Antioxidative Reactivity of L-Ascorbic Acid and D-Isoascorbic Acid Species towards Reduction of Hexachloroiridate (IV)

The pair [IrCl6]2–/[IrCl6]3– has been demonstrated to be a good redox probe in biological systems while L-ascorbic acid (AA) is one of the most important antioxidants. D-isoascorbic acid (IAA) is an epimer of AA and is widely used as an antioxidant in various foods, beverages, meat, and fisher products. Reductions of [IrCl6]2– by AA and IAA have been analyzed kinetically and mechanistically in this work. The reductions strictly follow overall second-order kinetics and the observed second-order rate constants were collected in the pH region of 0 ≤ pH ≤ 2.33 at 25.0°C. Spectrophotometric titration experiments revealed a well-defined 1 : 2 stoichiometry, namely Δ[AA] : Δ[Ir(IV)] or Δ[IAA] : Δ[Ir(IV)] = 1 : 2, indicating that L-dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and D-dehydroisoascorbic acid (DHIA) were the oxidation products of AA and IAA, respectively. A reaction mechanism is suggested involving parallel reactions of [IrCl6]2– with three protolysis species of AA/IAA (fully protonated, monoanionic, and dianionic forms) as the rate-determining steps and formation of ascorbic/isoascorbic and ascorbate/isoascorbate radicals; in each of the steps, [IrCl6]2– acquires an electron via an outer-sphere electron transfer mode. Rate constants of the rate-determining steps have been derived or estimated. The fully protonated forms of AA and IAA display virtually identical reactivity whereas ascorbate and isoascorbate monoanions have a significant reactivity difference. The ascorbate and isoascorbate dianions are extremely reactive and their reactions with [IrCl6]2– proceed with the diffusion-controlled rate. The species versus pH and the species reactivity versus pH distribution diagrams were constructed endowing that the ascorbate/isoascorbate monoanionic form dominated the total reactivity at physiological pH. In addition, the value of pKa1 = 3.74 ± 0.05 for IAA at 25.0°C and 1.0 M ionic strength was determined in this work.

Spectrophotometric Study of Bridging N-Donor Ligand-Induced Supramolecular Assembly of Conjugated Zn-Trisporphyrin with a Triphenylamine Core

This article studies the supramolecular assembly behavior of a Zn-trisporphyrin conjugate containing a triphenylamine core (1) with bridging N-donor ligands using the UV-vis spectrophotometric titration method at micromolar concentrations. Our results show that pyridine, a non-bridging ligand, formed a 3:1 open complex with 1. The corresponding binding constant was estimated to be (2.7 ± 0.15) × 1014 M−3. In contrast, bridging ligands, 4,4-bipyridine (BIPY) and 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane (DPYP), formed stable 3:2 double-decker complexes with 1 in solution, which collapsed to yield a 3:1 open complex when excess BIPY or DPYP was added. The binding constants for forming BIPY and DPYP double-decker complexes were estimated to be (9.26 ± 0.07) × 1027 M−4 and (3.62 ± 0.16) × 1027 M−4, respectively. The UV-vis titration profiles supported the conclusion that the degradation of the 3:2 double-decker 1∙BIPY complex is less favorable compared to that of 1∙DPYP. Consequently, the formation of the 3:1 1∙DPYP open complex proceeded more readily than that of 1∙BIPY.

Antibacterial Activity of Co(III) Complexes with Diamine Chelate Ligands against a Broad Spectrum of Bacteria with a DNA Interaction Mechanism

Cobalt coordination complexes are very attractive compounds for their therapeutic uses as antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, or antitumor agents. Two Co(III) complexes with diamine chelate ligands ([CoCl2(dap)2]Cl (1) and [CoCl2(en)2]Cl (2)) (where dap = 1,3-diaminopropane, en = ethylenediamine) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, an ATR technique, and a scan method and sequentially tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration results revealed that anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria were found to be the most sensitive; the serial passages assay presented insignificant increases in bacterial resistance to both compounds after 20 passages. The synergy assay showed a significant reduction in the MIC values of nalidixic acid when combined with Compounds (1) or (2). The assessment of cell damage by the complexes was performed using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy, which indicated cell membrane permeability, deformation, and altered cell morphology. DNA interaction studies of the Co(III) complexes with plasmid pBR322 using spectrophotometric titration methods revealed that the interaction between Complex (1) or (2) and DNA suggested an electrostatic and intercalative mode of binding, respectively. Furthermore, the DNA cleavage ability of compounds by agarose gel electrophoresis showed nuclease activity for both complexes. The results suggest that the effect of the tested compounds against bacteria can be complex.

