Protective Effects of Ginseng Leaf Extract Using Enzymatic Extraction Against Oxidative Damage of UVA-Irradiated Human Keratinocytes

UVA is responsible for numerous biological effects on the skin, including premature aging characterized by wrinkles, leathery texture, and mottled pigmentation. The objective of this study was evaluating the protective effect of ginseng leaf extract prepared by Ultraflo L on skin from photodamage. Anti-wrinkle effect of ginseng leaf extract with or without Ultraflo L treatment were tested on human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) A. Ginseng leaves inhibited ROS generation, GHS depletion, and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 induced by UVA irradiation. The glutathione (GSH) content of the cells was significantly increased by over 25 μg mL^?1 of Ultraflo-treated extract (UTGL) as well as by over 100 μg mL^?1 of nonenzyme-treated extract (NEGL) compared to control. UTGL and NEGL treatments significantly decreased expression of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and 9 compared with control, but inhibitory effects of two groups on expression of MMPs were not significantly different. Overall, ULtraflo L-treated ginseng leaves inhibited ROS generation, GHS depletion, and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in UVA photodamaged HaCat cells. From these results, enzyme-treated ginseng leaf extract has advantages over untreated ginseng leaves and have potential as a skin protective ingredient against UVA-induced photodamage.     

Formulation Effects in the Antioxidant Activity of Extract from the Leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf

Cymbopogon citratus DC (Stapf.) is a perennial grass and it is distributed around the world. It is used as a condiment for food and beverage flavouring in the form of infusions and decoctions of its dried leaves. Our previous studies have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities for the infusion and its phenolic fractions. The aim of the present work was to develop oral dosage forms from a Cymbopogon citratus extract to be used as a functional food with antioxidant properties. Initially, an essential oil-free infusion was prepared, lyophilized and characterized by HPLC-PDA. Total phenols were quantified with the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH assay. Gelatine capsules containing the extract with different excipients, selected after DSC and IR trials, were prepared. A formulation exhibiting better antioxidant behaviour in a gastric environment was attained. These results suggest that the proposed formulation for this extract could be a valuable antioxidant product and, consequently, make an important contribution to “preventing” and minimizing diseases related to oxidative stress conditions.     

环保型准固态电解质的制备及在染料敏化太阳电池中的应用

本文介绍了一种制备染料敏化太阳电池(DSC)准固态电解质的新方法——混合溶剂法.该方法具有制作工艺简单、所用溶剂对人及环境无污染等优点.将混合溶剂法制备的准固态电解质应用于太阳电池,并系统研究了电解质组成及环境温度对电解质及其DSC性能的影响规律.     

Synthesis and near-infrared characteristics of novel perylene bisimide dyes bay-functionalized with naphthalimide chromophores

Novel perylene bisimide dyes bay-functionalized with naphthalimide chromophores have been prepared conveniently by coupling of 1,8-naphthalimide and dibromoperylene bisimides. Their optical properties were investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of these compounds showed wide spectral responses from 300 to 700 nm,which would be potentials for application as organic solar cells.     

Anthemis cotula L. from Jordan: Essential oil composition,LC-ESI-MS/MS profiling of phenolic acids - flavonoids and in vitro antioxidant activity

Essential oils of the leaves and flowers of Anthemis cotula L. (family Asteraceae) grown in Jordan were extracted by hydro-distillation and then analyzed by GC–MS. Sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons (SH) were the dominant components in the oils extracted from leaves and flowers of A. cotula. γ-Muurolene and aromadendrene, were the major compounds that were obtained from the flowers oil, while γ-muurolene and trans-cadinene ether were detected as major ingredients in the leaves extract. LC-MS analysis was carried out to identify the significant compounds from each extract. Additionally, butanol (B), aqueous methanol (M) and water (W) extracts prepared from the flowers and the leaves of A. cotula were analysed by LC-MS/MS. Apigenin and chlorogenic acid were the main constituents detected in the flowers’ alcoholic extracts and leaves’ aqueous extract. Moreover, the essential oils and all prepared extracts were assayed for their total antioxidant activity using the DPPH, ABTS, and ferrous ion chelating effect (FIC) assay methods. All investigated oils and extracts showed interesting activity as compared to the positive controls employed (α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid).     

