Copper nanoparticles stabilized with cashew gum: Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity against 4T1 mouse mammary tumor cell line

Copper nanoparticles stabilized with cashew (CG-CuNPs) were synthesized by reduction reaction using ascorbic acid and sodium borohydride, using the cashew gum (CG) as a natural polymer stabilizer. Dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and x-ray diffraction were used to characterize the nanoparticles (CG-CuNPs), and copper was quantified by electrochemical measurement. The UV-vis spectra of the CG-CuNPs confirmed the formation of nanoparticles by appearance of a surface plasmon band at 580 nm after 24 h of reaction. The Fourier-transform infrared spectrum of CG-CuNPs showed the peak at 1704 cm−1 from cashew gum, confirming the presence of the gum in the nanoparticles. The average size of CG-CuNPs by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy was around 10 nm, indicating small, approximately spherical particles. Antimicrobial assays showed that CG-CuNPs had activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.64 mM. The cytotoxicity assay on BALB/c murine macrophages showed lower cytotoxic effects for CG-CuNPs than CuSO4·5H2O. Viability cell assays for CG-CuNPs at (0.250 mM) inhibited by 70% the growth of 4T1 LUC (4T1 mouse mammary tumor cell line) and NIH 3T3 cells (murine fibroblast cells) over a 24-h period. Therefore, CG-CuNPs can be used as an antimicrobial agent with lower cytotoxic effects than the CuSO4·5H2O precursor.The author would like to thank at UCM for performingDPV, USP by X-ray diffraction experiment, REQUIMTE/LAQV for FTIR, UnB and UFPI for the cytotoxicityassays, as well as at UFPI for help with DLS, UV-Vis,AFM, and microbiological experiments. This work was supported by Project 400398/2014-1—Desenvolvimento de Nanopartículas Estabilizadas com Goma de Cajueiro para Aplicações Biotecnologicas, financed by CNPq. AlexandraPlácido is grateful to FCT by her grant SFRH/BD/97995/2013, financed by POPH-QREN-Tipologia 4.1-Formação Avançada, subsidized by Fundo Social Europeu and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anthelmintic, Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity Activity of Imidazole Alkaloids fromPilocarpus microphyllusLeaves

Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardlew (Rutaceae), popularly known as jaborandi, is a plant native to the northern and northeastern macroregions of Brazil. Several alkaloids from this species have been isolated. There are few reports of antibacterial and anthelmintic activities for these compounds. In this work, we report the antibacterial and anthelmintic activity of five alkaloids found in P. microphyllus leaves, namely, pilosine, epiisopilosine, isopilosine, epiisopiloturine and macaubine. Of these, only anthelmintic activity of one of the compounds has been previously reported. Nuclear magnetic resonance, HPLC and mass spectrometry were combined and used to identify and confirm the structure of the five compounds. As regards the anthelmintic activity, the alkaloids were studied using in vitro assays to evaluate survival time and damaged teguments for Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. We found epiisopilosine to have anthelmintic activity at very low concentrations (3.125 μg mL-1 ); at this concentration, it prevented mating, oviposition, reducing motor activity and altered the tegument of these worms. In contrast, none of the alkaloids showed antibacterial activity. Additionally, alkaloids displayed no cytotoxic effect on vero cells. The potent anthelmintic activity of epiisopilosine indicates the potential of this natural compound as an antiparasitic agent. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicological Assessment of BPP-BrachyNH2, A Vasoactive Proline-Rich Oligopeptide from Brachycephalus ephippium

BPP-BrachyNH2 is a proline-rich oligopeptide (PRO) firstly identified in skin secretion of the frog Brachycephalus ephippium, which possess in vitro inhibitory activity of angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant activity. Considering its potential application in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the present work assessed the toxicological profile of the BPP-BrachyNH2. The in silico toxicity prediction was performed from the best model obtained through the optimization of the FASTA query peptide. This prediction study revealed that BPP-BrachyNH2 induced high predicted LD50 values for both humans and rats, and then is well-tolerated in the recommended range. The MTT assay was applied for the in vitro cytotoxic evaluation in murine macrophages. In this assay, a decrease of cell viability was not observed. The in vivo acute toxicological study was performed after the intraperitoneal administration of BPP-BrachyNH2 at doses of 5 and 50 mg/kg. After intraperitoneal administration, no death, alterations in behavioral parameters or weight gain curve was observed, as well as none in the serum biochemical parameters, and gross pathological and histopathological analyses. These observations demonstrates an acceptable safety profile for BPP-BrachyNH2, leading towards further studies focused on investigation of pharmacological and therapeutical applications for this peptide.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Crystaline and molecular structure of dithiocarbamates derivades.

