PREPARATION OF RICE STRAW ACTIVATED CHARCOAL BY 2- STEP H3PO4 ACTIVATION

Objective: To determine optimal conditions required for activated charcoal production from rice straw with high quality for medical and pharmaceutical applications using chemical activation process.Methods: Effects of different pretreatment protocols in 2-step H3PO4 activation of Thai rice straw on adsorption properties, pore structure, and surface chemistry were investigated. The rice straw was carbonized at 400 °C for 2 h. The obtained charcoal was then impregnated with 85% H3PO4 in the ratio of 1:4 w/v for 24 h, followed by carbonization at 500, 600 and 700 °C for 1 h.Results: The results indicated that the 2-step H3PO4 activation, impregnating and carbonization at 700 °C was more efficient in producing activated charcoal because of showing the highest iodine adsorption (629 mg/g), methylene blue adsorption (198 mg/g) and Pb2+ions adsorption (64.19%). The adsorption capacity on iodine, methylene blue, and Pb2+ ions were compared. The results showed that rice straw activated charcoal was most efficient highest to adsorb Pb2+ ions. This adsorption capacity was higher than that of the commercial medical-grade activated charcoal.Conclusion: The rice straw activated charcoal which was prepared by 2-step H3PO4 activation tends to be potential for medical and pharmaceutical applications.Keywords: Rice straw, Activated charcoal, Phosphoric aci

PREPARATION OF HIGH PERFORMANCE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FROM RICE STRAW FOR COSMETIC AND PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS

Objective: Rice straw is an agricultural waste material which has a negative impact on the environmental. This study's aim was to prepare high-performance rice straw activated charcoal (RSAC) for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications using chemical activation technique.Methods: Three cultivars of rice straw namely Dok Mali 105 (DM105), RD6 and Niaw San-Pah-Tawng were selected to determine the lignin content. The rice straw with the highest lignin content was selected to produce rice straw activated charcoal. The particle of size 20, 40 and 60 mesh was carbonized at 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 °C for 1, 2, and 3 h. The obtained charcoal with the highest iodine number was then refluxed using potassium hydroxide and phosphoric acid as an activating agent in the ratios of 1:10 w/v at 70, 80, 90, and 100 °C for 2 (KOH) and 3 (H3PO4) h. The adsorption ability on iodine, methylene blue, acetaminophen, and aflatoxin B1 was investigated. Additionally, pore structure, pore size, and surface area were also determined relative to medical-grade activated charcoal.Results: DM105 rice straw contains the highest amount of lignin with 24.3 %w/w, followed by RD6 and Niaw San-Pah-Tawng, respectively. DM105 rice straw with particle size 60 mesh carbonized at 400 °C for 2 h (DM60T400H2) demonstrated the highest iodine number. The activation step of DM60T400H2 using 1:10 w/v potassium hydroxide at 70 and 80 °C for 2 h exhibited the highest iodine, methylene blue, acetaminophen, and aflatoxin B1 adsorption capacity. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) image and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) showed the microporous structure of obtained RSAC.Conclusion: RSAC prepared from rice straw of DM105 has potential in cosmetic or pharmaceutical applications

Dolutegravir twice-daily dosing in children with HIV-associated tuberculosis: a pharmacokinetic and safety study within the open-label, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority ODYSSEY trial

Background: Children with HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) have few antiretroviral therapy (ART) options. We aimed to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir twice-daily dosing in children receiving rifampicin for HIV-associated TB. Methods: We nested a two-period, fixed-order pharmacokinetic substudy within the open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority ODYSSEY trial at research centres in South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Children (aged 4 weeks to <18 years) with HIV-associated TB who were receiving rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir were eligible for inclusion. We did a 12-h pharmacokinetic profile on rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir and a 24-h profile on once-daily dolutegravir. Geometric mean ratios for trough plasma concentration (Ctrough), area under the plasma concentration time curve from 0 h to 24 h after dosing (AUC0–24 h), and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) were used to compare dolutegravir concentrations between substudy days. We assessed rifampicin Cmax on the first substudy day. All children within ODYSSEY with HIV-associated TB who received rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir were included in the safety analysis. We described adverse events reported from starting twice-daily dolutegravir to 30 days after returning to once-daily dolutegravir. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02259127), EudraCT (2014–002632-14), and the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN91737921). Findings: Between Sept 20, 2016, and June 28, 2021, 37 children with HIV-associated TB (median age 11·9 years [range 0·4–17·6], 19 [51%] were female and 18 [49%] were male, 36 [97%] in Africa and one [3%] in Thailand) received rifampicin with twice-daily dolutegravir and were included in the safety analysis. 20 (54%) of 37 children enrolled in the pharmacokinetic substudy, 14 of whom contributed at least one evaluable pharmacokinetic curve for dolutegravir, including 12 who had within-participant comparisons. Geometric mean ratios for rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir versus once-daily dolutegravir were 1·51 (90% CI 1·08–2·11) for Ctrough, 1·23 (0·99–1·53) for AUC0–24 h, and 0·94 (0·76–1·16) for Cmax. Individual dolutegravir Ctrough concentrations were higher than the 90% effective concentration (ie, 0·32 mg/L) in all children receiving rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir. Of 18 children with evaluable rifampicin concentrations, 15 (83%) had a Cmax of less than the optimal target concentration of 8 mg/L. Rifampicin geometric mean Cmax was 5·1 mg/L (coefficient of variation 71%). During a median follow-up of 31 weeks (IQR 30–40), 15 grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred among 11 (30%) of 37 children, ten serious adverse events occurred among eight (22%) children, including two deaths (one tuberculosis-related death, one death due to traumatic injury); no adverse events, including deaths, were considered related to dolutegravir. Interpretation: Twice-daily dolutegravir was shown to be safe and sufficient to overcome the rifampicin enzyme-inducing effect in children, and could provide a practical ART option for children with HIV-associated TB

