Synthesis, antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity of 10-aminoethylether derivatives of artemisinin.

In this study, a series of 11 10-aminoethylether derivatives of artemisinin were synthesised and their antimalarial activity against both the chloroquine sensitive (D10) and resistant (Dd2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum was determined. The compounds were prepared by introducing aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic amine groups with linkers of various chain lengths through an ethyl ether bridge at C-10 of artemisinin using conventional and microwave assisted syntheses, and their structures were confirmed by NMR and HRMS. All derivatives proved to be active against both strains of the parasite. The highest overall activity was displayed by the short chain aromatic derivative 8 (IC(50)=1.44nM), containing only one nitrogen atom, while long chain polyamine derivatives were found to have the lowest activity against both strains. An interesting correlation between the IC(50), pK(a) values and resistance index (RI) was found.

Citrus Viroid IV Detected in Citrus sinensis and C. reticulata in South Africa.

Citrus Viroid IV or Bark cracking viroid (CVd-IV) has been reported from various countries, mostly in the Near East, but was unknown in southern Africa. It can cause severe bark cracking of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), but symptoms on the indicator, Arizona 861-S-1 Etrog (Citrus medica), are mild and transient, usually leaf epinasty (2-4). CVd-IV was detected for the first time in South Africa during the 2009 biennial indexing of mother trees maintained for the South African Citrus Improvement Scheme (CIS). Symptoms were observed on Etrog indicators budded with material from mother trees of DuRoi Valencia sweet orange (C. sinensis). Initially, leaf bend of a single leaf was noted on one plant, and later, petiole browning developed on all test plants. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR testing confirmed CVd-IV infection by amplification of a 286-bp PCR product representing the full-length CVd genome using the primers CVd-IV-F3 5'-GGTGGATACAACTCTTGGG-3' (1) and CVd-IV-SL3 5'-GGGTAGTTTCTATCTCAG-3' (N. Duran-Vila personal communication). Samples of 78 field and 30 nursery trees of DuRoi Valencia supplied over a 7-year period from the CIS were budded on Etrog and tested 3 months after inoculation. Ninety positive samples were obtained from trees up to 7 years old. These trees were on either Swingle citrumelo (P. trifoliata × C. paradisi) or rough lemon (C. jambhiri) rootstocks and no symptoms of bark-cracking or other abnormalities were noted on these trees. Following the initial interception, a comprehensive screening of the CIS gene source, consisting of 450 cultivars, was initiated and CVd-IV was detected in five other accessions: SB navel (C. sinensis) collected in 1984 in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province of South Africa, Gillemberg navel (C. sinensis) collected in 1986 in Limpopo Province, Tarocco midseason (C. sinensis) imported from Sicily in 1987, Fortuna mandarin (C. reticulata) imported from Spain in 1987, and Westin midseason (C. sinensis) imported from Brazil in 1994. None of these accessions are planted on a commercial scale and field observations are therefore not possible. PCR amplicons of all positive samples were bidirectionally sequenced and sequences submitted to GenBank. Sequence comparisons showed those obtained from DuRoi Valencia (JN903763), Tarocco (JN903764), and SB Navel (JN903765), and GenBank reference sequences AB054633 (Japan) and HM042747 (China) to be identical. Likewise, the South African sequences from Westin (JN903766) and Gillemberg (JN903767) were identical to reference sequences X14638 and NC_003539 (Israel) and GQ260216 (Iran). The Fortuna sequence (JN903762) differed by two base pairs from the latter group. On the basis of the entry dates of the accessions, it is probable that CVd-IV has been in South Africa since at least 1984, but was not detected during indexing because of the erratic symptom expression of CVd-IV on Etrog. Existing CVd-IV-contaminated field material will be monitored for possible disease expression, but thus far the trifoliate hybrid and rough lemon rootstocks do not show the same susceptibility as reported for P. trifoliata (4). The detection of CVd-IV in field and gene-source material emphasizes the importance of intensive and specific indexing to ensure distribution of pathogen-free citrus in South Africa. References: (1) L. Bernad and N. Duran-Vila. Mol. Cell. Probes 20:105, 2006. (2) N. Duran Vila et al. J. Gen. Virol. 69:3069, 1988. (3) H. Putcha et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 19:6640, 1991. (4) C. Vernière et al. Plant. Dis. 88:1189, 2004.

