Riccardo Cerri

Quinovic acid glycosides from Guettarda platypoda

Abstract A new triterpene glycoside, quinovic acid-3β- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(27→1)-β- d - glucopyranosyl ester, and two known glycosides, quinovic nacid-3β- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl- (28→1)-β- d -glucopyranosyl ester and quinovic acid-3β- O -β- d -glucopyranoside, were isolated from the roots of Guettarda platypoda . Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectral analysis of the non-derivatized glycosides.

Determination of amphetamines in human whole blood by capillary electrophoresis with photodiode array detection.

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) with photodiode array detection (DAD) method for the analysis of amphetamines in human whole blood samples is described. Amphetamines were applied to CE without any derivatization procedure and detected at 200 nm for a rapid and simple analysis. The UV-spectra are show in. Amphetamines were separated within 7 min through an uncoated fused-silica capillary (50 cm x 50 microm ID) using a 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5). A simple and fast extraction method of amphetamines from human whole blood was developed using acetonitrile. Very clean extracts were obtained in one step. Whole blood drugs free samples were spiked with amphetamine standard solution of known concentration. Linear calibration plots were obtained over a large concentration range, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.998. Recoveries between 81 and 99% were obtained. Limit of detection (LOD) was from 10 to 30 ng ml(-1) for most of amphetamines, except for MDMA, for which it was 80 ng ml(-1).

Essential Oil Composition of Hypericum perforatum L. var. angustifolium DC Growing Wild in Sardinia (Italy)

Abstract The oil from inforescences of Hypericum perforatum var. angustifolium growing wild and harvested in Sardinia (Italy) was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major compounds in the oil were 2-methyloctane (21.1%), germacrene D (17.6%) and α-pinene (15.8%).

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic amides: new developments.

A series of substituted N‐cycloalkyl benzamides, cinnamamides, and indole‐3‐carboxamides were synthesized and evaluated for their analgesic, antiinflammatory activities as well as for their gastrointestinal irritation liability. Indomethacin was used as reference drug in both tests. Compounds 1k, 1b, 1h, 1j, and 1g were the most active in the antiinflammatory paw edema inhibition test, with a sharply dose‐dependent effect. In terms of the analgesic activity (acetic acid writhing test), the most active compound was 5a followed by 3a, but many other compounds were found to have a non‐negligible potency. Even in this case, the effect was dose dependent.

Chemical constituents of some Tricholomataceae

Sterols, fatty acids and free amino acids of four species of Tricholomataceae were investigated. They contained ergosterol in high amount and the related sterols, fucosterol, sitosterol, cholesterol and brassicasterol. Linoleic and palmitic are the main unsaturated and saturated fatty acids respectively. The most abundant free amino acids were alanine, valine and proline.

Sterols from three Lactarius species

Abstract The sterol composition of three fungi was determined. Ergosterol is the major sterol, accompanied by other closely related sterols.

Monitoring of benzylpenicillin in ovine milk by HPLC

A method for determination in vivo of the benzylpenicillin residues in ovine milk at low levels was described. Two groups of Sardinian breed sheep were treated with a dose of penicillin G sodium salt by intramammary infusion and intramuscular administration respectively. The residues were detected by isocratic HPLC method of the extract obtained from a previous cleanup procedure. Linear calibration plots were obtained over a large concentration range of 1 mg ml-1 -10 ng ml-1, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.998. Recoveries between 78.6 and 87.3% were obtained. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of determination (LOQ) were 2.6 and 8.8 ng ml-1 respectively. This method would be useful for routine monitoring of penicillin G residues in ovine dairy milk.

Phototoxicity due to Cachrys libanotis.

After classification and identification of the plant, the alcoholic extract of Cachrys libanotis L. was analysed in order to identify the phototoxic agents. The substances responsible for photodermatitis were found to be 4 furocoumarins, of which 3 have been clearly identified, namely 5‐methoxy‐, 8‐methoxy‐and 5,8‐dmiethoxypsoralen. The structure of a 4th compound was not completely defined.

Synthesis of 1-methyl-4-(N-aroyl)-piperidinamides with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities

Two series of 1-methyl-4-(N-aroyl)-piperidinamides were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, as well as for their gastrointestinal irritation liability. A non-aromatic derivative, 1-methyl-4-(N-cyclohexanoyl)-piperidinamide, was synthesized and evaluated in order to obtain a more exhaustive knowledge of the structure-activity relationship.

Synthesis of N-[4-(alkyl)cyclohexyl]-substituted benzamides with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities

Two series of N-[4-(alkyl)cyclohexyl]-substituted benzamides, i.e. a series of N-[4-(tert-butyl)cyclohexyl]-substituted benzamides and a series of N-[4-(ethyl)cyclohexyl]-substituted benzamides, were synthesised and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic potencies, and gastrointestinal irritation liability.