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Background: Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), that can be found in a wide variety of household products–from disinfectants to medicaments and home fragrances–but also professional products. In pets, cats have long been reported as more sensitive than dogs to QACs; in fact, signs of irritation such as oral ulcerations, stomatitis and pharyngitis can be observed after contact with concentrations of 2% or lower. In a review of 245 cases of BAC exposure in cats, reported by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (United Kingdom) only 1.2% of the cases died or were euthanized. Nevertheless, BAC toxidromes in cats can result in transitory CNS and respiratory distress, as well as severe mucosal and cutaneous lesions. Currently, only a few reports are available concerning BAC poisoning in this species. Case presentation: A 4 month-old kitten presented with severe glossitis, lameness in the hindlimbs and episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea. The cause was unknown until the owners reported use of a BAC-containing mould remover (5%) 4 days later. The patient developed severe oral burns requiring a pharyngeal tube for feeding and severe cutaneous chemical burns. The kitten was managed with supportive therapy and required hospitalization for 10 days. The symptoms disappeared completely 3 weeks after exposure. Conclusions: BAC is a very common compound contained in several household and professional products but, to the best of our knowledge, no previous case had been reported in Italy. We hope that this report will help raise awareness on the hazards of BAC products for cats in both domestic and work contexts.

In recent years, the safety of traditional preservatives has been called into question. Therefore, there is a need for alternatives that are effective, safe and sustainable--and that are non-controversial. In response, the present work investigates a mixture of caprylyl glycol and phenethyl alcohol, which is shown to provide antimicrobial activity in various skin and hair care formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of coordination modes of L-ascorbic acid as an anionic bidentate ligand has been exploited to prepare platinum(II) complexes 1–7 that contain phosphanes or R,R-dach (1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane) as neutral ligands in which O2, O3, O5, O6 and C2 act as anionic donating functionalities. An alternative synthetic route to known O2,O3 complexes is proposed, and their solubility in water has been enhanced by introducing PTA (1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) as a neutral ligand. A new coordination mode of ascorbic acid (O2 and O3 protected) as an O5,O6-diolate chelating ligand has been characterised in solution by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The first example of a platinum complex that contains dehydroascorbic acid, 7, has also been prepared and its X-ray crystal structure has been determined. The antiproliferative activity in vitro of complexes 1–7 has been tested, and the best values were obtained for the DHA complex 7, which was found to be more active than cisplatin on both a cisplatin-sensitive and a cisplatin-resistant cell line.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)

Abstract: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases and antioxidants may represent potential tools for the prevention of these diseases. Here, we investigated the antioxidant efficiency of different tocotrienol isoforms (é-, δ-, γ-tocotrienols), and that of FeAox-6, a novel synthetic compound which combines, by a stable covalent bond, the chroman head of vitamin E and a polyisoprenyl sequence of four conjugated double bonds into a single molecule. The antioxidant efficiency was evaluated as the ability of the compounds to inhibit lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, heat shock protein (hsp) expression in rat liver microsomal membranes as well as in RAT-1 immortalized fibroblasts challenged with different free radical sources, including 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) (AAPH), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tert-BOOH) and H2O2. Our results show that individual tocotrienols display different antioxidant potencies. Irrespective of the prooxidant used, the order of effectiveness was:δ-tocotrienol > γ-tocotrienol = é-tocotrienol in both isolated membranes and intact cells. This is presumably due to the decreased methylation of δ-tocotrienol chromane ring, which allows the molecule to be more easily incorporated into cell membranes. Moreover, we found that FeAox-6 showed an antioxidant potency greater than that of δ-tocotrienol. Such an efficiency seems to depend on the concomitant presence of a chromane ring and a phytyl chain in the molecule, which because of four conjugated double bonds, may induce a greater mobility and a more uniform distribution within cell membrane. In view of these results, FeAox-6 represents a new potential preventive agent in chronic diseases in which oxidative stress plays a pathogenic role.

Living beings have evolved over the past two billon years through adaptation, to an increasing atmospheric oxygen concentration, by both taking advantage of oxygen activating function and developing a complex control network. In these regards, potentially damaging species (reactive oxygen, nitrogen and chlorine species) arise as by-products of metabolism and also work as physiological mediators and signalling molecules. Oxidative stress may be an important factor in numerous pathological conditions, i.e. infection if micronutrients are deficient. Levels of these species are controlled by the antioxidant defence system, which is composed by antioxidants and pro-antioxidants. Several components of this system are micronutrients (e.g. vitamins C and E), are dependent upon dietary micronutrients (e.g. CuZn and Mn superoxide dismutase) or are produced by specific endogenous pathways. The antioxidant defences act, to control levels of these species, as a coordinated system where deficiencies in one component may affect the efficiency of the others. In this network some of the components act as direct antioxidants whereas others act indirectly (proantioxidants) either by modulation of direct agents or by regulation of the biosynthesis of antioxidant proteins. Thus, entities usually not considered as antioxidants, also act efficiently counteracting damaging effects of oxidative species. In this contest, the design of new molecules that take into account synergistic interactions among different antioxidants, could be useful both to address mechanistic studies and to develop possible therapeutic agents. In this review the principal categories of antioxidants and pro-antioxidants that goes from vitamins through phyto-derivatives to minerals, are critically reviewed, with particular emphasis on structure-function considerations, together with the perspective opened, in the design of possible therapeutic agents, by the antioxidants interplay.

