Mint leaves (Mentha arvensis) mediated CaO nanoparticles in dye degradation and their role in anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties.

In ancient times, herbal plants were considered one of the greatest gifts from nature that human beings could receive, and about 80% of these plants have medicinal uses. In traditional medicine, Mentha arvensis, commonly known as mint, has many applications, and in the present study, the mint leaf extract has been used to synthesis nanoparticles using the mint leaf extract as a biosource for the extraction of nanoparticles. In addition to having a wide range of applications in various fields, calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles are also considered to be safe for human use. In order to assess the characteristics of the abstracted CaO nanoparticles, UV-visible absorption spectrophotometers, Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometers (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and X-ray Diffraction Spectrophotometers (XRDs) were used. By conducting a protein denaturation assay and nitric oxide scavenging assay, mint leaf mediated CaO nanoparticles were evaluated for their therapeutic applications. MTT assays were used to prove that the CaO nanoparticles mediated by mint leaf had anti-cancer properties. By examining the ability of mint leaf mediated CaO nanoparticles to degrade various dyes such as methyl red, methyl orange, and methylene blue, which are the most used azo dyes in textile industries resulting in water contamination, the ability of these nanoparticles to act as a photocatalytic agent was examined.

Identification of a putative novel cholivirus in the transcriptome of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br.

Gymnema sylvestre is a tropical climber species that is widely used in traditional medicine since ages. In the present study, the transcriptome datasets of G. sylvestre available in public domain were screened for the presence of novel plant viral sequences and a putative novel virus tentatively named as Gymnema sylvestre virus 1 (GysV1) was identified. Coding-complete genome segments of GysV1 that are 6.35 kb (RNA1) and 3.98 kb (RNA2) long possessed a single large open reading frame coding for a polyprotein. BLASTp, sequence identity and phylogenetic analyses revealed the relatedness of GysV1 to the members of the subgenus Cholivirus (genus Sadwavirus; family Secoviridae; order Picornavirales). Based on the species demarcation criteria of the family Secoviridae, GysV1 can be regarded as a new cholivirus member.

Regulation of glucose transporter-4 intervention with S. saman leaves extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is the leading disorder and affects more than millions of people worldwide. Nowadays, the usage of herbal drugs is said to control adiposity and hyperglycemia. The current research investigated the anti-adiposity and antidiabetic activity of S. saman leaf extract and bioactive compounds. Therefore, the results lower the sugar absorption into the blood and reveal the extract's antidiabetic properties. STZ-induced diabetic rats, Samanea saman methanolic extract show improvement in the parameters like fasting blood glucose levels, body weight, other biochemical parameters supported by the histopathological analysis, and an increase in serum levels in the experimental groups. The antioxidant plays a vital role by increasing SOD and catalase activity levels and decreasing lipid peroxidation levels. The methanolic extract protects the tissue from oxidation stress, which is responsible for the glycemic properties. According to the findings, diabetic-treated rats had overnight blood glucose levels lower and near standard biochemical markers. Histopathology of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, and adipose tissues supported the pharmacological observations. Further, we screened and documented S. saman extract used for in vitro and in vivo methods. In terms of effectiveness, the crude extracts exhibit 0.8-fold GLUT4 down-regulation. Consequently, this result contributes to clinical trials and develops antidiabetic therapy as a substitute for synthetic pharmaceuticals.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles Using Psidium guajava Leaves Extracts and Their Photocatalytic and Biological Activities.

The advanced technology for synthesizing nanoparticles utilizes natural resources in an environmentally friendly manner. Additionally, green synthesis is preferred to chemical and physical synthesis because it takes less time and effort. The green synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles has recently risen due to its physico-chemical properties. In this study, many functional groups present in Psidium guajava leaf extracts are used to stabilize the synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles. The biosynthesized cobalt oxide nanoparticles were investigated using UV-visible spectroscopic analysis. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of carboxylic acids, hydroxyl groups, aromatic amines, alcohols and phenolic groups. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed various peaks ranging from 32.35 to 67.35°, and the highest intensity showed at 36.69°. The particle size ranged from 26 to 40 nm and confirmed the average particle size is 30.9 nm. The green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles contain cobalt as the major abundant element, with 42.26 wt% and 18.75 at% confirmed by the EDAX techniques. SEM images of green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles showed agglomerated and non-uniform spherical particles. The anti-bacterial activity of green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles was evaluated against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli with a 7 to 18 mm inhibitory zone. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated using green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles and observed 79% of dye degradation. The MTT assay of P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles showed an excellent cytotoxic effect against MCF 7 and HCT 116 cells compared to normal cells. The percentage of cell viability of P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles was observed as 90, 83, 77, 68, 61, 58 and 52% for MCF-7 cells and 82, 70, 63, 51, 43, 40, and 37% for HCT 116 cells at the concentration of 1.53, 3.06, 6.12, 12.24, 24.48, 50, and 100 µg/mL compared to control cells. These results confirmed that green synthesized P. guajava cobalt oxide nanoparticles have a potential photocatalytic and anti-bacterial activity and also reduced cell viability against MCF-7 breast cancer and HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells.

