Potential Functional Material Research Articles

Wild edible plants of the Yao people in Jianghua, China: plant-associated traditional knowledge and practice vital for food security and ecosystem service

BackgroundTraditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and practice associated with wild edible plants (WEPs) is an important part of local culture of the Yao people in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, which possesses the biggest population of Yao ethnic group in China. Economic development, urbanization, and transition of lifestyle and changing interests of the younger generations risk loss of such valuable knowledge. However, no record had been reported about WEPs from the Yao communities of Jianghua County. It is urgent to assemble data on the major WEPs and their uses in Jianghua. This can be used to educate and stimulate new interest in these WEPs, to aid inheritance and improvement of cultural identity and confidence, to enhance local resilience to various changes and to suggest pathways for novel and value-added applications to create new local business opportunities.MethodsTo record WEPs associated with TEK and practice, we conducted field surveys in 2018, 2019 and 2023. The ethnobotanical methods such as free-listing, participatory observation, semi-structured interview, and market survey were adopted in the field investigations. Information about WEPs including vernacular names, parts used, ways of use, and collection time were recorded. Voucher specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in the herbarium at Minzu University of China, in Beijing.ResultsTotally, 81 Yao people from 12 villages were interviewed. WEPs traditionally play a crucial role in Yao peoples’ daily lives. A total of 130 plant species from 89 genera and 49 families were recorded. The plants collected showed great diversity and reflected unique local culture. Most (54.5%) WEPs were also used as medicines. Baba can be defined as a cultural identity food, and WEPs are commonly used as tea substitutes for their health benefits.ConclusionsWe conclude that WEPs use is facing great challenges in a rapidly changing era. Preservation of WEPs related practice and knowledge is not only important for conserving local biocultural diversity, but also valuable in providing potential functional and healthy materials for food security and future economic development. Cultivation of young generations’ interest in nature and biodiversity, combined with local policy to enhance public awareness are recommended.

Influence of metalloid element B on the microstructure and performances of novel FeCoNiVB high-entropy amorphous alloys

The influence of metalloid element B content on the microstructure, microhardness, thermal stability and anti-corrosion properties of (Fe1/4Co1/4Ni1/4V1/4)100-xBx (x = 16 ∼ 32 at.%) high-entropy amorphous alloys was studied systematacially. Results showed that the investigated alloy ribbons owned fully glassy nature. The average microhardness and crystallization onset temperature of these glassy ribbons were over 958 HV0.2 and 757 K, respectively. The self-corrosion potentials of samples were −0.541 ∼ −0.484 V and the most positive potential could reach −0.484 V for the Fe20Co20Ni20V20B20 alloy ribbons. Besides, this equiatomic specimen also owned the smallest corrosion current density of 5.87 × 10−6 A/cm2 and the largest polarization resistance of 9635.7 Ω·cm2. The experimental characterization analysis of alloy ribbons’ immersion tests further proved the credibility of measurement results. Therefore, it is indicated that the equiatomic FeCoNiVB high-entropy amorphous alloy possesses the best corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution among studied samples and this alloy can be also viewed as a potential functional protective material combined with the anti-corrosion performance, wear resistance and thermal stability.

Polymer network comprised of steroidal rotors as promising storage material.

In this paper, we report a new generation of polymeric networks as potential functional material based on changes in molecular dynamics in the solid state. The material is obtained by free radical polymerization of a diacrylate derivative bearing a steroid (stator) and a 1,4-diethynyl-phenylene-d4 fragment (rotator). Polymer research using the PALS technique complements the knowledge about nanostructural changes occurring in the system in the temperature range -115 °C - +190 °C. It indicates the presence of two types of free nanovolumes in the system and the occurrence of phase transitions. The polymer is characterized using 1 H NMR, 2 H Solid Echo NMR, ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, thermal analysis, and porosimetry. It is proved that the applied procedure leads to the formation of a novel porous organic material containing multiple molecular rotors.

