Synthesis and optical properties of BaTiO3:Eu3+@SiO2 glass ceramic nano particles

BaTiO₃:(5 %)Eu³⁺ nanoparticles and BaTiO₃:(5 %)Eu³⁺@SiO₂ composites were synthesized by the solvothermal method. The effects on the structure, morphology and luminescent properties were studied using samples with different molar ratios of BaTiO₃:(5 %)Eu³⁺@SiO₂: 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80, 10:90, 08:92, 6.5:93.5, 05:95, and 1.5:98.5. When the amount of silica in the composites was increased, the orange emission of Eu³⁺ increased, too; this was observed by exciting the charge transfer band centered at 283 nm. Furthermore, an increase in the intensity of the emission was obtained under excitation at 394 nm as a consequence of the improvement in the crystallinity of the samples. The presence of silica and the degree of crystallinity of the samples were determined through the Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns. All of the results suggest that our ceramic material could be a good candidate for biomedical applications such as biolabeling, since the luminescence of BaTiO₃:(5 %)Eu³⁺@SiO₂ composites have an emission intensity higher than that of nanoparticles composed solely of BaTiO₃:Eu³⁺. This work demonstrates that BaTiO₃:Eu³⁺@SiO₂ composites have an emission intensity higher than that of nanoparticles composed solely of BaTiO₃:Eu³⁺.     

Radiolanthanide-labeled HA particles in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: ready-to-use cold kits for rapid formulation in hospital radiopharmacy

Hydroxyapatite (HA) [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂] particles radiolabeled with a variety of β^? emitting lanthanide radionuclides and also pseudolanthanide ⁹⁰Y have been proposed for the treatment of arthritis. A ready-to-use cold kit of HA particles (1–10 µm size) was developed for fast and convenient formulation of radiolanthanide-labeled HA particles at hospital radiopharmacy. Six radionuclides namely, ¹⁶⁹Er, ¹⁷⁷Lu, ¹⁵³Sm, ¹⁶⁶Ho, ¹⁴²Pr and ⁹⁰Y, having β^? emissions of a wide range of energy [E_β(max) = 0.34–2.28 MeV] were identified and produced by thermal neutron activation. Clinical doses of HA particles labeled with these radionuclides were prepared in high yield (>97 %) and radiochemical purity (>99 %) using the cold kits. Pre-clinical studies of ¹⁷⁷Lu–HA carried out in Wistar rats bearing arthritis in knee joints revealed no leakage of the activity from the joints. In preliminary clinical investigation using 333 ± 46 MBq doses of the same preparation, significant improvement in the disease conditions was reported in patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis of knee joints.     

Reversed–Phase Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Zaleplon in Human Plasma and its Pharmacokinetic Application

Abstract

A simple, rapid, specific, and reliable high performance liquid chromatographic assay of zaleplon in human plasma has been developed. Reversed‐phase chromatography was conducted using a mobile phase of methanol∶ammonium acetate buffer (50∶50) v/v, pH 3.2 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid, UV detection at 232 nm. After extraction from plasma by precipitation the drug was chromatographed using a C₁₈ reversed‐phase analytical column. The average recoveries of zaleplon from spiked plasma in the concentration range from 0.005–0.2 µg/ml were 93.29%, and their respective CV% was 2.557%. Regression analysis for the calibration plot for plasma standards obtained on three different days for the drug concentrations between 0.005–0.2 µg/ml indicated excellent linearity (r>0.999) and the coefficient of variation of the slopes of the three lines was less than 2%. The limit of detection was 5 ng/ml. Analysis of variance of the data showed no detectable difference in the slopes of the three standard plots (F=3.1, P>0.01). The high correlation coefficients and the similarities in the slopes are good indications of the excellent reproducibility and linearity of the proposed method. The proposed method was applied to study the bioequivalence of a commercial product of zaleplon, using as reference standard the innovator drug product. The study was conducted by using one capsule (1×10 mg) of each of the commercial product and the reference standard in a two‐way open randomized crossover design involving 24 volunteers. The criteria used to assess bioequivalence of the products were AUC (0?∞), C_max, t_max, t_1/2, and K. The obtained values for these parameters were 0.246±0.03 µg h/ml, 0.150±0.013 µg/ml, 1 h, 1.26±0.36 h, and 0.5928±0.1732 h^?1 for product A whereas, for product B they were 0.256±0.044 µgh/ml, 0.142±0.014 µg/ml, 1 h, 1.18±0.33 h, and 0.63±0.1747 h^?1, respectively.     