Continuing our studies on SVCT2 ascorbic acid (AA) transporter-mediated drug delivery of neurotropic agents, we have now investigated the in vitrointracellular uptake of Diclofenac (Diclo) and its conjugate (AA-Diclo), both characterized by high affinity for the SVCT2 transporter. We have also investigated the in vivouptake mechanism of AA-conjugate of Nipecotic acid (AA-Nipec) and the implication of the transporter-mediated effects of Diclo and AA-Diclo. Diclo resulted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of AA transport, but also showed a sodium-dependent and ascorbate-independent uptake, thus implying the possible involvement of specific transporters in the delivery to the brain of Diclo. This result opens a perspective in the discovery of new strategies in the targeting of this drug to the brain. Inhibitory effects of Diclo and AA-Diclo on the SVCT2 transporter were used to study anticonvulsant effects of AA-Nipec, confirming our hypothesis of an SVCT2-mediated transport in its neurotropic activity. AA-Diclo stability has been also investigated: it is hydrolyzed following a first-order kinetics in buffer, plasma (t1/2at about 10 h) and whole blood (t1/2at about 3 h), suggesting AA-Diclo as a potential candidate to enhance the short half-life of Diclo in vivo. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:78–85, 2004

Continuing our studies on SVCT2 ascorbic acid (AA) transporter-mediated drug delivery of neurotropic agents, we have now investigated the in vitro intracellular uptake of Diclofenac (Diclo) and its conjugate (AA-Diclo), both characterized by high affinity for the SVCT2 transporter. We have also investigated the in vivo uptake mechanism of AA-conjugate of Nipecotic acid (AA-Nipec) and the implication of the transporter-mediated effects of Diclo and AA-Diclo. Diclo resulted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of AA transport, but also showed a sodium-dependent and ascorbate-independent uptake, thus implying the possible involvement of specific transporters in the delivery to the brain of Diclo. This result opens a perspective in the discovery of new strategies in the targeting of this drug to the brain. Inhibitory effects of Diclo and AA-Diclo on the SVCT2 transporter were used to study anticonvulsant effects of AA-Nipec, confirming our hypothesis of an SVCT2-mediated transport in its neurotropic activity. AA-Diclo stability has been also investigated: it is hydrolyzed following a first-order kinetics in buffer, plasma (t1/2 at about 10 h) and whole blood (t1/2 at about 3 h), suggesting AA-Diclo as a potential candidate to enhance the short half-life of Diclo in vivo. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:78–85, 2004

Flaviviridae are an important family of viruses, responsible for widely spread diseases such as dengue and West Nile fever and hepatitis C. Despite the severity of the related diseases, no effective antiviral treatments for infection are available. Following our discovery of adenosine-hindered analogs as potent antiflaviviridae agents, we have continued our investigation on guanosine and inosine derivatives, which were evaluated for activity against BVDV, YFV, DENV, and WNV viruses in cell-based assays. The present study allowed us to identify some newer features that led to improve the antiviral potency (down to the µM range) and to selectively inhibit BVDV and YFV viruses. The molecular modeling results were consistent with the hypothesis that test analogs act as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors by interacting with a surface allosteric binding pocket.

Continuing our investigations on inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), the crucial enzyme that catalyses the reduction of ribonu-cleotides to deoxyribonucleotides, we have now prepared and evaluated 5′-phosphonoacetic acid, amide and ester analogues of adenosine, uridine and cytidine with the aim to verify both substrate specificity and contribution to biological activity of diphosphate mimic moieties. A molecular modelling study has been conducted on the RNR R1 subunit, in order to verify the possible interaction of the proposed bioisosteric moieties. The study compounds were finally tested on the recombinant murine RNR showing a degree of inhibition that ranged from 350 μM for the UDP analogue 5′-deoxy-5′-N-(phosphon-acetyl)uridine sodium salt (amide) to 600 μM for the CDP analogue 5′-O-[(diethyl-phosphon)acetyl]cytidine (ester). None of the tested compounds displayed noteworthy cytostatic activity at 100–500 μM concentrations, whereas ADP analogue 5′-N-[(diethyl-phosphon) acetyl]adenosine (amide) and 5′-deoxy-5′-N-(phos-phon-acetyl)adenosine sodium salt (amide) showed a moderate inhibitory activity (EC50: 48 μM) against HSV-2 and a modest inhibitory activity (EC50: 110 μM) against HIV-1, respectively.

