Exploring Maillard reaction markers and melanoidins to investigate toxicological and antioxidant profiles of optimized expanded snacks from corn/common bean mixtures.

BACKGROUND: Extrusion cooking of cereal-legume flour mixture is an innovative strategy to introduce nutrient-enriched ready-to-eat snacks to the market. However, this thermal process triggers the formation of compounds that could impact safety aspects of these products. Maillard reaction markers and the end products known as melanoidins were evaluated to assess the toxicological and bioactive profiles of extruded snacks from corn-plus-common-bean-flour combinations. Different molecular weight fractions were isolated and purified to analyze their antioxidant activity and to investigate the role of melanoidins. RESULTS: The snack formulated with an 84:16 ratio of corn:common bean flours exhibited an enhanced toxicological profile. It displayed the lowest levels of acrylamide and furanic compounds, along with reduced blockage of lysine residues in the protein. Extrusion increased the antioxidant activity of uncooked flours (30 to 64%) and total phenolic compounds (26 to 50%), and decreased the available lysine (-72.7 to -79.5%). During the fractionation process, it was established that compounds within the range of 3-10 kDa made the greatest contribution to antioxidant activity. The fraction greater than 10 kDa, which included melanoidins, displayed 7 to 33% lower antioxidant activity. The purification of the fraction greater than 10 kDa revealed that pure melanoidins represented approximately one-third of the antioxidant activity in that fraction. Non-covalent adducts linked to the melanoidin core therefore had a relevant role in the antioxidant action of formulated snacks. CONCLUSION: This investigation illustrates the importance of considering both potential risks and associated benefits of compounds formed during the Maillard reaction while developing new extruded snacks. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of 4-hydroxychalcone as preventive and curative treatment in Wistar rats with liver injury.

The increasing prevalence and complications related to liver diseases (caused by infection, toxic agents, or metabolic syndrome), together with insufficient existence of treatments, make evident the need for better therapeutic alternatives. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of 4-hydroxychalcone (4-HC) as preventive and curative treatment in acute and chronic liver injury, respectively. Liver damage was induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into two groups: (1) acute liver injury and (2) chronic liver injury. In turn, each group was divided into four subgroups: (i) control (water); (ii) dimethyl sulfoxide 10%; (iii) CCl4; and (iv) 4-HC. The pre-treatment with 4-HC decreased transaminases, IL-6 serum levels, and hepatic malondialdehyde, increased IL-10 serum levels and hepatic glutathione, and decreased liver damage (necrosis, steatosis, and inflammatory infiltrate). In contrast, treatment with 4-HC after the induction of chronic liver injury decreased IL-6 serum levels and liver damage (steatosis, inflammatory infiltrate, ballooning cells, steatofibrosis, and fibrosis degree). Thus, the 4-HC treatment is proposed as a preventive treatment against acute liver injury; moreover, these results suggested the potential of 4-HC as a curative treatment against chronic liver injury, but other scheme treatments must be evaluated in future.

Celastrol Prevents Oxidative Stress Effects on FSHR, PAPP, and CYP19A1 Gene Expression in Cultured Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells.

Regulation of oxidative stress (OS) is important to prevent damage to female reproductive physiology. While normal OS levels may have a regulatory role, high OS levels may negatively affect vital processes such as folliculogenesis or embryogenesis. The aim of this work was to study OS induced by glucose, a reactive oxygen species generator, or peroxynitrite, a reactive nitrogen species generator, in cultured human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells from oocyte donors, analyzing expression of genes involved in oocyte maturation (FSHR, PAPP, and CYP19A1) and OS damage response (ALDH3A2). We also evaluated the effect of celastrol as an antioxidant. Our results showed that although both glucose and peroxynitrite produce OS increments in hGL cells, only peroxynitrite treatment increases ALDH3A2 and PAPP gene expression levels and decreases FSHR gene expression levels. Celastrol pre-treatment prevents this effect of peroxynitrite. Interestingly, when celastrol alone was added, we observed a reduction of the expression of all genes studied, which was independent of both OS inductors. In conclusion, regulation of OS imbalance by antioxidant substances such as celastrol may prevent negative effects of OS in female fertility. In addition to the antioxidant activity, celastrol may well have an independent role on regulation of gene expression in hGL cells.

