Study on the New Fluorescence Immunoassays for the 2,4,6‐Trichlorophenol in the Environmental Water

Abstract

This study reported that the hapten of 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (2,4,6‐TCP) was synthesized by using 2,4,6‐TCP reacted with chloroactic acid in alkaline solution. The hapten was conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) with the modified active ester method to form artificial immune antigen. The anti‐TCP polyclonal antibodies were obtained by using the artificial immuneantigen (TCP‐BSA) to immunize the rabbits. Using the purified antiserum of highest specificity, an antibody‐coated fluoroimmunoassay was developed that shows an IC₅₀ of 4.8 µg/L with a limit of detection of 0.25 µg/L. The antibody showed negligible cross‐reactivity with other phenols, which makes their assays suitable for the selective detection of 2,4,6‐TCP. It shows a good accuracy and suitability to analyze, 2,4,6‐TCP in environmental water.     

Preliminary study of HCHO spatial and temporal distribution from Coastal to Plateau areas in Antarctica

Formaldehyde concentrations were determined in over 1800 snow samples (snowpit, firn cores and superficial snow) from Antarctica by a sensitive spectrofluorimetric Flow Injection Analysis method. The method performances (detection limit: 55?ng/L; reproducibility: 2.5% at 1?µg/L level; linear range: 0.1–3000?µg/L) allowed a reliable determination of formaldehyde content in all the collected samples. The range of determined concentrations was 0–70?µg/L with a mean concentration of 7.7?µg/L and a median concentration of 5.8?µg/L. The formaldehyde background level was estimated at a few micrograms per liter in coastal and plateau areas of Northern Victoria Land. In some stations the background values are modulated by HCHO deposition events recurring over relatively large time periods.     

Immunoassay for the detection of lead ions in environmental water samples

A rapid, simple, and reliable competitive immunoassay was developed for measurement of lead ions Pb(II) in environmental samples. Avian antibodies were produced against Pb(II). Since lead ions are too small to elicit an immune response, the metal was coupled to protein carrier Bovine serum albumin (BSA) using a bifunctional chelator 1-(4-isothiocyanobenzyl) ethylenediamine N,N,N′,N′-tetra acetic acid (ITCBE). Poultry birds (layers) were immunised with this Pb(II)–ITCBE–BSA immunoconjugate and the avian antibodies (IgY) isolated from egg yolk recognised Pb(II)-ITCBE complexes as capture reagent and a Pb(II)–ITCBE conjugate of Alkaline phosphatase as an enzyme label. Antibody reaction was optimised for different concentrations of antigen and antibody dilutions. Cross reactivity with other metals were below 1% in competitive ELISA. The IC₅₀ value of this avian antibody was 0.19?µg?mL^?1. The detection range and the detection limit were 0.02–1000?µg?mL^?1and 0.2?µg?mL^?1, respectively.     

Trace-level determination of eight cholesterol oxidation products in human plasma by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

7α-Hydroxy cholesterol (7α-OHC), 25-hydroxy cholesterol (25-OHC), 27-hydroxy cholesterol (27-OHC), 4β-hydroxy cholesterol (4β-OHC), 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7α-C4), 5β-cholestane-3α, 7α, 12α-triol (5β-Triol), cholic acid (CA), and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) are known biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases. A method for their simultaneous determination in human plasma has been optimized using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of quantification of the target compounds were in the range of 0.3–3.3?µg/L. The precision achieved by this method was less than 13.4% for intraday and interday analyses. The proposed method was used to analyze eight cholesterol oxidation products in 30 human plasma samples. The analytical results were in a concentration range of 1.6–87.4?µg/L for 7α-OHC, 6.3–58.2?µg/L for 25-OHC, 12.1–98.5?µg/L for 27-OHC, 5.7–64.8?µg/L for 4β-OHC, 1.5–124.1?µg/L for 7α-C4, 0.5–16.5?µg/L for 5β-Triol, 13.1–245?µg/L for CA, and 19.6–487?µg/L for CDCA in the samples. The method may be used for the analysis of biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of saponins from roots of Impatiens parviflora DC.

