Effects of Juglans regia Root Bark Extract on Platelet Aggregation, Bleeding Time, and Plasmatic Coagulation: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Experiments.

Platelets have an important role in thrombosis and haemostasis. Hyperactivity of the platelets has been associated with thromboembolic diseases and represents the main cause of complications of cardiovascular diseases. Crude aqueous extract (CAE) of Juglans regia root bark was evaluated for bleeding time, antiaggregant activity by using agonists, thrombin, ADP, collagen, or arachidonic acid (in vitro and ex vivo), and anticoagulant activity by measuring the clotting parameters: activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen dosage (in vitro and ex vivo). The result of this study reported that the strongest antiaggregant effect of CAE in vitro was observed on the ADP-induced aggregation with inhibitions up to 90 %, while, in ex vivo experiments, the inhibition (more than 80 %) was observed with all agonists. Anticoagulant effect of CAE significantly prolonged the TT and decreased the fibrinogen level in vitro and ex vivo without interfering with APTT and PT. The bleeding time in mice and rats was significantly increased by CAE. The antiplatelet and anticoagulant effect observed in this study suggest that Juglans regia could have antithrombotic and/or thrombolytic activities and provide an alternative therapy against thrombotic complications related to cardiovascular diseases.

Natural product based composite for extraction of arsenic (III) from waste water.

Natural based composites of hydroxyapatite/Gum Arabic designed for removal of toxic metal arsenic (III) from waste water were synthesized and evaluated. Several composites with various compositions were prepared by the wet chemical method and analyzed using various spectroscopic and analytical methods such as: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, total organic carbon production, XRD analysis and scanning electron microscope. The rates of weight loss and water absorption of the HAp/GA composites as a function of time were evaluated in phosphate-buffered saline solution at 37 °C and a pH of 7.4. The effects of several variables on adsorption of arsenic (III) by HAp/GA composites were evaluated. The variables include arsenic (III) concentration, contact time (t) and complex surface nature of HAp/GA composite. Three surface complexation models were used to study the mechanisms controlled the adsorption. The models were Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin Radushkevich. The adsorption kinetic of arsenic (III) on the composite surface was described by three modes: pseudo first order, pseudo second order and the intra particle diffusion. The results revealed that, the rate of adsorption of arsenic (III) by HAp/GA composites was controlled by two main factors: the initial concentration of arsenic (III) and the contact time. The kinetic studies also showed that, the rate of adsorption is a second order. The results indicate that, composite offered in this study could be a valuable tool for removing toxic metals for contaminated water by adsorption. Graphical abstract .

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable nanocomposites derived from carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyapatite.

Development of a cost-effective technology for extraction and quantification of carcinogenic and toxic organic materials which are widely used in the industry are critical to humans. Membrane technology received much attention and has already been widely used in this area. In this work, we offer a newly developed bio-based nanocomposite membrane for removal of bisphenol-A (BPA) from water. Three natural components hydroxyapatite (HAp), carboxymethyl cellulose and lysine as a diluent were used for making the bio-based membrane. The membrane was fabricated by two different methods, the conventional casting method and the double decomposition method. Analysis and testing results showed that, membrane produced by the casting method is rough, stiff and partially soluble in water. However, the film made by the double decomposition method is smooth, flexible, and has low water solubility. The physicochemical characteristics of the prepared membranes were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA). The morphology and components interface were observed by X-ray wide angle (WAXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron microscopy (SEM/FEG). The spectral and crystallographic data showed the presence of an effective interaction between hydroxyapatite and CMC plasticized with lysine. Results also show that, the particles size of the composite decrease as the content of CMC increases, with an increase of a 2% by weight of CMC the size increases by 18±3nm. Produced membrane composite could be classified as tri-functional material: it could be useful for extracting toxic material bisphenol A (BPA) from baby food containers; has antimicrobial and antifungal properties; and a valuable candidate for use in bone tissue engineering.

Structure and properties of hydroxyapatite/hydroxyethyl cellulose acetate composite films.

The main aim of this research work was to develop a new inorganic-organic film. Hydroxyapaptite (HAp) particles that represent the inorganic phase was mixed well with hydroxyethyl cellulose acetate (HECA), which representing the organic phase and then the inorganic-organic films were fabricated by evaporating of the solvent. The structure as well as the properties of the formed films were characterized using different analytical tools such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The obtained results revealed that, the HAp nanoparticles was well dispersed and well immobilized throughout the formed films. This can be attributed to the role of the nano- and micropores in the HECA substrate. In addition, a strong interaction occurred between HAp and HECA matrix. The results showed also good thermal stability and miscibility as well.

Aminoglutethimide included in nanocapsules suspension: comparison of GC-MS and HPLC methods for control.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) offer highly efficient and potentially sensitive separation and detection techniques. This work describes the quantification of aminoglutethimide (AG) in nanocapsules suspension with both techniques. The analysis of different lots containing known concentrations of drug (1, 2, 3 and 4 mg ml(-1)) were used to investigate the quantitative capabilities of both chromatographic techniques. Both chromatographic methods were successful and on an analytical point of view the validations of aminoglutethimide dosing were suitable in both cases. In routine, the determination of the quality of nanocapsules suspension could be preferentially evaluated by difference between total AG concentration in suspension (evaluated by direct HPLC measure of the suspension diluted in acetonitrile) and free AG concentration (evaluated by direct HPLC measure of simple dilution of the supernatant).

GC-MS determination of phenobarbitone entrapped in poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanocapsules.

In order to evaluate the concentration of a hydrophilic drug, phenobarbitone, in a suspension of poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanocapsules, a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric procedure, performed after methylation of the drug, was developed and validated. Free phenobarbitone (in solution in the liquid phase), released phenobarbitone (after opening the nanocapsules with ethyl acetate) and total entrapped phenobarbitone (after extraction with methylene chloride), were measured. Experimental results for four lots with various concentrations showed that the highest preparation of entrapped drug (80%) was obtained for a total concentration of 3.64 mg ml-1 in the nanocapsule suspension.