An Investigation into the In Vitro Metabolic Stability of Aryl Sulfonyl Fluorides for their Application in Medicinal Chemistry and Radiochemistry.

Molecules that feature a sulfonyl fluoride (SO2F) moiety have been gaining increasing interest due to their unique reactivity and potential applications in synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and other biological uses. A particular interest is towards 18F-radiochemistry where sulfonyl fluorides can be used as a method to radiolabel biomolecules or can be used as radiofluoride relay reagents that facilitate radiolabeling of other molecules. The low metabolic stability of sulfonyl fluoride S-F bonds, however, presents an issue and limits the applicability of sulfonyl fluorides. The aim of this work was to increase understanding of what features contribute to the metabolic instability of the S-F bond in model aryl sulfonyl fluorides and identify approaches to increasing sulfonyl fluoride stability for 18F-radiochemistry and other medicinal, synthetic chemistry and biological applications. To undertake this, 14 model aryl sulfonyl fluorides compounds with varying functional groups and substitution patterns were investigated, and their stabilities were examined in various media, including phosphate-buffered saline and rat serum as a model for biological conditions. The results indicate that both electronic and steric factors affect the stability of the S-F bond, with the 2,4,6-trisubstituted model aryl sulfonyl fluorides examined displaying the highest in vitro metabolic stability.

Aboriginal medicinal plants of Queensland: ethnopharmacological uses, species diversity, and biodiscovery pathways.

BACKGROUND: Aboriginal peoples have occupied the island continent of Australia for millennia. Over 500 different clan groups or nations with distinctive cultures, beliefs, and languages have learnt to live sustainably and harmoniously with nature. They have developed an intimate and profound relationship with the environment, and their use of native plants in food and medicine is largely determined by the environment they lived in. Over 1511 plant species have been recorded as having been used medicinally in Australia. Most of these medicinal plants were recorded from the Aboriginal communities in Northern Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. Not much has yet been reported on Aboriginal medicinal plants of Queensland. Therefore, the main aim of this review is to collect the literature on the medicinal plants used by Aboriginal peoples of Queensland and critically assess their ethnopharmacological uses. METHODS: The information used in this review was collected from archival material and uploaded into the Tropical Indigenous Ethnobotany Centre (TIEC) database. Archival material included botanist's journals/books and old hard copy books. Scientific names of the medicinal plant species were matched against the 'World Flora Online Plant List', and 'Australian Plant Census' for currently accepted species names to avoid repetition. An oral traditional medical knowledge obtained through interviewing traditional knowledge holders (entered in the TIEC database) has not been captured in this review to protect their knowledge. RESULTS: This review identified 135 species of Queensland Aboriginal medicinal plants, which belong to 103 genera from 53 families, with Myrtaceae being the highest represented plant family. While trees represented the biggest habit, leaves were the most commonly used plant parts. Of 62 different diseases treated by the medicinal plants, highest number of plants are used for treating skin sores and infections. Few plants identified through this review can be found in other tropical countries but many of these medicinal plants are native to Australia. Many of these medicinal plants are also used as bush food by Aboriginal peoples. CONCLUSION: Through extensive literature review, we found that 135 medicinal plants native to Queensland are used for treating 62 different diseases, especially skin infections. Since these medicinal plants are also used as bush food and are rarely studied using the Western scientific protocols, there is a huge potential for bioprospecting and bush food industry.

