Medicinal Potential of Isoflavonoids: Polyphenols That May Cure Diabetes

In recent years, there is emerging evidence that isoflavonoids, either dietary or obtained from traditional medicinal plants, could play an important role as a supplementary drug in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to their reported pronounced biological effects in relation to multiple metabolic factors associated with diabetes. Hence, in this regard, we have comprehensively reviewed the potential biological effects of isoflavonoids, particularly biochanin A, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and formononetin on metabolic disorders and long-term complications induced by T2DM in order to understand whether they can be future candidates as a safe antidiabetic agent. Based on in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies evaluations, isoflavonoids have been found to activate gene expression through the stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) (α, γ), modulate carbohydrate metabolism, regulate hyperglycemia, induce dyslipidemia, lessen insulin resistance, and modify adipocyte differentiation and tissue metabolism. Moreover, these natural compounds have also been found to attenuate oxidative stress through the oxidative signaling process and inflammatory mechanism. Hence, isoflavonoids have been envisioned to be able to prevent and slow down the progression of long-term diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Further thoroughgoing investigations in human clinical studies are strongly recommended to obtain the optimum and specific dose and regimen required for supplementation with isoflavonoids and derivatives in diabetic patients.     

Purification of hyaluronidase as an anticancer agent inhibiting CD44

Hyaluronidase (Hyal) can be employed to accomplish a diversity of complications related to hyaluronic acid (HA). Hyal contains some classes of catalysts that cleave HA. This enzyme is detected in several human tissues as well as in animal venoms, pathogenic organisms and cancers. Destructive cancer cells regularly increase the CD44 receptor existing in a cell membrane. This receptor acts as an exact receptor for HA, and HA is recognized to motivate the migration, spread, attack and metastasis of cancer cells. Nearly all of the methods used to purify Hyal are highly costly and not proper for industrial applications. This survey aims to review different methods of Hyal purification, which acts as an anticancer agent by degrading HA in tissues and thus inhibiting the CD44–HA interaction. Hyal can be successfully employed in the management of cancer, which is associated with HA–CD44. This review has described different methods for Hyal purification to prepare an origin to develop a novel purification technique for this highly appreciated protein. Using multiple columns is not applicable for the purification of Hyal and thus cannot be used at the industrial level. It is better to use affinity chromatography of anti-Hyal for Hyal with one-step purification.     

Novel marine-based gold nanocatalyst in solvent-free synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives: Green and sustainable protocol

We report an ecofriendly synthetic approach for the fabrication of biogenic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using electron-rich sea cucumber extract as a bio-reductant and stabilizing agent in reducing gold cations into AuNPs at the optimal conditions. The produced AuNPs are spherical in shape with an average particle size of 11 ± 1.5 nm in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and exhibited a crystal structure of face-centered cubic in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Our results indicated that bioinspired AuNPs demonstrate superior catalytic activity in the safe and facile one-pot synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives under solvent-free reaction conditions. This green route encompasses multiple benefits including highly recyclable bioinspired catalyst (5 cycles), short reaction times, convenient workout, high to excellent product yields (82%–97%), and nonhazardous conditions.     

Assessment of antioxidant,cytotoxicity, antibacterial,antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing activities of green synthesized manganese nanoparticles using Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam leaves under in vitro and in vivo condition

In recent decades, nanotechnology is growing rapidly owing to its widespread application in medical science. The aim of the experiment was the evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing activities of green synthesized manganese nanoparticles using Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam leaves (MnNPs@ZC). The synthesized MnNPs@ZC were characterized using different techniques including UV–Vis., FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). According to the XRD analysis, 48.10 nm was measured for the crystal size of nanoparticles. SEM images exhibited a uniform spherical morphology and size in the range of 47.58 to 70.26 nm for the biosynthesized nanoparticles. MnNPs@ZC revealed excellent non-cytotoxicity effect against human umbilical vein endothelial cells, antioxidant activity against DPPH, antibacterial properties against Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) and Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis), and antifungal potentials against Candida glabrata, Candida albicans, Candida guilliermondii, and Candida krusei. Also, use of MnNPs@ZC ointment decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01) the wound area, total cells, neutrophil, and lymphocyte and raised significantly (p ≤ 0.01) the wound contracture, hydroxyl proline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte, and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate compared to other groups in experimental animals. In conclusion, synthesized MnNPs@ZC indicated antibacterial, antifungal, non-cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and cutaneous wound healing effects in a dose-depended manner. After confirming in the clinical trials, these nanoparticles can be used in human for the treatment of cutaneous and infectious diseases.     

