Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of Mallotus oppositifolius (Geisel) methanol leaf extracts

The methanol leaf extract of Mallotus oppositifolius was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in rats and mice using acute and chronic anti-inflammatory models with acetylsalicylate acid (aspirin) as the reference drug. The antioxidant activity was done in vitro using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-hydrazyl (DPPH) spectrophotometric assays. The extract dose dependently and significantly reduced paw edema volume in rats induced by carrageenan (p < 0.01), decreased croton oil-induced ear inflammation (p < 0.05), inhibited cotton pellet-induced granuloma in mice and reduced the rat paw thickness in formalin-induced arthritis.     

Novel 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells through p53 mediated intrinsic pathway

A series of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives (OSD, OCOD, ONOD, OPD, COD, PMOD, and PCOD) were synthesized and characterized. Their structures were confirmed on the basis of IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy and molecular weights were found in the range 300–325 g/mol. Cancerous cell lines (MCF-7, HepG2) and non-cancerous cell lines (Chang liver cells) were treated with these compounds for 48 h, which caused dose dependent decrease in the cell viability. From the seven derivatives, OSD was found to be most potent with IC₅₀ value close to 50 μM on all tested cell lines. Hence, this compound was selected for mechanistic study on HepG2 cell lines. Fluorescent cell staining and DNA fragmentation study of 50 μM OSD on HepG2 cells, showed events marked by apoptosis such as nuclear fragmentation, cytoplasm shrinkage and DNA damage. Further, the cells with same treatment were quantified for apoptosis using annexin V-PI flow cytometric technique. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher (p < 0.05) after OSD treatment compared to control cells. OSD induced a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the expression of the tumor suppressor p53 in HepG2 cells. The constitutive expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after treatment, while the expression of proapoptotic protein Bax significantly increased (p < 0.05). The change in Bax to Bcl-2 ratio suggested involvement of Bcl-2 family in induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, the levels of caspase-9 and caspase-3 were significantly (p < 0.05) up regulated in HepG2 cells after OSD treatment. The data suggest that 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives induce apoptosis mediated by intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. The findings strengthen the potential of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole scaffold OSD, as an agent with chemotherapeutic and cytostatic activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro.     

Responses of a marine red tide alga Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae) to long-term UV radiation exposures

UV radiation (280–400 nm) is known to affect phytoplankton in negative, neutral and positive ways depending on the species or levels of irradiation energy. However, little has been documented on how photosynthetic physiology and growth of red tide alga respond to UVR in a long-term period. We exposed the cells of the marine red tide diatom Skeletonema costatum for 6 days to simulated solar radiations with UV-A (320–400 nm) or UV-A + UV-B (295–400 nm) and examined their changes in photosynthesis and growth. Presence of UV-B continuously reduced the effective photosynthetic quantum yield of PSII, and resulted in complete growth inhibition and death of cells. When UV-B or UV-B + UV-A was screened off, the growth rate decreased initially but regained thereafter. UV-absorbing compounds and carotenoids increased in response to the exposures with UVR. However, mechanisms for photoprotection associated with the increased carotenoids or UV-absorbing compounds were not adequate under the continuous exposure to a constant level of UV-B (0.09 W m^?2, DNA-weighted). In contrast, under solar radiation screened off UV-B, the photoprotection was first accomplished by an initial increase of carotenoids and a later increase in UV-absorbing compounds. The overall response of this red tide alga to prolonged UV exposures indicates that S. costatum is a UV-B-sensitive species and increased UV-B irradiance would influence the formation of its blooms.     

Comparative antioxidant activity,proteolysis and in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of Allium sativum-yogurts made from cow and camel milk

