Experimental investigation on utilization of Sesbania grandiflora residues through thermochemical conversion process for the production of value added chemicals and biofuels.

All the countries in the world are now searching for renewable, environmentally friendly alternative fuels due to the shortage and environmental problems related with the usage of conventional fuels. The cultivation of cereal and noncereal crops through agricultural activities produces waste biomasses, which are being evaluated as renewable and viable fossil fuel substitutes. The thermochemical properties and thermal degradation behavior of Sesbania grandiflora residues were investigated for this work. A fluidized bed reactor was used for fast pyrolysis in order to produce pyrolysis oil, char and gas. Investigations were done to analyze the effect of operating parameters such as temperature (350-550 °C), particle size (0.5-2.0 mm), sweeping gas flow rate (1.5-2.25 m3/h). The maximum of pyrolysis oil (44.7 wt%), was obtained at 425 °C for 1.5 mm particle size at the sweep gas flow rate of 2.0 m3/h. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods were used to examine the composition of the pyrolysis oil. The pyrolysis oil is rich with aliphatic, aromatic, phenolic, and some acidic chemicals. The physical characteristics of pyrolysis oil showed higher heating value of 19.76 MJ/kg. The char and gaseous components were also analyzed to find its suitability as a fuel.

Marine biome-derived secondary metabolites, a class of promising antineoplastic agents: A systematic review on their classification, mechanism of action and future perspectives.

Cancer is one of the most deadly diseases on the planet. Over the past decades, numerous antineoplastic compounds have been discovered from natural resources such as medicinal plants and marine species as part of multiple drug discovery initiatives. Notably, several marine flora (e.g. Ascophyllum nodosum, Sargassum thunbergii) have been identified as a rich source for novel cytotoxic compounds of different chemical forms. Despite the availability of enormous chemically enhanced new resources, the anticancer potential of marine flora and fauna has received little attention. Interestingly, numerous marine-derived secondary metabolites (e.g., Cytarabine, Trabectedin) have exhibited anticancer effects in preclinical cancer models. Most of the anticancer drugs obtained from marine sources stimulated apoptotic signal transduction pathways in cancer cells, such as the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. This review highlights the sources of different cytotoxic secondary metabolites obtained from marine bacteria, algae, fungi, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Furthermore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the utilisation of numerous marine-derived cytotoxic compounds as anticancer drugs, as well as their modes of action (e.g., molecular target). Finally, it also discusses the future prospects of marine-derived drug developments and their constraints.

Combined synergetic potential of metformin loaded pectin-chitosan biohybrids nanoparticle for NIDDM.

RATIONALE: Combined therapy is a promising approach over its preference to minimize the dose, adverse effects and enhanced therapeutic efficiency in a various diseases including diabetes. AIM: The present research work is to explore combined synergistic anti-diabetic potential of chitosan and pectin with Metformin (CPM) nano-formulation, with special emphasis on effect of Metformin when integrated with bio polymers. METHODS: The biohybrid nanoparticles (CPMNP) were formulated by ionic gelation process. The optimized formulation was examined for various in vitro characterizations, in vivo anti-diabetic potential, biodistribution and targeting efficiency. RESULTS: The optimized biohybrid showed higher content of Metformin 92.1 ±â€¯3.3% and extended release. The pectin coated nanoparticles had smooth spherical morphology with 581.8 nm size and positive surface charge (+41.76 mV). The biohybrid regulated blood glucose, improved the glucose utilization in vital organs, control the dyslipdimea and renal impairment in diabetic rats. CPMNP-4 significantly enhanced the up regulation of IRA, GLUT-2 and GK receptor gene expression and down regulate the TNF-α and IL-6 in pancreas. Also, nanoparticles showed healthier biodistribution simultaneously capability to penetrate in vital organs. CONCLUSION: The combined synergistic effects of Metformin and biopolymers are due their corresponding mechanism to enhance glucose uptake, minimized the adverse effects during diabetic therapy.

Development and Characterization of Metformin Loaded Pectin Nanoparticles for T2 Diabetes Mellitus.

AIM: The present investigation was aimed to formulate and evaluate Metformin loaded pectin (PCM) nanoparticles (NPs) for sustained action for management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). METHOD: The nanoparticles were formulated by ionic gelation technique. The nano-formulations were subjected for the analyses of entrapment efficiency and drug release stud for 12h. The optimized formulation examined various in vitro characterizations such as particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology and FTIR studies. The in vitro heamocomptability, protein binding stability and glucose uptake studies were performed with nanoparticles. RESULTS: The PCMNP-4 showed drug entrapment efficiency, 68 ± 4.2 % and demonstrated favourable in vitro prolonged release characteristics. The mean particles diameter of optimized formulation was 482.7 nm and 0.270 poly dispersity index (PI), had spherical shape and zeta potential of (+38.85 mV). In addition, the nanoparticles were reasonably stable in the presence of excess bovine serum albumin, which suggested that the nanoparticles may also be stable in the blood stream. The percentage of haemolysis induced by Metformin and placebo PCNPs were less than 5%. The results indicated that the PCMNPs are hemocompatible and therefore, safe for oral administration. The glucose uptake was increased 1.5 fold in RBCs and L6 skeleton muscle cell line compared with Metformin. CONCLUSION: Hence, the designed nanoparticle system could possibly be advantageous in terms of prolonged release, to achieve reduced dose frequency and improve patient compliance.

Synthesis, characterisation and evaluation of N-mannich bases of 2-substituted Benzimidazole derivatives.

RATIONALE: Benzimidazoles and its derivatives represent one of the mainly biological active classes of literature. AIM: In this present study aimed to synthesize N-mannich bases derivatives compounds bearing of 2-substituted benzimidazole moiety, in order to investigate their possible biological activity. METHOD: Benzimidazole compounds were prepared from the condensation reaction between ortho phenylene diamine and various acids. Mannich base of newly synthesized Benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized from 2-substituted Benzimidazoles by reacting with secondary amines. The purity of the compounds was ascertained by melting point (m.p) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Structures of the synthesized compounds were elucidated by spectral data. Antimicrobial assay was performed by microbroth dilution method. Bacterial genomic DNA cleavage was assessed by Agarose gel electrophoresis. Toxicity of the most effective compounds was studied by Brine-shrimp lethality assay. RESULT: Among the synthesized compounds, compound 5E (a) and (b) was establish to be the most potent against all tested microorganisms. This two compounds exhibited complete bacterial DNA cleavage and non-toxic. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that it an interesting compound compared to the current therapeutic agents and are considered to investigate further for the same.