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The µ[sub 2]-silylene-bridged iron complexes [Cp(OC)[sub 2]Fe][sub 2]SiX[sub 2] (X = F (2), Br (4), I (5)) have been prepared from the µ[sub 2]-SiH[sub 2] functional precursor [Cp(OC)[sub 2]Fe][sub 2]SiH[sub 2] (1) by hydrogen/halogen exchange, using HBF[sub 4], CBr[sub 4], and CH[sub 2]I[sub 2], respectively. The fluoro- and bromo-substituted derivatives 2 and 4 are converted upon UV irradiation to the carbonyland dihalosilylene-bridged dinuclear complexes [Cp(OC)Fe][sub 2](µ[sub 2]-CO)(µ[sub 2]-SiX[sub 2]) (X = F (6), Br (7)) via CO elimination. All new compounds have been characterized spectroscopically, and, in addition, the molecular structure of 2, 4, and the previously reported chloro derivative [Cp(OC)[sub 2]Fe][sub 2]SiCI[sub 2] (3) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. For 1-5, the Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra have been recorded and discussed, together with density functional theory calculations, which support the experimental results of the structural and vibrational analysis. The computed geometrid their corresponding Raman scattering activities are in good agreement with the experimental data. A significant dependence of the CO and Fe-Si stretching modes on the X substituents of the µ[sub 2]-silylene bridge has been observed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretical reaction pathways of the irradiation of Cp(CO)2FeSiH2CH3 and Cp(CO)2FeCH2SiH3 have been studied by means of DFT calculations using the BPW91/6-311G* method. Although the calculated characteristic vibrational modes of the metal ligand unit for the various photoproducts are significantly different in constitution, they are very similar in wavenumbers, which did not simplify their identification. In spite of this, the theoretical results are found to be consistent with recent experimental findings obtained by the matrix isolation technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Artemisia species are used worldwide for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This research was designed to investigate the phytochemical profile of two ethanolic extracts obtained from leaves and stems of A. absinthium L. as well as the biological potential (antioxidant activity, cytotoxic, anti-migratory and anti-inflammatory properties). Both plant materials showed quite similar thermogravimetric, FT-IR phenolic profile (high chlorogenic acid) with mild antioxidant capacity [ascorbic acid (0.02–0.1) > leaves (0.1–2.0) > stem (0.1–2.0)]. Alcoholic extracts from these plant materials showed a cytotoxic effect against A375 (melanoma) and MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma) and affected less the non-malignant HaCaT cells (human keratinocytes) at 72 h post-stimulation and this same trend was observed in the anti-migratory (A375, MCF7 > HaCat) assay. Lastly, extracts ameliorated the pro-inflammatory effect of TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) in mice ears, characterized by a diffuse neutrophil distribution with no exocytosis or micro-abscesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Modulation of cellular bioenergetics has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy since mitochondrial dysfunction is currently accepted as the central pathomechanism of most chronic non-communicable diseases. Eugenol (EU) is a phenolic component of essential oils with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties, but with less characterized effects on cellular bioenergetics. The present study was purported to assess the effects of eugenol on the bioenergetic profile of HaCaT human keratinocytes. Material and Methods: To this aim, oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) were measured at 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment of HaCaT cells with 50 μM free EU or EU encapsulated in polyurethane structures using the extracellular flux analyzer Seahorse XFe24 (Agilent Technologies Inc.). The cytotoxic activity of the tested compounds on HaCaT cells was evaluated by means of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay while the migratory effect was tested with the scratch assay. Results: Our data demonstrated that OCR and ECAR were not modified after 24 h treatment with EU; on contrary, both bioenergetic parameters were inhibited after 48 and 72 h treatment with EU in both types of administration. We also found that EU incorporated in polyurethane structures represents a safe formulation, showing no cytotoxic effect on HaCaT cells and stimulating cell migration. Conclusion: We showed here that eugenol in different formulations modulates mitochondrial bioenergetics and cellular metabolism of HaCaT human keratinocytes in prolonged administration. Whether these effects can be recapitulated in malignant cells deserves further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the pharmacological effects of a betulin nanoformulation on a human lung carcinoma cell line.

