Microwave-assisted synthesis, characterization and in vitro biomedical applications of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn.-mediated carbon quantum dots.

In recent years, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have garnered considerable attention as a promising material for biomedical applications because of their unique optical and biological properties. In this study, CQDs were derived from the leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. via microwave-assisted technique and characterized using different techniques such as ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared, fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Subsequently, their potential for biomedical applications was investigated through in vitro assays assessing scratch healing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity properties. It was found that the CQDs were fluorescent, polycrystalline, quasi-spherical, ~ 12 nm in size with presence of -OH and -COOH groups on their negatively charged surfaces, and demonstrated good anti-inflammatory by inhibiting protein denaturation, cyclooxygenase-2 and regulating inflammatory cytokines. The CQDs also exhibited antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus cereus, good biocompatibility, along with excellent promotion of cell proliferation in vitro, indicating their potential as a anti-inflammatory and wound healing material. The properties were more enhanced than their precursor, H. rosa-sinensis leaf extract. Hence, the CQDs synthesized from the leaves of H. rosa-sinensis can serve as a potential biomedical agent.

Electrochemical detection and quantification of catechol based on a simple and sensitive poly(riboflavin) modified carbon nanotube paste electrode.

In the present research work, selective and sensitive catechol (CT) detection and quantification were shown in the presence of resorcinol (RS) in 0.2 M phosphate buffer (PB) solution by preparing a low-cost, simple, and green carbon nanotube paste electrode (CNTPE) surface activated with electropolymerized riboflavin (PRF). The morphological, conductivity, and electrochemical features of the modified electrode (PRFMCNTPE) and bare carbon nanotube paste electrode (BCNTPE) materials were analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The PRF-activated electrode displays outstanding sensitivity, stability, selectivity, reproducibility, and repeatability for the redox feature of CT with improved electrochemical current and declined electrochemical potential compared to BCNTPE. The peak currents of CT are correlated to the different CT concentrations (CV method: 6.0-60.0 µM & DPV method: 0.5-7.0 µM), and the obtained detection limit (DL) and quantification limit (QL) are found to be 0.025 µM and 0.085 µM (CV method) and 0.0039 µM and 0.0132 µM (DPV method), respectively. The prepared PRFMCNTPE material was advantageous for the examination of CT in environmentally important tap water sample as a real-time application.

Highly Selective and Sensitive Voltammetric Method for the Detection of Catechol in Tea and Water Samples Using Poly(gibberellic acid)-Modified Carbon Paste Electrode.

Despite the wide range of applications of catechol (CC) in agrochemical, petrochemical, textile, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, its exposure to the environment leads to health issues as it is carcinogenic. This increased the concern over the risk of exposure level of CC in the environment, and monitoring its level has become critical. In this work, we report the fabrication of poly-gibberellic acid-modified carbon paste electrode (PGBAMCPE) to be a simple, viable, and effective electrochemical electrode for the determination of CC. This was synthesized by a simple electropolymerization method by the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The electrodes were characterized by field emission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Compared to the bare carbon paste electrode, the sensitivity for CC fortified at PGBAMCPE in both CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). We succeeded attaining a lower detection limit of 0.57 µM by the DPV method. The developed electrode was observed to be highly conductive, transducing, stable, and reproducible and was highly selective with anti-interfering properties from the determination of CC with hydroquinone simultaneously. The applicability of the electrode was confirmed from the detection CC in tea and water samples with good recoveries. This substantiates that PGBAMCPE is promising and consistent for the rapid monitoring of CC-contaminated area and clinical diagnosis.

Electrocatalytic Determination of Hydroxychloroquine Using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Modified Carbon Nanotube Paste Electrode.

