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A novel tungstoantimonate, [Na5(H2O)18{(HOCH2)2CHNH3}2][SbVWVI 6O24] (SbW6 ), was synthesized from an aqueous solution and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed C2/c symmetry. The structure contains two serinol [(HOCH2)2CHNH3]+ and five Na+ cations, which are octahedrally surrounded by 18 water molecules, and one [SbVWVI 6O24]7− anion. The serinol molecules also play a critical role in the synthesis by acting as a mild buffering agent. Each of the WVI and SbV ions is six-coordinated and displays a distorted octahedral motif. A three-dimensional supramolecular framework is formed via hydrogen-bonding interactions between the tungstoantimonates and cations. Powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and IR spectroscopy were performed on SbW6 to prove the purity, to identify the water content and to characterize the vibrational modes of the crystallized phase.

We report on the synthesis and characterization of three new nanosized main group V heteropolyoxotungstates KxNay[H2(XWVI9O33)(WVI5O12)(X2WVI29O103)]·nH2O {X3W43} (x = 11, y = 16, and n = 115.5 for X = SbIII; x = 20, y = 7, and n = 68 for X = BiIII) and K8Na15[H16(CoII(H2O)2)0.9(CoII(H2O)3)2(WVI3.1O14)(SbIIIWVI9O33)(SbIII2WVI30O106)(H2O)]·53H2O {Co3Sb3W42}. On the basis of the key parameters for the one-pot synthesis strategy of {Bi3W43}, a rational step-by-step approach was developed using the known Krebs-type polyoxotungstate (POT) K12[SbV2WVI22O74(OH)2]·27H2O {Sb2W22} as a nonlacunary precursor leading to the synthesis and characterization of {Sb3W43} and {Co3Sb3W42}. Solid-state characterization of the three new representatives {Bi3W43}, {Sb3W43}, and {Co3Sb3W42} by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and elemental analysis, along with characterization in solution by UV/vis spectroscopy shows that {Bi3W43}, {Sb3W43}, and {Co3Sb3W42} represent the first main group V heteropolyoxotungstates encapsulating a defect {(WVIO7)WVI4} ({X3W43}, X = BiIII and SbIII) or full {(WVIO7)WVI5} ({Co3Sb3W42}) pentagonal unit. With 43 tungsten metal centers, {X3W43} (X = BiIII and SbIII) are the largest unsubstituted tungstoantimonate- and bismuthate clusters reported to date. By using time-dependent UV/vis spectroscopy, the isostructural representatives {Sb3W43} and {Bi3W43} were subjected to a comprehensive study on their catalytic properties as homogeneous electron-transfer catalysts for the reduction of K3[FeIII(CN)6] as a model substrate revealing up to 5.8 times higher substrate conversions in the first 240 min (35% for {Sb3W43}, 29% for {Bi3W43}) as compared to the uncatalyzed reaction (

This Viewpoint brings awareness of the challenges and subsequent breakthroughs at the intersection of different disciplines, illustrated by the example of the influence biological entities exerted on a huge class of inorganic coordination compounds, called polyoxometalates (POMs). We highlight the possible effects of biological systems on POMs that need to be considered, thereby emphasizing the depth and complexity of interdisciplinary work. We map POMs’ structural, electrochemical, and stability properties in the presence of biomolecules and stress the potential challenges related to inorganic coordination chemistry carried out in biological systems. This Viewpoint shows that new chemistry is available at the intersections between disciplines and aims to guide the community toward a discussion about current as well as future trends in truly interdisciplinary work., We discuss the investigation of polyoxometalates in biological systems as one future direction of chemistry. Highly interesting, new, and sometimes spectacular findings and applications can be obtained from correctly carried out interdisciplinary research. In this Viewpoint, the challenges of truly interdisciplinary work and concepts for overcoming boundaries while working on intertwining disciplines are discussed.

