Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract: Promising Particles for the Treatment of Cancer and Diabetes.

Both diabetes and cancer pose significant threats to public health. To overcome these challenges, nanobiotechnology offers innovative solutions for the treatment of these diseases. However, the synthesis of nanoparticles can be complex, costly and environmentally toxic. Therefore, in this study, we successfully synthesized Camellia sinensis silver nanoparticles (CS-AgNPs) biologically from methanolic leaf extract of C. sinensis and as confirmed by the visual appearance which exhibited strong absorption at 456 nm in UV-visible spectroscopy. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that phytochemicals of C. sinensis were coated with AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the spherical shape of CS-AgNPs, with a size of 15.954 nm, while X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD) analysis detected a size of 20.32 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated the thermal stability of CS-AgNPs. The synthesized CS-AgNPs significantly inhibited the ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell growth with 53.42±1.101 %. The EAC cell line induced mice exhibited increased level of the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), however this elevated serum parameter significantly reduced and controlled by the treatment with CS-AgNPs. Moreover, in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model, CS-AgNPs greatly reduced blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and creatinine levels. These findings highlight that the synthesized CS-AgNPs have significant anticancer and antidiabetic activities that could be used as promising particles for the treatment of these major diseases. However, pre-clinical and clinical trial should be addressed before use this particles as therapeutics agents.

Unveiling Neuroprotective Potential of Spice Plant-Derived Compounds against Alzheimer's Disease: Insights from Computational Studies.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a serious threat to the global health care system and is brought on by a series of factors that cause neuronal dysfunction and impairment in memory and cognitive decline. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals that belong to the ten regularly used spice plants, based on their binding affinity with AD-associated proteins. Comprehensive docking studies were performed using AutoDock Vina in PyRx followed by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations using AMBER 14. The docking study of the chosen molecules revealed the binding energies of their interactions with the target proteins, while MD simulations were carried out to verify the steadiness of bound complexes. Through the Lipinski filter and admetSAR analysis, the chosen compounds' pharmacokinetic characteristics and drug likeness were also examined. The pharmacophore mapping study was also done and analyzed for best selected molecules. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to examine how the general motion of the protein changed. The results showed quercetin and myricetin to be potential inhibitors of AChE and alpha-amyrin and beta-chlorogenin to be potential inhibitors of BuChE, exhibiting best binding energies comparable to those of donepezil, used as a positive control. The multiple descriptors from the simulation study, root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), hydrogen bond, radius of gyration (Rg), and solvent-accessible surface areas (SASA), confirm the stable nature of the protein-ligand complexes. Molecular mechanic Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) binding free energy calculations indicated the energetically favorable binding of the ligands to the protein. Finally, according to pharmacokinetic properties and drug likeness, characteristics showed that quercetin and myricetin for AChE and alpha-amyrin and beta-chlorogenin for BuChE were found to be the most effective agents for treating the AD.

Molecular docking and dynamics simulation approach of Camellia sinensis leaf extract derived compounds as potential cholinesterase inhibitors.

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) belongs to the family Theaceae and contains many phytochemicals that are effective against various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we aimed to characterize the phytochemicals present in the methanolic and n-hexane leaf extracts of C. sinensis using GC-MS, FTIR, and UV-visible analysis. We detected a total of 19 compounds of different chemical classes. We also performed molecular docking studies using the GC-MS detected phytochemicals, targeting acetylcholinesterase (AChE, PBD ID: 4BDT) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, PDB ID: 6QAB), which are responsible for the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). This breakdown leads to dementia and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. The compounds Ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol, (3.beta.,5.alpha.,22E)- and Benzene, 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) showed better binding affinity against AChE, while dl-.alpha.-Tocopherol and Ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol, (3.beta.,5.alpha.,22E)- showed better binding affinity against BChE. We determined the stability and rigidity of these best docked complexes through molecular dynamics simulation for a period of 100 ns. All complexes showed stability in terms of SASA, Rg, and hydrogen bonds, but some variations were found in the RMSD values. Our ADMET analysis revealed that all lead compounds are non-toxic. Therefore, these compounds could be potential inhibitors of AChE and BChE.

