Aqueous Research Articles

In Silico Prediction of Quercetin Analogs for Targeting Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 (DAPK1) Against Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that greatly affects the health and life quality of the elderly population. Existing drugs mainly alleviate symptoms but fail to halt disease progression, underscoring the urgent need for the development of novel drugs. Based on the neuroprotective effects of flavonoid quercetin in AD, this study was designed to identify potential AD-related targets for quercetin and perform in silico prediction of promising analogs for the treatment of AD. Database mining suggested death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) as the most promising AD-related target for quercetin among seven protein candidates. To achieve better biological effects for the treatment of AD, we devised a series of quercetin analogs as ligands for DAPK1, and molecular docking analyses, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) predictions, as well as molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, were performed. The energy for drug-protein interaction was predicted and ranked. As a result, quercetin-A1a and quercetin-A1a1 out of 19 quercetin analogs exhibited the lowest interaction energy for binding to DAPK1 than quercetin, and they had similar dynamics performance with quercetin. In addition, quercetin-A1a and quercetin-A1a1 were predicted to have better water solubility. Thus, quercetin-A1a and quercetin-A1a1 could be promising agents for the treatment of AD. Our findings paved the way for further experimental studies and the development of novel drugs.

Synthesis of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Zinc Oxide Hydrogel for Drug Delivery Applications

A novel and simple method was used to synthesize antimicrobial and antioxidant porous (N-tert-butylacrylamide-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone) zinc oxide hydrogel via free radical copolymerization. The hydrogel was characterized by NMR, XRD, and SEM. Thermodynamic properties of the hydrogel were described quantitatively by the Flory-Rehner method. The results indicate that the synthesized hydrogel exhibits strong antioxidant activity, making it a potential candidate for use in preventing degenerative diseases. The antimicrobial tests showed that the hydrogel could inhibit the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as some pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The inhibition zones ranged from 10 to 15 mm for bacteria and from 5.2 to 9.1 mm for fungi. The reactivity ratio r1 × r2 equal to 1 confirmed ideal copolymerization showed the composition of the copolymer and the comonomer feed are same. The hydrogel's structure and reactivity are significant for constructing effective delivery systems for specific applications. Optimizing the monomer proportion could enhance hydrogel efficiency and release behavior. The hydrogel's water solubility, non-toxicity, and antioxidant properties suggest it could be safe and effective throughout the drug delivery process, contributing both passive and reactive targeting functions.

Effect of cold plasma on the physicochemical characteristics of granular cold water swelling maize starch

Granular cold water swelling (GCWS) starch is a physically modified starch with several potential applications in instant foods. Recently, some studies have revealed the beneficial effects of cold plasma (CP) treatment on improving the functional properties of starch. However, the effects of CP on GCWS has not been addressed yet. Therefore, this study assessed the influence of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cold plasma treatment time (1, 2, 3, and 4 min) on various attributes of GCWS maize starch. Increasing the CP treatment time increased the water absorption, solubility, viscosity, and freeze-thaw stability of GCWS maize starch, while, decreased its relative crystallinity and turbidity. FTIR results indicated that the functional groups along backbone remained unchanged upon CP treatment. Morphological analysis revealed that the starch granules preserved their integrity during CP treatment. However, increasing the duration of CP treatment resulted in the formation of micro-cavities and fissures on the surface of GCWS starch granules. The textural and rheological characteristics of GCWS starch pastes were improved by CP treatment. It seems that CP treatment might lead to an interconnected structure within the starch network and reinforce the starch paste.

Preparation of dental resin composites with anti-bacterial adhesion against Streptococcus mutans using fluorinated and silicon containing dimethacrylates

