Exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Glycyrrhiza uralensis against KOA through integrating network pharmacology and experimental assessment.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a major health and economic problem facing older adults worldwide, is a degenerative joint disease. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (GC) plays an integral role in many classic Chinese medicine prescriptions for treating knee osteoarthritis. Still, the role of GC in treating KOA is unclear. To explore the pharmacological mechanism of GC against KOA, UPLC-Q-TOF/MS was conducted to detect the main compounds in GC. The therapeutic effect of GC on DMM-induced osteoarthritic mice was assessed by histomorphology, µCT, behavioural tests, and immunohistochemical staining. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the potential targets of GC against KOA. The predicted results were verified by immunohistochemical staining Animal experiments showed that GC had a protective effect on DMM-induced KOA, mainly in the improvement of movement disorders, subchondral bone sclerosis and cartilage damage. A variety of flavonoids and triterpenoids were detected in GC via UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, such as Naringenin. Seven core targets (JUN, MAPK3, MAPK1, AKT1, TP53, RELA and STAT3) and three main pathways (IL-17, NF-κB and TNF signalling pathways) were discovered through network pharmacology analysis that closely related to inflammatory response. Interestingly, molecular docking results showed that the active ingredient Naringenin had a good binding effect on anti-inflammatory-related proteins. In the verification experiment, after the intervention of GC, the expression levels of pp65 and F4/80 inflammatory indicators in the knee joint of KOA model mice were significantly downregulated. GC could improve the inflammatory environment in DMM-induced osteoarthritic mice thus alleviating the physiological structure and dysfunction of the knee joint. GC might play an important role in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Calotropis procera extract inhibits prostate cancer through regulation of autophagy.

Current treatment options available for prostate cancer (PCa) patients have many adverse side effects and hence, new alternative therapies need to be explored. Anticancer potential of various phytochemicals derived from Calotropis procera has been studied in many cancers but no study has investigated the effect of leaf extract of C. procera on PCa cells. Hence, we investigated the effect of C. procera leaf extract (CPE) on cellular properties of androgen-independent PC-3 and androgen-sensitive 22Rv1 cells. A hydroalcoholic extract of C. procera was prepared and MTT assay was performed to study the effect of CPE on viability of PCa cells. The effect of CPE on cell division ability, migration capability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was studied using colony formation assay, wound-healing assay and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay, respectively. Caspase activity assay and LDH assay were performed to study the involvement of apoptosis and necrosis in CPE-mediated cell death. Protein levels of cell cycle, antioxidant, autophagy and apoptosis markers were measured by western blot. The composition of CPE was identified using untargeted LC-MS analysis. Results showed that CPE decreased the viability of both the PCa cells, PC-3 and 22Rv1, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Also, CPE significantly inhibited the colony-forming ability, migration and endogenous ROS production in both the cell lines. Furthermore, CPE significantly decreased NF-κB protein levels and increased the protein levels of the cell cycle inhibitor p27. A significant increase in expression of autophagy markers was observed in CPE-treated PC-3 cells while autophagy markers were downregulated in 22Rv1 cells after CPE exposure. Hence, it can be concluded that CPE inhibits PCa cell viability possibly by regulating the autophagy pathway and/or altering the ROS levels. Thus, CPE can be explored as a possible alternative therapeutic agent for PCa.

Interplay of precision therapeutics and MD study: Calocybe indica's potentials against cervical cancer and its interaction with VEGF via octadecanoic acid.

The evolving landscape of personalized medicine necessitates a shift from traditional therapeutic interventions towards precision-driven approaches. Embracing this paradigm, our research probes the therapeutic efficacy of the aqueous crude extract (ACE) of Calocybe indica in cervical cancer treatment, merging botanical insights with advanced molecular research. We observed that ACE exerts significant influences on nuclear morphology and cell cycle modulation, further inducing early apoptosis and showcasing prebiotic attributes. Characterization of ACE have identified several phytochemicals including significant presence of octadeconoic acid. Simultaneously, utilizing advanced Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, we deciphered the intricate molecular interactions between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Octadecanoic acid to establish C.indica's role as an anticancer agent. Our study delineates Octadecanoic acid's potential as a robust binding partner for VEGF, with comprehensive analyses from RMSD and RMSF profiles highlighting the stability and adaptability of the protein-ligand interactions. Further in-depth thermodynamic explorations via MM-GBSA calculations reveal the binding landscape of the VEGF-Octadecanoic acid complex. Emerging therapeutic innovations, encompassing proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and avant-garde nanocarriers, are discussed in the context of their synergy with compounds like Calocybe indica P&C. This convergence underscores the profound therapeutic potential awaiting clinical exploration. This study offers a holistic perspective on the promising therapeutic avenues facilitated by C. indica against cervical cancer, intricately woven with advanced molecular interactions and the prospective integration of precision therapeutics in modern oncology.