Evaluation of Adenanthera pavonina-derived compounds against diabetes mellitus: insight into the phytochemical analysis and in silico assays.

Adenanthera pavonina is a medicinal plant with numerous potential secondary metabolites showing a significant level of antidiabetic activity. The objective of the current study was to identify potential phytochemicals from the methanolic leaf extract of Adenanthera pavonina as therapeutic agents against diabetes mellitus using GC-MS and in silico methods. The GC-MS analysis of the leaf extract revealed a total of 17 phytochemicals. Molecular docking was performed using these phytochemicals, targeting the mutated insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (5hhw), which inhibits glucose uptake by cells. Diazoprogesterone (-9.2 kcal/mol), 2,4,4,7a-Tetramethyl-1-(3-oxobutyl)octahydro-1H-indene-2-carboxylic acid (-6.9 kcal/mol), and 2-Naphthalenemethanol, decahydro-.alpha.,.alpha.,4a-trimethyl-8-methylene-, [2R-(2.alpha.,4a.alpha.,8a.beta.)] (-6.6 kcal/mol) exhibited better binding with the target protein. The ADMET analysis was performed for the top three compounds with the best docking scores, which showed positive results with no observed toxicity in the AMES test. Furthermore, the molecular dynamics study confirmed the favorable binding of Diazoprogesterone, 2,4,4,7a-Tetramethyl-1-(3-oxobutyl)octahydro-1H-indene-2-carboxylic acid and 2-Naphthalenemethanol, decahydro-.alpha.,.alpha.,4a-trimethyl-8-methylene-, [2R-(2.alpha.,4a.alpha.,8a.beta.)] with the receptor throughout the 100 ns simulation period.

Progress in biohythane production from microalgae-wastewater sludge co-digestion: An integrated biorefinery approach.

Recent advances in microalgae to biohythane (bio-H2 and bio-CH4) conversion have achieved growing attention due to their eco-friendly and energy-efficient nature. Although microalgae are considered a potential 3rd - 4th generation biomass, their low C/N ratio and cell-wall biopolymers are challenging for biohythane production. This study emphasizes the solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of microalgae-based biohythane production using co-digestion with wastewater sludge. Wastewater sludge, an emerging environmental concern, is reviewed to be an effective co-substrate with microalgae to establish a biorefinery approach. The future trends and prospects of this biorefinery approach is critically reviewed to attain a profitable process. This study also reviewed the advantages of microalgae-wastewater co-cultivation and the application of activated sludge for bio-flocculation as a cost-effective solution for microalgae cultivation and harvesting. Microalgae-wastewater co-cultivation is also recommended to be effective for biohythane purification. The liquid digestate is suggested to be used as a culture media to enhance microalgal growth; whereas, the solid digestate could be transformed into resources through hydrothermal processes as a solution of digestate management. A practical biorefinery approach combining the synergistic benefits of microalgae-wastewater sludge and its biological conversion to biohythane would be an adjoining link to the beginning of a sustainable future.

Molecular identification and biological control of Ralstonia solanacearum from wilt of papaya by natural compounds and Bacillus subtilis: An integrated experimental and computational study.

Ralstonia solanacearum is a harmful pathogen that causes severe wilt disease in several vegetables. In the present study, we identified R. solanacearum from wilt of papaya by 16S rRNA PCR amplification. Virulence ability of R. solanacearum was determined by amplification of approximately 1500 bp clear band of hrpB gene. Further, in-vitro seed germination assay showed that R. solanacearum reduced the germination rate up to 26.21%, 34% and 33.63% of cucumber, bottle guard and pumpkin seeds, respectively whereas shoot and root growth were also significantly decreased. Moreover, growth inhibition of R. solanacearum was recorded using antibacterial compound from medicinal plant and antagonistic B. subtilis. Petroleum ether root extract of Rauvolfia serpentina showed highest 22 ± 0.04 mm diameter of zone of inhibition where methanolic extract of Cymbopogon citratus and ethanolic extract of Lantana camara exhibited 20 ± 0.06 mm and 20 ± 0.01 mm zone of inhibition against R. solanacearum, respectively. In addition, bioactive compounds of B. subtilis inhibited R. solanacearum growth by generating 17 ± 0.09 mm zone of inhibition. To unveil the inhibition mechanism, we adopted chemical-protein interaction network and molecular docking approaches where we found that, rutin from C. citratus interacts with citrate (Si)-synthase and dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase of R. solanacearum with binding affinity of -9.7 kcal/mol and -9.5 kcal/mol while quercetin from B. subtillis interacts with the essential protein F0F1 ATP synthase subunit alpha of the R. solancearum with binding affinity of -6.9 kcal/mol and inhibit the growth of R. solanacearum. Our study will give shed light on the development of eco-friendly biological control of wilt disease of papaya.

