RSC Advances最新文献

Saussurea costus (S. costus), a medicinal plant widely utilized in traditional Ayurveda, Chinese, and Tibetan medicine, is rich in pharmacologically active compounds, including sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, phenolics, and essential oils. Despite its reported antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory activities, clinical translation of S. costus remains hindered by its low bioavailability and off-target effects. This review explores the use of nanosystems to address these limitations and enhance the biological performance of S. costus extracts. Metal-based nanoparticles (silver, copper, palladium, magnesium oxide) and other nano-formulations, including polymeric, lipid-based, and inorganic nanoparticles, detailing their synthesis, characterization techniques, and biomedical applications. The integration of S. costus into nanosystems is shown to improve cellular uptake and facilitate prolonged release and superior therapeutic outcomes as supported by several in vitro and in vivo studies. This review highlights the incorporation of Saussurea costus into different nanosystems towards the development of effective nanotherapeutics.

Herein, we investigate perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) as a linker in Zr-clusters. The photostable, 3D metal-organic nanomaterial obtained by a solvothermal synthesis procedure in the presence of formic acid as modulator, named ZIPER, shows strong absorption in the visible (400-560 nm) and an intense photoluminescence (PL) in the 600-700 nm range. PL quenching experiments strongly indicate that the ZIPER excited state (ZIPER*) behaves primarily as a strong oxidant and a mild reductant with redox couples E(ZIPER*/ZIPER˙^-) = 1.8-1.2 V and E(ZIPER˙⁺/ZIPER*) = -0.44--0.48 V (vs. NHE). Amine quenching of ZIPER* PL led to a strong reductant (ZIPER˙^-) with E(ZIPER/ZIPER˙^-) <-0.6 V vs. NHE. This reactivity was exploited to drive the reductive dehalogenation of model polychlorinated compounds, such as carbon tetrachloride and trichloroacetic acid, through visible-light photoredox catalysis in aqueous suspension. In contrast, under air-saturated conditions, the system predominantly produces substantial amounts of H₂O₂. A detailed analysis of the results suggests that photoexcitation of the organic linkers is followed by electron transfer to the Zr cluster. Charge-separated states are mainly stabilized in the presence of suitable electron donors or acceptors; otherwise, the system relaxes radiatively, emitting strong orange fluorescence.

This study reports the biological evaluation of novel Schiff base-tethered organoselenium (OSe) compounds as potential anticancer agents. New derivatives (HB178, HB179, HB181, HB183, HB208, HB209, and HB210) were synthesized and screened for cytotoxicity against eight cancer cell lines (including HN9, FaDu, MCF7, A375, HEPG2, HuH7, A549, and HCT₁₁₆) and two normal cell lines (OEC and HSF). Among them, HB183, HB209, and HB210 exhibited the most potent growth inhibition (GI) activity, with average values of 78.25%, 76.34%, and 79.14%, respectively-surpassing the reference drug doxorubicin (61.89%). HB183 demonstrated the strongest cytotoxic effects, with IC₅₀ values of 9.72 µM (MCF7), 13.28 µM (HCT₁₁₆), 13.50 µM (A549), and 31.28 µM (HEPG2), significantly outperforming doxorubicin across multiple cell lines. Importantly, HB183 showed selective cytotoxicity with lower GI% values against normal OEC (53.90%) and HSF (42.27%) cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that HB183 upregulated key pro-apoptotic proteins-BAX (1.39-fold), caspase-3 (1.18-fold), caspase-7 (1.20-fold), and caspase-9 (1.45-fold)-while downregulating anti-apoptotic markers such as BCL-2 (1.22-fold), MMP2 (1.15-fold), and MMP9 (1.30-fold). Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis indicated that HB183 induced cell cycle arrest at the pre-G1 phase in MCF7 cells, increasing the population from 94.32% to 98.84%. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation (for 500 ns), and MM-GBSA calculations for the lead analogue (HB183) towards the BCL-2 target, as a crucial one in the pathway of apoptosis induction, were performed to support the mechanistic investigation. These findings suggest that HB183 is a promising lead for further development as a selective and potent anticancer agent, particularly in the treatment of breast cancer.

