NMR-based metabolomic profiling of the differential concentration of phytomedicinal compounds in pericarp, skin and seeds of Momordica charantia (bitter melon).

Momordica charantia is a medicinal plant which is widely used in different traditional medicinal systems to treat several diseases. We have identified the differential distribution of phytomedicinally important metabolites in the pericarp, skin and seeds of M. charantia fruit via NMR spectroscopy. Multivariate statistical analysis showed a clustering of the metabolic profiles of seeds and pericarp, and their clear separation from the metabolic profile of the skin. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the fruit extracts were estimated via bioassays, the radical scavenging activity was estimated via in vitro DPPH and ABTS assays and an inhibitory activity test of α-glucosidase was also performed. The pericarp and seeds contained significant amounts of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, indicating that they are a good source for antioxidants. The skin contained a significantly higher amount of phytosterols such as Charantin and momordicine, which are known to correlate with antidiabetic activity.

In vitro release kinetics of graft matrices from Lannea coromandelica (Houtt) gum for treatment of colonic diseases by 5-ASA.

Polyacrylamide graft Jhingan gum (Jh-g-PAMs) was synthesized adopting microwave assisted graft co-polymerization technique. The synthesized graft copolymer was characterized by various analytical techniques such as Elemental analysis, FTIR, TGA, XRD and NMR. Following standard protocol, drug matrix tablets using 5-Aminosalicylic Acid (5-ASA) were prepared and swelling and erosion studies were carried out in different pH dissolution media. The result revealed that maximum swelling and erosion took place in pH 7.4 while the lowest was recorded in pH 1.2. The 'in vitro' drug release studies revealed that grades with higher grafting % exhibited more sustained release. The highest sustained release was observed in Jh-g-PAM 3 (%G 1231) in pH 1.2 while the least was observed in native gum in pH 7.4. Furthermore, the kinetic studies revealed that 'n' values in all dissolution media lies within 0.5-1.0 which suggested non-Fickian diffusion mode of release. From the above results, it can be said that controlled release of 5-ASA using graft material was successful and hence it can be explored for treatment of colon related diseases.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Degradable and Cost-Effective Plasmonic Nanoshells for Localized Photothermolysis of Cancer Cells.

Integrating the concept of biodegradation and light-triggered localized therapy in a functional nanoformulation is the current approach in onco-nanomedicine. Morphology control with an enhanced photothermal response, minimal toxicity, and X-ray attenuation of polymer-based nanoparticles is a critical concern for image-guided photothermal therapy. Herein, we describe the simple design of cost-effective and degradable polycaprolactone-based plasmonic nanoshells for the integrated photothermolysis as well as localized imaging of cancer cells. The gold-deposited polycaprolactone-based plasmonic nanoshells (AuPCL NS) are synthesized in a scalable and facile way under ambient conditions. The synthesized nanoshells are monodisperse, fairly stable, and highly inert even at five times (250 µg/mL) the therapeutic concentration in a week-long test. AuPCL NS are capable of delivering standalone photothermal therapy for the complete ablation of cancer cells without using any anticancerous drugs and causing toxicity. It delivers the same therapeutic efficacy to different cancer cell lines, irrespective of their chemorefractory status and also works as a potential computed tomography contrast agent for the integrated imaging-directed photothermal cancer therapy. High biocompatibility, degradability, and promising photothermal efficacy of AuPCL NS are attractive aspects of this report that could open new horizons of localized plasmonic photothermal therapy for healthcare applications.

Plasmonic carbon nanohybrids for repetitive and highly localized photothermal cancer therapy.

Integrating metallic and non-metallic platform for cancer nanomedicine is a challenging task and bringing together multi-functionality of two interfaces is a major hurdle for biomaterial design. Herein, NIR light responsive advanced hybrid plasmonic carbon nanomaterials are synthesized, and their properties toward repetitive and highly localized photothermal cancer therapy are well understood. Graphene oxide nanosheets having thickness of ∼2 nm are synthesized using modified Hummers' method, thereafter functionalized with biodegradable NIR light responsive gold deposited plasmonic polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoshells (AuPLGA NS, tuned at 808 nm) and NIR dye (IR780) to examine their repetitive and localized therapeutic efficacy as well resulting side effects to nearby healthy cells. It is observed that AuPLGA NS decorated graphene oxide nanosheets (GO-AuPLGA) and IR780 loaded graphene oxide nanosheets (GO-IR780) are capable in standalone complete photothermal ablation of cancer cells within 4 min. of 808 nm NIR laser irradiation and also without the aid of any anticancer drugs. However, GO-AuPLGA having the potential for repetitive photothermal treatment of a big tumor, ablate the cancer cells in highly localized fashion, without having side effects on neighboring healthy cells.

