzed statistically using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Container positivity was found statistically significant at Bengaluru and Alappuzha, Kerala while in Delhi, it was found non-significant. Eggs collected from experimental containers were significantly higher in comparison to control at all the locations except Delhi. Also larvae collected from control containers were significantly higher at all the locations except Bengaluru. Pupae collected from control containers remained significantly higher at all the locations as no pupal formation was recorded from experimental containers. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The use of C21 attracticide hampered pupal formation, thus inhibiting adult population in the study areas. The study established that C21 attracticide was efficacious in the field conditions and has potential for use in surveillance and management of dengue and chikungunya mosquitoes.

Competitive immunochromatographic assay for the detection of thiodiglycol sulfoxide, a degradation product of sulfur mustard.

An immunochromatographic assay (ICA) based on the competitive antigen-coated format using colloidal gold as the label was developed for the detection of thiodiglycol sulfoxide (TDGO), an important metabolite and degradation compound of sulphur mustard (SM). The ICA test strip consisted of a membrane with a detection zone, a sample pad and an absorbent pad. The membrane was separately coated with hapten-OVA conjugate (test line) and anti-rabbit mouse IgG (control line). The visual detection limit for TDGO by ICA detection was found to be 10 µg mL(-1). For validation, the ICA results obtained for spiked water samples were in good agreement with those obtained by indirect competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for TDGO. The assay time for detection was less than 10 min. The developed ICA has the potential to be a useful on-site screening tool for the retrospective detection of SM in environmental samples.

Synthesis of some novel phosphorylated and thiophosphorylated benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles and their evaluation for larvicidal potential to Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus.

Series of benzimidazole and benzothiazole linked phosphoramidates and phosphoramidothioates (5a-j) and benzimidazole linked phenylphosphoramidates and phenylphosphoramidothioates (10a-e) were synthesized. The title compounds were preliminary screened for mosquito larvicidal properties against Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus at different concentration from 40 to 5 mg/L. Among the screened compounds three compounds revealed potential larvicidal effects with 100% mortality in the order of 10e>5j>5e. Compound 10e was found to be the most toxic compound to Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus. The LC50 of 10e against Ae. albopictus was found to be 6.42 and 5.25 mg/L at 24 and 48 h, respectively, whereas it was 7.01 and 3.88 mg/L, respectively in Cx. quinquefasciatus. Temephos was used as positive control.

Interactions between xylene-linked carbamoyl bis-pyridinium mono-oximes and organophosphates inhibited-AChE: a kinetic study.

Reactivation of organophosphate (OP) inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by oximes is inadequate against various OP nerve agents known till date owing to their diverse structural features. As a consequence, in the past decades widespread research programs have been undertaken independently throughout the world to develop and identify more effective oxime reactivators. The efficacy of oxime reactivators is estimated through different in vitro and in vivo models using AChE from various sources against structurally different OPs. In the present study, reactivation kinetics of OP (paraoxon, DFP, sarin and VX) inhibited AChE by xylene linked carbamoyl bis-pyridinum mono-oximes have been described. It was found that the reactivation potency of tested oximes varied with the inhibitors used as 5l (4-carbamoyl-2' hydroxyiminomethyl-1-1'-(1,3-phenylenedimethyl)-bis-pyridinium dibromide) was found to be the most effective reactivator against paraoxon. In case of DFP, 5k (3-carbamoyl-2' hydroxyiminomethyl-1-1'-(1,3-phenylenedimethyl)-bis-pyridinium dibromide) showed best reactivation while in case of sarin 5e (3-carbamoyl-2' hydroxyiminomethyl-1-1'-(1,4-phenylenedimethyl)-bis-pyridinium dibromide) exhibited outstanding reactivation ability in comparison to standard oximes (2-PAM, obidoxime and TMB-4) as indicated by its highest value of second order reactivation rate constant (k(r2)) 3.26 mM⁻¹ min⁻¹. The enhanced reactivation efficacy of oximes may be attributed to the optimal length of xylene linker which facilitates appropriate positioning of carbamoyl function to the peripheral anionic site (PAS) and extending the oxime moiety to the active site of AChE.