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to enhance the anti-bacterial adhesion effect against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) of fluorinated dimethacrylate (DF MA) based dental resin composites (DRCs) by using silicone dimethacrylate (SMA-MEO). MethodThe SMA-MEO was added into mixture of DFMA and tricyclo (5.2.1.0) decanedimethanol diacrylate (SR833s) (DFMA/SR833s = 50 wt./50 wt.) with mass ratios of 10 wt% and 20 wt% to form resin matrix both with fluorinated and silicon containing dimethacrylates, and then DRCs named DS+ 10 %SMA-MEO and DS+ 20 %SMA-MEO were prepared by mixing the resin matrix with silaned BaAlSiO2 filler particles at a mass ratio of 30 wt./70 wt. Double bond conversion, volumetric shrinkage and shrinkage stress, flexural strength and modulus, water sorption and solubility, contact angle and surface free energy, anti-bacterial adhesion effect against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), and cytotoxicity of prepared DRCs were investigated according to standard or referenced methods. Fluorinated dimethacrylate (DFMA) based DRC named DS and 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloy-loxypropyl)-phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA) based DRC named BT were used as controls. ResultsAdding SMA-MEO into DFMA based DRC could lead to higher double bond conversion (p < 0.05), higher hydrophobicity (p < 0.05), and lower surface free energy (p < 0.05). Only DS+ 10 %SMA-MEO had better anti-bacterial adhesion effect against S. mutans than DS (p < 0.05). The SMA-MEO had no influence on volumetric shrinkage, shrinkage stress, flexural modulus, water sorption and solubility of DRC (p > 0.05), but could reduce flexural strength of dry DRC (p < 0.05). After water immersion, SMA-MEO containing DRCs had comparable flexural strength as DS (p > 0.05). Compared with BT, DS and SMA-MEO containing DRCs had better or comparable physicochemical properties, and lower amount of adherent S. mutans. All of DRCs had comparable cytotoxicity (p > 0.05). SignificanceDRCs with both DFMA and SMA-MEO could have better anti-bacterial adhesion effect against S. mutans than DRC only with DFMA due to increased hydrophobicity and decreased Surface free energy, and the optimal mass fraction of SMA-MEO in DFMA based resin matrix was 10 wt%.

Investigation on the interfacial and emulsion stabilized behavior of dextran/ferritin/resveratrol composite nanoparticles

Glycation of ferritin provides a viable approach to enhance its physicochemical and functional properties. However, there is limited research on the interfacial adsorption properties of glycated ferritin-based colloidal particles. Therefore, this study selected recombinant human H-chain ferritin (rHuHF), rHuHF encapsulated with resveratrol (rHuHF–Res), and rHuHF–dextran glycoconjugates loaded with resveratrol (Dex–rHuHF–Res) as emulsifiers to investigate their interfacial adsorption properties. The results revealed that Dex–rHuHF–Res exhibited superior emulsifying properties and rheological behavior. It also increased the hydrophobicity of the microenvironment around Tyr and Trp residues, while hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic force, and salt bridge were identified as the most important intermolecular interactions. Dex–rHuHF–Res exhibited the biggest contact angle and lowest interface tension, which further reduced the diffusion (Kdiff) from the aqueous phase to the interface but promoted the penetration (Kp) and rearrangement (Kr) rates at the interface. Meanwhile, the emulsion stabilized by Dex–rHuHF–Res displayed excellent freeze-thaw stability, and Dex–rHuHF–Res can be more densely accumulated at the O/W interface to form an interface layer. These findings highlight the promising application of glycated ferritin in stabilizing Pickering emulsions, and deepen our understanding of the interplay among particle interaction, interface adsorption properties, and emulsion stability.

Hybrid electrocoagulation/adsorption system using aluminum electrodes and novel GO@ZIF-7 nanocomposite for the effective removal of Pb(II) from wastewater

Water pollution resulting from heavy metals including lead [Pb(II)] is a major health concern for humans, animals, and aquatic life. Pb(II) is a highly hazardous contaminant that must be effectively removed from water before reuse or discharge. In this study, a hybrid electrocoagulation/adsorption system (EC/A) using aluminum electrodes integrated with a novel adsorbent GO@ZIF-7 nanocomposite, was studied for aqueous phase Pb(II) removal. The hybrid EC/A system yielded a near complete Pb(II) removal. The system was optimized using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based design of experiments (DOE) technique; specifically using the central composite design (CCD) the study analyzed the impacts of four primary process variables (i.e., current density, Pb(II) initial concentration, dosage of GO@ZIF-7 nanocomposite, and conductivity) on the Pb(II) removal. Notably, the findings show the significant role of current density in the Pb(II) removal process, particularly at a current density of 1.5 mA/cm2. The above-mentioned RSM design along with the analysis of variance (ANOVA) based statistical analysis and optimization, confirmed the suitability of the proposed RSM-based equations for Pb(II) removal modeling. Collectively, the findings of this study indicate that the proposed hybrid EC/A system using aluminum electrodes integrated with a novel GO@ZIF-7 nanocomposite has a significant practical viability as suggested by the remarkably high Pb(II) removal efficiency. Furthermore, this study also presents the effectiveness of three advanced machine learning (ML) based models, i.e., artificial neural network (ANN), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Random Forest Regression, for predictingthe Pb(II) removal using the EC/A process.

