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Sodium–glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1) and sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter (B0AT1) are mainly expressed on the membrane of enterocytes, a type of epithelial cell found in the intestines. In addition to their physiological role in the absorption of nutrients, a protective role in the integrity of the intestinal barrier has been established. The natural ligands of SGLT1 (d-glucose) and of B0AT1 (l-glutamine) can trigger a protective anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal epithelium. The literature suggests the activation of common intracellular pathways upon engagement of the two transporters, whose functional forms are composed of oligomers or clusters. Simultaneous activation of these two co-transporters could lead to a potential multitarget and synergistic anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, nanoplatforms containing multiple copies of the ligands could represent chemical tools to study the potential simultaneous activation of the two co-transporters. For these reasons, in this study, a set of different gold nanoparticles decorated with derivatives of d-glucose and of l-glutamine were designed and prepared. In particular, the synthesis of suitable sulfur-ending functionalized ligand derivatives, including a C-glucoside derivative, their anchoring to gold nanoparticles and their physical–chemical characterization have been carried out. The obtained nanostructures could represent promising multifunctional platforms for further investigation of the existence of possible multitarget and synergistic effects toward the two co-transporters SGLT1 and B0AT1.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are cellulose-derived nanomaterials that can be easily obtained, e.g., from vegetable waste produced by circular economies. They show promising antimicrobial activity and an absence of side effects and toxicity. This study investigated the ability of CNCs to reduce microbial adherence and biofilm formation using in vitro microbiological models reproducing the oral environment. Microbial adherence by microbial strains of oral interest, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, was evaluated on the surfaces of salivary pellicle-coated enamel disks in the presence of different aqueous solutions of CNCs. The anti-biofilm activity of the same CNC solutions was tested against S. mutans and an oral microcosm model based on mixed plaque inoculum using a continuous-flow bioreactor. Results showed the excellent anti-adherent activity of the CNCs against the tested strains from the lowest concentration tested (0.032 wt. %, p < 0.001). Such activity was significantly higher against S. mutans than against C. albicans (p < 0.01), suggesting a selective anti-adherent activity against pathogenic strains. At the same time, there was a minimal, albeit significant, anti-biofilm activity (0.5 and 4 wt. % CNC solution for S. mutans and oral microcosm, respectively, p = 0.01). This makes CNCs particularly interesting as anticaries agents, encouraging their use in the oral field.

We report a simple synthetic scheme for the preparation of several azido-derived analogues of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). The synthesis of GlcNAc analogues has been achieved through a straightforward approach starting from GlcNAc-OMe via an intermediate C6 azido derivative. Products reported in this work were then obtained respectively by azido-alkyne cycloaddition reactions and reductive derivatizations of the same azido-intermediate. This synthetic pathway presents different possibilities of functionalization that can be exploited for the preparation of novel GlcNAc-based drugs. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.)

The possibility of performing the synthesis of red-emitting carbon quantum dots (r-CDs), in a well-controllable, large scale and environmentally sustainable way is undoubtedly of fundamental importance, as it will pave the way to their employment in advanced medical large-scale applications. Knowledge of the difficulties involved in producing r-CDs with reproducible optical, structural, and chemical characteristics, might help in their large-scale production, making the process standardizable. In this work, we present an experimental study, also supported by results reported in the literature, on the issues encountered during the synthesis and post-synthesis purification treatments of r-CDS. We focused on the hydrothermal approach as it was found to be more suitable for future large-scale industrial applications. We propose three synthetic strategies and observed that employing p-phenylenediamine (p-PDA), as a precursor, the synthetic process showed low efficiency with low yields of r-CDs, large amounts of unreacted precursor, and reaction intermediates. Changing reaction parameters does not improve performance. The r-CDs obtained using citric acid (CA) and urea, as precursors, resulted to be sensitive to pH and difficult to separate from the reaction mixture. Furthermore, the proposed synthetic strategies show that the hydrothermal preparation of r-CDS requires approaches that are not fully sustainable.

