Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with High Antimicrobial and Catalytic Activities using Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa).

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely sought after for a variety of biomedical and environmental applications due to their antimicrobial and catalytic properties. We present here a green and simple synthesis of AgNPs utilizing traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. The screening of 20 aqueous herb extracts shows that Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) had the most promising potential in producing AgNPs of 30±6 nm, with narrow size distribution and high crystallinity. The antimicrobial activities of these AgNPs conducted on E. coli cells were found to be superior in comparison to poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-capped AgNPs synthesized using common chemical method. Additionally, the AgNPs obtained possess excellent catalytic performance in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. We compared the phytochemical and FTIR spectral analyses of the herb extract before and after synthesis, in order to elucidate the phytochemicals responsible for the reduction of Ag+ ions and the capping of the AgNPs produced.

Facile synthesis of Fe-p-aminophenol nanoparticles for photothermal therapy.

Fe-p-aminophenol (Fe-PAP) nanoparticles, a newly developed photothermal agent (PTA), were successfully synthesized via a one-pot method at room temperature. The resultant product exhibited good photothermal effect with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 36%. In vitro and in vivo evaluation demonstrated that Fe-PAP was an effective PTA for photothermal therapy (PTT).

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Artemisia dracunculus extract: control of the shape and size by varying synthesis conditions.

In this study, selective green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (nAu) with the use of Tarragon extract (Artemisia dracunculus) was investigated. Characterization of the synthetized nAu was carried out using several techniques including: UV-Vis, SEM, zeta potential analysis, DLS, and ATR-FTIR. Based on measurements of Tarragon extract by HPLC-MS, significant chemical substances participating as reducing and stabilizing agents were identified. FTIR confirmed typical functional groups that could be found in these acids on the nAu surface, such as O-H, C=O and C-O. The effects of various parameters (concentration of Tarragon extract, Au precursor, and initial pH of the synthesis) on the shape and size of the nanoparticles have been investigated. UV-Vis and SEM confirmed the formation of nAu at various concentrations of the extract and Au precursor and showed correlation between the added extract concentration and shift in maximal absorbance towards higher frequencies, indicating the formation of smaller nanoplates. Zeta potential determined at various pH levels revealed that its value decreased with pH, but for all experiments in the pH range of 2.8 to 5.0, the value is below - 30 mV, an absolute value high enough for long-term nAu stability. In order to evaluate nAu catalytic activity, the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by sodium borohydride was used as a model system. The reaction takes place 1.5 times faster on Au-triangles than on Au-spherical NPs.

Biogenic gold nanoparticles for reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol: an eco-friendly bioremediation.

The present study investigated the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using mangrove plant extract from Avicennia marina as bioreductant for eco-friendly bioremediation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The AuNPs synthesised were confirmed by UV spectrum, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential. The AuNPs were found to be spherical in shape with size ranging from 4 to 13 nm, as evident by TEM and DLS. Further, the AuNPs were encapsulated with sodium alginate in the form of gold nano beads and used as heterogeneous catalyst and degrading agent to reduce 4-NP. This reduction in 4-NP into 4-aminophenol was confirmed by UV and FTIR. The aqueous solution of 4-NP peaked its absorbance at 320 nm, and shifted to 400 nm, with an intense yellow colour, appeared due to formation of 4-nitrophenolate ion. After the addition of AuNps, the 4-NP solution became colourless and peaked at 400 nm and reduced to 290 nm corresponding to the formation of 4-aminophenol. Hence, the present work suggested the AuNPs as the potent, eco-friendly bionanocomposite catalyst for bioremediation of 4-NP.