In situ 18F-γ-ray-induced Ag nanoparticle formation in the presence of SiO2 nanoparticles under air

The in situ ¹⁸F-γ-ray irradiation of SiO₂ nanoparticles in an aqueous solution containing Ag⁺ led to the reduction of Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ aggregates or Ag⁰ nanoparticles in a small volume (0.1 ml) under air. ¹⁸F was used in the form of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose, produced by a cyclotron at our University hospital. The in situ average absorbed dose at the distance of 1 µm in the solution volume (0.1 ml) was calculated to be 12.2 kGy equivalent to a point source of 20 MBq. The SiO₂ nanoparticles had two effects; they enhanced the reduction of Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ aggregates and they acted as reaction sites to prevent aggregation. When Ag⁺ adsorbed on the surface of the SiO₂ nanoparticles, Ag nanoparticles were formed by ¹⁸F γ-rays. The absorption spectra of Ag nanoparticles and Ag⁰ aggregates were markedly different.     

Preparation and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals via ultrasonication-assisted FeCl3-catalyzed hydrolysis

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) was obtained from bamboo pulp via ultrasonication-assisted FeCl₃-catalyzed hydrolysis process, with parameters optimized by response surface methodology. The optimal parameters were reaction temperature: 107 °C, reaction time: 58 min, ultrasonication time: 186 min. The morphological, crystal structural, chemical structural and thermal features of the prepared cellulose nanocrystals were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the cellulose nanocrystals formed an interconnected network structure and CNC was rod-like with the length of 100–200 nm and the width of 10–20 nm. XRD result revealed that, compared with cellulose pulp, the crystallinity index of CNC increased from 69.5 to 79.4 %, while the cellulose I crystal structure remained. FTIR analysis demonstrated that CNC had the similar chemical structures to that of cellulose pulp, which indicated that the chemical structures of CNC remained unchanged in the presence of FeCl₃-catalyzed hydrolysis process and ultrasonication treatment. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the resulting CNC exhibited relatively high thermal stability. The research shows that ultrasonication-assisted FeCl₃-catalyzed hydrolysis could be a highly efficient method for preparing CNC.     

Facile Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Descurainia sophia</Emphasis> and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties

The objective of the present study was to evaluate efficiency of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) biosynthesis using Descurainia sophia as a novel biological resource. The resulting synthesized Ag-NPs were characterized using UV visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The UV–Vis spectra gave surface plasmon resonance at ~420 nm. TEM images revealed formation spherical shaped Ag-NPs with size ranged from to 1–35 nm. DLS confirmed uniformity of the synthesized Ag-NPs with an average size of ~30 nm. Following, the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the synthesized Ag-NPs were investigated. The concentration 25 µg/ml of the Ag-NPs showed maximum inhibitory effect on mycelium growth of Rhizoctonia solani (More than 86 % inhibition), followed by 15 µg/ml (55 % inhibition) and 10 µg/ml (63 % inhibition). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of Ag-NPs against Agrobacterium tumefaciens (strain GV3850) and A, rhizogenes (strain 15843) were 4 and 8 µg/ml, respectively. The Ag-NPs were stable in vitro for 3 months without any precipitation or decrease of antifungal effects. Finally, it could be concluded that D. sophia can be used as an effective method for biosynthesis of nanoparticles, especially Ag-NPs.     