Abstract

Two triterpene saponins (IPS-1, IPS-2) for the first time were isolated from the roots of Impatiens parviflora DC. (Balsaminaceae). Their anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by means of two in vitro models: anti-hyaluronidase and anti-denaturation assays. Both saponins were shown to be potent hyaluronidase inhibitors that affect the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-hyaluronidase effect of IPS-2 (IC₅₀?=?286.7?µg/mL) was higher than that of the reference drug: escin (IC₅₀?=?303.93?µg/mL). Both saponins protected bovine serum albumin from heat-induced denaturation in a dose-dependent manner. IPS-1 demonstrated higher anti-denaturation effect (IC₅₀?=?86.7?µg/ml) than IPS-2 (IC₅₀?=?109.76?µg/mL) or the standard drug: acetylsalicylic acid (IC₅₀?=?262.22?µg/mL). In conclusion, potent activity of IPS-1, IPS-2 in both in vitro assays shows that saponins from I. parviflora have anti-inflammatory activity. The obtained results allow to suggest that such compounds may be beneficial in inflammatory conditions, especially associated with excessive degradation of hyaluronic acid.     

Chemical constituents and cytotoxic activity from the wood-decaying fungus Xylaria sp. SWUF08-37

Abstract

A new cyclic pentapeptide, pentaminolarin (1), and a new cytochalasin, xylochalasin (2), along with thirteen known compounds (3–15) were isolated from the wood-decaying fungus Xylaria sp. SWUF08-37. The absolute configurations of 1 were determined by a combination of Marfey’s method and TDDFT ECD calculation and the absolute configurations of 2 were established by TDDFT ECD calculation. Compound 12 showed moderate cytotoxicity against HeLa (IC₅₀?=?19.60?µg/mL), HT29 (IC₅₀?=?17.31?µg/mL), HCT116 (IC₅₀?=?14.28?µg/mL), MCF-7 (IC₅₀?=?15.38?µg/mL), and Vero (IC₅₀?=?24.97?µg/mL) cell lines by MTT assay. Compounds 1 and 2 showed slight cytotoxicity against all tested cancer cell lines.     

Antiglycation,antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Uvaria chamae root and essential oil composition

Abstract

Uvaria chamae (Annonaceae), is an essential oil bearing plant; the root is acclaimed as an effective remedy for folkloric diabetic therapy. The root extracts were evaluated for composition, antiglycation, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity. Flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and tannins were relatively high in the alcohol extract; benzyl benzoate (23.3%), dimethoxy-p-cymene (14.2%), τ-cadinol (12.1%), and methyl thymol (8.7%) predominated the constituents identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The ethanol extract demonstrated significant antiglycation activity (IC₅₀, 1.12?mg/mL), and cytotoxicity to brine shrimp (LC₅₀, 25.01?µg/mL). The extract (IC₅₀, 8.0?µg/mL; absorbance 0.531, 100?µg/mL) also exhibited better antioxidant effects compared with the essential oil (IC₅₀, 50.0?µg/mL; absorbance 0.292, 100?µg/mL) using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and ferric reducing power assays respectively. U. chamae root possess antiglycation effect, and may also reduce oxidative stress in patients with diabetes; its antiglycation effect, oil composition, and cytotoxicity are reported for the first time.