Neuropsychiatric manifestations and sleep disturbances with dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy versus standard of care in children and adolescents: a secondary analysis of the ODYSSEY trial

BACKGROUND: Cohort studies in adults with HIV showed that dolutegravir was associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events and sleep problems, yet data are scarce in children and adolescents. We aimed to evaluate neuropsychiatric manifestations in children and adolescents treated with dolutegravir-based treatment versus alternative antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of ODYSSEY, an open-label, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial, in which adolescents and children initiating first-line or second-line antiretroviral therapy were randomly assigned 1:1 to dolutegravir-based treatment or standard-of-care treatment. We assessed neuropsychiatric adverse events (reported by clinicians) and responses to the mood and sleep questionnaires (reported by the participant or their carer) in both groups. We compared the proportions of patients with neuropsychiatric adverse events (neurological, psychiatric, and total), time to first neuropsychiatric adverse event, and participant-reported responses to questionnaires capturing issues with mood, suicidal thoughts, and sleep problems. FINDINGS: Between Sept 20, 2016, and June 22, 2018, 707 participants were enrolled, of whom 345 (49%) were female and 362 (51%) were male, and 623 (88%) were Black-African. Of 707 participants, 350 (50%) were randomly assigned to dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy and 357 (50%) to non-dolutegravir-based standard-of-care. 311 (44%) of 707 participants started first-line antiretroviral therapy (ODYSSEY-A; 145 [92%] of 157 participants had efavirenz-based therapy in the standard-of-care group), and 396 (56%) of 707 started second-line therapy (ODYSSEY-B; 195 [98%] of 200 had protease inhibitor-based therapy in the standard-of-care group). During follow-up (median 142 weeks, IQR 124–159), 23 participants had 31 neuropsychiatric adverse events (15 in the dolutegravir group and eight in the standard-of-care group; difference in proportion of participants with ≥1 event p=0·13). 11 participants had one or more neurological events (six and five; p=0·74) and 14 participants had one or more psychiatric events (ten and four; p=0·097). Among 14 participants with psychiatric events, eight participants in the dolutegravir group and four in standard-of-care group had suicidal ideation or behaviour. More participants in the dolutegravir group than the standard-of-care group reported symptoms of self-harm (eight vs one; p=0·025), life not worth living (17 vs five; p=0·0091), or suicidal thoughts (13 vs none; p=0·0006) at one or more follow-up visits. Most reports were transient. There were no differences by treatment group in low mood or feeling sad, problems concentrating, feeling worried or feeling angry or aggressive, sleep problems, or sleep quality. INTERPRETATION: The numbers of neuropsychiatric adverse events and reported neuropsychiatric symptoms were low. However, numerically more participants had psychiatric events and reported suicidality ideation in the dolutegravir group than the standard-of-care group. These differences should be interpreted with caution in an open-label trial. Clinicians and policy makers should consider including suicidality screening of children or adolescents receiving dolutegravir

Polyphenols and Rosmarinic acid Contents, Antioxidant and Anti- Inflammatory Activities of Different Solvent Fractions from Nga- Mon (Perilla frutescens) Leaf

