Use of a Zwitterionic Surfactant to Improve the Biofunctional Properties of Wool Dyed with an Onion (Allium cepa L.) Skin Extract

To improve the loadability and antioxidant properties of wool impregnated with onion skin extract, the introduction of SB3-14 surfactant in the dyeing process was evaluated. A preliminary investigation on the surfactant–quercetin interaction indicated that the optimal conditions for dye solubility, stability, and surfactant affinity require double-distilled water (pH = 5.5) as a medium and SB3-14 in a concentration above the c.m.c. (2.5 × 10−3 M). The absorption profile of textiles showed the flavonoid absorption band (390 nm) and a bathochromic feature (510 nm), suggesting flavonoid aggregates. The higher absorbance for the sample dyed with SB3-14 indicated greater dye uptake, which was further confirmed by HPLC analysis. The Folin–Ciocalteu method was applied to evaluate the total phenol content (TPC) released from the treated wool, while the assays FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC were applied to evaluate the corresponding total antioxidant activity (TAC). Higher TPCs (about 20%) and TACs (5–55%) were measured with SB3-14, highlighting textiles with improved biofunctional properties. Spectrophotometric analyses were also performed with an artificial sweat. The potential cytotoxic effect of SB3-14 in both monomeric and aggregated forms, cell viability, and induction of apoptosis were evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells. These analyses revealed that SB3-14 is safe at concentrations below the c.m.c.

Design of heparin oligosaccharide based molecules for inhibition of Alzheimer amyloid beta (Aβ40) aggregation

In this computational study, we have combined molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques to explore interactions of monomeric and aggregated forms of Alzheimer’s amyloid beta (Aβ40) with seven chemically distinct heparin derived glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) referred to as ADC, SDC, DC, V1, V2, V3, and V4. The docking procedure proposed two major binding sites, i.e., one present at the top of the fibril (site A), and the other located in the hairpin region (site B). Due to its position, site B offers an interesting target to design molecules with anti-aggregation properties. Our results predicted that out of seven GAGs, only three of them (ADC, SDC, and DC) bind to site B. The identification of these molecules can advance our efforts to develop therapeutic interventions for this deadly disease.

Spectroscopic differentiation between monomeric and aggregated forms of BODIPY dyes: effect of 1,1-dichloroethane

1,1-Dichloroethane (1,1-DCE) can induce spectroscopic differentiation between aggregated and monomeric forms of BODIPY dyes.