Abstract The β-carboline-1,3,5-triazine hydrochlorides 8-13 were evaluated in vitro against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The analysed compounds were selective to BuChE, with IC50 values in the range from 1.0-18.8 µM being obtained. The N-{2-[(4,6-dihydrazinyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]ethyl}-1-phenyl-β-carboline-3-carboxamide (12) was the most potent compound and kinetic studies indicate that it acts as a competitive inhibitor of BuChE. Molecular docking studies show that 12 strongly interacts with the residues of His438 (residue of the catalytic triad) and Trp82 (residue of catalytic anionic site), confirming that this compound competes with the same binding site of the butyrylthiocholine.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To establish whether the citrate concentration in the seminal fluid ([CITRATE]) measured by means of high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HNMRS) is superior to the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration in detecting of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in men with persistently elevated PSA. Materials and Methods: The group of patients consisted of 31 consecutively seen men with histological diagnosis of clinically localized csPCa. The control group consisted of 28 men under long-term follow-up (mean of 8.7 ± 3.0 years) for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), with persistently elevated PSA (above 4 ng/mL) and several prostate biopsies negative for cancer (mean of 2.7 ± 1.3 biopsies per control). Samples of blood and seminal fluid (by masturbation) for measurement of PSA and citrate concentration, respectively, were collected from patients and controls. Citrate concentration in the seminal fluid ([CITRATE]) was determined by means of 1HNMRS. The capacities of PSA and [CITRATE] to predict csPCa were compared by means of univariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Median [CITRATE] was significantly lower among patients with csPCa compared to controls (3.93 mM/l vs. 15.53 mM/l). There was no significant difference in mean PSA between patients and controls (9.42 ng/mL vs. 8.57 ng/mL). The accuracy of [CITRATE] for detecting csPCa was significantly superior compared to PSA (74.8% vs. 54.8%). Conclusion: Measurement of [CITRATE] by means of 1HNMRS is superior to PSA for early detection of csPCa in men with elevated PSA.

Chemical investigation of Guettarda viburnoides (leaves) led to the isolation of ursolic acid, uncaric acid, secoxyloganin, and grandifloroside, along with a mixture of quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of their NMR data. The crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction, aqueous-methanol fraction, and grandifloroside showed significant DPPH free-radical scavenging activities with IC50 ranging from 18.92 to 26.47 µg mL-1. The topical administration of the crude extract and fractions markedly reduced the croton oil-induced mice ear edema in 67.0%-99.0%. Inhibition of tissue MPO activity was also observed, which demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect of the G. viburnoides species.

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o potencial alelopático de extratos metanólicos de folhas, flores e raízes de capuchinha (Tropaeolum majus L.) sobre a germinação de sementes e o crescimento inicial de plântulas de picão-preto. O extrato metanólico com melhor potencial de inibição foi submetido a particionamento, resultando nas frações hexânica, clorofórmica, acetato de etila e hidrometanólica e posterior caracterização pelo espectro de absorção na região do infravermelho (IV). O efeito alelopático foi avaliado sobre as sementes de picão-preto, as quais foram distribuídas sobre papel germitest umedecido com 2mL dos extratos e mantidas em germinador do tipo B.O.D. regulado a temperatura de 25°C e luz branca constante, sendo que as sementes imersas diretamente em água constituíram o tratamento controle. A avaliação da qualidade da semente foi realizada pelos testes de germinação e vigor (primeira contagem e comprimento de raiz primária e de hipocótilo das plântulas), em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. O potencial alelopático das folhas de capuchinha foi maior em relação às demais partes da planta sobre a germinação das sementes, comprimento de hipocótilo e de raiz das plântulas de picão-preto. Estes efeitos podem estar associados à presença de grupos químicos polares, pois à medida que se aumentou a polaridade dos solventes detectou-se maior efeito inibitório sobre a germinação e o crescimento inicial de plântulas de picão-preto.

This research aimed to evaluate the metanolic extracts allelopathic potential from leaves, flowers and roots of capuchinha (Tropaeolum majus L.) on picão-preto seeds germination and initial seedling growth. The best inhibitor metanolic extract was fractioned, in hexanic, cloroformic, etil acetate and hidrometanolic fractions and it was characterized through absorption spectrum using mid-infrared. To evaluate the allelopathic effect of metanolic extracts and the fractions aftereffect; it was used picão-preto seeds distributed on 2ml extracts moistured paper maintained in B.O.D. germinator at 25°C and white constant light. Seeds sowed directly in water moistured germitest paper constituted the control. The allelopathic potential extracts were evaluated through the first count, final germination percentage, seedlings primary root and hypocotyl length (cm). The experiment was carried out DIC with three replications of 25 seeds. The capuchinha leaves showed allelopathic potential on picão-preto seeds germination, hypocotyl and seedlings primary root length. It was suggested that such effects are associated to the presence of polar chemical groups because the increase in the solvents polarity detected the major picão-preto germination and seedlings growth inhibition effect.

The phytochemical investigation of Guettarda pohliana roots led to the isolation of 28-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl quinovic acid, 28-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl quinovic acid, 3-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl quinovic acid, 28-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-glycopyranosyl cincholic acid along with quinovic acid, daucosterol and 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid. The structures of the isolated compounds were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data, including two-dimensional NMR methods. The antiradical activity of the crude methanolic extract and of its fractions was evaluated.

The phytochemical investigation of Chomelia obtusa leaves led to the isolation of four triterpenes (3-O-β-D-quinovopyranosyl-28-O-β-D-glycopyranosyl quinovic acid, 3-O-β-D-quinovopyranosyl-28-O-β-D-glycopyranosyl cincholic acid, and a mixture of ursolic and oleanolic acids), two flavonoids (3-O-β-D-glycopyranosyl quercetin, 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-galactopyranoside] quercetin), besides bornesitol and a mixture of 3,5- and 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acids. The structures of the isolated compounds were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data, including two-dimensional NMR methods. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the crude methanolic extract and of its fractions were evaluated. This is the first report on the chemical and biological investigation of the Chomelia genus.