Purple heart plant leaves extract-mediated silver nanoparticle synthesis: Optimization by Box-Behnken design.

The present research work describes a novel method for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using purple heart plant leaves extract, which is recognized as frequently found in households as an ornamental plant. The aqueous methanolic extract of purple heart plant leaves was prepared and employed in the synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles via biological reduction method. The purple heart plant leaves extract-mediated synthesized silver nanoparticles were systematically optimized using Box-Behnken design considering the effect of various independent variables (factors) like concentration of AgNO3, temperature and volume of purple heart plant leaves extract solution on the responses like particle size and polydispersity index of synthesized silver nanoparticles were optimized. Mathematical modelling was performed using quadratic polynomial model and response surface analysis was done to understand the factor-response relationship. The synthesized silver nanoparticles at optimum condition were found to be of spherical in shape under TEM with particle size of 98 nm and polydispersity index of 0.15. Optimized silver nanoparticles were further characterized through UV-VIS spectrophotometry, FTIR spectroscopy and TEM imaging studies. Also, the silver nanoparticles were evaluated for antibacterial activity on E. coli and S. aureus. In a nutshell, the studies construed successful synthesis of silver nanoparticles along with thorough understanding of the associated factors influencing their quality characteristics and significantly improved antibacterial activity as beneficial effect.

Extraction and characterization of cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) gum; use in aceclofenac dental pastes.

In the current work, the usefulness of extracted cashew tree gum (CG) as pharmaceutical excipient in dental pastes containing aceclofenac (AC) for the pain management in the periodontitis treatment was investigated. CG was extracted from crude exudate of cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale, family: Anacardiaceae) (yield 19.22%). Physicochemical characteristics like colour, odour, taste, solubility, pH and viscosity of extracted CG were estimated; the phytochemical identification tests indicated the presence of carbohydrates and mucilage within it. It was also characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and 1H NMR analyses. Using the extracted CG (as natural mucoadhesive polymer) with calcium carbonate (abrasive agent), glycerin (humectant and cosolvent), methyl paraben (preservative), sodium lauryl sulfate (surfactant) and camphor (flavoring agent), 1% w/w AC dental pastes was formulated via conventional trituration. The drug contents, viscosities and pHs, tube extrudabilities and tube spreadabilities of these dental pastes were observed within permissible ranges. The dental pastes demonstrated sustained AC releasing over 6 h, in vitro and also revealed good adhesion to the oral mucosal membrane. These 1% w/w AC dental pastes can be used in the effectual management of dental inflammation and pain through local delivery of AC over a prolonged in the periodontitis treatment.

Isolation and characterization of Linum usitatisimum polysaccharide to prepare mucoadhesive beads of diclofenac sodium.

The present research deals with the usefulness of isolated linseed polysaccharide (LP) as polymeric-blends with an anionic polymer, sodium alginate to prepare ionotropically cross-linking gelled mucoadhesive beads for controlled drug release. From the mature and ripe linseeds (Linum usitatisimum; family Linaceae), LP was isolated and its colour, odour, taste, solubility in water, pH and viscosity were studied. Isolated LP was also characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and 1H NMR analyses. LP­calcium alginate beads loaded with diclofenac sodium were formulated via ionotropically crosslinking gelation method using calcium chloride as ionotropic crosslinker. These ionotropically crosslinked beads showed diclofenac sodium encapsulation efficiencies in these newly prepared beads were 60.78 ±â€¯2.47 to 93.16 ±â€¯4.08% and average bead-sizes of 1.17 ±â€¯0.10 to 1.33 ±â€¯0.12 mm. All LP­calcium alginate beads loaded with diclofenac sodium demonstrated a sustained drug releasing profile over 8 h with a zero-order model of drug releasing (controlled drug releasing pattern). The LP­calcium alginate beads loaded with diclofenac sodium displayed a pH responsive swelling and excellent biomucoadhesivity prospective with the intestinal mucosal tissue in both the acidic and alkaline pH (pH 1.2 and 7.4, respectively). These beads were also characterized by SEM and FTIR spectroscopy.