The knowledge of the ways in which post-synthesis treatments may influence the properties of carbon quantum dots (CDs) is of paramount importance for their employment in biosensors. It enables the definition of the mechanism of sensing, which is essential for the application of the suited design strategy of the device. In the present work, we studied the ways in which post-synthesis thermal treatments influence the optical and electrochemical properties of Nitrogen-doped CDs (N-CDs). Blue-emitting, N-CDs for application in biosensors were synthesized through the hydrothermal route, starting from citric acid and urea as bio-synthesizable and low-cost precursors. The CDs samples were thermally post-treated and then characterized through a combination of spectroscopic, structural, and electrochemical techniques. We observed that the post-synthesis thermal treatments show an oxidative effect on CDs graphitic N-atoms. They cause their partially oxidation with the formation of mixed valence state systems, [CDs]0+, which could be further oxidized into the graphitic N-oxide forms. We also observed that thermal treatments cause the decomposition of the CDs external ammonium ions into ammonia and protons, which protonate their pyridinic N-atoms. Photoluminescence (PL) emission is quenched.

Different evidence has indicated metabolic rewiring as a necessity for pancreatic cancer (PC) growth, invasion, and chemotherapy resistance. A relevant role has been assigned to glucose metabolism. In particular, an enhanced flux through the Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway (HBP) has been tightly linked to PC development. Here, we show that enhancement of the HBP, through the upregulation of the enzyme Phosphoacetylglucosamine Mutase 3 (PGM3), is associated with the onset of gemcitabine (GEM) resistance in PC. Indeed, mRNA profiles of GEM sensitive and resistant patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDXs) indicate that PGM3 expression is specifically increased in GEM-resistant PDXs. Of note, PGM3 results also overexpressed in human PC tissues as compared to paired adjacent normal tissues and its higher expression in PC patients is associated with worse median overall survival (OS). Strikingly, genetic or pharmacological PGM3 inhibition reduces PC cell growth, migration, invasion, in vivo tumor growth and enhances GEM sensitivity. Thus, combined treatment between a specific inhibitor of PGM3, named FR054, and GEM results in a potent reduction of xenograft tumor growth without any obvious side effects in normal tissues. Mechanistically, PGM3 inhibition, reducing protein glycosylation, causes a sustained Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), a significant attenuation of the pro-tumorigenic Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Akt axis, and finally cell death. In conclusion this study identifies the HBP as a metabolic pathway involved in GEM resistance and provides a strong rationale for a PC therapy addressing the combined treatment with the PGM3 inhibitor and GEM.

Binary nano-biocomposite 3D scaffolds of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) - gelatin were fabricated without the use of chemical cross-linking additives. Controlled oxidative treatment allowed the introduction of carboxyl or carbonyl functionalities on the surface of CNCs that were responsible for the cross-linking of gelatin polymers. The obtained composites were characterized for their physico-chemical properties, and their biocompatibility towards different cell cultures was eval-uated through MTT and LDH assays, cellular adhesion and proliferation experiments. Gelatin composites reinforced with carbonyl-modified CNCs showed the most performing swell-ing/degradation profile and the most promising adhesion and proliferation properties towards cell lines, suggesting their potential application in the field of tissue engineering

The knowledge of how the different types of nitrogen centers affect the electrochemical and optical properties of Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CDs) is of paramount importance in the design and synthesis of these nanostructures. In fact, from the knowledge of the redox centers of N-CDs it is possible tune their energetic levels in order to realize the suitable matches for the design of opto-electronic, photovoltaic or catalytic devices. Herein we present a study of the electrochemical and the optical responses of N-CDs, obtained by hydrothermal method from citric acid and urea. The main issue is to investigate the role played by the specific nitrogen centers in their redox processes. From the voltammetric responses we showed that the observed oxidation processes of N-CDs involve their graphitic and pyrrolic N-atoms, respectively, while the reduction process regards their protonated pyridinic N-atoms. Then, from spectro-electrochemical determinations, we explained that the oxidation of the graphitic N-atoms is a two electron process that gives an N-oxide form through the reaction with a molecule of water and the loss of two protons. Finally we discussed the observed pH-dependence of both the optical and the electrochemical responses of our N-CDs to explain the role played by their pyridinic N-atoms.

We report the rational design, synthesis, and in vitro preliminary evaluation of a new small library of non-peptide ligands of Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRP-R), able to antagonize its natural ligand bombesin (BN) in the nanomolar range of concentration. GRP-R is a transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor promoting the stimulation of cancer cell proliferation. Being overexpressed on the surface of different human cancer cell lines, GRP-R is ideal for the selective delivery to tumor cells of both anticancer drug and diagnostic devices. What makes very challenging the design of non-peptide BN analogues is that the 3D structure of the GRP-R is not available, which is the case for many membrane-bound receptors. Thus, the design of GRP-R ligands has to be based on the structure of its natural ligands, BN and GRP. We recently mapped the BN binding epitope by NMR and here we exploited the same spectroscopy, combined with MD, to define BN conformation in proximity of biological membranes, where the interaction with GRP-R takes place. The gained structural information was used to identify a rigid C-galactosidic scaffold able to support pharmacophore groups mimicking the BN key residues’ side chains in a suitable manner for binding to GRP-R. Our BN antagonists represent hit compounds for the rational design and synthesis of new ligands and modulators of GRP-R. The further optimization of the pharmacophore groups will allow to increase the biological activity. Due to their favorable chemical properties and stability, they could be employed for the active receptor-mediated targeting of GRP-R positive tumors.

