In this study, a novel perovskite solar cell (PSC) architecture is presented that utilizes an HTL-free configuration with formamide tin iodide (FASnI₃) as the active layer and fullerene (C60) as the electron transport layer (ETL), which represents a pioneering approach within the field. The elimination of hole transport layers (HTLs) reduces complexity and cost in PSC heterojunction structures, resulting in a simplified and more cost-effective PSC structure. In this context, an HTL-free tin HC(NH₂)₂SnI₃-based PSC was simulated using the solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS) within a one-dimensional framework. Through this approach, the device performance of this novel HTL-free FASnI₃-based PSC structure was engineered and evaluated. Key performance parameters, including the open-circuit voltage (V_oc), short-circuit current density (J_sc), fill factor (FF), power conversion efficiency (PCE), I-V characteristics, and quantum efficiency (QE), were systematically assessed through the modulation of physical parameters across various layers of the device. A preliminary analysis indicated that the HTL-free configuration exhibited improved I-V characteristics, with a PCE increase of 1.93% over the HTL configuration due to improved electron and hole extraction characteristics, reduced current leakage at the back contact, and reduced trap-induced interfacial recombination. An additional boost to the device’s key performance parameters has been achieved through the further optimization of several physical parameters, such as active layer thickness, bulk and interface defects, ETL thickness, carrier concentration, and back-contact materials. For instance, increasing the thickness of the active layer PSC up to 1500 nm revealed enhanced PV performance parameters; however, further increases in thickness have resulted in performance saturation due to an increased rate of hole–electron recombination. Moreover, a comprehensive correlation study has been conducted to determine the optimum thickness and donor doping level for the C60-ETL layer in the range of 10–200 nm and 10¹²–10¹⁹ cm⁻³, respectively. Optimum device performance was observed at an ETL-C60 ultra-thin thickness of 10 nm and a carrier concentration of 10¹⁹ cm⁻³. To maintain improved PCEs, bulk and interface defects must be less than 10¹⁶ cm⁻³ and 10¹⁵ cm⁻³, respectively. Additional device performance improvement was achieved with a back-contact work function of 5 eV. The optimized HTL-free FASnI₃ structure demonstrated exceptional photovoltaic performance with a PCE of 19.63%, V_oc of 0.87 V, J_sc of 27.86 mA/cm², and FF of 81%. These findings highlight the potential for highly efficient photovoltaic (PV) technology solutions based on lead-free perovskite solar cell (PSC) structures that contribute to environmental remediation and cost-effectiveness.

The genus Warburgia (family Canellaceae) is widely distributed over Afrotropical and Neotropical realms. Traditionally, W. salutaris (G. Bertol.) Chiov., and other Warburgia species are used as anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, and for wound healing, and treating several skin complaints as well. Specifically, different extracts from W. salutaris were reported to possess diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects. This work aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition of an aqueous extract from W. salutaris bark, and evaluate its antioxidant and anti-aging activities in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. HPLC-PDA-MS/MS was used to investigate the phytochemical components of the extract. The antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated in vitro using DPPH and FRAP assays. The Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes model was adopted to investigate the antioxidant and the anti-aging effects in vivo by determining the worms' survival rate, level of ROS, HSP16 expression, and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor DAF16. Molecular operating environment (MOE) software was utilized for in silico molecular docking of the extract's components into different enzymes involved in the aging process. Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-hyaluronidase assays were used to evaluate the anti-aging effects in vitro. HPLC-MS analysis furnished 30 compounds, among them catechin, 11α-hydroxy muzigadiolide, mukaadial, pereniporin B, and 11α-hydroxycinnamosmolide. The major components of the extract showed appropriate fitting in the binding site of the target enzymes adopted in the study with considerable minimum free binding energy relative to the standard inhibitors. The extract showed substantial in vitro antioxidant activity in DPPH and FRAP assays and in vitro anti-aging assays against collagenase, elastase, tyrosinase, and hyaluronidase with comparable IC₅₀ values to the reference standards. Moreover, it attenuated oxidative stress in vivo as it significantly increased the survival rate of ROS stressed C. elegans worms, decreased intracellular ROS, decreased the juglone-induced HSP16 expression and enhanced the nuclear localization of DAF16 in a dose-dependent manner. Our results support the traditional use of W. salutaris to counteract inflammation and oxidative stress associated with several pathological conditions. In addition, W. salutaris bark extract can be considered as a substantial source for bioactive metabolites with strong potential as anti-aging and antioxidant agents.

