Spectrum of Nonstrange Singly Charmed Baryons in the Constituent Quark Model

International Journal of Theoretical Physics - We study the masses of radial and orbital excited states of nonstrange singly charmed baryons in the framework of hypercentral Constituent Quark Model...     

Synthesis of spin-labelled poly(acrylic acid)s and their segmental motion study

Understanding the segmental dynamics of polymer chains is cardinal to decipher the microscopic behaviour in order to modulate the bulk properties of polymers. The study of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy of spin-labelled polymers is useful to understand the segmental dynamics of polymer chains in solution. In this paper, poly(acrylic acid)s (PAAs) were spin labelled with 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radicals. Spin-labelled PAAs (SL-PAAs) were characterised by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and ESR analyses. The polyelectrolyte complexes of SL-PAAs were prepared by employing poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) as the polycation and analysed by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and ESR spectroscopies. The effect of molar mass on the segmental dynamics of SL-PAAs in pristine as well as in the form of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) was studied. The results indicated that SL-PAAs show a differential complexation behaviour with PDADMAC in the PECs depending on their molar mass.     

Hepatoprotective Potential of Malaysian Medicinal Plants: A Review on Phytochemicals,Oxidative Stress,and Antioxidant Mechanisms

Hepatotoxicity is a major global public health concern. Despite advances in modern medicine, the demerits of chemically prepared drugs outweigh their merits. In addition, the treatment of liver diseases based on modern medical principles has been found to produce several undesired side effects. Therefore, the exploration of medicinal plants has gained worldwide attention for treating various diseases, including liver diseases, owing to their potential efficacy and cost effectiveness. Several plants, including Andrographis paniculata, Bauhinia purpurea, Commelina nudiflora, Dillenia suffruticosa, Elaeis guineensis, Lygodium microphyllum, and Nephrolepis biserrata, have been reported with hepatoprotection. Moreover, these plants have been shown to play a vital role in ameliorating cellular damage because they contain several phytochemicals, including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, polyphenols, and diterpenoid lactones. The following antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective compounds have been found in these plants: andrographolide, rosmarinic acid, phenol, eugenol, 9,12-octadecadienoic, n-hexadecanoic acid, dihydroxy dimethoxy flavone, sitosterol, demethoxycurcumin, quercetin, linoleic acid, stigmasterol, kojic acid, indole-2-one, α-terpinol, linalool, kaempferol, catechin, ellagic acid, and oleanolic acid. This paper aimed to provide an in-depth review of in vivo studies on Malaysian medicinal plants possessing hepatoprotective properties, phytochemical ingredients, and antioxidant mechanisms, with an emphasis on the species proven particularly useful for treating hepatic disorders.     

In Vitro and In Silico Investigation of Diterpenoid Alkaloids Isolated from Delphinium chitralense

This study reports the isolation of three new C₂₀ diterpenoid alkaloids, Chitralinine A–C (1–3) from the aerial parts of Delphinium chitralense. Their structures were established on the basis of latest spectral techniques and single crystal X-rays crystallographic studies of chitralinine A described basic skeleton of these compounds. All the isolated Compounds (1–3) showed strong, competitive type inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in comparison to standard allanzanthane and galanthamine however, chitralinine-C remained the most potent with IC₅₀ value of 11.64 ± 0.08 μM against AChE, and 24.31 ± 0.33 μM against BChE, respectively. The molecular docking reflected a binding free energy of −16.400 K Cal-mol⁻¹ for chitralinine-C, having strong interactions with active site residues, TYR334, ASP72, SER122, and SER200. The overall findings suggest that these new diterpenoid alkaloids could serve as lead drugs against dementia-related diseases including Alzheimer’s disease.     

Carduus edelbergii Rech. f. Mediated Fabrication of Gold Nanoparticles; Characterization and Evaluation of Antimicrobial,Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potency of the Synthesized AuNPs