Pyranoid spirofused sugar derivatives represent a class of compounds with a significant impact in the literature. Under the structural point of view, the rigidity inferred by the spirofused entity has made these compound object of interest mainly as enzymatic inhibitors, in particular of carbohydrate processing enzymes among which glycogen phosphorylase and sodium glucose co-transporter 2, important target enzymes for diverse pathological states. Most of the developed compounds present the spirofused entity at the C1 position of the sugar moiety, nevertheless spirofused entities can also be found at other sugar ring positions. The main spirofused entities encountered are spiroacetals/thioacetals, spiro-hydantoin and derivatives, spiro-isoxazolines, spiro-aminals, spiro-lactams, spiro-oxathiazole and spiro-oxazinanone, but also other are present.

We report the NMR characterization of the molecular interaction between Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRP-R) and its natural ligand bombesin (BN). GRP-R is a transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor promoting the stimulation of cancer cell proliferation; in addition, being overexpressed on the surface of different human cancer cell lines, it is ideal for the development of new strategies for the selective targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and diagnostic devices to tumor cells. However, the design of new GRPR binders requires structural information on receptor interaction with its natural ligands. The experimental protocol presented herein, based on on-cell STD NMR techniques, is a powerful tool for the screening and the epitope mapping of GRP-R ligands aimed at the development of new anticancer and diagnostic tools. Notably, the study can be carried out in a physiological environment, at the surface of tumoral cells overespressing GRP-R. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of an NMR experiment able to detect and investigate the structural determinants of BN/GRP-R interaction.

Together with the development of new therapeutic agents, innovation in the delivery system of anti-tumor drugs is required to increase tumor-specificity and avoid unexpected toxicity. To achieve higher efficiency, we combined a live cell-mediated drug delivery system with nanotechnology, with the aim to prove that blood monocytes can be a cargo to deliver antitumor drugs encapsulated in Polymeric poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) acid based nanoparticles (PLGA NPs). In this study, we have characterized how isolated purified monocytes efficiently internalize PLGA-NPs and have imaged in vivo their trafficking upon intravenous injection in tumor-bearing mice. Monocytes carrying PLGA-Cy7 NPs were able to reach the tumor site, with superior efficiency than free PLGA-Cy7 NPs, and the bio-distribution analysis confirmed that tumors were the most reached among peripheral tissues. We further demonstrate that monocytes carrying Doxorubicin encapsulated PLGA NPs (PLGA-Doxo) induced strong killing of co-cultured tumor cells. Our studies provide proof-of-concept evidence that monocytes can be exploited in approaches of live cell-mediated drug delivery systems for tumor therapy.

The paper investigates the use of poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-2-dimethylaminoethylmetacrilate) (PVP-co-DMAEMA) as a novel coating agent in the preparation of alginate-based microcapsule for the supplement delivery of probiotics. Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum is used to study the viability of the encapsulated bacterium when exposed to conditions simulating the gastrointestinal tract and industrial process. Results demonstrate that the PVP-co-DMAEMA polymer constitutes a pH-responsive coating suitable for probiotic supplement delivery.

Carbohydrates are one of the most powerful and versatile classes of biomolecules that nature uses to regulate organisms’ biochemistry, modulating plenty of signaling events within cells, triggering a plethora of physiological and pathological cellular behaviors. In this framework, glycan carrier systems or carbohydrate-decorated materials constitute interesting and relevant tools for medicinal chemistry applications. In the last few decades, efforts have been focused, among others, on the development of multivalent glycoconjugates, biosensors, glycoarrays, carbohydrate-decorated biomaterials for regenerative medicine, and glyconanoparticles. This review aims to provide the reader with a general overview of the different carbohydrate carrier systems that have been developed as tools in different medicinal chemistry approaches relying on carbohydrate-protein interactions. Given the extent of this topic, the present review will focus on selected examples that highlight the advancements and potentialities offered by this specific area of research, rather than being an exhaustive literature survey of any specific glyco-functionalized system.