Selective, sensitive, easy, and fast voltammetric techniques were developed for the analysis of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). These analysis were carried out at sodium dodecyl sulphate modified carbon nanotube paste electrode (SDSMCNTPE) using an aqueous 0.2 M phosphate buffer solution as supporting electrolyte. The field emission-scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for material characterization. A minute quantity of the SDS surfactant was sufficient to convey an outstanding electrocatalytic action to the electrochemical oxidation nature of HCQ. The HCQ molecule parades only electrochemical oxidation (irreversible) with the transfer of two electrons. The detection of HCQ was carried out through CV method at SDSMCNTPE and bare carbon nanotube paste electrode (BCNTPE). The corresponding analytical curve offered a decent linear nature in the considered HCQ concentration range (10-40 µM) and the detection limit was found to be 0.85 µM. The significant peak to peak split-up was observed between HCQ and interferents with a decent sensitivity and stability. The SDSMCNTPE to be an approachable electrode for the usage in the examination of HCQ independently and in the presence of paracetamol (PC) and ascorbic acid (AA). Thus, they were used to determine HCQ in pharmaceutical formulations and the results that showed good agreement with comparative methods. Furthermore, a mechanism for HCQ electro-oxidation was proposed.

Group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 inhibition by elemolic acid as a function of anti-inflammatory activity.

Human group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 (GIIA) is a key enzyme in inflammatory reactions, worsening the condition of several chronic inflammatory diseases. The natural inhibitors of GIIA potentially block the production of inflammatory mediators. In the present study, elemolic acid, a triterpenoid from Boswellia serrata inhibited the GIIA enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 value of 5.70 ± 0.02 µM. The mode of GIIA inhibition was studied by increasing the concentration of the substrate from 30 to 120 nM, and calcium from 2.5 to 15 mM, the level of inhibition was not changed. The inhibitor-enzyme interaction was examined by fluorimetry and Circular Dichroism (CD) studies; elemolic acid altered intrinsic fluorescence intensity and shifted far UV- CD spectra of GIIA enzyme, suggesting the direct interaction with GIIA. Elemolic acid neutralized the GIIA mediated indirect hemolytic activity from 94.5 to 9.8% and reduced GIIA induced mouse paw edema from 171.75 to 113.68%. Elemolic acid also reduced the hemorrhagic effect of GIIA along with Vipera russelii neurotoxic non-enzymatic peptide -VNTx-II (VR-HC-I). Thus, the elemolic acid has been proven as a potent inhibitor of GIIA enzyme and modulated the GIIA induced inflammatory response by in situ and in vivo methods.

Quercitrin neutralizes sPLA2IIa activity, reduces the inflammatory IL-6 level in PC3 cell lines, and exhibits anti-tumor activity in the EAC-bearing mice model.

Human phospholipase A2 group IIa (sPLA2IIa) is an inflammatory enzyme that plays a significant role in tumorigenesis. Inhibiting the sPLA2IIa enzyme with an effective molecule can reduce the inflammatory response and halt cancer progression. The present study evaluates quercitrin, a biflavonoid, for sPLA2IIa inhibition and anticancer activity. Quercitrin inhibited sPLA2IIa activity to a greater extent-at 86.24% ± 1.41 with an IC50 value of 8.77 µM ± 0.9. The nature of sPLA2IIa inhibition was evaluated by increasing calcium concentration from 2.5 to 15 µM and substrate from 20 to 120 nM, which did not alter the level of inhibition. Intrinsic fluorescence and far UV-CD studies confirmed the direct interaction of quercitrin with the sPLA2IIa enzyme. This significantly reduced the sPLA2IIa-induced hemolytic activity and mouse paw edema from 97.32% ± 1.23-16.91% ± 2.03 and 172.87% ± 1.9-118.41% ± 2.53, respectively. As an anticancer activity, quercitrin reduced PC-3 cell viability from 98.66% ± 2.51-18.3% ± 1.52 and significantly decreased the IL-6 level in a dose-dependent manner from 98.35% ± 2.2-37.12% ± 2.4. It increased the mean survival time (MST) of EAC-bearing Swiss albino mice from 30 to 35 days. It obeyed Lipinski's rule of five, suggesting a druggable property. Thus, all the above experimental results were promising and encouraged further investigation into developing quercitrin as a therapeutic drug for both inflammatory diseases and cancers.

