Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Castor Oil-Based Asphalt Regeneration Agent.

Regeneration agents play a critical role in modifying the mechanical properties and durability of RAP asphalt mixtures. This paper aimed to develop a castor oil-based asphalt regeneration agent. The effects of this regeneration agent on the pavement performance of laboratory-aged asphalt and an RAP asphalt mixture were comparatively studied by a series of laboratory tests. For the developed castor oil-based asphalt regeneration agent, the weight ratio of the castor oil to dibutyl phthalate was determined as 1:4. Moreover, the regeneration effectiveness of the castor oil-based regeneration agent was tested on three laboratory-aged asphalt binders and an RAP asphalt binder; the penetration, softening point and ductility of the RAP asphalt binder recovered to 83 dmm, 50.3 °C, and more than 100 cm, respectively. The optimum content of the regeneration agent was 5% by the weight of the aged asphalt binder. Furthermore, the castor oil-based regeneration agent could effectively restore the pavement performance of an RAP asphalt mixture. In this study, the RAP percentage can reach up to 60% by the weight of the HMA mixture using the castor oil-based asphalt regeneration agent according to the Chinese specification.

Indulging Curiosity: Preliminary Evidence of an Anxiolytic-like Effect of Castor Oil and Ricinoleic Acid.

In the process of validating the elevated zero maze, a common test of anxiety-like behavior, in our laboratory, we demonstrated an anxiolytic-like effect of castor oil and its primary component, ricinoleic acid. We tested the effects of vehicle and chlordiazepoxide in male mice in the elevated zero maze following a 30-min pretreatment time. Chlordiazepoxide is a United States Food and Drug Administration-approved drug that was previously shown to exert anxiolytic-like effects in both the elevated zero maze and elevated plus maze. Chlordiazepoxide was administered at doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg. We used 5% polyoxyl 35 castor oil (Kolliphor® EL) and saline as treatment vehicles and found that the effect of chlordiazepoxide on open zone occupancy and open zone entries was blunted when 5% Kolliphor was used as the vehicle. These tests demonstrated that chlordiazepoxide increased open zone occupancy and entries in the elevated zero maze more effectively when saline was used as the treatment vehicle and that Kolliphor dampened the anxiolytic-like effect of chlordiazepoxide when it was used as the treatment vehicle. Notably, 5% Kolliphor alone slightly increased baseline open zone occupancy and entries. Given that Kolliphor is a derivative of castor oil, we next tested the effect of 5% castor oil and 5% ricinoleic acid, which is a major component of castor oil. We found that both castor oil and ricinoleic acid increased open zone occupancy but not entries compared with saline. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that Kolliphor, castor oil, and ricinoleic acid may exert anxiolytic-like effects in male mice in the elevated zero maze. This potential anxiolytic-like effect of castor oil is consistent with its well-established beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, and pain-relieving properties.

Biodegradable plastic formulated from chitosan of Aristeus antennatus shells with castor oil as a plasticizer agent and starch as a filling substrate.

Biodegradable plastics are those subjected easily to a degradation process, in which they can be decomposed after disposal in the environment through microbial activity. 30 bioplastic film formulations based only on chitosan film were used in the current investigation as a positive control together with chitosan film recovered from chitin-waste of locally obtained Aristeus antennatus. Additionally, castor oil was used as a plasticizer. While the yield of chitosan was 18% with 7.65% moisture content and 32.27% ash in the shells, the isolated chitin had a degree of deacetylation (DD) of 86%. The synthesized bioplastic films were characterized via numerous criteria. Firstly, the swelling capacity of these biofilms recorded relatively high percentages compared to polypropylene as synthetic plastic. Noticeably, the FTIR profiles, besides DSC, TGA, and XRD, confirmed the acceptable characteristics of these biofilms. In addition, their SEM illustrated the homogeneity and continuity with a few straps of the chitosan film and showed the homogeneous mixes of chitosan and castor oil with 5 and 20%. Moreover, data detected the antibacterial activity of different bioplastic formulas against some common bacterial pathogens (Enterococcus feacalis, Kelbsiella pnumina, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Amazingly, our bioplastic films have conducted potent antimicrobial activities. So, they may be promising in such a direction. Further, the biodegradability efficacy of bioplastic films formed was proved in numerous environments for several weeks of incubation. However, all bioplastic films decreased in their weights and changed in their colors, while polypropylene, was very constant all the time. The current findings suggest that our biofilms may be promising for many applications, especially in the field of food package protecting the food, and preventing microbial contamination, consequently, it may help in extending the shelf life of products.

