Coumarins: antifungal effectiveness and future therapeutic scope

Molecular Diversity - The antifungals that are in current clinical practice have a high occurrence of a side effect and multidrug resistance (MDR). Researchers across the globe are trying to...     

Destruction of hydrogen bonds of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) aqueous solution by trimethylamine N-oxide

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a compatible or protective osmolyte that stabilizes the protein native structure through non-bonding mechanism between TMAO and hydration surface of protein. However, we have shown here first time the direct binding mechanism for naturally occurring osmolyte TMAO with hydration structure of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), an isomer of polyleucine, and subsequent aggregation of PNIPAM. The influence of TMAO on lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM was investigated as a function of TMAO concentration at different temperatures by fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity (η), multi angle dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy measurements. To address some of the basis for further analysis of FTIR spectra of PNIPAM, we have also measured FTIR spectra for the monomer of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in deuterium oxide (D(2)O) as a function of TMAO concentration. Our experimental results purportedly elucidate that the LCST values decrease with increasing TMAO concentration, which is mainly contributing to the direct hydrogen bonding of TMAO with the water molecules that are bound to the amide (-CONH) functional groups of the PNIPAM. We believed that the present work may act as a ladder to reach the heights of understanding of molecular mechanism between TMAO and macromolecule.     

Study of the (<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>, γ) and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>, γ) reactions for <Superscript>96,98,104</Superscript>Ru and <Superscript>112,114,116</Superscript>Sn at astrophysically relevant energies

Cross section and S factor of the proton- and alpha-induced reactions have been studied for the Ruthenium and tin isotopes in the effective energy range, i.e. Gamow window. These reactions are important for developing the understanding for nucleosynthesis, particularly for the synthesis of p nuclei (p process). In this work, cross sections and S factor have been calculated through TALYS in Hauser–Feshbach formalism using nuclear densities calculated in relativistic mean field (RMF) formalism. Calculated results of cross sections, S factor and nuclear structure have been compared with existing theoretical as well as experimental results available and are found to be in good agreement.     

LES of Laser Initiation of Combustion of Gaseous Fuel-Air Mixture

Large Eddy Simulation has been carried out to understand the laser initiation of combustion of lean hydrogen-air mixture in homogeneous isotropic turbulence. Initially, the blast wave from the breakdown zone sweeps out most the mixture surrounding the hot core zone at high velocity preventing formation of burning zone. The combustion initiates only if the core zone contains enough heat to sustain a steady flame thereafter.     

Recent developments in synthesis of embelin heterocyclic derivatives and their biological applications

Embelin (2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1,4-benzoquinone) has attracted a great deal of synthetic attention as a biologically active heterocyclic compound in the last decades. The high reactivity of its carbonyl groups, active methylene group, and hydroxyl groups represents challenges to many organic reactions for the synthesis of various embelin derivatives. This review summarizes for the first time the most recent and relevant approaches towards the synthesis of embelin-linked heterocyclic derivatives.     

Neuroprotective Potential of Chrysin: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential for Neurological Disorders

Chrysin, a herbal bioactive molecule, exerts a plethora of pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer. A growing body of evidence has highlighted the emerging role of chrysin in a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and brain tumors. Based on the results of recent pre-clinical studies and evidence from studies in humans, this review is focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of chrysin in different neurological diseases. In addition, the potential challenges, and opportunities of chrysin’s inclusion in the neurotherapeutics repertoire are critically discussed.     

Naturally occurring himachalenes to benzocycloheptene amino vinyl bromide derivatives: as antidepressant molecules

A new series of benzocycloheptene amino vinyl bromide derivatives (9a-9m) were synthesized from isomeric mixture of himachalenes through two-step synthesis. The unusual structure of benzocycloheptene amino vinyl bromide derivative (9a) was confirmed by NMR and X-ray crystallography analyses. The newly synthesized amino vinyl bromide derivatives of benzocycloheptene were further evaluated for their antidepressant activities. The compound 9c had shown significant reduction in the immobility period.     

High-performance thin-layer chromatographic standardization and quantification of marker compounds in an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation: Krishnadi Churna

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - The present era is witnessed by the increasing demand for herbal medicine. Therefore, the preparation of herbal drugs is warranted...     

Viscosity-Reducing Bulky-Salt Excipients Prevent Gelation of Protein,but Not Carbohydrate,Solutions

The problem of gelation of concentrated protein solutions, which poses challenges for both downstream protein processing and liquid formulations of pharmaceutical proteins, is addressed herein by employing previously discovered viscosity-lowering bulky salts. Procainamide-HCl and the salt of camphor-10-sulfonic acid with l-arginine (CSA-Arg) greatly retard gelation upon heating and subsequent cooling of the model proteins gelatin and casein in water: Whereas in the absence of additives the proteins form aqueous gels within several hours at room temperature, procainamide-HCl for both proteins and also CSA-Arg for casein prevent gel formation for months under the same conditions. The inhibition of gelation by CSA-Arg stems exclusively from the CSA moiety: CSA-Na was as effective as CSA-Arg, while Arg-HCl was marginally or not effective. The tested bulky salts did not inhibit (and indeed accelerated) temperature-induced gel formation in aqueous solutions of all examined carbohydrates―starch, agarose, alginate, gellan gum, and carrageenan.