Manikandan Muthu

One-step, ultrasonication-mobilized, solvent-free extraction/synthesis of nanocurcumin from turmeric

Curcumins current solvent-based extraction and poor solubility in water are two unresolved obstacles that limit the harnessing of this medicinal resource. To date, the extraction of curcumin from turmeric in water remains a challenge. This work resolves both these problems via a simple, ultrasonication-based, one-step strategy. Two different sonication methods, water bath type and probe sonication, were employed (using varying variables such as sonication time and sonication frequencies) to develop this one-step, water-based technique for extracting curcumin directly from turmeric. The probe sonication technique with sonication time within 5 min and 20 kHz frequency led to 55% curcumin extraction yield in water. This yield is even higher than that achieved by solvent-based extraction methods using ethanol. The ultrasonic physical conversion of micro-curcumin to nano-curcumin is shown to be the reason for the enhanced solubility of curcumin in water, leading to effective extraction. The results of this study suggest the use of probe ultrasonication for water-based extraction of curcumin from turmeric in a one-step process. This study also provides a solution for the bioavailability problem of curcumin, owing to its insolubility in water through nano-sizing of the curcumin using ultrasonication methods. The results and validation of these findings are reported in this communication.

Bactericidal activity of green tea extracts: the importance of catechin containing nano particles.

When we drink green tea infusion, we believe we are drinking the extract of the green tea leaves. While practically each tea bag infused in 300 mL water contains about 50 mg of suspended green tea leaf particles. What is the role of these particles in the green tea effect is the objective of this study. These particles (three different size ranges) were isolated via varying speed centrifugation and their respective inputs evaluated. Live oral bacterial samples from human volunteers have been screened against green tea extracts and macro, micro and nano sized green tea particles. The results showed that the presence/absence of the macro and mico sized tea particles in the green tea extract did not contribute much. However, the nano sized particles were characterized to be nature’s nano stores of the bioactive catechins. Eradication of these nano tea particles resulted in decrease in the bactericidal property of the green tea extracts. This is a curtain raiser investigation, busting the nano as well as green tea leaf particle contribution in green tea extracts.

The ethanopharmacological aspect of carbon nanodots in turmeric smoke.

Smoke manifested ever since our ancient’s lit fire; today it has evolved to become an environmental concern. However, medicinal smoke is still part of man’s natural remedies, religious and cultural practices too. The Asiatic household practice of burning turmeric rhizomes to relieve nose and chest congestion is a well known yet never scientifically authenticated or studied practice. For the first time we investigate the components of these turmeric smudges, validate their antimicrobial and anticancer properties and their cell compatibility. With smoke there is always nanoparticulate carbon and turmeric smoke is no exception. If so, what is the role of the nano carbon (NC) in the turmeric smudge effect? This study isolated, characterized and exposed these secret natural NC undercover agents in turmeric smoke. Their unequivocal role in the ethanopharmocological activity of turmeric smudging has been demonstrated. This work opens a new avenue for use of such nano components of smoke for harnessing the ethanopharmacological property of various medicinal smokes, by excluding the smoke factor, through extracting the nano carbon material in them. This is a possibility to realizing the use of such naturally available nanomaterial, as an eco friendly substitute for the notorious anthropogenic nanomaterials.

Green Tea Versus Traditional Korean Teas: Antibacterial/Antifungal or Both?

The feasibility of utilizing the antimicrobial activity of naturally available teas was studied. Eleven teas including 2 green teas and 9 other traditional Korean mixed teas were tested for their antimicrobial properties. Antibacterial and antifungal properties were assessed. The results showed that green teas possessed significant antifungal and antibacterial properties, while most of the mixed teas showed some amount of antifungal activity and almost insignificant antibacterial properties. Confocal microscopic imaging revealed mycelial damage as well as attack on sporophores rather than spores/spore germination to be the reason behind the antifungal activity. EGCG was identified as the crucial catechin for antimicrobial activity. The study confirmed that green tea had a clear edge over the traditional mixed teas when it comes to antimicrobial activity.

State-of-the-art nanoplatform-integrated MALDI-MS impacting resolutions in urinary proteomics.

Urine proteomics has become a subject of interest, since it has led to a number of breakthroughs in disease diagnostics. Urine contains information not only from the kidney and the urinary tract but also from other organs, thus urinary proteome analysis allows for identification of biomarkers for both urogenital and systemic diseases. The following review gives a brief overview of the analytical techniques that have been in practice for urinary proteomics. MALDI‐MS technique and its current application status in this area of clinical research have been discussed. The review comments on the challenges facing the conventional MALDI‐MS technique and the upgradation of this technique with the introduction of nanotechnology. This review projects nano‐based techniques such as nano‐MALDI‐MS, surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, and nanostructure‐initiator MS as the platforms that have the potential in trafficking MALDI‐MS from the lab to the bedside.

