Dichloromethane Research Articles

The Anthelmintic Activity of Nepeta racemosa Lam. Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep: Rosmarinic Acid Quantification and In Silico Tubulin-Binding Studies

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) inflict significant economic losses on sheep and goat farming globally due to reduced productivity and the development of anthelmintic resistance. Sustainable control strategies are urgently needed including the exploration of medicinal plants as safer alternatives to chemical anthelmintics. This genus of plants is used for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic activities of Nepeta racemosa Lam. MeOH extract, n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-buthanol (n-BuOH) and aqueous (H2O) subextracts, and quantify rosmarinic acid in the active extract by the HPLC method, and perform in silico molecular docking studies of rosmarinic acid to examine its binding interactions with tubulin. The anthelmintic activity of the plant extracts on gastrointestinal nematode eggs and larvae (L3) of the sheep was assessed using in vitro test methods such as the egg hatch assay and larval motility assay, conducted over a 24 h period (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 24). All extracts exhibited 100% effectiveness in the egg hatch inhibition assay, regardless of concentration (50–1.5625 mg/mL). The EtOAc subextract shows the highest effectiveness at 79.66%, followed by the MeOH extract at 74.00%, water at 64.00%, n-hexane at 67.00%, and DCM at 61.00%, and the lowest effectiveness is observed with n-BuOH at 51.66% in the larval motility assay. The major compound of EtOAc extract, the most active extract of N. racemosa, was determined as rosmarinic acid and its amount in the extract was determined as 14.50 mg/100 mg dry extract. The amount of rosmarinic acid in the MeOH extract was found to be 0.21 mg/100 mg dry extract. n-Hexane, DCM, n-BuOH, and H2O extracts’ rosmarinic acid content was lower than the LOQ value. As tubulin plays an important role in the mechanism of anthelmintics, the major compound of the most active extract (NR-EtOAc) rosmarinic acid was docked onto the colchicine-binding site of the tubulin (5OV7) protein. Rosmarinic acid showed a similar activity spectrum to the anthelmintic drug albendazole. The discovery of low-cost and low-toxicity anthelmintic compounds is very important.

In vivo antidiabetic and ex-vivo antioxidant activities of dichloromethane extract of Xerophyta spekei

BackgroundThe medicinal plant Xerophyta spekei is used among Embu and Mbeere communities to manage diabetes mellitus. However, its efficacy has never been evaluated in vivo. The purpose of this study was to investigate its quantitative phytochemical and antidiabetic potential. Extraction was done using Dichloromethane (DCM). Quantitative phytochemical analysis was conducted using GC-MS. To evaluate antidiabetic activity, groups of mice which included normal control, diabetic control, positive control, and extract-administered groups (50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg body weight) were used. Alloxan monohydrate was used to induce diabetes. Blood glucose of the mice was determined hourly for the first six hours, and once after 12 and 24 h on the first day. Thereafter, the blood glucose in mice was determined once a week for three weeks. During the experimental period of three weeks, body weights were determined. After 21 days, lipid profiles, kidney and liver function tests as well as ex vivo antioxidant assays were carried out.ResultsThe phytochemicals classes identified included flavonoids, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, terpenoids, fatty acids, tocopherols and alkaloids. Stigmasterol had the highest concentration (12.99 ± 2.56 mg/g). The extract decreased blood glucose dose-dependently, with 200 mg/kg bw dose resulting in the highest % mean change (40.10 ± 0.95). The extract gradually decreased blood glucose during 21 days of treatment. It attenuated loss of body weight and aberrant biochemical parameters including liver and renal function tests as well as lipid profiles in diabetic mice. Furthermore, it reduced levels of malondialdehyde and enhanced enzymatic antioxidant activities in diabetic mice.ConclusionsThe study confirms that DCM extract X. spekei contains phytochemicals with antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. The findings authenticate the folkloric use of X. spekei in managing diabetes mellitus. The medicinal plant also serves as a potential source for developing antidiabetic agents.

