A systematic review on antimicrobial activities of green synthesised Selaginella silver nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Metallic nanoparticles from different natural sources exhibit superior therapeutic options as compared to the conventional methods. Selaginella species have attracted special attention of researchers worldwide due to the presence of bioactive molecules such as flavonoids, biflavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, saponins, tannins and other secondary metabolites that exhibit antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Environment friendly green synthesised silver nanoparticles from Selaginella species provide viable, safe and efficient treatment against different fungal pathogens. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to summarise the literature pertaining to superior antifungal ability of green synthesised silver nanoparticles using plant extracts of Selaginella spp. in comparison to both aqueous and ethanolic raw plant extracts by electronically collecting articles from databases. METHODS: The recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis were taken into consideration while preparing this review. The titles and abstracts of the collected data were stored in Endnote20 based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search strategy included literature from established sources like PubMed, Google Scholar and Retrieval System Online using subject descriptors. RESULTS: The search yielded 60 articles with unique hits. After removal of duplications, 46 articles were identified, 40 were assessed and only seven articles were chosen and included in this review based on our eligibility criteria. CONCLUSION: The physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical investigations of Selaginella suggest higher drug potency of nanoparticles synthesised from plant extract against different diseases as compared to aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts. The study holds great promise as the synthesis of nanoparticles involves low energy consumption, minimal technology and least toxic effects.

Diminished reproductive fitness associated with the deltamethrin resistance in an Indian strain of dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti L.

The susceptible (SS) and resistant (DLR) strains of Aedes aegypti selected with deltamethrin and combination of deltamethrin and PBO (1:5) at the larval/adult stage were studied in the laboratory for their reproductive fitness in terms of fecundity, hatchability and longevity of gonotrophic cycles. The DLR strains exhibited 73-88% reduction in the duration of gonotrophic cycles as compared to their SS counterparts. There was a considerable decrease in egg production and hatchability rates in the selected strains of Ae. aegypti, as compared to that of the SS strain. Data indicate deltamethrin being an effective insecticide against Ae. aegypti and a possible correlation between the deltamethrin resistance and disadvantages during reproduction. The most drastic and significant effect was observed in DLR1b strains exhibiting 36.7% decrease in fecundity and 32.4% reduction in hatchability. Another important observation was diminished reproductive fitness in DLR2 strains. This suggests the usefulness of synergized deltamethrin selections in reducing the frequency of resistant individuals. A significant finding was to observe the reproductive disadvantage in adult-selected strains having negligible resistance to deltamethrin implicating the efficacy of deltamethrin as an adulticide rather than as a larvicide. Various probable reasons for the reduction in the reproductive potential and the possible resistance-management strategies of Ae. aegypti are discussed.

Effect of the synergist, piperonyl butoxide, on the development of deltamethrin resistance in yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae).

The larvae and adults of Aedes aegypti were tested for the potential to develop resistance to the synthetic pyrethroid, deltamethrin, alone or a combination of deltamethrin with the synergist, piperonyl butoxide (PBO). Although continuous larval selection for 40 generations resulted in 703-fold resistance, the resistance ratio in the adults was only 1.3. Similarly, adult selections with deltamethrin showed a resistance ratio of less than four after 40 generations, indicating differential response to deltamethrin selection in the two developmental stages of the insect. When the susceptible larvae were subjected to selection pressure of deltamethrin and PBO in the ratio of 1:5 for 20 generations, the speed of selection for deltamethrin resistance slowed down by 60%. The F24 larvae obtained from the strain selected with deltamethrin alone were further subjected to selection pressure with synergized deltamethrin, which resulted in 89% reversal in deltamethrin resistance in just one generation. However, long-term selection with the insecticide-synergist combination returned resistance close to original levels in 15 generations. The data indicate the involvement of cytochrome P450-dependent detoxification as the primary mechanism of development of resistance to deltamethrin in the larvae. Implications of the results on the management of larval and adult stages of Ae. aegypti are discussed.