Andy R. Opoku

Synthesis, characterization, and insulin-enhancing studies of unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff-base complexes of oxovanadium(IV)

A series of unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff bases were synthesized by interaction of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde, phenylenediamine and salicylaldehyde, or substituted salicylaldehyde in an ethanolic medium. The oxovanadium(IV) complexes and the ligands were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, 1H NMR, infrared, electron paramagnetic resonance, electronic spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. The elemental analyses for both the ligands and the metal complexes confirmed purity of the compounds as formulated. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the complexes were measured as powder and in toluene/dichloromethane (9 : 1, v/v) solution at room and liquid N2 temperatures. The g values, g o = 1.971, g ⊥ = 1.978, and g = 1.950, are the same for all the complexes examined. The vanadium nuclear hyperfine splitting, A o = 101–99, A ⊥ = 65–64, A ∥ = 179–177, vary slightly with substituents on the salicylaldehyde. Infrared spectra reveal strong V=O stretching bands in the range 970–988 cm−1, typical of monomeric five-coordinate complexes. The room temperature magnetic moments of 1.6–1.8 BM for the complexes confirmed that the complexes are V(IV) complexes, with d1 configuration. Only one quasi-reversible wave is observed for each compound and they all showed redox couples with peak-to-peak separation values (ΔE p) ranging from 78 to 83 mV, indicating a single step one electron transfer process. Insulin-mimetic tests on C2C12 muscle cells using Biovision glucose assay showed that all the complexes significantly stimulated cell glucose utilization with negligible cytotoxicity at 0.05 µg µL−1.

Amelioration of palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 muscle cells by rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)

Increased levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), specifically saturated free fatty acids such as palmitate are associated with insulin resistance of muscle, fat and liver. Skeletal muscle, responsible for up to 80% of the glucose disposal from the peripheral circulation, is particularly vulnerable to increased levels of saturated FFAs. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and its unique dihydrochalcone C-glucoside, aspalathin, shown to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic rats, could play a role in preventing or ameliorating the development of insulin resistance. This study aims to establish whether rooibos can ameliorate experimentally-induced insulin-resistance in C₂C₁₂ skeletal muscle cells. Palmitate-induced insulin resistant C₂C₁₂ cells were treated with an aspalathin-enriched green (unfermented) rooibos extract (GRE), previously shown for its blood glucose lowering effect in vitro and in vivo or an aqueous extract of fermented rooibos (FRE). Glucose uptake and mitochondrial activity were measured using 2-deoxy-[³H]-D-glucose, MTT and ATP assays, respectively. Expression of proteins relevant to glucose metabolism was analysed by Western blot. GRE contained higher levels of all compounds, except the enolic phenylpyruvic acid-2-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside. Both rooibos extracts increased glucose uptake, mitochondrial activity and ATP production. Compared to FRE, GRE was more effective at increasing glucose uptake and ATP production. At a mechanistic level both extracts down-regulated PKC θ activation, which is associated with palmitate-induced insulin resistance. Furthermore, the extracts increased activation of key regulatory proteins (AKT and AMPK) involved in insulin-dependent and non-insulin regulated signalling pathways. Protein levels of the glucose transporter (GLUT4) involved in glucose transport via these two pathways were also increased. This in vitro study therefore confirms that rooibos can ameliorate palmitate-induced insulin resistance in C₂C₁₂ skeletal muscle cells. Inhibition of PKC θ activation and increased activation of AMPK and AKT offer a plausible mechanistic explanation for this ameliorative effect.

