Recent advancement in functional properties and toxicity assessment of plant-derived bioactive peptides using bioinformatic approaches.

Nowadays, biopeptides have gained considerable interest by the food industries, given their potent biological effect on health. BPs, when released from the sequence of their precursors by proteolytic enzymes, improved the various physiological functions of the body. Diabetic and hypertension are the two most common life-threatening diseases linked to dietary patterns. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (hypertension-responsible glycoprotein) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) (proline-specific dimeric aminopeptidase) have been widely used as molecular target sites of action of bioactive compounds possessing antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects. Although, BPs possess considerable biological properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulating, antiproliferative, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive effects), most of them possess inherent lacunae such as toxicity, allergenicity, bitterness, and lack of detailed mechanistic investigation, limiting their commercial application. The present review provides an overview on various sources of bioactive peptides, conventional and modern methods of extraction, and challenges that need to be addressed before its commercial application. In addition, bioinformatics' role in exploring the functional properties of biopeptides (ACE and DPP-IV inhibitory effects) toxicity, the target site of action with special reference to plant-based peptides, and recent burgeoning proficiencies in biopeptide research have been discussed.

Assessing the efficacy of chitosan nanomatrix incorporated with Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf essential oil against the food-borne molds and aflatoxin B1 production in food system.

The chitosan nanomatrix incorporated with Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (Ne-CcEO) possess enhanced efficacy against the food-borne molds and aflatoxin B1 production compared to free essential oil. The CcEO was encapsulated inside the chitosan nanomatrix with an average size 147.41 ± 16.18 nm and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction assay. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were ranged between (41.68-76.78%) and (5.3-8.80%). The biochemical and in-silico analysis results revealed the interference in functioning of membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, antioxidant defense, carbon source metabolism, methylglyoxal, and laeA gene in response to treatment of Ne-CcEO (0.5 µl/ml). In addition, Ne-CcEO significantly protects the deterioration of Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. seed samples by A. flavus, aflatoxin B1 contamination, and lipid peroxidation. The Ne-CcEO could be considered as promising antifungal additives for the control of food-borne molds and aflatoxin B1 contamination in the food system.

Optimal Drug Regimen and Combined Drug Therapy and Its Efficacy in the Treatment of COVID-19: A Within-Host Modeling Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than 524 million cases and 6 million deaths worldwide. Various drug interventions targeting multiple stages of COVID-19 pathogenesis can significantly reduce infection-related mortality. The current within-host mathematical modeling study addresses the optimal drug regimen and efficacy of combination therapies in the treatment of COVID-19. The drugs/interventions considered include Arbidol, Remdesivir, Interferon (INF) and Lopinavir/Ritonavir. It is concluded that these drugs, when administered singly or in combination, reduce the number of infected cells and viral load. Four scenarios dealing with the administration of a single drug, two drugs, three drugs and all four are discussed. In all these scenarios, the optimal drug regimen is proposed based on two methods. In the first method, these medical interventions are modeled as control interventions and a corresponding objective function and optimal control problem are formulated. In this framework, the optimal drug regimen is derived. Later, using the comparative effectiveness method, the optimal drug regimen is derived based on the basic reproduction number and viral load. The average number of infected cells and viral load decreased the most when all four drugs were used together. On the other hand, the average number of susceptible cells decreased the most when Arbidol was administered alone. The basic reproduction number and viral load decreased the most when all four interventions were used together, confirming the previously obtained finding of the optimal control problem. The results of this study can help physicians make decisions about the treatment of the life-threatening COVID-19 infection.

Elucidation of antifungal and aflatoxin B1 inhibitory mode of action of Eugenia caryophyllata L. essential oil loaded chitosan nanomatrix against Aspergillus flavus.