Novel Linezolid analogues with antiparasitic activity against Hymenolepis nana.

The stereoselective synthesis and anti- Hymenolepis nana activity of six Linezolid-type compounds, obtained by chemical modification of l-Alanine, are reported in this work. The synthetic strategy was to prepare diasteromeric N,N-dibenzylamino oxazolidinones 1 and 2, and coupling with 4-(4-bromophenyl)morpholine (3) to obtain N,N-dibenzylamino Linezolid analogues 4 and 5. A hydrogenolysis reaction over 4 and 5 resulted in amino-free Linezolid analogues 6 and 7, which were acetylated to reach diasteromeric Linezolid analogues 8 and 9. The six Linezolid analogues 4-9 show in vitro antiparasitic activity against Hymenolepis nana cestode, but not against several bacterial strains. Interestingly, compounds 6, 7 and 9 exhibit high potency, having shorter paralysis and death times after exposure (6-10 and 18-21 min, respectively), shorter than those found with antihelmintic compound Praziquantel (20 and 30 min) at 20 mg/mL. In addition, a cytocompatibility assay of 6-9 with human cells (ARPE-19 cells) demonstrate a non-cytotoxic effect at 0.4 mM. These results show the pharmacological potential of the newly reported Linezolid-type analogues as antiparasitic agents against Hymenolepis nana.

Synthesis and molecular docking studies of imines as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitors.

Imine functionality is found in many compounds with important biological activity. Thus, the development of novel synthetic approaches for imines is important. In this work, it is propose an easy, eco-friendly and straightforward synthesis pathway of aryl imines under microwave irradiation catalyzed by Alumina-sulfuric acid. In addition, the in vitro enzymatic inhibition, antioxidant activity and molecular docking studies were performed. The aryl imines were isolated with yields in the range of 37-94%. All aryl imines synthesized were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes and the results exhibited that the most of the compounds displayed inhibitory activity against both enzymes. The (E)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)methanimine (3d) was 1.15-fold more active than acarbose against α-amylase whilst the (E)-1-phenyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)methanimine (3c) displayed similar activity that acarbose against α-glucosidase. The molecular docking studies in α-glucosidase and α-amylase reveal that aryl imines mainly establish an H-bond with the R2-subtituent and hydrophobic interactions with the R1-subtituent. The docking analysis reveals these synthetic aryl imines 3d-i interact in same active site than acarbose drug in both enzymes.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of new Linezolid dipeptide-type analogues.

Worldwide studies towards development of new drugs with a lower rate in emergence of bacterial resistance have been conducted. The molecular docking analysis gives a possibility to predict the activity of new compounds before to perform their synthesis. In this work, the molecular docking analysis of 64 Linezolid dipeptide-type analogues was performed to predict their activity. The most negative scores correspond to six Fmoc-protected analogues (9as, 9bs, 9bu, 10as, 10ax and 10ay) where Fmoc group interacts in PTC for Linezolid. Twenty-six different Fmoc-protected Linezolid dipeptide-type analogues 9(as-bz) and 10(as-bz) were synthesized and tested in antimicrobial experiments. Compounds 9as, 9ay, 9ax, 10as, 10ay and 9bu show significant activity against group A Streptococcus clinical isolated. Analogue 10ay also display high activity against ATCC 25923 Staphylococcus aureus strain and MRSA-3, MRSA-4 and MRSA-5 clinical isolates, with MIC values lower than Linezolid. The highest activity against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was exhibited by 9bu. Finally, a cytotoxicity assay with ARPE-19 human cells revealed a non-cytotoxic effect of 9bu and 10ay at 50 and 25 µM, respectively.

Milk intake and IGF-1 rs6214 polymorphism as protective factors to obesity.