A Survey for 'Candidatus Liberibacter' Species in South Africa Confirms the Presence of Only 'Ca. L. africanus' in Commercial Citrus.

Greening disease of citrus is a serious disease known in South Africa since the late 1920s. In South Africa, it is associated with infection by 'Candidatus Liberibacter africanus', a heat sensitive, phloem-limited, noncultured alpha-proteobacterium. Huanglongbing (HLB), a similar, but more devastating disease that was described initially from China but which now occurs in several citrus producing countries, is associated with a different Liberibacter species, 'Ca. L. asiaticus'. A 'Ca. L. africanus' subspecies, 'Ca. L. africanus subsp. capensis', has been found only in South Africa infecting an indigenous Rutaceous species, Calodendrum capense (Cape Chestnut), in the Western Cape in 1995. The discovery of a new Liberibacter species in Brazil, 'Ca. L. americanus', and the spread of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' to a number of additional countries over the last few years prompted us to assess whether only 'Ca. L. africanus' is present in commercial citrus orchards in South Africa. Samples displaying greening or similar symptoms were collected from 249 citrus trees from 57 orchards distributed throughout the greening affected citrus production areas of South Africa. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on DNA extracts to detect the known citrus Liberibacters. Amplicons were obtained from 197 samples. None of the samples yielded a 1,027-bp amplicon indicative of 'Ca. L. americanus' infection. The amplicons of 84 samples were sequenced, and all were identical to the cognate 'Ca. L. africanus' Nelspruit sequence in GenBank. No instance of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' or 'Ca. L. africanus subsp. capensis' sequence was found. Geographically representative samples that tested negative for Liberibacter also tested negative for phytoplasmas based on real-time PCR results. Based on the results of this survey, it is concluded that to date only 'Ca. L. africanus' is associated with citrus greening in commercial citrus in South Africa.

Degradation of trimethoprim.

Trimethoprim undergoes thermally and photochemically catalyzed hydrolysis or oxidation to give rise to at least five products. The structures of these compounds were determined by physical methods and it was found that the resonance of C-5 in the 13C NMR spectrum is indicative of the substitution pattern of the resultant amino hydroxy pyrimidines.

Percutaneous delivery of carbamazepine and selected N-alkyl and N-hydroxyalkyl analogues.

Advantages associated with the transdermal delivery route are well documented, but in the past scientists have concentrated primarily on means of decreasing the barrier function of the skin for improved permeability. Pro-drugs, which possess more favourable physicochemical properties for improved transdermal permeability may have considerable potential. These have been considered in the past but recent information concerning structure activity relationships in dermal penetration has prompted increased interest. During this study, N-methyl (2), N-ethyl (3) and N-(2-hydroxyethyl) carbamazepine (4) analogues were synthesised for transdermal evaluation.

Macromolecular prodrugs: X. Kinetics of fenoprofen release from PHEA-fenoprofen conjugate.

The kinetics of fenoprofen release from poly[alpha,beta-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-DL-aspartamide)]-fenoprofen conjugate (PHEA-Fen) in aqueous buffer solutions (pH 10 and 1.1), simulated gastric (SGF) and intestinal fluids (SIF) was studied. In borate buffer pH 10, the following rate constants were obtained: k=0.2659 (t=60 degrees C) and k=0.0177 h(-1) (t=37 degrees C) and in glycine buffer solution pH 1.1 k=0.0036 h(-1). In SGF and SIF fenoprofen release did not occur in significant extend within 12 h. The hydrolysis of the ester bond between the polymeric carrier and fenoprofen followed the pseudo first-order kinetics, with activation energy indicative for the breakage of a sigma bond (E(a)=100.6 kJ mol(-1)). The concentration of the released fenoprofen was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Immunogold localization and quantification of cellular and subcellular abscisic acid, prior to and during drought stress.

