Resveratrol ameliorates ortho- polychlorinated biphenyls' induced toxicity in ovary cells.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can induce chronic oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death, leading to coronary heart disease, endothelial dysfunction, neurotoxicity, cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, reproductive dysfunction, etc. The aim of this study was to investigate possible protective effect of resveratrol (2.5-20 µM) in ovarian cells exposed to PCBs. An emphasis was on identifying mechanisms of resveratrol action upon distinct structure of the individual PCB congener-planar dioxin-like PCB 77 and non-planar di-ortho-substituted PCB 153. Multiple toxicity endpoint analysis was performed. Cell viability/proliferation was assessed by Trypan Blue exclusion method, Neutral Red, Kenacid Blue, and MTT bioassays. The level of oxidative stress was measured by fluorescent probes, and flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the mode of cell death. Resveratrol applied alone did not affect cell proliferation and viability in doses up to 20 µM, although significant antioxidative activity was observed. Toxic effects of ortho-PCB 153 (cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cell death) were mitigated by resveratrol. On the contrary pre-incubation with resveratrol did not result in cell viability protection when planar PCB 77 was applied. This indicates that resveratrol efficacy may be linked to specific structure of the individual congener, suggesting nutritional modulation of environmental insults caused by ortho-PCBs. We point out the importance of resveratrol dosage considering that synergistic cytotoxic effect with both PCB congeners is observed at concentrations ≥ 10 µM.

Novel ferrocene-containing triacyl derivative of resveratrol improves viability parameters in ovary cells.

Besides the use of resveratrol as a drug candidate, there are obstacles mainly due to its poor pharmacokinetic properties. Numerous studies are being conducted on the synthesis of resveratrol derivatives that exhibit enhanced biological activity. The aim of our research was to investigate activity of the newly synthesized ferrocene-containing triacyl derivative of resveratrol to achieve cell protection from endo/exogenous ROS and reduction in cell death by assessing multiple endpoints. Our research showed that both resveratrol and the resveratrol derivatives (1-100 µM) lower the levels of ROS in CHO-K1 cells. Resveratrol at doses <20 µM had little or no effect on cell proliferation, while at higher doses, a significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and viability has been noticed. The activity of the new derivative was significantly altered compared to resveratrol-cellular viability was not suppressed regardless of the concentration applied, and the extent of apoptosis was low. In summary, the new ferrocene-resveratrol derivative has the potential to protect cells from oxidative stress due to its low cytotoxicity and retained antioxidant properties, whereas caution should be exercised with resveratrol at higher doses, as it significantly impairs cell viability and induces cell death. By linking ROS to specific diseases (relevance in neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and neoplastic diseases), we can assume that the new resveratrol derivative can prevent or alleviate the mentioned disorders. Furthermore, recognition of the resveratrol derivative as an anti-apoptotic chemical could be useful in the cultivation of various cell lines on a large scale in the industrial biotechnology.

Structuring new alginate network aimed for delivery of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) polyphenols using ionic gelation and new filler materials.

Alginate hydrogels are often used for immobilization of plant-derived bioactive compounds by fast and simple ionic gelation technique. However, the structure of alginate gel network is very porous and mostly result with high-diffusion rates of encapsulated compound, what limits its application as delivery vehicle. In order to prevent losses of bioactives and prepare efficient encapsulation systems, the aim of this study was to evaluate a potential of new natural fillers, cocoa powder (CP) and carob (C) for structuring alginate network aimed for encapsulation of aqueous dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) leaf extract using ionic gelation. Whey protein isolates served as a standard filler. The influence of different concentrations of gelling medium (2% and 3% calcium chloride) on encapsulation properties of alginate systems was also evaluated. Calcium concentration affected morphological properties (more acceptable when using 3% CaCl2), while textural properties and encapsulation efficiency of polyphenols and retained antioxidant capacity were more influenced by selected delivery materials. Alginate-whey protein isolates beads were scored with the highest loading capacity of polyphenols (>93%), while newly formulated binary mixtures (alginate-cocoa powder and alginate-carob) also enabled highly efficient entrapment of polyphenols (>88%). The slowest release of polyphenols in simulated gastrointestinal fluids were obtained when alginate was combined with CP and C, where system alginate-cocoa powder prepared with lower concentration of calcium chloride (2% CaCl2) enabled the most extended release of total polyphenols and hydroxycinnamic acids. Obtained results strongly justified implementation of new plant-derived functional fillers (cocoa powder and carob) for encapsulation purposes and opened new directions for designing of binary carrier's.

N,N-Dibenzoyl-ferrocenecarboxamide.

In the title compound, [Fe(C(5)H(5))(C(20)H(14)NO(3))], the cyclo-penta-dienyl rings deviate by 9.3 (2)° from an eclipsed conformation, defined by C-Cg(1)-Cg(2)-C pseudo-torsion angles ranging from 8.8 (1) to 9.85 (1)°. The coordination at the N atom is slightly pyramidal, as indicated by the angular sum around it of 352.6°. The amide group is inclined at 17.86 (9) and 27.27 (11)° with respect to the aromatic rings. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by one C-H⋯O hydrogen bond and one C-H⋯π inter-action into a two-dimensional framework parallel to the b axis.

Ferrocene compounds. XXXIV. 1'-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid.

Heteroannularly substituted ferrocene derivatives can act as model systems for various hydrogen-bonded assemblies of biomolecules formed, for instance, by means of O-H...O and N-H...O hydrogen bonding. The crystal structure analysis of 1'-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid, [Fe(C(10)H(14)NO(2))(C(6)H(5)O(2))] or (C(5)H(4)COOH)Fe(C(5)H(4)NHCOOC(CH(3))(3), reveals two independent molecules within the asymmetric unit, and these are joined into discrete dimers by two types of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, viz. O-H...O and N-H...O. The -COOH and -NHCOOR groups are archetypes for dimer formation via two eight-membered rings. The O-H...O hydrogen bonds [2.656 (3) and 2.663 (3) A] form a cyclic carboxylic acid dimer motif. Another eight-membered ring is formed by N-H...O hydrogen bonds [2.827 (3) and 2.854 (3) A] between the N-H group and an O atom of another carbamoyl moiety. The dimers are assembled in a herring-bone fashion in the bc plane.