Design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation of L-amino acid esters prodrugs of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates as anti-HBV agent

A series of novel L-amino acid esters prodrugs of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates was synthesized and their anti-HBV activity was evaluated in HepG2 2.2.15 cells. Compound 1d exhibited more potent anti-HBV activity and lower cytotoxicity than those of adefovir dipivoxil with EC50 and CC50 values of 0.207 μmol/L and 2530 μmol/L, respectively.

Design,synthesis and in vitro evaluation of mono(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)esters,mono L-amino acid ester prodrugs of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates as anti-HBV agents

A series of novel mono（2,2,2-trifluoroethyl） esters,mono L-amino acid ester prodrugs of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates was synthesized and their in vitro anti-HBVactivity was evaluated in HepG 2 2.2.15 cells.Compound 1d exhibited more potent anti-HBV activity and lower cytotoxicity than those of adefovir dipivoxil and alamifovir（MCC-478） with EC_（50） and CC_（50） values of 0.01μmol/L and 8000μmol/L respectively.

Adsorption of Phthalic Acid Esters by Humic Acid and Its Research Progress

Humic acid is rich in highly electronegative oxygen-containing organic functional groups,so it has high reactivity and can adsorb phthalic acid ester(PAEs)in the environment to reduce the risk of environmental pollution from PAEs.In this paper,the extraction,characterization and adsorption models of humic acid were reviewed,and the research status of adsorption of PAEs by humic acid was further summarized.Based on these,the feasibility and observable application prospect of humic acid as a cheap adsorbent were analyzed.

Anticancer Activities of Substituted Cinnamic Acid Phenethyl Esters on Human Cancer Cell Lines

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and sixteen substituted cinnamic acid phenethyl esters were prepared via conventional procedures in order to test their in vitro anticancer activities by either MTT assay or SRB assay on six different human cancer cell lines. The results indicated that in the concentration of 10μmol·L^-1 the lead compmuM CAPE possessed anficancer activities against human HL-60, Bel-7402, and Hela cell lines, and two other compounds possessed potent anticancer activities against Bel-7402 and Hela cell lines.

Abiotic degradation of four phthalic acid esters in aqueous phase under natural sunlight irradiation

Abiotic degradability of four phthalic acid esters （PAEs） in the aquatic phase was evaluated over a wide pH range 5-9. The PAE solutions in glass test tubes were placed either in the dark and under the natural sunlight irradiation for evaluating the degradation rate via hydrolysis or photolysis plus hydrolysis, respectively, at ambient temperature for 140 d from autumn to winter in Osaka, Japan. The efficiency of abiotic degradation of the PAEs with relatively short alkyl chains, such as butylbenzyl phthalate （BBP） and di-nbutyl phthalate （DBP）, at neutral pH was significantly lower than that in the acidic or alkaline condition. Photolysis was considered to contribute mainly to the total abiotic degradation at all pH. Neither hydrolysis nor photolysis of di-ethylhexyl phthalate （DEHP） proceeded significantly at any pH, especially hydrolysis at neutral pH was negligible. On the other hand, the degradation rate of di- isononyl phthalate （DINP） catalyzed mainly by photolysis was much higher than those of the other PAEs, and was almost completely removed during the experimental period at pH 5 and 9. As a whole, according to the half-life （t1/2） obtained in the experiments, the abiotic degradability of the PAEs was in the sequence： DINP （32-140 d） 〉 DBP （50-360 d）, BBP （58-480 d） 〉 DEHP （390-1600 d） under sunlight irradiation （via photolysis plus hydrolysis）. Although the abiotic degradation rates for BBP, DBP, and DEHP are much lower than the biodegradation rates reported, the photolysis rate for DINP is comparable to its biodegradation rate in the acidic or alkaline condition.