Study of the applicability of ACdSe (A – Co, Ni) thin films as catalysts for heavy metal capture

Expansion of the possibilities of using photoactive thin films with a unique combination of optical and morphological characteristics as a basis for creation of highly efficient catalysts for the aqueous media purification is one of the promising research areas in modern materials science, which has both fundamental significance and potential for practical application. This study examines the prospects for using modified thin CdSe films by substituting nickel or cobalt for cadmium and selenium as a basis for creating highly efficient catalysts for the aqueous media purification from heavy metals such as arsenic, manganese and iron. A rather inexpensive electrochemical synthesis method was proposed as a method for obtaining thin films, in which the substitution effect is achieved by addition of nickel or cobalt sulfates to the electrolyte, which allows obtaining films with an equally probable distribution of elements in the composition of the synthesized films. Optical spectroscopy methods were used as methods for characterization of the initial samples, which made it possible to establish the dependences of the change in the band gap and absorption bands on the composition of the synthesized films, as well as to anticipate the influence of morphological features on optical absorption. During the conducted studies it was established that partial substitution of nickel and cobalt for cadmium and selenium in the composition of films results in growth in the adsorption efficiency of heavy metals, alongside operation stability maintenance of modified films during cyclic tests. At the same time, enhancement of the adsorption efficiency of heavy metals for modified films is due to both an alteration in the optical properties of the films and morphological features associated with the specific surface area growth due to a reduction in the grain size and a more developed surface.

Nano-based Herbal Medicine: A New Candidate for Prostate Cancer Treatment?

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is known as the fifth reason for cancer-related deaths and involves a considerable population of men globally. In PCa, pluriform neoplasm with different cancer patterns is formed. Metastases have a substantial role in disease mortality, and lung, liver, and bone are among the common organs for metastasis. In spite of multiple attempts by researchers, it has not been recommended a safe and suitable approach against PCa so far. Results: Fortunately, herbal remedies have opened a novel window in order to treat several cancers, such as PCa; however, there are some barriers regarding this curative method, like low bioavailability and absorption and low water solubility. On the contrary, some nano-based formulations have revealed a potential ability to overcome these limitations, and it seems that the co-use of herbal products and nanoformulations provides a good opportunity for treating PCa. Conclusion: In this study, we argued about the therapeutic aspects of some nanoformulations of popular herbal products, such as curcumin, quercetin, and resveratrol, against PCa.

Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Enhancing Oral Bioavailability of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs.

Breviscapine (BVP) is one of the extracts of several flavonoids of Erigeron breviscapus, which has been widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarction and its sequelae, cerebral thrombus, coronary heart disease, and angina pectoris. But BVP has poor solubility. The objective of the study is to develop mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) that can be loaded with a drug with poor water solubility. The MSNs, which were designed for oral administration, enhanced both the dissolution rate and drug loading capacity. The use of MSNs as an oral drug delivery system was investigated by SEM, TEM, BETBJH, XRD, FT-IR, and HPLC. Additionally, we examined the oral bioavailability of BVP loaded onto MSNs and examined the cellular cytotoxicity of MSNs. The results indicate that the oral bioavailability of BVP after loading onto MSNs was greater than that of a marketed product. Furthermore, we studied the mechanism by which MSNs enhance the oral absorption of BVP. MSNs have the potential to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs by accelerating the drug dissolution rate.

