Transition metal oxide (TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , CoO) loaded MCM-41 and MCM-48 were synthesized by a two-step surfactant-based process. Nanoporous, high surface area compounds were obtained after calcination of the compounds. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, XRD, XPS, UV-vis and BET surface area analysis. The catalysts showed high activity for the photocatalytic degradation of both anionic and cationic dyes. The degradation of the dyes was described using Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics and the associated rate parameters were determined.

Background: Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds are reported to contain multiple antidiabetic constituents and hence widely used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The present investigation was aimed to formulate capsule formulations containing crude extract of fenugreek seeds in order to obtain antidiabetic formulations with more effective oral hypoglycemic activity, less side effects, increased patient compliance thereby providing multifaceted benefits. Methodology: Capsule formulations were prepared by encapsulation of granules prepared from the fenugreek seed extract with various concentration of sodium starch glycolate as superdisintegrant (0-5%). Finished capsule formulations were evaluated for weight variation, disintegration time, drug content (trigonelline) content, in vitro-drug release, in vivo antidiabetic activity studies. Results: Fenugreek capsule formulations pass the test for weight since the percentage deviation of individual weight of capsule from mean were found within ±7.5%. Drug (trigonelline) content of all the formulations were more than 85%. Disintegration time ranged from 7-15 mins. Dissolution profile showed 77.06 -90% drug release in phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 after 6 hours. Antidiabetic activity studies of capsules significantly (p≤ 0.001) reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rats after 15 days of treatment when compared to diabetic control group. Conclusion: From the results, we concluded that formulation of fenugreek seed extracts into suitable and appropriate herbal dosage form may be more desirable, advantageous and therapeutically more beneficial than incorporating the direct plant materials for the treatment of diabetes.

A new two‐step synthesis of ZrO2‐MCM nanocomposites using the gel combustion technique was accomplished; the resulting material had a high‐surface area and showed very high adsorption activity. The deposition of 2–5 nm ZrO2 particles over MCM was achieved using gel combustion technique with glycine as a fuel, and the formation of nanocomposites was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy. The composites were also characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR and N2 adsorption‐desorption analysis. The nanocomposites were tested for the adsorption of cationic dyes. High rates of adsorption and large dye uptake were observed over the nanocomposites. The rate of adsorption over the nanocomposites was higher than that observed for physical ZrO2‐MCM mixtures and commercial activated carbon. The nanocomposite with 10 wt % ZrO2 showed the highest rate of adsorption owing to the synergistic effects of ZrO2 surface groups, smaller particle size, fine dispersion and high‐surface area of the composite. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2987–2996, 2012

Objective: Present study is aimed at formulation of hydrogel containing PLGA nanoparticles loaded with of Crossandra infundibuliformis (CI) extract. Leaf extract of Crossandra infundibuliformis has been reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal activity hence an attempt was done to improve the efficacy of the extract by formulating into nanoparticulate hydrogel which can be used as a feasible alternative to conventional formulations of Crossandra infundibuliformis extract with dual benefit of sustained release and advanced permeation characteristics for transdermal application. Methodology: In this study, the active ingredients present in the leaves of Crossandra infundibuliformis (CI) were extracted by cold maceration using ethanol. The crude extracts were developed into polymeric nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method using PLGA as polymer, polyvinyl alcohol as surfactant and dimethyl sulphoxide as organic phase solvent. Polymeric nanoparticles were incorporated into gel matrix containing HPMC K4M as gel matrix base. Results: Polymeric nanoparticles showed nearly spherical shape with z-average 143-325nm, PDI in the range of 0.235-0.299 and -2.08 mV to -3.58mV zeta potential with maximum % drug entrapment of 69%. Nanoparticulate hydrogel formulations showed high viscosity, neutral pH with good spreadability which is suitable for transdermal application. In vitro drug release showed initial burst release of 28.56 ± 0.93 % with prolonged drug release of 90.06± 0.93 % from optimized formulation up to 24 h. Conclusion: Nanoparticulate hydrogel can be used as carrier for transdermal delivery of extract of Crossandra infundibuliformis.

