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Heterocycles are privileged structural motifs found in many natural products and biologically active compounds. Given the prevalence of this structural unit, there has been considerable interest and challenge in developing methods for construction optically pure heterocycles in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry. The skeleton of hydronaphthalene and indole are pervasive structural motifs in the pharmaceutical drugs that exhibit various bioactivities. This dissertation is mainly focused on the development of transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric functionalization of alkenes, including the hydroselenation and hydroamination of various oxa/azabicyclic olefins for the synthesis of bioactive compounds and structural modification of oleanolic acid. An efficient rhodium catalytic system consisting of Rh(COD)2OTf/(S)-xyl-Binap, and n-Bu4NI was developed for the asymmetric hydroselenation of various oxa/azabicyclic olefins with diaryl diselenides instead of the unstable, malodorous selenol compounds. Under these reaction conditions, a wide range of heterobicyclic alkenes produced selenol containing hydronaphthalene derivatives in high yields (up to 96%) along with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97%), overcoming the self- promoted racemic hydroselenation. The exo-configuration of the exclusive addition product was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The strategy has also been applied to the kinetic resolution of unsymmetric oxabenzonorbornadiene. Further, these selenium compounds can catalyze the oxidative coupling reaction of 2-naphthols. Then, for the synthesis of trans 1-indolyl dihydronaphthalenols, a highly enantioselective Rh/Pd dual-metal sequentially catalytic system was revealed through intermolecular and intramolecular cascade hydroamination in the reaction of oxabenzonorbornadienes with 2-alkynylanilines. The exclusive trans-configuration of 1-(2-phenyl)indolyl dihydronaphthalenol was identified by X-ray crystal analysis. Various substituents, such as aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, and silyl groups on alkynyl starting material can be used as compatible nucleophiles in the reaction to give excellent iii enantiomeric excesses (up to 99%) with good yields (up to 88%) under mild conditions. The reaction can be performed on a gram scale, while the indole derivatives could be transformed at the hydroxyl and indolyl funtionalities. The in silico and in vitro screening showed that the novel 1-indolyl dihydronaphthalenol products can serve as potential lead compounds for treating inflammation disease. At last, a series of functional groups, including carboxyl, phosphate, sulfone, triazole, tertiary amine, and glycosyl have been incorporated into oleanolic acid to improve its water solubility. A wide range of their derivatives have been obtained, and it was found that carboxyl salt, phosphate salt, and sulfonate salt contribute to the increase of the solubilities in water; up to 8 g/L was gained for carboxylate salt, which also provides the possibility to improve the bioavailability of these compounds

Heterocycles are privileged structural motifs found in many natural products and biologically active compounds. Given the prevalence of this structural unit, there has been considerable interest and challenge in developing methods for construction optically pure heterocycles in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry. The skeleton of hydronaphthalene and indole are pervasive structural motifs in the pharmaceutical drugs that exhibit various bioactivities. This dissertation is mainly focused on the development of transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric functionalization of alkenes, including the hydroselenation and hydroamination of various oxa/azabicyclic olefins for the synthesis of bioactive compounds and structural modification of oleanolic acid. An efficient rhodium catalytic system consisting of Rh(COD)2OTf/(S)-xyl-Binap, and n-Bu4NI was developed for the asymmetric hydroselenation of various oxa/azabicyclic olefins with diaryl diselenides instead of the unstable, malodorous selenol compounds. Under these reaction conditions, a wide range of heterobicyclic alkenes produced selenol containing hydronaphthalene derivatives in high yields (up to 96%) along with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97%), overcoming the self- promoted racemic hydroselenation. The exo-configuration of the exclusive addition product was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The strategy has also been applied to the kinetic resolution of unsymmetric oxabenzonorbornadiene. Further, these selenium compounds can catalyze the oxidative coupling reaction of 2-naphthols. Then, for the synthesis of trans 1-indolyl dihydronaphthalenols, a highly enantioselective Rh/Pd dual-metal sequentially catalytic system was revealed through intermolecular and intramolecular cascade hydroamination in the reaction of oxabenzonorbornadienes with 2-alkynylanilines. The exclusive trans-configuration of 1-(2-phenyl)indolyl dihydronaphthalenol was identified by X-ray crystal analysis. Various substituents, such as aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, and silyl groups on alkynyl starting material can be used as compatible nucleophiles in the reaction to give excellent iii enantiomeric excesses (up to 99%) with good yields (up to 88%) under mild conditions. The reaction can be performed on a gram scale, while the indole derivatives could be transformed at the hydroxyl and indolyl funtionalities. The in silico and in vitro screening showed that the novel 1-indolyl dihydronaphthalenol products can serve as potential lead compounds for treating inflammation disease. At last, a series of functional groups, including carboxyl, phosphate, sulfone, triazole, tertiary amine, and glycosyl have been incorporated into oleanolic acid to improve its water solubility. A wide range of their derivatives have been obtained, and it was found that carboxyl salt, phosphate salt, and sulfonate salt contribute to the increase of the solubilities in water; up to 8 g/L was gained for carboxylate salt, which also provides the possibility to improve the bioavailability of these compounds