Identification of differential proteins in colorectal cancer cells treated with caffeic acid phenethyl ester

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE).METHODS: Protein profiles of human colorectal cancer SW480 cells treated with or without CAPE were analysed using a two-dimensional(2D) electrophoresis gelbased proteomics approach. After electrophoresis, the gels were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250. Digital images were taken with a GS-800 Calibrated Densitometer, and image analysis was performed using PDQuest 2-D Analysis software. The altered proteins following CAPE treatment were further identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry following a database search. The identified proteins were validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.RESULTS: CAPE induced human colorectal cancer cell apoptosis. Four up-regulated proteins and seven down-regulated proteins in colorectal cancer cells treated with CAPE were found. The identified downregulated proteins in CAPE-treated colorectal cancer cells were Triosephosphate Isomerase(Tim), Proteasome subunit alpha 4(PSMA4) protein, Guanine nucleotide binding protein beta, Phosphoserine aminotransferase 1(PSAT1), PSMA1, Myosin XVIIIB and Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase. Notably, CAPE treatment led to the down-regulation of PSAT1 and PSMA1, two proteins that have been implicated in tumorigenesis. The identified up-regulated proteins were Annexin A4, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase 1(GNPDA1), and Glutathione peroxidase(GPX-1). Based on high match scores and potential role in cell growth control, PSMA1, PSAT1, GNPDA1 and GPX-1 were further validated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. PSMA1 and PSAT1 were down-regulated, while GNPDA1 and GPX-1 were up-regulated in CAPE-treated colorectal cancer cells. CONCLUSION: These differentiated proteins in colorectal cancer cells following CAPE treatment, may be potential molecular targets of CAPE and involved in the anti-cancer effect of CAPE.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits liver fibrosis in rats

AIM: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects and antioxidant activity of caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE) in rats with liver fibrosis. METHODS: A total of 75 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to seven experimental groups: a normal group(n = 10), a vehicle group(n = 10), a model group(n = 15), a vitamin E group(n = 10), and three CAPE groups(CAPE 3, 6 and 12 mg/kg, n = 10, respectively). Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by injecting CCl4 subcutaneously, feeding with high fat forage, and administering 30% alcohol orally for 10 wk. Concurrently, CAPE(3, 6 and 12 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered daily for 10 wk. After that, serum total bilirubin(TBil), aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels were measured to assess hepatotoxicity. To investigate antioxidant activity of CAPE, malondialdehyde(MDA), glutathione(GSH) levels, catalase(CAT) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities in liver tissue were determined. Moreover, the effect of CAPE on α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), a characteristic hallmark of activated hepatic stellate cells(HSCs), and NF-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2), a key transcription factor for antioxidant systems, was investigated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared to the model group, intraperitoneal administration of CAPE decreased TBil, ALT, and AST levels in liver fibrosis rats(P < 0.05), while serum TBil was decreased by CAPE in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the liver hydroxyproline contents in both the 6 and 12 mg/kg CAPE groups were markedly lower than that in the model group(P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). CAPE markedly decreased MDA levels and, in turn, increased GSH levels, as well as CAT and SOD activities in liver fibrosis rats compared to the model group(P < 0.05). Moreover, CAPE effectively inhibited α-SMA expression while increasing Nrf2 expression compared to the model group(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The protective effects of CAPE against liver fibrosis may be due to its ability to suppress the activation of HSCs by inhibiting oxidative stress.

Synergistic extraction of rare earth by mixtures of 2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid from sulfuric acid medium

The extraction of Nd^3＋ and Sm^3＋, including the extraction and stripping capability as well as the separation effect of Nd^3＋ or Sm^3＋, from a sulfuric acid medium, by mixtures of di-（2-ethylhexyl） phosphoric acid （HDEHP, H2A2（0）） and 2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester （HEH/EHP, H2L2（0）） were studied. The distribution ratios and synergistic coefficients of Nd^3＋ and Sm^3＋ in different acidities were also determined. A synergistic extractive effect was found when HDEHP and HEH/EHP were used as mixed extractants for Sm^3＋ or Nd^3＋. The chemical compositions of the extracted complex were determined as Nd.（HA2）2-HL2 and Sm.（HA2）2-HL2. The extraction equilibrium constants, enthalpy change, and entropy change of the extraction reaction were also determined.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 10-amino acids ester homocamptothecin analogues

