Activity of quinones from teak (Tectona grandis) on fungal cell wall stress

Teak ( Tectona grandis L.f., Verbenaceae) sawdust extract inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger. Centrifugal partition chromatography was used to isolate the active compounds. By (1)H-NMR the active compounds were identified as deoxylapachol and tectoquinone. Two A. niger transgenic strains which show induction of 1,3 -alpha-D-glucan synthase were used as a cell wall damage model. The result showed that deoxylapachol from T. grandis extract induced fungal cell wall stress.     

高效液相色谱法测定不同大小柚果中柚皮苷的含量

目的 测定不同大小柚果中柚皮苷的含量.方法 采用HPLC法,以甲醇-醋酸-水（35：4：61）为流动相,流速为1.5 mL·min-1,检测波长为283 nm.结果 柚皮苷的线性范围为2.0～20.0μg（r=0.999 0）,柚果中柚皮苷平均含量为169.8 mg·g-1,RSD 1.6%,加样回收率为97.4%,RSD为2.0%,柚皮苷含量随柚果果径增大而下降.结论 柚果果径大小可作为控制药材质量的标准之一.     

Phenol removal from wastewater using low-cost natural bioadsorbent neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves: Adsorption study and MLR modeling

This research aims to experiment with the potential of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves for phenol adsorption. Morphology, functional groups, etc. characterize the adsorbent. Batch studies are conducted at pH (2–7), dose (7–12 g/L), time (60–360 min), initial concentration (100–500 mg/L), and temperature (30–50 °C). Maximum 97.5% phenol is removed when pH, dose, time, temperature, and phenol concentration is 3, 10 g/L, 240 min, 30 °C and 100 mg/L, respectively. Experimental results are supported by pseudo-second-order (r² = 0.99999). Kinetic testing is supported by adsorption mechanisms developed by Elovich, Reichenberg, Boyd, Furusawa and Smith, and Fick models. Freundlich model (r² = 0.99648) is fitted well compare to other models. Sorption energy (0.5288 kJ/mol) supports physical adsorption. Thermodynamics has suggested for a non-random, exothermic, and spontaneous process. The multiple linear progressing (MLR) modeling has successfully predicted the removal percentage. Desorption with ethanol has revealed 58.5% phenol removal potential. Safe disposal of the used adsorbent is recommended by incineration. The scale-up design has demonstrated that 27.925 kg adsorbent is required for 1000 L wastewater to reduce phenol from 100 ppm to 0.06 ppm in two stages. The novel study concludes that the natural, low-cost bio-adsorbent neem leaves can suitably be used in the refineries and other allied chemical industries for phenol remediation.     

Efficient adsorption of chlorpheniramine and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from water system using agronomic waste material

In present study, we report Cornulaca-monacantha stem (CS) and its activated carbon (CS-AC) for the removal of Cr(VI) and chlorpheniramine (CP) from aqueous system. The chemical composition and surface characteristics of samples were investigated using instrumental techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The surface area was determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET) method. The BET surface area of CS-AC (288.67 m²/g) was found higher as compared to CS adsorbent (47.58 m²/g). The adsorption behavior of adsorbates was extremely dependent on the solutions pH. The maximum uptake for Cr(VI) and CP were observed at pH of 2.0 and 8.0, respectively. The equilibrium data adequately follow the Langmuir isotherm (R² = 0.98–0.99), suggesting the monolayer sorption of adsorbate molecules. Kinetic investigations indicated that sorption behavior of Cr(VI) follow the pseudo-second-order model. While in case of CP, both pseudo-second-order and Elovich model provides the higher value of regression coefficient (R²). This revealed the chemical adsorption of adsorbate molecules. Thermodynamic study indicated the feasible, spontaneous and endothermic sorption of adsorbate molecules. The regeneration study implies that adsorbent was efficiently recovered from Cr(VI) and CP under different desorbing agents.The CS-AC adsorbent was possess 89.19% and 88.45% uptake for Cr(VI) and CP after 5th cycles of desorption-adsorption, respectively. Finally, we summarize that prepared adsorbent (CS-AC) is highly proficient, versatile and cost-effectively explored for Cr(VI) and CP decontamination from water system.     