A parte intodutória deste trabalho descreve os conceitos básicos da teoria de determminação de estruturas cristalinas, além de alguns aspéctos de ditiocarbamatos. Na parte experimental estão descritas as estruturas cristalinas e moleculares de quatro compostos: Morfolinoditiocarbamato de potássio monoidratado: Sistema cristalino monoclínico; grupo espacial P21/c; Z=4; a=6,723(5); b=17,260(4); c=8,190(8) Å; Beta =108,99(1)0; V=898,7(3) Å3; D=1,621 Mg/m3. O índice de discordância é R(F)=0,0472 (R (F)*= 0,1064 para todas as reflexões), com S=1,012 para 1615 reflexões observadas com I > ou = 2 gama(I) e 107 parâmetros refinados. Morfolinoditiocarbamato de Morfolina: Sistema cristalino monoclínico; grupo espacial P21/c; Z=4; a=7,938(5); b=18,323(1); c=8,826(5) Å; Beta =110,21(5)0; V=1206,16(25) Å3; D=1,381 Mg/m3. O índice de discordância é R(F)= 0,0505 (R (F)*= 0,1273para todas as reflexões), com S=0,997 para 2021 reflexões observadas com I > ou = 2 gama(I) e 191 parâmetros refinados. Morfolinoditiocarbamato de Amônio: Sistema cristalino monoclínico; grupo espacial P21/a; Z=4; a=8,881(9); b=9,002(9); c=11,889(5) Å; beta =104,318(5) 0; V=921,85(12) Å3; D=1,30 Mg/m3. O índice de discordância é R(F)= 0,0557 (R (F)*= 0,0731 para todas as reflexões), com S=1,053 para 2093 reflexões observadas com I > ou = 2 gama(I) e 141 parâmetros refinados. 1-Piperidinoditiocarbamato de Piperidina: Sistema cristalino monoclínico; grupo espacial P21; Z=8; a=12,397(7); b=15,470(1); c=14,320(5) Å; beta =93,326(5)0; V=2741,99(9) Å3; D=1,191 Mg/m3. O índice de discordância é R(F)= 0,0541 (R (F)*= 0,1809 para todas as reflexões), com S=0,974 para 3850 reflexões observadas com I > ou = 2 gama(I) e 542 parâmetros refinados.The first part of this work is a brief description of basics concepts of X ray for a structure solution and some concepts of dithiocarbamates. The experimental part contains the crystal and molecular structure for four compounds and its supramolecular interactions. Potassium Morfolinodithiocarbamate: monoclinic system; space group P21/c; Z=4; a=6.723(5); b=17.260(4); c=8.190(8) Å; b=108.9(1)0; V=898.7(3) Å3; D=1.621 Mg/m3; 1615 observed reflections (I ³ 2s(I)); NPAR=107. The final disagreement indices are: R(F)=0.0472. R (F)*= 0.1064; S=1.012. Morfoline Morfolinodithiocarbamate: monoclinic system; space group P21/c; Z=4; a=7.938(5); b=18.323(1); c=8.826(5) Å; b=110.2(5)0; V=1206.16(25) Å3; D=1.381 Mg/m3; 2021 observed reflections (I ³ 2s(I)); NPAR=191. The final disagreement indices are: R(F)= 0.0505; R(F)*=0.1273; S=0.997. Amonium Morfolinodithiocarbamate: monoclinic system; space group P21/a; Z=4; a=8.881(9); b=9.002(9); c=11.889(5) Å; b=104.3(5) 0; V=921.85(12) Å3; D=1.30 Mg/m3; 2093 observed reflections (I ³ 2s(I)); NPAR=141. The final disagreement indices are: R(F)= 0.0557; R(F)*=0.0731; S=1.053. Piperidiniun 1-Piperidinodithiocarbamate: monoclinic system; space group P21; Z=8; a =12.397(7); b=15.470(1); c=14.320(5) Å; b=93.326(5)0; V=2741.99(9) Å3; D=1.191 Mg/m3; 3850 observed reflections (I ³ 2s(I)); NPAR=542. The final disagreement indices are: R(F)= 0.0541; R(F)*= 0.1809; S=0.974

