Green synthesis of Eucalyptus globulus zinc nanoparticles and its use in antimicrobial insect repellent paint formulation in bulk industrial production.

Mitigating climate change can be achieved by opting for sustainable, plant-based materials instead of relying on hazardous chemicals that come with various side effects. Various natural plant extracts find widespread application in synthesizing insect-repellent coatings, particularly in industries such as paint manufacturing. The increasing demand for these coatings has led us to find out the effects of different plant extracts for the efficient preparation of paints with more advanced impacts and low cost. For this purpose, zinc nanoparticles of Eucalyptus globulus L. and its extracts were used in this study due to their remarkable biocidal and antimicrobial activities. The extract was prepared by the process of oven-drying and heating followed by their filtration. Then, they were subjected to different phytochemical tests that were performed in which plant material did not contain flavonoids and glycol. The comparison of the size of nanoparticles was visible during the weighing which was found to be 4.451 mg. Advanced characterization techniques like FTIR, UV visible spectroscopy, and particle size analysis were adopted for the analysis of nanoparticles of plant extract. The FTIR analysis of the plant material was reported to lie in the range of 1000-1800 cm-1. On the other hand, the results of UV visible spectroscopy of nanoparticles of plant extract showed absorption peaks around 300 nm. The produced material was integrated into paint formulations to impart insect-repellent and antibacterial characteristics. Painted panels exhibited notable antibacterial efficacy, presenting an inhibition zone of 0.7 cm for Escherichia coli and 0.3 cm for Staphylococcus aureus when utilizing biocide. Plant nanoparticles yielded inhibition zones of 1 and 1.2, while aqueous extract resulted in zones of 0.2 and 0.5, respectively. A thorough evaluation of the paint's color attributes, including ΔL, Δa, Δb, and ΔE, indicated noteworthy differences. The CMC ΔE values from the trials exceeded 1, indicating a substantial change in shade. The batches of paints containing E. globulus extracts and nanoparticles were found to be lighter in color specifically green and yellow colors. Their antimicrobial and insect repellant activity was tested using the mosquitos of Aedes aegypti with an age of 4-5 weeks, revealing that formulations with plant extracts exhibited a 61 % effective period, greater than the 7 % observed in non-biocidal formulations. The paint responded best towards these mosquitoes in terms of repellency and the ultimate target of this study was achieved.

Biochemical, Toxicological, and in Silico Aspects of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don (Trilliaceae): A Rich Source of Natural Bioactive Compounds.

Trillium govanianum is a high-value medicinal herb, having multifunctional traditional and culinary uses. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical, biological and toxicological parameters of the T. govanianum Wall. ex D. Don (Family: Trilliaceae) roots collected from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Phytochemical profiling was achieved by determining total bioactive contents (total phenolic and flavonoid contents) and UHPLC-MS analysis. For biological evaluation, antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelation assays) and enzyme inhibition activities (against AChE, BChE, glucosidase, amylase, and tyrosinase) were performed. Moreover, cytotoxicity was assessed against three human carcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB-231, CaSki, and DU-145). The tested extract was found to contain higher total phenolics (7.56 mg GAE/g dry extract) as compared to flavonoid contents (0.45 mg RE/g dry extract). Likewise, for the antioxidant activity, higher CUPRAC activity was noted with 39.84 mg TE/g dry extract values. In the case of enzyme assays, higher activity was pointed out against the cholinesterase, glucosidase and tyrosinase enzymes. The plant extract displayed significant cytotoxicity against the cell lines examined. Moreover, the in-silico studies highlighted the interaction between the important phytochemicals and tested enzymes. To conclude, the assessed biological activity and the existence of bioactive phytochemicals in the studied plant extract may pave the way for the development of novel pharmaceuticals.

The Biochemical, Microbiological, Antioxidant and Sensory Characterization of Fermented Skimmed Milk Drinks Supplemented with Probiotics Lacticaseibacillus casei and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus.

