Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using root extract of Duchesnea indica and assessment of its biological activities

Treatment of microbial infections and inflammatory conditions have many challenges in terms of efficacy and safety issues. Novel approaches such as nanoparticles based drug delivery system have shown promising results to solve some of these problems. The aim of this study was to exploit the efficacy of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using root extract (aqueous) of Duchesnea indica. They were characterized using different techniques such as, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry, transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and zetasizer. The UV–Vis spectra gave a characteristic peak at 423 nm; XRD confirmed its crystalline structure; FTIR confirmed the involvement of phytochemicals in their capping and reduction; TEM images confirmed their spherical shape with average width of 20.49 nm and average area of 319.25 nm². Various biological activities were performed on these NPs, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and muscle relaxant, which showed significant results as follow. Among bacterial strains, Salmonella typhi (MIC: 0.01 mg/ml) and Escherichia coli (MIC: 0.01 mg/ml), while among that of fungal Microsporum canis (MIC: 0.53 mg/ml) and Alternaria alternata (MIC: 0.51 mg/ml) were most susceptible. The AgNPs showed maximum anti-inflammatory activity (46.15 and 56.85%) at 20 mg/kg after 3 and 5 h of drug administration, comparable to that of standard. In-vivo model exhibited concentration dependent inhibition of both COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes. Similarly, it exhibited maximum analgesic activity (54.24%) at 20 mg/kg dose after 60 min. of pain induction. Furthermore, they depicted maximum muscle relaxation (P < 0.01) after 60 and 90 min of drug administration. Above results suggest that these AgNPs can be studied further for the development of more effective and safe formulations.     

1,2-Dihydropentalenes from fulvenes by [6 + 2] cycloadditions with 1-isopropenylpyrrolidine

In situ generated acetone pyrrolidine enamine undergoes [6 + 2] cycloadditions with fulvenes to give 1,2-dihydropentalenes. This ring annulation method works particularly well with 6-monosubstituted fulvenes and is subject to steric hindrance at C-6 of the fulvene. On the basis of mechanistic studies, optimal conditions have been developed for a one-pot synthesis of 1,2-dihydropentalenes using catalytic amounts of pyrrolidine.     

Identification of phenolic compounds in aqueous and ethanolic rooibos extracts (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspalathus linearis</Emphasis>) by HPLC-ESI-MS (TOF/IT)

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is a rich source of polyphenols and used to make a mild-tasting tea containing no caffeine, is low in tannins compared to green or black teas, and has antioxidant and antimutagenic/antitumoral properties. In vivo results show that rooibos has beneficial effects upon the lipid profile by decreasing serum triglycerides and cholesterol. In this sense, we have developed a simple and rapid method to separate and characterize simultaneously the polyphenolic compounds in aqueous and ethanolic rooibos extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS) and ion trap multiple mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-IT-MS²). The phenolic compounds were separated on a C₁₈ column (4.6 × 150 mm, 1.8 μm) with 1% formic acid in water/acetonitrile 90:10 v/v and acetonitrile as mobile phases. The accuracy mass data generated by TOF-MS together with the fragmentation pattern obtained by IT-MS² experiments confirmed the presence of 25 and 30 phenolic compounds in the aqueous and ethanolic extracts, respectively.     

A strange novel chaotic system with fully golden proportion equilibria and its mobile microcomputer-based RNG application

A strange novel three-dimensional quadratic continuous autonomous chaotic system with fully golden proportion equilibria is proposed. It has only seven terms, three quadratic nonlinearities and one parameter ‘a’. The system equations have four equilibrium points and very interestingly all the equilibrium points have fully golden proportion values. Besides, this chaotic system has hidden amplitude control properties. The dynamic analyses of the system are presented such as equilibrium points, dissipativity, Lyapunov exponents, bifurcation diagrams, phase portraits and hidden amplitude control properties. Later, electronic circuit of the system is simulated in software and implemented in real environment. Finally, microcomputer-based random number generator (RNG) application and its NIST-800-22 tests are executed as another real-time application.     

