A gas chromatography full scan high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry method for separation and characterization of 3-hydroxymethyl pyridine ester of fatty acids at low levels.

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), which are commonly used to characterize lipids, have several limitations to conclude on many structures. 3-Pyridylcarbinol esters (3-PCE) are used to characterize fatty acid structures [1], in particular, to identify ring and double bond positions on the carbon chain. Chromatographic separation of these esters is complex due to their polarity and high boiling points. In this study, we used a column with high resolutive power based on ionic liquids to increase the separation quality in gas chromatography (GC). In addition, we used a high-resolution detector (Orbitrap) to limit non-specific signals and improve the detection limits. This detector could be used with a mass filter at 5 ppm for the rapid determination of 3-PCE from its characteristic ions (m/z = 108.0441 and 92.0495). This filter allowed the identification of derivative fatty acids with good sensibility. Thus, it was possible to characterize 3-PCE by measuring the exact fragment masses to confirm structures such as C19:2n12cycloΔ9.

Enantiomeric separation of pharmaceutically important drug intermediates using a Metagenomic lipase and optimization of its large scale production.

In the present study, efficient enzymatic methods were developed using a recombinant metagenomic lipase (LipR1) for the synthesis of corresponding esters by the transesterification of five different pharmaceutically important secondary alcohols. The recombinant lipase (specific activity=87m6U/mg) showed maximum conversion in presence of ionic liquid with Naphthyl-ethanol (eeP=99%), Indanol and Methyl-4 pyridine methanol (eeS of 98% and 99%) respectively in 1h. Vinyl acetate was found as suitable acyl donor in transesterification reactions. It was interesting to observe that maximum eeP of 85% was observed in just 15min with 1-indanol. As this enzyme demonstrated pharmaceutical applications, attempts were made to scale up the enzyme production on a pilot scale in a 5litre bioreactor. Different physical parameters affecting enzyme production and biomass concentration such as agitation rate, aeration rate and inoculum concentration were evaluated. Maximum lipase activity of 8463U/ml was obtained at 7h of cultivation at 1 lpm, 300rpm and 1.5% inoculum.

Cytotoxic trans-platinum(II) complex with 3-hydroxymethylpyridine: Synthesis, X-ray structure and biological activity evaluation.

To assess the potential cytostatic properties of Pt(II) complexes with 3-hydroxymethylpyridine (3-hmpy) as the only carrier ligand, novel cis-[PtCl2(3-hmpy)2] (1) and trans-[PtCl2(3-hmpy)2] (2) have been prepared. Elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography were used to determine their structures. Based on the results obtained with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and clonogenic assay on T24 human bladder carcinoma cells (T24), the most potent compound 2 was further tested for cytotoxicity in human ovarian carcinoma cell lines - cisplatin sensitive (IGROV 1) and its resistant subclone (IGROV 1/RDDP). The cytotoxicity of compound 2 in IGROV 1/RDDP is comparable to cisplatin. Furthermore, compound 2 induced severe conformational changes in plasmid DNA, which resulted in a delayed onset of apoptosis in T24 cells, and higher amounts of Pt in tumours and serum compared to cisplatin. In addition, in vivo antitumour effectiveness was comparable to that of cisplatin with a smaller reduction of animals' body weight, thus demonstrating that it is a promising transplatin analogue which deserves further studies.

Copper (II) complexes of the anti-inflammatory drug naproxen and 3-pyridylmethanol as auxiliary ligand. Characterization, superoxide dismutase and catecholase--mimetic activities.

The synthesis and spectral characterization of binary copper (II) complex of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen (Nap) with formula [Cu(2)(Nap)(4)](n) (1) and its ternary complex with 3-pyridylmethanol (3-pym) of formula [Cu(Nap)(2)(3-pym)(2)](n) (2) were investigated. Complex 1 is polymeric consisting of units of the known paddle-wheel dicopper (II) tetracarboxylates of four naproxenate ions bridging the two copper atoms. The units are axially connected through the neighboring carboxylate oxygen atoms. The X-ray molecular structure measurements of complex 2 showed that it is polymeric consisting of mononuclear units having trans-CuN(2)O(2) + O(2) chromophores which are bridged by 3-pyridylmethanol ligands through their methanolic oxygen atoms. The measured superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic activities of the complexes indicated that complexes 1 and 2 are excellent SOD mimics with an IC(50) of 0.30 microM for complex 1 and 0.39 microM for complex 2. The catecholase activities of the complexes toward the aerobic oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (DTBC) to 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone (DTBQ) showed that both complexes have moderate catalytic oxidase activities.

The role of p53 in the cellular toxicity by active trans-platinum complexes containing isopropylamine and hydroxymethylpyridine.

Despite some initial research that reported a lack of activity of trans geometry, complexes with general formula trans-[PtCl2(L)(L')] exhibit an important cytotoxic activity in cisplatin-sensitive and resistant cell lines. Based on the proposed mechanism of action for the trans-platinum compounds, they might form DNA adducts initiating a DNA-damage response and ultimately ending in the activation of the p53 protein. In the present work, we have studied the biochemical properties of the trans-[PtCl2(isopropylamine)(L)] complexes (where L is 3- or 4-(hydroxymethyl)-pyridine) against several cell lines and the relationship between cytotoxicity and the protein p53. Both complexes showed different antitumoral properties depending on the presence or absence of protein p53 in isogenic colon carcinoma HCT116 cell lines. Cell cycle studies with the complexes in these cell lines were performed to investigate their antitumoral activity. Apoptosis was observed to be launched from G1 or G2/M accumulations. Confocal microscopy showed the different behaviour of isogenic tumoral cell lines treated with the trans-platinum complexes. Our data suggest that small differences in the carrier ligands could play an important role in the overall biological effects. The body of the research regarding structure-activity relationships such as the different position of groups in the carrier ligands will provide new rational basis for the design of new platinum antitumor drugs.

