Computational Study of Chalcogenide-Based Perovskite Solar Cell Using SCAPS-1D Numerical Simulator.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are regarded as extremely efficient and have significant potential for upcoming photovoltaic technologies due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. However, a few obstacles, which include the instability and high costs of production of lead-based PSCs, hinder their commercialization. In this study, the performance of a solar cell with a configuration of FTO/CdS/BaZrS/HTL/Ir was optimized by varying the thickness of the perovskite layer, the hole transport layer, the temperature, the electron transport layer (ETL)'s defect density, the absorber defect density, the energy band, and the work function for back contact.

Extraction, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity of Pectin from Lemon Peels.

Pectin is a natural polymer that is found in the cell walls of higher plants. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of pectin extracted from lemon in two different geographic regions (Peddie and Fort Beaufort) in two consecutive years (2023 and 2024) named PP 2023, PP 2024, FBP 2023, and FBP 2024. The dried lemon peels were ground into a powder, sifted to obtain particles of 500 μm, and then subjected to pectin extraction using a conventional method involving mixing lemon peel powder with distilled water, adjusting the pH level to 2.

Wastes from Part of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa: Medicinal, Sustainable Agricultural, and Bio-Resource Potential.

The fruits of are often purchased for their vitamin C-rich juice, while the fruit peel and the tree leaves are discarded as wastes. This study obtained the chemical profiles of the essential oils (EOs) of wastes (the peel and leaves), evaluated their medicinal value as antioxidants, their potential for sustainable use in agriculture as an insecticide for post-harvest preservation of grains, and their potential as a bioresource in livestock feed formulations. The EOs were isolated from leaves and peel using a hydro-distillation method on a Clevenger apparatus.

Therapeutic Potential of Pectin and Its Derivatives in Chronic Diseases.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are described as a collection of chronic diseases that do not typically develop from an acute infection, have long-term health effects, and frequently require ongoing care and therapy. These diseases include heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic lung disease, neurological diseases, osteoporosis, mental health disorders, etc. Known synthetic drugs for the treatment or prevention of NCDs become increasingly dangerous over time and pose high risks due to side effects such as hallucination, heart attack, liver failure, etc.

Synthesis of Ursolic Acid-based Hybrids: Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity Studies, Physicochemical and Pharmacokinetic Properties.

Background: There is a critical need for the discovery of novel and effective antibacterial or anticancer molecules.

Objectives: Amine-linked ursolic acid-based hybrid compounds were prepared in good yields in the range of 60-68%.

Methods: Their molecular structures were successfully confirmed using different spectroscopic methods including H/C NMR, UHPLC-HRMS and FTIR spectroscopy.

Synthesis of Ester-Linked Ursolic Acid-Based Hybrid Compounds: Potential Antibacterial and Anticancer Agents.

The molecular hybridization of two or more drugs into a single molecule is an effective drug design approach to reduce pill burden and improve patient treatment adherence. Ursolic acid-based hybrid compounds were synthesized and characterized followed by molecular docking studies. In vitro studies against various bacterial strains and human cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, HeLa, and MCF-7) were performed.

Enzyme Activities in Reduction of Heavy Metal Pollution from Alice Landfill Site in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Heavy metals are unbreakable, and most of them are poisonous to animals and people. Metals are particularly concerning among environmental contaminants since they are less apparent, have extensive effects on ecosystems, are poisonous, and bioaccumulate in ecosystems, biological tissues, and organs. Therefore, there is a need to use biological agents and phytoremediation processes such as enzymes because they have a high potential for effectively transforming and detoxifying polluting substances.

The Medicinal Natural Products of Linn.: A Review.

is known among many cultures for its medicinal potential. Its complexity contributes to the historical application of various parts of the plant in ethno-medicines and pharmacotherapy. has been used for the treatment of rheumatism, epilepsy, asthma, skin burns, pain, the management of sexually transmitted diseases, difficulties during child labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal activity.

Polymer-Based Scaffolds Loaded with Extract for the Treatment of Wounds.

The treatment of wounds is one challenging biomedical field due to delayed wound healing common in chronic wounds. Several factors delay wound healing, including microbial infections, malnutrition, underlying physiological conditions, etc. Most of the currently used wound dressing materials suffer from poor antimicrobial properties, poor biodegradability and biocompatibility, and weak mechanical performance.

Pentacyclic Triterpenoids with Nitrogen-Containing Heterocyclic Moiety, Privileged Hybrids in Anticancer Drug Discovery.

Pentacyclic triterpenoids are well-known phytochemicals with various biological activities commonly found in plants as secondary metabolites. The wide range of biological activities exhibited by triterpenoids has made them the most valuable sources of pharmacological agents. A number of novel triterpenoid derivatives with many skeletal modifications have been developed.

Synthesis, Antibacterial, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Oleanolic Acid-4-aminoquinoline Based Hybrid Compounds.

Aim: The study aims to prepare a class of oleanolic-based compounds.

Background: Conventional drugs used to treat infectious diseases suffer from limitations such as drug toxicity and drug resistance. The resistance of microbes to antimicrobial agents is a significant challenge in treating microbial infections.

