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The synthesis of four N-2-alkylated aza-galactofagomine (AGF) analogues was achieved by intermolecular reductive hydrazination or alkylation of suitably protected AGF. The synthesized compounds were evaluated as potential β-glucosidase inhibitors. The preliminary screening of inhibitor activity, conducted with sweet almond β-glucosidase immobilized in agar, as well as the standard inhibition assay with the same enzyme, showed the inhibitory potency of the synthesized analogues. In addition, these results are in a good agreement with the docking analysis of the human acid β-glucosidase, the enzyme implicated in Gaucher’s disease.

In this paper, the previously synthesized Cu(II) complex ([CuL1(N3) (CH3OH)]BF4) with N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxo-2-(2-(1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene)- hydrazinyl)ethan-1-aminium chloride, has been characterized and its biological activity has been studied in detail. The Cu(II) complex consists of ligand coordinated in a deprotonated, formally neutral zwitter-ionic form, via NNO atoms, one azido ligand and one methanol molecule. The Cu(II) complex was selected due to results of the cytotoxic activity, the brine shrimp test and DPPH radical scavenging activity, which were previously performed. The effects of Cu(II) complex on cell cycle phase distribution of cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells were investigated in order to examine the mechanisms of its anticancer activity. The measurement of intracellular ROS levels in HeLa and HaCaT cell lines were evaluated in order to explore their possible generation and the role in cytotoxic activity. The possible anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic properties of Cu(II) complex were evaluated. DNA binding experiments, including fluorescence displacement study and DNA cleavage experiments, were performed in order to obtain information on the type of DNA-metal complex interactions.

Biological activity of 2-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (TBQ) and its derivatives, 2-tert-butyl-5-(2-propylthio)-1,4-benzoquinone, 2-tert-butyl-5- -(propylthio)-1,4-benzoquinone, 2-tert-butyl-5,6-(ethylenedithio)-1,4-benzoquinone, 2-tert-butyl-5-(phenylthio)-1,4-benzoquinone and 2-tert-butyl-6-(phenylthio)- 1,4-benzoquinone, were tested for their antioxidant, antibacterial, toxic, cytotoxic and genotoxic potential. Using the DPPH test, all derivatives showed good antioxidant activity, better than ascorbic acid, and the 2-tert- -butyl-5-(propylthio)-1,4-benzoquinone derivative showed the strongest effect. Better antibacterial potential was observed against Gram-positive bacteria in the broth microdilution method in which the 2-tert-butyl-5-(phenylthio)-1,4- -benzoquinone derivative showed the strongest activity (MIC = 15.6 μM). The results of toxicity tests, using the Brine shrimp test, indicated that the derivatives lose their toxic potential compared to TBQ, except for 2-tert-butyl-6- -(phenylthio)-1,4-benzoquinone, which showed a 3 times stronger effect. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT assay in 24 and 72 h treatments in MRC-5, HS 294T and A549 cell lines in threefold decreasing gradient (11, 33 and 100 μM). Modifications potentiate the cytotoxic effect, and the strongest effect was observed with the 2-tert-butyl-5,6-(ethylendithio)-1,4-benzoquinone derivative. In addition, the genotoxic potential was examined in the MRC-5 cell line using the comet assay. All tested derivatives of TBQ showed a genotoxic effect at all applied subtoxic concentrations. In general, the chemical modifications of TBQ enhanced its biological activity.

In this work, Pt(II) complexes of previously synthesized steroidal thiosemicarbazones were synthesized and characterized. The ligands and their metal complexes were studied by analytical and spectroscopic data (elemental analysis, IR, 1D-NMR and 2D-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, COSY), the analysis of which enabled complete 1H and 13C assignments of each compound including E and Z isomers. All the synthesized ligands and complexes were screened for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity. The results demonstrate that the new steroidal thiosemicarbazone complexes were significantly less cytotoxic than the corresponding steroidal thiosemicarbazones. In addition, complexes showed lower antimicrobial activity than the standard drugs, similar to the activity of the starting thiosemicarbazones.

