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Toxicological effects of 25H-NBOMe and 25H-NBOH recreational drugs on zebrafish embryos and larvae at the end of 96 h exposure period were demonstrated. 25H-NBOH and 25H-NBOMe caused high embryo mortality at 80 and 100 µg mL−1, respectively. According to the decrease in the concentration tested, lethality decreased while non-lethal effects were predominant up to 10 and 50 µg mL−1 of 25H-NBOH and 25H-NBOMe, respectively, including spine malformation, egg hatching delay, body malformation, otolith malformation, pericardial edema, and blood clotting. We can disclose that these drugs have an affinity for DNA in vitro using biophysical spectroscopic assays and molecular modeling methods. The experiments demonstrated that 25H-NBOH and 25H-NBOMe bind to the unclassical major groove of ctDNA with a binding constant of 27.00 × 104 M−1 and 5.27 × 104 M−1, respectively. Furthermore, these interactions lead to conformational changes in the DNA structure. Therefore, the results observed in the zebrafish embryos and DNA may be correlated.

Twenty chromenes were synthesized with good to excellent yields (70–96%). From the series of chromenes herein tested, compounds 14, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20 were the most potent throughout the cancer human cell lines tested. In general, the para-position electron-withdrawing substituents on the phenyl ring are favored towards potency and selectivity for cancer cells. Biophysical studies were performed with eight chromene derivatives (13-20) and ctDNA to evaluate possible biological targets. The molecular fluorescence verified that compound 16 presented a higher binding constant (Kb) with the ctDNA, agreeing with in vitro biological results and that evaluated chromenes derivatives interact preferentially via intercalation. Finally, an inverse linear correlation (logKb vs. GI50) was observed for six human carcinogenic cell lines; hence, the mechanism of action of these compounds may be related to DNA interaction.

Background: The pharmacological effects of propolis have mainly been investigated in various fields of medicine as an essential resource for the prevention and treatment of diseases. Purpose: This study examined the cardioprotective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis (BRPHE) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats. Methods: Rats were pretreated with BRPHE (50, 75, and 150 mg/kg) for 30 days, with concurrent administration of ISO (85 mg/kg) during the last two days. The hemodynamic, biochemical, histological, and morphometric changes were monitored from control and experimental groups at the end of the experiment, i.e., on the 31st day. Phytochemical compounds were determinated by the UV–Vis spectrophotometric and UPLC-DAD-UV–Vis methods. Results: ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats showed an increase in cardiac marker enzymes, i.e., in creatine kinase-NAC (CK-NAC) and CK-MB, tachycardia, myocardium necrosis, edema, hemorrhagic areas, infiltration of inflammatory cells like lymphocytes, and increased myocardial infarct size. However, pretreatment of ischemic rats with BRPHE significantly inhibited these effects of ISO. Thus, histopathological findings obtained for the myocardium further confirmed the biochemical findings. Flavonoids and phenols were identified in BRPHE. Conclusion: Our results suggested that BRPHE pretreatment ameliorated myocardial injury in ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats and exhibited cardioprotective activity.