Compounds, Volume 2, Issue 4 (December 2022) – 14 articles

Cordyceps militaris is a valued medicinal fungus in folk medicine in East Asia. It contains two major nucleosides, cordycepin and adenosine, which have been reported to have potential antineoplastic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. This paper aimed to study the effect of C. militaris extract on the reproductive function of a mouse model, evaluating possible toxicity, androgenic activity, and protective and rehabilitative effects against damages caused by sodium valproate (VPA). There was no death and abnormalities observed in mice. Androgen activity was also shown in young male rats by an improvement in several sexual organs. The protective effect of C. militaris extract was explained by the gain of sexual organs’ weight, testosterone concentration, and seminiferous tubule size as well as the enhancement of sperm density, alive sperm percentage, and the progressive forward movement of sperm. The pregnancy rate of female rats paired with VPA-administered male rats (500 mg/kg/day) increased proportionally with the higher dose of C. militaris extract. In the rehabilitation study, an incline in the weight of the Cowper’s gland and glans (0.112 g/kg/day) and testicle and prostate (0.336 g/kg/day) as well as an improvement of the sperm forward progressive movement was observed. The percentage of unprogressive sperm and immotile sperm has reduced. These results suggest that C. militaris is a potential supplement to reduce the negative effects of VPA and improve reproductive function, in which the two major constituents cordycepin and adenosine may play an active role. Full article

Six different perovskite-type oxides were investigated with respect to their ability for methanol synthesis via H₂ and CO₂: Fe-, Mn-, and Ti-based perovskites were prepared with and without Cu doping. For assessment, the catalysts were subjected to preliminary tests at atmospheric pressure to evaluate their ability to activate CO₂. Additional catalytic tests with the doped versions of each catalyst type were carried out in a pressured reactor at 21 bar. After the measurements, the catalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All catalysts were able to produce methanol in the pressure tests. CO₂ conversions between 14% and 23% were reached at 400 °C, with the highest methanol selectivity at the lower temperature of 250 °C. The combination of XRD and SEM revealed that the Fe-based and Ti-based perovskites were stable under reaction conditions and that catalytically highly active and stable nanoparticles had formed. The minor formation of CaCO₃, which is a deactivating phase, was observed for one catalyst. These nanoparticles showed resistance to coking and sintering. However, the yield and selectivity for methanol need to be improved via the further tailoring of the perovskite composition. Full article

Unwanted substances can be effectively removed from the blood using double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP). In our case study, we used field emission scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (FE-SEM-EDX) to examine if the eluate obtained by a specific type of DFPP (INUSpheresis with a TKM58 filter) contains nano- and microparticles and what chemical composition these particles have. We identified micro- and nanoparticles of various sizes and chemical composition, including microparticles high in the concentration of calcium, iron, silicon, aluminium and titanium. Furthermore, thread-like objects were identified. We discuss the possible origin of the particles and objects, their pathophysiological relevance and the potential of FE-SEM-EDX analysis of the eluate in terms of diagnostics and therapy for environmental medicine applications on patients. Full article

In this work, linear dextrins (LDs) with the fragment F-40 (DP = 31.44) were fabricated from waxy potato starch through pasteurization and enzymatic debranching by pullulanase and then separated and extracted by ethanol solutions with different concentrations. The LDs were used to encapsulate hydrophobic ligand curcumin to develop a controlled release system that would increase its flavor in food and functions in medicines. The physicochemical properties and the encapsulation mechanism of the inclusion complexes were investigated. It was found that the loading capability for curcumin, the encapsulation rate, and the yield of the complexes depended on the molecular weight of LD. The yield of the LD-Cur complex, its encapsulation rate, and loading of curcumin were 19.86%, 25.81%, and 29.52 μg/mg, respectively, while the yield of the F-40-Cur complex, its inclusion rate, and loading curcumin reached up to 75.98%, 29.97%, and 37.52 μg/mg, respectively. There were both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between LD and curcumin, while hydrogen bonding interactions were predominant between F-40 and curcumin. Curcumin was presented in the complex in an amorphous form. The photothermal stability of curcumin increased after being complexed with LD and further enhanced significantly with F-40. The release of curcumin in the intestine was achieved much more effectively. Full article

