Quaternary ammonium compounds in roots and leaves of <i>Capparis spinosa</i> L. from Saudi Arabia and Italy: investigation by HPLC-MS and ¹H NMR

<p><i>Capparis spinosa</i> L. is a perennial plant typical of the Mediterranean flora and a multipurpose plant used for curing various human ailments. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), as constituents of Capparaceae, play important roles in protecting against abiotic stress. Aim of this work was to determine QACs in root and leaves of caper from two proveniences. The presence of stachydrine, choline, glycine betaine and homo-stachydrine has been confirmed by high resolution MS, while ¹H NMR was applied to quantify the main QACs in the aqueous extracts. Stachydrine was quantified at 20.2 mg/g and 32.3 mg/g on dry leaves from South of Italy and Saudi Arabia, respectively, while a minor content was in dry roots (from 10.4 to 12.5 mg/g). Choline was considerably lower both in leaves and roots (from 0.3 to 1.2 mg/g). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the determination of QACs both in root and leaves of <i>C. spinosa</i>.</p

Simulated multilocus genotypes of Aedes mariae and Aedes zammitii

Simulated multilocus genotypes of Aedes mariae and Aedes zammitii for six allozymic loci. From multilocus genotypes of 100 individuals of Ae. mariae from Circeo and Scauri populations and 100 individuals of Ae. zammitii from Peschici and Baia dei Campi populations sampled in 1985, we simulated 1000 individuals of each of five genotypic class (parental Ae. mariae and Ae. zammitti, F1, F2 and first-generation backcrosses) using the software hybridlab version 1.0. z0s = Ae. zammitii from Peschici and Baia dei Campi populations; z1s = Ae. mariae from Circeo and Scauri populations

Reactivity and Biological Properties of a Series of Cytotoxic PtI₂(amine)₂ Complexes, Either <i>cis</i> or <i>trans</i> Configured

Six diiodido–diamine platinum­(II) complexes, either <i>cis</i> or <i>trans</i> configured, were prepared, differing only in the nature of the amine ligand (isopropylamine, dimethylamine, or methylamine), and their antiproliferative properties were evaluated against a panel of human tumor cell lines. Both series of complexes manifested pronounced cytotoxic effects, with the <i>trans</i> isomers being, generally, more effective than their <i>cis</i> counterparts. Cell cycle analysis revealed different modes of action for these new Pt­(II) complexes with respect to cisplatin. The reactivity of these platinum compounds with a number of biomolecules, including cytochrome c, two sulfur containing modified amino acids, 9-ethylguanine, and a single strand oligonucleotide, was analyzed in depth by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Interestingly, significant differences in the reactivity of the investigated compounds toward the various model biomolecules were observed: in particular we observed that <i>trans</i> complexes preferentially release their iodide ligands upon biomolecule binding, while the <i>cis</i> isomers may release the amine ligands with retention of iodides. Such differences in reactivity may have important mechanistic implications and a relevant impact on the respective pharmacological profiles

Reactivity and Biological Properties of a Series of Cytotoxic PtI₂(amine)₂ Complexes, Either <i>cis</i> or <i>trans</i> Configured

Six diiodido–diamine platinum­(II) complexes, either <i>cis</i> or <i>trans</i> configured, were prepared, differing only in the nature of the amine ligand (isopropylamine, dimethylamine, or methylamine), and their antiproliferative properties were evaluated against a panel of human tumor cell lines. Both series of complexes manifested pronounced cytotoxic effects, with the <i>trans</i> isomers being, generally, more effective than their <i>cis</i> counterparts. Cell cycle analysis revealed different modes of action for these new Pt­(II) complexes with respect to cisplatin. The reactivity of these platinum compounds with a number of biomolecules, including cytochrome c, two sulfur containing modified amino acids, 9-ethylguanine, and a single strand oligonucleotide, was analyzed in depth by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Interestingly, significant differences in the reactivity of the investigated compounds toward the various model biomolecules were observed: in particular we observed that <i>trans</i> complexes preferentially release their iodide ligands upon biomolecule binding, while the <i>cis</i> isomers may release the amine ligands with retention of iodides. Such differences in reactivity may have important mechanistic implications and a relevant impact on the respective pharmacological profiles