Ricerc@Sapienza

Electromagnetic fields interacting with microscopic structural features in a composite material provide emerging optical properties that surpass those offered by the individual components. However, composite materials can be generally lossy due to the scattering effects induced by inhomogeneities at the interfaces between different compounds. To overcome such problems, complicated and costly manufacturing procedures, such as top-down approaches, are generally required.

Resveratrol, a natural product with well-known multiple beneficial effects, has been widely used as a bioactive principle for the development of anti-aging topical phytoproducts. These products are usually applied to skin that is often exposed to solar light for a long time, leading to potentially harmful resveratrol derivatives. In this study we investigated the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of 2,4,6-trihydroxyphenanthrene (THP), derived from trans-resveratrol photochemical isomerization and electrocyclization.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is one of the most abundant polyphenols in red grapes, and red wine represents one of the most important dietary source of this compound. Although its beneficial properties on human health have been widely investigated over the last 30 years, very little is known about its derivatives. Resveratrol can indeed undergo glycosylation, oligomerization and, upon UV-light exposure, it can isomerize from the trans- to the cis-isomer, which can further cyclize to 2,4,6-trihydroxyphenanthrene (THP).

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells is often associated with overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, including P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2). Modulators of these transporters might be helpful in overcoming MDR. Moreover, exploiting collateral sensitivity (CS) could be another approach for efficient treatment of cancer.

The gliotransmitter glutamate in different brain regions modulates neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission through a variety of mechanisms. Among the hallmarks of astrocytic glutamate release are the slow depolarizing inward currents (SICs) in neurons mediated by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor activation. Different stimuli that evoke Ca 2+ elevations in astrocytes induce neuronal SICs suggesting a Ca 2+ -dependent exocytotic glutamate release mechanism of SIC generation.

By the antiviral screening of an in house library of pyrazoline compounds, 4-(3-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide (5a) was identified as a promising hit compoundfor the development of anti- Yellow Fever Virus (YFV) agents. Structural optimization studies were focused on the development of 5a analogues which retain the potency as YFV inhibitors and show a reduced cytotoxicity.

Cannabidibutol (CBDB), a novel butyl analog of cannabidiol, was identified as impurity of commercial cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp (for full data and results interpretation see “Analysis of impurities of cannabidiol from hemp. Isolation, characterization and synthesis of cannabidibutol, the novel cannabidiol butyl analog” Citti et al, 2019). The compound was isolated from a CBD sample and subject to a full characterization.

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the two major active principles present in Cannabis sativa, is gaining great interest among the scientific community for its pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic applications. CBD can be prepared either by chemical synthesis or extraction from Cannabis sativa (hemp). The latter is more convenient from several points of view, including environmental and economic, but mainly for the absence of harmful organic solvents generally employed in the chemical synthesis.

Plasma membrane lipids play essential roles in regulating T cell signaling, differentiation, and
effector functions. The major lipid species in the plasma membrane are glycerophospholipids,
sphingolipids, and sterol lipids. TCR and costimulatory molecules lead to profound changes in
the composition, distribution, and dynamic of plasma membrane lipids. For instance, cholesterol,
sphingomyelin, and saturated phosphocholine are enriched at the contact zone between T cells