Some Teratogenic Outcomes in Rats Exposed to Zinc Chloride Pre and Post Pregnancy

The aim of present study was to evaluate the possibility of teratogenicity in rats when exposed to zinc chloride (ZnCl2) pre and post pregnancy. To achieve this goal, a total of 40 mature Albino Wistar female rats were divided equally into four groups as follows: T1, dosed 0.7 mg/day ZnCl2 for two months before mating and till to the day 5th of pregnancy, the females of this group were mated with males dosed 0.7 mg/day ZnCl2 for two weeks before mating; T2, dosed 0.7 mg/day ZnCl2 for two months before mating and till to the day 16th of pregnancy and then were mated with control males (not exposed to any level of ZnCl2); T3, dosed 0.7mg/day ZnCl2 for two months before mating and till the end of pregnancy and were mated with control males; Control, dosed with water free from ZnCl2 along the period of experiment and were mated with control males. At the end of each pregnancy phase, results revealed that alpha fetoprotein serum levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all treatment groups compared to the control group, and the most prominent increase was observed in the T3 group. All treatment groups showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in gestation, viability, and lactation indices when compared to the control group, with the T3 group showing the most significant decrease. Additionally, on days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 of lactation period, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in mean pup body weights in treated groups compared to the control group, with T3 group having the most prominent body weight decrease. The findings of this study revealed that ZnCl2 at a daily dose of 0.7 mg may cause teratogenic defects in rats at various stages of pregnancy, particularly at the third stage. As high-risk groups, pregnant women and children should use Zn supplementation carefully, whether as a food additive or for self-medication. Simultaneously, evaluating effect of low-dose Zn supplementation over a longer duration is required.

Assessment of the influence of the mineral complex of rutin on the degree of expression of anti-diabetic activity

Introduction. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is currently considered one of the most common non-communicable diseases. For the prevention and concomitant treatment of this pathology, various herbal remedies are successfully used, such as, for example, blueberry shoots. The plant contains phenolic compounds (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolcarboxylic and organic acids), which have antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects, and also accumulates macro- and microelements (Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn), which in turn can affect the course of diabetes mellitus. Complexes of elements with phenolic biological active substances (BAS) can affect the formation of a pharmacological response or change its severity. Therefore, it is possible to put forward a hypothesis about the potentiation of the antidiabetic action of phenolic compounds when they exist in the form of mineral complexes.Aim. To carry out a comparative assessment of the antidiabetic activity of the mineral complex rutin with zinc in comparison with precursor substances and extraction from blueberry shoots to predict the effect of elements on the course of this pathology.Materials and methods. The objects of the study were an aqueous solution (C = 0.18 mg/ml) of a model complex of rutin with zinc with a molar ratio of components of 1 : 1 and blueberry shoots purchased from a pharmacy in St. Petersburg. According to the information on the packaging, the region of raw material procurement is Altai Territory, Barnaul, the period for harvesting blueberries is July 2020. The complex of rutin with zinc was obtained according to the method described in the literature from the pharmaceutical substance rutin (Rutin, batch 332, valid until 26.03.2023, Sichuan Guangsong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China, FS 000569-060514) and an aqueous solution (С = 0.13 mg/ml) zinc chloride (Zinc chloride, batch 39/G 4, valid until 09.10.2021, Neva Reaktiv, Russia, STP TU COMP 1-533-2012). The optimal ratio of components 1 : 1 for the formation of a mineral complex was established by us earlier experimentally using the Job's method. The mass of zinc chloride, which must be added to the extraction, and the mass of the complex for the preparation of its aqueous solution were calculated on the basis of the quantitative content of biologically active substances in blueberry shoots and the molar ratio of the components involved in the formation of the complex compound determined by the spectral method. The quantitative content of the main groups of biologically active substances (flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, organic acids) was determined spectrophotometrically on SF-2000 instrument (Russia) and titrimetrically using the methods presented in Russian Pharmacopoeia XIV FS.2.5.0093.18 and FS.2.5.0012.15. The antidiabetic effect of the complex of rutin with zinc was evaluated in comparison with an aqueous extract from the shoots of common blueberries (the ratio of raw materials: extractant – 1 : 80), an aqueous solution of zinc chloride (concentration – 0.36 mg/ml) and their mixture (ratio 1 : 1) on a model of dexamethasone-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in laboratory animals. Determination of blood glucose concentration was carried out using a portable glucometer "AccuChek Active" (Roche Diabetes Care, Germany). The presence of glucosuria and ketonuria was established using Ketoglyuk-1 test strips (Biosensor AN, Russia). Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the Microsoft Excel program according to OFS.1.1.0013.15.Results and discussion. The results of the content of glucose and ketones in urine showed that in the process of modeling diabetes mellitus, glucosuria and ketonuria are characteristic for all groups of animals, which confirmed the formation of a pathological process in rats. A lower content of glucose and ketones in urine was found in a group of animals that received a complex of rutin with zinc (glucose concentration – less than 2.3 mmol/l, ketone concentration – less than 0.2 mmol/l). Measurement of the concentration of glucose in the blood showed that the complex of rutin with zinc has the most pronounced hypoglycemic effect, while the water extract from blueberry shoots and an aqueous solution of zinc chloride have a minimal antidiabetic effect (blood glucose is 6.9 mmol/l versus 8,1 mmol/l and 7.9 mmol/l, respectively).Conclusion. The study of the influence of elements in the composition of phenolic complexes on the course of diabetes mellitus showed that the introduction of minerals has a positive effect on the severity of the pharmacological effect, which can serve as confirmation of the hypothesis about the potentiation of the antidiabetic effect of phenolic compounds when they exist in the form of mineral complexes. Thus, the complex of rutin with zinc showed the maximum activity in comparison with the solution of zinc chloride, extraction from blueberry shoots and their mixture, which suggests that the form of existence of natural phenolic compounds in the composition of mineral complexes is optimal both from the point of view of accumulation and from the side manifestations of a pharmacological response. The results of the study create the preconditions for further study of the effect of various elements in combination with marker phenolic components of antidiabetic herbal preparations on the course of diabetes mellitus, and also make it possible to conclude that natural mineral complexes have a prophylactic effect against this pathology.

