Farhan Zameer

Design, Synthesis, and Anticancer Properties of Novel Benzophenone-Conjugated Coumarin Analogs

In the current scenario, development of anticancer drugs with specific targets is of prime importance in modern chemical biology. Observing the importance of benzophenone and coumarin nucleus, it would be worthwhile to design and synthesize novel benzophenone derivatives (8a–o) bearing the coumarin nucleus. Further, they were screened for prospective anticancer activities in vitro against the Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) and Ehrlichs ascites tumor (EAT) cell lines and their biomarkers, followed by in silico studies regarding phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) and caspase by molecular docking. Benzophenones have been reported as potential drugs targeting tumor angiogenesis; thus, the formation of neovessels in an in vivo model system like CAM, which is angiogenesis dependent, was observed in the presence of compounds 8a–o. The above findings would help in understanding their putative potential as therapeutic agents for cancer patients.

Investigation of antihyperglycaemic activity of banana (Musa sp. var. Nanjangud rasa bale) pseudostem in normal and diabetic rats

BACKGROUND Postprandial hyperglycaemia in diabetes could be ameliorated by inhibiting intestinal α-glucosidases, responsible for starch hydrolysis and its absorption. Different parts of banana have been in use in conventional medicinal formulations since ancient times. Its role as an antihyperglycaemic agent has also been studied. This study was aimed at explaining the mechanism of hypoglycaemic effect by ethanol extract of banana pseudostem (EE). Additionally, studies on the active components involved in the effect have also been attempted. RESULTS EE significantly inhibited mammalian intestinal α-glucosidases and yeast α-glucosidase (IC50 , 8.11 ± 0.10 µg mL(-1) ). The kinetic studies showed that EE inhibited sucrase, maltase and and p-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside hydrolysis by mixed-type inhibition. Further, in vivo studies identified that the oral administration (100-200 mg kg(-1) body weight) of EE significantly suppressed the maltose/glucose-induced postprandial plasma glucose elevation and wielded an antihyperglycaemic effect in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. GC-MS analysis of EE revealed high levels of β-sitosterol (29.62%), stigmasterol (21.91%), campesterol (10.85%) and other compounds. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that EE might exert an anti-diabetic effect by inhibition of α-glucosidases from the intestine, in turn suppressing the carbohydrate absorption into the bloodstream. Hence the results extend a foundation to the future prospects of the food-derived enzyme inhibitors in treatment of diabetes.

Bacteriocins and Their Applications in Food Preservation.

Bacteriocins are ribosomally-synthesized antimicrobial peptides or proteinaceous compounds produced by bacterial strains. They are generally effective in inhibiting the growth of similar or closely related bacterial strains. A high diversity of various bacteriocins is produced by many lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and is found in numerous fermented and non-fermented foods. Several bacteriocins from LAB extend potential applications in food preservation, thus help foods to be naturally preserved and richer in organoleptic and nutritional properties. Though chemical preservatives for the preservation of food are successful to some extent, their quality is not as satisfying as fresh food. Hence, an alternative is required and bacteriocins serve the purpose. Nisin is currently the only bacteriocin widely used as a food preservative. Numerous bacteriocins have been characterized chemically, biochemically, genetically and also at the molecular level to understand their basic mode of action. This article gives an overview of classification of bacteriocins, isolation & characterization, and mode of action. Besides, article highlights the optimized parameters for growth of bacteria in the production of bacteriocins and various bioassays for their determination. Special emphasis has been provided on explaining the beneficial aspects of nisin.

Chemical and microbial dynamics during composting of herbal pharmaceutical industrial waste.

A study was performed to analyze the dynamics of chemical, biochemical and microbial parameters during composting of herbal pharmaceutical waste. All the parameters were analyzed at three different intervals of composting (1st, 15th and 60th days). Temperature of the compost pile was initially high (46.2 °C) and on 60th day it dropped to 33.3 °C. The pH of the sample was initially acidic (2.39) and with the progress of decomposition gradually changed to neutrality (7.55). Electrical conductivity (EC) value was high (3.8 mS) during last day of composting compared to other stages. The activity of degradative enzymes namely amylase, invertase and urease were initially high (4.1, 4.79 mg of glucose/g/h and 0.19 mg of ammonia/g/h respectively) while it decreased with composting. The beneficial microbial load was initially low and very high at the last stages of decomposition. The bioassay studies using compost extracts revealed that the 60th day old sample was not phytotoxic in nature.