We present our application of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in the biomedical field. With the aim of identifying novel nanoparticles for drug targeting, we fluorescently labelled the CNCs and carried out a biodistribution study in vivo. Results evidence that CNCs have a peculiar and transient tropism to the limb bones that is likely related to the interaction with the Ca2+ deposits in the bone matrix. We also analyzed and demonstrated the ability of CNCs to inhibit bacterial adhesion to host tissue. All these findings, taken together, make these nanoparticles very promising candidate for a potential development of nano-devices toward bone diseases, as well as new antibacterial agents.

A set of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymers functionalized with different monosaccharides as well as glycodendrimers and surface-decorated nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and characterized. The functionalization of the polymer was carried out through amide bond formation with amino-modified sugar monomers and through a biocompatible chemoselective method exploiting the reducing end of a free sugar. The assemblage of the NPs adopting a nanoprecipitation method was straightforward and allowed the preparation of sugars/sugar dendrimer coated NPs

A library of GlcNAc 6- or 1-phosphate analogues was designed, and each compound was evaluated computationally through docking studies for its binding affinity to AGM1/PGM3. The compounds with the highest binding affinity, as ranked through a docking score, were synthesised and screened for their ability to inhibit the production of UDP-GlcNAc. A glycofused oxazoline analogue showed good inhibition, and gave significant results in vitro.

Cancer aberrant N- and O-linked protein glycosylation, frequently resulting from an augmented flux through the Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway (HBP), play different roles in tumor progression. However, the low specificity and toxicity of the existing HBP inhibitors prevented their use for cancer treatment. Here we report the preclinical evaluation of FR054, a novel inhibitor of the HBP enzyme PGM3, with a remarkable anti-breast cancer effect. In fact, FR054 induces in different breast cancer cells a dramatic decrease in cell proliferation and survival. In particular, in a model of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) cells, MDA-MB-231, we show that these effects are correlated to FR054-dependent reduction of both N- and O-glycosylation level that cause also a strong reduction of cancer cell adhesion and migration. Moreover we show that impaired survival of cancer cells upon FR054 treatment is associated with the activation of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and accumulation of intracellular ROS. Finally, we show that FR054 suppresses cancer growth in MDA-MB-231 xenograft mice, supporting the advantage of targeting HBP for therapeutic purpose and encouraging further investigation about the use of this small molecule as a promising compound for breast cancer therapy.

Flavonoids are phytochemicals present in almost all terrestrial plants and, as a consequence, in plant-based foods, and thus consumed by humans through diet. Recent evidences suggest that several flavonoids have positive effects against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, reversing age-related declines in neurocognitive performances. In this review, we provide a general classification of natural and synthetic flavonoids, a description of their physico-chemical properties, in particular their redox properties and stability, and an extensive overview about their biological activities and structure-activity relationship in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, a section will be dedicated to the synthetic strategies for the preparation of bioactive derivatives. This information will be essential for the design and development of new drugs that can improve brain functions.

The use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a biomaterial able to inhibit host cell bacterial adhesion is described. Pre-incubation of E. coli ATCC 25922 with a suspension of 0.1% CNCs afforded a significant 2log reduction of bacterial adhesion to the intestinal cell monolayer HT29. This effect could be attributed to the interaction between the CNCs and the bacterial cell surface as confirmed using fluorescence microscopy experiments.

Background and Aim. The efficacy of supplementation treatment with two multispecies probiotic formulates on subjects diagnosed with IBS-C and the assessment of their gut microbiota were investigated. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, three-arm parallel group trial was carried out on 150 IBS-C subjects divided into three groups (F-1, F-2, and F-3). Each group received a daily oral administration of probiotic mixtures (for 60 days) F-1 or F-2 or placebo F-3, respectively. Fecal microbiological analyses were performed by species-specific qPCR to assess the different amount of probiotics. Results. The percentage of responders for each symptom was higher in the probiotic groups when compared to placebo group during the treatment period (t 60) and was maintained quite similar during the follow-up period (t 90). Fecal analysis demonstrated that probiotics of the formulations increased during the times of treatment only in fecal DNA from subjects treated with F-1 and F-2 and not with F-3, and the same level was maintained during the follow-up period. Conclusions. Multispecies probiotic supplementations are effective in IBS-C subjects and induce a different assessment in the composition of intestinal microbiota. This clinical study is registered with the clinical study registration number ISRCTN15032219.

