This study investigates the photophysical and electrical properties of 4-heptamethyl-trisiloxanyl-n-undecyloxy-4 ' nitrostilbene (SNS), a low molar mass organosiloxane liquid crystal containing a nitrostilbene chromophore. Real-time monitoring of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the nitrostilbene moiety was conducted in dichloromethane solution and thin films (in both crystalline and Smectic C (SmC) phases). A charge transfer excited state is formed following vibrational cooling and solvent interaction within 0.4 to 1.6 ps, which then relaxes to the ground state in 1.6 ns. Five distinct lifetime components were identified in thin films, attributed to the heterogeneous local environment and aggregate formation. Notable differences in excited-state lifetimes were observed between the crystalline and SmC phases, with slower dynamics in the former due to the rigidity of the crystalline phase. Photoconductivity under UV irradiation was examined in SmC, Smectic A (SmA), and isotropic phases, showing a significant increase in current response, particularly in the SmC phase. Polarizing optical microscopy revealed morphological changes post-UV exposure, such as reduced SmC domain size and decreased birefringence. Dielectric measurements indicated distinct relaxation peaks in SmC and SmA phases, reflecting more disordered molecular arrangements. The study reveals that UV exposure significantly enhances SNS conductivity, particularly within the SmC phase. This enhancement is likely attributed to UV excitation promoting the formation of an intramolecular charge transfer state within the trans-stilbene moiety. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential applications of nitrostilbene-functionalized organosiloxane liquid crystals in optoelectronic devices, such as light switches and photodetectors.

Microfluidic technology is designed for the liquid handling and manipulation of fluids and materials at a small scale. This technology offers distinct advantages that address the limitations of conventional methods such as precision control, reproducibility, efficiency, and rapid processing. These advantages signify a paradigm shift in the field of biomedical and pharmaceutical research, particularly in the preparation of nanomedicines. This review briefly introduces microfluidics along with its principles and fundamentals, including the key components, different types of microfluidic mixing mechanisms, and materials used in microfluidic devices. It also comprises a detailed discussion of the benefits and challenges of using microfluidics in preparing nanoformulations (such as lipid-based, polymer-based, inorganic-based, and hybrid-based) and biomedical applications. This review also discusses the advancement of microfluidic and nanomedicine preparation, such as modular microfluidics, digital microfluidics, three-dimensional (3D) printed chips, automated microfluidics, artificial intelligence (AI), and healthcare wearable devices (HWDs). The review concludes by encouraging cooperation between multiple parties for the success of nanomedicine and offering better patient care to the public.

Herein, we present a double-network hydrogel synthesized from a polysaccharide, sodium alginate (Alg), and acrylamide (AAm) via a "one-pot" preparation process. The hydrogel utilized N,N '-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBAA) as a cross-linker, while ammonium persulfate (APS) and N,N,N ',N '-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) served as a combined initiator system to enhance gelation and structural uniformity. To improve its mechanical and electrical properties, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) or reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was incorporated into the Alg-co-AAm hydrogel. The hydrogel features both chemical cross-linking, achieved through radical graft polymerization facilitated by MBAA, and physical cross-linking via coordination bonds between AuNPs and amide groups, alongside pi-pi interactions and hydrogen bonding from rGO. The resulting hydrogel exhibits remarkable mechanical properties, with a toughness of 1.10 MJ/m3 and strains over 832%, as well as a conductivity of 2.52 x 10-8 S/m and a capacitance of 6.70 mF. These characteristics make it ideal for applications in capacitive strain sensors and wearable electronics, particularly for functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices. The hydrogel effectively detects diverse human motions, distinguishing low-strain activities such as walking from high-strain activities such as running, highlighting its potential in flexible wearable medical monitoring devices.