Pravastatin (PR), a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, and nicotinic acid (NA), a water-soluble vitamin B, are widely prescribed lipid-modifying drugs. Controversy exists about the effects of these agents on mitochondrial function. The present study was purported to characterize the acute effects of PR and NA (10 μM) on mitochondrial respiration in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Mitochondrial respiration of permeabilized cells was assessed by high-resolution respirometry using the Oxygraph-2k in the presence of complex I and complex II substrates (glutamate/malate and succinate) and, of the successive addition of the electron transport chain inhibitors: rotenone, oligomycin, FCCP, and antimycin A, respectively. Our preliminary data show an inhibitory effect on mitochondrial respiration in the presence of pravastatin, whereas nicotinic acid stimulated respiration in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant capacity, the total phenol content, tannins, the cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity of some aqueous extracts obtained from spruce bark (Picea abies L.) and beech bark (Fagus sylvatica L.). Material and methods: The crude extracts have been obtained, using classical extraction - on water bath and ultrasound-assisted extraction, respectively. The antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by means of DPPH assay and the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects were measured using Alamar Blue technique and Scratch assay. The total phenol content was determined colorimetric by means of the Folin-Ciocalteu method. In vitro antitumor activity was tested on 2 different cell lines: A375 (human melanoma) and A549 (lung carcinoma). Results indicated that the aqueous extracts obtained by classical extraction had a higher antioxidant activity compared to the extracts obtained by ultrasound-assisted influenced by their chemical composition. Regarding the effect on cancer cells, the samples elicited a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on human melanoma cells, while on lung carcinoma cells, the extractive solutions stimulated tumor cells viability, an effect that was reduced by increasing the concentration of the samples. Conclusion: The crude extracts proved to possess antiproliferative properties when tested at the highest concentration, results that could be correlated with the antioxidant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although antimicrobial nanosilver finds numerous applications in the health and food industries, the in vivo toxicity of positively charged silver nanoparticles (AgNPs + ) and relevant controls are largely unexplored. This study investigates the relationship between the biodistribution and toxicity of the well-known cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped AgNPs + in 6-weeks old female Sprague-Dawley rats, at sublethal doses. Amounts comparative to those leaked from food products or considered for animal feed were administered through daily water intake, for an 18-day period: AgNPs + (40 μg mL -1 ), Ag + (40 μg mL -1 ), antimicrobial CTAB + (24 μg mL -1 ) and tap water. All exposures except for the water control had adverse effects on the health and systemic functions of rats (e.g., lethargy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, impediment of bone development, and/or heightened immune response). Although the total Ag accumulation in tissues (1.4-1.6 μg of Ag/g of liver, spleen, jejunum, and brain) was comparable for the two Ag species, AgNPs + were generally more toxic than Ag + , particularly in spleen (0.8 μg Ag/g). Significantly reduced euthanasia time, alopecia, inflammatory responses in spleen, fragile veins, and enhanced lymphocytosis were observed only for AgNPs + . Overall, this study raises health concerns about the ingestion of capped-AgNPs + or Ag + by first-hand consumers and industry workers., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background/aim: Oleanolic and ursolic acids (OA and UA) are two pentacyclic triterpenes, ubiquitously spread in plants, previously known for their chemopreventive capacity on different types of cancer. The major pharmacological disadvantage of these phytocompounds is their poor water solubility, which often limits their applicability., Materials and Methods: Using the interfacial polycondensation combined with spontaneous emulsification technique, polyurethane nanostructures (PU) were synthetized in order to improve this problem. In order to test the in vivo chemopreventive potential of the two pure compounds, as well as the encapsulated compounds in PU used as drug carriers, a chemically-induced skin carcinogenesis model was constructed., Results: UA and OA have a moderate chemopreventive activity against tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenzantracene (DMBA) and 12-O-tetradecanoilphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) application. Incorporation of active agents in PU did not lead to increased chemopreventive effect., Conclusion: PU is not a suitable formulation of UA and OA., (Copyright © 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)