We synthesized a small library of N-spirofused bicyclic derivatives of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), as quaternary ammonium salts, through a double SN2 annulation process. The spirofused rings are of different size and structural characteristics. Preliminary biological evaluation showed no antibacterial activity towards both Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. The DNJ derivative bearing a 6 member spirofused cycle revealed a promising inhibitor activity towards amyloglucosidase. Binding energies calculated through docking studies resembled the in vitro capability of such compound and of DNJ to inhibit amyloglucosidase activity, while showing significant difference in the binding poses.

Probiotic ingestion is recommended as a preventive approach to maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota and to enhance the human well-being. During the whole life of each individual, the gut microbiota composition could be altered by lifestyle, diet, antibiotic therapies and other stress conditions, which may lead to acute and chronic disorders. Hence, probiotics can be administered for the prevention or treatment of some disorders, including lactose malabsorption, acute diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis and mild forms of inflammatory bowel disease. The probiotic-mediated effect is an important issue that needs to be addressed in relation to strain-specific probiotic properties. In this work, the probiotic properties of new Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains were screened, and their effects in vitro were evaluated. They were screened for probiotic properties by determining their tolerance to low pH and to bile salts, antibiotic sensitivity, antimicrobial activity and vitamin B8, B9 and B12 production, and by considering their ability to increase the antioxidant potential and to modulate the inflammatory status of systemic-miming cell lines in vitro. Three out of the examined strains presenting the most performant probiotic properties, as Lactobacillus plantarum PBS067, Lactobacillus rhamnosus PBS070 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis PBSO75, were evaluated for their effects also on human intestinal HT-29 cell line. The obtained results support the possibility to move to another level of study, that is, the oral administration of these probiotical strains to patients with acute and chronic gut disorders, by in vivo experiments.

Their physicochemical properties and relatively low cost make cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) a potential candidate for future large-scale production in many fields including nanomedicine. Prior to a sustained and responsible development as theranostic agents, robust and reliable data concerning their safety, biocompatibility, and tissue distribution should be provided. In the present study, CNCs were extracted from Whatman filters functionalized with a fluorescent dye, and their interaction with living organisms has been thoroughly assessed. Our experimental evidence demonstrated that CNCs (1) are well tolerated by healthy mice after systemic injection; (2) are rapidly excreted, thus avoiding bioaccumulation in filter organs such as the kidneys and liver; (3) transiently migrate in bones; and (4) are able to penetrate in the cytoplasm of cancer cells without inducing material-related detrimental effects in terms of cell survival. Our results strongly suggest that the peculiar tropism to the bones is due to the chemical interaction between the Ca2+ of the bone matrix and the active surface of negatively-charged CNCs. This feature, together with the ability to penetrate cancer cells, makes CNCs a potential nanodevice for theranostics in bone tumors.

C-Glucoside derivatives covalently linked to the arsenic atom in different oxidation states have been synthesized by avoiding protection-deprotection steps. While compound 1, bearing an AsV atom, did not show any significant biological activity, compound 2, in which the glucose moiety is linked to the arsenic atom as dithioarsenical (AsIII), showed promising antiproliferative activity on a cell line of neuroblastoma (SK-N-BE). C-Glucoside derivatives covalently linked to the arsenic atom in different oxidation states have been synthesized. The C-glucoside conjugated to the phenyldithioarsolan group, showed promising antiproliferative activity on human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-BE).

Calixarene-iminosugar derivatives bearing four 1-deoxynojirimycin units at the upper or lower rim of calix[4]arenes in a fixed cone conformation were synthesized by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and their inhibitory activity was evaluated against five glycosidases. Modest but significant affinity enhancements of up to seven per 1-deoxynojirimycin unit over the monovalent iminosugar derivative were observed for the inhibition of Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) a-mannosidase. It was also demonstrated that the residual copper ions did not contribute to the inhibitory properties of the newly prepared calixarene-based multivalent iminosugars.