Purpose. A series of 5′-esters of N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) were prepared with the aim to improve stability and bioavailability of selective A1agonists. Log P values, stability, affinity, and activity toward human adenosine A1receptors were evaluated. Methods. An appropriate synthetic procedure was adopted to avoid concomitant deamination at position 6. Log P values were obtained by the Mixxor system. The stability of CPA and its 5′-ester was evaluated in human plasma and whole blood and analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography. The affinities to human A1receptor expressed by N6-cyclohexyladenosine cells were obtained by binding experiments. The activities were evaluated by measurements of the inhibition of forskolin stimulated 3′-5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate, performing competitive binding assays. Results. All prodrugs were more lipophilic than CPA, and their hydrolysis, in whole blood and in plasma, was found related, respectively, to the length and hindrance of 5′-substituents. Affinity and activity values indicated a very weak interaction toward adenosine A1receptor of the intact prodrugs. Conclusions. We propose 5′-esters of CPA, characterized by suitable lipophilicity and elevated degree of stability in physiological fluids, as possible canditates for CPA prodrugs.

Few muscarinic antagonists differentiate between the M4and M2muscarinic receptors. In a structure–activity study, aimed at discovering leads for the development of a M4muscarinic receptor-selective antagonist, we have synthesized and tested at cloned muscarinic receptors the binding of a group of dioxolane- or oxadiazole-dialkyl amines, and compared them to our compound 1, which contains the furan nucleus. Although none of these agents were particularly potent at M4receptors (Kdvalues were typically 30–70nM), furan derivatives (−)1and (+)1were significantly more potent at M4receptors than at M2receptors (∼3- and 4-fold, respectively). The dioxolane derivatives 12band 12cwere more than 10-fold selective for the M4versus the M2receptors, while the dioxolane derivative 12ewas 15-fold more potent at M4receptors than for M2receptors. However, these agents bound to M3receptors with potencies like that for the M4receptor, so they are not M4-selective. The M4/M2relative selectivities of some of our compounds are similar to the better hexahydrosiladifenidol derivatives, and may provide some important structural clues for the development of potent and selective M4antagonists.

AbstractContinuing our studies on the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of 4-iodo-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-3-carboxymethyl pyrazole (IPCAR), the ribofuranosyl moiety has been substituted with acyclic chains, namely 1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]- and 1-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]-pyrazole derivatives (4, 5and 8, 9respectively), with the 2′-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl group (12and 13) and finally with the 2′,3′-dideoxy-D-glycero-pentofuranosyl-moiety (16and 17). None of the new compounds display any interesting biological activity.

Due to the capability of peptidyl derivatives of araC to behave as prodrugs of this antimetabolite, and because of the well known biological properties of peptide T and its analogues (in particular that of targeting CD4+cells), new peptide T-araC conjugates were prepared and tested in vitro for antiproliferative activity. The aim was that of specifically delivering the antitumor drug to CD4+cells. N4-(Acylpeptidyl)-derivatives of araC were synthesized by a new general approach involving solid-phase synthesis, which allows mild conditions, avoids the usually required protection of the glycoside portion of nucleosides and affords high yields of the final products. After the demonstration that peptide T-araC conjugates were able to activate chemotaxis by binding CD4 receptor on monocyte membranes, the antiproliferative activity was evaluated against a panel of leukemia lymphoma and carcinoma cell lines derived from human tumors, three CD4+cell lines included. Title compounds resulted effective as antiproliferative agents at concentrations 4- to 10-fold higher than those of araC alone, did not preferentially inhibit CD4+cells and proved stable not only in cell culture medium containing 20% FCS, but also in human plasma. All this suggests their potential utility in vivo.

Tetramethylguanidine-catalyzed addition of primary nitroalkanes to aldehydes and alicyclic ketones constitutes a practical means to perform the nitro-aldol reaction (Henry reaction). The very mild conditions employed, together with the short reaction times, make the procedure tolerant of a range of functionalities and highly versatile for the synthesis of a variety of 2-nitroalkanols.

Trans-resveratrol (RES) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have protective effects on biological processes; therefore, they are frequently included in food supplements. Their possible applications for the prevention of free radical-induced damage to the skin are of particular physiological relevance; however, their usefulness is limited by their metabolic fate and the unpredictability of their delivery to the skin following oral administration. In this work, we evaluated the concomitant and direct application of RES and NAC on the skin using a self-nanoemulsifying system we previously developed for the oral delivery of poorly absorbed food supplements. We evaluated the capability of this system to increase RES and NAC accumulation in porcine skin using permeation studies in Franz diffusion cells. The ascorbyl palmitate (ASP) self-nanoemulsifying system considerably increased RES and NAC accumulation in the epidermis and dermis, which peaked 6 h after application. This study reveals a new formulation strategy to improve the bioavailability of ingredients, which was previously used in the health supplements field, but has rarely been employed in dermatology because of its poor distribution in the skin.

An efficient route to title compound (VI) is presented.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.