Groups IVA Research Articles

Aqueous Dispersion of Xenes by Liquid Phase Exfoliation of Monoelemental Crystals in Melamine Solution.

Αfter the impressive evolution of graphene and its derivatives, a large number of two dimensional (2D) materials with important optical and electrical properties have been successfully fabricated. Liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) of layered and non-layered materials has become a widely applied method for the preparation of 2D nanostructures with an extensive variety of applications. However, in most cases organic solvents are used as liquid phase which are often toxic and environmentally unfriendly and lead to low yields. In this work, we present water as a suitable liquid phase and dispersion medium for the exfoliation of layered and non-layered monoelemental solids from IVA, VA and VIA groups of the periodic table, such as silicon, tin, bismuth and tellurium. The 2D nanostructures, silicene, stanene, bismuthene and tellurene are therefore prepared by a completely sustainable and environmentally friendly method. The prepared Xenes, as they are called, are fully characterized by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques.

Exploring the comparative regressive effects of aflibercept and faricimab on pigment epithelial detachment

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the regressive effects of aflibercept and faricimab on pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.MethodsIn total, 41 eyes of 40 patients diagnosed with type 1 macular neovascularization were retrospectively analyzed using multimodal imaging. Of these, 23 eyes were treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections (IVA group), and 18 eyes were treated with intravitreal faricimab (IVFa group), with 3 consecutive injections administered as loading dose therapy. Before treatment and at 1, 2, and 3 months after the first treatment, the maximum height (MH) and maximum diameter (MD) of the PED were measured using optical coherence tomography in each treatment group.ResultsIn the IVA group, the MH at baseline (215 ± 177 μm) was reduced to 141 ± 150 (P = 0.06), 119 ± 150 (P < 0.01), and 107 ± 150 µm (P < 0.0001) at 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment, respectively. Similarly, in the IVFa group, the MH decreased from 240 ± 195 µm before treatment to 165 ± 170 µm (P = 0.24), 139 ± 142 µm (P < 0.05), and 117 ± 112 µm (P < 0.01) at 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment, respectively. The reduction at 2 and 3 months was significant in both treatments. The mean changes of MH from baseline were -108 ± 142 µm in the IVA group and -124 ± 112 µm in the IVFa group, with no significant difference (P = 0.21). In both groups, the MD did not regress significantly.ConclusionsThe results suggested that the MH of the PED between the IVA and IVFa groups regressed similarly after each loading therapy.

A Machine Learning Study on High Thermal Conductivity Assisted to Discover Chalcogenides with Balanced Infrared Nonlinear Optical Performance.

Exploration of novel nonlinear optical (NLO) chalcogenides with high laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDT) is critical for mid-infrared (mid-IR) solid-state laser applications. High lattice thermal conductivity (κL ) is crucial to increasing LIDT yet often neglected in the search for NLO crystals due to lack of accurate κL data. A machine learning (ML) approach to predict κL for over 6000 chalcogenides is hereby proposed. Combining ML-generated κL data and first-principles calculation, a high-throughput screening route is initiated, and ten new potential mid-IR NLO chalcogenides with optimal bandgap, NLO coefficients, and thermal conductivity are discovered, in which Li2 SiS3 and AlZnGaS4 are highlighted. Big-data analysis on structural chemistry proves that the chalcogenides having dense and simple lattice structures with low anisotropy, light atoms, and strong covalent bonds are likely to possess higher κL . The four-coordinated motifs in which central cations show the bond valence sum of +2 to +3 and are from IIIA, IVA, VA, and IIB groups, such as those in diamond-like defect-chalcopyrite chalcogenides, are preferred to fulfill the desired structural chemistry conditions for balanced NLO and thermal properties. This work provides not only an efficient strategy but also interpretable research directions in the search for NLO crystals with high thermal conductivity.

