A biophysical approach to study the impact of muscle relaxant drug tizanidine on stability and activity of serum albumins.

The binding affinity of a drug with carrier proteins plays a major role in the distribution and administration of the drug within the body. Tizanidine (TND) is a muscle relaxant having antispasmodic and antispastic effects. Herein, we have studied the effect of tizanidine on serum albumins by spectroscopic techniques, such as absorption spectroscopic analysis, steady, state fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, circular dichroism, and molecular docking. The binding constant and number of binding sites of TND with serum proteins were determined by means of fluorescence data. The thermodynamic parameters, like Gibbs' free energy (ΔG), enthalpy change (ΔH), and entropy change (ΔS), revealed that the complex formation is spontaneous, exothermic, and entropy driven. Further, synchronous spectroscopy revealed the involvement of Trp (amino acid) responsible for quenching of intensity in fluorescence in serum albumins in presence of TND. Circular dichroism results suggest that more folded secondary structure of proteins. In BSA the presence of 20 µM concentration of TND was able to gain most of its helical content. Similarly, in HSA the presence of 40 µM concentration of TND has been able to gain more helical content. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation further confirm the binding of TND with serum albumins, thus validating our experimental results.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and its antibacterial and antifungal activities towards Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial strains and different species of Candida fungus.

Biomimetic and economic method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with controlled size has been reported in presence of shape-directing cetlytrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Biochemical reduction of Ag(+) ions in micellar solution with an aqueous lemon extract produced spherical and polyhedral AgNPs with size ranging from 15 to 30 nm. The influence of [CTAB] and [lemon extract] on the size of particles, fraction of metallic silver and their antimicrobial properties is discussed. The AgNPs were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities (antibacterial and antifungal) against different pathogenic organisms. For this purpose, AgNPs were tested against two model bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC3160) and Escherichia coli (MTCC405)) and three species of Candida fungus (Candida albicans (ATCC90028), Candida glabrata (ATCC90030) and Candida tropicalis (ATCC750). AgNPs were found to be highly toxic towards both bacteria. The inhibition action was due to the structural changes in the protein cell wall.

Green synthesis of biogenic silver nanomaterials using Raphanus sativus extract, effects of stabilizers on the morphology, and their antimicrobial activities.

The present study explores the reducing and capping potentials of aqueous Raphanus sativus root extract for the synthesis of silver nanomaterials for the first time in the absence and presence of two stabilizers, namely, water-soluble starch and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The surface properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques. The mean size of AgNPs, ranging from 3.2 to 6.0 nm, could be facilely controlled by merely varying the initial [extract], [CTAB], [starch], and [Ag(+)] ions. The agglomeration number, average number of silver atoms per nanoparticle, and changes in the fermi potentials were calculated and discussed. The AgNPs were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against different pathogenic organisms. The inhibition action was due to the structural changes in the protein cell wall.

Surfactant-assisted bio-conjugated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

A simple one-spot synthetic route for the production of Ag-nanoparticles using aqueous extract of citrus lemon is being reported in presence of shape-directing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). To our knowledge, this is the first report where the biomolecules form a layer around a group of the Ag-nanoparticles in which the inner layer is bound to the AgNPs surface via the hydroxyl groups of citric acid. The appearance of a sharp surface plasmon resonance band in the UV-visible region might be due to the formation of spherical Ag-nanoparticles. Agglomeration number (N Ag), the average number of silver atoms per nanoparticle (N), molar concentrations of nanoparticle (C) in solution, extinction coefficient (ε) and increase in the Fermi energy (ΔE F) were calculated using Mie theory and discussed. Interestingly, reaction mixture became turbid at higher [CTAB] due to the uncontrolled growth of Ag-nanoparticles. The transmission electron microscopic images of nanoparticles, recorded at different magnifications.

Microwave assisted synthesis, spectral and antifungal studies of 2-phenyl-N,N'-bis(pyridin-4-ylcarbonyl)butanediamide ligand and its metal complexes.

2-Phenyl-N,N'-bis(pyridin-4-ylcarbonyl)butanediamide ligand with a series of transition metal complexes has been synthesized via two routes: microwave irradiation and conventional heating method. Microwave irritation method happened to be the efficient and versatile route for the synthesis of these metal complexes. These complexes were found to have the general composition M(L)Cl2/M(L)(CH3COO)2 (where M = Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and L = ligand). Different physical and spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate the structural features of the synthesized compounds, which supported an octahedral geometry for these complexes. In vitro antifungal activity of the ligand and its metal complexes revealed that the metal complexes are highly active compared to the standard drug. Metal complexes showed enhanced activity compared to the ligand, which is an important step towards the designing of antifungal drug candidates.

