An overview of techniques and strategies for isolation of flavonoids from the genus Erythrina

Plants in the genus Erythrina is a potential source of chemical constituents, one of which is flavonoids, which have diverse bioactivities. To date, literature on the flavonoids from the genus Erythrina has only highlighted the phytochemical aspects, so this review article will discuss isolation techniques and strategies for the first time. More than 420 flavonoids have been reported in the Erythrina genus, which are grouped into 17 categories. These flavonoid compounds were obtained through isolation techniques and strategies using polar, semi-polar, and non-polar solvents. Various chromatographic techniques have been developed to isolate flavonoids using column flash chromatography, quick column chromatography, centrifugally accelerated thin-layer chromatography, radial chromatography, medium-pressure column chromatography, semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Chromatographic processes for isolating flavonoids can be optimized using multivariate statistical applications such as response surface methodology with central composite design, Box–Behnken design, Doehlert design, and mixture design.     

Anti-pathogenic,anti-diabetic,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant, and wound healing efficacy of Datura metel L. leaves

Datura metel L. is an important medicinal plant of Solanaceae family which has extensive pharmacological properties. The present investigation was aimed to identify the presence of phytoconstituents and assess in vitro antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and wound healing efficacy of D. metel leaves extract. Among different solvent extracts, methanolic extract showed higher amount of phenolic (124.61 ± 0.68 mg GAE/g), alkaloid (88.77 ± 1.01 mg AE/g), flavonoids (42.24 ± 0.18 mg QE/g), and tannins contents (38.72 ± 0.51 mg GAE/g). The extract exhibited not only significantly (P < 0.05) different antibacterial activities against pathogens tested but also showed maximum biofilm inhibition of 94, 88, and 92% against B. subtilis, MRSA, and E. coli, respectively. Anti-diabetic assay depicted 22.55 ± 0.62–79.41 ± 1.13% and 24.31 ± 1.47–72.59 ± 0.22% of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition abilities of methanolic extract, respectively at varied concentrations. The methanolic extract showed potential anti-inflammatory effect (P < 0.05) by showing 28.11 ± 0.13, 34.94 ± 1.11, 55.73 ± 0.42, 73.28 ± 0.72, and 92.62 ± 1.33% of inhibition of protein denaturation at different concentrations with an IC₅₀ value of 52.45 µg/mL. The extract revealed significant (P < 0.05) rate of ABTS scavenging, DPPH degradation, and reducing power assay in a concentration dependent manner. The cytotoxicity assay was demonstrated on L929 mouse fibroblast cell line and found > 90% of cell viability in the presence of methanolic extract, thereby indicating its non-toxicity effect. Wound healing assay indicated that methanolic extract at 50 µg/mL closed 100% of wound gap after 24 h with high rate of migration and proliferation. Furthermore, GC–MS chromatogram revealed the presence of several components in methanolic extract, including neophytadiene, hexadecanoic acid, and hentriacontane as principal phytoconstituents. In conclusion, methanolic extract of D. metel leaves could be used as potent therapeutic agent not only for treating metabolic diseases but also superficial chronic diabetic wounds.     

In vitro dielectrophoresis of HEK cell migration for stimulating chronic wound epithelialization

This article describes a dielectrophoresis (DEP)-based simulation and experimental study of human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) cells for wounded skin cell migration toward rapid epithelialization. MyDEP is a standalone software designed specifically to study dielectric particles and cell response to an alternating current (AC) electric field. This method demonstrated that negative dielectrophoresis (N_DEP) occurs in HEK cells at a wide frequency range in highly conductive medium. The finite element method was used to characterize particle trajectory based on DEP and drag force. The performance of the system was assessed using HEK cells in a highly conductive EpiLife suspending medium. The DEP experiment was performed by applying sinusoidal wave AC potential at the peak-to-peak voltage of 10 V in a tapered aluminum microelectrode array from 100 kHz to 1 MHz. We experimentally observed the occurrence of NDEP, which attracted HEK cells toward the local electric field minima in the region of interest. The DIPP-MotionV software was used to track cell migration in the prerecorded video via an automatic marker and estimate the average speed and acceleration of the cells. The results showed that HEK cell migration was accomplished approximately at 6.43 μm/s at 100 kHz with 10 V, and F_DEP caused the cells to migrate and align at the target position, which resulted in faster wound closures because of the application of an electric field frequency to HEK cells in random locations.     

ANALYTICAL EVALUATION OF PERMANENT DEFLECTION OF A THIN CIRCULAR PLATE STRUCK NORMALLY AT ITS CENTER BY A PROJECTILE

The permanent deflection of a thin circular plate struck normally at its center by a projectile is studied by an approximate theoretical analysis,FEM simulation and experiment.The plate made of rate sensitive and strain-hardening material undergoes serious local deformation but is not perforated during the impact.The theoretical analysis is based on an energy approach, in which the Cowper-Symonds equation is used for the consideration of strain rate sensitive effects and the parameters involved are determined with the aid of experimental data.The maximum permanent deflections predicted by the theoretical model are compared with those of FEM sim- ulation and published papers obtained both by theory and experiment,and good agreement is achieved for a wide range of thickness of the plates and initial impact velocities.     

