PRELIMINARY CHROMATOGRAPHICRESEARCH ON SOME SALVIA SPP. (LAMIACEAE)

Salvia genus, representative for the Lamiaceae family as it comprises approximately one thousand different species, is considered for a wide plethora of therapeutic actions, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antitumoral and antidiabetic activity. The paper presents the preliminary chromatographic investigations of the polyphenols in the aerial parts of some Salvia spp. Using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with photodensitometry, caffeic acid was identified and quantified in the 20% methanolic extracts of Salviaeherba, in descending order, as follows: S. nemorosa (3.096%) > S. verticillata (3.041%) > S. sclarea (2.663%) > S. glutinosa (1.962%) > S. aethiopis (0.926%)

Chromophore

The paper presents the main results of our study on preparation and characterization of conducting biomembranes to be used as solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). It bases on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), glycerol (GLY) and photosensitive chromophores, like Prussian Blue (PB). Its primary application is in fabrication of electrochromic windows. The new SPEs were characterized by UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy. They were used in preparation of small electrochromic devices (ECDs). The obtained devices were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and also by spectroscopic methods. The results show their color change from blue pale to intense blue after application of a direct current (DC) electric field, making the composites very interesting for industrial applications in smart windows

Ciprofloxacin-Collagen-Based Materials with Potential Oral Surgical Applications

We report in this paper the synthesis and characterization of a new collagen-based material. This material was obtained in a spongy form and was functionalized with an antibiotic, ciprofloxacin. The targeted applications of these kind of materials concern the post-operative prophylaxis. The in vitro tests (antimicrobial, cytotoxic, drug release) showed that sponges with a concentration of 0.75 g of ciprofloxacin per gram of collagen could be beneficial for the desired applications

New Insights into Boron Essentiality in Humans and Animals

Boron (B) is considered a prebiotic chemical element with a role in both the origin and evolution of life, as well as an essential micronutrient for some bacteria, plants, fungi, and algae. B has beneficial effects on the biological functions of humans and animals, such as reproduction, growth, calcium metabolism, bone formation, energy metabolism, immunity, and brain function. Naturally organic B (NOB) species may become promising novel prebiotic candidates. NOB-containing compounds have been shown to be essential for the symbiosis between organisms from different kingdoms. New insights into the key role of NOB species in the symbiosis between human/animal hosts and their microbiota will influence the use of natural B-based colon-targeting nutraceuticals. The mechanism of action (MoA) of NOB species is related to the B signaling molecule (autoinducer-2-borate (AI-2B)) as well as the fortification of the colonic mucus gel layer with NOB species from B-rich prebiotic diets. Both the microbiota and the colonic mucus gel layer can become NOB targets. This paper reviews the evidence supporting the essentiality of the NOB species in the symbiosis between the microbiota and the human/animal hosts, with the stated aim of highlighting the MoA and targets of these species