Morphological Characteristics and Similarity Analysis of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Wonosobo, Temanggung, and Magelang Regencies

The diversity of cassava in Wonosobo, Temanggung and Magelang districts must be investigated. The objective of the study was to analyze the diversity of cassava based on morphological characteristics. The cassava of each accession was planted in Bandongan, Magelang Regency. Morphological characters observed after six months of planting included apical leaf color, apical leaf hair, leaf lobe shape, petiole color, leaf color, number of leaf lobes, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, vein color, petiole orientation, color epidermis of stem, color of outer appearance of stem, distance between nodes, stem growth, color of mature branch tip, branching type, tuber, tuber shape, outer tuber skin color, tuber flesh color, and tuber inner skin color. Analysis of the morphological characteristics of cassava is presented in the form of a dendrogram using the MVSP (Multi Variate Statistical Package) version 3.22. The results of the study obtained 39 accessions of cassava which showed different morphological characteristics. The lowest morphological similarity (0.735) was found in Group I only consisted of 2 acquisitions that did not have tubers, namely Red Vegetables and Green Vegetables and Group II ( Groups III and IV) have a similarity of 0.92. The highest similarity was in groups IIIa and IIIb and Groups IVa and IVb have a similarity coefficient value of 0.95. The morphological diversity of 39 accessions is a source of cassava germplasm: 37 accessions are harvested for tubers and 2 accessions areharvested explicitly for leaves as vegetables. This research was useful for the development of cassava-based food industry bioproducts.

Intravitreal injections with anti-VEGF agent aflibercept versus subthreshold micropulse laser for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy: the alternative treatment regimens for verteporfin-shortage in China

Purpose To compare short-term anatomical outcomes observed in optical coherence tomography (OCT) between intravitreal injection (IVI) with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent aflibercept (IVA) and subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC). Methods Thirty-nine eyes of 36 patients with symptomatic cCSC in this retrospective study received either IVA or SML between December 2020 and August 2022. Spectral-domain-OCT (SD-OCT) findings were compared between the two treatment groups in terms of central macular thickness (CMT), serous subretinal fluid (SRF) height, the presence of pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and subretinal hyperreflective foci (HF) at baseline and one-month follow-up visits. Results Both groups showed significant reductions in CMT and SRF at one-month follow-up visit. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the IVA and SML groups. Complete SRF resolution was observed in 10 out of 21 and 7 out of 18 eyes in the IVA and SML groups, respectively; however, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) damage remained persistent in patients with PEDs at baseline. Conclusions Both IVA and SML were effective in treating cCSC. IVA and SML treatments had comparable effects in reducing CMT and SRF in eyes with cCSC. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up visits are warranted to identify the long-term efficacy.

Red propolis reduces inflammation in cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats.

Introduction. Cyclophosphamide (CP) is used to treat malignant neoplasias and control autoimmune diseases. Still, one of its metabolites, acrolein, is toxic to the urothelium and can lead to hemorrhagic cystitis and severe discomfort.Objective. To evaluate the ability of red propolis to prevent and treat CP-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats.Materials and methods. Red propolis was extracted in 1% gum arabic and administered subcutaneously (sc). In the first experiment, groups IA, IIA, and IIIA and groups IB, IIB, and IIIB received water, gum arabic (GA), or propolis, respectively, for 30 days. Then water (controls) or CP (treatment) was administered i.p. In the second experiment, groups IVA, VA, and VIA received water i.p. while groups IVB, VB, and VIB received CP i.p. This was followed by 5 injections at 2-hour intervals with either water, GA, or propolis. Bladder tissue was examined according to Gray’s criteria.Results. The total inflammatory histology score was significantly smaller in group VIB (11.33 ± 2.07). Mild inflammation predominated in group VIB while most of the animals in group IVB had severe inflammation (p=0.0375). Ulcers were predominantly multiple in Groups IVA and VB but rare or absent in Group VIB (p=0.0118). Urothelial cells were mostly absent in groups IVB and VB and present/normal in group VIB (p=0.0052). Fibrin was abundant in groups IVB and VA but mostly absent in group VIB (p=0.0273).Conclusions. Red propolis can reduce inflammation in CP-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats.

Short-Term Efficacy in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Patients Treated With Intravitreal Aflibercept or Conbercept.

PurposeTo compare the short-term efficacy in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) treated using either aflibercept or conbercept.MethodsThis prospective study included 41 patients with treatment-naive PCV (42 eyes). All the patients were treated with either aflibercept or conbercept using an initial series of 3 monthly loading injections. Changes in the best-corrected logMAR visual acuity (BCVA) and anatomic outcomes were evaluated at 3 months.ResultsBCVA was improved with reduction in central choroidal thickness (CCT), central foveal thickness (CFT), and subretinal fluid (SRF) after 3 monthly loading injections in both aflibercept (IVA) and conbercept (IVC) groups. There was no significant difference in either visual or anatomic outcomes between the two groups after 3 months of treatment. However, compared with the IVC group, significantly higher BCVA improvement was observed in the patients in the IVA group with baseline BCVA better than 1. A visual outcome improved ≥3 lines in 13 patients in the IVA group (59%), and 9 patients in the IVC group (45%). A relatively high proportion of polyp regression was observed in the IVA group (63%) compared with the IVC group (55%) via OCTA.ConclusionsVisual and anatomic outcomes were significantly improved in both IVA and IVC groups, but the results suggest a potentially superior short-term response in the IVA group.