The genus Alphitonia Reissek ex Endl. (Rhamnaceae): A review of its customary uses, phytochemistry and biological activities.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Alphitonia Reissek ex Endl. is a relatively small genus of the family Rhamnaceae. Plants of this genus are found predominantly in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific, with some species being widely distributed and others endemic to a region. Almost half of the species of the Alphitonia genus have been reported for their customary (traditional and contemporary) medicinal uses. This includes for the treatment of skin conditions, headache, stomachache, inflammation, and body pain such as joint pain and childbirth. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The aim of this review is to provide the first comprehensive account on the customary uses including ethnomedicinal uses, and phytochemistry and biological activities of the Alphitonia genus, and to identify gaps in current knowledge and scope for future research of plants of this genus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information relevant to the genus Alphitonia was collected by searching the scientific databases (SciFinder, Google Scholar, ACS publications, PubMed, Wiley Online Library and International Plant name Index). Species names were validated using the World Flora Online database (www.worldfloraonline.org). RESULTS: Eight plants from the Alphitonia genus have been reported to be used as customary medicines, i.e. A. excelsa, A. ferruginea, A. franguloides, A. incana, A. neocaledonica, A. petriei, A. philippinensis and A. zizyphoides. A. excelsa, A. petriei, A. philippinensis and A. zizyphoides, have been shown to have biological activities that align with their customary uses, including antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Only five Alphitonia species reported for their medicinal customary uses have been explored for their phytochemistry, i.e. A. excelsa, A. neocaledonica, A. petriei, A. philippinensis and A. zizyphoides. Compounds identified from these plants include those that are well known for their medicinal importance. A. macrocarpa, A. whitei and A. xerocarpus have also been examined for their phytochemistry and have been found to have the same or similar bioactive compounds to those found in customarily used Alphitonia species. No biological activities or phytochemistry studies have been reported for the known customarily used medicinal plants A. ferruginea, A. franguloides and A. incana. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the customary uses, biological activities and phytochemistry of plants of the Alphitonia Reissek ex Endl. genus and highlights the significance of the knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples. Of the plants that have been researched for their biological activities and phytochemistry, there is good correlation with these properties and their customary medicinal uses. However, over half of the plants of the Alphitonia genus, including those that are already reported in the public domain for their customary medicinal uses, have had none or limited biological activities or phytochemistry studies conducted. While only eight species of the Alphitonia genus have been reported as customary medicines, other Alphitonia species also possess medicinally important compounds, and it is possible that they are customary medicines but their uses have not been shared publicly by the Indigenous knowledge custodians. There is clearly much scope for further investigation of this genus with regards to their ethnomedicinal uses and therapeutic potential.

Electrophysiological Responses of Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy) (Tephritidae) to Rectal Gland Secretions and Headspace Volatiles Emitted by Conspecific Males and Females.

Pheromones are biologically important in fruit fly mating systems, and also have potential applications as attractants or mating disrupters for pest management. Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous pest fruit fly for which the chemical profile of rectal glands is available for males but not for females. There have been no studies of the volatile emissions of either sex or of electrophysiological responses to these compounds. The present study (i) establishes the chemical profiles of rectal gland contents and volatiles emitted by both sexes of B. kraussi by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and (ii) evaluates the detection of the identified compounds by gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) and -electropalpogram detection (GC-EPD). Sixteen compounds are identified in the rectal glands of male B. kraussi and 29 compounds are identified in the rectal glands of females. Of these compounds, 5 were detected in the headspace of males and 13 were detected in the headspace of females. GC-EPD assays recorded strong signals in both sexes against (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 2-ethyl-7-mehtyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane isomer 2, (E,Z)/(Z,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, and (Z,Z)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane. Male antennae responded to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 2-methyl-6-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 6-hexyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 6-oxononan-1-ol, ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate and ethyl (Z)-hexadec-9-enoate, whereas female antennae responded to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and 2-methyl-6-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran only. These compounds are candidates as pheromones mediating sexual interactions in B. kraussi.

Sampling technique biases in the analysis of fruit fly volatiles: a case study of Queensland fruit fly.