A variety of foods fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) serve as dietary staples in many countries. The incorporation of health-promoting probiotics into fermented milk products can have profound effects on human health. Considering the health benefits of Yakult, the current study was undertaken to develop an enriched Yakult-like fermented skimmed milk drink by the addition of two probiotic strains, namely Lacticaseibacillus casei (Lc) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (Lr). The prepared drinks were compared in terms of various parameters, including their physicochemical properties, proximate chemical composition, mineral estimation, microbial viable count, antioxidant activity, and sensory evaluation. Each strain was employed at five different concentrations, including 1% (T1), 1.5% (T2), 2% (T3), 2.5% (T4), and 3% (T5). The prepared Yakult samples were stored at 4 °C and analyzed on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 to evaluate biochemical changes. The findings revealed that the concentration of the starter culture had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on the pH value and moisture and protein contents, but had no marked impact on the fat or ash content of the developed product. With the Lc strain, Yakult's moisture content ranged from 84.25 ± 0.09 to 85.65 ± 0.13%, whereas with the Lr strain, it was from 84.24 ± 0.08 to 88.75 ± 0.13%. Protein levels reached their highest values with T5 (3% concentration). The acidity of all treatments increased significantly due to fermentation and, subsequently, pH showed a downward trend (p ≤ 0.05). The total soluble solids (TSS) content decreased during storage with Lc as compared to Lr, but the presence of carbohydrates had no appreciable impact. The drink with Lc exhibited a more uniform texture and smaller pore size than Yakult with Lr. Except for the iron values, which showed an increasing trend, the contents of other minerals decreased in increasing order of the added probiotic concentration used: 1% (T1), 1.5% (T2), 2% (T3), 2.5% (T4), and 3% (T5). The highest lactobacilli viable count of 8.69 ± 0.43 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL was observed with the T1 Lr-containing drink at the end of the storage period. Regarding the storage stability of the drink, the highest value for DPPH (88.75 ± 0.13%) was found with the T1 Lc drink on day 15, while the highest values for FRAP (4.86 ± 2.80 mmol Fe2+/L), TPC (5.97 ± 0.29 mg GAE/mL), and TFC (3.59 ± 0.17 mg GAE/mL) were found with the T5 Lr drink on day 28 of storage. However, the maximum value for ABTS (3.59 ± 0.17%) was noted with the T5 Lr drink on the first day of storage. The results of this study prove that Lc and Lr can be used in dairy-based fermented products and stored at refrigerated temperatures.

Green synthesis of Cu-Mn co-incorporated ZnO nanoparticles for antibacterial and photocatalytic applications.

The synergistic effect of bimetallic co-incorporated metal oxides have gained enormous attention due to their unique optoelectronic properties. Herein, we present the green synthesis of ZnO, Cu-incorporated ZnO, Mn-incorporated ZnO, and Cu-Mn co-incorporated nanoparticles (ZnO NPs, CuZnO NPs, MnZnO NPs, MnCuZnO NPs) for antimicrobial and photocatalytic reduction applications using corn silk extract and industrial metal wastes. The as-synthesized NPs were characterized by using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powdered x-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CuZnO, MnZnO, and MnCuZnO NPs efficiently inhibited bacterial culture growth. The photocatalytic reduction activity of as-synthesized NPs against the different concentrations of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in water was also investigated. CuZnO and MnCuZnO nanoparticles were to be efficient photocatalysts for reducing 4-NP into 4-aminophenol (4-AP). RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Green synthesis of nanomaterials by agricultural and industrial wastes Cu and Mn co-incorporated ZnO NPs have shown good photocatalysis and antimicrobial activities Green approach for waste conversion to value-added products.

The impact of empathy, sensation seeking, anxiety, uncertainty, and mindfulness on the intercultural communication in China during the COVID-19.

