Musa sp. Leaves Extract Ameliorates the Hepato-Renal Toxicities Induced by Cadmium in Mice

Heavy metals intoxication causes several health problems that necessitate finding new protective and therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Musa sp. leaves extract (MLE) on hepato-renal toxicities induced by cadmium (Cd) in male mice. The phytochemical screening, metal chelating activity (MCA), and the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of MLE were determined. Fifty CD-1 male mice were used and intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with MLE (1000 to 5000 mg/kg b.wt) for MLE LD₅₀ determination. Another 50 mice were used for evaluating the effect of MLE on Cd toxicity. Blood samples were collected for hematological, liver, and kidney functions assessments. Liver tissue homogenates were used for determination of oxidant/antioxidant parameters. Liver and kidney tissues were harvested for histopathological and molecular investigations. MLE showed potent in vitro antioxidant activities. The MCA and LD₅₀ of the MLE were 75 µg/mL and 3000 mg/kg b.wt, respectively. MLE showed beneficial therapeutic activity against hepato-renal toxicities in Cd-intoxicated mice, evidenced by improving the hematological, biochemical, histopathological, and molecular alterations.     

New less toxic zeolite‐encapsulated Cu(II) complex nanomaterial for dual applications in biomedical field and wastewater remediation

A new dual‐functional Cu(II) complex and its nanohybrid form encapsulated into NaY zeolite cavities were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were characterized using elemental analyses, X‐ray fluorescence, infrared, ¹H NMR, electronic, electron spin resonance and mass spectra, powder X‐ray diffraction, surface area and transmission electron microscopy in addition to conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The encapsulated Cu(II) complex was catalytically tested for degradation of industrial wastewater. The decolorization and mineralization results indicate that the Cu(II) complex encapsulated into zeolite host is an effective heterogeneous catalyst for real industrial wastewater remediation. In addition, both free and encapsulated Cu(II) complexes were tested as anti‐microbial and anti‐tumour agents. The results show that the Cu(II) complex encapsulated into zeolite has a high activity (IC₅₀ = 14.4 μg ml^?1). The results of in vivo toxicity experiments indicate that the Cu(II) complex encapsulated into zeolite is a less toxic biocompatible material (LD₅₀ = 1245 mg kg^?1). The catalytic properties, cytotoxicity and toxicity of the new nanohybrid Cu(II) complex encapsulated into zeolite make it a promising eco‐friendly and biocompatible material for water remediation and biomedical applications.     

An Overview on Truffle Aroma and Main Volatile Compounds

Truffles are underground edible fungi that grow symbiotically with plant roots. They have been globally considered as one of the most expensive foods because of their rarity, unique aroma, and high nutritional value as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, anti-mutagenic, antituberculoid immunomodulatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, and aphrodisiac. The unique flavor and fragrance of truffles is one of the main reasons to get worldwide attraction as a food product. So, the aim of this review was to summarize the relevant literature with particular attention to the active aroma components as well as the various sample preparation and analytical techniques used to identify them. The major analytical methods used for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in truffles are gas chromatography (GC), proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), and electronic nose sensing (EN). In addition, factors influencing truffle aroma are also highlighted. For this reason, this review can be considered a good reference for research concerning aroma profiles of different species of truffles to deepen the knowledge about a complex odor of various truffles.     

Quantitative determination of famotidine in human maternal plasma,umbilical cord plasma and urine using high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the quantitative determination of famotidine in human urine, maternal and umbilical cord plasma was developed and validated. The plasma samples were alkalized with ammonium hydroxide and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The extraction recovery of famotidine in maternal and umbilical cord plasma ranged from 53 to 64% and 72 to 79%, respectively. Urine samples were directly diluted with the initial mobile phase then injected into the HPLC system. Chromatographic separation of famotidine was achieved by using a Phenomenex Synergi? Hydro‐RP? column with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and 10 mm ammonium acetate aqueous solution (pH 8.3, adjusted with ammonium hydroxide). Mass spectrometric detection of famotidine was set in the positive mode and used a selected ion monitoring method. Carbon‐13‐labeled famotidine was used as internal standard. The calibration curves were linear (r² > 0.99) in the concentration ranges of 0.631–252 ng/mL for umbilical and maternal plasma samples and 0.075–30.0 µg/mL for urine samples. The relative deviation of method was <14% for intra‐ and inter‐day assays, and the accuracy ranged between 93 and 110%. The matrix effect of famotidine in human urine, maternal and umbilical cord plasma was less than 17%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of the Aroma Profile and Main Key Odorants of Espresso Coffee

Espresso coffee (EC) is a common coffee preparation technique that nowadays is broadly widespread all over the globe. Its popularity is in part attributed to the intense aroma and pleasant flavor. Many researchers have studied and reviewed the aroma of the coffee, but there is a lack of specific review focused on EC aroma profile even if it is intensively investigated. Thus, the objective of the current review was to summarize the aroma profile of EC and how different preparation variables can affect EC flavor. Moreover, a collection of diverse analytical procedures for volatile analysis was also reported. The findings of this survey showed that the volatile fraction of EC is extremely complex, but just some compounds are responsible for the characteristic aroma of the coffee, such as some aldehyde, ketones, furanones, furans, sulfur compounds, pyrazines, etc. In addition, during preparation, some variables, e.g., temperature and pressure of water, granulometry of the coffee particle, and brew ratio, can also modify the aroma profile of this beverage, and therefore its quality. A better understanding of the aroma fraction of EC and how the preparation variables should be adjusted according to desired EC would assist coffee workers in obtaining a higher quality product.     

Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Organoiron Dendrimers as Antimicrobial and Anti‐Inflammatory Agents

The synthesis of a novel and attractive class of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial organoiron dendrimers attached to the well‐known drug ibuprofen is achieved. The structures of these dendrimers are established by spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The antimicrobial activity of these dendrimers is investigated and tested against five human pathogenic Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, and minimum inhibitory concentrations are reported. Some of these synthesized dendrimers exhibit higher inhibitory activity against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus warneri compare to the reference drugs. As well, the in vitro and in vivo anti‐inflammatory activities of these dendrimers are evaluated. The results of in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity and histopathology of inflamed paws show that all dendrimers display considerable anti‐inflammatory activity; however, second‐generation dendrimer ( G2‐D6 ) shows the best anti‐inflammatory activity, which is more potent than the commercial drug ibuprofen at the same tested dose. Results of the toxicity study reveal that G2‐D6  is the safest drug on biological tissues.     

QSAR Modeling,Molecular Docking and Cytotoxic Evaluation for Novel Oxidovanadium(IV) Complexes as Colon Anticancer Agents

Four new drug-based oxidovanadium (IV) complexes were synthesized and characterized by various spectral techniques, including molar conductance, magnetic measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, optimal structures geometry for all syntheses was obtained by the Gaussian09 program via the DFT/B3LYP method and showed that all of the metal complexes adopted a square-pyramidal structure. The essential parameters, electrophilicity (ω) value and expression for the maximum charge that an electrophile molecule may accept (ΔN_max) showed the practical biological potency of [VO(CTZ)₂] 2H₂O. The complexes were also evaluated for their propensity to bind to DNA through UV–vis absorption titration. The result revealed a high binding ability of the [VO(CTZ)₂] 2H₂O complex with K_b = 1.40 × 10⁶ M⁻¹. Furthermore, molecular docking was carried out to study the behavior of the VO (II) complexes towards colon cancer cell (3IG7) protein. A quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) study was also implemented for the newly synthesized compounds. The results of validation indicate that the generated QSAR model possessed a high predictive power (R² = 0.97). Within the investigated series, the [VO(CTZ)₂] 2H₂O complex showed the greatest potential the most selective compound comparing to the stander chemotherapy drug.     

The optimum conditions for methanol conversion to dimethyl ether over modified sulfated zirconia catalysts prepared by different methods

Sulfated zirconia (SZ) and two promoted 1%Mn/SZ catalysts which have been prepared via sol gel (Mn/SZ-S) and impregnation (Mn/SZ-I) methods were studied.The morphology of the catalysts was characterized by XRD,BET,NH_3-TPD,ICP,SEM and FT-IR analysis.The conversion of methanol to dimethyl ether and hydrocarbons was carried out in the temperature range of 120-300 ℃.The Mn/SZ-S showed the highest activity due to the high surface area with suitable acidity.The optimum condition of Mn/SZ-S catalyst was investigated at 200°C and LHSV of 0.02 h~(-1) in a time range from 30 to 210 min.It was found that the total conversion decreased from 80.18% to 53.26% at 210 min.The reusability of this catalyst was studied at the optimum condition up till four cycles for 1 h.The characterization of the reused catalyst showed a significant change in the structure and surface acidity due to the blockage of the surface acid sited by carbonaceous materials.     

Microbial Transformation of Isolongifolen‐4‐one

The microbial transformation of (+)‐isolongifolen‐4‐one ( 4 ) by a number of fungi by means of a standard two‐stage fermentation technique afforded (7R)‐12‐hydroxyisolongifolen‐4‐one ( 5 ), (7S)‐13‐hydroxyisolongifolen‐4‐one ( 6 ), (11R)‐11‐hydroxyisolongifolen‐4‐one ( 7 ), (10R)‐10‐hydroxyisolongifolen‐4‐one ( 8 ), and (9R)‐9‐hydroxyisolongifolen‐4‐one ( 9 ) (Scheme). All five metabolites were found to be new, and metabolites 6 and 9 showed potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity (Table 1). The metabolites and their derivatives were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic and single‐crystal X‐ray‐diffraction techniques.     

Boron nitride nanotube-based amphiphilic hybrid nanomaterials for superior encapsulation of hydrophobic cargos

We report an organic-inorganic hybrid core-shell nanomaterial obtained by conjugation of an amphiphilic monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diblock copolymer to hydroxylated boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The extent of copolymer grafting reached 64% w/w, an exceptionally high value. The hybrid materials exhibit excellent physical stability in water and an outstanding loading capacity (31.3% w/w) for curcumin, a hydrophobic drug. Moreover, they present good compatibility with the Caco2 cell line, a model of intestinal epithelium. Our findings demonstrate the potential of multifunctional hybrid BNNTs to serve as a platform for complex amphiphilic nanoparticle architectures with improved features.