Phytoremediation of heavy metals spiked soil by Celosia argentea L.: effect on plant growth and metal stabilization.

Soil contaminated with heavy metals cause serious threat to the soil quality, biota, and human. The removal or stabilization of heavy metals through plants is an environment friendly approach. The aim of study was to assess the potential of Celosia argentea L. for the phytoremediation of heavy metals contaminated soil. Soil was spiked with different levels (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg) of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and Zn (Zn). Experiment was carried out in greenhouse and impact of heavy metals was evaluated on plant by assessing the germination rate and plant growth. To evaluate either plant has potential to extract/stabilize the heavy metals, concentration in roots and shoot, translocation factor (TF), bioconcentration factor (BCF), and bioaccumulation factor (BAF) were determined. Application of heavy metals significantly affected the germination rate and minimum (26.6%) was observed in Cr spiked soil (400 mg/kg). Moreover, the biomass of C. argentea was also affected by the application of heavy metals. However, the concentration of heavy metals in roots and shoots were low. The BCF and BAF of C. argentea was lower than 1 except at lower levels of Pb and Zn, but the TF was greater than 1. The TF showed that plants have capability to transfer heavy metals to shoots once they are taken up by roots. However, based on the BCF and concentrations of heavy metals in shoots, it is evident that plant could play important role in the phytostabilization of heavy metals polluted soil.

Investigation of the treatment potential of Raloxifene-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in osteoporosis: In-vitro and in-vivo analyses.

Osteoporosis (OP), is a systemic bone disorder associated with low bone mass and bone tissue corrosion. Worsening of the disease condition leads to bone delicacy and fracture. Various drugs are available for the treatment of OP, however they have limitations including poor solubility, bioavailability and toxicity. Herein, Raloxifene-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (RLX-PNPs) were developed and investigated for the treatment of OP with possible solutions to the above mentioned problems. RLX-PNPs were prepared by modified ionic gelation method followed by determining their particle properties. FTIR, DSC and PXRD analysis of the RLX-PNPs were performed to check chemical interaction, thermal behavior and crystallinity, respectively. In-vitro release profile of RLX-PNPs was checked in lab setting, whereas its pharmacokinetics was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats, in-vivo. Finally, the treatment potential of RLX-PNPs was analyzed in OP induced animal model. The optimized PNPs formulation indicated 134.5 nm particle size, +24.4 mV charge and 91.73% % EE. TEM analysis showed spherical and uniform sized particles with no interactions observed in FTIR analysis. In-vitro release of RLX from RLX-PNPs showed more sustained release behavior as compared to RLX-suspension. Moreover, pharmacokinetic investigations showed a significantly enhanced bioavailability of the RLX-PNPs as well as reduced serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and calcium in OP induced rats when compared with RLX-Suspension after oral administration. Findings of this study suggested that the developed RLX-PNPs have the potential to treat OP due to sustained release and improved bioavailability of the incorporated drug.

Metformin HCl-loaded transethosomal gel; development, characterization, and antidiabetic potential evaluation in the diabetes-induced rat model.

Herein we designed, optimized, and characterized the Metformin Hydrochloride Transethosomes (MTF-TES) and incorporate them into Chitosan gel to develop Metformin Hydrochloride loaded Transethosomal gel (MTF-TES gel) that provides a sustained release, improved transdermal flux and improved antidiabetic response of MTF. Design Expert® software (Ver. 12, Stat-Ease, USA) was applied for the statistical optimization of MTF-TES. The formulation with Mean Particle Size Distribution (MPSD) of 165.4 ± 2.3 nm, Zeta Potential (ZP) of -21.2 ± 1.9 mV, Polydispersity Index (PDI) of 0.169 ± 0.033, and MTF percent Entrapment Efficiency (%EE) of 89.76 ± 4.12 was considered to be optimized. To check the chemical incompatibility among the MTF and other formulation components, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed and demonstrated with no chemical interaction. Surface morphology, uniformity, and segregation were evaluated through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). It was revealed that the nanoparticles were spherical and round in form with intact borders. The fabricated MTF-TES has shown sustained release followed by a more pronounced effect in MTF-TES gel as compared to the plain MTF solution (MTFS) at a pH of 7.4. The MTF-TES has shown enhanced permeation followed by MTF-TES gel as compared to the MTFS at a pH of 7.4. In vivo antidiabetic assay was performed and results have shown improved antidiabetic potential of the MTF-TES gel, in contrast to MTF-gel. Conclusively, MTF-TES is a promising anti-diabetic candidate for transdermal drug delivery that can provide sustained MTF release and enhanced antidiabetic effect.

Scutellaria petiolata Hemsl. ex Lace & Prain (Lamiaceae).: A New Insight in Biomedical Therapies.