Evaluation of oleoresin capsicum of Capsicum frutescenes var. Nagahari containing various percentages of capsaicinoids following inhalation as an active ingredient for tear gas munitions.

Comparative efficacy as peripheral sensory irritant, oral and inhalation exposure studies were carried out on oleoresin capsicum (OC) of Capsicum frutescence var. Nagahari containing various percentages of capsaicinoids and two synthetic isomers of capsaicin in Swiss albino male mouse model to come up with a suitable active ingredient from natural source for tear gas munitions. The compounds screened were OC having varying percentages of capsaicinoids (20, 40 and 80%, respectively) and synthetic isomers (E and Z) of capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide). Mice were exposed to pyrotechnically generated smoke of the compounds in an all glass static exposure chamber for 15 min to determine acute inhalation toxicity (LC50) and quantitative sensory irritation potential (RD50). Acute oral median lethal dose (LD50) was also evaluated. Safety index of tear gas (SITG), a ratio of lethal concentration 50% (LC50) and the concentration which depresses respiration by 50% (RD50) due to peripheral sensory irritation is also proposed. The compound having highest SITG is considered as the most suitable to be used for tear gas munitions. The study revealed that oleoresin capsicum containing 40% capsaicinoids had the highest SITG among the compounds studied. The oral dosage versus mortality pattern of some compounds did not follow a true dose-response curve (DRC); however, following inhalation, all the compounds followed DRC. It was concluded that oleoresin capsicum (40% capsaicinoids) may be considered as the most suitable and environmental friendly compound from natural source to be used as an active ingredient for tear gas munitions.

Oviposition and flight orientation response of Aedes aegypti to certain aromatic aryl hydrazono esters.

Aedes aegypti is a day-biting, highly anthropophilic mosquito and a potential vector of dengue and chikungunya in India. A. aegypti is a container breeder, generally oviposit in the stored and fresh water bodies, and discarded containers near residential areas that provide suitable habitats for oviposition by gravid females. The diurnal activity and endophilic nature of these mosquitoes have increased the frequency of contact with human being. Assured blood meal from human host in an infested area leads to increased disease occurrence. Gravid mosquitoes can potentially be lured to attractant-treated traps and could subsequently be killed with insecticides or growth regulators. In this direction, oviposition by A. aegypti females to aryl hydrazono esters (AHE)-treated bowls at 10 ppm concentration was tested in dual choice experiment, and their orientation response to these ester compounds was studied in Y-tube olfactometer. Among the esters tested, AHE-2, AHE-11 and AHE-12 elicited increased egg deposition with oviposition activity indices (OAI) of +0.39, +0.24 and +0.48, respectively, compared to control; in contrast, AHE-8, AHE-9 and AHE-10 showed negative oviposition response with OAI of -0.46, -0.35 and -0.29, respectively, at 10 mg/L. In the Y-tube olfactometer bioassay, AHE-2 attracted 60 % females compared to control, while to the odour of AHE-11 and AHE-12, about 70 % of the females were trapped in treated chambers. In contrast, only 27-30 % of gravid females entered the chamber releasing AHE-8, AHE-9 and AHE-10 odour plumes, while 70 % entered control chamber, evincing a possible non-preference of treatment odours as well as interference with olfactory receptors. These compounds have the potential for application as oviposition stimulants or deterrents for surveillance and control of mosquito population using ovitraps.

Direct hapten-linked competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CIELISA) for the detection of O-pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid.