Applications of unsaturated polyester resins

Unsaturated polyester resins containing long chain fatty acids and styrene as cross-linking agents are easily available in Pakistan. I have made use of these resins in the preparation of overprint varnish, ornaments, synthetic marble and other related substances. The octates of manganese, cobalt, calcium and lead along with peroxide were used for jelling and drying of the resins. The effects of metal driers, aluminium stearate, peroxides and unsaturated long chain fatty acids in the composition as mentioned in the experimental section were also studied. The merits and demerits developed in the end products resulting from the variation of these chemicals in the compositions were also noted at their respective places. The article was submitted by the author in English.     

Boron nanotubes.

A survey of novel classes of nanotubular materials based on boron is presented. Pure boron nanotubes are a consequence of a general Aufbau principle for boron clusters and solid boron phases, which postulates various novel boron materials besides the well-known bulk phases of boron based on boron icosahedra. Furthermore, several numerical studies suggest the existence of a large family of compound nanotubular materials derived from crystalline AlB2. We compare these novel boron-based nanotubular materials to standard nanotubular systems built from carbon, and point out a number of remarkable structural and electronic properties that make boron-based nanotubular materials an ideal component for composite nanodevices and extended nanotubular networks.     

Condensed 1,3,5-triazines: 1,3,4-Thiadiazolo[3,2-a]-1,3,5-triazines and isoxazolo[2,3-a]-1,3,5-triazines

A convenient route is reported for the synthesis of substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a]-1,3,5-triazine-5,7-diones and isoxazolo[2,3-a]-1,3,5-triazines. Condensation of the appropriately substituted 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole and 3-aminoisoxazole with phenoxycarbonyl isocyanate provides the desired target compounds in fair yield.     

Cyclobutyl neighboring group effect on the stability of bicyclo-[2.2.2]octyl bridgehead carbenium ions

Solvolysis of the novel bridgehead cyclobutyl methyl chloride

proceeds without skeletal rearrangement. Its relative rate is the first unequivocal proof for a small, but significant ability of the cyclobutyl group to stabilize an adjacent positively charged center.     

Regio- and stereoselective cycloadditions of dichloroketene to bridged bicyclic olefins

Dichloroketene cycloadditions to selected bridged bicyclic compounds are described. The regio- and stereochemical course of these cycloadditions is discussed.     

Anatoliosides: Five Novel Acyclic Monoterpene Glylcosides from Viburnum orientale

Five new acyclic monoterpene glycosides 1 – 5 were isolated from the leaves of Viburnum orientale (Caprifoliaceae). Anatolioside ( 1 ) is a monoterpene diglycoside and its structure was elucidated as linalo-6-yl 2′-O-(α-L -rhamnopyranosyl)β-D -glucopyranoside (arbitrary numbering of linalool moiety). Compounds 2 – 5 are all derivatives of 1 , containing additional monoterpene and sugar units, connected by ester and glycoside bonds. Their structures were established as linalo-6-yl O-[(2E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1? → 4″)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1″? → 2″″)-β-D -glucopyranoside ( = anatolioside A; 2 ), linalo-6-yl O-β-D -glucopyranosyl-(1? → 6?)-O-[(2E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1? → 4″)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1″ → 2′)–β-D -glucopyranoside ( = anatolioside B; 3 ), linalo-6-yl O-β-D ribo-hexopyranos-3-ulosyl-(1′? → 6?)-O-[(2E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1? → 4″)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl-(1″ → 2′)-β-D -glucopyranoside ( = anatolioside C; 4 ) and linalo-6-yl O-[(2E, 6R)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1″? → 2″″)-O-β-D -glucopyranosly-(1″″ → 6?)-O-[(2E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl]-(1? → 4″)-O-α-L -rhamnopyranosyl(1″ → 2′)-β-D -glucopyranoside ( = anatolioside D ; 5 ). The structure determinations were based on spectroscopic and chemical methods (acid and alkaline hydrolysis, acetylation and methylation).