Non-covalent DNA binding and cytotoxicity of certain mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes of 2,2'-dipyridylamine and diimines

A series of mixed ligand ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(Hdpa)2(diimine)](ClO4)2, 1-5 where Hdpa is 2,2'-dipyridylamine and diimine is 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and a modified/extended 1,10-phenanthroline such as, 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-dmp), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq), 5-methyldipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (mdpq) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) have been isolated and characterized by analytical and spectral methods. The complex [Ru(Hdpa)2(phen)](PF6)2 1 has been structurally characterized and the coordination geometry around Ru(II) in it is described as distorted octahedral. 1H NMR spectral data reveal that 1-5 should have a C2 symmetry lying on the diimine plane due to the rapid flapping of the coordinated Hdpa ligands. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus (CT) DNA has been explored by using absorption and emission spectral and viscometry and electrochemical techniques and the mode of DNA binding of the complexes has been proposed. The DNA binding affinity of the complexes decreases with decrease in number of planar aromatic rings in the co-ligand supporting the intercalation of the diimine co-ligands in between the DNA base pairs. Circular dichroic spectral studies reveal that the complexes 3-5 exhibit induced circular dichroism upon binding to CT DNA. Interestingly, upon interaction with CT DNA all the complexes show an increase in anodic current in the cyclic voltammograms suggesting that they are involved in electrocatalytic guanine oxidation. Interestingly, of all the complexes, only 5 alters the DNA superhelicity upon binding with supercoiled pBR322 DNA, which is consistent with its higher DNA binding affinity. Further, the cytotoxicities of the complexes against human cervical epidermoid carcinoma cell line (ME180) have been examined. Interestingly, 5 exhibits a cytotoxicity against ME180 higher than other complexes with potency approximately 8 times more than cisplatin for 24 h incubation but 4 times lower than cisplatin for 48 h incubation.     

Solid‐phase microextraction for the human biomonitoring of environmental chemicals: Current applications and future perspectives

Sample preparation is one of the crucial steps in the analytical chemistry including human biomonitoring studies. Although there are several traditional approaches available, solid‐phase microextraction is emerged as one of the pioneering techniques due to its simplicity, rapidness, wide applicability, and miniaturization of traditional sample preparation (e.g., use of less or no organic solvents). There are few earlier review articles available on the advancements in solid‐phase microextraction and its use for the measurement of environmental chemicals in various types of environmental samples. However, a collective information on applicability and current usage of solid‐phase microextraction for the human biomonitoring of environmental chemicals are scarce, nonetheless, rising demands on innovative analytical approaches for human biomonitoring studies. Hence, in this review article, we covered the application of solid‐phase microextraction as extraction/purification methods for more than 15 classes of environmental chemicals to assess their respective exposure levels and associated health outcomes in various human population reported across the globe. Further, a detailed discussion on various types of matrix used, nature of coupled analytical instrumentations, and limitations and future perspectives of solid‐phase microextraction for human biomonitoring studies is presented in this review.     

Green Chemical Synthesis of N-Cholyl-L-Cysteine Encapsulated Gold Nanoclusters for Fluorometric Detection of Mercury Ions

Herein we report a simple, single-step, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and biocompatible approach using sodium salt of N-cholyl-L-cysteine (NaCysC) capped gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with green emission properties at above the CMC in aqueous medium under UV-light irradiation. The primary and secondary CMC of NaCysC was found to be 4.6 and 10.7 mM respectively using pyrene as fluorescent probe. The synthesized AuNCs exhibit strong emission maxima at 520 nm upon excitation at 375 nm with a large Stokes shift of 145 nm. The surface functionality and morphology of NCs are studied by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dymanic light scattering studies and transmission electron microscopy. The formation of AuNCs was completed within 5 h and exhibit high stability for more than 6 months. The NaCysC templated AuNCs selectively quenches the Hg²⁺ ions with higher sensitivity in aqueous solution over the other metal ions. The fluorescence analysis of Hg²⁺ showed a wide linear range from 15 to 120 µM and a detection limit was found to be 15 nM.

     

TiO2 derived by titanate route from electrospun nanostructures for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells

We report the use of highly porous, dense, and anisotropic TiO(2) derived from electrospun TiO(2)-SiO(2) nanostructures through titanate route in dye-sensitized solar cells. The titanate-derived TiO(2) of high surface areas exhibited superior photovoltaic parameters (efficiency > 7%) in comparison to the respective electrospun TiO(2) nanomaterials and commercially available P-25.     