Objective: This study seeks to explore factors that have shaped the intercultural communication effectiveness (ICE) of international students (IS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Theoretical predictions of anxiety uncertainty management (AUM) are considered to assess the ICE of IS who stayed in China throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime causal factors of AUM theory (anxiety, uncertainty, and mindfulness) are included with empathy and sensation, seeking to examine their impact on ICE among IS in China. Methods: A quantitative research design was designed to survey IS via convenience samples from across China with a total of 261 IS from 42 different cultural backgrounds responding to invitations to participate in a Chinese-English survey. Well-established measurement tools were adopted to measure empathy (Cultural Empathy scale), sensation seeking (Brief Sensation Seeking Scale), anxiety (Intercultural Anxiety scale), uncertainty (Intercultural Uncertainty scale), mindfulness (Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised), and ICE (Perceived Effectiveness of Communication scale). Findings: The findings revealed that anxiety (t = -3.61, p < 0.05) and uncertainty (t = -2.51, p < 0.05) had a negative impact on ICE. However, mindfulness (t = 3.93, p < 0.05), empathy (t = 3.60, p < 0.05), and sensation seeking (t = 7.93, p < 0.05) had a positive influence on ICE. Furthermore, the moderating effect of mindfulness is affirmed in this study. Conclusion: This study has reconfirmed the theoretical reasonings and applicability of AUM theory with the addition of empathy and sensation seeking by IS in the cultural context of China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Green Tea Catechins Attenuate Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cognitive Deficits.

Neurodegenerative diseases exert an overwhelming socioeconomic burden all around the globe. They are mainly characterized by modified protein accumulation that might trigger various biological responses, including oxidative stress, inflammation, regulation of signaling pathways, and excitotoxicity. These disorders have been widely studied during the last decade in the hopes of developing symptom-oriented therapeutics. However, no definitive cure has yet been discovered. Tea is one of the world's most popular beverages. The same plant, Camellia Sinensis (L.).O. Kuntze, is used to make green, black, and oolong teas. Green tea has been most thoroughly studied because of its anti-cancer, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The beneficial effect of consumption of tea on neurodegenerative disorders has been reported in several human interventional and observational studies. The polyphenolic compounds found in green tea, known as catechins, have been demonstrated to have many therapeutic effects. They can help in preventing and, somehow, treating neurodegenerative diseases. Catechins show anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant effects via blocking cytokines' excessive production and inflammatory pathways, as well as chelating metal ions and free radical scavenging. They may inhibit tau protein phosphorylation, amyloid beta aggregation, and release of apoptotic proteins. They can also lower alpha-synuclein levels and boost dopamine levels. All these factors have the potential to affect neurodegenerative disorders. This review will examine catechins' neuroprotective effects by highlighting their biological, pharmacological, antioxidant, and metal chelation abilities, with a focus on their ability to activate diverse cellular pathways in the brain. This review also points out the mechanisms of catechins in various neurodegenerative and cognitive diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and cognitive deficit.

A comprehensive phytochemical, biological, and toxicological studies of roots and aerial parts of Crotalaria burhia Buch.-Ham: An important medicinal plant.

This study was designed to seek the phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and toxicity potentials of methanol and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of aerial and root parts of Crotalaria burhia. Total bioactive content, high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) polyphenolic quantification, and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) analysis were utilized to evaluate the phytochemical composition. Antioxidant [including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH)], 2,2'-azino-bis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelation assays] and enzyme inhibition [against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and tyrosinase] assays were carried out for biological evaluation. The cytotoxicity was tested against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cell lines. The root-methanol extract contained the highest levels of phenolics (37.69 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract) and flavonoids (83.0 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract) contents, and was also the most active for DPPH (50.04 mg Trolox equivalent/g extract) and CUPRAC (139.96 mg Trolox equivalent /g extract) antioxidant assays. Likewise, the aerial-methanol extract exhibited maximum activity for ABTS (94.05 mg Trolox equivalent/g extract) and FRAP (64.23 mg Trolox equivalent/g extract) assays. The aerial-DCM extract was noted to be a convincing cholinesterase (AChE; 4.01 and BChE; 4.28 mg galantamine equivalent/g extract), and α-glucosidase inhibitor (1.92 mmol acarbose equivalent/g extract). All of the extracts exhibited weak to modest toxicity against the tested cell lines. A considerable quantities of gallic acid, catechin, 4-OH benzoic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, 3-OH-4-MeO benzaldehyde, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, rutin, naringenin, and carvacrol were quantified via HPLC-PDA analysis. UHPLC-MS analysis of methanolic extracts from roots and aerial parts revealed the tentative identification of important phytoconstituents such as polyphenols, saponins, flavonoids, and glycoside derivatives. To conclude, this plant could be considered a promising source of origin for bioactive compounds with several therapeutic uses.

