Model compounds for evaluating the reactivity of amphetamine-type stimulants.

The use of controlled precursors for reaction optimisation is not always practical. One approach to limiting the use of controlled substances is to instead use 'model compounds'. Herein, two model compounds resembling norephedrine and ephedrine were selected based on their (i) structural similarity (i.e., presence of key functional groups) and (ii) availability from multiple suppliers without restriction. Model compounds 2-amino-1-phenylethanol and 2-(methylamino)-1-phenylethanol (halostachine), were compared to norephedrine and pseudoephedrine by firstly subjecting them to transformations known in the synthesis of amphetamines, and secondly, comparing the compounds using colourimetric spot tests, FTIR and NMR.

High Regio- and Stereoselective Multi-enzymatic Synthesis of All Phenylpropanolamine Stereoisomers from ß-Methylstyrene.

We present a one-pot cascade for the synthesis of phenylpropanolamines (PPAs) in high optical purities (er and dr up to >99.5 %) and analytical yields (up to 95 %) by using 1-phenylpropane-1,2-diols as key intermediates. This bioamination entails the combination of an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), an ω-transaminase (ωTA) and an alanine dehydrogenase to create a redox-neutral network, which harnesses the exquisite and complementary regio- and stereo-selectivities of the selected ADHs and ωTAs. The requisite 1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol intermediates were obtained from trans- or cis-ß-methylstyrene by combining a styrene monooxygenase with epoxide hydrolases. Furthermore, in selected cases, the envisioned cascade enabled to obtain the structural isomer (1S,2R)-1-amino-1-phenylpropan-2-ol in high optical purity (er and dr >99.5 %). This is the first report on an enzymatic method that enables to obtain all of the four possible PPA stereoisomers in great enantio- and diastereo-selectivity.

Synthesis of some quinazolinones inspired from the natural alkaloid L-norephedrine as EGFR inhibitors and radiosensitizers.

A set of quinazolinones synthesized by the aid of L-norephedrine was assembled to generate novel analogues as potential anticancer and radiosensitizing agents. The new compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, HepG-2, HCT-116 cancer cell lines and EGFR inhibitory activity. The most active compounds 5 and 6 were screened against MCF-10A normal cell line and displayed lower toxic effects. They proved their relative safety with high selectivity towards MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Measurement of the radiosensitizing activity for 5 and 6 revealed that they could sensitize the tumour cells after being exposed to a single dose of 8 Gy gamma radiation. Compound 5 was able to induce apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at the G2-M phase. Molecular docking of 5 and 6 in the active site of EGFR was performed to gain insight into the binding interactions with the key amino acids.

Computer simulation of the isotachophoretic migration and separation of norpseudoephedrine stereoisomers with a free or immobilized neutral chiral selector.

A detailed computer simulation study of the isotachophoretic migration and separation of norpseudoephedrine stereoisomers for cases with the neutral selector added to the leader, immobilized to the capillary wall or support, or partially present in the separation column is presented. The electrophoretic transport of the analytes from the sampling compartment into the separation medium with the selector, the formation of a transient mixed zone, the separation dynamics of the stereoisomers with a free or immobilized selector, the dependence of the leader pH, the ionic mobility of norpseudoephedrine, the complexation constant and selector immobilization on steady-state plateau zone properties, and zone changes occurring during the transition from the chiral environment into a selector free leader are thereby visualized in a hitherto unexplored way. For the case with the selector dissolved in the leading electrolyte, simulation data are compared to those observed in experimental setups with coated fused-silica capillaries that feature minimized electroosmosis and zone detection with conductivity and absorbance detectors.

Ephedra alkaloid contents of Chinese herbal formulae sold in Taiwan.

Consumption of Ephedra alkaloids is prohibited in-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In Taiwan, colds are often treated with Chinese herbal formulae containing Herba Ephedrae. We screened products sold in Taiwan and preliminarily assessed their relationships with WADA threshold violations. Fifty-six concentrated powder products, including 19 Chinese herbal formulae that contained Herba Ephedrae, were collected. The content of Ephedra alkaloids, namely ephedrine (E), methylephedrine (ME), norpseudoephedrine (NPE; cathine), pseudoephedrine (PE), and norephedrine (NE; phenylpropanolamine), was determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. The results revealed that the phenotypic indicators of the collected products, E/PE and E/total ratios, were 1.52-4.70 and 0.49-0.72, respectively, indicating that the Herba Ephedrae species in these products was probably E. sinica or E. equisetina, but not E. intermedia. The contents of E, ME, NPE, PE, and NE and the total alkaloid contents in the daily doses of the products were 0.45-34.97, 0.05-4.87, 0.04-3.61, 0.15-12.09, and 0.01-2.00 mg and 0.68-53.64 mg, respectively. The alkaloid contents followed a relatively consistent order (E > PE > ME ≈ NPE > NE), even for products from different manufacturers. We calculated that single doses of 50.0% and 3.6% of the products would result in the WADA thresholds of E and NPE being exceeded, respectively. Our data provide critical information for athletes and medical personnel, who should be wary of using complex Chinese herbal formulae in addition to over-the-counter products.