Nanoliposomes decorated on their surface with ligands for Ab-peptides, the key morphological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD), have been synthesized and characterized for their ability to target Abpeptide aggregates. A tricyclic benzopyrane-glycofused structure has been exploited as Ab-peptide ligand, which was linked to liposomes via a copper-free, chemoselective, biocompatible click chemistry reaction. The tricyclic-decorated liposomes presented a mean diameter in the nanomolar range (150 e200 nm), a negative z-potential and a good stability, at least up to one month. Integrity studies performed in the presence of serum proteins indicated that these decorated nanoliposomes fulfill the requirements for in vivo applications. NMR experiments carried out with Ab1-42 oligomers using both surface functionalized and plain (control) liposomes, revealed that the binding ability of the nanoliposomes was mediated by the presence of the tricyclic ligand on their surface. Finally ThT assay carried out with tricyclic-decorated liposomes showed significant decrease in thioflavine T fluorescence after 24 h, suggesting a significant inhibition/delay of Ab1-42 aggregation

A set of heterobifunctional oligo ethylene glycols have been synthesized in a straightforward and stepwise manner starting from inexpensive, commercially available, tetraethylene glycol. Introduction of terminal allyl moieties followed by reductive ozonolysis allowed controlled elongation. Mono-allyl derivatives were used for the elongation with a functionalized moiety and for successive introduction of different functional groups on the chain terminal

A new versatile thiophene derivative exomethylene-3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene (emEDOT) is introduced. The molecule can be straightforwardly prepared in two steps from commercially available derivatives and enables facile further derivatization through both acid catalyzed additions of alcohols and standard thiol-ene click chemistry. The preparation of electrochromic materials and of an electrochemical avidine sensor is shown by the oxidative polymerizations of several functionalized EDOT monomers straightforwardly prepared from emEDOT

The present invention concerns a family of sugar-based molecules for therapeutic use, comprising compounds with a structure having at least one sugar molecule with carrier function, bound to arsenic having active principle function, allowing the selective therapeutic treatment of tumoral pathologies and not, distinguished by a high cellular metabolism and, consequently, by a high glucose consumption. On the base of the preferential glucose absorption according to the Warburg effect, said compounds are adapted to penetrate inside tumoral cells and not, distinguished by a high cellular metabolism, by means of the glucose molecule integrated in their structure, so as to determine the selective therapeutic treatment of said cells and, consequently, of the pathologies deriving therefrom, by means of the arsenic molecule chemically bound to above mentioned glucose molecule.; Also a process for the production of synthetic sugar-based compounds is the object of the present invention, as well as a process for the production of extracted sugar-based compounds, produced from natural sources

The present invention concerns a family of sugar-based molecules for therapeutic use, comprising compounds with a structure having at least one sugar molecule with carrier function, bound to arsenic having active principle function, allowing the selective therapeutic treatment of tumoral pathologies, distinguished by a high cellular metabolism and, consequently, by a high glucose consumption. Also a process for the production of synthetic sugar-based compounds is the object of the present invention, as well as a process for the production of extracted sugar-based compounds, produced from natural sources. The compounds have the general formula I.

We describe a new methodology that combines high resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) techniques with saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy. This approach significantly improves the versatility of the STD experiment, and expands its use for samples containing living cells derived from solid tissues

A small virtual library of iminosugar derivatives was evaluated by docking experiments carried out by sampling a protein region corresponding to the phosphoinositide binding site of the PH domain of Akt. Four compounds were selected and efficiently synthesised from a common precursor. All compounds were subjected to preliminary biological evaluation on purified enzyme, and - among them - compound 9 exhibited the best inhibitory activity. A small virtual library of iminosugar-based Akt inhibitors have been designed and evaluated by using docking calculations. Selected compounds have been conveniently synthesised, and preliminary biological evaluation identified compound 9 as a possible lead compound for further development of iminosugar-based Akt inhibitors.

Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide. As a consequence, many different therapeutic approaches, including the use of glycosides as anticancer agents, have been developed. Various glycosylated natural products exhibit high activity against a variety of microbes and human tumors. In this review we classify glycosides according to the nature of their aglycone (non-saccharidic) part. Among them, we describe anthracyclines, aureolic acids, enediyne antibiotics, macrolide and glycopeptides presenting different strengths and mechanisms of action against human cancers. In some cases, the glycosidic residue is crucial for their activity, such as in anthracycline, aureolic acid and enediyne antibiotics; in other cases, Nature has exploited glycosylation to improve solubility or pharmacokinetic properties, as in the glycopeptides. In this review we focus our attention on natural glycoconjugates with anticancer properties. The structure of several of the carbohydrate moieties found in these conjugates and their role are described. The structure-activity relationship of some of these compounds, together with the structural features of their interaction with the biological targets, are also reported. Taken together, all this information is useful for the design of new potential anti-tumor drugs. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011.