Investigation on nonlinear absorption and optical limiting properties of Tm:YLF crystals

Nonlinear optical limiting has recently attracted significant attention, thanks to the continuous development of laser technology. In order to explore more potential functional materials, the spectral and nonlinear optical properties of yttrium lithium fluoride doped with thulium (Tm:YLF) crystals are reported. Absorption and emission spectra of Tm:YLF are measured, and the absorption peaks correspond to the energy transition of Tm3+. Nonlinear absorption measurements are performed on crystals with different thulium doping concentrations (2.0 %, 2.5 %, and 3.0 %). The Z-scan results indicate the presence of two-photon absorption processes at 1064 nm pulse laser. Additionally, we measured the nonlinear transmittance of Tm:YLF crystals with various thulium doping concentrations and lengths to evaluate their nonlinear optical limiting performance. For the 2.5 % doped Tm:YLF crystal with 20 mm length, the maximum transmittance at low laser intensity is 73.9 %, and the minimum transmittance at high laser intensity is 38.1 %. These experimental results suggest that Tm:YLF crystals may have potential as solid-state nonlinear optical limiting materials.

Synergistic effects of EDTA and lysozyme on the properties of hydroxypropyl starch nano antibacterial films

Hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) nano antibacterial films incorporating Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA) and lysozyme (LY) were fabricated via solvent casting method. The synergistic effects of EDTA and LY on the microstructure, component interactions, color, optical, mechanical, barrier and antibacterial properties of HPS nano antibacterial films were evaluated. The results indicated that EDTA and LY were well dispersed in the matrix of the HPS nano antibacterial films, the film-forming substrates have good compatibility, resulting in a dense multi-layer structure of the HPS nano antibacterial films. The addition of EDTA and LY increased the color parameters (L*, a*, b* and △E*) of the HPS nano antibacterial films. The synergistic effects of EDTA and LY significantly decreased the light transmission of the HPS nano antibacterial films. The presence of EDTA and LY increased the tensile strength (TS) and the elongation at break (EAB) of the HPS nano antibacterial films. The TS and EAB of E2.5L1 reached the highest values of 6.329 MPa and 50.24 %, respectively. The incorporation of EDTA and LY had positive effects on the improvement of water vapor permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP). The WVP and OP of E2.5L1 reached the highest values of 0.9350 × 10−12 g cm/cm2•s•Pa and 0.297 × 10 −2 g m/m2 •d, respectively. In addition, EDTA and LY had significant synergistic effects on the antibacterial activity against S. aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and E. coli (Gram-negative bacteria). E2.5L1 exhibited the highest antibacterial activity and the inhibition zone diameters of S. aureus and E. coli were 3.69 mm and 4.28 mm, respectively. The HPS nano antibacterial films incorporating EDTA and LY are potential functional packaging materials.

Cobalt and nickel homobinuclear metallomacrocycles based on the redox-active bis-semiquinonato ligands as potential functional absorbing materials

Recently obtained bis-o-quinone with resorcinol as a bridge was utilized for synthesis of cobalt and nickel homobinuclear complexes. Two bis-o-semiquinonato metal fragments are situated co-facially to each other forming metallomacrocycle. Metals in both fragments bond diethyl ether solvate molecules externally as well as internally in the cell. At 100 K one of two metal atoms in the macrocycle is five-coordinated whereas the other one is six-coordinated due to internal solvent molecule. Heating to room temperature results in disordering of internal solvent molecule in two positions: coordinated to different nickel atoms. Variable temperature magnetic measurements indicate both complexes to be bis-o-semiquinonato anion-radical adducts of high spin metals with magnetic interactions inside of bis-o-semiquinonato units. Sign and energy of interactions depend on the coordination number of metal. Exchange interactions between units are weak. UV–Vis absorption spectrum is determined by ligands centered bands. CV indicates reversible reduction processes involving redox active dioxolene ligands.

Carbonyl-Supported Coordination in Imidazolates: A Platform for Designing Porous Nickel-Based ZIFs as Heterogeneous Catalysts.

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are a subclass of metal-organic framework that have attracted considerable attention as potential functional materials due to their high chemical stability and ease of synthesis. ZIFs are usually composed of zinc ions coordinated with imidazole linkers, with some other transition metals, such as Cu(II) and Co(II), also showing potential as ZIF-forming cations. Despite the importance of nickel in catalysis, no Ni-based ZIF with permanent porosity is yet reported. It is found that the presence and arrangement of the carbonyl functional groups on the imidazole linker play a crucial role in completing the preferred octahedral coordination of nickel, revealing a promising platform for the rational design of Ni-based ZIFs for a wide range of catalytic applications. Herein, the synthesis of the first Ni-based ZIFs is reported and their high potential as heterogeneous catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling C─C bond forming reactions is demonstrated.