Determination of free phenolic acids and antioxidant capacity of methanolic extracts obtained from leaves and flowers of camel thorn (Alhagi maurorum)

The present study comprises the determination of some phenolic acids from the leaves and flowers of Alhagi maurorum by HPLC-DAD, confirmed by LC-MS-APCI. The antioxidant properties and measurements of the total phenolic contents of the extracts were assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and Folin-Ciocalteu methods, respectively. It was found that the leaf extract had higher antioxidant potential (83.5%) than the flower extract (72.3%). The antioxidant properties and total phenolic contents of the leaves were higher than those of the flowers.     

Antiplasmodial and Cytotoxic Flavonoids from Pappea capensis (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Leaves

Ethnobotanical surveys indicate that the Masai and Kikuyu in Kenya, the Venda in South Africa, and the Gumuz people of Ethiopia use Pappea capensis for the treatment of malaria. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical and antiplasmodial properties of the plant leaves. The bioactive compounds were isolated using chromatographic techniques. The structures were established using NMR, HRMS, and UV spectroscopy. Antiplasmodial activity of P. capensis leaf extract and isolated compounds against chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 P. falciparum was evaluated using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay. Cytotoxicity against HeLa (human cervix adenocarcinoma) cells was determined using the resazurin assay. The extract inhibited the viability of Plasmodium falciparum by more than 80% at 50 µg/mL, but it was also cytotoxic against HeLa cells at the same concentration. Chromatographic purification of the extract led to the isolation of four flavonoid glycosides and epicatechin. The compounds displayed a similar activity pattern with the extract against P. falciparum and HeLa cells. The results from this study suggest that the widespread use of P. capensis in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria might have some merits. However, more selectivity studies are needed to determine whether the leaf extract is cytotoxic against noncancerous cells.     

Preparation of TiO2 nanocrystalline films controlled by acetylacetone/polyethylene glycol and their photoelectric properties

TiO₂ nanocrystalline films were prepared from titanium tetra-n-butoxide modified with double hydrolysis inhibitors, acetylacetone and polyethylene glycol (PEG), in mixture of methanol and ethanol. The correlation among surface structure of the TiO₂ films, preparation conditions, and photovoltaic properties of the solar cells using the TiO₂ films was investigated. The particle size of the obtained TiO₂ films was decreased as the PEG content increased. The nanostructured films with the narrow distribution of particle size could be prepared. The amounts of adsorbed dyes for these TiO₂ films were larger than that without PEG. The performance of the solar cell fabricated using the TiO₂ film improved as the amount of the PEG increased, and the solar cell using the TiO₂ film prepared from the solution with 30 wt% PEG exhibited the highest performance.     

Fiber-shaped flexible solar cells

Flexible solar cells with the advantages of lightweight, foldability, and low cost, and extensive applications have attracted much academic interest and industrial attention during the last decades. The principles, development, and characteristics of various silicon based, CuInGaSe, dye-sensitized, and organic photovoltaic flexible solar cells are introduced and reviewed. Special emphasis gives different types of the newly and rapidly developed fiber-shaped solar cells and their characteristics. Compared with traditional ones, the fiber-shaped solar cells use flexible photoelectrodes prepared with low-cost metal wire, optical fibers, and carbon etc., not only greatly expanding their flexibility and decreasing cost, but evidently improving their various properties. At last as their further development, some prospective researches on mesh-like solar cells are introduced.     

Phytochemical Characterization,Antioxidant Activity,and Cytotoxicity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Chlorophytum Comosum (Green Type) (Thunb.) Jacq

Chlorophytum genus has been extensively studied due to its diverse biological activities. We evaluated the methanolic extract of leaves of Chlorophytum comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques, the species that is less studied compared to C. borivilianum. The aim was to identify phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum and biological properties of its different fractions. Water fraction was analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Nineteen compounds belonging to different chemical classes were identified in the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques. In addition to several fatty acids, isoprenoid and steroid compounds were found among the most abundant constituents. One of the identified compounds, 4′-methylphenyl-1C-sulfonyl-β-d-galactoside, was not detected earlier in Chlorophytum extracts. The water fraction was toxic to HeLa cells but not to Vero cells. Our data demonstrate that methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum can be a valuable source of bioactive constituents. The water fraction of the extract exhibited promising antitumor potential based on a high ratio of HeLa vs. Vero cytotoxicity.     