Assessment of In Vivo Antidiabetic Properties of Umbelliferone and Lupeol Constituents of Banana (Musa sp. var. Nanjangud Rasa Bale) Flower in Hyperglycaemic Rodent Model

Banana is an extensively cultivated plant worldwide, mainly for its fruit, while its ancillary product, the banana flower is consumed as a vegetable and is highly recommended for diabetics in the traditional Indian medicine system. This study is based on an investigation of the in vivo antihyperglycaemic activity of Umbelliferone (C1) and Lupeol (C2) isolated from the ethanol extract of banana flower (EF) in alloxan induced diabetic rat model. Diabetic rats which were administered with C1, C2 and EF (100 and 200 mg/kg b. wt.) for 4 weeks showed deterioration in fasting hyperglycaemia and reversal of abnormalities in serum/urine protein, urea and creatinine, when compared to the diabetic control group of rats. The diabetic group of rats fed with EF, C1 and C2 (100 mg/kg b. wt.) once daily, for a period of 28 days resulted in a significant reduction of diabetic symptoms viz., polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria and urine sugar together with an improved body weight. HbA1c extent was reduced whereas levels of insulin and Hb were increased. Both the extract and compounds wielded positive impacts in diabetic rats by reversal of altered activities of hepatic marker enzymes viz., aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP); glycolytic enzyme (hexokinase); shunt enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase); gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase) and pyruvate kinase. The characteristic diabetic complications such as hypercholesterolemia and hypertriacylglycerolemia also significantly reverted to normal in the serum/liver of diabetic rats. Besides these, the treatment increased the activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the serum and liver. The histological observations revealed a marked regeneration of the β-cells in the drug treated diabetic rats. In conclusion, the present study illustrates that EF, C1 and C2 enhances the glycolytic activities, besides increasing the hepatic glucose utilization in diabetic rats by stimulating insulin secretion from the remnant β-cells along with potential enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities.

3,5-Disubstituted Isoxazole Derivatives: Potential Inhibitors of Inflammation and Cancer

The products of arachidonic acid metabolism by lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) significantly contribute to inflammation and carcinogenesis. Particularly, overproduction of leukotrienes and prostaglandins contribute to tumor growth by inducing formation of new blood vessels that sustain tumor cell viability and growth. Hence, search for novel anticancer drug via inhibition of LOX and COX enzymes constitutes an impressive strategy till date. In this context, a series of isoxazole derivatives were synthesized and screened for their anti-inflammatory activity via LOX and COX inhibition. Among these, 3-(3-methylthiophen-2-yl)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazole (2b) showed significant inhibitory activity toward LOX and COX-2. Additionally, 2b showed a good inhibition of tumor growth, peritoneal angiogenesis, and ascite formation in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell mouse model. Further, the in silico molecular studies also revealed that the compound 2b binds to the catalytic domain of LOX and COX-1 and COX-2 strongly with high atomic contact energy (ACE) score compared to standard drug. These initial pharmacological data support the fact that the compound 2b serves as the basis in developing anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.

The effect of a plant extract enriched in stigmasterol and β-sitosterol on glycaemic status and glucose metabolism in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Banana is an extensively cultivated plant worldwide, mainly for its fruit, while its ancillary product, the banana pseudostem, is consumed as a vegetable and is highly recommended for diabetics in the traditional Indian medicine system. The present study was aimed at elucidating the mechanism of antihyperglycaemia exerted by the ethanol extract of banana pseudostem (EE) and its isolated compounds viz., stigmasterol (C1) and β-sitosterol (C2), in an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model. Diabetic rats which were administered with C1, C2 and EE (100 and 200 mg per kg b. wt.) for 4 weeks showed reduced levels of fasting blood glucose and reversal of abnormalities in serum/urine protein, urea and creatinine in diabetic rats compared to the diabetic control group of rats. Diabetic symptoms such as polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, urine glucose and reduced body weight were ameliorated in the diabetic group of rats fed with EE, C1 and C2 (100 mg per kg b. wt., once daily) for 28 days. The levels of insulin and Hb were also increased, while the HbA1c level was reduced. The altered activities of hepatic marker enzymes viz., aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); glycolytic enzyme (hexokinase); shunt enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase); gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase) and pyruvate kinase were significantly reverted to normal levels by the administration of EE, C1 and C2. In addition, increased levels of hepatic glycogen and glycogen synthase and the corresponding decrease of glycogen phosphorylase activity in diabetic rats illustrated the antihyperglycaemic potential of EE and its components. The histological observations revealed a marked regeneration of the β-cells in the drug treated diabetic rats. These findings suggest that EE might exert its antidiabetic potential in the presence of C1 and C2, attributable to the enhanced glycolytic activity, besides increasing the hepatic glucose utilization in diabetic rats by stimulating insulin secretion from the remnant β-cells.