Atelocollagen-based hydrogel loaded withCotinus coggygria's extract for treatment of type 2 diabetic wounds.

Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease, causes complications such as chronic wounds which are difficult to cure. New treatments have been investigated to accelerate the wound healing. In this study, a novel wound dressing from fibroblast-laden atelocollagen-based hydrogel with Cotinus coggygria's extract was developed for diabetic wound healing. The antimicrobial activity of C.coggygria's hexane (H), dichloromethane (DCM), dichloromethane:methanol (DCM-M), methanol (M), distilled water (DW) and traditional (T) extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans and their cytotoxic effects on fibroblasts were determined. While fibroblast growth was significantly (p˂0.05) promoted with the DCM (121.41 ± 1.04 %), M (109.40 ± 5.89 %) and DW (121.83 ± 6.37 %) extracts at their lowest concentrations, 2000µg/mL DCM and 7.8µg/mL T extracts had both non-cytotoxic and antifungal effects. The atelocollagen-based hydrogel was produced by thermal-crosslinking and its pore size (38.75 ± 7.67 µm), water content (96.63 ± 0.24 %) and swelling ratio (27.21 ± 4.08 %) were found to be suitable for a wound-dressing. A significant increase in DNA amount (28.27 ± 1.41 %) was observed in the plain hydrogel inoculated with fibroblasts, after 9-day incubation, and the hydrogel had an extensively interconnected cellular network. The hydrogels containing DW and T extracts were applied to wounds generated in the in vitro 3D type-2-diabetic human skin model (DHSM). Although the incubation period was not sufficient for closure of the wounds in both treatments, the hydrogel with T extract stimulated more fibroblast migration. In the fibroblast-laden version of the hydrogel with T extract, no wound closure was observed but more keratinocytes migrated to the wound region. These positive outcomes underline the potential of the developed wound dressing as a powerful alternative in improvement of diabetic wound healing in clinical practice.

Insights into bioactivity guided chemical profiling of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. fruits wild-growing in Montenegro.

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a highly abundant wild-growing plant in Montenegro. It has been utilized since old times for various bioactive properties by the natives, however its detailed chemical characterization, antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic potential have not been extensively explored. Herein, we used crud methanol extract and three fractions (methylene chloride, n-butanol and aqueous) to asses bioactive features of fruits from this wild growing edible plant, after which we performed the targeted analysis of phenolic compounds of n-butanol fraction by (UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS). Our antioxidant assays showed the highest radical scavenging potential for n-butanol fraction using DPPH and ABTS methods. As for the antimicrobial activity of extract and three fractions, generally aqueous showed the least promising antibacterial and antifungal properties, whereas methylene chloride, methanol and n-butanol fractions showed quite promising antimicrobial potential. E. coli and S. aureus strains were the most susceptible to the compounds present in the methylene chloride and n-butanol fractions with MIC of 0.01-0.025mg/mL, and MBC 0.025-0.05mg/mL, along with MRSA strain, which was the most susceptible to the effects of methanol extract with MIC of 0.10mg/mL and MBC 0.15mg/mL. The results of antifungal activity showed lower potential to inhibit growth of pathogenic fungi than bacteria, whereas cytotoxicity assay showed extracts have no effects towards HaCaT skin cell line.The n-butanol fraction had the overall most promising activity, and therefore was subjected to more in depth chemical analysis.

Elucidating the role of carrier proteins in cytokine stabilization within double emulsion-based polymeric nanoparticles.