Aims: The present study aim was to analyse the molecular interactions of the phytoconstituents known for their antiviral activity with the SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins such as main protease (6LU7), Nsp12 polymerase (6M71), and Nsp13 helicase (6JYT). The applied in silico methodologies was molecular docking and pharmacophore modeling using Schrodinger software. Methods: The phytoconstituents were taken from PubChem, and SARS-CoV-2 proteins were downloaded from the protein data bank. The molecular interactions, binding energy, ADMET properties and pharmacophoric features were analysed by glide XP, prime MM-GBSA, qikprop and phase application of Schrodinger respectively. The antiviral activity of the selected phytoconstituents was carried out by PASS predictor, online tools. Results: The docking score analysis showed that quercetin 3-rhamnoside (-8.77 kcal/mol) and quercetin 3-rhamnoside (-7.89 kcal/mol) as excellent products to bind with their respective targets such as 6LU7, 6M71 and 6JYT. The generated pharmacophore hypothesis model validated the docking results, confirming the hydrogen bonding interactions of the amino acids. The PASS online tool predicted constituent's antiviral potentials. Conclusion: The docked phytoconstituents showed excellent interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 proteins, and on the outset, quercetin 3-rhamnoside and quercetin 7-rhamnoside have well-interacted with all the three proteins, and these belong to the plant Houttuynia cordata. The pharmacophore hypothesis has revealed the characteristic features responsible for their interactions, and PASS prediction data has supported their antiviral activities. Thus, these natural compounds could be developed as lead molecules for antiviral treatment against SARS-CoV-2. Further in-vitro and in-vivo studies could be carried out to provide better drug therapy.

Objective: Current study is aimed at the formulation of silver nanoparticles loaded with the extract of Coleus amboinicus leaf extract by microwave irradiation. A facile and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using a biological agent such as plant extracts with the aid of microwave irradiation is proposed as an economical and environmentally friendly approach alternative to chemical and physical methods. Methods: In order to fabricate silver nanoparticles by microwave irradiation, aqueous extract of leaves Coleus amboinicus (CA) were treated with aqueous silver nitrate solution and mixture was placed in the microwave oven for exposure to microwave. Optimizations of the process were carried out by varying the quantity of extract, silver nitrate concentration and duration of microwave irradiation. Formations of nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy observing for the presence of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak. Nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results: Silver nanoparticle showed the SPR optical absorption band peak at 434 nm by UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Reaction mixture containing 2 mmol silver nitrate and 9 ml of extract subjected to microwave irradiation of 60 sec at a temperature of 60 °C was found to be optimised condition, which produced nanoparticles that were spherical in shape and had an average diameter of 15.685 nm. Conclusion: This research study opens an innovative design to progress our understanding of how silver nanoparticles behave can be optimized to improve their surface morphology, which is beneficial to improve its therapeutic effect.

Live mycobacteria secrete a number of unique proteins early in their multiplication which are important for both the pathogenesis and the stimulation of speci®c host responses. We have investigated the mechanisms by which the host mounts immune response against tuberculosis after vaccination with secretory proteins (SP) of a vaccine candidate Mycobacterium habana TMC 5135. Mice vaccinated with SP of 10th day growth of M. habana, either alone or emulsi®ed in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) possessed antituberculous resistance and cellular immune responses against M. tuberculosis H 37 Rv. These proteins induced a signi®cant cutaneous delayed type hypersensitivity response in guinea pigs vaccinated with heat killed M. tuberculosis H 37 Rv, which was equivalent to that observed with a standard puri®ed protein derivative (PPD). The splenocytes of these guinea pigs have shown higher proliferative response after stimulation with SP than with PPD. The SP FIA immunization has been found to exert maximum prophylactic effect by potentiating both the oxygen dependent arms and enzymatic activities of macrophages. Macrophages from mice vaccinated with SP of M. habana produced enhanced levels of interleukin(IL)-2, interleukin-12 and interferon(IFN)-g. The protective as well as cell mediated immune responses were upregulated in SP immunized animals when compared to whole cell (M. habana) vaccinated animals. SDS-PAGE of SP from M. habana showed the prominent bands of 60, 32, 31 and 30 kDa. Furthermore, the western analysis of SP with pulmonary tuberculosis patient's serum has revealed the presence of immunoreactive antigens of 36, 35, 33/32 kDa. Overall study demonstrated that the secretory antigens released by actively growing M. habana bacilli could activate different arms of effective immune response.

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