Theoretical study of the Coriolis effect in LiNa, LiK, and LiRb molecules

The non-adiabatic electronic matrix elements, LΠΣ(R), that arise from the spin-conserving electron-rotational interactions between all mΣ+ and mΠ states, where multiplicity m = 1, 3, converging to the lowest three dissociation limits of Li-containing alkali diatomics, LiM (M = Na, K, Rb), were calculated ab initio up to large internuclear distances, R. The required electronic wavefunctions were obtained within the framework of the multi-reference configuration interaction treatment of the two-valence-electron problem constructed using small-core scalar-relativistic effective core potentials and l-independent core-polarization potentials. A least squares analysis of the ab initio functions at large internuclear distances in conjunction with long-range perturbation theory (LRPT) revealed three different asymptotic behaviors of the LΠΣ(R → +∞)-functions: const. + β[n]/Rn, characterized by n = -1, 3 and 6. The asymptotic coefficients β[n], extracted from the point-wise ab initio data, were found to be in agreement with their LRPT counterparts, which were evaluated analytically using the relevant atomic parameters. The mass dependence of the LΠΣ matrix elements was investigated analytically and numerically. To confirm the reliability of the LΠΣ(R)-functions and interatomic potentials at small and intermediate distances, the empirical q-factors available for the D1Π-states of all LiM molecules studied were compared with their theoretical counterparts derived from the present ab initio data.

Transition Strength Measurements to Guide Magic Wavelength Selection in Optically Trapped Molecules

Optical trapping of molecules with long coherence times is crucial for many protocols in quantum information and metrology. However, the factors that limit the lifetimes of the trapped molecules remain elusive and require improved understanding of the underlying molecular structure. Here we show that measurements of vibronic line strengths in weakly and deeply bound ^{88}Sr_{2} molecules, combined with ab initio calculations, allow for unambiguous identification of vibrational quantum numbers. This, in turn, enables the construction of refined excited potential energy curves, informing the selection of magic wavelengths that facilitate long vibrational coherence. We demonstrate Rabi oscillations between far-separated vibrational states that persist for nearly 100 ms.

Crossover from the Ultracold to the Quasiclassical Regime in State-Selected Photodissociation

Processes that break molecular bonds are typically observed with molecules occupying a mixture of quantum states and successfully described with quasiclassical models, while a few studies have explored the distinctly quantum mechanical low-energy regime. Here, we use photodissociation of diatomic strontium molecules to demonstrate the crossover from the ultracold, quantum regime where photofragment angular distributions strongly depend on the kinetic energy to the quasiclassical regime. Using time-of-flight imaging for photodissociation channels with millikelvin reaction barriers, we explore photofragment energies in the 0.1-300 mK range experimentally and up to 3 K theoretically, and discuss the energy scale at which the crossover occurs. We find that the effects of quantum statistics can persist to high photodissociation energies.

Control of Ultracold Photodissociation with Magnetic Fields

Photodissociation of a molecule produces a spatial distribution of photofragments determined by the molecular structure and the characteristics of the dissociating light. Performing this basic reaction at ultracold temperatures allows its quantum mechanical features to dominate. In this regime, weak applied fields can be used to control the reaction. Here, we photodissociate ultracold diatomic strontium in magnetic fields below 10 G and observe striking changes in photofragment angular distributions. The observations are in excellent agreement with a multichannel quantum chemistry model that includes nonadiabatic effects and predicts strong mixing of partial waves in the photofragment energy continuum. The experiment is enabled by precise quantum-state control of the molecules.

Inhibitory Potential of Red Cabbage against Digestive Enzymes Linked to Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Assays of the inhibitory potential against enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipid digestion (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase) as well as the total contents of phenolics and anthocyanins, anthocyanin profile, and antioxidant capacity revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) between five varieties of red cabbage. Among the varieties, the highest inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 3.87 ± 0.12 mg dry weight (DW) of cabbage/mL) and lipase (IC₅₀ = 1.57 ± 0.06 mg DW/mL) was exhibited by the Koda variety, which showed the highest antioxidant capacity in ABTS (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) = 141 ± 4.71 μmol/g DW) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (TEAC = 125 ± 1.94 μmol/g DW) assays and had the highest total phenolics level (19.6 ± 0.48 mg/g DW). The highest total anthocyanin content (12.0 ± 0.16 mg/g DW) and inhibitory activity against α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 69.0 ± 3.65 mg DW of cabbage/mL) was shown by the Kissendrup variety. The anthocyanin profiles of these two varieties were characterized by the highest percentages of diacylated cyanidin derivatives. There was no correlation between the contents of phenolic compounds and lipase inhibitory activity, but inhibition of α-amylase was correlated with concentrations of monoacylated and diacylated anthocyanins, while inhibition of α-glucosidase increased with total phenolics and diacylated anthocyanins levels.

