Influência do método de preparação de eletrocatalisadores PtRu/C sobre a atividade catalítica frente à reação de oxidação de etanol em meio ácido

In this work the influence of variations in the borohydrate reduction method on the properties of PtRu/C electrocatalysts was investigated. The electrocatalysts were prepared using 1:1 ; 2:1; 5:1; 50:1 and 250:1 molar ratios of NaBH4 to metals. The reduction was also performed by dripping or by fast addition of the solution. The results showed that PtRu nanoparticles obtained by fast addition had the smallest crystallite sizes. It was also noted that the catalytic activity increased as the borohydrate:metal molar ratio increased. The PtRu/C electrocatalyst (50:1) obtained by fast addition presented the best catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation.

Constituintes químicos e atividade antioxidante de Byrsonima gardneriana (Malpighiaceae)

The phytochemical investigation of Byrsonima gardneriana led to the isolation of five triterpenes and one flavonoid: D:B-Friedoolean-5-en-3-one (1), friedoolean-14-en-3-one (2), friedelan-3-one (3), lup-20(29)-en-3-ol (4), 3β-hydroxiolean-12-ene (5) and 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavan (6). Their structures were assigned based on spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional NMR techniques and comparison with published spectral data. Antioxidant activities of ethanol extract and phases were measured using the 1,2-diphenyl- 2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, evaluation of total phenolic content and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC).

Atividade anticolinesterásica e perfil químico de uma fração cromatográfica ativa do extrato etanólico das flores Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae)

This work describes the isolation of an active flavonoid fraction and identification of isorhamnetin 3-O-β-D-(6''-acetyl)-galactopyranoside from flowers of B. perennis, and also the evaluation of anticholinesterase (AChE) activity of ethanolic extract from flowers (EEF) and the active fraction. The chemical structure of the flavonoid was defined on the basis of spectroscopic ¹H NMR, IR and UV data. EEF or flavonoid reduces AChE activity in vivo, while flavonoid also reduces AChE activity in vitro, showing a value of 1.49 mM for 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), suggesting potential use as an insecticide or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Constituintes fenólicos e atividade antioxidante da geoprópolis de duas espécies de abelhas sem ferrão amazônicas

We investigated the phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity of geopropolis from two species of stingless Amazonian bees, Melipona interrupta and Melipona seminigra. The chemical investigation of geopropolis from Melipona interrupta led to the isolation of 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavonone, 3,5,6,7,4'-pentahydroxyflavonol, naringenine-4'-O-b-D-glucopyranoside and myricetin-3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside. Their structures were assigned based on spectroscopic analyses, including two-dimensional NMR techniques. Antioxidant activity of methanol and ethanol extracts of M. interrupta and M. seminigra were measured using the 1,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. This is also the first work reporting the chemical investigation of stingless bee species from the Amazonian region.

QSAR-3D/CoMFA em compostos imídicos com atividade antinociceptiva

Imide compounds have shown biological activity. These compounds can be easily synthesized with good yields. The objective of this paper was the rational planning of imides and sulfonamides with antinociceptive activity using the 3D-QSAR/CoMFA approach. The studies were performed using two data sets. The first set consisted of 39 cyclic imides while the second set consisted of 39 imides and 15 sulfonamides. The 3D- QSAR/CoMFA models have shown that the steric effect is important for the antinociceptive activity of imide and sulphonamide compounds. Ten new compounds with improved potential antinociceptive activity have been proposed by de novo design leapfrog simulations.

Estudo das relações entre estrutura e atividade de parabenos: uma aula prática

Parabens are p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters widely used as preservatives. With the aim of teaching the structure-activity relationships (SAR) knowledge in a practical form, this paper proposed a practical class to view the SAR of parabens as antimicrobial agents. Methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl and isopentyl paraben compounds were synthesized and their respective antimicrobial activities were assessed through determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 stains. With the MIC values, it was possible to verify theircorrelation with calculated lipophilicity (ClogP). This method can be applied in practical Medicinal Chemistry classes.

Constituintes químicos e avaliação da atividade antibacteriana de Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb. (Fabaceae)

The chemical investigation of the stems and branches of Macroptilium lathyroides led to the isolation of a mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The extracts from the roots allowed the isolation of lasiodiplodin, a mixture of stigmast-4-en-6β-ol-3-one and stigmast-4,22-dien-6β-ol-3-one, de-O-methyllasiodiplodin, genistein and lupinalbin A. The structures of the isolated compounds were assigned on the basis of their NMR data, including comparison of their spectral data with values described in the literature. The antibacterial activity of crude extracts from stems, branches and roots was evaluated. This is the first report involving the chemical investigation of this species.

Composição química e atividade anticolinesterásica de uma fração ativa do extrato de folhas de Citrus limon (L.) Burm

This paper describes the chemical composition and acetylcholinesterase inhibition of an active chromatographic fraction of the EtOAc extract of Citrus limon leaves. The composition of the active fraction presented a mixture of two coumarins, 5,8-dimethoxy-psoralen and 5,7- dimethoxycoumarin, identified by ¹H and ¹³C NMR data analysis, including DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HSQC experiments. It was also demonstrated that this mixture presents qualitative and quantitative AChE inhibition. In vitro studies indicated a CE50 value of 340 µg/mL with 95% of confidence. In vivo studies (10 and 25 mg/kg) revealed inhibition of 30.09 and 30.06% of AChE activity in relation to neostigmine, respectively.