Immunoassay detection of O-pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid (PMPA) employing direct coating of N-2-aminoethyl-O-pinacolyl methylphosphonate (hapten B) on microtiter plates is reported. Coating was achieved by covalently linking hapten B to a glutaraldehyde (GA) polymer network directly bound to the polystyrene (PS) surface of a standard 96-well microtiter plate. 4-(2-(O-Pinacolylmethylphosphoryl amino)ethyl amino)-4-oxobutanoic acid (hapten A)-ovalbumin (OVA) conjugate served as the coating antigen for comparison with direct hapten B-coated plates in the CIELISA format. The developed assay employing direct hapten B coated plates demonstrated enhanced sensitivity with the IC(50) value for PMPA being 0.027 µg mL(-1). The assay could detect PMPA even at the concentration of 0.006 µg mL(-1). The mean recovery of standard PMPA (spiked in water) was found to be 83.7%.

Synthesis and exploration of QSAR model of 2-methyl-3-[2-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazol-4(3H)-one as potential antibacterial agents.

Present communication deals with the synthesis of novel 2-methyl-3-[2-(2-methylprop-1-en-1-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl]pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazol-4(3H)-one derivatives under phase transfer catalysis (PTC) conditions using benzyl triethyl ammonium chloride (BTEAC) as PTC. It also elicits the studies on in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of synthesized compounds against a representative genera of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria i.e., Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas diminuta and Escherichia coli. All the compounds have been found to manifest profound antimicrobial activity. Moreover, extensive quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies have been performed to deduce a correlation between molecular descriptors under consideration and the elicited biological activity. A tri-parametric QSAR model has been generated upon rigorous statistical treatment.

Exploration of in vitro time point quantitative evaluation of newly synthesized benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives as potential antibacterial agents.

Present communication deals with the in vitro time point quantitative antibacterial evaluation of newly synthesized 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles (3a-p) and 2-substituted benzothiazoles (5a-h) against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Gram-negative bacteria Vibrio cholerae, Shigella dysenteriae and Escherichia coli. These compounds were synthesized under mild reaction conditions using Al(2)O(3)-Fe(2)O(3) nanocrystals as heterogeneous catalyst. Bio-evaluation studies revealed that, compounds 3a, 5a and 5d exhibited moderate to good antibacterial activity against all the tested bacterial stains. The compounds 3a, 3f and 5a have shown enhanced inhibitory activity compared with standard antibacterial drug ciprofloxacin against V. cholerae, B. cereus, and S. dysenteriae, respectively. Additionally, the compounds 3a, 3e, 3f, 3h and 5b displayed complete bactericidal activity within 24 h, whereas ciprofloxacin took 48 h to kill those bacteria completely.

In vitro reactivation potency of novel symmetrical bis-pyridinium oximes for electric eel acetylcholinesterase inhibited by nerve agent sarin.

This communication describes synthesis and in vitro evaluation of a series of novel bis-pyridinium oximes connected by bis-methoxymethyl benzene, 1,4-bis-methoxymethyl (cis)-but-2-ene and 1,4-bis-methoxymethyl but-2-yne linkers as reactivators of sarin inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The reactivation data of synthesized oximes were compared with those of 2-PAM and obidoxime. The efficacy of oximes such as 1,4-dimethoxy cis-but-2-ene bis-[4,4'-(hydroxyiminomethyl)-pyridinium] dichloride (3g), 1,4-dimethoxy benzene bis-[3,3'-(hydroxyimino-methyl) pyridinium] dichloride (3b) and 1,3-dimethoxy benzene bis-[3,3'-(hydroxy-iminomethyl) pyridinium] dichloride (3e) were found to be more than that of obidoxime in reactivating sarin inhibited AChE. The oxime 3g was able to reactivate 25% of AChE activity in comparison to 20% and 5% reactivation exhibited by 2-PAM and obidoxime respectively at a concentration of 10(-4) M. The pKa of the oximes were determined and correlated with the reactivation potential.

Design and synthesis of immunoconjugates and development of competition inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CIEIA) for the detection of O-isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (sarin): an organophosphorous toxicant.