The present study investigated the novel antifungal, and anti-aflatoxin B1 mechanism of Eugenia caryophyllata L. essential oil (ECEO) loaded chitosan nanomatrix against the toxigenic strain of A. flavus (AFLV-DK-02). Phytochemical profiling of ECEO was done by GC-MS which revealed eugenol (73.6%) as the primary bioactive compound. ECEO was encapsulated inside the chitosan nanomatrix (ECEO-Np) and characterized using SEM, AFM, FTIR and XRD analysis. The ECEO-Np exhibited enhance antifungal (0.25 µL/mL) and anti-aflatoxin B1 inhibitory activity (0.15 µL/mL) than ECEO. Antifungal and antiaflatoxin B1 inhibitory activity was found to be related with impairment in the biological functioning of the plasma membrane (ergosterol synthesis, leakage of membrane ions, UV light (260, 280 nm) absorbing material, dead cell by propidium iodide assay, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), methylglyoxal and inhibition in essential carbon substrate utilization). ECEO-Np exhibited remarkable free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 0.002 µL/mL. ECEO-Np effectively preserves the sensory characteristics of exposed maize crop seed up to six months of storage and shows considerable safety profile (non-toxic, non-mutagenic, non-hepatotoxic, non-carcinogenic, non-tumorigenic and biodegradable) using computational ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) analysis.

Pesticidal efficacy, mode of action and safety limits profile of essential oils based nanoformulation against Callosobruchus chinensis and Aspergillus flavus.

The study explores the pesticidal efficacy, mode of action, and safety limit profile of essential oils-based formulation using the combination of Myristica fragrans (M), Bunium persicum (B), and Zanthoxylum alatum (Z) (1:1:1 v/v/v) and their nanoformulation (Ne-MBZ) against the Callosobruchus chinensis, Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 production. Linalool, γ-terpinene, and cuminaldehyde were identified as the major compounds of the formulation (MBZ) by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Nanoencapsulation of developed formulation (Ne-MBZ) was prepared using chitosan and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The pesticidal efficacy of nanoformulation (Ne-MBZ) against C. chinensis IC50 (0.14 µl/ml), A. flavus (0.8 µl/ml) and AFB1 (0.8 µl/ml) was significantly higher in both in-vitro and in-situ conditions than the sum of their individual revealing a notable synergistic effect. Besides, the detailed mode of pesticidal action and safety limit profile were explored using biochemical, in-silico and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) approaches.

Fluidic Oscillators, Feedback Channel Effect under Compressible Flow Conditions.

Fluidic oscillators are often used to modify the forces fluid generates on any given bluff body; they can also be used as flow, pressure or acoustic sensors, with each application requiring a particular oscillator configuration. Regarding the fluidic oscillators' main performance, a problem which is not yet clarified is the understanding of the feedback channel effect on the oscillator outlet mass flow frequency and amplitude, especially under compressible flow conditions. In order to bring light to this point, a set of three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulations under compressible flow conditions are introduced in the present paper; four different feedback channel lengths and two inlet Reynolds numbers Re = 12,410 and Re = 18,617 are considered. From the results obtained, it is observed that as the inlet velocity increases, the fluidic oscillator outlet mass flow frequency and amplitude increase. An increase of the feedback channel length decreases the outlet mass flow oscillating frequency. At large feedback channel lengths, the former main oscillation tends to disappear, the jet inside the mixing chamber simply fluctuates at high frequencies. Once the Feedback Channel (FC) length exceeds a certain threshold, the oscillation stops. Under all conditions studied, pressure waves are observed to be traveling along the feedback channels, their origin and interaction with the jet entering the mixing chamber are thoroughly evaluated. The paper proves that jet oscillations are pressure-driven.

Cefepime vs. cefoperazone/sulbactam in combination with amikacin as empirical antibiotic therapy in febrile neutropenia.