A Novel Polyfunctional Polyurethane Acrylate Derived from Castor Oil-Based Polyols for Waterborne UV-Curable Coating Application.

Because of its unique molecular structure and renewable properties, vegetable oil has gradually become the focus of researchers. In this work, castor oil was first transformed into a castor oil-based triacrylate structure (MACOG) using two steps of chemical modification, then it was prepared into castor oil-based waterborne polyurethane acrylate emulsion, and finally, a series of coating materials were prepared under UV curing. The results showed that with the increase in MACOG content, the glass transition temperature of the sample was increased from 20.3 °C to 46.6 °C, and the water contact angle of its surface was increased from 73.85 °C to 90.57 °C. In addition, the thermal decomposition temperature, mechanical strength, and water resistance of the samples were also greatly improved. This study not only provides a new idea for the preparation of waterborne polyurethane coatings with excellent comprehensive properties but also expands the application of biomass material castor oil in the field of coating.

Exploring Cellulose Triacetate Nanofibers as Sustainable Structuring Agent for Castor Oil: Formulation Design and Rheological Insights.

Developing gelled environmentally friendly dispersions in oil media is a hot topic for many applications. This study aimed to investigate the production of electrospun cellulose triacetate (CTA) nanofibers and to explore their potential application as a thickening agent for castor oil. The key factors in the electrospinning process, including the intrinsic properties of CTA solutions in methylene chloride (DCM)/ethanol (EtOH), such us the shear viscosity, surface tension, and electrical conductivity, were systematically studied. The impact of the CTA fiber concentration and the ratio of DCM/EtOH on the rheological properties of the gel-like dispersions in castor oil was then investigated. It was found that dispersions with a non-Newtonian response and above a critical concentration (5 wt.%), corresponding to approximately 2-2.5 times the entanglement concentration, are required to produce defect-free nanofibers. The average fiber diameter increased with CTA concentration. Further, the morphology and texture of the electrospun nanofibers are influenced by the ratio of solvents used. The rheological properties of dispersions are strongly influenced by the concentration and surface properties of nanofibers, such as their smooth or porous textures, which allow their modulation. Compared to other commonly used thickeners, such as synthetic polymers and metal soaps, CTA electrospun nanofibers have a much higher oil structuring capacity. This work illustrated the potential of using CTA nanofibers as the foundation for fabricating gel-like dispersions in oil media, and thus exerting hierarchical control of rheological properties through the use of a nanoscale fabrication technique.

Combating Alcohol Adduct Impurity in Immunosuppressant Drug Product Manufacturing: A Scientific Investigation for Enhanced Process Control.

OBJECTIVE: This research aims to elucidate critical impurities in process validation batches of tacrolimus injection formulations, focusing on identification and characterization of previously unreported impurity at RRT 0.42, identified as the tacrolimus alcohol adduct. The potential root causes for the formation of new impurity was determined using structured risk assessment by cause and effect fishbone diagram. The primary objective was to propose mitigation plan and demonstrate the control of impurities with 6 month accelerated stability results in development batches. METHODS: The investigation utilizes method validation and characterization studies to affirm the accuracy of quantifying the tacrolimus alcohol adduct. The research methodology employed different characterization techniques like rotational rheometer, ICP‒MS, MALDI-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and DEPT-135 NMR for structural elucidation. Additionally, the exact mass of the impurity is validated using electrospray ionization mass spectra. RESULTS: Results indicate successful identification and characterization of the tacrolimus alcohol adduct. The study further explores the transformation of Tacrolimus monohydrate under various conditions, unveiling the formation of Tacrolimus hydroxy acid and proposing the existence of a novel degradation product, the Tacrolimus alcohol adduct. Six-month data from development lots utilizing Manufacturing Process II demonstrate significantly lower levels of alcohol adducts. CONCLUSIONS: Manufacturing Process II, selectively locates Tacrolimus within the micellar core of HCO-60, this prevent direct contact of ethanol with Tacrolimus which minimizes impurity alcohol adduct formation. This research contributes to the understanding of tacrolimus formulations, offering ways to safeguard product integrity and stability during manufacturing and storage.

