Systematic approach to the correct identification of Asplenium dalhousiae (Aspleniaceae) with their medicinal uses.

In present study, multiple microscope techniques were used for the systematics identification of the species Asplenium dalhousiae. The plant was collected from different phytogeographical and its natural habitat of Pakistan, where it shows higher diversity. Morphology, foliar epidermal anatomy, and spore morphological characters of the species were studied in detailed using multiple microscopic techniques through light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). LM and SEM were used for the systematics identification of the species. Traditionally, the species is used in the ailment of many diseases, so the spore morphology, anatomical features, and morphological characters are relevant to describe the species taxonomy. The importance of multiple methods of taxonomic study (e.g., documentation and morphological characteristics) for characterizing herbs are important step in systematic certification to maintain the efficacy of herbal medicines. The aim of the present study is to examine the morphological, anatomical, and spore morphology of the species A. dalhousiae in more detailed for the correct taxonomic identification and their medicinal validation from Pakistan.

Synthesis, characterization and use of iron oxide nano particles for antibacterial activity.

In this decade, the use of nano particles (NPs) against bacterial growth is increasing day by day due to remarkable alternative properties compared to molecular antibiotics. Thus, the use of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) has proven one of the most important transition metals oxide-based remedy in nanotechnological advances and biological applications due to enriched biocompatibility of iron. In this study synthesis of IONPs was carried out via co-precipitation method. The crystallographic morphology of the synthesized particles was studied via X-ray diffraction which revealed cubic structure of the particles, whereas, the spinal shaped morphology of the prepared NPs was confirmed from scanning electron microscopy. Likewise, the presence of the major elements in the sample was determined through energy dispersive X-ray analysis characterization. Bactericidal effect of the NPs was assessed at pre-defined concentrations (50 and 100 µg/ml) against Gram +ve bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Gram -ve bacteria Shigella dysentry and Escherichia coli. Bacterial strains, which demonstrate the potential of NPs. The purpose of this study was assessing the structure of the synthesized NPs for protective effect against harmful bacterial activity.

A light and scanning electron microscopic diagnosis of leaf epidermal morphology and its systematic implications in Dryopteridaceae: Investigating 12 Pakistani taxa.

Dryopteris and Polystichum are the 2 complex taxonomic genera of Dryopteridaceae. The comparative foliar epidermal anatomy of 12 species of both genera from Pakistan were studied using standard protocols of light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The objective of which was systematic comparison and investigation to elucidate the taxonomic importance of foliar micromorphology, which may be useful to taxonomists for identifying complex Dryopteridaceae taxa. Principal component analysis and UPGMA clustering analysis were performed to test the validity of leaf anatomical features as method of separating species and genera. The foliar epidermal anatomy described here is a good source of taxonomic characters in both groups that can help genera and species delimitation. This is the first report on leaf micromorphology in most of these species. Observation of foliar anatomy showed that stomata are only present on the abaxial surface; i.e., leaves of all species are hypostomatic. The shapes of epidermal cells in all studied species are irregular. The anticlinal walls are strongly lobed, irregular wavy and elongated wavy. However, substantial variation in epidermal cell size and other stomatal features were observed on both upper and lower surfaces in all investigated species. Two types of stomata were observed in all studied species. The presence of polocytic stomata in Dryopteris and staurocytic stomata in Polystichum are the important characters for the segregation of these genera. Elongate elliptic stomatal shape, narrow kidney shaped guard cells and broad elliptic shaped stomatal pores are diagnostic for all five species of Dryopteris selected. On the other hand, size and number of epidermal cells, lobes per cell, stomatal size, subsidiary cell size, stomatal pore size and stomatal index are the key features for species differentiation in Polystichum. An identification key was developed in order to apply the foliar anatomical characters in the discrimination of the species studied.