Early detection of endometrial cancer remains challenging because of the lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic methods. This study develops a near-infrared (NIR)-activatable sensing platform with an AND logic gate to simultaneously detect miR-21 and miR-155, two promising endometrial cancer biomarkers. The sensing platform integrates acid-sensitive zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)-coated upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP@ZIF-8) with ternary DNA strands, consisting of a BHQ2-modified long strand (S2), a Cy5-labelled short strand (S3), and a photocleavable switch-bearing strand (S1). In a weakly acidic environment, the ZIF-8 shell decomposes to release UCNPs and DNA strands. Under 808 nm excitation, the UCNPs convert NIR light to ultraviolet or visible emission, cleaving the photocleavable linkers on S1 and exposing the toehold domain. The target miRNAs subsequently initiate a toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction, simultaneously displacing S1 and S3, thereby restoring Cy5 fluorescence. The biosensor demonstrated excellent sensitivity, with detection limits of 0.28 nM for miR-21 and 0.35 nM for miR-155. Validation in serum samples revealed recovery rates of 92-103.08%, confirming its potential for clinical application in complex biological environments.

This study systematically investigated the adsorptive removal of acid fuchsin (AF), an anionic dye, from aqueous solutions using a 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol-intercalated magnesium/aluminum layered double hydroxide (PAR-Mg/Al LDH). The composite was successfully synthesized and characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and XPS. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that PAR intercalation significantly enhanced the adsorption performance compared to pristine Mg/Al LDH. Key parameters influencing the adsorption process, including contact time, initial dye concentration, pH, and temperature, were systematically optimized. The adsorption isotherm data were best described by the Langmuir model, indicating monolayer adsorption with a high maximum capacity of 568.18 mg g^-1. Kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model, with excellent agreement between experimental and calculated adsorption capacities. Further kinetic analysis using intraparticle diffusion and Boyd models demonstrated that the adsorption process proceeds via a multi-step mechanism, where external mass transfer dominates the initial stage, followed by intraparticle diffusion at later stages. The PAR-Mg/Al LDH composite also exhibited good reusability over five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles, maintaining high removal efficiency. These findings highlight the effectiveness of PAR-Mg/Al LDH as a promising adsorbent for the removal of anionic dyes from aqueous environments.

Emerging pharmaceutical contaminants such as antibiotics, personal care products, and anti-inflammatory drugs have become major environmental concerns due to their persistence and toxicity. In this study, Fe₃O₄ quantum dots supported on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (Fe₃O₄ QDs-rGO NSs) were successfully synthesized via a green hydrothermal route using Thuja occidentalis leaf extract as a natural reducing and capping agent. The resulting nanocomposites (NCs) exhibited a high surface area (168 m² g^-1) and mesoporous structure (average pore size ≈14 nm), favouring pollutant adsorption and charge separation. Under visible-light irradiation, the Fe₃O₄ QDs-rGO NSs demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance toward pharmaceutical contaminants, achieving degradation efficiencies of 94.5% for ciprofloxacin (CIP), 76.2% for ibuprofen (IBU), and 90.7% for tetracycline (THC) within 120 min at an optimum catalyst dose of 5 mg and neutral pH ≈ 7. The apparent first-order rate constants (k) were 0.024, 0.017, and 0.012 min^-1 for CIP, IBU, and THC, respectively. The nanocomposite retained over 90% of its photocatalytic efficiency after five reuse cycles, confirming its excellent stability and recyclability. The enhanced activity is attributed to the synergistic interaction between Fe₃O₄ QDs and rGO, which promotes efficient charge carrier separation and radical generation. These results highlight the potential of bioinspired Fe₃O₄ QDs-rGO NSs as an efficient, sustainable photocatalyst for wastewater remediation applications.

This study investigates the recovery of uranium(vi) using a novel functionalized polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) adsorbent, PPA-PGMA, modified with polyamine-phosphonic acid. The adsorbent's structure was confirmed by CHNP, BET, SEM, TGA, XRD, XPS, and FTIR analyses. Batch adsorption studies from synthetic solutions revealed an optimal pH range of 3.0-6.0, where the saturation adsorption capacity reached 0.828 mmol g^-1. The adsorption process exhibited fast kinetics (180 min) and was endothermic. Experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models. The adsorption process was quantitatively described using a new three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear mathematical model, which was verified using MATLAB software against several theoretical models (generalized Langmuir, PSO with Arrhenius, shrinking core, and Floatotherm models). Thermodynamic analysis indicated a spontaneous (ΔG < 0) and endothermic (ΔH > 0) reaction. The adsorbent demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining high efficiency over six cycles. Metal desorption was successfully achieved using NaHCO₃, with adsorption capacity remaining at 88-90% of the initial value after the sixth cycle. Finally, PPA-PGMA was applied to recover U(vi) from acidic ore leachates (El-Sella and Gattar areas) following precipitation pre-treatment. The adsorbent exhibited marked selectivity for U(vi) over co-existing Fe and Si, achieving adsorption capacities of 0.71 mmol U per g (El-Sella) and 0.65 mmol U per g (Gattar). These results confirm the potential of PPA-PGMA as a durable and selective adsorbent for uranium recovery from complex acidic matrices.