The presence of extract of plant with medicinal properties during milk fermentation could enhance the therapeutical values of yogurt. In the present study, the effects of Allium sativum on the changes in post-acidification, total phenolic content (TPC), proteolysis by o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) assay, antioxidant activity by (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) inhibition) and capacity to inhibit in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in cow or camel milk yogurt (MY) during 21 day refrigerated storage were investigated. The presence of A. sativum enhanced more pH reduction for camel-MY than for cow-MY compared to their respective controls during storage. The reverse was true for total titratable acid. TPC in camel-MY was higher (p < 0.05) than that in cow-MY. The presence of A. sativum in cow- and camel-MYs elevated (p < 0.05) the TPC, but these changed little during storage. Antioxidant activities (18–38% DPPH inhibition) were not different in both types of yogurts, either in the absence or in the presence of A. sativum. However, camel-MY had an increase (p < 0.05) in antioxidant activities (49–65%) during 7–21 days of storage. OPA values on day 0 was higher for camel-MY (368.2 ± 14.8 mg/g) than for cow-MY (80.1 ± 3.2 mg/g). The presence of A. sativum increased OPA values more for cow-MY than for camel-MY (3.0- and 1.3-folds, respectively). Higher inhibition (p < 0.05) of α-amylase by camel-MY compared to cow-MY occurred whereas α-glucosidase inhibition by cow-MY reduced (p < 0.05) as a result of refrigeration greater than 7 days. In general, the addition of A. sativum caused more antioxidant activities, proteolysis and enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) inhibition in camel-MY than in cow-MY.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities of Glycyrrhiza glabra root

The efficacy of gamma irradiation as a method of decontamination for food and herbal materials is well established. In the present study, Glycyrrhiza glabra roots were irradiated at doses 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kGy in a cobalt-60 irradiator. The irradiated and un-irradiated control samples were evaluated for phenolic contents, antimicrobial activities and DPPH scavenging properties. The result of the present study showed that radiation treatment up to 20 kGy does not affect the antifungal and antibacterial activity of the plant. While sample irradiated at 25 kGy does showed changes in the antibacterial activity against some selected pathogens. No significant differences in the phenolic contents were observed for control and samples irradiated at 5, 10 and 15 kGy radiation doses. However, phenolic contents increased in samples treated with 20 and 25 kGy doses. The DPPH scavenging activity significantly (p<0.05) increased in all irradiated samples of the plant.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on chemical,microbial quality and shelf life of shrimp

In the present study the combined effect of gamma irradiation (1, 3 and 5 kGy) and storage at two temperatures: refrigeration (+4 °C) and frozen (?18 °C), on the shelf-life extension of fresh shrimp meat was investigated. The study was based on microbiological and physicochemical changes occuring in the shrimp samples. Total volatile base nitrogen values and trimethylamine values for irradiated shrimp samples were significantly lower than non-irradiated samples at both storage temperatures, and the rate of decrease was more pronounced in samples irradiated at the higher dose (p<0.05). Thiobarbituric acid values for irradiated shrimp samples were significantly higher than non-irradiated samples at both storage temperatures (p<0.05). pH values of shrimp samples were affected significantly by both irradiating dose and storage temperatures (p<0.05). Microbial counts for non-irradiated shrimp samples were higher than the respective irradiated samples at both storage temperatures (p<0.05). The results revealed that irradiation at high dose (5 kGy) might enhance lipid oxidation, although the growth of microorganisms and protein oxidation was inhibited.     

Effect of irradiation on kinetic behavior of Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus in lettuce and damage of bacterial cell envelope

This study evaluated effect of gamma irradiation on survival of Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus on lettuce and damage of cell envelope. S. Typhimurium and S. aureus were inoculated on red leaf lettuce, and they were irradiated at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 kGy, and the samples were then stored at 7 and 25 °C for 7 days. Survival of S. Typhimurium and S. aureus were enumerated on xylose lysine deoxycholate agar and Baird–Parker agar, respectively. D₁₀ value (dose required to reduce 1 log CFU/leaf) was calculated, and kinetic parameters (maximum specific growth rate; μ_max and lag phase duration; LPD) were calculated by the modified Gompertz model. In addition, cell envelope damage of the pathogens was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). D₁₀ values were 0.35 and 0.33 kGy for S. Typhimurium and S. aureus, respectively. During storage at 7 °C, S. Typhimurium and S. aureus had significant (P<0.05) growth only on non-irradiated samples up to about 2.5 and 4 log CFU/leaf at 0.42 and 1.28 log CFU/leaf/day of μ_max, respectively. At 25 °C, cell counts of S. Typhimurium and S. aureus on the samples irradiated at 0 and 0.5 kGy increased (P<0.05) up to 3–6 log CFU/leaf. The μ_max of both pathogens were higher in 0 kGy (1.08–2.27 log CFU/leaf/day) and 0.5 kGy (0.58–0.92 log CFU/leaf/day), and LPDs ranged from 1.53 to 3.14 day. SEM and TEM observations showed that cells irradiated at 1.5 and 3 kGy showed disrupted cell membrane. These results indicate that gamma irradiation could be a useful decontamination technology to improve food safety of lettuce by destroying cells of S. Typhimurium and S. aureus.     

