Synergistic interaction between anti-allergic drug and cationic/anionic surfactants–Experimental and theoretical analysis

To search a new drug delivery excipient, this effort deals with the effects of cationic (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) and anionic (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, SDBS) surfactants on the physicochemical properties of the anti-allergic drug (diphenhydramine hydrochloride, DPH). The tensiometric study has been done to find the nature of the interaction between drug and ionic surfactants. Numerous micellar, surface and conforming energetic parameters have been intended from this technique. Several physical models (Clint, Rubingh, Rosen, and Motomura) based on pseudo-phase approximation and regular solution theory, have been applied to compute these meaningful physical parameters. The DPH is a positively charged amphiphilic drug, while CTAB and SDBS are positively and negatively charged surfactants. It is experienced stronger attractive interaction of DPH with SDBS as compared to CTAB.     

Study on the effect of chain-length compatibility of mixed anionic–cationic surfactants on the cloud-point extraction of selected organophosphorus pesticides

The chain-length compatibility of mixed anionic-cationic surfactants was investigated for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs). Cationic surfactants with different chain lengths (n = 12 and 16) were mixed with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS; n = 12) for the mixed anionic-cationic surfactants-based extraction. Six OPPs were studied including azinphos-methyl, parathion-methyl, fenitrothion, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and prothiophos. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was used for the determination of the studied OPPs. The extraction was performed using mixtures of SDS and cationic surfactants including dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide or dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB; n = 12) and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide or cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB; n = 16). The parameters affecting the extraction efficiencies of two extraction systems were studied and discussed. The optimum condition for SDS-DTAB was 15 mmol L(-1) SDS and 1 mmol L(-1) DTAB in the presence of 15% (w/v) sodium chloride (NaCl). Meanwhile, the condition for SDS-CTAB was 10 mmol L(-1) SDS and 1.0 mmol L(-1) CTAB with 10% (w/v) NaCl. Under the optimum conditions, the extraction efficiency of SDS-DTAB (66-85%) was slightly higher than that of SDS-CTAB (61-82%). In addition, the SDS-DTAB system also gave greater enrichment factor than SDS-CTAB for all the studied OPPs. This result may be due to the compatibility of chain length between SDS and DTAB. The extraction using SDS-DTAB was successfully applied to determine OPPs in fruit samples (i.e., pomelo, apple, and pineapple). No contamination by the studied OPPs in samples was observed. Good accuracy with recoveries ranging from 77 to 105% was obtained. Low limits of detection were in the range of 0.003-0.01 mg kg(-1) which are below the MRLs established by EU-MRLs for the OPPs residues in fruit samples.     

Biophysical analysis of partially folded state of α-lactalbumin in the presence of cationic and anionic surfactants

The role of different types of interactions and their contribution in the stabilization of bovine α-lactalbumin (α-LA) molten globule in presence of cationic surfactant, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (HTAB) and anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) have been examined using a combination of spectroscopic, light scattering and calorimetric techniques. The results correlated well with each other and were used to characterize the partially folded states of the protein both qualitatively and quantitatively. At lower concentration of the surfactants, the thermodynamic parameters obtained from UV-visible spectroscopy suggested an increased exposure of non-polar groups in HTAB while a possible restructuring of non-polar groups were indicated in SDS. The fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy showed the formation of an intermediate state at various concentrations of HTAB and SDS while the lifetime measurements supported the assumption of protein-surfactant complex stability in HTAB as compared to SDS. The hydrodynamic diameter and the ζ-potential were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) which also implicated the combined influence of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in protein unfolding in HTAB and only hydrophobic interactions in SDS. The binding parameters for ANS obtained from isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) measurements suggested a high stability of α-LA molten globule and the role of enthalpic and entropic contribution in the binding of ANS in HTAB. It also indicated the fragility of α-LA molten globule in SDS. The possible binding sites as well as the interactions of ANS with the partially folded protein were also studied from the thermodynamic parameters obtained from the ITC.     

