Analysis of antioxidants in water striders (Hemiptera: Gerridae) as bioindicator of water pollution

The antioxidant enzyme system is an important defense mechanism to cope with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) produced due to exposure to heavy metals. In the present study lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) in water and the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) was investigated in three species (Metrocoris communis, Limnogonus fossarum fossarum, and Aquarius adelaidis) of water striders collected from the industrial triangle of Punjab, Pakistan. The results of present study revealed that Pb, Cr, As, Cd and Ni were according to the permissible amount of WHO. The antioxidant activity of SOD, CAT and POD was found significantly different among species against oxidative stress, but found the highest activity of determining parameters in A. adelaidis. This is one of the pioneer studies in Pakistan reporting the role of water striders as a bioindicator of heavy metals present in the water through antioxidants enzyme variations. The current results supported that variant level of antioxidant enzyme activities in different species of water strider were reflective of heavy metal pollution in the Industrial triangle of Punjab, Pakistan and will be a useful ecotoxicological tools to evaluate the detrimental effects of heavy metal pollutants in aquatic organisms.

An exact solution approach to warm inflation using Tsallis and Barrow holographic dark energy entropy within Rastall gravity

This paper studies the phenomena of warm inflation in a modified cosmological scenario within Rastall gravity. In this context, we modify the standard Friedmann equations using recently proposed Tsallis and Barrow holographic dark energy entropies, alternatively. For both entropies, the exact solutions including the inflaton field, potential required to produce inflation and the scale factor are obtained under slow-roll approximation for low- and high-dissipative regimes. We obtain exponentially growing scale factors for both dark energy models. To confront the theoretical predictions of these models with recent observational data, we calculate the slow-roll parameters, number of e-folds, scalar spectral index, running of scalar spectral index and the tensor-to-scalar ratio for both extremes of dissipation. The Planck bounds on inflationary trajectories are being used to constraint the free parameters. The results are interesting and physically viable up to 2 σ level.

Facile Synthesis of Halogen Decorated para-/meta-Hydroxy­benzoates by Iridium-Catalyzed Borylation and Oxidation

Hydroxybenzoates are an important class of phenols that are widely used as preservatives and antiseptics in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this report, a facile preparation of 2,6- and 2,3-disubstituted 4/5-hydroxybenzoates by iridium-catalyzed borylation of respective disubstituted benzoate esters followed by oxidation is described. This synthetic route allows for the incorporation of halogens in the final hydroxybenzoates with substitution patterns not readily accessible by the traditional routes of aromatic functionalization.

Improvement in Infection Prevention and Control Measures at The Children Hospital, Lahore. A My Child Matters Collaborative Project

Background: Overcrowding, lack of operational funds, and healthcare associated infections are major challenges at the Children Hospital Lahore, a public healthcare facility in Pakistan with 900 new pediatric cancer admissions annually. In 2014, a collaboration between My Child Matters (MCM), St. Jude Global Infectious Diseases Program (SJ-GID), and our institution was established to address these issues. Aim: To describe the effect of a collaborative improvement strategy on the infection prevention and control (IPC) standards in a pediatric oncology unit in a resource-limited setting. Methods: Our study was a prospective before-and-after study. We compare the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework (HHSAF) and 4 modules of the St. Jude modified Infection Control Assessment Tool (ICAT) scores. Our strategy included: (1) creating a multidisciplinary team of pediatric hematology-oncology, infectious disease physicians, nurses, microbiologist, and a data manager, (2) engaging on monthly online IPC mentoring sessions with the SJ-GID and MCM mentors, (3) performing daily inpatient healthcare associated (HAI) surveillance rounds, and (4) providing regular hand hygiene training and compliance audits. Results: Our hand hygiene facility level per WHO scores increased from “Inadequate” during the baseline assessment to “Intermediate/Consolidation” by the end of 3-year implementation (122 vs 352 HHSAF scores). The sink: bed and hand sanitizer: bed ratios improved to 1:6 and 1:1 respectively. Six washrooms were added to our unit. ICAT general infection control module increased by 40% (45 vs 78 ICAT score) and hygiene compliance improved by 20% from baseline. Identification of HAI increased from baseline (4.07 vs 8.7 infections per 1000 patient days). A 25% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Conclusion: Implementing a collaborative improvement strategy improved the IPC standards in our pediatric cancer center. The increase of HAI might be a result of a better surveillance and laboratory identification. Further targeted interventions should be develop to decrease HAI rates and infection-related morbidity and mortality in our population.

