Three-dimensional flowerlike nickel cobalt sulfide (NiCo 2 S 4 ) nanostructures are electrochemically deposited over the Ni-modified cellulose filter paper (CFP). The fabricated NiCo 2 S 4 /Ni/CFP is explored as a binder-free and self-standing electrode for enzyme-free electrochemical detection of glucose in alkaline media, in which Ni/CFP and NiCo 2 S 4 serve as the current collector and active material, respectively. Owing to the rich redox active sites, synergistic effect between Co 4+ and Ni 3+ , and rapid electron transportation tuned with the substitution of sulfur (S) with oxygen labile functional group, NiCo 2 S 4 /Ni/CFP exhibits considerable enzyme-free glucose-sensing performance with wide linear glucose concentration ranging from 0.5 μM to 6 mM, high sensitivity of 283 μA mM −1 cm −2 , and low detection limit of 50 nM. The developed NiCo 2 S 4 /Ni/CFP's sensing performances are reproducible, stable, and highly selective toward the analyte of interest in physiological interfering species. Thus, the self-standing, binder-free, inexpensive, easily disposable, and facile electrode fabrication process proposed in this study opens a new paradigm architecture for the development of efficient electrochemical sensor devices with affordable cost.

The Langmuir-Blodgett method has always been traditionally utilized in the deposition of two-dimensional structures. In this work, however, we employed the method to deposit three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide layers using an unconventional protocol for the first time. This was achieved by carrying out the dipping process after the collapse pressure or breaking point, which results in the formation of a highly porous three-dimensional surface topography. By varying the number of deposition layers, the porosity could be optimized from nanometer to micrometer dimensions. Employed as bioelectrodes, these three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide layers may allow improved adhesion and biocompatibility compared to the conventional two-dimensional surfaces. A larger number of pores also improves the mass transport of materials and therefore increases the charge-sustaining capacity and sensitivity. This could ultimately improve the performance of biofuel cells and other electrode-based systems.

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Despite the progressive advances, current standards of treatments for peripheral nerve injury do not guarantee complete recovery. Thus, alternative therapeutic interventions should be considered. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are widely explored for their therapeutic value, but their potential use in peripheral nerve regeneration is underappreciated. The present systematic review, designed according to guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols, aims to present and discuss the current literature on the neuroregenerative potential of CAMs, focusing on plants or herbs, mushrooms, decoctions, and their respective natural products. The available literature on CAMs associated with peripheral nerve regeneration published up to 2020 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. According to current literature, the neuroregenerative potential of Achyranthes bidentata, Astragalus membranaceus, Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, and Hericium erinaceus are the most widely studied. Various CAMs enhanced proliferation and migration of Schwann cells in vitro, primarily through activation of MAPK pathway and FGF-2 signaling, respectively. Animal studies demonstrated the ability of CAMs to promote peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery, which are partially associated with modulations of neurotrophic factors, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and anti-apoptotic signaling. This systematic review provides evidence for the potential use of CAMs in the management of peripheral nerve injury.

Background: In neurological diseases, neuronal loss is frequently associated with overproduction of free radicals and reduced level of endogenous neurotrophic factors. The blue-green microalga, Spirulina platensis is a well-known superfood with a high content of diverse nutrients and possesses several therapeutic properties. Here, we aimed to study the neuritogenic and antioxidant activities of Spirulina platensis UMACC 159. Materials and Methods: PC-12Adh (rat pheochromocytoma) cell was used to investigate the cytotoxicity effect of S. platensis UMACC 159 extracts (water, methanol, and ethanol) via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Neuritogenic activity of the extracts towards PC-12Adh cell line was studied using neurite outgrowth assay and immunofluorescence imaging of neurofilaments. The extracts were screened for the phytochemical contents, and antioxidant activities using 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-Diphenyl-1pircrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power. Results: Ethanol extract was found to exhibit the highest neuritogenic effect and enhanced the cytoskeleton formation in PC-12Adh cells at 6.25 µg/mL. Ethanol extract also showed the highest total phenolic content (49.09 ± 1.35 mg GAE/g), ABTS (EC 50 of 1.34 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and DPPH (EC 50 of 0.45 ± 0.04 mg/mL) scavenging activities (P ≤ 0.05), suggesting that the neuritogenic effect of ethanol extract was attributed to the phenolic compound(s) via antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Ethanol extract contains bioactive compound(s) with similar neuritogenic activity as nerve growth factor for neuronal survival, growth, and axonal regeneration. S. platensis has been proposed as a promising cognitive supplement.