Bio colourants from the waste leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. tree: Wool dyeing and antimicrobial functionalization against some antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains

This research focuses on flavonoid-based natural dyes for the coloration and antibacterial finishing of wool fabrics. In the present study, we accessed the suitability of biocolorants from Gingko biloba L. waste/fallen leaves extract to develop colored antibacterial wool fabrics to reduce the environmental pollution and dependency of the textile industry on the synthetic antibacterial agents. Specifically, we present a novel method to counteract the growing antibiotic resistance using G. biloba L. leaves extract as a potent antibacterial agent in conjunction with ampicillin. Natural colorants were extracted in 50% aqueous ethanol at 70 °C for 60 min under acid conditions of pH 3. Before dyeing procedures, the extracted dye powder was assessed for thermal stability by TGA analysis. Structural characterization of the extracted dye was done by UV–visible and FT-IR spectral analysis. Optimal dyeing results were achieved at 90 °C for 70 min with a dye concentration of 50% (o.w.f.). Additionally, dye adsorption (Isotherm constants) and dye performances were effectively reported during this study. Pseudo-second order and sips isotherm model provided the best fitting of experimental data with high regression coefficient (R² = 0.99). Valuated indicators (color strength (K/S), color characteristics, and fastness properties) of dyed wool fabric were effectively reported in response to washing pretreated with different metallic and natural mordants. The antibacterial potential of extracted natural dye was enhanced in combination with ampicillin (synergism) which can be correlated with the significant reduction in the corresponding MIC values. Fe²⁺ and Sn²⁺ salts demonstrated negative effects on the antibacterial performance of the dyed wool fabric, whereas most of the biomordants showed enhanced antibacterial performances. The effective use of the extracted yellow dye from G. biloba L. fallen/waste leaves in textile dyeing and finishing will enhance the industrial applications of the green waste over its normal applications.     

沙田柚幼果挥发油成分的气相-质谱联用分析

目的:分析沙田柚幼果挥发油成分.方法:用水蒸气蒸馏法提取沙田柚幼果挥发油,用气相-质谱联用(CC-MS)法对挥发油成分进行分析.结果:共分离出33个组分,经NIST谱库检索,鉴定了其中24个化合物,并用峰面积归一化法确定了其相对含量.结论:沙田柚幼果挥发油主要成分有:香芹酚(29.79%)、D-柠檬烯(29.02%)、β-石竹烯(19.27%)、α-佛手柑烯(7.69%)、β-月桂烯(4.61%)、α-石竹烯(2.31%)、奴卡酮(1.91%)等.     

Defluoridation of water using adsorbent derived from the Labeo rohita (rohu) fish scales waste: Optimization,isotherms, kinetics,and thermodynamic study

Fluoride ions have more affinity towards chitosan material. Fish scales waste is chitosan material generated in abundance in fish markets with virtually no value. The present research attempts to convert this waste to useful adsorbent which can remove fluoride from water. A novel adsorbent is thus developed from the Labeo rohita (rohu) fish scales waste giving thermal treatment for removal of fluoride from water using the batch study of adsorption. Taguchi optimization approach with L₁₆ orthogonal array was adopted to optimize the process parameters for achieving the maximum removal of fluoride. Using ANOM, pH 3; initial F^? concentration 5 mg.L^?1; mixing time 90 min; adsorbent dose 8 g.L^?1 and temperature 303 ^OK were obtained as optimum values providing a maximum fluoride reduction of 93.32%. Adopting ANOVA, the percentage contribution of each process parameter in descending order of sequence is initial F^? concentration 72.44%> pH 20.61% > temperature 2.96% > adsorbent dose 2.45% > contact time 1.55%. The fluoride sorption onto fish scales adsorbent was best fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and follows the Freundlich isotherm (K_F = 0.865, 1/n = 0.407) model. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔS = ?6.32 J mol^?1.K^?1, and ΔH = ?2.02 kJ mol^?1) suggested a spontaneous, exothermic nature of adsorption and indicates a physiosorption mechanism on a heterogeneous material. SEM and FTIR analysis for surface morphology showed the presence of hydroxyl functional groups is responsible for fluoride sorption. In the regeneration studies, the F ^– exhausted adsorbent was eluted with 0.1 N NaOH and rinsed with distilled water to prepare the adsorbent for the next cycle. The study indicates the removal of fluoride from water onto fish scales adsorbent is quite feasible, cost-effective, recyclable, and better utilization of locally available waste material into useful adsorbent for defluoridation of water.     