17-SUBSTITUTED STEROIDAL TETRAZOLES – NOVEL LIGANDS FOR HUMAN STEROID-CONVERTING CYP ENZYMES

In animal and human organisms, there are many enzymes, members of the family of heme- containing proteins, cytochromes P450 (CYPs), included in the biosynthesis and metabolism of many biomolecules, as cholesterol, bile acids, sex, and corticosteroid hormones, as well as in metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics. It is also well-known that different imidazole and triazole derivatives are efficient inhibitors of CYPs activity. In this study, we present in vitro screening of binding of novel androstane derivatives with tetrazole- containing substituents in position 17 to human recombinant steroid-converting CYP enzymes: CYP7A1, CYP7B1, CYP17A1, CYP19, and CYP21. Initial screening was performed using a high throughput screening approach, while the affinity of the ligands was analyzed using spectrophotometric titration. For some among tested compounds type I spectral response (substrate-like binding) for CYP7A1 selectively, while for one compound type II spectral response (inhibitor-like binding) for CYP21 were detected, with micromolar values of Kds. Interestingly, one compound with mixed spectral response was found to bind for CYP7B1, which means that there are two optimal positions of the ligand inside the protein active site. Such results could be useful in CYP-inhibiting drug development, during a fast, high-throughput screening of pharmacological potential of novel compounds, as well as in side- effects recognizing.

Study on the Interaction of 4'-Hydroxychalcones and their Mannich Derivatives with Calf Thymus DNA by TLC and Spectroscopic Methods, a DNA Cleavage Study

Background: Phenolic Mannich bases derived from hydroxychalcones show remarkable cytotoxic potencies towards cancer cell lines. However, the exact mechanism of action is still partially uncleared. Objective: Interaction of two hydroxychalcones and their Mannich derivatives with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) has been investigated. Methods: Thin-layer chromatography and UV-Vis spectroscopic method were used for studying the interaction. The binding constant has been determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometric titration. The DNA cleavage activity of the compounds was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Interaction of the compounds with ctDNA exhibited relatively high intrinsic binding constant (4-5x104 M-1). The results indicate existence of weak, non-covalent interactions between the investigated derivatives with ctDNA. Some compounds showed a slight DNA cleavage activity with pBR322. Conclusion: The obtained results provide additional knowledge on the previously documented cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines of the hydroxychalcones and their Mannich-derivatives.

Interaction between Hemin and Prion Peptides: Binding, Oxidative Reactivity and Aggregation

We investigate the interaction of hemin with four fragments of prion protein (PrP) containing from one to four histidines (PrP106–114, PrP95–114, PrP84–114, PrP76–114) for its potential relevance to prion diseases and possibly traumatic brain injury. The binding properties of hemin-PrP complexes have been evaluated by UV–visible spectrophotometric titration. PrP peptides form a 1:1 adduct with hemin with affinity that increases with the number of histidines and length of the peptide; the following log K1 binding constants have been calculated: 6.48 for PrP76–114, 6.1 for PrP84–114, 4.80 for PrP95–114, whereas for PrP106–114, the interaction is too weak to allow a reliable binding constant calculation. These constants are similar to that of amyloid-β (Aβ) for hemin, and similarly to hemin-Aβ, PrP peptides tend to form a six-coordinated low-spin complex. However, the concomitant aggregation of PrP induced by hemin prevents calculation of the K2 binding constant. The turbidimetry analysis of [hemin-PrP76–114] shows that, once aggregated, this complex is scarcely soluble and undergoes precipitation. Finally, a detailed study of the peroxidase-like activity of [hemin-(PrP)] shows a moderate increase of the reactivity with respect to free hemin, but considering the activity over long time, as for neurodegenerative pathologies, it might contribute to neuronal oxidative stress.

Rigid trisporphyrin with 1,3,5-triazine core: Synthesis, spectroscopy, and DABCO-induced self-assembly properties

A rigid Zn–trisporphyrin (1), the Zinc complex of 2,4,6-tris(5,10,15-triphenylporphyrinatozinc)-1,3,5-triazine (2) with three porphyrin moieties bridged by a rigid 1,3,5-triazine group, was synthesized and characterized by a series of spectroscopic methods including mass, 1H NMR, electronic absorption, and IR spectroscopy in addition to elemental analysis. The UV-vis spectrophotometric titration results revealed that along with the addition of the 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) form 0 to 3 equiv, 1 could form a 2:3 sandwich-type coordination cage in chloroform, which then transformed into a 1:3 open complex when the DABCO concentration was more than 3 equiv. Such DABCO-induced self- and disassembly processes were also confirmed by 1H NMR spectrophotometric titrations. In particular, it was demonstrated by comparative studies that the synergistic effect of the three porphyrin moieties linked together by the rigid 1,3,5-triazine group in 1 promoted the formation and stabilization of the 2:3 sandwich-type coordination cage. This result will be helpful towards the fabrication of various self-assembly structures based on metalloporphyrins with application potential in diverse areas such as molecular recognition and separation.

Enantioselective N-Alkylation of Nitroindoles under Phase-Transfer Catalysis

An asymmetric phase-transfer-catalyzed N-alkylation of substituted indoles with various Michael acceptors was studied. Acidities of nitroindoles were determined in acetonitrile by UV-Vis spectrophotometric titration. There was essentially no correlation between acidity and reactivity in the aza-Michael reaction. The position of the nitro group on the indole ring was essential to control the stereoselectivity of the reaction. Michael adducts were obtained in high yields and moderate enantioselectivities in the reaction between 4-nitroindole and various Michael acceptors in the presence of cinchona alkaloid based phase-transfer catalysts. In addition to outlining the scope and limitations of the method, the geometries of the transition states of the reaction were calculated.