Cardiovascular diseases remain a major global health challenge, driving the search for plant‐derived bioactive systems with improved pharmaceutical performance. Plinia peruviana, a Brazilian native species, is a rich source of phenolic compounds with well‐documented biological activities. However, limitations related to physicochemical instability and low oral bioavailability hinder its practical application. Herein, a supramolecular complex between the ethanolic extract of P. peruviana branches and β‐cyclodextrin was developed to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of the extract. Total phenolic content was determined by visible spectrophotometry, while inclusion complex formation was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopy. Vasodilatory activity was evaluated through ex vivo vascular reactivity assays using isolated mesenteric arterial beds, and oral safety was assessed in acute and subchronic exposure models following internationally accepted guidelines. In addition, simulated gastrointestinal digestion was employed to investigate phenolic stability and bioaccessibility. The supramolecular complex exhibited biologically relevant vasodilatory activity, showed low oral toxicity, and significantly enhanced the intestinal bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds. Overall, these findings demonstrate that cyclodextrin‐based supramolecular systems represent a promising pharmaceutical delivery strategy for improving the biopharmaceutical performance of phenolic‐rich plant extracts through enhanced intestinal bioaccessibility and a favorable oral safety profile. These characteristics support their further investigation as plant‐based delivery systems for future phytopharmaceutical development for cardiovascular applications.
Methane decomposition is a COx-free process for hydrogen generation that also produces valuable carbon nanostructures. The work herein focused on Fe-based catalysts supported on some common supports (Al2O3, ZrO2, SiO2) and on alumina modified by metal oxides (10SiAl, 10ZrAl, 10YAl, 10CeAl). The prepared catalysts were characterized in detail by XRD, BET, TEM, TPR, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy. Among the single-component supports, the 20Fe/Al2O3 (Fe-Al) catalyst exhibited the highest initial activity, with 69.4% CH4 conversion. Among all the catalysts studied, Fe-10ZrAl showed the best catalytic activity with a maximum CH4 conversion (76.5%) and H2 yield (74.1%). Furthermore, during regeneration cycles, the catalyst maintained CH4 conversion (90%) without detrimental carbon encapsulation. The performance of Fe-10ZrAl is attributed to the synergistic effect of the ZrO2 modifier which improves strong metal-support interactions, stabilizes active iron nanoparticles from thermal sintering, and allows a highly reversible in-situ carbide cycle. The Fe-10ZrAl catalyst is the most active, followed by the Fe-10YAl catalyst, owing to its improved reducibility. Our work demonstrates the key role of modified alumina structures for sustainable co-production of hydrogen and nanomaterials.
Ten 5,5'-azotetrazolate salts with nitrogen-rich bases was prepared and evaluated as technologically accessible gas-generating materials. In addition to sufficient performance, the development focused on safety, reliable handling, and environmental responsibility, as essential factors for evaluating compounds intended for controlled gas generation. The azo and tetrazole framework combines high nitrogen content with favorable energetic characteristics, making it an attractive platform for applications requiring rapid, controlled gas release. The prepared salts were evaluated for their physicochemical and safety-relevant properties, including bulk density, hygroscopicity, and mechanical sensitivity. The structures of several compounds were determined by X-ray analysis of single-crystalline material. The ballistic properties were calculated for both the compounds themselves and their mixtures with the oxidizers potassium perchlorate and strontium nitrate, which ensure the required reaction rate while producing nontoxic gaseous and solid products. Several compounds showed advantageous combinations of high bulk density, low-to-moderate hygroscopicity, and favorable impact and friction sensitivities, resulting in performance comparable to that of currently used materials or commonly cited high-potential candidates for gas-generating components in various safety systems.
A zinc-mediated catalyst-free cross-electrophile coupling of gem-difluoroenol sulfonates with N-(acyloxy)phthalimides is developed. It efficiently affords diverse α,α-difluoroketones with broad radical compatibility, good gram-scale scalability, and functional group tolerance, enabling access to complex amino acid and glycosyl derivatives.
A set of four H‐ZSM‐5‐supported Ni–Cu‐containing materials with 5% Ni‐1% Cu loadings was prepared. The effect of using different reduction protocols (non‐reduced reference; H2 reduction at Tred.: 300; 400 and 500 °C) during the materials’ preparation was monitored to investigate the effect of this parameter on their microstructural features and their catalytic properties in a hydrogenolysis reaction. The variation of the reduction temperature has a direct effect on the composition and thus the separation of Ni atoms within the bimetallic nanoparticles and this in‐turn affects their reactivities for the hydrogenolysis of benzyl phenyl ether (a lignin model compound). Alloy Cu/Ni‐containing nanoparticles (confirmed by p‐XRD) prepared by reduction at 400 °C containing relatively more separated Ni atoms (observed using transmission electron microscopy ‐ energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (TEM‐EDX)) were found to be more active in the reaction of interest than catalysts prepared using a reduction at 500 °C which had higher Ni contents (but lower Ni within particle separations).