Evaluation of the inhibitive effect of Diospyros kaki (Persimmon) leaves extract on St37 steel corrosion in acid medium

A study was conducted to assess the inhibitive effect of Diospyros kaki leaves extract on St37 steel corrosion in 0.1 M HCl solution. Electrochemical (PDP, EIS, DEIS), chemical, and surface morphological screening (SEM, EDS, FTIR) techniques were used in the study. Results show that D. kaki leaves extract is an excellent inhibitor for St37 steel in HCl solution. Maximum inhibition efficiency of 91% was afforded by the highest studied concentration of the extract from PDP measurements. PDP results reveal that the extract components act principally as cathodic type inhibitor suppressing the reduction of hydrogen ions in the cathodic region of the metal. DEIS results show that the studied systems exhibit non-stationary character and the adsorbed extract components were stable particularly at long exposure time. SEM, EDAX, and FTIR results support experimental results that components of D. kaki leaves extract were adsorbed on St37 surface.     

The natural tolerance of the afghan pika (Ochotona rufescens) to morphine.

A lagomorph, the afghan pika, Ochotona rufescens showed no effect whatever following the subcutaneous injection of morphine in doses up to 50 mg per 100 g of body weight, i.e. 250 times the ED₅₀ for the rat. Higher doses were toxic and induced convulsions. However, the pika is responsive to synthetic opiates such as etorphine, pentazocine and phenoperidine. Interestingly enough, morphine antagonized the opiate response elicited by those narcotics to which the animal is sensitive. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that morphine enters the pika's brain as readily as it does the rat's. In addition, opiate receptor sites, which are present in normal amounts in pika brain retained their high affinity for ³H-etorphine (K_D = 1.2 nM) and morphine. Moreover, binding of morphine to pika brain homogenates was inhibited in the presence of sodium ions (agonist response). Therefore, the antagonism of phenoperidine action by morphine appeared not to occur at the opiate receptor site; the mechanism of the pika's natural tolerance to morphine may reside in molecular events that normally preceed (metabolism?) or follow (enzyme activation?) the interaction between the drug and its specific recognition sites.     

Chemical constituents from leaves of Palicourea coriacea (Rubiaceae)

(E)-Methyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxycinnamate, (E)-methyl-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamate, (E)-methyl-4-hydroxycinnamate, (Z)-methyl-4-hydroxycinnamate, calycanthine, ursolic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone, 4-methoxybenzoic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and allantoin were isolated from the leaves of Palicourea coriacea (Cham.) K. Schum. The structures were deduced by spectral data analysis and comparison with literature values.     

HPLC-FLD测定多种植物提取物中苯并(a)芘的含量

目的建立测定植物提取物中苯并(a)芘含量的方法。方法采用HPLC-FLD法,用Agilent Li Chrospher PAH色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm),流动相为乙腈,检测器为荧光检测器(λex=365 nm,λem=470 nm),流速为1.0 ml.min-1,柱温30℃,进样量10μl。结果线性范围为1~25 ng.ml-1(r=0.9995);平均回收率为97.67%(RSD=9.85%)。结论所建方法重复性好、精密度高、能准确快速地测定植物提取物中苯并(a)芘的含量。     

Development of a new cyclosporine formulation based on poly(caprolactone) microspheres

The present study describes the development of a new cyclosporine formulation based on polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres (MS) prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Ternary phase diagrams were used to identify the domains where MS were formed. The application of central composite designs established the influence of several technological (stirring speed) and formulation factors (polymer and surfactant amounts, and organic solvent volume) on the size of PCL MS. Cyclosporine-loaded MS of a size around 2.5 #181;m were prepared and characterized. The stability of the systems, either alone or loaded with cyclosporine, stored at 8#176;C and room temperature (RT) was assessed as well. Freeze-drying was evaluated as an alternative method to achieve longterm stability. The experimental design showed that the stirring speed and the organic phase volume were the only parameters significantly affecting the MS size. Experimental conditions selected to obtain CyA-loaded MS of 2.5 #181;m resulted in a high entrapment percentage (98.4 - 0.66%), with the drug dissolved or molecularly dispersed within the dense polymeric matrix of MS. After 12 months of storage at 8#176;C and RT, PCL MS remained physically stable, although the crystallinity of the polymer increased by 35% upon storage at both temperatures. Freeze-drying studies revealed that MS could be successfully lyophilized in the absence of cryoprotectants without significant changes of the drug entrapment; however, the presence of at least 5% cryoprotectant was essential to keep the initial particle size. Therefore, a stable MS-based CyA formulation was easily prepared and characterized. This formulation offer the possibility of CyA administration through different routes.     

