Neil A. Koorbanally

Elaboration of Neosamine Rings in the Biosynthesis of Neomycin and Butirosin

The proteins Neo‐11 and Neo‐18 encoded in the neomycin gene cluster (neo) of Streptomyces fradiae NCIMB 8233 have been characterized as glucosaminyl‐6′‐oxidase and 6′‐oxoglucosaminyl:L‐glutamate aminotransferase, respectively. The joint activity of Neo‐11 and Neo‐18 is responsible for the conversion of paromamine to neamine in the biosynthetic pathway of neomycin through a mechanism of FAD‐dependent dehydrogenation followed by a pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate‐mediated transamination. Neo‐18 is also shown to catalyze deamination at C‐6′′′ of neomycin, thus suggesting bifunctional roles of the two enzymes in the formation of both neosamine rings of neomycin. The product of the btrB gene, a homologue of neo‐18 in the butirosin biosynthetic gene cluster (btr) in Bacillus circulans, exhibits the same activity as Neo‐18; this indicates that there is a similar reaction sequence in both butirosin and neomycin biosynthesis.

Alkaloids and triterpenoids from Ammocharis coranica (Amaryllidaceae).

The bulbs of Ammocharis coranica yielded eight alkaloids: lycorine, acetylcaranine and crinamine, which have been reported previously from A. coranica, 1-O-acetyllycorine, hippadine, 6 alpha-hydroxypowelline and hamayne, which have been reported from other members of the Amaryllidaceae, 1-O-acetyl-9-O-demethylpuviine, which has not been described previously, and the known cycloartane compounds: 24-methylenecycloartan-3 beta-ol, cycloeucalenol, cycloeucalenone and also 24-methylenepollinastanone, which has not been described previously.

Novel 2-(1-(substitutedbenzyl)-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-phenylacrylonitrile derivatives: synthesis, in vitro antitumor activity and computational studies

This work describes the two-step synthesis of new series of 2-(1-(substitutedbenzyl)-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-phenylacrylonitrile derivatives (6a–k) starting from substituted benzyl halides (5a–k) and 3-phenyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)acrylonitrile (4). Initially, compound 4 was synthesized using benzaldehyde, malononitrile and sodium azide. All the synthesized compounds were obtained in good yields and were characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR and HRMS spectral data. The new compounds (6a–k) were evaluated for their potential in vitro antitumor activity against four human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, CaCO2, HeLa and SkBr3) by MTT assay. The most potent compounds 6b, 6h and 6j show good activity (IC50 values) relative to 5-fluorouracil, with potential to be antitumor agents. Compounds 6a, 6c, 6g, 6f and 6k showed moderate activity. The best performing three compounds (6b, 6h and 6j) were evaluated for in silico analysis on the PharmMapper web server, and the human mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MEK-1) enzyme was recognized as the main target protein. MEK-1 inhibition by these compounds was further confirmed by the docking study to corroborate the target.Graphical Abstract

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of Amaranth with Hypochlorite

The reaction mechanism of the oxidation of Amaranth dye (2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo) naphthalene-3,6-disulfonate) with hypochlorite under varied pH conditions was elucidated by a kinetic approach. Under excess concentration of oxidant, the reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with respect to Amaranth, and the oxidation was found to occur through two competitive reactions, initiated by hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid. The reaction order with respect to both OCl(-) ion and HOCl was unity. While the latter reaction was fast, the significance of the oxidation paths depended on the relative concentration of the two oxidizing species, which was dictated by the reaction pH. The role of the H(+) ion in the reaction was established. For the hypochlorite ion and hypochlorous acid facilitated reactions, the second-order rate coefficients were 1.9 and 23.2 M(-1) s(-1), respectively. The energy parameters were E(a) = 33.7 kJ mol(-1), ΔH(‡) = 31.2 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(‡) = -190.6 J K(-1) mol(-1) for the OCl(-) ion-driven oxidation, and E(a) = 26.9 kJ mol(-1), ΔH(‡) = 24.3 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(‡) = -222.8 J K(-1) mol(-1) for the reaction with HOCl-initiated oxidation. The major oxidation products for both the pathways were 3,4-dihydroxy naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic sodium salt (P(1)), dichloro-1,4-naphthoquione (P(2)) and naphtha(2,3)oxirene-2, 3-dione (P(3)). On the basis of the primary salt effect and other kinetic data, the rate law for the overall reaction and probable reaction mechanism was elucidated. The proposed mechanism was validated by simulations using Simkine-2.

Chlorine dioxide-facilitated oxidation of the azo dye amaranth.

The oxidation reaction of amaranth (trisodium 2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo)naphthalene-3,6-disulfonate or AM(-)) by chlorine dioxide (ClO(2)) in aqueous conditions was investigated in detail. The major reaction products immediately after decolorization of AM(-) were 1,2-naphthoquinone disulfonate sodium salt and 1,4-napthalenedione. The reaction had first-order dependence on both AM(-) and ClO(2). The rate-limiting step involved the reaction between AM(-) and OH(-) ions. The role of hydroxide ion as a catalyst was established. The second-order rate constant increased with pH, from (19.8 ± 0.9) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 7.0, (97.1 ± 2.3) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 8.0 to (132.5 ± 2.8) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 9.0. In the pH range of 6.0-7.5, the catalytic constant for OH(-) ion was 4.0 × 10(9) M(-2) s(-1). The energy and entropy of activation values for the reaction were 50.0 kJ mol(-1) and -658.7 J K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. A probable reaction mechanism was elucidated and was validated by simulations.

