Nigella sativa extract as a potent antioxidant for petrochemical-induced oxidative stress

Various beneficial properties has been attributed to Nigella sativa, including its antioxidant potential. Previously, it was reported that supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) could be used to obtain N. sativa extract rich in antioxidants. In the present study, N. sativa extracts prepared using the previously optimized SFE as well as the traditional Soxhlet extraction approaches were analyzed for various known antioxidants. N. sativa extracts were found to prevent protein carbonyl formation as well as depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) in fibroblasts exposed to toluene. Furthermore, partially purified SFE and Soxhlet fractions could prevent loss of hepatic GSH in toluene-induced oxidative stressed Wistar rats as well as in L929 fibroblasts. The results showed that SFE-produced N. sativa extract is richer in antioxidants than the Soxhlet approach. It was also shown using preparative silica gel and reverse phase chromatography that different fractions of SFE-extracted or Soxhlet-extracted N. sativa had different levels of protective effects with regards to GSH depletion in vivo as well as in cell culture. Although fractions rich in thymoquinone were found to be most potent in terms of antioxidant capacity, the data indicates that the protective effects of N. sativa may not only be due to thymoquinone, but perhaps other antioxidants.     

Flavonoid-DNA binding studies and thermodynamic parameters

Interactional studies of new flavonoid derivatives (Fl) with chicken blood ds.DNA were investigated spectrophotometrically in DMSO-H2O (9:1 v/v) at various temperatures. Spectral parameters suggest considerable binding between the flavonoid derivatives studied and ds.DNA. The binding constant values lie in the enhanced-binding range. Thermodynamic parameters obtained from UV studies also point to strong spontaneous binding of Fl with ds.DNA. Viscometric studies complimented the UV results where a small linear increase in relative viscosity of the DNA solution was observed with added optimal flavonoid concentration. An overall mixed mode of interaction (intercalative plus groove binding) is proposed between DNA and flavonoids. Conclusively, investigated flavonoid derivatives are found to be strong DNA binders and seem to be promising drug candidates like their natural analogues.     

MnZnFe nanoparticles for self-controlled magnetic hyperthermia

Manganese zinc iron magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by a co-precipitation method for application as hyperthermia inducing agents. The structure, morphology and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles are characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and a superconducting quantum interference device. The magnetic properties being investigated include Curie temperature, saturation magnetization, remnant magnetization, coercive field, and hysteresis. The study showed that adjusting the Mn contribution to the particles contributed to the adjustment of all magnetic properties of the complex.     

Structural determination of atricins A and B, new triterpenes from Perovskia atriplicifolia, by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy

Atricins A (1) and B (2), two new oleanane-type triterpenes have been isolated from the chloroform-soluble fractions of Perovskia atriplicifolia and their structures assigned from (1)H and (13)C-NMR spectra, Distortion Enhancement by Polarization Trasfer (DEPT) and by 2D-COSY, HMQC, Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement Spectroscopy (NOESY) and Hetronuclear mutiple-bond correlation (HMBC) experiments.     

Synthesis,in vitro $$\alpha $$-glucosidase inhibitory activity,and in silico study of ( E)-thiosemicarbazones and ( E)-2-(2-(arylmethylene)hydrazinyl)-4-arylthiazole derivatives

This study is focused on the identification of thiazole-based inhibitors for the \(\alpha \)-glucosidase enzyme. For that purpose, (E)-2-(2-(arylmethylene)hydrazinyl)-4-arylthiazole derivatives were synthesized in two steps and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. All derivatives and intermediates were evaluated for their in vitro \(\alpha \)-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Thiosemicarbazones 20 and 35, and cyclized thiazole derivatives 2, 5–11, 13, 15, 21–24, 27–31, and 36–37 showed significant inhibitory potential in the range of \(\hbox {IC}_{50}=6.2\pm 0.19\)–\(43.6\pm 0.23~\upmu \hbox {M}\) as compared to standard acarbose (\(\hbox {IC}_{50}=37.7\pm 0.19~\upmu \hbox {M}\)). A molecular modeling study was carried out to understand the binding interactions of compounds with the active site of enzyme.     

Ultrasound-promoted greener synthesis of aryl-14-H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes catalyzed by NH4H2PO4/SiO2 in water

Silica supported ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NH(4)H(2)PO(4)/SiO(2)) is found to be a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for a rapid and efficient synthesis of various aryl-14-H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes with excellent yields using ultrasonic irradiation. The present methodology offers several advantages such as excellent yields, simple procedure, short reaction times and milder conditions.     

Ion-acoustic solitary waves in e-p-i plasmas with (r,q)-distributed electrons and kappa-distributed positrons

In this paper, we have studied the propagation of non-linear ion-acoustic waves in a plasma comprising of (r, q) -distributed electrons and kappa-distributed positrons. We have investigated the effect of complete electron distribution profile on the propagation of small, as well as arbitrary, amplitude solitons (via pseudopotential technique) by using generalized (r, q) distribution, which exhibits a spiky and flat top nature at low energies and a super-thermal tail at high energies. Interestingly, for negative values of r , solitons are formed with both polarities, positive (compressive) and negative (rarefactive), separately within a small amplitude limit and exist simultaneously in an arbitrary amplitude limit. We also found that the propagation of solitons has been affected by the change in parameters r , q , positron concentration, and electron to positron temperature ratio. The results presented in this study add to the fundamental understanding of the complete profile of the electron distribution function, high- and low-energy parts, and in the formation of compressive and rarefactive small and finite amplitude solitons in both space and astrophysical plasmas.     

Biodiesel Production from Alkali-Catalyzed Transesterification of Tamarindus indica Seed Oil and Optimization of Process Conditions

Biodiesel is considered a sustainable alternative to petro-diesel owing to several favorable characteristics. However, higher production costs, primarily due to the use of costly edible oils as raw materials, are a chief impediment to its pecuniary feasibility. Exploring non-edible oils as raw material for biodiesel is an attractive strategy that would address the economic constraints associated with biodiesel production. This research aims to optimize the reaction conditions for the production of biodiesel through an alkali-catalyzed transesterification of Tamarindus indica seed oil. The Taguchi method was applied to optimize performance parameters such as alcohol-to-oil molar ratio, catalyst amount, and reaction time. The fatty acid content of both oil and biodiesel was determined using gas chromatography. The optimized conditions of alcohol-to-oil molar ratio (6:1), catalyst (1.5% w/w), and reaction time 1 h afforded biodiesel with 93.5% yield. The most considerable contribution came from the molar ratio of alcohol to oil (75.9%) followed by the amount of catalyst (20.7%). In another case, alcohol to oil molar ratio (9:1), catalyst (1.5% w/w) and reaction time 1.5 h afforded biodiesel 82.5% yield. The fuel properties of Tamarindus indica methyl esters produced under ideal conditions were within ASTM D6751 biodiesel specified limits. Findings of the study indicate that Tamarindus indica may be chosen as a prospective and viable option for large-scale production of biodiesel, making it a substitute for petro-diesel.     

Synthesis and biological screening of 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one, 7-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one and their some derivatives

7-Hydroxy-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one (2), 7-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one (15) and their some derivatives were synthesized for exploring selected biological screening. The compounds 9 and 13 had shown high degree of cytotoxic activity. Three compound 9, 10 and 13 showed high degree of bactericidal activity amongst the present series.