Cinchona
Rubiaceae
Quinidine
Quinine
Transformation of Cinchona alkaloids into 1-N-oxide derivatives by endophytic Xylaria sp isolated from Cinchona pubescens. (1/15)
The microbial transformation of four Cinchona alkaloids (quinine, quinidine, cinchonidine, and cinchonine) by endophytic fungi isolated from Cinchona pubescens was investigated. The endophytic filamentous fungus Xylaria sp. was found to transform the Cinchona alkaloids into their 1-N-oxide derivatives. (+info)Screening for antimicrobial activity of ten medicinal plants used in Colombian folkloric medicine: a possible alternative in the treatment of non-nosocomial infections. (2/15)
BACKGROUND: The antimicrobial activity and Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extracts of Bidens pilosa L., Bixa orellana L., Cecropia peltata L., Cinchona officinalis L., Gliricidia sepium H.B. & K, Jacaranda mimosifolia D.Don, Justicia secunda Vahl., Piper pulchrum C.DC, P. paniculata L. and Spilanthes americana Hieron were evaluated against five bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus beta hemolitic, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli), and one yeast (Candida albicans). These plants are used in Colombian folk medicine to treat infections of microbial origin. METHODS: Plants were collected by farmers and traditional healers. The ethanol, hexane and water extracts were obtained by standard methods. The antimicrobial activity was found by using a modified agar well diffusion method. All microorganisms were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). MIC was determined in the plant extracts that showed some efficacy against the tested microorganisms. Gentamycin sulfate (1.0 microg/ml), clindamycin (0.3 microg/ml) and nystatin (1.0 microg/ml) were used as positive controls. RESULTS: The water extracts of Bidens pilosa L., Jacaranda mimosifolia D.Don, and Piper pulchrum C.DC showed a higher activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli than gentamycin sulfate. Similarly, the ethanol extracts of all species were active against Staphylococcus aureus except for Justicia secunda. Furthermore, Bixa orellana L, Justicia secunda Vahl. and Piper pulchrum C.DC presented the lowest MICs against Escherichia coli (0.8, 0.6 and 0.6 microg/ml, respectively) compared to gentamycin sulfate (0.9 8 g/ml). Likewise, Justicia secunda and Piper pulchrum C.DC showed an analogous MIC against Candida albicans (0.5 and 0.6 microg/ml, respectively) compared to nystatin (0.6 microg/ml). Bixa orellana L, exhibited a better MIC against Bacillus cereus (0.2 microg/ml) than gentamycin sulfate (0.5 microg/ml). CONCLUSION: This in vitro study corroborated the antimicrobial activity of the selected plants used in folkloric medicine. All these plants were effective against three or more of the pathogenic microorganisms. However, they were ineffective against Streptococcus beta hemolytic and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Their medicinal use in infections associated with these two species is not recommended. This study also showed that Bixa orellana L, Justicia secunda Vahl. and Piper pulchrum C.DC could be potential sources of new antimicrobial agents. (+info)Polymer-supported Cinchona alkaloid-derived ammonium salts as recoverable phase-transfer catalysts for the asymmetric synthesis of alpha-amino acids. (3/15)
Alkaloids such as cinchonidine, quinine and N-methylephedrine have been N-alkylated using polymeric benzyl halides or co-polymerized and then N-alkylated, thus affording a series of polymer-supported chiral ammonium salts which have been employed as phase-transfer catalysts in the asymmetric benzylation of an N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine ester. These new polymeric catalysts can be easily recovered by simple filtration after the reaction and reused. The best ee's were achieved when Merrifield resin-anchored cinchonidinium ammonium salts were employed. (+info)Cinchona alkaloids are also produced by an endophytic filamentous fungus living in cinchona plant. (4/15)
We report that the endophytic filamentous fungus Diaporthe sp., isolated from Cinchona ledgeriana and cultivated in a synthetic liquid medium, produces Cinchona alkaloids (quinine, quinidine, cinchonidine, and cinchonine). This shows that Cinchona alkaloids are produced not only in Cinchona plant cells, but also in endophytic microbe cells. (+info)Malaria drug resistance: new observations and developments. (5/15)
(+info)Induced terpene accumulation in Norway spruce inhibits bark beetle colonization in a dose-dependent manner. (6/15)
(+info)Integration efficiency in DNA-induced transformation of Pneumococcus. I. A method of transformation in solid medium and its use for isolation of transformation-deficient and recombination-modified mutants. (7/15)