Medicinal waterbirds in the traditional healthcare system: an assessment of biodiversity-cultural linkages in Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to a vast range of medicinal and edible waterbird species due to its diverse geographical environment. Waterbird species have been used for various ailments and cultural practices since ancient times, while ethno-pharmacological applications and cultural uses of waterbird species in this area have seldom been documented. This study is the first ethnomedicinal and cultural assessment of waterbird species, and the first compilation and listing of all known data on these species in Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. METHODS: Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from native respondents (N = 100). To analyze the data, principal component analysis (PCA), relative frequency of citation (RFC), fidelity level (FL%), relative popularity level (RPL), rank order priority, and similarity index were used. RESULTS: In total, 64 waterbird species were utilized in cultural practices, of which 40 species are used to cure different infectious and chronic diseases such as cold, cough, flu, fever, respiratory disorders, asthma, TB, gastric ulcers, kidney stones, male impotency, obesity, paralysis, piles, cancer, arthritis, body pain, and weakness. PCA showed significant differences in the use of waterbird species among the local inhabitants of the study area, separated along the axis-2 (p < 0.05). The FL% of waterbird species varied from 12 to 100%. 100% FL was analyzed for four waterbird species, i.e., Charadrius mongolus (cold), Gallicrex cinerea (asthma), Anas platyrhynchos (cancer), and Esacus recurvirostris (body weakness). In this study, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) was the most popular species used in the healthcare system of Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with high RFC (4.06), FL% (100), and RPL (1.0) values. CONCLUSION: We concluded that waterbird species are more used for medicine and food purposes in the study area. However, in vitro/in vivo assessment of biochemical activities of waterbird species with a maximum FL% might be significant to produce novel drugs. Recent research shows important ethno-ornithological information about native people and their links with waterbird species, which might be helpful for the sustainable use of waterbird diversity in the research area.

Anti-inflammatory potential of stevia residue extract against uric acid-associated renal injury in mice.

Abnormal uric acid level result in the development of hyperuricemia and hallmark of various diseases, including renal injury, gout, cardiovascular disorders, and non-alcoholic fatty liver. This study was designed to explore the anti-inflammatory potential of stevia residue extract (STR) against hyperuricemia-associated renal injury in mice. The results revealed that STR at dosages of 150 and 300 mg/kg bw and allopurinol markedly modulated serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine in hyperuricemic mice. Serum and renal cytokine levels (IL-18, IL-6, IL-1Β, and TNF-α) were also restored by STR treatments. Furthermore, mRNA and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis revealed that STR ameliorates UA (uric acid)-associated renal inflammation, fibrosis, and EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) via MMPS (matrix metalloproteinases), inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3 activation by the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway and modulating the JAK2-STAT3 and Nrf2 signaling pathways. In summary, the present study provided experimental evidence that STR is an ideal candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia-mediated renal inflammation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The higher uric acid results in hyperuricemia and gout. The available options for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout are the use of allopurinol, and colchicine drugs, etc. These drugs possess several undesirable side effect. The polyphenolic compounds are abundantly present in plants, for example, stevia residue extract (STR) exert a positive effect on human health. From this study results, we can recommend that polyphenolic compounds enrich STR could be applied to develop treatment options for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout.

Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.).

Pumpkin is a well-known multifunctional ingredient in the diet, full of nutrients, and has opened new vistas for scientists during the past years. The fruit of pumpkin including the flesh, seed, and peel are a rich source of primary and secondary metabolites, including proteins, carbohydrates, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, tryptophan, delta-7-sterols, and many other phytochemicals. This climber is traditionally used in many countries, such as Austria, Hungary, Mexico, Slovenia, China, Spain, and several Asian and African countries as a functional food and provides health promising properties. Other benefits of pumpkin, such as improving spermatogenesis, wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-ulcerative properties, and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia have also been confirmed by researchers. For better drug delivery, nanoemulsions and niosomes made from pumpkin seeds have also been reported as a health promising tool, but further research is still required in this field. This review mainly focuses on compiling and summarizing the most relevant literature to highlight the nutritional value, phytochemical potential, and therapeutic benefits of pumpkin.

Potential antimicrobial, antidiabetic, catalytic, antioxidant and ROS/RNS inhibitory activities of Silybum marianum mediated biosynthesized copper oxide nanoparticles.

Use of medicinal plants for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles offers several advantages over other synthesis approaches. Plants contain a variety of bioactive compounds that can participate in reduction and capping of nanoparticles. Plant mediated synthesis has the leverage of cost effectiveness, eco-friendly approach and sustained availability. In the current study Silybum marianum, a medicinally valuable plant rich in silymarin content, is used as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the fabrication of nanoparticles. Biosynthesized CuO-NPs were characterized using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) techniques. Characterization revealed that CuO-NPs having a crystalline structure showed spherical morphology with an average size of 15 nm. HPLC analysis demonstrated conjugation of various silymarin components, especially the presence of silybin A (705.06 ± 1.59 mg g-1 DW). CuO-NPs exhibited strong bactericidal potency against clinically important pathogenic bacterial strains e.g. Enterobacter aerogenes and Salmonella typhi with an inhibition zone of 18 ± 1.3 mm and 17 ± 1.2 mm, respectively. Synthesized nanoparticles indicated a dose dependent cytotoxic effect against fibroblast cells exhibiting a percentage cell viability of 83.60 ± 1.505% and 55.1 ± 1.80% at 25 µg mL-1 and 100 µg mL-1 concentration, respectively. Moreover, CuO-NPs displayed higher antioxidant potential in terms of (TAC: 96.9 ± 0.26 µg AAE/mg), (TRP: 68.8 ± 0.35 µg AAE/mg), (DPPH: 55.5 ± 0.62%), (ABTS: 332.34 µM) and a significant value for (FRAP: 215.40 µM). Furthermore, enzyme inhibition assays also exhibited excellent enzyme inhibition potential against α-amylase (35.5 ± 1.54%), urease (78.4 ± 1.26%) and lipase (80.50.91%), respectively. Overall findings indicated that biosynthesized CuO-NPs possess immense in vitro biological and biomedical properties and could be used as a broad-spectrum agent for a wider range of biomedical applications.