Evaluation of hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities of the hydromethanol crude extract and solvent fractions of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) leaf and fruit in mice.

Background: Liver disease is any disease that negatively affects the normal function of the liver, and it is a major health problem that challenges not only healthcare professionals, but also the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. Similarly, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among children under five globally next to pneumonia. The available synthetic drugs for the treatment of liver disorders and diarrhoea have limited safety and efficacy. Objective: To evaluate the in vivo hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities of hydroalcoholic leaf and fruit extracts of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) in mice. Methods: Hepatoprotective activity of the extracts was evaluated by using CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in mice model. In this model, mice were divided into groups and treated as follows. The normal control and toxicant control groups were treated with the vehicle used for reconstitution, the positive control was treated with the standard drug (silymarin), and the test groups were treated with different doses of plant extracts daily in the morning for seven days. Additionally, all groups except the normal control were treated with CCl4 (2 mg/kg, IP) on the 4th day of treatment, 30 min post-dose. On the 7th day, blood was collected from each mouse via a cardiac puncture. The collected blood was centrifuged, and serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP were determined using an automated chemistry analyser. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post-hoc test.The antidiarrheal activity of the extract was investigated using castor oil-induced diarrhoea, enteropooling, and small intestine transit. The test groups received various doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the extract, whereas the positive control received loperamide (3 mg/kg), and the negative control received the vehicle (distilled water, 10 ml/kg). Result: Hepatoprotective activity: The leaf and fruit crude extracts showed significant improvement in the body weight and liver weight of mice compared to the untreated toxicant control. Additionally, treatment with hydromethanol leaf and fruit extracts caused a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in liver biomarkers compared to the toxicant control. Similarly, the n-butanol and chloroform fractions of the fruit extract caused a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in serum AST, ALT, ALP and Bilirubin levels and a significant (P < 0.001) increase in total protein compared to the toxicant control. However, none of the three solvent fractions (n-butanol, chloroform, and aqueous) of the fruit extract significantly affected (P > 0.05) the level of albumin compared with the toxicant control.Antidiarrheal activity: In the castor oil-induced diarrheal model, the 80 % methanol extract delayed the onset of defaecation and significantly reduced the number and weight of faeces at all tested doses compared to the negative control. In the enteropooling test, 80 ME significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the weight and volume of intestinal fluid at all tested doses compared with the negative control. Results from the charcoal meal test revealed that the extracts produced a significant anti-motility effect at all tested doses compared with the negative control. Conclusion: This study confirmed the hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities of hydroalcoholic extracts. The highest test dose produced the maximum hepatoprotective and antidiarrheal activities in all models.

Evaluations of the in vivo Laxative Effects of Aqueous Leaf and Stem Extracts of Artemisia Abyssinica in Mice.

Background: People frequently complain of long-term constipation. The cost associated with using modern medications to treat constipation is significant, and the probability of encountering side effects is notably high. These limitations restrict their effectiveness in therapy, remain unresolved, and underscore the need for research on alternative therapeutic approaches. Plants of the genus Artemisia have been used to treat constipation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the laxative effects of aqueous A. abyssinica leaf and stem extracts of Artemisia abyssinica in mice. Methods: The laxative activity of A. abyssinica leaf and stem extracts was evaluated using three models: laxative activity, gastrointestinal motility, and gastrointestinal secretion. In this study, bisacodyl was used as a standard laxative and loperamide was used to induce constipation. Results: In the laxative test, 200 (P<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.01) doses of plant extract significantly increased the percentage of fecal water content. Moreover, the highest dose of extract increased the frequency of defecation after 12 h (p<0.05). In the remaining two models, the experimental plans also showed significantly higher gastrointestinal motility and noticeable accumulation of intestinal fluid. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that aqueous leaf and stem extracts of A. abyssinica have laxative effects.

Synthesis of castor oil/PEG as textile softener.

