Synthesis of 2-deoxy-d-glucose coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles for application in targeted delivery of the Pt(iv) prodrug of cisplatin – a novel approach in chemotherapy

Pt(IV) prodrug of cisplatin was loaded on 2DG functionalized silica coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The formulation alone exhibited biocompatibility whereas Pt(IV) loaded formulation exhibited cytotoxicity comparable with cisplatin.

Insecticidal and biochemical effects of Dillenia indica L. leaves against three major stored grain insect pests

The Last four decades have witnessed the banning of several synthetic insecticides mainly due to the development of resistance to the target pests and due to hazardous effects on humans and the environment. Hence, the development of a potent insecticide with biodegradable and eco-friendly nature is the need of the hour. In the present study, the fumigant property, and biochemical effects of Dillenia indica L. (Dilleniaceae) were studied against three coleopterans stored-products insects. The bioactive enriched fraction (sub-fraction-III) was isolated from ethyl acetate extracts of D. indica leaves and found toxic to rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera); lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (L.) (Coleoptera) and red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (Coleoptera) with the LC₅₀ values of 101.887, 189.908 and 115.1 µg/L respectively after 24 h exposure. The enriched fraction was found to inhibit the function of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme when tested against S. oryzae, T. castaneum, and R. dominica with LC₅₀ value of 88.57 µg/ml, 97.07 µg/ml, and 66.31 µg/ml respectively, in in-vitro condition. It was also found that the enriched fraction caused a significant oxidative imbalance in the antioxidative enzyme system such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). GCMS analysis of the enriched fraction indicates three major compounds namely, 6-Hydroxy-4,4,7a-trimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrobenzofuran-2(4H)-one, 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, and Benzothiazole, 2-(2-hydroxyethylthio)-. Finally, we concluded that the enriched fraction of D. indica has insecticidal properties and the toxicity may be due to the inhibition of the AChE enzyme in association with oxidative imbalance created on the insect's antioxidant enzyme systems.

Toxicological evaluation of Isosecotanapartholide from Artemisia vulgaris L.: oral acute and sub-acute toxicity in BALB/c mice

Isosecotanapartholide (ISTP) isolated from Artemisia vulgaris, having fumigant property, was tested for acute and sub-acute toxicity in BALB/c mice. The male and female BALB/c mice were given ISTP orally for 7 days at doses of 200, 800 and 1600 mg/kg body weight (bw) for the acute toxicity assay. For sub-acute toxicity test, ISTP was given orally for 14 days at doses of 50 and 500 mg/kg bw. The general appearance, behaviour, weight gain, water intake and feed intake, relative organ weight, haematological indices, histopathological sections and biochemical markers were examined. In the study, ISTP at doses up to 1600 mg/kg bw in acute and 500 mg/kg bw in sub-acute studies, the vital organs like heart, kidney, uterus and testis revealed no adverse effects and mortality. Both acute and sub-acute toxicity assays show that Isosecotanapartholide is safe in mammalian system and can be used as an effective natural substitute for synthetic insecticides.