Electro-oxidation of formoterol fumarate on the surface of novel poly(thiazole yellow-G) layered multi-walled carbon nanotube paste electrode.

The current study explicates the electro-oxidation behavior of formoterol fumarate (FLFT) in the presence of uric acid (UA) on the surface of poly thiazole yellow-G (TY-G) layered multi-walled carbon nanotube paste electrode (MWCNTPE). The modified (Poly(TY-G)LMWCNTPE) and unmodified (MWCNTPE) electrode materials were characterized through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) approaches. The characterization data confirms the good conducting and electrocatalytic nature with more electrochemical active sites on the Poly(TY-G)LMWCNTPE than MWCNTPE towards the FLFT analysis in the presence of UA. Poly(TY-G)LMWCNTPE easily separates the two drugs (FLFT and UA) even though they both have nearer oxidation peak potential. The electro-catalytic activity of the developed electrode is fast and clear for FLFT electro-oxidation in 0.2 M phosphate buffer (PB) of pH 6.5. The Poly(TY-G)LMWCNTPE offered a well-resolved peak with the highest electro-oxidation peak current at the peak potential of 0.538 V than MWCNTPE. The potential scan rate and oxidation peak growth time studies show the electrode reaction towards FLFT electro-oxidation is continued through a diffusion-controlled step. The variation of concentration of FLFT in the range from 0.2 to 1.5 µM (absence of UA) and 3.0 to 8.0 µM (presence of UA) provides a good linear relationship with increased peak current and a lower limit of detection (LOD) values of 0.0128 µM and 0.0129 µM, respectively. The prepared electrode gives a fine recovery for the detection of FLFT in the medicinal sample with acceptable repeatability, stability, and reproducibility.

A novel voltammetric method for the enhanced detection of the food additive tartrazine using an electrochemical sensor.

In this paper, a poly (glycine) modified carbon paste electrode (PGMCPE) for sensitive determination of Tartrazine (Tz) was developed. The electrochemical behaviors of Tz at the PGMCPE were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential voltammetry and the results showed that the polymer film on electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the electrochemical oxidation of Tz in phosphate buffer solution, pH 7 (PBS). The influencing factors containing a supporting electrolyte, pH of the solution, deposition potential, amount of Tz and scan rate were investigated. The sensor exhibited two linear behavior in the range of 1 × 10-6 to 2.7 × 10-5 mol L-1 and 3.5 × 10-5 to 8.7 × 10-5 mol L-1 for Tz (correlation coefficients: 0.991 and 0.995 respectively) with detection limit (LOD) of 2.83 × 10-7 mol L-1, limit of quantification (LOQ) 9.4 × 10-7 mol L-1 and detection sensitivity (2.0452 µA/µM), for Tz. The results show that the biosensor is sensitive and useful for the determination of Tz.

Preparation of highly porous binderless activated carbon electrodes from fibres of oil palm empty fruit bunches for application in supercapacitors.

Fibres from oil palm empty fruit bunches, generated in large quantities by palm oil mills, were processed into self-adhesive carbon grains (SACG). Untreated and KOH-treated SACG were converted without binder into green monolith prior to N2-carbonisation and CO2-activation to produce highly porous binderless carbon monolith electrodes for supercapacitor applications. Characterisation of the pore structure of the electrodes revealed a significant advantage from combining the chemical and physical activation processes. The electrochemical measurements of the supercapacitor cells fabricated using these electrodes, using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques consistently found that approximately 3h of activation time, achieved via a multi-step heating profile, produced electrodes with a high surface area of 1704m(2)g(-1) and a total pore volume of 0.889cm(3)g(-1), corresponding to high values for the specific capacitance, specific energy and specific power of 150Fg(-1), 4.297Whkg(-1) and 173Wkg(-1), respectively.