 Polysaccharide chemistry (Extraction of biopolymers and synthesis of biopolymer based smart materials; Functional modification; Surface modification; Nano-composites).

Toxicity associated with chemotherapeutic drugs such as doxorubicin (Dox), is one of the major obstacles that is currently affecting patients. PST-Dox (Galactoxyloglucan, PST001-conjugated Dox) nanoparticles were synthesized by encapsulating Dox with polysaccharide PST001, isolated from Tamarindus indica (Ti) by ionic gelation with tripolyphosphate (TPP). Herein, we demonstrate a detailed mechanistic and interactome network analysis that is specific to PST-Dox action in cancer cells and normal lymphocytes. Our results show that PST-Dox is superior to its parental counterparts, exhibiting a greater cytotoxicity by the induction of apoptosis against a wide variety of cancers by enhanced cellular uptake of Dox from the nanoparticle conjugates. Also, PST-Dox nanoparticles were non-toxic to normal lymphocytes with limited immunostimulatory effects up to certain doses. Elucidation of molecular mechanism by whole genome microarray in cancer cells and lymphocytes revealed that a large number of genes were dysregulated specifically in cancer cells. Specifically, a unique target gene EGR1, contextually determined translational activation of P53 in the cancerous and non-cancerous cells. Most of the key downregulated genes were tyrosine kinases, indicating the potential inhibitory action of PST-Dox on tyrosine kinase oncogenic pathways. Western blotting of proteins corresponding to the genes that were altered at the genomic level was very well correlated in the majority of them, except in a few that demonstrated post-transcriptional modifications. The important findings and highly disciplined approaches highlighted in the present study will speed up the therapeutic potential of this augmented nanoparticle formulation for more robust clinical studies and testing in several cancers.

The feasibility of using coffee beans after being dripped and degreased (DCB) as an adsorbent for base metals such as copper(II), zinc(II), lead(II), iron(III) and cadmium(II) were examined. The compositions of the DCB were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electronic micrograph and fluorescent X-ray. It was found that DCB contain sulfur and calcium from the analysis using fluorescent X-ray. The plant cell wall in DCB has the porous structure from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, and the specific surface area was determined to be 1.2 m2/g using the specific surface area analyzer. Batch adsorption experiments on DCB were carried out at various pHs in order to elucidate the selectivity of metal ions. All metals were adsorbed at low pH region (3.0-5.0). Of particular interest was the adsorption characteristics of cadmium(II) on DCB. The adsorption isotherm for cadmium(II) at pH 8 fitted with a Langmuir equation to yield an adsorption equilibrium constant of 55.2 mmol dm(-3) and an adsorption capacity of 5.98 x 10(-2) mmol g(-1). The desorption of cadmium(II) was easily achieved over 90% by a single batchwise treatment with an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid at more than 0.01 mol dm(-3). These results suggested that DCB behaves as a cation exchanger.

The root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, has been used historically as a tonic, hematopoietic and anti-inflammatory agent for thousands of years. Modern phytochemistry and pharmacological experiments have proved that polysaccharide is one of the major active ingredients in A. sinensis. It has been demonstrated that A. sinensis polysaccharides had various important biological activities, such as hematopoiesis, immunomodulation, antitumor, antioxidant, radioprotection and hypoglycemic activity. The purpose of the present review is to summarize previous and current references regarding extraction and purification techniques as well as structural characterization and biological activities of A. sinensis polysaccharides.

The root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, has been used historically as a tonic, hematopoietic and anti-inflammatory agent for thousands of years. Modern phytochemistry and pharmacological experiments have proved that polysaccharide is one of the major active ingredients in A. sinensis. It has been demonstrated that A. sinensis polysaccharides had various important biological activities, such as hematopoiesis, immunomodulation, antitumor, antioxidant, radioprotection and hypoglycemic activity. The purpose of the present review is to summarize previous and current references regarding extraction and purification techniques as well as structural characterization and biological activities of A. sinensis polysaccharides.