[Cu(tn)]3[Cr(CN)6]2·3H2O: a unique two-dimensional Cu–Cr cyano-bridged ferromagnet (tn = 1,3-diaminopropane)

Reaction of the two-coordinate ‘assembling complex-ligand’ [Cu(tn)]2+ with the building block [Cr(CN)6]32 leads to a unique two-dimensional Cu–Cr cyano-bridged ferromagnet with unusual m3- and m4-bridging [Cu(tn)]2+ units.Gomez Garcia, Carlos Jose, [email protected]

New crystal packing arrangements in radical cation salts of BEDT-TTF with [Cr(NCS)6]3− and [Cr(NCS)5(NH3)]2−

BEDT-TTF forms three packing arrangement styles in its radical cation salts with [Cr(NCS)6]3− in two of which two trans-oriented isothiocyanate ligands penetrate the BEDT-TTF layers either at the point where a solvent (nitrobenzene) is incorporated in a stack of donors or by four donor molecules forming a “tube” motif to accept a ligand at each end along with a small solvent molecule in between (acetonitrile). The [Cr(NCS)5NH3]2− ion forms a related crystal packing arrangement with BEDT-TTF with a reduction in the number of “tube” motifs needed to accept an isothiocyanate ligand

Antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties of water and n-butanol soluble extracts from Saharian Anvillea radiata in high-fat-diet fed mice

International audienceEthnopharmacological relevance: According to Saharian traditional medicine, Anvillea radiata Coss. & Dur. (Asteraceae) has been valued for treating a variety of ailments such as gastro-intestinal, liver and pulmonary diseases, and has gained awareness for its beneficial effect on postprandial hyperglycemia. However, to best of our knowledge, no detailed study of the antidiabetic curative effects of this plant has been conducted yet.Aim of the study: To determine the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effect of dietary supplementation with Anvillea radiata extracts on high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity and insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice in relation with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pancreatic beta-cells and skeletal muscle protection, and digestive enzyme inhibiting properties.Materials and methods: Six extracts (water soluble and organic) from aerial parts of the plant were analyzed phytochemically (total phenolic and flavonoid content) and screened for in vitro superoxide (by chemiluminescence) and hydroxyl radical (by electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping) scavenging, antioxidant (DPPH, TRAP and ORAC assays), xanthine oxidase, metal chelating, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory property, and protective effects on copper-induced lipoprotein oxidation. Then selected hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts were assessed for toxicity in normal human lung fibroblasts and A549 cancer cells using FMCA and MTT assays. Two water-soluble extracts having the best overall properties were assessed for their (i) protective effect at 115 µg/mL on metabolic activity of rat insulinoma-derived INS-1 cells exposed to hyperglycemic medium, and (ii) acute hypoglycemic effect on 16-weeks HFD-induced diabetic mice. Then diabetic mice were administered HFD supplemented by extracts (up to 150 mg/kg/day) for 12 additional weeks using standard diet as control and the antidiabetic drug, metformin (150 mg/kg), as positive control. Then the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of extracts were determined.Results: Of the highly efficient polyphenolics-enriched hydroalcoholic and ethyl acetate extracts, the lyophilized aqueous (AQL) and butanol extracts were not toxic in cells (≤ 400 µg/mL) or when given orally in normal mice (≤ 2000 mg/kg), exerted a dose-dependent hypoglycemic action in diabetic mice, which was maximal at the dose of 150 mg/kg. Upon administering this dose for 12 weeks, both extracts significantly ameliorated body weight control capacity, recovery of plasma glucose and insulin level, reduced oxidative stress in blood, myocardial and skeletal muscles, and improved hyperlipidemic and inflammatory status. Moreover, diabetes-related complications were optimally ameliorated by oral therapy based on halved doses (75 mg/kg) of a mixture of AQL and metformin.Conclusions: Current investigation supports the traditional medicinal usage of Anvillea radiata and suggests that both readily accessible and low-cost bio-extracts have the potency to develop an antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and protective agent against beta-cells and muscle dysfunction at doses compatible with the common practices of indigenous people for the management of metabolic disorders

Bis(2,2′-bi-1H-imidazole)­copper(II) bis­(1,1,3,3-tetra­cyano-2-eth­oxy­propenide)