     

Biotin-Streptavidin-enhanced Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Determination of Parathion-Methyl in Vegetables

The development of rapid, simple, and sensitive analytical methods for food contaminants is a topic of considerable interest. Polyclonal antibody against parathion-methyl (PM) was raised and used to develop a biotin-streptavidin indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BS-icELISA) with improved sensitivity for the determination of PM in vegetable. At the optimum conditions, the IC₅₀ and limit of detection of BS-icELISA for PM were found to be 1.2 µg/L and 0.2 µg/L, respectively, which is 6-fold more sensitive than the traditional icELISA. This method was applied to determine PM residue in three vegetable samples with a simple and effective extraction procedure, good recoveries (in the range of 88.2–108.7% and with coefficients of variation below 15%) and accuracy (correlation coefficient of 0.9576 with GC-MS) were obtained. Our results indicated that the biotin-streptavidin system is useful in improving the sensitivity of ELISA and could be used for routine monitoring of pesticide at trace level.     

Determination of traces of As,Cd, Cr,Hg, Mn,Ni, Sb,Se, Sn and Pb in human hair by triple quadrupole ICP-MS

With the wide range of metallic contaminants discharged in the environment, studying the human health requires a growing number of elements to be monitored in biological samples. Hair analysis has been suggested as a suitable tool for biomonitoring environmental and occupational exposure to toxic elements. This study describes a method for the determination of 10 trace elements in hair samples using ICP-QQQ-MS. Combining the power of the MS/MS high-energy Helium mode with the MS/MS O₂ mass-shift mode, the method offers great analytical performances with detection limits reaching 0.0014 µg g^?1 for As, 0.0016 µg g^?1 for Cd, 0.012 µg g^?1 for Cr, 0.0035 µg g^?1 for Hg, 0.0055 µg g^?1 for Mn, 0.10 µg g^?1 for Ni, 0.0012 µg g^?1 for Sb, 0.0083 µg g^?1 for Sn, 0.011 µg g^?1 for Se and Pb. The accuracy of the method was tested on a human hair ERM® certified reference material. Percent recoveries varied from 91.3% and 106.9% being always in the acceptance range of 90–110%. For all analysed elements, RSD% of repeatability ranged between 0.6% and 9.0% and those of intermediate precision did not exceed the limit of 20% being always lower than 10% (except for As). The proposed method was applied for the determination of trace elements in hair samples from 20 unexposed subjects. The geometric mean levels were as follows: Cr 0.28 µg g^?1, Mn 0.30 µg g^?1, Sn 1.04µg g^?1, Sb 0.07 µg g^?1, Hg 0.42 µg g^?1, As 0.02 µg g^?1, Cd 0.03 µg g^?1, Ni 0.51 µg g^?1, Se 0.45 µg g^?1 and Pb 1.83 µg g^?1. Element concentrations were in the same range with the reported data. The reported results may be useful for environmental exposure assessment or comparisons studies when establishing reference values of trace elements in exposed population.     

Arenicolsterol A，来自海洋环节动物海蚯蚓中的一种新的细胞毒性烯醇式磺化甾醇

Marine organisms are the important source of the bioactive metabolites. A novel enolic sulfated sterol, arenicolsterol A, has been isolated from a marine annelid Arenicola cristata collected in the coast of Mainland of China.The structure was elucidated using all sorts of spectroscopic data including ESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR etc. The cytotoxic bioactivity of this sterol was evaluated by MTT assay. It could inhibit the growth of human cervix cancer cell line (Hela) and human non-small cell lung cancer cell line (NCI-h6) with IC50 of (3.1 0.6)μg/mL and (7.6 0.8)μg/mL.     

Screening and evaluation of α-glucosidase inhibitors from indigenous medicinal plants in Dak Lak Province,Vietnam

α-Glucosidase inhibitors have received much attention due to their important use in treating diabetes mellitus. Although some synthetic α-glucosidase inhibitors have been available for a long time, they often cause various unexpected side effects. Thus, the present study was aimed at finding a safe, natural source of α-glucosidase inhibitors. Twenty-six samples of 22 medicinal plants were collected in the Dak Lak province of Vietnam and evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Trunk bark extract from Euonymus laxiflorus Champ (ELC extract) was selected as the best α-glucosidase inhibitor with the smallest IC₅₀ = 0.36 mg/mL against rat-derived α-glucosidase. This extract had a stronger inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (IC₅₀ = 1.32 µg/mL) and Bacillus stearothermophilus (IC₅₀ = 5.15 µg/mL). The potential inhibition against some other enzymes were tested, and the results showed that the ELC extract did not inhibit fungal cellulase but strongly inhibited porcine α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 6.7 µg/mL). The ELC extract also inhibited the proteases papain and bromelain, with IC₅₀ = 339 µg/mL and IC₅₀ = 226 µg/mL, respectively. The thermal and pH stabilities of the ELC extract were also investigated.     