Multifunctional fructose-crosslinked fibroin film with a developed β-sheet structure for advanced food packaging

The replacement of petroleum-based plastic packaging with sustainable biopolymer-based materials is still a significant challenge. In the current study, we present a novel approach to impart the multifunctionality of fibroin film through a facile fructose-mediated crosslinking process. By generating a synergistic effect by inducing the transition to β-sheet structure and introducing covalent bonds within the fibroin chain, we effectively controlled the physicochemical characteristics of fibroin film, resulting in exceptional mechanical properties surpassing previous fibroin-based films. The fructose-crosslinked fibroin films exhibited exceptional mechanical properties, including a toughness of 3767.73 kPa and a Young's modulus of 3.06 GPa, surpassing previously reported fibroin-based films. The films also demonstrated excellent optical properties, with 98.49 % transmittance at 700 nm. Moisture stability was significantly enhanced, as the incorporation of fructose reduced water solubility by increasing β-sheet crystallinity and improved bulk water retention through its hygroscopic properties. Additionally, Maillard reaction products formed during crosslinking provided superior ultraviolet shielding and enhanced antioxidant properties, making the films ideal for active food packaging. The multifunctionality of fructose-crosslinked fibroin film significantly improves food storage stability when used in sustainable and eco-friendly food packaging applications. This high-performance fructose-mediated crosslinked fibroin film with a developed β-sheet structure emerges as a promising alternative to petroleum-based materials, offering a sustainable solution for the advanced packaging field.

Impact of phytoceuticals: Thymol-loaded zein-based nano-antimicrobials to combat resistant zoonotic pathogen

Campylobacter jejuni related gastrointestinal infections are challenging to overcome due to emerging antimicrobial resistance that poses global public health concerns. The development of biopolymeric nanosystems encapsulating natural antimicrobials serves as an alternative-medicine based on phytoceuticals. Thymol, an essential ingredient extracted from the thyme plant (Thymus vulgaris), and oregano plant (Origanum vulgare) exhibits a wide range of applications including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. However, its bioavailability, low stability, and poor water solubility severely limit its applications. Herein, zein nanosystems encapsulating thymol (TH-ZNs) were successfully fabricated to enhance the antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of thymol against foodborne multidrug-resistant C. jejuni. Through the antisolvent precipitation technique, physically stable nanosystems were obtained exhibiting a high encapsulation efficiency of 87 ± 0.5 %. Scanning electron microscopy revealed slightly rough surface morphology of TH-ZNs. FTIR spectroscopy elucidated hydrophobic interactions between thymol and zein which facilitates the successful encapsulation of thymol. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies revealed that the entrapment of thymol in ZNs increased the size from 202 ± 1.4 nm to 212 ± 1 nm, whereas zeta potential values were reduced from −42 ± 3 mV to −37 ± 2 mV in the case of void and TH-ZNs, respectively. Furthermore, TH-ZNs exhibited higher antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy against C. jejuni as compared to free thymol for a longer period. These results indicate that TH-ZNs inhibited bacterial growth while being non-cytotoxic, thus improving the overall efficiency of phytoceuticals to develop alternative nanotherapeutics to combat the resistant zoonotic pathogen.

Preparation of disulfiram-Cu2+-polylactide nanofibrous membranes via electrostatic spinning and evaluation of their in vitro anticancer effects

The antitumor effects of disulfiram (DSF) —a conventional medication used to treat alcohol dependence—have been documented in numerous studies. However, because of its low water solubility and Cu2+-dependent anticancer effects, the application of DSF in cancer therapy has been limited. Nanofibrous membranes produced via electrospinning have large specific surface areas. Consequently, they have been extensively used in biomedical applications, such as tissue scaffolding, drug delivery. In this study, a polylactic acid nanofibrous membrane was designed to encapsulate Cu2+ and DSF. The encapsulated drug was released when the membranes came into contact with the tumor tissue. DSF functioned as a Cu-ion carrier and combined with Cu2+ to induce tumor-cell apoptosis. The anticancer properties of the drug-loaded nanofibrous membrane were verified at the cellular level using in vitro experiments with cells. The results indicated that DSF and Cu2+ were released from the fiber membrane, and the combination of DSF and Cu2+ exhibited a better of cancer are proposed.