Determination of the changes of antifungal properties of Satureja hortensis,Thymus vulgaris and Thymbra spicata exposed to gamma irradiation

In this research, changes in the antifungal activity of the extract of Satureja hortensis, Thymus vulgaris and Thymbra spicata exposed to gamma irradiation against two aflatoxigenic moulds Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 and 465 were investigated. The samples of dry plant leaf powder were irradiated with doses of 1.2, 3.0, 5.1 kGy. While the antifungal activity of S. hortensis with 0 and 1.2 kGy dose irradiation against A. parasiticus NRRL 2999 was found to be similar, it decreased with 3.0 and 5.1 kGy irradiation doses (P<0.05). On the contrary, antifungal activity of T. spicata increased until 3.0 kGy and then it decreased with 5.1 kGy irradiation dose (P<0.05). For T. vulgaris, an increase of irradiation dose resulted in a decrease of antifungal activity against aflatoxigenic moulds. This research shows that antifungal properties of some spices can be changed by gamma irradiation.     

Impact of dose rates on the position accuracy of multi-leaf collimator

PurposeTo study the impact of dose rates on the position accuracy of a Varian multi-leaf collimator (MLC) in dynamic IMRT.MethodsFour nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients who received dynamic IMRT were chosen. The dosimetric verification at different dose rates (400–600 MU/min) was performed using a PTW 2D ion chamber Array in a Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator. Meanwhile, the actual MLC leaf position data was taken by the MLC controller. The passing ratios of dosimetric verification were compared at different dose rates, and the MLC leaf position deviations were evaluated through the parameters of Error Histogram and Error RMS.ResultsThe passing ratios of dosimetric verification both of the criteria of 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm did not show statistical differences between two dose rates (P>0.05). But using the criteria of 2%/1 mm, significant differences were observed between two dose rates (P<0.05). Moreover, according to the analysis of the Error Histogram and Error RMS, the MLC leaf position deviations were higher with the increase of dose rate, and the differences between 400 and 600 MU/min were statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe higher dose rate will affect the accuracy of MLC leaf position in dynamic IMRT.     

Measurements of (p, ρ, T) properties for isobutane in the temperature range from 280 K to 440 K at pressures up to 200 MPa

Measurements of (p, ρ, T) properties for isobutane in the compressed liquid phase have been obtained by means of a metal-bellows variable volumometer in the temperature range from 280 K to 440 K at pressures up to 200 MPa. The volume-fraction purity of isobutane used was 0.9999. The expanded uncertainties (k = 2) of temperature, pressure, and density measurements have been estimated to be less than 3 mK, 1.5 kPa (p ⩽ 7 MPa), 0.06% (7 MPa < p ⩽ 50 MPa), 0.1% (50 MPa < p ⩽ 150 MPa), and 0.2% (p > 150 MPa), and 0.11%, respectively. In region more than 100 MPa at 280 K and 440 K, the uncertainty in density measurements rise up to 0.15% and 0.23%, respectively. The differences of the present density values at the same temperature between two series of measurements, in which the sample fillings are different, are within the maximum deviation of 0.09% in density, which is enough lower than the expanded uncertainty in density. Eight (p, ρ, T) measurements at the same temperatures and pressures as the literature values have been conducted for comparison. In addition, vapour pressures were measured at T = (280, 300) K. Moreover, the comparisons of the available equations of state with the present measurements are reported.     

Antioxidant activity and inhibition of key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes and hypertension by Azadirachta indica-yogurt

