STRATEGIES FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF LYSERGIC ACID. (+)-Lysergic acid [(+)-1] is a precursor of several substances with well-established pharmacological properties, including some drugs approved and commercialized around the world. Thus, the importance of (+)-1 as a synthetic target becomes undoubted and various strategies for the synthesis of its tetracyclic core have been reported in the literature. Therefore, in this review article we will address in chronological order the total and formal syntheses of lysergic acid (1), separating them into racemic and chiral/asymmetric syntheses. Until now, there are 24 syntheses described in the literature, namely, 11 total and 13 formal syntheses. Considering all the syntheses accomplished, 15 were planned to produce (±)-lysergic acid [(±)-1] and 9 presented routes to eventually provide (+)-lysergic acid [(+)-1]. A significant evolution regarding approaches and efficiency may be observed since the first synthesis of (±)-1 until the last asymmetric synthesis of (+)-1.

N-Myristoylation protein is catalyzed by N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), an essential target in Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of kala-azar. Four-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (4D-QSAR) analysis was applied to a series of 77 Leishmania donovani NMT inhibitors. Then, three new compounds were proposed using QSAR models. In addition, molecular docking was performed to predict the binding affinities and interaction modes among the proposed compounds and the NMT active site. In silico absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) evaluation was performed and potential inhibitors demonstrated satisfactory pharmacokinetic properties.

ABSTRACT Piper aduncum found naturally in the Amazon and southeastern Brazil, is known for its secondary metabolites that have activity on insects. Anticarsia gemmatalis and Spodoptera frugiperda are among the major insect pests associated with agricultural production. This research evaluated the biological activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts of P. aduncum leaves on mortality and duration of larval and pupal periods, as well as weight, width, and length of A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda pupae. The mortality of A. gemmatalis larvae in trials with P. aduncum extracts were 93.3% (hexane) and 90% (ethyl acetate), estimating LC50 of 6.35 and 5.79 mg/mL, respectively. Mortality in S. frugiperda submitted to the hexane extract ranged from 3.33% to 96.66% (LC50 of 8.22 mg/mL). The ethanol extract induced low mortality (3.33% to 23.33%). The P. aduncum extracts did not affect the development of S. frugiperda pupae. In A. gemmatalis differences in weight and length occurred. The chemical characterization was by GC-MS, which revealed that the major constituent in the hexane extract of P. aduncum was apiol (90.7%). P. aduncum extracts are important and promising components to manage A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda, which cause extensive production losses.