Facile extraction of berberine from different plants,separation, and identification by thin-layer chromatography,high-performance liquid chromatography,and biological evaluation against Leishmaniosis

The extraction of berberine was carried out from Berberis vulgaris, Berberis aquifolium, and Hydrastis canadensis plants using ethanol and water (70:30, v/v). The extracted berberine was characterized by ultraviolet-visible and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The purity of berberine was ascertained by thin-layer chromatography using n-propanol-formic acid-water (95:1:4) and (90:1:9) solvents. hR_f values were in the range of 44–49 with compact spots (diameter 0.2–0.4 cm). HPLC was carried out using ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile in gradient mode with Zodiac (4.6 × 150 mm, 3 μm) column. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and detection was at 220 nm. The values of separation and resolution factors of the standard and the extracted berberine were in the range of 1.13–1.16 and 1.40–1.71, respectively. A comparison has shown that both thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods found applications in different situations and requirements. The extracted berberine samples were used to treat Leishmaniosis and the results showed better activity of berberine in comparison to the standard drug Amphotericin B. Briefly, the reported research is a novel and may be used to extract berberine from plants, separation and identification of berberine by thin layer chromatography and HPLC and to treat Leishmaniosis.     

Positron annihilation: a unique method for studying polymers

Positron annihilation is a unique technique for studying the local free volume of polymers. Employing the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) the size and size distribution of subnanometer size holes which constitute the excess free volume may be studied. In combination with macroscopic volume data the fractional free volume and the number density of holes may be estimated. After presenting the principles of the method, some examples typically for the investigation of the free volume in polymers will be given. Moreover, the study of interdiffusion in demixed polymer blends and further applications are shortly reviewed     

Anomalously Large Antiphase Signals from Hyperpolarized Orthohydrogen Using a MOF-Based SABRE Catalyst

Hyperpolarized orthohydrogen (o-H₂) is a frequent product of parahydrogen-based hyperpolarization approaches like signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE), where the hyperpolarized o-H₂ signal is usually absorptive. We describe a novel manifestation of this effect wherein large antiphase o-H₂ signals are observed, with ¹H enhancements up to ≈500-fold (effective polarization P_H≈1.6 %). This anomalous effect is attained only when using an intact heterogeneous catalyst constructed using a metal–organic framework (MOF) and is qualitatively independent of substrate nature. This seemingly paradoxical observation is analogous to the “partial negative line” (PNL) effect recently explained in the context of Parahydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) by Ivanov and co-workers. The two-spin order of the o-H₂ resonance is manifested by a two-fold higher Rabi frequency, and the lifetime of the antiphase HP o-H₂ resonance is extended by several-fold.     

Accessing Dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indol-1(2H)-ones via Pd-Catalyzed Intramolecular Aminocarbonylative Ring Closure

Present in a number of small molecule derivatives that display a wide range of biological activities, the dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indol-(2H)-one (DHPI) core represents an underexplored heterocyclic scaffold. Given the pharmaceutical potential of the DHPI motif, the development of synthetic methodologies that permit their expedient assembly would be highly desirable. Herein, we describe a novel strategy for the construction of the DHPI core from 3-iodo-1H-indolyl substrates, employing an unprecedented Pd-catalyzed intramolecular aminocarbonylative ring closure. The compatibility of our optimized protocol with various functional groups is highlighted through the synthesis of a range of diversely substituted DHPI derivatives in up to 90 % isolated yield.