The recent investigation was designed to explore Scutellaria petiolata Hemsl. ex Lace & Prain (Lamiaceae) whole plant in various extracts (methanol (SPM), dichloromethane (SPDCM), n-Hexane (SPNH), and aqueous (SPAQ) for a phytochemicals assessment, ESI-LC-MS chemical analysis, in vitro antimicrobials, and antioxidants and in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential. The qualitative detection shows that all the representative groups were present in the analyzed samples. The examined samples display the greatest amount of total flavonoid content (TFC, 78.2 ± 0.22 mg QE/mg) and total phenolic contents (TPC, 66.2 ± 0.33 mg GAE/g) in the SPM extract. The SPM extract proceeded to the ESI-LC-MS to identify the chemical constituents that presented nineteen bioactive ingredients, depicted for the first time from S. petiolata mainly contributed by flavonoids. The analyzed samples produced considerable capability to defy the microbes. The SPM extract was observed effective and offered an appreciable zone of inhibition (ZOI), 17.8 ± 0.04 mm against the bacterial strain Salmonellatyphi and 18.8 ± 0.04 mm against Klebsiella pneumonia. Moreover, the SPM extract also exhibited 19.4 ± 0.01 mm against the bacterial strains Bacillus atrophaeus and 18.8 ± 0.04 mm against Bacillus subtilis in comparison to the standard levofloxacin (Gram-negative) and erythromycin (Gram-positive) bacterial strains that displayed 23.6 ± 0.02 mm and 23.2 ± 0.05 mm ZOI, correspondingly. In addition to that, the SPD fraction was noticed efficiently against the fungal strains used with ZOI 19.07 ± 0.02 mm against Aspergillus parasiticus and 18.87 ± 0.04 mm against the Aspergillus niger as equated to the standard with 21.5 ± 0.02 mm ZOI. In the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) analysis, the SPM extract had the maximum scavenging capacity with IC50 of 78.75 ± 0.19 µg/mL succeeded by the SPDCM fraction with an IC50 of 140.50 ± 0.20 µg/mL free radicals scavenging potential. Through the ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay, the similar extract (SPM) presented an IC50 = 85.91 ± 0.24 µg/mL followed by the SPDCM fractions with IC50 = 182.50 ± 0.35 µg/mL, and n-Hexane fractions were reported to be the least active between the tested samples in comparison to ascorbic acid of IC50 = 67.14 ± 0.25 µg/mL for DPPH and IC50 of 69.96 ± 0.18 µg/mL for ABTS assay. In the in vivo activities, the SPM extract was the most effective with 55.14% inhibition as compared to diclofenac sodium with 70.58% inhibition against animals. The same SPM crude extract with 50.88% inhibition had the most analgesic efficacy as compared to aspirin having 62.19% inhibition. Hence, it was assumed from our results that all the tested samples, especially the SPM and SPDCM extracts, have significant capabilities for the investigated activities that could be due to the presence of the bioactive compounds. Further research is needed to isolate the responsible chemical constituents to produce innovative medications.

Taxonomic investigation of selected rust fungi using scanning electron microscopy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Rusts comprises the largest natural group of plant pathogens including approximately 8% of all described Fungi. Rust fungi are extremely plant pathogens responsible for great losses to agriculture productivity. Rust species belong to several genera among which more than half are Puccinia species. In Pakistan, rust causes severe damage to agriculture crops. Current study was carried out to identify and characterize different rust species common in the research area through microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Morpho-anatomical investigation of each collected rust species was carried out using different standard protocols. The dimensions of spores were measured and snapped under a stereomicroscope. SEM was used to examine the shape, size, and ornamentation of the spores of each rust fungus. Results revealed documentation of seven rust fungi, that is, Melampsora euphorbiae, Phragmidium barclayi, Puccinia nepalensis, P. exhausta, P. menthae, Uromyces capitatus, and Uromyces decorates belong to four different genera, were recorded. SEM revealed that spermogonia and Aecia were missing in most of the rust fungus studied. Uredinia was found in a scattered, irregular, lengthy, and epidermis-enclosed form. Urediniospores were found to be ovulating, elongated, echinulate, globose to sub-globose, ellipsoid to ovoid, and globose to sub-globose. Telia was found as sub-epidermal, amphigenous, dispersed, minute, and spherical cells. Teliospores ranged in form from cylindrical to oblong. The germ pores were detected in both apical (top cell) and basal (bottom cell) idiosyncratic and pedicel-attached cells. The techniques used in the current investigation will aid mycologists in rust identification and microscopic characterization.

Phyto-ecological studies and distribution pattern of plant species and communities of Dhirkot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.