Polymeric micro- and nanoparticles are useful vehicles for delivering cytokines to diseased tissues such as solid tumors. Double emulsion solvent evaporation is one of the most common techniques to formulate cytokines into vehicles made from hydrophobic polymers; however, the liquid-liquid interfaces formed during emulsification can greatly affect the stability and therapeutic performance of encapsulated cytokines. To develop more effective cytokine-delivery systems, a clear molecular understanding of the interactions between relevant proteins and solvents used in the preparation of such particles is needed. We utilized an integrated computational and experimental approach for studying the governing mechanisms by which interleukin-12 (IL-12), a clinically relevant cytokine, is protected from denaturation by albumin, a common stabilizing protein, at an organic-aqueous solvent interface formed during double emulsification. We investigated protein-protein interactions between human (h)IL-12 and albumin and simulated these components in pure water, dichloromethane (DCM), and along a water/DCM interface to replicate the solvent regimes formed during double emulsification. We observed that (i) hIL-12 experiences increased structural deviations near the water/DCM interface, and (ii) hIL-12 structural deviations are reduced in the presence of albumin. Experimentally, we found that hIL-12 bioactivity is retained when released from particles in which albumin is added to the aqueous phase in molar excess to hIL-12 and sufficient time is allowed for albumin-hIL-12 binding. Findings from this work have implications in establishing design principles to enhance the stability of cytokines and other unstable proteins in particles formed by double emulsification for improved stability and therapeutic efficacy.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different extracts of Tragopogon dubius and Tragopogon porrifolium L. subsp. longirostris: Determination of their phytochemical contents by UHPLC-Orbitrap®-HRMS analysis

In this study, dichloromethane (DCM), n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were used to extract Tragopogon porrifolium L. subsp. longirostris (Sch. Bip.) Greuter and Tragopogon dubius L. Antioxidant properties (Cu2+ reduction capacity, DPPH, ABTS and Fe3+ reduction) and antimicrobial activities of these extracts were determined. Also, metabolite profiles were determined using UHPLC-Orbitrap®-HRMS. NADES extracts of both species (MIC: 0.18-0.71 mg/ml) showed significantly better antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus compared to other solvents (MIC: 25 mg/ml). The study showed that T. dubius methanol and NADES extracts had better inhibitory effects on DPPH (EC50:45.17 μg/mL, EC50:108.73 μg/mL) and ABTS (EC50:59.54 μg/mL, EC50:95.98 μg/mL) radical scavenging activities than other extracts. Similarly, T. porrifolium methanol and NADES extracts had better inhibitory effects on DPPH (EC50:48.33 μg/mL, EC50:38.72 μg/mL) and ABTS (EC50:77 μg/mL, EC50:58.93 μg/mL) radical scavenging activities than other extracts. Furthermore, Fe3+ and Cu2+ reducing capacities were highest in methanol and NADES extracts of both plants.UHPLC-Orbitrap®-HRMS was used to profile the chemical composition, validating 71 phytochemicals, with the R2 value ranging from 0.9903 to 0.9993. The method's LOD values ranged from 0.45 to 2.94, and LOQ values ranged from 1.50 to 9.78. Recovery percentages at 10, 60, and 100 ng/mL concentrations ranged from 71.73% to 116.91%, 85.36% to 115.38%, and 97.08% to 109.65%, respectively. The analysis identified 29 phytochemicals, with major compounds including chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, apigenin 7-glucuronide, vitexin, schaftoside, orientin+isoorientin, luteoloside, and isoquercitrin. The significant biological impacts of these plants as a compelling reservoir of phytochemicals with therapeutic properties.

Multicomponent Modular Synthesis of Thioacetals by Using Dichloromethane as the C1 Synthon under Mild Conditions

Thioacetals are an important category of sulfur‐containing compounds and versatile building blocks. Therefore, there is growing demand for the development of practical and modular methods to access various thioacetals from inexpensive and readily available commodity chemicals. Herein, we describe a novel one‐pot multicomponent protocol for thioacetals synthesis, especially benzylthio thioacetals synthesis, by employing feedstock chemical dichloromethane (DCM) as the C1 source under metal‐free, mild and simple conditions. Furthermore, its synthetic utility is further demonstrated by the preparation of deuterated thioacetals, large‐scale synthesis and broad functional group compatibility. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate the dual roles of DBU as both a proton scavenger and a nucleophilic catalyst. This work provides not only an excellent complementary strategy to the established thioacetals synthesis, but also a new platform for DCM application.