Rutile TiO2 nano-branched arrays on FTO for dye-sensitized solar cells

Hierarchical TiO(2) nanostructures would be desirable for preparing dye-sensitized solar cells because of their large amount of dye adsorption and superior light harvesting efficiency, as well as efficient charge separation and transport properties. In this study, rutile TiO(2) nano-branched arrays grown directly on transparent conductive glass (FTO) were prepared by a facile two-step wet chemical synthesis process, using a simple aqueous chemical growth method involving immersing the TiO(2) nanorod arrays in an aqueous TiCl(4) solution as seeds, which were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The dye-sensitized solar cells based on the TiO(2) nano-branched arrays which were only about 3 μm in length show a short-circuit current intensity of 10.05 mA cm(-2) and a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 3.75%, which is nearly three times as high as that of bare nanorod arrays, due to the preferable nanostructure, which not only retains the efficient charge separation and transport properties of the nanorod arrays, but also can improve the amount of dye adsorption due to the increased specific surface area from the nanobranches.     

Photovoltaic performance of nanostructured zinc oxide sensitised with xanthene dyes

The photovoltaic properties of nanostructured ZnO electrodes prepared from commercially available ZnO nanoparticles (Degussa) and sensitised with xanthene dyes are explored. We have used Eosin Y, Eosin B and Mercurochrome and compared their performance to that of the more common N719 dye. We observe that these dyes efficiently sensitise commercial ZnO nanopowder and yield efficiencies that are very competitive with respect to those provided by N719. Local photocurrent and transmittance measurements as a function of the wavelength confirm the good performance of the xanthene dyes in the absorption maxima. We have prepared polymer-sealed cells and measured the short-circuit current of the devices under continuous illumination at 200 mW/cm² corresponding to twice the standard solar light intensity. The organic dyes show very good stability properties under these conditions. The combination of a versatile metal oxide such as ZnO and inexpensive organic dyes should be considered as a promising alternative in the field of dye-sensitised solar cells.     

电泳法制备TiO_2纳米管/纳米颗粒复合薄膜的电化学阻抗谱分析(英文)

由于一维(1D)氧化钛纳米结构具有提高染料敏化太阳能电池(DSCs)中的电子传输性能从而进一步提高电池性能的特性,该领域吸引了越来越多研究者的关注.但是一维氧化钛纳米结构如何影响电子传输性能却少有报道.本研究利用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)分析来探索氧化钛纳米颗粒和纳米管复合薄膜的电子传输特性.使用两种不同尺寸(25和100nm)的纳米颗粒和纳米管作为原料,采用电泳沉积方法制备了氧化钛复合薄膜并研究了原料的组成对染料敏化电池的影响以获得最佳的组成.研究结果表明,在大颗粒的质量分数低于20%时,大颗粒的掺入有利于改善氧化钛薄膜的电子传递与电池性能.与完全由颗粒组成的薄膜相比,纳米管的加入有利于电子在氧化钛薄膜里的传输.纳米管、100nm颗粒及25nm颗粒的最佳质量比例为20:16:64.     

Piper betle (L): Recent Review of Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties,Safety Profiles,and Commercial Applications

Piper betle (L) is a popular medicinal plant in Asia. Plant leaves have been used as a traditional medicine to treat various health conditions. It is highly abundant and inexpensive, therefore promoting further research and industrialization development, including in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Articles published from 2010 to 2020 were reviewed in detail to show recent updates on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of betel leaves. This current review showed that betel leaves extract, essential oil, preparations, and isolates could inhibit microbial growth and kill various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as fungal species, including those that are multidrug-resistant and cause serious infectious diseases. P. betle leaves displayed high efficiency on Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The ratio of MBC/MIC indicated bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects of P. betle leaves, while MFC/MIC values showed fungicidal and fungistatic effects. This review also provides a list of phytochemical compounds in betel leaves extracts and essential oils, safety profiles, and value-added products of betel leaves. Some studies also showed that the combination of betel leaves extract and essential oil with antibiotics (streptomycin, chloramphenicol and gentamicin) could provide potentiating antibacterial properties. Moreover, this review delivers a scientific resume for researchers in respected areas and manufacturers who want to develop betel leaves-based products.     

A sulphated flavone glycoside from Livistona australis and its antioxidant and cytotoxic activity

A new flavone glycoside tricin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside-2″-sulphate sodium salt along with 14 known flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified from the aqueous methanol extract of Livistona australis leaves. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive NMR (1H, 13C, HSQC and H-H COSY) and ESIMS data. Antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties of the methanol extract of the leaves as well as the new compound were investigated.     

