In-situ modification of castor oil with divalent metal ions like Zn (II), Cu (II), Co (II) and Ba (II) and their comparative antioxidant study by in-vitro methods.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted for direct addition of castor oil into food for human consumption and recently FDA approved castor oil as over-the-counter (OTC) for laxative drug. Castor oil (COL) is a vegetable oil and naturally polyol which is inexpensive, environmental friendly and a very valuable renewable resource. Metals are believed to influence antioxidant property of ligands. Metals copper, zinc, cobalt and barium were incorporated with castor oil and subsequently structures were established by FT-IR, UV-Visible, and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. In vitro antioxidant activities of metal containing COL were determined by DPPH and superoxide scavenging methods and the results were compared with vitamin C. Enhanced antioxidant nature of metal containing castor oil was noticed and compared to virgin castor oil. This study reveals that synthesized metal containing-COL is a potential antioxidant material.

Antifungal activity of α-methyl trans cinnamaldehyde, its ligand and metal complexes: promising growth and ergosterol inhibitors.

Antifungal effectivity and utility of cinnamaldehyde is limited because of its high MIC and skin sensitivity. In this study, α-methyl trans cinnamaldehyde, a less irritating derivative, have been self coupled and complexed with Co(II) and Ni(II) to generate N, N'-Bis (α-methyl trans cinnamadehyde) ethylenediimine [C(22)H(24)N(2)], [Co(C(44)H(48)N(4))Cl(2)] and [Ni(C(44)H(48)N(4))Cl(2)]. Ligand and complexes were characterized on the basis of FTIR, ESI-MS, IR and (1)HNMR techniques. Synthesized ligand [L] and complexes were investigated for their MICs, inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis and H(+) extrusion against three strains of Candida: C. albicans 44829, C. tropicalis 750 and C. krusei 6258. Average of three species MIC of methyl cinnamaldehyde is 317 µg/ml (2168 µM). Compared to methyl cinnamaldehyde ligand [L], Co(II) and Ni(II) complex are found to be 4.48, 17.78 and 21.46 times more effective in liquid medium and 2.73, 8.93 and 10.38 times more effective in solid medium. At their respective MIC(90) average inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis caused by methyl cinnamaldehyde, ligand [L], Co(II) and Ni(II) complex, respectively was 80, 78, 90 and 93%. H(+) extrusion was also significantly inhibited but did not co-relate well with MIC(90). Results indicate ergosterol biosynthesis as site of action of α-methyl cinnamaldehyde, synthesized ligand and complexes. α-methyl cinnamaldehyde and ligand did not show any toxicity against H9c2 rat cardiac myoblast cell, whereas Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes on an average produced 19% cellular toxicity.