Improved fluorescence assays to measure the defects associated with F508del-CFTR allow identification of new active compounds.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a debilitating disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which codes for a Cl-/HCO3 - channel. F508del, the most common CF-associated mutation, causes both gating and biogenesis defects in the CFTR protein. This paper describes the optimization of two fluorescence assays, capable of measuring CFTR function and cellular localization, and their use in a pilot drug screen. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: HEK293 cells expressing YFP-F508del-CFTR, in which halide sensitive YFP is tagged to the N-terminal of CFTR, were used to screen a small library of compounds based on the VX-770 scaffold. Cells expressing F508del-CFTR-pHTomato, in which a pH sensor is tagged to the fourth extracellular loop of CFTR, were used to measure CFTR plasma membrane exposure following chronic treatment with the novel potentiators. KEY RESULTS: Active compounds with efficacy ~50% of VX-770, micromolar potency, and structurally distinct from VX-770 were identified in the screen. The F508del-CFTR-pHTomato assay suggests that the hit compound MS131A, unlike VX-770, does not decrease membrane exposure of F508del-CFTR. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Most known potentiators have a negative influence on F508del-CFTR biogenesis/stability, which means membrane exposure needs to be monitored early during the development of drugs targeting CFTR. The combined use of the two fluorescence assays described here provides a useful tool for the identification of improved potentiators and correctors. The assays could also prove useful for basic scientific investigations on F508del-CFTR, and other CF-causing mutations.

Research on dye wastewater decoloration by pulse discharge plasma combined with charcoal derived from spent tea leaves.

Pulsed discharge plasma (PDP) combined with charcoal (PDP-charcoal) was employed to treat dye wastewater, with methyl orange (MO) as the model pollutant. The charcoal was prepared using spent tea leaves and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Boehm titration to investigate the adsorption and catalytic characteristics before and after adsorption and PDP treatment. The prepared charcoal exhibited a high MO adsorption capacity, and the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich model. The MO decoloration efficiency reached 69.8 % within 7.5 min of treatment in the PDP-charcoal system, whereas values of 29.2 and 25.9 % were achieved in individual PDP and charcoal systems, respectively. The addition of n-butanol and H2PO4 (-) presented inhibitive effects on MO decoloration in the PDP system. However, these effects were much weaker in the PDP-charcoal system. In addition, the effects of charcoal on O3 and H2O2 formation were evaluated, and the results showed that both the O3 and H2O2 concentrations decreased in the presence of charcoal. The MO decomposition intermediates were analyzed using UV-Vis spectrometry and GC-MS. 1,4-Benzoquinone, 4-nitrophenol, 4-hydroxyaniline, and N,N'-dimethylaniline were detected. A possible pathway for MO decomposition in this system was proposed.

Preparation of gold nanoparticles using Salicornia brachiata plant extract and evaluation of catalytic and antibacterial activity.

The current study deals with the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Salicornia brachiata (Sb) and evaluation of their antibacterial and catalytic activity. The SbAuNPs showed purple color with a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 532 nm. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed polydispersed AuNPs with the size range from 22 to 35 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray and thin layer X-ray diffraction analysis clearly shows that SbAuNPs was pure and crystalline in nature. As prepared gold nanoparticles was used as a catalyst for the sodium borohydride reduction of 4-nitro phenol to 4-amino phenol and methylene blue to leucomethylene blue. The green synthesized nanoparticles exhibited potent antibacterial activity against the pathogenic bacteria, as evidenced by their zone of inhibition. In addition, we showed that the SbAuNPs in combination with the regular antibiotic, ofloxacin, exhibit superior antibacterial activity than the individual.

Three alkaloids from Reineckia carnea herba and their antitussive and expectorant activities.

Three alkaloids, (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (1), p-(acetylamino)-phenol (2) and 4,4'-diacetamidodiphenyl ether (3), were isolated from Reineckia carnea herba. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra and MS. Compounds 1 and 3 were new natural products. Compound 2 was isolated for the first time from the Reineckia genus. Compound 1 displayed significant in vivo antitussive and expectorant activities.

The synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and antimutagenic activities of hydroxyphenylimino ligands and their metal complexes of usnic acid isolated from Usnea longissima.

