Reactivity of trans-Resveratrol toward Electrogenerated Superoxide in N,N-Dimethylformamide.

The reactivity of 5-[(E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethen-1-yl]benzene-1,3-diol (trans-resveratrol) and related compounds toward electrogenerated superoxide radical anion (O2•-) were investigated using electrochemistry, in situ electrolytic electron spin resonance, and in situ electrolytic ultraviolet-visible spectral measurements, in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The quasi-reversible cyclic voltammogram of dioxygen/O2•- was modified by the presence of trans-resveratrol, suggesting that the electrogenerated O2•- was scavenged by trans-resveratrol through proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) via three phenolic hydroxy groups (OH) on the stilbene moiety. The reactivity of trans-resveratrol toward O2•- characterized by the OHs was experimentally confirmed in comparative analyses using some related compounds, pinosylvin, pterostilbene, p-coumaric acid, and so on, in DMF. The electrochemical and DFT results suggested that a concerted PCET mechanism via 4'OH of trans-resveratrol proceeds, where the coplanarity of the two phenolic rings in the stilbene moiety linked by an ethylene bridge is essential for a successful O2•- scavenging.

Electrochemical and Mechanistic Study of Oxidative Degradation of Favipiravir by Electrogenerated Superoxide through Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer.

Electrochemical analyses aided by density functional theory calculations were used to investigate the oxidative degradation of pyrazine antiviral drugs, 3-hydroxypyrazine-2-carboxamide (T-1105) and 6-fluoro-3-hydroxypyrazine-2-carboxamide (favipiravir, T-705), by the electrogenerated superoxide radical anion (O2 •-). T-1105 and T-705 are antiviral RNA nucleobase analogues that selectively inhibit the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. They are expected as a drug candidate against various viral infections, including COVID-19. The pyrazine moiety was decomposed by O2 •- through proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). Our results show that its active form, pyrazine-ribofuranosyl-5'-triphosphate, is easily oxidized under inflamed organs by overproduced O2 •- through the PCET mechanism in the immune system. This mechanistic study implies that the oxidative degradation of pyrazine derivatives will be prevented by controlling the PCET through simple modification of the pyrazine structure.

Electrochemical and Mechanistic Study of Superoxide Elimination by Mesalazine through Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer.

The elimination of superoxide radical anions (O2•-) by 5-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (mesalazine, 5-ASA), 4-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-ASA), and related compounds used for ulcerative colitis treatment was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses aided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Quasi-reversible O2/O2•- redox was found to be modified by the compounds, suggesting that an acid-base reaction in which a hydroperoxyl radical (HO2•) is formed from O2•- occurs. However, the deprotonated 5-ASA anion can eliminate O2•- through proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), forming a radical product. This electron transfer (ET) was confirmed by ESR analysis. The 4-aminophenol moiety in 5-ASA plays an important role in the PCET, involving two proton transfers and one ET based on π-conjugation. The electrochemical and DFT results indicated that O2•- elimination by 5-ASA proceeds efficiently through the PCET mechanism after deprotonation of the 1-carboxyl group. Thus, 5-ASA may act as an anti-inflammatory agent in the alkali intestine through PCET-based O2•- elimination.

Electrochemical and Mechanistic Study of Reactivities of α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-Tocopherol toward Electrogenerated Superoxide in N,N-Dimethylformamide through Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer.

Scavenging of superoxide radical anion (O2•-) by tocopherols (TOH) and related compounds was investigated on the basis of cyclic voltammetry and in situ electrolytic electron spin resonance spectrum in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Quasi-reversible dioxygen/O2•- redox was modified by the presence of TOH, suggesting that the electrogenerated O2•- was scavenged by α-, ß-, γ-TOH through proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), but not by δ-TOH. The reactivities of α-, ß-, γ-, and δ-TOH toward O2•- characterized by the methyl group on the 6-chromanol ring was experimentally confirmed, where the methyl group promotes the PCET mechanism. Furthermore, comparative analyses using some related compounds suggested that the para-oxygen-atom in the 6-chromanol ring is required for a successful electron transfer (ET) to O2•- through the PCET. The electrochemical and DFT results in dehydrated DMF suggested that the PCET mechanism involves the preceding proton transfer (PT) forming a hydroperoxyl radical, followed by a PCET (intermolecular ET-PT). The O2•- scavenging by TOH proceeds efficiently along the PCET mechanism involving one ET and two PTs.

Complementary Effect of Intra- and Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds on Electron Transfer in ß-Hydroxy-Anthraquinone Derivatives.