Structural and stereochemistry analysis of dithiocarbamate derivates: an influence of the supramolecularity

Ditiocarbamatos (DTC) tem uma vasta gama de aplicação. Na indústria são usados como ativos para vulcanização da borracha; lubrificantes e anticorrosivos para trabalhos em alta pressão. Na medicina são estudados como potenciais inibidores do fator nuclear kappa β (NF-KB) e da protease do HIV-1; além da aplicação como indutores da apoptose em vários tipos de células carcinogênicas e como agentes antimicrobianos e antifúngicos. Derivados cíclicos de ditiocarbamatos são capazes de formar extensos arranjos no estado sólido mantidos por ligações de hidrogênio, interações do tipo π - π, interações metal - π e interações de van der Waals. No presente trabalho, determinou-se a natureza dessas interações em ditiocarbamatos derivados da própria amina substituinte e de metais alcalinos. Foram calculados mapas de potencial eletrostático molecular e momentos dipolo, a fim de entender quais fatores regem o empacotamento cristalino. Os átomos de enxofre nessas moléculas apresentam ligações mono ou bidentadas e ligações hidrogênio intramoleculares, que formam arranjos poliméricos. Essas interações são fracas, com distâncias da ordem da soma de seus raios de van der Waals, semelhante ao grafite.Dithiocarbamates (DTC) are applied in several areas such as agricultural products, pesticides and repellents; industry, as additives for vulcanization of rubber; organic synthesis as precursors; chelating agents; lubricants and antiwear at high pressure. In medical fields, they have also been applied as a potential nuclear factor kappa B (NF - κB) inhinitor; transcription factor heat shock factor 1 (HSF1); HIV-1 protease inhibitor; co-adjuvant agent in the treatment of opportunistic infections in AIDS patients; inducer of apoptosis activity in several types of cancer cells, e.g. renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer; besides being great antimicrobicial and antifungal agents. Cyclic dithiocarbamate derivates are capable of forming extended hydrogen bonded arrays in the solid state. They are kept in the solid state by hydrogen bonds, π - π interactions stacking, π - metal interactions and van der Waals interactions. This work presents eight ditihiocarbamates derivates, their syntheses and recrystallization. The analysis of the dithiocarbamates salts was performed by X-ray diffraction which has gave the influence of the ligand in the crystalline arrangement, and molecular electrostatic potential maps, by DFT calculations. The sulphur atoms in these molecules have mono or bidentate bonds and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, forming polymeric arrangements. These interactions are weak, with distances of the order of the sum of their van der Waals radii, similar to graphite

Towards to the trans-bromination of 2-styrylpyridine with a palladacycle intermediary and structure analysis for trans-1,2-dibromo-2-styrylpyridine

The simple halogenation of alkynes in conventional organic reactions gives a blend of cis and trans isomers. It is proposed then, a synthesis of stereospecific halogenation of alkynes in trans position, using palladacycle as intermediaries. The recrystallization of the compound obtained by bromination of 2-Styrylpyridine, with cyclepalladium intermediary results in a single crystal, which is subjected to X-ray diffraction. The crystal packing is established through weak interactions of three types. The first one is of the type pi x pi interactions, from symmetry operation, between the centroids. The second one is of the type C-X center dot center dot center dot pi interactions. And the last type is an anomalous intermolecular interaction between halogens, C-X center dot center dot center dot X-C, with bond distances smaller than the sum of the van der Waals radii. The conformation on the C=C bond is trans and the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is (with esd approximate) 18.1(3)degrees. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Structure-based identification of novel PPAR gamma ligands