Fungicide discovery is relatively neglected when compared to the investment in the development of antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-cancer therapeutics. Due to extensive use of currently available fungicides in agriculture and medicine, resistance is emerging among plant and animal pathogenic fungi. This necessitates the search for novel antifungal agents that are effective and less toxic and that do not promote resistance. FG08 and K20 are novel aminoglycoside analogs synthesized from kanamycin B and A, respectively. The antimicrobial properties of these analogs were tested in vitro against a wide range of agriculturally and clinically important fungal pathogens. Both compounds showed broad-spectrum antifungal properties, but they did not inhibit bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The hemolytic activities and cytotoxicities of FG08 and K20 were also evaluated. They showed no toxicity or lowered toxicity against animal cells at their antifungal minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The fungicidal mechanisms of action of FG08 and K20 were examined using intact cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cryptococcus neoformans, hyphae of Fusarium graminearum. FG08 and K20 caused SYTOX Green dye uptake and potassium efflux by intact cells, indicating that they increase plasma membrane permeability. FG08 and K20 also caused leakage of pre-loaded calcein from small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) composed of lipids that mimic the lipid composition of fungal membranes, further suggesting increased membrane permeability as their mechanism of action. The synergistic interactions of K20 with six azoles (such as itraconazole, and fluconazole) were investigated against a wide array of fungal pathogens. The in vitro results revealed strong synergy between K20 and azoles against plant and human pathogenic fungi. Their synergies were furthered confirmed by time kill curves and disk diffusion methods. In conclusion, FG08 and K20 are broad-spectrum antifungal agents that do not inhibit bacteria. At their antifungal MICs, they are not toxic to animal cells, but they inhibit fungi by interacting with the fungal plasma membrane, leading to pore formation. These novel aminoglycoside analogs appear attractive for applications as fungicides in agriculture and medicine.

This dissertation deals with the phytochemical and biological investigations of Grindelia tarapacana Phil. (Asteraceae), a plant species native to the Desert of Atacama in Chile. Ten compounds were isolated by using various chromatographic techniques. Of these, seven are new and two are known diterpenoids of the manoyloxide type. One known steroid was also characterized during the course of this study. New diterpenoids included 14S,15-dihydroxy-13-epi-manoyloxide (tarapacol), 15-acetoxy-14S-hydroxy-13-epi-manoyloxide (tarapacol 15-acetate), 14S,15-diacetoxy-13-epi-manoyloxide (tarapacol diacetate), 11α,14S,15-trihydroxy-13-epi-manoyloxide (tarapacanol A), 14S,15-diacetoxy-11α-hydroxy-13-epi-manoyloxide (tarapacanol A 14, 15-diacetate), 12α,14S,15-trihydroxy-13-epi-manoyloxide (tarapacanol B) and 14S,15-dihydroxy-11-keto-13-epi-manoyloxide (tarapacanone). The chemical structures and stereochemistry were established on the basis of extensive spectral analyses including 2D NMR and NOE techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis of tarapacol 15-acetate supported its absolute configuration. The configurations of the other new remaining diterpenoids were assigned based on biogenetic considerations. The two known diterpenoids were 13-epi-manoyloxide and 12α-hydroxy-13-epi-manoyloxide. The steroid was identified as α-spinasterol. The characterization of the known compounds was based on the comparisons of their spectral and physical constants with those reported in the literature for standard samples. Ten known flavonoids were also identified. As part of screening studies for biological activity, anti-HIV and anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis tests were carried out for the isolated compounds. Five diterpenoids were found to exhibit biological activities. In an anti-HIV test, 12α-hydroxy-13-epi-manoyloxide (at 31 μg/mL) strongly decreased the HIV antigen release to a 10% level and still kept the 84% cell survival, suggesting anti-HIV activity with high selectivity in vitro. The activity of several diterpenoids against Mycobacterium tuberculosis reference strain H₃₇ Ra in vitro was very positive. Three diterpenoids, tarapacol (MIC = 32 μg/mL), tarapacol 15-acetate (MIC = 32 μg/mL) and tarapacanol A 14,15-diacetate (MIC = 32 μg/mL) showed a potency similar to that obtained for the anti-tuberculosis agent pyrazinamide (MIC = 40 μg/mL). Tarapacol diacetate (MIC = 16 μg/mL) was found to be much more potent than pyrazinamide.

