HISTO-ANATOMICAL AND PRELIMINARY TLC INVESTIGATIONS ON TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS L. (ZYGOPHYLLACEAE) SPECIES

Using microphotography technique, the cross-sections of root, aboveground stem and leaf were obtained and investigated for Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) plants in blossom, collected in June 2016, from the surroundings of Craiova City, Dolj County (southwestern Romania). The polyphenols content of the aerial parts (Tribuli herba) was analyzed by thin layer chromatography. One rutin derivative was identified starting from the 12 peculiar chromatographic bands

HISTO-ANATOMICAL AND PRELIMINARY TLC INVESTIGATIONS ON HYPERICUM HIRSUTUM L. (HYPERICACEAE) SPECIES

Starting from Hypericum hirsutum L. plants in blossom, harvested in May 2016, from Rasca Forest, Olt County (Romania), the cross-sections of root, aboveground stem and leaf were acquired and examined through microphotography technique. Also, the content of polyphenols was determined by thin layer chromatography as part of a comprehensive pharmacognostic analysis of aerial parts (Hyperici hirsuti herba). From the 12 separated chromatographic bands, one chlorogenic acid derivative was identified

HISTO-ANATOMICAL AND PRELIMINARY TLC INVESTIGATIONS ON CYNOGLOSSUM OFFICINALE L. (BORAGINACEAE) SPECIES

The cross-sections through root, aboveground stem, leaf and sepal of Cynoglossum officinale L. species, Boraginaceae family, harvested from the geographical area of Valea Cernei, Valcea County (Romania), were obtained and interpreted using microphotography technique. In addition, the polyphenols content of the aerial parts (Cynoglossi herba) was analyzed by thin layer chromatography and established for the reason of pharmacognostic expertise. One caffeic acid derivative was identified from the 15 distinctive chromatographic bands

Antibiofilm Coatings Based on PLGA and Nanostructured Cefepime-Functionalized Magnetite

The aim of our study was to obtain and evaluate the properties of polymeric coatings based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) embedded with magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with commercial antimicrobial drugs. In this respect, we firstly synthesized the iron oxide particles functionalized (@) with the antibiotic Cefepime (Fe3O4@CEF). In terms of composition and microstructure, the as-obtained powdery sample was investigated by means of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively). Crystalline and nanosized particles (~5 nm mean particle size) with spherical morphology, consisting in magnetite core and coated with a uniform and reduced amount of antibiotic shell, were thus obtained. In vivo biodistribution studies revealed the obtained nanoparticles have a very low affinity for innate immune-related vital organs. Composite uniform and thin coatings based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and antibiotic-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles (PLGA/Fe3O4@CEF) were subsequently obtained by using the matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. Relevant compositional and structural features regarding the composite coatings were obtained by performing infrared microscopy (IRM) and SEM investigations. The efficiency of the biocompatible composite coatings against biofilm development was assessed for both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. The PLGA/Fe3O4@CEF materials proved significant and sustained anti-biofilm activity against staphylococcal and Escherichia coli colonisation