Nine racemic homocamptothecin derivatives were synthesized and in vitro antitumor activities were evaluated by standard MTT method. The results showed that some of the compound had higher antitumor activity than iritecan.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester protects against oxidative stress and dampens inflammation via heme oxygenase 1

Periodontal disease is associated with chronic oxidative stress and inflammation. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE), which is a potent inducer of heme oxygenase 1(HO1), is a central active component of propolis, and the application of propolis improves periodontal status in diabetic patients. Here, primary murine macrophages were exposed to CAPE. Target gene expression was assessed by whole-genome microarray, RT-PCR and Western blotting. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of CAPE were examined by exposure of the cells to hydrogen peroxide, saliva and periodontal pathogens. The involvement of HO1 was investigated with the HO1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin(SnPP) and knockout mice for Nrf2, which is a transcription factor for detoxifying enzymes. CAPE increased HO1 and other heat shock proteins in murine macrophages. A p38 MAPK inhibitor and Nrf2 knockout attenuated CAPE-induced HO1 expression in macrophages. CAPE exerted strong antioxidative activity. Additionally, CAPE reduced the inflammatory response to saliva and periodontal pathogens. Blocking HO1 decreased the antioxidative activity and attenuated the anti-inflammatory activity of CAPE. In conclusion, CAPE exerted its antioxidative effects through the Nrf2-mediated HO1 pathway and its anti-inflammatory effects through NF-κB inhibition. However, preclinical models evaluating the use of CAPE in periodontal inflammation are necessary in future studies.

Biodegradability of four phthalic acid esters under anaerobic condition assessed using natural sediment

Biodegradability of di-n-butyl phthalate （DBP）, butylbenzyl phthalate （BBP）, di-ethylhexyl phthalate （DEHP）, and di-isononyl phthalate （DINP） under an anaerobic condition was evaluated using three natural sediment microcosms obtained from ponds in Osaka, which had not been significantly polluted by the chemicals. The degradabilities of the four phthalic acid esters（PAEs） were analyzed by a first-order kinetic model with a lag phase and ranked as DBP〉BBP〉〉DEHP〉DINP. The PAEs with shorter alkyl-chains, DBP and BBP, were degraded with quite short lag phases near to zero and short half-lives of a few days. The PAEs with longer alkyl-chains, DEHP and DINP, were degraded with lag phases of 5-30 d and the quite long half-lives of a couple of hundred days. Although no data was available on the anaerobic biodegradability of D1NP before this study, it was clarified that DINP can be degraded with slow degradation rates. The fact that all the three intact sediments were capable of biodegradation of the PAEs suggests that potential of anaerobic biodegradation of PAEs is widespread in the aquatic environment.

Boosted Biodegradability and Tribological Properties of Mineral Base Oil by Methyl Diethanolamine Fatty Acid Esters

Methyl diethanolamine fatty acid esters, viz. methyl diethanolamine octanoate and methyl diethanolamine oleate,were prepared. Their impacts on the biodegradability and tribological properties of mineral base oil 400 SN were evaluated by a tester for fast evaluating the biodegradability of lubricants and by a four-ball tester, respectively. The results showed that methyl diethanolamine octanoate and methyl diethanolamine oleate both could markedly promote the biodegradation of the oil and improved its tribological properties. The improvement of biodegradability was attributed to the enhanced growth and quantity of microbes by methyl diethanolamine fatty acid esters. The worn surfaces were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope(SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS) and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscope(XPS). The results indicated that the enhancement of friction-reducing and anti-wear properties of the mineral oil was attributed to the formation of complicated boundary lubrication films composed of species such as Fe_2O_3, Fe_3O_4 and organic nitrogen-containing compounds with a structure of –C-N-or R-NH_2.

