Green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles using Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract to treat wastewater in Soba Sewage Treatment Plant, Sudan.

Looking for a cost-effective and ecofriendly method for wastewater treatment is a global challenge. Therefore, this study investigated the removal of wastewater pollutants using copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs). CuONPs synthesized by a green solution combustion synthesis (SCS) and characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. PXRD showed nanoparticle sizes ranging from 10 to 20 polycrystalline patterns indexed with two peaks corresponding to (111) and (113) reflections of the face-centered cubic CuO crystal. The energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis obtained in conjunction with SEM analysis proved the presence of Cu and O atoms at 86.3 and 13.6%, respectively, confirming the reduction and capping of Cu with Hibiscus sabdariffa extract's phytochemicals. The CuONPs proved to be a promising decontaminant for wastewater found to reduce biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 56%, and very efficient in reducing both the total dissolved matter (TDS) and conductivity (σ) by 99%. The CuONPs removed simultaneously chromium, copper, and chloride with respective percentages of 26, 78.8, and 78.2%. Green synthesis of nanoparticles is a simple, rapid, cost-effective, and ecofriendly method that successfully removed contaminants from wastewater.

Potential Anticancer Activity of Juniperus procera and Molecular Docking Models of Active Proteins in Cancer Cells.

Medicinal plants provide a wide range of active compounds that can be exploited to create novel medicines with minimal side effects. The current study aimed to identify the anticancer properties of Juniperus procera (J. procera) leaves. Here, we demonstrate that J. procera leaves' methanolic extract suppresses cancer cells in colon (HCT116), liver (HepG2), breast (MCF-7), and erythroid (JK-1) cell lines. By applying GC/MS, we were able to determine the components of the J. procera extract that might contribute to cytotoxicity. Molecular docking modules were created that used active components against cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in colon cancer, aromatase cytochrome P450 in the breast cancer receptor protein, the -N terminal domain in the erythroid cancer receptor of the erythroid spectrin, and topoisomerase in liver cancer. The results demonstrate that, out of the 12 bioactive compounds generated by GC/MS analysis, the active ingredient 2-imino-6-nitro-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carbothiamide proved to be the best-docked chemical with the chosen proteins impacted by DNA conformational changes, cell membrane integrity, and proliferation in molecular docking studies. Notably, we uncovered the capacity of J. procera to induce apoptosis and inhibit cell growth in the HCT116 cell line. Collectively, our data propose that J. procera leaves' methanolic extract has an anticancer role with the potential to guide future mechanistic studies.

Determination of Heavy Metals in Groundwater Around Al-Buraihi Sewage Station in Taiz City, Yemen.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, mitigation of groundwater contamination resulting from the limited availability of freshwater for domestic use has become an important issue. The presence of heavy metals in water could have adverse effects on both plant and animal life. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of the present study was to determine possible heavy metal contamination in groundwater around Al-Buraihi sewage station in Taiz, Yemen and to understand possible sources of contamination and their relationships with groundwater. METHODS: Wastewater samples were collected from a wastewater stabilization pond from Al-Buraihi sewage station and borewell water samples were collected from the vicinity. The presence of heavy metals was quantified using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Pearson correlation test was performed to understand the relationship between wastewater and groundwater samples. RESULTS: Physical variables including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature and elements such as silver (Ag), arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), boron (B), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), molybdenum, nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) exceeded the permissible limits recommended by international standards in wastewater samples. CONCLUSIONS: Treated sewage wastewater in the study area is not suitable for irrigation as the elements/heavy metals are accumulated in soil and plants and may be accumulated in humans and animals through bio-accumulation. In addition, these heavy metals reach the water table and aquifers through percolation, thereby polluting groundwater. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Chemotherapeutic potentials of the stem bark of Balanite aegyptiaca (L.) Delile: an antiangiogenic, antitumor and antioxidant agent.

BACKGROUND: Balanite aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, is a plant with extensive medicinal properties. Its stem bark is traditionally known for its spasmolytic and antiepileptic properties and used to treat yellow fever, jaundice and syphilis. Angiogenesis (sprouting of new blood vessels) is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. The goal of this study is investigate the antiangiogenic, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity as well as antitumor in vivo properties of B. aegyptiaca stem bark extracts. METHOD: The dried powder of stem bark was extracted sequentially with n-hexane, chloroform, methanol and water. Rat aorta ring assay (RARA) was used as a platform to screen for antiangiogenic affect. The most active extract was subjected to further confirmatory antiangiogenic tests i.e. cell migration, tube formation and VEGF inhibition and finally evaluated for its in vivo antitumor efficacy in nude mice. The cytotoxicity of extracts on four cancer cell lines (HCT-116, K562, U937 and MCF-7) and one normal cells line (HUVEC) was evaluated. To assess the antioxidant activity screening, four methods were used, (DPPH•) and ABTS radical scavenging activity, as well as total flavonoids and phenolic contents. RESULTS: Methanol extract of B. aegyptiaca stem bark (MBA) showed the highest antiangiogenic, antioxidant and anticancer properties. It was found selectively cytotoxic to leukemia cell lines as well as breast cancer cell line MCF-7. (MBA) thus exhibited antiangiogenic in ex-vivo rat aorta ring model; it was found to excel its antiangiogenic effect via inhibition of the key growth factor (VEGF) as well as to halt HUVEC cell migration and tube formation, furthermore animals bearing colon cancer treated with (MBA) showed significant reduction in tumor growth. CONCLUSION: Different extracts of B. aegyptiaca stem bark showed various anticancer and antiangiogenic properties. MBA demonstrated potent antiangiogenic, antioxidant and antitumor in vivo. The outcome of this study suggests the potential of stem bark of the B. aegyptiaca for developing chemotherapeutic agent against solid tumor as well as leukemia.

Triterpenoid acids and lactones from the leaves of Fadogia tetraquetra var. tetraquetra (Rubiaceae).

Four triterpenoids isolated from the leaves of Fadogia tetraquetra var. tetraquetra, 3beta-hydroxy-11alpha, 12alpha-epoxyoleanan-28,13beta-olide (1), 3beta-hydroxyurs-11-en-28,13beta-olide (2), oleanolic acid (3), and ursolic acid (4), were evaluated for their antiviral and antibacterial properties. Compound 4 showed potent activity against the Semliki Forest virus with an IC50 of 14.7 microM, but was also found to be significantly cytotoxic (68% reduction in cell viability after 24 hours exposure at 50 microM) towards baby hamster kidney (BHK21) host cells. A viability assay on the mammalian human hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) cell line showed no significant effects on intracellular ATP content after 48 hours exposure to compounds 1-4 at this concentration. Compound 4 also inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 12.5 microM), but was inactive against Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Compounds 1-3 were inactive against all tested bacterial strains at 50 microM concentration.