Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Acacia nilotica (L.) Extract to Overcome Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Recently, concerns have been raised globally about antimicrobial resistance, the prevalence of which has increased significantly. Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) is considered one of the most common resistant bacteria, which has spread to ICUs in Saudi Arabia. This study was established to investigate the antibacterial activity of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against KPC in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we used the aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica (L.) fruits to mediate the synthesis of ZnO-NPs. The nanoparticles produced were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, zetasizer and zeta potential analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs against KPC was determined via the well diffusion method, and determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the results showed low MIC and MBC when compared with the MIC and MBC of Imipenem and Meropenem antibiotics. The results of in vitro analysis were supported by the results upon applying ZnO-NP ointment to promote wound closure of rats, which showed better wound healing than the results with imipenem ointment. The biosynthesized ZnO-NPs showed good potential for use against bacteria due to their small size, applicability, and low toxicity to human cells.     

Biosynthesis and Anti-Mycotoxigenic Activity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe-Derived Metal Nanoparticles

Mycotoxigenic fungi have attracted special attention due to their threat to food security and toxicity to human health. Aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe was used as reducing and capping agent for the synthesis of silver (AgNPs), copper (CuNPs), and zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles. UV-Visible spectra of the AgNPs, CuNPs, and ZnONPs showed absorption peaks at λ_max 416 nm, 472 nm, and 372 nm, respectively. Zeta potential of AgNPs, CuNPs, and ZnONPs were −30.9, −30.4 and −18.4 mV, respectively. ZnONPs showed the highest activity against Aspergillus awamori ZUJQ 965830.1 (ZOI 20.9 mm and MIC 24.7 µg/mL). TEM micrographs of ZnONPs-treated A. awamori showed cracks and pits in the cell wall, liquefaction of the cytoplasmic content, making it less electron-dense. The sporulation and ochratoxin A production of A. awamori was inhibited by ZnONPs in a concentration-dependent pattern. The inhibition percentage of OTA were 45.6, 84.78 and 95.65% for 10, 15, 20 of ZnONPs/mL, respectively.     

Discovery of New Coumarin-Based Lead with Potential Anticancer,CDK4 Inhibition and Selective Radiotheranostic Effect: Synthesis, 2D & 3D QSAR,Molecular Dynamics,In Vitro Cytotoxicity,Radioiodination, and Biodistribution Studies

Novel 6-bromo-coumarin-ethylidene-hydrazonyl-thiazolyl and 6-bromo-coumarin-thiazolyl-based derivatives were synthesized. A quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) model with high predictive power r² = 0.92, and RMSE = 0.44 predicted five compounds; 2b, 3b, 5a, 9a and 9i to have potential anticancer activities. Compound 2b achieved the best ΔG of –15.34 kcal/mol with an affinity of 40.05 pki. In a molecular dynamic study 2b showed an equilibrium at 0.8 Å after 3.5 ns, while flavopiridol did so at 0.5 Å after the same time (3.5 ns). 2b showed an IC₅₀ of 0.0136 µM, 0.015 µM, and 0.054 µM against MCF-7, A-549, and CHO-K1 cell lines, respectively. The CDK4 enzyme assay revealed the significant CDK4 inhibitory activity of compound 2b with IC₅₀ of 0.036 µM. The selectivity of the newly discovered lead compound 2b toward localization in tumor cells was confirmed by a radioiodination biological assay that was done via electrophilic substitution reaction utilizing the oxidative effect of chloramine-t. ¹³¹I-2b showed good in vitro stability up to 4 h. In solid tumor bearing mice, the values of tumor uptake reached a height of 5.97 ± 0.82%ID/g at 60 min p.i. ¹³¹I-2b can be considered as a selective radiotheranostic agent for solid tumors with promising anticancer activity.     

Development and validation of a micellar high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of risedronate in raw material and in a pharmaceutical formulation: application to stability studies

A micellar HPLC method was developed for analysis of the antiosteoporosis drug risedronate. The analysis was carried out using a 250 x 4.6 mm id, 5 microm particle size C18 Waters Symmetry column. The mobile phase consisted of 0.02 M sodium dodecyl sulfate + 0.3% triethylamine + 10% n-propanol, prepared in 0.02 M orthophosphoric acid. The pH of the mobile phase was adjusted to pH 6.0, and it was pumped at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min with UV detection at 262 nm. The method showed good linearity in the range of 2-80 microg/mL, with an LOD of 0.40 microg/mL (1.31 x 10(-6) M) and an LOQ of 1.21 microg/mL. The suggested method was successfully applied for the analysis of risedronate in raw material and a tablet formulation, with average recoveries of 99.91 +/- 1.30 and 101.52 +/- 0.30%, respectively. The stability-indicating capability of the proposed method was proved using forced degradation. By changing the pH of the mobile phase to 4.0, the oxidative degradation product could be separated from risedronate.     

Factors affecting optical dispersion in borate glass systems

Series of ternary glass systems namely, Na₂O, B₂O₃, and RO (R=Ba or Mg) doped with TiO₂ are synthesized. The present glasses are dictated by requirement for a small refractive index and a small nonlinear coefficient needed for waveguide and laser fabrication requirements. The effect of MgO and BaO as alkaline earth metals on the optical properties of the glass systems is investigated. The dependence of the refractive index and extinction coefficient dispersion curves on composition is carried out over a wavelength range of 0.3-. Applying a genetic algorithm technique, the parameters of Sellmeier dispersion formula that fit index data to accuracy consistent well with the measurements are given. The zero material dispersion-wavelength (ZMDW) and group velocity are also determined using the refractive index data. The Fermi level is calculated exploiting the extinction coefficient dispersion curves. The absorption coefficient, both direct and indirect optical energy gaps, and Urbach energy are evaluated using the absorption edge calculations. The different factors that play a role for controlling the refractive indices such as coordination number, electronic polarizability, field strength of cations, bridging and nonbridging oxygen, and optical basicity are discussed in accordance with the obtained index data. IR spectroscopy is used as a structural probe of the nearest-neighbor environment in the glass network.     

Synthesis of polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM/CuS/AA) nanocomposite and its application in the removal of Isma acid fast yellow G Dye

The adsorption of Isma acid fast yellow G dye was studied using polyamidoamine (PAMAM)/Copper sulfide (CuS)/AA nanocomposite containing different amounts of CuS by batch technique. PAMAM dendrimer/CuS/AA nanocomposites were synthesized via gamma irradiation cross‐linking method with the aid of sonication. The nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy X‐ray, thermal gravimetric analysis, ultraviolet‐visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The size of the CuS nanoparticles was formed in the range of 12–19 nm. The adsorption capacity of the nanocomposites was evaluated as a function of initial dye concentration, pH, adsorbent dosage, and time. It was verified that the adsorption rate fits a pseudo‐second‐order kinetics for initial Isma acid fast yellow G dye concentrations. Results indicated that the adsorption of Isma acid fast yellow G dye fitted well to the Langmuir model. Our results demonstrate that the PAMAM dendrimer/CuS/AA nanocomposite is very promising for removing organic dyes from wastewater. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.