Keggin-type phosphotungstic acid supported on mesoporous SiO2–Al2O3 aerogel like beads and their application in the isopropylation of naphthalene

Spherical mesoporous silica–alumina aerogel like beads based on sol–gel technology and the drop wise addition have been synthesized and used as catalyst support for phosphotungstic acid (PWA). Their catalytic performances in the isopropylation of naphthalene with isopropanol were investigated in a batch reactor. It was found that PWA was highly dispersed on the silica–alumina support and their Keggin structure can be retained. In addition, PWA/SiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst showed high surface area, both of Lewis acid sites and Brönsted acid sites. Because of having more Brönsted acid sites, silica–alumina supported acid catalysts showed much higher conversion (87.97 %) and selectivity to diisopropylnaphthalenes (41.41 %) and β,β-products (59.82 %) than pure acid and reactive supports in the isopropylation of naphthalene. The catalytic behavior has been discussed in relation with the physical chemical properties of catalysts, reaction and activation temperature and reaction time.     

The Influence of Different Strategies for the Saccharification of the Banana Plant Pseudostem and the Detoxification of Concentrated Broth on Bioethanol Production

Pseudostem of the Musa cavendishii banana plant was submitted to chemical pretreatments with acid (H₂SO₄ 2%, 120 °C, 15 min) and with alkali (NaOH 3%, 120 °C, 15 min), saccharified by commercial enzymes Novozymes® (Cellic CTec2 and HTec2). The influences of the pretreatments on the degradation of the lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, porosity of the surface, particle crystallinity, and yield in reducing sugars after saccharification (Y _RS), were established. Different concentrations of biomass (70 and 100 g/L in dry matter (dm)), with different physical differences (dry granulated, crushed wet bagasse, and whole pseudostem), were used. The broth with the highest Y _RS among the different strategies tested was evaporated until the concentration of reducing sugars (RS) was to the order of 100 g/L and fermented, with and without prior detoxification with active carbon. Fermentation was carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks, at 30 °C, initial pH 5.0, and 120 rpm. In comparison to the biomass without chemical pretreatment and to the biomass pretreated with NaOH, the acid pretreatment of 70 g/L of dry granulated biomass enabled greater digestion of hemicellulose, lower index of cellulose crystallinity, and higher Y _RS (45.8 ± 0.7%). The RS increase in fermentation broth to 100 g/L, with posterior detoxification, presented higher productivity ethanol (Q _P = 1.44 ± 0.02 g/L/h) with ethanol yield (Y _P/RS) of 0.41 ± 0.02 g/g. The value of Q _P was to the order of 75% higher than Q _P obtained with the same broth without prior detoxification.     

Synthesis and in vitro anticancer,antibacterial, and antioxidant studies of unsymmetrical Schiff base derivatives of 4-[(1<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(2-aminoethyl)ethanimidoyl]benzene-1,3-diol

Schiff bases such as 2-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone (DHAP) and its derivatives have attracted attention because they are useful in design and development of novel organic compounds for potential pharmaceutical applications. In this work, a series of 4-[(1E)-N-(2-aminoethyl)ethanimidoyl]benzene-1,3-diol (4a–h) Schiff bases were synthesized by reaction of ethylenediamine, DHAP, and appropriate aldehyde moieties. The compositions of the prepared compounds were established using elemental analysis and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopies. The compounds were screened against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria, and the results compared with standard drugs ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin. Compounds 4g, 4h were found to have higher activity against Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 2.5 mg/mL, while compounds 4f and 4h inhibited Escherichia coli with MIC values of 2.5 and 5 mg/mL, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of compounds 4a–h for scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical ranged from 2.63 ± 0.79 to 3.85 ± 0.83 µM with good correlation coefficient of R ² = 0.957–0.994. In vitro anticancer screening of the compounds showed that compounds 4f, 4h, and parthenolide efficiently affected cell viability of cancer cell line MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values of 4.10 ± 1.32, 4.01 ± 2.26, and 0.44 ± 2.02 µM, respectively.     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of new azo compounds containing extended π-conjugated systems

A series of novel azo compounds with extended π-conjugated systems were prepared by azo coupling reaction compounds trans-2-(4′-aminostyryl)-thiophene, 1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-butadiene and 4-amino-4′-methoxystilbene with some phenols. The compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against breast cancer adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cell lines using the MTT assay. The results showed all derivatives had more toxic effects than tamoxifen. Of all the compounds tested, the azo product obtained from coupling trans-2-(4′-Aminostyryl)-thiophene with 2-naphthol (compound 5b) exhibited the potent in vitro antiproliferative activity with IC₅₀ 27 ± 1 and 18 ± 0 µg/mL against MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines, respectively, while it was devoid of any cytotoxicity against normal HEK 293 cells even at 200 µg/mL.     