Mexico ranks 2nd in adult obesity and 4th in milk intake worldwide. Low levels of IGF-1 have been related to obesity and can be reverted by milk intake. The rs6214 polymorphism has been associated with an increase in the expression of IGF-1. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the association between both, rs6214 polymorphism and milk intake, and obesity. We analysed 99 adult volunteers, with and without a history of milk intake, for the presence of this polymorphism through qPCR and body composition by electro-bioimpedance. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that TT genotype is inversely associated with obesity and body fat mass. Besides, milk intake is also related to low obesity, body fat mass and visceral fat, and high percentage of lean mass. Multivariate logistic regression analyses confirm the univariate relationships, showing a clear inverted association between TT genotype, milk intake and obesity.

Histopathological and biochemical changes in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high-sucrose diet at different times.

The high intake of sweetened drinks is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. These pathologies are directly related to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), considered a condition of metabolic syndrome (MS). Due to their increasing worldwide prevalence, experimental animal models have been developed to gain a better understanding of its physiopathology; notwithstanding, few studies have evaluated its progression in association with MS and ingestion of sweetened drinks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand the pathophysiologic characteristics of NAFLD related to sucrose concentration and time of ingestion in rats. Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups with free access to either tap water or 30% sucrose, and euthanized at 12, 16, or 20 weeks; and 2 additional groups were given free access to either 40% or 50% sucrose and were euthanized at 20 weeks. Biochemical parameters and levels of serum cytokines were measured, and histology was performed. Ingestion of 30% sucrose induced liver steatosis until 16 weeks (grade 2) and 20 weeks (grade 3). Meanwhile, during 20 weeks, 40% sucrose induced grade 5 of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and 50% sucrose induced grade 6 of NASH and fibrosis. This study demonstrated that increasing time of induction and concentration of sucrose ingestion resulted in a higher grade of NAFLD.

Granulosa-Lutein Cell Sirtuin Gene Expression Profiles Differ between Normal Donors and Infertile Women.

Sirtuins are a family of deacetylases that modify structural proteins, metabolic enzymes, and histones to change cellular protein localization and function. In mammals, there are seven sirtuins involved in processes like oxidative stress or metabolic homeostasis associated with aging, degeneration or cancer. We studied gene expression of sirtuins by qRT-PCR in human mural granulosa-lutein cells (hGL) from IVF patients in different infertility diagnostic groups and in oocyte donors (OD; control group). Study 1: sirtuins genes' expression levels and correlations with age and IVF parameters in women with no ovarian factor. We found significantly higher expression levels of SIRT1, SIRT2 and SIRT5 in patients ≥40 years old than in OD and in women between 27 and 39 years old with tubal or male factor, and no ovarian factor (NOF). Only SIRT2, SIRT5 and SIRT7 expression correlated with age. Study 2: sirtuin genes' expression in women poor responders (PR), endometriosis (EM) and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Compared to NOF controls, we found higher SIRT2 gene expression in all diagnostic groups while SIRT3, SIRT5, SIRT6 and SIRT7 expression were higher only in PR. Related to clinical parameters SIRT1, SIRT6 and SIRT7 correlate positively with FSH and LH doses administered in EM patients. The number of mature oocytes retrieved in PR is positively correlated with the expression levels of SIRT3, SIRT4 and SIRT5. These data suggest that cellular physiopathology in PR's follicle may be associated with cumulative DNA damage, indicating that further studies are necessary.

Anthocyanins of Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. Fruit Associated with High Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities.

Red arils of Pithecellobium dulce fruit, commonly known as guamuchil, show high antioxidant (AOx) and α-glucosidase inhibitory (IαG) activities, which have been mainly associated with the content of unknown anthocyanins. In this study, the AOx (i.e., DPPH and ABTS as Trolox equivalents, µmol TE/g) and IαG (as half-maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50, mg/mL) activities of the anthocyanin-rich fraction (ARF) obtained from red arils were contrasted with those of the methanol extract (ME), and the main ARF anthocyanins were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS, GC-MS and 1H-NMR. The AOx and IαG values of the ARF (DPPH = 597.8; ABTS = 884.01; IαG = 0.06) were better than those of the ME (DPPH = 41.5; ABTS = 142.3; IαG = 17.5); remarkably, the ARF IαG value was about 42 times lower than that of acarbose. The main anthocyanins in ARF were pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. Thus, the consumption of red P. dulce arils could provide health benefits for prevention/treatment of chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes.

