Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Leaf Extract of Cucumis melo L. and Their In Vitro Antidiabetic and Anticoccidial Activities.

In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Cucumis melo L. leaf extract via a green synthesis approach and their potential against diabetes and coccidiosis was tested under in vitro conditions. The phytochemical components in the leaf extract reacted with silver nitrate in solution and yielded C. melo-silver nanoparticles (Cm-AgNPs). The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed via UV-visible spectroscopy by obtaining a peak at 440 nm. The nanoparticles were characterized by their morphology, crystallinity, and the presence of functional groups. In vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays were carried out at different concentrations in the range of 20 to 100 µg/mL of Cm-AgNPs. The Cm-AgNPs exhibited enzyme inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner. As the concentration of Cm-AgNPs increased the inhibitory activities were also increased linearly and the highest inhibition was observed at 100 µg/mL. The effectiveness of Cm-AgNPs against Eimeria tenalla was assessed by an in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell lines. The results revealed that the viability of the oocysts and further sporulation were decreased with the increased concentration of Cm-AgNPs. The AgNPs synthesized from the C. melo leaf extract have shown promising potential against diabetes and coccidiosis, and they could be used in biomedical applications.

Green Synthesis, Characterization and Bioactivity of Mangifera indica Seed-Wrapped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

In the realm of nanoparticles, metal-based nanoparticles have traditionally been regarded as the pioneering category. Compared to other nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles have several advantages, including optical and biological properties, which provide them a significant competitive advantage in clinical and biological applications. In the current investigation, we used an aqueous Mangifera indica seed extract to synthesize nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs). UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, atomic force spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the synthesized ZnO NPs. The nanoparticles were assessed for their potential to inhibit bacterial growth and protect cells from free radical damage. According to the current study's findings, zinc oxide nanoparticles that had been modified with the aid of mango seeds were very efficient in preventing the development of the tested bacteria and were also powerful antioxidants.

Response of hepatic biochemical parameters and neurotoxicity to carbamazepine and ibuprofen in Oreochromis mossambicus.

Globally, the prevalence and pollution of pharmaceutical drugs in aquatic environments have been steadily increasing. This study sought to evaluate the effects of 14 days of exposure to environmental-relevant doses (ibuprofen 0.5, 5, and 50 µg/L, and carbamazepine 0.005, 1, and 10 µg/L) of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and carbamazepine in the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in O. mossambicus superoxide dismutase, catalase, biotransformation enzymes, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, oxidative stress lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl activity, cellular damage metallothionine, reduced glutathione, immunological activities, and respiratory burst activity. Consequently, the acquired data revealed that O. mossambicus treated with ibuprofen and carbamazepine shows more significant alterations in metabolic depression, biochemical parameters, and oxidative stress. In addition, increased neurotoxic effects were observed in ibuprofen and carbamazepine treated O. mossambicus.

Azadirachta indica-wrapped copper oxide nanoparticles as a novel functional material in cardiomyocyte cells: An ecotoxicity assessment on the embryonic development of Danio rerio.

This research reports on the production of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) through the green synthesis method using Azadirachta indica (Ai) flower extract. Synthesized Ai-CuO NPs are characterized by Zeta Potential, TGA, SEM and TEM analysis. The Ai-CuO NPs gave a maximum peak at 270 nm. As per XRD studies, the Ai-CuO NPs obtained were crystalline. FTIR spectrum Ai-CuO NPs showed the presence of functional groups like the O-H group, aromatic group, etc. TEM and SEM assist in investigating the size and morphology of the Ai-CuO NPs, which were spherical and varied in size between 10.11 nm and 17.54 nm. EDAX showed that Ai-CuO NPs were pure with no impurities. The synthesized Ai-CuO NPs were then analyzed for their cytotoxicity at various concentrations (5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 µg/mL) against H9c2 cardiomyocyte cells using MTT assay. DOX-induced H9c2 cell damage of apoptosis and ROS. The nanoparticle formed by Ai-CuO was cured with different concentrations (5, 10 and 20 µg/mL). In zebrafish, 48 hpf and 72 hpf were measured at 75 µM to reduce dysfunction and mortality during organ development. These results can have a beneficial impact on eco-toxicological effects.

Impact of dysprosium doped (Dy) zinc ferrite (ZnFe2o4) nanocrystals in photo- fenton exclusion of recalcitrant organic pollutant.

