Effect of extraction methods on phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of de-kernelled Sclerocarya birrea seeds.

BACKGROUND: Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) is an indigenous African fruit-bearing tree with many commercial uses; however, de-kernelled seeds generated from marula fruit-processing are wasted. The phytochemical constituents of de-kernelled marula seeds have not been investigated previously and its extract/tea may potentially serve as a promising source of antioxidants and phytochemicals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different extraction methods (maceration and decoction) on the recovery of phenolic compounds, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants from de-kernelled marula seeds. RESULTS: Extracts produced from decoction for 30 min contained the highest phenolic content (2253.93 ± 25.72 mg gallic acid equivalent kg-1 extract), flavonoid content (1020.99 ± 23.90 mg rutin equivalent kg-1 extract), as well as combined sugars and organic acids (1884.03 mg kg-1 extract). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups typically present in phenolic compounds, sugars, and organic acids in the extracts obtained from decoction. CONCLUSION: The characterization revealed that decoction extraction increased solubility, variety, and yield of phytochemical and antioxidant compounds recovered from de-kernelled marula seeds. The highest concentrations of phytochemicals were obtained using the decoction method. This study may therefore pave the way for extract composition and future utilization of de-kernelled marula seeds in the food industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from secondary metabolite producing marine actinobacteria and evaluation of their biomedical potential.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from marine actinobacteria offers a promising avenue for exploring bacterial extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. We report extracellular extracts of Rhodococcus rhodochrous (MOSEL-ME29) and Streptomyces sp. (MOSEL-ME28), identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing for synthesis of AgNPs. Ultrafine silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized using the extracts of R. rhodochrous and Streptomyces sp. and their possible therapeutic applications were studied. The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles were established by HR-SEM/TEM, SAED, UV-Vis, EDS, XRD, and FTIR. UV-Vis spectra displayed characteristic absorption at 430 nm and 412 nm for AgNPs from Streptomyces sp. (S-AgNPs) and Rhodococcus sp. (R-AgNPs), respectively. HR-SEM/TEM, XRD, EDS analysis confirmed the spherical shape, crystalline nature, and elemental formation of silver. Crystallite or grain size was deduced as 5.52 nm for R-AgNPs and 35 nm for S-AgNPs. Zeta-potential indicated electrostatic negative charge for AgNPs, while FTIR revealed the presence of diverse functional groups. Disc diffusion assay indicated the broad-spectrum antibacterial potential of S-AgNPs with the maximum inhibition of B. subtilis while R-AgNPs revealed potency against P. aeruginosa at 10 µg/mL concentration. Biogenic AgNPs revealed antileishmanial activity and the IC50 was calculated as 164 µg/mL and 184 µg/mL for R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs respectively. Similarly, the R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs revealed anti-cancer potential against HepG2 and the IC50 was calculated as 49 µg/mL and 69 µg/mL for R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs, respectively. Moreover, the antioxidant activity showed significant results. MTT assay on RD cells, L20B cells, and Hep-2C indicated intensification in viability by reducing the concentration of R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs. The R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs inhibited sabin-like poliovirus (1TCID50 infection in RD cells). Furthermore, hemocompatibility at low concentrations has been confirmed. Hence, it is concluded that biogenic-AgNPs has the potential to be used in diverse biological applications and that the marine actinobacteria are an excellent resource for fabrication of AgNPs.

Precursor effects on the physical, biological, and catalytic properties of Fagonia indica Burm.f. mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles.