Plant species represent the hierarchical expression of vegetation as it is affected by various environmental gradients. We explored the plant species composition, distribution pattern, communities formation and their respective indicators under the influence of various environmental factors in the Dhirkot region, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It was hypothesized that different environmental factors were responsible for the formation of various plant communities each with a distinct indicator. Quantitative ecological techniques were used for the sampling of vegetation. A total of 114 quadrats were established in 13 selected sampling sites. Phytosociological attributes were calculated for each plant species at each quadrat. Soil samples were collected and analyzed using different standard protocols. All the collected data were analyzed using Cluster Analysis, Indicator Species Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis of PCORD and CANOCO software, respectively. A total of 145 plant species were recorded belong to 62 different families. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the dominant families, represented by 12 species each (8.27%). Cluster Analysis classify all the stations and plants into four major plant communities as 1) Olea-Desmodium-Prunilla community. 2) Abies-Zanthoxylum-Pteracanthus community 3) Cedrus-Elaeagnus-Hypericum community 4) Alnus-Myrsine-Ranunculus community. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil saturation, organic matter and altitude were the significant environmental factors that play its essential role in the plant species distribution, composition, formation of major plant communities and their respective indicators in the region. It is recommended that the identified indicator and rare plant species of the investigated area can further be grown for conservation and management purposes in in-situ environment.

Seed morphology using SEM techniques for identification of useful grasses in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan.

In recent study, 15 taxa of family Poaceae from Dera Ghazi Khan were investigated for morphological characterization of seeds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to study morphological features of grass seeds. Moreover, economic importance of studied taxa has been discussed in present research. Grass seeds or caryopsis were collected in their mature state from different areas of Dera Ghazi Khan. Collected caryopses were subjected to SEM to investigate surface sculpture, epidermal cell shape, and cell wall patterns. Caryopsis shape observed was elliptic to oval. Also, the morphology of plant is being investigated. Cell wall pattern observed was straight and wavy. Surface sculpturing varies from smooth to reticulate. Epidermal cell shape was either wavy or irregular. Hilum position is terminal in all species. Epidermal cell structure and cell wall pattern was not observable in some species. Major variations among studied taxa were observed in terms of seed surface pattern. Five types of caryopsis surface pattern were observed namely, striate, smooth, reticulate, papillate, and granulate. Investigated taxa illustrated variations in terms of studied morphological features. Utilization of SEM has been proved very helpful in exploring seed morphological features. These observed features can aid in delimitation and identification of various grass taxa. Recent research recommends the utilization of SEM for caryopsis morphology to solve the identification issue of problematic grass genera.

Taxonomic significance of cypsela morphology in tribe Cichoreae (Asteraceae) using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

The current study deals with the detailed morphology investigation of eight Cypsela species belonging to tribe Cichoreae. The different Cypsela types were described, explained, compared, and their taxonomic significance is discussed in detail. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been used to highlight quantitative and qualitative characters of underestudied species. Cypsela exhibit great diversity in macro and micromorphological features such as shape, color, length, width, anticlinal and periclinal wall patterns, surface patterns, epicuticular projections. Majority of Cypsela species were brownish in color and their size ranges from 2.16 to 3.98 mm in length and 1.16 to 0.82 mm in breadth. A great diversity in Cypsela shapes like oblanceolate to obovate, obovoid to cylindrical, obvate, narrowly lanceolate were observed. Most of the platelets having epicuticular projections were observed. The surface pattern on the cypsela surface varied from rugose papillate, verrucose papillate, and striated. On the basis of considerable variations observed, the present study can assist as useful constraints at various taxonomic levels. The aim of the present study is to provide a comprehensive description of the Cypsela morphology and to determine the extent to which these micro morphological data can be used as a taxonomic character to delineate various taxa belonging to the tribe Cichoreae.

Microscopic and phytochemical techniques as a tool for authentication of herbal drug chiraita: Swertia cordata (G. Don) C.B. Clarke.

Swertia cordata (G. Don) C.B. Clarke is one of the potential medicinal plants extensively used in eastern traditional medicine such as Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha, and in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine. S. paniculata is the common adulterant of S. cordata at herbal shops and markets but S. paniculata is also used in number of herbal formulations. The present study was conducted to use microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical techniques as a tool for the authentication of herbal drug chiraita (S. cordata). In herbal markets, mixing, adulteration, and use of spurious materials as substitute have become a major concern for herbal practitioners, local user, and industry for reasons of safety and efficacy. Therefore, authentication of medicinal plants is of utmost importance at each level of drug research. In the present study, anatomical features of two species showed a great diversity, as irregular epidermal cells and nonglandular, unicellular trichomes were found in S. cordata while in S. paniculata epidermal cells were hexagonal in shape and trichomes were A-shaped. Antioxidant activity of two species showed a great variation where IC50 value recorded for S. cordata was 208 µg/mL, while for S. paniculata IC50 was 624 µg/mL. The study can serve as an important source of information to achieve the authenticity and to evaluate the quality and purity of the plant material in accordance to WHO guidelines. As this species is greatly exploited, so conservation is highly recommended.