Fabrication of chitosan-MnO2­iridium/nanoceria supported nanoparticles: Catalytic and anti-radical activities.

Chitosan capped MnO2­iridium nanoparticles supported on nanoceria (Ch-MnO2-Ir/CeO2) were fabricated by using combination of colloidal solution and metal displacement galvanic methods. The oxidative degradation of acid orange 7 in aqueous solution by activated persulfate with the as-prepared nanoparticles was studied. The resulting Ch-MnO2-Ir/CeO2 with S2O82-, 80 % degraded 70.06 mg/L of acid orange 7 within 100 min, while at the same time, Ch-Ir, Ch-MnO2, and Ch-Ir-MnO2 remained inactive. CeO2 increased the surface of the catalyst, and also improved the reactive oxygen species site of Ch-Ir-MnO2 through the activation of S2O82- with CeO2. The reversible redox cycle reaction, Ce (III) ↔ Ce (IV) and strong synergistic effect of MnO2-Ir are responsible for the remarkable catalytic performance of Ch-MnO2-Ir/CeO2/S2O82- system. The degradation of acid orange 7 could be significantly retarded with inorganic (NO3- < Cl- < SO42- < H2PO4- < HCO3-) and organic scavengers (ethanol < tertiary butanol < benzoquinone < phenol). Ch-MnO2-Ir/CeO2 exhibited excellent stability and reusability. Anti-radical activity of chitosan and Ch-MnO2-Ir/CeO2 was evaluated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The free radical properties increase with concentration of chitosan and Ch-MnO2-Ir/CeO2.

Biosynthesis of Novel Ag-Cu Bimetallic Nanoparticles from Leaf Extract of Salvia officinalis and Their Antibacterial Activity.

Bimetallic nanoparticles exhibit bifunctional or synergistic effects prevailing between two metals with the capabilities of enhanced electronic, catalytic, and optical properties. Green synthetic routes have gained tremendous interest because of the noninvolvement of toxic and harmful chemical reagents in preparation. Therefore, we develop bimetallic Ag-Cu nanoparticles (Ag-Cu NPs) through an eco-friendly and biocompatible preparation method. In this study, Ag-Cu NPs have been synthesized from leaf extracts of the commonly known sage, S. officinalis. The extract has a rich phytochemical composition, including bioreducing polyphenols, flavonoids, and capping/stabilizing agents. An array of well-known spectroscopic and microscopic techniques were used to characterize the as-prepared Ag-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The size of the Ag-Cu NPs was found to be 50 nm with a spherical shape and an almost uniform distribution. The antibacterial effect was further evaluated using agar well diffusion and disc diffusion assays. Ag-Cu NPs exhibit antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Ag-Cu NPs was between 5 g/mL and 15 g/mL. The Ag-Cu NPs inhibit biofilm formation at 25 g/mL and 50 g/mL. The results of biogenic Ag-Cu NPs provide novel antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as antibiofilm activity. Hence, Ag-Cu NPs might serve as a novel antibacterial agent with potential antibacterial and antibiofilm properties.

Transition Metal-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization Through Electrocatalysis.

Electrochemically promoted transition metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization has emerged as a promising area of research over the last few decades. However, development in this field is still at an early stage compared to traditional functionalization reactions using chemical-based oxidizing agents. Recent reports have shown increased attention on electrochemically promoted metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization. From the standpoint of sustainability, environmental friendliness, and cost effectiveness, electrochemically promoted oxidation of a metal catalyst offers a mild, efficient, and atom-economical alternative to traditional chemical oxidants. This Review discusses advances in the field of transition metal-electrocatalyzed C-H functionalization over the past decade and describes how the unique features of electricity enable metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization in an economic and sustainable way.

Synthesis, structure optimization and antifungal screening of novel tetrazole ring bearing acyl-hydrazones.

Azoles are generally fungistatic, and resistance to fluconazole is emerging in several fungal pathogens. In an attempt to find novel azole antifungal agents with improved activity, a series of tetrazole ring bearing acylhydrazone derivatives were synthesized and screened for their in vitro antifungal activity. The mechanism of their antifungal activity was assessed by studying their effect on the plasma membrane using flow cytometry and determination of the levels of ergosterol, a fungal-specific sterol. Propidium iodide rapidly penetrated a majority of yeast cells when they were treated with the synthesized compounds at concentrations just above MIC, implying that fungicidal activity resulted from extensive lesions of the plasma membrane. Target compounds also caused a considerable reduction in the amount of ergosterol. The results also showed that the presence and position of different substituents on the phenyl ring of the acylhydrazone pendant seem to play a role on the antifungal activity as well as in deciding the fungistatic and fungicidal nature of the compounds.