Evaluation of the anti-diabetic effect of biogenic silver nanoparticles and intervention in PPARγ gene regulation.

The current study demonstrated a green, friendly, low-cost biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Kigelia africana leaves (Lam.) Benth. extract (KAE) as both a major capping and reducing agent. The produced AgNPs were characterized using a variety of analytical methods, like the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), HRTEM, Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The formation of AgNPs with maximum absorbance at max = 435 nm was endorsed by surface plasmon resonance. FTIR analysis revealed that biological macromolecules of KAE were involved in the stabilization and synthesis of AgNPs. At the same time, HRTEM images revealed that the average particle size of the spherical AgNPs ranged from about 25 nm to 35 nm. Further, cytotoxicity assessment of AgNPs was done using the RINm5F insulinoma cell line with an MTT assay. Followed by, the RINm5F insulinoma cells treated with AgNPs and KAE, the expression of the Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) gene was accessed. The results showed gene expression was upregulated in the RINm5F insulinoma cell line thus confirming AgNPs and KAE anti-diabetic efficacy. Furthermore, the findings show that nanotechnology has enhanced the effectiveness of current methodologies in gene expression and regulation which has contributed to the emergence of different forms of advanced regulatory systems.

PPAR-Gamma as putative gene target involved in Butein mediated anti-diabetic effect.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder caused due to varied genetic and lifestyle factors. The search for a potential natural compound to enhance the treatment of diabetes is the need of the hour. Butein, a flavonoid, found sufficiently in Faba bean, is said to possess an anti-diabetic property. In-silico analysis, Butein is predicted as a potential anti-diabetic compound, due to its regulatory action on PPAR-Gamma. Based on this evidence, the Butein's anti-diabetic action is studied in diabetic induced rat models. The drug property of Butein is studied through in-silico analysis to determine the metabolic properties. In animal models, the biochemical analysis, histopathological and gene expression against PPAR-Gamma were studied comparatively. Butein being a hydrophobic compound, the bioavailability is said to be minimum. Hence, Butein formulation was made using biopolymer Chitosan for the synergistic anti-diabetic action. The Butein Chitosan formulation was optimized and characterized using analytical techniques. Further, the anti-diabetic activity of Butein and Butein Chitosan formulation was studied in diabetic induced rats. The obtained in-silico analysis results showed that Butein is the most favorable drug. Apparently, in the rat model, Butein and Butein Chitosan formulation effectively controlled the blood glucose levels without any side effects. The histopathological observations of the tissue samples showed nontoxic activity. Additionally, the gene expression analysis predicted the possible mechanism of anti-diabetic action exhibited through the down regulation of PPAR-Gamma. Whereas, the Butein Chitosan formulation failed, to show synergetic anti-diabetic activity as expected. This study is vital in introducing Butein as a safe anti-diabetic compound, which can be used in the treatment of T2DM.

Exploring the antidiabetic and anti-obesity properties of Samanea saman through in vitro and in vivo approaches.

In recent years, diabetes and obesity have become a major problem in global health care because of changes in lifestyle, food habits, and age-related metabolic disorders. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases, affecting millions of people worldwide. Currently, herbal drugs are used to control obesity and diabetes. The present study investigates the anti-obesity, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities of Samanea saman leaf extract. A methanolic extract of S. saman leaves was prepared by a maceration method. The S. saman leaf extract was studied for its inhibitory effect on glucose utilization using specific in vitro procedures to analyze its antioxidant, anti-obesity, and antidiabetic activities via different assays, such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assay, glucose uptake by yeast cells, nonenzymatic glycosylation assay followed by glucose diffusion assay. The outcome of the study showed that the methanolic extract strongly inhibited the pancreatic lipase, α-amylase, and glucosidase activities, compared with the standard drug. The results showed that the extract possessed considerable antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, and further studies are needed to confirm the results using an in vivo model. Thus, it is proposed that S. saman can be used as a therapeutic agent.

