Daniela Braghiroli

Separation by solid phase extraction and quantification by reverse phase HPLC of sulforaphane in broccoli

Abstract The separation and quantification of sulforaphane [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methyl-sulfinyl)-butane] from the florets, stalks and leaves of broccoli is described. The procedure uses solvent extraction, followed by purification of extracts using solid phase extraction (SPE) and reverse phase HPLC analysis. The HPLC method is compared with a spectrophotometric assay. To obtain information about the usefulness of acid hydrolysis of glucosinolates, the florets were left to autolyze at room temperature or were treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid, then analysed. The method proves reliable and reproducible as regards both SPE purification and chromatographic determination. Quantities of sulforaphane were found in the florets, stalks and leaves. The highest content of sulforaphane (110 μgg−1) was found in the leaves.

Simultaneous measurement of adenosine, dopamine, acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in cerebral mice microdialysis samples by LC–ESI-MS/MS

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous measurement of adenosine (ADE), dopamine (DA), acetylcholine (ACh) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in mouse brain microdialysates. High method sensitivity (LLOQ of 0.05nM) was achieved by optimization of chromatographic and mass spectrometric parameters. The method was fully validated for its sensitivity, selectivity, matrix effect and stability. The LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to evaluate the effect of the systemic administration of cocaine or amphetamine on the extracellular levels of ADE, DA, ACh and 5-HT in the mouse nucleus accumbens by microdialysis.

Chiral resolution of the enantiomers of 7-chloro-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide using high-performance liquid chromatography on cellulose-based chiral stationary phases

Analytical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods using derivatized cellulose chiral stationary phases (CSPs) were developed for the separation of the enantiomers of 7-chloro-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide ((+/-) IDRA21). In previous studies, (+/-) IDRA21 has been found to have an interesting inhibitory effect on the desensitization of alpha-amino-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-oxo-4-isoxazolepropanoic acid (AMPA) receptor and improve cognition in animals. This compound possess one chiral carbon atom, but very little information has been reported on the stereoselectivity of his activity. Therefore resolution of the enantiomers of this compound and subsequent identification of stereospecificity in his pharmacological actions are clearly matters of interest. The resolution were made under normal- and reversed-phase conditions using a mobile phase consisting of n-hexane:2-propanol (70/30, v/v) and water:acetonitrile (60/40, v/v) respectively, and a CSP of silica-based cellulose tris-3,5-dimethyl-phenylcarbamate (Chiralcel OD and Chiracel OD-R). The enantiomeric nature of eluates was confirmed by circular dichroism (CD) spectra. A baseline separation (R(S) > 1.5) was obtained in both cases. Furthermore the isolation of optical isomers of (+/-) IDRA21 was performed using a semipreparative column packed with the same cellulose OD CSP.

Quantitative analysis of acetylcholine in rat brain microdialysates by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of acetylcholine in rat brain dialysates. The separation of acetylcholine (ACh), choline (Ch), acetyl-β-methylcholine (IS) from endogenous compounds and Ringers salts was achieved with cation exchange chromatography. Optimization of chromatographic and mass spectrometry parameters were perfomed in order to improve sensitivity of the method. The limit of detection were 0.05 and 3.75 fmol on column with S/N ratio of 3:1 for ACh and Ch, respectively. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for ACh and Ch measured in Ringers solution were 0.05 nM (0.25 fmol) and 3.75 nM (18.75 fmol), respectively at S/N ratio of 10:1. Linearity of the method has been evaluated in the concentrations range between 0.05 and 5.00 nM and 3.75 and 200 nM for ACh and Ch respectively. The correlation coefficients were 0.999 and 0.995 for ACh and Ch respectively, indicating very good linearity. The LC/MS/MS method developed has been applied to evaluate the effect of oral administration of 7-chloro-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide (IDRA21), a positive modulators of AMPA receptor, on the release of ACh in the rat prefrontal cortex by microdialysis.

