Synthesis and amphiphilic properties of S-alkylthiopentonolactones and their pentitol derivatives

The amphiphilic properties of S-alkylthiopentono-1,4-lactones (D-ribono-, D-arabinono-, D-xylono-) and corresponding pentitol derivatives with the general formula Su-SR (R=CnH2n+1) are studied. It was shown that CMC, surface area, CPP, and pC20 are influenced by the following structural parameters: alkyl chain length, the number of free hydroxyls, cyclic or acyclic Su structure, and alditol configuration.     

Intraspecific variability of carbon isotope discrimination and its correlation with grain yield in safflower: prospects for selection in a Mediterranean climate

The goals of the present study were to obtain a first estimate of intraspecific variability of carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) in safflower, a thistle-like herbaceous plant, and to determine the statistical relationship between Δ and grain yield as well as its components in a collection of 45 accessions of different origins. Grain yield and aboveground biomass, harvest index, average grain weight, and Δ (measured on the bulk leaf organic matter) were investigated in experimental field conditions. A large variability was noted for all traits but a principal component analysis (PCA) allowed to identify several homogeneous groups of accessions. Average grain yield per plant varied between 1 and 39 g. Δ varied between 21.3 and 25.2?‰, i.e. a large variation of 3.9?‰. In our experiment, the variation of Δ was not significantly related to that of grain yield in the whole accession sample. However, we found contrasting trends for this relation within accession groups. These initial results motivate further experiments to assess more in depth correlation between Δ and yield in safflower and are encouraging regarding the possibility of using Δ as an effective selection index in safflower to obtain genotypes that efficiently consume water. This study also highlighted one accession that combines the two characters required in the Mediterranean regions, i.e. high yield performance and high water-use efficiency.     

Optimization of extraction process and characterization of water-soluble polysaccharide (Galactomannan) from Algerian biomass; Citrullus colocynthis seeds

In this work, the optimization of extraction of polysaccharides from Citrullus colocynthis curd polysaccharides (CCPs) is investigated by using the analysis of variance. For this aim, a chemical extraction method has been developed in order to be able to isolate CCPs at high level of purity. The extraction was performed by using boiling water at different extraction times (30, 60 and 120?min), extraction temperatures (50, 75 and 100°C), and a material ratio (30, 60 and 100?g/ml), for maximum polysaccharide extraction. The 3-D response surface plot and the contour plot derived from the mathematical models are used to determine the optimal conditions. The optimum extraction conditions are as follows: extraction temperature 100°C, extraction time 120?min and the ratio of water 30?ml/g. Under these conditions, the experimental final mass is 210.6?mg which is very close to the predicted value (209.46?mg) with a regression coefficient of 94.01%. In addition, the existence of the polysaccharide has been confirmed by the characterization of the galactomannan obtained from C. colocynthisis obtained by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection, IR-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.     

In Vitro Alpha-Amylase and Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity and In Vivo Antidiabetic Activity of Withania frutescens L. Foliar Extract

Withania frutescens L. is a wild perennial woody plant used by the local population for diverse therapeutic purposes. This work aims to study for the first time the potential inhibitory effect of this plant hydroethanolic extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities using in vitro methods and its antidiabetic and antihyperglycemic activities using alloxan-induced diabetic mice as a model for experimental diabetes. Two doses were selected for the in vivo study (200 and 400 mg/kg) and glibenclamide, a well-known antidiabetic drug (positive control) in a subacute study (28 days) where the antihyperglycemic activity was also assessed over a period of 12 h on diabetic mice. The continuous treatment of diabetic mice with the extract of Withania frutescens for 4 weeks succeeded to slowly manage their high fasting blood glucose levels (after two weeks), while the antihyperglycemic test result revealed that the extract of this plant did not control hyperglycemia in the short term. No toxicity signs or death were noted for the groups treated with the plant extract, and it shows a protective effect on the liver and kidney. The in vitro assays demonstrated that the inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase might be one of the mechanisms of action exhibited by the extract of this plant to control and prevent postprandial hyperglycemia. This work indicates that W. frutescens have an important long term antidiabetic effect that can be well established to treat diabetes.     

Measurement experimental set-up for thermal characterization of low thickness polymers

The characterization of the thermal properties of polymers represents a fundamental step in improving materials for energy harvesting processes. Thermal conductivity, for example, is measured by measuring heat flux and temperature difference. This study seeks to design and fabricate an experimental set-up to measure the thermal conductivity of low-thickness polymers at room temperature. It is unique in that it is an affordable and lightweight instrument developed using electrical resistance as a heater and a limited number of components. Error analysis and reproducibility analysis were carried out for the thermal conductivity. The instrument was found to be reliable in making thermal conductivity measurements with an average of ±7%.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Conformational Study of Acylhydrazones of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

New acylhydrazone derivatives 1–6 have been synthesized by condensation of tert‐butylphenoxyhydrazide and cinnamaldehyde A or β‐chloro‐α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes B–F . They were characterized by IR, (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high‐resolution mass spectroscopy. The NMR data show the existence of the cis/trans‐amide conformers due to N–C(O) bond rotation in addition to the E/Z isomers around the C=C bond of some of the starting aldehydes. The solvent polarity effects on the ratios of the cis/trans‐amide rotamers have also been investigated. Importantly, rotational barriers around the N–C(O) bond for all compounds 1–6 (62.9–68.8 kJ mol^–1) were calculated using the coalescence‐temperature method according to the Eyring equation. The results are discussed and compared with those previously reported for related acylhydrazones of aryl adehydes and acetone.     

