Structure activity relationship of bergenin,p-hydroxybenzoyl bergenin, 11-O-galloylbergenin as potent antioxidant and urease inhibitor isolated from Bergenia ligulata

Ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Bergenia ligulata was subjected to solvent–solvent separation followed by various chromatographic techniques that lead to isolation of bergenine (1), p-hydroxybenzoyl bergenin (2), 11-O-galloylbergenin (3) and methyl gallate (4) as major constituents. Ethyl acetate fraction showed a dose-dependent urease inhibitory pattern with IC₅₀ value of 54μg/mL. Structures of compounds 1 and 3 were established by XRD and 2, 4 by NMR. All these compounds were subjected to DPPH scavenging activity, reducing power assay and urease inhibitory activity. The EC₅₀ 7.45 ± 0.2 μg/mL and 5.39 ± 0.28 μg/mL values in terms of antioxidant and reducing power, respectively, were less for 3. Compounds 1–3 showed moderate to significant urease inhibitory potential with IC₅₀ 57.1 ± 0.7, IC₅₀ 48.4 ± 0.3 and 38.6 ± 1.5. Antioxidant activities and urease inhibitory potential were investigated and compound 3 was found to be the most active.     

Size Reduction of Bulk Alumina for Mass Production of Fluorescent Nanoalumina by Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Humicola</Emphasis> sp.

In recent years, nanomaterials have made their way into hundreds of biomedical, life-sciences and technological applications. One such nanomaterial of extreme importance is nanoalumina (Al₂O₃ nanoparticles). This nanomaterial is an epitome of diversity with applications exhibited in the fields of catalysis, cosmetics, theranostics, energy generation, biosensors, drug-delivery, tumor-regression, etc. However, problems persist in terms of biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, reproducibility and mass-production of nanoalumina by the presently existent physical, chemical and biological methodologies. Herein, we for the first time are presenting a top-down biofabrication method by which size reduction of commercial bulk alumina/aluminum oxide (5 µm) into nanoalumina (5–25 nm) is carried out by a thermophilic fungus Humicola sp. within 96 h of reaction at just 50 °C. The so-formed nanoalumina is highly stable, water dispersible, fluorescent and natural protein capped; characterization engaged standard techniques. These nanoparticles exhibit anti-bacterial properties against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis strain and may serve as broad spectrum bactericidal agents. We believe that our novel top-down approach may be extensively used in the facile, inexpensive, eco-friendly and reliable fabrication of abundant quantities of nanomaterials of different chemical compositions, sizes and shapes with better control and predictability over the properties as derived from their substrates. The mechanistic aspect of said protocol is underway.     

On Solutions of Some Non-Linear Differential Equations Arising in Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids

Some steady as well as unsteady solutions of the equations of motion for an incompressible Newtonian and non-Newtonian (second-grade) fluids are obtained by applying different methods including the Lie symmetry group method. The flows considered are axially symmetric with the swirling motion, and the governing equations for second-grade fluid flow have been modeled. Expressions for streamlines, velocity and vorticity components are constructed explicitly in each case. Exact analytical solutions in second-grade fluid are obtained and compared with the corresponding viscous solutions.     

Development and validation of stability-indicating HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol, tizanidine, and diclofenac in pharmaceuticals and human serum

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol, tizanidine, and diclofenac in mixtures. The method was based on HPLC separation of the three drugs followed by UV detection at 254 nm. The separation was carried out on a Hypersil ODS, C18 (250 x 4.6 mm id, 10 microm particle size) column using the mobile phase aqueous 0.2% ammonium carbonate-methanol (60 + 40, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The linear regression analysis data were used for the regression curve in the range of 170-10 000 ng/mL for paracetamol, 120-10 000 ng/mL for tizanidine, and 20-10 000 ng/mL for diclofenac. No chromatographic interference from tablet excipients was found. In order to check the selectivity of the proposed method, degradation studies were carried out using hydrolysis (acid, basic, and neutral), thermolysis, and oxidation. The developed method, after being validated in terms of precision, robustness, recovery, LOD, and LOQ, was successively applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical formulations and human serum.     

A Stabilized,Rationally Mode-Locked 10GHz Erbium Fiber Laser

A rationally mode-locked 10 GHz erbium fiber laser stabilized by a simple technique for extended time operation is described. The laser generates stable ~ 5 ps pulses that can be used in communications experiments. Back-to-back bit error rate (BER) measurements confirmed error-free operation for 6-8 hours, giving an error floor below 10 -14 . A receiver sensitivity of -19.7 dBm was achieved for BER of 10 -9 .     

Gliding motion of bacteria on power‐law slime

The present investigation deals with an undulating surface model for the motility of bacteria gliding on a layer of non‐Newtonian slime. The slime being the viscoelastic material is considered as a power‐law fluid. A hydrodynamical model of motility involving an undulating cell surface which transmits stresses through a layer of exuded slime to the substratum is examined. The non‐linear differential equation resulting from the balance of momentum and mass is solved numerically by a finite difference method with an iteration technique. The manner in which the various exponent values of the power‐law flow affect the structure of the boundary layer is delineated. A comparison is made of the power‐law fluid with the Newtonian fluid. For the power‐law fluid with respect to different power‐law exponent values, shear‐thinning and shear‐thickening effects can be observed, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two New Insecticidal Amide Dimers from Fruits of Piper nigrum Linn.

The methanolic extract of dried ground seeds of Piper nigrum Linn . afforded fourteen compounds, of which thirteen were amides, including two new isomeric insecticidal amides, pipsaeedine ( 1 ) and pipbinine ( 2 ), along with eleven known amides and piptaline; (this is the first report of isolation of these compounds from this plant). The structures of 1 and 2 have been elucidated as (E,E)‐1‐[(E)‐5‐(7‐{6‐[5‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐5‐oxopent‐3‐enyl]‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐4‐yl}‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)‐1‐oxopenta‐2,4‐dienyl]piperidine and (E,E)‐1‐[(E)‐5‐(4‐{6‐[5(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐5‐oxopent‐3‐enyl]‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐4‐yl}‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)‐1‐oxopenta‐2,4‐dienyl]piperidine, respectively, through extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral studies, while the known constituents have been identified through comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited toxicities of 45.0 and 40.0 ppm, respectively, against fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti Liston.