Rhodamine B for Probing the Effects of Modifications in Cetrimonium Bromide Counter-anions by Transition Metals on CTAB/Butanol/n-hexane/water Microemulsion.

Dye solubilization in microemulsion based on Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and its modified forms (counter-anions based upon Zn2+, Cu2+ and Fe3+) is comparatively innovative and not explored in existing literature. Here, surfactant with modified counterions (SMCs) were used to study the effects of metal chlorides (ZnCl2, CuCl2 and FeCl3) modifications on the comparative solubilization of Rhodamine-B (RB) by Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and its modified forms. The solubility of RB in different microemulsions were studied using UV-Visible spectroscopy and phase diagrams of CTAB with modified counter ions CTA+[ZnCl2.Br]- named as CZN-1, CTA+[CuCl2.Br]- named as CCU-1 and CTA+[FeCl3.Br]- named as CFE-1 based upon surfactant with modified counter ions (SMCs). Four different points in microemulsion region of phase diagram were selected with different percentage composition of Smix (surfactant and co-surfactant), oil and RB (taken as water component). The interaction of RB, CCU-1, CFE-1 and CZN-1 within microemulsion environment were studied using Fluorescence spectroscopy. Emission spectra of RB in CCU-1 and CFE-1 based microemulsion confirmed that RB formed complexes with Cu and Fe ions. It was also found that RB was less soluble in CTAB based microemulsion as compared to microemulsions based on SMCs. This novel research study will expose new path for future research work related to microemulsion.

In silico analysis of quranic and prophetic medicinals plants for the treatment of infectious viral diseases including corona virus.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infection of the respiratory system caused by single standard RNA viruses named as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease appeared as a serious problem and the leading cause of death in human beings throughout the world. The main source of different phytochemicals are plants, which helps in the development of new drugs against various ailments. Islam is comprehensive religion and a complete code of life for Muslims. The teaching of Islam, according to the Holy Quran and Hadith are universal for the benefit of humanity. Islam believes that every ailment is from God and who made the disease definitely made its medication. There is a complete guideline with regard to taking measures against infectious diseases such as quarantine and seeking medicinal treatment. The research objective is to gather the knowledge of medicinal plants described in the Holy Quran or utilized by the Prophet (SAW) for the treatment of different ailments or advised to use them to boost immunity and strengthen the body. Scientists across the globe have found these plants beneficial for many diseases and have antiviral potential. In present study, the six plant species including Olea europaea, Nigella sativa, Allium Sativum, Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale and Cassia senna were selected which contain phytochemicals like Calcium Elenolate, Thymoquinone, S-Allylcysteine, Dipropyl Disulfide, Sesquiterpene, Monoterpene, Pelargonidin 3-Galactoside ion and Kaempferol. The phytochemicals monoterpene (from Zingiber officinale) shows best interaction with target proteins RdRP, 3CLPro, ACE2. Calcium Elonate (from olive) bonds with 3CLPro, ACE2 and Kemoferol and Pelargomidine (from Senna Makki) bonds with RdRP, ACE2. The ligands show a unique set of intersections i.e. hydrogen bonding, and alkyl interaction. These medicinal plants can be utilized immediately for the treatment of COVID-19 as their safety is already established. This treatment can enhance recovery when combined with other treatments. Furthermore, the screening of bioactive compounds or phytochemicals found in these plants can be utilized to design new therapeutic drug to treat COVID-19 pandemic.

Investigative evaluation of Cassia absus for antibacterial capacity and biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Cassia absus is used for medicinal purposes for a long time all over the world. In this study, the authors report the antimicrobial potential of C. absus extracts obtained with different solvents. The extract(s) obtained with ethyl acetate yielded the best antibacterial effects because of a rich supply of oxalates and alkaloids in it. The same extract was also exploited for reducing Ag+ ions (to metallic Ag0) for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Electron microscopy revealed that the silver nanoparticles were ∼18-25 nm in diameter. The Fourier-transform infrared evaluation pointed towards the fact that flavonoids present in the plant extract were acting as reductants while amino groups were the bound stabilisation agents to the synthesised nanoparticles limiting the diameter to a certain threshold and avoiding aggregation naturally. A comparative antibacterial assay of C. absus versus Ag nanoparticles showed that the nanoparticles as well as organic (ethyl acetate) extract of the plant checked the growth of selected (MDR) superbugs. However, the biosynthesised Ag nanoparticles returned better antibacterial efficacies than ethyl acetate extract.