Iridium-Catalyzed Regioselective Borylation of Substituted Biaryls

Biarylboronic esters are generally prepared by directed ortho­-metalation or by Miyaura borylation and hence rely on the presence of a directing group or pre-functionalization. In this paper, the preparation of biarylboronic esters by direct C–H borylation of biaryl substrates is reported. Sterically governed regioselectivities were observed in the borylation of appropriately substituted biaryls by using [Ir(OMe)(COD)]2 precatalyst and di-tert-butylbipyridyl ligand. The resulting biarylboronic esters were isolated in 38–98% yields. The synthesized biarylboronic esters were further successfully employed in C–O, C–Br, and C–C coupling reactions.

UK NEQAS survey of allergen component testing across the United Kingdom and other European countries

The clinical utility of molecular diagnostic approaches in allergy investigation is being recognized increasingly to play a significant role in the management of allergic patients. Determining the sensitization pattern, which is best achieved through the use of component resolved diagnostics (CRD), allows effective risk stratification, appropriate treatment and patient selection for immunotherapy. In order to assess the diagnostic service provisions for in-vitro allergy testing across Europe, a survey was carried out via the total immunoglobulin (Ig)E and specific IgE external quality assurance schemes run by UK National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS) Immunology, Immunochemistry and Allergy. This survey assessed allergy testing, and in particular allergen components offered by the laboratories, and found a wide variability in service provision, particularly between the United Kingdom and other European Union (EU) countries. Furthermore, there was lack of standardization for acquisition of clinical information to aid allergen (and component) selection, gating strategy, testing algorithms and clinical interpretation. Interestingly, a significant proportion of laboratories (the majority from EU) stated that they 'used' the results for peanut components for risk stratification. However, the vast majority of participants were unaware of guidelines relating to the use of allergen component testing, and agreed that further education would assist in reaching a common platform. Hence, this survey has highlighted that although CRD has been adopted into routine diagnostics across Europe, it is potentially compromised by lack of standardized protocols and guidance sources. Consequently, there is a need for local or national standards and education through External Quality Assurance services on the performance and application of CRD into allergy investigation.

Bilateral common peroneal nerve injury after pediatric cardiothoracic surgery: A case report and review of the literature

Nerve injuries after thoracic and cardiovascular surgery have been reported but generally concern the brachial plexus, phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal, and facial nerve. Common peroneal nerve injury (CPNI) following cardiopulmonary bypass has been reported in adults (4); however bilateral injury is extremely uncommon. Age, low body weight, co-morbidities such as peripheral arteriosclerotic disease, diabetes mellitus, and arrhythmias were associated with CPNI following cardiothoracic surgery in adults. Common peroneal nerve injury (CPNI) following cardiopulmonary by-pass has been reported in adults; however, bilateral injury is extremely uncommon. The superficial course of CPN makes it vulnerable to traction or compression. We report a 5-year-old girl manifesting with bilateral CPNI following prolonged cardiopulmonary by-pass. To the best of our knowledge, she is the first pediatric patient presenting with bilateral CPNI following cardiothoracic surgery and cardiopulmonary by-pass.

A multicentre study comparing two methods for serum free light chain analysis

Background

Serum free light chain analysis is now well established in the investigation of monoclonal gammopathies. In the UK there has, until recently, been a single supplier of kits for such analysis. Recently, a second method using monoclonal antisera was introduced. We have compared the performance of these two kits in four routine laboratories.