Facile synthesis of plasmonic zein nanoshells for imaging-guided photothermal cancer therapy.

We demonstrate facile and green synthesis of gold deposited zein nanoshells (AuZNS) using environmental benign solvent ethanol. Water soluble glycol chitosan is used for stabilization as well as for cationic functionalization of zein nanoparticles. Gold deposition is performed via ex-situ method at ambient conditions. AuZNS is of size around 100 nm and shows high inertness and biocompatibility even at double the therapeutic dosage. The absorbance is tuned at 808 nm for imaging-guided plasmonic photothermal therapy of cancer. Highly effective killing of cancer cells irrespective of their chemorefractory status is noticed at a very low therapeutic dosage of 25 µg and 5 min of biologically acceptable (500 mW) 808 nm laser irradiation. AuZNS also exhibit better X-ray attenuation in comparison to the commercially available iodine based contrast agent.

Near Infrared Fluorescence Imaging in Nano-Therapeutics and Photo-Thermal Evaluation.

The unresolved and paramount challenge in bio-imaging and targeted therapy is to clearly define and demarcate the physical margins of tumor tissue. The ability to outline the healthy vital tissues to be carefully navigated with transection while an intraoperative surgery procedure is performed sets up a necessary and under-researched goal. To achieve the aforementioned objectives, there is a need to optimize design considerations in order to not only obtain an effective imaging agent but to also achieve attributes like favorable water solubility, biocompatibility, high molecular brightness, and a tissue specific targeting approach. The emergence of near infra-red fluorescence (NIRF) light for tissue scale imaging owes to the provision of highly specific images of the target organ. The special characteristics of near infra-red window such as minimal auto-fluorescence, low light scattering, and absorption of biomolecules in tissue converge to form an attractive modality for cancer imaging. Imparting molecular fluorescence as an exogenous contrast agent is the most beneficial attribute of NIRF light as a clinical imaging technology. Additionally, many such agents also display therapeutic potentials as photo-thermal agents, thus meeting the dual purpose of imaging and therapy. Here, we primarily discuss molecular imaging and therapeutic potentials of two such classes of materials, i.e., inorganic NIR dyes and metallic gold nanoparticle based materials.

Preliminary antiplaque efficacy of aloe vera mouthwash on 4 day plaque re-growth model: randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Due to increasing resistance to antibiotics and rising incidence of oral diseases, there is a need for alternative treatment modalities to combat oral diseases. The aim of the present study was to access the effect of Aloe vera mouthwash on the dental plaque in the experimental period of 4 days and to compare it with the bench mark control chlorhexidine and placebo (saline water). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 300 systemically healthy subjects were randomly allocated into 3 groups: Aloe vera mouthwash group (n=100), control group (=100)-chlorhexidene group and saline water-Placebo (n=100). To begin with, Gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were recorded. Then, baseline plaque scores were brought to zero by professionally cleaning the teeth with scaling and polishing. After randomization of the participants into three groups they were refrained from regular mechanical oral hygiene measures. Subjects were asked to swish with respective mouthwash (Aloe vera mouthwash, 0.2%chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, or normal saline) as per therapeutic dose for 4 days. RESULTS: The results showed that Aloe vera mouthrinse is equally effective in reducing plaque as Chlorhexidine compared to placebo over a period of 4 days. There was a significant reduction on plaque in Aloe vera and chlorhexidine groups and no statistically significant difference was observed among them (p>0.05). Aloe vera mouthwash showed no side effects. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicated that Aloe vera may prove an effective mouthwash due to its ability in reducing dental plaque.

Synthesis, characterization and applications of polymethylmethacrylate grafted psyllium as flocculant.

Polymethylmethacrylate grafted psyllium (Psy-g-PMMA) was synthesized by microwave assisted method. The grafting of the PMMA chains on the psyllium backbone was confirmed through the study of intrinsic viscosity, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, SEM and number average molecular weight (Mn). The intrinsic viscosity and number average molecular weight (Mn) of psyllium appreciably improved on grafting of PMMA chains. Further, flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied in kaolin suspension through jar test procedure, towards possible application as flocculant.

Microwave initiated synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted Psyllium and its application as a flocculant.

This paper reports a novel microwave initiated method for synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted Psyllium (Psy-g-PAM). Psyllium was modified through grafting of polyacrylamide (PAM) chains on it using microwave radiations only, in absence of any other free radical initiator. The grafting was confirmed by intrinsic viscosity study and characterization techniques like FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N, O and S) and SEM morphology study. Further, the flocculation efficacy of the synthesized graft copolymers was studied in kaolin and coal fine suspension through standard 'Jar test' procedure.