From agricultural waste to antioxidant-rich extracts: Green techniques in extraction of polyphenols from sugar beet leaves

Different conventional and “green” extraction techniques (solid/liquid extraction, microwave and ultrasound assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction and subcritical water extraction) were tested using different operating conditions in the recovery of valuable polyphenol compounds from sugar beet leaves. All tested extraction techniques provided considerable extraction yield in the range from 18.21% to 37.04%. Total phenolic content ranged from 0.4504 up to 1.7171 (g GAE/100 g DW) with the highest values obtained by using microwave and ultrasound assisted extraction. Extraction parameters had highly significant effect on the concentration of bioactive compounds recovered by pressurized liquid extraction and subcritical water extraction. Individual phenolic profile of sugar beet leaves extracts largely depended on the applied extraction technique, however, vitexin was the most abundant phenolic compound present in all extracts regardless of the extraction technique. Investigation of extracts antioxidant activity through DPPH, FRAP and ABTS values indicated the lowest antioxidant activity of extracts obtained by solid/liquid extraction compared to other extraction techniques.     

Antioxidant compounds from ethanol extracts of bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis) leaves

Activity-guided fractionation of Neosinocalamus affinis leaves led to obtain two new flavonoids, 4′-O-((7″R,8″S)-8″-guaiacylglyceryl)-pleioside B (9) and apigenin 6-C-β-d-fucopyranosyl-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (10) along with eight known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data (UV, IR, NMR, and MS). Among these 10 compounds, farobin A (4) and isoorientin (7) showed significant antioxidant activity evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), superoxide anion and nitric oxide (NO) radical-scavenging assays.     

Biomonitoring of aromatic amines IV: use of hemoglobin adducts to demonstrate the bioavailability of cleavage products from diarylide azo pigments in vivo

The release and availability of the carcinogenic component of the soluble azo dye Direct Red 46 and the insoluble azo pigment Pigment Yellow 17 were analyzed in Wistar rats using hemoglobin adducts as a dosimeter. The levels of hemoglobin adducts were found to be very low. Intestinal cleavage and release of 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine (3,3′-DCB) from Direct Red 46 and Pigment Yellow 17 was calculated to be 3% and 0.6% of the dose, respectively, in a 4-weeek feeding study. It is proposed to measure blood samples from exposed humans in order to test the applicability of the method and eventually to use it for controlling human exposure to the carcinogenic colorant components. Received 21 July 1993/Accepted 19 August 1993     

Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on blood and spleen natural killer (NK) cell activity in the mouse.

The immunotoxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin (TCDD) were studied in male A/J mice after a loading dose of 5 μg TCDD/kg body wt. followed by 3 weekly maintenance doses of 1.42 μg TCDD/kg b.w. administered intraperitoneally. Tissue samples and immune cells were prepared on two occasions, i.e. on days 28 and 120 after the first injection of TCDD. This dose of TCDD evoked classical histological signs of liver damage and lipid accumulation, as well as thymic atrophy. Red (RBC) blood cell counts were significantly lowered in the TCDD group on day 28, but were normal on day 120. White (WBC) blood cell counts were normal in the TCDD group. Natural killer (NK) cell activity increased 3.4-fold (P < 0.01) and 2.2-fold (P < 0.01) in the blood and spleen, respectively, after 28 days, and these effects persisted on day 120. The increased NK-cell activity occurred concomitantly with a decreased proliferativc response of spleen lymphocytes to the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A after both 28 (65%) and 120 days (58%). The proliferative response of spleen cells to the B-ccll mitogen lipopolysaccharide seemed, however, unaffected. We have thus shown for the first time that TCDD induces an increased activity of NK cells that occurs simultaneously in the blood and spleen. This effect may indicate a general compensatory activation of the body's defences brought about by disturbances in the function of other arms of the immune system.     

