[Estimation of molecular structure and cytotoxic activity by the semi-empirical molecular orbital method].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
Biomedical subjects
Mariko Ishihara
Publications and source records attributed to Mariko Ishihara.
(1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of methacrylate molecules associated with DMPC and/or DPPC liposomes.
In the light of recent developments, changes in (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of methacrylate molecule associated with DMPC (L-alpha dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine) or DPPC (L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) liposomes as a model for mimic native lipid bilayers were studied at 30, 37, and 52 degrees C. The chemical shifts of 3Ha, 3C, and 4C resonances in methacrylates (see Fig. 2) were greatly shifted higher field, suggesting the methacrylate molecule-lipid bilayer interaction. Comparison of the findings with methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA), and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) revealed that the interaction of dimethacrylates (EDMA, TEGDMA) was greater than monomethacrylate, MMA. Their interaction with DMPC liposomes was also judged by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), indicating that the interaction was characterized by decreasing the enthalpy, entropy, and transition co-operativity. The evidence of the upfield NMR-shifts for methacrylate molecules was also judged by the descriptors such as the reactivity (HOMO-LUMO energy) and the electrostatic function (partial charges) between methacrylate molecules and DPPC, calculated by a PM 3 semiempirical MO method. The upfield NMR shifts were considerably well interpreted from the descriptors. NMR screening technique in methacrylates to phospholipid targets would be highly valuable in biomaterial developments. Figure 2 Changes in (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of methacrylate molecule associated with DMPC or DPPC liposomes. DMPC liposomes/MMA (1:1, molar ratio) and DMPC/TEGDMA (1:1) liposomes were measured at 30 degrees C. In DPPC liposome system, the rippled gel phase was measured at 30 degrees C, whereas the liquid crystalline phase for MMA and for both EDMA and TEGDMA were measured at 52 degrees C and 37 degrees C, respectively.
1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and DPPC/cholesterol liposomes as predictors of the cytotoxicity of bis-GMA related compounds.
In light of recent development, dental materials such as 2, 2-bis [4-2(-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl] propane, ( bis-GMA); 2, 2-bis [4-(1-hydroxymethyl-2-methacryloxy)phenyl] propane, (iso-bis-GMA); and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, (TEGDMA) were investigated to determine whether their phase transition properties (phase transition temperature, temperature width, cooperativity) could be induced in samples of DPPC or DPPC/cholesterol (CHOL) liposomes using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The changes in phase transition properties of DPPC liposomes caused by addition of TEGDMA were greater than those caused by addition of bis-GMA or iso-bis-GMA, but the extent of changes in the properties of DPPC/CHOL (10:1 or 4:1) liposomes declined in the order of bis-GMA > iso-bis-GMA > TEGDMA. The degree of alteration was related to the cytotoxicity of these compounds. DPPC/CHOL liposomes were found to be better predictors of cytotoxicity than DPPC liposomes. Whether the computational approach to studying the molecular mechanism of alteration is applicable using descriptors such as reactivity of energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and/or lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) was investigated, and the data suggested that these descriptors are useful for studying the interactive roles of dental materials.
1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
Effects of prenylflavanones from Sophora species on growth and activation of mouse macrophage-like cell line.
We investigated the effect of 2 flavanones and 8 chemically-defined prenylflavanones on the growth and activation of mouse macrophage-like Raw 264.7 cells. Amino acid analysis in the culture medium demonstrated the rapid consumption of serine and glutamine by Raw264.7 cells, suggesting the necessity to supplement these amino acids for the prolonged culture. Naringenin and hesperetin showed little or no cytotoxic activity. However, addition of the isoprenyl group (sophoraflavanone B, euchrestaflavanone A) or the lavandulyl and hydroxyl group (sophoraflavanone G) significantly enhanced the cytotoxic activity. The cytotoxic activity of these compounds was significantly influenced by both log P value and ionization potential. These compounds slightly, but significantly, reduced both nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells, regardless of their cytotoxic activity. These data suggest that the macrophage inhibitory effect of prenylflavanones might not be related to their cytotoxic activity.