A method of transformation on solid medium especially adapted for pneumococcus has been developed. Under specific conditions, all colonies that are allowed to grow in the presence of transforming DNA for six hours give rise to transformed bacteria. Combined with replica plating this technique has been used to isolate mutants modified with regard to recombination. Most of the mutants found are transformation-defective and show a large diversity in their response to ultraviolet light. Some of these mutants have lost their ability to take up transforming DNA. One shows a reduced yield of transformants for a given quantity of DNA taken up. Mutants that manifest altered behavior with regard to marker efficiencies have also been isolated. One of these exhibits a decrease in the transformation efficiency of only the high efficiency markers and two mutants show a decrease in the transformation efficiency of the low efficiency markers. (+info)Integration efficiency in DNA-induced transformation of Pneumococcus. II. Genetic studies of mutant integrating all the markers with a high efficiency. (8/15)
Transformation of the pneumococcus mutant 401 by DNA's bearing the standard reference marker and several other markers belonging to two unlinked loci has shown that differences in the integration efficiencies of these markers were considerably reduced in this strain compared to the wild-type strain Cl(3). The sensitivities of mutant 401 to ultraviolet light and to X-ray irradiation are the same as those of Cl(3). However, in 401 all the markers tested are more resistant to inactivation as shown by transformation of 401 and Cl(3) by ultraviolet-irradiated DNA. The increase in resistance is greater for low efficiency (LE) markers than for high efficiency (HE) markers.-The decreased discrimination between LE and HE markers in strain 401 is not due to a mechanism related to modification of markers in the transforming DNA by the recipient cells, nor are the proteins inducing competence of the cells responsible for the differences in the integration efficiencies of various markers.-Genetic studies of the fate of recombinants as well as the measure of the amount of DNA taken up have shown that all the markers are integrated in strain 401 by the same recombination process, that specific to high efficiency markers. (+info)Cinchona alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that are found in the bark of Cinchona trees, which are native to South America. These alkaloids have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, most notably malaria. The main cinchona alkaloids include quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine.
Quinine is the most well-known of these alkaloids and has been used for centuries as an effective antimalarial agent. It works by interfering with the reproduction of the malaria parasite in the red blood cells. Quinine is also used to treat other medical conditions, such as leg cramps and restless legs syndrome.
Quinidine is another important cinchona alkaloid that is used primarily as an antiarrhythmic agent to treat irregular heart rhythms. It works by slowing down the electrical conduction in the heart and stabilizing its rhythm.
Cinchonine and cinchonidine have more limited medical uses, mainly as bitter-tasting ingredients in tonics and other beverages. However, they also have some medicinal properties, such as being used as antimalarial agents and antiarrhythmic drugs in some countries.
It is important to note that cinchona alkaloids can have serious side effects if not used properly, so they should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Cinchona is a genus of tropical Cinchona trees or shrubs, native to western South America. The bark of these plants contains a variety of alkaloids, including quinine and cinchonine, which have been used historically in the treatment of malaria and other febrile illnesses.
In medical terminology, "Cinchona" can also refer to the dried bark of these trees or shrubs, which is used to prepare various medicinal preparations. The term may also be used more broadly to describe any medication that contains alkaloids derived from Cinchona plants, including synthetic derivatives such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.
It's important to note that while Cinchona bark and its derivatives have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, their use is not without risks or side effects. In particular, high doses of quinine can be toxic and may cause a range of adverse reactions, including tinnitus, hearing loss, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias. As such, the use of Cinchona-derived medications should always be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.
Rubiaceae is not a medical term, but a taxonomic category in botany. It refers to the family of flowering plants that includes more than 13,500 species, distributed across approximately 600 genera. Some well-known members of this family include coffee (Coffea arabica), gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides), and madder (Rubia tinctorum).