Effect of molybdenum addition on the thermal properties of silicate–phosphate glasses

Aim of the study was analysis of two groups of glasses: silicate?Cphosphate (41?mol.% SiO₂?C6?mol.% P₂O₅) and with inverse phosphate?Csilicate matrix (41?mol.% P₂O₅?C6?mol.% SiO₂) modified by the addition of molybdenum ions. Their effect on glass forming ability, glass transition effect, crystallization process, and kind of crystallizing phases was examined using such methods as DSC, XRD, and SEM. It was found that the solubility limit of MoO₃ in silicate?Cphosphate glasses is 4.4?<?[MoO₃]?<?5.7?mol.%, whereas in phosphate?Csilicate glasses MoO₃ is fully dissolved. It was found that in the case of both matrixes addition of molybdenum ions decreases the glass transition temperature (T _g), as well as the value of specific heat change (?c _p ) accompanying the glass transformation. The presence of molybdenum caused reduced the thermal stability of the studied glasses and a multi-step crystallization of silicate?Cphosphate glasses. It was found that the crystallizing phases were silicates and phosphates in both groups of glasses. Only in the case of silicate?Cphosphate glasses containing MoO₃ in an amount ??3.3?mol.% one of the crystallization product was powellite (CaMoO₄). The nature of transitions taking place during heating of the analyzed glasses was in accordance with crystallochemical factors (strengths of bonds) and chemical affinity of the glass components (?G formation).     

Effect of π–π interaction between carbon nanotubes and phenyl groups on the thermal stability of silicone rubber

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - To investigate the effect and mechanism of π–π interaction between carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and phenyl groups on the thermal stability...     

Effect of Re addition on the crystallization,heat treatment and structure of the Cu–Ni–Si-Cr alloy

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the thermal behavior and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the Fe₆₇Nb₅B₂₈ metallic glasses prepared by melt-spinning method. DSC traces exhibit that the crystallization takes place through a single exothermic reaction, and it processes a good thermal stability in thermodynamics. The activation energies for nucleation and grain growth processes were calculated to be 536 ± 22 and 559 ± 20 kJ mol^?1 by Kissinger equation, respectively, and 551 ± 24 and 574 ± 20 kJ mol^?1 by Ozawa equation, respectively. It means that the grain growth process is more difficult than the nucleation process. The variation of local Avrami exponent n(x) with crystallized fraction x demonstrates that the crystallization mechanism varies at different stages. The n(x) is larger than 2.5 at the initial stage of 0 < x < 0.3, implying a mechanism of diffusion-controlled three-dimensional growth with increasing nucleation rate. The n(x) decreases from 2.5 to 1.5 in the range of 0.3 < x < 0.65, suggesting that the crystallization belongs to three-dimensional nucleation and grain growth with decreasing nucleation rate. And n(x) lies between 1.0 and 1.5 in the range of 0.65 < x < 0.95, indicating that the crystallization corresponds to the growth of particles with an appreciable initial volume. Low-temperature annealing corresponds to the precipitation of α-Fe, Fe₂B, and Fe₂₃B₆ phases, and further annealing leads to the formation of α-Fe, Fe₂B, and FeNbB phases. The magnetic properties in relation to microstructure change of the Fe₆₇Nb₅B₂₈ metallic glasses are discussed.     

Adsorption of cationic multicharged surfactants at liquid–gas interface

We present the review of the existing methods for describing adsorption at fluid interfaces that may be applicable for multiple charge cationic surfactant structures of various architectures—multiheaded (e.g., dicephalic) structures and multimeric surfactants (e.g., dimeric (so-called gemini), trimeric, tetrameric, etc.). We discuss the role of the prefactor the in the Gibbs adsorption equation originating from the number of charges present in the adsorbed layer and the reasons for the deviation from its thermodynamic value. We present several models of adsorption that can be used to describe surface tension isotherms and appreciate the role of prof. Peter Kralchevski in their development. Application of molecular dynamics methods combined with the approach based on the thermodynamic models of multicharged surfactant adsorption may lead to an explanation of some experimentally observed phenomena and can provide the basis for the development of novel materials designated for a variety of applications.     

