Alvin B. Segelman

Antimutagenicity, cytotoxicity and composition of chlorophyllin copper complex.

The preparation of chlorophyllin copper complex (CCC), shown to be a tumor promoter in an animal model (Nelson, R.L. (1992) Chlorophyllin, an antimutagen, acts as a tumor promoter in the rat-dimethylhydrazine colon carcinogenesis model. Anticancer Res., 12, 737-740), also inhibits the activities of direct- and indirect-acting mutagens in the Salmonella assay and exhibits cytostatic and cytocidal effects toward myeloma cells. Data from elemental analyses, spectrophotometry and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography indicate that CCC preparations generally used in antimutagenic/anticarcinogenic experiments are variable, complex mixtures of structurally distinct porphyrins lacking copper in some instances. This variability of the composition may be a cause for the differences reported for the tumor promotion activity of CCC.

Automated liquid chromatographic determination of ranitidine in microliter samples of rat plasma

An improved high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection at 313 nm has been developed for quantitation of ranitidine in 100 microliter of rat plasma over the range 25 to 1000 ng/ml. To each sample were added the internal standard (metiamide) and 2 M NaOH. After dichloromethane extraction, the nitrogen-dried extracts were reconstituted in the mobile phase of 0.01 M phosphate buffer-triethylamine-methanol-water (530:5:390:75 v/v). Chromatography on mu Bondapak C18 with quantitation by peak height ratios showed an analyte recovery of 97%; a limit of detection of 10 ng/ml; a precision of 1-10% and an accuracy of 1-5%. About 90 samples can be processed in 24 h.

Cannabis Sativa L. (Marijuana) : III. The rim test: A reliable and useful procedure for the detection and identification of marijuana utilizing combined microscopy and thin-layer chromatography

Abstract A simple, reliable and easily performed method for detecting and identifying marijuana in suspect material is presented. The method, designated as the RIM test (Rutgers Identification for Marijuana test), utilizes combined histochemical and thin-layer chromatography techniques and thus eliminates the need for a separate extraction step to obtain a suitable sample for thin-layer chromatographic study.

Intracellular Distribution Of Porphyrin-Based Photosensitizers In In Vitro Cultured Human Bladder Tumor Cells.

The Increasing use of porphyrin-based compounds for photodynamic therapy raises concerns about the intracellular distribution of these substances in target cells. We are utilizing chlorophyll derivatives as photosensitizers and exploring their intracellular distribution in in vitro cultivated EJ human bladder tumor cells. The cells are exposed to these compounds delivered within a liposome-based carrier system as well as in the free form. High resolution subcellular fractionation approaches are employed to examine the cellular localization of the photodynamic agents. Free pheophorbide a and hematoporphyrin derivative localize, almost exclusively within the plasma membrane of cells exposed to the agents for 90 min. In contrast the pheophorbide a loaded liposomes are readily taken into lysosomes, presumably by endocytosis, if presented to the cells at 4° and then incubated with the cells at 37°. However cells exposed to the liposomes continuously at 37° accumulate the pheophorbide a in the plasma membrane. These studies indicate that untargeted liposomes exhibiting a decreased fusegenic tendency than employed in these studies may allow for an effective delivery of photodynamic agent to lysosomes.

Cannabis Sativa L. (Marijuana) : VII. The relative specificity of the RIM test

A total of 526 non-marijuana plant samples representing 427 different plant species were subjected to the RIM test (Rutgers Identification for Marijuana test). Although a few samples gave Fast Blue B reactive spots when examined by thin-layer chromatography, the spots could easily be distinguished from the marijuana cannabinoid spots. No plants were found to exhibit false positive results and hence the method is considered to be relatively specific for marijuana.