Saussurea costus for sustainable and eco-friendly synthesis of palladium nanoparticles and their biological activities

Palladium nanoparticles have been evaluated as a viable candidate in the realm of biological applications due to their unique features. Saussurea costus extract was used as a stabilizing and reducing agent for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles with average grain size of 17.6 ± 1.2 nm. The synthesized PdNPs were evaluated for their antioxidant activity, anti Alzheimer's activity, antibacterial and anticancer activities. The nanocharacterization was carried out using different spectroscopic techniques, including UV–visible spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction analysis, X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Size distribution, and Zeta potential. The characterization data explained the PdNPs mediated by S.costus extract have spherical form and are disseminated without agglomeration. FTIR and XPS supported the hypotheisis that the biomolecules of S.costus are activing as a reducing and stabilizing agents. The antioxidant activity of PdNPs was assessed using a free radical scavenging assay (DPPH) which exhibited similar results to the ABTS assay i.e. 90 μg/mL IC₅₀ value. Moreover Alzheimer's disease can easily be inhibited by S.costus@PdNPs at 400 mg/mL, with 79.23 ± 1.11 % of inhibition rate against AChE and 76.13 ± 0.43 % towards BChE. S.costus@PdNPs showed comparatively greater antibacterial activity against all four Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa microorganisms. Supplementary research carried out on the anti-tumor effects of the generated PdNPs using the colon cancer (HCT-116), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. PdNPs showed potent anticancerous activity against all the cell lines. Thus we recommend S.costus@PdNPs as a thearapeutic agent after successful clinical trails in future.     

Green formulation,chemical characterization and anti-acute leukemia effects of vanadium nanoparticles containing Foeniculum vulgare extract

In this study, vanadium nanoparticles (VNPs) were green synthesized using Foeniculum vulgare extract. VNPs were characterized using chemical analysis techniques including FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM and EDS. The microscopy techniques revealed a spherical morphology for the particles with size less than 50 nm. According to XRD data V₂O₅ was confirmed for VNPs. Maybe significant anti-human acute leukemia potentials of the synthesized nanoparticles against common human acute leukemia cell lines are linked to their antioxidant activities. MTT assay was used on common acute leukemia cell lines i.e., 32D-FLT3-ITD, MOLT-3 and Jurkat, Clone E6-1 to survey the cytotoxicity and anti-acute leukemia effects of the synthesized nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles had very low cell viability and high anti-acute leukemia activities dose-dependently against 32D-FLT3-ITD, MOLT-3 and Jurkat, Clone E6-1 cell lines without cytotoxicity on the normal cell line (HUVEC). To determine the antioxidant properties of the synthesized nanoparticles, the DPPH test was used in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene as the positive control. The IC₅₀ of VNPs were 25, 33 and 26 µg/mL against 32D-FLT3-ITD, MOLT-3 and Jurkat, Clone E6-1 cell lines, respectively. The synthesized nanoparticles inhibited half of the DPPH molecules in the concentration of 28 µg/mL.     

Study on the Interaction and Properties of Cucurbit[8]uril with Oroxin B

The interaction between cucurbit[8]uril(Q[8]) and oroxin B(ORB) was investigated by UV-visible(UV-Vis) spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry(ITC), mass spectrum(MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy. The results showed that ORB formed a 2:1 inclusion complex with Q[8] with a binding constant of 8.266×10⁵ L²·mol^-2. ORB had good scavenging ability for 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate)(ABTS) free radicals(IC₅₀=5.74 μmol/L) and the addition of Q[8] did not significantly affect the antioxidant activity of ORB(IC₅₀=5.76 μmol/L). A phase solubility experiment revealed a 1.86-fold increase in the solubility of ORB when c(Q[8])=100 μmol/L. In vitro drug release experiments showed that the release rate for ORB@Q[8] complex was lower than that of ORB in artificial intestinal juice, and higher than that of ORB in artificial gastric juice.     

