A simple, sensitive and specific reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection at 251 nm was developed for quantitation of buparvaquone (BPQ) in human and rabbit plasma. The method utilizes 250 microL of plasma and sample preparation involves protein precipitation followed by solid-phase extraction. The method was validated on a C18 column with mobile phase consisting of ammonium acetate buffer (0.02 m, pH 3.0) and acetonitrile in the ratio of 18:82 (v/v) at a flow rate of 1.1 mL/min. The calibration curves were linear (correlation coefficient>or=0.998) in the selected range. The method is specific and sensitive with limit of quantitation of 50 ng/mL for BPQ. The validated method was found to be accurate and precise in the working calibration range. Stability studies were carried out at different storage conditions and BPQ was found to be stable. Partial validation studies were carried out using rabbit plasma and intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were within 7%. This method is simple, reliable and can be routinely used for preclinical pharmacokinetic studies for BPQ.
The alkaloidal extract of the leaves of Phoebe grandis (nees) merr. have provided two new minor alkaloids; phoebegrandine D (1), a proaporphine-tryptamine dimer, and phoebegrandine E (2), an indoloquinolizidine. This is the first report on the occurrence of an indoloquinolizidine in the Phoebe species. The crude extract also exhibited antiplasmodial activity (IC50<8 microg mL-1). The structures of the novel compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, notably 2D NMR and HRMS.
A laboratory prototype system that correlates murine blood absorbance with degree of infection for Plasmodium berghei and Trypanosoma avensi has been designed, constructed and tested. A population (n = 6) of control uninfected, Plasmodium infected and Trypanosoma infected BALB/c mice were developed and spectral absorption measurements pre and post infection were made every 3 days. A fibre optic spectrometer set-up was used as the basis of a laboratory prototype biosensor that uses the Beer Lambert Law to relate Ultraviolet-Visible-Near-infrared absorbance data to changes in murine blood chemistry post infection. Spectral absorption results indicate a statistically relevant correlation at a 650 nm with infection for Plasmodium from between 4 and 7 sampling days' post infection, in spite of significant standard deviations among the sample populations for control and infected mice. No significant spectral absorption change for Trypanosoma infection was been detected from the current data. Corresponding stained slides of control and infected blood at each sampling date were taken with related infected cell counts determined and these correlate well for Plasmodium absorbance at 650 nm.
Scopoletin has previously been reported as a biomarker for the standardization of Paederia foetida twigs. This study is the first report on the determination and quantification of scopoletin using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) in the different extracts of Paederia foetida twigs. The validated qNMR method showed a good linearity (r2 = 0.9999), limit of detection (LOD) (0.009 mg/mL), and quantification (LOQ) (0.029 mg/mL), together with high stability (relative standard deviation (RSD) = 0.022%), high precision (RSD < 1%), and good recovery (94.08-108.45%). The quantification results of scopoletin concentration in chloroform extract using qNMR and microplate ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometer was almost comparable. Therefore, the qNMR method is deemed accurate and reliable for quality control of Paederia foetida and other medicinal plants without extensive sample preparation.
The DCA (Drug Control Authority) of Malaysia implemented phase 3 registration of traditional medicines in January 1992 with special emphasis on the quality, efficacy, and safety of all dosage forms of these medicines. For this reason, a total of 100 herbal products containing Smilax myosotiflora were purchased in the Malaysian market and analyzed for mercury content, as mercury is a recognized reproductive toxicant. The products were analyzed using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It was found that 89% of the above products do not exceed 0.5 ppm of mercury. Heavy metal poisoning such as mercury has been associated with traditional medicines. Therefore, it is important that doctors and health care practitioners are aware of these risks and finding ways to minimize them, including questions pertaining to the use of these remedies during the routine taking of a patient's history.
The present study describes the conductometric and spectroscopic study of the interaction of reactive anionic dyes, namely, reactive red 223 and reactive orange 122 with the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). In a systematic investigation, the electrical conductivity data was used to calculate various thermodynamic parameters such as free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and the entropy (ΔS) of solubilization. The trend of change in these thermodynamic quantities indicates toward the entropy driven solubilization process. Moreover, the results from spectroscopic data reveal high degree of solubilization, with strong interactions observed in the cases of both dyes and the CTAB. The spontaneous nature of solubilization and binding was evident from the observed negative values of free energies (ΔG p and ΔG b).
