De novo design of chiral organotin cancer drug candidates: validation of enantiopreferential binding to molecular target DNA and 5'-GMP by UV-visible, fluorescence, (1)H and (31)P NMR

N,N-bis[(R-/S-)-1-benzyl-2-ethoxyethane] tin (IV) complexes were synthesized by applying de novo design strategy by the condensation reaction of (R-/S-)2-amino-2-phenylethanol and dibromoethane in presence of dimethyltin dichloride and thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, IR, ESI-MS, (1)H, (13)C and (119)Sn, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and XRD study. Enantioselective and specific binding profile of R-enantiomer 1 in comparison to S-enantiomer 2 with ultimate molecular target CT-DNA was validated by UV-visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism, (1)H and (31)P NMR techniques. This was further corroborated well by interaction of 1 and 2 with 5'-GMP.     

Synthesis and characterisation of 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thiapropane, 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-3-thiapentane ligands and their PdCl2 complexes

The 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-2-thiapropane (TP₂) and 1,5-bis(2-benzimidazyl)-3-thiapentane (TP₃) ligands form 5-coordinate square pyramidal monometallic complexes with PdCl₂. In both complexes the ligands act as chelating tridentate, through two of the nitrogen atoms in the imidazole ring and the sulphur atom of the bridging group. The ligands and complexes were characterised by analytical data and by modern spectroscopic methods such as FT-Raman, i.r., ¹H and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectra.     

Antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic and Ca++ antagonist effects of Caesalpinia bonducella

Caesalpinia bonducella F. (Leguminosae) has been used as a folk medicine for a variety of ailments. The crude extract of C. bonducella and its fractions were studied for antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic and Ca++ antagonistic properties. The strongest antibacterial effect was displayed by the n-butanol (72%) and ethyl acetate (80%) fractions, followed by the crude extract (46% and 42%), against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, respectively. The plant extract and its fractions showed mild to excellent activity in antifungal bioassays, with maximum antifungal activity against Candida glaberata (80%) and Aspergillus flavus (70%) by the n-butanol and chloroform fractions, followed by the crude extract (70% and 65%). Caesalpinia bonducella extract caused concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous and high K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions of isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, similar to that caused by Verapamil. These results indicate that C. bonducella exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, spasmolytic and Ca++ channel blocking actions.     

Synthesis of Copper Oxide-Based Nanoformulations of Etoricoxib and Montelukast and Their Evaluation through Analgesic,Anti-Inflammatory,Anti-Pyretic,and Acute Toxicity Activities

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized through the coprecipitation method and used as nanocarriers for etoricoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor drug) and montelukast (leukotriene product inhibitor drug) in combination therapy. The CuO NPs, free drugs, and nanoformulations were investigated through UV/Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and DLS. SEM imaging showed agglomerated nanorods of CuO NPs of about 87 nm size. The CE1, CE2, and CE6 nanoformulations were investigated through DLS, and their particle sizes were 271, 258, and 254 nm, respectively. The nanoformulations were evaluated through in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, in vivo analgesic activity, in vivo anti-pyretic activity, and in vivo acute toxicity activity. In vivo activities were performed on albino mice. BSA denaturation was highly inhibited by CE1, CE2, and CE6 as compared to other nanoformulations in the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. The in vivo bioactivities showed that low doses (5 mg/kg) of nanoformulations were more potent than high doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) of free drugs in the inhibition of pain, fever, and inflammation. Lastly, CE2 was more potent than that of other nanoformulations.     

Chitosan Nanoparticles-Insight into Properties,Functionalization and Applications in Drug Delivery and Theranostics

Nanotechnology-based development of drug delivery systems is an attractive area of research in formulation driven R&D laboratories that makes administration of new and complex drugs feasible. It plays a significant role in the design of novel dosage forms by attributing target specific drug delivery, controlled drug release, improved, patient friendly drug regimen and lower side effects. Polysaccharides, especially chitosan, occupy an important place and are widely used in nano drug delivery systems owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review focuses on chitosan nanoparticles and envisages to provide an insight into the chemistry, properties, drug release mechanisms, preparation techniques and the vast evolving landscape of diverse applications across disease categories leading to development of better therapeutics and superior clinical outcomes. It summarizes recent advancement in the development and utility of functionalized chitosan in anticancer therapeutics, cancer immunotherapy, theranostics and multistage delivery systems.     

Antimicrobial, antileishmanial and cytotoxic compounds from Piper chaba

The petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of the root of Piper chaba showed antimicrobial, antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities. Further bioactivity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of Bornyl piperate (1), piperlonguminine (2) and piperine (3). This is the first report of isolation of compounds (1) and (2) from P. chaba. It was observed that the isolated compounds (1 and 2) showed potent antifungal activity when compared with standard drug Nystatin, and significant cytotoxic activity with the IC?? values of 0.76 and 0.83?μg?mL?1, respectively. These compounds were also found to have weak antibacterial and antileishmanial activities. This is the first report about the antileishmanial activity of Piper isolates.     