Azadirachta indica is widely used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes and hypertension. In the present study A. indica-yogurt was prepared and refrigerated up to 28 days. pH of A. indica-yogurt was lower whereas total titratable acid (TTA) was higher than plain-yogurt during storage. The total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity increased during storage. A. indica-yogurt had highest TPC (74.9 ± 5.1 μgGAE/ml; p < 0.05) on day 28 and DPPH inhibition (53.1 ± 5.0%; p < 0.05) on day 14 compared to plain-yogurt (29.6 ± 1.1 μgGAE/ml and 35.9 ± 5.2%, respectively). The OPA values increased between day 7 and 21 of storage but reduced on the 4th week of storage with values for A. indica-yogurt being higher (p < 0.05) than plain-yogurts. Maximum inhibition of α-amylase (47.4 ± 5.8%), α-glucosidase (15.2 ± 2.5%) and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE, 48.4 ± 7.2%) by plain-yogurt water extract occurred on day 7, 14 and 0, respectively. A. indica-yogurt water extract increased the inhibition to maximal values for α-glucosidase and ACE on day 14 of storage (15.9 ± 10.1% and 79.70 ± 11.2%, respectively) and for α-amylase on day 21 of storage (54.8 ± 3.2%). A. indica-yogurt has higher TPC, antioxidant activities and enzymes inhibitory effects than plain-yogurt. Thus A. indica-yogurt may have the potential to serve as enhanced functional yogurt with anti-diabetic and anti-hypertension activities.     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria in the binary systems (aliphatic,or aromatic hydrocarbons + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate,or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate ionic liquids)

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria of 14 binary systems composed of n-hexane, n-heptane, benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, or p-xylene and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [emim]EtSO₄, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [bmim]MeSO₄, ionic liquids have been done in the temperature range from (293.2 to 333.2) K. The solubility of aliphatic is less than those of the aromatic hydrocarbons. In particular, the solubility of hydrocarbons in both ionic liquids increases with the temperature in the order n-heptane < n-hexane < m-xylene < p-xylene < o-xylene < toluene < benzene. Considering the high solubility of aromatics and the low solubility of aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as totally immiscibility of the ionic liquids in all hydrocarbons, these new green solvents may be used as potentials extracting solvents for the separation of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

(p, ρ, T) Properties for n-butane in the temperature range from 280 K to 380 K at pressures up to 200 MPa

The (p, ρ, T) properties for n-butane in the compressed liquid phase were measured by means of a metal-bellows variable volumometer in the temperature range from 280 K to 380 K at pressures up to 200 MPa. The mole fraction purity of the n-butane used in the measurements was 0.9997. The expanded uncertainties (k = 2) in temperature, pressure, and density measurements have been estimated to be less than ±3 mK; 1.4 kPa (p ⩽ 7 MPa), 0.06% (7 MPa < p ⩽ 50 MPa), 0.1% (50 MPa < p ⩽ 150 MPa), and 0.2% (p > 150 MPa); and 0.09%, respectively. In the region above100 MPa at T = 280 K and T = 440 K, the uncertainty in density measurements increases from 0.09% to 0.13% and 0.22%, respectively. Eight (p, ρ, T) measurements at the same temperatures and pressures as the literature values have been conducted for comparisons. In addition, comparisons of the available equations of state with the present measurements are reported.     

Development and assessment of experimental dental polymers with enhanced polymerisation,crosslink density and resistance to fluid permeability based on ethoxylated-Bisphenol-A-dimethacrylates and 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate

The formulation of appropriate dental adhesives is critical to achieve efficient polymerisation and reduced fluid permeability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion, the crosslink density and the fluid permeability of experimental 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-containing or HEMA-free resin adhesives formulated with the use of a hydrophilic ternary photoinitiator system (DPIHP: diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate). The final FTIR/Raman degree of conversion (DC), DSC glass transition temperature (T_g) and the resin permeability (rP) were then characterised. The inclusion of the hydrophilic ionic salt DPIHP increased the affinity between amphiphilic monomers and binary photoinitiator system enhancing the DC, T_g and the resistance to fluid permeability (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between rP and FTIR/Raman-DC or T_g (p < 0.05). In conclusion, new generation resin adhesives containing hydrophilic monomers and solvents should be formulated on a ternary photoinitiator system including hydrophilic ionic accelerator in order to achieve enhanced physical–chemical characteristics especially when light-cured in a relatively short period time (10–20 s).     

Decomposition of p-nonylphenols in water and elimination of their estrogen activities by 60Co γ-ray irradiation

Concentration of p-nonylphenols (NPs) in water at 1 μmol dm⁻³ was decreased exponentially with absorbed dose when NPs were irradiated by ⁶⁰Co γ-rays. Two products having molecular weight of 236, presumably OH adducts of NPs, were detected by LC–MS analyses. The elimination of estrogen activity of aqueous NPs solution including such irradiation products at 5000 Gy (J kg⁻¹) was confirmed by the yeast two-hybrid assay. These results should expand the application of ionizing radiation to the treatment of NPs.     