Assessment of choriocapillaris/Sattler and Haller layer changes after intravitreal injection in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: aflibercept vs ranibizumab.

To evaluate the changes in choriocapillaris (CC)/Sattler and Haller layer thicknesses in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) after aflibercept or ranibizumab injections. Retrospective. A total of 70 eyes of 70 patients with treatment-naïve exudative nAMD were treated with 3 consecutive injections of aflibercept (IVA) or ranibizumab (IVR). CC/Sattler and Haller layer thicknesses were measured at the nasal and temporal regions 1000µm from the center of the fovea by enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography at baseline and after the 3 monthly intravitreal injections. In addition, the hyperfluorescence region (HF) was measured as the largest horizontal diameter of the hyperfluorescence area on the early-middle phase fluorescein angiographic images at baseline and after the 3 loading doses. After the 3 consecutive injections, the mean reductions in the nasal/temporal CC/Sattler layer thicknesses in the IVR and IVA groups were - 10.1 ± 2.3/ - 8.5 ± 1.8 and - 25.2 ± 15.2/ - 19.4 ± 12.8μm, respectively. Also, the mean reductions in the nasal/temporal Haller layer thicknesses in the IVR and IVA groups were - 6.5 ± 3.6/ - 7.2 ± 7.9 and - 9.5 ± 8.0/ - 7.0 ± 6.2μm, respectively. The changes in the CC/Sattler layer thicknesses of the IVA group were greater than those of the IVR group (P < .001); however, the changes in the Haller layer thickness were similar between the groups (P > .05). The mean decrease in the HF size of the IVA group was greater than that of the IVR group (P < .001). Aflibercept treatment has a more pronounced effect on the CC/Sattler layer. Such results may indicate that aflibercept treatment influences choroidal neovascularization, possibly by reducing the capillary permeability associated with active neovascularization in the CC layer.

Intervertebral disc injury is the mainspring for the postoperative increase in Cobb Angle after thoracolumbar burst fracture.

A single-institution retrospective study of a cohort of patients who underwent internal fixation spine surgery for thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF). To observe the imaging manifestations of intervertebral disc changes in TLBF, to analyze the relationship between the degree of disc injury and the Cobb angle increase. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent short-segment pedicle screw instrumentation in the spinal surgery department of a single hospital between January 2014 and December 2017 (n = 90). According to the magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of the superior intervertebral disc tissue of the injured vertebrae before the operation, the intervertebral disc injury was divided into three types, which was used for group allocation: group A, uninjured intervertebral disc group; group B, mild intervertebral disc injury group; and group C, severe intervertebral disc injury group. The main imaging results of the three groups Cobb, IVA, IHI, AHIV, and VAS were compared among groups. Ninety patients were included in the study (n = 38, 32, and 20, in groups A, B, and C, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in demographics among the three groups (p > .05). 1-year post-surgery, the Cobb angle in group C differed significantly from that in groups A and B (p < .01). There was a significant difference in Cobb angle between groups A and B after internal fixation was removed for 6 months. At 1-year post-surgery, the IHI group C differed significantly from groups A and B (p < .01), while groups A and B were similar (p = .102); however, at 6 months after the internal fixation was removed, the IHI differed significantly between these two groups, also the AHIV between groups A and B was statistically significant (p < .01). The VAS pain score was similar among the three groups. Pearson's test showed that the increase in the Cobb angle was moderately correlated with IVA and IHI, and weakly correlated with AHIV. For TLBF with an intervertebral disc injury, the presurgical degree of intervertebral disc injury is the main reason for the post-surgery increase in the Cobb angle. Thus, diagnosis and treatment of this kind of patient require attention to the risk of spinal deformity.