Amino Acids↗
Effects of isoflavones from Sophora species on the growth and activation of a mouse macrophage-like cell line.
We investigated the effect of eleven isoflavones on the growth and activation of mouse macrophage-like Raw 264.7 cells. The study of structure-activity relationship suggests that both hydrophilic (hydroxyl) and hydrophobic (prenyl) groups within isoflavone molecules are the determinants for the induction of cytotoxic activity. When hydrophobicity was assessed by octanol-water partition coefficient (log P), the maximum cytotoxic activity was observed at a log P value above 2.5. All isoflavones did not significantly stimulate the nitric oxide (NO) production by Raw 264.7 cells, but reduced the NO production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells, at cytotoxic concentrations. Amino acid analysis in the culture medium demonstrated that isoflavones significantly inhibited the LPS-stimulated production of citrulline and asparagine. Isoflavones inhibited the LPS-stimulated NO production more efficiently than citrulline and asparagine production, possibly due to their NO scavenging activity. These data suggest that the inhibiton of LPS action by isoflavones may be coupled with their cytotoxic activity.
Animals↗
Application of semiempirical method to estimate the cytotoxic activity of gallic acid and its related compounds.
The semiempirical method was applied to estimate the cytotoxic activity of 9 gallic acid derivatives against human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells. Positive correlation was found between their 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) value and the heat of formation or total energy, but not between the CC50 value and size of the molecule (determined either by the length of the side chains, the largest distance of the molecule, the distance from R2 to carbonyl C or benzene ring C, or by Van der waals area). When CC50 value was plotted vs octanol/water partition coefficient (log P), parabolic curve, with a bottom at log P = 3-4, was produced, in a similar fashion to vitamin K, prenylflavanone and eugenol-related compounds. The present study suggests the usefulness of the semiempirical method to estimate the cytotoxicity of structurally related compounds.
Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor↗
Cytotoxicity, ROS-generation activity and radical-scavenging activity of curcumin and related compounds.
The cytotoxicity, ROS (reactive oxygen species)-generation activity and radical-scavenging activity of curcumin and related compounds such as eugenol, eugenol orthodimer (bis-eugenol; 3,3'-dimethoxy-5,5'-di-2-propenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol) and isoeugenol were investigated. Their cytotoxicity against a human submandibular gland adenocarcinoma cell line (HSG) declined in the order curcumin > isoeugenol > bis-eugenol > eugenol. Since the hydrophobicity (log P) of curcumin, isoeugenol and eugenol is about 2.5, whereas that of bis-eugenol is 4.8, there was no relationship between cytotoxicity and log P. Generation of intracellular ROS in HSG cells was observed for curcumin alone in an assay using 5- (and -6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (CDFH-DA). The cytotoxicity of, and ROS generation by, curcumin were reduced by the addition of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and glutathione, suggesting a possible link between cytotoxicity and ROS. The radical-scavenging (antioxidant) activity of curcumin and related compounds was determined quantitatively by the induction period method for polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by peroxy radicals derived from benzoyl peroxide (BPO) under nearly anaerobic conditions. The length of the induction (inhibition) period for curcumin was significantly greater than that of the other compounds. This suggests that curcumin is an efficient scavenger of peroxy radicals. The curcumin radical possibly reacts with itself or with other radicals to yield polymeric stable products such as curcumin dimer. Such polyphenolic behavior of curcumin was considerably different from that of bis-eugenol, which, like curcumin, has two hydroxy groups, or of other compounds with one hydroxy group. The radical-scavenging activity was also investigated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Curcumin scavenged approximately one DPPH free radical, suggesting the formation of curcumin dimer. The possible formation of curcumin dimer was explored with a PM3 semiempirical molecular orbital method. A molecular mechanism of cancer prevention by curcumin is proposed, based on its high reactivity with peroxy radicals at low oxygen pressure and on ROS generation induced by curcumin radicals.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Relationship between differentiation-inducing activity and hypercalcemic activity of hexafluorotrihydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives.
