Rapid Determination of Turmeric Roots Quality Based on the Raman Spectrum of Curcumin

Curcumin@ graphene oxide/chitosan/arginine hydrogel: A novel approach to treat Candida periprosthetic joint infections

Candida albicans, responsible for nearly 70% of fungal infections, is a leading cause of life-threatening invasive infections, particularly in healthcare settings, with a mortality rate approaching 40% even after medical treatment. This study introduces a novel antifungal agent such as Curcumin@Graphene Oxide/Chitosan/Arginine nanocomposite hydrogel (Cur@GO/CS/Arg), targeting Candida albicans, a primary cause of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The hydrogel exhibited remarkable antifungal efficacy, characterized by a 17 mm inhibition zone, a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.25 mg/ml, and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 2.5 mg/ml, confirming its fungicidal properties based on the tolerance ratio. Additionally, it significantly reduced biofilm formation, highlighting its potent antifungal action. Furthermore, it demonstrated excellent biosafety, as evidenced by a minimal hemolytic effect at 50 μg/ml. These findings underscore the synergistic interactions among curcumin, graphene oxide, chitosan, and arginine, which enhance antifungal activity. This study offers a promising strategy for managing Candida albicans-associated PJIs, enabling safer and more effective treatment.

Investigation into Alzheimer's-related amyloid-β conformational transformations and stability influenced by green iron oxide nanoparticles (GIONP)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is popularly believed to be triggered by the aggregation of amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ - 42) peptides, eventually leading to neurodegeneration. Our study delves into the influential role played by Green Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (GIONP). GIONP are typically synthesized using a green chemistry approach, imposing curcumin as a biocompatible reducing and capping agent, leveraging its inherent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective attributes. Herein, our research particularly aims to decipher whether GIONP modulates the secondary structure of Aβ1-42 peptides with a close consideration to the surrounding physiological factors, as well as the membrane bilayer probable conformation changes. Raman spectroscopy was employed to investigate the interaction between GIONP and Aβ1-42 aggregates, demonstrating significant alterations in secondary structure dynamics of Aβ1-42 polypeptide. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy shed light on the chemical interactions between GIONP and curcumin, a capping agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to determine the crystalline structure and phase purity of the synthesized GIONP, providing insights into their stability and structural integrity. GIONP particle size distribution investigations and membrane architectures surrounding GIONP were carried out for their impact on membrane integrity and stability. The morphology of GIONP, membrane mimetic liposomal structures formation, and integrity were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), accompanied with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), which displayed the elements distribution within each of the structures. The study uncovered that GIONP stabilizes the secondary structure of Aβ1-42, potentially offering modulation to the aggregation process. Furthermore, GIONP proved to have no negative impact on membrane integrity, implying that they could be safely employed as a therapeutic option for the modulation of peptide aggregation's pathological pathway of Alzheimer's disease. This study may contribute to broadening our understanding of nanoparticle-mediated therapies in modulating neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting their dual involvement in amyloid aggregation regulation and membrane structure maintenance.

Trends in digital detection for the quality and safety of herbs using infrared and Raman spectroscopy

Herbs have been used as natural remedies for disease treatment, prevention, and health care. Some herbs with functional properties are also used as food or food additives for culinary purposes. The quality and safety inspection of herbs are influenced by various factors, which need to be assessed in each operation across the whole process of herb production. Traditional analysis methods are time-consuming and laborious, without quick response, which limits industry development and digital detection. Considering the efficiency and accuracy, faster, cheaper, and more environment-friendly techniques are highly needed to complement or replace the conventional chemical analysis methods. Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy techniques have been applied to the quality control and safety inspection of herbs during the last several decades. In this paper, we generalize the current application using IR and Raman spectroscopy techniques across the whole process, from raw materials to patent herbal products. The challenges and remarks were proposed in the end, which serve as references for improving herb detection based on IR and Raman spectroscopy techniques. Meanwhile, make a path to driving intelligence and automation of herb products factories.

A supramolecular complex of hydrazide-pillar[5]arene and bisdemethoxycurcumin with potential anti-cancer activity

Pillar[5]arene complexes of the naturally occurring compound bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) were acquired for improving the water solubility and stability of BDMC. As a family member of curcuminoid compounds, BDMC has many interesting therapeutic properties. However, its low aqueous solubility and stability resulted in poor availability and restricted the clinical efficacy. Pillar[5]arenes with hydrophilic ends and a hydrophobic cavity could include with BDMC based on size matching. The synthesized hydrazide-pillar[5]arene (HP5A) and BDMC had a strong host-guest interaction with a 1:1 binding stoichiometry. Furthermore, the HP5A ⊃ BDMC complex could self-assemble into well-defined fibers in water/ethanol solution. This supramolecular complex worked well in vitro for inhibiting the proliferation of hepatoma carcinoma cells HepG2. Remarkably, this method of complexation with pillar[5]arenes visibly reduced the undesirable side effects on normal cells without weakening the anti-cancer activity of the drugs. We expected that the obtained host-guest complex and fibrous assembly would provide a promising platform for delivering drugs with low water solubility.

Quantitative Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of Polyhydroxyalkanoates Produced by Cupriavidus necator H16

We report herein on the application of Raman spectroscopy to the rapid quantitative analysis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), biodegradable polyesters accumulated by various bacteria. This theme was exemplified for quantitative detection of the most common member of PHAs, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) in Cupriavidus necator H16. We have identified the relevant spectral region (800–1800 cm⁻¹) incorporating the Raman emission lines exploited for the calibration of PHB (PHB line at 1736 cm⁻¹) and for the selection of the two internal standards (DNA at 786 cm⁻¹ and Amide I at 1662 cm⁻¹). In order to obtain quantitative data for calibration of intracellular content of PHB in bacterial cells reference samples containing PHB amounts—determined by gas chromatography—from 12% to 90% (w/w) were used. Consequently, analytical results based on this calibration can be used for fast and reliable determination of intracellular PHB content during biotechnological production of PHB since the whole procedure—from bacteria sampling, centrifugation, and sample preparation to Raman analysis—can take about 12 min. In contrast, gas chromatography analysis takes approximately 8 h.

Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: An analytical technique to understand therapeutic responses at the molecular level

Rapid monitoring of the response to treatment in cancer patients is essential to predict the outcome of the therapeutic regimen early in the course of the treatment. The conventional methods are laborious, time-consuming, subjective and lack the ability to study different biomolecules and their interactions, simultaneously. Since; mechanisms of cancer and its response to therapy is dependent on molecular interactions and not on single biomolecules, an assay capable of studying molecular interactions as a whole, is preferred. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has become a popular technique in the field of cancer therapy with an ability to elucidate molecular interactions. The aim of this study, was to explore the utility of the FTIR technique along with multivariate analysis to understand whether the method has the resolution to identify the differences in the mechanism of therapeutic response. Towards achieving the aim, we utilized the mouse xenograft model of retinoblastoma and nanoparticle mediated targeted therapy. The results indicate that the mechanism underlying the response differed between the treated and untreated group which can be elucidated by unique spectral signatures generated by each group. The study establishes the efficiency of non-invasive, label-free and rapid FTIR method in assessing the interactions of nanoparticles with cellular macromolecules towards monitoring the response to cancer therapeutics.