Convenient synthesis of quinocetone metabolites: Characterization, theoretical investigation, and cytotoxicity study (original) (raw)

Improved synthesis of quinocetone and its two deoxy metabolites

Oxidation of o-nitroaniline with sodium hypochlorite afforded benzo-furazan oxide in 96 % yield, and treatment of benzofurazan oxide with acetyl-acetone in the presence of triethylamine gave 2-acetyl-3-methyl-quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide in 94 % yield. Finally, condensation of 2-acetyl-3-methyl-quinox-aline-1,4-dioxide with benzaldehyde using 4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium acetate as a catalyst led to quinocetone in 95 % yield. Subsequently, reduction of the synthesized quinocetone with sodium dithionite resulted in two deoxy derivatives, 1-(3-methyl-4-oxido-2-quinoxalinyl)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-one and 1-(3-methyl-2-quinoxalinyl)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-one in 88.5 and 92 % yield, respectively. Furthermore, the synthesized quinocetone, and its deoxy derivatives were characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR and elemental analysis.

Acute and sub-chronic oral toxicological evaluations of quinocetone in Wistar rats

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2010

To provide a detailed toxicity with wide spectrum of doses for quinocetone, a new antimicrobial growth promoting agent, acute and sub-chronic toxicological studies were conducted. For acute study, quinocetone was administered singly by oral gavage to Wistar rats and Kunming mice. Calculated LD 50 was 8687.31 mg/kg b.w./day in rats and 15848.93 mg/kg b.w./day in mice. In sub-chronic study, quinocetone was fed to Wistar rats at dietary levels of 0, 50, 300 and 1800 mg/kg or olaquindox (300 mg/kg), approximately equivalent to quinocetone 5, 30, 180 or olaquindox 30 mg/kg b.w./day. There was significant decrease in body weight in both genders, total protein and creatinine in females and alkaline phosphatase in males fed with 1800 mg/kg diet, while alkaline aminotransferase values decreased in all treated groups. Significant increase in relative weights of liver and kidneys in both genders and testis in male rats were noted at 1800 mg/kg diet. Histopathological observations revealed that 1800 mg/kg quinocetone diet and 300 mg/kg olaquindox diet could induce proliferation of bile canaliculi in the portal area. In conclusion, quinocetone can induce hepatic histological changes as well as leaking of different serum enzymes. The no-observed-adverse-effect level of quinocetone was considered to be 300 mg/kg diet.

Identification of the major metabolites of quinocetone in swine urine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 2010

Quinocetone (QCT), 3-methyl-2-cinnamoylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, is a quinoxaline-N,N-dioxide used in veterinary medicine as a feed additive. QCT is broadly used in China to promote animal growth, but few studies have been performed to reveal the metabolism of QCT in animals until now. In the present study, the metabolites of QCT in swine urine were investigated using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-QTOF-MS). Multiple scans of metabolites in MS and MS/MS modes and accurate mass measurements were performed simultaneously through data-dependent acquisition. Most measured mass errors were less than W5 mDa for both protonated molecules and product ions using external mass calibration. The structures of metabolites and their product ions were easily and reliably characterized based on the accurate MS 2 spectra and known structure of QCT. As expected, extensive metabolism was observed in swine urine. Thirty-one metabolites were identified in swine urine, most of which were reported for the first time. The results reveal that the N-O group reduction at position 1 and the hydroxylation reaction occurring at the methyl group, the side chain or on the benzene ring are the main metabolic pathways of quinocetone in swine urine. There was abundant production of 1-desoxyquinocetone and hydroxylation metabolites of 1-desoxyquinocetone. The proposed metabolic pathway of quinocetone in vivo can be expected to play a key role in food safety evaluations.