The article presents data on the phytochemical composition and biological activity of extracts of plants of the genus Cornflower (Centaurea L.) - blue cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.), meadow cornflower (Centaurea jacea L.), rough cornflower (Centaurea scabiosa L.), which are typical representatives flora of the middle zone of the Russian Federation, to assess the potential effectiveness of their use as plant protection drugs against phytopathogenic infections. The ethanol extracts were obtained by maceration of freshly harvested flowers, followed by filtration of the extract and concentration with the help of a rotary evaporator. The chemical composition of ethanol extracts was studied with the help of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the components differed depending on the plant types. The largest number of compounds was identified in the plant extract of cornflower rough, the seven components prevailing – coumaran, L-arctigenin, stigmasterol, γ-sitosterol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin and tocopherol acetate. The bacteriostatic, bactericidal and fungicidal properties of the extracts varied over a wide concentration range of 0.6...20 mg/ml. The highest indicators of antibacterial activity were found in the rough cornflower - the minimum inhibiting and bactericidal concentrations were 0.6…5 mg/ml, the lowest in the meadow cornflower - 5...20 mg/ml, respectively. Clavibacter michiganensis was characterized by the highest sensitivity to the components of plant extracts. In the case of the phytopathogenic fungus, the growth-inhibiting antimicrobial activity of cornflower extracts was the same for all studied species, and the fungicidal activity was most pronounced in the meadow cornflower - the effective concentration was 1 mg/ml. Presowing treatment with ethanol extracts had an inhibitory effect on the germination of test plant seeds: at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, the germination of watercress decreased by 8...42% compared to the control, 10 mg/ml - by 30...100%. Presowing seed treatment inhibited the linear growth of watercress roots by 35...52% and the accumulation of raw biomass of seedlings and roots by 23...89%.

Hairy root cultures are often used to produce valuable metabolites. They are grown on sucrose-rich medium, which is highly susceptible to contamination. Trapa natans is a unique plant with photosynthesizing roots. It is a promising object to obtain photoautotrophic hairy root culture. Protocols for transformation of this species are yet unknown. We report that hairy roots can be induced in aquarium and in vitro cultures of T. natans by agrobacterium-mediated and biolistic transformation. 64 roots were induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain 15834, two roots were obtained using strain K599. Strain A4 was not effective. Biolistics with either amplicons of rol genes and 1301 pCAMBIA plasmid carrying rol genes resulted in the formation of six roots. All these roots contained chloroplasts. This achievement opens a prospect for genetic transformation of T. natans and use of its green photosynthesizing hairy root cultures in production of bioactive substances and in phytoremediation. Protocols for the Agrobacterium-mediated and biolistic transformation of Trapa natans to induce hairy roots have been developed for the first time. All induced roots contained chloroplasts.

Siberian pine is a source of a wide range of biologically active substances for use as biopesticides and growth stimulators in organic farming. Ten components, among which the share of abietic acid reached 54.8%, have been determined with the help of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. Water-soluble potassium salts of terpene acids were obtained from Siberian pine resin during the work. Potassium salts of terpene acids from Siberian pine resin has bacteriostatic, fungistatic, bactericidal, and fungicidal properties against phytopathogens. Relatively high indicators of antioxidant activity of aqueous solutions of potassium salts from resin at 1 mg/mL were revealed. Pre-planting treatment of tubers with an aqueous solution of terpene acids salts of Siberian pine resin in a concentration of 10 g/L contributed to an increase in the yield of potato. Also, an increase in the mass fraction of dry matter and starch was also observed.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) provide rigid and highly symmetric coordination sites and can be used as a strategy for the stabilization of magnetic ions. Herein, we report a new member of the Keggin archetype, the Cr-centered Keggin anion [α-CrW12O40]5– (CrW12), with the unusual tetrahedral coordination of CrIII reported for the first time in POMs conferring unattended magnetic properties. POM chemistry has recently presented excellent examples of single-molecule and single-ion magnets (SMMs and SIMs) as well as molecular spin qubits; however, the majority of POM-based SIMs reported to date contain lanthanoid ions. CrW12, as the first example of a chromium(III) SIM, exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization and quantum tunneling with a single-ion magnetic behavior even above 10 K with an energy barrier for the reversal of the magnetization of 3.0 K. The first 3d-metal SIM based on a nonlacunary Keggin anion is the foundation for a new research area in POM chemistry.