Phytochemicals are typically natural bioactive compounds or metabolites produced by plants. Phytochemical-loaded nanocarrier systems, designed to overcome bioavailability limitations and enhance therapeutic effects, have garnered significant attention in recent years. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has intensified interest in the therapeutic application of phytochemicals to combat viral infections. This review explores nanoparticle-based treatment strategies incorporating phytochemicals for antiviral application, highlighting their demonstrated antiviral mechanisms. It specifically examines the antiviral activities of phytochemical-loaded nanosystems against (i) influenza virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); (ii) mosquito-borne viruses [dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and Chikungunya (CHIKV)]; and (iii) sexually transmitted/blood borne viruses [e.g. herpes simplex virus (HSV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. Furthermore, this review highlights the emerging role of these nanosystems in photodynamic therapy (PDT)-mediated attenuation of viral proliferation, and offers a perspective on the future directions of research in this promising area of multimodal therapeutic approach.

Six new macrocycles incorporating glycolipids containing one triazole ring in their structures were synthesized via intramolecular macrocyclic closure. The synthesis strategy is based on the different reactivities of primary and secondary hydroxyl groups on the monosaccharides. The protecting of hydroxyls on 4,6-positions by benzylidene, followed by benzylation of 2,3-positions and removal of the benzylidene, selectively left over the free secondary and primary hydroxyl on 4- and 6-carbons, respectively. The selective tosylation on the primary hydroxyl group followed by azide replacement prepares the first functionality of the glycolipids on carbon number 6 (C-6) on the ring of monosaccharide moieties. Subsequently, the nucleophilic displacement of suitable ethylene glycolic propargyl on the carbon number 4 (C-4) makes the intramolecular 1,3-dipolar ring closure assisted via copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition to be possible. All reaction conditions of 1,3-dipolar ring closures, including time, catalyst, temperature, and solvent, have been optimized.

Human saliva is an indispensable fluid that maintains a healthy oral cavity which otherwise can lead to oral diseases (dental caries and periodontitis). In addition, salivary metabolites and microbiome profile provide early detection of systemic diseases such as cancer and obesity. Salivary diagnostic has gained popularity due to its non-invasive sampling technique. Fasting (abstinence from food or drink or both) research for weight loss and improve health is common, but studies using fasting saliva are scarce. Some metabolites in fasting saliva have been reported with interesting results, which can be enhanced by considering different confounding factors. For example, fasting saliva contains higher salivary nitrite, which is related to nitric oxide (NO). NO is a vasodilator supporting the healthy function of endothelial cells and its deficiency is connected to many diseases. The timely supply of NO through exogenous and endogenous means is highlighted and the potential advantage of fasting salivary composition changes in relation to COVID-19 infection is speculated. This review aims to provide a general discussion on the salivary composition, properties, and functions of the whole saliva, including the health benefits of fasting.

Medium-chain-length poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs) with varied monomeric compositions were biosynthesized by producer bacteria fed with different fatty acids as carbon source. Octanoic-, lauric-, stearic-, and oleic acids were used to produce four types of mcl-PHAs viz. PHA-OC, PHA-LA, PHA-ST, and PHA-OL, respectively. The mcl-PHAs as film-casted preparations exhibit distinct traits e.g., PHA-OC and PHA-ST films are less flexible than PHA-LA while PHA-OL is a sticky, glue-like material; PHA-ST is opaque whereas PHA-OC, PHA-LA, and PHA-OL displayed transparent layers. The observation is attributed to polymer chain packing and side chain crystallization. A structure-property investigation of these biopolymers was carried out employing different spectroscopic and microscopic analyses in addition to thermal analyses. Comparative analyses of the results were applied in the interpretation and discussion of structure-property relationship.

Three derivatives of glucosides derived from n-dodecyl alcohol in a highly pure beta-anomer were synthesised with the aim to yield the liquid crystalline phase at ambient temperature with improved water solubility. Effect of variation in headgroup polarity on thermal properties, liquid crystalline phases, and structures of these derivatives of n-dodecyl beta-D-glucoside (beta-GlcC12) has been examined through differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarising microscopy, and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering, respectively. Derivative bearing two carboxymethyl and two hydroxyl groups at the sugar ring i.e. n-dodecyl 2,3-bis-O-[carboxymethyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2,3-diCOOH-beta-GlcC12) exhibited lamellar phase at the room temperature in anhydrous condition by significantly reduced the melting and clearing temperatures compared to parent compound beta-GlcC12. Under excess water condition, 2,3-diCOOH-beta-GlcC12 was completely soluble to form a normal micellar solution. We further investigated its foaming performance and emulsifying ability in n-octane, n-dodecane, and n-hexadecane as the oil phase. Both aqueous solution of 2,3-diCOOH-beta-GlcC12 emulsified with n-dodecane and n-hexadecane formed oil-in-water emulsion layer of more than 95% of the total system volume with n-dodecane/water system consistently maintains smaller particle sizes and a narrower polydispersity index. This supports the stronger emulsifying ability and better colloidal stability of the 2,3-diCOOH-beta-GlcC12 in the n-dodecane/water system than in the n-hexadecane/water system.