Background: Due to the high expense, less effectiveness and more side effects of available synthetic medicine, the researchers and communities are focusing on phyto-based natural bioactive compounds, which are considered safer for the treatment of syndromes and chronic diseases. Aim: The current project was aimed to determine the phytochemicals constituents available in the aerial parts of methanol extract of Carduus edelbergii via GC-MS, fabrication of AuNPs mediated with the mentioned extract; characterization and evaluation of antimicrobial, antioxidant and antidiabetic potency of the synthesized AuNPs. Methods: Confirmation of green synthesis of AuNPs, functional groups responsible for the reduction in Au⁺, size and crystallinity, morphology and quantity of gold (Au) were carried out by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and dispersive X-ray (EDX), respectively, whereas in vitro antioxidant characteristics were assessed by DPPH and ABTS assays. Wistar albino rats were used to test the anti-diabetic properties of the methanol extract and AuNPs. Results: GC-MS revealed that the diluted methanol extract of Carduus edelbergii consists of about 19 chemical constituents. Among the identified compounds, the 13-Docosenoic acid, methyl ester, (Z)—has the highest concentration (38.16%), followed by 9-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)—(15.72%) and n-Hexadecanoic acid (15.07%). Methanol extract and its fabricated nanoparticles showed significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In vivo antidiabetic study revealed a noteworthy (p < 0.05) decline in body weight and HDL and elevated concentration of blood glucose, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL, ALP, ALT and AST in diabetic control. The said changes were recovered significantly (p < 0.05) by treatment of diabetic rats with methanol extract (150 and 300 mg/Kg BW) and AuNPs of Carduus edelbergii (5 and 10 mg/Kg BW). Conclusion: The green synthesized AuNPs exhibit significant antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic characteristics.     

Fabrication of Highly Anisotropic and Interconnected Porous Scaffolds to Promote Preosteoblast Proliferation for Bone Tissue Engineering

Mimicking the complex structure of natural bone remains a challenge for bone tissue scaffolds. In this study, a novel processing strategy was developed to prepare the bone-like scaffolds that are featured by highly oriented and fully interconnected pores. This type of biomimetic scaffolds was evolved from solid phase stretching of immiscible polycaprolactone(PCL)/poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO) blends with cocontinuous structure and the pore morphology was inherited from selective extraction of water ...     

Andrographolide: A Herbal-Chemosynthetic Approach for Enhancing Immunity,Combating Viral Infections,and Its Implication on Human Health

Plants consistently synthesize and accumulate medically valuable secondary metabolites which can be isolated and clinically tested under in vitro conditions. An advancement with such important phytochemical production has been recognized and utilized as herbal drugs. Bioactive andrographolide (AGL; C₂₀H₃₀O₅) isolated from Andrographis paniculate (AP) (Kalmegh) is a diterpenoid lactones having multifunctional medicinal properties including anti-manic, anti-inflammatory, liver, and lung protective. AGL is known for its immunostimulant activity against a variety of microbial infections thereby, regulating classical and alternative macrophage activation, Ag-specific antibody production during immune disorder therapy. In vitro studies with AGL found it to be effective against multiple tumors, neuronal disorders, diabetes, pneumonia, fibrosis, and other diverse therapeutic misadventures. Generally, virus-based diseases like ZIKA, influenza A virus subtype (H1NI), Ebola (EBOV), Dengue (DENV), and coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemics have greatly increased scientific interest and demands to develop more effective and economical immunomodulating drugs with minimal side effects. Trials and in vitro pharmacological studies with AGL and medicinally beneficial herbs might contribute to benefit the human population without using chemical-based synthetic drugs. In this review, we have discussed the possible role of AGL as a promising herbal-chemo remedy during human diseases, viral infections and as an immunity booster.     

Solar Light Active Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Biochar Nanocomposite for RhB Dye Degradation

In this work, nanocomposite graphitic carbon nitride/biochar is successfully prepared by physical mixing method to achieve efficient charge separation and photodegradation of RhB dye under sunlight. The biochar is synthesized by heating biomass in muffle furnace in an inert atmosphere. The graphitic carbon nitride is prepared using melamine as a precursor and heating it in a muffle furnace in air atmosphere. The structural characterizations FTIR and X-ray diffraction are done to confirm the functional groups and crystallography of prepared samples. The photodegradation of RhB dye by nanocomposite is analyzed using a UV–visible spectrophotometer under solar irradiation. It is found that the RhB dye is completely reduced by the nanocomposite in less than 6 min in the presence of sunlight. The kinetic study confirms the photodegradation of RhB dye is first order reaction and rate constant is found to be 0.31 min⁻¹.     

Characterization of CdTe thin films fabricated by close spaced sublimation technique and a study of Cu doping by ion exchange process

CdTe thin films were prepared onto water-white glass substrates by the close spaced sublimation technique. The films annealed right after the deposition were then immersed in copper nitrate solution for different periods of time. These films were again annealed at 500 ^oC for 1 h to ensure the diffusion of copper in the films. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The electron microprobe analyzer showed an increase of copper-content in composition. The dc electrical conductivity showed a credible increase with increasing copper-content in the films. With the increase of copper-content, the hole mobility increased systematically. The optical parameters were deduced by fitting the optical transmittance in the wavelength range 300–2500 nm.