Tunable magnetic phase transition in thulium–samarium orthoferrite single crystals

Spintronics and condensed matter physics are in pursuit of materials that can serve as carriers for novel quantum devices. Antiferromagnetic rare earth orthoferrites (RFeO3, where R is rare earth or Y), are potential functional materials for magnetic information processing. They exhibit temperature-controlled spin reorientation transition (SRT) and magnetic field/temperature-induced spin switching (SSW) properties. As such, RFeO3 is expected to be used in spintronic devices that can easily control the spin. With the advancement of research, the co-doping of rare earth ions has emerged as a prominent area of investigation in RFeO3. In this work, we have grown a series of Tm1-xSmxFeO3 (TSFO, x = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) single crystals via a four-mirror optical floating zone furnace. Crystal axes and single phase of these single crystals were determined using Laue back reflection camera and X-ray diffractometer. We observed that the doping of Sm ions can effectively regulate the spin reorientation temperature of the parent material TmFeO3. Both type-I and type-II SSW have been observed when the doping rate x is 0.2 or 0.4, perfectly integrating the magnetic properties of TmFeO3 and SmFeO3 single crystals. Furthermore, the spin switching in TSFO (x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) can be manipulated by applying low magnetic fields with tens of Oe. On the other hand, when the doping rate x reaches 0.4, the magnetic compensation phenomenon and the Néer temperature of rare earth ions occurred. The super-exchange interaction between R3+ and Fe3+ magnetic sublattices leads to these interesting phenomena.

Photoprotective Effects of Processed Ginseng Leaf Administration against UVB-Induced Skin Damage in Hairless Mice.

Although ginseng leaves contain a larger amount of ginsenosides than the roots, studies on the protective effect of oral administration of ginseng leaves against photoaging are lacking. Processed ginseng leaves (PGL) prepared by acid reaction to increase effective ginsenoside content showed higher levels of Rg3 (29.35 mg/g) and Rk1 (35.16 mg/g) than ginseng leaves (Rg3 (2.14 mg/g) and Rk1 (ND)), and ginsenosides Rg3 and Rk1 were evaluated as active ingredients that protected human keratinocytes against UVB-induced cell damage by increasing cell proliferation and decreasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and 9 secretion. Herein, the effect of oral PGL administration (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg, daily) against photoaging in HR-1 hairless mice was assessed by measuring wrinkle depth, epidermal thickness, and trans-epidermal water loss for 16 weeks. The PGL treatment group showed reduced skin wrinkles, inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, and decreased IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 levels. These data suggest that oral PGL administration inhibits photoaging by inhibiting the expression of MMPs, which degrade collagen, and inhibiting cytokines, which induce inflammatory responses. These results reveal that ginseng leaves processed by acid reaction may serve as potential functional materials with anti-photoaging activities.

Supramolecular Self-Assembly of the Zwitterionic Sn(IV)-Porphyrin Complex

[Sn(OSO3)2(TPyHP)](HSO4)2∙8H2O (1), an ionic Sn(IV)-porphyrin complex, was prepared by reacting [Sn(OH2)2TPyP] with dilute sulfuric acid. X-ray structural analysis revealed that the zwitterionic [Sn(OSO3)2TPyHP]2+ species consists of two anionic axial Sn–O–SO3 units and four peripheral pyridinium moieties, with an overall dicationic charge balanced by two hydrogen sulfate (HSO4−) counter-anions. Ionic hydrogen bonding between the oxygen atoms of axial sulfato ligands and the peripheral pyridinium groups of adjacent Sn(IV)-porphyrin cations led to the formation of a 1D channel filled with counter-anions and water molecules. The supramolecular self-assembly of 1 was further characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, including 1H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, ESI-mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and powder X-ray diffractometry. The zwitterionic [Sn(OSO3)2TPyHP]2+ complex is a structurally well-defined complementary scaffold involved in supramolecular self-assembly. This novel class of ion-assembled metalloporphyrin is a potential functional porphyrin material used in ion exchange applications.

