Ethnobotanical Insights into Medicinal and Culinary Plant Use: The Dwindling Traditional Heritage of the Dard Ethnic Group in the Gurez Region of the Kashmir Valley, India.

This ethnobiological study addresses the complicated relationship between the Dard ethnic group and their natural environment in the Gurez region of the Kashmir Valley. The study documents their traditional knowledge of the use of plant species for medicinal and culinary purposes. A total of 87 plant species from 41 different families were cataloged, with the Asteraceae family (15 species) and the Lamiaceae family (12 species) being the most commonly used. These plants were found to be used to treat 20 different ailments, with menstrual cramps being the most common (12 species). The fidelity values for these plants ranged from 11.10 to 71.42, demonstrating their importance in traditional medicine. In addition, 17 plant species were found to be useful for gastronomic purposes, with Juglans regia being the most valuable (use value of 0.73). The study also evaluated the conservation status of these plants and found that seven of them are considered critically endangered, ten endangered, and four endangered according to the IUCN classification. This study offers insights into the Dard people's deep connection to their natural environment and has significant implications for policy formulation, cultural conservation, and sustainable use of endemic species, as well as potential applications in pharmaceutical research for therapeutic compounds.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Myrsine africana Leaf Extract for Their Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Phytotoxic Activities.

Nanotechnology is the study and control of materials at length scales between 1 and 100 nanometers (nm), where incredible phenomena enable new applications. It affects all aspects of human life and is the most active research topic in modern materials science. Among the various metallic nanoparticles used in biomedical applications, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most important and interesting nanomaterials. The aim of this study was to synthesize AgNPs from the leaf extract of Myrsine africana to investigate their antibacterial, antioxidant, and phytotoxic activities. When the leaf extract was treated with AgNO3, the color of the reaction solution changed from light brown to dark brown, indicating the formation of AgNPs. The UV-visible spectrum showed an absorption peak at 438 nm, confirming the synthesis of AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the AgNPs were spherical and oval with an average size of 28.32 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the presence of bio-compound functional groups on the surface of the AgNPs. The crystalline nature of the AgNPs was confirmed by XRD pattern. These biosynthesized AgNPs showed pronounced antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with higher inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli. At 40 µg/mL AgNPs, the highest antioxidant activity was obtained, which was 57.7% and an IC50 value of 77.56 µg/mL. A significant positive effect was observed on all morphological parameters when AgNPs were applied to wheat seedlings under constant external conditions at the different concentrations. The present study provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of AgNPs, which can be effectively used in the field of therapeutics, as antimicrobial and diagnostic agents, and as plant growth promoters.

Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Phytotoxic Potential of Phytosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Elaeagnus umbellata Fruit Extract.

Due to its eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, ability to be handled safely, and a wide variety of biological activities, the green plant-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles has become increasingly popular. The present work deals with the green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Elaeagnus umbellata (fruit) and the evaluation of its antibacterial, antioxidant, and phytotoxic activities. For the synthesis of AgNPs, fruit extract was treated with a 4 mM AgNO3 solution at room temperature, and a color change was observed. In UV-Visible spectroscopy, an absorption peak formation at 456 nm was the sign that AgNPs were present in the reaction solution. Scanning electron microscopy and physicochemical X-ray diffraction were used to characterize AgNPs, which revealed that they were crystalline, spherical, and had an average size of 11.94 ± 7.325 nm. The synthesized AgNPs showed excellent antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (14 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (13.5 mm), Proteus mirabilis (13 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.5 mm), as well as considerable antioxidant activity against DPPH with 69% inhibition at an IC50 value of 43.38 µg/mL. AgNPs also exhibited a concentration-dependent effect on rice plants. Root and shoot length were found to be positively impacted at all concentrations, i.e., 12.5 µg/mL, 25 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL, and 100 µg/mL. Among these concentrations, the 50 µg/mL concentration of AgNPs was found to be most effective. The plant biomass decreased at higher AgNP exposure levels (i.e., 100 µg/mL), whereas 50 µg/mL caused a significant increase in plant biomass as compared to the control. This study provides an eco-friendly method for the synthesis of AgNPs which can be used for their antibacterial and antioxidant activities and also as growth promoters of crop plants.