Synthesis, Antioxidant, and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activities of 5-[4-[2-(5-Ethyl-2-pyridinyl)ethoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione Derivatives

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a complex metalloflavoprotein, the overproduction of which usually leads to a pathological condition called gout. The XO inhibitors may prove to be promising antigout agents. The XO generates superoxide anions and H2O2 for the self‐defense system of the organism. Abnormal production of this superoxide (reactive oxygen species) is responsible for a number of complications including inflammation, metabolic disorder, cellular aging, reperfusion damage, atherosclerosis, and carcinogenesis. In this paper, we report the synthesis of N‐substituted analogs of thiazolidinedione derivatives as effective and new class of XO inhibitors and also as antioxidant agents. Among all the compounds in the series, compound 2i produced relatively better activity against human milk XO (72% inhibition), which was also supported by docking studies.

Synthesis, xanthine oxidase inhibition, and antioxidant screening of benzophenone tagged thiazolidinone analogs.

A series of novel 2‐(diaryl methanone)‐N‐(4‐oxo‐2‐phenyl‐thiazolidin‐3‐yl)‐acetamides were synthesized by various Schiff bases of (4‐benzoyl‐phenoxy)‐aceto hydrazide with thioglycolic acid. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, mass spectra, and C, H, N analysis. Further, all the synthesized compounds 9a–n were evaluated for xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition and antioxidant properties. Among all the tested compounds, 9f, 9m, and 9n demonstrated potent XO inhibition of 52, 76, and 26%, respectively, compared to the standard drug allopurinol, which is evident from in vitro and in silico analysis. On the other hand, compounds 9c, 9d, and 9k exhibit potent antioxidant properties.

Evaluating the inhibitory potential of Withania somnifera on platelet aggregation and inflammation enzymes: An in vitro and in silico study

Abstract Context Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is traditionally used for treating various ailments, but lacks scientific evaluation. Objective This study evaluates Withania somnifera (WS) for its effect on platelet activity and inflammatory enzymes. Materials and methods Aqueous and ethanolic (1:1) leaf extracts were subjected to in vitro indirect haemolytic activity using Naja naja venom, human platelet aggregation was quantified for lipid peroxidation using arachidonic acid (AA) as agonist and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) levels were determined using standard spectrometric assays. Further, molecular docking was performed by the ligand fit method using molegro software package (Molegro ApS, Aarhus, Denmark). Results The study found that aqueous and ethanol extracts have very negligible effect (15%) with an IC50 value of 13.8 mg/mL on PLA2 from Naja naja venom. Further, extracts of WS also had very little effect (18%) with an IC50 value of 16.6 mg/mL on malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. However, a 65% inhibition of 5-LOX with an IC50 value of 0.92 mg/mL was observed in 1:1 ethanol extracts. The same was evident from SAR model with the active ingredient withaferin A binding predominantly on Phe 77, Tyr 98, Arg 99, Asp 164, Leu 168, Ser 382, Arg 395, Tyr 396 and Tyr 614 with an atomic contact energy value of −128.96 compared to standard phenidone (−103.61). Thus, the current study validates the application of WS for inflammatory diseases. Conclusion This study reveals the inhibitory potential of W. somnifera on inflammatory enzymes and platelet aggregation. Thus, WS can serve as a newer, safer and affordable medicine for inflammatory diseases.