Glycolipids are biodegradable nonionic sugar surfactants and can be produced from renewable resources, making these materials suitable for sustainable development. Herein, the thermal properties, liquid crystalline phases, and structures of Guerbet branched chain α-D-xylosides with variable chain lengths (C8 to C24 total carbons) have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy, and X-ray scattering, respectively. In the dry state, the α-D-xylosides were either in a crystalline or a gel phase-like state. In the presence of water, the two shorter chain members formed lamellar and sponge phases. At relatively higher temperatures and water concentrations, those with longer chains exhibited inverse curved phases of hexagonal and Fd3m micellar cubic. These α-D-xylosides were then used as an emulsifier to produce the n-alkane/water emulsions of oil-in-water type at room temperature. The n-dodecane/water emulsified using middle chain xyloside i.e., 2-hexyl-decyl-α-D-xyloside gave the most stable and highest formation of emulsion layer of more than 90 % of the total system volume.

Atorvastatin calcium (ATV) and proanthocyanidins (PAC) have a strong antioxidant activity, that can benefit to reduce the atherosclerotic plaque progression. Unfortunately, the bioavailability of ATV is greatly reduced due to its limited drug solubility while the PAC drug is unstable upon exposure to the atmospheric oxygen. Herein, the lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LLCNPs) constructed by a binary mixture of soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and citric acid ester of monoglyceride (citrem) at different weight ratios were used to encapsulate the hydrophobic ATV and hydrophilic PAC. The LLCNPs were further characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering and dynamic light scattering. Depending on the lipid composition, the systems have a size range of 140-190 nm and were able to encapsulate both drugs in the range of 90-100%. Upon increasing the citrem content of drug-loaded LLCNPs, the hexosomes (H2) was completely transformed to an emulsified inverse micellar (L2). The optimum encapsulation efficiency (EE) of ATV and PAC were obtained in citrem/SPC weight ratio 4:1 (L2) and 1:1 (H2), respectively. There was a substantial change in the mean size and PDI of the nanoparticles upon 30 days of storage with the ATV-loaded LLCNPs exhibiting greater colloidal instability than PAC-loaded LLCNPs. The biphasic released pattern (burst released at the initial stage followed by the sustained released at the later stage) was perceived in ATV formulation, while the burst drug released pattern was observed in PAC formulations that could be attributed by its internal H2 structure. Interestingly, the cytokine studies showed that the PAC-LLCNPs promisingly up regulate the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) better than the drug-free and ATV-loaded LLCNPs samples. The structural tunability of citrem/SPC nanoparticles and their effect on physicochemical characteristic, biological activities and potential as an alternative drug delivery platform in the treatment of atherosclerosis are discussed.

Lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoassemblies (LLCNs) are internally self-assembled (ISA)-somes formed by amphiphilic molecules in a mixture comprising a lipid, stabilizer, and/or surfactant and aqueous media/dispersant. LLCNs are unique nanoassemblies with versatile applications in a wide range of biomedical functions. However, they comprise a nanosystem that is yet to be fully explored for targeted systemic treatment of breast cancer. In this study, LLCNs proposed for gemcitabine and thymoquinone (Gem-TQ) co-delivery were prepared from soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC), phytantriol (PHYT), or glycerol monostearate (MYVR) in optimized ratios containing a component of citric and fatty acid ester-based emulsifier (Grinsted citrem) or a triblock copolymer, Pluronic F127 (F127). Hydrodynamic particle sizes determined were below 400 nm (ranged between 96 and 365 nm), and the series of nanoformulations displayed negative surface charge. Nonlamellar phases identified by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) profiles comprise the hexagonal, cubic, and micellar phases. In addition, high entrapment efficiency that accounted for 98.3 ± 0.1% of Gem and 99.5 ± 0.1% of TQ encapsulated was demonstrated by the coloaded nanocarrier system, SPC/citrem/Gem-TQ hexosomes. Low cytotoxicity of SPC-citrem hexosomes was demonstrated in MCF10A cells consistent with hemo- and biocompatibility observed in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos for up to 96 h postfertilization (hpf). SPC/citrem/Gem-TQ hexosomes demonstrated IC50 of 24.7 ± 4.2 μM in MCF7 breast cancer cells following a 24 h treatment period with the moderately synergistic interaction between Gem and TQ retained (CI = 0.84). Taken together, biocompatible SPC/citrem/Gem-TQ hexosomes can be further developed as a multifunctional therapeutic nanodelivery approach, plausible for targeting breast cancer cells by incorporation of targeting ligands.

Due to their distinctive structural features, lyotropic nonlamellar liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs), such as cubosomes and hexosomes, are considered effective drug delivery systems. Cubosomes have a lipid bilayer that makes a membrane lattice with two water channels that are intertwined. Hexosomes are inverse hexagonal phases made of an infinite number of hexagonal lattices that are tightly connected with water channels. These nanostructures are often stabilized by surfactants. The structure’s membrane has a much larger surface area than that of other lipid nanoparticles, which makes it possible to load therapeutic molecules. In addition, the composition of mesophases can be modified by pore diameters, thus influencing drug release. Much research has been conducted in recent years to improve their preparation and characterization, as well as to control drug release and improve the efficacy of loaded bioactive chemicals. This article reviews current advances in LCNP technology that permit their application, as well as design ideas for revolutionary biomedical applications. Furthermore, we have provided a summary of the application of LCNPs based on the administration routes, including the pharmacokinetic modulation property.

Many aspects govern the nature of the resulting phase of a self-assembly of glycolipid, including its detailed stereochemical structure, solvent type, and state condition. Glycolipid has attracted considerable attention due to its extensive lyotropic applications in surfactant industry and material science. However, its application as thermotropic liquid crystal is unknown and rarely investigated. Herein, the thermotropic properties of a series of glycolipids, namely Guerbet branched chain alpha-D-mannosides (C8 to C24 total carbons) were studied by X-ray scattering, dielectric spectroscopy, and rheology. The shortest chain alpha ManC6C2 exhibited lamellar phase over the entire temperature range whereas both alpha ManC8C4 and alpha ManC10C6 only at elevated temperatures since these have larger hydrophobic volumes. Interestingly, at the room temperature, both anhydrous alpha ManC8C4 and alpha ManC10C6 showed formation of rippled structures. Prior to transforming into the fluid lamellar phase, these complex structures possess greater viscosity than the former. The longer chain mannosides (alpha ManC12C8 and alpha ManC14C10) adopted an inverse bicontinuous Ia3d cubic and inverse hexagonal phases, respectively. The temperature-dependent evolution of dielectric relaxation times, tau(T) of primary relaxation within the lamellar, hexagonal, and isotropic phases is explored. Distortion-sensitive tests, enabled by derivative-based analysis, evaluate the suitability of tau(T) parametrisation using the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) and critical-like equations. According to the dielectric and rheological analyses, as the temperature increases, both epsilon|| and epsilon perpendicular to increased, while the viscosity decreased. The findings suggest that higher temperatures are accountable for higher molecular mobility and fluidisation of the phase structure. These fundamental investigations are important to the bottom-up approach development of regulated and specially designed nanoscale material (e.g., a cryoprotective agent).