Diverse methods have been used to sample insect semiochemicals. Sampling methods can differ in efficiency and affinity and this can introduce significant biases when interpreting biological patterns. We compare common methods used to sample tephritid fruit fly rectal gland volatiles ('pheromones'), focusing on Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni. Solvents of different polarity, n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethanol, were compared using intact and crushed glands. Polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene and polyacrylate were compared as adsorbents for solid phase microextraction. Tenax-GR and Porapak Q were compared as adsorbents for dynamic headspace sampling. Along with compounds previously reported for B. tryoni, we detected five previously unreported compounds in males, and three in females. Dichloromethane extracted more amides while there was no significant difference between the three solvents in extraction of spiroacetals except for (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane for which n-hexane extracted higher amount than both dichloromethane and ethanol. Ethanol failed to contain many of the more volatile compounds. Crushed rectal gland samples provided higher concentrations of extracted compounds than intact rectal gland samples, but no compounds were missed in intact samples. Of solid phase microextraction fibers, polyacrylate had low affinity for spiroacetals, ethyl isobutyrate and ethyl-2-methylbutanoate. Polydimethylsiloxane was more efficient for spiroacetals while type of fiber did not affect the amounts of amides and esters. In dynamic headspace sampling, Porapak was more efficient for ethyl isobutyrate and spiroacetals, while Tenax was more efficient for other esters and amides, and sampling time was a critical factor. Biases that can be introduced by sampling methods are important considerations when collecting and interpreting insect semiochemical profiles.

Methods to Enhance the Metabolic Stability of Peptide-Based PET Radiopharmaceuticals.

The high affinity and specificity of peptides towards biological targets, in addition to their favorable pharmacological properties, has encouraged the development of many peptide-based pharmaceuticals, including peptide-based positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals. However, the poor in vivo stability of unmodified peptides against proteolysis is a major challenge that must be overcome, as it can result in an impractically short in vivo biological half-life and a subsequently poor bioavailability when used in imaging and therapeutic applications. Consequently, many biologically and pharmacologically interesting peptide-based drugs may never see application. A potential way to overcome this is using peptide analogues designed to mimic the pharmacophore of a native peptide while also containing unnatural modifications that act to maintain or improve the pharmacological properties. This review explores strategies that have been developed to increase the metabolic stability of peptide-based pharmaceuticals. It includes modifications of the C- and/or N-termini, introduction of d- or other unnatural amino acids, backbone modification, PEGylation and alkyl chain incorporation, cyclization and peptide bond substitution, and where those strategies have been, or could be, applied to PET peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals.

Attraction and Electrophysiological Response to Identified Rectal Gland Volatiles in Bactrocera frauenfeldi (Schiner).

Bactrocera frauenfeldi (Schiner) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous fruit fly pest species that is endemic to Papua New Guinea and has become established in several Pacific Islands and Australia. Despite its economic importance for many crops and the key role of chemical-mediated sexual communication in the reproductive biology of tephritid fruit flies, as well as the potential application of pheromones as attractants, there have been no studies investigating the identity or activity of rectal gland secretions or emission profiles of this species. The present study (1) identifies the chemical profile of volatile compounds produced in rectal glands and released by B. frauenfeldi, (2) investigates which of the volatile compounds elicit an electroantennographic or electropalpographic response, and (3) investigates the potential function of glandular emissions as mate-attracting sex pheromones. Rectal gland extracts and headspace collections from sexually mature males and females of B. frauenfeldi were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Male rectal glands contained (E,E)-2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro [5.5]undecane as a major component and (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane as a moderate component. Minor components included palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, and ethyl oleate. In contrast, female rectal glands contained (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and ethyl laurate as major components, ethyl myristate and ethyl palmitoleate as moderate components, and 18 minor compounds including amides, esters, and spiroacetals. Although fewer compounds were detected from the headspace collections of both males and females than from the gland extractions, most of the abundant chemicals in the rectal gland extracts were also detected in the headspace collections. Gas chromatography coupled electroantennographic detection found responses to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane from the antennae of both male and female B. frauenfeldi. Responses to (E,E)-2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane were elicited from the antennae of females but not males. The two spiroacetals also elicited electropalpographic responses from both male and female B. frauenfeldi. Ethyl caprate and methyl laurate, found in female rectal glands, elicited responses in female antennae and palps, respectively. Y-maze bioassays showed that females were attracted to the volatiles from male rectal glands but males were not. Neither males nor females were attracted to the volatiles from female rectal glands. Our findings suggest (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and (E,E)-2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane as components of a sex-attracting pheromone in B. frauenfeldi.

