Glicoscienza

This beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) derivative is a functionalized cyclic oligosaccharide composed of seven glucose units, characterized by a hydrophilic exterior and a lipophilic cavity (bigger than α-CD and smaller than γ-CDs), which allows it to encapsulate various guest molecules. This structural feature facilitates its use in multiple applications, including pharmaceuticals, food enhancement, and cosmetics. In the pharmaceutical industry, it enhances the solubility and stability of poorly water-soluble drugs, improving their bioavailability and efficacy while also masking unpleasant tastes. The food sector utilizes it as a stabilizer for flavors, colors, and nutrients, extending shelf life by protecting sensitive ingredients from degradation. In cosmetics, it serves as a complexing agent for fragrances and active components, ensuring their stability and controlled release. Its use expands to many other fields, including nanotechnology for drug delivery systems, environmental remediation for extracting organic pollutants, textiles for slow-release fragrances, and analytical chemistry for chiral separation.

3,4,5,6-Tetra-O-benzyl-myo-inositol is a chiral molecule that is synthesised by the reaction of 3,4,5,6-tetra-O-benzylglycerol with myo-inositol. It has been used as an optical probe to study the function of biomolecules such as membranes and reticulum. The compound was also shown to inhibit the phosphorylation of myosin light chain kinase.

Inhibitor of α-glucosidase with applications in diabetes therapy for control of post-prandial blood glucose fluctuations. The compound inhibits the digestive breakdown of complex carbohydrates to absorbable monosaccharides and smoothens hyperglycaemic peaks in type 2 diabetes mellitus. It also possesses anti-obesity effects thanks to activation of brown adipose tissue and increasing energy expenditure.

GD1b oligosaccharide (shown as ammonium salt) is the carbohydrate moiety in one of the major gangliosides in neuronal and glial membranes; it has a core tetrasaccharide structure (Galβ1,3GalNAcβ1,4Galβ1,4Glc) with its two sialic acids linked α2,3/α2,8 to the inner galactose residue (Ledeen, 2009). GD1b ganglioside acts as a receptor for BK virus as well as for heat-labile LTII-a toxin, produced by enteropathogenic E. coli. GD1b ganglioside also interacts with tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) and is crucial for its entry into cells (Kolter, 2012). The functional significance of ammonia in the brain is not yet fully understood. However, NH4 + stimulates Na+, K+ activated ATPase causing stabilization of the neuronal membranes of which gangliosides are major structural components. Further, ammonia is known to inhibit lysosomal enzymes which include enzymes degrading gangliosides (Modi, 1994).

In water, hydroxypropyl cellulose forms liquid crystals with many mesophases depending on concentration. These mesophases include isotropic, anisotropic, nematic and cholesteric, the latter resulting in many colors such as violet, green and red. Pharmaceutical applications include treatments for medical conditions such as dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), recurrent corneal erosions, decreased corneal sensitivity, exposure and neuroparalytic keratitis. It is also used as a binder in tablets. Hydroxypropylcellulose is also used as a thickener, a binder and emulsion stabiliser in foods with E number E463.  HPC is used as a support matrix for DNA separations by capillary and microchip electrophoresis.

13-cis-Retinoyl b-D-glucuronide is a synthetic compound that can be modified to create a wide range of potential products. 13-cis-Retinoyl b-D-glucuronide is an oligosaccharide with a carbohydrate that may be glycosylated or polysaccharided. It has been custom synthesized and fluorinated, methylated, and monosaccharided. This product is extremely pure and can be used for many applications in the biomedical field.

Asialylated glycosphingolipid and precursor for ganglioside biosynthesis. The compound is a major glycosphingolipid in human neutrophils and is involved in the regulation of superoxides as well as nitric oxide. Moreover, lactosylceramide accumulates in atherosclerotic plaques and is also found elevated in familial hypercholesterolemia and polycystic kidney disease. Animal studies revealed that lactosylceramide induces hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes via signal transduction pathway that is oxygen-sensitive.

1,2,3,4-Tetra-O-acetyl-5-alkynyl-L-fucose is a per-O-acetylated version of 5-alkynyl-L-fucose, an inhibitor of the cellular fucosylation pathway. 1,2,3,4-Tetra-O-acetyl-5-alkynyl-L-fucose can pass through the eukaryotic cell membrane somewhat better than 5-alkynyl-L-fucose can itself, is deacetylated by cellular esterases and interferes with the biosynthesis of the fucosyl-donor and fucosyltransferase substrate GDP-Fuc, thus reducing fucosylation levels during glycoprotein biosynthesis (Dekkers, 2016).