Among 16 newly synthesized hexafluorotrihydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives, 24-Homo-26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro (24H-F6)-1,24(S), 25(OH)3 vitamin D3 (VD3) (DD-011) [16] induced differentiation (i.e., appearance of NBT-positive cells) of human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells most efficiently (EC50=0.5 nM), followed by 24H-F6-1,25(OH)2-22-oxa-VD3 (DD-006) [11] > F6-1,25(OH)2-VD3 (F6VD3) [2] > F6-1,25(OH)2-22-ene-VD3 (DD-009) [14] > 24H-F6-1,25(OH)2-VD3 (F6C28) [3] > 24H-F6-1,25(OH)2-1,23(S),25(OH)3-VD3 (DD-015) [18] > 24H-F6-1,25(OH)2-22-ene-VD3 (mvd1400) [6] > 22H-F6-1,25(OH)2-24-ene-VD3 (mvd3400) [5] > 24H-F6-1,23(R),25(OH)3-VD3 (DD-014) [17] > 24H-F6-1,22(S),25(OH)3-VD3 (DD-003) [7] > 24H-F6-1,22(S),25(OH)3-24-yne-VD3 (DD-005) [9] > 24H-F6-1,22(R),25(OH)3-24-yne-VD3 (mvd-1235) [10] > F6-1,25(OH)2-22-ene-VD3 (DD-008) [13] = 1,25(OH)2VD3 [1] (CC50=6 nM). On the other hand, 24H-F6-1,22(R),25(OH)3-VD3 (DD-004) [8], which is an isomer of DD-003 [7], showed much reduced activity (CC50=100 nM), suggesting the importance of the configuration of the OH group at the C-22. When their differentiation-inducing activity was plotted vs. the octanol-water partition coefficient (log P) used as a parameter of hydrophobicity, a bell-shaped curve was produced, with the bottom at log P=5.4-5.8. There was no clear-cut relationship between the differentiation-inducing activity and hypercalcemic activity (serum calcium elevating activity). Compounds [3, 7, 11, 17] showed relatively higher differentiation-inducing activity, with lesser hypercalcemic activity, as compared with [1]. Administration of [7] showed potent antiproliferation activity against colon cancer transplanted in nude mice. These results further confirmed the antitumor potential of hexafluorotrihydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives.
Animals↗
Cytotoxicty and radical modulating activity of isoflavones and isoflavanones from Sophora species.
We investigated 2 isoflavones and 9 isoflavanones from Sophora species for their cytotoxic activity against 3 normal human cells (gingival fibroblast, pulp cell, periodontal ligament fibroblast) and 2 human tumor cell lines (squamous cell carcinoma HSC-2, submandibular gland carcinoma HSG). Compounds with 2 isoprenyl groups (one in A-ring and the other in B-ring) such as tetrapterol G [YS31] and isosophoranone [YS24], and those with alpha,alpha-dimethylallyl group at C-5' of B-ring [YS26 (secundifloran), YS27 (secundiflorol A), YS28 (secundiflorol D), YS29 (secundiflorol E)] showed relatively higher cytotoxic activity. When hydrophobicity was assessed by octanol-water partition coefficient (log P), the maximum cytotoxic activity was observed at a log P value around 4. Compounds with intermediate cytotoxic activity [YS27, genistein, YS28, YS29, YS30 (secundiflorol F)] showed relatively higher tumor specificity. All isoflavones and isoflavanones did not stimulate the nitric oxide (NO) production by mouse macrophage-like Raw 264.7 cells, but almost completely inhibited the NO production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. ESR spectroscopy showed that YS26 and YS28, which are the most inhibitory for NO production, efficiently scavenged superoxide anion and NO radicals. These data suggest that the inhibition of macrophage NO production by these isoflavanones may, at least in part, be explained by their radical scavenging or reduction activity.
Animals↗
Kinetic radical scavenging activity and cytotoxicity of 2-methoxy- and 2-t-butyl-substituted phenols and their dimers.