Improving Process Design for Reaching Energy Efficiency, Environmentally Friendly, and Producing High Purity Methyl Chloride of Dehydrochlorination Process of Methanol and Hydrogen Chloride

Methyl chloride, also known as chloromethane, plays a vital role in producing various industrial goods. The current demand for methyl chloride in Indonesia exceeds production levels, making the design of a methyl chloride plant essential. This research focuses on improving methyl chloride production economically and operationally by exploring plant design using simulations that emphasize energy efficiency and high purity. The objective of this research is to develop a process design for producing methyl chloride from methanol and hydrogen chloride, aiming for energy efficiency, an environmentally friendly factory, and high-purity methyl chloride products. The research employed an iterative simulation method to compare the basic and modified processes for methyl chloride production. The process involved constructing a simulation model using Aspen HYSYS, analyzing the simulation results using Aspen Energy Analyzer V12, and iteratively adjusting process parameters until achieving the desired performance or results. The research findings indicate that the methyl chloride modification process exhibits a lower energy requirement compared to the methyl chloride base process. Moreover, the modification process demonstrates minimal carbon emissions, establishing it as a sustainable and environmentally friendly design. Additionally, the methyl chloride produced in the modification process achieves a higher percentage of purity. In the initial process, the methyl chloride purity stood at 98.17%, while in the modified process, it saw an elevation to 99.35%. Considering these three aspects, the modification process is conclusively more efficient than the basic process system. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by Universitas Diponegoro and BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Formulation and evaluation of novel vesicular nanoethosomal patches for transdermal delivery of zidovudine: In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo pharmacokinetic investigations

Ethosomes are novel soft malleable nanovesicles composed mainly of phospholipids, ethanol (relatively high concentration), glycol, and water. They are used for enhanced drug delivery through the skin. These zidovudine (ZV) vesicles were formulated by cold technique using phospholipids, cholesterol, propylene glycol, and ethanol. The nanoethosomal dispersion was transformed to transethosomal patches using HPMC E15 and chitosan as polymers, a mixture of dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (1:1 ratio) as solvent, triethyl citrate as plasticizer, and span 80 as permeation enhancer. The physical features of the prepared patches were found to be within acceptable limits. The in vitro study showed drug diffusion of 71.25 − 88.19% through the semipermeable egg membrane in 24 hours. The ex vivo study showed drug permeation of 78.35 − 91.45% through the goat ear membrane in 24 hours. The combination of HPMC and EP4 transdermal patch was determined to be the most effective formulation for transdermal drug administration with sustained drug release, outperforming all other formulations based on acceptable physicochemical parameters, in vitro and ex vivo evaluation studies. Compared with the other formulations, the EP4 formulation had superior penetration kinetics, as proven by its highest permeation co-efficient (2.56 mg/cm2/h), flux (0.494 mg/cm2/h), and enhancement ratio (2.43). Moreover, dermal irritation tests demonstrated that topical therapy did not cause any irritation, indicating its safety. The in vivo bioavailability studies revealed that the AUC showed good bioavailability, which was approximately 188.99 times greater than that of the marketed product. According to the in vitro–in vivo correlation, the ex vivo (in vitro) data can represent physiological conditions that are exact replicas of those found in vivo. Therefore, the ZV transdermal patches exhibit enhanced drug permeation and good bioavailability for better therapeutic outcomes.