A series of new macrocycles based on alkyl glycosides derived from D-glucose and D-galactose was synthesized. The macrocycles were easily obtained by the reaction of dialkynyl derivatives with diazides via copper-catlyzed 1,3-cycloaddition reaction. Simple protecting group strategies were applied to obtain the vicinal dihydroxy derivatives, followed by Williamson etherification with propargyl bromides to get the dialkynyl derivatives. These derivatives were subjected to 1,3-Hüisgen triazole coupling with diazides furnishing the macrocycles in good yields. The 1,3-Hüisgen reaction used to build these macrocycles was investigated thoroughly with respect to reaction time, catalysts, solvents, and temperature for optimum macrocyclisation.

Lyotropic liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LLCNPs) have recently received much attention in the application of drug delivery systems, due to their ordered and versatile internal nanostructures that are considered as a key factor in improving loading efficiency of various poorly soluble therapeutic agents. To take advantage on their unique well-defined and flexible internal nanostructures, aripiprazole-loaded LLCNPs consisted of a binary mixture of soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and citric acid ester of monoglyceride (citrem) were developed in this study. Despite exhibiting low aqueous solubility which lead to difficulties in formulation, aripiprazole, a class of psychotropic drug called atypical anti-psychotics has been used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with few side effects. The utmost interest in this study is to explore the potential of LLCNPs in improving the percentage of encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of aripiprazole, their effect on the internal nanostructure of LLCNPs mesophases as well as the drug release performance from LLCNPs. The particle size of drug-loaded LLCNPs produced was in the range of 161–186 nm, with polydispersity index (PDI) between 0.11–0.16, and negative zeta potential of -21.5 to -23.8 mV. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements indicated that the internal nanostructures of LLCNPs are of inverse hexagonal (H2) with a negligible difference in the lattice parameter before and after drug loading. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the morphology and overall size distribution of drug-free and drug-loaded nanodispersions, which supported both SAXS and particles size findings. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy demonstrated that aripiprazole interacted physically with binary mixture of citrem/SPC within the nanodispersions. Moreover, the results showed that aripiprazole was successfully encapsulated into LLCNPs nanoparticles, where the EE% was all above 92%. These LLCNPs were not only have a high EE% value, but also exhibited a sustained release performance of aripiprazole with the release capacity of around 97% up to 96 h. From the current study, the potential use of LLCNPs as a promising nanocarrier for aripiprazole delivery is anticipated to improve the pharmacokinetics of this drug whilst enduring the internal nanostructural stability of the LLCNPs upon exposure to physiological environment.

Aqueous dispersions of inverse nonlamellar liquid crystalline nanostructures namely cubosomes and hexosomes have been used as carriers for drug delivery. The large surface area and internal water channel networks in these nanocarriers make them useful to transport amphiphilic, hydrophilic and hydrophobic active ingredients. However, suitable stabilisers that can maintain the colloidal stability and preserving the internal structures of the complex cubosomes and hexosomes are integral. Herein, Guerbet glycolipids namely 2-hexyl-decyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (β-Glc-OC10C6) and 2-hexyl-decyl-β-D-xylopyranoside (β-Xyl-OC10C6) were investigated for their potential in forming cubosomes and hexosomes respectively using Pluronic copolymers as steric stabilisers. The performance of five different Pluronics was evaluated for stabilisation of the dispersions, with a view to establish a structure-property relationship between the lipids and the stabilisers. The dispersions were assessed through synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering as a function of temperature and the concentration of stabilisers. The internal structure of dispersed particles of β-Glc-OC10C6 was susceptible to changes upon stabilisation by different Pluronics and with increasing temperature. The lowest molecular weight Pluronic studied, L64, had the greatest propensity to disrupt the structure, suggesting that it is able to penetrate the internal structure to a greater degree than the other Pluronic stabilisers. In contrast, the β-Xyl-OC10C6 counterpart formed a stable inverse hexagonal phase structure that was invariant with the Pluronic used or temperature. The stability of the structure of β-Xyl-OC10C6 suggests it has greater potential for use in drug delivery applications and the studies overall extend the current understanding around the structures formed upon dispersion of Guerbet lipids.