The dimers bis-EUG, bis-MMP, bis-BHA, bis-BMP and bis-DBP were synthesized from the monomers 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (EUG), 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (MMP), 2-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (BHA), 2-t-butyl-4-methylphenol (BMP) and 2,4-di-t-butylphenol (DBP), respectively. The stoichiometric factors (n; number of free radicals trapped by one mole of phenolic moiety) of these compounds were determined by induction period methods with a kinetic approach in the 2'2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) systems at 70 degrees C. The n values for bis-EUG, bis-MMP and bis-BHA were approximately two-fold greater than those for their monomers in both the AIBN and BPO systems, whereas the n values for bis-BMP and bis-DBP were identical to those of their monomers. bis-EUG, bis-MMP and bis-BHA, containing methoxy groups, were potent antioxidants. The n values (1.3-1.6) for EUG and MMP were considerably less than 2, as is commonly observed for the stoichiometric factors of phenolic compounds. The antiradical efficiencies against DPPH (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) of the monomers and their dimers were also investigated, likewise indicating that bis-EUG, bis-MMP and bis-BHA were potent antioxidants. DBP and bis-DBP were less effective radical scavengers because of the steric factor of their bulky t-butyl groups. On the basis of cytotoxic activity against a human submandibular gland carcinoma cell line (HSG) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF), these compounds could be classified into a high-activity group (DBP, bis-DBP and bis-BMP, with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a positive control) and a low-activity group (MMP, EUG, BHA, BMP, bis-BHA and bis-EUG). The cytotoxicity of EUG and BHA was markedly reduced by dimerization, whereas that of MMP was enhanced. The sensitivity index (ratio of 50% cytotoxic concentration for HGF cells to that for HSG cells) of EUG, MMP, bis-MMP and bis-BHA was approximately 9, 5, 7 and 2, respectively, whereas that of the other compounds was approximately 1. Potential mechanisms of cytotoxicity were assessed by PM3 semiempirical molecular orbital (MO) calculations. Tumor cells were highly sensitive to 2-methoxy-4-alkylphenols such as EUG and MMP, possibly due to the formation of cytotoxic quinone methide intermediates. In contrast, the high sensitivity index of bis-MMP may be related to the production of a highly reactive substance, CH3+, via oxidation. Structure-activity relationship (SAR ) models using PM3 calculations may be useful to predict biological activity during the development of potential anticancer drugs.
Benzoyl Peroxide↗
Re-evaluation of cytotoxicity and iron chelation activity of three beta-diketones by semiempirical molecular orbital method.
We investigated the chelating effect of FeCl3 on three beta-diketones, curcumin [1], (-)-3-(trifluoroacetyl)camphor [2] and 3-formylchromone [3], as judged by changes in their cytotoxicity and absorption spectra. Addition of an equimolar concentration of FeCl3 almost completely abrogated the cytotoxicity and changed the pattern of absorption spectra (decrease in the peak height at 430 nm) of [1], without affecting those of [2] and [3]. A semiempirical molecular orbital method (CAChe), based on these experimental data, proposed the estimated structure of [1] chelated with FeCl3 at 1:1 molar ratio. The present study suggests that [1], but not [2] and [3], is an iron chelator.
Cell Line↗
Cytotoxic activity of styrylchromones against human tumor cell lines.
A total of 6 newly-synthesized styrylchromones (SC-1 approximately SC-6) were compared for their cytotoxic activity against three normal oral human cells (gingival fibroblast HGF, pulp cell HPC, periodontal ligament fibroblast HPLF) and four human tumor cell lines (squamous cell carcinoma HSC-2, HSC-3, submandibular gland carcinoma HSG, promyelocytic leukemia HL-60). All compounds showed higher cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines than against normal cells. Among the 6 compounds, SC-3, SC-4 and SC-5, which have one to three methoxy groups, showed higher tumor specificity and water solubility. The cytotoxic activity of SC-3 and SC-5 was slightly reduced by a lower concentration of NADH, a quinone reductase, but that of SC-3 was enhanced by higher concentrations of NADH, possibly due to demethylation of the methoxy groups. Agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated that SC-3 and SC-5 induced intemucleosomal DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells and production of large DNA fragment in HSC-2 cells. Both SC-3 and SC-5 enhanced the enzymatic activity to cleave the substrates for caspases 3, 8 and 9, suggesting the activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways. ESR spectroscopy showed that these compounds produced no detectable amount of radical and did not scavenge superoxide anion generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction. The highly tumor-specific cytotoxic action and apoptosis-inducing capability of SC-3 and SC-5 suggest their applicability for cancer chemotherapy.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
Cytotoxicity of nocobactins NA-a, NA-b and their ferric complexes assessed by semiempirical molecular orbital method.
