Leonurus cardiaca is a perennial plant indigenous to central Europe and Scandinavia, but it is also found in the area spanning temperate Russia to central Asia. It has been introduced to North America and has become established locally in the wild. Motherwort (Leonuri cardiacae herba) consists of aerial parts of Leonurus cardiaca gathered during the flowering period, dried at 35 °C and, according to European Pharmacopoeia 7th edition, should contain a minimum of 0.2% flavonoids, expressed as hyperoside. Compounds belonging to the group of monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, nitrogen- containing compounds, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as volatile oils, sterols and tannins, have been identified in motherwort. Traditionally, extracts of the herb have been used internally, mainly for nervous heart conditions and digestive disorders. However, they have also been used for bronchial asthma, climacteric symptoms and amenorrhoea, as well as externally in wounds and skin inflammations. Mild negative chronotropic, hypotonic and sedative effects can be attributed to the herb and preparations thereof. Pharmacological studies have confirmed its antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, as well as its effects on the heart and the circulatory system. Sedative and hypotensive activity has been demonstrated in clinical trials.

The main objective of the work was to assess the phytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles synthesized biologically using Veronica officinalis extract. The silver nanoparticles obtained by means of biological synthesis were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry (UV-VIS), transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In order to assess the presence of biologically active compounds in V. officinalis extract, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used. AFM measurements indicated that the size of the obtained silver nanoparticles was about 15 nm. The phytotoxicity studies showed that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles did not exhibit any toxic effect throughout the range of concentrations examined during the study (0.0009-0.0675), both as regards Linum flavum and Lepidium sativum seeds.

The authors of this paper use an original method of diatomaceous earth fractionation, which allows for obtaining a filler with a specific particle size distribution. The method makes it possible to separate small, disintegrated and broken diatom frustules from those which maintained their original form in diatomaceous earth. The study covers a range of tests conducted to prove that such a separated diatomic fraction (3–30 µm) shows features different from the base diatomite (from 1 to above 40 µm) used as an epoxy resin filler. We have examined the mechanical properties of a series of diatomite/resin composites, considering the weight fraction of diatoms and the parameters of the composite production process. The studied composites of Epidian 601 epoxy resin cross-linked with amine-based curing agent Z-1 contained 0 to 70% vol. of diatoms or diatomaceous earth. Samples were produced by being casted into silicone molds in vacuum degassing conditions and, alternatively, without degassing. The results have shown that the size and morphology of the filler based on diatomaceous earth affects mechanical and rheological properties of systems based on epoxy resin. Elongation at rupture and flexural stress at rupture were both raised by up to 35%, and impact strength by up to 25%.

Lichens are a source of various biologically active compounds. However, the knowledge about them is still scarce, and their use in medicine is limited. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of the lichen Platismatia glauca and its major metabolite caperatic acid in regard to their potential application in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumours, such as glioblastoma. First, we performed the phytochemical analysis of the tested P. glauca extracts based on FT-IR derivative spectroscopic and gas chromatographic results. Next the antioxidant properties were determined, and moderate anti-radical activity, strong chelating properties of Cu2+ and Fe2+ ions, and a mild effect on the antioxidant enzymes of the tested extracts and caperatic acid were proved. Subsequently, the influence of the tested extracts and caperatic acid on cholinergic transmission was determined by in vitro and in silico studies confirming that inhibitory effect on butyrylcholinesterase is stronger than against acetylcholinesterase. We also confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of P. glauca extracts and caperatic acid using a COX-2 and hyaluronidase inhibition models. Moreover, our studies show the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activity of the P. glauca extracts against T98G and U-138 MG glioblastoma multiforme cell lines. In conclusion, it is possible to assume that P. glauca extracts and especially caperatic acid can be regarded as the source of the valuable substances to finding new therapies of central nervous system diseases.

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SummaryThe article presents the antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of compounds and extracts fromInonotus obliquus.Polysaccharides isolated from sclerotium have a direct antitumor effect due to protein synthesis inhibition in tumor cells. Polysaccharides derived from the mycelium function by activating the immune system. Due to the limited toxicity of these substances, both extracts as well as isolated and purified chemicals may be a good alternative to current chemotherapy and play a role in cancer prevention.In vitroexperiments have shown the inhibition of inflammation with the influence of action ofI. obliquusextracts; however,in vivoexperiments on animals implanted with tumor cells of different types have shown the activation of the host immune system. This led to decrease in tumor mass and prolonged survival. The immunomodulatory mechanism of action is complex and it seems that stimulation of macrophages and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells is of great importance.

In this work, Al2O3 + graphene coatings were prepared using the sol–gel method. The aim of the study was preliminary determination of the influence of size and amount of graphene nanoplatelets on morphology, chemical structure, and basic tribological properties of Al2O3 + graphene composite coatings. Two types of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoplatelets with different lateral size and thickness were used to prepare the coatings. To characterize them, scanning electron microscope (SEM), glow discharged optical emission spectrometer (GDOES), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), reflectance spectrometer, and ball-on-disk tribological tests were used. It was found that the presence of graphene in the Al2O3 + graphene coatings did not fundamentally change the chemical transformation of ceramic Al2O3 matrix. Morphology examinations of coatings containing larger graphene nanoplatelets revealed a tendency to their parallel arrangement in relation to the coated surface. The tribological properties of Al2O3 + graphene coatings turned out to be strongly dependent on the size of graphene nanoplatelets as well as on the heat treatment temperature. The friction coefficient as low as 0.11 and good durability were obtained for the Al2O3 + graphene coating with larger nanoplatelets and heat-treated at 500 °C. The results of conducted research indicate the potential use of Al2O3 + graphene composite coatings prepared by the sol–gel method as low-friction ceramic coatings.

Due to their small sizes and high reactivity, nanoparticles have a completely different toxicity profile than larger particles, and it is difficult to predict their potential ecological impact. There is a need for broad ecotoxicological studies of nanomaterials in order to specify their environmental impact and ensure safe application of nanotechnology products. In this work, we have assessed the toxicity of Au and Au/ZnO metal nanoparticles obtained with the use of Tanacetum parthenium (herba) extract. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometry (UV–VIS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In order to assess the toxicity of biologically synthesized nanoparticles, we used seeds of various plants: Lepidium sativum, Linum flavum, Zea mays, Salvia hispanica-chia, Lupinus angustifolius, Petroselinum crispum subsp. Crispum, Beta vulgaris, Phaseolus vulgaris. The in vitro phytotests showed that gold nanoparticles at a specific range of concentrations for all plants stimulated their growth. The highest growth activity was exhibited by the solution at the concentration of 0.300 mg/ml towards corn (Aw ≈ − 135 ± 16) and flax (Aw ≈ − 44 ± 10). Only for parsley the IC50 was determined at 0.57 mg/ml, but solutions at the concentration of 0.030 to 0.150 mg/ml also stimulated plant growth. Au/ZnO had a toxic effect at all concentrations applied in the study.