New castor oil/polyethylene glycol (CAO/PEG) hybrids were synthesized by reacting of CAO with PEG 300, 600, 1000, 2000 or 4000, in presence of ammonium per sulfate (APS) as an initiator. The optimum conditions to synthesis such hybrids are: PEG/CAO weight ratio, 35%; APS/PEG weight ratio, 15%; reaction temperature, 80 °C; and reaction time, 60 min. Only the hybrids based on PEG 1000 and 2000 formed oil in water stable emulsions. Treating cotton fabric samples with easy care finishing formulation containing 40 g/L of the synthesized hybrids emulsions results in an enhancement in softness, tensile strength, whiteness index, and stiffness along with a reduction in nitrogen content, wrinkle recovery angle, and wettability properties of treated fabric, compared to that sample finished in absence of that emulsions. The chemical structure of the synthesized CAO/PEG1000 hybrid was confirmed via the FTIR and 1HNMRanalysis whereas the TEM analysis showed that the particles size of that hybrid emulsion is in the range of 27-105 nm. Moreover, such hybrid emulsion treated fabric surface was characterized via SEM and EDX analysis. Furthermore, treating dyed samples with the nominated hybrid emulsion improves the color strength of that samples but keeps the washing fastness, wet rubbing fastness as well as alkaline perspiration fastness of the dyed/finished samples unchanged. The wet rubbing fastness and alkaline perspiration fastness of all the dyed/finished samples were enhanced while the light fastness of such samples decreased.

Methods for the induction of labor: efficacy and safety.

This review assessed the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic agents (prostaglandins, oxytocin, mifepristone, hyaluronidase, and nitric oxide donors) and mechanical methods (single- and double-balloon catheters, laminaria, membrane stripping, and amniotomy) and those generally considered under the rubric of complementary medicine (castor oil, nipple stimulation, sexual intercourse, herbal medicine, and acupuncture). A substantial body of published reports, including 2 large network meta-analyses, support the safety and efficacy of misoprostol (PGE1) when used for cervical ripening and labor induction. Misoprostol administered vaginally at doses of 50 µg has the highest probability of achieving vaginal delivery within 24 hours. Regardless of dosing, route, and schedule of administration, when used for cervical ripening and labor induction, prostaglandin E2 seems to have similar efficacy in decreasing cesarean delivery rates. Globally, although oxytocin represents the most widely used pharmacologic agent for labor induction, its effectiveness is highly dependent on parity and cervical status. Oxytocin is more effective than expectant management in inducing labor, and the efficacy of oxytocin is enhanced when combined with amniotomy. However, prostaglandins administered vaginally or intracervically are more effective in inducing labor than oxytocin. A single 200-mg oral tablet of mifepristone seems to represent the lowest effective dose for cervical ripening. The bulk of the literature assessing relaxin suggests this agent has limited benefit when used for this indication. Although intracervical injection of hyaluronidase may cause cervical ripening, the need for intracervical administration has limited the use of this agent. Concerning the vaginal administration of nitric oxide donors, including isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide, nitroglycerin, and sodium nitroprusside, the higher incidence of side effects with these agents has limited their use. A synthetic hygroscopic cervical dilator has been found to be effective for preinduction cervical ripening. Although a pharmacologic agent may be administered after the use of the synthetic hygroscopic dilator, in an attempt to reduce the interval to vaginal delivery, concomitant use of mechanical and pharmacologic methods is being explored. Combining the use of a single-balloon catheter with dinoprostone, misoprostol, or oxytocin enhances the efficacy of these pharmacologic agents in cervical ripening and labor induction. The efficacy of single- and double-balloon catheters in cervical ripening and labor induction seems similar. To date, the combination of misoprostol with an intracervical catheter seems to be the best approach when balancing delivery times with safety. Although complementary methods are occasionally used by patients, given the lack of data documenting their efficacy and safety, these methods are rarely used in hospital settings.