Systematic Modification of Zingerone Reveals Structural Requirements for Attraction of Jarvis's Fruit Fly.

Tephritid fruit flies are amongst the most significant horticultural pests globally and male chemical lures are important for monitoring and control. Zingerone has emerged as a unique male fruit fly lure that can attract dacine fruit flies that are weakly or non-responsive to methyl eugenol and cuelure. However, the key features of zingerone that mediate this attraction are unknown. As Jarvis's fruit fly, Bactrocera jarvisi (Tryon), is strongly attracted to zingerone, we evaluated the response of B. jarvisi to 37 zingerone analogues in a series of field trials to elucidate the functional groups involved in attraction. The most attractive analogues were alkoxy derivatives, with isopropoxy being the most attractive, followed by ethoxy and trifluoromethoxy analogues. All of the phenolic esters tested were also attractive with the response typically decreasing with increasing size of the ester. Results indicate that the carbonyl group, methoxy group, and phenol of zingerone are key sites for the attraction of B. jarvisi and identify some constraints on the range of structural modifications that can be made to zingerone without compromising attraction. These findings are important for future work in developing and optimising novel male chemical lures for fruit flies.

Rectal Gland Chemistry, Volatile Emissions, and Antennal Responses of Male and Female Banana Fruit Fly, Bactrocera musae.

The banana fruit fly, Bactrocera musae (Tryon) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an economically important pest endemic to Australia and mainland Papua New Guinea. The chemistry of its rectal glands, and the volatiles emitted during periods of sexual activity, has not been previously reported. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we find that male rectal glands contain ethyl butanoate, N-(3-methylbutyl) acetamide, ethyl laurate and ethyl myristate, with ethyl butanoate as the major compound in both rectal gland and headspace volatile emissions. Female rectal glands contain four major compounds, ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate and (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, as well as 11 minor compounds. For both male and female B. musae, all compounds found in the headspace were also present in the rectal gland extracts, suggesting that the rectal gland is the main source of the headspace volatiles. Gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAD) of rectal gland extracts confirms that male antennae respond to male-produced ethyl laurate and female-produced (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, while female antennae respond to male-produced ethyl butanoate but no female-produced compounds. This is an important step in understanding the volatiles involved in the chemical communication of B. musae, their functional significance, and potential application.

Phytochemical Profile and Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Medicinal Plants Used by Aboriginal People of New South Wales, Australia.

Aboriginal people of Australia possess a rich knowledge on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of sores, wounds, and skin infections, ailments which impose a high global disease burden and require effective treatments. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities and phytochemical contents of extracts, obtained from eight medicinal plants used by Aboriginal people of New South Wales, Australia, for the treatment of skin related ailments, were assessed to add value to and provide an evidence-base for their traditional uses. Extracts of Acacia implexa, Acacia falcata, Cassytha glabella, Eucalyptus haemastoma, Smilax glyciphylla, Sterculia quadrifida, and Syncarpia glomulifera were evaluated. All extracts except that of S. quadrifida showed activity against sensitive and multidrug resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 7.81 to 1000 µg/mL. The sap of E. haemastoma and bark of A. implexa possessed high total phenolic contents (TPC) and strong DPPH radical scavenging abilities. A positive correlation was observed between TPC and free radical scavenging ability. GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane extract of S. glomulifera identified known antimicrobial compounds. Together, these results support the traditional uses of the examined plants for the treatment of skin related ailments and infections by Aboriginal people of New South Wales, Australia.

