Synthesis of 1,3,5-triphenyl-1,2,4-triazole derivatives and their neuroprotection by anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation and protecting BBB.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease; Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are important factors which destroy blood-brain barrier (BBB) in AIS. In the study, a series of 1,3,5-triphenyl-1,2,4-triazole derivatives were designed and synthesized; the optimal compound 9 was obtained by screening their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; the neuroprotection effect of compound 9 was evaluated with a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Subsequently, the mechanism of neuroprotection were explored via Western blot. The results prompt compound 9 maybe exert anti-AIS neuroprotection by inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation inhibition by inhibiting Keap1, COX-2 and iNOS. At the same time, it can protect BBB by reducing glycocalyx degradation and matrix metallopeptidase-9 levels. Its LD50 > 1000 mg/kg on mice and hERG channel inhibition IC50 > 30 µM, which lower acute toxicity and hERG channel inhibition would make compound 9 a promising stroke treatment candidate.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives as potential Nrf2 activators for the treatment of cerebral ischemic injury.

Acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and death. The development of neuroprotectants is an emerging strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke. In this work, we designed and synthesized a series of 1,3,5-triaryl substituent triazole derivatives by introducing a phenolic group and phenyl ring to 3,5-diaryl substituents oxadiazole. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis showed that compounds with alkyl groups or with substituents at the 3-position possessed better protective effects. Among the derivatives, 3,5-dimethyl substituted compound 24 exhibited the best neuroprotective effect with weak cytotoxicity. Compound 24 possessed a high plasma protein binding rate, moderate hERG inhibition, low acute toxicity, and suitable pharmacokinetic properties. In vivo experiments demonstrated that compound 24 exerted a protective effect by reducing cerebral infarction size, improving neurological behavior, and restoring redox balance in middle cerebral artery occlusion rats. Further investigation indicated that compound 24 exerted a protective effect against sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced cell damage by scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species and restoring mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, compound 24 induced the nuclear translocation of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and promoted the generation of antioxidative proteins, including Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase (NQO1), and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic (GCLC). Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments indicated that compound 24 might activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway by interacting with the Keap1 Kelch domain. Taken together, these facts indicate that compound 24 might have potential in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Rational Design of Dipicolylamine-Containing Carbazole Amphiphiles Combined with Zn2+ as Potent Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Agents with a Membrane-Disruptive Mechanism.

Antibiotic resistance has become one of the most urgently important problems facing healthcare providers. A novel series of dipicolylamine-containing carbazole amphiphiles with strong Zn2+ chelating ability were synthesized, biomimicking cationic antimicrobial peptides. Effective broad-spectrum 16 combined with 12.5 µg/mL Zn2+ was identified as the most promising antimicrobial candidate. 16 combined with 12.5 µg/mL Zn2+ exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (MICs = 0.78-3.125 µg/mL), weak hemolytic activity, and low cytotoxicity. Time-kill kinetics and mechanism studies revealed 16 combined with 12.5 µg/mL Zn2+ had rapid bacterial killing properties, as evidenced by disruption of the integrity of bacterial cell membranes, effectively preventing bacterial resistance development. Importantly, 16 combined with 12.5 µg/mL Zn2+ showed excellent in vivo efficacy in a murine keratitis model caused by Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 or Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027. Therefore, 16 combined with 12.5 µg/mL Zn2+ could be a promising candidate for treating bacterial infections.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,2,4-oxadiazole core derivatives as potential neuroprotectants against acute ischemic stroke.

Here, we report the synthesis and neuroprotective capacity of 27 compounds with a bisphenol hydroxyl-substituted 1,2,4-triazole core or 1,2,4-oxadiazole core for stroke therapy. In vitro studies of the neuroprotective effects of compounds 1-27 on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells indicate that compound 24 is the most effective compound conferring potent protection against oxidative injury. Compound 24 inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS） accumulation and restores the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Moreover, further analysis of the mechanism showed that compound 24 activates the antioxidant defence system by promoting the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increasing the expression of haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1). An in vivo study was performed in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia generated by the intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). Compound 24 significantly reduced brain infarction and improved neurological function. Overall, compound 24 potentially represents a promising compound for the treatment of stroke.

5-[2-(N-(Substituted phenyl)acetamide)]amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamides as Selective Carbonic Anhydrase II Inhibitors with Neuroprotective Effects.

