Research Interests

The research interest has two main intersecting themes. The first involves the development of methods for the synthesis of novel bioactive compounds (eg. anticancer, antibacterial agents), and the study of their spectroscopic, chemical and pharmacological properties. Mechanistic aspects of these and associated syntheses are also of interest. New synthetic methods for antibiotic compounds are also being investigated. Synthesis using microwave assisted chemistry by using adapted home microwave oven is also of interest and being investigated. My currently researches are focusing on the Asymmetric Synthesis of Pentenomycins, anticancer drug, this work is also in progress.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Pentenomycins, an anticancer drug (In collaboration with Prof. S. G. Pyne, University of Wollongong , Australia)

The pentenomycin group of natural products (compounds 1-4) have antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Pentenomycin I (1) and II (2) were first isolated from Streptomyces eurythermus in 1973 while pentenomycin III (3) was isolated three years later from Strepovercillium eurocidicum. Epipentenomycin I (4), however, was isolated in 1989 from carpophores of Perziza sp., much later than its first synthesis in racemic form in 1980. Their biological activities and their highly oxygenated structures have attracted several synthetic studies on their total synthesis, the synthesis of their racemates and their analogues.

We are now developing a new synthetic strategy to these pentenomycin series using the synthetic strategy show in scheme 1.

Microwave assisted Chemistry (senior project)

In recent years, the use of microwave dielectric heating to assist chemical processes has attracted increasing attention. The application of microwave technology to organic synthetic processes has been shown to significantly enhance the speed of reactions. Synthetic reactions using adapted home microwave oven is currently being investigated.

(We have modified a novel microwave reactor and awaited to submit for a patent.)

The second is concerned with the area of natural products chemistry of the plants screening for a novel antioxidant and anticancer compounds. Isolation and purification using general process or electrocoagulation method of purification. Identification of natural products compounds by spectroscopic methods including structural analysis using X-ray. Research is also being pursued on novel bioactive compounds from terrestrial natural sources (including medicinal plants) and essential oil analysis using GC and GC/MS. Currently, in collaboration with colleagues at the Thailand National Cancer Institute, we are investigating extracts of Thai rarely plants that display selective anticancer activity.

Isolation, Purification and Structural elucidation of natural product compounds from freshwater cyanobacterium

Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic bacteria, often called ‘blue-green algae’. They form in shallow, warm, slow-moving or still water. The cyanobacteria are made up of cells, which can cause poisons called cyanobacterial toxins. A mass of cyanobacteria in a body of water is called a bloom. When this mass rises to the surface of the water, it is known as surface scum or a surface water bloom. In Thailand, we have only studied on the social field of blue-green algae in natural source as some species secrete a toxic substance called microcystin which can be hazardous in high concentrations, as is the case during blooms. However, cyanobacteria also have other bioactive metabolisms with pharmaceutical potential. Therefore, it is very interesting field as no one in Thailand earnest study on the Natural Product Chemistry of cyanobacteria.

My research activity during a postdoctoral position in Japan involves the isolation and characterization of the active components in the extracts as well as other compounds of chemical interest. Separation and purification processes, primarily chromatographic, are followed by extensive spectral analysis on the purified compounds. Modern nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods represent our most important analytical tool for structure determination, but other spectral methods and chemical studies are employed as well. When necessary, partial or total synthesis of a compound is undertaken to complete the structural elucidation and/or to provide sufficient material for further biological testing.

Some of my isolated compounds are below:

Etc.