PURPOSE: Beta lactams are standard empirical therapy for febrile neutropenia (FN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cefepime monotherapy compared with cefoperazone/sulbactam plus amikacin (CS + A) for empirical treatment of high risk FN. METHODS: One hundred seventy-five patients with 336 FN episodes were randomized to receive either cefepime (2 g q8h for adults and 50 mg/kg q8h for children) or CS (2 g q8h for adults and 50 mg/kg q8h for children) plus amikacin (15 mg/kg once a day). Positive response was defined as afebrile within 72 h of starting antibiotics, persistent afebrile status more than 48 h and no requirement of second-line antibiotics and antifungal agents. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-six episodes were assessable for efficacy (168 cefepime, 168 CS + A). The positive response to antibiotics was identical for cefepime (53%) and CS + A (53%). Positive response was similar in MDI (microbiologically documented infection), 50 vs. 35% (p = 0.248), CDI (clinically documented infection), 50 vs. 35% (p = 0.259), combination CDI + MDI, 25 vs. 15% (p = 0.400), FUO (fever of unknown origin), 68 vs. 72% (p = 0.577) respectively in the two groups. The successful discontinuation of antibiotics at 72 h in FUO was similar in both groups (60 vs. 59%, p = 0.544). Total drug-related adverse events were similar in both groups (8 vs. 6%) except renal dysfunction was high in CS + A (1 vs. 7 events). Mortality was the same between two groups (8 vs 7%). CONCLUSIONS: Cefepime monotherapy and CS + A had similar efficacy as first-line therapy for FN. Discontinuation of empirical antibiotics is safe and feasible approach in selected group of FUO patients.

Assessment of toxicity and biochemical mechanisms underlying the insecticidal activity of chemically characterized Boswellia carterii essential oil against insect pest of legume seeds.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the insecticidal activity of chemically characterized Boswellia carterii essential oil (EO) and its mode of action against the pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis and C. maculatus. GC-MS analysis depicted α-thujene (69.16%), α-Pinene (7.20) and α-Phellandrene (6.78%) as the major components of test EO. EO exhibited absolute toxicity at 0.10µl/ml air against both C. chinensis and C. maculatus following 24h exposure. EO caused a significant reduction in oviposition and further reproductive development at LC50 doses (0.050µl/ml to 0.066µl/ml in air). Compared to control, a significant elevation in ROS level accompanied with impairment in enzymatic (SOD and CAT) and non-enzymatic (GSH/GSSH) antioxidant defense system has been observed in EO exposed insect pest. However, EO has no significant effect on in vivo AChE activity. An absolute protection of Vigna radiata seeds samples exposed to EO at LC90 doses was observed without affecting seed germination. The findings revealed that the B. carterii EO has strong insecticidal potential, hence, it could be recommended as a biorational alternative to synthetic insecticides.

Automated segmentation of visceral and subcutaneous (deep and superficial) adipose tissues in normal and overweight men.

PURPOSE: To develop an automatic segmentation algorithm to classify abdominal adipose tissues into visceral fat (VAT), deep (DSAT), and superficial (SSAT) subcutaneous fat compartments and evaluate its performance against manual segmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were acquired from 44 normal (BMI 18.0-22.9 kg/m(2) ) and 38 overweight (BMI 23.0-29.9 kg/m(2) ) subjects at 3T using a two-point Dixon sequence. A fully automatic segmentation algorithm was developed to segment the fat depots. The first part of the segmentation used graph cuts to separate the subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues and the second step employed a modified level sets approach to classify deep and superficial subcutaneous tissues. The algorithmic results of segmentation were validated against the ground truth generated by manual segmentation. RESULTS: The proposed algorithm showed good performance with Dice similarity indices of VAT/DSAT/SSAT: 0.92/0.82/0.88 against the ground truth. The study of the fat distribution showed that there is a steady increase in the proportion of DSAT and a decrease in the proportion of SSAT with increasing obesity. CONCLUSION: The presented technique provides an accurate approach for the segmentation and quantification of abdominal fat depots.

Efficacy of Angelica archangelica essential oil, phenyl ethyl alcohol and α- terpineol against isolated molds from walnut and their antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity.

Mold association, aflatoxin B1 contamination as well as oxidative deterioration of agri-food items during storage and processing are some global task for food industries. In view of the adverse effects of some synthetic preservatives on treated food items and subsequently on consumers health, recently plant based chemicals are encouraged by food industries as better alternatives of synthetics. The present study recommends the combination (1:1:1) of Angelica archangelica essential oil: Phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA): α- terpineol as botanical preservative against molds, aflatoxin contamination and oxidative deterioration of walnut samples. Eight mold species were procured from stored walnut samples, including some aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains. The combination inhibited growth of aflatoxigenic strain Aspergillus flavus NKDW-7 and aflatoxin B1 production at 2.25 and 2.0 µL mL(-1) respectively. The IC50 value of the combination was recorded as 3.89 µL mL(-1), showing strong antioxidant potential. The antifungal action of the combination showed > 90 % decrease in ergosterol content in plasma membrane of A. flavus at 2.0 µL mL(-1). The LD50 of the combination, through oral administration on mice, was 9562.9 µL kg(-1) body weight, indication favourable safety profile as a plant based preservative. The combination may be recommended as safe preservative against molds, aflatoxin contamination and oxidative deterioration of walnut samples.