In this work, three novel silver(I) complexes with an almost completely rigid and bulky monodentate ligand, 1-adamantanamine, were synthesized. The aliphatic amine, 1-adamantanamine, is the sole electron donor ligand in these complexes. In addition to spectroscopic characterization, the basic biological activities of the new compounds were investigated and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined. The antifungal and antibacterial activities indicate that these compounds could potentially be applied as new therapeutics. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 172017, Grant no. 172035 and Grant no. III 43004]

In this paper, the synthesis of fourteen alkylamino and arylamino derivatives of sesquiterpene quinone avarone and its model compound tert-butylquinone is described. Branched, cyclic, allylic and benzylic alkylamino/arylamino groups were introduced into the quinone moiety. For all the obtained derivatives, their biological activity and redox properties were studied. The cytotoxic activity of the synthesized derivatives towards multidrug resistant (MDR) human non-small cell lung carcinoma NCI-H460/R cells, their sensitive counterpart NCI-H460 and human normal keratinocytes (HaCaT) was investigated. The antimicrobial activity towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungal cultures was determined. Some of the synthesized derivatives showed selectivity for cancer cells, including MDR cells. Regarding their cell death induction potential, the most promising compounds were allylamino derivatives, preferentially triggering apoptosis, with high selectivity for cancer cells, including MDR cells. Several compounds showed promising antimicrobial activity, comparable to those of commercial antibiotic and antimycotic agents.

A Pd(II) complex with methyl 2-((1-(2,4-dioxochroman-3-ylidene)ethyl)amino)acetate was synthesized. The structures of both the ligand and Pd(II) complex were determined by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. Recrystallization of Pd(II) complex from DMF/water solution resulted in its hydrolysis and formation of dimethylamine-(2-((1-(2,4-dioxochroman-3-ylidene)ethyl)amino)acetato)palladium(II) complex, the structure of which was determined by elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, as well as X-ray analysis. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. OI 172055 i br. OI 172016]

The interactions of nine amino acid derivatives of tert-butylquinone with biomacromolecules were studied. SDS electrophoresis and mass spectrometry confirmed the absence of modifications of lysozyme by any of the synthesized compounds. Spectrophotometric studies demonstrated hyperchromism, i.e. existence of interactions between the quinones and CT-DNA. Determination of binding constant by absorption titration indicates weak interactions between quinone derivatives and CT-DNA. The quenching of fluorescence of intercalator ethidium bromide from EB-CT-DNA system and of minor groove binder Hoechst 33258 from H-CT-DNA system by the synthesized derivatives indicates interactions of compounds and CT-DNA. CD spectra demonstrate non-intercalative binding mode of quinone derivaties to CT-DNA. Molecular docking results confirm binding to the minor groove. Electrophoretic pattern showed no cleavage of pUC19 plasmid in the presence of any of the synthesized compounds. The ability of the derivatives to scavenge radicals was confirmed by DPPH test. All the presented results suggest that the DNA minor groove binding is the principal mechanism of action of the examined amino acid derivatives. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 172055]

Acid-base equilibria of Zn(II) and Fe(III) complexes with N',N'2-bis- [(1E)-1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]ethanedihydrazide (ligand L1) and N',N'2-bis[(1E)- -1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]propanedihydrazide (ligand L2), i.e., [Fe(L1)Cl2(H2O)], [Fe(L2)Cl(H2O)]2+, [Zn(L1)(H2O)3]+ and [Zn(L2)(H2O)2]2+, which expressed cytotoxic activity, were investigated in aqueous media. The equilibrium constants were determined potentiometrically at 25°C at a constant ionic strength of 0.10 mol/dm3 (Na2SO4). The results showed that at pH < 8 both the Fe(III) complexes studied here have three, while [Zn(L1)(H2O)3]+ and [Zn(L2)(H2O)2]2+ have one and two titratable protons, respectively. Based on the obtained values for the equilibrium constants, protonation schemes of the examined complexes are proposed.

In this study, the first complexes of Zn(II) with the N-benzyloxycar- bonyl-S-alaninato ligand (N-Boc-S-ala) were synthesized. The new complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, conductometric measurements, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of the experimental data, tetrahedral geometry of the Zn(II) complexes was proposed. A very good agreement between the NMR and DFT calculated data was obtained. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of the newly synthesized complexes was also performed. It was established that [Zn(N-Boc-S-ala)2] was selective and acts only on Candida albicans.

Changes in electrophoresis pattern after interaction of supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA with avarol was studied at a micromolar concentration of reactants under mild reaction conditions. Interactions of avarol with linear high-molecular CT-DNA at millimolar concentrations were analyzed by electrophoresis and UV spectrophotometry. It was observed that avarol is capable of quenching ethidium bromide fluorescence in DNA bands. An increase in the absorbance of DNA was detected. The results indicate the binding of avarol to DNA and/or modification of nucleotide bases.