Structure–activity relationship of cationic surfactants as antimicrobial agents

Cationic surfactants are widely used as antimicrobial agents in various fields. However, the widespread use of cationic surfactants has caused huge accumulation in environment, triggering the emergence of bacterial resistance. Besides, owing to the strong cytotoxicity, most of the cationic surfactants are limited in practical applications. Therefore, constant attention has been paid on how to rationally design the surfactants for achieving highly efficient antimicrobial activity at lower doses but simultaneously presenting low toxic side effects. In this review, we mainly focus on recent advances in the key structural determinants of antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of cationic surfactants, as well as the design strategies of effective antimicrobial surfactants with low cytotoxicity.     

Phase and aggregation behaviour of double-chain cationic surfactants from the class of N-alkyl-N-alkyl′-N, N-dimethylammonium bromide surfactants

We present the phase diagrams and the properties of newly synthesised double-chain cationic N-alkyl-N-alkyl′-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide surfactants [C _x C _y DMABr (x = 12, 14 and 16; y = 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16)]. All the systems studied form liquid-crystalline lamellar phases but with different morphologies: unilamellar vesicles at low surfactant concentrations, multilamellar vesicles and tubular aggregates for surfactant concentrations between 2 and 10 wt% and at even higher concentrations planar bilayers of surfactant molecules in the classical L_α phase. The phase diagrams were determined with macroscopic and microscopic methods (polarisation microscopy, freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and differential interference contrast microscopy). The properties of the surfactant solutions were determined with differential scanning calorimetry measurements for Krafft point determination and small-angle neutron scattering measurements for interlamellar spacing and bilayer thickness. Finally, conductivity and viscosity measurements for phase characterisation were carried out. Received: 7 April 1999 Accepted in revised form: 30 April 1999     

Studies on the molecular interaction of Erythrosine ‘B’ with surfactants

The spectroscopic investigation on anionic dye, Erythrosine ‘B’(EB) with three different types of surfactants such as CTAB (cationic), sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS; anionic) and Triton X-100 (TX-100),Tween-20, 40, 60 and 80 (nonionic) in aqueous media shows that EB forms a 1:1 molecular complex with TX-100, Tweens and CTAB. No interaction is observed between EB and SLS. The thermodynamic and spectrophotometric properties of these complexes suggest that EB forms a strong charge transfer (CT) complex with TX-100 and Tweens whereas the interaction of EB with CTAB is coulombic in nature. Photogalvanic and photoconductometric studies also support the above interactions. In addition to this, the electron-donating ability among the nonionic surfactants, i.e. TX-100 and Tweens towards dye, role of surface in CT interaction, the site of CT interaction and the intensity and stability of CT interaction between EB and nonionic surfactants have been pointed out.     

Liquid–liquid microextraction and spectrophotometric determination of anionic surfactants using Astra Phloxine FF

A novel and simple procedure for determination of anionic surfactants has been developed. The method is based on the reaction of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) with Astra Phloxine FF reagent at pH 3–8, followed by liquid–liquid microextraction of the formed ion associate into an organic phase containing a mixture of carbon tetrachloride and dichloroethane (4:1, v/v) and subsequent UV-Vis detection at 555 nm. The calibration plot was linear in the range 0.006–0.29 mg L^?1 of SDS. The limit of detection (LOD), calculated based on 3s, is 0.002 mg L^?1. The method was applied to the determination of anionic surfactants in real wastewater samples.     