Botanicals as eco friendly biorational alternatives of synthetic pesticides against Callosobruchus spp. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)-a review.

The article presents the potential of botanicals in the management of Callosobruchus spp., the primary insect pest causing deterioration to a variety of stored legume grains. Different botanical formulations have been reported time to time showing pronounced insecticidal activity, repellence to pest, oviposition deterrency, adult emergence inhibition, ovicidal, larvicidal, pupaecidal activity and feeding deterrency based on their contact toxicity and fumigation effects. Some of the botanicals have also been practically proved efficacious to protect the stored food commodities from the bruchids during storage conditions. Such botanical formulations have shown their promise in integrated management of the pest as semiochemicals by showing behaviour altering efficacy against the bruchids, thereby, reducing the induced pest resistance problem which is frequently reported with synthetic pesticides. Hence, they may be recommended in food security programmes as eco-friendly and biorational alternatives of synthetic pesticides providing integrated management of the losses of stored food commodities due to infestation of bruchids.

Insecticidal activity of Ageratum conyzoides L., Coleus aromaticus Benth. and Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit essential oils as fumigant against storage grain insect Tribolium castaneum Herbst.

Essential oils (EOs) from Ageratum conyzoides L., Coleus aromaticus Benth. and Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit were extracted and tested against Tribolium castaneum Herbst, the storage grain insect. The EOs were found effective against Tribolium castaneum during in vitro as well as in vivo fumigant testing. The EOs of H. suaveolens and A. conyzoides showed 100 % mortality of test insect at 250 ppm while C. aromaticus at 350 ppm. During in vivo fumigant testing of wheat samples against Tribolium castaneum, the essential oils of A. conyzoides and C. aromaticus completely checked the damage of wheat grains by the insect at 1000 ppm while essential oil of H. suaveolens checked the grain damage completely even at 500 ppm concentration. There was no adverse effect on seed germination as well as on seedling growth of EOs treated seeds showing non-phytotoxic nature of the oils. Hence, these EOs may be recommended as botanical insecticide against insect invasion of stored food commodities, thereby enhancing their shelf life.

Essential oils as green promising alternatives to chemical preservatives for agri-food products: New insight into molecular mechanism, toxicity assessment, and safety profile.

Microbial food spoilage caused by food-borne bacteria, molds, and associated toxic chemicals significantly alters the nutritional quality of food products and makes them unpalatable to the consumer. In view of potential adverse effects (resistance development, residual toxicity, and negative effects on consumer health) of some of the currently used preservative agents and consumer preferences towards safe, minimally processed, and chemical-free products, food industries are looking for natural alternatives to the chemical preservatives. In this context, essential oils (EOs) showed broad-range antimicrobial effectiveness, low toxicity, and diverse mechanisms of action, and could be considered promising natural plant-based antimicrobials. The existing technical barriers related to the screening of plants, extraction methods, characterization, dose optimization, and unpredicted mechanism of toxicity in the food system, could be overcome using recent scientific and technological advancements, especially bioinformatics, nanotechnology, and mathematical approaches. The review focused on the potential antimicrobial efficacy of EOs against food-borne microbes and the role of recent scientific technology and social networking platform in addressing the major obstacles with EOs-based antimicrobial agents. In addition, a detailed mechanistic understanding of the antimicrobial efficacy of EOs, safety profile, and risk assessment using bioinformatics approaches are summarized to explore their potential application as food preservatives.

Nanofabrication of citronellal with chitosan biopolymer to boost its efficacy against aflatoxin B1 and Aspergillus flavus mediated biodeterioration of active ingredient of Piper longum.