In vitro and in silico analyses of Vicia faba L. on Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.

The agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) from natural victual products were used as antidiabetic agents. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a consequential legume that was known to possess potential antidiabetic activity, whose mechanism of action was unknown. The current study was focused to ascertain gene expression of the nuclear receptor PPARγ by Faba bean pod extract in rat cell lines (RINm5F).The real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that Faba bean pod extract in concentrations of 160 µg/mL have shown 4.97-fold stimulation compared with control. The cells treated with 320 µg/mL has shown 5.89-fold upregulation, respectively. Furthermore, in silico docking analysis was carried out against PPARγ, using the bioactive compounds identified from Faba bean pod extracts, which were known reported compounds from the literature. The results suggest that gene expression of PPARγ was inhibited by the constituents in Faba bean. In silico analysis prognosticates, butein has a high binding energy (-8.6 kcal/mol) with an atomic contact energy of -214.10, followed by Apigenin and Quercetin against PPARγ. Similarly, the percentage of interaction was high for butein, followed by Apigenin and Quercetin than other compounds comparatively. Hence, the results conclude inhibition of PPARγ by the bioactive compounds from Faba bean, which may provide insights into developing future therapeutic molecules for diabetes mellitus.

The efficacy of Poly-ß-Hydroxy Butyrate (PHB)/biosurfactant derived from Staphylococcus hominis against White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Penaeus monodon.

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is one of the most important causative agents of Penaeid shrimps diseases that incur heavy losses to the shrimp aquaculture. It has severe impact on the sustainability and the production of Penaeus monodon. Hence, the present study focussed on the investigation of Poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate/biosurfactant as immunostimulants against WSSV infected shrimps. Infection of WSSV was periodically checked in all the experimental shrimps using PCR diagnostic kit. After ensuring all shrimps were free of viral infection, experiments were carried out to analyze the nonspecific immune responses (prophenol oxidase, nitro blue tetrazolium reduction assay and total haemocyte count) both in control and experimental group. Further, gills and muscles of Penaeus monodon were subjected to proteome analysis after treated it with PHB/biosurfactant independently in the concentration of 2% and 5% each. Increase in the level of haemocytes was observed in both PHB (26 ± 2 × 104 cells)/biosurfactant (28 ± 2 × 104 cells) treated shrimps, when compared with control (17 ± 2 × 104 cells). proPhenolOxidase (proPO) activity was also enhanced in treated groups compared to WSSV infected shrimps. Less production of superoxide anion was observed in control and treated groups. Differences in the protein expression was analyzed in muscle tissue of control, WSSV infected and PHB/biosurfactant treated shrimps. Our finding suggested that partial substitution of feed with 2% PHB and biosurfactant showed increased rate on the survival of WSSV infected P. monodon which might be due to either the over expression/down regulation of proteins that play a vital role in enhancing the immune system/the progression of the disease respectively.

Evaluation of anti-cholinesterase, antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using from Millettia pinnata flower extract.

The aim of this study is to develop an easy and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of Ag-NPs using extracts from the medicinal plant, Millettia pinnata flower extract and investigate the effects of Ag-NPs on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), antibacterial and cytotoxicity activity. UV-Vis peak at 438 nm confirmed the Ag-NPs absorbance. The SEM analysis results confirmed the presence of spherical shaped Ag-NPs by a huge disparity in the particle size distribution with an average size of 49 ± 0.9 nm. TEM images revealed the formation of Ag-NPs with spherical shape and sizes in the range between 16 and 38 nm. The Ag-NPs showed an excellent inhibitory efficacy against AChE and BChE. The highest antibacterial activity was found against Escherichia coli (20.25 ± 0.91 mm). These nanoparticles showed the cytotoxic effects against brine shrimp (artemia saliana) nauplii with a LD50 value of 33.92.

Biotechnology and pharmacological evaluation of Indian vegetable crop Lagenaria siceraria: an overview.

Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae, which comprises about 118 genera and 825 species. It is an important vegetable crop of India, and its production is influenced by a number of factors viz., environmental, nutritional, cultural operation and use of plant growth regulators. Since, bottle gourd belongs to a medicinal family, it plays a major role in the treatment of several diseases related to the skin and heart. There are several organic chemical compounds including vitamin B complex, pectin, dietary soluble fibres, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, amino acids and minerals which have been isolated from this species. Therefore, the bottle gourd is considered to have a great impact on therapeutic health benefits. Due to drastic industrialization and urbanization, most of the human beings are facing several ill effects which may lead to death at extreme cases. Hence, the major research area was said to be nanotechnology. Taking into consideration, we have combined nanotechnology field with waste source in the name of green synthesis and planned to cure several diseases, as most of the researchers focused their work on this and succeeded too. The present study is a complete review of L. siceraria that covers the ethnomedical uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological profile. This study is mainly focused on the antibacterial, hepatoprotective, diuretic and anthelminthic activities.

Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in eight mollusc species along Tamilnadu coast, Bay of Bengal, India.

Eight mollusc species and sediment samples collected from three different stations along Tamilnadu coast, Bay of Bengal, India were analysed for the levels of petroleum hydrocarbons to elucidate the status of the petroleum residues in mollusc meant for human consumption. The concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments along Tamilnadu coast varied from 5.04-25.5 microg/g dw (dry weight). High concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in the sediment of Uppanar estuary (25.5 +/- 1.45 microg/g dw) was perhaps land and marine based anthropogenic sources of this region. The petroleum hydrocarbon residues in eight mollusc species collected from Uppanar, Vellar and Coleroon estuaries varied between 2.44-6.04 microg/g ww (wet weight). Although the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment of the Uppanar region was markedly higher than the background, the petroleum hydrocarbon residues in mollusc collected from Uppanar estuary did not suggest bioaccumulation. The results signified that industrial growth has affected the aquatic environments and regular monitoring will help to adopt stringent pollution control measures for better management of the aquatic region.

Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in ten commercial fish species along Tamilnadu coast, Bay of Bengal, India.

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons in ten commercial fish species and water samples in three estuaries along Tamilnadu coast, Bay of Bengal, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fish and water samples collected from Tamilnadu coast, India, were extracted and analyzed for petroleum hydrocarbons by ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF) spectroscopy. RESULTS: The petroleum hydrocarbon concentration (PHC) in coastal waters and fish species varied between 2.28 and 14.02 µg/l and 0.52 and 2.05 µg/g, respectively. The highest PHC concentration was obtained in Uppanar estuarine waters (14.02 ± 0.83) and the lowest was observed in Vellar estuarine waters (2.28 ± 0.25). DISCUSSION: Among the ten fish species, Sardinella longiceps have high PHC concentration from all the locations. This study suggests that S. longiceps can be used as a good biological indicator for petroleum hydrocarbon pollution in water. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in coastal waters along Tamilnadu coast is markedly higher than that in the background, but there is no evidence for its increase in fish of this region. From a public health point, petroleum hydrocarbon residue levels in all fish samples analyzed in this study are considerably lower than the hazardous levels. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: At present, as Tamilnadu coastal area is in a rapid development stage of new harbour, chemical industries, power plants, oil exploration and other large-scale industries, further assessment of petroleum hydrocarbons and the various hydrodynamic conditions acting in the region are to be studied in detail and continuous pollution monitoring studies should be conducted for improving the aquatic environment. The results will also be useful for pollution monitoring program along the coastal region and also to check the levels of petroleum hydrocarbons.

In vitro antioxidant studies in leaves of Annona species.

Antioxidant potential of leaves of three different species of Annona was studied by using different in vitro models eg., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothizoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxy radical and lipid peroxidation. The ethanolic extract of A. muricata at 500 microg/ml showed maximum scavenging activity (90.05%) of ABTS radical cation followed by the scavenging of hydroxyl radical (85.88%) and nitric oxide (72.60%) at the same concentration. However, the extract showed only moderate lipid peroxidation inhibition activity. In contrast, the extract of A. reticulata showed better activity in quenching DPPH (89.37%) and superoxide radical (80.88%) respectively. A.squamosa extract exhibited least inhibition in all in vitro antioxidant models excepting hydroxyl radical (79.79%). These findings suggest that the extracts of A. muricata possess potent in vitro antioxidant activity as compared to leaves of A. squamosa and A. reticulata suggesting its role as an effective free radical scavenger, augmenting its therapeutic