Plant proteins have been drawing increasing attention owing to their safety, abundance and relatively low cost in comparison with animal proteins. The development of plant protein-based delivery vehicles may lead to the provision of novel pharmaceutical products to patients. Zein is a class of alcohol-soluble prolamine proteins present in maize endosperm that was approved as a generally recognised as safe excipient in 1985 by the US FDA for use in pharmaceutical film coatings. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have been carried out to illustrate zein's potential for novel applications in the biomedical field. This paper reviews the present status of zein-based nanofibres, with emphasis on their fabrication and biomedical applications, particularly for drug delivery. Their benefits and limitations are also discussed to provide further insight into zein's potential as a promising biomaterial.

In this work, we mainly investigate the NH3 molecular multiphoton ionization process by using the photoelectron velocity map imaging technique. Under the condition of femtosecond laser (wavelength at 800 nm), the photoelectron images are detected. The channel switching and above-threshold ionization (ATI) effect are also confirmed. The kinetic energy spectrum (KES) and the photoelectron angular distributions (PADs) are obtained through the anti-Abel transformation from the original images, and then three ionization channels are confirmed successfully according to the Freeman resonance effect in a relatively low laser intensity region. In the excitation process, the intermediate resonance Rydberg states are C ∼ A 1 ′ 1 (6 + 2 photons process), B ∼ E ″ 1 (6 + 2 photons process) and C ∼ A 1 ′ 1 (7 + 2 photons process), respectively. At the same time, we also find that the photoelectron angular distributions are independent of laser intensity. In addition, the electrons produced by different processes interfere with each other and they can produce a spider-like structure. We also find ac-Stark movement according to the Stark-shift-induced resonance effect when the laser intensity is relatively high.

The ionization processes of NH3 molecule are studied by photoelectron velocity map imaging technique in a linearly polarized 400-nm femtosecond laser field. The two-dimensional photoelectron images from ammonia molecules under different laser intensities are obtained. In the slow electron region, the values of kinetic energy of photoelectrons corresponding to peaks 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 0.27, 0.86, 1.16, and 1.6 eV, respectively. With both the kinetic energy and angular distribution of photoelectrons from NH3 molecules, we can confirm that the two-photon excited intermediate Rydberg state is A∼1 A 2 ′ ′ ( v 2 ′ = 3 ) state for photoelectron peaks 2, 3, 4, and the three peaks are marked as 1223 (2 + 2), 1123 (2 + 2), and 1023 (2 + 2) multi-photon processes, respectively. Then, peak 1 is found by adding a hexapole between the source chamber and the detection chamber to realize the rotational state selection and beam focusing. Peak 1 is labeled as the 1323 (3 + 1) multi-photon process through the intermediate Rydberg state E ∼ 1 A 1 ′ . The phenomena of channel switching are found in the slow electron kinetic energy distributions. Our calculations and experimental results indicate that the stretching vibrational mode of ammonia molecules varies with channels, while the umbrella vibration does not. In addition, we consider and discuss the ac-Stark effect in a strong laser field. Peaks 5 and 6 are marked as (2 + 2 + 1) and (2 + 2 + 2) above threshold ionization processes in the fast electron region.

Andrographolide is a natural antibiotic that has the ability to dispel heat, detoxify, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. Recent research has shown that it can exert anti-inflammatory effects via multiple pathways and multiple targets (mediated by NF-κB, JAK/STAT, T cell receptor, and other signaling pathways). It can inhibit human lung cancer cells, colon cancer cells, osteosarcoma cells, and other tumor cells, as well as reduce bacterial virulence and inhibit virus-induced cell apoptosis. It can also regulate inflammatory mediator expression to protect the nervous system and effectively prevent mental illness. Additionally, andrographolide regulates the immune system, treats cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases, protects the liver, and the gallbladder. It is clear that andrographolide has a huge range of potential applications. The mechanism of andrographolide’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and nervous system defense in recent years have been reviewed in this article.