Activity-guided investigation of <i>Carissa carandas</i> (L.) roots for anti-inflammatory constituents

<div><p>The present study was structured to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts, fractions and compounds isolated from <i>Carissa carandas</i> (L.) roots. Bioassay guided fractionation of methanol extract based on inhibitory potential towards proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO)) led to the identification of stigmasterol (<b>1</b>), lupeol (<b>2</b>), oleanolic acid (<b>3</b>), carissone (<b>4</b>) and scopoletin (<b>5</b>) as potential anti-inflammatory agents. Carissone (<b>4</b>) (IC₅₀ = 20.1 ± 2.69 μg/mL) and scopoletin (<b>5</b>) (IC₅₀ = 24.6 ± 1.36 μg/mL) exhibited significant inhibition of NO production comparable to specific NO inhibitor (L-NAME; IC₅₀ = 19.82 ± 1.64 μg/mL) without affecting the cell viability. Also, <b>4</b> and <b>5</b> at a concentration of 30 μM were found to inhibit 41.88–53.44% of TNF-α and IL-1β. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report displaying the anti-inflammatory effects of <i>C. carandas</i> (L.) roots, partially mediated by inhibition of TNF-α, IL-1β and NO.</p></div

Environment-Friendly Cathodes Using Biopolymer Chitosan with Enhanced Electrochemical Behavior for Use in Lithium Ion Batteries

The biopolymer chitosan has been investigated as a potential binder for the fabrication of LiFePO₄ cathode electrodes in lithium ion batteries. Chitosan is compared to the conventional binder, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Dispersion of the active material, LiFePO₄, and conductive agent, Super P carbon black, is tested using a viscosity analysis. The enhanced structural and morphological properties of chitosan are compared to the PVDF binder using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Using an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, the LiFePO₄ electrode with the chitosan binder is observed to have a high ionic conductivity and a smaller increase in charge transfer resistance based on time compared to the LiFePO₄ electrode with the PVDF binder. The electrode with the chitosan binder also attains a higher discharge capacity of 159.4 mAh g^–1 with an excellent capacity retention ratio of 98.38% compared to the electrode with the PVDF binder, which had a discharge capacity of 127.9 mAh g^–1 and a capacity retention ratio of 85.13%. Further, the cycling behavior of the chitosan-based electrode is supported by scrutinizing its charge–discharge behavior at specified intervals and by a plot of d<i>Q</i>/d<i>V</i>