The issue of effluent, especially organic colorants from several manufacturing units overlays an immense delinquent of the current epoch owing to its effect on oncogenic health hazards. Thus, Rare Earth Metal dysprosium (Dy) doped Zinc Ferrite (ZnFe2O4) were as-synthesized by a facile co-precipitation technique as an effectual nano photocatalyst intended to the amputation of these noxious dyes. The structural, functional, optical, magnetic, and degradation properties of this RE (Dy3+) doped ions were investigated using various characterizations, such as crystallite size (D) and several parameters (cation distribution, oxygen positional parameters, and bond length) were determined using XRD (X-ray diffraction) and it was found that as the dy3+ ion concentration increases the speck size decreased and the grain size remained within nano regime, which intern affects the surface area. From BET analysis it was found that on increasing the doping concentration, the surface area increases which pave a substantial role in the photo-Fenton activity. By using FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) various functional parameters (elastic, interionic bonds, ion distribution, etc.) were determined. Raman spectra had no extra peak formation which is seen to have pure phase formation of the as-synthesized samples. HR-TEM (High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis were done to determine the nature of the sample, the as-synthesized magnetic samples exhibit a polycrystalline formation with cubical agglomeration. The magnetic property was very significant for x = 0.10 concentration. As-synthesized (Fe0.9064Zn0.0936) [Fe1.0936Dy0.1Zn0.8064] O4) exhibits a momentous photo - Fenton activity against MB (Methylene blue), its removal efficiency was found to be 97.3% after 45 min. Also, this spinel ferrite acts as a magnetic recyclable catalyst even after 5 cycles with an insignificant lessening of elements and photo-Fenton activity.

Synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of Ag-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, and their potential biomedical applications.

In this present scenario, hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanostructures were synthesized through green routes for biomedical applications, particularly remediation towards human pathogens and cancer cells. The present study aims at forming non-toxic and eco-friendly silver (Ag+) doped HAp using Polyethylene glycol (PEG), Cetyl Trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and curcumin. Ag+ doped HAp nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by the sol-gel method with a cube and rod-like morphology. Ag-HApNPs showed a sharp and well-defined diffraction peak, which possesses the hexagonal crystalline structure with space group P63/m. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectra confirmed the formation of Ag-HApNPs, and the bandgap values were obtained using UV-DRS analysis. The Ag-HApNPs with PEG, CTAB and curcumin might be fabricated materials were examined against antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities, which provided exemplary biomedical applications. Overall, Ag-HApNPs can be used as potential drug delivery and perspectives to control multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Calceolarioside A, a Phenylpropanoid Glycoside from Calceolaria spp., Displays Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Phenylpropanoid glycosides are a class of natural substances of plant origin with interesting biological activities and pharmacological properties. This study reports the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of calceolarioside A, a phenylpropanoid glycoside previously isolated from various Calceolaria species. In models of acute nociception induced by thermal stimuli, such as the hot plate and tail flick test, calceolarioside administered at doses of 1, 5, and 10 µg in the left cerebral ventricles did not modify the behavioral response of mice. In an inflammatory based persistent pain model as the formalin test, calceolarioside A at the high dose tested (100 µg/paw) reduced the licking activity induced by formalin by 35% in the first phase and by 75% in the second phase of the test. In carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia, calceolarioside A (50 and 100 µg/paw) was able to significantly reverse thermal hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. The anti-inflammatory activity of calceolarioside A was then assessed using the zymosan-induced paw edema model. Calceolarioside A (50 and 100 µg/paw) induced a significant reduction in the edema from 1 to 4 h after zymosan administration. Measuring IL-6, TNFα, and IL-1ß pro-inflammatory cytokines released from LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells, calceolarioside A in a concentration-dependent manner reduced the release of these cytokines from THP-1 cells. Taken together, our results highlight, for the first time, the potential and selective anti-inflammatory properties of this natural-derived compound, prompting its rationale use for further investigations.

Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential.

Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers' phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.

Vepris macrophylla (Baker) I. Verd Essential Oil: An Antifungal Agent against Phytopathogenic Fungi.

Rutaceae are widely used in ethnomedicine to treat infectious diseases in humans and plants. In this study, the antifungal activity of the Vepris macrophylla leaf essential oil (VEO) and its main components, citral and citronellol, was evaluated against six phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, the possible action of VEO on the synthesis of mycotoxins was evaluated as well. To determine the antifungal activity of VEO we used the agar dilution method and VEO showed inhibitory activity against all the tested fungi. In particular, VEO resulted to be fungicidal against Phytophthora cryptogea and Fusarium avenaceum. For all other fungi VEO exhibited fungistatic activity and the weakest effect was observed on Alternaria solani. Citral was very effective against P. cryptogea, F. avenaceum, F. poae and F. graminearum. On the other hand, citronellol showed good activity towards P. cryptogea and F. avenaceum and weaker activity towards F. poae and F. graminearum. It can be concluded that VEO can be considered a promising antifungal agent, especially against P. cryptogea and F. avenaceum, suggesting a possible use in the formulation of new selective and natural fungicides.

Nor-Lignans: Occurrence in Plants and Biological Activities-A Review.

In this review article, the occurrence of nor-lignans and their biological activities are explored and described. Nor-lignans have proven to be present in several different families also belonging to chemosystematically distant orders as well as to have many different beneficial pharmacological activities. This review article represents the first one on this argument and is thought to give a first overview on these compounds with the hope that their study may continue and increase, after this.