Some laterally fluorinated three-benzene-ring molecular core of azo-ester compounds bearing 2-methylbutoxy unit as the terminal chain were prepared to investigate the effects of terminal substituents on the liquid crystal properties where different opposite terminal groups are introduced. The opposite terminal side substituent, R, is a polar group that alternatively changes between the electron-donating group (OCH3 or OC4H9) and electron-withdrawing group (Br or NO2), including the terminally unsubstituted compound. The structures of all synthesised compounds were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, H-1 and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Their mesomorphic properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy, and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Mesomorphic studies revealed that all derivatives were liquid crystalline materials, except for the unsubstituted terminal derivative (F1). When the electron-donating group is attached to the terminal phenyl ester moiety, the analogues (F2 and F3) were enantiotropically nematogenic. Terminal substitution with the electron-withdrawing bromine atom (F4) induced the nematic-to-nematic (N-N-X) phase transition upon cooling, while the nitro group (F5) exhibited an enantiotropic nematic phase. The terminally nitro-substituted analogue F5 showed the highest bathochromic shift UV-vis absorption bands due to the stronger electron-withdrawing inductive effect of NO2 terminal group.

We report the synthesis and phase behaviour of two anhydrous mannosides (alpha ManC(18) and alpha ManC(18:1)) with stearyl and monounsaturated oleyl hydrocarbon chains that can be obtained from vegetable sources. These mannosides have been characterised by differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering. The two compounds exhibited multiple d-spacing bilayer structures. alpha ManC(18:1) gives a distinct incommensurate lamellar that persists until high temperature. On the other hand, alpha ManC(18) forms an incommensurate gel phase only at low temperature but undergoes a transition into the lamellar (L-alpha) liquid crystal phases on heating. The results were confirmed by replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD). The average hydrocarbon chain/headgroup tilt angles phi /theta , and average chain bending angle psi were calculated for the simulated bilayer systems at similar to 25 degrees C. The multiple averaged headgroup tilt angles theta explain the observed incommensurate bilayer structures with different bilayer thicknesses in these long hydrocarbon chain of mannosides. Moreover, different tilting angles of the headgroup result in different surface areas per lipid. Relating the incommensurate phase properly to molecular parameters is important especially in multi-component membranes, where the interplay of different molecule types is difficult to predict on intuitive grounds. (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cancer nanomedicines and the development of state-of-the-art multifunctional lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs) has become a fundamental resource in resolving challenging biomedical questions and physiological impediments. Since the approval of the first cancer nanomedicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995, advances in smart nanomedicines have been made towards the functionalisation of NP surfaces and interiors for enhanced therapeutic effects and intratumoural distribution, and avoidance of rapid clearance and degradation occurring in vivo. The strategies include advances seen in the engineering of both lipid-based and hybrid lipid (e.g., a combination of lipidic and polymeric components) NPs for co-delivery, tumour targeting, combination therapy, and cancer theranostics. The development of multifunctional nanoplatforms is, therefore, a key concept in the amelioration of progressive and/or drug-resistant cancer cells and bypass of barriers in the delivery of anticancer molecules. Herein, we consolidate information on the recent advances in multifunctional lipid-based NPs for application in therapeutic and/or theranostic intervention of breast and lung cancer in animal models and human clinical trials. Respectively, both cancer types are among the leading cases of newly diagnosed cancer worldwide and are major contributors to cancer-related deaths in men and women. A quick overview on the challenges and promising ideas for developing safe-by-design multifunctional lipid-based cancer nanomedicines are also presented.

Four azo-ester mesogens with lateral methyl were synthesized where these compounds are differed by the terminal substituents i.e. –H, –Cl, –Br and –CN. The compound with -H terminal substituent displayed nematic behavior with narrow mesophase range while electron-withdrawing groups terminated compounds exhibited mesophase behavior with wider nematic range. The presence of lateral methyl group and different terminal substituents used in this study could be utilized to generate anticipated mesophase. Their mesogenic behavior was also compared with previously investigated analogues and other structurally related series to evaluate the effect of lateral methyl group on the mesomorphism. Optical investigations demonstrated that their absorption spectra are identical in shape because of the structural similarities in the mesogenic unit whereas the fluorescence spectra exhibited blue emission and were red-shifted with the incorporation of terminal substituents. The synthesized azo-ester compounds could be potential candidate as fluorescent materials for practical applications such as organic light-emitting diode applications.