In-vivo assessment of minerals substituted hydroxyapatite / poly sorbitol sebacate glutamate (PSSG) composite coating on titanium metal implant for orthopedic implantation.

Currently, bio-mimetic material synthetic processes are involved in bone implant design which is closely related to natural bone. In this work, Zinc, Cerium and Selenium substituted hydroxyapatite/ Poly (sorbitol sebacate glutamate) (Zn, Ce, Se-HAP/PSSG, M-HAP/PSSG) composite was prepared by sol-gel method as a bio-mimetic materials for bone implantation. The physiochemical characterizations of M-HAP/PSSG was analyzed by Fourier transform infra red (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Then, the prepared M-HAP/PSSG composite was compared with HAP/PSSG, Zn-HAP/PSSG, Ce-HAP/PSSG and Se-HAP/PSSG composites in order to evaluate the influence of single minerals on HAP matrix. Then the coating ability of the final better M-HAP/PSSG composite on surface treated titanium (Ti) was investigated to evaluate the perfection of implant material. The higher micro-hardness was observed on M-HAP/PSSG composite coated Ti (305.92 ±â€¯20.42) due to the presence of multi-minerals as well as the co-polymer PSSG when compared with M-HAP coated Ti plate (273.0 ±â€¯15.75). The bio-compatibility and osteogenic activity evaluation of all prepared composite on human osteoblasts MG-63 cells shows that the better cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation was observed by M-HAP/PSSG bio-composites when compared with other composites. Histological staining and X-ray photographs of in-vivo rat model confirms that the formation of new tibial bone when the defected rat was treated with M-HAP/PSSG composite coated Ti implant. In conclusion, the bio-composite M-HAP/PSSG is better scaffold for coating on the surface of Ti implant for orthopedic implantation.

Discovery of potent, low-absorbable sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) inhibitor SGL5213 for type 2 diabetes treatment.

A new series of C-phenyl d-glucitol derivatives was designed and synthesized, and their SGLT1 inhibitory potency and absorbability were evaluated. We also investigated whether kidney drug retention could be avoided by creating molecules with different excretion pathways. To achieve a class of molecules with low absorption and that were excreted in bile, optimized synthesis was performed to bring the ClogP value and the topological polar surface area to within the appropriate ranges. Compounds 34d and 34j were poorly absorbed, but the absorbed compounds were mainly excreted in bile. Thus, smaller amounts of persistent residue in the kidneys were observed. Since 34d exerted a glucose-lowering effect at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg (p.o.) in SD rats, this compound (SGL5213) could be a clinical candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Isohexide and Sorbitol-Derived, Enzymatically Synthesized Renewable Polyesters with Enhanced Tg.

Sugar-based polyesters derived from sorbitol and isohexides were obtained via solvent-free enzymatic catalysis. Pendant hydroxyl groups, coming from the sorbitol units, were present along the polyester backbone, whereas the two isohexides, namely, isomannide and isoidide dimethyl ester monomers, were selected to introduce rigidity into the polyester chains. The feasibility of incorporating isomannide as a diol compared to the isoidide dimethyl ester as acyl-donor via lipase-catalyzed polycondensation was investigated. The presence of bicyclic units resulted in enhanced Tg with respect to the parent sorbitol-containing polyester lacking isohexides. The different capability of the two isohexides to boost the thermal properties confirmed the more flexible character provided by the isoidide diester derivative. Solvent-borne coatings were prepared by cross-linking the sugar-based polyester polyols with polyisocyanates. The increased rigidity of the obtained sugar-based polyester polyols led to an enhancement in hardness of the resulting coatings.

Improving the granule strength of roller-compacted ibuprofen sodium for hot-melt coating processing.

