This work aimed to describe the synthesis and characterisation of two anionic Ru(III) complexes of the general formula NaRuCl2(N-4-Cl-Ph-salim)2 and NaRuCl2(N-3-Br-Ph-salim)2, their associated ...ligands, and determine their antioxidant activity. The ligands N-4-Cl-phenylsalicylidenimine (N-4-Cl-Ph-salimH, HLa) and N-3-Br-phenylsalicylidenimine (N-3-Br-Ph-salimH, HLb), Schiff bases, were synthesised from salicylaldehyde and chloroaniline or bromoaniline. The compounds were characterised using IR spectroscopy and ESI ToF mass spectrometry. The following was confirmed: coordination of ligands on the Ru(III) centre, the molecular formulas, and the corresponding M– ions: C26H18N2O2Cl4Ru− ion, (m/z: 631.9173) and C26H18N2O2Cl2Br2Ru– ion, (m/z: 719.8283). The antioxidant activity was determined by the ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays. In contrast to the ligands, both complexes proved to be strong scavengers of the ABTS and DPPH radicals with IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values comparable to those of Trolox. As such, they present valuable candidates for further research related to their biological properties.
The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of vitamin K relate to protection against detrimental effects of bromadiolone. Wistar rats (
n
= 30) were divided in three groups (
n
...= 10): control group and two groups treated with bromadiolone (0.12 mg/kg) and bromadiolone + vitamin K (0.12 mg/kg + 100 mg/kg) over the period of four days. The main findings in the bromadiolone-exposed rats, such as damaged hepatocytes, high levels of globulin, total proteins and lymphocytes, and altered albumin/globulin ratio, collectively indicate an acute inflammatory process. Morphological changes in erythrocytes include microcytosis, hypochromia, hyperchromia, hemolysis, stomatocytosis, and spherocytosis. Significantly low values of RBC, Hct, and hemoglobin concentrations indicate impairments of the hematopoietic pathway causing combined anemia. The selected dose of bromadiolone caused a non-significant increase of catalase activity and a significant increase of the total protein content in brain tissue homogenates. Vitamin K supplementation reduced many of the harmful effects of bromadiolone. The cytoprotective role of vitamin K was proved to be of great importance for the preservation of structural changes on the membranes of hepatocytes and erythrocytes, in addition to the known role in the treatment of coagulopathies. The results of the study suggest valuable properties of vitamin K in the prevention and treatment of various types of anemia caused by bromadiolone toxicity. Future research is necessary to determine the adequate dose and treatment duration with vitamin K in disorders caused by the cumulative action of bromadiolone and possibly other pesticides.
As sessile organisms, plants have evolved different strategies to defend themselves against various biotic stressors. An important aspect of the complex response of plants to biotic stress is the ...emission of volatile compounds (VOCs), which are involved in direct and indirect plant defence mechanisms. Indirect plant defences include a range of plant traits that mediate defence against herbivores and play an important ecological role by not only utilising plants' own capabilities, but also signalling and attracting natural enemies of herbivores. Often the combination of volatiles emitted is specific to herbivores; they are consequently recognised by parasites and other predators, providing a clear link between the volatile signature and the prey. In this review, we focus on indirect plant defence and summarise current knowledge and perspectives on relationships between plants, aphids and parasitic wasps.
Pomelo peel and sugar beet in their native forms were proposed as novel biosorbents. They were investigated as 1%, 3% and 5% (w/v) loadings for dry purification of biodiesel samples synthesized from ...animal fat and vegetable oil using a conventional method. The effects of biosorbents were examined by determining the following biodiesel quality parameters: acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), density, viscosity, flash point (FP), soap and free glycerol (FG) content. Dry washing was compared to the water washing technique. Biosorbents characterization was performed by FTIR and SEM analysis. The 5% loadings of both biosorbents reduced the soap content to below 36 ppm. In contrast, the soap content after water washing was 172.6 ppm in biodiesel from vegetable oil and 256 ppm in biodiesel from lard. The FG removal efficiency was in a linear correlation with the biosorbents' loadings. The lowest FG values in biodiesel from vegetable oil (0.25 ppm) and from lard (0.23 ppm) were found upon purification with 5% pomelos peel and 5% sugar beet, respectively. Best results were achieved using 5% pomelo peel, closely followed by 3% pomelo peel. Such adsorption capacity can be explained by the porous structure and the functional groups present in pomelo peel.