Effects of Processing Variables on the Morphology and Diameter of Electrospun Poly(amino acid ester)phosphazene Nanofibers

Poly[（alanino ethyl ester）0.67 （glycino ethyl ester）0.33 phosphazene] （PAGP） was synthesized, and morphology and diameter of the electrospun PAGP nanofibers were systematically evaluated by using a cool field emission scanning electron microscope （SEM） with changing the important processing variables such as applied voltage, polymeric concentration, and ambient temperature. The average diameter of PAGP nanofibers was inversely proportional to the applied voltage, but increased with the increase of solution concentration. Lower environmental temperature was unfavorable due to the nanofibers conglutination.

Synthesis and Primary Research on Antitumor Activity of Three New Panaxadiol Fatty Acid Esters

For making use of Ginseng resources that exhibit an antitumor activity and for finding new anticancer drugs, three new fatty acid ester compounds： 3/β-acetoxy panaxadiol （ Ⅰ ）, 3β-palmitic acid aceloxy panaxadiol （ Ⅱ ） , and 3β-octadecanoic acid aceloxy panaxadiol（ Ⅰ , Ⅱ, and m） were synthesized with panaxadiol, diacetyl oxide, palmityl chloride and stearyl chloride, and their structures were determined via MS, ^13C NMR, IR, TLC, and so on. The molar yields of the three compounds are 75.14%, 79. 08%, and 72. 57%, respectively. Meanwhile, the antitumor activity of the three new panaxadiol fatty acid ester derivatives and panaxadiol was compared by using the method of MTT. Tumor cell used was Vero cell line. Positive control was 5-FU, blank was an RPMI1640 culture medium, negative control was an RPMI1640 culture medium and the solvent for drugs to be tested. Compound Ⅰ has the strongest antitumor activity followed by panaxadiol; compounds Ⅱ and Ⅲ have similar and weakest antitumor activities. Furthermore, the antitumor activities of the panaxadiol fatty acid ester derivatives show positive correlation with the concentration of the test group, but show no relationship with the molecular weight of fatty acid. The methods that are used to synthesize the three compounds with high yields and strong antitumor activities are simple and show a great potential for meeting the needs of industrial manufacture of these drugs.

Enhancement of α-ketoisovalerate production by relieving the product inhibition of L-amino acid deaminase from Proteus mirabilis

L-Amino acid deaminase(LAAD) is a key enzyme in the deamination of L-valine(L-val) to produce α-ketoisovalerate(KIV). However, the product inhibition of LAAD is a major hindrance to industrial KIV production.In the present study, a combination strategy of modification of flexible loop regions around the product binding site and the avoidance of dramatic change of main-chain dynamics was reported to reduce the product inhibition.The four mutant PM-LAAD^(M4)(PM-LAAD^(S98A/T105A/S106A/L341A)) achieved a 6.2-fold higher catalytic efficiency and an almost 6.7-fold reduction in product inhibition than the wild-type enzyme. Docking experiments suggested that weakened interactions between the product and enzyme, and the flexibility of the "lid" structure relieved LAAD product inhibition. Finally, the whole-cell biocatalyst PM-LAAD^(M4) has been applied to KIV production,the titer and conversion rate of KIV from L-val were 98.5 g·L^-1 and 99.2% at a 3-L scale, respectively. These results demonstrate that the newly engineered catalyst can significantly reduce the product inhibition, that making KIV a prospective product by bioconversion method, and also provide the understanding of the mechanism of the relieved product inhibition of PM-LAAD.