Novel multifunctional hydroxyphenylimino ligands (L1, L2 and L3) were synthesized by the condensation of 2-aminophenol, 3-aminophenol and 4-aminophenol with usnic acid, a lichen metabolite. The synthesized ligands and their Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) complexes were characterized using FT-IR, UV-Vis, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, 1D- and 2D NMR (DEPT, COSY, HMQC and HMBC), LC-MS and TGA. In addition, the metal complexes of the novel ligands were prepared with high yields using Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) salts and were characterized using the FT-MIR/FAR, UV-Vis, elemental analysis, ICP-OES and TG/DTA techniques. The ligands and their complexes were tested against ten important pathogen microorganisms using the disc diffusion method and the metal complexes of the ligands were more active against all of the microorganisms tested with a broad spectrum than the ligands exhibiting 11­32 mm inhibition zones. On the other hand, a broad spectrum of the strongest antimicrobial activity was determined for the Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the hydroxyphenylimino ligand with usnic acid (L3). In addition, the antimutagenic activities of all of the ligands and their metal complexes were determined using the Ames-Salmonella and E. coli WP2 microbial assay systems and they showed varied and strong antimutagenic effects. In general, it has been found that the Co and Mn complexes of the ligands possess potent antimutagenic activity. In view of these results, it can be concluded that some metal complexes can be used as antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

Effects of the novel poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-encapsulated organic ultraviolet (UV) filters on the UV absorbance and in vitro sun protection factor (SPF).

Sunscreens are thought to protect skin from many of the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) light and the photostability of sunscreens is thus an important concern in their application. Therefore, to discover new UV filters or to modify well-known UV filters are presents an important way for development of sunscreens. In this study, we presented several novel poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) encapsulated organic UV filters, including encapsulated benzophenone-3 (TB-MS), avobenzone (TA-MS), octyl methoxycinnamate (TO-MS) and diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (TD-MS). Our results have demonstrated that PMMA-encapsulated UV filters have improved safety, photoprotective ability and photostability. We proposed therefore that these PMMA-encapsulated UV filters can be used as ingredients for sunscreen products in the future.

Phoenix dactylifera L. leaf extract phytosynthesized gold nanoparticles; controlled synthesis and catalytic activity.

A green synthesis route was reported to explore the reducing and capping potential of Phoenix dactylifera extract for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The processes of nucleation and growth of gold nanoparticles were followed by monitoring the absorption spectra during the reaction. The size and morphology of these nanoparticles was typically imaged using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle size ranged between 32 and 45 nm and are spherical in shape. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis suggests that the synthesized gold nanoparticles might be stabilized through the interactions of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups in the carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic acids present in P. dactylifera. The as-synthesized Au colloids exhibited good catalytic activity for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol.

Preparation and characterization of PbO2 electrode and its application in electro-catalytic degradation of o-aminophenol in aqueous solution assisted by CuO-Ce2O3/γ-Al2O3 catalyst.

The electrochemical degradation of o-aminophenol (OAP) in aqueous solution was investigated by galvanostatic electrolysis using PbO2 electrode as anode. The Ti/SnO2-Sb2O3/PbO2 anode was prepared by thermal decomposition and electro-deposition method, and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The hydroxyl radicals electro-generated on anode were detected by fluorescence spectroscopy. The effects of initial pH and current density on the efficiency of the electrochemical degradation process were also studied. UV spectroscopy and chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements were conducted to evaluate the removal effects of organic pollutants. The experimental results showed that the refractory organics in wastewater can be removed by pure electrochemical process, COD removal efficiency of 91.6% was obtained in 70 min at initial pH 11.0 and current density was equal to 50 mA cm(-2). In order to improve the efficiency of degradation and accelerate the reaction rate, a novel catalyst, γ-Al2O3 supported Ce-doped CuO, was synthesized by impregnating process and was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the electro-catalytic degradation of OAP wastewater and the COD removal efficiency of 91.7% was obtained in 20 min under mild conditions. Finally, a hypothetical mechanism of electro-catalytic degradation was proposed.

Design and evaluation of 4-aminophenol and salicylate derivatives as free-radical scavenger.

