Stimuli‐responsive zein‐based nanoparticles as a potential carrier for ellipticine: Synthesis,release, and in vitro delivery

In the present research, we have investigated a drug delivery system based on the pH‐responsive behaviors of zein colloidal nanoparticles coated with sodium caseinate (SC) and poly ethylene imine (PEI). These systematically designed nanoparticles were used as nanocarriers for encapsulation of ellipticine (EPT), as an anticancer drug. SC and PEI coatings were applied through electrostatic adsorption, leading to the increased size and improved polydispersity index of nanoparticles as well as sustained release of drug. Physicochemical characteristics such as hydrodynamic diameter, size distribution, zeta potential and morphology of nanoparticles prepared using different formulations and conditions were also determined. Based on the results, EPT was encapsulated into the prepared nanoparticles with a high drug loading capacity (5.06%) and encapsulation efficiency (94.8%) under optimal conditions. in vitro experiments demonstrated that the release of EPT from zein‐based nanoparticles was pH sensitive. When the pH level decreased from 7.4 to 5.5, the rate of drug release was considerably enhanced. The mechanism of pH‐responsive complexation in the drug encapsulation and release processes was extensively investigated. The pH‐dependent electrostatic interactions and drug state were hypothesized to affect the release profiles. Compared to the EPT‐loaded zein/PEI nanoparticles, the EPT‐loaded zein/SC nanoparticles exhibited a better drug sustained‐release profile, with a smaller initial burst release and longer release period. According to the results of in vitro cytotoxicity experiments, drug‐free nanoparticles were associated with a negligible cytotoxicity, whereas the EPT‐loaded nanoparticles displayed a high toxicity for the cancer cell line, A549. Our findings indicate that these pH‐sensitive protein‐based nanoparticles can be used as novel nanotherapeutic tools and potential antineoplastic drug carriers for cancer chemotherapy with controlled release.     

The modifier action of NiO nanoparticles on the activity,structure, and stability of proteinase K

Monatshefte für Chemie - Chemical Monthly - In the present study, multi-spectroscopic methods were applied to investigate the effect of NiO nanoparticles on the structure, activity, and...     

Biosynthesis of Highly Dispersed Palladium Nanoparticles Using Astraglmanna Aqueous Extract

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles has received increased attention due to a growing need to develop environmentally benign technologies in material synthesis and employment of secondary metabolites from plant extract that has emerged as a novel technology for this purpose. In this study, a rapid and biogenic process for fabrication of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) is reported. Highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles were successfully prepared by using aqueous extract of Astraglmanna, a non‐toxic and eco‐friendly material, without extra surfactant, capping agent, and template. The PdNPs were characterized by using UV—Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope ‐ energy dispersive spectra (SEM‐EDX), Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of the PdNPs were recorded and mean size of the biosynthesized nanoparticles was found to be approximately 15 nm.     

Solution processable polyamides containing thiazole units and thioether linkages with high optical transparency,high refractive index,and low birefringence

A series of new organic‐soluble polyamides (PAs) bearing flexible thioether linkages and heteroaromatic thiazole units were synthesized from a novel thioether‐bridged diamine monomer (DA) and various commercially available aromatic dicarboxylic acids (1–5) via a direct polycondensation method. The resulting polymers were obtained in high yields and possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.41–0.80 dL g^?1. All of the polymers were amorphous in nature, exhibited good solubility and could be easily dissolved in amide‐type polar aprotic solvents and even dissolved in less polar solvents (e.g., tetrahydrofuran, pyridine, and acetone). They showed excellent thermal stability with glass transition temperatures between 207 and 239 °C and 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 424 °C in nitrogen and 469 °C in air atmosphere. The optical transmittances of the PA films at 450 nm were higher than 85% for the thickness of ～10 μm. The combination of the thiazole moieties and flexible thioether linkages provided PAs with high average refractive indices (n_av) of 1.7414–1.7542 and low birefringences (Δn) of 0.0061–0.0087 at 632.8 nm. In particular, the n_av of PA‐5 derived from DA and 2,2′‐dithiodibenzoic acid exhibited the highest refractive index (1.7542) in the high refractive index PAs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3505–3515     

Practical unconditionally secure two-channel message authentication

We investigate unconditional security for message authentication protocols that are designed using two-channel cryptography. (Two-channel cryptography employs a broadband, insecure wireless channel and an authenticated, narrow-band manual channel at the same time.) We study both noninteractive message authentication protocols (NIMAPs) and interactive message authentication protocols (IMAPs) in this setting. First, we provide a new proof of nonexistence of nontrivial unconditionally secure NIMAPs. This proof consists of a combinatorial counting argument and is much shorter than the previous proof by Wang and Safavi-Naini, which was based on probability distribution arguments. We also prove a new result which holds in a weakened attack model. Further, we propose a generalization of an unconditionally secure 3-round IMAP due to Naor, Segev and Smith. The IMAP is based on two ?-Δ universal hash families. With a careful choice of parameters, our scheme improves that of Naor et al. Our scheme is very close to optimal for most parameter situations of practical interest. Finally, a variation of the 3-round IMAP is presented, in which only one hash family is required.     