Study of the spread of medicinal herbs use among patients suffering from chronic diseases in Iraq.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To assess the prevalence of medicinal plants, use among Iraqi patients with chronic disease and compare it with another study in same or different countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: A randomized Internet and social media questionnaire was used. In this cross-sectional study, peoples with chronic diseases from different age group were recruited. Participants had an internet questionnaire to answer. This questionnaire embraced age, gender, occupation, marital status, education level and some lifestyle details as demographic data, a large proportion of the questionnaire was related to herbs, both prescribed and OTC ones. RESULTS: Results: Gender distribution: about 70% of patients were female and 30% male. Education level: uneducated - 35%, primary school - 30%, secondary school - 25%, academic - 10%. Place of residence: 30% lived in urban and 70% in rural areas. Diseases distribution: 30% hypertension, 20% diabetes, 10% asthma, 10% migraine, 15% hyperlipidemia and 15% rheumatoid arthritis. Medicinal plants: 10% green tea, 5%fish oil, 15% anise 25% castor oil and 15% spirulina. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The study reported a high prevalence of medicinal herbs use among patients with chronic disease in Iraq. Several factors (rural residence, education, age, multiple chronic conditions and low quality of life) associated with medicinal herbs use. This knowledge will help policy makers and health care providers for decision making on the safe use of herbal medicine.

Performance of castor oil polyurethane resin in composite with the piassava fibers residue from the Amazon.

The use of castor oil in producing polyurethane resins has been identified as one of the most promising options for the industry. The piassava fibers waste generated by the industry on a large scale presents excellent properties as a reinforcing agent due to its high lignin content characterized by chemical tests and FTIR. Composite boards consisting of a higher content of mercerized piassava fibers (10 mm, 85 wt.%) reinforced polyurethane castor oil-based resin (prepolymer (PP) and polyol (OM)) exhibited excellent performance. Composites with these properties have strong potential for medium-density applications ranging from biomedical prosthetics to civil partition walls and insulation linings. Alkali treatment removed the superficial impurities of piassava fibers, activating polar groups, and physical characterization reported excellent performance for all composites. Among the composites, the CP3 sample (composite reinforced with piassava fibers (85 wt.% fibers; 1.2:1-PP:OM)) stood out with higher density and lower swelling and water absorption percentage than other composites. FTIR results indicated NCO traces after the resin cured in the PU3 (1.2:1-PP:OM), possibly contributing to the interaction with the fibers. DMA results reported relevant information about more flexibility to CP1 (composite reinforced with piassava fibers (85 wt.% fibers; 0.8:1-PP:OM)) and CP3 than CP2 (composite reinforced with piassava fibers (85 wt.% fibers; 1:1-PP:OM)). The results suggest that the proper combination with natural products must lead to composites with potential applications as engineering materials.

Combined effect of lightning impulse voltage and temperature stress on the propagation of creeping discharge of oil-impregnated paper.

This article presents the results of an experiment designed to study the impact of temperature on the characteristic parameters of creeping discharges. The insulating interfaces consist of a thermally enhanced cellulose surface immersed in mineral oil, palm kernel oil methyl ester (PKOME) and castor oil methyl ester (COME). The study was carried out under a standard negative lightning impulse voltage (1.2/50 µs). The article also presents the complete algorithms for calculating the maximum extension of the discharges, the ionisation rate and the charge produced by them. The results of the study show that temperature favors the propagation of discharges and the ionisation rate. It was observed that liquids with a higher dielectric constant and high electrical conductivity were more exposed to the impact of temperature. The results show ionisation increments of 0.973%/°C, 1.093%/°C and 1.076%/°C in mineral oil (MO), COME and PKOME respectively. The maximum extension of the discharges shows a linear evolution with the applied voltage and temperature but a non-linear increment with the temperature. As for the charge produced, it shows a constant increment with temperature and voltage in each liquid. These values are (5.839%/°C, 1.977%/kV), (6.047%/°C, 2.082%/kV) and (6.177%/°C, 2.113%/kV) respectively in MO, COME and PKOME.

