Sol–gel derived LaFeO3/SiO2 nanocomposite: synthesis,characterization and its application as a new,green and recoverable heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient acetylation of amines,alcohols and phenols

LaFeO₃/SiO₂ nanocomposite was synthesized by the sol–gel process from metal nitrates and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the SiO₂ source. The nanocomposite product was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and surface area measurements and was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient acetylation of amines, alcohols and phenols to the corresponding acetates using acetic anhydride under solvent-free conditions. Among the various substrates, acetylation of amines was preceded rapidly, so that an amine group could be selectively acetylated in the presence of alcoholic or phenolic hydroxyl groups by the appropriate choice of reaction time. The catalyst can also be reused several times without the loss of activity. In addition, the catalytic activity of the LaFeO₃/SiO₂ nanocomposite was higher than that of the pure LaFeO₃ nanoparticles. The method is high yielding, clean, cost effective, compatible with the substrates having other functional groups and very suitable for the practical organic synthesis.     

Curcumin Attenuated Neurotoxicity in Sporadic Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases leading to dementia. Despite research efforts, currently there are no effective pharmacotherapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of AD. Recently, numerous studies highlighted the beneficial effects of curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenol, in the neuroprotection. Especially, its dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties attracted the interest of researchers. In fact, besides its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this biomolecule is not degraded in the intestinal tract. Additionally, CUR is able to cross the blood–brain barrier and could therefore to be used to treat neurodegenerative pathologies associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. The present study aimed to assess the ability of CUR to induce neuronal protective and/or recovery effects on a rat model of neurotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), which mimics the sporadic form of Alzheimer’s disease. Our results showed that treatment with CUR enhances pro-oxidant levels, antioxidant enzymes activities and anti-inflammatory cytokine production and decreases apoptotic cells in AlCl₃-exposed hippocampus rats. Additionally, histopathological analysis of hippocampus revealed the potential of CUR in decreasing the hallmarks in the AlCl₃-induced AD. We also showed that CUR post-treatment significantly improved the behavioral, oxidative stress and inflammation in AlCl₃-exposed rats. Taken together, our data presented CUR as a nutraceutical potential through its protective effects that are more interesting than recovery ones in sporadic model of AD.     

Ethyl Acetate—Propionic Acid as Green Mobile Phase System for Selective Densitometric Identification of Maltose with Preliminary Separation on Silica High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatographic Plates

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A mobile phase system comprising of ethyl acetate and propionic acid in 1:1 (v/v) ratio was identified as the most suitable green...     

Fe3O4@SiO2‐PANI‐Au Nanocomposite Prepared for Electrochemical Determination of Quercetin in Food Samples and Biological Fluids

A new electrochemical sensor based on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au nanocomposite was fabricated for modification of glassy carbon electrode (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au GCE). The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au nanocomposite was characterized by TEM, FESEM‐EDS‐Mapping, XRD, and TGA methods. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au GC electrode exhibited an acceptable sensitivity, fast electrochemical response, and good selectivity for determination of quercetin. Under optimal conditions, the linear range for quercetin concentrations using this sensor was 1.0×10^?8 to 1.5×10^?5 mol L^?1, and the limit of detection was 3.8×10^?9 mol L^?1. The results illustrated that the offered sensor could be a possible alternative for the measurement of quercetin in food samples and biological fluids.     

Mycotoxins in spices and culinary herbs from Italy and Tunisia

Abstract

Spices and aromatic herbs can be contaminated with mycotoxins, since of their preharvest, postharvest, and storage conditions. In this study, 112 samples of different spices and aromatic herbs were evaluated for their mycotoxins content by HPLC-MS/MS in order to highlight their possible risk linked with human use. The results showed that mycotoxins were occasionally detected only in samples of coriander, laurel, mint, rosemary, and verbena. In both geographical origins a different contamination was detected. Among the investigated mycotoxins, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, T2 and HT2 were detected, whereas none of the samples contained AFB1 and FB1. The co-occurrence of two toxins were observed for some samples of rosemary and verbena. This study indicates that it is essential minimize the toxins in agriculture, industry, and food-product manufacturing for the consumer health protection.     

Nephroprotective Effects of Alhagi camelorum against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Albino Wistar Rats

Alhagi camelorum (AC) is an old plant with a significant therapeutic value throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The overuse of cisplatin (Cis > 50 mg/m²) is associated with observed nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, gastrotoxicity, myelosuppression, and allergic reactions. Remedial measures are needed for the protection of nephrotoxicity against cisplatin. Thus, we investigated the nephroprotective effects of AC plant extract to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino Wistar rats. The presence of polyphenols, phenolic compounds, tannins, and saponins was revealed during phytochemical investigation, and a significantly intense antioxidant activity was recorded. There were no toxicological symptoms in the treated rats, and no anatomical, physiological, or histological abnormalities were found compared to the control rats. The results of correcting cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity revealed that the extract has a significant ability to treat kidney damage, with most parameters returning to normal after only three weeks of therapy. It is concluded that co-administration of cisplatin with AC extract showed exceptional nephroprotective effects at a dose of 600 mg/kg for Cis-induced nephrotoxicity.     

On the norm of an idempotent Schur multiplier on the Schatten class

We show that if the norm of an idempotent Schur multiplier on the Schatten class lies sufficiently close to , then it is necessarily equal to . We also give a simple characterization of those idempotent Schur multipliers on whose norm is .

     

Anti-inflammatory chromone alkaloids and glycoside from Dysoxylum binectariferum

Herein we report isolation of a new chromone alkaloid chrotacumine K (12) from fruits and a chromone glycoside schumaniofioside A (13) from leaves of Dysoxylum binectariferum Hook f. Schumaniofioside A is reported for the first time from Meliaceae family. Other known alkaloids isolated include rohitukine (1) and chrotacumine E (6). The structure of new alkaloid 12 was elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis, synthesis and chemical hydrolysis. Chemically, chrotacumine K (12) is a 3′-O-acetyl rohitukine which on chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis produces rohitukine. The new alkaloid 12 is also present in seeds and stem-barks of this plant. The glycoside schumaniofioside A (13) is present only in leaves, and in abundance (～1% w/w of dried leaves). The isolated compounds and extracts were evaluated for in vitro effect on the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in human monocytic THP-1 cells. The alkaloid 12 displayed potent inhibition (57%) of TNF-α at 0.3 µM, and was non-toxic to THP-1 cells up to 40 µM, indicating its excellent therapeutic window. Furthermore, a nitrobenzoyl ester analog 15e showed better inhibition of IL-6 than parent natural product chrotacumine K.     

Thermal studies of DBSA-doped polyaniline/PVC blends by isothermal microcalorimetry

A series of blends of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA)-doped polyaniline (PANDR) and PVC were synthesized by solution blending technique and investigated by heatflow microcalorimetry (HFC) for thermal and oxidative stability and for PVC–PANDR compatibility. FTIR results provided evidence for strong dipole–dipole interactions between PANDR and PVC. The energy of the oxidation is independent of the composition. The interaction energy and thermal stability increased with the increase of PANDR content in the blend. The activation energies calculated by using Arrhenius relationship can be employed for accelerated ageing of the synthesized blends. It has been observed that the average degradation of PANDR component is higher than that of PVC.