We report a facile, green and precursor-based comparative study on the biosynthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using anticancerous Fagonia indica as effective chelating agent. Biosynthesis was carried out using zinc sulfate and zinc acetate as precursor salts to make ZnOS and ZnOA NPs under similar experimental conditions which were characterized extensively for physical and biological properties. Scherrer equation deduced a mean crystallite size of ~23.4 nm for ZnOA NPs and ~41 nm for ZnOS NPs. The nature of the NPs was compared using UV, diffuse reflectance spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis-DTA, selected area electron diffraction, EDS, zeta potential, high resolution (HR)-SEM, and HR-TEM. Detailed in vitro pharmacognostic activities revealed a significant therapeutic potential for ZnOA and ZnOS . Potential antimicrobial activities for the NPs and their nanocosmeceutical formulations are reported. ZnOA NPs were more cytotoxic to Leishmania tropica as compared to ZnOS . Significant antioxidant and protein kinase inhibition was obtained. The hemolytic assay indicated a hemocompatible nature of both ZnOA and ZnOS NPs. Catalytic degradation of crystal violet dye (CVD) by NPs was examined under different parameters (light, dark, UV). Furthermore, sonophotocatalytic degradation of CVD was also studied. Our results suggested that precursor can have a significant effect on the physical, biological, and catalytic properties of the NPs. In future, we recommend different other in vitro, in vivo biological activities, and mechanistic studies of these as-synthesized NPs.

The combination of low level laser therapy and efavirenz drastically reduces HIV infection in TZM-bl cells.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a global health challenge despite the use of antiretroviral therapy, which has led to a significant decline in the mortality rates. Owing to the unavailability of an effective treatment to completely eradicate the virus, researchers continue to explore new methods. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely used to treat different medical conditions and involves the exposure of cells or tissues to low levels of red and near infrared light. The study aimed to determine the effect of combining two unrelated therapies on HIV infection in TZM-bl cells. METHODS: In the current study, LLLT was combined with efavirenz, an HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor to establish their impact on HIV infection in TZM-bl cells. Both the HIV infected and uninfected cells were laser irradiated using a wavelength of 640 nm with fluencies of 2-10 J/cm2. RESULTS: The impact of HIV, efavirenz and irradiation were determined 24 h post irradiation using biological assays. Luciferase assay results showed that the combination of LLLT and efavirenz significantly reduced HIV infection in cells, despite the undesirable effects observed in the cells as demonstrated by cell morphology, proliferation and cell integrity assay. Flow cytometry results demonstrated that cell death was mainly through necrosis while fluorescence microscopy showed the production of reactive oxygen species in HIV infected cells. CONCLUSION: Efavirenz and LLLT significantly reduced HIV infection in TZM-bl cells. Furthermore, the death of HIV infected cells was due to necrosis.

Green synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using bush tea ( Athrixia phylicoides DC) natural extract: assessment of the synthesis process.

Background: Nanoparticles are globally synthesized for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, catalytic, magnetic, optical, and electronic properties that have put them at the forefront of a wide variety of studies. Among them, zinc oxide (ZnO) has received much consideration due to its technological and medicinal applications. In this study, we report on the synthesis process of ZnO nanoparticles using  Athrixia phylicoides DC natural extract as a reducing agent.   Methods: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to identify the compounds responsible for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. Structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).   Results: LC-MS results showed that different flavonoids and polyphenols, as well as Coumarin, an aromatic compound, reacted with the precursor to form ZnO nanoparticles. XRD and UV-Vis analysis confirmed the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, with a spherical shape showed in SEM images. The quasi-spherical ZnO crystals had an average crystallite size of 24 nm. EDS and FTIR analysis confirmed that the powders were pure with no other phase or impurity.   Conclusions: This study successfully demonstrated that the natural plant extract of  A. phylicoides DC. can be used in the bio-reduction of zinc nitrate hexahydrate to prepare pure ZnO nanoparticles, thus, extending the use of this plant to an industrial level.

Floral extracts-mediated green synthesis of NiO nanoparticles and their diverse pharmacological evaluations.

