Nematicidal Compounds from the Leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius Against Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Infecting Tomato

Fatma M. Abdel Bar,Dina S. Ibrahim,Sahar R. Gedara,Mohammed S. Abdel-Raziq,Ahmed M. Zaghloul 한국생약학회 2018 Natural Product Sciences Vol.24 No.4

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita caused a serious damage to many plants. The phenolic components of the leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius were investigated as potential nematicidal agents for M. incognita. Nine compounds were isolated and characterized as viz., 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl glucose (1), kaempferol-3-O-a-L-rhamnoside (Afzelin) (2), quercetin-3-O-a-L-rhamnoside (Quercetrin) (3), myricetin (4), myricetin-3-O-a-L-rhamnoside (Myricetrin) (5), methylgallate (6), protocatechuic acid (7), quercetin (8), and gallic acid (9) using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Compound 1 showed pronounced nematicidal activity compared to Oxamyl as a positive control. It showed the lowest eggs-hatchability (34%) and the highest mortality in nematode population (21% after 72 hours of treatment) at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. It exhibited the best suppressed total nematode population, root galling and number of eggmasses in infected tomato plants. The total carbohydrates and proteins were also significantly induced by 1 with reduction in total phenolics and increase in defense-related proteins. Thus, compound 1 could be a promising, more safe and effective natural nematicidal agent for the control of root-knot nematodes.

Spectroscopic investigation and JuddeOfelt analysis of silver nanoparticles embedded Er3+-doped tellurite glass

Raja J. Amjad,M.R. Dousti,M. R. Sahar 한국물리학회 2015 Current Applied Physics Vol.15 No.1

A series of silver nanoparticles (NPs) embedded zinc-tellurite glass is prepared by melt-quenching technique. The transmission electron microscopic images reveal spherical as well as anisotropic silver NPs having average diameter in the range of 14-48 nm. The Er3+-free glass sample containing AgCl exhibits surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of Ag NPs centered at ~ 501 nm. From Judd-Ofelt analysis, it is found that by increasing the concentration of NPs, the value of Ω2 is enhanced suggesting increased covalency and decreased symmetry around the Er3+ ions. Integrated emission cross-section (IEC) is enhanced as the concentration of silver NPs is increased up to 0.5 mol% AgCl. Fourier infrared spectra show that the intensity of the vibrational band of the water molecule and fundamental stretching band of OH group are suppressed. Furthermore, under an excitation wavelength of 786 nm, three prominent upconversion emissions are observed at 520 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm which are attributed to 2H11/2→4I15/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2, and 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions, respectively. The upconversion emissions are enhanced significantly by introduction of silver NPs. The enhancement is mainly attributed to the local field effect of silver NPs. Studied nanocomposites are potential candidates for the development of solid state lasers.

Yarrow oil ameliorates ulcerative colitis in mice model via regulating the NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways

( Maged E. Mohamed ),( Sahar A. Elsayed ),( Hafez R. Madkor ),( Heba M. Saad Eldien ),( Omar M. Mohafez ) 대한장연구학회 2021 Intestinal Research Vol.19 No.2

Background/Aims: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with indefinite etiology; however, environmen-tal, genetic, immune factors and microbial agents could be implicated in its pathogenesis. UC treatment is lifelong, therefore; the potential side effects and cost of the therapy are significant. Yarrow is a promising medicinal plant with the ability to treat many disorders, owing to its bioactive compounds especially the essential oil. The main aim of this research was to investigate the therapeutic effect of the yarrow oil on colitis including the involved mechanism of action. Methods: In 21-female C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups; control group, colitis model group, and oil-treated group. Groups 2 and 3 received 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 9 days, and concomitantly, only group 3 was given 100 mg/kg yarrow oil. Mice were examined for their body weight, stool consistency and bleeding, and the disease activity indexes were calculated. Results: Oral administration of yarrow oil markedly repressed the severity of UC via the reduction of the inflammatory signs and restoring colon length. The oil was able to down-regulate nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), up-regulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), and enhance transforming growth factor-β expression. The oil normalized the tumor necrosis factor-α expression, restored the normal serum level of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and reduced the serum level of IL-6. Conclusions: Yarrow oil mitigated UC symptoms and regulated the inflammatory cytokines secretion via regulation of NF-κB and PPAR-γ pathways in the mice model, however, this recommendation requires further investigations using clinical studies to confirm the use of the oil on humans. (Intest Res 2021;19:194-205)

Investigation of Optical Effects in Silicon Quantum Dots by Using an Empirical Pseudopotential Method

S. K. Ghoshal,M. S. Rohani,M. R. Sahar 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.58 No.2

A computer simulation using a pseudopotential approach has been carried out to investigate the band gap as a function of the size and the shape of small silicon (Si) dots having 3 to 44 atoms per dot with and without surface passivation. We used an empirical pseudo-potential Hamiltonian, a plane-wave basis expansion and a basic tetrahedral structure with undistorted local bonding configurations. In our simulation, the structures of the quantum dots were relaxed and optimized before and after passivation. We found that the gap increased more for an oxygenated surface than a hydrogenated one. Thus, both quantum confinement and surface passivation determined the optical and the electronic properties of Si quantum dots. Visible luminescence was probably due to radiative recombination of electrons and holes in the quantum-confined nanostructures. The effect of passivation of the surface dangling bonds by hydrogen and oxygen atoms and the role of surface states on the gap energy was also examined. We investigated the entire energy spectrum starting from the very low-lying ground state to the very high-lying excited states. The results for the sizes of the gap, the density of states, the oscillator strength and the absorption coefficient as functions of the size are presented. The importance of the confinement and the role of surface passivation on the optical effects are also discussed.

Enhanced spectroscopic properties and JuddeOfelt parameters of Er-doped tellurite glass: Effect of gold nanoparticles

Asmahani Awang,S. K. Ghoshal,M. R. Sahar,M. Reza Dousti,Raja J. Amjad,Fakhra Nawaz 한국물리학회 2013 Current Applied Physics Vol.13 No.8

Glasses with composition 70TeO2e20ZnOe10Na2Oe0.5Er2O3e(x)Au are synthesized by melt-quenching technique. Their spectroscopic and optical characterizations are made. The presence of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with average size w9 nm is confirmed from TEM micrograph. The value of Edir is found to lie between 3.082 and 3.073 eV, while Eindir lies within 2.765 to 2.724 eV. The observed visible upconversion (UC) emission under 779 nm excitation wavelength exhibits two bands centered at 546 nm (green) and 637 nm (red) in all samples. The glass with 0.4 mol% Au NPs shows dominant enhancement in the UC emission intensity of the order of 3.5 times for the green band (4S3/2 / 4I15/2)and a weaker enhancement for the red (4F9/2 / 4I15/2) band. The optical properties of the system are affirmed to depend strongly on the Au concentration in the dielectric medium. The absorption spectra consist of six bands attributed to absorption from ground state (4I15/2) to 4I13/2, 4I11/2, 4I9/2, 4F9/2, 2H11/2,and 4F7/2 excited states. The structural reveals that the types of bonding and difference in electronegativity can be manipulated by the presence of metallic NPs in glass matrix. JuddeOfelt analysis asserts the increase in U2 and U6 parameters with the addition of Au NPs and the enhancement of green and red emissions. The enhancement is mainly attributed to large plasmonic effect of Au NPs. The proposed glasses can be nominated as potential materials for solid state laser developments.