ASYMMETRIC SYNTHESIS OF (R)- AND (S)-2-PYRROLIDINEMETHANESULFONIC ACID

Abstract ( R )- and ( S )-2-Pyrrolidinemethanesulfonic acid, 3a and 3b , were synthesized from the corresponding N-Boc-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidine, 6a and 6b . This asymmetric synthesis proceeds in mild conditions, with good overall yields and high enantiomeric purities (>99% ee).

Enantiomerization of chiral 2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine 5,5-dioxide by stopped-flow multidimensional HPLC ☆

An on-column stopped-flow multidimensional HPLC (sfMDHPLC) procedure using two chiral stationary phases (CSPs) and one achiral C18 column was developed for the determination of rate constants and free energy barriers of enantiomerization of (+/-)(R,S)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine 5,5-dioxide. Moreover, a stopped-flow HPLC (sfHPLC) method previously developed was applied to the determination of kinetic parameters of enantiomerization of the above compound in the presence of a CSP. The individual enantiomers of the studied compound were isolated in parallel by preparative HPLC and the rate constants and free energy barriers of enantiomerization were determined in different solvents (off-column method). The data obtained by sfMDHPLC, sfHPLC and off-column methods were compared. The (S) enantiomer of the studied compound (S18986) was prepared by asymmetric synthesis and subsequently purified by preparative HPLC, followed by the determination of rate constants and free energy barriers of enantiomerization in different buffer solutions at pH 2-9.3.

Studies of enantiomerization of chiral 3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide type compounds.

An on-column HPLC procedure using a chiral stationary phase (CSP) was developed for the determination of rate constants and free energy barriers of enantiomerization of (+/-)IDRA21. Subsequently, the HPLC method was applied for investigation of two structurally related chiral compounds. The individual enantiomers of the studied compounds were isolated in parallel by preparative HPLC and rate constants and free energy barriers of enantiomerization were determined in different solvents. The on-column enantiomerization data revealed that CSP induces different rate constants for the two enantiomers. The results generated off-line were used to determine the influence of solvents on the racemization of (+) and (-) IDRA21 and to gain further insight into the enantiomerization mechanism of chiral 3,4-dihydro-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide type compounds.

Asymmetric syntheses of (R)- and (S)-2-aminobutanesulfonic acid and their 3,3-dimethylderivatives

Abstract (R)- and (S)-2-aminobutanesulfonic acid, 3a and 3b, and (R)- and (S)-2-amino-3,3-dimethylbutanesulfonic acid, 4a and 4b, were synthesized from the corresponding N-Boc protected β-amino alcohols in good yields and high enantiomeric purities (>99% ee).

New methods for the preparation of 2-amino-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid

Abstract 2-Amino-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid 3 was prepared either from 2-N-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]amino-2-methyl-1-propanol 4 or from 1-N-[(1,1-dimethyl-ethoxy)carbonyl]amino-2-methyl-2-propanol 5 in good overall yields.

Medicinal cannabis: Principal cannabinoids concentration and their stability evaluated by a high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry method

In the last few years, there has been a boost in the use of cannabis-based extracts for medicinal purposes, although their preparation procedure has not been standardized but rather decided by the individual pharmacists. The present work describes the development of a simple and rapid high performance liquid chromatography method with UV detection (HPLC-UV) for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the principal cannabinoids (CBD-A, CBD, CBN, THC and THC-A) that could be applied to all cannabis-based medicinal extracts (CMEs) and easily performed by a pharmacist. In order to evaluate the identity and purity of the analytes, a high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF) analysis was also carried out. Full method validation has been performed in terms of specificity, selectivity, linearity, recovery, dilution integrity and thermal stability. Moreover, the influence of the solvent (ethyl alcohol and olive oil) was evaluated on cannabinoids degradation rate. An alternative extraction method has then been proposed in order to preserve cannabis monoterpene component in final CMEs.