V. V. Zobov

Alkylated 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes: self-association, catalytic properties, and biological activity

Aggregation of 1-hexadecyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide in the presence of diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate was studied using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The quantitative characteristics of the aggregation were determined. The data obtained were used to explain the catalytic effect of micelles on the hydrolysis of the phosphate. It was found that the aggregation properties and biological activity of alkylated mono- and dicationic 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]octanes are correlated.

Self-assembling systems based on quaternized derivatives of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane in nutrient broth as antimicrobial agents and carriers for hydrophobic drugs.

Aggregation properties of mono (mono-CS) and dicationic (di-CS) surfactants, namely quaternised derivatives of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), have been evaluated in water and in nutrient broths of different pH, i.e. in Hottinger broth (рН=7.2) and Sabouraud dextrose broth (рН=5.6). Aggregation capacity of surfactants was shown to be responsible for the solubilization properties of a complex composed of a hydrophobic probe (Sudan I) and a selected drug (quercetin), contributing to the antimicrobial activity of this surfactant system. The effect of N-methyl-d-glucamine (NmDg) additive on the antimicrobial activity of mono-CS, and its aggregation and solubilization parameters, has also been evaluated. A substantial decrease in critical micelle concentration (CMC) of cationic surfactants in nutrient broths (up to 60 times) has been reported. Twofold dilution of monocationic surfactant by NmDg slightly changed the CMC of surfactant; however, it provided a remarkable increase in solubilization capacity (∼by 4 times) and decrease in its toxicity. The data anticipate the potential use of DABCO quaternized derivatives as innovative non-toxic delivery systems for hydrophobic drugs.

Antimicrobial activity of pyrimidinophanes with thiocytosine and uracil moieties.

Reactions of pyrimidinophanes with two 6-methylthiocytosine and one 5(6)-alkyluracil moieties bridged with each other by polymethylene spacers with methyl or nonyl p-toluenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonate and trifluorosulfonate afforded amphiphilic macrocyclic bis-p-toluene-, methane- and trifluorosulfonates. Despite the presence of several reaction centers in the initial pyrimidinophane molecules, protonation and methylation occurred only at the N(1) atom (with quaternization) of the 6-methylthiocytosine moieties. The bacteriostatic and fungistatic activity of the products was estimated. Macrocyclic tosylates exhibit a remarkable selectivity towards Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values comparable with a reference drug. Bacteriostatic activity of the amphiphilic pyrimidinophanes depends on the size of the macrocycles, and the highest activity corresponds to definite lengths of polymethylene bridges. Besides, the antimicrobial activity of the screened pyrimidine derivatives depends on their topology. While macrocyclic tosylates are more active against bacteria than against fungi, acyclic tosylate with the same structural fragments shows a dramatical decrease of MIC towards mold and yeast with respect to the corresponding macrocycle. It is found that macrocyclic and acyclic tosylates in high dilutions decrease the extracellular lipase activity.

Regulation of acetylcholinesterase activity by nitric oxide in rat neuromuscular junction via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an enzyme that hydrolyses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, thereby limiting spillover and duration of action. This study demonstrates the existence of an endogenous mechanism for the regulation of synaptic AChE activity. At the rat extensor digitorum longus neuromuscular junction, activation of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors by combined application of glutamate and glycine led to enhancement of nitric oxide (NO) production, resulting in partial AChE inhibition. Partial AChE inhibition was measured using increases in miniature endplate current amplitude. AChE inhibition by paraoxon, inactivation of NO synthase by Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester, and NMDA receptor blockade by dl‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphopentanoic acid prevented the increase in miniature endplate current amplitude caused by amino acids. High‐frequency (10 Hz) motor nerve stimulation in a glycine‐containing bathing solution also resulted in an increase in the amplitude of miniature endplate currents recorded during the interstimulus intervals. Pretreatment with an NO synthase inhibitor and NMDA receptor blockade fully eliminated this effect. This suggests that endogenous glutamate, released into the synaptic cleft as a co‐mediator of acetylcholine, is capable of triggering the NMDA receptor/NO synthase‐mediated pathway that modulates synaptic AChE activity. Therefore, in addition to well‐established modes of synaptic plasticity (e.g. changes in the effectiveness of neurotransmitter release and/or the sensitivity of the postsynaptic membrane), another mechanism exists based on the prompt regulation of AChE activity.

