Anticancer properties and phenolic contents of sequentially prepared extracts from different parts of selected medicinal plants indigenous to Malaysia

Different parts of four edible medicinal plants (Casearia capitellata, Baccaurea motleyana, Phyllanthus pulcher and Strobilanthus crispus), indigenous to Malaysia, were extracted in different solvents, sequentially. The obtained 28 extracts were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer properties, using the MTS assay, on four human cancer cell lines: colon (HT-29), breast (MCF-7), prostate (DU-145) and lung (H460) cancers. The best anticancer activity was observed for the ethyl acetate (EA) extract of Casearia capitellata leaves on MCF-7 cell lines with IC?? 2.0 μg/mL and its methanolic (MeOH) extract showed an outstanding activity against lung cancer cell lines. Dichloromethane (DCM) extract of Phyllanthus pulcher aerial parts showed the highest anticancer activity against DU-145 cell lines, while significant activity was exhibited by DCM extract of Phyllanthus pulcher roots on colon cancer cell lines with IC50 value of 8.1 μg/mL. Total phenolic content (TPC) ranged over 1-40 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g. For all the samples, highest yields of phenolics were obtained for MeOH extracts. Among all the extracts analyzed, the MeOH extracts of Strobilanthus crispus leaves exhibited the highest TPC than other samples (p < 0.05). This study shows that the nature of phenol determines its anticaner activity and not the number of phenols present.     

Radiolabeling of anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody (MAb BW 431/26) for clinical applications

A method for labeling of anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody (MAb) BW 431/26 is described. For preparations of^99mTc-anti-CEA complex, a solution (1 ml) of tetrasodium-1,1,3,3-propanetetetraphosphate dihydrate (2.7 mg), stannous chloride dihydrate (0.12 mg) and sodium chloride (0.2 mg) in 5 ml of 0.9% saline was added to a vial containing monoclonal antibody (2 mg) from mouse (MAb BW 431/26), D-glucitol (2 mg) and sodium sulfate (2 mg) to obtain a clear solution. A quantitative labeling yield of the MAb BW 431/26 was achieved by addition of 5 ml (40.5 mCi, 1.5 Gbq) technetium-99m-pertechnetate (^99mTcO₄) generator eluate at room temperature within 10 minutes. The radiochemical purity determined by ITLC (Gelman, SG) plates was >95%.     

The connective eccentricity index of graphs and its applications to octane isomers and benzenoid hydrocarbons

The connective eccentricity index (CEI) of a graph G is defined as , where ε_G(.) denotes the eccentricity of the corresponding vertex. The CEI obligates an influential ability, which is due to its estimating pharmaceutical properties. In this paper, we first characterize the extremal graphs with respect to the CEI among k-connected graphs (k-connected bipartite graphs) with a given diameter. Then, the sharp upper bound on the CEI of graphs with given connectivity and minimum degree (independence number) is determined. Finally, we calculate the CEI of two sets of molecular graphs: octane isomers and benzenoid hydrocarbons. We compare their CEI with some other distance-based topological indices through their correlations with the chemical properties. The linear model for the CEI is better than or as good as the models corresponding to the other distance-based indices.     

Conversion of Waste Tyres into Carbon Black and their Utilization as Adsorbent

Pyrolysis has the potential of transforming used tyres into useful recyclable products. Pyrolytic carbon black is one of the most important products of tyre pyrolysis. Waste tyres were pyrolysed at 450 °C in a batch reactor under atmospheric pressure. The recovered pyrolytic carbon black residues were studied to investigate their characteristics for use as a possible adsorbent. EDX elemental analysis and surface area determinations were used to investigate the distinctive features of pyrolytic carbon black. Due to various inorganic additives of the original tyre that contaminated the carbon black obtained, it was treated with acid for demineralization. The demineralized carbon black was activated at 900 °C in a furnace. It was observed that acid treatment and activation increased the surface areas and decreased the concentration of contaminants. Furthermore, adsorption characteristics of methylene blue on acid‐treated and activated carbon black (prepared via acid treatment) were compared with those of commercial activated carbon in liquid phase adsorption. It was found that adsorption capacity of methylene blue on acid‐treated activated carbon black was greater.     

Identification of twenty amino acids by circular thin-layer chromatography

Summary A method has been developed for the separation and identification of 20 common amino acids by circular thin-layer chromatography. The amino acids are separated to neutral, acid, and basic groups by electrolysis and then identified by circular TLC. The method is simple and development of a chromatoplate is complete in about 3 minutes. The application of the method is illustrated by the analysis of amino acids in foods and in urine.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Trennung und Identifizierung 20 gewöhnlicher Aminosäuren wurde ein chromatographisches Verfahren entwickelt. Die Aminosäuren werden elektrolytisch in neutrale, basische und saure getrennt und dann auf kreisförmiger Dünnschichte chromatographiert. Die Entwicklung des Chromatogramms ist in 3 Minuten beendet. Die Anwendung zur Analyse von Lebensmitteln und Harn wird beschrieben.

     

Sodium tetrachloroferrate as a dehydrating agent

Fused NaFeCl(4) shows a great affinity for moisture, which reacts chemically with it. By passage through a heated column filled with NaFeCl(4) coated on bioglass, gases such as nitrogen are found to have retained some moisture when dried over a molecular sieve. The compound also acts as a self-indicator, as the colour changes from yellow to brown after the reaction. It is more efficient than molecular sieves and is regenerated by passing HCl gas through the column.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial activity of heterobimetallic complexes of Sn(IV) and Zn(II) with 4-aminophenylacetic acid

A series of new heterobimetallic complexes of zinc and tin with 4-aminophenylacetic acid has been prepared. Their composition and structure in solid state and in solution have been elucidated by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. IR spectroscopy results have confirmed the bidentate nature of the ligand, its molecules being arranged in planar square [Zn(II)] and trigonal bipyramid [Sn(IV)] around the metal ions. NMR studies have revealed four-coordinated geometry in the solution. The complexes containing both Sn(IV) and Zn(II) are better antimicrobial agents as compared to the Zn-only analog.     

Concise Synthesis of 2‐Arylpropanoic Acids and Study of Unprecedented Reduction of 3‐Hydroxy‐2‐arylpropenoic Acid Ethyl Ester to 2‐Arylpropenoic Acid Ethyl Ester by BH3⋅THF

We have developed a concise method of synthesizing racemic arylpropanoic acids, which have been widely used as nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The synthesis involves only four steps from commercially available benzaldehyde. The synthesis incorporates an unprecedented reduction reaction, conversion of 3‐hydroxy‐2‐arylpropenoic acid ethyl ester to 2‐arylpropenoic acid ethyl ester by BH₃?THF. The reduction reaction has been investigated and optimized.