An immunogold labeling procedure and experimental data are presented, which demonstrate that antibodies produced against a bovine serum albumin-abscisic acid conjugate can be used both to characterize the cellular and subcellular localization of abscisic acid (ABA), and to permit quantitative comparisons of this hormone in the subcellular compartments prior to and at times of drought stress. At the control leaf water potential (approximately -0.45 MPa), a quantitatively similar positive labeling pattern was observed in the chloroplasts and apoplast. A twofold drought stress-induced increase in the apoplastic ABA concentration was observed in the drought stressed leaf tissue (i.e., at a leaf water potential of approximately -1.55 MPa), while the ABA concentration in the chloroplasts did not differ from that of the controls. Three histochemical controls and the physiological observations validated the specificity of the procedure. Based on the labeling patterns we observed and literature cited, the validity of the hypothesis that drought stress induces a release of chloroplastic ABA is questioned. We interpreted our results as providing indirect evidence for a drought stress-induced root source origin for the increased apoplastic ABA concentrations.

Synthesis and in vitro antimalarial activity of a series of bisquinoline and bispyrrolo[1,2a]quinoxaline compounds.

Series of bisquinolines 4-15 and bispyrrolo[1,2a]quinoxalines 16-20 containing various polyamine linkers were synthesized. The aqueous solubility and distribution coefficient were experimentally determined. The compounds were screened for antimalarial activity alongside chloroquine against D10 and Dd2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The growth inhibitory effects of biscompounds 4-9 were assessed against various cancer cell lines. The aqueous solubility was found to increase with an increase in potential protonation sites. Bisquinolines 8 and 9 featuring triethylenetetramine and N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylene-diamine linkers, respectively, were the most active of all synthesized compounds. They were found as potent as chloroquine against D10 but significantly more potent against the Dd2 strain, with good selectivity towards parasitic cells. Compound 4 containing a diethylenetriamine bridge displayed the most important anticancer activity of the series, and was a more effective antiproliferative inhibitor than etoposide against all three TK10, UACC62 and MCF7 cancer cell lines.

Synthesis and in vitro human skin penetration of oligo- and polymeric ethylene glycol carbonates of zidovudine and stavudine.

In continuation of studies focusing on the transdermal delivery of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, the skin permeation ability of synthesized homologous series of both oligomeric and polymeric ethylene glycol (PEG) carbonates of zidovudine (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, AZT, CAS 30516-87-1) and stavudine (2',3'-dideoxy-2',3'-didehydrothymine, d4T, CAS 3056-17-5) was evaluated in vitro through excised human skin in phosphate buffered solution (PBS) (0.01 M, pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C by using Franz cell diffusion methodology. The results revealed that all the derivatives permeated the skin regardless of the series. However, the derivative having three ethylene glycol repeating units was the most effective permeant in each series. The skin permeation rates of zidovudine and stavudine were enhanced by factors in the 2-4, and 1-3 range through these carbonates, respectively.

Synthesis and in vitro transdermal penetration of methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) carbonate and carbamate derivatives of lamivudine (3TC).

The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro transdermal permeation through the human stratum corneum (SC) of the antiretroviral (ARV) drug lamivudine (3TC) (1) and its synthesised methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) carbamates and carbonates in phosphate buffer solution and with the use of Pheroid as delivery system and to establish a relationship, if any, with selected physicochemical properties. The synthesis and in vitro human skin permeation flux of three N4-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) carbamates (3)-(5) and three 6'-O-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) carbonates (6)-(8) of lamivudine are reported. The derivatives were synthesised in a two-step process by coupling activated MPEG oligomers of various chain lengths to either the 4-amino or 6'-hydroxy group of lamivudine. Irrespective of the oligomeric series of derivatives (carbamate or carbonate), the aqueous solubility increases as the MPEG chain lengthens while the solubility in octanol (lipophilicity) remained almost constant. Regardless of the mechanism of diffusion viz. passive (in PBS) or use of enhancer (Pheroid), no derivative penetrate the skin better than the parent drug itself. The use of Pheroid even appeared to significantly retard the skin permeation.