Synthesis and in vitro anti-proliferative capabilities of steroidal thiazole and indole derivatives

Derivatives (1–15) of steroidal and indole class were synthesized using different strategies. These compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and EI-MS, respectively. The synthetic derivatives were examined for their cytotoxic effects on human adenocarcinoma cells (HCT-116) using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and morphometric analysis. The cytotoxic effects of all the compounds were observed after 48 h treatment and it was found that out of fifteen, four compounds 1, 2, 3, and 14 showed inhibitory action on the cancer cells. We have calculated the IC₅₀ values for compounds 1, 2, 3, and 14 which were 22.50 µg/mL, 55.65 µg/mL, 21.35 µg/mL and 58.50 µg/mL, respectively. The compounds 3 (IC₅₀ = 21.35 µg/mL) and 1 (IC₅₀ = 22.50 µg/mL) showed highest inhibitory activities as compared to compounds 2 (IC₅₀ = 55.65 µg/mL) and 14 (IC₅₀ = 58.50 µg/mL). These results suggested that steroidal thiazole and indole derivatives are potent lead molecules having strong anti-cancer proliferative capabilities.     

Design,synthesis, in vitro and in silico studies of naproxen derivatives as dual lipoxygenase and α-glucosidase inhibitors

A series of 28 novel naproxen derivatives (4a-f, 5a-f, 6a-d, 7a-f, and 8a-f) have been designed, synthesized, and characterized. The synthesized derivatives were assessed as dual inhibitors for 15-lipoxygenase (LOX) and α-glucosidase enzymes and checked for cytotoxicity and ADME studies. The inhibitory potential of naproxen derivatives for 15- LOX was checked through two different methods, the UV absorbance method and the Chemiluminescence method. The biological activities result revealed that through the UV absorbance method, compound 4f (IC₅₀ 21.31 ± 0.32 µM) was found potent among the series followed by compounds 4e (IC₅₀ 36.53 ± 0.51 µM) and 4d (IC₅₀ 49.62 ± 0.12 µM) against standard drug baicalein (IC₅₀ 22.46 ± 1.32 µM) and quercetin (IC₅₀ 2.34 ± 0.35 µM), while through chemiluminescence method tested compounds showed significant 15-LOX inhibition at the range of IC₅₀ 1.13 ± 0.62 µM ?123.47 ± 0.37 µM. Among these compounds, 4e (IC₅₀ 1.13 ± 0.62 µM), 5b (IC₅₀ 1.19 ± 0.43 µM), 8c (IC₅₀ 1.23 ± 0.35 µM) were found most potent inhibitors against quercetin (IC₅₀ 4.86 ± 0.14 µM), and baicalein (IC₅₀ 2.24 ± 0.13 µM). The chemiluminescence method was found more sensitive than the UV method to identify 15-LOX inhibitors. Interestingly all synthesized compounds showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 1.0 ± 1.13 µM ? 367.2 ± 1.23 µM) even better than the standard drug acarbose (IC₅₀ 375.82 ± 1.76 µM), while compound 6c (IC₅₀ 1.0 ± 1.13 µM) and 7c (IC₅₀ 1.1 ± 1.17 µM) were found most potent compounds among the series even many folds better than the standard drug. The cell viability results showed that all compounds were less toxic, maintained cellular viability at the range of 99.8 ± 1.3% to 63.7 ± 1.5%. ADME and molecular docking studies supported drug-likeness and binding interactions of compounds with the targeted enzymes.     

