This research explored the chemical composition of the soft coral Sarcophyton sp., leading to the discovery of six previously unreported cembranoids, sarcophynoids D–I (1–6), and three known analog compounds (7–9). Structural elucidation of the new metabolites was achieved by spectroscopic methods, including one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR (COSY, HSQC and HMBC), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), quantum mechanical NMR (QM-NMR) methods, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and comparison with literature data. All isolated substances were screened for antibacterial activities, and most exhibited moderate inhibitory effects against six pathogenic bacterial strains, with MIC values between 8 and 64 μg/mL. In addition, the effects of these compounds on LPS and IFN-γ stimulated RAW264.7 cells, focused on the release of NO and TNF-α, were also evaluated, but were inactive at 20 μM.

Background:: Ischemic stroke, the most common type of cerebrovascular accident, is a major cause of severe disability among adults worldwide. Although there has been progress in interventions for ischemic stroke in the past decades, there is no effective treatment to prevent brain damage in acute ischemic stroke. Therefore, it is urgent to develop novel neuroprotective agents with a wide therapeutic time window to provide a better prognosis for ischemic stroke patients. Objective:: The current study aimed to synthesize novel derivatives with substituent cinnamide scaffolds, evaluate biological activity, and obtain neuroprotective agents. Methods:: The target compounds were synthesized using classical methods of medicinal chemistry. The neuroprotective effects in vitro against Glu-induced neurotoxicity injury were evaluated in PC12 cells by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometer. The proteins were detected by western blotting. The neuroprotective activities in vivo were determined in two in vivo models of global and focal cerebral ischemia. Results:: Among the title compounds, 9t, 9u, 9y, and 9z exhibited good neuroprotection in vivo and in vitro, which were selected and further studied to determine their mechanism of action. 9t, 9u, 9y and 9z protected PC12 cells against glutamate-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner via caspase-3 pathway. Moreover, the four compounds significantly reduced brain infarct area and exhibited excellent neuroprotective activities in the in vivo MCAO model. Conclusion:: Compounds 9t, 9u, 9y, and 9z, as potent neuroprotective agents with anti- neurotoxicity activity in vitro and anticerebral infarction efficacy in vivo, might serve as a useful molecular tool for further physiology and pathophysiology function studies, leading to potential clinical therapeutic agents for ischemic injury.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of sophocarpine against transient focal cerebral ischemia via down-regulation of the acid-sensing ion channel 1 （ASIC1） in rats. Methods Twenty-five SD rats were randomly allocated into sham operation, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg sophocarpine pretreatment groups （n = 5 in each group）. A rat focal ischemia model was induced by the intraluminal suture method. Five, 10 and 20 mg/kg sophocarpine were injected intraperitoneally for pretreatment. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used to detect cerebral infarct volume. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of ASIC1 and ASIC2. Results The infarct volume after ischemia-reperfusion was （181.21 ±9. 21） mm^3, while the 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg sophocarpine pretreatment groups were （150. 12 ± 6. 19）, （52. 31 ±4. 20）, and （32. 18 ± 3.82） mm^3, respectively; the neurological function scores in the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group was （3.62 ± 0. 36）, while the 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg sophocarpine pretreatment groups were （3. 15 ± 0. 36）, （1.92 ± 0. 18）, and （1.85 ± 0. 21）, respectively; The surviving neurons only accounted for （31.2 ± 2. 8）% of the total cell number in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group, while they accounted for （51.2 ± 3.7）%, （76. 5 ± 2. 1）%, and （77. 1± 4. 1）% in the 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg sophocarpine pretreatment groups. Compared with the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group, the cerebral infarct volume was decreased significantly in the sophoca_rpine pretreatment groups （all P 〈 0. 01 ）, the neurological function scores were decreased significantly （all P 〈 0. 01 ）, and the number of apoptotic cells was decreased significantly （all P 〈 0.01 ）. Immunohistoehemistry showed that the number of ASIC-1 positive cells in the sham operation, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg sophocarpine pretreatment groups were （162.5 ±8. 3）, （165. 1±5.3）, （138. 3±7. 2）, （82. 1 ± 6.3）, and （69.2 ± 5.5）/mm, respectively; Western blot showed that the ASIC1 protein expression was decreased significantly in the 10 and 20 mg/kg sophocarpine pretreatment groups （P〈 0. 01 ）, while there was no significant difference in the ASIC2 protein expression. Conclusions Sophocarpine may play a neuroprotective role for cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats via down-regulating the expression of ASICI protein. Key words: Brain isehemia; Sodium channels; ASIC channel; Alkaloids; Sophocarpine; Neuroprotective agents; Disease models, animal; Rats