Nature nominee quercetin's anti‐influenza combat strategy—Demonstrations and remonstrations

Natures providences are rather the choicest remedies for human health and welfare. One such is quercetin, which is natures nominee for cancer cure and recently demonstrated against influenza attack. Quercetin is highly recognized for its anticancer applications. This review emphasizes on yet another gift that this compound has to offer for mankind, which is none other than combating the deadly evasive influenza virus. The chemistry of this natural bioflavonoid and its derivatives and its modus operandi against influenza virus is consolidated into this review. The advancements and achievements made in the anti‐influenza clinical history are also documented. Further, the challenges facing the progress of this compound to emerge as a predominant anti‐influenza drug are discussed, and the future perspective for breaking its limitations through integration with nanoplatforms is envisioned.

An agile, simplified and sonication mediated one-pot aqueous extraction and antibacterial assessment of predominant Korean mushrooms

Solvent-based extractions have always held the upper hand when it comes to mushrooms. Assimilating the fact that mushrooms are a part of culinary components cooked in water and not in solvents; solvent-based extraction becomes a priority. Effective water based extraction stretches 24 h, leaving space for prospective improvising through analytical interference. We have demonstrated the effective downsizing of the extraction time from 24 h to 2 min via sonication based extraction strategies. A water bath-based method could achieve effective extraction at 30 min, whereas further enhancement was seen through the use of a probe sonication approach to 2 min. The extraction efficiency was tested based on the antibacterial activity of mushroom extracts against two pathogens, Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The systematic optimization of the sonication approach and a comparison of their effectiveness versus conventional approaches are demonstrated. The bioactive components in the extracts obtained via the different extractions have been characterized using biochemical characterization as well as GC-MS analysis. The enhanced extraction and potent role of butanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid were confirmed to be behind the success behind the sonication mediated extraction.

Water soluble nanocurcumin extracted from turmeric challenging the microflora from human oral cavity

Water soluble nanocurcumin prepared from commercial turmeric powders was compared against ethanol extracted curcumin particles. The oral microflora from five different human volunteers was collected and the efficacy of solvent extracted curcumin versus water extracted nanocurcumin was demonstrated. Nanocurcumin activity against oral microflora confirms its antimicrobial potency. Confocal laser scanning microscopic results revealed the enhanced entry of nanocurcumin particles into microbial cells. The nanosized nature of nanocurcumin appears to have led to increased cellular interaction and thereby efficient destruction of microbial cells in the mouth. In addition, solubility of nanocurcumin is also believed to be a crucial factor behind its successful antimicrobial activity. This study proves that the bioactivity of a compound is greatly influenced by its solubility in water. This work recommends the use of water soluble nanocurcumin (extracted from turmeric) as potent substitute for curcumin in dental formulations.

Assays Evaluating Antimicrobial Activity of Nanoparticles: A Myth Buster

The kingdom of interdisciplinary research is advancing forcefully; nanotechnology is one discipline that has impressed biologist, physicist, chemists, engineers and physicians. For studying the antimicrobial activity of nanomaterials, standard protocols that were used earlier for assessing the efficiency of antibiotics and compounds were taken for granted. The disc diffusion and well diffusion methods were ideally designed for studying bactericidal activity of diffusible compounds, mainly antibiotics and not for a particulate interaction based systems. A mere extrapolation of the testing method for testing nanoparticles, with an exclusion of the plate count method, appears to have stepped out of the fundamental principle whereby nanomaterials and microbes are required to interact. This report highlights the flaw in the results obtained from using disc/well diffusion methods for determining the bioactivity of nanomaterials, owing to the physical barrier between bacteria and the nanoparticles. A more realistic and reliable method, where the nanoparticles and microbial cells are put into an open base where they can freely interact is mandatory to assess toxicity/compatibility of nanomaterials. Failure in utilizing the apt testing mode, may eventually lead to declaring toxic nanomaterials as non-toxic and underestimating the antimicrobial ability of few other potent nanomaterials.

Exploiting Microbial Polysaccharides for Biosorption of Trace Elements in Aqueous Environments—Scope for Expansion via Nanomaterial Intervention

With pollution sounding high alarms all around us, there is an immediate necessity for remediation. In most cases, the remediation measures require further remediation—the anti-pollutants themselves cause pollution. In this correspondence, the search deepens towards natural biogenic components that can be used for bioremediation. Polysaccharide and biosorption have been themes in discussion for quite some time, where a slow decline in the enthusiasm in this area has been observed. This review revisits the importance of using polysaccharide based materials for biosorption. The need for polysaccharide-based nanocomposites, which hold better promise for greater deliverables, is emphasized as a means of rejuvenating the future perspectives in this area of application.