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Abstract To test the tunability of charge transfer (CT)-based BODIPY photosensitizers in generating singlet oxygen (1Δ g), twelve meso -phenyl-BODIPY (donor-acceptor) type compounds have been synthesized and fully characterized, in which the phenyl moiety is modified with respective 0, 1, 2 and 3 methoxy groups to increase its electron-donating ability. The UV-Vis absorption spectra, fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence quantum yield, fluorescence lifetime, excited triplet state formation, and singlet oxygen formation properties are measured. DFT quantum chemical computation is also carried out to explain the experiments. The occurrence of intra-molecular CT is confirmed by UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence properties and quantum chemical computation. The triplet excited state formation is evidenced by laser flash photolysis technique. The quantitative photosensitized singlet oxygen formation is demonstrated by DPBF (diphenylisobenzofuran) chemical trapping method. This type of BODIPY CT photosensitizers show good tunability in generating singlet oxygen (1Δ g). When the number of methoxy group on the donor is increased (so that CT is enhanced), the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation becomes higher from 0.070 to 0.30. When solvent polarity is increased (CT is also enhanced), the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation is also increased significantly. The increase in singlet oxygen generation is accompanied by the decrease in fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime values. These facts show that a higher CT efficiency in a simple phenyl-BODIPY donor-acceptor conjugate can lead to significant higher quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation. These results are useful in designing novel CT-based heavy-atom-free photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of tumor. Graphical abstract Singlet oxygen formation yield of (CH 3 O) n -phenyl-BODIPY donor-acceptor conjugate is proportional to the number of methoxy group. Image 1 Highlights • Eight new charge transfer (CT)-based BODIPY photosensitizers are synthesized. • The CT efficiency is adjusted by adding 0 to 4 methoxys on meso-phenyl. • The increase in either the number of methoxys or solvent polarity enhances 1O 2 formation. • Higher CT efficiency favors higher singlet oxygen generation quantum yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dicaffeoylquinic acids (DCQAs) are widely distributed in daily food and herb medicine (such as Dengzhanxiyin injection) with multiple health benefits and pharmacological activities. However, drug-drug Interactions (DDIs) between DCQAs and possible concomitant drugs were not fully understood in clinic. The purpose of present study was to investigate the role of organic anion transporters (OATs) in the transport of DCQAs and to explore the potential clinical DDIs using in vitro transporter assays. Uptake study using hOAT1/hOAT3-transfected HEK293 cells revealed that none of DCQAs was OAT1 substrate, while 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA, and 4,5-DCQA were substrates of OAT3 with Km values of 119.7 ± 28.8, 269.3 ± 129.5 and 53.2 ± 32.1 μM, respectively. The docking analysis revealed that 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA, and 4,5-DCQA were effectively embedded in the active site of OAT3 and fitted well with the cavity in three-dimensional space. Moreover, the classical substrates/inhibitors of OAT decreased the accumulation of 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA, and 4,5-DCQA in kidney slices, suggesting potential DDI risks with co-administration of substrate drugs of OAT. In fact, antivirals, antibiotics, neuroprotective agents, and PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) all showed varying degrees of inhibition of OAT3-mediated uptake of 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA, and 4,5-DCQA in vitro. For cefaclor, ceftizoxime, pantoprazole, and zidovudine, in particular, their IC 50 values were <10 times the maximal free plasma concentration, indicating potential clinically relevant DDIs when used together with DCQAs. These findings provided useful information for the prediction of DDIs between DCQAs and OAT3 inhibitors, and rational application of herbal medicines containing DCQAs in clinic. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High fat diet or insulin deficiency is commonly seen in Type II diabetes, while the mechanism remains unclear. To test our hypothesis that DPP-IV contributes to Type II diabetes, we examined the expression and activity of DPP-IV in rats (n =8 to each group) treated for 12 weeks with 3 separate diets: a) normal control; b) a high fat diet; and c) a high fat diet plus streptozotocin, a chemical for induction of insulin-deficient diabetes. Compared to rats on the normal diet, the rats with a high fat diet significantly increased DPP-IV''s expression and activity about 142–152% in the intestine (P <0.05) and 153–240% in kidneys (P <0.05), but there was no change in the liver. Administration of streptozotocin to the rats treated with the high fat diet showed an insufficient insulin secretion and higher blood glucose in response to glucose/insulin tolerance test, and an increase in expression of DPP-IV and activity by 188–242% in the intestine (P <0.01); 191–225% in liver (P <0.01); and 211–321% in the kidneys (P <0.01). Immunohistochemistry studies confirmed the above results, showing increased DPP-IV immunostaining localized primarily in intestinal epithelium, hepatocytes and renal tubular cells. This study, for the first time reports an increase in DPP-IV associated with a high fat diet, as well as in the combination of a high fat diet with an insulin deficiency. Since both high fat diet and insulin deficiency are closely linked with etiology of Type II diabetes, the evidence in this study suggests a role of DPP-IV in development of Type II diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]