Facile One-Pot Synthesis and Anti-Microbial Activity of Novel 1,4-Dihydropyridine Derivatives in Aqueous Micellar Solution under Microwave Irradiation.

The current study describes a novel and eco-conscious method to synthesize 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives utilizing an aqueous micellar solution containing aluminum dodecyl sulfate, Al(DS)3, using readily available starting material. The final products were synthesized with excellent yields within remarkably quick reaction durations, promoting remarkable atom economy and minimizing environmental impacts. The present protocol has several advantages over other methodologies in terms of high yield (up to 97%) with excellent purity. Further, the synthesized 1,4-DHPs exhibit favorable to excellent resistance against examined bacterial and fungal species. Intriguingly, polar groups on the phenyl ring (5b, 5c, 5i and 5j) make the 1,4-DHPs equally potent against the microbes as compared to the standard drugs.

Electrochemical synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of some N-phenyl α-amino acids.

In the present report, the authors describe a synthetic route for the generation of N-phenyl amino acid derivatives using CO2via a C-C coupling reaction in an undivided cell containing a combination of Mg-Pt electrodes. The reactions were completed in a short time without the formation of any other side product. The final products were purified via a simple recrystallization procedure. The structures of the newly prepared compounds were established using advanced spectroscopic techniques including 1H, 13C NMR, IR, and ESI-MS. All the prepared derivatives show good-to-excellent activity when tested against bacterial and fungal strains. Interestingly, it was observed that the presence of polar groups (capable of forming H-bonds) such as -OH (4d) and -NO2 (4e) at the para position of the phenyl ring show activity equivalent to the standard drugs.

Zirconia-based nanomaterials: recent developments in synthesis and applications.

In the last decade, the whole scientific community has witnessed great advances and progress in the various fields of nanoscience. Among the different nanomaterials, zirconia nanomaterials have found numerous applications as nanocatalysts, nanosensors, adsorbents, etc. Additionally, their exceptional biomedical applications in dentistry and drug delivery, and interesting biological properties, viz. anti-microbial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer activity, have further motivated the researchers to explore their physico-chemical properties using different synthetic pathways. With such an interest in zirconia-based nanomaterials, the present review focuses systematically on different synthesis approaches and their impact on the structure, size, shape, and morphology of these nanomaterials. Broadly, there are two approaches, viz., chemical synthesis which includes hydrothermal, solvothermal, sol-gel, microwave, solution combustion, and co-precipitation methods, and a greener approach which employs bacteria, fungus, and plant parts for the preparation of zirconia nanoparticles. In this review article, the aforementioned methods have been critically analyzed for obtaining specific phases and shapes. The review also incorporates a detailed survey of the applications of zirconia-based nanomaterials. Furthermore, the influence of specific phases, morphology, and the comparison with their counterpart composites for different applications have also been included. Finally, the concluding remarks, prospects and possible scope are given in the last section.

Review of Shikonin and Derivatives: Isolation, Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Shikonin and its derivatives, isolated from traditional medicinal plant species of the genus Lithospermum, Alkanna, Arnebia, Anchusa, Onosma, and Echium belonging to the Boraginaceae family, have numerous applications in foods, cosmetics, and textiles. Shikonin, a potent bioactive red pigment, has been used in traditional medicinal systems to cure various ailments and is well known for its diverse pharmacological potential such as anticancer, antithrombotic, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-gonadotropic, antioxidants, antimicrobial and insecticidal. Herein, updated research on the natural sources, pharmacology, toxicity studies, and various patents filed worldwide related to shikonin and approaches to shikonin's biogenic and chemical synthesis are reviewed. Furthermore, recent studies to establish reliable production systems to meet market demand, functional identification, and future clinical development of shikonin and its derivatives against various diseases are presented.