Biosynthesis has emerged as an exciting interface for assembling multifunctional metal oxide nanoparticles for diverse medicinal applications. Herein, biogenic nickel oxide (NiO-NPs) is synthesized by using floral extracts of Callistemon viminalis (C. viminalis) as a low cost, ecofriendly reducing and stabilizing agent. NiO-NPs were annealed at 300 °C, 400 °C and 500 °C while their physiochemical properties were established by HR-SEM/TEM, UV, XRD, FTIR, EDS, SAED and SQUID techniques. Particle size of NiO-NPs decreased with increase in annealing temperatures. Magnetization curves indicated superparamagnetic behavior of the biogenic NiO-NPs at 300 K. Highly crystalline NiO-NPs obtained after annealing at 500 °C were used for biomedical applications. The anti-leishmanial activity on Leishmania tropica promastigotes (KMH-23) and anticancer activity on HepG2 (RCB1648) revealed excellent inhibition potential with IC50 of 37.21 µg/mL and 47 µg/mL, respectively. Significant antibacterial effect was observed against Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus vulgaris with MIC's of 12.5 µg/mL each. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential were comparable with positive control drugs. Moderate antioxidant activities were observed. NiO-NPs were observed to be hemolytic (30%) at higher dose (1000 µg/mL). Overall, NiO-NPs revealed a multifunctional nature that can be explored for diverse biomedical applications.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Phyto-fabricated Cr2O3 nanoparticle for multifunctional biomedical applications.

Aim: The biosynthesis of chromium oxide nanoparticles (Cr2O3 NPs), using Hyphaene thebaica as a bioreductant, for assessment of their potential nanomedicinal applications. Materials & methods: Biosynthesized Cr2O3 NPs were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy and ζ-potential measurement. In vitro assays were used to assess the biological properties of Cr2O3 NPs. Results: Nanoparticles with size approximately 25-38 nm were obtained with a characteristic Cr-O vibration at 417 cm-1. A broad spectrum antimicrobial potential and antioxidant nature is reported. Slight inhibition of polio virus and biocompatibility at low doses was observed. Conclusion: We conclude a multifunctional nature of biogenic Cr2O3 NPs.

Bio-redox potential of Hyphaene thebaica in bio-fabrication of ultrafine maghemite phase iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) for therapeutic applications.

Maghemite (Fe2O3-NPs) nanoparticles were synthesized by a convenient, green and cost effective method using aqueous fruit extracts of Hyphaene thebaica. Different techniques like FTIR, XRD, UV-Vis, Raman, HR-TEM, EDS. SAED, Zeta potential were used to establish the nature of Fe2O3-NPs, while the therapeutic properties were studied using different biological assays including antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and enzyme inhibition assays. XRD pattern revealed sharp peaks and a crystalline nature of Fe2O3-NPs. HR-TEM revealed quasi-spherical and cuboidal morphologies, while the particle size in ~10 nm. FTIR indicated a sharp peak centered at ~444 cm-1 which is the characteristic FeO band vibration. SAED pattern indicated the crystalline nature while EDS also confirmed the synthesis of Fe2O3 NPs. Zeta potential was obtained in different solvents and physiological buffers indicating highest value in water (-26.5 mV) and lowest in DMSO (-15.8 mV). Tested bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis was found to be inhibited significantly. Aspergillus flavus appeared to be susceptible to all of the tested concentration of Fe2O3 NPs. Maximum 40.78% FRSA was obtained at 400 µg/mL. Cell culture based studies on RD cells and L20B cells indicated reduction in viability of cells with increase concentration of Fe2O3 NPs. Moderate inhibition of polio virus-1 and polio virus-2 was observed, after culturing the virus in the L20B cells. Excellent Protein Kinase (PK) inhibition was revealed. Hemolytic potential and cytotoxic potential was indicated to be dose dependent. In conclusion, the present report for the first time reports the synthesis of Fe2O3 NPs from H. thebaica fruits and reveals their biomedical potential including antiviral potential.

Industrial textile effluent treatment and antibacterial effectiveness of Zea mays L. Dry husk mediated bio-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles.

Zea mays L. dry husk extract was used to bio synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles. Red coloured cubic Cu2O nanoparticles were obtained for the first time via this simple, eco- friendly, green synthesis route. The Cu2O nanoparticles were thermally oxidized to pure monoclinic CuO nanoparticles at 600 °C. The phases of the copper oxides were confirmed from the x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The nanoparticle sizes as obtained from high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) analysis range from 10 to 26 nm, 36-73 nm and 30-90 nm for the unannealed Cu2O, 300 °C and 600 °C annealed CuO respectively. The values of the bandgap energies obtained from diffuse reflectance of the nanoparticles are 2.0, 1.30 and 1.42 eV respectively for the unannealed, 300 °C, and 600 °C annealed copper oxide nanoparticles. The 600 °C annealed copper oxide nanoparticles showed 91% and 90% degradation ability for methylene blue dye (BM) and textile effluent (TE) respectively under visible light irradiation. While CuO_300 is more effective to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli 518,133 and Staphylococcus aureus 9144, Cu2O is better for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus licheniformis. The results confirm the photo-catalytic and anti-microbial effectiveness of the copper oxide nanoparticles.