Neurological disorders (NDs) are characterized by substantial loss of specific neurons, with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases being the most frequent NDs and nearly 99% of all “foreign substances” are prohibited from entering the brain by the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) and the blood‐cerebrospinal fluid barrier (CFB). These barriers, while crucial for brain protection, pose significant challenges for drug delivery, as they restrict the entry of many therapeutic agents into the brain, and this represents the primary manifestation of the absence of pathogenesis‐targeting therapeutics. With significant success across multiple cell transplantation research efforts, stem cell therapy has been utilized for decades to treat neurological disorders. They work by replacing injured or lost cells directly, releasing proliferation and neurotrophic factors through autocrine and paracrine actions, suppressing neurological inflammation, and activation of endogenous brain progenitor cells. Nanocarriers derived from stem cells represent an innovative and promising therapeutic strategy for combating neurological diseases, combining faculties of regeneration of stem cells with the precision of nanotechnology. These nanocarriers possess natural biocompatibility and can efficiently cross the BBB to transport the therapeutic agents directly to affected neural tissues, thereby promoting enhanced treatment efficacy while reducing off‐target effects. However, key challenges remain in large‐scale production, standardization, and long‐term safety. Thus, this review has examined the potential applications of stem cell extracellular vesicle (EV)‐nanocarriers, mainly exosomes and recent development in the treatment of neurological diseases.
Salvia balansae, an endemic Algerian species, remains poorly investigated despite the recognized medicinal importance of the Salvia genus. This study comprehensively evaluated its phytochemical composition, biological activities, and safety profile. Quantitative analyses revealed high levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, condensed tannins, and triterpenoids, while LC–MS identified a distinctive Aurès‐region chemotype enriched in luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and flavonoid glycosides. The extract demonstrated strong antioxidant activity in free radical‐scavenging, metal‐chelating, and reducing‐power assays. Anti‐inflammatory activity was confirmed by inhibition of protein denaturation in vitro and significant suppression of croton oil‐induced ear edema and histopathological damage in vivo. Molecular docking predicted favorable binding of salvianolic acid, rutin, and apigenin‐7‐O‐glucoside to NLRP3 inflammasome components, suggesting a potential mechanism underlying the observed anti‐inflammatory effects. The extract also exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against cholinesterases and α‐amylase, indicating possible neuroprotective and antidiabetic potential. Acute oral toxicity testing at 2000 mg/kg showed no mortality, major clinical signs of toxicity, or apparent organ damage, although repeated‐dose studies are warranted. Collectively, these findings identify S. balansae as a polyphenol‐ and triterpenoid‐rich species with considerable promise for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
In this study, three novel benzimidazolium derivatives (2a–c) bearing 4‐fluoro, 3‐chloro, and 3‐methoxy substituents were synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activities of 2a–c were evaluated against human breast, lung, and liver cancer cell lines, as well as mouse fibroblast (L929) cells. All compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity in MDA‐MB‐231, A549, and HepG2 cells, with 2b showing the strongest antiproliferative effect, particularly against MDA‐MB‐231 cells. All compounds demonstrated higher IC50 values in L929 cells, indicating a degree of selectivity toward cancer cells. Compound 2b was further evaluated by immunocytochemical staining in MDA‐MB‐231 cells, demonstrating cleaved caspase‐3 expression and PARP1 cleavage. Furthermore, the physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity profiles of compounds were evaluated using in silico methods. The results indicated that the compounds possess high lipophilicity but show limited bioavailability due to low solubility. The boiled‐egg model revealed that compound 2c has a particularly high potential for gastrointestinal absorption. In addition, none of the compounds were predicted to cross the blood–brain barrier, which limits their potential for direct effects on the central nervous system.
