The Structure-Activity Relationship of Pterostilbene Against Candida albicans Biofilms.

Candida albicans biofilms contribute to invasive infections and dramatic drug resistance, and anti-biofilm agents are urgently needed in the clinic. Pterostilbene (PTE) is a natural plant product with potentials to be developed as an anti-biofilm agent. In this study, we evaluated the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of PTE analogues against C. albicans biofilms. XTT (Sodium 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide inner salt) reduction assay was used to evaluate the activity of the analogues against C. albicans biofilms. Knowing that hyphal formation is essential for C. albicans biofilms, anti-hyphal assay was further carried out. By comparing a series of compounds tested in this study, we found that compounds with para-hydroxy (-OH) in partition A exhibited better activity than those with other substituents in the para position, and the double bond in partition B and meta-dimethoxy (-OCH3) in partition C both contributed to the best activity. Consistent results were obtained by anti-hyphal assay. Collectively, para-hydroxy (-OH), double bond and meta-dimethoxy (-OCH3) are all needed for the best activity of PTE against C. albicans biofilms.

CuI/1,10-phen/PEG promoted decarboxylation of 2,3-diarylacrylic acids: synthesis of stilbenes under neutral and microwave conditions with an in situ generated recyclable catalyst.

A series of trans- or cis-stilbenes have been synthesized in good to excellent yields via a functional group-dependent decarboxylation process from the corresponding 2,3-diaryl acrylic acids in a neutral CuI/1,10-phen/PEG-400 system under microwave conditions. The in situ generation of the recyclable catalytic complex, the use of environmentally benign solvent PEG-400, the operational simplicity, the short reaction times, as well as the functional group-dependent chemo- and stereo-selectivity have made the decarboxylation process a highly efficient and applicable protocol.