聚乙烯醇缩丁醛准固态电解质薄膜的制备和性能表征

研究了聚乙烯醇缩丁醛准固态电解质薄膜的制备及相关性能.通过向聚乙烯醇缩丁醛中加入适量造孔剂和辅助剂制备电解质薄膜,研究了薄膜制备过程中的相关影响因素和不同孔隙率的电解质薄膜对电池光电转换效率的影响.实验表明,通过向0.200g聚乙烯醇缩丁醛中加入6.000g碳酸钙、0.310g氯化钙和0.150g葡萄糖所制备的电解质薄膜性能最优,用其制备的染料敏化太阳能电池光电转换效率η=4.720%(开路电压Voc=0.7194V,短路电流密度Jsc=10.014mA·cm-2,填充因子FF=0.6559),达到相同条件下液态电解质电池的88%以上.薄膜电解质制备简单,封装方便,所用原料无毒无害,具有一定的发展潜力.     

Capillary electrophoretic analysis of flavonoids in single-styled hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) ethanolic extracts

Flavonoids are an important group of natural compounds, which can prevent coronary heart disease and have antioxidant properties. Hawthorn is a well known and widely used medicinal plant due to its cardiotonic activity. Previous studies refer mostly to the HPLC analysis of the flavonoids: vitexin, quercetin, hyperoside, oligomeric procyanidins, which appear to be primarily responsible for the cardiac action of the plant. Aqueous ethanolic extracts of single-styled hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq., f.: Rosaceae Juss.) leaves and sprouts were analyzed by means of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Influence of vegetation period on the extract qualitative composition and flavonoids quantities was evaluated. Sample preparation by extraction using different concentration of aqueous ethanol (40-96%, v/v) and the influence of extractant composition on the recovery of flavonoids are discussed in detail. The results obtained using CZE are compared to the results of spectrophotometric and HPLC analysis of the extracts. The effect of storage conditions of extracts (solar irradiation, temperature and duration) on degradation of flavonoids was investigated.     

Exploring the Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using Punica granatum Leaves

The current research work illustrates an economical and rapid approach towards the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous Punica granatum leaves extract (PGL-AgNPs). The optimization of major parameters involved in the biosynthesis process was done using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The effects of different independent variables (parameters), namely concentration of AgNO₃, temperature and ratio of extract to AgNO_3, on response viz. particle size and polydispersity index were analyzed. As a result of experiment designing, 17 reactions were generated, which were further validated experimentally. The statistical and mathematical approaches were employed on these reactions in order to interpret the relationship between the factors and responses. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were initially characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry followed by physicochemical analysis for determination of particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential via dynamic light scattering (DLS), SEM and EDX studies. Moreover, the determination of the functional group present in the leaves extract and PGL-AgNPs was done by FTIR. Antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacies of PGL-AgNPs against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were further determined. The physicochemical studies suggested that PGL-AgNPs were round in shape and of ~37.5 nm in size with uniform distribution. Our studies suggested that PGL-AgNPs exhibit potent antibacterial and antibiofilm properties.     

高活性硫化铅电极的制备及在量子点敏化太阳能电池中的应用

为了提高量子点敏化纳晶薄膜太阳能电池的光电转换效率,我们通过连续在酸和多硫溶液中处理铅片制备了对多硫电解液具有高电催化活性的硫化铅电极.通过电化学阻抗谱测试评价所制备硫化铅电极的催化活性,从而确定制备高效硫化铅电极的最佳条件.以在最佳条件下制备的硫化铅为对电极、CdSe量子点敏化TiO2纳晶薄膜为工作电极和多硫电解液组装成量子点敏化太阳能电池.光电性能测试结果表明所制备的电极具有良好的催化活性和光电转换性能.与已报导的方法相比,新方法大幅度地减少制备过程所需的时间,但却提高了所制备的硫化铅对电极的催化活性.通过X射线衍射和扫描电镜测试表征了硫化铅的生成过程,探讨了催化活性提高的原因.     

A–π–D–π–A Electron‐Donating Small Molecules for Solution‐Processed Organic Solar Cells: A Review

Organic solar cells based on semiconducting polymers and small molecules have attracted considerable attention in the last two decades. Moreover, the power conversion efficiencies for solution‐processed solar cells containing A–π–D–π–A‐type small molecules and fullerenes have reached 11%. However, the method for designing high‐performance, photovoltaic small molecules still remains unclear. In this review, recent studies on A–π–D–π–A electron‐donating small molecules for organic solar cells are introduced. Moreover, the relationships between molecular properties and device performances are summarized, from which inspiration for the future design of high performance organic solar cells may be obtained.