Effect of intrinsic vacancies on the electromagnetic properties of half-doped Sm0.5Ca0.5MnO3 manganites studied by positron annihilation

Mixed valence manganites are potential functional materials due to their unique electromagnetic properties. In this work, half-doped ceramics with the perovskite structure Sm0.5Ca0.5MnO3 polycrystalline samples are synthesized by the solid-state reaction method in open air at different final sintering temperatures. Structures and particle sizes are studied by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Positron annihilation spectroscopy and density-functional theory calculations are used to characterize the intrinsic vacancies in the bulk. Thereafter, the effect of vacancies on the magnetic and magnetoresistance (MR) properties is investigated. We find that Mn monovacancies (VMn) exist in the bulk among all the samples, and the concentration of VMn is different. We suggest a possible defect model that can be well applied to explain the phenomena of their electromagnetic properties. The transition temperature of the charge-order state (TCO) and ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic (TN) are most likely related to the concentration of VMn and the particle sizes or pore sizes, respectively. The glass spin state transition temperature seems to be independent of the defect concentration and type. The metal conductive behavior does not appear in a high magnetic field and at low temperatures, which may be caused by the presence of a high concentration of VMn in the bulk and oxygen-related defects in the boundary, and the double exchange interaction is suppressed. At temperatures below TN and under a weak magnetic field, the MR is related to the total defect concentration. In addition, the high concentration of VMn is unfavorable for obtaining a high MR value.

Immunomodulatory activity of semen Ziziphi Spinosae protein: a potential plant protein functional food raw material

Semen Ziziphi Spinosae protein (SZSP) is a new plant protein resource with good food functional properties and health care function. However, the biological activity of SZSP has not been further studied, which greatly limits the development and utilization of SZSP in the food industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of SZSP on immunosuppressed mice and its inhibitory effect on immune-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The results demonstrated that SZSP remarkably improved the immunomodulatory secretion in serum (interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interferon-γ, immunoglobulin-A, immunoglobulin-G, immunoglobulin-M) and primary macrophages (nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, TNF-α) and promoted the NK-cell killing activity of primary splenocytes in CTX-induced immunosuppression mice. Immunohistochemical analysis results indicated that the secretion of CD4+ and CD8+ in the spleen and thymus can be regulated by SZSP, leading to inhibition of the damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. Meanwhile, in order to clarify the immunomodulatory mechanism of SZSP, we showed that SZSP significantly inhibited the secretion of NO, interleukin-6, and TNF-α and reduced the phosphorylation expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-IκBα in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Therefore, the immunomodulatory effect of SZSP may be related to the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. Based on the above studies, the preliminary purification of SZSP was continued, and S1F2G1 with immunomodulatory activity was obtained. Taken together, SZSP has an immunoregulatory effect in vivo and in vitro and may be a favorable candidate of functional food raw material for regulating immune responses.

Laser Additive Manufacturing of Layered Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass Composite

As a potential functional material, much effort has been devoted to enhancing the mechanical properties of bulk metallic glass composites (BMGCs). Among them, layered BMGCs are regarded as effective for achieving a strength–ductility synergistic effect. However, it is difficult with the existing metallic glass (MG) preparation technologies to obtain a decent layered structure. In addition, the fragile interface between layers formed using the traditional fabricating method always exacerbates the deterioration of mechanical properties, which restricts the wide application of layered BMGCs. In the case of laser additive manufacturing (LAM), the cooperation of coarse grains in the hot affected zone (HAZ) and fine grains in the remelting zone induced by a unique thermal history is of key importance in eliminating the fragile interface and therefore overcoming premature cracking. Thus, we successfully synthesized Nb-Zr48Cu46.5Al4Nb1.5 layered material with a yield strength of 1332 (±91) MPa and a compression ductility of 4.17 (±0.14)% via LAM. The results of the compressive curves of Nb and BMGC prepared by LAM decisively demonstrate that the layered material obtains a certain degree of plasticity while maintaining relatively high strength. This remarkable mechanical property is mainly attributed to the asynchronous deformation and the interaction of the adjacent Nb and MG layers. It is worth emphasizing that a distinctive round-way crack extension is discovered during the deformation process, which plays a significant role in breaking through the strength ductility trade-off. In addition, the source of yield strength is calculated theoretically using the rule of the mixture and the dislocation strengthening principle. The results indicate that the strength contributed by geometrically necessary dislocations is around 101.7 MPa. In addition, the strength calculated by the rule of the mixture is ~1201.9 MPa. This work offers a new paradigm for BMGCs with excellent strength and ductility as practical engineering materials.