Method

Samples submitted for routine analysis (327 samples, 258 [79%] from patients with B-cell lymphoproliferative disease) for serum free light chains were tested by both technologies (Freelite, Binding Site and N Latex FLC, Siemens), according to the manufacturers’ instructions.

Results

Qualitative data were available by both methods on 313 samples for serum free kappa chains and 324 samples for lambda free light chains. We found poor correspondence of 81% for kappa and 74% for lambda. Five percent of samples were significantly discordant in these assays.

Conclusions

These assays perform very differently in clinical practice. They cannot be used interchangeably, especially if monitoring patient responses to therapy.

Hypotensive effect of chemical constituents from Aloe barbadensis

Hypotensive effects of aloeemodin, aloin A, elgonica dimer A and bisbenzopyran from Aloe barbadensis have been studied. Aloeemodin has emerged as a potent hypotensive agent in current pharmacological investigations and caused 26 %, 52 %, and 79 % falls in mean arterial blood pressure at the corresponding doses of 0.5, 1, and 3 mg/kg in rats. The paper also describes the absolute configuration of elgonica dimer A (1).

The relationship between hirudin and activated clotting time: implications for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia undergoing cardiac surgery

Anticoagulation with recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin) (Refludan) has been suggested as an alternative to heparin for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia requiring cardiac surgery. We sought to develop a modified activated coagulation time (ACT) that would allow quantification of the levels of r-hirudin required during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Twenty-one patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgical procedures requiring CPB were enrolled in this IRB-approved study. R-hirudin was added to blood specimens obtained before heparin administration (before CPB) and 30 min after heparin neutralization with protamine (after CPB) to result in concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, or 8 microg/mL. Kaolin/ACT and complete blood count measurements were assayed in native specimens (first 10 patients, Phase I) or in specimens mixed with equal volumes of commercial normal plasma (second 11 patients, Phase II). In Phase I, good (r(2) = 0.83) linear relationships between ACT values and r-hirudin concentrations (< or =4 microg/mL) were observed in specimens obtained before CPB. However, ACT values were markedly prolonged (P < 0.0001) by r-hirudin in specimens obtained after CPB, with ACT values generally exceeding the ACT's detection limit (>999 s) at hirudin concentrations >2 microg/mL. In patient specimens mixed with normal plasma (Phase II), ACT/hirudin relationships (i.e., hirudin/ACT slope values obtained with hirudin concentration < or =4 microg/mL) in the post-CPB period (0.022 +/- 0.004 microg. mL(-1). s(-1)) were similar (P = 0.47) to those (0.019 +/- 0.004 microg. mL(-1). s(-1)) obtained in the pre-CPB period. Accordingly, a significant relationship between normal plasma-supplemented ACT values and predilution hirudin concentration was obtained in the post-CPB (hirudin = 0.039ACT - 4.34, r(2) = 0.91) period. Although our data demonstrate that the ACT test cannot be used to monitor hirudin during CPB, the addition of 50% normal plasma to post-CPB hemodiluted blood specimens yields a consistent linear relationship between hirudin concentration and ACT values up to a predilution concentration of 8 microg/mL. Plasma-modified ACT may be useful in monitoring hirudin anticoagulation during CPB.

IMPLICATIONS

A modified activated clotting time test system that may be helpful in monitoring hirudin anticoagulation in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is described.