In the title compound, [Cu(C6H6N4)2](C9H5N4O)2, the Cu2+ ion (site symmetry ) is coordinated by two N,N′-bidentate 2,2′-biimidazole (H2biim) ligands, generating a square-planar CuN4 geometry. The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings in the ligand is 0.70 (9)°. In the polynitrile 1,1,3,3-tetra­cyano-2-eth­oxy­propenide (tcnoet) anion, the C—N, C—C and C—O bond lengths indicate extensive electronic delocalization. An alternative description for the metal-ion geometry is an extremely distorted CuN6 octa­hedron, with two N-bonded tcnoet anions completing the coordination. In the crystal, the components are linked by N—H⋯N and C—H⋯N inter­actions

Photoinduced HS state in the first spin-crossover chain containing a cyanocarbanion as bridging ligand

A new polymeric approach, based on cyanocarbanion ligands, for the design of spin crossover (SCO) compounds led us to the compound [Fe(abpt)2(tcpd)] (1) (tcpd^2 = (C[C(CN)2|3)^2 , abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole) which has been characterised as the first SCO molecular chain involving a cyanocarbanion as bridging ligand.Gomez Garcia, Carlos Jose, [email protected]

Trioxanes antiparasitaires : mécanisme d'action et nouvelles molécules biologiquement actives.

Discovery of antimalarial and antischistosomiasis properties of artemisinin, extracted from a wormwood, highlights a new family of active compounds: trioxanes. Reduced metallic species mediate oxidative reduction of the peroxide function and transform these trioxanes into heme-alkylating agents. Alkylating properties of artemisin derivatives toward heme, relased from hemoglobine digestion by Plasmodium, were studdied. Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections caused by Schistosoma. Praziquantel is actually the only drug active against all schistosome species. Parasites digest host hemoglobin and generate an heme aggregate similar to hemozoin, a pigment formed by Plasmodium. Artemisinin derivatives display a significant activity against Schistosoma. New dual molecules, named trioxaquantels, associating covalently a trioxane to the pirazinoisoquinolin of praziquantel, were synthesized and their biological activities tested on schistosomes.La découverte de l'activité antipaludique et antischistosomose de l'artémisinine, une molécule d'origine naturelle, met en lumière une nouvelle famille de composés actifs : les trioxanes. L'activation réductrice du peroxyde par un centre métallique de bas degré d'oxydation en fait des alkylants efficaces de l'hème. Les propriétés d'alkylation de dérivés de l'artémisinine vis-à-vis de l'hème libéré lors de la digestion de l'hémoglobine par Plasmodium ont été étudiées. Les schistosomoses, maladies dues à un parasite sanguin Schistosoma, sont une des premières causes infectieuses de mortalité au monde, pour lesquelles le praziquantel est le seul médicament disponible. Les schistosomes digèrent l'hémoglobine de l'hôte et forment un pigment d'hème semblable à celui produit par Plasmodium. Les trioxaquantels, molécules duales associant de façon covalente un trioxane à la pyrazino-isoquinoléine du praziquantel, ont été synthétisées et leurs activités biologiques évaluées sur schistosomes

Vers la compréhension des modifications physiologiques et neuro-anatomiques induites par la pratique musicale. Apport des études scientifiques.

Dans les dernières décennies, les modifications de la plasticité cérébrale induites par l’apprentissage de la musique ont été intensivement explorées par les scientifiques. Ainsi, il apparaît que jouer d’un instrument entraîne l’activation de zones spécifiques du cerveau, en modifie la structure et développe une meilleure communication entre ces dernières. Parallèlement à cela, la pratique musicale favorise le développement global, la communication et la socialisation. L’objectif de cet article sera de mettre en avant les principales avancées scientifiques publiées dans la littérature internationale, obtenues avec des sujets qui pratiquent une activité musicale à l’aide de techniques d’imagerie. En parallèle, certains travaux chez l’animal qui apportent des informations complémentaires au regard des mécanismes cellulaires et biochimiques mis en jeu seront présentés. Une attention particulière sera ensuite apportée aux études exploitant les bénéfices de la musique auprès de sujets, depuis l’apprentissage du langage ou de la lecture jusqu’aux troubles psychomoteurs, neuro-dégénératifs ou les troubles envahissants du développement