Phage libraries screening on P53: Yield improvement by zinc and a new parasites-integrating analysis.

P53 is a transcription factor that controls a variety of genes, primarily involved in cell cycle and other processes related to cell survival and death. We have isolated peptides targeting P53 (protein and domains) using the "phage display" technique. Interestingly, adding ZnCl2 at 5-10 mM in panning solutions helped to recover more plaque-forming units at least at round one of the screening.

Antimicrobial, Antitumor and Side Effects Assessment of a Newly Synthesized Tamoxifen Analog.

Background: Tamoxifen citrate is a very prevalent drug marketed under several trade names like Apo-Tamox, Nolvadex, Tamec, Tamizam, and Tamoplex. This molecule is approved by the FDA for breast cancer treatment. Some studies have shown that tamoxifen has anti-tuberculosis and antiparasitic activities.

Characterization of three polyphenol oxidase isoforms in royal dates and inhibition of its enzymatic browning reaction by indole-3-acetic acid.

In this study, Polyphenol oxidases (PPO) from royal dates fruit was purified and characterized. These procedures led to 8-fold purification with 14.72% recovery.

Anti-melanogenesis potential of a new series of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts in B16F10 melanoma cell line.

Melanin is a natural polymer pigment which provides skin photoprotection against ultraviolet radiation. An excessive synthesis of melanin leads to hyperpigmentation disorders. Tyrosinase catalyzes the rate limiting steps on melanogenesis.

Potential antioxidant activity of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts.

The wide variety of potent biological activities of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBH) encouraged us to synthesize new series of products belonging to this class of compounds, possessing different functionalities and exhibiting potential antioxidant activity. As part of our on-going program on targeting molecules with antioxidant activity, we describe herein different DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activities of MBH alcohols and their derivatives including acetates, phosphonates and hydrazonophosphonates. The obtained results showed that the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed in the case of hydrazonophosphonates in comparison to the other MBH derivatives.

Antibacterial, tyrosinase, and DNA photocleavage studies of some triazolylnucleosides.

In order to explore the biological potential, some synthesized triazolylnucleosides were evaluated for their antibacterial, tyrosinase and DNA photocleavage activities. Triazolylnucleosides (5-12) were screened against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), gram-positive and Escherichia coli (ATCC 10536), gram-negative bacterial strains. Among the series, compound 9 exhibited a significant level of antibacterial activity against both strains at higher concentration in reference to the standard drug, Levofloxacin.

Aryl Butenes Active against K562 Cells and Lacking Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity as New Leads in the Treatment of Leukemia.

Background & Objective: The inhibitory effects of four series of aryl butene derivatives, active against breast cancer, on the monophenolase activity of tyrosinase, in melanin-free ink from Sepia officinalis, have been studied. Hydroxytamoxifen 1, ferrociphenol 17 and several aryl butene analogs have shown strong antiproliferative activity on hormone-dependent and hormone-independent breast cancer cells and were evaluated in leukemia K562 cell proliferation. Their potential to induce skin depigmentation by evaluating their anti-tyrosinase activity was also estimated.