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Recently, research on photocatalysis has become indispensable in tackling the key global environmental issues caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization. In the present work, novel Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites were designed for visible light driven wastewater remediation and explored the optimum concentration of CuO with enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. The study aimed to tailor the optical response of the photocatalysts to utilize the visible spectrum with enhanced performance against organic pollutants. For the development of Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites, CuO flowers were prepared via a simple hydrothermal technique, whereas a chemical co-precipitation procedure was used to create Sn-doped ZnS nanoparticles (NPs). The X-ray diffraction confirmed the monoclinic phase of CuO, whilst ZnS crystallized in a wurtzite structure. The diffraction patterns of the Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites comprised of Sn-doped ZnS and CuO co-existing phases. The crystallite sizes were determined to be in the range between 8 and 28 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy further confirmed the elemental information of the photocatalysts. The FESEM images demonstrated a flower-like morphology for CuO, while Sn-doped ZnS revealed agglomeration of NPs. Furthermore, the optical response of Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites was significantly improved towards the visible region with the addition of CuO. Particularly, the Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites with a 75 % CuO ratio (marked as W1) revealed an outstanding methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency of 96 %. The current work suggests that the novel Sn-doped ZnS@CuO composites can be utilized for the degradation of toxic pollutants from the aquatic environment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypercholesterolemia involves elevated levels of total cholesterol (T.C.), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL), linked to sedentary lifestyles, irregular eating habits, high-fat diets, type 2 diabetes, and various hereditary and environmental factors. It poses significant health risks, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, fatty liver, and cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate the lipid-lowering effects of ethanolic extract of Cinnamon in hypercholesterolemia-induced rats using in-vivo, in-vitro , and in-silico approaches. In the present work, thirty female Albino rats were divided into six groups: Group I (basal diet), Group II (high-fat diet), Group III (statin treatment), and Groups IV-VI (high-fat diet with different doses of cinnamon extract). Serum lipid profiles were measured after four weeks of treatment. In-vitro HMG-CoA reductase inhibition was assessed. In-silico studies, including molecular docking, ADME analysis, toxicity prediction, and molecular dynamics (M.D.) simulations, were conducted. DFT studies with MESP/HOMO/LUMO analysis provided electronic property insights. High-fat diet increased body weight and serum lipid levels in rats. Cinnamon extract significantly reduces body weight and serum LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides while increasing HDL levels. Histopathology showed reduced fat accumulation and normal liver morphology in cinnamon-treated groups. In-vitro analysis revealed significant HMG-CoA reductase inhibition by cinnamon extract. In-silico docking confirmed strong binding affinities of cinnamon compounds to HMG-CoA reductase. ADME analysis and toxicity prediction indicated favorable pharmacokinetics. MD simulations showed stable ligand-protein complexes, and DFT studies highlighted the electronic properties of active compounds. To conclude, the cinnamon ethanolic extract demonstrated effective lipid-lowering properties in hypercholesterolemic rats, supported by in-vitro and in-silico analyses, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for hypercholesterolemia. Further research is needed to explore underlying mechanisms and clinical outcomes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Raman spectroscopy has been employed for the characterization of two structurally different monodentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (ligand-1 and ligand-2) and their respective complexes (complex-1 and complex-2). The Raman spectral features are found helpful for the confirmation of formation of complexes. The significant Raman spectral features are identified for benzimidazole ring with higher intensities in carbene complexes having more polarizability as compared to their ligands, providing the evidence for the formation of coordinate covalent bond. The successful complexation is further supported by using multivariate data analysis technique, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), which is found very helpful to highlight the variability of Raman spectral data of both ligands and their respective metal complexes from each other. Moreover, the coordination of carbene with Ag(I) is confirmed from the dominant spectral markers of higher intensities at 359 cm−1 in complex-1 and 338 cm−1 in complex-2. The effective and reliable characterization and confirmation of metal complexes indicates the potential of Raman spectroscopy for its use for the characterization of the organometallic complexes and other chemical products. Unlabelled Image • Raman spectroscopy employed for the characterization of two different ligands and their respective co-ordinate complexes. • Raman spectral signatures observed for both Ag(I)-(NHCs) complexes were associated with their respective ligands. • Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is found very helpful to differentiate two ligands and complexes from each other. • Raman peaks with higher intensities in complexes are due to enhanced polarizability of benzimidazolium on complex formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]