Tussilago farfara L. (Asteraceae) has a wide spectrum of biological reactivity, widely used in herbal medicine and has the potential for use in the agricultural sector. The ethanolic extract was obtained by maceration of freshly harvested flowers, followed by filtration of the extract and concentration with the help of a rotary evaporator. The chemical composition of ethanolic extract of Tussilago farfara L. was studied with the help of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. It was found that the ethanolic extract of Tussilago farfara L. had antimicrobial reactivity against human pathogens and phytopathogens (bacteria and fungi). The values of the minimal inhibiting, bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations varied in the range of 2500-5000 μg/mL. The phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria solani St108 was the most sensitive to the components of ethanolic extract of Tussilago farfara L. Moderate antioxidant properties of ethanolic extract of Tussilago farfara L. at concentrations of 0.001 mg/mL and higher were revealed with the help of chemiluminescence analysis.

Gnaphalium uliginosum L. (Asteraceae) is widely used in phytotherapy and has a potential for agricultural utilization. The ethanolic extract was obtained from the maceration of air-dried plants, and the extract was then filtered and concentrated using a rotary evaporator. The essential oil was pressed from freshly harvested and crushed, aerial part of plants. The chemical compositions of ethanolic extract and essential oil of G. uliginosum L. (EOG) were investigated using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Nine constituents accounted for 77.3 % of the total detected components were determined at the ethanolic extract with a high proportion of sterols 42.8%, fatty acids 24.1 %, triterpenes 14.4 %. Twenty constituents were identified in essential oil of G. uliginosum L.; with α-pinene and estragole accounting for 54.0 %. The ethanolic extract was found to have a moderate antimicrobial activity (MIC values varied from 125 to 500 μg/mL), for S. aureus, B. cereus and A. solani significant activity (less than 62.5 μg/mL). The essential oil was found to have a moderate (MICs 500-1000 μg/mL) and strong activities (31.3-250 μg/mL). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using chemiluminescent assay. The ethanolic extract of G. uliginosum L. acted as a medium-strength antioxidant at concentrations of less than 0.1 mg/mL. The essential oil made be regarded as a weak strength antioxidant.

Natural rubber is a strategic natural raw material, which is used in the production of tires and military equipment, in medicine and other industries. An alternative to Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg. and the most promising rubber plant is the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin). The rubber that accumulates in the roots of this dandelion is not inferior in quality to the natural rubber from H. brasiliensis, and its content reaches 27% of the dry weight of roots. The purpose of this paper is to describe the economically important components of T. kok-saghyz roots, the main methods for extracting natural rubber from the roots, as well as the approaches to micropropagation and genetic transformation of kok-saghyz and related species. In the middle of the 20th century, the industrial method of isolating rubber from Russian dandelion in the USSR was based on preliminary treatment of the roots with a 2% solution of alkali, which could negatively affect rubber quality. Therefore, it is important to develop new, rapid, but at the same time, inexpensive methods of rubber extraction from T. koksaghyz. Some of them are considered in this paper. The breeding of Russian dandelion should be aimed at both increasing the root size and the content of rubber. In this regard, the development of laboratory express methods for rubber extraction is also important. The authors have developed and optimized a method for extracting rubber from dry plant tissue using polar solvents (water and acetone), with the final extraction with a non‑polar solvent (hexane). The developed rubber extraction protocol showed results comparable to the literature data. In order to create more productive plant forms, experiments are also being conducted on T. kok-saghyz micropropagation and genetic transformation. However, the number of such works is still very small, probably due to the low regenerative abilities of this dandelion species.

CRISPR/Cas genome editing of plants is realized in three basic variants, including knockout mutations as indels, insertion of alien DNA fragments, and base editing via deamination of nitrogenous bases. The most important stages of the CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing are the choice of a target site, design of guide RNAs, creation of genetically engineered constructions, and delivery of CRISPR/Cas components into a plant cell. Rapid developments in the field of plant genome editing with the use of CRISPR/Cas systems requires more detailed consideration of the last stage, so this review is dedicated to the description of the main ways to deliver CRISPR/Cas components into cells of higher plants. In the first studies on the genome editing of different plant species, these components were delivered to the target site mainly by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This approach supposes integration of T-DNA into a genome and a stable expression of CRISPR/Cas components or their transient expression in the case of agroinfiltration. Another widespread approach included the use of plant viruses as delivery platforms; in this case, viruses were used mainly for production of an increased amount of guide RNAs that significantly improved the efficiency of genome editing. Another approach provides for the use of another bacterium, A. rhizogenes, as a platform for delivery of CRISPR/Cas components. This bacterium induces hairy root formation that may be an indirect confirmation of successful genome editing and assist in the selection of genetically modified forms. Other common ways to obtain genetically edited plants are the biolistic delivery of genetically engineered constructions into explants and various protoplast transformation technologies. The review also considers some issues transgenic and GM status of CRISPR/Cas-edited plants to transgenic and GM plants. There are a number of cases in which new organisms created by a CRISPR/Cas genome editing without any introduction of alien DNA were not considered as transgenic ones; it is quite possible that such plants will not fall under Russian legislation prohibiting GMO cultivation.

