Fabrication of polydopamine-modified cellulose hydrogel for controlled release of α-mangostin.

Hydrogels are notable for their outstanding absorbent qualities, satisfactory compatibility with biological systems, ability to degrade, and inherent safety, all of which contribute to their high demand in the field of biomedicine. This study focuses on the fabrication of hydrogels using environmentally friendly cellulosic material. Cellulose hydrogel beads were prepared by physical cross-linking in a NaOH/urea medium. Furthermore, nano polydopamine was integrated into the hydrogel matrix as functional polymers and α-mangostin was employed as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The physicochemical properties were comprehensively analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, 13C cross-polarization/magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The drug delivery properties, including water content, swelling ratio, and drug release profiles, were evaluated. In vitro cytotoxicity against MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed using sulforhodamine B staining. All test hydrogels exhibited inhibitory activity against the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells. These results indicated the potential use of these hydrogels as a drug delivery carrier for α-mangostin in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.

Sphaeranthone A, a new carvotacetone from the leaves of Sphaeranthus africanus.

A new carvotacetone sphaeranthone A and four known compounds 3-angeloyloxy-5-[2″,3″-epoxy-2″-methylbutanoyloxy]-7-hydroxycarvotacetone (2), 3-angeloyloxy-5-[3″-chloro-2″-hydroxy-2″-methylbutanoyloxy]-7-hydroxycarvotacetone (3), chrysosplenol D (4), and 3-O-methylquercetin (5) were isolated from leaves of Sphaeranthus africanus growing in Vietnam. Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis and high-resolution mass spectroscopy as well as comparisons in literature. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for the alpha-glucosidase inhibition. They showed moderate activity with IC50 values of 103 ± 1.7, 146.8 ± 2.5, 49 ± 0.8 µg/mL, respectively.

Synergetic Effect of Dual Functional Monomers in Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Preparation for Selective Solid Phase Extraction of Ciprofloxacin.

BACKGROUND: Ciprofloxacin (CIP), an important broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic, was often used as a template molecule for the preparation of imprinted materials. In this study, methacrylic acid and 2-vinylpyridine were employed for the first time as dual functional monomers for synthesizing ciprofloxacin imprinted polymers. METHODS: The chemical and physicochemical properties of synthesized polymers were characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm. The adsorption properties of ciprofloxacin onto synthesized polymers were determined by batch experiments. The extraction performances were studied using the solid phase extraction and HPLC-UV method. RESULTS: The molecularly imprinted polymer synthesized with dual functional monomers showed a higher adsorption capacity and selectivity toward the template molecule. The adsorbed amounts of ciprofloxacin onto the imprinted and non-imprinted polymer were 2.40 and 1.45 mg g-1, respectively. Furthermore, the imprinted polymers were employed as a selective adsorbent for the solid phase extraction of ciprofloxacin in aqueous solutions with the recovery of 105% and relative standard deviation of 7.9%. This work provides an alternative approach for designing a new adsorbent with high adsorption capacity and good extraction performance for highly polar template molecules.

Co-precipitation polymerization of dual functional monomers and polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene for ciprofloxacin imprinted polymer preparation.

Novel ciprofloxacin composite imprinted materials are synthesized by using co-precipitation polymerization of dual functional monomers (methacrylic acid and 2-vinylpyridine) and polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene. The intermolecular interactions between monomers and template are evaluated by molecular modeling analysis. The physicochemical properties of the obtained polymers are characterized using FT-IR, TGA, and SEM. Batch adsorption experiments are used to investigate adsorption properties (kinetic, pH, and isotherm). These polymers are employed to prepare the solid phase extraction cartridges, and their extraction performances are analyzed by the HPLC-UV method. DFT calculations indicate that hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking are the driving forces for the formation of selective rebinding sites. The obtained polymers exhibit excellent adsorption properties, including fast kinetics and high adsorption capacity (up to 10.28 mg g-1) with an imprinted factor of 2.55. The Scatchard analysis indicates the presence of specific high-affinity adsorption sites on the imprinted polymer. These absorbents are employed to extract CIP in river water with recoveries in the range of 65.97-119.26% and the relative standard deviation of 3.59-14.01%. Furthermore, the used cartridges could be reused at least eight times without decreasing their initial adsorption capacity.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Extracts from Different Garcinia Species.

BACKGROUND: Garcinia is a large genus which has promising bioactivities. However, the properties of many Garcinia species have not been investigated thoroughly. AIM: To determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial capabilities of the extracts from different Garcinia species. Methodology. Six Garcinia species, including Garcinia fusca, Garcinia hopii, Garcinia planchonii, Garcinia nigrolineata, Garcinia gaudichaudii, and Garcinia tinctoria were extracted using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, producing n-hexane extract (HE), ethyl acetate extract (EAE), and methanol extract (ME). After that, the total polyphenol content was evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu assay. DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity assays were performed to test the antioxidant activity. Subsequently, the antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains were assessed using Kirby Bauer and the broth microdilution methods. RESULTS: Many Garcinia extracts contained high total polyphenol content consisting of ME of G. hopii ad G. tinctoria, and EAE of G. planchonii and G. tinctoria. The EAE of G. tinctoria showed effective antioxidant capacity (IC50 = 1.5 µg/mL). Additionally, the EAE of G. gaudichaudii was effective against Gram-positive bacteria with minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of 15.625-25 µg/mL whereas ME of G. planchonii was effective against both Gram-positive bacteria (MIC = 160 µg/mL) and Gram-negative bacteria (MIC = 75 µg/mL). CONCLUSION: Several extracts of Garcinia species demonstrated valuable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Ionosilicas as efficient sorbents for anionic contaminants: Radiolytic stability and ion capacity.

Ammonium based hybrid ionosilicas were prepared from tetrasilylated ammonium precursors. The formed material exhibited high specific surface area together with mesoporosity. Our results indicate that ionosilicas display high exchange capacity for iodide. They were submitted to 10MeV electron irradiation at a total dose of 1.7MGy. Irradiation was shown not to alter the properties of ionosilica: the morphological, textural and surface properties of the material are hardly modified. The sorption properties (sorption capacity and cumulative displacement enthalpy) are similar before and after electron irradiation. This high radiolytical stability confirms that these innovative materials have therefore high potential as anion traps for future applications in decontamination processes or long term storage of radioactive waste.