Coconut shells (CS) are a promising renewable precursor for carbon black synthesis. By optimising carbonisation parameters for CB synthesis and introducing a low-temperature alkali treatment method using KOH, this study investigates the potential of utilising CS-derived activated carbon black (ACB) as a sustainable black colourant in electrically conductive toner powders. The most efficient synthesis parameters were determined by analysing 36 CB samples that were produced by combining three variables: carbonisation temperature, carbonisation duration, and particle size. The best CB sample was treated using different weight ratios of KOH at 120 °C. The results obtained from FT-IR, XRD, and SEM coupled with EDS, EIS, and TGA revealed that optimised carbonisation and low-temperature KOH treatment caused well-defined porous structures with an amorphous nature. Increasing KOH concentrations result in the formation of large spherical micropores (0.656 µm), however, excessive concentrations lead to smaller or closed pores. The ACB sample synthesised with lower KOH concentration showed the lowest resistance, thermal stability up to 400 °C, and low moisture and ash content. The reduced resistance indicates enhanced electrical conductivity, suggesting the potential of synthesised ACB as a conducting agent, while its high thermal stability indicates suitability for high-temperature printing applications. Moreover, high carbon content (69.2 wt%) and fine particle size (10-15 µm) may ensure good dispersion in polymer matrices while facilitating uniform colour and print quality. Hence the synthesised ACB samples with the lowest KOH concentrations could be used as a black colourant and a conducting agent in the synthesis of toner powders.

Triphenylenes are a class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that have been attracting increasing attention owing to their widespread applications in areas such as liquid crystals, organic electronics, photovoltaics, light emitting diodes, and catalysts. The utility of triphenylenes stems from their flatness, rigidity, and aromatic nature. This review provides an exploration of triphenylene derivatives, with an emphasis on recent advancements in their synthesis, properties, and multifaceted applications. Highlighting their synthetic strategies, we discuss both classical methods and modern approaches, including metal-catalyzed reactions and photochemical techniques, which have enabled the development of a wide range of substituted triphenylenes, as well as their dimers, trimers, twinned molecules, and oligomers. The electronic structure of triphenylene, characterized by a delocalized π-electron system, underpins its remarkable charge transport properties. In terms of applications, triphenylene-based liquid crystals are particularly notable for forming columnar mesophases with highly ordered structures, facilitating advantageous macroscopic molecular orientation. These properties underscore its potential for next-generation functional materials across diverse domains, including organic electronics, photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes, and catalysis. By integrating insights into its properties and future potential, this review aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers investigating triphenylene and its derivatives.

In this study, Se-doped CeO₂@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and applied to a Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) cell suspension culture using liquid medium (B5). The application of these NPs at various levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg L⁻¹) was studied for its effects on cell growth, physio-biochemical traits and antioxidative activities. The addition of NPs to the culture media significantly improved the cell biomass, antioxidant potential and phenolic contents. The addition of NPs at the rate of 15 mg L⁻¹ (T₃ treatment group) significantly improved the dry biomass of cells (128.72%), total chlorophyll contents (76.02%), and reduced levels of hydrogen peroxide (5.15%) and reactive oxygen (26.51%) compared to the control group (0 mg L⁻¹). Furthermore, this study identified 29 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the jasmonate signalling pathway. Notably, only the two DEGs from the MYC2 family showed mixed expression at different time points (6 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h) following treatment with Se-doped CeO₂@Fe₃O₄ NPs. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that this approach is effective, adaptable, biocompatible, and cost-efficient, offering a promising strategy for enhancing the production of antioxidant and bioactive metabolites in industrial-scale safflower cultivation.