A simplistic approach of algal biofuels production from wastewater using a Hybrid Anaerobic Baffled Reactor and Photobioreactor (HABR-PBR) System.

The current technologies of algal biofuels production and wastewater treatment (e.g., aerobic) process are still in question, due to the significant amount of fresh water and nutrients requirements for microalgae cultivation, and negative energy balance in both processes, especially when considered in the context of developing counties around the world. In this research, a simplistic sustainable approach of algal biofuels production from wastewater was proposed using a Hybrid Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (HABR) and Photobioreactor (PBR) system. The study suggests that the HABR was capable of removing most of the organic and solid (>90% COD and TSS removal) from wastewater, and produced a healthy feedstock (high N: P = 3:1) for microalgae cultivation in PBRs for biofuels production. A co-culture of Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella sorokiniana, and Scenedesmus simris002 showed high lipid content up to 44.1%; and the dominant FAMEs composition (C16-C18) of 87.9% in produced biofuels. Perhaps, this proposed low-cost technological approach (e.g., HABR-PBR system) would connect the currently broken link of sustainable bioenergy generation and wastewater treatment pathway for developing countries.

Performance comparison of uninsulated and insulated hybrid anaerobic baffled reactor (HABR) operating at warm temperature.

In this research, a hybrid anaerobic baffled reactor (HABR) configuration was proposed consisting of a front sedimentation chamber and four regular baffled chambers followed by two floated filter media chambers for the treatment of domestic wastewater. Performance comparison of uninsulated and insulated HABRs was carried out operating at warm temperature (18.6-37.6 °C) under variable HRTs (30 h and 20 h). The study suggests that almost similar chemical oxygen demand (91% vs 88%), total suspended solids (90% vs 95%), turbidity (98% vs 97%), and volatile suspended solids (90% vs 93%) removal efficiencies were obtained for uninsulated and insulated HABRs. Higher removal of total nitrogen (TN) of 41%, NH4 +-N of 44%, and NO3 --N of 91% were achieved by the insulated HABR compared to TN of 37%, NH4 +-N of 36%, and NO3 --N of 84% by the uninsulated HABR, whereas lower PO4 3- removal efficiency of 17% was found in the insulated HABR compared to 24% in the uninsulated HABR. This indicated insulation increased nitrogen removal efficiencies by 4% for TN, 8% for NH4 +-N and 7% for NO3 --N, but decreased PO4 3-removal efficiency by 7%.

Hydrodynamic performance of a hybrid anaerobic baffled reactor (HABR): effects of number of chambers, hydraulic retention time, and influent temperature.

Hydrodynamic performance of a biological reactor is an important design concern since it directly affects the treatment efficiency. In this research, a hybrid anaerobic baffled reactor (HABR) was proposed with improved design concepts and principles. The HABR consisted of a front sedimentation chamber, four regular baffled chambers followed by two floated filter media chambers. The effects of operating variables 5-20 hr hydraulic retention time (HRT) and 10-40 °C of influent temperature, as well as their interactive effects, on the hydrodynamic behaviour were investigated by residence time distributions study and response surface methodology. The study suggests that the hydrodynamic performance is greatly influenced by the number of chambers in the reactor rather than HRT and influent temperature. The influence of HRT and feed temperature were mainly observed on the front chambers (1-4) rather than rear chambers (5-7). The optimum reactor performance - low dead space (<10%), excellent hydraulic efficiency (>0.75), and intermediate mixing pattern (Peclet number > 10) - were achieved using the proposed HABR with more than five chambers.