Efficacy of castor oil cream in treating infraorbital hyperpigmentation: An exploratory single-arm clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Infraorbital hyperpigmentation represents one of the most prevalent conditions in cosmetic dermatology. To treat this condition, many patients prefer natural remedies. This study explored the efficacy of topical castor oil cream in treating patients with infraorbital hyperpigmentation. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory single-arm clinical trial at the Shahid Faghihi Dermatology Clinic and Molecular Dermatology Research Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, during 2021-2022. Using the convenience sampling method, we enrolled 25 patients with infraorbital hyperpigmentation. We instructed the patients to apply topical castor oil cream twice daily for 2 months. The darkness, melanin, and erythema levels were evaluated by VisioFace® 1000 D and SkinColorCatch® devices. We used a visual analog scale to assess skin laxity, wrinkles, and patient satisfaction. Data analysis was done with Stata version 14.2. RESULTS: The data of 22 patients with a mean age of 40.92 ± 7.33 years were analyzed. The VisioFace® scores decreased significantly by the end of the study [right eyes: mean difference (MD): -5.63 (95% CI: -7.12 to -4.15), p < 0.001; left eyes: MD: -5.91 (95% CI: -7.46 to -4.36), p < 0.001]. Moreover, castor oil cream significantly reduced the melanin level, wrinkles, and skin laxity in the infraorbital region (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Castor oil cream seems to be an effective alternative for treating infraorbital hyperpigmentation. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm our findings.

Bio-based polyester-polyurethane foams: synthesis and degradability by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus.

In this article, the degradability by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus of three bio-based polyurethane (PU) foams is compared to previous degradability studies involving a Pseudomonas sp. bacterium and similar initial materials (Spontón et al. in Int. Biodet. Biodeg. 85:85-94, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2013.05.019 ). First, three new polyester-polyurethane foams were prepared from mixtures of castor oil (CO), maleated castor oil (MACO), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and water. Then, their degradation tests were carried out in an aqueous medium, and employing the two mentioned fungi, after their isolation from the environment. From the degradation tests, the following was observed: (a) the insoluble (and slightly collapsed) foams exhibited free hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine moieties; and (b) the water soluble (and low molar mass) compounds contained amines, carboxylic acids, and glycerol. The most degraded foam contained the highest amount of MACO, and therefore the highest concentration of hydrolytic bonds. A basic biodegradation mechanism was proposed that involves hydrolysis and oxidation reactions.

Precise Fabrication of Ocular Inserts Using an Innovative Laser-Driven CaliCut Technology: In Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation.

Ocular inserts offer distinct advantages, including a preservative-free drug delivery system, the ability to provide tailored drug release, and ease of administration. The present research paper delves into the development of an innovative ocular insert using CaliCut technology. Complementing the hot melt extrusion (HME) process, CaliCut, an advanced technology in ocular insert development, employs precision laser gauging to achieve impeccable cutting of inserts with desired dimensions. Its intelligent control over the stretching process through auto feedback-based belt speed adjustment ensures unparalleled accuracy and consistency in dosage form manufacturing. Dry eye disease (DED) poses a significant challenge to ocular health, necessitating innovative approaches to alleviate its symptoms. In this pursuit, castor oil has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent, offering beneficial effects by increasing the thickness of the lipid layer in the tear film, thus improving tear film stability, and reducing tear evaporation. To harness these advantages, this study focuses on the development and comprehensive characterization of castor oil-based ocular inserts. Additionally, in-vivo irritancy evaluation in rabbits has been undertaken to assess the inserts' safety and biocompatibility. By harnessing the HME and CaliCut techniques in the formulation process, the study demonstrates their instrumental role in facilitating the successful development of ocular inserts.

Anti-diarrheal effect of piperine possibly through the interaction with inflammation inducing enzymes: In vivo and in silico studies.

Piperine is a natural alkaloid that possesses a variety of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticarcinogenic activities. The present study aims to assess the medicinal benefits of piperine as an anti-diarrheal agent in a chick model by utilizing in vivo and in silico techniques. For this, castor oil was administered orally to 2-day-old chicks to cause diarrhea. Bismuth subsalicylate (10 mg/kg), loperamide (3 mg/kg), and nifedipine (2.5 mg/kg) were used as positive controls, while the vehicle was utilized as a negative control. Two different doses (25 and 50 mg/kg b.w.) of the test sample (piperine) were administered orally, and the highest dose was tested with standards to investigate the synergistic activity of the test sample. In our findings, piperine prolonged the latent period while reducing the number of diarrheal feces in the experimental chicks during the monitoring period (4 h). At higher doses, piperine appears to reduce diarrheal secretion while increasing latency in chicks. Throughout the combined pharmacotherapy, piperine outperformed bismuth subsalicylate and nifedipine in terms of anti-diarrheal effects with loperamide. In molecular docking, piperine exhibited higher binding affinities towards different inflammatory enzymes such as cyclooxygenase 1 (-7.9 kcal/mol), cyclooxygenase 2 (-8.4 kcal/mol), nitric oxide synthases (-8.9 kcal/mol), and L-type calcium channel (-8.8 kcal/mol), indicating better interaction of PP with these proteins. In conclusion, piperine showed a potent anti-diarrheal effect in castor oil-induced diarrheal chicks by suppressing the inflammation and calcium ion influx induced by castor oil.

