The application of parallel synthesis to generate combinatorial libraries as an efficient means of creating pharmaceutical “drug-like leads” has gained considerable interest.1,2 By accelerating the synthesis and screening of an ever larger number of synthetic analogues, combinatorial chemistry has greatly impacted the drug discovery process.3 Despite this success, compounds originating from nat...

For CN(-) recognition, a series of bisindolyl compounds 1-3 were prepared, and their chromodosimetric color changes toward anions were investigated. Nucleophilic addition of the cyanide ion to the meso position of the bisindolyl group gave rise to breaking of the double bond conjugation, thereby inducing spectroscopic changes in the compound. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles 3 also gave color ch...

secondary metabolites present in plants and microorganisms generally arise from oxidative coupling and/or pericyclic reactions. In the field of alkaloids, such compounds often exhibit biological activities dramatically increased, when compared with the corresponding monomeric units, as illustrated by anticancer heterodimeric bisindole alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine, and curarizing homodi...

Indirubin, a red colored 3,2'-bisindole isomer, is a component of Indigo naturalis and is an active ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of chronic diseases. The family of indirubin derivatives, such as indirubin-3'-oxime, has been suggested for various therapeutic indications. However, potential toxic interactions such as indirubin effects on mitochondrial bioenerg...

Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is the sole source of the anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine, bisindole alkaloids derived from the dimerization of the terpenoid indole alkaloids vindoline and catharanthine. Full elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of these compounds is a prerequisite for metabolic engineering efforts that will improve production of these costly molecu...

The green alga Caulerpa cylindracea is a non-autochthonous and invasive species that is severely affecting the native communities in the Mediterranean Sea. Recent researches show that the native edible fish Diplodus sargus actively feeds on this alga and cellular and physiological alterations have been related to the novel alimentary habits. The complex effects of such a trophic exposure to the...