Ephedrine as a lead compound for the development of new DPP-IV inhibitors.

AIM: Extracts from Ephedra species have been reported to be effective as antidiabetics. A previous in silico study predicted that ephedrine and five ephedrine derivatives could contribute to the described antidiabetic effect of Ephedra extracts by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). Finding selective DPP-IV inhibitors is a current therapeutic strategy for Type 2 diabetes mellitus management. Therefore, the main aim of this work is to experimentally determine whether these alkaloids are DPP-IV inhibitors. Materials & methods: The DPP-IV inhibition of Ephedra's alkaloids was determined via a competitive-binding assay. Then, computational analyses were used in order to find out the protein-ligand interactions and to perform a lead optimization. RESULTS: Our results show that all six molecules are DPP-IV inhibitors, with IC50 ranging from 124 µM for ephedrine to 28 mM for N-methylpseudoephedrine. CONCLUSION: Further computational analysis shows how Ephedra's alkaloids could be used as promising lead molecules for designing more potent and selective DPP-IV inhibitors.

Essential Oil Bioactive Fibrous Membranes Prepared via Coaxial Electrospinning.

A novel antimicrobial composite material was prepared by encapsulating orange essential oil (OEO) in zein prolamine (ZP) via the coaxial electrospinning (ES) technique. By manipulating process parameters, the morphological features of ZP/OEO fibers were modulated. Fine fibers with diameters ranging from 0.7 to 2.3 µm were obtained by regulating ZP solution concentration and process parameters during the ES process. Optimal loading capacity (LC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) of OEO in fibrous ZP mats were determined to be 22.28% and 53.68%, respectively, and were achieved using a 35 w/v% ZP ES solution. The encapsulation of OEO was found to be reliant on ZP solution concentration (the enveloping medium). SEM analysis indicates the surface morphology of ZP/OEO electrospun fibers is dependent on ZP solution loading volume, with lower ZP concentrations yielding defective fibrous structures (for example, beaded and spindled-string like morphologies). Furthermore, this loading volume also influences OEO LC, EE, mat water contact angle and oil retention. CCK-8 assay and cell morphology assessment (HEK293T cells) indicate no significant change with electrospun ZP and ZP/OEO fibrous membranes over an 8 h period. Antimicrobial activity assessment using Escherichia coli, suggests composite nonwovens possess sterilization properties; elucidating potential application in active food packaging, food preservation and therefore sustainability.

Stereoselective Catalytic Synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Homemade 3D-Printed Mesoreactors.

3D-printed flow reactors were designed, fabricated from different materials (PLA, HIPS, nylon), and used for a catalytic stereoselective Henry reaction. The use of readily prepared and tunable 3D-printed reactors enabled the rapid screening of devices with different sizes, shapes, and channel dimensions, aimed at the identification of the best-performing reactor setup. The optimized process afforded the products in high yields, moderate diastereoselectivity, and up to 90 % ee. The method was applied to the continuous-flow synthesis of biologically active chiral 1,2-amino alcohols (norephedrine, metaraminol, and methoxamine) through a two-step sequence combining the nitroaldol reaction with a hydrogenation. To highlight potential industrial applications of this method, a multistep continuous synthesis of norephedrine has been realized. The product was isolated without any intermediate purifications or solvent switches.

Structure-Activity Relationships of Synthetic Cathinones.

Until recently, there was rather little interest in the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of cathinone analogs because so few agents were available and because they represented a relatively minor drug abuse problem. Most of the early SAR was formulated on the basis of behavioral (e.g., locomotor and drug discrimination) studies using rodents. With the emergence on the clandestine market in the last few years of a large number of new cathinone analogs, termed "synthetic cathinones", and the realization that they likely act at dopamine, norepinephrine, and/or serotonin transporters as releasing agents (i.e., as substrates) or reuptake inhibitors (i.e., as transport blockers), it has now become possible to better examine their SAR and even their quantitative SAR (QSAR), in a more effective and systematic manner. An SAR picture is beginning to emerge, and key structural features, such as the nature of the terminal amine, the size of the α-substituent, stereochemistry, and the presence and position of aromatic substituents, are being found to impact action (i.e., as releasing agents or reuptake inhibitors) and transporter selectivity.