The Effects of Physicochemical Parameters on Analysed Soil Enzyme Activity from Alice Landfill Site.

The soil pollution as a product of xenobiotics, industrial action, agricultural chemicals, or inappropriate disposal of waste can change the natural environment of soil indices and trigger life-threatening situations. Soil enzyme activity is the suitable bio-indicator or parameter for monitoring soil pollution due to their sensitivity that quickly responds to any soil disturbances. Also, they are known to play an essential role in maintaining soil health and a quality environment.

Ursolic Acid-Based Derivatives as Potential Anti-Cancer Agents: An Update.

Ursolic acid is a pharmacologically active pentacyclic triterpenoid derived from medicinal plants, fruit, and vegetables. The pharmacological activities of ursolic acid have been extensively studied over the past few years and various reports have revealed that ursolic acid has multiple biological activities, which include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, etc. In terms of cancer treatment, ursolic acid interacts with a number of molecular targets that play an essential role in many cell signaling pathways.

In Vitro and In Vivo Antioxidant Properties of in ω-Nitro-l-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME)-Induced Hypertensive Rats.

Oxidative stress has gained attention as one of the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the development of hypertension. The present study investigated in vitro and in vivo antioxidant effects of 70% ethanol-water (/) leaf and root extracts of (TOL and TOR, respectively). Total phenolic and flavonoid content of plant extracts were assessed using Folin Ciocalteau and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods; while, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrlhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) protocols were used to determine the free radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacities (TAC), respectively.

Ursolic Acid and Its Derivatives as Bioactive Agents.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases continue to be threatening and deadly to human kind. Resistance to and side effects of known drugs for treatment further increase the threat, while at the same time leaving scientists to search for alternative sources from nature, especially from plants. Pentacyclic triterpenoids (PT) from medicinal plants have been identified as one class of secondary metabolites that could play a critical role in the treatment and management of several NCDs.

Antihypertensive effects of the hydro-ethanol extract of Senecio serratuloides DC in rats.

Background: Senecio serratuloides DC is used in folk medicine for treating hypertension, skin disorders, internal and external sores, rashes, burns and wounds. This study aimed at investigating the antihypertensive effects of the hydroethanol extract of S. serratuloides (HESS) in N-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced hypertension in rats.

Antiviral Activities of Oleanolic Acid and Its Analogues.

Viral diseases, such as human immune deficiency virus (HIV), influenza, hepatitis, and herpes, are the leading causes of human death in the world. The shortage of effective vaccines or therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of the numerous viral infections, and the great increase in the number of new drug-resistant viruses, indicate that there is a great need for the development of novel and potent antiviral drugs. Natural products are one of the most valuable sources for drug discovery.

Evaluation of Trace Metal Profile in and Used as Traditional Herbs from Environmentally Diverse Region of Komga, South Africa.

FAAS was used for the analysis of trace metals in fresh and dry plant parts of and species with the aim of determining the trace metals concentrations in selected traditional plants consumed in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The trace metal concentration (mg/kg) in the samples of dry leaves (DCVL) showed Cu of 12.40 ± 1.

Semisynthesis of Derivatives of Oleanolic Acid from Syzygium aromaticum and Their Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Oleanolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound widely found in plants and well known for its medicinal properties. Oleanolic acid (OA) was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Syzygium aromaticum flower buds. Semisynthesis afforded both acetate and ester derivatives.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Buchu Plant Extracts and Their Analgesic Properties.

We herein report for the first time the synthesis and analgesic properties of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using buchu plant extract. The as-synthesised Ag-NPs at different temperatures were characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission transform microscopy (TEM) to confirm the formation of silver nanoparticles. Phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of glycosides, proteins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins.

Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oils from Acacia mearnsii de Wild.

The volatile oils of the leaves and the stem bark of Acacia mearnsii de Wild obtained by hydro-distillation were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 20, 38, 29 and 38 components accounted for 93.8%, 92.

Anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing properties of two semisynthetic derivatives of oleanolic acid.

Acetylation and methylation semisynthesis of oleanolic acid (OA) isolated from Syzygium aromaticum L. yielded two compounds: 3-acetoxyoleanolic acid (3-AOA) and 3-acetoxy, 28-methylester oleanolic acid (3-A,28-MOA). Anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds were assessed using the serotonin and fresh egg albumin-induced inflammatory test models in male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g.

Semi-synthesis of nitrogen derivatives of oleanolic acid and effect on breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells.

Background: Oleanolic acid is a triterpenoid that has shown in vitro cytotoxic activity against human tumour cells and is known to be present in many higher plants.

Materials And Methods: Oleanolic acid is known to have some biological potential including anticancer property. Oleanolic acid was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of Syzygium aromaticum seed with an aim of dervitatising the functional group and evaluating the biological activities of the semi-synthesised compounds.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Callistemon citrinus and Callistemon viminalis from South Africa.

The chemical composition and the antibacterial activity of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the leaves of Callistemon citrinus and Callistemon viminalis were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-four and twelve components were identified for C. citrinus and C.