An enzyme-based system for the extraction of small extracellular vesicles from plants

Plant-derived nanovesicles (NVs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered to be the next generation of nanocarrier platforms for biotherapeutics and drug delivery. However, EVs exist not only in the extracellular space, but also within the cell wall. Due to the limitation of isolation methods, the extraction efficiency is low, resulting in the waste of a large number of plants, especially rare and expensive medicinal plants.There are few studies comparing EVs and NVs. To overcome these challenges, we proposed and validated a novel method for the isolation of plant EVs by degrading the plant cell wall with enzymes to release the EVs in the cell wall, making it easier for EVs to break the cell wall barrier and be collected. We extracted EVs from the roots of Morinda officinalis by enzymatic degradation(MOEVs) and nanoparticles by grinding method (MONVs) as a comparison group. The results showed smaller diameter and higher yield of MOEVs.Both MOEVs and MONVs were readily absorbed by endothelial cells without cytotoxicity and promoted the expression of miR-155. The difference is that the promotion of miR-155 by MOEVs is dose-effective. More importantly, MOEVs and MONVs are naturally characterized by bone enrichment. These results support that EVs in plants can be efficiently extracted by enzymatic cell wall digestion and also confirm the potential of MOEVs as therapeutic agents and drug carriers.

SYNTHESIS OF COCRYSTALS OF BETULIN WITH SUBERIC ACID AND STUDY OF THEIR PROPERTIES

Lupane triterpenoids, betulin and its derivatives, are attracting great interest due to their wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. However, the poor solubility of betulin and its derivatives in aqueous media significantly reduces their bioavailability. Obtaining cocrystals, that is, multicomponent crystal systems containing active pharmaceutical ingredients and non-toxic partner molecules in their structure, is used in pharmacy to change the physicochemical properties of drugs, including the rate of dissolution and solubility. In this study, cocrystals of betulin with suberic acid were obtained by liquid-assisted grinding method using organic solvents of different polarity: ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform, toluene, dioxane. The formation of cocrystals was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. It has been shown that cocrystals of betulin with suberic acid contain water molecules in their structure; anhydrous cocrystals can be obtained by heating a physical mixture of reagents until the acid melts. The results of experiments on the dissolution of cocrystals of betulin with suberic acid in comparison with the data for cocrystals of betulin with adipic acid showed that an increase in the length of the aliphatic acid chain leads to a decrease in the rate of betulin release into solution.

Study on the Mechanism of Reducing Hepatotoxicity of Water-Grinding Realgar by Metabolomics, Morphology, and Chemical Analysis

Background. Realgar was usually selected as a substitute for arsenic trioxide to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia due to its higher effect without high cardiotoxicity. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), realgar is usually processed by the water-grinding method clinically, but the mechanism of realgar processing detoxification is still unclear. However, it is necessary to take safety and efficacy into account while evaluating a drug. Methods. Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into control group, realgar products-treated groups, and corresponding subgroups. Biochemistry analysis and histopathological examination were performed in the study, and plasma samples were collected from all the rats for metabolomics analysis. Results. No significant toxicity was observed in rats treated with 0.64 g/kg/day grinding realgar (G-r) and water-grinding realgar (WG-r). When the dose increased to 1.92 g/kg/day, the liver weight coefficients of the rats treated with G-r (HG-r: 3.65 ± 0.26%) and WG-r (HWG-r: 3.67 ± 0.14%) increased significantly and severe hepatic injury occurred in comparison to the control group (Group C: 3.00 ± 0.21%). After one week's withdrawal, the liver injury caused by the high dose of WG-r significantly recovered, while the liver damage caused by G-r was more difficult to recover. In metabolomics analysis, 14 metabolites were identified as the potential biomarkers in realgar-treated rats. These metabolites indicated that there were perturbations of the primary bile acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism in the realgar-treated groups. Conclusions. These results illustrate that, as a TCM processing method, water grinding had the effect of reducing toxicity, and the metabolomics method may be a valuable tool for studying the toxicity induced by TCM and the mechanism of TCM processing.

Synthesis of material MOFs (Fe-BTC) by mechanic-chemical method and its application in the reactive dye degradation

Nano Fe-BTC materials were successfully synthesized by mechanical chemical grinding method. Samples were characterized by X-ray difraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption–desorption, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). SEM image of Fe-BTC-60 showed the particle size of 40–60 nm. Fe-BTC nanocomposites were tested for the photocatalytic degradation of reactive yellow 145 (RY-145) in aqueous solution. Fe-BTC composites exhibited high photocatalytic activity. Thus, at pH of 3 and high initial concentration of 100 mg RY-145/L, removal efficiency reached the value of 97.45% after 90 min of reaction.

Effect of mechanical activation on the properties of Portland cement

The paper deals with the mechanical activation of cement by grinding in a high-speed mill, and compares the parameters found with the commonly used grinding method in cement production, which uses grinding of cement by means of a ball mill. The aim is to verify the influence of the aging time of the ground material on the preservation of the mechanical activation effect and on the properties of the final product at different stages of hydration. It evaluates the physical-mechanical properties, the compressive and tensile strength after 1, 2, 7, 14 and 28 days, as well as the course of the hydration process. The evaluated results suggest the existence of mechanical activation, but this effect is very difficult to achieve and depends on many other factors.