Derivatives of podophyllotoxin were prepared by coupling 10 FA with the C4-alpha-hydroxy function of podophyllotoxin. The coupling reactions between FA and podophyllotoxin were carried out by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in the presence of a catalytic amount of dimethylaminopyridine to produce quantitative yields of desired products. FA incorporated were the following: 10-hydroxydecanoic, 12-hydroxydodecanoic, 15-hydroxypentadecanoic, 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic, 12-hydroxyoctadec-Z-9-enoic, eicosa-Z-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic, eicosa-Z-8,11, 14-trienoic, eicosa-Z-11,14-dienoic, eicosa-Z-11-enoic, and eicosanoic acids. Spectroscopic studies confirmed the formation of the desired products. New molecules were investigated for their in vitro anticancer activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines including SK-MEL, KB, BT-549, SK-OV-3 (solid tumors), and HL-60 (human leukemia) cells. Most of the analogs were cytotoxic against cancerous cells, whereas no effect was observed against normal cells, unlike the parent compound podophyllotoxin, the use of which is limited due to its severe side effects.

Intratracheal administration of interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been reported to inhibit allergic inflammation but augment airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In the present study, airway and smooth muscle responsiveness to methacholine (MCh) were compared in wild-type (WT) and IL-10-deficient (IL-10-KO) mice to investigate the role of endogenous IL-10 in AHR development. Naive WT and IL-10-KO mice exhibited similar dose-dependent increases in airway resistance (Raw) to intravenous MCh. Sensitization and challenge with ragweed (RW) induced a twofold increase in responsiveness to intravenous MCh in WT mice, but hyperresponsiveness was not observed in similarly treated IL-10-KO mice. Likewise, tracheal rings from RW-sensitized and -challenged WT mice exhibited a fourfold greater responsiveness to MCh than IL-10-KO tracheal preparations. Measurements of airway constriction by whole body plethysmography further supported the Raw and tracheal ring data (i.e., AHR was not observed in the absence of IL-10). Interestingly, factors previously implicated in the development of AHR, including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgA, IgG1, IgE, eosinophilia, and lymphocyte recruitment to the airways, were upregulated in the IL-10-KO mice. Treatment with recombinant murine IL-10 at the time of allergen challenge reduced the magnitude of inflammation but reinstated AHR development in IL-10-KO mice. Adoptive transfer of mononuclear splenocytes to IL-10-sufficient severe combined immunodeficient mice indicated that lymphocytes were an important source of the IL-10 impacting AHR development. These results provide evidence that IL-10 expression promotes the development of allergen-induced smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) has been used as a food in Peru for thousands of years. More recently a wide array of commercial maca products have gained popularity as dietary supplements, with claims of anabolic and aphrodisiac effects, although the biologically active principles are not fully known. In an earlier chemical investigation, two new alkamides and a novel fatty acid, as well as the N-hydroxypyridine derivative, macaridine, were isolated from L. meyenii. Further examination has led to the isolation of five additional new alkamides, namely, N-benzyl-9-oxo-12Z-octadecenamide (1), N-benzyl-9-oxo-12Z,15Z-octadecadienamide (2), N-benzyl-13-oxo-9E,11E-octadecadienamide (3), N-benzyl-15Z-tetracosenamide (4), and N-(m-methoxybenzyl)hexadecanamide (5). Their structures were established by spectrometric and spectroscopic methods including ESI-HRMS, EI-MS, (1)H, (13)C, and 2D NMR, as well as (1)H-(15)N 2D HMBC experiments. In addition, the identity of N-benzyl-15Z-tetracosenamide (4) was confirmed by synthesis. These compounds have been found from only L. meyenii and could be used as markers for authentication and standardization.

