Synthesis, antiproliferative activity in cancer cells and theoretical studies of novel 6α,7β-dihydroxyvouacapan-17β-oic acid Mannich base derivatives.

Natural products are great prototypes for the design of new anticancer agents. The plant-derived natural product 6α,7β-dihydroxyvouacapan-17β-oic acid (1) is promising for the development of more potent antiproliferative agents against human cancer cells. Indeed, its lactone derivative 6α-hydroxyvouacapan-7β,17β-lactone (2), a non-natural furanoditerpene, exhibited higher anticancer activity than compound 1.

Is the sulphonamide radical in the celecoxib molecule essential for its analgesic activity?

In a model of peripherally induced inflammatory pain in rats, selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 raised nociceptive thresholds above basal values, an effect referred to as "hypoalgesia". However other, non-selective, inhibitors of COX (indomethacin, piroxicam) or a selective inhibitor of COX-1 did not induce hypoalgesia in this model, implying that COX inhibition was not causally related to the hypoalgesic effect. Here, we have assessed whether other COX-2 inhibitors or other sulphonamides, apart from celecoxib could exhibit hypoalgesia in our model of inflammatory pain.

Peripheral mu-, kappa- and delta-opioid receptors mediate the hypoalgesic effect of celecoxib in a rat model of thermal hyperalgesia.

Aims: The endogenous opioids mediate the analgesic effects of celecoxib in a model of mechanical hyperalgesia in rats. As responses to thermal stimuli may differ from those to mechanical stimuli, we have here assessed celecoxib in a rat model of thermal hyperalgesia and the possible involvement of endogenous opioids and their corresponding receptors in these effects.

Main Methods: Injection of carrageenan (CG) into one hind paw induced a dose-related hyperalgesia (decreased time for paw withdrawal) to thermal stimuli (infra-red light beam), over 6h.

Effect of 6 alpha,7 beta-dihydroxyvouacapan-17 beta-oic acid and its lactone derivatives on the growth of human cancer cells.

The furanditerpene 6 alpha,7 beta-dihydroxyvouacapan-17 beta-oic acid (1) is a natural product biosynthesized by some species from the genus Pterodon (Leguminosae). This secondary metabolite has multiple biological activities that include anti-inflammatory, analgesic, plant growth regulatory, anti-edematogenic, photosystem II inhibitory and photosynthesis uncoupler, and antifungal properties. However, few studies on the antiproliferative profile of compound 1 and/or its derivatives have been reported up to date.

Inhibition and uncoupling of photosynthetic electron transport by diterpene lactone amide derivatives.

Nine diterpene lactone amide derivatives 1-9 were synthesized from 6-oxovouacapan-7beta,17beta-lactone, which was obtained from 6alpha,7beta-dihydroxyvouacapan-17beta-oic acid isolated from Pterodon polygalaeflorus Benth., and tested for their activity on photosynthetic electron transport. Amide derivatives 3-5 behaved as electron transport chain inhibitors; they inhibited the photophosphorylation and uncoupled non-cyclic electron transport from water to methylviologen (MV).

The correction of reaction rates in continuous fluorometric assays of enzymes.

The kinetic data obtained from the action of a cathepsin D-like enzyme from Biomphalaria glabrata hepatopancreas (digestive gland) on MOCAc-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ile-Leu-Phe-Phe-Arg-Leu-Lys(DNp)-D-Arg-NH(2), was studied as a data prototype, generated by means of a fluorogenic substrate. An initial fluorescence, due to incomplete energy transfer, of about 8% of the values attained after complete substrate hydrolysis; a non-linear standard curve even at microM concentrations and an exponential decay of the steady state fluorescence of reaction product of the order of 10(-4) x s(-1) were the main analytical problems encountered. The standard curves for fluorescence of the substrate reaction product after 48 h of hydrolysis, and the reference compound MOCAc-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH(2), were fitted by polynomial approximation and the point derivates used as calibration factors.

Endogenous opioids mediate the hypoalgesia induced by selective inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase 2 in rat paws treated with carrageenan.

Mechanical hyperalgesia induced in rat paws by carrageenan (250microg) was modified by pre-treatment with three selective inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2); celecoxib, rofecoxib and SC236. These inhibitors raised the nociceptive threshold above the normal, non-inflamed, level, inducing a state of hypoalgesia. Such hypoalgesia was observed in different strains of rat (Holtzman, Wistar and Sprague-Dawley) and after different modes of administration of the COX-2 inhibitor (locally, in the paw, or systemically).