The study reports the efficacy of nanofabricated citronellal inside the chitosan biopolymer (NeCn) against Aspergillus flavus growth, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production, and active ingredient biodeterioration (Piperine) in Piper longum L. The prepared NeCn was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The results revealed that the NeCn exhibited distantly improved antifungal (1.25 µL/mL) and AFB1 inhibition (1.0 µL/mL) compared to free Cn. The perturbances in membrane function, mitochondrial membrane potential, antioxidant defense system, and regulatory genes (Ver-1 and Nor-1) of AFB1 biosynthesis were reported as probable modes of action of NeCn. The NeCn (1.25 µL/mL) effectively protects the P. longum from A. flavus (78.8%), AFB1 contamination (100%), and deterioration of Piperine (62.39%), thus demonstrating its potential as a promising novel antifungal agent for food preservation.

A case of lepromatous leprosy in a background of chronic hepatitis B infection.

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection that primarily affects developing and underdeveloped countries. Co-infection with the hepatitis B virus can complicate its natural course by altering the host immune system response and thereby the disease outcomes. Early detection and treatment of the disease is thus imperative for preventing debilitating deformities. Several studies have shown positive viral markers for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B in patients with leprosy. However, in the Indian subcontinent, we have limited evidence highlighting this correlation. We present a case of a 42-year-old male with chronic hepatitis B infection presenting with new-onset lepromatous leprosy. The patient was successfully managed with a multibacillary multidrug regimen. In patients with hepatitis B co-infection, clinicians must be vigilant about the higher risk of complications and poorer patient outcomes. Extensive longitudinal studies assessing the correlation between leprosy and hepatitis B in India can help tailor future guidelines for management.

Assessment of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil against Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin B1 contamination, and post-harvest quality of Sorghum bicolor.

The present investigation explored the antifungal effectiveness of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil (TAEO) against Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination, and its mechanism of action using biochemical and computational approaches. The GC-MS result revealed the chemical diversity of TAEO with the highest percentage of γ-terpinene (39 %). The TAEO exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration against A. flavus growth (0.5 µL/mL) and AFB1 (0.4 µL/mL) with radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 2.13 µL/mL). The mechanism of action of TAEO was associated with the alteration in plasma membrane functioning, antioxidative defense, and carbon source catabolism. The molecular dynamic result shows the multi-regime binding of γ-terpinene with the target proteins (Nor1, Omt1, and Vbs) of AFB1 biosynthesis. Furthermore, TAEO exhibited remarkable in-situ protection of Sorghum bicolor seed samples against A. flavus and AFB1 contamination and protected the nutritional deterioration. Hence, the study recommends TAEO as a natural antifungal agent for food protection against A. flavus mediated biodeterioration.

Synthesis, characterization, and assessment of chitosan-nanomatrix enriched with antifungal formulation against biodeterioration of active ingredients of selected herbal raw materials.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent natural group 1 carcinogen produced by Aspergillus flavus is considered an unavoidable toxic contaminant of herbal raw materials, which often deteriorates their active ingredients making them less effective and hazardous during their formulation in herbal drugs. The present investigation reports the antifungal (0.5 µl/ml) and AFB1 inhibitory (0.4 µl/ml) effects of the developed formulation CIM based on a mixture of essential oils (Carum carvi, and Illicium verum), and methyl anthranilate using mathematical modeling. The insight into the mechanism of action has also been explored using biochemical, molecular docking, and RT-PCR. Further, the nanoencapsulation of CIM (Ne-CIM) was prepared using a green facile synthesis of chitosan-based nanomatrix and characterized by Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform-infrared, (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The in-situ results showed that at MIC doses Ne-CIM effectively controls the A. flavus (81.25-89.57 %), AFB1 contamination (100 %), and protects the active ingredients deterioration of Piper nigrum, P. longum, Andrographis paniculata, Silybum marianum, and Withania somnifera caused by toxigenic species of A. flavus without affecting their sensory properties. Hence, Ne-CIM could be used as a green chemical agent to protect the biodeterioration of active ingredients of herbal raw materials caused by toxigenic species of A. flavus.

