Conductive polymer-based bioelectrochemical assembly for in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation: Renoprotective assessment of Salvia officinalis against carbon tetrachloride induced nephrotoxicity

Mechanically Strong Polyurethane Composites Reinforced with Montmorillonite-Modified Sage Filler (Salvia officinalis L.)

Rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams reinforced with 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of salvia filler (SO filler) and montmorillonite-modified salvia filler (MMT-modified SO filler) were produced in the following study. The impact of 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of SO filler and MMT-modified SO filler on the morphological, chemical, and mechanical properties of PUR composites were examined. In both cases, the addition of 1 and 2 wt.% of SO fillers resulted in the synthesis of PUR composites with improved physicomechanical properties, while the addition of 5 wt.% of SO fillers resulted in the formation of PUR composites with a less uniform structure and, therefore, some deterioration in their physicomechanical performances. Moreover, the results showed that the modification of SO filler with MMT improved the interphase compatibility between filler surface and PUR matrix. Therefore, such reinforced PUR composites were characterized by a well-developed closed-cell structure and improved mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant performances. For example, when compared with reference foam, the addition of 2 wt.% of MMT-modified SO filler resulted in the formation of PUR composites with greater mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength) and improved dynamic-mechanical properties (storage modulus). The PUR composites were characterized by better thermal stability as well as improved flame retardancy-e.g., decreased peak rate of heat release (pHRR), reduced total smoke release (TSR), and increased limiting oxygen index (LOI).

Emerging biosensors in detection of natural products

Natural products (NPs) are a valuable source in the food, pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental, and many other industrial sectors. Their beneficial properties along with their potential toxicities make the detection, determination or quantification of NPs essential for their application. The advanced instrumental methods require time-consuming sample preparation and analysis. In contrast, biosensors allow rapid detection of NPs, especially in complex media, and are the preferred choice of detection when speed and high throughput are intended. Here, we review diverse biosensors reported for the detection of NPs. The emerging approaches for improving the efficiency of biosensors, such as microfluidics, nanotechnology, and magnetic beads, are also discussed. The simultaneous use of two detection techniques is suggested as a robust strategy for precise detection of a specific NP with structural complexity in complicated matrices. The parallel detection of a variety of NPs structures or biological activities in a mixture of extract in a single detection phase is among the anticipated future advancements in this field which can be achieved using multisystem biosensors applying multiple flow cells, sensing elements, and detection mechanisms on miniaturized folded chips.

Electrochemical Methods and (Bio) Sensors for Rosmarinic Acid Investigation

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is an important bioactive phenolic acid with significant biochemical activities, including the antioxidant one. It is widely found in plants of the families Lamiaceae and Boraginaceae and has many uses in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. RA is an electroactive species owing to the presence of the two catechol groups in its structure. Due to their inherent characteristics, such as sensitivity, selectivity, ease of operation and not too high costs, electrochemical methods of analysis are interesting tools for the assessment of redox-active compounds. Moreover, there is a good correlation between the redox potential of the analyte and its capability to donate electrons and, consequently, its antioxidant activity. Therefore, this paper presents a detailed overview of the electrochemical (bio)sensors and methods, in both stationary and dynamic systems, applied for RA investigation under different aspects. These comprise its antioxidant activity, its interaction with biological important molecules and the quantification of RA or total polyphenolic content in different samples.

In vitro biosafety of pro-ecological chitosan-based hydrogels modified with natural substances

Hydrogels belong to the group of materials with growing interest on the market of polymers. In this article, hydrogels based on Beetosan were obtained using ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Main component of hydrogel matrix-Beetosan-is chitosan obtained from naturally died honeybees. Such hydrogels were modified with active substances, that is, caffeine, bee pollen, Salvia officinalis (sage), and Aloe vera juice. Next, the analysis of cytotoxicity of hydrogels in relation to murine fibroblasts by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and neutral red uptake assays were conducted. Furthermore, surface morphology, tensile strength, geometry, and roughness of hydrogels were characterized. Hydrogels did not show cytotoxicity to recommended L929 murine fibroblasts. These polymers did not affect adversely the growth and viability of these cells. Moreover, Beetosan hydrogels were characterized by flexibility as well as by diversified surface morphology that could indicate their high absorbency. Therefore these materials may be considered as useful for biomedical purposes with special emphasis on application as modern wound dressings that not only absorb wound exudate but also contain natural substances with therapeutic properties that is beneficial from the point of view of wound healing process.