Anticancer Activity of Cordia dichotoma against a Panel of Human Cancer Cell Lines and Their Phytochemical Profiling via HPLC and GCMS

The current study was conducted to examine the in vitro anticancer potential of Cordia dichotoma (bark, leaves, pulp and seed). The plant material was collected from UT of J&K and methodical bioassays were carried out on ten human cancer cell lines (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7), M.D. Anderson-Metastatic Breast (MDA-MB-231), Neuroblastoma-2a (N2A), SH-SY5Y, U-251, HCT-116, SW-620, A-549, MIA PaCa-2, Panc-1) from five different origins (breast, CNS, colon, lung, pancreas) respectively. Methanolic extracts were produced and fractions were then obtained from the extracts and evaluated for cytotoxicity. Mechanistic assays, HPLC, and GCMS profiling were performed on the highest active fraction. The Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay determined the in vitro cytotoxicity. The findings revealed that the bark portion had in vitro cytotoxicity against the A-549 human lung cancer cell line. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the plant’s bark has anticancer properties and induced chromatin condensation, confirmed cell death via ROS generation, and significantly decreased colony formation in A-549 cell line from lung origin in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HPLC and GCMS investigations indicated the presence of a number of bioactive molecules such as gallic acid (144,969.86) uV*sec, caffeic acid (104.26) uV*sec, ferulic acid (472.87) uV*sec, vanillic acid (13,775.39) uV*sec, palmitic acid (18.34%), cis vaccenic acid (28.81%), etc. and one of the compounds was reported for the first time from the bark. As a result of its promising efficacy, it may become an essential cancer chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic medication for patients with lung carcinoma.     

GC–MS Analysis and In Vivo and Ex Vivo Antidiarrheal and Antispasmodic Effects of the Methanolic Extract of Acacia nilotica

This present study evaluated and rationalized the medicinal use of the fruit part of Acacia nilotica methanolic extract. The phytochemicals were detected using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) while the in vivo antidiarrheal test was done using Swiss albino mice. To determine the details of the mechanism(s) involved in the antispasmodic effect, isolated rat ileum was chosen using different ex vivo assays by maintaining a physiological environment. GC–MS results showed that A. nilotica contained pyrogallol as the major polyphenol present (64.04%) in addition to polysaccharides, polyphenol, amino acid, steroids, fatty acid esters, and triterpenoids. In the antidiarrheal experiment, A. nilotica inhibited diarrheal episodes in mice significantly (p < 0.05) by 40% protection of mice at 200 mg/kg, while 80% protection was observed at 400 mg/kg by the orally administered extract. The highest antidiarrheal effect was observed with loperamide (p < 0.01), used as a control drug. In the ex vivo experiments, A. nilotica inhibited completely in increasing concentrations (0.3 to 10 mg/mL) the carbachol (CCh; 1 µM) and high K⁺ (80 mM)-evoked spasms in ileum tissues at equal potencies (p > 0.05), similar to papaverine, a dual inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase enzyme (PDE) and Ca⁺⁺ channels. The dual inhibitory-like effects of A. nilotica on PDE and Ca⁺⁺ were further validated when A. nilotica extract (1 and 3 mg/mL)-pre-incubated ileum tissues potentiated and shifted isoprenaline relaxation curves towards lower doses (leftward), similar to papaverine, thus confirming the PDE inhibitory-like mechanism whereas its CCB-like effect of the extract was confirmed at 3 and 5 mg/mL by non-specific inhibition of CaCl₂-mediated concentration response curves towards the right with suppression of the maximum peaks, similar to verapamil, used as standard CCB. Thus, this study characterized the chemical composition and provides mechanistic support for medicinal use of A. nilotica in diarrheal and hyperactive gut motility disorders.     

Raman spectroscopic analysis of breast cancer tissues: identifying differences between normal,invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast tissue

A relatively non‐destructive method employing Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of histopathological specimens is described. Raman spectroscopy has allowed qualitative analysis of the same specimen used for histopathological evaluation. Breast cancer tissues have been analysed to demonstrate the feasibility of the chemical changes taking place in the biological tissue, which can be identified precisely, and the results are reproducible. Raman analysis of tissue sections provides distinct spectra that can be used to distinguish between the nuclear grades of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. Sixty cases of breast carcinoma including DCIS and IDC and seven cases of normal breast tissues were studied employing the Raman spectroscopic technique. This study reports for the first time spectral differences between DCIS grades. It is concluded that Raman spectroscopy can objectively distinguish between DCIS and IDC grades and is non‐destructive and reproducible. It should become possible in future to use Raman spectroscopy as an informative and quantitative method suitable for classification of grades and diagnosis of breast carcinoma. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal Degradation Studies of Complexes of a Derivative of Phenhomazine (Dibenzo[b,f][1:5]diazocine‐6:12‐Dione (PHZD)) by Thermoanalytical Techniques

Some of the bis‐complexes of a derivative of phenhomazine (dibenzo[b,f][1:5]diazocine‐6:12‐dione; PHZD) with Ni(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Hg(II) of the general formula M(PHZD)₂X₂ [where X = C1, Br and I], were prepared and identified. These complexes have been characterised on the basis of elemental analysis, and spectroscopic, magnetic and conductance data. The thermal mode of decomposition and thermal stability of these complexes was investigated on the basis of the respective thermal curves in a static air atmosphere. The thermoanalytical investigations indicate that these complexes undergo two‐step changes as temperature is raised, except for Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes, with the formation of metal oxides as end product. The degradation mechanism of the complexes has also been proposed.     

A macromonomer approach to the synthesis of poly(1,1‐bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐2‐vinyl cyclopropane‐graft‐dimethyl siloxane)

Poly(1,1‐bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐2‐vinyl cyclopropane (ECVP)‐graft‐dimethyl siloxane) copolymers were prepared using a macromonomer approach. Poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) macromonomers were prepared by living anionic polymerization of cyclosiloxanes followed by sequential chain‐end capping with allyl chloroformate. These macromonomers were then copolymerized with ECVP. MALDI‐ToF mass spectrometry and ¹H NMR spectroscopy were used to show that the macromonomers had approximately 80% of the end groups functionalized with allyl carbonate groups. Gradient polymer elution chromatography showed that high yields of the graft copolymers were obtained, along with only small fractions of the PECVP and PDMS homopolymers. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the low glass transition temperature (T_g) of the PDMS component could be maintained in the graft copolymers. However, the T_g was a function of polymer composition and the polymers produced had T_gs that ranged from ?50 to ?120 °C. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Correction to: Thermal performance enhancement of shell and helical coil heat exchanger using MWCNTs/water nanofluid

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry -     

Self‐Assembled Heteroleptic Zn(II) Dithiocarbamate‐Based 2D‐Interwoven Supramolecular Giant Macrocycles and Their Redox Properties

This article presents a new heteroleptic Zn(II) dithiocarbamate ( 1 ) having molecules linked together via H···H and π···π interactions to form a giant hexanuclear macrocycle. These macrocycles are connected together through S···H interactions to offer a unique two‐dimensional cloth‐like interwoven architecture in the solid state. The redox behavior of the complex deposited on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode was investigated in different pH media. The analyte was found to oxidize and reduce in a pH‐dependent irreversible manner. On the basis of the electrochemical findings, redox mechanistic pathways were proposed.