This work proposes a methodology for the design, development, and characterization of tablets prepared by the direct compression method of olmesartan medoxomil. The main objective was to ensure a high dissolution rate of the active ingredient. Therefore, a rigorous selection of excipients was carried out to ensure their physical and chemical compatibility with the active ingredient by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) studies. The suitability of the mixture for use in direct compression was performed using SeDeM methodology. The tablets met pharmacopoeia specifications for content uniformity, breaking strength, friability, and disintegration time. Full article

A reduction reaction of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-dimethylfuran (2,5-DMF) has been previously performed in an organic solvent under high-temperature conditions. For the relaxation of such reaction conditions, conventional palladium on carbon (Pd/C) was combined with vesicles composed of phospholipids or surfactants. Pd/C combined with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine indicated a yield (25%) at 60 °C compared with Pd/C (17%). Vesicles at the liquid crystalline phase were advantageous for the reduction reaction of HMF. The yield of 2,5-DMF catalyzed by Pd/C combined with the vesicles depended on the lipid composition of the vesicles. It was clarified that the yield of 2,5-DMF could be controlled by the hydration property of the vesicles. Compared with conventional 2,5-DMF synthesis in an organic solvent, the use of vesicles made it possible to reduce the burden of using organic solvents in high-temperature conditions, although limitedly. Full article

To date, many studies have been published, aiming to extract bioactive compounds from plants. Lately, research focuses on maximizing the extraction yield, using environmentally friendly techniques and solvents. In this study, the extraction of polyphenolic compounds from Cistus creticus is discussed. Extraction of the compounds has been carried out with water and ethanol, employing the most common approach. To further enhance the extraction yield, the usage of four deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has also been examined. In an effort to further enhance the extraction yield, pulsed electric fields have also been employed. According to the results, it was evident that the use of DESs made of glycerol: choline chloride (2:1) increased the extraction yield by 75%, compared to extraction with water. Moreover, the use of pulsed electric fields enhanced the extraction yield of the common approach, by up to 70%. When pulsed electric fields and DESs were combined, the extraction yield increased by 14%, compared to the use of DESs only. Finally, the extract was analyzed for its content in volatile compounds, and it was found that new compounds could be extracted with the use of DESs. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes in association with the elevation of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-23 levels. In an animal model, psoriasis-like dermatitis was induced on the shaved dorsal skin of BALB/c mice by topical application of imiquimod (IMQ), a synthetic ligand of Toll-like receptor 7. Administration of bitter Pu’er tea significantly reduced psoriasis-like dermatitis in IMQ-treated mice, including a reduction in dorsal skin lesions, splenomegaly and the mRNA expression levels of IL-17A and IL-23. To examine putative antipsoriatic constituents, three major compounds in bitter Pu’er tea, strictinin, theacrine and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were separately given as supplements to IMQ-treated mice. The results showed that all the three compounds attenuated the severity of psoriasis by reducing epidermal thickness. Only theacrine significantly attenuated splenomegaly. All the three compounds inhibited the expression of IL-23 mRNA in the skin as well as reduced the content of IL-17A⁺CD4⁺ T cells in the spleen, and strictinin was found to be relatively effective. It seemed that the antipsoriatic activity of bitter Pu’er tea was attributed to the additive effects of its multiple active compounds. Full article

The formation of a pair of co-crystals based upon isosteric halogen-bond donors, namely 1,4-diiodoperchlorobenzene and iodoperchlorobenzene, along with the acceptor 4,4-bipyridine is reported. As expected, the components in each co-crystal engage in halogen bonding interactions resulting in a one-dimensional chain-like structure. In particular, the co-crystal containing 1,4-diiodoperchlorobenzene is primarily held together by I···N halogen bonds while the solid based upon iodoperchlorobenzene forms both I···N and Cl···N interactions. Structural diversity is achieved between these co-crystals based upon the type of secondary interactions involving the chlorine atoms on each halogen-bond donor even though they are isosteric in nature. Full article