Introduction: The survival of dental implants depends on osseointegration. Modifications to the implant surface are attractive for promoting the success of the implant. Abrading the surface of the implant with bioactive glass is an attractive option for improving the speed of osseointegration. Aims: To develop a bioactive glass that has the ability to enhance the surface roughness of the implant by embedding particles into the surface and to investigate the effect of grit blast parameters on the removal of the titanium from the surface. Methods: Three glasses based on SiO2-CaO-Na2O-P2O5-CaF2 were synthesized by a melt quench technique. The glasses were characterised and investigated for their bioactivity. Titanium discs were abraded with coarse glass particles by using a grit blast technique with different parameters, such as, distance, air pressure and speed. The depth, width of the abraded line and surface roughness (Ra) were measured by light profilometer. The distribution of the glasses on the titanium surface was measured by SEM-EDX. The biocompatibility of the abraded discs was tested in vitro using MC3T3-E1 cell line. Results: All glasses exhibited an amorphous structure with varied bioactivity. Changing the abrasion parameters influenced the amount of titanium removed and the surface coverage. The harder the glass the lower the amount of titanium removed and the wider the width of the abraded area. The Ra was significantly increased from 0.1μm to 1.6μm. The SEM-EDX analysis confirmed that the glasses were widely distributed and a higher coverage was seen with the harder glass. The abraded discs showed good biocompatibility in vitro. Conclusions: The designed compositions were successfully modifying the surface of the titanium. They are abrasive enough to significantly embed into the titanium surface by using the grit blast technique and increase their surface roughness. TheIntroduction: The survival of dental implants depends on osseointegration. Modifications to the implant surface are attractive for promoting the success of the implant. Abrading the surface of the implant with bioactive glass is an attractive option for improving the speed of osseointegration. Aims: To develop a bioactive glass that has the ability to enhance the surface roughness of the implant by embedding particles into the surface and to investigate the effect of grit blast parameters on the removal of the titanium from the surface. Methods: Three glasses based on SiO2-CaO-Na2O-P2O5-CaF2 were synthesized by a melt quench technique. The glasses were characterised and investigated for their bioactivity. Titanium discs were abraded with coarse glass particles by using a grit blast technique with different parameters, such as, distance, air pressure and speed. The depth, width of the abraded line and surface roughness (Ra) were measured by light profilometer. The distribution of the glasses on the titanium surface was measured by SEM-EDX. The biocompatibility of the abraded discs was tested in vitro using MC3T3-E1 cell line. Results: All glasses exhibited an amorphous structure with varied bioactivity. Changing the abrasion parameters influenced the amount of titanium removed and the surface coverage. The harder the glass the lower the amount of titanium removed and the wider the width of the abraded area. The Ra was significantly increased from 0.1μm to 1.6μm. The SEM-EDX analysis confirmed that the glasses were widely distributed and a higher coverage was seen with the harder glass. The abraded discs showed good biocompatibility in vitro. Conclusions: The designed compositions were successfully modifying the surface of the titanium. They are abrasive enough to significantly embed into the titanium surface by using the grit blast technique and increase their surface roughness. The glass abraded discs show both good bioactivity and biocompatibility in vitro.

This research investigates the use of conducting polymer coatings on platinum (Pt) electrodes for use in neuroprostheses. Conducting polymers aim to provide an environment conducive to neurite outgrowth and attachment at the electrode sites, producing intimate contact between neural cells and stimulating electrodes. Conducting polymers were electropolymerised onto model Pt electrodes. Conventional polymers polypyrrole (PPy) and poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiphene (PEDOT) doped with polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) and para-toluenesulfonate (pTS)were investigated. Improvement of material properties was assessed through the layering of polymers with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The ability to incorporate cell attachment bioactivity into polymers was examined through the doping of PEDOT with anionic laminin peptides DCDPGYIGSR and DEDEDYFQRYLI. Finally, nerve growth factor (NGF), was entrapped in PEDOT during polymerisation and tested for neurite outgrowth bioactivity against the PC12 cell line. Each polymer modification was assessed for electrical performance over multiple reduction-oxidation cycles, conductivity and impedance spectroscopy, mechanical adherence and hardness, and biological response. Scanning electron microscopy was used to visualise film topography and x-ray photon spectroscopy was employed to examine chemical constitution of the polymers. For application of electrode coatings to neural prostheses, optimal bioactive conducting polymer PEDOT/pTS/NGF was deposited on electrode arrays intended for implantation. PC12s were used to assess the bioactivity of NGF functionalised PEDOT when electrode size was micronised. Flexibility of the design was tested by tailoring PEDOT bioactivity for the cloned retinal ganglion cell, RGC-5, differentiated via staurasporine. It was established that PEDOT films had superior electrical and cell growth characteristics, but only PPy was able to benefit from incorporation of MWNTs. Bioactive polymers were produced through inclusion of both laminin peptides and NGF, but the optimum film constitution was found to be PEDOT doped with pTS with NGF entrapped during electrodeposition. Application of this polymer to an implant device was confirmed through positive neurite outgrowth on vision prosthesis electrode arrays. The design was shown to be flexible when tailored for RGC-5s, with differentiation occurring on both PEDOT/pTS and PEDOT/DEDEDYFQRYLI. Conducting polymers demonstrate the potential to improve electrode-cell interactions. Future work will focus on the effect of electrical stimulation and design of bioactive polymers with improved cell attachment properties.