Tuning the physical properties of two-dimensional GaN via adsorption by the groups IIIA-VIIA atoms

We explore a first-principles study of the structural, electronic, magnetic, and optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) gallium nitride (GaN) adsorbed by the groups IIIA-VIIA atoms. Our calculations reveal that the chemisorption occurs for all selected adatoms and the adsorption energy of C is the highest because of its special adsorption configuration. The electronic structure studies indicate that the adatoms introduce magnetic feature with spin-polarized properties except for the group VIA atoms. Moreover, a semiconducting state presents in the groups IIIA, IVA and VIA atoms adsorbed 2D GaN, while a half-metallic state appears in 2D GaN after the adsorption of VA and VIIA atoms, which makes the latter higher work functions. Such regular modifications in physical properties of 2D GaN induced by adsorption could potentially allow use of this material in diverse electronic, optoelectronic, and spintronic applications.

Adhesion properties of clean and doped Ti3Al/Al2O3 interface

The adhesion at the Ti3Al/Al2O3 internal interface is estimated in dependence on interfacial layer composition and contact configuration using ab initio method. The influence of 4d-transition metals and elements of IIIA and IVA groups on the adhesion at this interface is studied. We demonstrate that all considered impurities on both Ti- and Al-site in the interfacial layer of the alloy lead to a decrease of the work of separation excepting the elements of IVB–VIB groups on the Al-site. Some structural and electronic characteristics such as local densities of states, distribution of the charge density difference, overlap population, charge transfer are discussed to explain the impurity influence on the adhesion at the interface.

Stable halogen 2D materials: the case of iodine and astatine

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have applications towards electronic devices, energy storages, and catalysis, et al. So far, most of elemental 2D materials are composed based on groups IIIA, IVA or VA. To expand the 2D material family, the orbital hybridization becomes a key factor to determine stability. Here we predict that sp2d3 hybridization of the outmost electrons in iodine and astatine can build up 2D triangle lattices, delta-iodiene and delta-astatiene, using first-principles calculations. Each atom is connected by σ bonds with nearest 6 atoms and the π bonds are thus introduced. The band gaps can approach zero because of interaction of unpaired single electron between each atom, if the identical bond length is reduced. By inducing compression strain, the Dirac points or topological nontrivial points can be created in the delta-iodiene and delta-astatiene. Our discovery paves a new way to construction of 2D materials.

Quercetin and curcumin effects in experimental pleural inflammation.

BackgroundThe inflammatory mechanisms occur with the highest prevalence in pulmonary pathology in addition to oxidative stress and activation of intracellular signaling pathways. The oxidative stress represents the imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants which can lead to the activation of the oxidative mechanisms with noxious potential to the body. Therefore, finding a therapy that would counteract the injurious effects of free radicals and inflammation is highly attractive. Quercetin is the most active flavonoid, with important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, while curcumin has antioxidant effects that are similar to the standard antioxidants and exerts direct anti-inflammatory activity.AimsThe aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant effects of quercetin and curcumin on an experimental model, pleural inflammation induced by carrageenan.MethodsEight groups of adult male rats were used: Ia and Ib – control groups, IIa and IIb – with carrageenan administration, IIIa and IIIb – received curcumin and carrageenan, IVa and IVb – quercetin and carrageenan administration. Blood and lung samples were taken at 4 hours (Ia, IIa, IIIa, IVa groups) and at 24 hours (Ib, IIb, IIIb, IVb groups) after carrageenan injection.ResultsAt 4 and at 24 hours, curcumin and quercetin have shown protective systemic effects, decreasing significantly the oxidative stress (malondialdehyde level) and stimulating significantly the antioxidant protection (ceruloplasmin and glutathione levels) compared to the group that received only carrageenan. In the lungs, at 4 hours, the redox misbalance was significantly reduced only in animals that were treated with quercetin, modifications that were not observed at 24 hours.ConclusionsIn serum, curcumin presented higher antioxidant effects, compared to quercetin. In lungs, quercetin administration showed superior beneficial effects, but only temporarily.