Oxidation of alcohols using a manganese (II) complex based on a pentakis benzimidazole amide ligand.

A pentakis benzimidazole based penta-amide ligand diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N',N''-pentakis(2-methyl benzimidazolyl)penta-amide [GBDTPA] has been synthesized and utilized to prepare Mn (II) complexes of general composition [Mn(2)(GBDTPA)X(4)], where X is an exogenous anionic ligand (X = Cl(-), NO(3)(-) and Br(-)). The oxidation of alcohols has been investigated using [Mn(2)(GBDTPA)Cl(4)] as the catalyst and TBHP as an alternate source of oxygen. The respective aldehydic products have been isolated and characterized by (1)H NMR.

Equilibria of 3-pyridylmethanol with copper(II). A comparative electron spin resonance study by the decomposition of spectra in liquid and frozen solutions.

The copper(II)-3-pyridylmethanol (L) system was investigated in aqueous solution by two-dimensional ESR evaluation at 298 K, and computer simulation of the individual anisotropic spectra at 77 K. The data revealed that the paramagnetic copper(II) complexes [CuL] (2+), [CuL 2] (2+), [CuL 3] (2+), and [CuL 4] (2+) are formed up to pH approximately 7 at a moderate or high excess of ligand. As compared with chelating ligands, two differences were observed for the complexation of 3-pyridylmethanol with copper(II): (1) In contrast with the well-resolved spectra in frozen solution, considerable line-broadening and distortion of the spectral shapes were seen at 298 K, which was interpreted in terms of isomeric equilibria and the medium-rate interconversion of various complexes on the ESR time-scale. (2) At low temperature, there were dramatic changes in the concentration distribution, the minor complexes with higher numbers of coordinating ligands ([CuL 3] (2+) and in particular [CuL 4] (2+)) becoming strongly favored. This phenomenon is explained by the significant differences in the formation enthalpy values of various species, shifting the equilibria according to the van't Hoff equation, and a significant undercooling in the course of fast freezing of the solution, which enhances the changes of the concentration distribution.

Enzymatic oxidation of NADP+ to its 4-oxo derivative is a side-reaction displayed only by the adrenodoxin reductase type of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductases.

We have previously shown that Mycobacterium tuberculosis FprA, an NADPH-ferredoxin reductase homologous to mammalian adrenodoxin reductase, promotes the oxidation of NADP(+) to its 4-oxo derivative 3-carboxamide-4-pyridone adenine dinucleotide phosphate [Bossi RT, Aliverti A, Raimondi D, Fischer F, Zanetti G, Ferrari D, Tahallah N, Maier CS, Heck AJ, Rizzi M et al. (2002) Biochemistry41, 8807-8818]. Here, we provide a detailed study of this unusual enzyme reaction, showing that it occurs at a very slow rate (0.14 h(-1)), requires the participation of the enzyme-bound FAD, and is regiospecific in affecting only the C4 of the NADP nicotinamide ring. By protein engineering, we excluded the involvement in catalysis of residues Glu214 and His57, previously suggested to be implicated on the basis of their localization in the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme. Our results substantiate a catalytic mechanism for 3-carboxamide-4-pyridone adenine dinucleotide phosphate formation in which the initial and rate-determining step is the nucleophilic attack of the nicotinamide moiety by an active site water molecule. Whereas plant-type ferredoxin reductases were unable to oxidize NADP(+), the mammalian adrenodoxin reductase also catalyzed this unusual reaction. Thus, the 3-carboxamide-4-pyridone adenine dinucleotide phosphate formation reaction seems to be a peculiar feature of the mitochondrial type of ferredoxin reductases, possibly reflecting conserved properties of their active sites. Furthermore, we showed that 3-carboxamide-4-pyridone adenine dinucleotide phosphate is good ligand and a competitive inhibitor of various dehydrogenases, making this nucleotide analog a useful tool for the characterization of the cosubstrate-binding site of NADPH-dependent enzymes.

Influence of powder characteristics of bulk substance with pharmaceutical processing.

The physicochemical properties of crystals can vary with the crystallization procedure employed in their isolation and purification. Moreover, the success of any direct-tableting procedure is directly effected by the quality of the crystals used in this process. We examined the conventional crystallization method employed in the isolation and purification of octotiamine crystals, the active component of the pharmaceutical compound Neuvita. Our objective was to determine under what crystallization conditions (i.e., supersaturation ratio [pH], temperature, impeller speed) octotiamine crystals with excellent direct-tableting potential could be obtained. Our results indicated that modifications in pH level (from 4.3 to 4.0), i.e., a reduction in the supersaturation ratio, and in impeller speed (from 100 to 78 rpm) are necessary to obtain octotiamine crystals with superior flowability and compressibility compared to the use of the conventional crystallization method. Thus, with these modifications in the conventional crystallization method, octotiamine crystals can be made that show dissolution rates similar to those of the conventionally made crystals, yet which can be manufactured into tablets using a simpler method (i.e., direct tableting). Also, the tableting powder made from the new crystal type proved to be less adhesive than the conventionally made crystal powder. This property attributed to the new crystal type will allow for more stable automated manufacturing than the conventional crystal type would allow.