Solvent extraction equilibrium of dysprosium(Ⅲ) from nitric acid solutions with 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester

In view of the importance of solvent extraction of rare earth metals with the acidic organophosphorous reagent,the development of a chemically based model applicable to high concentration is desired.In the present study,the equilibrium distribution of dysprosium(Ⅲ)between an aqueous nitric acid solution and 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A)was measured in the range of an initial aqueous dysprosium(Ⅲ)concentration from 1.0×10-3to 1.0×10-1kmol/m 3and PC88A concentration from 0.16 to 0.65 kmol/m3in Shellsol D70 as the diluent.The obtained data were analyzed using the chemically based model in order to correlate the equilibrium distribution ratios.In this model,dysprosium(Ⅲ)was assumed to be extracted with the PC88A dimer as a 1:3 complex,the activities were considered for the aqueous species,and the effective concentration of the PC88A dimer was calculated using Alstad's empirical equation.As a result,the apparent extraction equilibrium constant was determined to be 253(kmol·m- 3)-2with an excellent correlation between the experiment and calculation results in the wide range of the logarithm of the distribution ratio from-2 to 3.5.In conclusion,the methodology in this model would be effective for quantitative description of solvent extraction behavior of general rare earth elements as well as dysprosium.

Preparation of Highly Concentrated Silver Nanoparticles in Reverse Micelles of Sucrose Fatty Acid Esters through Solid-Liquid Extraction Method

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in reverse micelles consisting of sucrose fatty acid esters by dissolving reactant powder in the water pool of reverse micelles through the solid-liquid extraction. Silver nanoparticles having various sizes and shapes were obtained at high concentration. The size of silver nanoparticles was controlled by reaction temperature. Moreover, the size of silver nanoparticles was dependent upon the average esterification degree of sucrose fatty acid esters forming reverse micelles. The wavelength in the peaks, which corresponded upon the localized surface plasmon resonance of resultant silver nanoparticles, was correlated with their sizes.

Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells in vitro

AIM: To study the effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and expression of β-catenin in cultured human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HCT116.METHODS: HCT116 cells were treated with CAPE at serial concentrations of 80, 40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5 mg/L. The proliferative status of HCT116 cells was measured by using methabenzthiazuron (MTT) assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by using flow cytometry (FCM) with propidium iodide (PI) labeling method. The rate of apoptosis was detected by using FCM with annexin V-FITC and PI double labeling method.β-catenin levels were determined by Western blotting.β-catenin localization in HCT116 was determined by indirect i mmunofluorescence.RESULTS: After HCT116 cells were exposed to CAPE (80,40, 20, 10, 5, and 2.5 mg/L) for 24, 48, 72, 96 h, CAPE displayed a strong growth inhibitory effect in a dose- and time-dependent manner against HCT116 cells. FCM analysis showed that the ratio of G0/G1 phase cells increased, S phase ratio decreased and apoptosis rate increased after HCT116 cells were exposed to CAPE (10, 5, and 2.5 mg/L)for 24 h. CAPE treatment was associated with decreased cytoplasmic β-catenin, nuclear β-catenin and a concurrent increase in β-catenin protein expression at cell-cell junctions.CONCLUSION: CAPE could inhibit HCT116 cell proliferation and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Decreased β-catenin protein expression may mediate the anti-proliferative effects of CAPE.

Pyrolysis-GC/MS of Menthyl Esters of N-Benzoxycarbonyl Amino Acid

With the aid of a Pyrolysis-GC/TOF MS technique, the pyrolysis behaviour of two menthyl esters of N-benzoxycarbonyl amino acid was investigated. A clear pattern emerges involving the cleavage of the bond linking the menthyl ring to the carboxy group, followed by further degradation of the fragments. The major pyroproducts were p-menth-l-ene pyrolysed at a higher temperature or p-menth-2-ene pyrolysed at a lower temperature, and various derivatives of cyclohexene pyrolyzed from the menthyl ring. In addition, some of the products were also iden- tified as derivatives of benzene from the pyrolysis of benzyloxyl moiety.

A novel alkenoic acid ester and a new benzophenone from Ranunculus ternatus

新奇 alkenoic 酸酉旨，(E)-4-hydroxy-dodec-2-enedioic acid-12-O-methyl 酉旨和新 benzophenone，和已知的混合物的乙醇(S)-3-[2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxypropanoate, ，(E)-4-hydroxy-dodec-2-enedioic 酸从毛莨属 ternatus 的根被孤立。他们的结构被分光镜的方法阐明。