Transdermal penetration of cytarabine and its 5'-O alkyl ester derivatives.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize and determine the in vitro transdermal penetration of cytarabine and its 5'-alkyl esters and to establish a correlation, if any, with selected physicochemical properties. The n-alkyl esters were synthesized by acylation of cytarabine (1) at its pharmacophoric 5'-OH. The transdermal flux values of (1) and its esters were determined in vitro using Franz diffusion cell methodology. Aqueous solubility and log D (pH 7.4) values were determined and assessed for correlation to transdermal flux. An inverse relation was observed between the water solubility (Sw) and log D values. Of all esters, (4) exhibited the highest flux value of 22.2 nmol x cm(-2) x h(-1), which is significantly different to that of the parent drug cytarabine (3.70 nmol x cm(-)2 x h(-1)). No trend was found between water solubility and flux values.

In-vitro transdermal penetration of cytarabine and its N4-alkylamide derivatives.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to synthesise and determine the transdermal penetration of cytarabine alkylamide derivatives and assess the correlation of flux with physicochemical properties. METHODS: The alkylamide derivatives of cytarabine were synthesised by acylation at the N4-amino group by the mixed anhydride method. The in-vitro permeation studies were performed using the Franz diffusion cell methodology. Furthermore, partition coefficients (n-octanol-water) and aqueous solubility of the N4-alkylamide derivatives of cytarabine were determined in order to obtain information about their lipophilicity and hydrophilicity. KEY FINDINGS: The N4-alkylamides of cytarabine (acetyl, butanoyl, hexanoyl, octanoyl, and decanoyl derivatives) showed decreased hydrophilicity and increased lipophilicity. The log D values of the alkylamides were higher than that of the parent compound and increased linearly as the alkyl chain lengthened. N4-hexanoyl-4-amino-1-[(2R,3S,4R,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl] pyrimidin-2-one) showed the highest median steady-state flux (J(ss)) of 89.0 nmol/cm(2) per h in the series, which shows a high statistical difference with the parent compound flux value (3.70 nmol/cm(2) per h). CONCLUSIONS: The prodrug approach appears to be a promising strategy for the enhancement of transdermal penetration of cytarabine.

Synthesis and in vitro transdermal penetration of methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) carbonate derivatives of stavudine.

The objective of this study was to synthesize derivatives of the anti-HIV drug stavudine (d4T) with more favourable physicochemical properties for transdermal delivery in an effort to increase transdermal penetration of stavudine and thus reduce the severe side effects associated with the dose-dependent oral therapy. The synthesis, hydrolytic stability, and in vitro human skin permeation flux of a series of novel methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) carbonates of stavudine are reported. The carbonates were synthesized in a two-step process by coupling the MPEG promoiety of various chain lengths to C-5' of d4T. In kinetic studies the carbonates proved to be markedly stable in weakly acidic phosphate medium (pH 5.0) with half-lives ranging from 16 to 58 days. The aqueous solubility increased as the ethylene oxide chain lengthened. However, there was no significant increase in the estimated solubility in octanol. In vitro in the phosphate buffer (200 mM; pH 5.0) almost all carbonates permeate the human skin. However, the most effective penetrant, the derivative with 3 ethylene oxide units in the side chain, exhibited a flux of 26.1 nmol/cm(2)/h as compared to 59.15 nmol/cm(2)/h of the parent drug stavudine. Thus, no permeation enhancement was observed during this study.

In vitro antimalarial activity of novel trifluoromethyl- and bis(trifluoromethyl)quinoline derivatives.