Development of a Solid‐Phase Extraction‐Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay Method with a New Sorbent of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube for the Determination of Estrone in Water

Abstract

A sensitive solid‐phase extraction‐enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (SPE‐ELISA) method was developed to analyze the estrone in environmental water. A new SPE sorbent of the multiwall carbon nanotube was tested and proved to have similar adsorbability for estrone comparing to the commercial C₁₈ SPE. A specific polyclonal antibody for estrone (A‐E1) and a broad‐spectrum antibody for estrone, estradiol and estriol (A‐E2) were produced. For A‐E1, the limit detection of estrone was 0.04 µg/l and for A‐E2 were 0.07, 0.04 and 0.2 µg/l of estrone, estradiol and estriol, respectively. Different river water samples were analyzed by ELISA and HPLC method.     

Rotenoid and isoflavone metabolites from an antioxidant seed extract of Dalbergia lanceolaria subsp. paniculata (roxb.) thoth

Abstract

A new rotenoid named 12-O-methylrotenolol along with five known rotenoid and isoflavone metabolites were isolated from the seeds of Dalbergia lanceolaria subsp. paniculata, collected from Egypt. The structures of these compounds were identified by physical and spectroscopic data measurements ([α]_D, UV, 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS). The methanol extract of the seeds exhibited strong antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ value 0.7?µg/µl against DPPH radical, in respect to quercetin as antioxidant reference (IC₅₀ 1.5?μM), while the tested compounds from this extract showed weak activities with IC₅₀ values ranged from 19.6 to 33.0?µM.     

Physical properties,biological applications and biocompatibility studies on biosynthesized single phase cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles via Sageretia thea (Osbeck.)

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles were successfully biosynthesized by complete green process using aqueous leaf extracts of Sageretia thea as chelating agent. Diverse techniques were applied for characterization. Antibacterial (with and without UV illumination), antileishmanial, antioxidant and enzyme inhibition applications were assessed, while freshly isolated macrophages and red blood cells were used for biocompatibility studies. Good antibacterial nature and enhancement of bactericidal nature upon UV modulation is reported. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are indicated as most susceptible bacterial strains. Significant cytotoxic potential is revealed with IC₅₀ calculated as 12.82 µg/ml and 3.16 µg/ml against the axenic leishmanial promastigote and amastigote cultures respectively. Biogenic cobalt oxide nanoparticles indicated DPPH free radical scavenging potential, while moderate antioxidant capacity and reducing power was demonstrated. Bioinspired cobalt oxide also demonstrated alpha amylase and protein kinase inhibition at higher concentrations. Biogenic cobalt oxide was found as more cytotoxic to macrophages (IC₅₀ = 58.55 µg/ml) then to RBC’s (IC₅₀ >200 µg/ml). Our results indicate green synthesis as an alternative, effective and eco-friendly method for the biosynthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with numerous biological applications.     

Application of ionic liquid-based ultrasonic-assisted microextraction coupled with HPLC for determination of citalopram and nortriptyline in human plasma

In this paper, an effective and environmentally friendly method of ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (UA-IL-DLLME) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–photodiode array detector was applied for extraction and determination of two antidepressant drugs citalopram hydrobromide and nortriptyline hydrochloride from human plasma samples. Several important parameters affect the steps and efficiency of extraction, some of which are sample solution’s pH, type and volume of ionic liquid, ultrasonic time, centrifuging time and rate, and the ionic strength of solution. Optimum conditions were obtained at pH?=?11, 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate for ionic liquid, 55?µL for ionic liquid volume, 4?min for ultrasonic time, 5?min and 3,500?rpm for centrifuging time and rotation’s speed, due to ionic strength by the addition of NaCl 1%. Under optimized conditions, the linearity was obtained in the range of 0.02–2,000?µg/L, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.995. The limits of detection were 10?µg/L for citalopram and 6?µg/L for nortriptyline. Preconcentration factors were 920 for citalopram and 800 for nortriptyline. The present method of UA-IL-DLLME combined with HPLC was successfully used for the determination of citalopram and nortriptyline drugs in real samples of human plasma.     