Sources, exposure, metabolism, transportation, ecological effects, preventive measures and alternatives of carcinogenic methylene chloride: a review

Sources, exposure, metabolism, transportation, ecological effects, preventive measures and alternatives of carcinogenic methylene chloride: a review

Anti-onchocercal properties of three medicinal plants against Onchocerca ochengi

Objective: To evaluate the filaricidal properties of three indigenous medicinal plants—Cassia alata, Zornia scabra, and Momordica (M.) foetida, in order to explore their potential as novel sources of filaricides for the sustainable management of filariasis. Methods: Nine crude extracts from these three plants were prepared and screened in vitro against the microfilariae and adult worms of Onchocerca (O.) ochengi. Viability of O. ochengi adult male worm and mf was ascertained by microscopy while that of adult female worm of O. ochengi was by MTT/formazan assay. Cytotoxicity and acute toxicity were assessed in LLC-MK2 cells and in balb/c mice, respectively. Results: At the single highest concentration of 500 µg/mL, all the extracts were active on O. ochengi adult males while seven showed activity on adult females and microfilariae. The methylene chloride extract of M. foetida was the most active on O. ochengi with IC50s of 30.3 µg/mL, 40.3 µg/mL, and 44.2 µg/mL on males, females, and microfilariae, respectively. Selectivity indexes for the most active extract were 3.5 µg/mL (microfilariae), 3.9 µg/mL (females), and 5.1 µg/mL (males). There was no physical sign of acute toxicity and no hepatocellular injury to balb/c mice. Conclusions: Extracts of Cassia alata, Zheneria scabra and M. foetida contain nematocidal properties with the methylene chloride extract of M. foetida being the most active on the adult worms and juvenile stages of O. ochengi. These findings provide a base for the isolation of anti-filarial lead molecules from the extract.

Phytochemical analysis of bioactive compounds in Pisolithus albus (Cooke & Massee) Priest mushrooms: potential applications in medicine and biotechnology

Mushrooms have proven to be a valuable source of diverse bioactive compounds that can hold substantial potential for preventing and managing various diseases. This research focused on examining the numerous bioactive compounds found in Pisolithus albus (P. albus) (Cooke & Massee) Priest mushrooms, particularly those obtained from ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extracts. Polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids were also evaluated by chemical analysis. Furthermore, the bioactive compounds of extracts were identified using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). Evident diversity in the phytochemical composition was noted between the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts, identifying through spectrometric methods interesting bioactive compounds that exhibit potential utility across medicinal and agricultural domains, including their application as herbicides. This study not only shed light on the bioactive constituents within the two types of extracts but also underscored the advantageous compounds inherent in P. albus mushrooms.

Effects of Dichloromethane, Nitrate, and Sulfhemoglobin-Induced Substances on Carboxyhemoglobin Detection: A Comprehensive Review.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a common gaseous toxin that causes severe poisoning symptoms. Accurate detection of the formation of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in the blood is very important for the identification of CO poisoning. In this review, the effects of exogenous toxins, including dichloromethane (DCM), nitrite and hydrogen sulfide, on the determination of COHb by spectrophotometry were summarized by comparing epidemiological data, case studies and analytical methods. The mechanism of the effects of these exogenous poisons on COHb detection is described, and the extent of their influence on the clinical diagnosis and forensic identification of CO poisoning is discussed. We suggest that emergency medicine and forensic science practices need to improve the understanding of these toxins, and optimize clinical diagnosis and evaluation strategies to address the effects of toxins on the determination of COHb.

Phytochemical Characterization of <i>Ochna integerrima </i>roots and their <i>In</i> <i>Vitro</i> Anti-Tyrosinase Property

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of ethyl acetate (EtOAc), dichloromethane (DCM), and butanol (n-BuOH) extracts from the roots of Ochna integerrima Merr on their in vitro anti-tyrosinase enzyme activity. The phytochemical composition of these extracts was analyzed using GC-MS/MS. The EtOAc extract was particularly rich in phenols (34.38%), followed by fatty acids and derivatives (18.09%), flavonoids and chalcones (16.94%), and steroids (14.20%). Six secondary metabolites were also isolated from the active fraction (EtOAc extract) using column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic techniques, primarily 1D and 2D NMR, and cross-referenced with existing literature. The findings revealed that the EtOAc extract exhibited the most significant inhibitory activity against the enzyme tyrosinase, with an IC50 value of 0.106 mg/mL. While the DCM and n-BuOH extracts showed inhibitory effects at 0.1 mg/mL concentrations, with inhibition rates of 6.34% and 26.14%, respectively. These results suggest that the root extracts of O.integerrima have potential anti-tyrosinase properties that could be beneficial in the cosmetics industry. Further investigation is required to identify and isolate additional bioactive compounds of interest.

