Green synthesis and chemical characterization of Thymus vulgaris leaf aqueous extract conjugated gold nanoparticles for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in comparison to doxorubicin in a leukemic mouse model

Recently, metallic nanoparticles have been used for the treatment of several disorders, such as cancer. Indeed, finding the chemotherapeutic drug of nanoparticles is in researching the priority of both developed and developing countries. The present study confirms the ability of aqueous extract of Thymus vulgaris grown under in vitro condition for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Also, in this study, we indicated the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anti-acute myeloid leukemia properties of AuNPs compared to doxorubicin in a leukemic mouse model. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using different techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis.), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vivo design, induction of acute myeloid leukemia was done by 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in 75 mice. Then, the animals were randomly divided into six subgroups, including control, untreated, doxorubicin, AuNPs, T. vulgaris, and HAuCl₄. By quantitative real-time PCR, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-5 mRNA expression in lymphocytes were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) raised by treating the leukemic mice with the AuNPs and doxorubicin. Also, AuNPs similar to doxorubicin, significantly (P ≤ 0.01) enhanced the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL4, IL5, IL10, IL13, and IFNα) and the platelet, lymphocyte, and red blood cell (RBC) parameters and reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1, IL6, IL12, IL18, IFNY, and TNFα), and the total white blood cell (WBC), blast, monocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil counts as compared to the untreated mice. In vitro design, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for doxorubicin and AuNPs. Furthermore, AuNPs similar to doxorubicin had low cell viability dose-dependently against 32D-FLT3-ITD, Human HL-60/vcr, and Murine C1498 cell lines without any cytotoxicity on HUVEC cell line. Above results confirm the excellent antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anti-acute myeloid leukemia effects of AuNPs compared to doxorubicin. After confirming these results in clinical trial studies, AuNPs can be used as a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in human.     

Alleviation of Ulcerative Colitis Potentially through th1/th2 Cytokine Balance by a Mixture of Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng Extract and Persicaria tinctoria

Ginseng is a vastly used herbal supplement in Southeast Asian countries. Red ginseng extract enriched with Rg3 (Rg3-RGE) is a formula that has been extensively studied owing to its various biological properties. Persicaria tinctoria (PT), belonging to the Polygonaceae family, has also been reported for its anti-inflammatory properties. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is inflammation of the large intestine, particularly in the colon. This disease is increasingly common and has high probability of relapse. We investigated, separately and in combination, the effects of Rg3-RGE and PT using murine exemplary of UC induced by DSS (Dextran Sulfate Sodium). For in vitro and in vivo experiments, nitric oxide assay, qRT-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Western blot, ulcerative colitis introduced by DSS, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and flow cytometry analysis were performed. The results obtained demonstrate that treatment with Rg3-RGE + PT showed synergism to suppress inflammation (in vitro) in RAW 264.7 cells via mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor κB pathways. Moreover, in C57BL/6 mice, this mixture exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects in restoring colon length, histopathological damage, pro-inflammatory mediators, and cytokines amount, and decreasing levels of NLRP3 inflammasome (in vivo). Our results recommend that this mixture can be used for the prevention of UC as a prophylactic/therapeutic supplement.     

DC-Pulsed Plasma for Dry Reforming of Methane to Synthesis Gas

The carbon dioxide reforming of methane to synthesis gas under DC-pulsed plasma was investigated. The effects of specific input energy and feed ratio on the product distribution and also feed conversion was studied. At the input energy of about 11 eV/molecule per methane and/or carbon dioxide the feed conversion of 38% for CH₄ and 28% for CO₂ and product selectivity of 74% has been attained for H₂ and CO at feed flow rate of 90 ml/min. The energy consumption in this work displays potential to further study and optimization of the process. The importance of the electron impact reactions in the process was discussed. The results show that by prudent tuning of system variables, the process be able to run in the way of synthesis gas, instead of hydrocarbon production.     

Simultaneous detection and quantification of parecoxib and valdecoxib in canine plasma by HPLC with spectrofluorimetric detection: development and validation of a new methodology

Parecoxib is the injectable prodrug of valdecoxib, a cicloxygenase-2 selective drug, currently used in human medicine. Recent studies have suggested both its excellent clinical effectiveness and wide safety profile. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a new high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with spectrofluorimetric detection method to quantify parecoxib and valdecoxib in canine plasma. Several parameters both in the extraction and the detection method were evaluated. The applicability of the method was determined by administering parecoxib to one dog: the protocol provided the expected pharmacokinetic results. The final mobile phase was acetonitrile: AcONH₄ (10 mM; pH 5.0) 55:45, v/v, with a flow rate of 0.4 mL min⁻¹, and excitation and emission wavelengths of 265 and 375 nm, respectively. The analytical column was a reverse-phase C18 ODS2 3-μm particle size. Protein precipitation in acidic medium followed by two successive liquid–liquid steps was carried out. The best extraction solvent was cyclohexane:Et₂O (3:2, v/v) that gave recoveries ranging from 81.1% to 89.1% and from 94.8% to 103.6% for parecoxib and valdecoxib, respectively. The limits of quantification were 25 and 10 ng mL⁻¹ for parecoxib and valdecoxib, respectively. The chromatographic runs were specific with no interfering peaks at the retention times of the analytes, as confirmed by HPLC–mass spectrometry experiments. The other validation parameters were in agreement with the European Medicines Evaluation Agency and International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines. In conclusion, this method (extraction, separation and applied techniques) is simple and effective. This is the first time that use of a HPLC with spectrofluorimetric detection technique to simultaneously detect parecoxib and valdecoxib in plasma has been reported. This technique may have applications for pharmacokinetic studies.     

