Caesalpinia pluviosa, commonly named “”sibipiruna”", originates from Brazil and possess multiple therapeutic properties, including anti-malarial activity.
Methods: Crude extract (CE) was obtained from stem bark by purification using different solvents, resulting in seven fractions. An MTT assay was performed to evaluate cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells. The CE and its fractions were tested in vitro against chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and -resistant (S20) strains of Plasmodium falciparum and in vivo in Plasmodium chabaudi-infected mice. In vitro interaction with artesunate and the active C. pluviosa fractions was assessed, and mass spectrometry analyses were conducted.
Results: At non-toxic concentrations, the 100% ethanolic (F4) and 50%
methanolic (F5) fractions possessed significant anti-malarial activity against both 3D7 and S20 strains. Drug interaction LGX818 inhibitor assays with artesunate showed a synergistic interaction with the F4. Four days of treatment with this fraction significantly inhibited parasitaemia in mice in a dose-dependent AZD8055 inhibitor manner. Mass spectrometry analyses revealed the presence of an ion corresponding
to m/z 303.0450, suggesting the presence of quercetin. However, a second set of analyses, with a quercetin standard, showed distinct ions of m/z 137 and 153.
Conclusions: The findings show that the F4 fraction of C. pluviosa exhibits anti-malarial activity in vitro at non-toxic concentrations, which was potentiated in the presence of artesunate. Moreover, this anti-malarial activity was also sustained in vivo after treatment of infected mice. Finally, mass spectrometry analyses suggest that a new compound,
most likely an isomer of quercetin, is responsible for the anti-malarial activity of the F4.”
“In this research, poly(L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) (PLACL) reinforced with well-dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared by oxidization and functionalization of the Stattic nmr MWCNT surfaces using oligomeric L-lactide (LA) and e-caprolactone (CL). It is found that the surface functionalization can effectively improve the dispersion and adhesion of MWCNTs in PLACL. The surface functionalization will have a significant effect on the physical, thermomechanical, and degradation properties of MWCNT/PLACL composites. The tensile modulus, yield stress, tensile strength, and elongation at break of composite increased 49%, 60%, 70%, and 94%, respectively, when the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs in composite is 2 wt %. The in vitro degradation rate of nanocomposites in phosphate buffer solution increased about 100%. The glass transition temperature (T-g) of composites was decreased when the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs is 0.5 wt %. With further increasing the concentration of functionalized MWCNTs, the T-g was increased. The degradation kinetics of nanocomposites can be engineered and functionalized by varying the contents of pristine or functionalized MWCNTs. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.