Porcine pancreatic α-amylase inhibitors from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euonymus laxiflorus</Emphasis> Champ.

Twenty-six samples of indigenous medicinal plants were collected in Dak Lak Province of Vietnam and evaluated for α-amylase inhibitory activity. Of these samples, trunk bark extract from Euonymus laxiflorus Champ. (ELC extract) showed the greatest α-amylase inhibitory activity with the smallest 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 6.6 ± 0.6 µg/mL against porcine pancreatic α-amylase. This extract possessed strong inhibitory activity against human saliva α-amylase and slightly lower activity against Bacillus subtilis α-amylase, with IC₅₀ values of 4.2 ± 0.2 and 27.8 ± 1.8 µg/mL, respectively. ELC extract was found to be strongly thermostable, retaining 72–100 % relative activity even after heating at 100 °C for 5 min to 2 h. This extract was also stable at various pH values. These results suggest that ELC extract may be a good candidate for treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and obesity.     

Electroentrapment of Polyaniline in [3-(2,3-Epoxypropoxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane-Derived Xerogel: A Facile Methodology Towards Molecularly Imprinted Xerogels

A novel polyaniline (PANI)/silica hybrid composite, as a selective coating, was synthesized by the simultaneous sol–gel process and in situ electro-polymerization of aniline and employed for imprinting naproxen. The synthesized composite was chemically bonded inside a copper tube for online capillary microextraction (CME) in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The copper tube was intended for use as an unbreakable substrate for CME and the HPLC injection loop. Four copper tubes containing different coatings were prepared accordingly to achieve the most appropriate extracting medium for naproxen. Coating 1 was a xerogel of [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane (EPPTMOS) synthesized by sol–gel technology and PANI as a conductive polymer (CP) was electrochemically prepared as coating 2. Coating 3 (sol–gel–CP) included the electroentrapped PANI into the xerogel of EPPTMOS, representing the non-imprinted xerogel (NIX) and coating 4, the molecularly imprinted xerogel (MIX), contained entrapped PANI into the xerogel of EPPTMOS, while naproxen template was already imprinted into the composite structure. Extraction efficiency of MIX towards naproxen was about 4–30 times greater than the others. Electroentrapped PANI into the silica xerogel might be responsible for the enhanced extraction efficiency, originating from high surface area of PANI as well as its role in π–π interactions. The mild conditions used in this process enabled the incorporation of organic species such as PANI into the silica particles without degradation. The main advantage of addition of PANI during the sol–gel process was the reduction of gelation time from more than a week to a few hours and, therefore, achieving a facile and controllable method for preparation of selective media. Furosemide, clodinafop-propargyl and haloxyfop-etotyl were also selected to investigate selectivity of the prepared MIX towards naproxen. Ratio of MIX/NIX, a criterion of selectivity, was 3.8, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4 for naproxen, clodinafop, haloxyfop and furosemide, respectively. The linearity of the HPLC method for naproxen was in the range of 10–1,000 µg L^?1. The limit of detection value was found to be 5 µg L^?1 and RSD % of 2.9 (n = 5) was obtained. Real samples such as blood plasma and urine species were analyzed by the developed method and the relative recovery percentages of 76 and 94 % were obtained for the spiked samples.     