Herein, we studied the absorption of H2S and CO2 in 1-methylimidazolium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate ([mim][doc]) and 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate ([bmim][doc]) at various temperatures and partial gas pressures. The choice of the [doc] anion was determined by the ability of bulky moieties along with the polar functional groups to enhance the solubility of acidic gases, as confirmed during the volumetric measurements of gases solubility. It was shown that the protic cation presence determines a significant reduction of the CO2 and H2S solubilities as well as the thermal stability of ILs. There were found that [bmim][doc] tends to have higher absorption capacity toward acidic gases compared with [mim][doc]. The solubility of hydrogen sulfide, characterized by the Henry’s Law constant, in [bmim][doc] and [mim][doc] turned out nearly 4–5 and 1.5–2 times higher than in conventional ionic liquids respectively.

A series of novel 4-aminobenzofuroxan derivatives containing aromatic/aliphatic amines fragments was achieved via aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction of 4,6-dichloro-5-nitrobenzofuroxan. The quantum chemistry calculations were performed to identify the factors affecting the regioselectivity of the reaction. The formation of 4-substituted isomer is favored both by its greater stability and the lower activation barrier. Antimicrobial activity of the obtained compounds has been evaluated and some of them were found to suppress effectively bacterial biofilm growth. Fungistatic activity of 4-aminobenzofuroxans were tested on two genetically distinct isolates of M. nivale. The effect of some benzofuroxan derivatives is likely to be more universal against different varieties of M. nivale compared with benzimidazole and carbendazim. Additionally, their anti-cancer activity in vitro has been tested. 4-aminofuroxans possessing aniline moiety showed a high selectivity towards MCF-7 and M-HeLa tumor cell lines. Moreover, they exhibit a significantly lower toxicity towards normal liver cells compared to Doxorubicin and Tamoxifen. Thus, benzofuroxans containing aromatic amines fragments in their structure are promising candidates for further development both as anti-cancer and anti-microbial agents.

The article analyzes the research results of a number of analytical agencies regarding the growth rate and key problems associated with the introduction of the “Internet of things” (IoT) in the agricultural economy. The issues of the development of the agro-industrial complex in the context of the development of the digital economy, the experience of introducing the digital economy in the agricultural sector of developed countries and the possibilities of its application in agriculture in Russia are considered. The authors focuses on the positive aspects of the influence of the “Internet of things” on the functioning and development of modern agricultural markets at the macro and micro levels, and the change in the professional structure of the agricultural industry

Plant infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes leads to the development of a hairy root disease notable for the rapid agravitropic growth of roots on hormone-free nutrient media. In order to look into the interaction of A. rhizogenes with plants and assess opportunities of practical application of hairy root culture, new approaches to their production are elaborated. A method of bacterium-free and plasmid-free production of genetically modified roots (hairy roots) by means of biolistic transformation of leaf explants with a DNA fragment (size of 5461 bp) consisting of genes rolA, rolB, rolC, and rolD are proposed. In most cases, such transformation resulted in the emergence of only adventitious roots with transient expression of rol-genes, and the growth of such roots on hormone-free media ceased in 2–3 months in contrast to genuine hairy roots capable of unrestricted growth. Molecular analysis of different systems of target genes’ expression showed an important role of transgene rolC and host gene of cyclin-dependent protein kinase CDKB1-1 in the maintenance of rapid growth of hairy roots in vitro (in isolated cultures).

The mechanism of an antioxidant action of water-soluble polyol – methanofullerenes C60[C9H10O4(OH)4]6 and C60[C13H18O4(OH)4]6 as the mild uncouplers of an oxidative phosphorylation and respiration is postulated. According to this mechanism, hydroxyl group of methanofullerenols can be protonated under excess of protons in the intermembrane space of hyperpolarized mitochondria. Protonation of fullerene derivatives is confirmed by the decrease in their negative Zeta potential in the pH below 5.4. Heavily protonated methanofullerenols become positively charged and move into the mitochondrial matrix. As a consequence, the proton gradient is dissipated, which causes a decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) and reduction in ROS production.