Trimethylsilyl speciations of cathine, cathinone and norephedrine followed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry: Direct sample preparation and analysis of khatamines.

A literature criticism is given on methods using currently gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine cathine (CAT), cathinone (CTN) and norephedrine (NE), jointly khatamines. In this study, khatamines' oximation, trimethylsilylation and mass fragmentation properties-applying N-Methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA), its trimethyliodosilane (TMIS) catalyst containing version (MSTFA(TMIS)), N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)-was highlighted, at first. Derivatization, mass fragmentation and quantitation related, optimized model investigations have been carried out as a function of the reaction times and conditions. Special emphasis was put (i) on the stability of the primarily formed (CAT-2TMS, NE-2TMS, CTN-TMS(TMS-oximes)1,2), then transformed, fully derived (CAT-3TMS, NE-3MTS, CTN-2TMS(TMS-oximes)1,2) species, and, (ii) on the proportionally formed stable products, suitable to selective quantitation of all three natural amines, simultaneously. Results, as novelty to the field confirmed that (i) TMIS catalyzed trimethylsilyation triggers to form fully derivatized species unfortunately, in part only; while, (ii) khatamines' simultaneous quantitation needs to be carried out in a two steps derivatization process consisting of oximation (1st step, hydroxylamine in pyridine) and trimethylsilylation (2nd step, MSTFA), to the CAT-2TMS, NE-2TMS, CTN-TMS(TMS-oximes)1,2. These species were characterized with their retention, mass fragmentation and analytical performance properties, in model solutions and in the presence of plant tissues, as well: R(2), limit of quantitation (LOQ) data, expressed in pg/1µL injection basis, proved to be 62.5pg (CAT), 20pg (NE) and 62.5pg (CTN), respectively. The practical utility of proposal was enormously enhanced by the novel, direct sample preparation method. In this process, the freshly harvested, freeze-dried, then pulverized leaves of Catha edulis FORKS were directly derivatized, in the presence of the matrix. Reproducibility (in average 2.07 RSD% varying between 0.15 and 5.5 RSD%), linearity (0.9990-0.9994) and recovery (95.7-99.1%) values of the new sample preparation protocol was confirmed by the standard addition method for CAT, NE and CTN equally. From plant leaf, 0.061w/w% CAT and 0.014w/w% NE contents were obtained. In this tissue CTN was not found. Very likely attributable to the unfavorable climate for the plant: grown in Hungary of temperate zone and naturalized in the tropical Africa.

A (-)-norephedrine-based molecularly imprinted polymer for the solid-phase extraction of psychoactive phenylpropylamino alkaloids from Khat (Catha edulis Vahl. Endl.) chewing leaves.

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared using (-)-norephedrine as the template, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker and chloroform as the porogen. The MIP was used as a selective sorbent in the molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MIP-SPE) of the psychoactive phenylpropylamino alkaloids, norephedrine and its analogs, cathinone and cathine, from Khat (Catha edulis Vahl. Endl.) leaf extracts prior to HPLC-DAD analysis. The MIP was able to selectively extract the alkaloids from the aqueous extracts of Khat. Loading, washing and elution of the alkaloids bound to the MIP were evaluated under different conditions. The clean baseline of the Khat extract obtained after MIP-SPE confirmed that a selective and efficient sample clean-up was achieved. Good recoveries (90.0-107%) and precision (RSDs 2.3-3.2%) were obtained in the validation of the MIP-SPE-HPLC procedure. The content of the three alkaloids in Khat samples determined after treatment with MIP-SPE and a commercial Isolute C18 (EC) SPE cartridge were in good agreement. These findings indicate that MIP-SPE is a reliable method that can be used for sample pre-treatment for the determination of Khat alkaloids in plant extracts or similar matrices and could be applicable in pharmaceutical, forensic and biomedical laboratories. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Synthesis of BF3 catalyzed Mannich derivatives with excellent ee from phenylpropanolamine, study of their antimicrobial activity and molecular docking.