Sanjani MS, Teng B, Krahn T, Tilley S, Ledent C, Mustafa SJ. Contributions of A 2A and A2B adenosine receptors in coronary flow responses in relation to the KATP channel using A2B and A2A/2B doubleknockout mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 301: H2322-H2333, 2011. First published September 23, 2011 doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00052.2011.-Adenosine plays a role in physiological and pathological conditions, and A 2 adenosine receptor (AR) expression is modified in many cardiovascular disorders. In this study, we elucidated the role of the A2BAR and its relationship to the A2AAR in coronary flow (CF) changes using A2B single-knockout (KO) and A2A/2B double-KO (DKO) mice in a Langendorff setup. We used two approaches: 1) selective and nonselective AR agonists and antagonists and 2) A2AKO and A 2BKO and A2A/2BDKO mice. BAY 60-6583 (a selective A2B agonist) had no effect on CF in A2BKO mice, whereas it significantly increased CF in wild-type (WT) mice (maximum of 23.3 Ϯ 9 ml·min ). NECA did not induce any increase in CF in A2A/2BDKO mice, whereas a significant increase was observed in WT mice (maximum of 23.1 Ϯ 2.1 ml·min). Furthermore, the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K ϩ (KATP) channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate had no effect on the NECAinduced increase in CF in WT mice, whereas the NECA-induced increase in CF in WT (17.6 Ϯ 2 ml·min Ϫ1 ·g Ϫ1 ), A2AKO (12.5 Ϯ 2.3 ml·min , respectively). In conclusion, this is the first evidence supporting the compensatory upregulation of A2AARs in A2BKO mice and demonstrates that both A2AARs and A2BARs induce CF changes through KATP channels. These results identify AR-mediated CF responses that may lead to better therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. isolated mouse heart; A2B knockout mice; ATP-sensitive K ϩ channel ADENOSINE is an endogenous nucleoside that is released through the breakdown of adenine nucleotides. The cardiovascular effects of adenosine are mediated through the activation of its four subtypes of receptors (ARs), namely, A 1 , A 2A , A 2B , and A 3 . The activation of A 1 ARs results in negative chronotropic and ionotropic effects and a decrease in coronary flow (CF) (68), whereas other studies have suggested that the activation of both A 1 ARs or A 3 ARs before ischemia is cardioprotective (6, 30). However, adenosine has been shown to play a vasoregulatory role in human coronary arteries (16,17,62,63

High salt (4%NaCl, HS) diet modulates adenosine-induced vascular response through adenosine A2A-receptor (A2AAR). Evidence suggests A2AAR stimulates cyp450-epoxygenases, leading to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) generation. The aim of this study was to understand the vascular reactivity to HS and underlying signaling mechanism in the presence or absence of A2AAR. Therefore, we hypothesized that HS enhances adenosine-induced relaxation through EETs in A2AAR+/+, but exaggerates contraction in A2AAR−/−. Organ-bath and Western-blot experiments were conducted in HS and normal salt (NS, 0.18% NaCl)-fed A2AAR+/+ and A2AAR−/− mice aortae. HS produced concentration-dependent relaxation to non-selective adenosine analog, NECA in A2AAR+/+, whereas contraction was observed in A2AAR−/− mice and this was attenuated by A1AR antagonist (DPCPX). CGS-21680 (selective A2AAR-agonist) enhanced relaxation in HS-A2AAR+/+ vs. NS-A2AAR+/+, that was blocked by EETs antagonist (14,15-EEZE). Compared to NS, HS significantly upregulated expression of vasodilators A2AAR and cyp2c29, while vasoconstrictors A1AR and cyp4a in A2AAR+/+ were downregulated. In A2AAR−/− mice, however, HS significantly downregulated the expression of cyp2c29, while A1AR and cyp4a were upregulated compared to A2AAR+/+ mice. Hence, our data suggest that in A2AAR+/+, HS enhances A2AAR-induced relaxation through increased cyp-expoxygenases-derived EETs and decreased A1AR levels, whereas in A2AAR−/−, HS exaggerates contraction through decreased cyp-epoxygenases and increased A1AR levels.