Solvent-free hot-melt coating processing is a novel and cost-efficient approach to manufacturing taste-masked multiparticulate systems. However, most API powders are fine and cohesive and not processable by hot-melt coating. The aim of this study was to produce dense and abrasion-resistant granules with high drug content (>80%) via roller compaction for hot-melt coating process optimization. The selected API was ibuprofen sodium dihydrate, a salt of ibuprofen with improved bioavailability and poor intrinsic compactibility. The formulation and roller compaction process were developed for the production of granules with 94%w/w of API and low friability (∼30%), using sorbitol and isomalt as excipients. The strong bonding mechanism relied on powder jamming prior to the rollers and was investigated via scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and small and wide angle X-ray scattering. It was shown that sorbitol crystals are solubilized during roller compaction and recrystallize as sorbitol hydrate, acting as strong solid bridges. The robustness of the roller compaction process and the re-compaction of fines were investigated. A statistical design of experiments was conducted to evaluate the hot-melt coating process for taste masking of ibuprofen sodium granules. Taste masking required coating ratios higher than 40%w/w of granule batch, emphasizing the need for high-drug-content and abrasion-resistant granules.

Gelation of Oil upon Contact with Water: A Bioinspired Scheme for the Self-Repair of Oil Leaks from Underwater Tubes.

Molecular organogelators convert oils into gels by forming self-assembled fibrous networks. Here, we demonstrate that such gelation can be activated by contacting the oil with an immiscible solvent (water). Our gelator is dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS), which forms a low-viscosity sol when added to toluene containing a small amount of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Upon contact with water, DMSO partitions into the water, activating gelation of DBS in the toluene. The gel grows from the oil/water interface and slowly envelops the oil phase. We have exploited this effect for the self-repair of oil leaks from underwater tubes. When a DBS/toluene/DMSO solution flows through the tube, it forms a gel selectively at the leak point, thereby plugging the leak and restoring flow. Our approach is reminiscent of wound-sealing via blood-clotting: there also, inactive gelators in blood are activated at the wound site into a fibrous network, thereby plugging the wound and restoring blood flow.

New co-processed MCC-based excipient for fast release of low solubility drugs from pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization.

In this study, a new co-processed excipient composed of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), sorbitol, chitosan and Eudragit® E, easily obtained by wet massing, to increase the dissolution rate of active ingredients of low water solubility from pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization is evaluated. Indomethacin, nifedipine, furosemide, ibuprofen, prednisolone and hydrochlorothiazide are used as model drugs of different solubility. All pellet formulations evaluated showed adequate morphological, flow and mechanical properties. Pellets prepared with the co-processed excipient show a higher drug dissolution rate than those prepared with MCC and even higher than the pure drug powder. The fast drug dissolution and the complete disintegration (<3 min) of the pellets can be explained by the great porosity of the formulations, the high solubility of the sorbitol, the disintegrant capacity of the chitosan and the distribution of the Eudragit® E polymer particles in-between the other components of the co-processed mixture. In conclusion, this new co-processed excipient is very suitable to increase the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs from pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization. Moreover, the drug release rate can be estimated from the Ln of the drug solubility in acidic medium.

Self-assembly mechanism of 1,3:2,4-di(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-D-sorbitol and control of the supramolecular chirality.

Dibenzylidene-D-sorbitol (DBS) and its derivatives are known to form gels in organic solvents; however, the mechanism of the gel formation has been a subject of much debate. The present work is undertaken to elucidate the organization mechanism of a DBS derivative, 1,3:2,4-di(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-D-sorbitol (DCDBS), by taking into account the solvent effects and comparing the experiment data with theoretical calculation. These molecules form smooth nonhelical fibers with a rest circular dichroism (CD) signal in polar solvents, in contrast to rope-liked left-helical fibers with a strong negative CD signal observed in nonpolar solvents. The molecular complexes thus formed were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra, ultraviolet-visible spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns, static contact angles, and theoretical calculations. It was proposed that the interactions between the gelator and the solvents could subtly change the stacking of the molecules and hence their self-assembled nanostructures. In nonpolar solvents, the gelator molecules appear as a distorted T-shaped structure with the 6-OH forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the acetal oxygens of adjacent gelator molecule. In addition, because of differential stacking interactions on both sides of the 10-member ring skeleton of the gelator, the oligomers may assemble in a helix fashion to minimize the energy, leading to helical fibers. In polar solvents, however, the gelator molecules show a rigid planelike structure and thus stack on top of each other because of strong parallel-displaced π interactions. The balanced driving force on both sides of the 10-member ring skeleton made it difficult for the dimers to bend, thus resulting in nonhelical nanostructure. As expected from the mechanisms proposed here, twisted ribbon fibers with a medium strength CD signal were obtained when solvents of different polarities were mixed. Thus, solvent effects revealed in this work represent an effective means of realizing in situ tuning of nanostructures and control of the expression of chirality at supramolecular levels.

