No abstract

Bismuth nitrate-catalyzed versatile Michael reaction was developed to reduce the complications that characterize the current standard Michael reaction and used for facile preparation of organic compounds of widely different structures. For example, several substituted amines, imidazoles, thio compounds, indoles, and carbamates were prepared at room temperature by following this method. In contrast with the existing methods using many acidic catalysts, this method is very general, simple, high-yielding, environmentally friendly, and oxygen and moisture tolerant. However, the promoting role of bismuth nitrate in this reaction is not understood at this time.

We present herein stereoselective synthesis of novel beta-lactams using polyaromatic imines following the Staudinger reaction. Consistent mechanisms for these results have been advanced. As a measure of cytotoxicity, some of these compounds have been assayed against nine human cancer cell lines. Structure-activity study has revealed that 1-N-chrysenyl and 1-N-phenanthrenyl 3-acetoxy-4-aryl-2-azetidinones have potent anticancer activity. The presence of the acetoxy group at C(3) of the beta-lactams has proven to be obligatory for their anticancer activity.

Simple synthesis of substituted pyrroles using iodine-catalyzed and montmorillonite KSF-clay-induced modified Paal-Knorr methods has been accomplished with excellent yields. N-Substituted carbazole has also been prepared by following this method. If one of the reactants is a liquid, the reaction proceeds exceedingly well without a solvent. This method gives pyrroles with less nucleophilic multicyclic aromatic amines at room temperature.

: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) refer to the highly reactive substances, which contain oxygen radicals. Hypochlorous acid, peroxides, superoxide, singlet oxygen, alpha-oxygen and hydroxyl radicals are the major examples of ROS. Generally, the reduction of oxygen (O2) in molecular form produces superoxide (•O2−) anion. ROS are produced during a variety of biochemical reactions within the cell organelles, such as endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and peroxisome. Naturally, ROS are also formed as a byproduct of the normal metabolism of oxygen. The production of ROS can be induced by various factors such as heavy metals, tobacco, smoke, drugs, xenobiotics, pollutants and radiation. From various experimental studies, it is reported that ROS act as either tumor suppressing or tumor promoting agent. The elevated levels of ROS can arrest the growth of tumor through the persistent increase in cell cycle inhibition. The increased level of ROS can induce apoptosis by both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. ROS are considered to be tumor suppressing agent as the production of ROS is due to the use of most of the chemotherapeutic agents in order to activate the cell death. The cytotoxic effect of ROS provides impetus towards apoptosis, but in higher levels, ROS can cause initiation of malignancy that leads to uncontrolled cell death in cancer cells. Whereas, some species of ROS can influence various activities at the cellular level that include cell proliferation. This review highlights the genesis of ROS within cells by various routes and their role in cancer therapies.