Published by De Gruyter

Volume 67 Issue 9-10

Issue of Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C

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Journal Overview

Open Access June 2, 2014

Diacidene, a Polyene Dicarboxylic Acid from a Micromonospora Isolate from the German Wadden Sea

Birgit Ohlendorf, Dirk Schulz, Pascal Beese, Arlette Erhard, Rolf Schmaljohann, Johannes F. Imhoff

Page range: 445-450

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Abstract

Micromonospora sp. strain DB620 was isolated from a Wadden Sea sediment sample collected near Büsum (Germany) and is closely related (99% 16S-rRNA gene sequence similarity) to Micromonospora coxensis strain MTCC8093. It produced a new polyene dicarboxylic acid named diacidene (1) and in addition a derivative of chorismic acid, the known 3-[(1-carboxyvinyl)oxy]benzoic acid. The structure elucidation of 1 was achieved by applying different 1D and 2D NMR techniques as well as mass spectrometry and UV spectroscopy

Open Access June 2, 2014

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and Liquid Chromatography-Ultraviolet/Visible Photodiode Array Analysis of Selected Colchicum Species

Ahmad A. Gharaibeh, Ala’a Al-Serini, Rana M. Qasaymeh, Amani S. Ma’aya’h, Khaled Tawaha, Tamam El-Elimat, Feras Q. Alali

Page range: 451-460

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Abstract

An in-house strategy to dereplicate colchicinoid alkaloids was recently developed by our team. It aimed at quickly identifying Colchicum constituents using LC-MS (liquid chromatography- mass spectroscopy) and LC-UV/Vis PDA (liquid chromatography-ultraviolet/ visible photodiode array) techniques. In this project, our goal was to validate the developed method through analysing the alkaloid-rich fractions of three Colchicum species that had been previously studied phytochemically using the traditional bioactivity-guided fractionation methodology. The analysed species were Colchicum tauri Siehe ex Stefanoff, Colchicum stevenii Kunth, and Colchicum tunicatum Feinbr., all belonging to the family Colchicaceae. In addition to identifying the compounds previously isolated and characterized by the traditional methodology, the new strategy succeeded in tentatively identifying a set of known compounds, but new to the species

Open Access June 2, 2014

Gas-Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Investigation of Tropane Alkaloids in Hyoscyamus albus L. from Morocco

Ahmed El Bazaoui, My Ahmed Bellimam, Ibn Toumert Lançar, Abdelmajid Soulaymani

Page range: 461-465

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Abstract

Thirty-four alkaloids were identified in the organs of Hyoscyamus albus L. by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS). Eight new compounds for the roots, eleven for the stems, twelve for the leaves, nineteen for the flowers, and seven for the seeds were detected. The alkaloids 5-(2-oxopropyl)-hygrine (8) and phygrine (20) are new for this species and 3-(hydroxyacetoxy)tropane (9), 6,7-dehydro-3-phenylacetoxytropane (15), 3-(2’-phenylpropionyloxy) tropane (17), 6,7-dehydro-3-apotropoyloxytropane (18), 3-(3’-methoxytropoyloxy)tropane (23), and aponorscopolamine (25) are described for the first time for the genus Hyoscyamus. Hyoscyamine was the main alkaloid in the plant organs

Open Access June 2, 2014

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Benzoxazoles

Mustafa Arisoy, Ozlem Temiz-Arpaci, Fatma Kaynak-Onurdag, Selda Ozgen

Page range: 466-472

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Abstract

A series of 2-(p-substituted-benzyl)-5-[[4-(p-chloro/fluoro-phenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ace tamido] -benzoxazoles were synthesized in need of new compounds for the fight against microbial pathogens. Their structures were elucidated by spectral techniques. These new derivatives, along with previously synthesized 2-(p-substituted-benzyl)-5-substituted-benzoxazoles, were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against standard strains and drugresistant isolates in comparison with ampicillin, gentamicin sulfate, ofloxacin, vancomycin, fluconazole, and amphotericin B trihydrate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each compound was determined by a two-fold serial dilution technique. The compounds were found to possess a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities with MIC values of 32 - 256 μg/ml. Although standard drugs were more active against the pathogenes employed in this study, the activities of the new benzoxazoles and reference drugs against drug-resistant isolates of the microorganisms were largely similar