The stacked-film immobilization of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) in hybrid nafion/sol-gel silicate film and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in chitosan, performed in order to allow the determination of phenolic compounds, was investigated via an optical method. The stacked films were deposited onto a microscope glass slide by a spin-coating technique. The quinone or free radical product formed by the enzymatic reactions of phenolic compounds interacts with MBTH to form azo-dye products, which can be measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 500 nm. The color intensity of the product was found to increase in proportion to the phenolic concentration after 5 min of exposure. The response of the biosensor was linear over concentration ranges of 0.025-0.500, 0.010-0.070 and 0.050-0.300 mM for guaiacol, resorcinol and o-cresol, respectively, and gave detection limits of 0.010, 0.005 and 0.012 mM. The sensor exhibited good sensitivity and stability for at least two months.
Two new naphthoquinones designated as 3alpha-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yI)-9alpha-methoxy-2,3,3alpha,9alpha-tetra-hydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione (callicarpa-quinone A, 1) and 5-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione (callicarpaquinone B, 2) were isolated from the chloroform fraction of Callicarpa maingayi. Three other known compounds, identified as avicequinone-C (3), wodeshiol (4) and paulownin (5), were reported for the first time from this species. The structure elucidation of compounds was established by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses as well as EIMS, UV and IR spectral data. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer MCF-7cells. Compound 2 exhibited strong cytotoxic activity with an IC50 value of 1.9 +/- 0.2 microM, while 1 showed moderate activity with an IC50 value of 25.0 +/- 4.3 microM.
The SRB cytotoxicity assay was used to screen extracts and isolated constituents of some traditional medicinal plants from Malaysia and Thailand against two human cancer cell lines, COR L23 lung cancer cell line and MCF7 breast cancer cell line and the non-cancer MCF5 cell line. Five out of the seven species tested, i.e. Thai Alpinia galanga, Alpinia officinarum, Cayratia japonica, Physalis minima, Tabernaemontana divaricata, exhibited interesting cytotoxicity activity and this is the first report of cytotoxicity from any Cayratia species. Following bioassay-guided fractionation, 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (48h exposure against COR L23 cells, IC(50) 7.8 microM against MCF7 cells, IC(50) 23.9 microM) was isolated as the major cytotoxic component of the Alpinia species, physalin F as the major cytotoxic component of Physalis minima (48 h exposure against COR L23 cells IC(50) 0.4 microM against MCF7 cells, IC(50) 0.59 microM). The Malaysian Alpinia galanga showed weak activity compared with the Thai sample and this was shown to be due to the relatively high amounts of 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate present in the Thai sample.
Microtubule disassembly inhibitory properties have been established for the known polyisoprenylated benzophenones xanthochymol (1a) and guttiferone E (1b). The compounds were isolated from the fruits of Garcinia pyrifera collected in Malaysia. A structure-activity relationship study, including natural and semisynthetic derivatives, delineated some structural features necessary for the interaction with tubulin within this compound class.
Cyanidation in gold extraction has detrimental impacts on the ecosystem and the population in surrounding areas. The research described in this article aimed to assess the health effects of environmental exposure to cyanide in a community near a gold mining area in Malaysia. A total of 255 members of the exposed community and 117 members of the control community answered questionnaires on their exposure to a gold mine and health outcomes. Urine samples were collected for biomarker assessment (i.e., urinary thiocyanate). The authors found that the mean level of urinary thiocyanate was significantly higher among the exposed community (0.30 ± 0.26 mg/dL) than the control community (0.24 ± 0.23 mg/dL) (p = .0021). The exposed community had a significantly higher prevalence of headaches (prevalence odds ratio [pOR] = 2.6, p = .001), dizziness (pOR = 3.7, p < .001), skin irritation (pOR = 2.1, p = .040), and eye irritation (pOR = 5.1, p = .004). No association occurred between dietary exposure and urinary biomarkers. Smokers living near a gold mine had a higher urinary thiocyanate level (0.56 mg/dL) than smokers in the control community (0.49 mg/dL).