The effect of epsilon-aminocaproic acid on HemoSTATUS and kaolin-activated clotting time measurements

New point-of-care assays have been used to identify patients with heparin resistance (i.e. heparin dose response test; Medtronic Blood Management, Parker, CO) and who have platelet dysfunction (i.e. HemoSTATUS; Medtronic Blood Management). We examined the effect of epsilon-aminocaproic acid on results from these two point-of-care tests in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Twenty patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgical procedures were enrolled in this prospective study. HemoSTATUS clot ratio (% maximal) values in Channels (Ch) 3-6 (Ch 3: 26 +/- 25, Ch 4: 66 +/- 23, Ch 5: 84 +/- 20, Ch 6: 106 +/- 18) obtained after the IV administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid were similar to values obtained before the administration of this agent (Ch 3: 26 +/- 20, Ch 4: 69 +/- 23, Ch 5: 86 +/- 19, Ch 6: 109 +/- 14). Slope values (86 +/- 23 s x U(-1) x mL(-1)) and projected heparin concentrations (4 +/- 1 U/mL) obtained before the administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid were similar to slope values (88 +/- 21 s x U(-1) x mL(-1)) and projected heparin concentrations (4 +/- 1 U/mL) values obtained after administration of this agent. Our data indicate that HemoSTATUS clot ratio values and heparin dose response values are not significantly affected after IV dosing of epsilon-aminocaproic acid.

IMPLICATIONS

Values from two activated coagulation time-based test systems used to identify significant heparin resistance or platelet dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass were not significantly affected by epsilon-aminocaproic acid administered IV.

Clinical evaluation of a new, point-of-care hemocytometer

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to compare results obtained with a new point-of-care hemocytometer with those of two established (point-of-care and laboratory-based) instruments.

DESIGN

To compare CBC values between established laboratory-based and point-of-care instruments, measurements were performed on routinely obtained blood specimens for CBC analysis in our institutional laboratory (phase I) and on specimens from cardiac surgical patients before initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and after discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass in phase II.

SETTING

Surgical and hospitalized patients at a tertiary care center.

PATIENTS

Measurements were obtained by using blood specimens obtained from 141 hospitalized patients from different services (phase I) or from a consecutive series of 204 patients undergoing cardiac operations (phase II).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Hemoglobin (HGB), platelet count (PLT), red blood cell count, and white blood cell count (WBC) were measured with two on-site and one laboratory-based instruments. Hematocrit (HCT) was calculated by using measured variables. Linear regression demonstrated good correlations between Ichor and T540 HGB (r2 = .95), HCT (r2 = .95), PLT (r2 = .94), and WBC (r2 = .95) results (n = 408); similarly, good correlations were observed with Coulter STKS HGB (r2 = .92), HCT (r2 = .91), and PLT (r2 = .94) results (n = 141). The relationship between Ichor and Coulter STKS WBC (r2 = .27) was poor; however, when two Ichor-derived outlier values (>50) were excluded, the relationship was very good (r2 = .99). Bias analysis (mean +/- SD) demonstrated similar results between Ichor and T540 HGB (0.003+/-0.5), HCT (-0.21+/-1.5), WBC (0.79+/-1.3), and PLT values (-9.2+/-16.6) as well as STKS HGB (-0.08+/-0.7), HCT (-0.69+/-2.3), WBC (-0.62+/-5.8), and PLT values (-10.2+/-21.4).

CONCLUSIONS

The Ichor hemocytometer provides accurate hematologic results that can facilitate rapid quantitative assessment of CBC variables and thus may be clinically useful, especially in critically ill patients.

Bipolar disorder and family communication: effects of a psychoeducational treatment program

Family psychoeducational programs are efficacious adjuncts to pharmacotherapy for patients with schizophrenic and bipolar disorders, but little is known about what these programs change about families. The authors assessed changes in face-to-face interactional behavior over 1 year among families of bipolar patients who received a 9-month family-focused psychoeducational therapy (FFT; n = 22) or crisis management with naturalistic follow-up (CMNF; n = 22), both administered with maintenance pharmacotherapy. Members of families who received FFT showed more positive nonverbal interactional behavior during a 1-year posttreatment problem-solving assessment than families who received CMNF, although no corresponding decreases were seen in negative interactional behaviors. The positive effect of family treatment on patients' symptom trajectories over 1 year was partially mediated by increases in patients' positive nonverbal interactional behaviors during this same interval.

