Nadezhda Markova

Physicochemical characterization and in vitro behavior of daunorubicin-loaded poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles.

The design, preparation and characterization of poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles as a drug-delivery system for daunorubicin is reported. A range of light scattering [photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS)], spectroscopic [(1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), chromatographic [gel permeation chromatography (GPC)] and quantum chemical techniques have been employed for the physicochemical characterization of drug-loaded nanoparticles and to clarify the mechanisms of drug immobilization in the polymer matrix. The presence of daunorubicin in the polymerization medium was found to affect both the degree of polymerization and the compactness of the resulting nanoparticles. The GPC, FTIR and (1)H NMR results confirmed cytostatic immobilization in the polymer matrix, with evidence for the presence of three types of inclusion: physically entrapped, polymer-associated (due to hydrogen bonds and/or dipole-charge interactions with the polymer chains), and polymer surface-adsorbed daunorubicin. The developed colloidal delivery system has the capacity for sustained in vitro release of daunorubicin. Preliminary in vitro assays were carried out on two cell lines, DLKP and DLKP-A, which display different levels of drug resistance, to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the drug-loaded nanoparticles.

Tautomeric Equilibria of 5-Fluorouracil Anionic Species in Water

It has long been postulated that rare tautomeric or ionized forms of nucleic acid bases may play a role in mispair formation. Therefore, ab initio quantum chemical investigations on the tautomeric equilibrium in 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and its anions (deprotonated from N1, AN1, and from N3, AN3) and their tautomeric forms in water were performed. The effect of the water as solvent was introduced using solute-solvent clusters (four water molecules). The influence of the water molecules on the tautomeric reactions between different forms was considered by multiple proton transfer mechanisms. We show that when a water dimer is located in the reaction site between the two pairs of N-H and C═O groups, the assistive effect of the water molecules is strengthened. All calculations of the solute-water complexes were carried out at an MP2 level of theory and supplemented with correction for higher order correlation terms at CCSD(T) level, using the 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. The ab initio calculated frequencies and Raman intensities of 5FU and its anions AN1, AN3, and dianion are in good agreement with the experimental Raman frequencies in aqueous solution at different pH. In order to establish the pH-induced structural transformation in the molecule of 5FU, further (1)H, (19)F, and (13)C NMR spectra in water solution for pH = 6.9-13.8 were acquired and the chemical shift alterations were determined as a function of pH. On the basis of NMR spectroscopic data obtained for 5FU in aqueous solution at alkaline pH, we suggest the existence of a mixture of the anionic tautomeric forms predicted by our theoretical calculations.

Tacticity of poly(butyl-α-cyanoacrylate) chains in nanoparticles: NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations

NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations were applied for structural characterization and determination of the preferred stereochemical sequence distribution of the monomer units in the homopolymer chains of poly(butyl-α-cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles. The stereochemical sequence distribution of the monomer units was defined by analysis of their high-resolution 1D 1H and 13C NMR and 2D J-resolved, 1H/13C HSQC and 1H/13C HMBC NMR spectra. The results were verified by employment of B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations and are consistent with the preferred tendency of polymer chains of PBCN to adopt syndiotactic placements. The proton and carbon chemical shielding were calculated at BPW91/6-31+G(2d,p) level using the GIAO approach and B3LYP/6-31G(d) optimized geometry.

2-Methylthio-imidazolins: a rare case of different tautomeric forms in solid state and in solution

The synthesis and structure elucidation of two new compounds, 2-(methylthio)-1,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-2-ene-4-one (1) and 2-(methylthio)-1,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-2-ene-4-thione (2), are presented. Both compounds crystalized in monoclinic crystal system. Compound 1 formed plate-like colorless crystals, while compound 2 gave yellow needles. The structural and spectral characteristics of both compounds are studied by IR and NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. The optimized geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and NMR shielding are calculated by DFT employing B3LYP functional using 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Our results support the hydrogen bonding pattern observed in reported crystalline structure. Evidences are given indicating that the tautomeric form in solution is different from that one in solid state. The substantial difference between positions of the characteristic C=N band in nonpolar solvent and crystalline phase for both compounds suggests that in solid state a “conjugated tautomeric form” exists, while in solution phase there is “non-conjugated tautomeric form”. In polar solvents, both tautomeric forms exist. It is suggested to call this phenomenon desmokatatropy—from Greeks δεσμός (bond) κατάσταση (state) and τρόπος (change).

Anti-conjunctivitis effect of fresh juice of xGraptoveria (Crassulaceae): A phytochemical and ethnobotanical study.

Aim: The parent of xGraptoveria, Graptopetalum paraguayense, is used in Chinese folk medicine for alleviating hepatic disorders, detumescence and detoxication, lowering of blood pressure, inhibition of cancer cells, exerting diuretic effects, relieving pain and infections. No data are available regarding its anti-conjunctivitis effect. The aim of this preliminary study is to test the anti-conjunctivitis properties of xGraptoveria (Crassulaceae) and to identify its bioactive constituents. Materials and Methods: Fresh watery juice of leaves of xGraptoveria was extracted with n-butanol and the extract was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The ethnobotanical appraisal of the anti-conjunctivitis properties of xGraptoveria was based on 11 interviews about the symptoms against which this plant demonstrated positive effect. Results: Fresh juice of xGraptoveria leaves applied directly to the irritated eye 2 times per day cured conjunctivitis in all reported cases. The main groups of organic compounds identified by GC/MS analysis in the fresh extracted leaf juice of xGraptoveria were: Alkylamines, hydroxycarboxylic acids, aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids, amino acids, alcohols, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Conclusion: In this preliminary study, it is suggested that xGraptoveria exerts anti-conjunctivitis activity, through synergistic effect of different chemical compounds, most probably alkylamines and mainly hydroxycarboxylic, aliphatic, and aromatic carboxylic acids.