The in vitro antimalarial activity of a series of 2- and 8-trifluoromethyl- and 2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)quinoline-4-(5-pyrimidino) and N4-ethyl-5-nitroimidazolo)methylene ketones was assessed against the chloroquine-sensitive strain (D10) of Plasmodium falciparum. Although the in vitro antimalarial activity of these compounds is more or less of the same order of magnitude, derivatives containing two trifluoromethyl groups achieve a slightly higher in vitro activity than compounds with one trifluoromethyl group, with 2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl) quinoline-4-(N4-ethyl-5-nitroimidazolo) methylene and 2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl) quinoline-4-(5-pyrimidino) ketones showing IC50 of 4.8 and 5.2 micrograms/ml, respectively. These compounds seem to bind to DNA by intercalation.

Calcium alginate entrapment of the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides for the kinetic resolution of 1,2-epoxyoctane.

Resting cells of the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides (UOFS Y-0471) were immobilised in calcium alginate beads for the enantioselective kinetic resolution of racemic-1,2-epoxyoctane. The initial activity exhibited by immobilised cells was almost 50% lower than that of the free counterpart but was extremely stable when compared to the free cells. The concentration of the immobilised biomass had no effect on apparent enzyme activity but did lead to a decrease in single cell activity. An increase in both the alginate and CaCl2 concentrations used for bead preparation led to a decrease in enzyme stability. An increase in the alginate concentration led to an increase in bead diameter. The stoichiometric equation for cross-linking of alginate was only obeyed when CaCl2 concentrations higher than 0.4 M were utilised for bead preparation.

The influence of beta-cyclodextrin on the solubility of chlorthalidone and its enantiomers.

The solubility of chlorthalidone in 16 solvent systems was determined in the absence and presence of different amounts of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). Chlorthalidone (CT) was shown to be more soluble in hydrophilic organic solvents, with the highest solubility in ethylacetate (EtOAc) saturated with water. The solubility of CT in water, butanol, octanol, and dichloromethane (DCM) was enhanced by the addition of beta-cyclodextrin. The enantioselective partitioning of CT between water and EtOAc, DCM, butan-1-ol, butan-2-ol, and octan-1-ol was determined in the presence of beta-CD at pH 5, 7, and 9. According to the results, both the solubility and partitioning properties of CT are affected by beta-CD in aqueous solution. It was also shown that the solubility of the individual enantiomers differs in the presence of beta-CD.

Biocatalysis of nitro substituted styrene oxides by non-conventional yeasts.

Yeast strains (410) from more than 45 different genera were screened for the enantioselective hydrolysis of nitro substituted styrene oxides. These strains included 262 yeasts with known epoxides hydrolase activity for various other epoxides. Epoxide hydrolase activity for p-nitrostyrene oxide (pNSO) (177 strains) and m-nitrostyrene oxide (mNSO) (148 strains) was widespread in the yeasts, while activity for o-nitrostyrene oxide (oNSO) was less ubiquitous (22 strains). The strains that displayed enantioselectivity in the hydrolysis of one or more of the nitro substituted styrene oxides (35 strains) were also screened against styrene oxide (SO). Rhodosporidium toruloides UOFS Y-0471 displayed the highest enantioselectivity for pNSO (ee 55%, yield 35%) while Rhodotorula glutinis UOFS Y-0653 displayed the highest enantioselectivity for mNSO (ee > 98%, yield 29%), oNSO (ee 39%, yield 19%) and SO (ee > 98%, yield 19%). (R)-Styrene oxide was preferentially hydrolysed to the corresponding (R)-diol with retention of configuration at the stereogenic centre. In the case of the nitro substituted styrene oxides the absolute configurations of the remaining epoxides and the formed diols were not established.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some isoindolin-1-ones derivatives.

A range of N-substituted isoindolin-1-ones was prepared and their potential as novel antimicrobial agents was investigated. MIC values for active compounds were determined and reported.