Perilla is a rich source of polyphenols, which exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, and a variety of biological effects. The effect of differential solvents on the polyphenols, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid (RA), antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities of perilla leaf require investigation. In this study, perilla leaf was extracted with 70% ethanol and sequentially fractionated according to the solvent’s polarity with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and water. Samples were subjected to the bioactive compound measurements. The antioxidant and antiinflammation nature of perilla was analyzed based on the scavenging effects on DPPH•, ABTS•+, O2•- and nitric oxide (NO), as well as FRAP assay, and determination of the inhibition effects on NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) production in the cell-based study. The results indicate that among all different solvents used for sequential fractionation, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) was most effective in the separation of anti-oxidative and antiinflammatory compounds in the perilla leaf extract. These properties can partly be due to the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, and also RA. It can be demonstrated here that, the perilla leaf EtOAc fraction could be used as a natural active pharmaceutical ingredient for dietary supplements and nutraceuticals

Recent research advances and ethno-botanical history of miang, a traditional fermented tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) of northern Thailand

Miang is an ethnic fermented tea leaf (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) from northern Thailand. It has a long history of sociocultural relationship with northern Thai people. Unlike other types of tea, miang is a unique product that is known as chewing tea or eating tea. In addition, it is also a specific food for traditional religious ceremonies and funerals. Although chewing of miang has become less popular among younger generations, there remains a demand for miang in specific areas of northern Thailand. The traditional fermentation mechanism for miang has not been well documented and the information is now being developed. Current studies indicated that the astringent miang possessed higher phenolic metabolites especially epigallocatechin gallate than the sour miang and fresh tea leaf used for making miang in general. The chemical constituents in miang are of interest and the scientific advances to understand and develop this ethnic tea product are rapidly emerging. Miang has many potential benefits and is proposed to be used for many applications such as foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Other valuable chemical constituents have not yet been widely reported and require further research. The current understanding of miang has been developed from literature on historic and sociocultural relationships of miang, current evidence scientific evidence, and personal interviews with local miang producers. From the plantation areas close to miang production, physiological, chemical, and microbiological analysis of miang were undertaken and integrated with current scientific literature and community surveys to build an evolving body of new knowledge. This paper provides important historic background of miang and its ethno-botanical relationship with northern Thai people. Traditional production of miang and its chemical and physical properties make miang different from other fermented tea leaves. Therefore, this unique miang with ethnic roots in northern Thailand is a potential source of health relevant bioactive compounds that is rapidly gaining research interest and can be advanced for many beneficial food and health applications

Protective Effect of Red Rice Extract Rich in Proanthocyanidins in a Murine Colitis Model

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a global concern. Proanthocyanidin-rich red rice extract (PRRE) has been shown to suppress the inflammatory response in cellular cultures. However, the anti-colitis effect of PRRE has never been investigated in animals. This study aimed to examine the protective effect of the PRRE against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Male mice were orally administrated with PRRE of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Acute colitis was subsequently induced by administrated 2.5% DSS in drinking water for the final seven days. Sulfasalazine-treated mice were the positive group. All doses of PRRE and sulfasalazine significantly ameliorated DSS-induced severity of colitis, as indicated by decreasing daily activity index and restoring colon shortening. Treatments with PRRE, but not sulfasalazine, significantly reduced the histopathological index and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, the PRRE treatments effectively improved mucous in colonic goblet cells using PAS staining, and suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-&alpha;, IL-1&beta; and IL-6 induced by DSS, while sulfasalazine reduced only IL-1&beta; and IL-6. This study suggested that PRRE had a greater anti-colitis effect than sulfasalazine. Thus, PRRE has a potential anti-colitis effect, and should be developed in a clinical trial as a natural active pharmaceutical ingredient for IBD

Preparation and Characterization of Acid-Activated Bentonite with Binary Acid Solution and Its Use in Decreasing Electrical Conductivity of Tap Water

The characteristics of acid-activated raw bentonite (RB) activated with binary acid solutions sulfuric acid + nitric acid, nitric acid + phosphoric acid, and phosphoric acid + sulfuric acid, at a concentration of 5 mol/L (denoted as 5-SN, 5-NP, and 5-PS), were evaluated. Moreover, its application for improving the electrical conductivity in tap water was demonstrated. Acid activation induced the partial destruction of RB; subsequently, there was a significant release of sodium ions from the RB. In addition, the specific surface area and pore volume of 5-SN, 5-NP, and 5-PS were higher than those of RB. Next, the electrical conductivity when using RB increased with adsorption treatment because sodium ions were released from the RB. However, the electrical conductivity significantly decreased with adsorption treatment when using acid-activated RB. Specifically, magnesium ions, calcium ions, and potassium ions were removed into 5-SN, 5-NP, and 5-PS, and sodium ions were not released from the RB simultaneously. The removal percentage of the electrical conductivity using 5-SN, 5-NP, and 5-PS was approximately 31% to 36%. The results indicated that employing acid-activated RB with a binary acid solution is a useful method for decreasing the electrical conductivity in tap water