Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Eclipta alba and Its Activity Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line (MDA-MB-231).

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) doesn't have well-defined molecular targets making it unable to treat with chemotherapy also have faster metastatic rate and worse survival rate. In the current study we aim to target TNBC through eco-friendly green synthesized silver nanoparticles having anti-cancer phytoconstituents from the traditional anti-cancer medicinal plant Eclipta alba. Green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are agglomerates of spherical shaped 40-60 nm sized showing characteristic light absorption at 437 nm, banding pattern at 1479, 1285, 1036, and 471 showing and further X-ray diffraction pattern confirm face-centered cubic crystal silver structure exist in the green synthesized silver nanoparticle preparation. Further in vitro anti-oxidant analysis results revealed that green synthesized AgNPs showed 2.6-fold higher anti-oxidant potential (IC50 15.70 g/ml) than that of aqueous plant leaf extract (IC50 39.80 g/ml). In MTT cytotoxicity analysis Eclipta alba plant extract and AgNPs both display dose-dependent cytotoxicity against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), although their IC50 values differ substantially, at 105.80 µg/ml and 77.20 g/ml, respectively. Finally, AgNPs from Eclipta alba tested for anti-leishmanial activity and it showed 91.36 ± 1.05 for promastigotes and 76.62 ± 0.95 for amastigotes at the highest dose of 400 g/ml. Altogether present data showed that Eclipta alba leaf extract actively bonded with silver nanoparticles suppresses the MDA-MB-231 cells growth through high antioxidant characters and anti-leishmanial activity. From together we confirm that Eclipta alba was recommended to a future therapeutic drug and agent to control breast cancer in the clinical level.

Indole-3-butyric acid mediated growth and biochemical enhancement in three Selenastracean green microalgae under limited supply of nitrogen source.

The effects of Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) supplementation in combination with nitrogen limitation on the biomass, biochemical and fatty acid composition of three selenastracean microalgae were studied. In the algae tested, nitrogen deficiency alone resulted in lower biomass output, whereas supplementation with 0.075 mM IBA resulted in increased biomass production on Selenastrum capricornutum (679 mg L-1), Ankistrodesmus falcatus (521 mg L-1) and Kirchneriella obesa (361 mg L-1) than their respective controls. The chlorophyll content of the algae showed a negative correlation with IBA dosage. Whilst it could significantly stimulate carotenoid biosynthesis in S. capricornutum and nitrogen limited (NL) alone, it influenced carotene production in both A. falcatus and K. obesa. Among the treatments, NL+ 0.075 mM IBA markedly increased the total lipid content to 1.2-fold in S. capricornutum, 0.81-fold in A. falcatus and 0.35-fold in K. obesa, with higher lipid productivity than control. NL+ 0.05 mM IBA significantly increased the amount of saturated fatty acids and NL+ 0.075 mM IBA significantly increased the amount of unsaturated fatty acids in all members of the Selenastraceae family under study. Thus, the study promises the importance of Selenastraceae members as a valuable feedstock for various process industries.

Broad-spectrum survey of medicinal plants as a potential source of anticancer agents / Estudio de amplio espectro de plantas medicinales como fuente potencial de agentes contra el cáncer

Cancer is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells that spreads through cell division. There are different types of medicines available to treat cancers, but no drug is found to be fully effective and safe for humans. The major problem involved in the cancer treatments is the toxicity of the established drug and their side effects. Medicinal plants are used as folk medicines in Asian and African populations for thousands of years. 60% of the drugs for treating cancer are derived from plants. More than 3000 plants have anticancer activity. The present review aims at the study of a broad spectrum survey of plants having anticancer components for different type of cancers. This article consists of 364 medicinal plants and their different parts as potential Source of Anticancer Agents.

El cáncer es un crecimiento anormal y descontrolado de células que se disemina a través de la división celular. Hay diferentes tipos de medicamentos disponibles para tratar el cáncer, pero no se ha encontrado ningún medicamento que sea completamente efectivo y seguro para los seres humanos. El principal problema involucrado en los tratamientos del cáncer es la toxicidad del fármaco establecido y sus efectos secundarios. Las plantas medicinales se utilizan como medicinas populares en poblaciones asiáticas y africanas durante miles de años. El 60% de los medicamentos para el tratamiento del cáncer se derivan de plantas. Más de 3000 plantas tienen actividad anticancerígena. La presente revisión tiene como objetivo el estudio de un estudio de amplio espectro de plantas que tienen componentes anticancerígenos para diferentes tipos de cánceres. Este artículo consta de 364 plantas medicinales y sus diferentes partes como fuente potencial de agentes anticancerígenos.

Effect of Ayurveda water purification method on total dissolved solutes in water.

Background: Water is vital for life as the body uses water in all its cells and tissues to maintain vital functions. Hence, water used for drinking should be free from all types of impurities. Acharya Sushruta has mentioned various water purification methods by keeping it in different types of vessels (silver, copper, and clay) and by adding herbs such as Kataka Beeja (seeds Strychnos potatorum Linn.). With urbanization, there are changes in the lifestyle of individuals and their food habits. Therefore, based on the ease of availability of materials, storage of water needs to be analyzed by simple parameters such as total dissolved solutes (TDS) that comprises inorganic salts such as bicarbonates, sulfates, and chlorides and a small amount of organic matter that is dissolved in water. A high level of TDS indicates water is unfit for consumption and may lead to nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc., TDS level indicates whether water is suitable for consumption or it requires filtration. Aim: To evaluate and compare the TDS of water kept for 24 h in different vessels made up of silver, copper, clay, plastic, and steel and further with the addition of different herbs like Kataka seeds, Tulsi leaves (Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn.), Nimba leaves (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) separately in different vessels. Materials and methods: The effect of different materials used for storage of water was assessed by evaluating TDS in water samples with the help of a well-calibrated TDS meter, on stored water (100 ml) in different types of vessels (silver, copper, clay, plastic, and steel) and further with the addition of different herbs (10 g) Kataka seeds, Tulsi leaves and Nimba leaves individually and separately, by keeping undisturbed for 24 h. Results: TDS values of the water samples kept for 24 h in different vessels, i.e., silver, copper, plastic, steel, and clay are 372, 429, 436, 445, 628 ppm, respectively, were found. Conclusion: The silver vessel was found to be best in decreasing the TDS value of water among vessels. On evaluating additional effects by adding different herbs, Nimba showed its action best among the storage vessels.