In Vivo Assessment of the Ameliorative Impact of Some Medicinal Plant Extracts on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Multiple Sclerosis in Wistar Rats.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that leads to the demyelination of nerve fibers, which is the major cause of non-traumatic disability all around the world. Herbal plants Nepeta hindustana L., Vitex negundo L., and Argemone albiflora L., in addition to anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, have shown great potential as neuroprotective agents. The study was aimed to develop a neuroprotective model to study the effectiveness of herbal plants (N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora) against multiple sclerosis. The in vivo neuroprotective effects of ethanolic extracts isolated from N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora were evaluated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced multiple sclerosis Wistar rat model. The rat models were categorized into seven groups including group A as normal, B as LPS induced diseased group, while C, D, E, F, and G were designed as treatment groups. Histopathological evaluation and biochemical markers including stress and inflammatory (MMP-6, MDA, TNF-α, AOPPs, AGEs, NO, IL-17 and IL-2), antioxidant (SOD, GSH, CAT, GPx), DNA damage (Isop-2α, 8OHdG) as well as molecular biomarkers (RAGE, Caspase-8, p38) along with glutamate, homocysteine, acetylcholinesterase, and myelin binding protein (MBP) were investigated. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and GraphPad Prism 8.0. The different extract treated groups (C, D, E, F, G) displayed a substantial neuroprotective effect regarding remyelination of axonal terminals and oligodendrocytes migration, reduced lymphocytic infiltrations, and reduced necrosis of Purkinje cells. The levels of stress, inflammatory, and DNA damage markers were observed high in the diseased group B, which were reduced after treatments with plant extracts. The antioxidant activity was significantly reduced in diseased induced group B, however, their levels were raised after treatment with plant extract. Group F (a mélange of all the extracts) showed the most significant change among all other treatment groups (C, D, E, G). The communal dose of selected plant extracts regulates neurodegeneration at the cellular level resulting in restoration and remyelination of axonal neurons. Moreover, 400 mg/kg dose of three plants in conjugation (Group F) were found to be more effective in restoring the normal activities of all measured parameters than independent doses (Group C, D, E) and is comparable with standard drug nimodipine (Group G) clinically used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The present study, for the first time, reported the clinical evidence of N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora against multiple sclerosis and concludes that all three plants showed remyelination as well neuroprotective effects which may be used as a potential natural neurotherapeutic agent against multiple sclerosis.

Phytochemicals Mediated Synthesis of AuNPs from Citrullus colocynthis and Their Characterization.

Engineered nanoparticles that have distinctive targeted characteristics with high potency are modernistic technological innovations. In the modern era of research, nanotechnology has assumed critical importance due to its vast applications in all fields of science. Biologically synthesized nanoparticles using plants are an alternative to conventional methods. In the present study, Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) was used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). UV-Vis's spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and FTIR were performed to confirm the formation of AuNPs. UV-Vis's spectra showed a characteristic peak at the range of 531.5-541.5 nm. XRD peaks at 2 θ = 38°, 44°, 64° and 77°, corresponding to 111, 200, 220 and 311 planes, confirmed the crystalline nature of AuNPs. Spherical AuNPs ranged mostly between 7 and 33 nm, and were measured using SEM. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phytochemicals on the surface of AuNPs. Successful synthesis of AuNPs by seed extract of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) as a capping and reducing agent represents the novelty of the present study.

Development of ß-cyclodextrin/polyvinypyrrolidone-co-poly (2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulphonic acid) hybrid nanogels as nano-drug delivery carriers to enhance the solubility of Rosuvastatin: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

The present study is aimed at enhancing the solubility of rosuvastatin (RST) by designing betacyclodextrin/polyvinypyrrolidone-co-poly (2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulphonic acid) crosslinked hydrophilic nanogels in the presence of crosslinker methylene bisacrylamide through free-radical polymerization method. Various formulations were fabricated by blending different amounts of betacyclodextrin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulphonic acid, and methylene bisacrylamide. The developed chemically crosslinked nanogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, PXRD, TGA, DSC, sol-gel analysis, zeta size, micromeritics properties, drug loading percentage, swelling, solubility, and release studies. The FTIR spectrum depicts the leading peaks of resultant functional groups of blended constituents while a fluffy and porous structure was observed through SEM images. Remarkable reduction in crystallinity of RST in developed nanogels revealed by PXRD. TGA and DSC demonstrate the good thermal stability of nanogels. The size analysis depicts the particle size of the developed nanogels in the range of 178.5 ±3.14 nm. Drug loading percentage, swelling, solubility, and release studies revealed high drug loading, solubilization, swelling, and drug release patterns at 6.8 pH paralleled to 1.2 pH. In vivo experiments on developed nanogels in comparison to marketed brands were examined and better results regarding pharmacokinetic parameters were observed. The compatibility and non-toxicity of fabricated nanogels to biological systems was supported by a toxicity study that was conducted on rabbits. Efficient fabrication, excellent physicochemical properties, improved dissolution, high solubilization, and nontoxic nanogels might be a capable approach for the oral administration of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Phytopharmacological Evaluation of Different Solvent Extract/Fractions From Sphaeranthus indicus L. Flowers: From Traditional Therapies to Bioactive Compounds.