Eco-friendly synthesis, characterization, in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of silver nanoparticle-mediated Selaginella myosurus aqueous extract.

INTRODUCTION: There is emerging interest in medicinal plants in the biomedical field, due to their multitude of chemicals which show anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, or antitumoral potential. Research on medicinal plants has shown that nanotechnology could offer new solutions in the quality control, delivery aspects, or in sustaining herbal biological activities. This work reports on the preparation and characterization of silver nanoparticle-mediated Selaginella myosurus plant extract. METHODS: Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction have been used to characterize the prepared silver nanoparticles. The synthetic stability was studied by varying concentrations and pH of reactants. Egg albumin denaturation and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model were used to ascertain the anti-inflammation. RESULTS: Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy gave plasmon resonance ranging between 420 and 480 nm while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved nano interface functionalized with organics. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern is in agreement with silver and silver chloride nanoparticles of crystallite size 33.7 nm and 44.2 nm for silver and silver chloride, respectively. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy enables elemental characterization of the particles consisting of silver and silver chloride among main elements. Spherical silver grain of 58.81 nm average size has been depicted with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Inhibitions of 99% and 60% were obtained in vitro and in vivo, respectively. CONCLUSION: The albumin denaturation and carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema model to assess the anti-inflammatory potential of generated nanoparticles suggests that the silver nanoparticles may act as reducing/inhibiting agents on the release of acute inflammatory mediators. Hence, this work clearly demonstrated that silver nanoparticles mediated-Selaginella myosurus could be considered as a potential source for anti-inflammatory drugs.

Optimised synthesis of ZnO-nano-fertiliser through green chemistry: boosted growth dynamics of economically important L. esculentum.

Mounting-up economic losses to annual crops yield due to micronutrient deficiency, fertiliser inefficiency and increasing microbial invasions (e.g. Xanthomonas cempestri attack on tomatoes) are needed to be solved via nano-biotechnology. So keeping this in view, the authors' current study presents the new horizon in the field of nano-fertiliser with highly nutritive and preservative effect of green fabricated zinc oxide-nanostructures (ZnO-NSs) during Lycopersicum esculentum (tomato) growth dynamics. ZnO-NS prepared via green chemistry possesses highly homogenous crystalline structures well-characterised through ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The ZnO-NS average size was found as small as 18 nm having a crystallite size of 5 nm. L. esculentum were grown in different concentrations of ZnO-NS to examine the different morphological parameters includes time of seed germination, germination percentage, the number of plant leaves, the height of the plant, average number of branches, days count for flowering and fruiting time period along with fruit quantity. Promising results clearly predict that bio-fabricated ZnO-NS at optimum concentration resulted as growth booster and dramatically triggered the plant yield.

Biosynthesis of pure hematite phase magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles using floral extracts of Callistemon viminalis (bottlebrush): their physical properties and novel biological applications.

Aqueous floral extracts of Callistemon viminalis were used to synthesize Fe2O3 nanoparticles (IONPs) which were intensively characterized through UV-vis, X-ray diffraction, HR-SEM/HR-TEM, Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Their physical properties were studied in response to different annealing temperatures. It was observed that the increase in the annealing temperature produced small-sized nanoparticles. The nanoparticle size was calculated as 32, 26 and 22 nm for annealing at 300, 400 and 500 °C, respectively. The magnetic nature of the bioinspired IONPs was revealed by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Their antibacterial potential was investigated against nine pathogenic bacterial strains (gram positive and gram negative) using disc diffusion method while their MIC was calculated using broth dilution assay. Bioinspired IONPs were found to be highly effective against HepG2 cells (IC50=20 µg/mL). Moderate antileishmanial activities against the promastigotes and amastigotes cultures are reported. Moderate acetylcholine esterase (AchE), butylcholine esterase (BchE) and α-Glycosidase inhibition are reported. Additional assessment of the biocompatibility was performed using haemolytic activity on the freshly isolated human red blood cells and macrophages. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities, including TAC, DPPH and TRP were also performed. Our results indicate that the biogenic and magnetic Fe2O3 can be used for diverse biomedical applications.