Effects of lamotrigine on behavioral and cardiovascular responses to cocaine in human subjects

We evaluated the effects of acute pretreatment with lamotrigine, a putative glutamate release inhibitor, on the physiological and behavioral responses to intranasal cocaine in cocaine-dependent volunteers (N = 8). The study employed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject design. Subjects participated in six experimental sessions. On each study day, placebo, lamotrigine 125 mg, or lamotrigine 250 mg was administered orally in the morning, followed 2 hours later by intranasal cocaine 120 mg/70 kg or placebo. Measurements of heart rate and blood pressure were acquired, and subjects responded to mood state questionnaires at predetermined time intervals. Cocaine alone produced increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and several measures of pleasurable mood and drug effects. Lamotrigine alone produced a mild relaxing effect. Lamotrigine pretreatment altered neither the physiological responses nor the subjective ratings of cocaine's pleasurable or aversive mood effects.

Bipolar disorder and family communication: effects of a psychoeducational treatment program

Family psychoeducational programs are efficacious adjuncts to pharmacotherapy for patients with schizophrenic and bipolar disorders, but little is known about what these programs change about families. The authors assessed changes in face-to-face interactional behavior over 1 year among families of bipolar patients who received a 9-month family-focused psychoeducational therapy (FFT; n = 22) or crisis management with naturalistic follow-up (CMNF; n = 22), both administered with maintenance pharmacotherapy. Members of families who received FFT showed more positive nonverbal interactional behavior during a 1-year posttreatment problem-solving assessment than families who received CMNF, although no corresponding decreases were seen in negative interactional behaviors. The positive effect of family treatment on patients' symptom trajectories over 1 year was partially mediated by increases in patients' positive nonverbal interactional behaviors during this same interval.

Use of point-of-care test in identification of patients who can benefit from desmopressin during cardiac surgery: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Platelet dysfunction is a major cause of excessive microvascular bleeding after cardiac surgery. A new point-of-care test (hemoSTATUS) can identify patients at risk of excessive bleeding. We aimed to find out whether patients who can benefit from desmopressin during cardiac surgery can be identified by this test.

METHODS

We enrolled 203 patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with abnormal hemoSTATUS clot-ratio results (<60% of maximum in channel 5) after discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass were randomly assigned desmopressin (n=50) or placebo (n=51). Patients with normal clot ratios were included in an untreated control group (n=72).

FINDINGS

Intraoperative platelet counts and clot ratios were significantly higher in the untreated control group than in the study-drug groups. In intensive care, clot ratios in patients who received desmopressin were similar to those in the untreated control group, despite significantly lower platelet counts, but were lower in the placebo group than in the other two groups (p=0.0001). Compared with the placebo group, patients who received desmopressin had less blood loss in 24 h (mean 624 [SD 209] vs 1028 mL [682] p=0.0004) and required less transfusion of red blood cells (1.1 [022] vs 2.2 U [0.32] p=0.009), platelets (0.1 [0.04] vs 1.9 U [4.5] p=0.0001), and fresh-frozen plasma (0.1 [0.07] vs 0.75 U [0.21] p=0.0008), and had less total blood-donor exposures (1.56 [0.31] vs 5.2 [0.8] p=0.0001). Placebo patients also had substantially higher blood loss and transfusion requirements than untreated control patients.

INTERPRETATION

Patients identified with hemoSTATUS as being at increased risk of excessive bleeding after cardiac surgery can benefit from administration of desmopressin. Further studies are, however, needed to confirm these findings as well as to identify the mechanism of action and safety of desmopressin in the clinical setting.

