Photodegradation of 17 α-methyltestosterone using TiO2 -Gd3+ and TiO2-Sm3+ photocatalysts and simulated solar radiation as an activation source.

According to the search in the state of the art, no antecedents were found in which photocatalytic degradation of 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) hormone has been carried out using doped-TiO2. Nor have the transformation products formed during the heterogeneous photocatalysis (FH) been identified. Therefore, in this study we analyzed the photocatalytic degradation of the MT in aqueous solution, using doped TiO2 with Sm3+ or Gd3+ at 0.3 and 0.5 %wt. Thermal treatment temperature (500 °C and 800 °C) and MT (20 mgL-1) mineralization were also studied. All photocatalysts were synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Specific Surface Area (BET), Ultraviolet-visible Spectroscopy (UV-vis), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope/Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis (HRTEM/EDS) and, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL). MT mineralization was followed by a total organic carbon analyzer (TOC). The route of the photocatalytic mineralization of the hormone was obtained from the analysis of intermediate compounds determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS). The results showed that TM and its transformation products were not degraded by photolysis. However, the degree of mineralization of the hormone was greater when the photocatalytic process was used. The photocatalytic efficiency was related to the dopant concentration, dopant type and thermal treatment. Therefore, Sm (0.3%)/TiO2 calcined at 500 °C showed the best performance for photocatalytic mineralization of MT.

Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic activity of Carica papaya leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The extraction of plant constituents is essential to isolate biologically active compounds, aimed to understand their role on the treatment of diabetes. This study was designed to explore the preliminary phytochemical and physicochemical analysis of Carica papaya L., Caricaceae, leaf, and further evaluation of its hypoglycemic effect on diabetic rats. C. papaya leaves were extracted using chloroform, n-hexane or ethanol. For each extract a phytochemical screening was performed. The tests were conducted in triplicate and the qualitative and quantitative determination of the various metabolites was done using analytical standards proposed by Mexican Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The chloroform extract, containing steroids and quinones as major components, was chosen to study C. papaya biological effects. The chloroform extract was evaporated to dryness, and doses 0, 31, 62, 125 mg/kg were orally administered in 300 µl polyethylene glycol to diabetic rats; and 0 and 62 mg/kg to non-diabetic rats. After a 20-day treatment with the chloroform extract, the animals were sacrificed and blood was obtained for biochemical studies. The main effect observed was a decrease in serum glucose, triglycerides and transaminases in diabetic rats after the administration of C. papaya chloroform extract. These results confirm the potential beneficial action of C. papaya to treat the symptoms of diabetic patients.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of three nitro chalcones.

The aim of this study was to synthesize three nitro substituted chalcones and to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity in the model of carrageenan induced edema in rats. The nitro chalcone were prepared by aldol condensation using of mechanical agitation and environmentally friendly solvents with 72-73% yields in approximately 2h. The three structures were evaluated on biological activity at dose of 200mg/kg and they showed anti-inflammatory protective effect by both oral and intraperitoneal administration, this effect was time dependent.

2,2-Dimethyl-5-(2-nitro-benzyl-idene)-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C13H11NO6, contains two mol-ecules in both of which the six-membered 1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione ring shows a screw-boat conformation. The dihedral angles between the best planes through the six-membered rings are 47.8 (2) and 49.8 (2)°. In the crystal, C-H⋯O inter-actions link the mol-ecules, building a supramolecular sheet parallel to the c axis.

Second monoclinic form of (E)-3-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)-1-phenyl-prop-2-en-1-one.

The unit-cell dimensions and space group of the second monoclinic polymorph of the title compound, C15H11FO, differ from those of the previously reported form [Jing (2009 ▶). Acta Cryst. E65, o2515]. The title compound shows an E conformation of the C=C bond with the 4-fluoro-phenyl group opposite to the benzoyl group. The torsion angle of between the planes of the 4-fluoro-phenyl and benzoyl groups is 10.53 (6)°. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O and C-H⋯F inter-actions form a cross-linked packing motif, building sheets parallel to (-102).