Microwave‐assisted Chemical Reactions

Microwave (MW) radiation has been used in chemical analysis and chemical synthesis. MW heating under controlled conditions offers distinct advantages over conventional heating. The reactions are carried out in environmentally clean and safe solvents and in many cases, reactions can be carried out under solvent‐free conditions. This method of synthesis has grown rapidly and found its use in various sectors. This paper reviews some of the reactions that have been accelerated with higher yields under MW irradiation. The application of MW‐assisted synthesis in the medicinal and pharmaceutical industries will be emphasized.     

Exploring the core deformation properties of 29F halo nucleus using T- and Y-configurations

²⁹F nucleus is a two-neutron halo nucleus with the core (²⁷F) + n + n three-body system. We studied the Jacobi coordinates dependant T-and Y-configurations properties due to the core deformation of this nucleus. For this deformation of the core, the separation energy (S_2n) and the root mean square (RMS) matter radius of this halo nucleus were calculated. This theoretical calculation for investigating T-and Y-configuration properties was accomplished through the MATLAB computational software. A positive core deformation was found, which indicates a prolate shaped halo nucleus. We found an excellent agreement for S_2n and 96.4% and 96% accuracies for the T- and Y-configurations respectively.     

Hybrid nanofluid flow over two different geometries with Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model and heat generation: A model with correlation coefficient and probable error

The authors scrutinize the steady, MHD flow of SiO₂−MoS₂/water hybrid nanofluid towards two different geometries i.e. a wedge and a cone. The Tiwari and Das model is implemented with a generalized–Fourier's model, popularized as Cattaneo-Christov heat flux model. Analysis of heat transfer also incorporates the effects of suction, heat generation and thermal radiation. To showcase the relationship between engineering quantities and pertinent parameters involved in the study, the correlation coefficient for heat transfer coefficient and the skin friction coefficient is computed followed by the computation of probable error and statistical declaration. Similarity transformations are utilized to remodel the constitutive laws of flow in non-dimensional form. Numerical computation of non-linear, coupled O.D.E.’s is performed with the support of the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg scheme and shooting method. Graphical and tabular illustrations of computed results are provided to report the variation in flow properties with the fluctuation in physical parameters. In both cases, i.e. flow close to a wedge and a cone, the temperature of hybrid nanofluid enhances on intensifying the thermal radiation and experiences a decrement with thermal relaxation parameter and magnetic field. Rising values of the suction parameter, thermal relaxation parameter, and thermal radiation cause increment in heat transfer coefficient. Interestingly, it was spotted that the heat generation parameter has contrary effects on temperature distribution over the two geometries.     

Flat sheet direct contact membrane distillation desalination system using temperature-dependent correlations: thermal efficiency via a multi-parameter sensitivity analysis based on Monte Carlo method

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this paper, a 1D model of direct contact membrane distillation is presented in which all fluid properties are temperature-dependent. In addition, a...     

Sol-gel synthesis,characterisation, and photocatalytic activity of porous spinel Co3O4 nanosheets

Mesoporous spinel Co₃O₄ nanosheets were synthesised via a simple sol-gel route using the Pluronic P123 triblock copolymer as the stabilising agent. Their structural, morphological, and textural properties were characterised. FTIR spectrum revealed the formation of cobalt oxide without any surface adsorbed impurities. Face centered cubic phase of spinel Co₃O₄ with the mean crystalline size of 26 nm was assigned by the X-ray diffraction analysis without the formation of other phases. Porous nanosheets and cave-like morphologies were identified from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Highly agglomerated more or less spherical particles with well separated lattice fringes, representing the oriented growth of nanocrystals, were noticed on the transmission electron microscopy photographs. Surface area analysis revealed that the spinel has high surface area of about 25 m² g^?1 with monomodal mesoporosity. The average pore size distribution was found to be about 15.8 nm. The as-prepared spinel photocatalyst showed a mild photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue (2.5 mg L^?1) under UV light irradiation with air as the oxidising agent. Photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared reusable Co₃O₄ was found to be higher than that of the commercial spinel powder.     

Effect of Lorentz forces on forced-convection nanofluid flow over a stretched surface

Magnetic nanofluid hydrothermal analysis over a plate is studied that includes consideration of thermal radiation. The Runge–Kutta (RK4) method is utilized to get solution of ODEs which are obtained from similarity solution. In considering the impacts of Brownian motion, we applied Koo–Kleinstreuer–Li correlation to simulate the properties of CuO–water. The influence is discussed of important parameters such as the temperature index, magnetic, radiation, and velocity ratio parameters and volume fraction of nanoparticle on hydrothermal behavior. Results illustrate that the coefficient of skin friction enhances with enhancing magnetic parameter while reduces with enhancing velocity ratio parameter. Also the Nusselt number was found to directly depend on the velocity ratio and temperature index parameters but has an inverse dependence on the magnetic and radiation parameters.