The medicinal significance of Ephedra is based on the sympathomimetic properties of ephedrine (E) alkaloids. Pharmacological effects depend on the phytocomposition of individual Ephedra species. The ...aim of this study was to measure the total alkaloids content (TAC), total phenolics content (TPC), and total flavonoids content (TFC) and determine their relationship in dry herb of Ephedra major, Ephedra distachya subsp. helvetica, Ephedra monosperma, Ephedra fragilis, Ephedra foeminea, Ephedra alata, Ephedra altissima and Ephedra foliata. Nowadays, medicinal use of Ephedrae herba is limited, but the abuse of its psychostimulants is rising. In this study, TAC, TPC and TFC were determined using spectrophotometric methods. For the first time, ultra-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (UPLC-UV) was used for separation and quantification of E-type alkaloids of various Ephedra species. The highest TPC and TFC were found in E. alata (53.3 ± 0.1 mg Gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight, 2.8 mg quercetin equivalents/g dry weight, respectively). The total content of E and pseudoephedrine determined by UPLC-UV varied between 20.8 mg/g dry weight (E. distachya subsp. helvetica) and 34.7 mg/g dry weight (E. monosperma). The variable content and ratio between secondary metabolites determined in different Ephedra species reflects their metabolic activities. Utilization of UPLC-UV unveiled that this technique is sensitive, selective, and useful for separation and quantification of different alkaloids in complex biological matrixes. The limit of detection was 5 ng. Application of UPLC-UV can be recommended in quick analyses of E-type alkaloids in forensic medicine and quality control of pharmaceutical preparations.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium cyclamate and saccharine combination on the overall hematological parameters and brain catalase activity in Wistar rats. During a period of ...8 weeks, the animals were given the artificial sweeteners in a low (L; 15,4 mg/mL) and high dose (H; 22 mg/mL). Additionally, to determine whether vitamin C can attenuate the changes induced by high doses, it was administered to a third group of animals (H + vit C; 22 mg/mL+25 mg/mL). Decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin values, low erythrocyte count and mean cell volume in the groups treated with the artificial sweeteners were the main hematological changes causing microcytic anemia. Catalase activity in brain tissue decreased with the increase of the sweeteners dose, which clearly indicates the induction of oxidative stress. Further on, catalase was significantly increased in the H + vit C group compared to the H group but there was no significant difference compared to controls. Collectively, these results suggest that sodium cyclamate and saccharine induced considerable alterations in the hematology, an increased consumption of catalase and a high efficiency of vitamin C to ameliorate the oxidative stress.
Biodiesel fuel is the realistic fuel for the future due to its environmental, economic and energetic benefits. However, the degradation and instability during biodiesel storage and application ...present the major disadvantages and hence a modern scientific challenge. The aim of this study was to choose optimal parameters for biodiesel synthesis from fresh and waste sunflower cooking oil and to investigate the possibilities of increasing its resistance towards oxidative degradation. Various physico-chemical characteristics essential for the quality estimation of the resulting biodiesel products were compared before testing the effectiveness of natural and synthetic antioxidants. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), carvacrol and α-tocopherol were added to the biodiesel in different concentrations in order to determine their efficiency during the Schaal oven test. Results proved that both, fresh and waste oil can be valuable sources for the synthesis of biodiesel that meets European and American quality standards. Among the antioxidants, BHT was the most efficient one in both types of biodiesel and its usage would be recommended at the concentration of 1000 ppm. The findings present a cost-effective and environmentally friendly source for biodiesel production with improved properties - considerably enhanced resistance to oxidative degradation, where synthetic antioxidants are given the priority. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i7.1174
An eighteenth-century transcription of the Qur'anic text, originating from Istanbul but now housed at the Mesudija Library in Bosnia and Herzegovina, underwent a series of analyses prior to ...conservation. The artefact characterization included preliminary analyses accompanied by microscopy such as determination of the fiber composition, paper typology, and microchemical tests. The acidity status of the paper was established by measuring the pH, and proteins of the sizing material were confirmed by employing thin layer chromatography. Foxing stains were examined by UV fluorescence and optical microscopy. Selected pigments of the illumination, the black ink, and the gilded book cover were examined using X-ray fluorescence. The identity of pigments was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate that this lavishly illuminated manuscript was created by choosing the finest and least deteriorating materials of its time including carbon-based ink, gold for illumination, lignin-free paper, and protective layers consisting of egg white, alum, and starch. Collectively, these findings provided valuable guidelines for the conservation processes of this manuscript.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It is characterized by loss of myelin, the fatty tissue that surrounds and protects nerve fibres ...allowing them to conduct electrical impulses. Recent data indicate that oxidative stress (OS) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to estimate level of serum total antioxidative capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis. Our cross-sectional study included 33 patients with MS and 24 age and sex matched control subjects. All our patients had a Poser criteria for definite diagnostic categories of multiple sclerosis. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured by quantitative colorimetric determination, using Total antioxidant Capacity-QuantiCromAntioxidant Assay Kit (BioAssay systems, USA; DTAC-100). Mean serum TAC in multiple sclerosis group of patients was 119.2 mM Trolox equivalents and was significantly lower (p<0.001) compared to the control group of subjects (167.1 mM Trolox equivalents). Our results showed that oxidative stress plays an important role in pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. This finding, also, suggests the importance of antioxidants in diet and therapy of MS patients.
Using HPLC-DAD the presence of catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, kaempferol and protocatehuic acid was analysed in herb extracts of eight
species (
,
,
,
,
,
,
and
). For comparison purposes, the ...same phenolics were determined in
herb, which is a common source of catechins and a medicinal plant with valuable antioxidant properties. The catechin content in
spp. ranged between 0.83 mg/g
- 8.77 mg/g
, while the epicatechin content was between 0.11 mg/g
- 3.38 mg/g
In comparison to black tea,
,
and
had a higher catechin content. The selected
spp. are rich in catechins and the obtained results serve as the chemical rationale for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of
that are currently being investigated.
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