Orthovanillin azine ester as a potential functional material for organic electronic devices

The present study reports the synthesis of OVAE, an ester of ortho-vanillin azine, and its structural characterization using spectral and single crystal-XRD studies. Intermolecular interactions of OVAE are investigated using the Hirshfield surface analysis, 3D Hirshfield surface maps, 2D fingerprint plots, and electrostatic energy frameworks. Good thermal stability in thermogravimetric analysis, irreversible redox peaks in electrochemical studies, high carrier concentration and dielectric constant in electrical measurements, uniform films observed upon surface morphology examination, fabrication of a diode, the obtained current-voltage characteristics, dielectric constant and frequency-dependent AC conductivities directed towards the use of OVAE as a potential semiconducting functional material in suitable electronic devices. Based on cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance response, the performance of OVAE as an electrode material is explored by constructing a supercapacitor, which exhibited a specific capacitance of 56 Fg−1 at 10 mV s−1.

Ameliorative effect of Fructus Gardeniae against lipotoxicity associated hepatocytes injury through activating Nrf2 signaling pathway

Fructus Gardeniae (FG) is the dried ripe fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, having beneficial effects for human health. In this study, we discovered that the most relevant pathway influenced by Fructus Gardeniae extract (FGE) is lipid metabolism according to the analysis of network pharmacology. Furthermore, the protective effect of FGE against palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity was investigated. In L02 cells, FGE significantly promoted cellular proliferation after being treated with palmitic acid, and reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets and triglyceride level. Palmitic acid led to an increase of ROS content, which was reduced by FGE. Additionally, FGE could facilitate Nrf2 localized to nuclear and followed by activating its downstream targets. ML385 (a Nrf2 inhibitor) treatment further proved that FGE attenuated lipotoxicity through regulating Nrf2/ARE pathway. Consequently, we demonstrated for the first time FGE could be regarded as potential functional food materials for hepatic protection.

BMSCs-Seeded Interpenetrating Network GelMA/SF Composite Hydrogel for Articular Cartilage Repair.

Because of limited self-healing ability, the treatment of articular cartilage defects is still an important clinical challenge. Hydrogel-based biomaterials have broad application prospects in articular cartilage repair. In this study, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)and silk fibroin (SF) were combined to form a composite hydrogel with an interpenetrating network (IPN) structure under ultraviolet irradiation and ethanol treatment. Introducing silk fibroin into GelMA hydrogel significantly increased mechanical strength as compressive modulus reached 300 kPa in a GelMA/SF-5 (50 mg/mL silk fibroin) group. Moreover, composite IPN hydrogels demonstrated reduced swelling ratios and favorable biocompatibility and supported chondrogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) at day 7 and day 14. Additionally, significantly higher gene expressions of Col-2, Acan, and Sox-9 (p < 0.01) were found in IPN hydrogel groups when compared with the GelMA group. An in vivo study was performed to confirm that the GelMA-SF IPN hydrogel could promote cartilage regeneration. The results showed partial regeneration of cartilage in groups treated with hydrogels only and satisfactory cartilage repair in groups of cell-seeded hydrogels, indicating the necessity of additional seeding cells in hydro-gel-based cartilage treatment. Therefore, our results suggest that the GelMA/SF IPN hydrogels may be a potential functional material in cartilage repair and regeneration.

Incorporation of silver nanoparticles/curcumin/clay minerals into chitosan film for enhancing mechanical properties, antioxidant and antibacterial activity