Open Access June 2, 2014

In vitro Antitumour Activity, Genotoxicity, and Antiproliferative Effects of Aminophosphonic Acid Diesters and their Synthetic Precursors

Anton Kril, Margarita Topashka-Ancheva, Ivan Iliev, Tsvetelina Gerasimova, Ivanka Kraicheva, Ivelina Tsacheva, Elitsa Vodenicharova, Kolio Troev

Page range: 473-480

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Abstract

The Schiff bases N-furfurylidene-p-toluidine and N-(4-dimethylaminobenzilidene)- p-toluidine, and the recently synthesized aminophosphonic acid diesters p-[N-methyl- (diethoxyphosphonyl)-(2-furyl)]toluidine and p-[N-methyl(diethoxyphosphonyl)-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)] toluidine were tested for in vitro antitumour activity on six human epithelial cancer cell lines. The genotoxicity and antiproliferative activity of these compounds were tested in mice. The aminophosphonates showed high in vitro antitumour activity towards the breast cancer-derived cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), the cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa), and the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29). In addition, the Schiff base N-furfurylidene-p-toluidine significantly inhibited the growth of bladder carcinoma cells (647-V) and the hepatocellular carcinoma line HepG2, and U-shaped dose-response curves were observed after treatment of 647-V and MCF-7 cells. All studied compounds had a moderate genotoxic and antiproliferative activity in vivo

Open Access June 2, 2014

Orofacial Analgesic-Like Activity of Carvacrol in Rodents

Adriana G. Guimarães, Francilene V. Silva, Maria A. Xavier, Márcio R. V. Santos, Rita C. M. Oliveira, Makson G. B. Oliveira, Aldeídia P. Oliveira, Clisiane C. De Souza, Lucindo J. Quintans-Júnior

Page range: 481-485

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Abstract

Carvacrol (CARV) is a phenolic monoterpene present in the essential oil of several aromatic spices. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of CARV on formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate-induced orofacial nociception in mice. Male mice were pretreated with CARV [25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight (BW), intraperitoneal (i.p.)], morphine (5 mg/kg BW, i.p.), or vehicle (distilled water + one drop of 0.3% cremophor in distilled water), before formalin (20 μl, 2%), capsaicin (20 μl, 2.5 μg), or glutamate (40 μl, 25 μM) was injected into the right upper lip. Our results revealed that i.p. pretreatment with CARV was effective in reducing the nociceptive face-rubbing behaviour in both phases of the formalin test and also produced a signifi cant antinociceptive effect at all doses in the capsaicin and glutamate tests. Further, we showed that the action of CARV on the central nervous system (CNS) did not affect these results, since this compound did not exert a significant CNS-depressant effect, as shown by the pentobarbital-induced hypnosis. Our results suggest that CARV might represent an important tool for the treatment of orofacial pain

Open Access June 2, 2014

Potent Antifungal and Antistaphylococcal 2-Anilinobenzimidazoles

Hakan Göker, Cigdem Karaaslana, Sulhiye Yıldız

Page range: 486-494

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Abstract

A series of 21 anilinobenzimidazoles with a 2,4-difluorophenyl group were synthesized and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined by the tube dilution method. Most of the compounds exhibited excellent MIC values against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Among them, compound 27 having dibromo substitution at the 4- and 6-position of the benzimidazole ring showed the best antifungal activity against Candida krusei with a MIC value of 3.12 μg/mL that surpassed that of the reference drug fl uconazole