Sphaeranthus indicus L. is a medicinal herb having widespread traditional uses for treating common ailments. The present research work aims to explore the in-depth phytochemical composition and in vitro reactivity of six different polarity solvents (methanol, n-hexane, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) extracts/fractions of S. indicus flowers. The phytochemical composition was accomplished by determining total bioactive contents, HPLC-PDA polyphenolic quantification, and UHPLC-MS secondary metabolomics. The reactivity of the phenolic compounds was tested through the following biochemical assays: antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelation) and enzyme inhibition (AChE, BChE, α-glucosidase, α-amylase, urease, and tyrosinase) assays were performed. The methanol extract showed the highest values for phenolic (94.07 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid (78.7 mg QE/g extract) contents and was also the most active for α-glucosidase inhibition as well as radical scavenging and reducing power potential. HPLC-PDA analysis quantified rutin, naringenin, chlorogenic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, and epicatechin in a significant amount. UHPLC-MS analysis of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts revealed the presence of well-known phytocompounds; most of these were phenolic, flavonoid, and glycoside derivatives. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest inhibition against tyrosinase and urease, while the n-hexane fraction was most active for α-amylase. Moreover, principal component analysis highlighted the positive correlation between bioactive compounds and the tested extracts. Overall, S. indicus flower extracts were found to contain important phytochemicals, hence could be further explored to discover novel bioactive compounds that could be a valid starting point for future pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals applications.

Optimization of chitosan for microencapsulation of flaxseed oil through spray drying.

The study is aimed to characterize the wall material chitosan in combination with maltodextrin for microencapsulation of flaxseed oil to enhance the delivery of polyunsaturated fatty acids in functional foods. Four formulations of water-based oil emulsions containing flaxseed oil were prepared, homogenized, and analyzed in terms of stability and viscosity. Resulting emulsions were spray dried and further evaluated physicochemically. Results revealed that total moisture content of spray dried microcapsules was in range of 3.1 ± 0.01-3.32 ± 0.04, while highest microencapsulation efficiency found for spray dried powder was 88.8 ± 1.45. Peroxide and anisidine value revealed high oxidative stability of dried powders during storage at room temperature as compared to bulk FO. Among the four formulations, formulation 3 was found to be highly efficient with high encapsulation efficiency and lower PV (3.93 ± 0.13) and AV (2.93 ± 0.21) value. Fatty acid profile was stable after 30 days and slight change observed in composition. Formulations with different concentration of chitosan has significant (p <0.05) impact on emulsion properties and oxidative stability values. It is concluded that spray dried flaxseed oil microcapsules prepared using chitosan as coating material enhance the stability and delivery of omega-3 fatty acids.

Assessment of renal and hepato-protective potential of guava leaves in male Sprague dawley rats.