Commitment of Scaffold Proteins in the Onco-Biology of Human Colorectal Cancer and Liver Metastases after Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy.

Scaffold proteins play pivotal roles in the regulation of signaling pathways, integrating external and internal stimuli to various cellular outputs. We report the pattern of cellular and subcellular expression of scaffoldins angiomotin-like 2 (AmotL2), FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP51) and IQ motif containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and metastases in liver resected after oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (CT). Positive immunostaining for the three scaffoldins was found in most cells in healthy colon, tumor, healthy liver and metastasized liver. The patterns of expression of AmotL2, FKBP51 and IQGAP1 show the greatest variability in immune system cells and neurons and glia cells and the least in blood vessel cells. The simultaneous subcellular localization in tumor cells and other cell types within the tumor suggest an involvement of these three scaffoldins in cancer biology, including a role in Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition. The display in differential localization and quantitative expression of AmotL2, FKBP51, and IQGAP1 could be used as biomarkers for more accurate tumor staging and as potential targets for anti-cancer therapeutics by blocking or slowing down their interconnecting functions. Tough further research needs to be done in order to improve these assessments.

IQGAP1 in Podosomes/Invadosomes Is Involved in the Progression of Glioblastoma Multiforme Depending on the Tumor Status.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumor. GBM is formed by a very heterogeneous astrocyte population, neurons, neovascularization and infiltrating myeloid cells (microglia and monocyte derived macrophages). The IQGAP1 scaffold protein interacts with components of the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion molecules, and several signaling molecules to regulate cell morphology and motility, cell cycle and other cellular functions. IQGAP1 overexpression and delocalization has been observed in several tumors, suggesting a role for this protein in cell proliferation, transformation and invasion. IQGAP1 has been identified as a marker of amplifying cancer cells in GBMs. To determine the involvement of IQGAP1 in the onco-biology of GBM, we performed immunohistochemical confocal microscopic analysis of the IQGAP1 protein in human GBM tissue samples using cell type-specific markers. IQGAP1 immunostaining and subcellular localization was heterogeneous; the protein was located in the plasma membrane and, at variable levels, in nucleus and/or cytosol. Moreover, IQGAP1 positive staining was found in podosome/invadopodia-like structures. IQGAP1⁺ staining was observed in neurons (Map2⁺ cells), in cancer stem cells (CSC; nestin⁺) and in several macrophages (CD31⁺ or Iba1⁺). Our results indicate that the IQGAP1 protein is involved in normal cell physiology as well as oncologic processes.

The Na, K-ATPase ß-Subunit Isoforms Expression in Glioblastoma Multiforme: Moonlighting Roles.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of malignant glioma. Recent studies point out that gliomas exploit ion channels and transporters, including Na, K-ATPase, to sustain their singular growth and invasion as they invade the brain parenchyma. Moreover, the different isoforms of the ß-subunit of Na, K-ATPase have been implicated in regulating cellular dynamics, particularly during cancer progression. The aim of this study was to determine the Na, K-ATPase ß subunit isoform subcellular expression patterns in all cell types responsible for microenvironment heterogeneity of GBM using immunohistochemical analysis. All three isoforms, ß1, ß2/AMOG (Adhesion Molecule On Glia) and ß3, were found to be expressed in GBM samples. Generally, ß1 isoform was not expressed by astrocytes, in both primary and secondary GBM, although other cell types (endothelial cells, pericytes, telocytes, macrophages) did express this isoform. ß2/AMOG and ß3 positive expression was observed in the cytoplasm, membrane and nuclear envelope of astrocytes and GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein) negative cells. Interestingly, differences in isoforms expression have been observed between primary and secondary GBM: in secondary GBM, ß2 isoform expression in astrocytes was lower than that observed in primary GBM, while the expression of the ß3 subunit was more intense. These changes in ß subunit isoforms expression in GBM could be related to a different ionic handling, to a different relationship between astrocyte and neuron (ß2/AMOG) and to changes in the moonlighting roles of Na, K-ATPase ß subunits as adaptor proteins and transcription factors.

Chemical composition and biological activities of Helicteres vegae and Heliopsis sinaloensis.