Hypotensive, hypoglycaemic and toxicological studies on the flavonol C-glycoside shamimin from Bombax ceiba

Shamimin, a C-flavonol glucoside from Bombax ceiba leaves showed significant potency as a hypotensive agent at the doses of 15 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg and significant hypoglycaemic activity at 500 mg/kg in Sprague-Dawley rats. Further studies revealed that it did not cause any mortality in mice at the dose of 1 g/kg but in rats 500 mg/kg is a lethal dose. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Bombax ceiba leaves and one of its fractions were also subjected to pharmacological and toxicological screening.

Variables influencing parental perception of inherited metabolic diseases before and after genetic counselling

The present study was undertaken to characterize the variables that influence parental perception of metabolic disorders and their genetic origin before and after genetic counselling, the effect of counselling on parental attitudes towards prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy termination, and the factors affecting parental coping with burden. Parents of children with metabolic diseases from 32 Arab-Muslim families were interviewed, answering a pre-structured questionnaire. These interviews indicate the following. (1) Traditional belief and religious commitment are more important determinants than education in parental perception of inherited metabolic diseases. (2) The number of affected children has a greater impact on parental evaluation of the burden than the number of healthy children. The social component, i.e. the way families are viewed by society, is the most significant factor of the burden. (3) Parents use different techniques to divide responsibility regarding reproduction. Having a healthy child and the availability of prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy termination were the two most important factors in parental reproductive decision making. In the absence of a healthy child and when the burden was perceived as too heavy, parents tended 'not to decide'. (4) Parental attitude to pregnancy termination was dependent on two factors: religious commitment (leading to objection) and severity of disease (leading to flexibility and approval). (5) In almost all families, genetic counselling altered parental perception of the disease and its hereditary origin. We conclude that genetic counselling and population education may be helpful in the prevention of consanguineous marriages and in family planning, even in a society that values traditional beliefs very highly.

Expressed emotion and interactional patterns in the families of bipolar patients

The predictive validity of expressed emotion (EE) may derive in part from its relationship to important interactional processes in families of patients with major psychiatric disorders. The authors examined the relationship between relatives' EE attitudes, assessed during patients' bipolar, manic, or mixed episodes, and the interactional behavior of bipolar patients (n = 48) and their relatives as revealed in problem-solving discussions during the postepisode period. High-EE relatives were more verbally negative than low-EE relatives in these discussions. Patients from high-EE families were more nonverbally negative than those from low-EE families, whereas patients from low-EE families were more nonverbally positive than those from high-EE families. Sequential analyses revealed that high-EE families engage in negative interchanges of up to 3 volleys. Thus, levels of EE are associated with stressful patterns of interaction between bipolar patients and their relatives during the postepisode period.

Expressed emotion and interactional patterns in the families of bipolar patients

The predictive validity of expressed emotion (EE) may derive in part from its relationship to important interactional processes in families of patients with major psychiatric disorders. The authors examined the relationship between relatives' EE attitudes, assessed during patients' bipolar, manic, or mixed episodes, and the interactional behavior of bipolar patients (n = 48) and their relatives as revealed in problem-solving discussions during the postepisode period. High-EE relatives were more verbally negative than low-EE relatives in these discussions. Patients from high-EE families were more nonverbally negative than those from low-EE families, whereas patients from low-EE families were more nonverbally positive than those from high-EE families. Sequential analyses revealed that high-EE families engage in negative interchanges of up to 3 volleys. Thus, levels of EE are associated with stressful patterns of interaction between bipolar patients and their relatives during the postepisode period.

Hypotensive constituents from the pods of Moringa oleifera

Hypotensive activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera whole pods and their parts, namely, coat, pulp, and seed was investigated. The activity of the ethanolic extract of both the pods and the seeds was equivalent at the dose of 30 mg/kg. The ethyl acetate phase of the ethanolic extract of pods was found to be the most potent fraction at the same dose. Its bioassay-directed fractionation led to the isolation of thiocarbamate and isothiocyanate glycosides which were also the hypotensive principles of the pods as observed in case of Moringa leaves. Two new compounds, O-[2'-hydroxy-3'-(2"-heptenyloxy)]-propyl undecanoate (1) and O-ethyl-4-[(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl] carbamate (2) along with the known substances methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (3) and beta-sitosterol have also been isolated in the present studies. The latter two compounds and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde showed promising hypotensive activity. Structures of all these compounds have been deduced by spectroscopy and chemical reactions.