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor c (PPARc) is a nuclear receptor with an important role in the glucose metabolism and a target for type 2 diabetes mellitus therapy. The recent findings relating the use of the receptor full agonist rosiglitazone and the incidence of myocardial infarction raised concerns regarding whether receptor activation can actually be useful for diabetes management. The discovery of MRL-24 and GQ-16, ligands that can partially activate PPARc and prevent weight gain and fluid retention, showed that a submaximal receptor activation can be a goal in the development of new ligands for PPARc. Additionally, two previously described receptor antagonists, SR-202 and BADGE, were also shown to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease TNF-a level, revealing that receptor antagonism may also be an approach to pursue. Here, we used a structure-based approach to screen the subset 'Drugs-Now' of ZINC database. Fifteen ligands were selected after visual inspection and tested for their ability to bind to PPARc. A benzoimidazol acetate, a bromobenzyl-thio-tetrazol benzoate and a [[2-[(1,3-dioxoinden- 2-ylidene)methyl]phenoxy]methyl]benzoate were identified as PPARc ligands, with IC50 values smaller than 10 lM. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the residues H323, H449, Y327, Y473, K367 and S289 are key structural elements for the molecular recognition of these ligands and the polar arm of PPARc binding pocket.FAPESP (10/15376-8)CNPq (476606/2010-1)CAPES (480254/2012-5

A theoretical and experimental study to unequivocal structural assignment of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives

The tetrahydroquinoline derivatives can be easily synthesized through Povarov reaction and have several important biological activities. This work describes a comparative study for the unequivocal assignment of molecular structure of different tetrahydroquinoline derivatives, through a complete analysis of NMR 1D and 2D NMR spectra (1H, 13C, COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), and the correlation this data with theoretical calculations of energy-minimization and chemical shift (δ), employing the theory level of DFT/B3LYP with set of the cc-pVDZ basis. For these derivatives the experimental analyses and the theoretical model adopted were sufficient to obtain a good description of its structures, and these results can be used to assign the structure of various others tetrahydroquinoline derivatives. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Structure and function of a novel antioxidant peptide from the skin of tropical frogs

The amphibian skin plays an important role protecting the organism from external harmful factors such as microorganisms or UV radiation. Based on biorational strategies, many studies have investigated the cutaneous secretion of anurans as a source of bioactive molecules. By a peptidomic approach, a novel antioxidant peptide (AOP) with in vitro free radical scavenging ability was isolated from Physalaemus nattereri. The AOP, named antioxidin-I, has a molecular weight [M+H]+ = 1543.69 Da and a TWYFITPYIPDK primary amino acid sequence. The gene encoding the antioxidin-I precursor was expressed in the skin tissue of three other Tropical frog species: Phyllomedusa tarsius, P. distincta and Pithecopus rohdei. cDNA sequencing revealed highly homologous regions (signal peptide and acidic region). Mature antioxidin-I has a novel primary sequence with low similarity compared with previously described amphibian's AOPs. Antioxidin-I adopts a random structure even at high concentrations of hydrophobic solvent, it has poor antimicrobial activity and poor performance in free radical scavenging assays in vitro, with the exception of the ORAC assay. However, antioxidin-I presented a low cytotoxicity and suppressed menadione-induced redox imbalance when tested with fibroblast in culture. In addition, it had the capacity to substantially attenuate the hypoxia-induced production of reactive oxygen species when tested in hypoxia exposed living microglial cells, suggesting a potential neuroprotective role for this peptide.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Synthesis, characterization and use of enzyme cashew gum nanoparticles for biosensing applications

This research reports, for the first time, the immobilization of an enzyme - Rhus vernificera laccase - on cashew gum (CG) nanoparticles (NPs) and its application as a biological layer in the design and development of an electrochemical biosensor. Laccase-CG nanoparticles (LacCG-NPs) were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method and characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The average size and stability of the NPs were predicted by DLS and zeta potential. The ATR-FTIR results clearly demonstrated an interaction between –NH and –OH groups to form LacCG-NPs. The average size found for LacCG-NPs was 280 53 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.309 0.08 indicated a good particle size distribution. The zeta potential shows a good colloidal stability. The use of a natural product to prepare the enzymatic nanoparticles, its easy synthesis and the immobilization efficiency should be highlighted. LacCG-NPs were successfully applied as a biolayer in the development of an amperometric biosensor for catechol detection. The resulting device showed a low response time (6 s), good sensitivity (7.86 mA mM1 cm2 ), wide linear range of 2.5 107 –2.0 104 M, and low detection limit (50 nM).Universidad Complutense de MadridFederal University of Piaui (Brasil)Depto. de Química en Ciencias FarmacéuticasFac. de FarmaciaTRUEpu