Antimicrobial activity of imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline derivatives with pyridinium moiety

3-Phenyl(methyl)-5-alkyl-1-(pyridin-3-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4-ones (2a-f) and their N-alkyl-pyridinium salts (3a-o), including 1,n-bis{3-(3-phenylimidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-on-1-yl)pyridinium}alkane dibromides (4a-d, 5, 6) have been synthesized. It has been established that the antimicrobial properties of imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline derivatives are connected with the presence of various alkyl substituents in the position 1 of the pyridine ring and in the position 5 of the imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxaline system. Chlorides and iodides are more active towards bacteria than fungi. Compounds 3d, 3e, 3m and 3n showed an effective bacteriostatic activity. Compound showed not only well defined bacteriostatic activities but also good fungistatic activities, with the MIC values comparable with the reference drugs. Toxicity of more effective (imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4-on-1-yl)-1-pyridinium halides was examined in mice.

6-Methyluracil Derivatives as Bifunctional Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Novel 6‐methyluracil derivatives with ω‐(substituted benzylethylamino)alkyl chains at the nitrogen atoms of the pyrimidine ring were designed and synthesized. The numbers of methylene groups in the alkyl chains were varied along with the electron‐withdrawing substituents on the benzyl rings. The compounds are mixed‐type reversible inhibitors of cholinesterases, and some of them show remarkable selectivity for human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE), with inhibitory potency in the nanomolar range, more than 10 000‐fold higher than that for human butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE). Molecular modeling studies indicate that these compounds are bifunctional AChE inhibitors, spanning the enzyme active site gorge and binding to its peripheral anionic site (PAS). In vivo experiments show that the 6‐methyluracil derivatives are able to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB), inhibiting brain‐tissue AChE. The most potent AChE inhibitor, 3 d (1,3‐bis[5‐(o‐nitrobenzylethylamino)pentyl]‐6‐methyluracil), was found to improve working memory in scopolamine and transgenic APP/PS1 murine models of Alzheimers disease, and to significantly decrease the number and area of β‐amyloid peptide plaques in the brain.

Unfolded and macrocyclic ammonium derivatives of diterpenoids steviol and isosteviol having choline moieties. Synthesis and inhibitory activities toward acetylcholine- and butyrylcholinesterases

A series of unfolded and macrocyclic ammonium derivatives of diterpenoids isosteviol 2 and steviol 17 possessing choline moieties have been synthesized and assayed for inhibitory activities toward AchE and BchE. Compounds 5–8, 13, 16, 20, and 21 showed moderate activity within the range of IC50 values 8.0 × 10−4 to 2.2 × 10−6 mol L−1. Isosteviol derivative 16 exhibited the best inhibition selectivity against acetylcholinesterase among the compounds tested. It inhibited AchE of human erythrocytes at IC50 = 80 μM, whereas inhibition of BchE occurred at IC50 > 1000 μM.

Macrocyclic and acyclic 1,3-bis[5-(trialkylammonio)pentyl]-5(6)-substituted uracil dibromides: synthesis, antimicrobial properties, and the structure—activity relationship

A series of acyclic onium uracil derivatives was synthesized, including 1,3-bis[5-(alkyldiethylammonio)pentyl]-5(6)-substituted uracil dibromides and isostructural macrocyclic compounds (isomeric cis- and trans-pyrimidinophanes bearing onium groups in the decamethylene chains). The compounds were found to exhibit considerable bacteriostatic and fungistatic activity. The onium uracil derivatives were found to make a specific contribution to the antimicrobial action: the bacteriostatic and fungistatic activities of the compounds are determined by their topology, the nature of a substituent at atom C(5) of the uracil ring and a substituent in the onium group. The mechanism of antimicrobial action and cytotoxicity of uracil onium derivatives were studied.

The influence of the Xymedon preparation (Hydroxyethyldimethyldihydropyrimidine) on the rat liver recovery under toxic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride

143 Preparation Xymedon (1 (ß hydroxyethyl) 4,6 dimethyl 1,2 dihydro 2 oxopyrimidon, registration no. LS 000045), which is produced in Russia, is known as a medicine with a marked regenerative and reparative effect [1]. It is highly effectively used in clinical practice for the treatment of burns and wound healing in the postoperative period. The results of clin ical studies obtained in recent years have revealed new indications for the use of Xymedon: scleroderma [2], psoriasis [3], obstructive pulmonary disease [4], gas tric and duodenal ulcer [5], osteomyelitis [6, 7], and pyoinflammatory disease [8]. It was shown that Xyme don affects the key biochemical processes at the cellu lar and subcellular levels by activating adenylyl cyclase, which leads to a rapid accumulation of cAMP in the cell and stimulation of metabolism (primarily protein biosynthesis).

Different sensitivities of rat skeletal muscles and brain to novel anti‐cholinesterase agents, alkylammonium derivatives of 6‐methyluracil (ADEMS)

The rat respiratory muscle diaphragm has markedly lower sensitivity than the locomotor muscle extensor digitorum longus (EDL) to the new acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, alkylammonium derivatives of 6‐methyluracil (ADEMS). This study evaluated several possible reasons for differing sensitivity between the diaphragm and limb muscles and between the muscles and the brain.