Pathogenetic substantiation of advantages and duration of phytoselective therapy of the menstrual cycle disorders

One of the urgent modern problems is determining the optimal medicine for treatment of menstrual irregularities and duration of therapy.Objective of the study was to determine the optimal treatment period of menstrual irregularities with TazalokTM, as well as the comparative effectiveness of the therapy results with a derivative drug of Vitex agnus-castus.Design: a comparative study.Materials and methods. Analysis of retrospective data and dynamic observation of 120 patients 23–37 years old with menstrual irregularities who received monotherapy with TazalokTM and Vitex agnus castus was carried out. 60 patients received drugs for 3 months (group I TazalokTM and group II Vitex agnus-castus), and 60 patients for 6 months(group III TazalokTM and group IV Vitex agnus-castus). Groups are divided into subgroups depending on the menstruation nature: A – heavy, B – meager menstruation. All patients underwent a hormonal examination after 6 months (the results of the previous three-month therapy were considered initial), sonographic study, and dynamics of the pain syndrome were assessed according to the visual analogue scale.Study results. Subgroups IIIA and IIIB (TazalokTM for 6 months) showed the best clinical results and data from hormonal tests, sonography of the pelvic organs, mammary glands, thyroid gland; elimination of pain. An increase in progesterone levels, normalization of estradiol levels, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone has been observed. Normalization of thyroid function was found in patients taking TazalokTM. Groups IVA and IVB (Vitex agnus-castus for 6 months) showed mainly a decrease in prolactin levels, normalization of mammary echography. The advantage of TazalokTM using also consisted in cortisol normalizing, one of the main pathogenetic factors for menstrual irregularities. Conclusion. TazalokTM is the drug of choice for monotherapy of menstrual irregularities, demonstrates the advantages of hormonal and clinical correction of pathological conditions in relation to Vitex agnus-castus; the 6 months treatment period should be considered optimal.

Oxygen adsorption on the doped TiAl(1 0 0) surface

The oxygen adsorption on the doped TiAl(1 0 0) surface is investigated by the projector augmented-wave method within density functional theory. The changes of the oxygen adsorption energy due to elements of the 4d-period and IIIA and IVA groups being its first neighbors are estimated. It is shown that the 4d-metals substituting the Ti surface atom lead to decrease of the oxygen adsorption energy whereas opposite trend is occurred, if these metals substitute Al surface atom. Elements of IVA group on the Al-sublattice affect oxygen adsorption energy in the preferred site on the surface lesser than on the Ti-sublattice. In order to understand the mechanisms being responsible for the change of the oxygen adsorption energy, some electronic characteristics of the TiAl(1 0 0) surface doped by Zr, Rh, Ga and Si are analyzed. The factors responsible for the increase/decrease of the adsorption energy are discussed.

Strain effects on magnetic states of monolayer MoS2 doped with group IIIA to VA atoms

Based on first-principles calculations, the strain effects on electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer MoS2 doped with atoms in IIIA (B, Al, and Ga), IVA(C, Si, Ge) and VA(N, P, and As) groups have been studied systematically. Without strain, B, C, Si, Ge and As doped MoS2 are nonmagnetic, while doping of Al, Ga, N and P can induce magnetic moments and the Ga and Al doped MoS2 are half-metallic with 100% spin polarization at the Fermi level. Moreover, under in-plane strain the magnetic properties of Al, Ga, Si, Ge, N, P and As doped MoS2 can be modulated effectively, and their magnetic moments can be switched on and off in the range of strain from −12% to 10%.

Impurity influence on the oxygen adsorption on Ti3Al(0001) surface

The microscopic mechanisms of oxygen adsorption on the doped Ti3Al(0001) surface are investigated by the projector augmented-wave method within the density functional theory. Changes of the adsorption energy due to 4d-metals and p-elements of IIIA and IVA groups being in the first and second neighbors to the oxygen atom on the surface are estimated. It is demonstrated that mechanisms being responsible for the change of the adsorption energy of oxygen in the first neighbors to the impurity atom are the same irrespective of both adsorption position and occupied Al or Ti site. The increase/decrease of the adsorption energy in the specific position is determined by competition of ionic and covalent contributions to oxygen binding energy as follows from analysis of electronic properties of systems under question. The impurity being in the second neighbors of oxygen affects the adsorption energy indirectly via hybridization with alloy surface atoms involved in the direct interaction with oxygen.

Genetics, crystallization sequence, and age of the South Byron Trio iron meteorites: New insights to carbonaceous chondrite (CC) type parent bodies.