ZnO and Simonkolleite Nanocomposite Synthesis via Green Chemistry Using Hibiscus Flower Extract

In the present work, zinc oxide (ZnO) and Simonkolleite (SK) nanocomposite was prepared using a facile green synthesis route, using hibiscus flower extract. Zinc chloride as starting solution was mixed with hibiscus plant extract. The zinc salt molarity was varied in order to investigate its effect on the synthetized nanocomposite structure. The synthetized nanocomposite were characterized by mean of X rays diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the zinc chloride molarity plays a key role in zinc oxide and simonkolleite nanopowder synthesis. The increase in zinc salt molarity above 0.1M yields to a pure simonkolleite. While, at low zinc salt molarity, the formed nanoparticles are composed of mixture of simonkolleite and ZnO. The thermal treatment causes a partial conversion of simonkolleite to ZnO.

Enhanced Breaking of Lignin and Mesopore Formation in Zinc Chloride Assisted Hydrothermal Carbonization of Waste Biomasses

Hydrochars from hydrothermal carbonization of different biowaste materials (dried dandelion, sawdust, coconut shell powder) formed in the presence of aqueous salt solutions were compared to those obtained by the common method in pure water. Hydrochars with increased carbon contents, pore volume and surface areas were specifically obtained from coconut shell powder in the presence of zinc chloride. Compositional and structural changes within the hydrochar products caused by the process conditions and/or the additive were characterized by solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy, proving that cellulose and, in particular, lignin units in the biomass are more easily attacked in the presence of the salt. Under saline conditions, a distinct particle break-up led to the creation of mesoporosity, as observable from hysteresis loops in nitrogen adsorption isotherms, which were indicative of the presence of pores with diameters of about 3 to 10 nm. The obtained hydrochars were still rich in functional groups which, together with the mesoporosity, indicates the compounds have a high potential for pollutant removal. This was documented by adsorption capacities for the methylene blue and methyl orange dyes, which exceeded the values obtained for other hydrochar-based adsorbers. A subsequent physical activation of the mesoporous hydrochars in steam at different temperatures and times resulted in a further drastic increase in the surface areas, of up to about 750 m2/g; however, this increase is mainly due to micropore formation coupled with a loss of surface functionality. Consequently, the adsorption capacity for the quite large dyes does not provide any further benefit, but the uptake of smaller gas molecules is favored.

Effects of different polymerisation conditions using hybrid polymer on high turbidity suspensions

Purpose In this study, new hybrid polymers composed of Zinc chloride (ZnCl2), acrylamide and chitosan were prepared at different ratios and temperatures. The effects of pH and polymer dosage were examined for different polymers to observe their efficiency in the removal of turbid water. The polymers’ zeta potential, morphology, elemental composition and functional groups were also identified and studied. Design/methodology/approach The free-radical polymerisation process was executed in the presence of N, N’-Methylene bis-acrylamide and potassium persulphate in one molar acrylamide solution. ZnCl2 and chitosan (CO) were later introduced into the suspension under nitrogen gas flow. Ratio and temperature were varied during polymerisation. The hybrid polymer produced, termed Polyacrylamide + chitosan oligosaccharide + zinc chloride (PAMCOZ), was analysed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy attenuated total reflectance and scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray. The hybrid PAMCOZ was experimented with in high turbid kaolin suspension using jar testing analysis to see its ability as a coagulant. Findings The coagulation process using PAMCOZ with a ratio of 11 (3:2) at 70°C surrounding temperature showed a 100% reduction at pH 4 with 50 mg/L of the polymer. The functional groups present in ratio 11 polymer were hydroxyl, carbonyl, amide and methyl groups. In addition, several elements were spotted on the surface of PAMCOZ, such as zinc (Zn), carbon (C), chlorine (Cl), nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). The effect of pH also demonstrated that PAMCOZ was unfavourable in an alkaline turbid water environment. Research limitations/implications Due to the research methodology approach, the research results may lack actual wastewater application. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the hybrid coagulant on raw wastewater, such as pulp and paper mill effluent with a high turbidity value similar to this study. Originality/value The polymerisation between zinc chloride, acrylamide and chitosan has not yet been applied. The different ratios and effects of temperature were analysed on PAMCOZ to see the turbidity removal. PAMCOZ showed better turbidity removal in acidic conditions.