Influence of basil oil extract on the antioxidant and antifungal activities of nanostructured carriers loaded with nystatin

The combination of basil oil, natural antifungal, and nystatin has the potential to prevent the extension of topical fungal infections towards systemic infections. The aim of this study was to develop formulations based on basil oil and nystatin with the desired antifungal and antioxidant activity and low toxicity by using lipid nanocarriers. The synthesized nanocarriers showed spherical and homogeneous particles with main diameters less than 150 nm, as determined by TEM. The scanning calorimetric study revealed an imperfect crystallization in the core of lipid nanocarriers. Quantitative results suggested that basil oil concentration affects encapsulation efficiency. The prepared nanocarriers guaranteed an increased nystatin encapsulation by using 3% basil oil content. Chemiluminescence assay proved that the protective activity against oxygen free radicals was influenced by nystatin concentration. The in vitro antifungal studies revealed a better activity of the nanocarriers loaded with 1% nystatin in comparison with 0.5% loading.     

Antioxidant activities and bioactive compounds of five Jalopeno peppers (Capsicum annuum) cultivars

The present study was designed to evaluate the contents of different antioxidants compounds and their antioxidant activities in Jalopeno peppers (Capsicum annuum) cultivars (El Dorido, Grande, Tula, Sayula and El Rey) extracts. Free radical scavenging activity of Grande was recorded as high as 87% followed by El Dorido (83%). Results of reducing power (Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺) showed that Grande (0.85%) and El Dorido (0.81%) fruit extract absorbance value were close to synthetic antioxidant BHT (0. 97%) obtained at100 μg/mL. The results showed that total phenolic content of El Dorido and Grande were significantly higher compared to other Jalapeno pepper. Results indicated strong and positive correlation between antioxidant activity and carotenoids content (r = 0.75), vitamin C (r = 0.78) and total capsaicinoids (r = 0.84), respectively. The results of the antioxidant activity assays showed that the El Dorido and Grande had strongest antioxidant activity compared to other peppers cultivars in this study.     

Influence of ultrasound on the functional characteristics of indigenous varieties of mango (Mangifera indica L.)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic (US) treatment on chemical characteristics and antioxidant potential of pulps obtained from eight mango varieties indigenous to Pakistan. There was a significant (p < 0.05) effect of varieties and US treatment on chemical characteristics i.e. pH, acidity, TSS, vitamin C contents, total sugars (%), reducing sugars (%) and non-reducing sugars (%). Microstructure evaluation of pulp from all mango varieties showed deshaped middle lamella and cell wall of cells after 8 min of US treatment. At 4 min of US treatment as per shaped cell wall and middle lamella, the chemical characteristics and antioxidant potential were higher. The total phenolics (TP), flavonoids (TF) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) of pulp from most varieties increased significantly (p < 0.05) after US treatment for 4 min but decreased successively after each treatment i.e. 8 and 12 min. The maximum value (314.17 μg AAE/mL pulp) of DPPH was shown by pulp from Dosehri and the minimum (158.67 μg AAE/mL pulp) was found in pulp from Langra before US treatment. The DPPH values of pulp from most of the varieties increased significantly (p < 0.05) after US treatment for 4 min but decreased successively after each treatment but pulp from Langra showed increasing trend after 8 min of US treatment which decreased after 12 min of treatment. The total anthocyanin (TA) values of pulp from Chaunsa, Dosehri, Sindhri, Gulab Khas and Langra increased abruptly after US treatment for 4 min but decreased successively after subsequent treatment. The pulp from Desi, Anwar Ratol, Gulab Khas and Langra showed an abrupt decrease in TA after 8 min of US treatment. An increasing trend of values of total carotenoids (TC) was shown by pulp from all mango varieties after 4 min of US treatment but decreasing trend was observed with subsequent increase in time of US treatment.     

Potential of Ciplukan (Physalis Angulata L.) as Source of Functional Ingredient

The aims of the study was to obtain a comprehensive data of the ciplukan as functional ingredients, whose efficacy acts as immunomodulator and antioxidant. The extraction of ciplukan was performed using ethanol and water as solvent. The total phenol content and antioxidant activity of ethanol ciplukan extract was higher than that of using water. The ciplukan leave extracts at all concentrations observed induced an increased lymphocyte cell proliferation, however, all concentrations tested showed lower stimulation index compared to the mitogen.     