Atividade inseticida de óleos essenciais de Pelargonium graveolens l'Herit e Lippia alba (Mill) N. E. Brown sobre Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)

Insecticidal activity of essential oils of Pelargonium graveolens, Lippia alba and compounds geraniol, linalool, 1,8-cineole, limonene, carvone, citral and Azamax® were evaluated against Spodoptera frugiperda. Topical application assay showed essential oil of P. graveolens has acute toxicity against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae (third instar) with LD50 1.13 µg/mg per insect and LD90 2.56 µg/mg per insect. Three essential oils of L. alba also exhibited insecticidal activity with LD50 ranging from 1.20 to 1.56 µg/mg per insect and LD90 from 2.60 to 3.75 µg/mg per insect. Geraniol, linalool, carvone and citral caused significant mortality of 30, 90, 84 and 64% respectively, compared to negative control. The bioinsecticide, Azamax®, caused lower mortality than the compounds of the essential oils.

Impregnação do ácido 12-tungstofosfórico em sílica - parte II: efeito de diferentes solventes na impregnação e atividade catalítica na esterificação metílica de ácido esteárico

Materials obtained by the immobilization of 12-tungstophosphoric acid (PTA) on silica using the method of impregnation with excess solution in distinct solvents (aqueous HCl, methanol:H2O, and acetonitrile) were evaluated for use as catalysts in the methyl esterification of stearic acid. Optimum conditions were established for the impregnation of 0.5 g (w/w) of PTA on amorphous silica, under stirring at 150 rpm for 24 h, using 20 mL of 0.1 mol L-1 HCl as the solvent. After calcination at 200 ºC, high conversions were obtained under mild reaction conditions, resulting in high turnover numbers. The catalyst was evaluated in ten catalytic cycles of use, where the activity was reduced only slightly, attesting its stability and the possibility to apply it to industrial production of methylesters.

Constituintes químicos e atividade antioxidante de folhas e galhos de Eugenia copacabanensis Kiaersk (Myrtaceae)

Phytochemical investigation of Eugenia copacabanensis allowed for the isolation and identification of following compounds: β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol-glucoside, eight triterpenes, (mixture of α- and β-amyrins, ursolic acid, 30-hydroxy-ursolic acid, betulin, friedelin, friedelan-3,4-lactone, and taraxerol), a mixture of three sesquiterpenes, (clovandiol, globulol, and viridiflorol), three flavonoids (kaempferol-3-O-β-D-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-α-L-arabinoside, and quercetin), and a mixture of four coumaroyl esters (octacosanyl, heptacosanyl, hexacosanyl, and tetracosanyl coumarates). The structures of these compounds were assigned based on comparison with literature data and spectroscopic analysis, including analysis by two-dimensional NMR techniques. Total phenolic content and total flavonoids were evaluated. Antioxidant activities of methanol extracts and fractions were measured by the 1,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hidrazyl free radical scavenging assay.

Síntese e avaliação da atividade antimalárica de compostos derivados da curcumina

One of the main challenges in the development of new antimalarial drugs is to achieve a viable lead candidate with good pharmacokinetic properties. Curcumin has a broad range of biological activities, including antimalarial activity. Herein, we report the antimalarial activity of six curcumin derivatives (6-12) and an initial analysis of their pharmacokinetic properties. Five compounds have demonstrated potent activity against the P. falciparum in vitro (IC50 values ranging from 1.7 to 15.2 µg mL-1), with moderate or low cytotoxicity against the HeLa cell line. The substitution of the carbonyl group in 6 by a 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone group (to afford 11) increases the Selective Index. These preliminary results indicate curcumin derivatives as potential antimalarial compounds.

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana de soluções de flumequina submetidas aos processos eletroquímico e foto-eletroquímico

Flumequine degradation by electrochemical and photo-electrochemical processes was evaluated in this study. The antimicrobial activity of the solutions subjected to the electrochemical processes was monitored during the assays. The experiments were carried out using DSA® (dimensionally stable anode) electrode. The influence of current density was investigated for the 7.5 to 45 mA cm-2 range. The photo-electrochemical process was more efficient for degrading flumequine (85%) and reducing solution antimicrobial activity. For both processes, the residual antimicrobial activity decreased as flumequine degradation increased. The reaction intermediate m/z 244 (5-methyl-1-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H,5H-pyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-2-carboxylic acid) was identified.

Atividade antibacteriana in vitro e toxicidade frente à Artemia salina Leach. de alguns compostos triazenos

Bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents is currently a major concern. We report the synthesis, in vitro antibacterial activity and toxicity toward Artemia salina of six diaryltriazene compounds bearing different substituent groups. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values against standard strains (ATCC) and clinical isolates (including ESBL, MBL and AmpC strains) were good to very good, in the range 8 to 128 mg mL-1. Results suggest that hydroxyl, 4-carboxyl and 4-phenyldiazenil groups attached to the diaryltriazenes provide enhanced activity. Toxicity results showed very low LC50 values for three compounds (10-fold lower than DTIC).

Vanadato de bismuto sintetizado por combustão em solução na presença de diferentes combustíveis: síntese, caracterização e estudo da atividade fotocatalítica

In this manuscript, a BiVO4 semiconductor was synthesized by solution combustion synthesis using different fuels (Alanine, Glycine and Urea). Also, the Tween® 80 surfactant was added during synthesis. BiVO4 was characterized by XRD, SEM and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the discoloration of methylene blue at 664 nm under UV-visible light irradiation. According to XRD, the monoclinic phase of BiVO4 was obtained for the samples. The smallest particle size and highest k obs value were observed for the BiVO4/alanine sample, which promoted greater demethylation of methylene blue.