The growing interest in natural product research as a safer and sustainable alternative to synthetic drugs has triggered this study, which evaluates the chemical profile and biological activity of Orobanche racemosa extracts. In the current study, extraction was performed from O. racemosa using the maceration method with several extraction solvents. The extracts were examined for their antioxidant and enzyme‐inhibitory activities and their effects on cell viability. In high‐performance liquid chromatography–MS/MS analysis, a total of 31 compounds was detected across all studied extracts. The EtOH and EtOH/water extracts consistently exhibited the highest antioxidant capacities in almost all tested assays. Similarly, EtOH and EtOH/water extracts showed vigorous anti‐AChE activity, measuring 2.88 and 2.35 mg/GALAE, respectively. In the cell viability assay, both EA and EtOH extracts of O. racemosa demonstrated potent cytotoxicity, significantly reducing viability in normal (HEK293) and cancer cell lines (HepG2, SH‐SY5Y), indicating high toxicity without selectivity. Molecular docking screened 384 theoretical compound–target combinations and retained 251 unique complexes with docking scores of −7.0 kcal/mol or lower after duplicated entries were removed. Subsequent single‐trajectory molecular dynamics analysis of seven representative high‐scoring complexes generated hypotheses regarding structural persistence under the simulated conditions; however, these computational predictions require experimental validation.
Gadolinium nanoparticles (GdNPs) have been studied extensively due to their lower toxicity and better magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection capabilities than Gd‐chelates. Their surfaces are conveniently modified with several molecules to enhance their accumulation in the cancer of interest, thereby enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment. In this study, hydrothermal GdNPs were functionalized with folic acid (FA) (for active targeting), polyethylene glycol (to improve biocompatibility), and azide molecules (for subsequent click reaction) via a silane ligand exchange conjugation method. Results showed a hydrodynamic diameter of 7.90 nm and a zeta potential of −6.80 mV for Azide‐PEG‐Folate‐modified GdNPs. UV spectra confirmed the presence of FA in NPs at UV absorption of 284 and 353 nm. Typical FTIR spectra also appeared at wavenumbers of 2950 and 2150 cm−1, confirming the presence of PEG and azide molecules on modified NPs, respectively. Additionally, modified NPs maintained good stability for up to 3 weeks at 25 and 4 °C. A preliminary click in vitro investigation also showed the NPs’ good viability even after incubation at 132 µg/mL, followed by the click reaction with 300 µg/mL of Holmium(III)‐complexed‐DOTA‐BCN on HeLa cancer cells. This first click‐combination finding serves as a promising candidate for Gd/Ho‐MRI agents, thereby enabling a more accurate diagnosis due to their simultaneous T1/T2 contrast enhancement.
This review paper highlights the research on thrives for nitrate reduction by transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) to produce ammonia. The exposure of humans to nitrate in the environment via public drinking water supplies is on the increase due to the elevated usage of inorganic fertilizers and animal manure in agricultural lands in various regions of the world. Many regions of the world has already set a permissible limit for nitrate in drinking water so as to prevent methemoglobinemia in children, birth defects, thyroid dysfunction and disease, various cancers, and cyanosis that culminates into asphyxia. Also, serious health disorders may occur due to ingestion of excess nitrate, such as cardiovascular disorder, genetic mutation, and diabetes. Recently, TMCs have attracted the keen interest of the scientists/researchers due to their unique tunable properties such as heterojunction formation with noble metals, morphological engineering through various synthesis techniques, elemental doping, and tunable edge active site and surface defects that induce active sites transformation at the basal planes. Irrespective of these unique surface properties, TMCs have the shortcomings of increasing surface hydrogen binding energy and Gibbs free energy change, which enhances charge‐carrier separation and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Future research outlook should focus on the surface engineering of TMCs in terms of minimizing the formation of heterojunction, which will limit proton/electron‐transfer kinetics, shifting the chemical equilibrium of HER through catalyst engineering that will mitigate the adsorption of hydrogen species, regulating the crystal phase, blocking the HER active sites, and introducing strain effects that will suppress HER and boost nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). These strategies will suppress HER and increase the efficiency of NRR.
Nanopowders of magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl 2 O 4 ) were produced using a solid‐state approach, involving a reaction between magnesium nitrate, aluminum nitrate, and oxalic acid. The synthesized nanomaterials’ structural, morphological, and catalytic properties were examined by XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM, EDX, BET, and TEM analyses. To evaluate their catalytic performance, the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye under Xenon lamp irradiation was investigated. Therefore, the combined application of photocatalysis and adsorption processes has proven to be highly effective for removing RhB from aqueous solutions. Notably, the highest removal efficiency, reaching 95% after 120 min, was obtained through photocatalytic degradation under Xe lamp irradiation.