Solvent Dictated Organic Transformations.

Solvent plays an important role in many chemical reactions. The C-H activation has been one of the most powerful tools in organic synthesis. These reactions are often assisted by solvents which not only provide a medium for the chemical reactions but also facilitate reaching to the product stage. The solvent helps the reaction profile both chemically and energetically to reach the targeted product. Organic transformations via C-H activation from the solvent assistance perspective has been discussed in this review. Various solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), MeCN, dichloromethane (DCM), dimethoxyethane (DME), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE), dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), isopropyl nitrile (iPrCN), 1,4-dioxane, AcOH, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), Ac2O, PhCF3, chloroform (CHCl3), H2O, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), acetone, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), toluene, p-xylene, alcohols, MeOH, 1,1,1-trifluoroethanol (TFE), 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), tert-amyl alcohol and their roles are discussed. The exclusive role of the solvent in various transformations has been deliberated by highlighting the substrate scope, along with the proposed mechanisms. For easy classification, the review has been divided into three parts: (i) solvent-switched divergent C-H activation; (ii) C-H bond activation with solvent as the coupling reagent, and (iii) C-H activation with solvent caging and solvent-assisted electron donor acceptor (EDA) complex formation and autocatalysis.

Machine Learning Framework for the Methyl Chloride Production Process

We report a framework for calculating the exergy and energy losses in the hydrochlorination of the methanol process for a methyl chloride production unit. Machine learning-based predictive maintenance models are identified to assess plant toxicity. The proposed novel framework integrates Hyprotech Systems (HYSYS) and machine learning models. It optimizes the operating conditions of the chloromethane plant. Both supervised and unsupervised machine learning models such as Bayesian Ridge regression (BRR), Nearest Neighbors regression (KNR), and Stochastic gradient descent regression (SGD) are used to forecast energy and exergy destruc¬tion. Among these models, the BRR exhibits exceptional accuracy in predicting thermodynamic losses, notably achieving an R2 value of 0.998. Thereby, an integrated framework could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing real-time plant data to enhance plant opera¬tional efficiency.

Co(II)-doped Cu(II)-Orotate coordination polymer composite: exploring their potential in photocatalytic and luminescence sensing applications

We synthesized a copper-based coordination polymer (Cu-CP), further enhanced by cobalt doping to create a Co@Cu-CP-2 composite, which demonstrates remarkable photocatalytic activity under visible light. Characterizations of Cu-CP and Co@Cu-CP-2 were conducted using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM-EDAX, and elemental mapping analyses. The Co@Cu-CP-2 composite proved to be an exceptional multi-functional luminescent sensor, showcasing high sensitivity toward Ni2+ ions (93.00%), dichloromethane (DCM) (91.02%), and triethylamine (TEA) (87.35%). Additionally, we explored the recyclability and photocatalytic efficiency of Co@Cu-CP-2 in the degradation of various organic dyes under sunlight irradiation. The composite exhibited outstanding performance, achieving 86% degradation of Rose Bengal (RB), 80% for Crystal Red (CR), and 74.12% for Rhodamine 6 G (Rh-6G) in aqueous solutions.