Three haptens of the organophosphorus (OP) toxicant 'sarin' having different spacer arm were designed and synthesized. Haptens were conjugated with BSA (bovine serum albumin) and ovalbumin (OVA) for raising antibody and coating antigen. High antibody titer with higher specificity was obtained from 4-(4-(isopropoxy(methyl)phosphoryloxy)phenylamino)-4-oxobutanoic acid (hapten B) having reasonable long spacer arm. For the standard curve, an IC(50) (inhibitory concentration) of free antigen was found to be 0.415 µg mL(-1) on the basis of indirect competitive ELISA. The study revealed that heterology in competition inhibition enzyme immunoassay (CIEIA) produced remarkable improvement in the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Under the optimized conditions, the quantitative working range was found to be 0.19-1.56 µg mL(-1) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 µg mL(-1). The antibodies showed negligible cross reactivity (CR) with other OP toxicants and pesticides, which makes the assay suitable for the selective detection of sarin.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of xylene linked carbamoyl bis-pyridinium monooximes as reactivators of organophosphorus (OP) inhibited electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE).

A series of carbamoyl bis-pyridinium monooximes linked with xylene linker were synthesized and their in-vitro reactivation potential was evaluated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibited by organophosphorus inhibitors (OP) such as sarin, DFP and VX and the data were compared with reactivation obtained with 2-PAM and obidoxime. Amongst the synthesized compounds, 3-carbamoyl-2'hydroxyiminomethyl-1-1'-(1,4-phenylenedimethyl)-bispyridinium dibromide (5e) 3-carbamoyl-2'hydroxyiminomethy l-1-1'-(1,3-phenylenedimethyl)-bispyridinium dibromide (5k) and 4-carbamoyl-2'hydroxyiminomethyl-1-1'-(1,3-phenylenedimethyl)-bispyridinium dibromide (5l) were found to be the most potent reactivators for electric eel AChE inhibited by sarin and DFP. However, in case of VX inhibited AChE, none of the synthesized oximes could surpass the reactivation potential of 2-PAM and obidoxime. The pKa values of all the oximes were determined and correlated with their observed reactivation potential.

A naked-eye selective detection of cyanide ion: studies on the effect of chromophores and spacers on ditopic receptors.

A series of novel thiourea based receptors (1-12) with different signaling units and spacers have been synthesized for the detection of cyanide ion. Among these receptors, 4,4'-bis-[3-(4-cyanophenyl)thiourea]diphenyl sulfide 6 and 4,4'-bis-[3-(3-cyanophenyl)thiourea]diphenyl sulfide 9 exhibited selective detection of cyanide by the naked-eye as well as by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, the chemosensor is insensitive to the presence of other environmentally relevant anions. The chromogenic transformation permits the detection of cyanide (TBA(+) and K(+) salts) in the natural environment.

Synthesis and bio-evaluation of aryl hydrazono esters for oviposition responses in Aedes albopictus.

A novel series of aryl hydrazono esters (AHE) (1-13) were synthesized (yield 76-98%) to study the oviposition responses in Aedes albopictus (Skuse) mosquitoes for the first time. At a concentration of 10µgml(-1) in dual choice experiment, among the screened compounds, AHE-12 showed remarkable oviposition attractant activity with an oviposition activity index (OAI) of +0.299 (greater than 95% confidence limit) comparable to p-cresol (OAI +0.320) which is well-reported oviposition attractant for Aedes aegypti. Conversely, AHE-10 exhibited highest oviposition deterrent activity with OAI -0.247. The possible utilization of these compounds will be in integrated vector management strategies.

Chemospecific and ligand free CuI catalysed heterogeneous N-arylation of amines with diheteroaryl halides at room temperature.

A ligand free, copper-catalyzed N-arylation reaction of amines with diheteroaryl halides in heterogeneous medium at room temperature has been developed. The protocol is very effective for low boiling amines and useful for amines available in aqueous solution. The reaction gives chemospecific arylation of amines with diheteroaryl halides in the mixture monoheteroaryl halides, diheteroaryl halides and carbocyclic aryl halides. The reaction is also chemospecific with respect to arylation of aliphatic amines. Monoarylated piperazines were also synthesized at room temperature following this protocol.