We have carried out an electrochemical and theoretical study on the relationship between electron transfer (ET) and hydrogen bonding in 11 different 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) derivatives, including ß-hydroxy AQs and their methoxylated analogs, in the presence of hydrogen donors in acetonitrile (ACN). The complementary effects of the intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds (HBs) on ET were studied by analyzing the complex formation constants derived from the intermolecular HB. Our results revealed that the inductive effect of the ß substituent that indirectly controls the charge distribution on the AQ carbonyl oxygen, and steric hindrance at the ß position, affect the complex formation constants. Furthermore, the analysis of ET in different isomeric dihydroxy AQs suggested that the position of the hydroxy groups affects the charge distribution and stabilizes structures through conjugation of the quinone moiety including the ipso ring, controlling the intra- and intermolecular HBs complementarily.

Down-regulation of aquaporin 9 gene transcription by 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid: A major fatty acid in royal jelly.

10-Hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid (10H2DA) is a unique lipid component of royal jelly produced by worker honeybees that exerts insulin-like effects. We herein investigated the effects of 10H2DA on the gene expression of aquaporin 9 (AQP9), which functions as a glycerol transporter in the liver, to clarify whether 10H2DA modulates energy metabolism. 10H2DA suppressed AQP9 gene expression in HepG2 cells by promoting the phosphorylation of Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This suppression was partially recovered by the treatment of cells with inhibitors for Akt and AMPK. Based on the result showing that leptomycin B partially recovered the suppression of AQP9 gene expression, 10H2DA inhibited the expression of Foxa2, a transcription factor for the AQP9 gene, and also induced its nuclear exclusion. Although 10H2DA up-regulated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase gene expression, this was suppressed through the modulation of Foxa2 by insulin. These results suggest that 10H2DA suppresses AQP9 gene expression through the phosphorylation of Akt and AMPK and down-regulation of Foxa2 expression.

Study on Redox Properties and Cytotoxicity of Anthraquinone Derivatives to Understand Antitumor Active Anthracycline Substances.

This study demonstrates the relation between the redox properties and cytotoxicity of anthraquinone derivatives with a hydroxyl and methoxy group. The redox behavior of the anthraquinone derivatives was initially observed via cyclic voltammetry and their characteristics were investigated using molecular orbital calculations. The cytotoxicity of the anthraquinone derivatives was then evaluated using human leukemia HL-60 and H2O2 resistant HP100 cells, and its correlation with the redox properties of these compounds was investigated. Therefore, it was suggested that the anthraquinone derivatives express cytotoxicity through H2O2 production, and that generation of the oxidized radical form influences their cytotoxicity.

PTBP1-associated microRNA-1 and -133b suppress the Warburg effect in colorectal tumors.

It is known that pyruvate kinase in muscle (PKM), which is a rate-limiting glycolytic enzyme, has essential roles in the Warburg effect and that expression of cancer-dominant PKM2 is increased by polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1), which is a splicer of the PKM gene. In other words, PKM2 acts as a promoter of the Warburg effect. Previously, we demonstrated that the Warburg effect was partially established by down-regulation of several microRNAs (miRs) that bind to PTBP1 and that ectopic expression of these miRs suppressed the Warburg effect. In this study, we investigated the functions of miR-1 and -133b, which are well known as muscle-specific miRs, from the viewpoint of the Warburg effect in colorectal tumors. The expression levels of miR-1 and -133b were relatively high in colon tissue except muscle and very frequently down-regulated in 75 clinical colorectal tumors samples, even in adenomas, compared with those of the adjacent normal tissue samples. The ectopic expression of these miRs induced growth suppression and autophagic cell death through the switching of PKM isoform expression from PKM2 to PKM1 by silencing PTBP1 expression both in vitro and in vivo. Also, we showed that the resultant increase in the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was involved in this mechanism. Furthermore, PTBP1 was highly expressed in most of the 30 clinical colorectal tumor samples examined, even in adenomas. Our results suggested that PTBP1 and PTBP1-associated miR-1 and -133b are crucial molecules for the maintenance of the Warburg effect in colorectal tumors.

Anti-Oncogenic gem-Dihydroperoxides Induce Apoptosis in Cancer Cells by Trapping Reactive Oxygen Species.

Organic gem-dihydroperoxides (DHPs) and their derived peroxides have attracted a great deal of attention as potential anti-cancer agents. However, the precise mechanism of their inhibitory effect on tumors is unknown. To determine the mechanism of the inhibitory effects of DHPs, we examined the effects of DHPs on leukemia K562 cells. As a result, certain DHPs used in this study exhibited growth-inhibitory activity according to a clear structure-activity relationship. The most potent DHP, 12AC3O, induced apoptosis in K562 cells, but not in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) or fibroblast cells. 12AC3O induced apoptosis through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and thereafter through the extrinsic pathway. The activity of the former pathway was partly attenuated by a JNK inhibitor. Interestingly, 12AC3O induced apoptosis by trapping a large amount of ROS, leading to an extremely lower intracellular ROS level compared with that in the cells in the steady-state condition. These results suggest that an appropriate level of intracellular ROS was necessary for the maintenance of cancer cell growth. DHPs may have a potential to be a novel anti-cancer agent with minimum adverse effects on normal cells.