Recent advances (2015–2016) in anticancer hybrids

In spite of the development of a large number of novel anticancer drugs over the years, Cancer remains as a prominent cause of death, worldwide. Numerous drugs that are currently in clinical practice have developed multidrug resistance along with fatal side effects. Therefore, the utilization of single-target therapy is incapable of providing an effective control on the malignant process. Molecular hybridization, involving a combination of two or more pharmacophores of bioactive scaffolds to generate a single molecular architecture with improved affinity and activity, in comparison to their parent molecules, has emerged as a promising strategy in recent drug discovery research. Hybrid anticancer drugs are of great therapeutic interests since they can potentially overcome most of the pharmacokinetic drawbacks encountered with conventional anticancer drugs. Strategically, the design of anticancer drugs involved the blending or linking of an anticancer drug with another anticancer drug or a carrier molecule which can efficiently target cancer cells with improved biological potential. Major advantages of hybrid anticancer drugs involved increased specificity, better patient compliance, and lower side effects along with reduction in chemo-resistance. The successful utilization of this technique in design and synthesis of novel anticancer hybrids has been well illustrated and documented in the literature. The purpose of the present review article will be to provide an emphasis on the recent developments (2015-16) in anticancer hybrids with insights into their structure-activity relationship (SAR) and mechanism of action.

Antioxidative activity and inhibition of key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) by Khaya senegalensis.

Abstract This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidative activity of Khaya senegalensis extracts and inhibitory effects of some solvent fractions on α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. The stem bark, root and leaf samples of the plant were sequentially extracted with ethyl acetate, ethanol and water and then tested for antioxidative activity. Our findings revealed that the ethanolic extract of the root had the highest antioxidative activity. Solvent-solvent fractionation of the root ethanolic extract yielded a butanol fraction that showed higher antioxidative activity than other fractions. Furthermore, the butanol fraction had significantly higher (p < 0.05) α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 2.89 ± 0.46 and 97.51 ± 5.72 μg mL-1, respectively. Enzyme kinetic studies indicated that the butanol fraction is a non-competitive inhibitor for α-glucosidase with an inhibition binding constant Ki of 1.30 μg mL-1 and a competitive inhibitor of α-amylase with a Ki of 7.50 μg mL-1. GC-MS analysis revealed that the butanol fraction contained two chromones, p-anilinophenol and 3-ethyl-5-(3- ethyl-(3H)-benzothiazol-2-ylidene)-2-(p-tolylvinylamino)- 4-thiazolidinone. Data obtained in the study suggest that the butanol fraction derived from the ethanolic extract of K. senegalensis root possessed excellent antioxidative as well as α-glucosidase and a-amylase inhibitory activities while chromones and/or p-anilinophenol could be the main bioactive compounds responsible for the observed activities.

Coumarins from Cedrelopsis grevei (Ptaeroxylaceae).

The stem bark of Cedrelopsis grevei Baill. has yielded the first reported examples of 5-prenylated coumarins, cedrecoumarin A and B as well as the known coumarins, cedrelopsin, scoparone, O-methylcedrelopsin and norbraylin, and the known chromones ptaeroglycol and ptaeroxylinol.

Elemental composition and fatty acid profile of the edible fruits of Amatungula (Carissa macrocarpa) and impact of soil quality on chemical characteristics

The Amatungula fruit, from Carissa macrocarpa, is commonly consumed by the local people of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Levels of elements in the fruit were determined to assess if they conform to recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) and to assess for potential toxicities. Soils and fruit samples from nine sites in eastern KZN were investigated. Concentrations of elements in the fruit were found to be in the order of Ca>Mg>Fe>Mn≈Cu≈Pb>Se>Cr>Ni>Zn. For the elements in focus, except for Pb, all of the elements found in the fruit contribute significantly towards the RDAs. Lipid profiling was also done to determine the fruits potential as a source of essential fatty acids. The fruit was rich in monounsaturated and essential fatty acids with the linoleic acid to α-linolenic acid ratio conforming to the recommended range for cardiac health. Concentrations of elements in soil had no significant effect on plant concentrations, but competition between elements in soil influenced their availability. Total soil concentrations of most metals studied have significantly correlated Pb availability, indicating the impact of these metals on Pb availability. The Amatungula fruit showed tendency to accumulate Pb, with Pb levels in fruit at all sites being toxic to human health. Site location had a major effect on plant concentrations however uptake and distribution was primarily dependent on the plants inherent controls, as evidenced by the accumulation and exclusion of elements, to meet its physiological requirements.

In vitro screening of traditional South African malaria remedies against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum.

Three hundred extracts were prepared from plants traditionally used in South Africa to treat malaria and screened in vitro for activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum. For the 43 extracts which inhibited the growth of one or more parasites to more than 95 % at 9.7 µg/mL, the IC₅₀ values against all four protozoal parasites and cytotoxic IC₅₀s against rat myoblast L6 cells were determined. Amongst the most notable results are the activities of AGATHOSMA APICULATA (IC₅₀ of 0.3 µg/mL) against Plasmodium falciparum, as well as Salvia repens and Maytenus undata against Leishmania donovani with IC₅₀s of 5.4 µg/mL and 5.6 µg/mL, respectively. This screening is the starting point for a HPLC-based activity profiling project in antiprotozoal lead discovery.