It is popular that natural organics are served as green reducing and end-capping reagent for synthesis of functional nanoparticles. In this study, curcumin, a natural pigment, was employed to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a coloring, reducing and end-capping agent by an eco-friendly, economic and facile approach in the presence of different clay minerals, including palygorskite, montmorillonite and mixed-dimensional palygorskite clay. It was found that the phenolic hydroxyl groups or carbonyl groups of curcumin played a crucial role to reduce silver ions into AgNPs with the ginger color. Meanwhile, incorporation of clay minerals could induce the in-situ heterogeneous nucleation of AgNPs on the surface or/and interlayer of the involved clay minerals. It effectively prevented from the aggregations and resulted in uniform dispersion of AgNPs with a diameter of 30–40 nm. Furthermore, the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited a higher antioxidant (>90%) and antibacterial activity. Due to the synergistic effect of each component among the nanocompositions, the nanocomposites derived from different clay minerals were employed as multifunctional nanofillers to design functional chitosan composite films. By contrast, the chitosan composite films containing curcumin-capped AgNPs/mixed-dimensional palygorskite clay nanocomposites exhibited the best mechanical properties, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Compared with the chitosan films, the tensile strength and elongation at break of composite films increased by 15.90 MPa and 27.27%, respectively. The inactivation rate of the composite films against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus had reached 100%. Therefore, the obtained composite film with the ginger color exhibited excellent mechanical, water resistance, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and it was expected to develop a great potential functional packaging materials.

Graphene oxide enhanced phase change tolerance of Ge2Sb2Se4Te1 for all-optical multilevel non-volatile photonics memory

The low optical loss of G e 2 S b 2 S e 4 T e 1 (GSST) makes it a potential functional material for all-optical multilevel photonics memory devices that can operate in the optical telecommunication wavelength band. However, the same characteristic also restricted the tolerance of GSST phase change conditions using 1550 nm as an excitation light source. This work reports on the enhancement of GSST phase change condition tolerance using a graphene oxide (GO) intermediate layer on a polymer waveguide platform. The hybrid waveguide exhibits an insertion loss of around 1 dB and a maximum readout contrast of 25% between amorphous and crystalline states, with a step increase in readout contrast of around 5% per step. This work serves as a proof of concept for the implementation of a GSST–GO hybrid structure as an optical functional material in all-optical photonics memory applications.

Fermented Angelicae tenussimae with Aspergillus oryzae Improves Skin Barrier Properties, Moisturizing, and Anti-Inflammatory Responses.

Angelicae tenussimae root has been used as a traditional medicine in Asia. Recently, anti-melanogenic and anti-photogenic effects of fermented A. tenuissima root (FAT) were identified. However, information about the anti-atopic dermatitis action of FAT is limited. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the applicability of FAT to AD by identifying the efficacy of FAT on the skin barrier and inflammatory response, which are the main pathogenesis of AD. Expression levels of skin barrier components and the production of inflammatory mediators in human keratinocyte and mouse macrophage cells were measured by quantitative RT-PCR or ELISA. FAT upregulated the expression of skin barrier components (filaggrin, involucrin, loricurin, SPTLC1) and inhibited the secretion of an inflammatory chemokine TARC in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, it suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and nitric oxide production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. In addition, ligustilide increased filaggrin and SPTLC1, and also lowered pro-inflammatory mediators that increased in atopic environments, such as in FAT results. This means that ligustilide, one of the active ingredients derived from FAT, can ameliorate AD, at least in part, by promoting skin barrier formation and downregulating inflammatory mediators. These results suggest that FAT is a potential functional cosmetic material for the care and management of AD.

Red-light controlled supramolecular co-assembly transformations of stiff stilbene and donor acceptor stenhouse adduct amphiphiles

Amphiphiles are of great interest in the search of biomimicking supramolecular assembly for their assembling into complex and hierarchical structures in aqueous media across multiple length-scale. Incorporations of photoswitching units into amphiphiles provide a means to control the morphology of the resultant assembled structures by light irradiation, which is non-invasive and generally biocompatible. The use of light to induce morphological changes offers several extra merits, including selective excitation of photoswitches by different wavelengths, high temporal- and spatial-resolution. Macroscopic soft materials assembled from donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASA) amphiphiles (DA) in aqueous media are generally suffered from absorption peak broadening due to aggregation and requires strong white-light irradiation to induce a morphological change. Herein, we provide a new strategy for the restoration of red-light sensitivity of DA in aqueous medium, which requires a co-assembly system of DA with a six-membered fused ring stiff stilbene amphiphile (6SA). This 6SA:DA co-assembly forms supramolecular structures in both microscopic and macroscopic length-scale. Morphological changes of these supramolecular structures can be fine adjusted with red-light irradiation. The structural design, supramolecular assemblies and co-assemblies, and macroscopic scaffolds of photoresponsive SA and DA could enable potential visible-light controlled soft functional materials with improved biocompatibility and photosensitivity.