Advanced Journal of Chemistry, Section B: Natural Products and Medical Chemistry
Volume:8 Issue: 2, Spring 2026

The present study is designed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative activities of a flavonoid-rich extract (FREt) from dried Vitis vinifera (raisins), despite extensive research. Phytochemical profiling (both qualitative and quantitative) and UV-visible spectral analysis were performed on raisins. FREt was tested for antioxidative and antihyperlipidemic effects in a high-fat-induced (HFI) animal model with groups divided as normal control, HFI hyperlipidemic control, HFI negative control, HFI positive control and FREt test group (200 mg/kg). Phytochemical analysis revealed alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phlobatannins, resins, saponins, steroids, tannins, and triterpenoids in raisins, with 152 mg/g total phenolic content in FREt. UV-visible spectral analysis confirmed flavonoid absorption bands. The test group showed a marked improvement in lipid profile and antiatherogenic index compared to HFI control. A decline in percent inhibition of antioxidant enzymes and protein indicates antioxidative potential of FREt. Thus, FREt of raisins may improve antioxidant status and reduce hyperlipidemia, thereby lowering cardiovascular disease risk.

CRISPR-Cas technology has transformed oncology by enabling precise genome editing of immune cells, addressing major limitations of conventional therapies such as toxicity, resistance, and tumor heterogeneity. Its application in CAR-T, TCR-T, NK cells, and macrophages has enhanced anti-tumor activity, though challenges with delivery, off-target effects, and immunogenicity persist. This review explores recent advancements in CRISPR-engineered immunotherapies for cancer, focusing on immune cell engineering, genome-wide target discovery, applications in solid tumors, and strategies for overcoming translational barriers. It also highlights integration with emerging tools like artificial intelligence, single-cell genomics, and synthetic biology. Evidence from preclinical studies, clinical trials, and technological innovations was synthesized to evaluate CRISPR-mediated knockout and knock-in strategies, multiplex antigen targeting, epigenome editing, and screening approaches. Delivery platforms, including viral vectors, electroporation, lipid nanoparticles, and exosomes, were reviewed alongside considerations of scalability, regulation, and ethics. CRISPR has enabled immune checkpoint disruption (e.g., PD-1, CTLA-4), enhanced persistence, and improved multi-antigen recognition in engineered immune cells. Preclinical studies in colorectal, pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancers demonstrate improved tumor infiltration and cytotoxicity. Early clinical trials of CRISPR-edited CAR-T and TCR-T therapies show promising efficacy, while genome-wide screens identify novel regulators for patient stratification and combination therapy. CRISPR-based immunotherapies offer a paradigm shift in cancer treatment by enabling precise and programmable immune interventions. While promising preclinical and early clinical data support their potential, challenges in delivery, safety, and manufacturing remain. Future directions lie in integrating CRISPR with advanced technologies to develop safe, effective, and scalable next-generation cancer immunotherapies.

The development of sustainable and environmentally benign strategies for the synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has become a major focus of modern materials chemistry. In this study, a systematic and green approach for the aqueous synthesis of ZIF-8 nanoparticles at room temperature was investigated. The effects of critical synthesis parameters—including zinc precursor type, Hmim/Zn molar ratio, water content, and reaction time—on the structure, morphology, and crystallinity of ZIF-8 were comprehensively examined. The results revealed that each parameter plays a decisive role in determining nucleation kinetics and framework formation. Increasing the Hmim/Zn ratio and optimizing the water content promoted rapid nucleation, yielding highly crystalline rhombic dodecahedral particles. In contrast, inadequate ligand concentration or excessive dilution led to incomplete framework development. Moreover, reutilization of the mother liquor demonstrated that a significant fraction of unreacted precursors could be recovered and reused to produce phase-pure ZIF-8 with comparable crystallinity and adsorption capacity, highlighting a cost-effective and environmentally friendly route for scalable production. This systematic investigation provides valuable insights into the fundamental parameters governing green, additive-free ZIF-8 synthesis in aqueous systems.

Acridines are of considerable interest because of their diverse biological properties, including antibacterial and antiparasitic effects. Moreover, their anticancer properties have also been studied; for instance, their inhibitory activity against topoisomerases and telomerases. In this study, N-substituted decahydroacridine-1, 8-dione derivatives were synthesized via a one-pot three-component reaction of p-toluidine, dimedone, and aryl aldehyde in the presence of starch-sulfuric acid and ionic liquid [Hmim] HSO4 as catalysts. The reaction in the presence of starch-OSO3H or ionic liquid [Hmim] HSO4 provided the desired products in higher yields (73-83%) and (70-81%, respectively), and shorter reaction times.

Bactrocera dorsalis is a highly invasive polyphagous insect detected in Senegal in 2004. Due to its very rapid outbreak, its damage exceed 60% of crops if no action is taken. The aim of this research is therefore to assess the biocidal potential of Annona muricata (soursop) leaves to combat the B. dorsalis pest. To achieve this, the leaves were dried, ground, and subjected to a series of extractions using gradient solvents of increasing polarity to obtain cyclohexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts, respectively. The phytochemical study revealed a dominance of polyphenolic compounds, especially in the methanol extract, which was the only compound present in the other extracts. These organic extracts were then tested on adults of Bactrocera dorsalis, the main mango pest, to assess their insecticidal activity. The tests were conducted by spraying at three concentration levels (0.6%, 1%, and 1.5%). The data obtained were analysed using the General Linear Model procedure with Minitab 19.1.1 software, and the factors studied were: time, number of dead insects, sex, and their interactions. The results indicated that the extracts were highly effective. However, the chloroform extract showed greater efficacy in the short and medium terms with a high sensitivity in males.

This study assessed the effectiveness of calcium carbonate and clinoptilolite zeolite in removing copper ions from synthetic copper sulfate wastewater. Atomic absorption analysis was used to evaluate the performance of both adsorbents at a copper concentration of 300 mg/L at room temperature. The research focused on the impact of contact time and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption process. The results demonstrated that increasing the adsorbent dosage initially led to a significant rise in copper ion removal. However, the improvement in removal efficiency diminished beyond a dosage of 0.9 g/L. Under optimized conditions (0.3 g/L adsorbent dosage and 120 min contact time), calcium carbonate achieved a removal efficiency of 95.82%, while clinoptilolite reached 82.49%. Kinetic analysis revealed that the adsorption mechanism aligned with a pseudo-second-order model. This suggests that the rate-limiting step may involve valence forces or electron transfer between the metal ions and the adsorbent material. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis revealed that the specific surface area of the clinoptilolite was 13.631 m2/g. The findings suggest that both calcium carbonate and clinoptilolite are effective and readily available adsorbents for removing copper ions from aqueous solutions, with calcium carbonate exhibiting a slightly higher removal efficiency under the tested conditions. Calcium carbonate and clinoptilolite offer the advantages of being low-cost and readily available, making them promising candidates for wastewater treatment.