Metallo-Liposomes Derived from the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ Complex as Nanocarriers of Therapeutic Agents

The obtaining of nanocarriers of gene material and small drugs is still an interesting research line. Side-effects produced by the toxicity of several pharmaceutics, the high concentrations needed to get therapeutic effects, or their excessive use by patients have motivated the search for new nanostructures. For these reasons, cationic metallo-liposomes composed by phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol (CHO) and RuC1C19 (a surfactant derived from the metallic complex [Ru(bpy)3]2+) were prepared and characterized by using diverse techniques (zeta potential, dynamic light scattering and electronic transmission microscopy –TEM-). Unimodal or bimodal populations of spherical aggregates with small sizes were obtained depending on the composition of the liposomes. The presence of cholesterol favored the formation of small aggregates. ct-DNA was condensed in the presence of the liposomes investigated. In-vitro assays demonstrated the ability of these nanoaggregates to internalize into different cell lines. A positive gene transfection into human bone osteosarcoma epithelial cells (U2OS) was also observed. The RuC1C19 surfactant was used as sensor to quantify the binding of DNA to the liposomes. Doxorubicin was encapsulated into the metallo-liposomes, demonstrating their ability to be also used as nanocarriers of drugs. A relationship between then encapsulation percentage of the antibiotic and the composition of the aggregates has been established.

A RESEARCH ON PHARMACUETICAL PREPARATION OF TAMRA GARBHA POTTALI

Ayurveda a science of life bloomed on its own concepts of health maintenance and curative aspects. One of the prenomial off shoot of Ayurveda is Rasashastra, an Indian alchemy. Pottali kalpana is a peculiar pharmaceutical dosage form, is unique in terms of its preparation, mode of administration, quick in action, less dose and easy for transportation. Tamra Garbha pottali (TMGP) is one such herbo-mineral-metallic complex formulation containing Tamra bhasma (T.B), Shodita Swarna, Hingulotta Parada and Shodhit Gandhaka. Among the different pharmaceutical methods, Gandhaka paka method is considered to be the best method to enhance the properties of the drugs and to keep them in a concise form. Pilot study of 6 Pottalis was conducted to standardize the temperature required to do Pottali paka and to assess the Pottali siddi lakshanas like Vyoma varna of Gandhaka paka, hardness of Pottali and changes of silk cloth tied to the Pottali. The main study conducted in 2 batches on the standards made by the pilot study. Observations made on the time duration required for the study, temperature to be given to Paka, changes in the Gandhaka varna till attainment Vyoma varna noted. The Study gave standard pharmaceutical method of Pottali paka w.s.r to Tamra garbha pottali.

Use of a Metallic Complex Derived from Curcuma Longa as Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in Sulfuric Acid

A tin-containing metallic complex derived from Curcuma longa, bis[1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dionato-κO,κO ′ ]bis(butyl), has been obtained and used as a green corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in 0.5 M sulfuric acid by using weight loss, electrochemical techniques, and the Density Functional Theory. It was found that the obtained metallic complex greatly decreases the steel corrosion rate by adsorption according to a Frumkin model in a weak, physical type of adsorption. Inhibitor efficiency increased with its concentration, and it acted as a mixed type of inhibitor. Results were supported by quantum-chemical research in order to examine the relationship between structural and electronic properties and the inhibitor efficiency.

Catalytic Performance of a Magnetic Core-Shell Iron(II) C-Scorpionate under Unconventional Oxidation Conditions

For the first time, herein is reported the use of a magnetic core-shell support for a C-scorpionate metallic complex. The prepared hybrid material, that consists on the C-scorpionate iron(II) complex [FeCl2{κ3-HC(pz)3}] (pz, pyrazolyl) immobilized at magnetic core-shell particles (Fe3O4/TiO2), was tested as catalyst for the oxidation of secondary alcohols using the model substrate 1-phenylethanol. Moreover, the application of alternative energy sources (e.g., ultrasounds, microwaves, mechanical or thermal) for the peroxidative alcohol oxidation using the magnetic heterogenized iron(II) scorpionate led to different/unusual outcomes that are presented and discussed.

Manipulation of Pt-Ni Tetrahexahedral Nanoframes Using a Gaseous Etching Method

ABSTRACTNanosized Platinum (Pt) nanocrystals (NCs) have been extensively investigated in catalytic fields because of their high reactivity due to the unique electron structure. However, the rarity and the high cost of Pt limit its applications in industry. To reduce the usage of Pt in catalytic industry, research interests have been extended to Pt-based nanoalloys. Among various nanostructures, nanoframes (NFs) showed promising catalytic performance even with a lower metallic loading dose. Herein, we report a facile and robust method to transfer the Pt-Ni tetrahexahedral (THH) NCs into THH NFs in which carbon monoxide (CO) plays a role of the “etching reagent”. The driving force of the etching is a formation of gaseous metallic complex, Ni(CO)4, known as Mond Process, preferentially dealloying nickel atoms along <100> directions of the Pt-Ni THH NCs. It is determined that the resultant Pt-Ni THH NFs possess an open, stable and high-index preserved nanostructure, in which the outside atomic layers are composed of only Pt atoms with surface strains. Compared to a solution-based etching process, this approach requires less etching time and generates a well-defined structure. The associated thermal annealing operation also releases extra internal stress, making the NFs more stable with fewer surface defects. Such Pt-Ni THH NFs show interesting potentials in the improvement of stability and activity as advanced catalysts.