CONTEXT: Helicteres vegae Cristóbal (Sterculiaceae) (Hv) and Heliopsis sinaloensis B.L. Turner (Asteraceae) (Hs) are endangered and poorly studied plant species; related plants have been used against chronic-degenerative and infectious diseases. Therefore, Hv and Hs could be sources of bioactive compounds against these illnesses. OBJECTIVE: To determine the chemical composition and biological activities (antioxidant, antimutagenic and antimicrobial) of Hv and Hs leaves (L) and stems (S). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extracts (ME) of each plant/tissue were evaluated for their phytochemicals; phenolics (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS); antioxidant activity (AA) (0.125-4 mg/mL) (DPPH, ABTS, ORAC and ß-carotene discoloration); antimutagenicity (0.5 and 1 mg/plate) (Ames assay, tester strain Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium YG1024, 1-nitropyrene as mutagen); activity against human pathogens (1 mg/mL); and toxicity (0.01-2 mg/mL) (Artemia salina assay). RESULTS: All ME showed flavonoids and triterpenes/steroids. The ME-SHv had the highest content of total phenolics (TP) (2245.82 ± 21.45 mg GAE/100 g d.w.) and condensed tannins (603.71 ± 1.115 mg CE/100 g d.w.). The compounds identified were flavonoids (kaempferol 7-O-coumaroylhexoside, and two kaempferol 7-O-rhamnosylhexosides) and phenolics [rosmarinic acid, and 3'-O-(8″-Z-caffeoyl) rosmarinic acid]. The ME-LHs showed the highest content of flavonoids (357.88 mg RE/g d.w.) and phenolic acids (238.58 mg CAE/g d.w.) by HPLC. The ME-SHv showed the highest AA. All ME were strong antimutagens (63.3-85.7%). Only the Hs extracts were toxic (ME-LHs, LC50 = 94.9 ± 1.7 µg/mL; ME-SHs, LC50 = 89.03 ± 4.42 µg/mL). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Both Hv and Hs are potential sources of preventive and therapeutic agents against chronic-degenerative diseases.

The neuronal-specific SGK1.1 (SGK1_v2) kinase as a transcriptional modulator of BAG4, Brox, and PPP1CB genes expression.

The Serum- and Glucocorticoid-induced Kinase 1, SGK1, exhibits a broad range of cellular functions that include regulation of the number of ion channels in plasma membrane and modulation of signaling pathways of cell survival. This diversity of functions is made possible by various regulatory processes acting upon the SGK1 gene, giving rise to various isoforms: SGK1_v1-5, each with distinct properties and distinct aminotermini that serve to target proteins to different subcellular compartments. Among cellular effects of SGK1 expression is to indirectly modulate gene transcription by phosphorylating transcriptional factors of the FOXO family. Here we examined if SGK1.1 (SGK1_v2; NM_001143676), which associates primarily to the plasma membrane, is also able to regulate gene expression. Using a differential gene expression approach we identified six genes upregulated by SGK1.1 in HeLa cells. Further analysis of transcript and protein levels validated two genes: BCL2-associated athanogene 4 (BAG-4) and Brox. The results indicate that SGK1.1 regulates gene transcription upon a different set of genes some of which participate in cell survival pathways (BAG-4) and others in intracellular vesicular traffic (Brox).

A novel and highly regioselective synthesis of new carbamoylcarboxylic acids from dianhydrides.

A regioselective synthesis has been developed for the preparation of a series of N,N'-disubstituted 4,4'-carbonylbis(carbamoylbenzoic) acids and N,N'-disubstituted bis(carbamoyl) terephthalic acids by treatment of 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (1) and 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (2) with arylalkyl primary amines (A-N). The carbamoylcarboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized with good yield and high purity. The specific reaction conditions were established to obtain carbamoyl and carboxylic acid functionalities over the thermodynamically most favored imide group. Products derived from both anhydrides 1 and 2 were isolated as pure regioisomeric compounds under innovative experimental conditions. The chemo- and regioselectivity of products derived from dianhydrides were determined by NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by density functional theory (DFT). All products were characterized by NMR, FTIR, and MS.

