A5080577630- Ion channel regulation and function
- Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
- Metal complexes synthesis and properties
- Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
- Biochemical effects in animals
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Free Radicals and Antioxidants
- Aldose Reductase and Taurine
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Phenothiazines and Benzothiazines Synthesis and Activities
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Ion Channels and Receptors
- Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Phytochemistry and Biological Activities
- Ion Transport and Channel Regulation
- Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
- Phosphodiesterase function and regulation
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Analysis
- Cancer therapeutics and mechanisms
- Quinazolinone synthesis and applications
University of Siena
2015-2024
University of Bologna
2006-2009
Universität Innsbruck
2009
University of Naples Federico II
2006-2009
University of Perugia
2006-2008
Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale
1993-2002
Trinity College Dublin
1991
Background and purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate, in vascular smooth muscle cells, the mechanical electrophysiological effects (+/−)‐naringenin. Experimental approach. Aorta ring preparations single tail artery myocytes were employed for functional patch‐clamp experiments, respectively. Key results. (+/−)‐Naringenin induced concentration‐dependent relaxation endothelium‐denuded rat aortic rings pre‐contracted with either 20 mM KCl or noradrenaline (pIC 50 values 4.74 4.68,...
A research platform for food authentication was set up by combining stable isotope ratio analysis, metabolomics gas and liquid mass-spectrometry NMR investigations, chemometric analyses excellences. This multi-analytical approach tested on samples of elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.), a species belonging to the same genus common sativum mainly produced in southern Tuscany-(TA). The isotopic composition allowed product be geographically characterized. Flavonoids, like (+)-catechin,...
Bio-based products are nowadays useful tools able to affect the productivity and quality of conventionally cultivated crops. Several bio-based currently on market; one newest most promising is wood distillate (WD) derived from pyrolysis process waste biomass after timber. Its foliar application has been widely investigated shown promote antioxidant profile WD was used here as additive for cultivation tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants. The improved (chemical) parameters, minerals,...
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects quercetin, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid, on voltage‐dependent Ca 2+ channels smooth muscle cells freshly isolated from rat tail artery, using either conventional or amphotericin B‐perforated whole‐cell patch‐clamp method. Quercetin increased L‐type current [I Ca(L) ] in concentration‐ (pEC 50 =5.09±0.05) and manner shifted maximum current‐voltage relationship by 10 mV hyperpolarizing direction, without, however, modifying threshold...
Previous studies have pointed to the plant flavonoids myricetin and quercetin as two structurally related stimulators of vascular Ca(v) 1.2 channel current (I(Ca1.2) ). Here we tested proposition that flavonoid structure confers ability modulate channels.Twenty-four were analysed for their effects on I(Ca1.2) in rat tail artery myocytes, using whole-cell patch-clamp method.Most stimulated or inhibited a concentration- voltage-dependent manner with EC(50) values ranging between 4.4 µM...
A multidisciplinary project has led to the discovery of novel, structurally diverse, L-type calcium entry blockers (CEBs). The absolute configuration a recently reported CEB been determined by vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy, assign stereospecificity ligand−channel interaction. Thereafter, virtual screening procedure was performed with aim identifying novel chemotypes for CEBs, starting from database purchasable compounds; 340 000 molecules were screened in silico order...
In pre-hypertension, moderate control of blood pressure (BP) can be obtained by a nutritional approach. The effects diet enriched with defatted larvae the mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) (TM) endowed ACE inhibitory activity was studied in both spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto strain. These were fed for 4 weeks standard laboratory rodent chow supplemented or without TM captopril. SHR, caused significant reduction BP, heart...
In the search for novel, bi-functional compounds acting as Ca
Abstract Some in vitro and vivo evidence is consistent with the cardiovascular beneficial activity of propolis. As single actors responsible for this effect have never been identified, an in-depth investigation flavonoids isolated from green propolis Caatinga Mimosa tenuiflora was performed their mechanism action described. A comprehensive electrophysiology, functional, molecular docking approach applied. Most flavanones flavones were effective CaV1.2 channel blockers a potency order...
Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a serious challenge in contemporary clinical practice and mostly responsible for the failure of cancer medication therapies. Several experimental evidence links MDR to overexpression drug efflux transporter P-gp, therefore, discovery novel P-glycoprotein inhibitors required treat or prevent improve absorption chemotherapy drugs via gastrointestinal system. In this work, we explored series pyridoquinoxaline-based derivatives designed from parental compounds,...
The calcium antagonist and antioxidant activities of certain synthetic natural phenols, related to BHA (2‐ t ‐butyl‐4‐methoxyphenol), were evaluated in rat ileal longitudinal muscle lipid peroxidation models respectively. Compounds with a phenol or derivative moiety, the exception 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐3,‐3′‐di‐ ‐butyl‐5,5′‐dimethoxydiphenyl (di‐BHA), inhibited concentration‐dependent manner BaCl 2 ‐induced contraction incubated Ca 2+ ‐free medium. Calculated pIC 50 ( m ) values ranged between 3.32...
To develop a cheap and simple method of storing for 24-h vascular tissue single myocytes while preserving therein the biophysical pharmacological characteristics L-type Ca(2+) channels contractile activity.Rings or smooth muscle cells obtained from rat tail main artery were used either freshly (R0h VSMC0h) stored 24 h (R24h VSMC24h) at 4 °C, to record whole-cell currents (IC a(L) ) measure responses.R0h/VSMC0h R24h/VSMC24h comparably contracted when stimulated with phenylephrine, high KCl...
Sesquiterpenes such as leucodin and the labdane-type diterpene manool are natural compounds endowed with remarkably in vitro vasorelaxant vivo hypotensive activities. Given their structural similarity sesquiterpene lactone (+)-sclareolide, this molecule was selected a scaffold to develop novel vasoactive agents. Functional, electrophysiology, molecular dynamics studies were performed. The opening of five-member ring (+)-sclareolide provided series labdane-based small molecules, promoting...