OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RIVASTIGMINE-LOADED NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS

Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for improvement in the oral bioavailability of RT. Methods: RT-loaded NLCs were prepared by high shear homogenization technique using fish oil and flaxseed oil respectively. The prepared RT-NLCs were characterized using a phase-contrast microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Further, particle size, entrapment efficiency and sustained release of the drug were also studied. Results: SEM results revealed that the RT-NLCs were spherical in shape with a smooth surface. AFM results confirmed the formation of spherical particle dispersions by the NLCs in nanoscale. FTIR spectroscopy and DSC analyses revealed that there is no chemical interaction between the ingredients of RT-NLCs. The particle size of the RT-NLCs was found to be exponentially decreased with the increase in a surfactant solution. Conclusion: The results confirmed pronounced improvement in entrapment efficiency of optimized formulation of RT-NLCs. In vitro, drug release studies showed that RT-NLCs were capable of releasing the drug in a sustained manner. The experimental results showed that the NLCs are potential carriers for providing sustained delivery of rivastigmine

BIOFABRICATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF MELIA DUBIA, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY

Objective: To investigate the bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Melia dubia (ALM) and test the antifungal activity of AgNPs against pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida tropicalis. Methods: 10 ml of aqueous leaf extract of Melia dubia was added to 90 ml of 1 mM silver nitrate and incubated for 8h at room temperature. After incubation, the color change was observed from light yellow to dark brown. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida tropicalis was carried out by employing the disc diffusion method. Results: UV-Vis spectra confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs by showing characteristic peak between 380-450 nm*. FTIR spectra showed the functional groups possibly involved in the synthesis of AgNPs. EDX confirms the presence of elemental silver at 3 Kev. SEM and AFM showed the synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape with size ranging between 20-40 nm*. XRD analysis revealed the crystalline nature of AgNPs with face centred cubic (FCC) lattice. AgNPs was found to be very effective against the tested pathogenic fungi A. niger and C. tropicalis and formed the inhibition zones 13.0 and 14.5 mm respectively. Conclusion: It is concluded that the bio-fabrication of AgNPs using aqueous leaf extract of Melia dubia was robust and rapid. The AgNPs were stable and proved to be excellent antifungal agents

American ginseng suppresses inflammation and DNA damage associated with mouse colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a dynamic, idiopathic, chronic inflammatory condition associated with a high colon cancer risk. American ginseng has antioxidant properties and targets many of the players in inflammation. The aim of this study was to test whether American ginseng extract prevents and treats colitis. Colitis in mice was induced by the presence of 1% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the drinking water or by 1% oxazolone rectally. American ginseng extract was mixed in the chow at levels consistent with that currently consumed by humans as a supplement (75 p.p.m., equivalent to 58 mg daily). To test prevention of colitis, American ginseng extract was given prior to colitis induction. To test treatment of colitis, American ginseng extract was given after the onset of colitis. In vitro studies were performed to examine mechanisms. Results indicate that American ginseng extract not only prevents but it also treats colitis. Inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 (markers of inflammation) and p53 (induced by inflammatory stress) are also downregulated by American ginseng. Mucosal and DNA damage associated with colitis is at least in part a result of an oxidative burst from overactive leukocytes. We therefore tested the hypothesis that American ginseng extract can inhibit leukocyte activation and subsequent epithelial cell DNA damage in vitro and in vivo. Results are consistent with this hypothesis. The use of American ginseng extract represents a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of UC

Análisis de las Estrategias Metodológicas implementadas por el docente en el desarrollo del proceso de enseñanza- aprendizaje en la disciplina de Geografía e Historia de Nicaragua y su Didáctica en los alumnos/as de Primer año “B” del turno regular de Formación Inicial Docente en la Escuela Normal Central de Managua Alesio Blandón Juárez durante el I semestre del Curso Escolar 2016