Antibacterial activity of new oxazolidin-2-one analogues in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections. The purpose of this study was the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity of 10 new 3-oxazolidin-2-one analogues on 12 methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates. S. aureus confirmation was achieved via catalase and coagulase test. Molecular characterization of MRSA was performed by amplification of the mecA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated via the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility test protocol, using commonly applied antibiotics and the oxazolidinone analogues. Only (R)-5-((S)-1-dibenzylaminoethyl)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one (7a) exhibited antibacterial activity at 6.6 µg. These results, allow us to infer that molecules such as 7a can be potentially used to treat infections caused by MRSA strains.

Photoacoustic effect measurement in aqueous suspensions of gold nanorods caused by low-frequency and low-power near-infrared pulsing laser irradiation.

When aqueous suspensions of gold nanorods are irradiated with a pulsing laser (808 nm), pressure waves appear even at low frequencies (pulse repetition rate of 25 kHz). We found that the pressure wave amplitude depends on the dynamics of the phenomenon. For fixed concentration and average laser current intensity, the amplitude of the pressure waves shows a trend of increasing with the pulse slope and the pulse maximum amplitude. We postulate that the detected ultrasonic pressure waves are a sort of shock waves that would be generated at the beginning of each pulse, because the pressure wave amplitude would be the result of the positive interference of all the individual shock waves.

Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation in RAW 264.7 Cells of Jatropha cordata Bark Extracts.

The inflammatory process, although beneficial, can produce tissue damage and systemic damage when uncontrolled. Effective therapeutic alternatives with little or no side effects are of great therapeutic interest. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical composition of bark extracts from J. cordata, an endemic plant from México, and evaluate their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts were characterized by qualitative phytochemical tests, and their bioactive groups were identified by 1H NMR and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The extract's anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated as nitric oxide (NO) production and their cytotoxicity by an MTS cell proliferation assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells at concentrations of 1-100 µg/mL. The hexane extract contained fatty acids, fatty esters, phytosterols, alkanes, vitamin E, and terpenoids; the ethyl acetate extract showed fatty acids, fatty esters, aromatic aldehyde, phytosterols, vitamin E, and terpenoids, while the methanolic extract showed fatty esters, fatty acid, aromatics aldehydes, and alcohol. The ethyl acetate extract showed the highest inhibition of NO production, followed by the methanolic extract and the hexane extract, without affecting the viability of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The results suggest that J. cordata extracts are a potential source of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory potential.

Design, synthesis, in silico, and in vitro evaluation of benzylbenzimidazolone derivatives as potential drugs on α-glucosidase and glucokinase as pharmacological targets.

Benzimidazolones have shown biological activities, including antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic, by inhibiting or activating of α-glu and GK. The aim of this study is the rational design of compounds using in silico assays to delimitate the selection of structures to synthesize and the in vitro evaluation of benzimidazolone derivatives in blood glucose control. A docking of 23 benzimidazolone derivatives was performed; selecting the compounds with better in silico profiles to synthesize by microwave-irradiation/conventional heat and evaluate in enzymatic in vitro evaluation. Compounds 2k, 2m, 2r, and 2s presented the best in silico profiles, showing good affinity energy (-10.9 to -8.6 kcal mol-1) and binding with catalytic-amino acids. They were synthesized at 70 °C and 24 h using DMF as the solvent and potassium carbonate (yield: 22-38%). The results with α-glu showed moderate inhibition of 2k (14 ± 1.23-29 ± 0.45), 2m (12 ± 2.21-36 ± 0.30), 2r (7 ± 2.21-13 ± 1.34), and 2s (11 ± 0.74-35 ± 2.95) at evaluated concentrations (0.1 to 100 µg mL-1). The GK activation assay showed an enzymatic activity increase; compound 2k increased 1.31 and 2.83 more than normal activity, 2m (2.13-fold), 2s (2.86 and 3.74-fold) at 100 and 200 µg mL-1 respectively. The present study showed that the 2s derivative presents moderate potential as an α-glu inhibitor and a good activator potential of GK, suggesting that this compound is a good candidate for blood glucose control through antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic mechanisms.