This theoretical and experimental study describes the design and evaluation of the free-radical scavenging effect for the molecular association of 4-aminophenol and salicylate derivatives. For this purpose, we employed theoretical methods for the selection of antioxidant drugs and the rapid methods of evaluation: the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the lipid peroxidation initiated by Fe(2+) and ascorbic acid in human erythrocytes. The associate derivatives exhibited a more potent inhibition than the salicylic acid, while the benzoyl compound exhibited a more potent inhibition than paracetamol. The molecular parameters related to the electron distribution and structure (ionization potential and energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital) correlated very well with the antioxidant action of the compounds studied here in different tests.

N-arylbenzamides: extremely simple scaffolds for the development of novel estrogen receptor agonists.

The research of estrogen receptor (ER) ligands has benefited in the last decade from the implementation of combinatorial chemistry. The general pharmacophore has been identified and subsequently a multitude of compounds have been synthesized. Surprisingly, up to now simple amides have not been taken into consideration. Here we show that amides resulting from the condensation of hydroxybenzoic acids with aminophenols result in compounds retaining the pharmacophore structure of an ER ligand with a clear estrogenic activity.

Rapid and sensitive DNA target detection using enzyme amplified electrochemical detection based on microchip.

A rapid and sensitive DNA targets detection using enzyme amplified electrochemical detection (ED) based on microchip was described. We employed a biotin-modified DNA, which reacted with avidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (avidin-HRP) to obtain the HRP-labeled DNA probe and hybridized with its complementary target. After hybridization, the mixture containing dsDNA-HRP, excess ssDNA-HRP, and remaining avidin-HRP was separated by MCE. The separations were performed at a separation voltage of +1.6 kV and were completed in less than 100 s. The HRP was used as catalytic labels to catalyze H(2)O(2)/o-aminophenol reaction. Target DNA could be detected by the HRP-catalyzed reduction with ED. With this protocol, the limits of quantification for the hybridization assay of 21- and 39-mer DNA fragments were of 8 x 10(-12) M and 1.2 x 10(-11) M, respectively. The proposed method has been applied satisfactorily in the analysis of Escherichia coli genomic DNA. We selected the detection of PCR amplifications from the gene of E. coli to test the real applicability of our method. By using an asymmetric PCR protocol, we obtained ssDNA targets of 148 bp that could be directly hybridized by the single-stranded probe and detected with ED.

Orthogonal Cu- and Pd-based catalyst systems for the O- and N-arylation of aminophenols.

O- or N-arylated aminophenol products constitute a common structural motif in various potentially useful therapeutic agents and/or drug candidates. We have developed a complementary set of Cu- and Pd-based catalyst systems for the selective O- and N-arylation of unprotected aminophenols using aryl halides. Selective O-arylation of 3- and 4-aminophenols is achieved with copper-catalyzed methods employing picolinic acid or CyDMEDA, trans-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-cyclohexanediamine, respectively, as the ligand. The selective formation of N-arylated products of 3- and 4-aminophenols can be obtained with BrettPhos precatalyst, a biarylmonophosphine-based palladium catalyst. 2-Aminophenol can be selectively N-arylated with CuI, although no system for the selective O-arylation could be found. Coupling partners with diverse electronic properties and a variety of functional groups can be selectively transformed under these conditions.

Spectrophotometric determination of paracetamol in urine with tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene as a coupling reagent and preconcentration with triton X-114 using cloud point extraction.