Angiogenesis, which is required for physiological events, plays a crucial role in several pathological conditions, such as tumor growth and metastasis. The use of plant extracts is a cost effective and eco-friendly way to synthesize nanoparticles. In the present study, we investigated the anti-angiogenesis properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Saliva officinalis extract on chick chorioalantoic membrane. The production of nanoparticles was confirmed by the color change from yellow to brown observed after approximately 3 h at 37 °C. Then, the nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, and TEM. The UV-visible spectroscopy results showed that the surface plasmon resonance band for AgNPs was around 430 nm. The intensity of the AgNP-specific absorption peak improved with an increase of 0.5 mL of extract into 10 mL of AgNO3 (2.5 mM). The FTIR results showed good interaction between the plant extracts and AgNPs. The TEM images of the samples revealed that the NPs varied in morphology and size from 1 to 40 nm; the average was recorded at 16.5 ± 1.2 nm. Forty Ross fertilized eggs were divided into four groups; the control and three experimental groups. On the 8th day, gelatin sponges containing albumin were placed on the chorioalantoic membrane and soaked with different concentrations of NPs. On the 12th day, all the cases were photographed using a photostereomicroscope. The number and the lengths of the vessels were measured using Image J software. The crown rump (CR) and weight of the embryo were also recorded. Then the hemoglobin content was measured using Drabkin's reagent kit for quantification of the blood vessel formation. According to the data analysis, the number and length of the blood vessels, as well as the CR and weight of the embryos reduced significantly compared to the control (p < 0.05), dose dependently. The total hemoglobin was quantified as an indicator of the blood vessel formation. The hemoglobin content in the treated samples with AgNPs decreased, which showed its inhibitory effect on angiogenesis.
The introduction of low detection limit ion selective electrodes (ISEs) may well pave the way for the determination of trace targets of cationic compounds. This research focuses on the detection of titanium (III) cation using a new PVC-membrane sensor based on synthesized tris(2pyridyl) methylamine (tpm) ionophore. The application and validation of the proposed sensor was done using potentiometric titration, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The membrane sensor exhibited a Nernstian response to the titanium (III) cation over a concentration range of 1.0 × 10(-6)-1.0 × 10(-2) M and pH range from 1-2.5. The Nernstian slope, the lower of detection (LOD), and the response time (t95%) of the proposed sensor were 29.17 ± 0.24 mV/dec, 7.9 × 10-7 M, and 20 s, respectively. The direct determination of 4-39 μg/ml of titanium (III) standard solution showed an average recovery of 94.60 and a mean relative standard deviation of 1.8 at 100.0 μg/ml. Finally, the utilization of the electrodes as end-point indicators for potentiometric titration with EDTA solutions for titanium (III) sensor was successfully carried out.
Bionanocomposite films based on regenerated cellulose (RC) and incorporated with zeolite at different concentrations were fabricated by dissolving cellulose in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMIMCl) ionic liquid using a simple green method. The interactions between the zeolite and the cellulose matrix were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra. Mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films significantly improved as compared with the pure regenerated cellulose film, without the loss of extensibility. Zeolite incorporation enhanced the thermal stability and char yield of the nanocomposites. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that zeolite was uniformly dispersed in the regenerated cellulose matrix. In vitro cytotoxicity test demonstrated that both RC and RC/zeolite nanocomposite films are cytocompatible. These results indicate that the prepared nanocomposites have potential applications in biodegradable packaging, membranes and biomedical areas.
Four new copper(II) complexes containing phosphonium substituted hydrazone (L) with the formulations [CuL]Cl(3), [Cu(phen)L]Cl(4), [Cu(bpy)L]Cl(5), [Cu(dbpy)L]Cl(6), (where L = doubly deprotonated hydrazone; phen = 1,10'-phenanthroline; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; dbpy = 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods and in the case of crystalline products by X-ray crystallography. The cytotoxicity and topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibition activities of these compounds were studied. It is noteworthy that the addition of N,N-ligands to the copper(II) complex lead to the enhancement in the cytotoxicity of the compounds, especially against human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line (PC-3). Complex 4 exhibits the highest activity against PC-3 with the IC₅₀ value of 3.2 μΜ. The complexes can also inhibit topo I through the binding to DNA and the enzyme.