Aggregation of Congo red with surfactants and Ag-nanoparticles in an aqueous solution.

Self aggregation, sorption, and interaction of Congo red, with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), Ag(+) ions and silver nanoparticles have been determined spectrophotometrically. Congo red self-aggregation was identified from UV-visible spectra due to the shrinkage in an absorption band at 495 nm. The shape of the absorbance spectrum changed entirely with increasing [Congo red] but wavelength maxima remain unchanged. The molar absorptivity was found to be 9804 mol(-1) dm(3) cm(-1) at 495 nm. Absorption spectra of Congo red with Ag(+) ions show an isosbestic point. The complex formation constant and difference in absorption coefficients were found to be 8.5 × 10(4) mol(-1) dm(3) and 11,764 mol(-1) dm(3) cm(-1), respectively. Silver nano-particles could not be used for the catalytic degradation of Congo red because it results in the formation of a strong complex with them. Sodium dodecylsulfate did not show any significant interaction with this dye. Congo red was also used as a probe to determine the critical micellar concentration of CTAB.

Synthesis, optical properties, stability, and encapsulation of Cu-nanoparticles.

Starch-capped copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were prepared by a chemical reduction method using hydrazine, copper sulfate and starch as reducing, oxidizing and stabilizing agents, respectively, for the first time at room temperature. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction patterns (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The effect of [starch], [hydrazine] and [copper sulfate] on the optical properties of CuNPs were studied by UV-visible spectrophotometrically. The hydrazine concentrations have large impact on the surface Plasmon resonance absorbance, nature of the reaction time curves and reaction rates decreases with [hydrazine]. Starch concentrations have no effect on the path of the CuNPs formation. The hexahedral with some irregular shaped CuNPs were formed in presence of starch with diameter 900 nm. Starch acted as a stabilizing, shape-directing and capping agent during the growth processes. The KI-I2 reagent could not replace CuNps from the inner helical structure of starch.

Spectrophotometric evidence to the formation of AuCl4-CTA complex and synthesis of gold nano-flowers with tailored surface textures.

In this paper we report the UV-visible and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) evidence to the formation of stable yellow-orange colored complex, which is attributed to the formation of ion-pair between sub-aggregates of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and gold at room temperature. The position of wavelength maxima (λmax) and shape of the spectra strongly depends on the reaction conditions, i.e., [HAuCl4] and [CTAB]. As the reaction proceeds, typical two bands (one peak and one shoulder) at ca. 409 nm and 470 nm appears and the intensities increase with the time. TEM photographs indicate that the gold-CTA complex consist of aggregated nano-flower like gold with particle size range ca. 40-60 nm. N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanamide (paracetamol) was used to the reduction of resulting gold-CTA complex which leads to the formation of beautiful nano-flower, branched-leaves, and bird-plume like AuNPs. Paracetamol concentrations have marked influence on the morphology (shape, size and the size distribution) and nature of the surface resonance plasmon band of AuNPs whereas [CTAB] have no impact on their spectra. Suitable mechanism have been proposed and discussed to the AuNPs formation.

Encapsulation of silver nanocomposites and effects of stabilizers.

Silver nanocomposites (AgCPs) have been synthesized by chemical reduction from silver nitrate and sodium borohydride in presence of two stabilizers. Starch and poly (vinyl) alcohol, PVA with its rich source of polyhydroxy groups has been exploited for the capping of AgCPs. The ageing of NaBH4 aqueous solution, molar ratios of the reactants, nature of the stabilizers, mixing order of NaBH4 as well as capping agents have great influence on the morphology of AgCPs. We used the iodometric titration to conform the encapsulation of AgCPs inside the helical structure of starch. The reversible nature of encapsulation has been studied by UV-vis spectroscopic technique. Well-dispersed with an approximate size of 10nm and aggregated with an approximate size of 24-52 nm AgCPs were observed in the absence and presence of stabilizers (starch and PVA), respectively. TEM images indicates that the reaction mixture containing different order of reactants and stabilizers (PVA+NaBH4+Ag(+), PVA+Ag(+)+NaBH4, starch+NaBH4+Ag(+) and starch+Ag(+)+NaBH4) have different morphology. Added electrolytes (NaCl, NaBr and NaI) do not detached the Ag(+) ions from the surface of AgNCs.