Antimicrobial agents 4a-g and 5a-g with very good potency were synthesized with 100% ee from phenylpropanolamine (norephedrine) by BF3 catalyzed three components one pot Mannich reaction in good yields. Obtained compounds were characterized using spectral techniques. Antimicrobial study of these compounds revealed a good to very high potential activity against tested microbes when compared to standard antimicrobial drugs streptomycin and ketoconazole. These synthesized compounds exhibited significant minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Amongst compound 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 5a, and 5e exhibited very high potent MIC values against tested twelve bacteria and three fungi when compared to control. When subjected to molecular docking, in silico studies revealed significant binding energies ranging from -7.06 to -8.90 kcal/mol for all obtained compounds towards target receptor DNA topoisomerase IV and amongst compounds 4b and 4d have shown maximum binding energies 8.70 and 8.90 kcal/mol, respectively.

Controlled drug release from melt-extrudates through processing parameters: a chemometric approach.

The objective of this study was to tailor a drug release profile through the adjustment of some key processing parameters involved in melt-extrusion: die temperature, shear rate, die length and drug particle size. Two experimental designs were selected, namely a 2-level full factorial design to examine the effects and significance of the processing factors, and a central composite design of the surface responses to find the best set of factor levels to obtain given specifications of drug release. Extrudates of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) and phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride were prepared using a ram extruder. Drug release profiles from the matrix systems were fitted using a power law, for which a new mathematical expression of a burst release was provided. The burst release and exponent were selected as the responses. The processing factors had a drastic influence on the drug release. Within the domain that was investigated, the burst release and the exponent varied from 6 to 54% and 0.1 to 0.4, respectively, resulting in a time requires for 50% drug release extending from hours to weeks. These results demonstrated the possibilities of modulating the release profile by means of the processing parameters rather than through the classical approach of altering the formulation.

Utility of L-norephedrine in the semisynthesis of novel thiourea and thiazolidine derivatives as a new class of anticancer agents.

The natural alkaloid 1-norephedrine 1 was utlized in the synthesis of some novel thiourea derivatives 2, 5 and thiazolidinones 4a,b and 6, 7. Structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by analytical and spectral data. The synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro for anticancer activity against the human breast (MCF-7), human liver (HEPG2) and human colon (HCT116) cancer cell lines. Thiazolidinone derivative 7 was the most active against all the cell lines with values IC50 = 2.60, 2.80 and 2.60 microg/mL compared with doxorubicin (IC50 = 5.40, 2.97 and 5.26 microg/mL). Thiazolidinone derivative 6 exhibited higher activity with IC50 value (3.20 microg/mL) against HCT116 when compared with doxorubicin with IC50 value (5.26 microg/mL) as positive control.

Synthesis, antimicrobial and molecular docking studies of enantiomerically pure N-alkylated ß-amino alcohols from phenylpropanolamines.

Enantiomerically pure N-alkylated ß-amino alcohols 1a, 1a', 1c, 1c', 1d, 1d', 1e and 1e', with ee 100% have been synthesized from phenylpropanolamines 2. Effect of the neighboring chiral environment on the newly formed chiral center has been studied experimentally and concluded that the newly formed chiral center's absolute configuration is opposite to the adjacent (α- or ß-) chiral environment. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized ß-amino alcohols were screened using in vitro disc diffusion method and variable antimicrobial activities were shown for 1a, 1a', 1c, 1c', 1d, 1d', 1e &1e' and amongst them 1d &1d' exhibited significant activity against bacteria and fungi. In silico studies revealed all the synthesized ß-amino alcohols 1a-e and 1a'-e' have shown good binding energies ranging from -7.38 to -6.09 kJ/mol towards the target receptor DNA topoisomerase IV and 1d' has shown maximum binding energy -7.38 kJ/mol.

ESIPT inspired dual fluorescent probe (Z)-3-((4-(4-aminobenzyl) phenyl) amino)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one: experimental and DFT based approach to photophysical properties.

A fluorescent probe (Z)-3-((4-(4-aminobenzyl) phenyl) amino)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one (L) was synthesized and characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, ESI mass, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecule has a stable helical structure due to intermolecular CH π interaction. The thermal stability of L was studied by TG analysis. The electronic structure calculations of L have been carried out using DFT at B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) level. The vibrational frequencies and (1)H NMR spectra were computed at this level and compared with experimental values. Major orbital contributions for the electronic transitions were assigned with the help of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). The observed electronic absorption spectra of L in different solvents coincide with the computed spectra in keto form. The dual emission and high Stokes shift values support the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The molecular docking has been employed to get information about the interaction of L with DNA [6BNA].

Isolation, identification and characterization of degradant impurities in Tolterodine tartrate formulation.