Direct synthesis of sorbitol and glycerol from cellulose over ionic Ru/magnetite nanoparticles in the absence of external hydrogen.

A sweet catalyst: A catalyst formed of Ru/functionalized silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles is highly efficient in the one-pot production of sorbitol and glycerol, starting from cellulose and in the absence of an external hydrogen source. The ease of recoverability of the catalyst from the solid residues, and its reuse without loss of activity or selectivity for several runs, is an important green element of the process.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of thiophene-C-glucosides as sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of thiophene-C-glucosides have been explored, and the human sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (hSGLT2) inhibitory activities and rat urinary glucose excretion (UGE) effects of 3a-f were evaluated. As a result, they showed good hSGLT2 inhibitory activities and rat UGE effects. In particular, the chlorothiophene derivative 3f showed remarkable inhibitory activity against hSGLT2.

Simultaneous saccharification of inulin and starch using commercial glucoamylase and the subsequent bioconversion to high titer sorbitol and gluconic acid.

A new bioprocess for production of sorbitol and gluconic acid from two low-cost feedstocks, inulin and cassava starch, using a commercially available enzyme was proposed in this study. The commercial glucoamylase GA-L NEW from Genencor was found to demonstrate a high inulinase activity for hydrolysis of inulin into fructose and glucose. The glucoamylase was used to replace the expensive and not commercially available inulinase enzyme for simultaneous saccharification of inulin and starch into high titer glucose and fructose hydrolysate. The glucose and fructose in the hydrolysate were converted into sorbitol and gluconic acid using immobilized whole cells of the recombinant Zymomonas mobilis strain. The high gluconic acid concentration of 193 g/L and sorbitol concentration of 180 g/L with the overall yield of 97.3 % were obtained in the batch operations. The present study provided a practical production method of sorbitol and gluconic acid from low cost feedstocks and enzymes.

Efficacy and tolerability of a cream containing AR-GG27® (sorbityl furfural palmitate) in the treatment of mild/moderate childhood atopic dermatitis associated with pityriasis alba. A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

AIM: Pityriasis alba (PA) is a skin disorder characterized by finely scaly, hypopigmented patches, typical of childhood, that also represents an atopic dermatitis (AD) minor sign according to Hanifin and Rajka criteria. It may be isolated or associated with AD representing, sometimes an atypical manifestation of AD during the long-term follow-up of the disease. Aim of the study was to evaluate of the efficacy and tolerability of AR-GG27® (sorbityl furfural palmitate) cream in the treatment of childhood mild or moderate AD associated with PA. METHODS: The trial is a single center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. The study included patients of both sexes, aged between two months and 15 years, suffering from mild and moderate AD always associated with PA. Xerosis was present in all patients. The treatment with topical steroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors (TIMs) had to be suspended for at least 15 days. Any systemic therapy and phototherapy or sun exposure were withdrawn at least 30 days before. Emollients were stopped at least seven days before. During the trial, no other local or systemic treatments were allowed, as well as sun exposure. Patients affected by AD with viral, bacterial or fungal overinfection or patients with diabetes mellitus, severe systemic diseases or intolerance to one or more components of the product were excluded. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of the average change in the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) after 15 and 30 days of treatment. The second endpoint was the evaluation of severity of three different clinical signs: erythema, excoriation desquamation, using a subjective five-point scale. Changes in pruritus severity was also considered during the entire period of treatment, through the use of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). A P<0.05, two tailed was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: After 15 and 30 days there was a statistically significant difference in the group treated with AR-GG27®, compared to the placebo (respectively, P=0.0007 and P=0.005). After 15 days of treatment, itching was clearly reduced in AR-GG27® treated group compared with the placebo, both in the study population (P=0.01) and in patients where the symptom was present from the beginning (P=0.05). CONCLUSION: AR-GG27® showed a beneficial action associated with high compliance and tolerability in dermatological skin conditions characterized by inflammation and tissue oxidative stress in children, as PA with mild and moderate AD.