Anchusa azurea has attracted increasing interest as a medicinal plant due to its phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which may contribute to its antioxidant and wound‐healing activities. In this study, aqueous (AW) and aqueous ethanolic (AE) extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Anchusa azurea by ultrasonic extraction were evaluated for their phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and wound‐healing efficacy using in vitro and in vivo models. The AE extract exhibited higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents and stronger antioxidant activity than the AW extract. Cytotoxicity was assessed on human skin fibroblasts, adult (HDFa) cells, using the MTT assay. Both extracts showed no significant cytotoxic effects. AW‐loaded nanoliposomes (AWNP) and AE‐loaded nanoliposomes (AENP) were successfully prepared, and scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering analyses confirmed nanoscale vesicles with negative zeta potential values. In vitro release studies demonstrated biphasic release profiles, with AENP exhibiting greater cumulative release than AWNP. In a rat excisional wound model, nanoliposomal formulations significantly enhanced wound contraction compared with crude extracts and controls. Histopathological evaluation demonstrated increased collagen deposition, neovascularization, and re‐epithelialization, particularly in the AE and AENP groups. These findings suggest that the phenolic‐rich aqueous ethanolic extract and its nanoliposomal formulation are promising candidates for wound‐healing applications.
In this study, the targeted phytochemical profiles and multi‐target biological activities of Mandragora autumnalis L. and Spartium junceum L. were evaluated using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and antimicrobial assays. LC‐MS/MS analysis showed that M. autumnalis predominantly contained low‐molecular‐weight phenolic acids, particularly protocatechuic acid (0.6850 µg/mg), whereas S. junceum was richer in flavonoids and isoflavonoids, especially genistein (1.8280 µg/mg) and cynaroside (1.5240 µg/mg). M. autumnalis showed stronger antioxidant activity, with a DPPH IC 50 value of 60.16 µg/mL and a FRAP absorbance of 2.098 ± 0.042 at 45 µg/mL, whereas S. junceum showed weak DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC 50 : 813.50 µg/mL). M. autumnalis also exhibited stronger acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase inhibition, on the other hand S. junceum displayed a butyrylcholinesterase‐oriented inhibitory profile. Preliminary antimicrobial screening revealed inhibition zones of 11–13 mm against selected bacterial strains. Overall, the findings suggest that low‐molecular‐weight phenolic acids may contribute to the biological activity of M. autumnalis , whereas flavonoids and isoflavonoids may support the characteristic inhibitory profile of S. junceum , highlighting the importance of qualitative metabolite composition in shaping extract bioactivity.
Wearable sensors have shown great potential in sports motion monitoring, exercise evaluation, and intelligent training owing to their ability to provide continuous and real‐time biomechanical information. Here, a multinetwork PD hydrogel‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (PD‐TENG) is developed as a self‐powered wearable sensing platform for national fitness motion monitoring and intelligent evaluation. The device adopts a contact–separation configuration with pPTFE and nylon as the triboelectric pair and PD hydrogel as the flexible conductive electrode. Benefiting from the synergistic coupling of polymer chains, ionic species, and dynamic intermolecular interactions, the hydrogel exhibits favorable flexibility, mechanical compliance, and interfacial adaptability. The optimized PD‐TENG delivers an open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 876 V, a short‐circuit current (ISC) of 40 μA, a transferred charge (QSC) of 260 nC, and a maximum output power of 598 μW. It also maintains stable electrical performance under varying frequencies, separation distances, temperature, humidity, and external force. As a wearable sensor, it enables joint‐angle monitoring and distinguishes walking, running, and jumping, demonstrating promising potential for intelligent motion recognition and scoring.
Dibenzoxanthene derivatives have produced considerable interest due to their pharmacological, photophysical, and organic optoelectronic properties. Herein, a facile one‐pot methodology was developed for the synthesis of 14‐(aryl)‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthene derivatives employing 5 mol% of the Brønsted acidic ionic liquid 1‐vinyl‐3‐(4‐sulfobutyl) imidazolium chloride [VSBIM][Cl] as an efficient and recyclable catalyst under solvent‐free conditions. This protocol enables the condensation of β‐naphthol with varied aryl or heteroaryl aldehydes to afford dibenzoxanthenes under neat conditions at 110°C. Nineteen 14‐(aryl)‐14H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthene derivatives were prepared in good to high yields. The synthesized dibenzoxanthenes were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR along with FT‐IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, photophysical properties, drug‐likeness (SwissADME), ADMET, PASS antiviral prediction, and molecular docking against Human Cyclooxygenase‐2 (PDB: 5IKQ) were performed as preliminary in silico studies.