[Establishment of a quantitative method for GC analysis of polyoxyethylene (35) castor oil in microemulsion extracts].

With the continuous exploration of microemulsions as solvents for traditional Chinese medicine extraction, polyoxyethy-lene(35) castor oil(CrEL), a commonly used surfactant, is being utilized by researchers. However, the problem of detecting residues of this surfactant in microemulsion extracts has greatly hampered the further development of microemulsion solvents. Based on the chemical structures of the components in CrEL and the content determination method of castor oil in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Vol. Ⅳ), this study employed gas chromatography(GC) and single-factor experiments to optimize the preparation method of methyl ricinoleate from CrEL. The conversion coefficient between the two was validated, and the optimal sample preparation method was used to process microemulsion extracts of Zexie Decoction from three batches. The content of methyl ricinoleate generated was determined, and the content of CrEL in the microemulsion extracts of Zexie Decoction was calculated using the above conversion coefficient. The results showed that the optimal preparation method for CrEL was determined. Specifically, 10 mL of 1 mol·L~(-1) KOH-methanol solution was heated at 60 ℃ for 15 min in a water bath. Subsequently, 10 mL of boron trifluoride etherate-methanol(1∶3) solution was heated at 60 ℃ for 15 min in a water bath, followed by extraction with n-hexane twice. CrEL could stably produce 20.84% methyl ricinoleate. According to this conversion coefficient, the average mass concentration of CrEL in the three batches of Zexie Decoction microemulsion extracts was 11.94 mg·mL~(-1), which was not significantly different from the CrEL mass concentration of 11.57 mg·mL~(-1) during microemulsion formulation, indicating that the established content determination method of this study was highly accurate, sensitive, and repeatable. It can be used for subsequent research on microemulsion extracts of Zexie Decoction and provide a reference for quality control of other drug formulations containing CrEL.

A high-efficient antibacterial and biocompatible polyurethane film with Ag@rGO nanostructures prepared by microwave-assisted method: Physicochemical and dermal wound healing evaluation.

Wound infections are a significant issue that can hinder the wound healing process. One way to address this problem is by enhancing the antibacterial activity of wound dressings. Accordingly, this work focuses on developing a castor-oil-based antibacterial polyurethane nanocomposite film impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) decorated on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanostructures (Ag@rGO). To this aim, rGOs act as a platform to stabilize AgNPs and improve their bioavailability and dispersion quality within the PU film. The microwave-assisted synthesis of Ag@rGO nanohybrids was proved by FTIR, XRD, TGA, FE-SEM, EDS, and TEM analyses. Compared to PU/GO, the effect of Ag@rGO nanohybrids on thermo-mechanical features, morphology, antibacterial activity, cytocompatibility, and in vivo wound healing was assessed. SEM photomicrographs revealed the enhanced dispersion of Ag@rGO nanohybrids compared to GO nanosheets. Besides, according to XRD results, PU/Ag@rGO nanocomposite film demonstrated higher microphase mixing, which could be due to the finely dispersed Ag@rGO nanostructures interrupting the hydrogen bonding interactions in the hard segments. Moreover, PU/Ag@rGO nanocomposite showed excellent antibacterial behavior with completely killing E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. In vitro and in vivo wound healing studies displayed PU/Ag@rGO film effectively stimulated fibroblast cells proliferation, migration and re-epithelialization. However, the prepared antibacterial PU/Ag@rGO nanocomposite film has the potential to be used as a biomaterial for dermal wound healing applications.