Sageretia thea (Osbeck.) modulated biosynthesis of NiO nanoparticles and their in vitro pharmacognostic, antioxidant and cytotoxic potential.

NiO nanoparticles are biosynthesized using Sageretia thea (Osbeck.) aqueous leave extracts and their biological activities are reported. Nanoparticles (∼18 nm) were characterized through XRD, ATR-FTIR, EDS, SAED, HR-SEM/TEM and Raman spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity was investigated against six pathogenic bacterial strains (gram positive and gram negative) and their corresponding minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were calculated. UV-exposed nanoparticles were investigated to have reduced MICs relative to the NiO nanoparticles have not been exposed to UV. Moderate linear fungal growth inhibition was observed while Mucor racemosus (percentage inhibition 64% ± 2.30) was found to be most susceptible. Cytotoxicity was confirmed using brine shrimps lethality assay (IC50 42.60 µg/ml). MTT cytotoxicity was performed against Leishmania tropica-KWH23 promastigotes and amastigotes revealed significant percentage inhibition across the applied concentrations. IC50 values were calculated as 24.13 µg/ml and 26.74 µg/ml for the promastigote and amastigote cultures of Leishmania tropica. NiO nanoparticles were found. Moderate, antioxidant potential was concluded through assays like DPPH, TAP and TAC. Furthermore, protein kinase inhibition and alpha amylase inhibition is also reported.

Sageretia thea (Osbeck.) mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and its biological applications.

AIM: To investigate the physical and biological properties of bioinspired zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles via aqueous leaf extracts of Sageretia thea. EXPERIMENTAL: Nanoparticles of size approximately 12.4 nm were extensively characterized. In vitro antimicrobial, cytotoxic, biocompatible and enzyme inhibition assays were performed. RESULTS: Significant antimicrobial activities with and without UV illumination are reported. Bioinspired ZnO nanoparticles were found effective against fungal strains. MTT assay was performed to check the leishmanicidal activity against promastigotes (IC50: 6.2 µg/ml) and amastigotes (IC50: 10.87 µg/ml) of Leishmania tropica. Brine shrimp lethality was also indicated by bioinspired ZnO nanoparticles (IC50: 21.29 µg/ml). CONCLUSION: Hemocompatible nature of bioinspired nanoparticles was revealed. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities were performed. In addition, significant protein kinase while insignificant alpha amylase inhibition were recorded.

The effects of low level laser therapy on both HIV-1 infected and uninfected TZM-bl cells.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection remains a major health problem despite the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which has greatly reduced mortality rates. Due to the unavailability of an effective vaccine and treatment that would completely eradicate the virus in infected individuals, the quest for new therapies continues. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) involves the exposure of cells to low levels of red or infrared light. LLLT has been widely used in different medical conditions, but not in HIV-1 infection. This study aimed to determine the effects of LLLT on HIV-1 infected and uninfected TZM-bl cells. Both infected and uninfected cells were irradiated at a wavelength of 660 nm with different fluences from 2 J/cm2 to 10 J/cm2 . Changes in cellular responses were assessed using cell morphology, viability, proliferation, cytotoxicity and luciferase activity assays. Upon data analysis, uninfected irradiated cells showed no changes in cell morphology, viability, proliferation and cytotoxicity, while the infected irradiated cells did. In addition, laser irradiation reduced luciferase activity in infected cells. Finally, laser irradiation had no inhibitory effect in uninfected cells, whereas it induced cell damage in a dose dependent manner in infected cells.