The cardioprotective effect of an aqueous extract of fermented rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on cultured cardiomyocytes derived from diabetic rats

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disorder of the heart muscle that contributes to cardiovascular deaths in the diabetic population. Excessive generation of free radicals has been directly implicated in the pathogenesis of DCM. The use of antioxidants, through dietary supplementation, to combat increased cellular oxidative stress has gained popularity worldwide. Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) is a popular herbal tea that contains a novel antioxidant, aspalathin. Literature has reported on the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging effects of rooibos. However, its protective effect against DCM has not been established. Therefore, this study investigated whether chronic exposure to an aqueous extract of fermented rooibos (FRE) has an ex vivo cardioprotective effect on hearts obtained from streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Adult Wistar rats were injected with 40 mg/kg of STZ. Two weeks after STZ injection, cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured. Cultured cardiomyocytes were treated with FRE (1 and 10 μg/ml), vitamin E (50 μg/ml), and n-acetyl cysteine (1mM) for 6h, before exposure to either hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or an ischemic solution. Cardiomyocytes exposed to H2O2 or an ischemic solution showed a decrease in metabolic activity and glutathione content with a concomitant increase in apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species. Pretreatment with FRE was able to combat these effects and the observed amelioration was better than the known antioxidant vitamin E. This study provides evidence that an aqueous extract of fermented rooibos protects cardiomyocytes, derived from diabetic rats, against experimentally induced oxidative stress and ischemia.

Spectral, magnetic, biological, and thermal studies of metal(II) complexes of some unsymmetrical Schiff bases

New nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with unsymmetrical Schiff bases derived from aromatic 2-hydroxy aldehydes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, melting points, 1H-NMR, magnetic susceptibility, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared (IR), and electronic spectral measurements. Comparison of IR spectra of the Schiff bases and their metal complexes indicated that the Schiff bases are tetradentate, coordinated via the two azomethine nitrogens and the two phenolic oxygens. Magnetic moments and electronic spectral data confirm square-planar geometry for the complexes. Thermal studies reveal a general decomposition pattern, whereby the complexes decomposed partially in a single step due to loss of part of the organic moiety. A single endothermic profile, corresponding to melting point, was observed from the DSC of all complexes, except those whose ligand contained the nitro group, which decomposed exothermally without melting. The Schiff bases and their complexes were screened in vitro against 10 human pathogenic bacteria. The metal(II) complexes exhibited higher antibacterial activity than their corresponding Schiff bases.

Anti-Plasmodial Activity of Some Zulu Medicinal Plants and of Some Triterpenes Isolated from Them

Mimusops caffra E. Mey. ex A.DC and Mimusops obtusifolia Lam (both members of the Sapotaceae family), and Hypoxis colchicifolia Bak (family Hypoxidaceae) are used by traditional healers in Zululand to manage malaria. Anti-plasmodial investigation of the crude extracts and some triterpenes isolated from the plants showed activity against a chloroquine sensitive (CQS) strain of Plasmodium falciparum (D10). Among the crude extracts the leaves of M. caffra exhibited the highest activity, with an IC50 of 2.14 μg/mL. The pentacyclic tritepenoid ursolic acid (1), isolated from the leaves of M. caffra was the most active compound (IC50 6.8 μg/mL) as compared to taraxerol (2) and sawamilletin (3) isolated from the stem bark of M. obtusifolia (IC50 > 100). Chemical modification of the ursolic acid (1) to 3β-acetylursolic acid (4) greatly enhanced its anti-plasmodial activity. Compound 4 reduced parasitaemia against Plasmodium berghei by 94.01% in in vivo studies in mice. The cytotoxicity of 3β-acetylursolic acid (IC50) to two human cell lines (HEK293 and HepG2) was 366.00 μg/mL and 566.09 μg/mL, respectively. The results validate the use of these plants in folk medicine.

An in vitro assessment of the interaction of cadmium selenide quantum dots with DNA, iron, and blood platelets

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots have gained increased attention for their potential use in biomedical applications. This has raised interest in assessing their toxicity. In this study, water‐soluble, cysteine‐capped CdSe nanocrystals with an average size of 15 nm were prepared through a one‐pot solution‐based method. The CdSe nanoparticles were synthesized in batches in which the concentration of the capping agent was varied with the aim of stabilizing the quantum dot core. The effects of the CdSe quantum dots on DNA stability, aggregation of blood platelets, and reducing activity of iron were evaluated in vitro . DNA damage was observed at a concentration of 200 μg/mL of CdSe quantum dots. Furthermore, the CdSe nanocrystals exhibited high reducing power and chelating activity, suggesting that they may impair the function of haemoglobin by interacting with iron. In addition, the CdSe quantum dots promoted aggregation of blood platelets in a dose dependent manner.