A new bisbenzopyran from Aloe barbadensis roots

A new bisbenzopyran (1) has been isolated from the methanolic extract of roots of Aloe barbadensis through solvent separation and vacuum liquid chromatography. Based on spectral analysis including 2D-NMR (COSY, NOESY, J-resolved, HMQC, and HMBC) techniques, the structure of compound 1 was assigned as 3,3'-bis(3,4-dihydro-4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2 H-1-benzopyran).

Fully acetylated carbamate and hypotensive thiocarbamate glycosides from Moringa oleifera

Six new and three synthetically known glycosides have been isolated from the leaves of Moringa oleifera, employing a bioassay-directed isolation method on the ethanolic extract. Most of these compounds, bearing thiocarbamate, carbamate or nitrile groups, are fully acetylated glycosides, which are very rare in nature. Elucidation of the structures was made using chemical and spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR techniques. Thiocarbamates showed hypotensive activity.

Isolation and structure elucidation of new nitrile and mustard oil glycosides from Moringa oleifera and their effect on blood pressure

Bioassay-guided analysis of an EtOH extract of Moringa oleifera leaves showing hypotensive activity led to the isolation of two nitrile glycosides, niazirin [1] and niazirinin [2], and three mustard oil glycosides, 4-[(4'-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate [4], niaziminin A, and niaziminin B. Glycoside 2 is a new compound. Niaziminins A and B have previously been obtained from the left extract as a mixture, while compound 4 is new from this source. Structural determination was accomplished by means of spectroscopic methods including appropriate 2D nmr experiments and chemical reactions. This is the first report of the isolation of nitriles, an isothiocyanate, and thiocarbamates from the same plant species. Isothiocyanate 4 and the thiocarbamate glycosides niaziminin A and B showed hypotensive activity while nitrile glycosides 1 and 2 were found to be inactive in this regard.

In vitro studies of the antibacterial and antifungal activity of oxine and its derivatives

Twenty-one derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine, 8H, CAS 148-24-3) were prepared and characterized by UV, IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy. Four of these derivatives, N-butyl, 8-butyloxyquinolinium bromide (HBD), 8-pentyloxyquinoline (HPEM), N-pentyl, 8-pentyloxyquinolinium bromide (HPED) and N-benzyl, 8-benzyloxy quinolinium chloride (HBED) are new and reported for the first time. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds was carried out in vitro against 11 Gram positive and 18 Gram negative bacteria, and 18 fungi including 9 dermatophytes, 7 other filamentous fungi and 2 Candida species. Three compounds namely, HPRD, HPED and HBED were found to possess significant antibacterial activity in order of HPED > HPRD > HBED, whereas 4 were found to possess significant antifungal activity in order of 8H > HT > HPEM > 8B.

Biological studies of indigenous medicinal plants--I: physicochemical and antimicrobial screening of non-alkaloidal constituents of some solanaceous seeds

The seeds of Atropa belladonna Datura fastuosa D. stramoniurn and Hyoscyamus niger were investigated for the isolation and anti-microbial activity of non-alkaloidal constituents. The compounds were separated by column chromatography and spectral studies i.e. IR and UV were performed to ascertain their chemical nature. The anti-microbial activity of crude extracts and purified compounds was tested against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and a fungus. All the micro-organisms tested were markedly inhibited, however, the crude extracts as well as the purified compounds isolated from the seeds of A. belladonna and D. fastuosa showed little inhibitory activity.