Open Access June 2, 2014

Study of the Proteolytic Activity of the Tropical Legume Crotalaria spectabilis

Juliana da Silva Pacheco, Raquel Elisa da Silva-Lopez

Page range: 495-509

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Abstract

The characterization of legume proteases contributes to the understanding of the physiology of plants and their interaction with the environment. Thirteen extracts from various parts of Crotalaria spectabilis were made using different extraction systems. The highest protein content was found in seeds, and the most pronounced proteolytic activity was observed in leaf extracts, with an optimal pH value in the alkaline range. Proteases in extracts from roots, stems, and fl owers were active in various pH ranges. Proteases in all extracts were maximally active between 30 °C and 60 °C and were thermostable (24 h, 60 °C). Hemoglobin, bovine serum albumin, casein, and gelatin were hydrolyzed by C. spectabilis extracts in different ways. The highest serine protease activity was found in leaves. Seeds contained high levels of serine proteases and low levels of cysteine proteases. Flowers, roots, and stems contained different levels of serine, aspartic, and metalloproteases, respectively. The proteolytic activities in extracts were modulated by cations and oxidants to various degrees. C. spectabilis proteases are differentially expressed in distinctive organs, and their stability against heat and oxidants makes this plant an important source of stable proteases

Open Access June 2, 2014

Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Adaptive Responses to Boron Defi ciency Stress in Arabidopsis

Lishun Peng, Changying Zeng, Lei Shi, Hongmei Cai, Fangsen Xu

Page range: 510-524

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Abstract

Boron (B) is a micronutrient for vascular plants, and B deficiency has been recognized as a limiting factor for crop production in many areas worldwide. To gain a better insight into the adaptability mechanism of plant responses to B starvation, an Arabidopsis whole genome Affymetrix GeneChip was used to evaluate global gene expression alterations in response to short- and long-term B deficiency stress. A large number of B deficiency-responsive genes were identified and grouped by their functions. Genes linked to jasmonic acid (JA) showed the most prominent response under B deficiency. The transcripts for biosynthesis and regulation of JA were constantly induced during short- and long-term B deficiency stress. A set of well-known JA-dependent process and responsive genes showed the same expression profile. This suggested that JA could be a pivotal player in the integration of adaptive responses to B deficiency stress. Moreover, other functional groups of B deficiency-responsive genes (including various encoding the biosynthesis of antioxidants, the basic components of Ca 2+ signalling, protein kinases, cell wall-modifying enzymes and proteins, H + -ATPase, K + transporters, and a set of enzymes involved in central metabolism and cellular growth) were also observed, and their physiological roles under B deficiency stress are discussed. These results provide some information for a better understanding of plant-adaptive responses to B deficiency stress and potential strategies to improve B efficiency in crops

Open Access June 2, 2014

Daintain/AIF-1 (Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1) Promotes Erythrocyte Lysis and Heme Release Probably via Binding to Hemoglobin

Yan-Ying Zhao, Wei Wang, Dong-Jing Yan, Zheng-Wang Chen

Page range: 525-528

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Abstract

Free heme is potentially cytotoxic, particularly in the presence of oxidants or activated phagocytes. Daintain/AIF-1 (allograft inflammatory factor-1) is a macrophage factor that has been implicated in the regulation of inflammation. In the present study, daintain/AIF-1 was found to induce cytolysis of erythrocytes, resulting in heme release in vitro. Furthermore, the interacting protein of daintain/AIF-1 was purified by daintain/AIF-1-6 histidine antigen fusion protein nickel affinity chromatography. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis identified hemoglobin subunit β-1 as an interacting protein of daintain/AIF-1. These data suggest that daintain/AIF-1 may be involved in heme-associated diseases

About this journal

Objective

A Journal of Biosciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C (ZNC) is an international scientific journal and a community resource for the emerging field of natural and natural-like products.

The journal publishes original research on the isolation (including structure elucidation), bio-chemical synthesis and bioactivities of natural products, their biochemistry, pharmacology, biotechnology, and their biological activity and innovative developed computational methods for predicting the structure and/or function of natural products.

A Journal of Biosciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C (ZNC) welcomes research papers in fields on the chemistry-biology boundary which address scientific ideas and approaches to generate and understand natural compounds on a molecular level and/or use them to stimulate and manipulate biological processes.

Topics

Bio-chemical synthesis and bioactivities of natural products
Isolation (including structure elucidation)
Biochemistry
Biotechnology
Pharmacology
Chemistry
Biology

Article formats

Original research articles, research notes, letters and review articles

Please have a look at the call for papers for two upcoming Special Issues:

Special Issue on CAZymes

Special Issue on Chitin Structures and Pathways as Targets for Biopesticides and Drugs