Present research project was an attempt to explore the functional/nutraceutical worth of guava leaves from two locally grown varieties (Ruby & Safeda). For the purpose, guava leaves extract was fed to experimental male Sprague Dawley rats to explore the nutraceutical potential of guava leaves against hepatotoxicity. Two studies were performed on two types of rats i.e. study I (normal rats), study II (hepatotoxic rats). In both studies, 250 mg/kg each of pink guava leaves extracts (T1) and white guava leaves extracts (T2) was added in the feed. Feed intake and body weights of the rats were recorded. At the end of the first and eighth week of study, the blood samples of the rats were analyzed to check the effect of guava leaves extracts on renal functioning (Alkaline Phosphatase, Alanine Transaminase and Aspartate Transaminase) as well as liver functioning parameters including urea and creatinine. In both studies, comparatively higher feed consumption was observed in the control group than the rest of the treatments. At the end of study I, the highest weight (207±9.21 g) was observed in T0 whereas, during study II, the maximum value (202±5.58 g) was found in T2 (rats consuming white guava leaves extract) that indicates its effectiveness against hepatotoxicity. Regarding renal functioning tests, pink guava leaves were more effective in decreasing urea and creatinine levels in rats as compared to the white guava leaves in both study plans. Likewise, in each of study trial, pink guava leaves were more effective in reducing AST, ALT and ALP than white guava leaves and control. From the present investigation, it is deduced that guava leaves were effective against hepatotoxicity.

Pathobiological Relationship of Excessive Dietary Intake of Choline/L-Carnitine: A TMAO Precursor-Associated Aggravation in Heart Failure in Sarcopenic Patients.

The microecological environment of the gastrointestinal tract is altered if there is an imbalance between the gut microbiota phylases, resulting in a variety of diseases. Moreover, progressive age not only slows down physical activity but also reduces the fat metabolism pathway, which may lead to a reduction in the variety of bacterial strains and bacteroidetes' abundance, promoting firmicutes and proteobacteria growth. As a result, dysbiosis reduces physiological adaptability, boosts inflammatory markers, generates ROS, and induces the destruction of free radical macromolecules, leading to sarcopenia in older patients. Research conducted at various levels indicates that the microbiota of the gut is involved in pathogenesis and can be considered as the causative agent of several cardiovascular diseases. Local and systematic inflammatory reactions are caused in patients with heart failure, as ischemia and edema are caused by splanchnic hypoperfusion and enable both bacterial metabolites and bacteria translocation to enter from an intestinal barrier, which is already weakened, to the blood circulation. Multiple diseases, such as HF, include healthy microbe-derived metabolites. These key findings demonstrate that the gut microbiota modulates the host's metabolism, either specifically or indirectly, by generating multiple metabolites. Currently, the real procedures that are an analogy to the symptoms in cardiac pathologies, such as cardiac mass dysfunctions and modifications, are investigated at a minimum level in older patients. Thus, the purpose of this review is to summarize the existing knowledge about a particular diet, including trimethylamine, which usually seems to be effective for the improvement of cardiac and skeletal muscle, such as choline and L-carnitine, which may aggravate the HF process in sarcopenic patients.

Exploring the genetic diversity and population structure of scarlet eggplant germplasm from Rwanda through iPBS-retrotransposon markers.

BACKGROUND: Scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum gr. gilo) is a part of African indigenous vegetables and acknowledged as a source of variations in the breeding of Brinjal. Since its genetic diversity is still largely unexplored, therefore genetic diversity and population structure of this plant were investigated in this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Scarlet eggplant germplasm made of fifty-two accessions originated from two districts of Rwanda was assessed by employing the iPBS-retrotransposon markers system. Twelve most polymorphic primers were employed for molecular characterization and they yielded 329 total bands whereupon 85.03% were polymorphic. The recorded mean polymorphism information content was 0.363 and other diversity indices such as; mean the effective number of alleles, mean Shannon's information index and gene diversity with the following values; 1.298, 0.300 and 0.187 respectively. A superior level of diversity was noticed among accessions from Musanze district. The model-based structure, neighbor-joining, and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) gathered scarlet germplasm in a divergence manner to their collection district. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) displayed that the utmost variations (81%) in scarlet eggplant germplasm are resulting in differences within populations. CONCLUSIONS: The extensive diversity of scarlet eggplant in Rwanda might be used to form the base and genetic resource of an exhaustive breeding program of this economically important African indigenous vegetable. For instance, accessions MZE53 and GKE11 might be proposed as parent candidates due to their high relative genetic distance (0.6781).