Design,synthesis and X‐ray structural studies of novel [acetonitrile‐benzyl‐3‐N‐(2, 4 dihydroxyphenylmethylene) hydrazinecarbodithioato‐κ3‐N′, S,O] nickel(ll) complex that potently inhibit cell proliferation through regulation of apoptosis related genes

Nickel is a fundamental element for healthy life for human and higher animals. For biological importance, its complexation with bioactive ligand is worth to be studied with the aim to understand its function. Using mouse peritoneal cancer model, MTT colorimetric assay and anticancer activity analysis, we examined the role of nickel(ll) complex in growth inhibition of cancer cells. A novel nickel(ll) complex was synthesized and characterized using physico‐chemical and spectroscopic techniques. The study indicated that both the ligand and complex were capable of inhibiting Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells growth by 28.21% and 44.52%, respectively, when administered 0.3 mg/kg/day body weight intraperitoneally for five consecutive days in Swiss Webstar mice. Determination the LD₅₀ of the complex (55 mg/kg) allowed adjusting the dose as 2.75 mg/kg and upon administration, inhibition increased to 69.36%. The ligand and complex have shown an inhibitory effect in the range of 4.86%–67.3% and 6.1%‐ 89.37%, respectively, against EAC cells (concentration range of 31.25–500 μg/ml) in RPMI‐1640 medium as determined by MTT colorimetric assay. Apoptotic cell morphological alteration was determined through optical and fluorescence microscopy. Up regulation of P⁵³, Bax, Cas‐8, Cas‐3 and Fas and down regulation of NF‐kB and Bcl‐2 gene expression were observed in the cells treated with the nickel(ll) complex for five consecutive days. In conclusion, the newly synthesized nickel(ll) complex has shown anti‐proliferative activity and can further be optimized to be used as a lead molecule for anticancer drug.     

Process optimisation for the biosynthesis of cellulase by Bacillus PC-BC6 and its mutant derivative Bacillus N3 using submerged fermentation

This study deals with optimisation of cultural conditions for enhanced production of cellulase by Bacillus PC-BC6 and its mutant derivative Bacillus N3. Influence of different variables including incubation time, temperature, inoculum size, pH, nitrogen sources and metal ions has been studied. The optimum conditions for cellulase production were incubation period of 72 h, inoculum size 4% incubation temperature 37°C, pH 7, 0.25% ammonium sulphate, 0.2% peptone as inorganic and organic nitrogen source in case of Bacillus PC-BC6. In case of mutant Bacillus N3, optimal conditions were incubation period of 48 h, incubation temperature 37°C, inoculum size 3%, pH 7, 0.2% ammonium chloride and 0.15% yeast extract. Presence of MnSO₄ and CaCl₂ enhances the enzyme production by Bacillus PC-BC6 and mutant Bacillus N3, respectively. This study was innovative and successful in producing cellulase economically by using cheap indigenous substrate Saccharum spontaneum.     

Use of chemostat for enhanced production of β-glucosidase by newly isolated anaerobic cellulolyticClostridium strain RT9

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - A new anaerobic, mesophilic, spore-forming, cellulolyticClostridium strain, RT9, was isolated from bovine rumen fluid. This strain has the ability to...     

Multifunctional Magnetic Nanomedicine Drug Delivery and Imaging-Based Diagnostic Systems

Magnetically guided drug transportation is a technique in which magnetic pharmaceutical transporters in organisms are controlled by applied magnetic forces to deliver drugs to the desired location. Different magnetic drug delivery systems (MDDSs) are developed to treat a variety of illnesses, particularly cancer and neurological disorders. However, a unique magnetic setup is required in each application for an effective magnetically guided drug aiming to direct the drug-carrying nanocarriers to the intended area. The current and future perspectives of MDDS are investigated in this study by considering their biological functions, deliverable efficiency, complexity, and the nature of the externally applied magnetic field. Despite the fact that MDDSs have low cytotoxicity, regulated magneto reactivity, extended circulation lifespan, and high surface stability, very few clinical studies have been conducted to date in order to achieve optimized therapeutic efficacy before entering the market. In recent studies, the development of novel magnetic medication transporting carriers is preferred over direct magnetic medication administration. Better functional magnetic targeting technologies are required for such breakthroughs to enter clinical trials. Because MDDSs are unlikely to work in all clinical situations, more focused research is needed to replace or improve the strategy for treating multiple illnesses.