Experimental Design Approach for Selective Separation of Vilazodone HCl and Its Degradants by LC-PDA and Characterization of Major Degradants by LC/QTOF–MS/MS

A selective, rapid, accurate and precise stability-indicating RP-HPLC method was developed for monitoring vilazodone in the presence of its degradation products (DPs) in API and pharmaceutical dosages. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Grace phenyl C₁₈ column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm particle size) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1 with a linear gradient elution of ammonium acetate buffer (10 mM, pH 5.0 adjusted by acetic acid) with acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Detection was performed at 240 nm. The chromatographic conditions were optimized by the design of experiments to obtain the best possible separation with a minimum number of trials. A face-centered central composite design (three levels for each factor) was employed for optimization, and an interaction of the independent variables (pH of mobile phase, column temperature and  % of organic modifier) on the resolution of critical pairs was studied. The drug was subjected to the stress conditions of hydrolytic (acid, base and neutral), oxidative, thermal and photolytic degradation. It was found to be degraded significantly in hydrolytic (basic and acid) and oxidative conditions, while it was stable in neutral hydrolytic, thermal and photolytic conditions. LC-QTOF/MS/MS studies were carried out to characterize the major DPs. The method was fully validated for selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness in compliance with ICH guideline Q2 (R1).     

Ionic silsesquioxane film immobilized on silica applied in the development of carbon paste electrode for determination of methyl parathion

A mesoporous silica-based hybrid material composed of silica xerogel modified with an ionic silsesquioxane, which contains the 1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane chloride group, was obtained. The silsesquioxane film is highly dispersed on the surface. This hybrid material was utilized to develop a carbon paste electrode (CPE) for determination of methyl parathion. Transmission FTIR, elemental analysis and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms were used for characterization of the material. The electrochemical behavior of methyl parathion was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. It was observed a linear response to methyl parathion in the concentration range from 1.25 × 10^?7 to 2.56 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 by employing the carbon paste electrode, in Britton–Robinson buffer solution (pH 6). The achieved detection limit (3 SD of the blank divided by the slope of calibration curve) was 0.013 µmol L^?1 and sensitivity was 6.3 µA µmol L^?1. This result shows the potentiality of this electrode for application as electrochemical sensor for methyl parathion.     

Nitrile functionalized silver(I) <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-heterocyclic carbene complexes: DFT calculations and antitumor studies

A series of aliphatic nitrile functionalized benzimidazolium salts and their respective mononuclear N-heterocyclic carbene Ag(I)-NHC complexes are reported. The benzimidazolium salts were synthesized by N-alkylation of 1H-benzimidazole with an appropriate alkyl bromide, followed by reaction with either 5-bromovaleronitrile or 6-bromohexanenitrile. The respective mononuclear Ag(I)-NHC complexes were prepared by the reaction of the benzimidazolium salts with Ag₂O. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structures of the two complexes were elucidated through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Density functional theory was used to model the structures of the other complexes. The benzimidazolium salts and their complexes were screened for cytotoxicity against a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), using the MTT assay. All the Ag(I)-NHC complexes gave IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.0 ± 1.06 to 12.9 ± 1.55 µM which are comparable to the standard drug, tamoxifen (IC₅₀ = 11.2 ± 1.84 µM), while all of the benzimidazolium salts proved to be inactive.     

Co3O4/SiO2 nanocomposites for supercapacitor application

In this study, Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized by citrate–gel method by utilizing SiO₂ matrix for Co₃O₄ embedment. Spectroscopy analyses confirm the formation of high crystalline Co₃O₄ nanoparticles; meanwhile, microscopy findings reveal that the Co₃O₄ nanoparticles are embedded in SiO₂ matrix. Electrochemical properties of the Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 5 M KOH electrolyte. The findings show that the charge storage of Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites is mainly due to the reversible redox reaction (pseudocapacitance). The highest specific capacitance of 1,143 F g ^?1 could be achieved at a scan rate of 2.5 mV s^?1 in the potential region between 0 and 0.6 V. Furthermore, high-capacitance retention (>92 %) after 900 continuous charge–discharge tests reveals the excellent stability of the nanocomposites. It is worth noting from the EIS measurements that the nanocomposites have low ESR value of 0.33 Ω. The results manifest that Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites are the promising electrode material for supercapacitor application.     

The Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating UHPLC-DAD Method for Determination of Perindopril l-Arginine in Bulk Substance and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

A stability-indicating ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method with a diode array detector was developed and validated for the determination of cis/trans isomers of perindopril l-arginine in bulk substance and pharmaceutical dosage form. The separation was achieved on a Poroshell 120 Hilic (4.6 × 150 mm, 2.7 µm) column using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile–0.1 % formic acid (20:80 v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL min^?1. The injection volume was 5.0 µL and the wavelength of detection was controlled at 230 nm. The selectivity of the UHPLC-DAD method was confirmed by determining perindopril l-arginine in the presence of degradation products formed during acid–base hydrolysis and oxidation as well as degradation in the solid state, at an increased relative air humidity and in dry air. The method’s linearity was investigated in the ranges 0.40–1.40 µg mL^?1 for isomer I and 0.40–2.40 µg mL^?1 for isomer II of perindopril l-arginine. The UHPLC-DAD method met the precision and accuracy criteria for the determination of the isomers of perindopril l-arginine. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.1503 and 0.4555 µg mL^?1 for isomer I and 0.0356 and 0.1078 µg mL^?1 for isomer II, respectively.     

β-Cyclodextrin-Cross-Linked Polymer as Solid Phase Extraction Material Coupled Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Separation/Analysis of Trace Copper

Abstract

The β-cyclodextrin cross-linked polymer (β-CDCP) was synthesized by the reaction of β-cyclodextrin with epichlorohydrin in NaOH and characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermoanalysis. The β-CDCP as a solid phase extraction (SPE) material was used to preconcentrate/separate trace copper using l-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as a complexing agent for Cu-(II)-PAN coupled with a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) for analysis. The optimized experiment conditions and adsorption capacity were investigated. The detection limit (DL) was 1.11 µg.L^?1 with RSD 4.27% (n = 5, c = 25.0 µg L^?1). The linear range is 6.25–31.25 µg L^?1. Moreover, the β-CDCP could be used repeatedly and offered better a recovery and estimation of trace copper. In order to verify the accuracy of the method, a certified reference water sample was analyzed and the results obtained were in agreement with the certified values. The recovery for copper was 103.6%. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of copper in lake water samples.     

Synthesis,characterization, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylthio)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(substituted 4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl) acetamides

Background

A series of 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylthio)-N-(substituted 4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl) acetamides was synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectral means. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by tube dilution method. The in vitro cytotoxicity study of the compounds was carried out against human colorectal (HCT116) cell line. The most promising anticancer derivatives (5l, 5k, 5i and 5p) were further docked to study their binding efficacy to the active site of the cyclin-dependent kinase-8.

Results

All the compounds possessed significant antimicrobial activity with MIC in the range of 0.007 and 0.061 µM/ml. The cytotoxicity study revealed that almost all the derivatives were potent in inhibiting the growth of HCT116 cell line in comparison to the standard drug 5-fluorouracil. Compounds 5l and 5k (IC₅₀ = 0.00005 and 0.00012 µM/ml, respectively) were highly cytotoxic towards HCT116 cell line in comparison to 5-fluorouracil (IC₅₀ = 0.00615 µM/ml) taken as standard drug.

Conclusion

The molecular docking studies of potent anticancer compounds 5l, 5k, 5i and 5p showed their putative binding mode and significant interactions with cyclin-dependent kinase-8 as prospective agents for treating colon cancer.

     

Apoptosis in BEL-7402 cells induced by ruthenium(II) complexes through a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway

Three Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes [Ru(dmb)₂(HMSPIP)](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Ru(phen)₂(HMSPIP)](ClO₄)₂ (2) and [Ru(dmp)₂(HMSPIP)](ClO₄)₂ (3) were synthesized and characterized. The cytotoxicity in vitro, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential were assayed. The IC₅₀ values of complexes 1, 2 and 3 toward BEL-7402, A549, MG-63 and SK-BR-3 cell lines ranged from 10.9 ± 1.6 to 42.0 ± 3.4 μM. Complexes 1, 2 and 3 can effectively induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth of BEL-7402 cells at the G2/M phase. These complexes can enhance the level of reactive oxygen species and induce decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, complex 2 can down-regulate the expression of antiapoptotic protein of Bcl-2 protein and up-regulate the levels of proapoptotic protein Bim in BEL-7402 cells.