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como finalidad analizar la efectividad que tienen las Estrategias Metodológicas implementadas por el docente en el desarrollo del proceso de enseñanza- aprendizaje en la disciplina de Geografía de Nicaragua y su Didáctica en los alumnos/as de Primer año “B” del turno regular de Formación Inicial Docente en la Escuela Normal Central de Managua Alesio Blandón Juárez durante el I semestre del Curso Escolar 2016. Dicho trabajo de investigación tiene un enfoque naturista o cualitativo, es una vía de transformación social, a través de la cual el ser humano descubre la realidad que le rodea, determina los medios y procedimientos para actuar sobre ella y transformarla de acuerdo a una intensión social. Los procesos de investigación cualitativa, tienen como finalidad primordial la generación y construcción de conocimientos que contribuyen al desarrollo social y personal de cada uno de los miembros de una comunidad. La fase de recolección de los datos de la investigación desarrollada, se realizó de dos formas: una información que se recogió mediante la observación directa del comportamiento de los informantes claves y una información que se obtuvo mediante la interrogación de algunos informantes claves. Para ello, primeramente el investigador realizo una inmersión en el campo de trabajo, con el propósito de identificar los lugares adecuados para recoger y producir la información necesaria y requerid

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of New Linezolid-Based Phosphoramidate Derivatives

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Optical and Paper-based Dual Sensing of Hg2+ and Colorimetric Reduction of Cr(VI) by Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Prepared from the Bark Extract of Sweetinia mahagoni and Their Promising Antimicrobial Applications

This study was conducted to identify promising applications of green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared from a bark extract of Sweetinia mahagoni (Sm). The green synthesized Sm-AgNPs were characterized using various spectroscopy methods. AgNPs were first investigated using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and the metal nanoparticles exhibited an intense surfaceplasmon resonance (SPR) peak at different wavelengths. The green synthesized Sm-AgNPs had an SPR peak at 430 nm, which confirms the formation of Sm-AgNPs. In addition, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was conducted to determine the bioactive compounds of bark extract that actively participate in the reduction of Sm-AgNPs, and the results revealed O−H stretching of free hydroxyl alcohol and phenols, N−H bonds of primary amines, S＝O stretching of sulfoxide in aromatic groups, C−I stretching due to aliphatic iodo compounds, and C−Br stretching by halo compounds of the bark extract which might reduce and stabilize Sm-AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) results revealed that Sm-AgNPs were approximately irregular spheres. EDS results revealed the complete reduction of silver to elemental silver. The particle size analysis of Sm-AgNPs was conducted using dynamic light scattering (DLS), and the results revealed that Sm-AgNPs were polydisperse with an average size range from 35.8 to 47.8 nm, an average mean size of 41.3 nm, and a Z average of 37.7 nm. Sm-AgNPs had a negative zeta potential value of −19.0 mV, indicating that Sm-AgNPs were very stable in colloidal form. Further studies were carried out to demonstrate their usefulness in industrial and biomedical applications. In these studies, Sm-AgNPs exhibited a very good antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In addition to regular assays, we also investigated important industrial applications such as the reduction of toxic hexavalent chromium to a nontoxic form and sensing of Hg2+ ions. The results revealed that Sm-AgNPs had an excellent performance in biosensor applications such as sensing and detecting mercury at parts per million/parts per billion levels. In conclusion, green Sm-AgNPs are promising materials in therapeutic and industrial applications

Study and characterization of tobacco mosaic virus head-to-tail assembly assisted by aniline polymerization

One-dimensional composite nanofibres with narrow dispersity, high aspect ratio and high processibility have been fabricated by head-to-tail self-assembly of rod-like tobacco mosaic virus assisted by aniline polymerization, which can promote many potential applications including electronics, optics, sensing and biomedical engineering

An in-vitro Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Properties of Allmanda Cathartica L. Latex Green NPs on Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (NPs) by green route approaches has advantages over conventional methods. In green synthesis, we use eco-friendly plant extracts contain secondary metabolites and bioactive components, proteins that act as both reducing and capping agents, form stable and shape-controlled green silver nanoparticles. The current study deals with the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the aqueous latex extract of Allmanda cathartica. The green silver nanoparticles are characterized by using different spectroscopic methods like ultra violet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results indicated that the crystalline natured particles were spherical shaped with an average of 35 nm in size, and that the stability of silver nanoparticles was due to its high negative zeta potential of –27.6 mV. The current study also revealed that green silver nanoparticles had very good genotoxic and cytotoxic activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Leukemia leads to the development of high numbers of white blood cells, which is one of the major types of cancers that affect children. Many of the chemicals used for the treatment produce remarkable side effects. To overcome this problem, we made an attempt to see the efficacy of latex green silver nanoparticle on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation, which leads to the development of future therapeutic drugs