A novel series of 14 spiropyrrolidines bearing thiochroman-4-one/chroman-4-one, and oxindole/acenaphthylene-1,2-dione moieties were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques, as well as by three X-ray diffraction studies, corroborating the stereochemistry. Quantum chemical calculations studies, using the DFT approach, were performed to rationalize the stereochemical outcome. These N-heterocycles were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against some pathogenic organisms. Several compounds displayed moderate to excellent activity towards the screened microbe strains in the study compared to Amoxicillin (AMX), Ampicillin (AMP), and Amphotericin B. Furthermore, a structural activity relationship (SAR) was established considering the synthesized compounds. Pharmacokinetic studies reveal that these derivatives exhibit an acceptable predictive ADMET profile (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity) and good drug-likeness.

We have previously reported that the leaf extract of Albizia anthelmintica exhibited substantial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties in vivo. We also comprehensively characterized the active phytoconstituents and found several flavonoids and galloyl glucosides derivatives. In the current work, we explored the gastroprotective effects of the leaf extract in an indomethacin-induced ulcer model and the mechanisms involved. The rats being pretreated with the tested extract (100 and 200 mg kg⁻¹) significantly prevented gastric lesions by 87.4% and 92.3%, respectively, and they had no structural derangements in the gastric mucosa. The extract significantly reduced the elevated levels of IKκB, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and lipid peroxidation; increased the reduced level of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity; and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the indomethacin-induced ulcer model. The protective activities of the extract were similar in most aspects to those exerted by the known anti-ulcer drug famotidine. These activities might be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, and the reduction of iNOS levels. In conclusion, Albizia anthelmintica is a potential candidate for management of gastric ulcers with antioxidant properties.

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, and evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and the analgesic properties of methanol extracts from the leaves of Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii (Lamiaceae). Thirty-five secondary metabolites were characterized in both extracts using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS. Phenolic acids, mainly rosmarinic acid and its derivatives, dominated the T. algeriensis extract, while the phenolic diterpene carnosol and the methylated flavonoid salvigenin, prevailed in T. fontanesii extract. Molecular docking study was carried out to estimate the anti-inflammatory potential and the binding affinities of some individual secondary metabolites from both extracts to the main enzymes involved in the inflammation pathway. In vitro enzyme inhibitory assays and in vivo assays were used to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts. Results revealed that both studied Thymus species exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. They showed to be a more potent antioxidant than ascorbic acid and more selective against cyclooxygenase (COX-2) than diclofenac and indomethacin. Relatively, the T. fontanesii extract was more potent as COX-2 inhibitor than T. algeriensis. In conclusion, Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii may be interesting candidates for the treatment of inflammation and oxidative stress-related disorders.

Patients with neuropathic pain experience chronic painful tingling, burning, and prickling sensations accompanied with hyperalgesia and/or allodynia. In this study, 38 secondary metabolites of a methanol extract from Salix tetrasperma flowers were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The extract showed substantial anti-inflammatory, central and peripheral anti-nociceptive, antipyretic, and antioxidant activities in vitro and in different animal models. In the chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model, the extract was able to attenuate and significantly relieve hyperalgesia and allodynia responses in a dose dependent manner and restore the myelin sheath integrity and Schwann cells average number in the sciatic nerve. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the extract significantly reduced the expression of various pro-inflammatory biomarkers including nuclear factor kabba B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the oxidative stress biomarker NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1), in brain stem and sciatic nerve tissues. These findings were supported by in vitro enzyme inhibition assays (COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX). Moreover, the extract significantly reduced p53 expression in the brain stem tissue. These findings support the use of S. tetrasperma in folk medicine to alleviate pain. It could be a promising natural product for further clinical investigations to treat inflammation, nociceptive pain and chronic neuropathic pain.