Imidazole-catalyzed monoacylation of symmetrical diamines.

An imidazole-catalyzed protocol for monoacylation of symmetrical diamines has been developed. The protocol gave selective monoacylation of aliphatic (cyclic and acyclic) primary and secondary diamines. In the reaction, imidazole acts as both catalyst and a leaving group. Different monoacylated piperazines and other diamines were synthesized at room temperature in an ethanol/water solvent system.

In vitro and in vivo antimalarial evaluation of semi-synthetic derivatives of gomphostenin.

A novel series of semi-synthetic gomphostenin derivatives (1-9) were prepared utilizing C-14 hydroxyl group for the first time and studied for their antimalarial properties. In vitro antiplasmodial activity was evaluated against both the chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Most of the compounds exhibited superior or comparable antiplasmodial activity compared to parent compound, that is, gomphostenin (GN). Based upon in vitro antiplasmodial activity, compounds with IC(50) values less than 10 microM were selected for in vivo antiplasmodial evaluation against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice model. GN derivatives 3 and 5 were found to have curative activity with moderate chemosuppression of 65% and 69%, respectively, at the dose level of 150 mg/kg/day.

In vivo antimalarial evaluation of Gomphostenins.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aims to evaluate the in vivo antimalarial potential of the leaf extract of Gomphostemma niveum and two new compounds; named as Gomphostenin (GN-6) and acetyl Gomphostenin (GN-10) isolated and purified from this plant against Plasmodium berghei in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The blood schizontocidal activity was performed in early infection of Plasmodium berghei and also in established infection of Plasmodium berghei. The mice were orally administrated with various doses of water and chloroform extracts of leaves of Gomphostemma niveum (GN-W and GN-C, 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg/day), GN-6 and GN-10 (50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg/day). Chloroquine (8 mg/kg) used as a positive control, while an equal volume of saline plus 0.5% tween-80 was used as a negative control. RESULTS: GN-W, GN-C and pure compounds (GN-6 and GN-10) produced a dose dependent chemosuppression effect at various dose levels. GN-10 exhibited highest percent of chemosuppression i.e. 92.65% at a dose level of 200mg/kg/day. In case of curative test, the survival period of the parasitized infected mice was significantly prolonged at 200mg/kg dose of GN-10. CONCLUSIONS: The studies have indicated that clerodane class of diterpenes GN-6 and GN-10 certainly holds great promise for malaria control and will be useful in antimalarial chemotherapy.

Thiourea based novel chromogenic sensor for selective detection of fluoride and cyanide anions in organic and aqueous media.

Novel chromogenic thiourea based sensors 4,4'-bis-[3-(4-nitrophenyl) thiourea] diphenyl ether 1 and 4,4'-bis-[3-(4-nitrophenyl) thiourea] diphenyl methane 2 having nitrophenyl group as signaling unit have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. The both sensors show visual detection, UV-vis and NMR spectral changes in presence of fluoride and cyanide anions in organic solvent as well as in aqueous medium. The absorption spectra indicated the formation of complex between host and guest is in 1:2 stoichiometric ratios.

Gomphostenins: two new antimalarial compounds from the leaves of Gomphostemma niveum.

Phytochemical investigation of CHCl(3) extract of the Gomphostemma niveum leaves led to the isolation of two new diterpene, compound 1 and 2. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic procedures and single crystal XRD. Compound 1 named as Gomphostenin 1 and structure was established as 8-ethyl (5H-furan-2-one, 14-hydroxy, 2-oxo 3, 20 Z(17) diene clerodane, while compound 2 named as Gomphostenin-A; was found to be the acetyl derivative of compound 1 and revealed as 8-ethyl (5H-furan-2-one, 14-acetoxy, 2-oxo 3, 20 Z(17) diene clerodane. In vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum showed that compound 2 was more active than compound 1 and CHCl(3) extract as well; with IC(50) value of 3.4 microg/mL.