Antidiabetic effect of polyphenolic extracts from selected edible plants as α-amylase, α -glucosidase and PTP1B inhibitors, and β pancreatic cells cytoprotective agents - a comparative study

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is usually a result of wrong dietary habits and reduced physical activity, represents 85-95% of all diabetes cases and among other diet related diseases is the major cause of deaths. The disease is characterized mainly by hyperglycemia, which is associated with attenuated insulin sensitivity or beta cells dysfunction caused by multiple stimuli, including oxidative stress and loss of insulin secretion. Since polyphenols possess multiple biological activities and constitute an important part of the human diet, they have recently emerged as critical phytochemicals in type 2 diabetes prevention and treatment. Their hypoglycemic action results from their antioxidative effect involved in recovering of altered antioxidant defenses and restoring insulin secreting machinery in pancreatic cells, or abilities to inhibit the activity of carbohydrates hydrolyzing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) or protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), which is known as the major negative regulator in insulin signaling. This study investigates the total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu and HPLC methods) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS) of 20 polyphenolic extracts obtained from selected edible plants, which were screened in terms of α -amylase, α - glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors or protective agents against oxidative stress induced by tertbutylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH) in βTC3 pancreatic beta cells used as a model target for antidiabetes drugs. The study concludes that Chaenomeles japonica, Oenothera paradoxa and Viburnum opulus may be promising natural sources for active compounds with antidiabetic properties.

In vitro inhibitory effect on digestive enzymes and antioxidant potential of commonly consumed fruits

Dietary inhibitors of fats and carbohydrates degrading enzymes can reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we screened crude extracts from 30 commonly consumed fruits to test their in vitro inhibitory effect against key enzymes relevant for obesity (pancreatic lipase) and type 2 diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase), total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu method), and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and FRAP). The IC50 values of the fruits tested varied from 39.91 to >400 mg/mL, from 1.04 to >80 mg/mL, and from 0.72 to 135.07 mg/mL against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase, respectively. Antioxidant capacity ranged from 0.66 to 124.66 μmol of TE/g of fruit and strongly correlated with phenolic content, while the enzyme inhibition was poorly correlated with total phenolic and antioxidant capacity. Among fruits tested, blue honeysuckle and red gooseberry exhibited the highest inhibitory activity with respect to the carbohydrate degrading enzymes, while lingonberry had the strongest anti-lipase activity.

Proangiogenic activity of plant extracts in accelerating wound healing - a new face of old phytomedicines

Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillaries from pre-existing vascular network, plays an important role in physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development, wound healing, and development of atherosclerosis. Extension of the circulatory network is also considered to be one the most important factors during cancerogenesis. Inhibition of angiogenesis may lead to inhibition of tumor growth whereas stimulation may improve wound healing. Research achievements suggest the use of plants and their extracts as potential therapeutic agents with pro- or antiangiogenic activity. Since the anticancer and antiangiogenic properties of many phytomedicines have been amply reviewed elsewhere this paper will focus on the treatment of vascular insufficiency in wound healing. Globally accepted herbal drugs are thought to be safe and effective, however, there is a need for more evidence-based confirmation in controlled and validated trials. Among the most frequently studied proangiogenic phytochemicals are ginsenosides from Panax ginseng, beta-sitosterol from Aloe vera, calycosin from Radix Astragali, and extracts from Hippophae rhamnoides L. and Angelica sinensis.

Proangiogenic activity of plant extracts in accelerating wound healing - a new face of old phytomedicines

Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillaries from pre-existing vascular network, plays an important role in physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development, wound healing, and development of atherosclerosis. Extension of the circulatory network is also considered to be one the most important factors during cancerogenesis. Inhibition of angiogenesis may lead to inhibition of tumor growth whereas stimulation may improve wound healing. Research achievements suggest the use of plants and their extracts as potential therapeutic agents with pro- or antiangiogenic activity. Since the anticancer and antiangiogenic properties of many phytomedicines have been amply reviewed elsewhere this paper will focus on the treatment of vascular insufficiency in wound healing. Globally accepted herbal drugs are thought to be safe and effective, however, there is a need for more evidence-based confirmation in controlled and validated trials. Among the most frequently studied proangiogenic phytochemicals are ginsenosides from Panax ginseng, beta-sitosterol from Aloe vera, calycosin from Radix Astragali, and extracts from Hippophae rhamnoides L. and Angelica sinensis.