A new efficient method for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthylmethyl-and 1,4-dioxo-2(1H,4H)-2-naphthylmethyl-phosphonium salts by reactions of 2-methyl-1,4-naphtho-quinone with appropriate P–H-phosphonium trifluoroacetates has been suggested. The reactions were carried out under mild conditions and provided high yields of target compounds. Representative reaction products have been found to possess moderate antimicrobial and antitumor activity.

The present work introduces various synthetic and post-synthetic modes of co-doping of oleate-oleylamine-stabilized Cu(2−x)S cores with red emitting [Ru(dipy)3]2+ into amino-modified silica nanoparticles (SNs) with the aim to combine chemodynamic therapy (CDT) with cellular uptake and imaging functions. Thereto, the ROS generation by the Cu(2−x)S embedded into the SNs was manifested by the spin trap facilitated ESR technique and correlated with such parameters as size of the embedded cores, content and oxidation extent of copper ions. The parameters were varied through the different extent of an oxidative degradation of the embedded Cu(2−x)S cores by their post-treating with histidine, polyethylenimine and citrate-stabilized carbon dots (CDs). The treating by CDs was chosen as the optimal post-synthetic modification of the composite SNs due to combination of CDT with high stability to aggregation. The green or dual green-red emission of the CD-treated composite SNs visualizes their cell internalization and intracellular localization by means of fluorescence and confocal microscopy methods. Correlation of cytotoxicity data of the differently treated composite SNs with their ability to ROS generation and the intracellular localization highlight the enhanced cell internalization and nuclear confinement of the CD-treated composite SNs as the factor enhancing their cytotoxicity in greater extent than the CDT function.

To establish the effect of surfactants structure on their functional activity a number of alkyl-N-hydroxyethylpiperidinium bromides with different length of the hydrophobic tail were synthesized and characterized. Aggregation parameters of these surfactants were determined using tensiometry and fluorimetry. It was shown that the piperidinium surfactants, including those functionalized with OH groups, show a high antimicrobial effect at concentrations lower than critical micelle concentration for both bacteria and fungi, with the low hemolytic activity revealed. In addition, these surfactants were studied as micellar catalysts in alkaline hydrolysis of carboxylic acid esters. Micellar catalytic effect increases with an growth in the length of the alkyl tail, as well as with an increase in the number of hydroxy groups in surfactant molecule and can exceed two orders of magnitude.

The novel imidazolium salts based on bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate anion have been developed as ionic liquids (ILs) which can potentially be used as absorbents of acid gases. The transport of CO2, H2S, CH4 and N2 in a series of supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) with immobilized conventional (bmim[PF6], bmim[BF4], bmim[Tf2N]) and novel ILs was investigated. The supported ionic liquid membrane containing 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (bmim[doc]) yielded a very high H2S solubility and, hence, H2S/N2 selectivity equal to 65. However, the permeability of acid gases through such a membrane had relatively low values varying in a range of 100–200 Barrer, whereas permeability for SILMs impregnated by conventional ILs achieved 565 Barrer. The most effective separation of CO2 was observed for SILMs impregnated by bmim[BF4] predominantly owing to solubility component of permeability. In order to estimate the stability of SILMs, the polymeric support surface properties such as free surface energy, surface topology and roughness parameters were evaluated. Analysis of experimental data revealed that among the tested ILs, bmim[BF4] immobilized in porous polymeric support was more resistant to losses and determined the higher stability of membranes.

