Preparation and characterization of benzoyl-hydrazide-derivatized poly(lactic acid) and γ -cyclodextrin inclusion complex and its effect on the performance of poly(lactic acid)

Crystallization behaviors regulations and mechanical performances enhancement approaches of polylactic acid (PLA) biodegradable materials modified by organic nucleating agents

Polylactic acid (PLA) has attracted much attention because of its good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical properties. However, the slow crystallization rate of PLA during molding leads to its poor heat resistance, which limit its diffusion for many industrial applications. In this review, the relationship between PLA crystallization and its molecular structure and processing conditions is summarized. From the perspective of the regulation of PLA crystallization by organic nucleating agents, the research progress of organic micromolecule (e.g., esters, amides, and hydrazides), organic salt, supramolecular, and macromolecule nucleating agents on the crystallization behavior of PLA is mainly introduced. The nucleation mechanism of PLA is expounded by organic nucleating agents, and the effect of the interaction force between organic nucleating agents and PLA molecular chains on the crystallization behavior of PLA is analyzed. The effects of the crystallization behavior of PLA on its mechanical properties and heat resistance are discussed. It will provide a theoretical reference for the development and application of high-efficiency nucleating agents.

Identification of phytochemicals from North African plants for treating Alzheimer's diseases and of their molecular targets by in silico network pharmacology approach

BACKGROUND

The global social expenses of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been increased to US$1 trillion due to high cost, side-effects, and low efficiency of the current AD-therapies. Another reason is the lack of preventive drugs and the low-income situation of Asian and African countries. Accordingly, patients rather prefer traditional herbal remedies. Network-pharmacology has been a well-established method for the visualization and the construction of disorder target protein-drug framework. This could aid in the identification of drugs molecular-mechanisms.

AIM

The aim of this study is to investigate the phytochemical constituents that could target Alzheimer's disease from the North African plants. This could be done by exploring their possible mechanisms of action through molecular network pharmacology-based approach.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The Phytochemical-compounds of North-African plants (NAP) have been accessed from open-databank. ADME-screening has been conducted for filtering of the NAP phytochemical-constituents utilizing Qikprop-software. The open STITCH databank has been utilized for the prediction of the phytochemical-constituents target-proteins; UniProt and TDD-DB databanks have been utilized for distinguishing AD-related proteins. Phytochemical constituent-target protein (C-T) and plant-phytochemical constituent-target protein (P-C-T) frameworks have been assembled utilizing Cytoscape to interpret the anti-Alzheimer's disease mechanism of action of the targeted phytochemical constituents.

RESULTS

The NAP 6842 phytochemical-constituents (from more than 1000 plants) have been exposed to ADME and CNS modulating filtration, generating 94 phytochemical-constituents which have been subjected to target-prediction investigation. The 94 phytochemical-constituents and the 4 AD-identified targets have been associated through 155 edges which formed the main pathways related to AD. Cuparene, alpha-selinene, beta-sesquiphellandrene, calamenene, 2-4-dimethylheptane, undecane, n-tetradecane, hexadecane, nonadecane, n-eicosane, and heneicosane have had C-T network highest combined-score, whilst the proteins MAO-B, HMG-CoA, BACE1, and GCR have been the most enriched ones by comprising the uppermost combined-scores of C-T. Hypericum perforatum, Piper nigrum, Juniperus communis, Levisticum officinale, Origanum vulgare acquired the uppermost number of P-C-Target interactions.

CONCLUSION

The phytochemical-targets prediction of NAP utilizing molecular-network pharmacology-based investigation has paved the way for networking multi-target, multi-constituent, and multi-pathway mechanisms. This may introduce potential future targets for the regulation and the management of Alzheimer's disease.

TAXONOMY CLASSIFICATION BY EVISE

Alzheimer's disease, Network pharmacology, In-silico computer based approach.

Supramolecular Interactions in Hybrid Polylactide Blends-The Structures, Mechanisms and Properties

The conformation of polylactide (PLA) chains can be adjusted by supramolecular interactions (the formation of hydrogen bonds or host-guest complexes) with appropriate organic molecules. The structures formed due to those intermolecular interactions may act as crystal nuclei in the PLA matrix ("soft templating"). In this review, the properties of several supramolecular nucleating systems based on synthetic organic nucleators (arylamides, hydrazides, and 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene-d-sorbitol) are compared to those achieved with biobased nucleating agents (orotic acid, humic acids, fulvic acids, nanocellulose, and cyclodextrins) that can also improve the mechanical properties of PLA. The PLA nanocomposites containing both types of nucleating agents/additives are discussed and evaluated in the context of their biomedical applicability.