Phytochemical Profiles, Micromorphology, and Elemental Composition of Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) W.T. Aiton and Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br., Plants Used for Managing Antidepressant-like Conditions in Folk Medicine

Medicinal plants have been used to treat mental health-related conditions among different ethic groups. Among the commonly used plants in South Africa are Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) W.T.Aiton and Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br. This study aimed at generating the phytochemical profiles, micromorphology, and elemental composition of the leaves of G. fruticosus and L. leonurus as possible means of explaining the basis for their utilisation for mental health-related conditions in folk medicine and consideration for further development. The plant parts were subjected to successive solvent extractions using an ultrasonic method with dichloromethane (DCM) and were chemically characterised using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the micromorphology of the fresh leaves and energy-dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDX) was utilised to perform mineral elemental analyses of G. fruticosus and L. leonurus using their leaf powder. We identified phytochemicals including rutin and marrubiin, which are known to alleviate depression-like symptoms. Glandular and non-glandular trichomes were present in the plants. A weight (%) of 1.32 and 0.82 for calcium, 1.16 and 1.99 for potassium, and 0.38 and 0.38 magnesium were present in G. fruticosus and L. leonurus, respectively. These minerals have been linked to mental health stability, with imbalances associated with various disorders. We established the chemical composition that could suggest potential therapeutic effects of these two medicinal plants, offering insights into their uses in folk medicine and potential modern applications in treating mental health issues.

Production of High Specific Surface Area Activated Carbon from Tangerine Peels and Utilization of Its By-Products

Biomass waste, generated globally in vast quantities, represents an underutilized yet highly valuable resource for advanced material production. This study highlights a novel valorization pathway for waste tangerine peels, sourced from Jeju Island, South Korea, by converting them into high-performance activated carbon (T-AC) with exceptional pore characteristics, specifically designed for volatile organic compound (VOC) removal. Utilizing a unique combination of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and dry carbonization (DC) processes, the structural properties of the biomass were optimized, significantly enhancing the fixed carbon content. Subsequent chemical activation with an alkaline agent yielded T-AC with an outstanding specific surface area (1530–3375 m2/g) and total pore volume (0.73–2.00 cm3/g), with a tailored pore distribution favoring the sub-mesopore range (2.0–4.0 nm). The T-AC demonstrated remarkable performance in removing methylene chloride (MC), a hazardous VOC, with methylene chloride activity (MA) increasing from 44.7% to 76.3% as the activation agent ratio increased, while methylene chloride working capacity (MWC) improved significantly from 17.1% to 55.9%. These results underscore the transformative potential of tangerine peel-derived AC as a sustainable solution for VOC remediation, combining environmental waste management with advanced adsorption technology. The findings not only advance the field of biomass utilization but also offer a scalable approach for tackling pressing environmental and industrial challenges.

A Facile and Efficient Synthesis of BODIPY-Based Fluorescent Probes for Selective Detection of Hydrazine.

A facile and ratiometric BODIPY-based fluorescent probe 4 was developed for the selective detection of hydrazine in solution phase. The BODIPY-based fluorophores 3 and 4 were easily prepared in high yields from the L-proline catalyzed reaction between α/β-formyl BODIPY 1 a/1 b and 3-cyanoacetylindole 2. Use of easily accessible substrates, benign solvent, catalytic amount of L-proline and high product yields are the advantageous features of the developed protocol. Prepared BODIPYs 3 (536 nm) and 4 (567 nm) showed bathochromic shifts (36-67 nm) in UV-Visible absorption maxima when compared to parent BODIPY (500 nm) in dichloromethane (DCM). The stable and economical BODIPY-based probe 4 exhibited rapid response and remarkable selectivity towards hydrazine when compared to other commonly occurring analytes. At low concentration, the BODIPY probe 4 (10 μΜ) is non-fluorescent, however, a significant enhancement in fluorescent (turn-on) was observed with the increasing concentration of hydrazine (0-100 μΜ). This change in fluorescent behaviour may be ascribed to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect as supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. With a 4.3 μM detection limit, the BODIPY probe 4 was also found to be useful in detecting hydrazine in real environmental samples.