DOSE-DEPENDENT AMELIORATION OF EPIGALLOCATECHIN-3-GALLATE AGAINST SODIUM VALPROATE INDUCED AUTISTIC RATS

Objective: Autism is a neurodevelopment related disorder with a range of clinical presentations attending serious behavioral and neurological disorders among young children that now occur at epidemic rates in developing countries, India included. The objective of this research was to study the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on sodium valproate-induced autism rats.Methods: On the 12th day of gestation wistar rats were administered with a single intraperitoneal injection of sodium valproate (VPA) (600 mg/kg body weight), which induced autism. The rats were treated with EGCG in varying doses 1, 2 and 5 mg/kg body weight via oral administration. The neuroprotectivity effect of the EGCG was followed by assessing the neurotransmitters and neurobiochemical activities such as serotonin, glutamate and nitrite levels in hippocampus and cerebellum region of the brain. Results: Early prenatal exposure to VPA provokes autistic symptoms. Induction of autism significantly impinged the neurotransmitters and neurochemicals such as serotonin, glutamate and nitrite levels in the brain (hippocampus and cerebellum) increased significantly in the rats exposed to VPA. After treatment with an effective dose of EGCG 2 mg/kg body weight the neurotransmitters and neurochemicals levels were decreased when compared with control and VPA-exposed rats. Conclusion: EGCG ameliorates and reverses autistic attributes possibly due to its neuroprotective activity which could pave the way for future investigation for the possible therapeutic approach

Engineered Two-Dimensional Nanostructures as SERS Substrates for Biomolecule Sensing: A Review

Two-dimensional nanostructures (2DNS) attract tremendous interest and have emerged as potential materials for a variety of applications, including biomolecule sensing, due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, tuneable optical and electronic properties. Advancements in the engineering of 2DNS and associated technologies have opened up new opportunities. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a rapid, highly sensitive, non-destructive analytical technique with exceptional signal amplification potential. Several structurally and chemically engineered 2DNS with added advantages (e.g., π–π* interaction), over plasmonic SERS substrates, have been developed specifically towards biomolecule sensing in a complex matrix, such as biological fluids. This review focuses on the recent developments of 2DNS-SERS substrates for biomolecule sensor applications. The recent advancements in engineered 2DNS, particularly for SERS substrates, have been systematically surveyed. In SERS substrates, 2DNS are used as either a standalone signal enhancer or as support for the dispersion of plasmonic nanostructures. The current challenges and future opportunities in this synergetic combination have also been discussed. Given the prospects in the design and preparation of newer 2DNS, this review can give a critical view on the current status, challenges and opportunities to extrapolate their applications in biomolecule detection

Therapeutic Monitoring of Flutamide Using Aggregated Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Substrates

It is essential to monitor the blood level of flutamide (FLT) during prostate cancer treatment since the abnormal renal elimination due to pathophysiological factors hinders attaining steady-state drug concentration. This study reports a systematic investigation of aggregation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) based on Hofmeister effect and eventual change in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) enhancement for the determination of FLT. Among the aggregants, MgSO4 showed the maximum enhancement. The concentration of MgSO4, pH, and duration of aggregation were optimized for FLT detection. The aggregated AgNPs (a-AgNPs) SERS substrate enhanced the Raman signal of FLT by up to five-orders of magnitude under optimized conditions. The developed technique was able to determine FLT from 0.25 × 10−3 μM to 250 μM with a limit of detection (LoD) of 1 pM. The application of the SERS substrate in practical analysis has been demonstrated using FLT-spiked human serum from 0 nM to 1000 nM with a detection limit of 0.3 nM. The reported Hofmeister series of AgNPs aggregation will assist in the development of SERS substrates for other analytes.</p

Transistor-based Biomolecule Sensors: Recent Technological Advancements and Future Prospects

10.1080/10408347.2021.2002133Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry5351044-106