Dynamical and operational performance of shunt and permanent-magnet DC motors powered by lead–acid batteries for pumping applications

Nonlinear Dynamics - This paper presents some dynamical and operational performance of shunt and permanent-magnet DC motors powered by lead–acid batteries for water pumping applications....     

Carbon nanotube dielectrophoresis: Theory and applications

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most extensively studied nanomaterials in the 21st century. Since their discovery in 1991, many studies have been reported advancing our knowledge in terms of their structure, properties, synthesis, and applications. CNTs exhibit unique electrothermal and conductive properties which, combined with their mechanical strength, have led to tremendous attention of CNTs as a nanoscale material in the past two decades. To introduce the various types of CNTs, we first provide basic information on their structure followed by some intriguing properties and a brief overview of synthesis methods. Although impressive advances have been demonstrated with CNTs, critical applications require purification, positioning, and separation to yield desired properties and functional elements. Here, we review a versatile technique to manipulate CNTs based on their dielectric properties, namely dielectrophoresis (DEP). A detailed discussion on the DEP aspects of CNTs including the theory and various technical microfluidic realizations is provided. Various advancements in DEP-based manipulations of single-walled and multiwalled CNTs are also discussed with special emphasis on applications involving separation, purification, sensing, and nanofabrication.     

Phyto-synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aerial extract of Salvia leriifolia Benth and evaluation of their antibacterial and photo-catalytic properties

Research on Chemical Intermediates - We have synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) via a simple and eco-friendly method through the utilization of aqueous aerial parts of Salvia leriifolia...     

Facile synthesis of inorganic–organic Fe2W18Fe4@NiO@CTS hybrid nanocatalyst induced efficient performance in oxidative desulfurization of real fuel

In this work, a new nanocatalyst, Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄@NiO@CTS, was synthesized by the reaction of sandwich‐type polyoxometalate (Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄), nickel oxide (NiO), and chitosan (CTS) via sol–gel method. The assembled nanocatalyst was systematically characterized by FT‐IR, UV–vis, XRD, SEM, and EDX analysis. The catalytic activity of Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄@NiO@CTS was tested on oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of real gasoline and model fuels. The experimental results revealed that the levels of sulfur content and mercaptan compounds of gasoline were lowered with 97% efficiency. Also, the Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄@NiO@CTS nanocatalyst demonstrated an outstanding catalytic performance for the oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in the model fuel. The major factors that influence the desulfurization efficiency and the kinetic study of the ODS reactions were fully detailed and discussed. The probable ODS pathway was proposed via the electrophilic mechanism on the basis of the electrophilic characteristic of the metal‐oxo‐peroxo intermediates. The prepared nanocatalyst could be reused for 5 successive runs without any appreciable loss in its catalytic activity. As a result, the current study suggested the potential application of the Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄@NiO@CTS hybrid nanocatalyst as an ideal candidate for removal of sulfur compounds from fuel.     

Influence of non-metallic atoms on the absorption of amphetamines on B12N12 nano-cages

Structural Chemistry - Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level were employed to investigate the influence of the non-metal encapsulation of the second row of the...     

Sulfonic acid-functionalized Fe3O4-supported magnetized graphene oxide quantum dots: A novel organic-inorganic nanocomposite as an efficient and recyclable nanocatalyst for the synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole and 4H-chromene derivatives

In this research, the main emphasis has been focused on the preparation of a novel Fe₃O₄-supported propane-1-sulfonic acid-grafted graphene oxide quantum dots (Fe₃O₄@GOQD-O-(propane-1-sulfonic acid)) that it was readily synthesized via a five-step procedure as a hitherto unreported magnetic nanocatalyst. This newly prepared Fe₃O₄@GOQD-O-(propane-1-sulfonic acid) nanocomposite was structurally well-established by different analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission gun-scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analyses. The high catalytic performance of this nanocomposite was exhibited in one-pot synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole and 4H-chromene derivatives under mild conditions. Low reaction times, excellent yields of the products, benignity of the catalyst, easy reaction work-up and magnetic recyclability of the catalyst are the main advantages of the present protocol. Also, our research indicated that the Fe₃O₄@GOQD-O-(propane-1-sulfonic acid) could be reused up to five times without considerable loss of catalytic activity.