Application of Selenium Nanoparticles in Localized Drug Targeting for Cancer Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gained a place in the biomedical field; they serve as chemotherapeutic agents for targeted drug delivery due to their capacity to exert distinct mechanisms of action on cancer and normal cells. The principle behind these mechanisms is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which accelerates apoptosis via the dysfunction of various pathways. SeNPs, when used in higher concentrations, induce toxicity; however, conjugation and surface functionalization are some techniques available to ameliorate their toxic nature as well as enhance their anticancer activity. OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this analysis is to provide a thorough and systematic investigation into the use of various SeNPs in localized drug targeting for cancer therapy. This has been achieved by citing examples of numerous SeNPs and their use as a drug targeting agent for cancer therapy. METHODS: All relevant data and information about the various SeNPs for drug targeting in cancer therapy were gathered from various databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Taylor and Francis imprints, American Chemical Society, Springer, Royal Society of Chemistry, and Google Scholar. RESULTS: SeNPs are explored due to their better biopharmaceutical properties and cytostatic behavior. Se, as an essential component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and other seleno-chemical substances, might boost chemotherapeutic efficacy and protect tissues from cellular damage caused by ROS. SeNPs have the potential to set the stage for developing new strategies to treat malignancy. CONCLUSION: This review extensively analyzed the anticancer efficacy and functionalization strategies of SeNPs in drug delivery to cancer cells. In addition, this review highlights the mechanism of action of drug-loaded SeNPs to suppress the proliferation of cancer cells in different cell lines.

Comprehensive review on ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, biological potential and toxicology of Parthenium hysterophorus L.: A journey from noxious weed to a therapeutic medicinal plant.

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a noxious weed and a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It is regarded as the seventh most deadly weed in the world: harmful to both humans and livestock. It is widely known as Congress Grass or Feverfew. Despite its pitfalls, P. hysterophorus bestows medicinal effects. Although prolific in nature and difficult to control, many novel applications of this controversial herb have been discovered as an approach to manage the weed. AIM: The current review aims to compile all the ethnobotanical, phytochemistry, biological activities and utilities, clinical studies and toxicity data available on P. hysterophorus and its major chemical constituent parthenin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extensive literature surveyed Google search, Google scholar, Wiley online library, Elsevier, Springer, Science direct, American Chemical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry and Research Gate. RESULT: According to the study, P. hysterophorus is utilized as a traditional medicine throughout Central America and the Caribbean. It can be used to treat skin infections, dermatitis, amoebic dysentery, and as an analgesic in the treatment of muscular rheumatism. The extracts obtained from P. hysterophorus have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, larvicidal, anti-microbial, insecticidal, hypoglycaemic and anti-cancer activity. CONCLUSION: The earlier investigations confirmed that P. hysterophorus has numerous traditional and biological applications. However, the scientific data are limited in clinical and toxicological studies. Therefore, further research is required on clinical and toxicological aspects to understand the complete potential and effects of P. hysterophorus.

Bis-dihydroisoxazolines: Synthesis, Structural Elucidation, Antimicrobial Evaluation, and DNA Photocleavage Assay.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Isoxazole is an active core found in many drugs. The aim of this work was to synthesize bis-isoxazoline compounds and to analyze the effect of linker chain length on biological activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A simple, convenient, and efficient method for the conversion of bischalcones to new bis(4,5-dihydroisoxazole) derivatives was developed by using hydroxylamine hydrochloride under basic medium. Synthesized moieties were also evaluated for their antimicrobial potencies and DNA photocleavage assay. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The synthesized compounds were more active than their chalcone precursors and the long-chain linkers (4e&4f) were more potent in antimicrobial, as well as in DNA photocleavage activity. CONCLUSION: It was found that many of the tested bischalcones and bis-isoxazolines exhibited moderate to significant antimicrobial activity against various strains. Furthermore, the present study also provides significant information and interesting outcomes regarding cyclization, increasing the length of linker chains, and their effects on the DNA photocleavage and antimicrobial activities.