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A sensitive square-wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric method is reported for determining the drug, vildagliptin (VILD), in bulk and commercial formulations with a mean LOD = 1.19 nmol L−1 using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with Ca-montmorillonite clay. The procedure focuses on the formation of a VILD-Cu2+ complex in a bulk solution and the subsequent electrochemical reduction at the modified electrode. The results showed that the modified CPE (95% (w/w) graphite powder and 5% (w/w) Ca-montmorillonite clay) exhibited excellent electrochemical activity toward the investigated VILD-Cu2+ complex. The complex exhibited a well-defined irreversible cathodic peak at − 0.44 V in the Britton–Robinson buffer of pH 7 via acceptance of two electrons and one proton. Under optimal conditions, the VILD concentrations were in the range of 4.0–130 nmol L−1 (R2 = 0.9986) at a fixed concentration of the copper ion. The stability constant (β) and stoichiometric ratio of the complex were determined at 25 °C using electrochemical methods. The structure of the obtained complex was confirmed based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Our suggested analytical method was applied to determine the IC50 values of VILD and VILD-Cu2+ complex in a human colon cancer (Caco-2) cell line and were found to be 265 and 40 μg mL−1, respectively, using the square-wave voltammetry technique. These IC50 values were in good agreement with those obtained using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases are caused by etiological agents. Nanotechnology has been used to minimise the effect of clinical pathogens which have resistance to antibiotics. In current research synthesis, characterisation and biological activities of green synthesised nanoparticles using Artemisia vulgaris extract have been done. The characterisation of AgNPs was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐Vis spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Anti‐biofilm, cell viability, antibacterial, brine shrimp lethality, and deoxyribonucleic acid protection effects have been screened. UV‐Vis spectra showed the absorption peak of synthesised nanoparticles at 400 nm. FT‐IR indicated the involvement of the functional group in the preparation of AgNPs. SEM showed the spherical shape of AgNPs with 30 nm diameter. Biological screening results revealed the antibacterial effect against clinical bacterial pathogens. Biofilm reduction and cell viability assay also supported the antibacterial effect. Cytotoxicity effect was recorded as 100% at 200 μg/ml through brine shrimp lethality assay. Protein kinase inhibition zones recorded for AgNPs (16 mm bald) compared with A. vulgaris extract (11 mm bald). It has been concluded that green synthesised AgNPs are more effective against infectious pathogens and could be used as a potential source for therapeutic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, simple, cost effective, non-toxic and environmental friendly technique was developed for the synthesized silver nanoparticles using Balauites aegyptiaca (L.) Del mesocarp aqueous extract at 80 °C. UV-visible spectroscopic analysis was caried out to assess the fromation of the silver nanoparticles. The green synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using Zetasizer, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) in addition to Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antiviral actvities of the Balauites aegyptiaca nanoparticles have been investigated. This revealed that the nanoparticle suspension posessess cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines, with IC50 being 19.1 μg and 40.1 μg, respectively, in addidtion to moderate antiviral activity against HAV-10 virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]