Starch-directed green synthesis, characterization and morphology of silver nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles were prepared by a simple chemical reduction method using ascorbic acid and starch as reducing and stabilizing agents, respectively. The effect of starch, silver ions and ascorbic acid was studied on the morphology of the silver nano-particles using UV-visible spectrophotometry. The initial reaction time min and amount of starch were important parameters for the growth of Ag-nanoparticles. The morphology was evaluated from transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The truncated triangle nano-plates (from 17 to 30 nm), polyhedron, spherical with some irregular shaped Ag-nanoparticles were formed in presence of starch. Particles are aggregated in an irregular manner, leads to the formation of butterfly-like structures of silver. Starch acts as a stabilizing, shape-directing and capping agent during the growth processes. Silver nanoparticles adsorbed electrostatically on the outer OH groups of amylose left-handed helical conformation in solution.

Shape-directing role of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the preparation of silver nanoparticles.

We report a simple chemical reduction method for the synthesis of different colored silver nanoparticles, AgNP, using tyrosine as a reducing agent. Effects of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB, and tyrosine concentrations are analyzed by UV-visible measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the mode of AgNP aggregation. The position and shape of the surface resonance plasmon absorption bands strongly depend on the reaction conditions, i.e., [CTAB], [tyrosine], and reaction time. Sub-, post-, and dilution-micellar effects are accountable for the fast and slow nucleation and growth processes. Spectrophotometric measurement also shows that the average size and the polydispersity of AgNP increase with [CTAB] in the solution. CTAB acted as a shape-directing agent.

Preparation and characterization of silver nanoparticles by chemical reduction method.

Silver nanoparticles were prepared by the reduction of AgNO(3) with aniline in dilute aqueous solutions containing cetyltrimethlyammonium bromide, CTAB. Nanoparticles growth was assessed by UV-vis spectroscopy and the average particle size and the size distribution were determined from transmission electron microscopy, TEM. As the reaction proceeds, a typical plasmon absorption band at 390-450nm appears for the silver nanoparticles and the intensities increase with the time. Effects of [aniline], [CTAB] and [Ag(+)] on the particle formation rate were analyzed. The apparent rate constants for the formation of silver nanoparticles first increased until it reached a maximum then decreased with [aniline]. TEM photographs indicate that the silver sol consist of well dispersed agglomerates of spherical shape nanoparticles with particle size range from 10 to 30nm. Aniline concentrations have no significant effect on the shape, size and the size distribution of Ag-nanoparticles. Aniline acts as a reducing as well as adsorbing agent in the preparation of roughly spherical, agglomerated and face-centered-cubic silver nanoparticles.

Studies on the kinetics of growth of silver nanoparticles in different surfactant solutions.

Silver nanoparticles were prepared in aqueous silver nitrate solution using hydrazine as reducing agents in presence of two ionic surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; CTAB and sodium dodecyl sulfate; SDS) and one non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100). The reaction rate was determined spectrophotometrically. The nature of the head group of these surfactants is responsible for the formation of stable, yellow and transparent silver sol. For a certain reaction time, i.e., 20 min, the absorbance of reaction mixture first increased until it reached a maximum, then decreased with [hydrazine]. The reaction follows first-order kinetics with respect to each in [hydrazine] and [Ag(+)]. The results suggest formation of a complex between silver(I) and hydrazine, decomposes in a rate-determining step, leading in the formation of a free radical, which again reacts with the silver(I) in a subsequent fast step to yield the products. The transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images show that CTAB stabilized silver nanoparticles are spherical and of uniform particle size, and the average particle size is about 15 nm.

Formation and characterization of surfactant stabilized silver nanoparticles: a kinetic study.

Kinetic data for the silver nitrate-ascorbic acid redox system in presence of three surfactants (cationic, anionic and nonionic) are reported. Conventional spectrophotometric method was used to monitor the formation of surfactant stabilized nanosize silver particles during the reduction of silver nitrate by ascorbic acid. The size of the particles was determined with the help of transmission electron microscope. It was found that formation of stable perfect transparent silver sol and size of the particles depend upon the nature of the head group of the surfactants, i.e., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Triton X-100. The silver nanoparticles are spherical and of uniform particle size, and the average particle size is about 10 and 50 nm, respectively, for SDS and CTAB. For a certain reaction time, i.e., 30 min, the absorbance of reaction mixture first increased until it reached a maximum, then decreased with [ascorbic acid]. The reaction follows a fractional-order kinetics with respect to [ascorbic acid] in presence of CTAB. On the basis of various observations, the most plausible mechanism is proposed for the formation of silver nanoparticles.