Experimental pharmacological research regarding some new quinazolin-4-ones derivatives

A series of new compounds with quinazolin-4-one structure, synthesized by the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest, was studied. Five of them were selected, conventionally named S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and investigated in terms of their potential influence on the central nervous system (CNS). For this purpose, the antidepressant effect was determined using the forced swimming test; the anxiolytic/ anxiogenic effect was determined using the suspended plus-shaped maze (Ugo Basile); the effect on the motor activity was determined using the Ugo Basile activity cage; and the potential analgesic effect was investigated using the hot plate test (Ugo Basile). Compounds S3 and S5 lowered the motor activity and showed an anxiolytic effect, while S1 and S2 proved to have antidepressant and analgesic effects. A good correlation between antidepressant and analgesic effects was observed, consistent with the fact that analgesic drugs, by increasing norepinephrine and serotonin levels in the pain inhibiting descendent pathways, can be used as co-analgesics in therapy

Experimental pharmacological research regarding the antidepressant effect of associating doxepin and selegiline in normal mice

The severity and complexity of depression can vary widely among individuals, thus making single drug therapy ineffective in some cases. Taking this fact into account and using a mouse model, we set on investigating the possibility of obtaining a synergism of action between a classical tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits noradrenalin and serotonin reuptake (doxepin), and a modern antidepressant that inhibits type-B monoamine oxidase (selegiline). We measured the antidepressant effect using the forced swimming test and the tail suspension test. We determined motor activity using the Activity Cage test. Our results have shown that the antidepressant effect intensifies significantly in the animals treated with both antidepressants simultaneously compared to those treated only with doxepin. Furthermore, we observed that selegiline decreases the sedative effect of doxepin in the Activity Cage test

Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in dietary sources using a spectrophotometric method

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a class of toxic compounds found in the composition of more than 6000 plants. People can be exposed to PAs by consuming phytotherapeutic products, food from crops contaminated with seeds of some species with high content of PAs, and/ or contaminated animal products like bee products. For this reason we developed and validated a method for quantitative determination of PAs, from the most frequently contaminated food sources, honey and flour. Colorimetric Ehrlich reagent method was used with standard addition (1mg/kg senecionine). The extraction solvent was methanol 50% acidified with citric acid to pH 2-3, as this solvent can be used for alkaloids and N-oxides. We found that, in extracting the alkaloid only once from the dietary sources, the percent of recovery is low (52.5% for honey, and 45.75% for flour). Using successive extractions, three times with the same solvent, the senecionine retrieval percentage increased to 86.0% for honey and 76.0% for flour. The method was validated using the following parameters: selectivity, linearity (0,25- 20 mg/ mL senecionine), accuracy (average recovery 93.5 - 107.93%) and precision (RSD 3,26-4.55%.). The calculated limit of quantification (0.174 mg/ mL) makes this method applicable for determining Pas occurring at toxic levels for consumers

Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in dietary sources using a spectrophotometric method

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a class of toxic compounds found in the composition of more than 6000 plants. People can be exposed to PAs by consuming phytotherapeutic products, food from crops contaminated with seeds of some species with high content of PAs, and/ or contaminated animal products like bee products. For this reason we developed and validated a method for quantitative determination of PAs, from the most frequently contaminated food sources, honey and flour. Colorimetric Ehrlich reagent method was used with standard addition (1mg/kg senecionine). The extraction solvent was methanol 50% acidified with citric acid to pH 2-3, as this solvent can be used for alkaloids and N-oxides. We found that, in extracting the alkaloid only once from the dietary sources, the percent of recovery is low (52.5% for honey, and 45.75% for flour). Using successive extractions, three times with the same solvent, the senecionine retrieval percentage increased to 86.0% for honey and 76.0% for flour. The method was validated using the following parameters: selectivity, linearity (0,25- 20 mg/ mL senecionine), accuracy (average recovery 93.5 - 107.93%) and precision (RSD 3,26-4.55%.). The calculated limit of quantification (0.174 mg/ mL) makes this method applicable for determining Pas occurring at toxic levels for consumers

Respiratory burst oxidase-D Expression and Biochemical Responses in Festuca arundinacea under Drought Stress

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases catalyze the production of superoxide, a type of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In plants, the NADPH oxidase homologs have been identified as respiratory burst oxidase homologs (Rboh). They are involved in ROS production in response to drought stress. Three entries of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were used for analyses in the present study: tolerant (‘Isfahan’) and sensitive (‘Quchan’) accessions to drought during the germination stage, selected from 14 wild populations in Iran, as well as ‘Barvado’ as a control. Partial sequence of the Festuca respiratory burst oxidase-D (FrbohD) gene was isolated from Barvado. We compared expression levels of the FrbohD gene as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), catalase activity and some biochemical responses among the three entries. Gene expression was evaluated for leaf and shoot samples subjected to 3, 6, and 9 d without water. The transcript level of FrbohD, H2O2 content, and catalase activity increased in Quchan under drought stress. It appears that lower levels of FrbohD gene transcription and H2O2 concentration in F. arundinacea leaves contributed to drought stress tolerance in Isfahan. Total protein and total soluble carbohydrate content also increased significantly in Isfahan when it was subjected to drought stress. Isfahan exhibited drought resistance through various strategies, which could serve as selection criteria for improving drought resistance in turfgrass breeding programs