Near-real-ime assay is anassay method that the whole process from sampling until results could be obtained in approximately Iess than one hour. The ElIman assay for acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) has near real-time potential due to its simplicity and fast assay time. The commercial acetylcholinesterase from Electrophorus electricus is well known for its uses in insecticides detection. A lesser known fact is AChE is also sensitive to heavy metals. A near real-time inhibitive assay for heavy metals using AChE from this source showed promising results. Several heavy metals such as copper, silver and mercury could be etected with IC50 values of1.212, 0.1185 and 0.097 mg I-1, respectively. The Limits of Detection (LOD) for copper, silver and mercury were 0.01, 0.015 and 0.01 mg I-1, respectively. TheLimits of quantitation (LOQ) or copper, silver and mercury were 0.196, 0.112 and 0.025 mg I-1, respectively. The LOQvalues for copper, silver and mercury were well below the maximum permissible limit for these metal ions as outlined by Malaysian Department of Environment. A polluted location demonstrated near real-time applicability of the assay with variation oftemporal levels of heavy metals detected. The results show that AChE from Electrophorus electricus has the potential to be used as a near real-time biomonitoring tool for heavy
A metal-free mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN) was investigated for the first time as an adsorbent for N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR), which is one of the nitrosamine pollutants. Under the same condition, the adsorption capability of the MCN was found to be higher than that of the MCM-41. Since the adsorption isotherm was consistent with Langmuir and Freundlich model equations, it was suggested that the adsorption of NPYR molecules on the MCN occurred in the form of mono-molecular layer on the heterogeneous surface sites. It was proposed that MCN with suitable adsorption sites was beneficial for the adsorption of NPYR. The evidence on the interaction between the NPYR molecules and the MCN was supported by fluorescence spectroscopy. Two excitation wavelengths owing to the terminal N-C and N=C groups were used to monitor the interactions between the emission sites of the MCN and the NPYR molecules. It was confirmed that the intensity of the emission sites was quenched almost linearly with the concentration of NPYR. This result obviously suggested that the MCN would be applicable as a fluorescence sensor for detection of the NPYR molecules. From the Stern-Volmer plot, the quenching rate constant of terminal N-C groups was determined to be ca. two times higher than that of the N=C groups on MCN, suggesting that the terminal N-C groups on MCN would be the favoured sites interacted with the NPYR. Since initial concentration can be easily recovered, the interactions of NPYR on MCN were weak and might only involve electrostatic interactions.
A greener method based on cloud point extraction was developed for removing phenol species including 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in water samples by using the UV-Vis spectrophotometric method. The non-ionic surfactant DC193C was chosen as an extraction solvent due to its low water content in a surfactant rich phase and it is well-known as an environmentally-friendly solvent. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as pH, temperature and incubation time, concentration of surfactant and salt, amount of surfactant and water content were evaluated and optimized. The proposed method was successfully applied for removing phenol species in real water samples.
Groundwater chemistry of small tropical islands is influenced by many factors, such as recharge, weathering and seawater intrusion, among others, which interact with each other in a very complex way. In this work, multivariate statistical analysis was used to evaluate the factors controlling the groundwater chemistry of Kapas Island (Malaysia). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to 17 hydrochemical parameters from 108 groundwater samples obtained from 18 sampling sites. PCA extracted four PCs, namely seawater intrusion, redox reaction, anthropogenic pollution and weather factors, which collectively were responsible for more than 87% of the total variance of the island's hydrochemistry. The cluster analysis indicated that three factors (weather, redox reaction and seawater intrusion) controlled the hydrochemistry of the area, and the variables were allocated to three groups based on similarity. A Piper diagram classified the island's water types into Ca-HCO3 water type, Na-HCO3 water type, Na-SO4-Cl water type and Na-Cl water type, indicating recharge, mixed, weathering and leached from sewage and seawater intrusion, respectively. This work will provide policy makers and land managers with knowledge of the precise water quality problems affecting the island and can also serve as a guide for hydrochemistry assessments of other islands that share similar characteristics with the island in question.