Electron excitation coefficients of neutral and ionic levels of krypton in Townsend discharges

In this paper, we present experimental results for excitation coefficients of krypton atoms to several Kr and Kr⁺ excited levels for E/N (electric field to gas particle number density ratio usually in units of Townsend, 1 Td = 10^− 21 V m²) values from 7 × 10^− 20 V m² to above 1 × 10^− 17 V m². The data have been obtained in two different parallel plate self-sustained Townsend discharge drift tubes. The spatial distribution of the emission intensities were recorded and then normalized to give excitation coefficients at the anode, by using the electron flux at this point. The values of these coefficients are placed on an absolute scale by using a standard tungsten ribbon lamp calibrated against a primary blackbody radiation standard. The ionization rates at different E/N are obtained from the spatial emission profiles.The data for atomic krypton levels 2p₂, 2p₃, 2p₅, 2p₆, 2p₇, 2p₈, 3p₅ and 3p₆ (in Paschen notation) were converted to excitation coefficients by using quenching coefficients from the literature. The emission coefficients of eight 4s²4p⁴ (³P)5p levels of Kr⁺ have also been measured for E/N values from about 1 × 10^− 18 V m² up to nearly 8 × 10^− 18 V m².     

Application of a laser produced plasma: Experimental Stark widths of single ionized lead lines

The optical emission spectroscopy from laser produced plasma generated by a 10,640 Å radiation, with an irradiance of 1.4 × 10¹⁰ W cm^− 2 on several lead targets, in vacuum and in an atmosphere of argon, was recorded and analyzed between 1900 and 7000 Å. The Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium conditions and plasma homogeneity have been checked. Stark widths for 31 lines of Pb II have been measured. These lines measured in this work correspond to the transitions 7s → 6p, n(n = 8, 9, 10)s → 7p, n(n = 7, 8)p → 7s, n(n = 7, 8)p → 6p², n(n = 7, 8)d → 7p, n(n = 5, 6)f → 6d, n(n = 5, 6)f → 6p². The population level distribution and the corresponding temperatures were obtained using Boltzmann plots. The plasma electron densities were determined using well-known Stark broadening parameters of spectral lines. Special attention was dedicated to the possible self-absorption of the different transitions. Temporal evolution of the plasma parameters was studied between 0.1 and 9 μs. Stark broadening parameters of the spectral lines were measured at 2.5 μs where the electron temperature was close to 11,300 K and the electron density to 0.8 × 10¹⁶ cm^− 3. The experimental results obtained have been compared with the experimental and theoretical values given by other authors. A systematic trend of this parameter versus temperature of 4244.9 Å Pb II line has been presented.     

Chemical composition and biological potential of seed oil and leaf extracts of Henophyton deserti Coss. & Durieu

Henophyton deserti was characterized in respect to its chemical composition, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity. Fourteen compounds were identified by LC/MS, GC/MS, and GC in leaf and seed extracts. Total flavonoids ranged between 45.66 and 181.2 mg QE g^?1 and 2.03 and 38.95 mg QE g^?1 dry weight (dw) in leaf and seed polar extracts, respectively. Rutin, Kaempferol 3-rutinoside, Diosmetin 7-O-Glucoside, and Acacetin 7-O-Glucoside flavonoids were tentatively identified in this plant. The profile of seed fatty acids revealed oleic acid (C18:1, 27%), linoleic acid (C18:2, 12%) and linolenic acid (C18:3, 17%). The highest antioxidant activities of 85.2% and 67.5% were obtained with methanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts. All H. deserti extracts were active against at least one of the tested bacteria, leaf ethyl acetate extract showed the lowest MIC of 0.156 mg ml^?1. Only seed ethyl acetate extract showed antifungal activity with a MIC of 2.5 mg ml^?1.     

Chiral 1,4-morpholin-2,5-dione derivatives as α-glucosidase inhibitors: Part 2

A series of chiral 1,4-morpholin-2,5-dione derivatives were synthesized starting from chiral synthons 1 and 2, diastereomeric monolactim ethers derived from l-valine. The compounds investigated, were inactive toward β-glucosidase, α-mannosidase and α-galactosidase but behave as noncompetitive inhibitors against the α-glucosidase (from Saccharomices cervisiae) with some showing a good inhibition ability (0.05 < K_i < 0.18 mM).