Determination of Atrazine in Vegetable Samples Using a Dipstick Immunoassay Format

A dipstick assay format for atrazine analysis in vegetable samples is described. The analytical method consists in a fast extraction procedure followed by a test based on the use of Immobilon-P strips as antibody coating support. The atrazine quantification was carried out measuring the dot colour by a spectrophotometer. Thus atrazine could be detected in a concentration range 0.16-475.0 µg L_{m 1} with an I₅₀ of 2.04 µg L _m1. For direct quantification of vegetable samples, those were extracted by blending 5 g in 10 mL of MeOH for 10 min followed by a vacuum filtration through 0.45 µm nylon filters. To avoid erroneous atrazine results, all samples and standards were run in 50% of MeOH which decreased the assay sensitivity by ten fold ( I₅₀ = 21.09 µg L_m1). Therefore, the proposed methodology was able to perform atrazine analysis under established EU MRL. The samples could be measured directly without any prior concentration or clean-up steps. Recoveries (75-105%) were in agreement with those obtained by a reference method (multiresidue extraction-GC/MS quantification). The feasibility of automated immunoreagent dispenser was also demonstrated.     

Elemental Analysis of Stone Fruits by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Direct Mercury Analysis

This study reports the concentrations of eight trace essential (Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, V, and Se) and four toxic elements (Pb, As, Cd, and Hg) in commonly consumed stone fruits from South Korea. The samples were digested by microwave-induced combustion and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations of mercury were analyzed by direct mercury analysis (DMA). The analytical techniques were validated by linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, recovery, and for accuracy by analyzing a spinach leave-certified reference material; satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. The concentrations of essential trace elements varied considerably among the stone fruits. Generally stone fruits contained comparatively high concentrations of Zn (0.946 to 7.86?µg/g) and Mn (below the limit of detection to 1.66?µg/g), while lower contents of Cu (0.214 to 1.24?µg/g), Cr (0.032 to 0.114?µg/g), Ni (0.006 to 0.091?µg/g), Co (0.004 to 0.016?µg/g), V (below the limit of detection to 0.023?µg/g), and Se (0.0002 to 0.005?µg/g) were obtained. The concentrations (µg/g) of toxic metals were 0.007 (peach) to 0.016 (cherry) for Pb, 0.001 (plum) to 0.007 (cherry) for As, 0.002 (apricot and cherry) to 0.003 (peach) for Cd, and 0.0003 (peach) to 0.0016 (jujube) for Hg. The values for the estimated dietary intakes, target hazard quotients, and hazard indices were lower than the recommended safety limits by World Health Organization. Therefore, the analyzed stone fruits were deemed to be safe for human consumption.     

Echinophora tenuifolia L. branches phytochemical profile and antiproliferative activity on human cancer cell lines

Abstract

The methanolic extract of Echinophora tenuifolia L. branches and its fractions were evaluated for their in vitro cell growth inhibitory activity on different human cancer cell lines (C32, LoVo and SKBr3) and the normal BJ fibroblasts. All tested samples were effective against the melanoma cell line C32, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 22.8?±?0.8 to 78.7?±?1.2?μg/mL, the antiproliferative activity of the dichloromethane fraction being significantly higher. This fraction was also effective against the LoVo adenocarcinoma cell line, with an IC₅₀ value of 53.0?±?2.1?μg/mL. The ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions showed the highest lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity, verified by means of the β-carotene bleaching test. The phytochemical profiles of E. tenuifolia branches extract were established by means of GC-MS and HPTLC. Overall, branches of E. tenuifolia L. could represent a rich source of bioactive compounds, potentially useful in the pharmaceutical field.