A family of kojic acid derivatives aimed to remediation of Pb2+ and Cd2+

The present work analyzes the complex formation ability towards Pb2+ and Cd2+ of a series of kojic acid derivatives that join the chelating properties of the pyrone molecules and those of polyamines, with the aim of evaluating how the different effects of oxygen and nitrogen coordinating groups act on the stability of metal complexes. Experimental research is carried out using potentiometric and spectrophotometric techniques supported by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Actually, a different coordination mechanism toward Pb2+ and Cd2+ was proved: in the case of Pb2+, coordination takes place exclusively via the oxygen atoms, while the contribute of the nitrogen atoms appears relevant in the case of Cd2+. Lead complexes of all the studied ligands are characterized by significantly stronger stability than those of cadmium. Finally, on the basis of the measured complex formation stabilities, some of the proposed molecules seems promising effective ligands for lead and cadmium ion decorporation from polluted soils or waste waters

Steam sauna and mother roasting in Lao PDR: practices and chemical constituents of essential oils of plant species used in postpartum recovery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fundamental in traditional postpartum recovery in Lao PDR is the use of hotbeds, mother roasting, steam sauna and steam baths. During these treatments medicinal plants play a crucial role, but little has been published about how the treatments are carried out precisely, which species are used, the medicinal properties of these species, and the medicinal efficacy of their chemical constituents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-five interviews, in 15 rural villages, with women of 4 different ethnic groups were conducted to survey confinement rituals, and postpartum plant use and salience. Essential oils from the main species used were extracted using steam distillation and the main chemical constituents characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 10 different species were used by three or more of the ethnic groups included in this study. All species were used in steam sauna and bath, but only 3 species were used in hotbed and mother roasting. Essential oils of <it>Amomum villosum, Amomum microcarpum </it>and <it>Blumea balsamifera </it>were found to contain significant amounts of the following terpenes: β-pinene, camphor, bornyl acetate, borneol, linalool, D-limonene, fenchone, terpinen-4-ol and α-terpinene.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Many of these terpenes have documented antimicrobial and analgesic properties, and some have also synergistic interactions with other terpenes. The mode of application in hotbed and mother roasting differs from the documented mechanisms of action of these terpenes. Plants in these two practices are likely to serve mainly hygienic purposes, by segregating the mother from infection sources such as beds, mats, stools, cloth and towels. Steam sauna medicinal plant use through inhalation of essential oils vapors can possibly have medicinal efficacy, but is unlikely to alleviate the ailments commonly encountered during postpartum convalescence. Steam sauna medicinal plant use through dermal condensation of essential oils, and steam bath cleansing of the perineal area is possibly a pragmatic use of the reported medicinal plants, as terpene constituents have documented antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.</p

HETEROTRICYCLIC SYSTEMS: SYNTHESIS AND CNS ACTIVITIES OF PYRIDOPYRAZINONE AND PYRIDODIAZEPINONE DERIVATIVES

New tricyclic derivatives with cyclocondensed pyrido-pyrazine 7,10 and pyrido-diazepine 20a,20b skeletons were synthetized and biologically investigated. The compounds, preliminarily tested on explorative, muscle relaxing, antinociceptive, spontaneous motor activities and influence on the narcotic effect of Evipan, revealed interesting CNS depressant and analgesic activities. The pyrido[2,3-e]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine structure of 7 appeared the most promising for analgesic and neuroleptic activities. The above compounds were assayed also for their capacity to inhibit DNA synthesis in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells; 20a appeared to be able of inducing a significant inhibition

Effect of simulated microgravity on PGE2-induced edema and hyperalgesia in rat paws. pharmacological data and biochemical correlates

The aim of the present study has been to investigate the effect of conditions of modeled microgravity using a three-dimensional clinostat (Random Positioning Machine, RPM) on edema and thermal hyperalgesia induced by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the hind paw of rat. Our results showed that RPM reduced PGE2-evoked edema associated to a significant decrease in hyperalgesia compared to ground control animals. To further characterize the mechanisms by which RPM induces anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic action, we performed biochemical assays of PGE2 and Western immunoblot experiments to assess whether the intraplantar administration of exogenous PGE2 modifies the expression of the iNOS. These results showed that RPM diminished the levels of PGE2 in exudates of paws previously treated with PGE2, but did not influence the iNOS expression.[...

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of 4-carbamoyl-5-aryl-6-methyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3(2H)ones

A new series of 4-carbamoyl-5-aryl-6-methyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-ones have been synthesized and tested for their antiinflammatory and analgesic properties. Amongst the test compounds, only 31 showed antiinflammatory activity, though of shorter duration than that of indomethacin, taken as reference drug. On the contrary, many derivatives displayed relevant analgesic activity, 4 - the only 4,5-dehydroderivative - being the most potent in the writhing test. In the hot plate test 3b, 3f and 3k were found to possess the most significant analgesic properties

Immune compatible cystine-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as vascular contrast agents in ultrasonography

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been extensively investigated for many biomedical applications. A good quality functionalization that combines imaging goals with a high-level of biocompatibility remains one of the challenges for particle translation into medical practice. Here, we focus on a new functionalization of SPIONs with cystine (Cy-SPIONs). Cystine is able to make SPIONs stable and dispersible in water and in culture cell media. New insights are provided into the biological and immune effects of Cy-SPIONs with a wide variety of standard and molecular assays to evaluate cytotoxicity, cell activation, cytokine release and the expression of 84 genes related to immune responses. A good immune biocompatibility of Cy-SPIONs on primary immune cells was found. The great potential of Cy-SPIONs for further in vivo studies and as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highlighted. In addition, we also exploited ultrasonography, since it is a safer, less expensive and common imaging technology. The good echogenic properties of Cy-SPIONs in water and in whole blood are shown, both in vitro and in a phantom vein for bloodstream simulations. Our results open up a new scenario for future applications of cystine-functionalized SPIONs as immune-compatible ultrasound and MRI contrast agents

The method of the Italian network POLLnet for counting and evaluating the concentration of airborne particles in a daily sample

Airborne pollen monitoring is of concern for health purposes as well as for studies on climate changes and biodiversity. The reliability of data estimates depends on the accuracy and precision of pollen counts (Gottardini et al., 2008). An important aspect of the microscope analysis, heavily influencing this reliability, is the choice of the minimal surface to be read on a microscope slide. At the moment, operators seem to argue among 10%, 15% and 20% of the target surface. The Italian network POLLnet searched a criterion both on experimental and statistics basis. For this purpose, three microscope slides, with low, medium and high amounts of particles, were read by twenty experienced aerobiologists. Each slide was analyzed on 100% of target surface, as well as 10%, 15% and 20%. The statistic approach applied the Poisson distribution to search the minimal surface to examine in order to find at least 1 pollen grain if on the total target sample there are 5 grains, or 0.5 particles/m3 that is the threshold concentration for the detection of most of the monitored families. This study confirmed that the variability of data decreases as the examined area increases. In particular, when 10% of the target area is examined, up to 45% of the pollen species can escape the analysis; when the slides were examined on the wider areas (15% and 20%), this lost of taxa decreased up to 15%. Also, the repeatability and the reproducibility of the analysis varied significantly on the basis of the percentages of the target area examined. Moreover, the statistic approach indicated that 14% is the minimal area to examine to find at least 1 airborne particle on a total of 5, with a confidence of 50%. Even if the experimental data suggest that the ideal surface would be at least 20%, both the experimental and the statistical approach indicate that adopting as a minimum reading limit 15% of the sampling surface is still acceptable