Dimethyl 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dicarboxylate (DDTD) was synthesized and characterized using NMR, Fourier transform (FT)Raman, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) and UV spectroscopies. Resonance Raman spectra (RRs) were obtained with 341.5, 354.7 and 368.9 nm excitation wavelengths and density functional calculations were carried out to elucidate the pi (S-C-S) -> pi* (S-C-S) electronic transitions and the RRs of DDTD in cyclohexane solution. The RRs indicate that the Franck-Condon region photo dynamics have a multidimensional character with motion predominantly along the C=5 stretch and the C-S symmetric stretch modes in the five-member heterocycle. A preliminary resonance Raman intensity analysis was carried out and the results for DDTD were compared with previously reported results for 1,3-dithiole-2-thione (DTT). Differences and similarities of the spectra in terms of molecular symmetry and electron density are also discussed. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In the title trinuclear cobalt–terbium complex, [Co2Tb(C4H5O2)6(NO3)(C10H8N2)2], the central TbIII and each of the CoII ions are bridged by three carboxylate groups of the methacrylate anions. The TbIII cation is coordinated by six O atoms from six methacrylate anions and two O atoms from a chelating nitrate anion in a distorted square-antiprismatic geometry. Each CoII ion is coordinated by three O atoms from three methylacrylate anions and two N atoms of a 2,2′-bypiridine ligand in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. In the crystal structure, π–π stacking between the pyridine rings [centroid–centroid distances = 3.682 (8) and 3.760 (8) Å] is observed and weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonding is also present.

A series of carboxylate-bridged heteronuclear 3d-4f complexes have been prepared by reaction of REL3 (HL = CH2 = C(CH3)COOH) with Cu(NO3)2. A family of air-stable 2-D complexes [RECuL4(H2O)4]nLn (RE = La (1), Ce (2), Eu (3), and Gd (4)) have the same crystal system (monoclinic) and space group (P21/c). The chains which are made by the carboxylate-bridged alternating Cu(II)-RE(III) fragments spreading along the c-axis are linked through hydrogen bonds by uncoordinated carboxylates to form a 2-D network structure along the bc planes. Magnetic measurements showed that 1 and 2 have antiferromagnetic interaction between RE and Cu, but 4 exhibits ferromagnetic interaction. Eu ions show van Vleck behavior in 3.

In the title trinuclear cobalt-cerium complex, [CeCo2(C4H5O2)6(NO3)(C10H8N2)2], the CeIII and each of the two CoII ions are bridged by three bidentate methacrylate ligands. The CeIII center is coordinated by six O atoms from six methacrylate ligands and two O atoms from the nitrate anion in a distorted square-antiprismatic geometry. Each CoII ion is coordinated by three O atoms from three methacrylate ligands and two N atoms from a 2,2′-bipyridine ligand in a distorted trigonal-pyramidal geometry. In the crystal structure, π–π interactions between the aromatic rings [centroid–centroid distances of 3.816 (8) and 3.756 (8) Å] link the molecules into chains propagated in [01overline{1}]. Weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds further stabilize the crystal packing.

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

Four heteronuclear complexes, [Ln2Co2L10(H2O)(phen)2] n(H2O) (Ln = La 1, n = 2; Ln = Nd 2, Sm 3, Gd 4, n = 0; HL = -methylacrylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and X-ray diffraction. The complexes with a discrete Co-Ln-Ln-Co tetranuclear molecule are isomorphous in the triclinic space group P1 and Z = 1, in which all metal ions are bridged by bidentate -methylacrylato groups. Magnetic measurements of 1, 2 and 3 show antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between paramagnetic centers.