Accelerated gene transfer through a polysorbitol-based transporter mechanism.

Here we report an accelerated gene transfer through a polysorbitol-based osmotically active transporter (PSOAT) that shows several surprising results through interesting mechanisms. The nano-sized and well-complexed PSOAT/DNA particles are less toxic, stable at serum and show no aggregation after lyophilization due to their polysorbitol backbone. The transfection is remarkably accelerated both in vitro and in vivo, presumably due to a transporter mechanism of PSOAT in spite of possibility of reduction of transfection by many hydroxyl groups in the transporter. PSOAT possesses a transporter mechanism owing to its polysorbitol backbone, which enhances cellular uptake by exerting polysorbitol transporter activity, thus accelerates gene transfer to cells because transfection ability of PSOAT is drastically reduced in the presence of a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific inhibitor, which we have reported as an inhibitor of the transporter to cells. Moreover, the gene expression is found to be enhanced by hyperosmotic activity and buffering capacity due to polysorbitol and polyethylenimine backbone of PSOAT, respectively. The polysorbitol in PSOAT having polyvalency showed more efficiency in accelerating gene transfer capability than monovalent sorbitol. The above interesting mechanisms display PSOAT as a remarkably potential system to deliver therapeutic (small interfering RNA) and diagnostic agents for effective treatment of cancer.

Synthesis of purin-2-yl and purin-6-yl-aminoglucitols as C-nucleosidic ATP mimics and biological evaluation as FGFR3 inhibitors.

Two new series of C-nucleosidic ATP mimics have been synthesized using an efficient and versatile synthetic pathway. These compounds were designed as FGFR3 inhibitors using purine as a central scaffold. The two substituents, a polyhydroxylated ribose mimic and a lipophilic moiety, were linked either in position 2 or 6 of the purine ring in order to explore any possible binding mode. All the compounds were able to inhibit FGFR3 kinase activity at a concentration of 50 µM. Unexpectedly, the best inhibitor was found to be one of the synthetic intermediates 13 bearing an iodine atom in position 2. Docking studies have confirmed its location in the ATP binding site and revealed halogen bonding among key interactions.

Evaluation of supplementation of sucrose medium on the synthesis of Zymomonas mobilis bio-products / Avaliação da suplementação do meio de sacarose na formação de bio–produtos por Zymomonas mobilis

The effect of the variables pantothenic acid, yeast extract and sodium chloride, as well as the cell permeabilization technique, were investigated on the formation of levan, ethanol, sorbitol and biomass of Zymomonas mobilis, using a 24-1 fraction factorial design. Cell growth was determined by turbidimetry at 605 nm, relating it to a biomass with a dry weight calibration curve. Reducing sugars were quantified according to Somogyi and Nelson. Total sugars were quantified by the phenol-sulfuric acid method, sorbitol by HPLC and ethanol. The levan produced was precipitated by the addition of absolute ethanol and quantified in fructose units. In levan biosynthesis, the variable that had the largest contribution was cell condition. The results suggested that the factors that most affected biomass and ethanol formation were sodium chloride concentration and cell condition that affected negatively on production. For sorbitol, the variable that had a significant effect was permeabilization, which decreased its synthesis. Studies to amplify the range of established factors would be important.

