Abeliaside,a new phenolic glucoside from Abelia triflora

A new phenolic glucoside, abeliaside, along with four known compounds, 5,6,7,4′-tetrahydroxy flavones, caffeic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid glucoside, was isolated from the leaves of Abelia triflora R. Br. (Caprifoliaceae). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by different spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1–5 were assayed for their anticancer activities against two cancerous human cell lines, MCF-7 and PC-3 cells, and normal Vero cell line using the crystal violet staining method. From the results it could be seen that caffeic acid possessed the highest anticancer effect against MCF-7 (IC₅₀: 17 μg/mL) and PC-3 (IC₅₀: 20.1 μg/mL) compared to vinblastine sulphate as reference drug (IC₅₀: 4.6, 2.8 μg/mL). The other compounds showed weak anticancer activity on both cell lines.     

Spectrophotometric study on the charge transfer reaction between 2-amino-4-methylpyridine with chloranilic acid in polar solvents

Charge transfer (CT) complexes formed between 2-amino-4-methylpyridine as electron donor, chloranilic acid as electron acceptor was investigated spectrophotometrically in acetonitrile (AN), methanol (MeOH) and binary mixture of acetonitrile 50% + methanol 50% (MeOH-AN). Minimum–maximum absorbance method has been used for estimating the formation constants of the CT reactions (K_CT). Job’s method of continuous variation and photometric titration studies were used to detect the stoichiometric ratios of the formed complexes, and they showed that 1:1 complexes were produced. The molar extinction coefficient (e), oscillator strength (f), dipole moment (l), CT energy (E_CT), ionisation potential (I_P) and the dissociation energy (W) of the formed complexes were estimated; they reached acceptable values suggesting the stability of the formed CT complexes. The solid CT complexes were synthesised and characterised by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopies where the formed complexes included proton and electron transfer.     

A family of fluorenyl dendrons for porphyrin dendrimers synthesis

A series of dendrons bearing various number of fluorenyl donor groups have been synthesized. First, the reference compound 2-(bromomethyl)-9H-fluorene (8) with one fluorenyl unit, then dendron 10, with two fluorenyl arms, and finally new generation dendrons, 11 and 12, bearing four peripheral fluorenyl arms were synthesized and characterized. A series of different generations of porphyrin dendrimers, obtained from these dendrons are also presented. Preliminary results on higher generation dendrimers are reported as well. Under mild basic conditions, surprisingly, a new compound 1 incorporating a fluorenyl unit in the cycle and three pendant fluorenyl arms was obtained by an intramolecular reaction of brominated tetrapod dendron 12.     

Smart Nanocarriers as an Emerging Platform for Cancer Therapy: A Review

Cancer is a group of disorders characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that affects around 11 million people each year globally. Nanocarrier-based systems are extensively used in cancer imaging, diagnostics as well as therapeutics; owing to their promising features and potential to augment therapeutic efficacy. The focal point of research remains to develop new-fangled smart nanocarriers that can selectively respond to cancer-specific conditions and deliver medications to target cells efficiently. Nanocarriers deliver loaded therapeutic cargos to the tumour site either in a passive or active mode, with the least drug elimination from the drug delivery systems. This review chiefly focuses on current advances allied to smart nanocarriers such as dendrimers, liposomes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, quantum dots, micelles, superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, to list a few. Exhaustive discussion on crucial topics like drug targeting, surface decorated smart-nanocarriers and stimuli-responsive cancer nanotherapeutics responding to temperature, enzyme, pH and redox stimuli have been covered.     

New flavonol glycosides from the leaves of Caragana brachyantha

Two new flavonol glycosides, brachysides C and D, together with three known flavonol glycosides, were isolated from the leaves of Caragana brachyantha. The structures of brachysides C and D were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis as quercetin 5-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside]-7-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranoside] and quercetin 5-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside]-7-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranoside]-4′-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranoside], respectively. The presence of flavonol tetra- and triglycosides bearing a sugar moiety at position 5 was the first report from this genus Caragana.     

Curcumin and Nano-Curcumin Mitigate Copper Neurotoxicity by Modulating Oxidative Stress,Inflammation, and Akt/GSK-3β Signaling

Copper (Cu) is essential for multiple biochemical processes, and copper sulphate (CuSO₄) is a pesticide used for repelling pests. Accidental or intentional intoxication can induce multiorgan toxicity and could be fatal. Curcumin (CUR) is a potent antioxidant, but its poor systemic bioavailability is the main drawback in its therapeutic uses. This study investigated the protective effect of CUR and N-CUR on CuSO₄-induced cerebral oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in rats, pointing to the possible involvement of Akt/GSK-3β. Rats received 100 mg/kg CuSO₄ and were concurrently treated with CUR or N-CUR for 7 days. Cu-administered rats exhibited a remarkable increase in cerebral malondialdehyde (MDA), NF-κB p65, TNF-α, and IL-6 associated with decreased GSH, SOD, and catalase. Cu provoked DNA fragmentation, upregulated BAX, caspase-3, and p53, and decreased BCL-2 in the brain of rats. N-CUR and CUR ameliorated MDA, NF-κB p65, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, downregulated pro-apoptotic genes, upregulated BCL-2, and enhanced antioxidants and DNA integrity. In addition, both N-CUR and CUR increased AKT Ser473 and GSK-3β Ser9 phosphorylation in the brain of Cu-administered rats. In conclusion, N-CUR and CUR prevent Cu neurotoxicity by attenuating oxidative injury, inflammatory response, and apoptosis and upregulating AKT/GSK-3β signaling. The neuroprotective effect of N-CUR was more potent than CUR.     

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.     

Unusual rearrangement in the reactions of phenylmalonic acid dihydrazide with 1, 3‐Diketones

Phenylmalonic acid dihydrazide reacted with 2,4‐pentanedione to give, unexpectedly, 5,7‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxo‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazolo[1,2‐a]pyrazole‐4‐ylium 5. The structure of the product is confirmed by X‐ray crystallography.     

Dose distribution of gamma radiation in a new geometric configuration of a standard carton date package and its experimental application for disinfestation of packed dates

A new geometrical configuration composed of three standard carton boxes (SCBs) full with polyethylene bags (PBs), where each bag contains 1 kg of date, was placed on a single turntable of Gammabeam-650 and irradiated with low doses. The mean “radiation absorbed dose” for disinfestation of this geometrical unit at 15 equally distributed positions (Fricke dosimeters) inside 3 SCBs put on a single turntable was calculated to be 0.46 ± 0.20 kGy and dose uniformity ratio (U) = 1.0019/0.2500 = 4.00. The development and genetic tests carried out on insects found in the PBs 1–2 days after irradiation resulted in that all insects were completely sterile and died within a short period of time. No sign of any reinfestation was recorded at all in the treated packages even after 30 days of storage in an insectory. Apparently the prevention of insects from invading and/or penetrating the date packages is due mainly to the new combination of standard carton boxes that are widely used for commercial purposes and hermetically heat-sealed polyethylene bags of dates in addition to the entire prevention of reproduction induced by the “low” doses of γ radiation. Therefore, by using similar geometrical configuration, 18 big standard carton date packages can be simultaneously disinfected, using the same range of doses or so, by utilizing all the 6 turntables inside the radiation chamber of the Gammabeam-650 irradiation facility.