Dittrichia viscosa L. Leaves: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds with Multiple Pharmacological Effects

This work focused on the leaves of Dittrichia viscosa, a plant used in Mediterranean folk medicine. Compared to water extract, the methanolic extract had higher antioxidant effects. Moreover, this extract showed potent in vitro inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase and showed an interesting antiglycation effect. Additionally, the evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract against two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468, was very promising, with no cytotoxicity towards normal cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The antibacterial effect was also assessed and showed potent inhibitory activity against Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis. On the other hand, Dittrichia viscosa leaves were rich in macro-elements containing appropriate micro-elements and high levels of phenolics and flavonoids such as caffeic acid derivatives. Taken together, the results obtained in this study indicate that Dittrichia viscosa could constitute a valuable source of bioactive molecules and could be used either on the preventive side or for therapeutic applications without toxicity.     

A new biosynthesis of CuCo2S4 nanoparticles as a high-performance supercapacitor electrode and excellent non-enzymatic hydrazine sensor

In this work, we report the biosynthesis of CuCo₂S₄ nanoparticles (Bio-NPs) via hydrothermal method. The synthetized Bio-NPs-CuCo₂S₄ was studied as an active material of working electrode for electrochemical supercapacitor and non-enzymatic hydrazine sensor. The Bio.NPs-CuCo₂S₄/ITO electrode has a specific capacitance of 264 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g. Meanwhile, the electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performances, such as an energy density of 33 Wh/Kg and a power density of 900 W/Kg. The Bio.NPs-CuCo₂S₄/ITO electrode for non-enzymatic hydrazine sensor exhibits a very high sensitivity of 2400 μA.mM⁻¹.cm⁻², a wide linear range from 0.001 to 1.400 mM and shows an excellent selectivity.     

Bulk weak ferromagnet in ferrimagnetic chains of organic-inorganic hybrid materials based on BDH-TTP and paramagnetic thiocyanato complex anions: (BDH-TTP)[M(isoq)(2)(NCS)(4)], M = Cr(III), Fe(III)

The preparation, X-ray crystal structures, and magnetic properties of two new isostructural charge transfer salts, (BDH-TTP)M(isoq)(2)(NCS)(4) (M = Cr(III) (1), Fe(III) (2), BDH-TTP = 2,5-bis(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, isoq = isoquinoline), are reported. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group C2/c (#15), a = 16.1363(9) A, b = 19.0874(12) A, c = 12.5075(6) A, beta = 95.70(4) degrees, V = 3833.2(4) A(3), Z = 4, R = 0.0516 for 2844 reflections with I > 2 sigma(I); for 2: monoclinic, C2/c (#15), a = 16.1938(8) A, b = 19.1117(11) A, c = 12.5100(10) A, beta = 94.265(3) degrees, V = 3861.0(4) A(3), Z = 4, R = 0.0479 for 2969 reflections with I > 2 sigma(I). The crystal structure consists of zigzag mixed organic and inorganic layers, and each layer is formed by mixed columns of BDH-TTP radical cations and paramagnetic metal complex anions. Short intermolecular atomic contacts between donor and anion are observed within the column in the c-direction. The two compounds have weak room-temperature electrical conductivities. ESR measurements show a single signal without separating the donor and anion spins, suggesting a pi interaction between the d and pi electrons. For both compounds ferrimagnetic interactions are observed between the nonequivalent donor and anion spins. These materials exhibit bulk canted weak ferromagnetism below 7.6 K for both 1 and 2.     

Capacitance Polypyrrole‐based Impedimetric Immunosensor for Interleukin‐10 Cytokine Detection

In the present study, we developed a novel label‐free capacitance impedimetric immunosensor based on the immobilization of the human monoclonal antibody anti‐interleukin‐10 (anti‐IL‐10 mAb) onto polypyrrole (PPy)‐modified silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) substrates. The immunosensor was used for the detection of the recombinant interleukin‐10 antigen (rh IL‐10) that may be secreted in patients at the early stage of inflammation. The immunosensor was created by chemical deposition of PPy conducting layer on pyrrole?silane (SPy)‐treated Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄ substrates (Si/SiO₂/Si₃N₄?SPy), followed by anti‐IL‐10 mAb immobilization through carboxyl‐functionalized diazonium (CMA) protocol and carbodiimide chemistry. The surface characterization and the biofunctionalization steps were characterized by SEM, FTIR and cyclic voltammetry (CV) while the detection process was carried out by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. The created immunosensor showed two linear fittings (R²=0.999) for the detection of rh IL‐10 within the concentration range from 1–50 pg/mL. It exhibited high sensitivity (0.1128 (pg/mL)^?1) with a very low limit of detection (LOD)=0.347 pg/mL, more particularly, at the low concentration range (1–10 pg/mL). Thus, this developed polypyrrole‐based immunosensor represents a promising strategy for creation of miniaturized label‐free, fast and highly sensitive biosensors for diagnosis of inflammation biomarkers at very low concentrations with reduced cost.