Metabolomics techniques applied in the investigation of phenolic acids from the agro-industrial by-product of Carapa guianensis Aubl

Processing of Carapa guianensis seeds to obtain oil on an industrial scale generates a significant amount of by-product, approximately 66% w/w, which is called cake and is a potential source of biomolecules, including simple phenolic structures. For this reason, studies were carried out on the chemical profiles of hydrolyzed extract from this agro-industrial by-product through High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). These techniques were used to detect metabolic classes and/or groups, and to identify, for the first time, thirteen simple phenolic acids in this by-product. The sample antioxidant capacity was determined by methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS⁺) radicals direct sequestration. The hydrolyzed fraction showed a total of 63.47% in the relative abundance of the total of compounds, standing out: p-hydroxybenzoic acid (39.19%) and protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) (5.62%), both from hydroxybenzoic acids and 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)lactic acid, (7.76%) hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives. In these results, the fraction rich in simple phenolic acids was obtained, attributing the prominent behavior of this matrix antioxidant activity, expressed by (IC₅₀: of 16.42 µg/mL and 6.52 µg/mL for DPPH and ABTS⁺ radicals, respectively). The research demonstrated an alternative to applicability that involves sustainability from agro-industrial. These techniques were used to detect metabolic classes and/or groups, and to identify, for the first time, thirteen simple phenolic acids in this by-product, generating a process capable of converting biomass into a bioproduct, consisting of bioactive compounds, in addition to adding value to the industrial chain.     

Preparation,characterization, mechanical and barrier properties investigation of chitosan-kaolinite nanocomposite

The purpose of this study was to prepare a novel Clay Bio-Polymer Nanocomposite (CBPN) films by mixing polymer (chitosan, C) with exfoliated nanoclay (kaolinite, k). DRX has shown that the mechano-chemical treatment of kaolinite allows its exfoliation and the significant reduction of its particles size. Physicochemical properties namely thickness, water solubility, color, light transmission and transparency of the films were studied. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) was to study the interaction between chitosan and kaolinite. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scans showed that the transition temperature (Tg) of films depends on the film's composition. The surface morphology of the films was also studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that water solubility (Ws) decrease with the increase of the amount of clay. In addition, the presence of clay in the said films increases the mechanical strength. All prepared films were tested for their antimicrobial activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (strain). It was found that all CBPN films showed good inhibitory activity against all the tested bacteria. The above analysis suggested that the CBPN films could be used as potential candidates for therapeutic application.     

Direct and Fast Electrochemical Determination of Catechin in Tea Extracts using SWCNT‐Subphthalocyanine Hybrid Material

In this study, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were covalently functionalized by terminal ethynyl bearing subphthalocyanine (SubPc) to obtain a new hybrid material, viz. SWCNT‐SubPc (CS), via “click” reaction for the first time. The structural characterization and study of the electrochemical sensor properties of the CS hybrid material to catechin were carried out. A convenient and fast analytical method was offered for the determination of catechin. It was shown that the deposition of CS on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) led to a 2.2 and 8‐fold increase in the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) responses to catechin in Britton‐Robinson (BR) buffer solution (a pH of 3) in comparison with SWCNT‐modified and bare GCE, respectively. The dynamic range, detection and quantification limits of catechin were determined to be 0.1–1.5 μM, 13 nM and 43 nM, respectively. Selectivity of the suggested CS/GCE sensor was investigated on addition of a number of interfering metal ions, antioxidants and biomolecules. The applicability of the modified electrode for the detection of catechin in real tea samples such as green, rosehip fruit, Turkish and Indian black tea was demonstrated with the standard addition method. Along with the ease in fabrication and low prices, the proposed CS/GCE sensor was reproducible, selective, stable and sensitive to catechin in major types of tea samples.