The nucleosynthetic Mo, Ru, and W isotopic compositions of the South Byron Trio iron meteorite grouplet (SBT) are consistent with all three meteorites originating on a single parent body that formed in the carbonaceous chondrite (CC) isotopic domain within the Solar nebula. Consistent with a common origin, the highly siderophile element (HSE) concentrations of the SBT can be related to one another by moderate degrees of fractional crystallization of a parental melt with initially chondritic relative abundances of HSE, and with initial S and P contents of ~7 and ~1 wt. %, respectively. Tungsten-182 isotopic data for the SBT indicate the parent body underwent metal-silicate differentiation 2.1 ± 0.8 Myr after calcium aluminum rich inclusion formation, and thermal modeling suggests the parent body formed 1.1 ± 0.5 Myr after CAI formation. This accretion age is not resolved from the accretion ages of other CC and most noncarbonaceous (NC) type iron meteorite parent bodies. Comparison of the projected parental melt composition of the SBT to those projected for the IVA and IVB iron meteorite groups suggests that at least some portions of the CC nebular domain were more oxidized compared to the NC domain. In addition, comparison of the SBT parental melt S content to estimates for parent bodies of the IIAB, IIIAB, IVA, IID, and IVB "magmatic" iron meteorite groups suggests that CC type iron meteorite parental melts were characterized by a general depletion in S, in addition to depletions in some other moderately volatile elements. Based on chemical and O isotope similarities, prior studies have suggested the possibility of a common parent body for the SBT and the Milton pallasite. Molybdenum and Ru isotopic compositions of Milton also provide permissive evidence for this. The HSE concentrations in the Milton metal, however, cannot be related to the SBT by any known crystal-liquid fractionation or mixing path. Thus, Milton more likely formed on a different, chemically distinct, but genetically identical parent body present in the CC nebular domain.

Prediction of two-dimensional organic topological insulator in metal-DCB lattices

Based on first-principles calculations, we systematically investigated a two-dimensional (2D) organometallic framework consisting of metal atoms (elements from groups IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, IB, and Pt) and dicyanobenzenes (DCBs). Our stability analysis showed that the system prefers the buckled structure in metals with p-orbital valence electrons, whereas in metals with d-orbitals, the planar phase is preferable. Topological invariants (Z2) of these systems were calculated, and they are identified as 2D intrinsic organic topological insulators. Au- and Bi-DCB are exemplar materials with the largest bandgaps within IB and VA groups. Moreover, Au-DCB exhibits robustness of its topological phase against strain. Furthermore, the topologically protected edge states in Au-DCB are identified to further verify the Z2 invariant. Interestingly, utilizing hole doping in Bi-DCB leads to a nearly flat Chern band and results in the quantum anomalous Hall phase. Our results suggest that these organometallic frameworks are promising for potential applications in quantum spintronics with the merits of low cost and ease of synthesis.

Hepatoprotective potentials of methanol extract of T. conophorum seeds of carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in Wistar rats

BackgroundTetracarpidium conophorum (TC) is a tropical plant used in ethno medicine for treating various diseases including hepatic ailments. The present study investigated the effect of methanol extract of T. conophorum seeds in rats intoxicated with CCl4 24 h and 48 h after intoxication respectively.MethodsThirty-five male Wistar rats were distributed equally into seven groups. Group IA (control) received distilled water and olive oil (i.p), group IIA rats were intoxicated with CCl4 in olive oil (600 mg/kg, i.p.) only on the 8th day, while groups IIIA, IVA and VA were given 100 mg/kg of sylimarin, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of methanol extract respectively for 7 days, thereafter they were intoxicated with CCl4 on the 8th day. Groups VIA and VIIA were intoxicated with CCl4 on the 8th day and administered 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of methanol extract of T. conophorum seeds at 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 18 h and 24 h and the animals were sacrificed 24 h after intoxication with CCl4.This procedure was repeated for a different set of thirty-five (groups IB-VIIB) male rats but the animals were sacrificed 48 h after intoxication with CCl4. Fasting blood sample was collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical analyses.ResultsThere were significant increases (p˂0.05) in serum hepatic enzyme markers (ALT, AST, ALP, and γ-GT) activities, as well as bilirubin and significant reduction in antioxidant enzymes (P˂0.05) in rats intoxicated with CCl4 when compared to control group, but administration (pre-treatment and post-treatment) of methanol extract of T. conophorum seeds at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight and standard sylimarin drug attenuated the toxic insult of CCl4 in a dose-dependent manner at 24 h and 48 h after intoxication respectively.ConclusionsOur findings confirm that methanol extract of TC exhibited hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced liver damage.