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Oxidative stress is often considered detrimental for cellular processes and damaging for the lipid bi-layer. Counteracting such stresses with the aid of nature-based chemical constituents can be an ideal therapeutic approach. The current study aimed to investigate the chemical constituents of resins derived from the well-known Aloe vera and less known Commiphora mukul trees and their effect in mitigating the lipid peroxidation (LPO) process. The bio-guided isolation of bio-active fractions from both resins afforded 20 chemical constituents (17 from A. vera and 3 from C. mukul). These compounds belonged to anthraquinones, anthraquinone glycosides, quinones, coumarins, polypodane-type terpenoids and benzene derivatives. Major chemical constituents of the resins of A. vera and C. mukul were from the classes of quinones and terpenoids. Feroxidin (4, from A. vera) showed slightly higher inhibition (IC50 = 201.7 ± 0.9 µmol L−1) than myrrhanone C (18, from C. mukul: IC50 = 210.7 ± 0.0 µmol L−1) and methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate from A. vera (13, IC50 = 232.9 ± 0.2 µmol L−1) compared to the other compounds. Structure-activity relationship showed that the existence of hydroxyl, methoxy and ether groups might play a major role in countering oxidative stress. To the best of our knowledge, anti-LPO activities of compounds 1–4, 14, 18 and 20 are reported for the first time. Such chemical constituents with high anti-lipid peroxidation activity could be helpful in synthesizing candidate drugs.

Background: Volleyball is a popular Olympic sport but has been little studied. Volleyball players have very distinct roles based on their playing positions. The present study aimed to investigate and compare cardiac functions and structure in elite volleyball players across different playing positions., Methods: Left ventricular structure and function were measured using echocardiography in 60 male professional volleyball players (30.6±3.6 years) across five playing positions including libero, opposite players, outside hitters, middle blockers, and setters., Results: Significant differences in most echocardiographic variables were observed among different playing positions, including left ventricular (LV) internal dimension, posterior wall thickness, intact ventricular septum, stroke volume, cardiac output, end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening (all P<0.01). End-systolic volume was not different among positions (P=0.167). The opposite players demonstrated greater LV dimension and thickness as well as systolic function than players in other positions (P<0.05). Stroke volume in the setters was significantly lower than those of the opposite players and outside hitters (P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that the playing position independently predicted most of the echocardiographic variables (P<0.05)., Conclusions: LV adaptations in volleyball players vary widely according to their playing positions. The opposite players had the most pronounced LV adaptations compared with player in other positions.

A series of novel 1 H -1,2,3-triazole analogs ( 9a-j ) were synthesized via "Click" chemistry and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction in aqueous medium. The compounds were evaluated for their carbonic anhydrase-II enzyme inhibitory activity in vitro . The synthesis of triazole 7a was accomplished using ( S )-(-) ethyl lactate as a starting material. This compound ( 7a) underwent Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with different arylboronic acids in aqueous medium to afford the target molecules, 9a-j in good yields. All newly synthesized compounds were characterized by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, FT-IR, HRMS, and where applicable 19 F NMR spectroscopy ( 9b , 9e , 9h , and 9j ). The new compounds have shown moderate inhibition potential against carbonic anhydrase-II enzyme. A preliminary structure-activity relationship suggested that the presence of polar group at the 1 H -1,2,3-triazole substituted phenyl ring in these derivatives ( 9a-j ) has contributed to the overall activity of these compounds. Furthermore, via molecular docking, it was deduced that the compounds exhibit inhibitory potential through direct binding with the active site residues of carbonic anhydrase-II enzyme. This study has unraveled a new series of triazole derivatives as good inhibitors against carbonic anhydrase-II., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Avula, Khan, Halim, Khan, Al-Riyami, Csuk, Das and Al-Harrasi.)