Semi-rational design in simultaneous improvement of thermostability and activity of β-1,3-glucanase from Alkalihalobacillus clausii KSM[sbnd]K16

Endo-β-1,3-glucanase (β-1,3-GA) is a key enzyme capable of acting on the β-1,3-glycosidic bond of β-1,3-glucan, resulting in the production of β-1,3-gluco-oligosaccharides with higher water solubility. Higher temperatures are beneficial for curdlan hydrolysis; however, low enzymatic activity and thermal stability limit their applicability. In this study, a mutant library of Endo-β-1,3-glucanase (AC-GA) derived from Alkalihalobacillus clausii KSM-K16 was constructed by a semi-rational design using amino-acid-based multiple sequence alignment and protein structure-based computer-aided engineering. The best combination mutant (S52T/M120L) was screened through ordered recombination mutations, which showed a 24.88 % increase in specific enzyme activity over the wild-type. The melting temperature (Tm) value, an enzyme protein denaturation temperature, was raised to 82.99 °C from 78.60 of the wild type. In comparison, the Km for hydrolysis of curdlan by S52T/M120L was reduced by 12.1 %, while the kcat was increased by 59.39 %, thus leading to a higher catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km, 227.73 vs 125.46 mL·s−1·mg−1). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that mutations resulted in a reduction in the overall flexibility of the enzyme, an increase in rigidity, and a more stable structure. An increase in the hydrophobic network at the entrance of the substrate increases the accessibility of the substrate to the enzyme, resulting in increased enzyme activity. High-efficiency mutants have potential industrial applications in the enzymatic preparation of β-1,3-gluco-oligosaccharides.

Enhancement of Anticancer Potential of Artemisinin Derivatives through N-glycosylation.

Cancer cells have significantly higher intracellular free-metal ions levels than normal cells, and it is well known that artemisinin (ART) molecules or its derivatives sensitize cancer cells when its endoperoxide moiety combines with metal ions, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species, lysosomal degradation of ferritin, or regulation of system Gpx4 leading to apoptosis, ferroptosis or cuproptosis. Artemisinin derivatives (ADs) are reported to interfere more efficiently with metal-regulatory-proteins (MRPs) controlling iron/copper homeostasis by interacting with cytoplasmic unbound metal ions and thereby promoting the association of MRP to mRNA molecules carrying the respective sequences. However, the simple artemisinin analogues are required to be administered in higher doses with repeated administration due to low solubility and smaller plasma half-lives. To overcome these problems, amino ARTs were introduced which are found to be more stable, and later on, a series of ARTs derivatives containing sugar moiety was developed in search of analogues having good water solubility and high pharmacological activity. This review focuses on the preparation of N-glycosylated amino-ART analogues with their application against cancer. The intrinsic capability of glycosylated ART compounds is to give sugar-- containing substrates, which can bind with lectin galectin-8 receptors on the cancer cells making these compounds more specific in targeting cancer. Various AD mechanism of action against cancer is also explored with clinical trials to facilitate the synthesis of newer derivatives. In the future, the latest nano-techniques can be used to create formulations of such compounds to make them more target-specific in cancer.

Preparation and evaluation of Puerarin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for improving oral bioavailability in SD rats

BackgroundPuerarin (Pue) is an isoflavone compound with significant therapeutic effect on cardiovascular diseases, but its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability limit clinical application. MethodsIn this study, Pue was prepared into PLGA nanoparticles (Pue-PLGA NPs) by emulsion solvent volatilization method. The morphology, particle size, Zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) of the NPs were characterized. Additionally, their stability and in vitro release were evaluated. SD rats were orally administered wtih Pue and Pue-PLGA NPs, and a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was established to determine the concentration of blood samples and to investigate the pharmacokinetic behaviour of Pue and Pue-PLGA NPs in rats. ResultsThe NPs were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as regular spheroids and uniformly dispersed. The average particle size of the NPs was (167.1±5.26）nm, the Zeta potential was (-29.88±2.46)mV, the encapsulation rate was (83.12 %±4.73 %) and the drug loading capacity was (7.75 %±1.81 %). The results of in vitro release showed that the drug was released slowly and continuously from the NPs, reaching the release platform in 24 h, and the cumulative release amount was (88.55±2.86) %. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the AUC0–24, AUC0-∞, Cmax, Tmax, t1/2, MRT0–24 and MRT0-∞ of Pue-PLGA NPs were 2.196, 1.978, 1.327, 1.5, 1.385, 3.915 and 3.140 times of Pue, respectively. The relative bioavailability was (197.82±25.28) %. ConclusionThese results indicated that the prepared nanoparticles had small particle size, high encapsulation rate, drug loading capacity and good slow-release effect, and could significantly improve the oral bioavailability of Pue in rats.

