Drought is a major environmental constraint that negatively affects crop germination, seedling establishment, and overall yield. This study presents a sustainable approach to improving wheat productivity under water-deficit conditions through the application of a gellan gum-based hydrogel enriched with the growth stimulant. The hydrogel was synthesized by inducing ionic gelation of gellan gum using potassium chloride and ammonium sulfate, forming a robust, cross-linked polymer network. Wheat seeds were coated with one to eight layers of the hydrogel using a sequential dipping and drying process. Optimal seedling performance was achieved with a two-layer coating, balancing sufficient water retention with adequate gas exchange. FTIR spectroscopy and pH analysis confirmed ionic interactions between Kaz-6 and the carboxyl groups of gellan, supporting its stable incorporation within the polymer matrix. Mechanical characterization showed that ammonium sulfate significantly enhanced gel strength and cross-linking density compared to potassium chloride. Laboratory germination assays and greenhouse trials demonstrated that seeds coated with gellan hydrogel containing Kaz-6 showed enhanced germination rates, greater biomass accumulation, and significantly improved drought tolerance—surviving up to 10 days longer than controls under water-limited conditions. These findings highlight the potential of biopolymer-based hydrogels as eco-friendly seed coating materials that can improve crop resilience and productivity in arid environments. The proposed formulation aligns with sustainable agriculture goals and represents a promising direction for future field-scale applications in climate-adaptive farming systems.

Spiroconnected N-alkoxyalkylpiperidine hydantoins were obtained via the Strecker reaction of cyanohydrin with ammonium carbonate. 1,3,8-Triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-diones have shown the myelostimulating activity in the artificially induced (with cyclophosphamide) myelodepressive syndrome. The compounds significantly accelerated the regeneration of lymphocyte and granulocyte cell pool of bone marrow hematopoiesis.

Forming complexes with β-cyclodextrin can enhance stability, dissolution rate, solubility, and bioavailability of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. In this study, the inclusion behavior between β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone in DMSO-d₆ was investigated using NMR spectroscopy. ¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HMQC, and ROESY data were applied to determine the structure of inclusion complexes, and molecular docking analysis was engaged to identify the most favorable host–guest interactions in the inclusion complexes. Complexation of β-CD with diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone is accompanied by the insertion of a molecular fragment of the guest molecule, one molecule of diphenhydramine and tolperisone, and two molecules of clonidine, into the inner sphere of one host molecule. The reported study provides useful information for the potential application of the complexation of β-CD with diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone. This may be a good strategy for the development of solid pharmaceutical dosage forms based on β-CDs as a drug delivery system. Article highlights: The inclusion complexes of β-CD and diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone were synthesized and analyzed using 1Н, 13С, COSY, HMQC, and ROESY spectroscopy. Diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone interact with β-CD with the formation of stable 1:1 stoichiometric complexes for β-CD:diphenhydramine and β-CD:tolperisone, and 1:2 stoichiometric complex for β-CD:clonidine. Possible structures of the inclusion complexes between β-CD and diphenhydramine, clonidine, and tolperisone were determined using molecular docking in the software AutoDock 4.0.

Methodology was developed to obtain a series of unusual alkoxy- and phenoxyalkyl ethers of secondary and tertiary ethynylpiperidin-4-ols representative examples of which were evaluated for analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-spasmotic, and anti-allergic activity. Twenty-two new compounds were prepared and identified by elemental and spectra analyses. Etherification of 4-hydroxypiperidin-4-ols was accomplished via Williamson ether-type syntheses in dry DMF. Side reactions of the bromides used appeared to involve complex processes with DMF under a variety of conditions employed which led to modest yields of products. Since all target molecules were oils at room temperature, conversions to β-cyclodextrins were accomplished and served as vehicles for pharmacological screening. Several ethynyl-substituted agents displayed deep analgesic activity in the “tail flick” model although some alkoxy- and phenoxy ethers from secondary alcohols were less effective as analgesics (Table 1). Interestingly, LD50 values for the agents exceeded that of a number of clinical agents including Dimedrole, Klemastine, Lidocaine, No-spa, Tramal, Streptomycin, and Euphilline. Three representative examples of the agents (Table 2) exhibited moderate anti-bacterial action against Escherichia coli, Salmonella chloerae suis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus, but did not exceed that of Streptomycin. The absence of the ethynyl ether group resulted in no anti-bacterial activity in several ethers. A few agents possessed anti-spasmotic ability, especially the ethers of 1-(2-ethoxyethyl)-4-ethynyl-4-hydroxypiperidines in various preparations (Table 3), and included the systems of acetylcholine-induced spasms, the histamine-induced spasms, and the calcium chloride-induced spasms. Two examples void of the ethynyl group were not effective as anti-spasmotic compounds. A small survey of five agents for anti-allergic properties (Table 4) revealed that two with ethynyl groups were similar in activity with Dimedrole but less than that of Klemastine in screens using acetylcholine and histamine systems. Overall, these families of piperidines possess a wide variety of important biological properties which require further exploration