Herein we report an experimental and theoretical study of the reactivity of the dye (E)‐7‐(diethylamino)‐1‐methyl‐3‐(2‐(3‐methyl‐4‐nitroisoxazol‐5‐yl)vinyl)quinolin‐2‐one (DQI) toward bisulfite (HSO3−) in the presence of an aqueous micellar solution of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr), which was used as the reaction medium. We observe that aqueous DQI exhibits very weak emission, accompanied by a low fluorescence quantum yield. Interestingly, upon addition of CTABr, a pronounced enhancement of the fluorescence intensity is observed, together with a hypsochromic shift in the emission. Additionally, the cationic surfactant acts as an efficient reaction promoter by enhancing the solubility of the proposed hydrophobic DQI dye and increasing its local concentration within the Stern layer, where bisulfite ions are also accumulated, thereby favoring a nucleophilic attack. The formation of thiol adducts is investigated via photophysical (absorption and fluorescence) and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements and the derived data are further supported by density functional theory‐correlated wavefunctions to identify the most favorable sites for electrophilic and nucleophilic attack in the DQI probe. The overall evidence clearly indicates a distinctive reactivity, supporting the formation of a DQI•SO3H Michael adduct in the proposed CTABr micellar medium.
Self‐powered wearable sensors are highly desirable for continuous human motion monitoring, yet the development of flexible devices with high output performance and good environmental adaptability remains challenging. Herein, an InSe‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (IS‐TENG) is developed through a simple layer‐by‐layer assembly strategy using Kapton as the flexible substrate, aluminum foil as the electrode, PTFE as one triboelectric layer, and compacted InSe powders as the counterpart friction material. Benefiting from the effective interfacial contact and favorable charge‐generation capability of the PTFE/InSe triboelectric pair, the fabricated IS‐TENG delivers a high open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 773 V, a short‐circuit current (ISC) of 35 μA, a transferred charge (QSC) of 229 nC, and a maximum output power of 465 μW. The device also exhibits reliable capacitor‐charging capability, good cycling durability, and stable output under varying operating and environmental conditions. More importantly, it can function as a wearable self‐powered sensor for finger tapping detection, motion‐state recognition, and joint bending monitoring. These results demonstrate the promise of the IS‐TENG for biomechanical energy harvesting and intelligent wearable motion sensing.
New 1,5‐ and 2,5‐disubstituted tetrazole derivatives were successfully synthesized under phase‐transfer catalysis conditions in good to excellent yields (21%–97%). The structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, as well as single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Density functional theory calculations performed at the B3LYP/DNP 3.5 level showed that compound F possesses the smallest HOMO–LUMO energy gap (3.390 eV), suggesting enhanced chemical reactivity. Monte Carlo/SAA simulations demonstrated strong adsorption tendencies on metallic surfaces, particularly for compound 1j on the Fe(110) surface, with an adsorption energy of −229.944 kcal mol−1. Molecular docking investigations against Abl kinase targets demonstrated favorable binding affinities, with docking scores reaching −11.7 and −8.3 kcal mol−1 for the most active derivatives. In addition, 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the 2HZI–3d and 4TWP–2j complexes throughout the simulation period. These findings highlight the potential of the synthesized tetrazole derivatives as promising candidates for further biological and corrosion‐related applications.
Ultrasmall cyclodextrin‐based nanogels (CDngs) crosslinked with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) were tested as drug delivery systems for poorly water‐soluble anticancer agents for the first time. Two compounds with well‐established pharmacological activity but critical solubility limitations, i.e., Osthole and Combretastatin A‐4 (CA‐4), were selected to evaluate the encapsulation capacity and performance of the nanogel platform. After preliminary screening through experimental and docking investigation, CA‐4 was chosen as the reference compound. Among the formulations developed, the CA‐4/loaded nanogel displayed the highest encapsulation efficiency (EE%). Despite a less‐than‐ideal host–guest fit, the large cavity of γ‐CD allows for efficient drug encapsulation and higher loading capacity. The optimized formulation was tested in vitro to assess both the biocompatibility of γ‐CDngs, as well as the anticancer efficacy of CA‐4 loaded γ‐CD and γ‐CDngs. We demonstrate that empty systems exhibit intrinsic biocompatibility, showing no cytotoxicity toward the A2780 cancer cell line under experimental conditions. Furthermore, the CA‐4 loaded γ‐CDngs retained and enhanced the cytotoxic properties of the free drug against this cell line, compared to the corresponding native γ‐CD. Collectively, these findings validate CDngs as a promising and innovative platform for the delivery of hydrophobic anticancer molecules and support their potential for further therapeutic development.
