Cigarette smoking has been responsible for causing many life-threatening diseases such as pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases as well as lung cancer. One of the prominent health implications of cigarette smoking is the oxidative damage of cellular constituents, including proteins, lipids, and DNA. The oxidative damage is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS, oxidants) present in the aqueous extract of cigarette smoke (CS). In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the potential health benefits of dietary polyphenols as natural antioxidant molecules. Epidemiological studies strongly suggest that long-term consumption of diets (fruits, vegetables, tea, and coffee) rich in polyphenols offer protective effects against the development of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, green tea has chemopreventive effects against CI-induced lung cancer. Tea might prevent CS-induced oxidative damages in diseases because tea polyphenols, such as catechin, EGCG, etc., have strong antioxidant properties. Moreover, apple polyphenols, including catechin and quercetin, provide protection against CS-induced acute lung injury such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In CS-induced health problems, the antioxidant action is often accompanied by the anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenols. In this narrative review, the CS-induced oxidative damages and the associated health implications/pathological conditions (or diseases) and the role of diets rich in polyphenols and/or dietary polyphenolic compounds against various serious/chronic conditions of human health have been delineated.

Design and synthesis of a novel series of 4a,5,6,11-tetrahydro-4H-thieno[3′,2′:5,6]pyrido[2,3-a]carbazol-4-one derivatives (3a–3g), and evaluation of their anticancer activity (HeLa, MCF-7 and HEp-2 cell lines by MTT assay method) and antioxidant (DPPH and ˙OH radical scavenging) activity. The designed compounds (3a–3g) were synthesized using microwave irradiation in the presence of p-TsOH, with yields up to 91%, in a short time (11 min). Halogenated compounds (3e and 3f) strongly bind with the calf thymus (CT)-DNA helix via intercalation and show more hypochromicity (84% and 81% respectively) with a red shift (12 nm and 10 nm, respectively). Compounds (3e and 3f) completely cleaved pBR322 DNA by oxidative cleavage. In general, it was observed that chloro and bromo substituted compounds 3e and 3f show excellent anticancer activity and strongly bind to CT-DNA, which may be due to the stronger electron withdrawing tendency of the chloro and bromo groups than that of the electron donating and unsubstituted carbazole derivatives. The most potent compounds 3e (2.05, 3.35, and 10.24 fold) and 3f (3.62, 6.28 and 8.09 fold) displayed stronger cytotoxicity than the positive control cisplatin, and also compared with ellipticine. Compound 3g with –OCH₃ substitution and 3e with chloro substitution exhibited greater antioxidant activity than standard ascorbic acid. All the designed compounds were well accommodated in the ATP-binding site of human CK2 protein (Asn118, Ile174, Val53, Val116). The adopted design strategy provided two potent halogenated compounds (3e and 3f), which may require further in vivo investigations before subjecting to clinical trials, and also some useful insights about the future design of more potent inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

A new approach to 1,2,5-trisubstituted 1H-indole-3-carboxylic esters has been developed and studied. The method begins with the preparation of imines from aldehyde and primary amine derivatives. Treatment of these imines with the K₂CO₃-derived anion from methyl 2-(2-fluoro-5-nitrophenyl)acetate or methyl 2-(5-cyano-2-fluorophenyl)acetate in DMF initiates a [3+2] cyclization by addition of the anion to the imine followed by ring closure of the adduct nitrogen to the activated aromatic moiety via an S_NAr process. Twenty-one examples are reported. Temperatures required for the conversion range from 90 to 95 °C for the nitro-activated substrates to 125 to 130 °C for the cyano-activated precursors. Though efficient and atom economical, limitations arise from steric hindrance in the reacting partners. The initial indoline formed is not observed but instead undergoes spontaneous air oxidation to the give the aromatic heterocycle. Imines from nonaromatic aldehydes and amines are also possible, but these give slightly lower yields of 1H-indoles and only react with the nitro-activated substrates. The results are presented with a discussion of the mechanism and the factors important to the success of the reaction.

Numerous cultures have traditionally utilised the foliose lichen Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. (“Oak Lung” or “Lungs of Oak” in English; family: Lobariaceae) as a Tuberculosis (Tb) treatment.