In the present paper, conventional spectrophotometry in conjunction with cloud point extraction-preconcentration were investigated as alternative methods for paracetamol (PCT) assay in urine samples. Cloud point extraction (CPE) was employed for the preconcentration of p-aminophenol (PAP) prior to spectrophotometric determination using the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-114 (TX-114) as an extractant. The developed methods were based on acidic hydrolysis of PCT to PAP, which reacted at room temperature with 25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (CAL4) in the presence of an oxidant (KIO(4)) to form an blue colored product. The PAP-CAL4 blue dye formed was subsequently entrapped in the surfactant micelles of Triton X-114. Cloud point phase separation with the aid of Triton X-114 induced by addition of Na(2)SO(4) solution was performed at room temperature as an advantage over other CPE assays requiring elevated temperatures. The 580 nm-absorbance maximum of the formed product was shifted bathochromically to 590 nm with CPE. The working range of 1.5-12 microg ml(-1) achieved by conventional spectrophotometry was reduced down to 0.14-1.5 microg ml(-1) with cloud point extraction, which was lower than those of most literature flow-through assays that also suffer from nonspecific absorption in the UV region. By preconcentrating 10 ml sample solution, a detection limit as low as 40.0 ng ml(-1) was obtained after a single-step extraction, achieving a preconcentration factor of 10. The stoichiometric composition of the dye was found to be 1 : 4 (PAP : CAL4). The impact of a number of parameters such as concentrations of CAL4, KIO(4), Triton X-100 (TX-100), and TX-114, extraction temperature, time periods for incubation and centrifugation, and sample volume were investigated in detail. The determination of PAP in the presence of paracetamol in micellar systems under these conditions is limited. The established procedures were successfully adopted for the determination of PCT in urine samples. Since the drug is rapidly absorbed and excreted largely in urine and its high doses have been associated with lethal hepatic necrosis and renal failure, development of a rapid, sensitive and selective assay of PCT is of vital importance for fast urinary screening and antidote administration before applying more sophisticated, but costly and laborious hyphenated instrumental techniques of HPLC-SPE-NMR-MS.

Phospholidines incorporating a beta N-sulfonylaminoalcohol moiety: first observed selectivity of phosphorus heterocycle aminolysis in the presence of water.

Eleven 2-oxo or 2-thioxo 3-sulfonyl 1,3,2-oxazaphospholidines were synthesized in one step by condensing P(IV) dichlorides with N-sulfonyl-ethanolamines, or -aminothexylalcohols or -ortho-aminophenols. These compounds, in contrast to all other phosphorus heterocycles studied so far, reacted easily with amines, sometimes selectively in the presence of water, leading to the corresponding amides. The results are rationalized by the involvement of the addition-elimination mechanism of phosphorylation with direct collapse of the primary zwitterionic intermediate formed by the amine attack on phosphorus.

Metabolism of (R)- and (S)-3-(phenylamino)propane-1,2-diol in C57BL/6- and A/J-strain mice. Identification of new metabolites with potential toxicological significance to the toxic oil syndrome.

The Toxic Oil Syndrome was a massive food-borne intoxication that occurred in Spain in 1981. Epidemiological studies point to 3-(phenylamino)propane-1,2-diol (PAP) derivatives as the putative toxic agents. We report further identification of metabolites cleared in urine of A/J and C57BL/6 mice in which (R)- and (S)-3-(phenylamino)propane-1,2-diol were administered intraperitoneally. This investigation is an extension of previous studies carried out with the racemic compound [Ladona, M. G., Bujons, J., Messeguer, A., Ampurdanés, C., Morató, A., and Corbella, J. (1999) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 12, 1127-1137]. Both PAP enantiomers were extensively metabolized, and several metabolites were eliminated in urine. The HPLC profiles of the urine samples of both mouse strains treated with each enantiomer were qualitatively similar, but differences were found in a relatively higher proportion of several detected metabolites in mice treated with (R)-PAP compared with those treated with (S)-PAP. The main urine metabolite continues to be 2-hydroxy-3-(phenylamino)propanoic acid (1), which confirms our previous results obtained with rac-PAP. In addition to the detection of other metabolites already reported in our previous paper, interesting evidence is provided on the presence of 4-aminophenol and paracetamol conjugates in the urine samples from both mouse strains. The detection of these metabolites suggests the in vivo formation of quinoneimine PAP derivatives. Indeed, some quinoneimine species (11 and 12), as well as other PAP metabolites (13) that bear modifications in the alkyl chain, have been tentatively identified in mouse urine. These metabolic findings might imply a potential toxicological significance for the Toxic Oil Syndrome.