During the stability study of Tolterodine tartrate drug product, two unknown impurities (Impurities I and II) were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Both impurities were isolated by preparative liquid chromatography and were subjected to mass and NMR spectral studies. Based on the spectral data, the Impurities I and II were characterized as N-(3-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-3-phenylpropyl)-N,N-diisopropyl hydroxyl ammonium trifluoro acetate and 3-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-N-isopropyl-3-phenylpropane-1-amine oxide respectively.

Preparation and evaluation of once-daily sustained-release coated tablets of tolterodine-L-tartrate.

In this study, once-daily, sustained-release matrix tablets of tolterodine l-tartrate (TOL) for treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) were prepared by direct compression using various amounts of hydrophilic polymers such as HPMC 2910 and HPMC 2208 along with other tablet excipients; the tablets were then coated. In vitro dissolution studies were carried out under different pH conditions. The dissolution data were fitted into zero-order, first-order, Higuchi and Korsemeyer-Peppas models to identify the pharmacokinetics and mechanism of drug release. Among the four formulations (F1-F4), the dissolution profiles of formulation F2 were most similar to the marketed product with similarity and difference factors of 70.25 and 1.59 respectively. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic studies were carried out in healthy human volunteers after oral administration of the prepared TOL sustained-release matrix-coated tablet and the marketed product. The results revealed that the pharmacokinetic parameters of AUC, Cmax, Tmax, t1/2, Kel, and MRT of TOL for the developed formulation (F2) were not significantly different from that for the marketed product, suggesting that they were bioequivalent. Therefore, the developed sustained-release tablet formulation of TOL could be an alternative dosage form to the SR capsule for treatment of OAB.

Profiling of enantiopure drugs towards aryl hydrocarbon (AhR), glucocorticoid (GR) and pregnane X (PXR) receptors in human reporter cell lines.

In the past decade, a large number of enantiopure drugs were introduced to clinical practice, since improved therapeutic effects were demonstrated for one of the enantiomers from originally racemic drug. While the therapeutic effects and safety of enantiopure drugs were tested prior to their approval, various biological enantiospecific activities of these, often "old" drugs, remain to be elucidated. In the current paper, we examined enantiospecific effects of clinically used enantiopure drugs containing one chiral center in the structure (i.e. zopiclone, tamsulosin, tolterodine, modafinil, citalopram) towards aryl hydrocarbon (AhR), glucocorticoid (GR) and pregnane X (PXR) receptors in human reporter cell lines. The cytotoxicity (IC50), agonist (EC50) and antagonist effects (IC50) of R-form, S-form and racemic mixture for each tested drugs were determined and compared in AhR-, GR- and PXR-gene reporter cell lines. Since AhR, GR and PXR are key regulators of drug metabolism, energy metabolism, immunity and play many other physiological functions, the data presented here might be of toxicological significance.

Preparation, characterization and pharmacological evaluation of tolterodine hydrogels for the treatment of overactive bladder.

In this study, transdermal gel formulations for tolterodine were developed to investigate the effects of gel matrix and chemical enhancers on drug skin permeation from tolterodine hydrogels. In vitro permeation studies of tolterodine through excised mouse skin were carried out using Franz-type diffusion cells. In the optimum gel formulation, Carbopol 940 was selected as the gel matrix. Compared to gels without enhancer, tolterodine hydrogels with N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) showed significant enhancing effect on transdermal permeation of tolterodine (p<0.05). The results of in vitro percutaneous delivery experiment showed that the relationship of the steady accumulative percutaneous amount (Q, µg cm(-2)) of tolterodine hydrogels and time was Q4-12h=770.19t(1/2)-966.99. Tolterodine permeated at the steady-state speed of 770.19 µg cm(-2)h(-1) and its release coincided with Higuchi Equation. The pharmacokinetic properties of the optimized tolterodine formulation were studied in rabbits. The absolute bioavailability of tolterodine was 11.47%. Since the absence of hepatic first-pass metabolism, only a single active compound-tolterodine was detected in the plasma. A skin irritation study was also carried out on rabbits, and the results showed tolterodine hydrogels had no skin irritation. In the pharmacodynamic study, the significant effects of tolterodine hydrogels on the inhibition of pilocarpine-induced rat urinary bladder contraction were last to 12h, indicating that tolterodine hydrogels could produce prolonged pharmacological responses. In conclusion, tolterodine hydrogels were formulated successfully using Carbopol 940 and NMP and these results helped in finding the optimum formulation for percutaneous drug release. It is quite evident that tolterodine hydrogels may offer a possibility to avoid the first-pass effect, resulting in a single active compound of tolterodine in plasma, which may profit on the patient under the dose control and the reduction of potential adverse effect from two active compounds in the body.