Biological synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using apiin as reducing agent

We report a novel strategy for the biological synthesis of anisotropic gold and quasi-spherical silver nanoparticles by using apiin as the reducing and stabilizing agent. The size and shape of the nanoparticles can be controlled by varying the ratio of metal salts to apiin compound in the reaction medium. The resultant nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis-NIR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The interaction between nanoparticles with carbonyl group of apiin compound was confirmed by using FT-IR analysis. TEM photograph confirming the average size of the gold and silver nanoparticles were found to be at 21 and 39 nm. The NIR absorption of the gold nanotriangles is expected to be of application in hyperthermia of cancer cells and in IR-absorbing optical coatings.     

Single crystal EPR study of VO(II)-doped magnesium potassium Tutton’s salt — Part 4

Single crystal EPR studies of VO(II)-doped magnesium potassium Tutton’s salt have been carried out at room temperature. The results indicate that the paramagnetic impurity has entered the lattice, both substitutionally and interstitially and the maximum hyperfine for the substitutional site along the a axis corresponds to the minimum hyperfine for interstitial site and vice versa. The spin Hamiltonian parameters obtained from single crystal data for these sites are: Site 1, g_||=1.954(1); g=1.998(1), A_||=19.80(2) mT; A=7.61(2) mT; Site 2, g_||=1.997(1); g=1.952(1), A_||=7.66(2) mT; A=19.85(2) mT. Superhyperfine from ligand protons have been observed at certain orientations for Site 2 impurity. Powder spectrum shows a set of eight parallel and perpendicular features indicating the presence of only one site and these values matched with Site 1 values. From these observations, it has been concluded that the two vanadyl impurities are approximately at right angles to each other. Cooling the sample to 77 K does not change the spectra appreciably. The admixture coefficients have been calculated from Site 1 data, which agree well with the reported values.     

Spectral Studies on VO2+ doped MPPH Crystals

Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Hexahydrate (MPPH), is analogous to the bio‐mineral struvite. Vanadyl doped MPPH crystals are grown by slow evaporation technique. EPR and optical absorption studies are carried out at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. Spin‐Hamiltonian, crystal field and bonding parameters are evaluated.     

Excimer Emission in Norepinephrine and Epinephrine Drugs with α- and β-Cyclodextrins: Spectral and Molecular Modeling Studies

The inclusion complexation behavior of norepinephrine (NORE) and epinephrine (EPIN) with native cyclodextrins (α-CD and β-CD) were investigated by UV-visible, fluorimetry, time-resolved fluorescence, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, DSC, powder XRD and PM3 methods. Single emission was observed in aqueous solution where as dual emission (excimer) noticed in the CD solutions. Both drugs form 1:1 drug-CD complexes in lower CD concentrations and 1:2 CD-drug₂ complexes in the higher CD concentrations. Time-resolved fluorescence studies indicated that both drugs showed single exponential decay in water and biexponential decay in CD. Nano-sized self-aggregated particles of drug-CD were found by TEM studies. Molecular modeling studies indicated that aliphatic chain part of the drug was entrapped in the CD cavity. Thermodynamic parameters and binding affinity of complex formation of the CD were determined according to PM3 method. The PM3 results were in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Single crystal EPR study of VO(II)-doped cadmium potassium phosphate hexahydrate: A substitutional incorporation

Single crystal EPR studies of VO(II)-doped cadmium potassium phosphate hexahydrate (CPPH) have been carried out at room temperature. The angular variation spectra in the three orthogonal planes indicate that the paramagnetic impurity has entered the lattice only substitutionally in place of Cd(II). Spin Hamiltonian parameters have been obtained from single crystal data. Powder spectra show a set of eight parallel and perpendicular features indicating the presence of only one site. The admixture coefficients have been calculated from the data, which agree well with the literature values.     

Dual fluorescence of diphenyl carbazide and benzanilide: effect of solvents and pH on electronic spectra

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of benzanilide (BA) and diphenyl carbazide (DPC) in solvents of different polarities and pH have been analysed. The spectral characteristics of DPC and BA are compared with diphenyl amine molecule. In water and methanol, a dual fluorescence is observed for both DPC and BA molecules. The normal stokes shifted emission originates from a locally excited pi* electronic state and the large stokes shifted band is due to emission from a twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state. pH studies show that both monocations and monoanions are non-fluorescent. The excited state acidity constants determined by fluorimetric titration and F?rster cycle methods, have been reported and discussed.