Raspberry Ketone Analogs: Vapour Pressure Measurements and Attractiveness to Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Q-fly), is a major horticultural pest in Eastern Australia. Effective monitoring, male annihilation technique (MAT) and mass trapping (MT) are all important for control and require strong lures to attract flies to traps or toxicants. Lure strength is thought to be related in part to volatility, but little vapour pressure data are available for most Q-fly lures. Raspberry ketone (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone) and analogs that had esters (acetyl, difluoroacetyl, trifluoroacetyl, formyl, propionyl) and ethers (methyl ether, trimethylsilyl ether) in replacement of the phenolic group, and in one case also had modification of the 2-butanone side chain, were measured for their vapour pressures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and their attractiveness to Q-fly was assessed in small cage environmentally controlled laboratory bioassays. Maximum response of one category of compounds, containing both 2-butanone side chain and ester group was found to be higher than that of the other group of compounds, of which either of 2-butanone or ester functionality was modified. However, linear relationship between vapour pressure and maximum response was not significant. The results of this study indicate that, while volatility may be a factor in lure effectiveness, molecular structure is the dominating factor for the series of molecules investigated.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and chemical characterisation of Erythrina stricta Roxb. (Fabaceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The bark of Erythrina stricta Roxb. (Fabaceae) has been used in Indian indigenous systems as a remedy for rheumatism, stomach-ache, asthma, dysentery, contact dermatitis, eczema and skin infections. However, there have been limited phytochemical or biological studies on the bark of E. stricta and there are no studies that align with its traditional medicinal uses. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the stem bark of E. stricta to support its topical use in the treatment of contact dermatitis, eczema and skin infections and to isolate and identify any bioactive compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT microdilution and disc diffusion assays were used to determine the antimicrobial activities of n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water extracts of the bark of E. stricta. Column and preparative thin layer chromatography were used for the purification of the dichloromethane extract. The structures of the compounds isolated were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques and comparison with published data. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP assays and the antioxidant activity of the pure compounds by dot-blot and DPPH staining methods. RESULTS: The dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane extracts showed the most significant activity with MIC values of 7.8µg/mL, 125µg/mL, and 125µg/mL against a sensitive strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts also showed significant activity against Candida albicans with MIC values of 125µg/mL and 1mg/mL respectively. GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane extract showed the presence of the antibacterial and antifungal compounds ß-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, α-selinene, ß-selinene, selin-11-en-4-α-ol, α-copaene and δ-cadenine. Phytochemical studies of the dichloromethane extract led to the isolation of the novel compound erynone (1), together with six known compounds; wighteone (2), alpinum isoflavone (3), luteone (4), obovatin (5), erythrinassinate B (6) and isovanillin (7). Luteone (4) exhibited the most significant antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory quantity (MIQ) values of 1.88µg, 1.88µg and 3.75µg, respectively, against sensitive (MSSA) and resistant strains (MRSA and MDRSA) of S. aureus using a TLC bioautography assay. Erynone (1) exhibited the greatest DPPH free radical scavenging activity. CONCLUSIONS: Seven compounds, including a new chromanone, were isolated from the antimicrobial dichloromethane extract of the stem bark of E. stricta. Six of the seven compounds showed antibacterial and/or antioxidant activities. These findings provide support for the customary (traditional and contemporary) use of E. stricta bark for the treatment of skin and wound infections.

Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase: a review of structure, mechanism, and inhibitors.

Kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO) is an enzyme of the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway (KP), which is the major catabolic route of tryptophan. Kyn represents a branch point of the KP, being converted into the neurotoxin 3-hydroxykynurenine via KMO, neuroprotectant kynurenic acid, and anthranilic acid. As a result of this branch point, KMO is an attractive drug target for several neurodegenerative and/or neuroinflammatory diseases, especially Huntington's (HD), Alzheimer's (AD), and Parkinson's (PD) diseases. Although a neurological target, administration of KMO inhibitors in the periphery has demonstrated promising pharmacological results. In light of a recent crystal structure release and reports of preclinical candidates, here we provide a concise yet comprehensive update on the current state of research into the enzymology of KMO and related drug discovery efforts, highlighting areas where further work is required.

Bioactivity and chemical characterisation of Lophostemon suaveolens--an endemic Australian Aboriginal traditional medicinal plant.