A small family of ARGOS genes encodes transmembrane proteins that act as negative regulators of ethylene signaling. Recent studies show that ARGOS genes are involved in the regulation of plant growth under the influence of stress factors. However, the role of ARGOS genes in this process is poorly known. Thereby, our goal was to determine the expression profile of these genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum in response to phytohormone treatment and stress factors. We discovered that expression of the AtARGOS and AtARGOS-LIKE genes of A. thaliana is regulated by ethylene and depends on environmental conditions. The highest expression level of the NtARGOS-LIKE1 gene of tobacco (NtARL1) was observed in blooming flowers and young organs. It was induced by auxins, ethylene, ABA, methyl jasmonate as well as hypothermia, drought, salinity and heat stresses. To evaluate the impact of ARGOS genes on plant growth under stress, we created transgenic tobacco plants with constitutive expression of the AtARGOS-LIKE gene of A. thaliana (AtARL), controlled by a strong Dahlia mosaic virus promoter. Overexpression of the AtARL gene contributed to an increase in the volume and quantity of mesophyll cells in the leaves of tobacco under normal conditions, and also to an improvement in root growth under salinity, cold and cadmium treatment. The AtARL transgene produced a positive effect on shoot growth when exposed to drought and high salinity, and a negative effect under cold stress. Accordingly, genes of the ARGOS family can be recommended as targets for genetic engineering and genome editing in order to enhance productivity and stress tolerance of economically important plants.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of several ammonium derivatives of diterpenoids steviol and isosteviol have been investigated in vitro. The results have showed that these compounds possess high antibacterial activity against MRSA strains and cytotoxic effect against cancer cell lines MCF-7, M-HeLa, A-549, PC3, HepG2, T98G. Lead compounds 4 and 5 were detected, which, in the case of the MCF-7 cell line (human breast adenocarcinoma), showed IC50 at the doxorubicin level with a selectivity index of 5.0-5.2. Flow cytometry and laser confocal microscopy analysis demonstrated that the mechanism of cytotoxic effects of the tested compounds on MCF-7 cells could be associated with the induction of apoptosis along the mitochondrial pathway. At the same time, they did not cause hemolysis and showed only slight cytotoxicity with respect to normal human cells of embryonic lung (Wi-38). The obtained results allow us to consider the studied compounds as promising scaffolds for the design of new effective antibacterial drugs and anticancer agents targeting mitochondria.

The foundations of efficient production are laid at the stage of developing a high-tech product. The object of research is wild berries (lingonberry, honeysuckle, viburnum, cranberry, cloudberry, sea buckthorn, mountain ash, aronia), which are used as a source of a natural complex of biologically active substances and trace elements as the main substance of a new parapharmaceutical. The primary technological task of food engineering of paramarceuticals is the maximum extraction of biologically active substances of plant raw materials and their preservation in their native form during the warranty period of storage. Therefore, as the main criterion for changing the properties of raw materials during processing, we used the amount of change in the redox potential of the system. A set of methodological approaches has been developed to ensure the quality and safety of the new parapharmaceutical.

Effect of poly(succinimide) (PSI) and poly(aspartic acid) (PASP) on free radical reactions and cell viability was assessed. Molecular weight (MW) of PASPs was determined by static light scattering technique and found as 3.9 and 8.3 kDa. Among PSIs and PASPs, only poly(aspartic acid) with higher MW was found to inhibit formation of hydroxyl-radical in Fenton’s reaction, although each polymers studied were not able to eliminate diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical. PASPs were almost non-toxic for 3 T3 fibroblasts and PC-3 cells (IC50 ≫ 3 mg/mL), whereas PSIs diminished cell viability with different IC50 values depending on cell type and polymer MW. Our preliminary data indicate the MW dependence of bioactivity of l-aspartic acid-derived polymers designed as drug carriers and biocompatible materials.

pH-potentiometry and mathematical modeling were used to study interactions in the system $$ {\text{Ni}}^{2 +}{-}{\text{MoO}}_{4}^{2 -}{-}{\text{H}}^{ + } {-}{\text{H}}_{ 2} {\text{O}} $$ acidified to mole ratio $$ Z = \nu ({\text{H}}^{ + } )/\nu \left( {{\text{MoO}}_{4}^{2 - } } \right) = 1.00 $$ , within the acidity interval Z = 0.6–2.5 at 298 ± 0.1 K, with background electrolyte NaNO3 (I = 0.1–0.5 mol·dm−3). Previously unknown thermodynamic constants and Gibbs energies for the formation reactions of Anderson type heteropoly anions H x [Ni(OH)6M6O18](4−x)− (M = Mo, W) from $$ {\text{MoO}}_{4}^{2 - } $$ and H+, as well as their standard Gibbs energies of formation $$ \Delta G_{\text{f}}^{0} $$ , were calculated. For the first time, the speciation schemes of the ions in Ni2+– $$ {\text{MoO}}_{4}^{2 - } $$ –H+–H2O (M = Mo, W) solutions are proposed.