A influência das variáveis: ácido pantotênico, extrato de levedura, cloreto de sódio, e a técnica de permeabilização celular foram investigadas na formação de levana, sorbitol, etanol e biomassa de Zymomonas mobilis utilizando um delineamento estatístico fatorial fracionado 24-1. A biomassa foi determinada por turbidimetria, Os açúcares redutores foram quantificados por Somogy e Nelson, açúcar total por Fenol Sulfúrico, sorbitol por HPLC e etanol por micro-destilação. A levana produzida foi precipitada com etanol absoluto e determinada como unidade de frutose. Na biossíntese de levana, a variável que mais contribuiu foi a condição celular. Os resultados sugerem que, para a formação da biomassa e etanol, os fatores que mais interferiram foram a concentração de cloreto de sódio e a condição celular que influencia negativamente a produção. Para o sorbitol, a variável que teve efeito significativo foi a permeabilização celular que atuou diminuindo a sua síntese. Estudos que ampliam a faixa de variação dos fatores estabelecidos são interessantes.

Efecto diferencial de espironolactona frente a eplerenona sobre el papel protector in vitro de testosterona en la apoptosis de cardiocitos / Differential actions of eplerenone and spironolactone on the protective effect of testosterone against cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vitro

Introducción y objetivos. La deficiencia de testosterona se asocia a un peor pronóstico en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Se desconoce si la testosterona disminuye la apoptosis de cardiomiocitos y si la espironolactona, bloqueador del receptor de aldosterona con actividad progestogénica y antiandrogénica, tiene un efecto diferencial respecto al bloqueo selectivo con eplerenona. Métodos. En la línea de cardiomioblastos de rata H9c2, se cuantificó la apoptosis inducida por estrés hiperosmótico mediante análisis de viabilidad celular, fragmentación del ADN y activación de caspasa 3, 8 y 9. Se estudiaron los efectos de testosterona, en presencia o ausencia de espironolactona y eplerenona. Resultados. La exposición al sorbitol (0,6 M, 3 h) disminuyó la viabilidad celular e incrementó la fragmentación del ADN y la activación de caspasa 3, 8 y 9. Estos efectos fueron disminuidos significativamente por la testosterona (100 nM) (p < 0,01). El pretratamiento con espironolactona (10 μM) bloqueó los efectos de la testosterona, disminuyó la viabilidad celular (p < 0,01) e incrementó la activación de caspasas (p < 0,01); por el contrario, la eplerenona (10 μM) incrementó la viabilidad (p < 0,001) sin alterar el efecto en las caspasas. Estas acciones no se modificaron por el bloqueo del receptor de andrógenos con flutamida y fueron mediadas por las rutas de señalización SAPK/JNK y ERK1/2 (p < 0,01). Conclusiones. La testosterona parece tener un efecto protector contra la apoptosis de células cardiacas, que la espironolactona contrarresta, pero no la eplerenona. Estos hallazgos precisan confirmación en modelos in vivo, pero de estar presentes podrían tener implicaciones clínicas y terapéuticas (AU)

Introduction and objectives. Testosterone deficiency is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. It is not clear whether testosterone reduces cardiomyocyte apoptosis or whether the effect of spironolactone, an aldosterone receptor blocker with progestogenic and anti-androgen activity, differs from that of the selective aldosterone blocker eplerenone. Methods. Apoptosis induced by hyperosmotic stress in the embryonic rat heart cell line H9c2 was monitored by measuring cell viability, DNA fragmentation and caspase-3, -8 and -9 activation. The effect of testosterone was investigated in the presence or absence of spironolactone and eplerenone. Results. Exposure to sorbitol (0.6 M, 3 h) decreased cell viability and increased DNA fragmentation and caspase-3, -8 and -9 activation. These effects were all significantly reduced by testosterone, 100 nM (P < .01). Pretreatment with spironolactone, 10 μM, blocked the effects of testosterone, decreased cell viability (P < .01) and increased caspase activation (P < .01). In contrast, eplerenone, 10 μM, increased cell viability (P < .001) without altering the effect on caspase activation. These actions were not modified by the androgen receptor blocker flutamide. They were mediated by SAPK/JNK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways (P < .01). Conclusions. Testosterone appears to have a protective effect against cardiomyocyte apoptosis which is antagonized by spironolactone but not by eplerenone. These effects await confirmation in in vivo models, but their presence could have clinical and therapeutic implications (AU)

Perfluoroalkylated derivatives of 6-deoxy-6-ethylamino-D-galactose, 1-deoxy-1-methylamino-D-glucitol, and 1-amino-1-deoxy-D-glucitol: syntheses, hemocompatibility, and effect on perfluorocarbon emulsion.