In this study, 22 novel compounds were designed and synthesized by acetamide bridge chains, among which 5 a-5 k were monosubstituted compounds, and 6 a-6 k were disubstituted. A series of biological evaluations was then carried out to determine the carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity, neuroprotective effects and cytotoxicity of 5 a-5 k and 6 a-6 k. The results showed that some compounds could protect PC12 cells from sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced damage. In terms of the neuroprotection and inhibitory activity against carbonic anhydrase II, monosubstituted compounds were better than disubstituted. Compound 5 c exhibited better protective effect in PC12 cells than that of edaravone, and 5 c also showed less cytotoxicity. In addition, compound 5 c was found to be the most effective selective carbonic anhydrase II inhibitor (IC50 =16.7 nM, CAI/CAII=54.3), which was similar to the inhibitory effect of acetazolamide. Moreover, the selectivity of compound 5 c was better than that of acetazolamide (IC50 =12.0 nM, CAI/CAII=20.8). Molecular docking presented that the binding effect of compound 5 c with carbonic anhydrase II was superior to that of 5 c with carbonic anhydrase I and IX, which was consistent with the inhibitory results. Based on above findings, compound 5 c may be a potential candidate for selective carbonic anhydrase II inhibitor, and it had obviously neuroprotective effect and great advantages in drug safety.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives as potential neuroprotectant against ischemic brain injury.

A series of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives 1-14 was synthesized to investigate their neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of action. Compounds 5-11 noticeably protected PC12 cells from the cytotoxicity of H2O2 or sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Compound 11 was the most effective derivative. Compound 11 chelated Fe (II) iron, scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS), and restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Moreover, it enhanced the activity of the antioxidant defense system by increasing the serum level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and promoting the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Compound 11 caused certain improvements in behavior, the cerebral infarction area, and serum levels of biochemical indicators (TNF-α, IL-1ß, SOD and MDA) in a rat MCAO model. The lethal dose (LD50) of compound 11 in mice receiving intraperitoneal injections was greater than 400 mg/kg. Meanwhile, pharmacokinetic experiments revealed high bioavailability of this compound after both oral and intravenous administration (F = 60.76%, CL = 0.014 mg/kg/h) and a longer half-life (4.26 and 5.11 h after oral and intravenous administration, respectively). Based on these findings, compound 11 may be a promising neuroprotectant for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Activation of anti-oxidant of curcumin pyrazole derivatives through preservation of mitochondria function and Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Oxidative stress is an important cause of neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidant is an potential important method to treat such diseases. The aim of this study is to discover new and effective antioxidants and their mechanism. The neuroprotective effect of six curcumin pyrozole compounds were first evaluated on sodium nitroprusside (SNP) - induced PC12 cell injury by testing cell viability and LDH release. The results showed that four compounds (C1-C4) have more significant protective effects compared to curcumin and edaravone. Furthermore, compounds C1-C4 can attenuate the intracellular ROS, and compound C3 is the most effective one which can preservate the mitochondria function by inhibiting the mitochondrial membrane potential loss and enhance nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in PC12 cell. These results indicated that C3 may be a potential candidate drug for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Granular, Slow-Release Fertilizer from Urea-formaldehyde, Ammonium Polyphosphate, and Amorphous Silica Gel: A New Strategy Using Cold Extrusion.

A new granular, slow-release fertilizer prepared by a cold-extrusion strategy (GSRFEx) based on urea-formaldehyde (UF), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and amorphous silica gel (ASG) was presented. Characterizations showed that there were strong hydrogen-bond interactions and good compatibility among UF, APP, and ASG in GSRFEx. The mechanical properties as well as the slow-release properties of GSRFEx were greatly enhanced after the addition of APP and ASG to UF. Rape pot experiments indicated that GSRFEx could improve N-use efficiency dramatically and thereby facilitate the growth of rape. Importantly, as an economical, effective, and environment-friendly technology, cold extrusion has great potential to be applied in horticulture and agriculture. We hope that our work can offer an alternative method for the design of slow-release fertilizers with desirable properties.

Preparation and Properties of a Novel Semi-IPN Slow-Release Fertilizer with the Function of Water Retention.

A new semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) slow-release fertilizer (SISRF) with water absorbency, based on the kaolin-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylic amide) (kaolin-g-P(AA-co-AM)) network and linear urea-formaldehyde oligomers (UF), was prepared by solution polymerization. Nutrients phosphorus and potassium were supplied by adding dipotassium hydrogen phosphate during the preparation process. The structure and properties of SISRF were characterized by various characterization methods. SISRF showed excellent water absorbency of 68 g g-1 in tap water. The slow-release behavior of nutrients and water-retention capacity of SISRF were also measured. Meanwhile, the swelling kinetics was well described by a pseudo-second-order kinetics model. Results suggested the formation of SISRF with simultaneously good slow-release and water-retention capacity, which was expected to apply in modern agriculture and horticulture.