The quinone avarone, isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea avara, possesses the ability to chemically modify proteins. In this work, modification of lectin isolated from the coral Gerardia savaglia by avarone was examined. The techniques used for studying the modification were: SDS PAGE, isoelectric focusing and hemagglutination testing. The results of the SDS PAGE indicate dimerization of the protein. A shift of the pI toward lower value occurs upon modification. The change of the hemagglutination activity of the protein confirms that chemical modification of G. savaglia lectin by avarone changes its ability to interact with the membrane of erythrocytes.

The acid-base equilibria of a diprotic, slightly hydrosoluble base ketoconazole were studied in homogeneous and heterogeneous water systems. The determinations were performed at 25ºC at a constant ionic strength of M(NaCl). The acidity constant Ka1 was determined by potentiometric (pKa1 3.20) and spectrophotometric (pKa1 3.26) methods. A pKa2 constant of 6.10 was obtained based on the equilibrium constants pKs0 4.84 and pKs1 -1.26, determined in a heterogeneous ketoconazole system. The obtained values of the constants served to calculate the solubility and the distribution of the equilibrium forms of ketoconazole as a function of pH. On the basis of the distribution of the equilibrium forms of ketoconazole, a spectrophotometric method for the determination of its content in commercial tablets was developed. The determinations were performed at 225 nm in 0.1 M HCl. The method is simple and rapid and enables the direct spectrophotometric determination of the content of ketoconazole without previous isolation.

The sterol composition of two green algae and two brown algae from the South Adriatic was determined. In the green alga Ulva lactuca, the principal sterols were cholesterol and isofucosterol. In the brown alga Cystoseira adriatica, the main sterols were cholesterol and stigmast-5-en-3ß-ol, while the characteristic sterol of the brown algae, fucosterol, was found only in low concentration. The sterol fractions of the green alga Codium dichotomum and the brown alga Fucus virsoides contained practically only one sterol each, comprising more than 90 % of the total sterols (clerosterol in the former and fucosterol in the latter).

Complexes of Zn(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) with 2’-[1-(2-pyridinyl)ethylidene ]oxamohydrazide (Hapsox) were synthesized and their structures were determined. All the complexes are of a neutral type with two apsox ligands coordinated to Zn(II) and one apsox ligand coordinated to Pd(II) or Pt(II). In each case, the polydentate was coordinated via pyridine and hydrazone nitrogens and α-oxyazine oxygen, forming an octahedral geometry around Zn(II), and a square planar one around Pd(II) and Pt(II). The structure determination was performed by IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and for the Zn(II) complex by X-ray structure analysis.

The avarone/avarol quinone/hydroquinone couple shows considerable antitumor activity. In this work, covalent modification of β-lactoglobulin by avarone and its derivatives as well as by the synthetic steroidal quinone 2,5(10)-estradiene- 1,4,17-trione and its derivatives were studied. The techniques for studying chemical modification of β-lactoglobulin by quinones were: UV/Vis spectrophotometry, SDS PAGE and isoelectrofocusing. SDS PAGE results suggest that polymerization of the protein occurs. It could be seen that the protein of 18 kD gives the bands of 20 kD, 36 kD, 40 kD, 45 kD, 64 kD and 128 kD depending on modification agent. The shift of the pI of the protein (5.4) upon modification toward lower values (from pI 5.0 to 5.3) indicated that lysine amino groups are the principal site of the reaction of β-lactoglobulin with the quinones.

The avarone/avarol quinone/hydroquinone couple, as well as their derivatives show considerable antitumor activity. In this work, covalent modifications of β-lactoglobulin, isolated from cow milk, by avarone, its model compound 2-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone, and several of their alkylthio derivatives were studied. The techniques applied for assaying the modifications were UV/VIS spectrophotometry, SDS PAGE and isoelectrofocusing. The results of the SDS PAGE suggest that polymerisation of the protein occurs. The shift of the pI of the protein upon modification toward lower values indicates that lysine amino groups are the principal site of the reaction of β-lactoglobulin with the quinines.

The protolytic equilibria of bromazepam, an ampholyte sparingly soluble in water, in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems were studied in the pH range 0–14 at 25ºC and at ionic strength of 0.1 mol/dm3 (NaCl). On the basis of 13C-NMR spectra, the protonation site was predicted – in acidic media the pyridine nitrogen of bormazepam is protonated. The acidity constants of bromazepam were determined spectrophotometrically (pKa1 2.83 and pKa2 11.60) and potentiometrically (pKa1 2.99). In the heterogeneous system the following equilibrium constants were determined: Ks0 =[HA](pKs0 3.44), Ks1 =[H2A+]/[H3O+](pKs1 0.61), and Ks2 =[A-][H3O+](pKs2 15.04).