Fabrication and characterization of potato short amylose, zein, and pectin ternary composite particles stabilized pickering emulsions and their application on nuciferine delivery

Nuciferine exhibits properties such as reducing blood sugar and fat, however, it is hindered by its poor water solubility and low bioavailability. Pickering emulsions can efficiently encapsulate, protect and deliver active ingredients. In recent years, the use of biologically derived natural materials as emulsifiers to construct Pickering emulsions has become a research hotspot. This research utilized an enzymatic hydrolysis technique to produce short amylose. Subsequently, a ternary composite of short amylose (DBS), zein, and pectin (PEC) was formulated to stabilize Pickering emulsion, with the incorporation of nuciferine aiming to enhance the performance of lotus leaves in terms of both stability and bioavailability. The study revealed that varying amounts of DBS addition had a significant impact on the micromorphological structure and functional properties of DBS-Zein-PEC ternary composite particles. Specifically, the addition of 0.4 g of DBS led to a notable reduction in particle size to 735.2 nm and Zeta potential to −29.6 mV, creating a three-dimensional network with a closely packed lamellar structure. Optimal process conditions for preparing Pickering emulsion included a 3-minute homogenization time, rotation speed of 15000 rpm, and 5 % ternary composite particle addition. Under these conditions, O/W Pickering emulsion was successfully prepared, achieving a 90.5 % encapsulation rate for nuciferine. The resulting emulsion exhibited a minimum particle size of 4.09 μm, displayed good storage stability, resistance to salt ions and pH variations, viscous fluid characteristics, tolerance to oral and gastric environments, and slow release of nuciferine in the small intestine, thereby enhancing its bioavailability. These findings offer insights into the loading and delivery of nuciferine and serve as a technical guide for developing highly stable emulsion gel systems.

Unravelling the interaction of ethyl cinnamate in 2-hydroxypropyl and methyl-β-cyclodextrin by spectroscopic and theoretical evaluation for enhanced antibacterial activities

Essential oil components are the most common agents used to inhibit pathogens. Ethyl cinnamate (ECIN) is a hydrophobic essential oil component with well-known antibacterial properties but is poorly soluble in water, which limits its applications. In this study, inclusion complexes (ICs) were prepared by encapsulating ECIN in β-cyclodextrin (βCD), 2-hydroxypropyl-βCD, or methyl-βCD using an ultrasonication method to enhance water solubility and thermal and antibacterial properties. UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectral results indicated strong non-covalent interactions between ECIN and βCD derivatives in aqueous solution, and double reciprocal profiles revealed a guest:host stoichiometry of 1:1. Fourier-transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy investigations revealed that the phenyl ring of ECIN is located deeply in the CD nanocavities. X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and field emission scanning electron microscopy were performed to obtain crystalline, optical, and morphological information on solid ECIN-CDs. Thermogravimetric/differential thermal studies confirmed the improved stability of ECIN in solid CD-ICs by detecting an increase in the degradation temperature of ECIN from 50–140 °C to 310–410 °C. Further, the geometrical and frontier molecular orbital structures of the ECIN-CDs were theoretically evaluated using parametric method-3. Finally, antibacterial assays conducted against the foodborne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli revealed that encapsulated ECIN had a greater inhibitory effect, which suggested the devised nanocarriers promote the solubilization of essential oil components in aqueous solutions.

Volatile Oil of Magnolia biondii Pamp. for Transnasal Administration: Its Preparation, Characterization, and Mechanism of Action in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis.

Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic nasal condition usually caused by allergens. The immune system overreacts when the body is exposed to allergens, releasing a lot of tissue chemicals that cause congestion, more secretions, and an inflammatory reaction in the nasal mucosa. In clinical practice, it remains a significant public health issue. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Magnolia Volatile Oil (MVO) has good anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and other pharmacological effects. Previous research and literature reports have reported that MVO has good therapeutic effects on allergic rhinitis. However, due to the poor water solubility of Magnolia, its bioavailability is low. The purpose of this present work is to develop a new microemulsion formulation to improve the stability and bioavailability of MVO. The droplet size, PDI, and zeta potential of Magnolia volatile oil microemulsion (MVOME) were characterized along with its physical characteristics, and these values were found to be 14.270.03 nm, 0.09410.31, and -0.35850.12 mV, respectively, demonstrating the successful formation of microemulsion. In OVA-induced AR rats, MVO-ME dramatically reduced the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 inflammatory factors. In addition, MVO-ME significantly inhibited the expression of protein levels of PPAR-γ and P65 in the nasal mucosa of AR rats. In this regard, we hypothesized that MVO-ME may play a therapeutic role in AR by activating the PPAR signaling pathway as well as inhibiting the activation of the NF/κB signaling pathway. MVO-ME has systematic advantages, such as high solubility, bioavailability, etc. It is expected to be an efficient nano-drug delivery system for the clinical treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Design of fluorescent sensors for the detection of human serum albumin structure employing nitrogen-by modulation of molecular containing heterocycles

Serum albumin is the most abundant protein in mammalian plasma. It occupies an extremely important position in organisms as an early indicator of the development of many diseases. The development of fluorescence sensing technology has revolutionized the drawbacks of traditional methods. In this strategy, we designed and synthesized three dual fluorophore organic sensors TPA-IPA-T1, TPA-QL-T2, and TPA-Py-T3 for the detection of serum albumin. The rotation of the C–C bond of sensors is restricted and the molecular structure forms a rigid plane that contributes to the fluorescent emission intensity of the sensor. The fluorescent skeletons were successfully constructed by triphenylamine composed the electron-withdrawing nitrogen-containing compounds benzopyrrole (indole), benzopyridine (quinoline), and pyridine, respectively, with piperazine as a rigid connecting bridge. The addition of human serum albumin (HSA) turned on the fluorescent emission of the sensor near 580–600 nm. The color of the sensor solution changed from colorless to pink and bright orange, respectively. The fluorescent intensity increased by 24, 67, and 31 fold, respectively. The sensors have the advantages of sensitivity and fast response, strong anti-interference ability, low detection limit and good water solubility. Drug experiments in artificial urine demonstrate the characteristics of sensors, which has a very high potential for biological feasibility and medical applications. The sensors facilitaty the binding of the HSA through electrostatic interactions. The sensors were explored to be able to efficiently bind the IB structural domain of HSA, which had a good meaningful of avoiding the interference of commonly drugs in clinical medicine and in artificial urine on the detection of HSA.

Synthesis and characterization of clove residue-derived carbon quantum dots: Application in Pickering emulsion with enhanced antibacterial properties

Clove essential oil exhibits excellent antibacterial properties; however, its application is limited by low water solubility. To overcome this, solid particle-based Pickering emulsions have been explored. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which are promising solid particles for food applications, have not been studied regarding their synthesis from residual biomass for forming Pickering emulsions. This study aimed to synthesize CQDs from clove residue left over after the extraction of essential oil, assess their emulsifying efficacy, and compare their antibacterial properties with those of a traditional emulsion employing Polysorbate 80 as a surfactant. Four types of CQDs were synthesized using ultrapure distilled water and ethanol, with analyses such as 1H NMR, XPS, and interfacial tension confirming that CQDs synthesized with 40 % ethanol were the most effective as emulsifying agents. Additionally, the unique characteristics of CQDs rendered the Pickering emulsion’s surface relatively rough, which enhanced its interaction with bacteria and demonstrated potent antibacterial effects through disruption of the cell membrane. Consequently, this study suggests that the emulsifying efficiency and properties of Pickering emulsions can be tailored by controlling the surface properties of the solid particles.