Lophostemon suaveolens is a relatively unexplored endemic medicinal plant of Australia. Extracts of fresh leaves of L. suaveolens obtained from sequential extraction with n-hexane and dichloromethane exhibited antibacterial activity in the disc diffusion and MTT microdilution assays against Streptococcus pyogenes and methicillin sensitive and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (minimum bactericidal concentration < 63 µg/mL). The dichloromethane extract and chromatographic fractions therein inhibited nitric oxide in RAW264.7 murine macrophages (IC50 3.7-11.6 µg/mL) and also PGE2 in 3T3 murine fibroblasts (IC50 2.8-19.7 µg/mL). The crude n-hexane, dichloromethane and water extracts of the leaves and chromatographic fractions from the dichloromethane extract also showed modest antioxidant activity in the ORAC assay. GC-MS analysis of the n-hexane fraction showed the presence of the antibacterial compounds aromadendrene, spathulenol, ß-caryophyllene, α-humulene and α-pinene and the anti-inflammatory compounds ß-caryophyllene and spathulenol. Fractionation of the dichloromethane extract led to the isolation of eucalyptin and the known anti-inflammatory compound betulinic acid.

Antimicrobial activity of customary medicinal plants of the Yaegl Aboriginal community of northern New South Wales, Australia: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: This study is a collaboration between Macquarie University researchers and the Yaegl Aboriginal Community of northern NSW, Australia to investigate the antimicrobial potential of plants used in the topical treatment of wounds, sores and skin infections. Based on previously documented medicinal applications, aqueous and aqueous ethanolic extracts of Alocasia brisbanensis, Canavalia rosea, Corymbia intermedia, Hibbertia scandens, Ipomoea brasiliensis, Lophostemon suaveolens and Syncarpia glomulifera and the aqueous extracts of Smilax australis and Smilax glyciphylla were tested against common wound pathogens, including antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. METHODS: Plant material was prepared as aqueous extractions modelled on customary preparations and using 80% aqueous ethanol. Extracts were assayed against a selection of clinically relevant Gram positive (Streptococcus pyogenes and sensitive and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) bacteria and a fungus (Candida albicans) using disc diffusion and MTT microdilution methods. Viability of treated microorganisms was determined by subculturing from microdilution assays. RESULTS: The extracts of Corymbia intermedia, Lophostemon suaveolens and Syncarpia glomulifera had promising levels of antimicrobial activity (MIC 31-1,000 µg/mL) against both antibiotic sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus as well as the fungus Candida albicans (clinical isolate). CONCLUSION: Aqueous and 80% aqueous ethanolic extracts of Lophostemon suaveolens, Corymbia intermedia and Syncarpia glomulifera exhibited promising levels of antimicrobial activity against a range of both antibiotic sensitive and resistant strains of microorganisms. This is the first report of antimicrobial activities for C. intermedia and L. suaveolens and the leaves of S. glomulifera. This study demonstrates the value of customary knowledge in the identification of new sources of antimicrobial treatments.

Ketimine reductase/CRYM catalyzes reductive alkylamination of α-keto acids, confirming its function as an imine reductase.

Recently, crystalized mouse ketimine reductase/CRYM complexed with NADPH was found to have pyruvate bound in its active site. We demonstrate that the enzyme binds α-keto acids, such as pyruvate, in solution, and catalyzes the formation of N-alkyl-amino acids from alkylamines and α-keto acids (via reduction of imine intermediates), but at concentrations of these compounds not expected to be encountered in vivo. These findings confirm that, mechanistically, ketimine reductase/CRYM acts as a classical imine reductase and may explain the finding of bound pyruvate in the crystallized protein.

Insights into Enzyme Catalysis and Thyroid Hormone Regulation of Cerebral Ketimine Reductase/µ-Crystallin Under Physiological Conditions.