Adsorption of acid red 114 and reactive black 5 in aqueous solutions on dendrimer‐conjugated magnetic nanoparticles

The adsorption of the dyes Acid Red 114 and Reactive Black 5 in aqueous solutions on polyhydroxyl dendrimer magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐TRIS) was studied in a batch system. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐TRIS NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Experiments were performed under different conditions such as the initial dye concentration, adsorbent dose, and pH. The pseudo‐second‐order model provided a very good fit for the two anionic dyes. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used to describe the equilibrium isotherms at different temperatures, and the former agreed very well with the experimental data. However, the adsorption capacity of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐TRIS NPs was reduced during surface modification, which could be due to the dye occupying the binding sites of the dendrimer. Thermodynamic parameters, namely the change in free energy (ΔG⁰), enthalpy (ΔH⁰), and entropy (ΔS⁰), were also determined.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,spectroscopic investigations,and computational studies of Ni(II) and Pd(II) complexes with asymmetric tetradentate NOON Schiff base ligand

Structural Chemistry - In the present study, an asymmetric tetradentate NOON Schiff base ligand 2,2′-((4-methyl-1,2-phenylene)bis(nitrilomethylylidene))bis(4-chlorophenol) (H2L) was...     

Fabrication of a new nanocomposite modified carbon paste Al<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-ion selective electrode based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>′-dipyridoxyl (1,2-cyclohexanediamine) (PYCA) as an active material

Construction and feature of a nanocomposite modified carbon paste electrode for aluminum(III) ion determination based on N,N′-dipyridoxyl (1,2-cyclohexanediamine) (PYCA) as a novel selector material will be covered by this paper. The optimum composition, Nernstian slope/linear range/detection limit in the forms of calibration graph, response time, utilizable pH range, repeatability and precision of measurements of the aluminum(III) ion using the new fabricated Al³⁺-CPE was evaluated. The optimal composition which performed over Al⁺³ ion concentration range 1.0 × 10^?8 mol L^?1–1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1 with near-Nernstian slope equal 20.9 ± 0.2 mV decade^?1 and low detection limit about 5.0 × 10^?9 mol L^?1, was formed of ionophore (PYCA 3 %), binder (paraffin oil 30 %), modifier [multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) 1 %] & [Nanosilica (NS) 0.5 %], and inert matrix (graphite powder 65.5). The request time to give rise Nernstian response of electrode for concentrations from 1.0 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 to 1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1 of Al³⁺ ion solution was estimated about ~6 s. The new Al³⁺-CPE was applied in pH range 2.0–5.0 with no consequential change in potential response. To verify the selectivity of electrode toward aluminum(III) ion in the presence of different metallic cations, matched potential method was used. The obtain results in analytical applications reflect the excellent ability of this electrode to play the role as endpoint indicator electrode in both titration and direct potentiometric measurements.     

Essential oil composition of aerial parts of Micromeria persica Boiss. from Western of Shiraz,Iran

Micromeria persica Boiss. is medicinal and aromatic plant, belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) from aerial parts of M. persica were extracted using hydro-distillation method and analysed using GC and GC–MS. Fifty-two compounds were identified in the EOs of aerial parts of M. persica. The main chemical compositions were n-hexadecanoic acid (14.9%), thymol (9.5%), linoleic acid (8.0%), carvacrol (5.6%), (E)-nerolidol (5.5%), linolenic acid (5.5%), α-cadinol (2.7%), linalool (2.7%), borneol (2.6%), caryophyllene oxide (2.3%) and pulegone (2.0%). Presence of borneol, thymol, carvacrol and pulegone suggests the potential of this plant as a flavouring source in the food industry, being used in perfumery and cosmetics industry, vitamin E synthesis and exhibit strong fungicidal, antibacterial and antimicrobial activities.     

Lagoecia cuminoides L., its antioxidant activity and polyphenolic constituents from Iran

Lagoecia cuminoides L. belongs to the family of Umbelliferae (Apiaceae), and known also as common wild cumin. The aerial parts of L. cuminoides were collected at the flowering stage and dried, then the methanolic extract was analyzed for polyphenol compounds identified by HPLC-DAD and antioxidant activity (DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay). It was found that the predominant phenolic constituents were chlorogenic acid, hesperidin, rosmarinic acid, hesperetin and vanillin. The antioxidant activity of methanolic extract from L. cuminoides was found 1597 μg/mL in DPPH scavenging assay. There is no strict positive relationship between the polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity of extracts.