Rakesh Kumar Ameta

Bio: Rakesh Kumar Ameta is an academic researcher from Central University of Gujarat. The author has contributed to research in topics: Chemistry & Adsorption. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 25 publications receiving 278 citations. Previous affiliations of Rakesh Kumar Ameta include Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya.

Synthesis and structure–activity relationship of benzylamine supported platinum(IV) complexes

Abstract: A series of benzylamine derivative (BAD) supported platinum(IV) complexes (PtCl4(BADs)2) have been synthesized. The complexes were tested in vitro against the MCF-7 cell line, and the 4-fluoro and 4-chloro containing complexes expressed impressive anticancer activities. Their DNA binding nature for a structure–activity relationship (SAR) study was investigated with physicochemical-indicators (PCI) which categorized them as good intercalators for host–guest chemistry. A mechanism for drug efficacy is proposed by analysis of the resultant viscosity and surface tension of PtCl4(BADs)2–DNA solutions named as the drug-friccohesity interaction (DFI). The complexes have shown significant antioxidant activity, determined on the basis of free radical scavenging effects due to their terminating action against the reactive species.

Fluorescent Nanorods and Nanospheres for Real-Time In Vivo Probing of Nanoparticle Shape-Dependent Tumor Penetration

Abstract: Nanomedicine has offered new hope for cancer treatment.[1] Nanotherapeutics exhibit many advantages over small-molecule chemotherapeutics, including diminished systemic toxicity and improved circulation times. Unfortunately, non-uniformly leaky vasculature[2] and a dense interstitial structure[3] hinder their effective delivery to tumors.[4] These physiological abnormalities make transvascular transport—movement from vessels to the interstitium—and interstitial transport—movement through the interstitium to target cells—heterogeneous.[4a] Hence the tumor microenvironment limits the uniform penetration of nanotherapeutics by slowing or halting their transport through hydrodynamic and steric hindrance.[2a,3a,5] Overcoming these physiological barriers in tumors is an outstanding challenge for nanomedicine.

Recent advances in emulsion-based delivery approaches for curcumin: From encapsulation to bioaccessibility

Abstract: Background Curcumin has been widely acknowledged for its health-promoting effects. However, its application is often limited by its poor water solubility and biochemical/structural degradation during physiological transit that restricts its bioavailability. Emulsion based approaches have attracted the most research attention to encapsulate curcumin and improve its stability, bioaccessibility and bioavailability. Scope and approach This review summarizes the recent advances in application of different oil-in-water emulsion-based approaches, such as, conventional emulsions (surfactants-, protein- and protein-polysaccharide-stabilized emulsions), nanoemulsions, and Pickering emulsions that have been specifically used to deliver curcumin. Particular emphasis is given to factors affecting curcumin solubility, change in crystalline structure of curcumin upon dispersion and encapsulation efficiency. Changes in the droplet size and emulsion stability during in vitro oral-to-gastrointestinal digestion are discussed, with clear focus on the bioaccessibility of the encapsulated curcumin. Key findings and conclusions Key factors that influence curcumin delivery include emulsion droplet size, oil composition, volume fraction, dispersion conditions of curcumin in the oil phase and the type of interfacial materials. Nanoemulsions have been the preferred choice for delivery of curcumin up to now. Although scarce in literature, emulsions stabilized by edible Pickering particles as shown by recent evidence are effective in protecting curcumin in an in vitro gastrointestinal setting due to their high coalescence stability. Further studies with emulsions stabilized by food-grade particles and accurate tracking of the physiological fate ( in vitro to human trials) of different emulsion-based delivery vehicles are essential for rational designing of curcumin-rich functional foods with high bioaccessibility.

Power of Infrared and Raman Spectroscopies to Characterize Metal-Organic Frameworks and Investigate Their Interaction with Guest Molecules

Abstract: The variety of functionalities and porous structures inherent to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) together with the facile tunability of their properties makes these materials suitable for a wide range of existing and emerging applications. Many of these applications are based on processes involving interaction of MOFs with guest molecules. To optimize a certain process or successfully design a new one, a thorough knowledge is required about the physicochemical characteristics of materials and the mechanisms of their interaction with guest molecules. To obtain such important information, various complementary analytical techniques are applied, among which vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman) plays an important role and is indispensable in many cases. In this review, we critically examine the reported applications of IR and Raman spectroscopies as powerful tools for initial characterization of MOF materials and for studying processes of their interaction with various gases. Both the advantages and the limitations of the technique are considered, and the cases where IR or Raman spectroscopy is preferable are highlighted. Peculiarities of MOFs interaction with specific gases and some inconsistent band assignments are also emphasized. Summarizing the broad analytical possibilities of the IR and Raman spectroscopies, we conclude that it can be applied in combinations with other techniques to explicitly establish the structure, properties, and reactivity of MOFs.