Insights into the antimicrobial efficacy of Coleus aromaticus essential oil against food-borne microbes: Biochemical and molecular simulation approaches.

The study reported the antimicrobial efficacy of chemically characterized Coleus aromaticus essential oil (CEO) against food-borne bacteria, molds (Aspergillus flavus), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and explored its mechanism of action using biochemical and molecular simulation approaches. The chemical profile of CEO was explored by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, which revealed thymol (46.0%) as the major compound. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of CEO for bacterial species Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Bacillus cereus, and Shigella flexneri was found to be 0.9 µl/ml, 0.7 µl/ml, 0.16 µl/ml, and 0.12 µl/ml respectively. The MIC value for A. flavus and AFB1 contamination was 0.6 µl/ml. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of CEO was recorded with IC50 0.32 µl/ml. Biochemical and computational approaches (docking and dynamics simulation) have been performed to explore the multi-faceted antimicrobial inhibitory effects of CEO at the molecular level, which shows the impairment in membrane functioning, leakage of cellular contents, release of 260-nm absorbing materials, antioxidative defense, carbon catabolism and vital genes (7AP3, Nor1, Omt1, and Vbs). The findings indicated that CEO could be used as natural antimicrobial agents against food-spoilage bacteria, A. flavus and AFB1 contamination to extend the shelf-life of food product and prevention of food-borne diseases.

Estimation of human somatype using inter-canine and inter-premolar distances of the maxillary arch.

Context: The establishment of a correlation between tooth dimensions and body size is crucial within the realm of forensic odontology. While numerous investigations have focused on the association between tooth morphology or width and stature, limited reports exist regarding the correlation between overall body structure or build and odontogenic parameters. This study focuses on finding a correlation between inter-arch dimensions and the body build of an individual. Aims: This study aimed to examine the potential correlation between an individual's somatotype (body build) and the measurements of inter-canine and inter-premolar maxillary arch widths. Study Settings: Dayananda Sagar College of Dental Sciences. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: The sample size of the study was 153 individuals aged 18-25 years. Impressions for the maxillary arch were taken, study models were made and inter-arch measurements were taken using a digital Vernier calliper. For body build measurements, Heath-Carter somatotype measuring technique was used. The collected data were entered into an Excel sheet, and statistical analysis was done. Statistical Analysis Used: Principal component analysis. Results: On using principal component analysis, it was seen that there exists no correlation between body build of an individual when compared to inter-canine and inter-premolar distances. Conclusions: While no positive correlation has been seen between the odontometric parameters and specific body type, it can be argued that this can be due to the cited limitations of the study. Hence, we conclude with the note that a more detailed study would offer more viable and credible results.

Solution-processed CZTS thin films and its simulation study for solar cell applications with ZnTe as the buffer layer.

Using zinc tellurium (ZnTe) as the buffer layer in the Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)-based solar cells showed an improvement in overall efficiency. ZnTe is investigated as an alternative to replace the conventional toxic Cd-contained buffer layers. It may also reduce the overall cost of these cells as both layers (ZnTe and CZTS) have eco-friendly and earth-abundant constituents. The sol-gel spin coating method is used for the deposition of CZTS thin films on the corning glass substrates. The X-ray diffraction studies showed the peaks corresponding to (112), (200), (220), and (312) planes which confirmed the formation of the essential kesterite phase. The optical band gap of the deposited films was found at around 1.45 eV by the UV-visible-NIR spectrophotometer. The optimum thickness of the absorber layer (CZTS) and buffer layer (ZnTe) was investigated based on the performance of the ZnO:Al/ZnO/ZnTe/CZTS/Mo cell structure by using the AMPS-1D simulation tool. In contrast, the tool was molded by the experimentally investigated data for the constituent materials of the cell structure. The solar cells' efficiency was increased by 23.47% at 2500 nm and 50 nm thickness of the CZTS and ZnTe layers, respectively. In addition, it was analyzed and found that the current density value showed an improvement with operating temperature as it is one of the requirements in the high solar radiation areas where the temperature even rises more than 50 °C in the summer.