Subacute toxicity assessment of biobased ionic liquids in rats

Mechanisms of Biological Effects of Ionic Liquids: From Single Cells to Multicellular Organisms

The review presents a detailed discussion of the evolving field studying interactions between ionic liquids (ILs) and biological systems. Originating from molten salt electrolytes to present multiapplication substances, ILs have found usage across various fields due to their exceptional physicochemical properties, including excellent tunability. However, their interactions with biological systems and potential influence on living organisms remain largely unexplored. This review examines the cytotoxic effects of ILs on cell cultures, biomolecules, and vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Our understanding of IL toxicity, while growing in recent years, is yet nascent. The established findings include correlations between harmful effects of ILs and their ability to disturb cellular membranes, their potential to trigger oxidative stress in cells, and their ability to cause cell death via apoptosis. Future research directions proposed in the review include studying the distribution of various ILs within cellular compartments and organelles, investigating metabolic transformations of ILs in cells and organisms, detailed analysis of IL effects on proteins involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis, correlation studies between IL doses, exposure times and resulting adverse effects, and examination of effects of subtoxic concentrations of ILs on various biological objects. This review aims to serve as a critical analysis of the current body of knowledge on IL-related toxicity mechanisms. Furthermore, it can guide researchers toward the design of less toxic ILs and the informed use of ILs in drug development and medicine.

Effect of Acute Exposure to the Ionic Liquid 1-Methyl-3-octylimidazolium Chloride on the Embryonic Development and Larval Thyroid System of Zebrafish

Simple Summary

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of acute exposure to the ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride on the embryonic development and larval thyroid system of zebrafish. The results showed that the fish embryonic development, thyroid hormone level, and expression of HPTs-related genes were altered, suggesting that the ionic liquid [C8mim]Cl might pose an aquatic environmental threat to fish.

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that ILs can induce toxicity in animals, plants, and cells. However, the effect of imidazolium-based ILs on the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis of fish remains unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of [C8mim]Cl on the embryonic development and thyroid-controlled internal secretion system of zebrafish by determining the thyroid hormone level and the expression of HPT-related genes. The results obtained for embryonic developmental toxicity showed the survival rate, heart beats, and body length of fish had decreased 96 h after exposure to [C8mim]Cl, but the hatching rate had increased by the 48 h time point. The transcription levels of HTP-related genes showed that the genes dio3, tg, ttr, tsh, trhrα, trhrβ, trhr2, and tpo were up-regulated, while the expression levels of dio1, trh, tshr, and nis were significantly suppressed. Furthermore, we found that exposure to [C8mim]Cl induced an alteration in the levels of thyroid hormones that increased the T3 but decreased the T4 content. In conclusion, our study indicated that acute exposure to [C8mim]Cl altered the expression of HTP-related genes and disturbed the thyroid hormone level, suggesting that the ionic liquid [C8mim]Cl might pose an aquatic environmental threat to fish.

Emerging impacts of ionic liquids on eco-environmental safety and human health

Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, ionic liquids (ILs) have been rapidly applied in diverse areas, such as organic synthesis, electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, functional materials, pharmaceutics, and biomedicine. The increase in the production and application of ILs has resulted in their release into aquatic and terrestrial environments. Because of their low vapor pressure, ILs cause very little pollution in the atmosphere compared to organic solvents. However, ILs are highly persistent in aquatic and terrestrial environments due to their stability, and therefore, potentially threaten the safety of eco-environments and human health. Specifically, the environmental translocation and retention of ILs, or their accumulation in organisms, are all related to their physiochemical properties, such as hydrophobicity. Based on results of ecotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and toxicity in mammalian models, the mechanisms involved in IL-induced toxicity include damage of cell membranes and induction of oxidative stress. Recently, artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques have been used in mining and modeling toxicity data to make meaningful predictions. Major future challenges are also discussed. This review will accelerate our understanding of the safety issues of ILs and serve as a guideline for the design of the next generation of ILs.

Bio-based, self-adhesive, and self-healing ionogel with excellent mechanical properties for flexible strain sensor

Bio-based ionogels with versatile properties are highly desired for practical applications. Herein, we designed a novel self-healing, anti-freezing, and self-adhesive ionogel with excellent sensor capability. The ionogel was obtained by cross-linking amino groups (chitosan) and aldehyde groups (dextran oxide) to form Schiff-base bonds in the ionic liquids (EMIMOAc) with TA. Ionogels inherited the superior electrical conductivity of ionic liquids (IG₂, 1.1 mS cm^-1). Due to the dynamic reaction of Schiff-base bonds, the obtained IG₂ possessed self-healing properties (self-healing efficiency = 89%). The presence of TA also provided the ionogel with excellent self-adhesive properties (IG₂/TA, adhesive strength to hogskin = 8.05 kPa). Owing to the low freezing point and low vapor pressure of ionic liquids, ionogels were endowed with anti-freeze properties and resistance to solvent volatility. Moreover, the ionogel can act as a strain sensor, and exhibited excellent sensitivity and sensing performance. Our work provided a green and effective method in preparation of the high performance ionogel sensor, which could accommodate future practical industrial applications.

Application of Ionic Liquids for Chemical Demulsification: A Review

In recent years, ionic liquids have received increasing interests as an effective demulsifier due to their characteristics of non-flammability, thermal stability, recyclability, and low vapor pressure. In this study, emulsion formation and types, chemical demulsification system, the application of ionic liquids as a chemical demulsifier, and key factors affecting their performance were comprehensively reviewed. Future challenges and opportunities of ionic liquids application for chemical demulsification were also discussed. The review indicted that the demulsification performance was affected by the type, molecular weight, and concentration of ionic liquids. Moreover, other factors, including the salinity of aqueous phase, temperature, and oil types, could affect the demulsification process. It can be concluded that ionic liquids can be used as a suitable substitute for commercial demulsifiers, but future efforts should be required to develop non-toxic and less expensive ionic liquids with low viscosity, and the demulsification efficiency could be improved through the application of ionic liquids with other methods such as organic solvents.