Calotropis procera extract induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in human skin melanoma (SK-MEL-2) cells

Calotropis procera (family: Asclepiadaceae) contains cardiac glycosides which are cytotoxic to cancer cells. The extracts of C. procera have been reported to be cytotoxic to many cancer cell lines and this is the first report against the human skin melanoma cells (SK-MEL-2). The SK-MEL-2 cells treated with C. procera methanolic extract (CPME) were analysed for growth inhibition and apoptosis. The exposure of phosphatidylserine in apoptotic SK-MEL-2 was analysed by using the Annexin-V FITC flow cytometry method. In CPME-treated SK-MEL-2 cells, 19.6% of apoptotic and 58.3% dead cells were observed. The 15.97% and 15.85% of early apoptotic cells were found at 20 μg/mL of the ouabain and paclitaxel, respectively. Active caspases, nuclear degradation confirmed apoptotic SK-MEL-2 cells in time- and dose-dependent manner. The cell cycle analysis shows that CPME treated cells halt at G2/M phase. Significant cytotoxic activity of CPME against SK-MEL-2 may be attributed to its high cardenolide content.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Catalytic and Antibacterial Activity of Two Series of Dinuclear Ruthenium Sulphoxide Complexes Using 5,5¢‐Methylenebis(pyridine) as Bis‐chelating Bridging Ligand

The reaction of a new heterocyclic bidentate N containing spacer, (ligand) 5,5′‐methylenebis(pyridine) with ruthenium sulphoxide precursors resulted, dinuclear complexes. We herein report three formulations; [{cis,fac‐RuCl₂(so)₃}₂(μ‐mbp)].3so; [{trans,mer‐RuCl₂(so)₃₂}₂(μ‐mbp)].3so and [{trans‐RuCl₄(so)}₂(μ‐mbp)]^2?[X]₂⁺; where so = dimethyl‐sulfoxide/tetramethylenesulfoxide; mbp = 5,5′‐methylenebis(pyridine) and [X]⁺ = [(dmso)₂H]⁺, Na⁺ or [(tmso)H]⁺. These complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molar conductance measurement, magnetic susceptibility, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C{¹H}‐NMR, electronic spectroscopy and FAB‐Mass spectrometry. Catalytic activity of these complexes has been investigated in hydrolysis of benzonitrile. All the complexes exhibit good antibacterial activity against gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli in comparison to Chloramphenicol.     

Magnetically recoverable copper ferrite catalyzed cascade synthesis of 4-Aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles under microwave irradiation

Magnetically active CuFe₂O₄ catalyzed cascade synthesis of 4-Aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles under microwave irradiation starting from aromatic aldehydes, sodium azide and nitromethane has been developed and demonstrated here. The catalyst system needed for the purpose was prepared following a procedure by A. Dandiya et al. with a slight modification and was characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM-EDX and TEM analysis. The most notable advantage of the developed methodology is the excellent time economy to carry out the transformation. Other features include simple operating procedure, wide substrate coverage and easy recovery of the catalyst. Reusability of the catalyst has been tested and found to be very satisfactory up to sixth cycle without significant loss in efficiency. All the synthesized compounds have been characterized using FTIR, ¹H & ¹³CNMR spectroscopy, HRMS.     

Biochemical relevance of Cr(III) complexes of isoniazid: synthesis,characterization, DFT,antibacterial screening,antioxidant activity and glucose-lowering effect in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Molecular mechanism suggests that the incorporation of an antioxidant organic moiety to chromium will be a sound strategy for the synthesis of safer and more effective hypoglycemic compounds. Two Schiff base ligands were derived by condensation of isonicotinyl hydrazide with salicylaldehyde/o-hydroxyacetophenone which further yield four novel chromium(III) complexes of types [Cr(L)Cl₂(H₂O)] and [Cr(L)₂]Cl. The ligands and complexes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. DFT study at the basic set B3LYP and TD-SCF/6-311-G level was employed to confirm the geometry of the investigated compounds. Ligands were tested for their antioxidant activity and exhibited good antioxidant activity. Assessment of insulin-like activity of the complexes was initially performed in vitro by measuring the inhibition of α-amylase. The complex with highest in vitro activity was investigated for in vivo antidiabetic activity on the model of STZ-induced diabetic rats, which demonstrated that complex 4 significantly lowers the blood glucose level in rats. Toxicity level and antioxidant activity of the complex were also tested, which exhibit good tolerance level and antioxidant activity. Histological analysis of the pancreas of animals under investigation reveals the good condition of the pancreas treated with the complex. Ligands and complexes were also tested for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.

     

Nano-dimensional iron tungstate for super high energy density symmetric supercapacitor with redox electrolyte

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In present work, we have developed 2.0 V symmetric supercapacitor with rationally prepared iron tungstate (FeWO4) nanoparticles as electrodes and...     

1,4‐Bis((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide Complexes of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II): Single Source Precursor in Thermal Synthesis of Nanoparticle

Six complexes of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) with sulphur containing Schiff base ligand, 1,4‐bis((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide in 1:1 and 1:2 ratio has been synthesized. Complexes were characterized by molar conductance measurement, elemental analyses, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, and FAB/ESI‐Mass. The complexes were used as a single source precursor for the synthesis of ZnS/CdS/HgS nanoparticles by their thermal decomposition in the presence of different surfactants. The precursor: surfactant ratio and temperature plays important role in determining the size of the nanoparticles. The size and morphology of nanoparticles has been ascertained by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, XRD measurements and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Schiff base, complexes and nanoparticles were tested for antibacterial activity and MIC values against E. coli. The complexes were found more potent than the corresponding Schiff bases and nanoparticles.     

Metal-free synthesis of chromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-3(2H)-one derivatives

An unprecedented metal-free synthesis of 4-(methylthio)chromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-3(2H)-one is reported via sequential one-pot desulfitative [5+1] hetero-annulation. The present strategy consists of one-pot sequential, base catalysed dithioketene formation from active methylene of pyrazolone followed by methylation and [5+1] heteroannulative cyclization. The resulting substrate undergoes facile nucleophilic substitution with various amines to yield 4-(substituted-amine)-chromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-3(2H)-one derivatives under metal free condition.