Herein we report biorecognition studies of protein IgG using biocomapatible gold nanorods as molecular probes. Surface modification of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-stabilized gold nanorods was carried out by using poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) to reduce the toxicity of as-synthesized gold nanorods caused by free CTAB. ζ potential analysis confirmed charge reversal on the surface of gold nanorods caused by the PSS coating. Surface plasmon resonance exhibited by gold nanorods has been employed as a tool for analyzing the binding events for biomolecules. TEM results, showing the aggregation of gold nanorods, in addition to the shift in surface plasmon resonance peak in UV−vis absorption measurements, upon the interaction of biomolecules with gold nanorods, confirmed molecular binding. Morphological changes caused by the cellular uptake of gold nanorods before and after PSS modification have been observed. Cell viability studies using gold nanorods were performed to study the cytotoxic effects of these molecular probes.

Fifty-seven compounds were purified from the stems of Tinospora sinensis, including three new compounds characterized as a lignan (1), a pyrrole alkaloid (11), and a benzenoid (17), respectively. Their structures were elucidated and established by various spectroscopic and spectrometric analytical methods. Among the isolates, fifteen compounds were examined for their anti-inflammatory potential in vitro. The results showed that several compounds displayed moderate inhibition of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB)-induced superoxide anion generation and elastase release.