N-polyfluoroalkyl derivatives of 6-deoxy-6-ethylamino-1,2;3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-galactopyranose (8-10), 1-deoxy-1-methylamino-D-glucitol (13-15), and 1-amino-1-deoxy-D-glucitol (16-18), all possessing perfluoroalkyl segment, were prepared using nucleophilic epoxide ring opening of 2-[(perfluoroalkyl)methyl]oxiranes 1-3. Co-emulsifying properties and hemolytic activity of the new perfluoroalkylated amphiphiles were tested. Both types of the polyol derivatives 8-10 and 13-18 generally displayed good to excellent co-emulsifying properties on testing on perfluorodecalin/Pluronic F-68 microemulsions. Mono-perfluoroalkylated compounds 8-10 and 13-15 displayed high hemolysis, whereas acyclic bis-perfluoroalkylated compounds 16-18 were non-hemolytic even for short perfluorobutyl segment (16). The properties were generally improving with increasing perfluoroalkyl chain length.

(1S)-1,5-anhydro-1-[5-(4-ethoxybenzyl)-2-methoxy-4-methylphenyl]-1-thio-D-glucitol (TS-071) is a potent, selective sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor for type 2 diabetes treatment.

Derivatives of a novel scaffold, C-phenyl 1-thio-D-glucitol, were prepared and evaluated for sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 2 and SGLT1 inhibition activities. Optimization of substituents on the aromatic rings afforded five compounds with potent and selective SGLT2 inhibition activities. The compounds were evaluated for in vitro human metabolic stability, human serum protein binding (SPB), and Caco-2 permeability. Of them, (1S)-1,5-anhydro-1-[5-(4-ethoxybenzyl)-2-methoxy-4-methylphenyl]-1-thio-D-glucitol (3p) exhibited potent SGLT2 inhibition activity (IC(50) = 2.26 nM), with 1650-fold selectivity over SGLT1. Compound 3p showed good metabolic stability toward cryo-preserved human hepatic clearance, lower SPB, and moderate Caco-2 permeability. Since 3p should have acceptable human pharmacokinetics (PK) properties, it could be a clinical candidate for treating type 2 diabetes. We observed that compound 3p exhibits a blood glucose lowering effect, excellent urinary glucose excretion properties, and promising PK profiles in animals. Phase II clinical trials of 3p (TS-071) are currently ongoing.

Co-ordinated synthesis of gentiobiitol and sorbitol, evidence of sorbitol glycosylation in transgenic sugarcane.

Sugarcane (a Saccharum spp. interspecific hybrid) was previously engineered to synthesize sorbitol (designated as sorbitolcane). Motivated by the atypical development of the leaves in some sorbitolcane, the polar metabolite profiles in the leaves of those plants were compared against a group of control sugarcane plants. Eighty-six polar metabolites were detected in leaf extracts by GC-MS. Principal component analysis of the metabolites indicated that three compounds were strongly associated with sorbitolcane. Two were identified as sorbitol and gentiobiose and the third was unknown. Gentiobiose and the unknown compound were positively correlated with sorbitol accumulation. The unknown compound was only abundant in sorbitolcane. This compound was structurally characterized and found to be a sorbitol-glucose conjugate. (13)C NMR analysis indicated that the glucopyranose and glucitol moieties were 1,6-linked. Ligand exchange chromatography confirmed that the compound was a beta-anomer, thus identifying the compound as 6-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-D-glucitol, or gentiobiitol.

Synthesis and glycosidase inhibitory activity of 1-amino-3,6-anhydro-1-deoxy-D-sorbitol derivatives.

3,6-Anhydro-1-(aryl or alkylamino)-1-deoxy-D-sorbitol derivatives have been prepared in four steps from isosorbide, a by-product from the starch industry. The inhibitory activities of these new compounds have been evaluated towards 13 glycosidases. A first lead-compound was identified, which inhibited beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from bovine kidney (82% inhibition at 1mM).