Whereas treatment of the α-cyano acetophenone 1 with aromatic aldehydes under Et3N/MeOH conditions leads to the expected Knoevenagel-Michael addition products iso­flavones A and B. Change of solvent to toluene ­results in the polycondensation products X in modest to very good yields. Alternatively, the ­cyanoflavanones A and B can be converted into the condensed flavones X under the same conditions thus establishing precursor/product relationships. The substrate scope was reasonably well studied. Compounds B show intense fluorescent properties with high quantum yields in the range of 0.82-0.87.

Two types of beta-enaminoketone derivatives of 3-(2-oxo-2-arylethylidene)-3,4-dihydro-1H-quinoxalin-2-ones and 3-(2-oxo-2-arylethylidene)-3,4-dihydro-benzo[1,4]oxazin-2- ones were effectively and conveniently prepared in good to excellent yields under solvent-free conditions via the catalysis of sulfamic acid in the corresponding condensations of o-phenylenediamine and o-aminophenol with ethyl 2,4-dioxo-4-arylbutyrate respectively. The compounds were confirmed by IR, H-1 NMR, and C-13 NMR, and a representative was further determined by X-ray crystallography.

A novel base-catalyzed cascade reaction induced by Knoevenegal condensation that can regioselectively generate cyanoflavanones and heavily fused polycycles with intensive fluorescence and high quantum yields is reported. The reaction is solvent-dependent, low-polarity solvents promote the formation of polycycles while high-polarity solvents favor the conversion to cyanoflavanones. A possible mechanism for such serial transformations is proposed.

A carboxylate-bridged Cu(II)-Gd(III) complex, [GdCu(CH2CH(CH3COO)(4)(H2O)(4)]n(NO3)n, was prepared and characterized. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals the complex as a carboxylate-bridged 1-D Cu(II)-Gd(III) coordination polymer. The magnetic measurement showed this complex exhibiting weak ferromagnetic behavior.

The title compound, [Gd 2 (C 4 H 5 O 2 ) 6 (C 12 H 8 N 2 ) 2 ]·2H 2 O, is a discrete centrosymmetric dinuclear complex. The Gd III atoms are bridged by two bidentate and two tridentate carboxyl­ate groups, with a Gd⋯Gd separation of 3.957 (1) Å. Each Gd III atom exhibits a distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination, formed by seven O atoms of meth­acrylate groups and two N atoms of the bidentate chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligand. The crystal packing is stabilized by π–π stacking inter­actions and van der Waals forces.

The title compound, [Gd-2(C4H5O2)(6)(C12H8N2)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O, is a discrete centrosymmetric dinuclear complex. The Gd-III atoms are bridged by two bidentate and two tridentate carboxylate groups, with a (GdGd)-Gd-... separation of 3.957 (1) angstrom. Each Gd-III atom exhibits a distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination, formed by seven O atoms of methacrylate groups and two N atoms of the bidentate chelating 1,10-phenanthroline ligand. The crystal packing is stabilized by pi-pi stacking interactions and van der Waals forces.

Difluoromethoxy-2,4,5-trifluorobenzoic acid was synthesized from 3-hydroxy-2,4,5-trifluorobenzoicacid by esterification, etherification with CHClF2 in presence of Bu4NBr to afford ethyl 3-difluromethoxy-2,4,5-trifluorobenzoate which subjected to hydrolysis in an overall yield of 74%.

A novel heteronuclear complex, [Gd2Zn2L10(bipy)(H2O)(2)](2) (HL = alpha-methylacrylic acid, bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine), was synthesized and characterized. its structure, determined by X-ray diffraction, reveals a discrete octa-nuclear molecule. in which two Zn-II ions are linked by a bipy Molecule and G(III) ions, and Gd-III and Zn-II ions are bridged by bidentate alpha-methylacrylato groups. The complex crystallizes in space group P1 with Z = 1. a = 13.4504(6), b = 14.9697(5), c = 16.4374(5) Angstrom, alpha = 64.212(3), beta = 89.727(2), gamma = 86.241(1)degrees. The structure was refined to R = 0.0303 for 8925 observed reflections. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of the complex shows that a weak intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction exists as well as all intermolecular anti ferromagnetic interaction.

A novel heteronuclear complex, [NdCuL5(EtOH)(phen)]2(HL = α-methylacrylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was prepared and its molecular structure determined by X-ray analysis. The complex is a tetranuclear molecule. Magnetic properties of the complex were also measured and are discussed.