Phenolic compounds from the twigs and leaves of Tara (Caesalpinia spinosa)

Two new homoisoflavans, 4′-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-benzyl-2H-chromene (1) and 3,4-cis-di-O-3-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-4-ethoxychroman (2), one new coumarin, 7-methoxy-3-(4-hydroxybenzyl)coumarin (4), together with seven known phenolic compounds, bonducellin (3), anemarcoumarin A (5), (+)-syringaresinol (6), curuilignan D (7), scopoletin (8), and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (9), were isolated from Tara (Caesalpinia spinosa Kuntze). The structures of the new compounds were characterized from their 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. All the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.     

乌药叶中黄酮类成分研究(2)

目的研究乌药叶的抗菌、抗炎有效成分。方法采用多种色谱学 ,化学及波谱学等方法进行分离与结构鉴定。结果在以前研究的基础上 ,又从乌药叶中分离得到 4个黄酮类化合物和 1个倍半萜类化合物 :乌药醇 (5 ) ,4个黄酮类化合物分别被鉴定为nubigenol(1 ) ,山奈酚 3 O (6″ 反式 对 肉桂酰基 ) β D 吡喃葡萄糖苷 (2 ) ,香叶木素 7 O β D 葡萄糖苷 (3 )和芦丁 (4 )。 结论这 4个黄酮类化合物均为属内首次分离得到     

Development of bacterial cellulose and polycaprolactone (PCL) based composite for medical material

Polycaprolactone (PCL)/bacterial cellulose (BC) composite was successfully prepared via film casting. BC was extracted from nata de coco using alkaline purification. 1%,5%,10%,20%,30% and 50% v/v of BC was incorporated into PCL composite. The structural, morphological, thermal, swelling, and degradation properties were investigated. It was found that the intensity of O–H stretching was observed with respect to amount of BC content. However, with high BC content, the percent of crystallinity was decreased. Porosity was observed as a microstructure of BC/PCL composite. It was remarkable to note that thermal decomposition behavior was stable up to 400 °C. The crystallization temperature was increased, whereas the melting temperature was decreased, when high amount of BC was integrated. No significant change of swelling behavior was observed for DI water and PBS solution when BC was added. The swelling behavior and degradation properties were observed for 6 h and 4 weeks, respectively. Therefore, bacterial cellulose and polycaprolactone based composite can significantly be provide the benefit as an excellent candidate for wound dressing application.     

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of antioxidant phenolic compounds from Lavandula angustifolia flowers using natural deep eutectic solvents: An experimental design approach

In this study, the green extraction of antioxidant phenolic compounds from Lavandula angustifolia was investigated using ultrasound-assisted extraction coupled with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs). One variable at a time, fractional factorial design, steepest ascent/descent method, and central composite design were used to optimize the extraction conditions. Eighteen NADESs based on choline chloride, organic acids, and sugars were tested by one variable at a time approach. The NADES composed of choline chloride and glycerol with a molar ratio of 1:2 showed higher extraction performance than other NADESs and benchmark solvents (70 % ethanol and 80 % methanol). After solvent selection, other extraction parameters including ultrasound amplitude (20–100 %), temperature (40–70 °C), time (5–30 min), liquid to solid ratio (10–50 mL/g), and water content in NADES (10–50 %) were screened using fractional factorial design. Subsequently, the steepest ascent/descent method was applied to approach the suitable level of the selected parameters. Finally, response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal extraction conditions. The optimum conditions were ultrasound amplitude of 60 %, temperature of 60 °C, time of 17.5 min, liquid to solid ratio of 31.7 mL/g, and water content in NADES of 33.5 % with the predicted phenolic content of 50.50 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, flavonoid content of 35.79 mg catechin equivalent/g, antioxidant capacity (AC)_DPPH of 41.60 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g, AC_ABTS of 77.13 mg TE/g, and AC_CUPRAC of 163.33 mg TE/g. Phenolics and volatiles were analyzed by HPLC and GC-MS, respectively. The results showed a sustainable, green, and effective extraction of antioxidant phenolic compounds from L. angustifolia.