In Vivo Antihyperglycemic Activity of a Lanosteryl Triterpene from Protorhus longifolia

Control of postprandial hyperglycemia is crucial in the management of diabetes mellitus. Despite the use of the current hypoglycemic drugs, incidence of diabetes and related diseases continue to increase. This study aimed at evaluating the in vivo antihyperglycemic activity of methyl-3β-hydroxylanosta-9,24-dien-21-oate (RA-3), a lanosteryl triterpene isolated, and characterized from Protorhus longifolia stem bark. Spectroscopic data analysis was used to establish and verify the structure of the triterpene. The antihyperglycemic activity of the triterpene was evaluated in an STZ-induced diabetes rat model. The experimental animals were orally administered with RA-3 (100 mg/kg body weight) daily for 14 days. An oral glucose tolerance test was also performed. The animals were euthanized and biochemical analysis of antioxidant status, some glycolytic enzymes and glycogen content were conducted on serum and liver samples, respectively. RA-3 exhibited hypoglycemic activity by reducing blood glucose levels by 37%. The triterpene also improved glucose tolerance in the diabetic rats. Relatively higher hepatic glycogen content, hexokinase and glucokinase activity with a decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase activity were observed in the triterpene-treated diabetic group when compared with the diabetic control group. The triterpene treatment further increased antioxidant status of the diabetic animals; increased activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase were observed along with a decrease in malondialdehyde content. The results indicate potential pharmaceutical effects of lanosteryl triterpene in the management of diabetes mellitus.

In vitro antihyperlipidemic potential of triterpenes from stem bark of Protorhus longifolia.

Two lanostane triterpenes, 3β-hydroxylanosta-9,24-dien-21-oic acid (1) and methyl-3β-hydroxylanosta-9,24-dien-21-oate (2), were isolated from the stem bark of Protorhus longifolia. Their structures were deduced on the basis of spectroscopic analysis (NMR, HRMS, IR). This study investigated the in vitro anti-adipogenic activity of the two triterpenes. Their inhibitory activity was evaluated on selected lipid digestive enzymes (pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase). The inhibitory activity of the compounds on hormone-sensitive lipase and their ability to bind bile acids were also evaluated. The effect of the compounds on glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and on triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was investigated. The triterpenes effectively inhibited the activities of the enzymes with IC50 values ranging from 0.04 to 0.31 mg/mL. The compounds showed a high affinity for secondary bile acids. Both compounds stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Compound 1 significantly reduced triglyceride accumulation in mature differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. It is apparent that these lanostane triterpenes enhance glucose uptake and suppress adipogenesis, which together with their inhibitory effects on lipid digestive enzymes suggests that they have antihyperlipidemic potential.

Volatile Constituents of the Flowers, Leaves, Stems and Roots of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsely) A. Gray

Abstract The chemical composition of the essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from the flowers, leaves, stems and roots of Tithonia diversifolia have been studied by GC-MS. The identified components accounted for 96.7 %, 93.7 %, 88.9 %and 93.7 % of the flower, leaves, stems and roots oils, respectively. The major constituents of flowers, leaves, stems and roots oils were α-pinene (60.9 -75.7 %), δ-pinene (7.2–11.0 %) and limonene (0.9–4.3 %).

Chemical Composition and Larvicidal Activity of the Essential Oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus Against Anopheles arabiensis Mosquito Larvae

Abstract The chemical composition of the essential oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus was analysed using GC and GC-MS instruments. The major monoterpene was 1,8-cineole (5.4 %), while α-copaene (3.8 %) and γ-cadinene (3.1 %) were major sesquiterpenes. Major oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes identified in the oil were 1,6-octadien-3-ol (4.5 %) and (-)-globulol (3.3 %) respectively. Hexadecanoic acid (3.5 %) was the major fatty acid present. The larvicidal assay of the essential oil against larvae of Anopheles arabiensis mosquito revealed that at a concentration of 300 ppm, the oil caused 100 % mortality after 24 hr exposure with an LC50 value of 78.7 %.