The role of the sol–gel route on the interaction between rhodamine B and a silica matrix

A series of silica xerogels having rhodamine B (RhB) as a template and Ti centers were synthesized by distinct sol–gel routes, namely, acid-catalyzed, base-catalyzed, acid-catalyzed with base-catalyzed (two steps) hydrolytic routes and a FeCl₃-catalyzed non-hydrolytic route. The interaction of RhB with the prepared silica matrix was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the ultraviolet–visible region, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) and confocal microscopy. Raman spectroscopy suggested the presence of Ti–O and Si–O–Ti moieties within the silica matrix. Infrared band shifts provided insight into potential interaction sites. Taking into account the results from ART, XPS, PL and confocal microscopy, encapsulation of RhB preferentially occurs inside the silica network for acid 1, basic and two-steps routes, and the presence of Ti occurs on the surface of the silica occurs for acid 2, basic and two-steps routes. Also, we have shown that although the structural characteristics of the encapsulated and extracted systems are affected by the route, the molecular structure is conserved during and after the encapsulation process.     

Thermodynamic stability and retinol binding property of β-lactoglobulin in the presence of cationic surfactants

In this work the stability parameters of bovine β-lactoglobulin, variant A (BLG-A), with regard to their transition curves induced by dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C₁₂TAB), tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C₁₄TAB) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C₁₆TAB) as cationic surfactants, were determined at 298 K. For each transition curve, the conventional method of analysis which assumes a linear concentration dependence of the pre- and post-transition base lines, gave the most realistic values for ΔG_D(H₂O). The results represent the increase in the denaturating power of surfactants with an increase in hydrocarbon chain length. The value of about 22.27 kJ · mol^?1 was obtained for ΔG_D(H₂O) from transition curves. Subsequently, the retinol binding property of BLG as its functional indicator was investigated in the presence of these surfactants using the spectrofluorimeter titration method. The results represent the substantial enhancement of retinol binding affinity of BLG in the presence of these surfactants.     

Effect of copper addition on glass transition of silicate–phosphate glasses

Glass transformation effect of mixed SiO₂?CP₂O₅?CK₂O?CMgO?CCaO?CCuO glasses was studied by DSC, XRD, SEM, and Raman spectroscopy methods. The relationship between the parameters characterizing glass transformation effect and an amount of phosphorous and copper forming the glassy structure was discussed. It was shown that an increasing content of phosphorous increased solubility of copper in the structure of the studied glasses which was the result of P?CO?CCu bonds formation. Degree of changes of T _g, ?c _p, and time of relaxation values were higher in glasses with higher content of P₂O₅ and CuO. The observed relations were explained on the basis of the local atomic interactions in the structure of glass.     

A resonance light-scattering off–on system for studies of the selective interaction between adriamycin and DNA

On the basis of the resonance light scattering (RLS) of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs), an RLS off–on system was developed for studies of the selective interaction between adriamycin (ADM) and DNA. In this strategy, addition of ADM could induce a proportional decrease in the RLS intensity of AgNPs; this could be used to detect trace amounts of ADM with a detection limit of 12.75 ng mL⁻¹ in the range 0.021–10.0 μg mL⁻¹. Subsequently, by investigating the ability of different DNA sequences to restore the RLS intensity of the analytical systems, we found that ADM was selective to dsDNA and had an obvious preference for sequences that were rich in guanine and cytosine bases. In order to validate the results of the RLS assay, fluorescence quenching was used, and binding constants and binding numbers of each system were calculated. Compared with other methods, this RLS off–on strategy was more sensitive, fast, and reliable. It has also supplied a novel method for studying the sequence selectivity of DNA-targeted anticancer drugs and is a novel application of the RLS technique in analytical chemistry.     

Effect of Ag addition on crystallization kinetics and thermal stability of As–Se chalcogenide glasses

Chalcogenide glasses of (As₅₀Se₅₀)_100?xAg_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 25) were prepared using the melt quenching technique under non-isothermal conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry curves measured at different heating rates (5 ≤ β ≤ 40 K min^?1) are used to characterize the as-quenched samples. The thermal stability was monitored through the calculation of the temperature difference T _c ? T _g, stability parameter S and crystallization rate factor K _p. The glass-forming ability (GFA) was investigated on the basis of Hurby parameter H _r which is a strong indicator of GFA. In addition, the activation energy of glass transition E _t, activation energy of crystallization E _c and Avrami exponent n of the studied compositions were determined. The mechanism of crystallization was found to be a combination of two- and three-dimensional crystal growth.