Separation of trace amount of silver using dispersive liquid-liquid based on solidification of floating organic drop microextraction

In the present work, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop was developed as a simple and rapid technique for separation of silver ions from aqueous samples. In this technique, 700 μL 0.02% of 5-(4'-dimethylamino benzyliden)-rhodanine (chelating agent) was added into the 10 mL analyte sample in a test tube and 30.0 μL 1-undecanol (extraction solvent) was injected shortly thereafter. The test tubes were sonicated, centrifuged and then some effective parameters on extraction and complex formation, such as type and volume of extraction and disperser solvent, pH, the amount of chelating agent and extraction time were optimized. The effect of the interfering ions on the analytes recovery was also investigated. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.10-10.0 ng mL(-1) with detection limit of 0.056 ng mL(-1) (n=8). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was ±4.3% (n=8, C=5.0 ng mL(-1)) and the enrichment factor was 250.0. The proposed method was applied for extraction and determination of silver in different water samples.     

Determination trace amounts of thallium after separation and preconcentration onto nanoclay loaded with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as a new sorbent

A procedure has been proposed for the separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of thallium. It is based on the adsorption of thallium ions onto organo nanoclay loaded with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN). Thallium ions were quantitatively retained on the column in the pH range of 3.5–6.0, whereas quantitative desorption occurs with 5.0?mL of 5% ascorbic acid and thallium was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Linearity was maintained between 0.66?ng?mL^?1–15.0?µg?mL^?1?in initial solution. Detection limit was 0.2?ng?mL^?1?in initial solution and preconcentration factor was 150. Eight replicate determinations of 2.0?µg?mL^?1 of thallium in final solution gave a relative standard deviation of ±1.48%. Various parameters have been studied, such as the effect of pH, breakthrough volume and interference of a large number of anions and cations and the proposed method was used to determine thallium ions in water and standard samples. Determination of thallium ions in standard sample showed that the proposed method has good accuracy.     

Regioselective,Solvent‐ and Metal‐Free Chalcogenation of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines by Employing I2/DMSO as the Catalytic Oxidation System

Highly efficient molecular‐iodine‐catalyzed chalcogenations (S and Se) of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines were achieved by using diorganoyl dichalcogenides under solvent‐free conditions. This approach afforded the desired products that had been chalcogenated regioselectively at the C3 position in up to 96 % yield by using DMSO as an oxidant, in the absence of a metal catalyst, and under an inert atmosphere. This mild, green approach allowed the preparation of different types of chalcogenated imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines with structural diversity. Furthermore, the current protocol was also extended to other N‐heterocyclic cores.     

Green synthesis and characterization of monodispersed silver nanoparticles obtained using oak fruit bark extract and their antibacterial activity

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has been achieved using oak fruit bark extract as a reducing, capping and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesized Ag NPs were characterized using various techniques. UV–visible spectrum of prepared silver colloidal solution showed absorption maximum at 433 nm. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that Ag NPs have a face‐centred cubic structure being spherical in shape with an average particle size of 20–25 nm. The toxicity of the Ag NPs was tested on bacterial species such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli by comparison based on diameter of inhibition zone in disc diffusion tests and minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of NPs dispersed in liquid cultures. The antimicrobial activity of Ag NPs was greater towards Gram‐positive bacteria (S. aureus and B. subtilis) compared to Gram‐negative bacteria as determined using standard Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion assay and serial dilution. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complexation study of Schiff base ligand: pyridin-2-ylimino methyl naphthanol with Co+2, Mn+2 and Ni+2 ions in solid and solution phase

Schiff base pyridin-2-ylimino methyl naphthanol (HL) was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (FTIR, ESIMS, and NMR) techniques. The ligand was reacted with perchlorate salts of Mn⁺², Co⁺², and Ni⁺². ESIMS mass spectra indicate the formation of mononuclear complex ML₂ for all three complexes. CoL₂ crystallizes in P₂1/n space group, adopting a distorted tetrahedral geometry where Co is in a N₂O₂ donor environment. Structure of the Co complex was optimized by DFT calculation. Solution-phase complexation between the ligand and the three metals ions: Mn⁺², Co⁺², and Ni⁺² (pH 7.2 in tris buffer), in CH₃CN–H₂O was performed spectrophotometrically by UV–vis spectral study. Job’s plot from each titration suggests a 1 : 2 metal to ligand combination. The association constants for the formation of ML₂ are as follows: Mn (19.80 × 10³ M^?1), Co (14.54 × 10³ M^?1) and Ni (19.04 × 10³ M^?1).