In order to test the dietary effects of bioactive compounds present in whole grains, we decided to observe the effect of varying types of sorghum bran on colon cancer promotion. We used 40 rats consuming diets containing 6% fiber from either cellulose or bran from white (contains phenolic acids), brown (contains tannins), or black (contains anthocyanins) sorghum (n=10). Diets were fed for 10 wk, during which two azoxymethane (AOM) injections (15 mg/kg BW) were administered in wk 3 and 4. We observed that the total number of aberrant crypts (AC) and high multiplicity aberrant crypt foci (HMACF) were lower in rats consuming black (p < 0.04) and brown (p < 0.006) sorghum diets when compared to the cellulose diet, and that these decreases were an inverse function of diet antioxidant activity (ABTS). These observations led us to evaluate the effect of these diets on endogenous enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; and glutathione peroxidase, GPx), redox status as measured by reduced and oxidized glutathione, and cell cycle processes, proliferation and apoptosis, in the rat colon. Total SOD activity was higher (p < 0.04) in rats consuming black sorghum when compared to all other diets. A similar, but not significant, trend occurred in mitochondrial SOD. The white sorghum diet had enhanced (p < 0.02) CAT activity compared to the cellulose diet, but the black and brown sorghum diets were intermediate. Finally, all sorghum diets suppressed GPx activity relative to cellulose (p < 0.04). However, no changes were seen in levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione or the ratio of the two. The black sorghum fed rats had a lower proliferative index (p < 0.01) and zone (p < 0.04) compared to cellulose; brown and white sorghum rats were intermediate. Apoptotic index was highest in brown sorghum rats compared to cellulose (p < 0.03), while other sorghum diets were intermediate. These data suggest that the suppression of AC and HMACF formation in rats consuming sorghum bran may have resulted through the differential actions of the sorghum brans on endogenous antioxidant enzymes, which may affect colonocyte proliferation and apoptosis.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--City University of New York, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-120) and index. Also available for educational and research purposes in PDF format on the Internet.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide with the most prevalent form, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), accounting for the vast majority of glaucoma cases. The main risk-factor for POAG is an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), and is due to an increased resistance to aqueous humor outflow in the conventional outflow pathway at the juxtacanalicular region of the trabecular meshwork (TM) and the inner wall of Schlemm’s canal (SC). Reducing elevated IOP is the most effective method to prevent further loss of vision in glaucoma; therefore, it is important to understand how outflow resistance is regulated in the conventional outflow pathway in order to find effective methods to reduce ocular hypertension. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is an endogenous lipid that reduces outflow facility in porcine eyes, thereby increasing resistance. S1P plays a major role in affecting cell migration, endothelial permeability, and junctional formation, processes that are intimately linked and regulated by cytoskeletal dynamics. Due to S1P’s known effect of decreasing endothelial permeability in vascular endothelial cells, the overall hypothesis of this dissertation is that the S1P-induced decrease in outflow facility occurs through a mechanism that involves S1P receptor activation in SC cells. The results from the studies within this dissertation demonstrate the expression of the S1P₁₋₃ receptor subtypes in SC and TM cells and a decrease of outflow facility by S1P in perfused human eyes. Additionally, S1P promotes F-actin formation and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation at the SC cell cortex. The S1P-promoted MLC phosphorylation in both SC and TM cells, in addition to the S1P-induced decrease of outflow facility in porcine and human eyes, were blocked by the S1P₂ antagonist JTE-013. Results from these studies demonstrate S1P to actively regulate actomyosin dynamics in the cells of the outflow pathway through the S1P₂ receptor. S1P₂ also mediates the S1P-induced increase in outflow resistance. Therefore, S1P₂ is a novel pharmacological target in the conventional outflow pathway to reduce elevated IOP in glaucoma patients.