Multifunctional pectin-based hybrid smart hydrogels; physical characterization; concentration effect of GO on hydrogel properties; in vitro drug (LVX) release and in vivo wound healing studies; potential candidacy for various biomedical applications.

The purpose of this study is to examine the possibility of GO to be used as an adsorbent for five novel potentially hazardous azo-dyes for their removal from aqueous solution. Adsorption characteristics of GO for azo-dyes removal were investigated by means of experimental and computational DFT as well as Monte Carlo approaches. Experimental studies include the effect of adsorbent dose, contact time, and initial concentration, while computational investigation involves DFT and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Through DFT studies geometric, electronic, and thermodynamic parameters were explored and possible mechanism of interactions and adsorption energies by predicted through MC by searching lowest possible adsorption complexes. Experimental data were evaluated by Langmuir models in order to describe the equilibrium isotherms. Equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir model. Thermodynamic parameters i.e., free energy change, enthalpy change, and entropy change revealed that the removal of azo-dyes by adsorption on the surface of GO molecular sieves was spontaneous. Nature of the process was found to be physiosorption involving non-covalent interaction. The study unveiled that GO can be used as an efficient adsorbent material for the adsorption of azo-dyes from aqueous solution.

Background/Objective: Co-exposure to heavy metals from environment and a high-fat diet (HFD) represents a growing health concern, contributing to various diseases, but their combined effects on brain health remain less explored. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of Shogaol-enriched ginger extract (SEGE) against heavy metals- and HFD-induced neuropathology. Plant-derived isolated pure compounds can be costly and less accessible; SEGE may offer a translatable, multi-target dietary intervention. Methods: Male Balb/c mice (8–11 weeks old) were exposed to a metal mixture of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and aluminum (Al; 25 mg/kg/day each) in drinking water and 40% HFD in feed for 60 days. SEGE was administered via feed at two different doses (2 mg/kg/day and 12 mg/kg/day). Assessments including gene expression analyses (using Quantitative Reverse Transcription Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR)) of synaptic and cholinergic markers, spectrophotometric measurement of acetylcholine (ACh) levels, neuronal counting in the cortex and hippocampus via histology, and Gas chromatography mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis for brain metabolic quantification were performed. Results: The combined toxic exposure significantly downregulated the expression of synaptic plasticity markers (Synaptophysin, Polysynaptic Density Protein 95 (PSD95), and Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase-IV (CAMK-4)) and α and β Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (α7nAChR, α4nAChR, and β2nAChR) in the hippocampus and cortex. ACh levels were also reduced along with significant neuronal loss in the cortical layers and the hippocampal regions. Met + HFD disrupted the brain’s metabolic profile. SEGE treatment significantly restored these markers and attenuated the cholinergic deficits. SEGE treatment, specifically at a higher dose, demonstrated a rescuing effect on the brain’s metabolic profile when compared to the metals and HFD. SEGE further preserved the neuronal count at a higher dose (12 mg/kg/day), exhibiting superior protective effects. Conclusions: These findings suggest that SEGE mitigates neurotoxicity induced by the interaction of toxic metals and dietary factors, likely by preserving synaptic plasticity, metabolic profile, and cholinergic functions, particularly at a higher dose.