Nocobactins NA-a (NBNAa) and NA-b (NBNAb) showed higher cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines (HSC-2, HSC-3, HL-60) than against normal human cells (gingival fibroblast, pulp cell, periodontal ligament fibroblast), yielding tumor specificity indices (TS) of 80.0 and 43.9, respectively. We investigated the effect of FeCl3 on these compounds, as judged by changes in their cytotoxicity and absorption spectra. Addition of an equimolar concentration of FeCl3 almost completely abrogated the cytotoxicity and changed the pattern of absorption spectra of NBNAa and NBNAb. Mass spectrometry demonstrated that ferri-nocobactin NA-a (Fe-NBNAa) contains an iron atom, and this chelating complex had two orders lower cytotoxicity than intact NBNAa. A semi-empirical molecular orbital method (CAChe), based on these experimental data, proposed the estimated structure of Fe-NBNAa. The present study suggests that NBNAa and NBNAb are promising compounds for further study of antitumor potential in vivo, although their biological activity is significantly affected by the Fe3+ concentration in both intracellular and extracellular milieus.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
Quantitative structure-cytotoxicity relationship analysis of betulinic acid and its derivatives by semi-empirical molecular-orbital method.
A semi-empirical molecular-orbital method (CAChe) demonstrates that the cytotoxicity of betulinic acid derivatives can be predicted by several physical parameters (such as heat of formation, hydrophobicity (log P), watersolubility, ionization potential, electron affinity, dipole moment), but not by molecular size (maximum length and width). The present study demonstrates how this method can be applied to estimate the cytotoxic activity of structurally-related compounds.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
Tumor-specific cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing activity of berberines.
Berberine iodide (IK-1) and acetoneberberine (IK-2) showed higher cytotoxicity against five human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-2, HSC-3, HSC-4, NA, CA9-22) and one human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell lines, than against normal human oral tissue-derived cells (gingival fibroblast HGF, pulp cell HPC, periodontal ligament fibroblast HPLF), producing a tumor specificity index of 4.0 and 3.6, respectively. IK-1 was more potent than IK-2 in inducing the production of apoptotic cells, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, the activation of caspases-3, -8 and -9, and the increased expression of proapoptotic BAD protein, with a corresponding decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein in HL-60 cells. These compounds did not induce internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (only producing larger DNA fragment), nor increased the Bad protein expression in HSC-2 cells. The present study demonstrated the tumor-specific cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing activity of berberines, suggesting their possible antitumor potentiaL
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
A quantitative approach to the free radical interaction between alpha-tocopherol and the coantioxidants eugenol, resveratrol or ascorbate.
The regeneration of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E; VE) by coantioxidants such as phenolics and ascorbate has been studied in homogeneous hydrocarbon solution and in biological systems. However, VE phenoxyl radicals (VE*) may be sufficiently reactive to cooxidize phenolic compounds and ascorbates. The coantioxidant behavior of some relevant phenols such as eugenol (EUG), isoeugenol (IsoEUG), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol (DTBMP), trans-resveratrol (RES) and L-ascorbyl-2,6-dibutyrate (ASDB; an ascorbate derivative) with the antioxidant VE at a molar ratio of 1:1 was investigated by the induction period (IP) method in the kinetics of polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by the thermal decomposition of 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN; a source of alkyl radicals, R*) or benzoyl peroxide (BPO; a source of peroxy radicals, PhCOO*) under nearly anaerobic conditions. Synergism, implying regeneration of VE by the coantioxidant, was observed with only two of these combinations, VE/EUG with PhCOO* and VE/DTBMP with R*. For other mixtures of VE with a phenolic coantioxidant, VE was able to cooxidize the phenolic. Regeneration can only be observed if the bond dissociation energy (BDE) of the coantioxidant is lower than, or at least close to, that of VE. The driving force for regeneration of VE by EUG may be removal of the semiquinone radical of EUG by VE, leading to the formation of VE and EUG-quinonemethide, even though the BDE value of EUG is greater by 5.8 kcal/mol than that of VE. Further evidence for this mechanism of regeneration is provided by the value of approximately 2 for the stoichiometric factor (n) of EUG induced by PhCOO*, but not by R*, again implying the formation of EUG-quinonemethide. The regeneration of VE by DTBMP in the R* system may result from their much smaller difference in BDE (0.1-1.3 kcal/mol). Since VE is rapidly oxidized by PhCOO*, regeneration of VE by DTBMP was not found in this system. The observed IP for the VE/ASDB mixture in the R* system was much lower than that for VE alone, whereas the IP for VE/ASDB in the PhCOO* system was similar to that of VE. In the R* system, VE* was sufficiently reactive to cooxidize ASDB and, in addition, the prooxidation of VE may be promoted by the catalytic action of the ascorbate derivative. The present system, under nearly anaerobic conditions, is relatively biomimetic, since oxygen in living cells is sparse. Such studies could help to explain the mechanism of regeneration of VE by coantioxidants such as phenolic compounds and vitamin C in vivo.