Na2[TMA]2[Ni(OH)3W6O18(OCH2)3CCH2OH]·9H2O represents the first covalent tris-functionalized Anderson-type heteropolytungstate and was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, TGA and IR spectroscopy. Zeta potential measurements in solutions containing human serum albumin were performed to investigate electrostatic interactions with [Ni(OH)3W6O18(OCH2)3CCH2OH]4−.

Background The development of new effective microbicide surfactants and the search for the structure–biological activity relationship is an important and promising problem. Surfactants containing imidazolium fragment attract attention of researchers in the field of chemotherapy, because these compounds often exhibit high antimicrobial activity. The aim of this work is to identify the newly synthesized surfactants from the viewpoint of their potential usefulness in pharmacology and medicine. For this purpose, a detailed study of antimicrobial, hemolytic and cytotoxic activity of dicationic alkylimidazolium surfactants of the m-s-m (Im) series with a variable length of a hydrocarbon tail (m = 10, 12) and a spacer fragment (s = 2, 3, 4) was carried out. Methods Aggregation of surfactants in solutions was estimated by tensiometry and conductivity. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the serial dilution technique. Cytotoxic effects of the test compounds on human cancer and normal cells were estimated by means of the multifunctional Cytell Cell Imaging system. Cell Apoptosis Analysis was made by flow cytometry. Results The test compounds show high antimicrobial activity against a wide range of test microorganisms and do not possess high hemolytic activity. Importantly, some of them display a bactericidal activity comparable to ciprofloxacin fluoroquinolone antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus (MRSA). The cytotoxicity of the compounds against normal and tumor human cell lines has been tested as well, with cytotoxic effect and selectivity strongly controlled by structural factor and kind of cell line. Superior results were revealed for compound 10–4-10 (Im) in the case of HuTu 80 cell line (duodenal adenocarcinoma), for which IC50 value at the level of doxorubicin and a markedly higher selectivity index (SI 7.5) were demonstrated. Flow cytometry assay shows apoptosis-inducing effect of this compound on HuTu 80 cells, through significant changes in the potential of mitochondrial membrane. Major conclusions Antibacterial properties are shown to be controlled by alkyl chain length, with the highest activity demonstrated by surfactants with decyl tail, with the length of the spacer fragment showing practically no effect. The results indicate that the mechanism of cytotoxic effect of the compounds can be associated with the induction of apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. General significance Selectivity against pathogenic microorganisms and low toxicity against eukaryotic cells allow considering dicationic imidazolium surfactants as new effective antimicrobial agents. At the same time, high selectivity against some cancer cell lines indicates the prospect of their using as components of new anticancer drugs.

Ever since the discovery and development of polyoxometalates (POMs), it has been known that they can exist in electron-rich reduced forms of different archetypes, structural flexibilities and functionalities. There are now reliable synthetic strategies for electron-rich POMs — materials that have unique and potentially useful catalytic, electronic and magnetic properties. This Review covers the synthesis and applications of these reduced species, and also highlights their differences and advantages relative to fully oxidized POMs. More than 200 reduced POM structures are described in this Review, with emphasis placed on how reduction influences POM structure, function and properties. The metals in polyoxometalates need not be in their highest oxidation states. Indeed, polyoxometalates can exist in reduced forms, and several different metals can be incorporated into various structural archetypes. This Review describes the synthesis and characterization of these complexes, along with their topical catalytic, electronic and biological properties.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are transition metal complexes that exhibit a broad diversity of structures and properties rendering them promising for biological purposes. POMs are able to inhibit a series of biologically important enzymes, including phosphatases, and thus are able to affect many biochemical processes. In the present study, we analyzed and compared the inhibitory effects of nine different polyoxotungstates (POTs) on two P-type ATPases, Ca2+-ATPase from skeletal muscle and Na+/K+-ATPase from basal membrane of skin epithelia. For Ca2+-ATPase inhibition, an in vitro study was performed and the strongest inhibitors were determined to be the large heteropolytungstate K9(C2H8N)5[H10Se2W29O103] (Se2W29) and the Dawson-type POT K6[α-P2W18O62] (P2W18) exhibiting IC50 values of 0.3 and 0.6 μM, respectively. Promising results were also shown for the Keggin-based POTs K6H2[CoW11TiO40] (CoW11Ti, IC50 = 4 μM) and Na10[α-SiW9O34] (SiW9, IC50 = 16 μM), K14[As2W19O67(H2O)] (As2W19, IC50 = 28 μM) and the lacunary Dawson K12[α-H2P2W12O48] (P2W12, IC50 = 11 μM), whereas low inhibitory potencies were observed for the isopolytungstate Na12[H4W22O74] (W22, IC50 = 68 μM) and the Anderson-type Na6[TeW6O24] (TeW6, IC50 = 200 μM). Regarding the inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase activity, for the first time an ex vivo study was conducted using the opercular epithelium of killifish in order to investigate the effects of POTs on the epithelial chloride secretion. Interestingly, 1 μM of the most potent Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, Se2W29, showed only a minor inhibitory effect (14% inhibition) on Na+/K+-ATPase activity, whereas almost total inhibition (99% inhibition) was achieved using P2W18. The remaining POTs exhibited similar inhibition rates on both ATPases. These results reveal the high potential of some POTs to act as P-type ATPase inhibitors, with Se2W29 showing high selectivity towards Ca2+-ATPase. info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersion

The antibacterial activity of 29 different polyoxometalates (POMs) against Moraxella catarrhalis was investigated by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The Preyssler type polyoxotungstate (POT) [NaP5W30O110]14− demonstrates the highest activity against M. catarrhalis (MIC = 1 μg/ml) among all tested POMs. Moreover, we show that the Dawson type based anions, [P2W18O62]6−, [(P2O7)Mo18O54]4−, [As2Mo18O62]6−, [H3P2W15V3O62]6−, and [AsW18O60]7− are selective on M. catarrhalis (MIC range of 2-8 μg/ml). Among the six tested Keggin type based POTs ([PW12O40]3−, [H2PCoW11O40]5−, [H2CoTiW11O40]6−, [SiW10O36]8−, [SbW9O33]9−, [AsW9O33]9−), only the mono-substituted [H2CoTiW11O40]6− showed MIC value comparable to those of the Dawson type group. Polyoxovanadates (POVs) and Anderson type POMs were inactive against M. catarrhalis within the tested concentration range (1-256 μg/ml). Four Dawson type POMs [P2W18O62]6−, [(P2O7)Mo18O54]4−, [As2Mo18O62]6−, [H3P2W15V3O62]6− and the Preyssler POT [NaP5W30O110]14− showed promising antibacterial activity against M. catarrhalis (MICs < 8 μg/ml) and were therefore tested against three additional bacteria, namely S. aureus, E. faecalis, and E. coli. The most potent antibacterial agent was [NaP5W30O110]14−, exhibiting the lowest MIC values of 16 μg/ml against S. aureus and 8 μg/ml against E. faecalis. The three most active compounds ([NaP5W30O110]14−, [P2W18O62]6−, and [H3P2W15V3O62]6−) show bacteriostatic effects in killing kinetics study against M. catarrhalis. We demonstrate, that POM activity is mainly depending on composition, shape, and size, but in the case of medium-size POTs (charge is more than −12 and number of addenda atoms is not being higher than 22) its activity correlates with the total net charge.

The application of natural antimutagens and antioxidants, particularly those derived from higher plants has been seen as a promising approach to the protection of human health. In this work, we studied methanolic extracts from Sansevieria cylindrica, Sansevieria trifasciata, and Polianthes tuberosa plants focusing on their antioxidative and antimutagenic capacities based on the following parameters: inhibitory activity on lipid peroxidation, suppressing ability on direct-acting mutagen sodium azide-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium cells. A clear dose-dependent decrease in lipid peroxidation was observed with all the extracts tested. Extracts from leaves of P. tuberosa and rhizomes of S. cylindrica and S. trifasciata (1 mg/mL) displayed the highest antioxidant effect. At the same time, extracts from rhizomes of S. cylindrica and S. trifasciata significantly reduced the sodium azide-induced mutations. The highest antimutagenic activity (76 %) in the S. typhimurium TA100 strain was obtained for the S. cylindrica rhizomes extract (1 mg/plate). We propose that the observed protective effects of plant extracts tested may correspond to a synergic participation of several secondary metabolites and mainly to polyphenolic compounds.