Bioactive Compounds from Ephedra fragilis: Extraction Optimization,Chemical Characterization,Antioxidant and AntiGlycation Activities

Response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to optimize the extraction of bioactive compounds from Ephedra fragilis. The results suggested that extraction with 61.93% ethanol at 44.43 °C for 15.84 h was the best solution for this combination of variables. The crude ethanol extract (CEE) obtained under optimum extraction conditions was sequentially fractionated with solvents of increasing polarity. The content of total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) as well as the antioxidant and antiglycation activities were measured. The phytochemical fingerprint profile of the fraction with the highest activity was characterized by using RP-HPLC. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) had the highest TP and TF contents and exhibited the most potent antioxidant and antiglycation activities. The Pearson correlation analysis results showed that TP and TF contents were highly significantly correlated with the antioxidant and antiglycation activities. Totally, six compounds were identified in the EAF of E. fragilis, including four phenolic acids and two flavonoids. Additionally, molecular docking analysis also showed the possible connection between identified bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action. Our results suggest new evidence on the antioxidant and antiglycation activities of E. fragilis bioactive compounds that may be applied in the treatment and prevention of aging and glycation-associated complications.     

Anacyclus pyrethrum (L): Chemical Composition,Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory,and Wound Healing Properties

Background: Anacyclus pyrethrum (A. pyrethrum) is a wild species belonging to the family Asteraceae, which is used in traditional medicines. Aim of the study: This work was undertaken to study the chemical composition, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of hydroalcoholic extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) of A. pyrethrum. Material and Methods: The phytochemical analysis of the studied extracts was conducted by GC-MS. The analgesic activity was evaluated in mice using acetic acid and formaldehyde methods. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using the inhibitory method of edema induced in rats. The healing activity of the hydroethanolic extracts was explored by excision and incision wound healing models in rats. Results: The phytochemical analysis of the studied plant extracts affirmed the presence of interesting compounds, including some newly detected elements, such as sarcosine, N-(trifluoroacetyl)-butyl ester, levulinic acid, malonic acid, palmitic acid, morphinan-6-One, 4,5.alpha.-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl, 2,4-undecadiene-8,10-diyne-N-tyramide, and isovaleric acid. The extracts of different parts (roots, seeds, leaves, and capitula) exhibited promising anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound healing effects, with percentages of inhibition up to 98%, 94%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: This study might contribute towards the well-being of society as it provides evidence on the potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of A. pyrethrum.     

The Nutritional and Antioxidant Potential of Artisanal and Industrial Apple Vinegars and Their Ability to Inhibit Key Enzymes Related to Type 2 Diabetes In Vitro

The main objective of the current study was to determine the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition of apple vinegar produced by artisanal and industrial methods. Apple vinegar samples were analyzed to identify their electrical conductivity, pH, titratable acidity, total dry matter, Brix, density, mineral elements, polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. The antioxidant activity of apple vinegar samples was evaluated using two tests, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Finally, we determined α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of artisanal and industrial apple vinegar. The results showed the following values: pH (3.69–3.19); electrical conductivity (2.81–2.79 mS/cm); titratable acidity (3.6–5.4); ash (4.61–2.90); °Brix (6.37–5.2); density (1.02476–1.02012), respectively, for artisanal apple vinegar and industrial apple vinegar. Concerning mineral elements, potassium was the most predominant element followed by sodium, magnesium, and calcium. Concerning bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C), the apple vinegar produced by the artisanal method was the richest sample in terms of bioactive compounds and had the highest α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition. The findings of this study showed that the quality and biological activities of artisanal apple vinegar were more important than industrial apple vinegar.     

Molecular conductors as nanoparticles in the presence of long-chain alkyl imidazolium salts or amphiphilic molecules

Nanoparticles of two molecule-based conductors, namely TTF·TCNQ and TTF[Ni(dmit)₂]₂, have been prepared in organic solution in the presence of ionic or nonionic species bearing a long-chain alkyl group, acting as growth-controlling agents. The size, morphology, and state of dispersion of the nanoparticles depended on the nature of the growth-controlling agent and the reaction temperature. In the presence of a long-chain alkyl-based ionic liquid at ?50 °C, electron micrographs evidence that TTF·TCNQ nano-objects are frequently elongated, whereas TTF[Ni(dmit)₂]₂ nanoparticles are aggregated. In the presence of a neutral long-chain alkyl-based imine at room temperature, nanoparticles are spherical (mean diameter <20 nm) and well dispersed. Vibration spectra evidence that the amounts of charge transfer for TTF·TCNQ and TTF[Ni(dmit)₂]₂ as nano-objects are very similar to those for the same phases as bulk materials. According to the thermoanalytical investigations, the prepared nanoparticles are stable thermally up to approximately 200 °C, and their decomposition is generally a multi-step process. Their heat treatment results in various sulfur-containing volatiles (CS₂, SO₂, H₂S); moreover, HCN is also detected in the case of nitrogen-containing molecules (TCNQ).