Mammalian ketimine reductase is identical to µ-crystallin (CRYM)-a protein that is also an important thyroid hormone binding protein. This dual functionality implies a role for thyroid hormones in ketimine reductase regulation and also a reciprocal role for enzyme catalysis in thyroid hormone bioavailability. In this research we demonstrate potent sub-nanomolar inhibition of enzyme catalysis at neutral pH by the thyroid hormones L-thyroxine and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, whereas other thyroid hormone analogues were shown to be far weaker inhibitors. We also investigated (a) enzyme inhibition by the substrate analogues pyrrole-2-carboxylate, 4,5-dibromopyrrole-2-carboxylate and picolinate, and (b) enzyme catalysis at neutral pH of the cyclic ketimines S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine ketimine (owing to the complex nomenclature trivial names are used for the sulfur-containing cyclic ketimines as per the original authors' descriptions) (AECK), Δ(1)-piperideine-2-carboxylate (P2C), Δ(1)-pyrroline-2-carboxylate (Pyr2C) and Δ(2)-thiazoline-2-carboxylate. Kinetic data obtained at neutral pH suggests that ketimine reductase/CRYM plays a major role as a P2C/Pyr2C reductase and that AECK is not a major substrate at this pH. Thus, ketimine reductase is a key enzyme in the pipecolate pathway, which is the main lysine degradation pathway in the brain. In silico docking of various ligands into the active site of the X-ray structure of the enzyme suggests an unusual catalytic mechanism involving an arginine residue as a proton donor. Given the critical importance of thyroid hormones in brain function this research further expands on our knowledge of the connection between amino acid metabolism and regulation of thyroid hormone levels.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of Chungtia village, Nagaland, India.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional medicinal plant knowledge is an integral and very important part of Indigenous cultures worldwide. For many communities there is a great urgency in recording this knowledge in written form. This is the first ethnobotanical report of medicinal plant knowledge of the Nagaland Ao tribe of Chungtia village and is an important step in the preservation of this culturally and medicinally significant knowledge. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the presented work was to perform an ethnobotanical study on plants of medicinal and other significance to the Chungtia villagers of Nagaland, North East India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethnobotanical data were collected from traditional practitioners and Elders of Chungtia village by means of open group discussions and semi-structured interviews of groups and individuals using questionnaires. The interviews were also recorded in an audio format in the local Mongsen language. The gathered ethnobotanical knowledge was compared with reported ethnobotanical usages worldwide and reported biological properties and phytochemical studies relevant to the Chungtia villagers׳ applications. RESULTS: A total of 135 plant species of 69 families and 123 genera were recorded for medicinal and household maintenance applications. Those applications were grouped into 13 categories based on Chungtia villagers׳ classification system. The families most represented were Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae. The most reported uses were for gastrointestinal problems, followed by dermatological problems. The most commonly used plant parts were leaves, followed by fruits and stems and they were most commonly administered as a paste, decoction, infusion, juice or poultice, or taken orally with no preparation. There was strong agreement among the informants as to the usages of the plants (informant consensus factor 0.80-0.91). The use value of 6 for Cassia floribunda, Dolichos lablab, Hedyotis scandens, Phyllanthus urinaria and Rhus javanica indicated these are the most important species. Forty four of the 135 plants had a fidelity level of 100%. CONCLUSION: This study has helped to document and preserve in written format important traditional plant knowledge of 135 plants of the Chungtia villagers, assisting them in the continued preservation of their cultural values.

The first indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) inhibitors containing carborane.

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) is a critical immunoregulatory enzyme responsible for the metabolism of tryptophan during inflammation and disease. Based upon a pyranonaphthoquinone framework, the first examples of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) inhibitors containing a carborane cage are reported. The novel closo-1,2-carboranyl-N-pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives display low µM binding affinity for the human recombinant enzyme, with IC50 values ranging from 0.78 to 1.77 µM.

Characterisation of a novel UV filter in the lens of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus).

Structural analysis of a novel UV filter present in the lens of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel has shown that it is related in structure to N-acetyl-3-hydroxykynurenine. This finding is consistent with the fact that the squirrel lenses also contain high levels of this tryptophan metabolite. Analysis of both NMR and mass spectrometric data suggested that the novel UV filter compound forms by condensation of proline with N-acetyl-3-hydroxykynurenine. Its absorption maximum at 340 nm is more than 20 nm lower than that of the kynurenines and it may therefore assist in filtering the more damaging shorter wavelengths of UVA.