Antioxidants↗
Kinetic radical-scavenging activity of melatonin.
Carbon-centred free radicals can be involved in damage to biological systems under hypoxiclanoxic conditions as well as in ischaemia/reperfusion injury. The antioxidant activities of melatonin against carbon-centred radicals are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant properties of melatonin against carbon-centred radicals in a biomimetic model system consisting of growing methyl methacrylate (MMA) radicals (poly-MMA radicals, PMMA*). The kinetics of the polymerization of MMA initiated by thermal decomposition of 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN; R* radical) or benzoyl peroxide (BPO; PhCOO* radical) in the presence of melatonin were investigated by the induction period method under nearly anaerobic conditions. As melatonin concentrations increased, the length of the induction period (IP) increased, but for the BPO system the IP reached a plateau at a molar ratio of BPO to melatonin of 5:1, indicating that the oxidation of melatonin by PhCOO* was limited. At low concentrations of melatonin, the stoichiometric factor (n, the number of free radicals trapped by the antioxidant moiety) for melatonin was approximately 2, but as the melatonin concentration increased the n value decreased markedly to 0.1. These observations suggest that melatonin may possess catalytic activity contributing to radical avoidance. The initial rate of polymerization (Rp) in the BPO system was markedly suppressed by high concentrations of melatonin, suggesting a strong interaction between oxidative end-products formed from melatonin and PMMA*. Under conditions where n was about 2, the kinh values for melatonin in the BPO system and the AIBN system were 6.58 x 10(4) M(-1)S(-1) and 2.49 x 10(3) M(-1)s(-1), respectively. In the BPO system, the kinh of melatonin was of a similar magnitude to that of a-tocopherol, whereas in the AIBN system the kinh of melatonin was 100-fold greater than that of tocopherol. The present findings suggest that melatonin may be able to scavenge harmful carbon-centred radicals in vivo.
Antioxidants↗
Quantitative structure-cytotoxicity relationship analysis of coumarin and its derivatives by semiempirical molecular orbital method.
A semiempirical molecular orbital method (CAChe) was applied to delineate the relationship between cytotoxicity against the human squamous cell carcinoma line HSC-2 (evaluated by 50% cytotoxic concentration, CC50) of 20 coumarin (2H-pyran-2-one) derivatives and twelve physical parameters (descriptors) calculated by the CONFLEX/PM3 method. There was a highly significant correlation between the CC50 and ionization potential, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy, difference between electron energy of HOMO and electron energy of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), or absolute hardness (r2=0.756 - 0.802). On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between the CC50 and heat of formation, stability of hydration, dipole moment, electron affinity, or LUMO energy (r2=0.13.- 0.36). When the CC50 was plotted vs. log P, a parabolic curve was produced, with a maximum cytotoxicity (or the least CC50 value) at log P of 2.5. The present study demonstrated that hardness and softness, other than the electron accepting and donating properties, are important factors in estimating the cytotoxic activity of coumarin derivatives.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