Topic Review
Surface Functionalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles
The surface functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has witnessed significant progress recently, revolutionizing their utility in multimodal imaging, drug delivery, and catalysis. This progression, spanning over the last decade, has unfolded in discernible phases, each marked by distinct advancements and paradigm shifts. In the early stage, emphasis was placed on foundational techniques, such as ligand exchange and organic coatings, establishing the groundwork for innovations to come.
  • 392
  • 18 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Phlorotannins
Phlorotannins represent an important group of phenolic compounds, exclusively occurring in brown algae that can form simple structures of 126 Da to very large and complex polymers. Although the biosynthetic pathway of these compounds is still not consensual, it is known that they are formed via C–C and/or C–O–C oxidative coupling of several monomeric units of phloroglucinol, which in turn is known to be biosynthesized through the acetate–malonate pathway. According to the type of linkage formed between these units and the number of hydroxyl groups, phlorotannins can be classified in four sub-classes, namely phlorethols and fuhalols (ether linkages), fucols (aryl-aryl linkages), fucophlorethols (aryl-aryl and ether linkages), and eckols and carmalols (dibenzodoxine linkage).
  • 2.0K
  • 13 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Chemistry of Essential Oils
The term essential oil was created in the 16th century and refers to the theory of “Quinta essentia” proposed by the famous German-Swiss alchemist and physician Paracelsus (1493–1541), born by Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim.
  • 342
  • 13 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Health-Promoting Effects of Bioactive Compounds from Endophytic Fungi
The study examines the intricate relationship between plants and the endophytic fungi inhabiting their tissues. These fungi harmoniously coexist with plants, forming a distinct symbiotic connection that has caught scientific attention due to its potential implications for plant health and growth. The diverse range of bioactive compounds produced by these fungi holds significant promise for human health.
  • 372
  • 09 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Common Genera of Cyanobacteria and Their Characteristics
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, may be prevalent in our rivers and tap water. These minuscule bacteria can grow swiftly and form blooms in warm, nutrient-rich water. 
  • 251
  • 27 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Classification, Toxicity and Bioactivity of Natural Diterpenoid Alkaloids
Diterpenoid alkaloids are natural compounds having complex structural features with many stereo-centres originating from the amination of natural tetracyclic diterpenes and produced primarily from plants in the Aconitum, Delphinium, Consolida genera. Corals, Xenia, Okinawan/Clavularia, Alcyonacea (soft corals) and marine sponges are rich sources of diterpenoids, despite the difficulty to access them and the lack of availability. Researchers have long been concerned with the potential beneficial or harmful effects of diterpenoid alkaloids due to their structural complexity, which accounts for their use as pharmaceuticals as well as their lousy reputation as toxic substances. Compounds belonging to this unique and fascinating family of natural products exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. Some of these compounds are on the list of clinical drugs, while others act as incredibly potent neurotoxins. Despite numerous attempts to prepare synthetic products, this review only introduces the natural diterpenoid alkaloids, describing ‘compounds’ structures and classifications and their toxicity and bioactivity. The purpose of the review is to highlight some existing relationships between the presence of substituents in the structure of such molecules and their recognised bioactivity.
  • 129
  • 27 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Fluorine-Containing Glycomimetics
Glycomimetics, which are synthetic molecules designed to mimic the structures and functions of natural carbohydrates, have been developed to overcome the limitations associated with natural carbohydrates. The fluorination of carbohydrates has emerged as a promising solution to dramatically enhance the metabolic stability, bioavailability, and protein-binding affinity of natural carbohydrates.
  • 233
  • 26 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Biological Activities of Ruthenium NHC Complexes
Ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes have unique physico-chemical properties as catalysts and a huge potential in medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, exhibiting a variety of notable biological activities.
  • 145
  • 25 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Optical Imaging for Nature of Cytosolic Iron Pools
The chemical nature of intracellular labile iron pools (LIPs) is described. By virtue of the kinetic lability of these pools, it is suggested that the isolation of such species by chromatography methods will not be possible, but rather mass spectrometric techniques should be adopted. Iron-sensitive fluorescent probes, which have been developed for the detection and quantification of LIP, are described, including those specifically designed to monitor cytosolic, mitochondrial, and lysosomal LIPs. The potential of near-infrared (NIR) probes for in vivo monitoring of LIP is discussed.
  • 127
  • 19 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Bioactivity of Bisindolylmaleimides and Derivatives
Bisindolylmaleimide (BIM)-type compounds arise from natural sources such as arcyriarubin and are biosynthetically related to indolocarbazoles. BIMs are commonly the immediate synthetic precursors of indolocarbazoles, lacking a central bond between the two aromatic units and making them more flexible and drug-like. Synthetic endeavours within this class of compounds are broad and have led to the development of both remarkably potent and selective protein kinase inhibitors. Clinical BIM examples include ruboxistaurin and enzastaurin, which are highly active inhibitors of protein kinase C-β. While BIMs are widely recognised as protein kinase inhibitors, other modes of activity have been reported, including the inhibition of calcium signalling and antimicrobial activity. BIMs can be highly functionalised or chemically manipulated, which provides the opportunity to generate new derivatives with unique biological profiles. Critically, structural differences can be used to exploit new bioactivity and therefore it is imperative to discover new chemical entities to address new targets. 
  • 236
  • 13 Sep 2023
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