Importance of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer from Natural Phenolic Compounds in Superoxide Scavenging.

The superoxide O2(·-) scavenging reaction of (+)-catechin (Cat), quercetin (Que), rutin, and α-tocopherol (α-TOH) as natural phenolic compounds is investigated on the basis of electrochemical and ESR spectral measurements with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Reversibility of the O2/O2(·-) redox couple is significantly affected by the presence of the phenolic compounds. The catechol moiety of Cat, Que, and rutin plays an essential role in concerted proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) to HO2(·) derived from O2(·-) to give H2O2 and the corresponding o-benzoquinone radical anions. On the other hand, the presence of α-TOH causes sequential electron and proton transfers to HO2(·) to give H2O2 and the α-tocopheroxyl radical. These electron transfers in the presence of the phenolic compounds are inferred from the ESR spectral measurements. The DFT calculation results suggest that the O2(·-) scavenging reaction of the natural phenolic compounds proceeds efficiently with the one-step concerted PCET or sequential PCET mechanism.

Formal redox potentials of organic molecules in ionic liquids on the basis of quaternary nitrogen cations as adiabatic electron affinities.

Formal redox potentials E°' involving neutral species R and radical anions R(•-) in ionic liquids (ILs) composed of ammonium, pyridinium, and imidazolium cations are discussed from the point of view of the adiabatic electron affinity as a molecular property. The dependence of the 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ)/BQ(•-) redox process in CH2Cl2 and CH3CN is primarily investigated over a wide concentration range of ILs as the supporting electrolyte. A logarithmic relationship involving a positive shift of E°' with increasing concentration is obtained when the concentration is changed from 0.01 to 1.0 M. The relationship of E°' at IL concentrations greater than 1.0 M gradually reaches a plateau and remains there even for the neat ILs. It is found that the E°' values in the neat ILs are not influenced by the measurement conditions, and that they remain considerably dependent on the nature and concentration of the electrolyte when measured using the traditional method involving molecular solvents combined with a supporting electrolyte (0.1-0.5 M). The difference in the E°' values observed in the ammonium and pyridinium ILs is only several millivolts. In addition, ESR and self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model calculation results reveal that the potential shift toward positive values upon the transition from molecular solvents containing ILs to neat ILs is adequately accounted for by changes in the electrostatic interaction of R(•-) taken into the cavity composed of the solvent and IL. On the other hand, the first reduction waves of quinones, electron-accepting molecules, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are reversibly or quasi-reversibly observed in the ILs. The electrochemical stability of the ILs is exploited in the facile measurement of these quasi-reversible waves at quite negative potentials, such as for the naphthalene (NP)/NP(•-) couple. Notably, the E°' values obtained in the ammonium ILs correlate well with the calculated standard redox potentials and are linearly fitted with high correlation over all classes of compounds using a single regression equation based on Koopmans' theorem.

Mechanistic study on the electrochemical reduction of 9,10-anthraquinone in the presence of hydrogen-bond and proton donating additives.

The electrochemical reduction of 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) was investigated in CH(3)CN in both the absence and presence of the hydrogen-bond and proton donating additives, CH(3)OH, CH(CF(3))(2)OH, phenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 4-cyanophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and benzoic acid (BA). Three clearly different types of electrochemical behavior were observed with increasing concentrations of the additives, and were simulated to analyze the reaction mechanisms. Type I was observed for weakly interacting additives, such as CH(3)OH, characterized by positive shifts of the two well-separated reduction waves, corresponding to the formation of AQ(•-) and AQ(2-), with no loss of reversibility. The second wave shifted more strongly, and finally merged with the first. These behaviors are explained by the association of AQ(2-) with the additives via strong hydrogen-bonding. Type II is attributed to a reduction mechanism involving quantitative formation of strong hydrogen-bonded complexes of AQ(2-) with additives, such as CH(CF(3))(2)OH, phenol and 4-methoxyphenol, showing a reversible or quasireversible two-electron reduction wave with increasing concentrations of the additives. The behavior of Type III, observed in the presence of strongly interacting additives, such as 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and BA, is characterized by a voltammogram composed of the 2-electorn cathodic and the broad anodic waves without keeping reversibility, facilitated by proton transfer in the hydrogen-bonded complexes, AQ(•-)-BA and AQ(2-)-BA. The effects of hydrogen-bonding and protonation on the electrochemistry of AQ have been systematically demonstrated in terms of the potentials and reaction pathways of the various species, which appear in quinone-hydroquinone systems.