In a medical context, certain plants from the Rubiaceae family have been used in traditional medicine for various purposes. For example:
* Coffee (Coffea arabica) beans are used to prepare caffeinated beverages that can help with alertness and concentration.
* Gardenia fruits and flowers have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat anxiety, insomnia, and inflammation.
* Madder root (Rubia tinctorum) has been used as a dye and in traditional medicine to treat skin conditions and digestive disorders.
However, it's important to note that the medicinal use of plants from this family should be based on scientific evidence and under the guidance of healthcare professionals, as some of these plants can have side effects or interact with medications.
Chloroacetates are organic compounds that contain the group-CHClCOO- (chloroacetate). They are derivatives of acetic acid, where one hydrogen atom is replaced by a chlorine atom. Chloroacetates can be esters or salts of chloroacetic acid. These compounds have various applications in industry and research, including as herbicides, biocides, and chemical intermediates. However, they can also be harmful to human health and the environment, requiring careful handling and disposal.
Anhydrides are chemical compounds that form when a single molecule of water is removed from an acid, resulting in the formation of a new compound. The term "anhydride" comes from the Greek words "an," meaning without, and "hydor," meaning water.
In organic chemistry, anhydrides are commonly formed by the removal of water from a carboxylic acid. For example, when acetic acid (CH3COOH) loses a molecule of water, it forms acetic anhydride (CH3CO)2O. Acetic anhydride is a reactive compound that can be used to introduce an acetyl group (-COCH3) into other organic compounds.
Inorganic anhydrides are also important in chemistry and include compounds such as sulfur trioxide (SO3), which is an anhydride of sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Sulfur trioxide can react with water to form sulfuric acid, making it a key intermediate in the production of this important industrial chemical.
It's worth noting that some anhydrides can be hazardous and may require special handling and safety precautions.
Quinidine is a Class IA antiarrhythmic medication that is primarily used to treat and prevent various types of cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). It works by blocking the rapid sodium channels in the heart, which helps to slow down the conduction of electrical signals within the heart and stabilize its rhythm.
Quinidine is derived from the bark of the Cinchona tree and has been used for centuries as a treatment for malaria. However, its antiarrhythmic properties were discovered later, and it became an important medication in cardiology.
In addition to its use in treating arrhythmias, quinidine may also be used off-label for other indications such as the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps or myasthenia gravis. It is available in various forms, including tablets and injectable solutions.
It's important to note that quinidine has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that there is only a small difference between an effective dose and a toxic one. Therefore, it must be carefully monitored to ensure that the patient is receiving a safe and effective dose. Common side effects of quinidine include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as visual disturbances, headache, and dizziness. More serious side effects can include QT prolongation, which can lead to dangerous arrhythmias, and hypersensitivity reactions.
Quinine is defined as a bitter crystalline alkaloid derived from the bark of the Cinchona tree, primarily used in the treatment of malaria and other parasitic diseases. It works by interfering with the reproduction of the malaria parasite within red blood cells. Quinine has also been used historically as a muscle relaxant and analgesic, but its use for these purposes is now limited due to potential serious side effects. In addition, quinine can be found in some beverages like tonic water, where it is present in very small amounts for flavoring purposes.
Stereoisomerism is a type of isomerism (structural arrangement of atoms) in which molecules have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms, but differ in the three-dimensional orientation of their atoms in space. This occurs when the molecule contains asymmetric carbon atoms or other rigid structures that prevent free rotation, leading to distinct spatial arrangements of groups of atoms around a central point. Stereoisomers can have different chemical and physical properties, such as optical activity, boiling points, and reactivities, due to differences in their shape and the way they interact with other molecules.
There are two main types of stereoisomerism: enantiomers (mirror-image isomers) and diastereomers (non-mirror-image isomers). Enantiomers are pairs of stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other, but cannot be superimposed on one another. Diastereomers, on the other hand, are non-mirror-image stereoisomers that have different physical and chemical properties.
Stereoisomerism is an important concept in chemistry and biology, as it can affect the biological activity of molecules, such as drugs and natural products. For example, some enantiomers of a drug may be active, while others are inactive or even toxic. Therefore, understanding stereoisomerism is crucial for designing and synthesizing effective and safe drugs.