(1) Background: Japanese Kampo medicine has its origin in ancient Chinese medicine. In 742, a Tang Dynasty monk named Jianzhen (Ganjin) was invited by Japanese clerics to visit Japan and teach commandments in Buddhism. Because of the dangers of the voyage and also other obstacles, he took 11 years to reach Japan on the sixth voyage and he was blind when he arrived in Japan. He was the first person in China to go to Japan to establish the Buddhism commandments, and he was also the first person in Japan to directly teach traditional Chinese medicine. Until now, there have been few reports in English about the details of the Chinese herbal medicines he brought to Japan, including the types of herbal medicines, pharmacological activities, and formulations. In the review, we systematically and comprehensively summarized Jianzhen’s life from the standpoint of his medical and pharmaceutical knowledge and the types and pharmacological activities of Chinese herbal medicines and prescriptions that were brought to Japan by Jianzhen; (2) Methods: A review was made on the relevant literature written by Chinese, Japanese, and English languages regarding the medical and pharmacological knowledge of Jianzhen, the 36 Chinese herbal medicines brought to Japan by Jianzhen, and the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of these 36 herbal medicines, as well as their formulations; (3) Results: The review of the literature proved that Jianzhen’s prescriptions served as a basis for current herbal medicines (Kampo) in Japan. In the process of the literature search, we found a book entitled Jianshangren (Holy Priest Jianzhen)’s Secret Prescription, which recorded the complete prescription of the 36 traditional Chinese medicines Jianzhen brought to Japan; (4) Conclusions: Jianzhen is one of the ancestors of traditional Chinese medicine/Kampo medicine, and he brought traditional Chinese medicine and medical books to Japan for patients. He made important contributions to the development of traditional Chinese medicine in Japan. Full article

A conformational analysis has been carried out for monoprotonated, unprotonated and deprotonated glycine dimers in the gas phase and an aqueous solution. MP2/6-311++(d,p), B3LYP/6-311++(d,p) and M06/6-311++(d,p) optimizations were performed for more than 200 initial conformations comprising nonionic (COOH–CH₂–NH₂) (N) and zwitterionic (COO⁻–CH₂–NH₃⁺) (Z) structures for neutral monomers. All the methods indicate that Z monomers are preferred over N ones for the neutral and deprotonated dimers in aqueous solutions, whereas the reverse trend is observed in the gas phase (including also protonated dimers). NC and ZC structures coexist in aqueous solutions for the protonated glycine dimer. The preferred geometries are significantly different depending on the media and total dimer charge. Moreover, several minima display close energies in each series (media and total dimer charge). New conformers, not previously reported, are found to be significantly populated in those conformational mixtures. Dimers containing Z monomers are associated with larger absolute solvation energies and are more prone than N-containing ones to experience protonation and deprotonation in the gas phase, whereas the reverse trend is observed in the aqueous solution. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) analysis reveals that uncharged dimers display trifling electron density transfer between monomers, whereas it is significant in anionic and cationic dimers. Full article

In this paper, the effect of the addition of potassium chloride (KCl) by ball milling on the first hydrogenation kinetics of TiFe is reported. After milling, KCl was uniformly distributed on the TiFe’s surface. As-synthesized TiFe does not absorb hydrogen. However, after ball milling with KCl, it absorbed 1.5 wt.% of hydrogen on the first hydrogenation without any thermal treatment. The storage capacity of TiFe with KCl addition is higher than that of the ball milled pure TiFe. The effects of the amount of KCl additive in TiFe and ball milling time on first hydrogenation kinetics are reported. It is noted that, with an increase in KCl amount and ball milling time, hydrogenation kinetics are improved. However, hydrogen storage capacity decreased for both cases. Full article