Characterization of CYP82 genes involved in the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Corydalis yanhusuo.

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) represent a significant class of secondary metabolites with crucial roles in plant physiology and substantial potential for clinical applications. CYP82 genes are involved in the formation and modification of various BIA skeletons, contributing to the structural diversity of compounds. In this study, Corydalis yanhusuo, a traditional Chinese medicine rich in BIAs, was investigated to identify the catalytic function of CYP82s during BIA formation. Specifically, 20 CyCYP82-encoding genes were cloned, and their functions were identified in vitro. Ten of these CyCYP82s were observed to catalyze hydroxylation, leading to the formation of protopine and benzophenanthridine scaffolds. Furthermore, the correlation between BIA accumulation and the expression of CyCYP82s in different tissues of C. yanhusuo was assessed their. The identification and characterization of CyCYP82s provide novel genetic elements that can advance the synthetic biology of BIA compounds such as protopine and benzophenanthridine, and offer insights into the biosynthesis of BIAs with diverse structures in C. yanhusuo.

Molecular interplay between phytoconstituents of Ficus Racemosa and neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a significant global health concern, primarily affecting middle and older populations. Recently, there has been growing interest in herbal therapeutics as a potential approach to address diverse neuropathological conditions. Despite the widespread prevalence of NDs, limited phytochemical has been reported for their promising therapeutic potential with distinct underlying mechanisms. Additionally, the intricate molecular pathways influenced by herbal phytoconstituents, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders, are also not well documented. This report explores the phytoconstituents of Ficus racemosa (F. racemosa), an unfamiliar plant of the Moraceae family, for their potential interactions with pathological pathways of NDs. The influential phytoconstituents of F. racemosa, including polyphenols, glycosides, terpenoids, and furocoumarin, have been reported for targeting diverse pathological states. We proposed the most convincing molecular interplay between leading phytoconstituents and detrimental signalling cascades. However, extensive research is required to thoroughly understand the phytochemical persuaded intricate molecular pathway. The comprehensive evidence strongly suggests that F. racemosa and its natural compounds could be valuable in treating NDs. This points towards an exciting path for future research and the development of potential treatments based on a molecular level.

AnnoSM: An Automated Annotation Tool for Determining the Substituent Modes on the Parent Skeleton Based on a Characteristic MS/MS Fragment Ion Library.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful technology for the structural elucidation of known or unknown small molecules. However, the accuracy of MS-based structure annotation is still limited due to the presence of numerous isomers in complex matrices. There are still challenges in automatically interpreting the fine structure of molecules, such as the types and positions of substituents (substituent modes, SMs) in the structure. In this study, we employed flavones, flavonols, and isoflavones as examples to develop an automated annotation method for identifying the SMs on the parent molecular skeleton based on a characteristic MS/MS fragment ion library. Importantly, user-friendly software AnnoSM was built for the convenience of researchers with limited computational backgrounds. It achieved 76.87% top-1 accuracy on the 148 authentic standards. Among them, 22 sets of flavonoid isomers were successfully differentiated. Moreover, the developed method was successfully applied to complex matrices. One such example is the extract of Ginkgo biloba L. (EGB), in which 331 possible flavonoids with SM candidates were annotated. Among them, 23 flavonoids were verified by authentic standards. The correct SMs of 13 flavonoids were ranked first on the candidate list. In the future, this software can also be extrapolated to other classes of compounds.

Ultrafast, Selective, and Highly Sensitive Nonchromatographic Analysis of Fourteen Cannabinoids in Cannabis Extracts, Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol Synthetic Mixtures, and Edibles by Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry.

The diversity of cannabinoid isomers and complexity of Cannabis products pose significant challenges for analytical methodologies. In this study, we developed a method to analyze 14 different cannabinoid isomers in diverse samples within milliseconds by leveraging the unique adduct-forming behavior of silver ions in advanced cyclic ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry. The developed method achieved the separation of isomers from four groups of cannabinoids: Δ3-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (1), Δ8-THC (2), Δ9-THC (3), cannabidiol (CBD) (4), Δ8-iso-THC (5), and Δ(4)8-iso-THC (6) (all MW = 314); 9α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (7), 9ß-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol (8), and 8-hydroxy-iso-THC (9) (all MW = 332); tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) (10) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) (11) (both MW = 358); Δ8-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) (12), Δ8-iso-THCV (13), and Δ9-THCV (14) (all MW = 286). Moreover, experimental and theoretical traveling wave collision cross section values in nitrogen (TWCCSN2) of cannabinoid-Ag(I) species were obtained for the first time with an average error between experimental and theoretical values of 2.6%. Furthermore, a workflow for the identification of cannabinoid isomers in Cannabis and Cannabis-derived samples was established based on three identification steps (m/z and isotope pattern of Ag(I) adducts, TWCCSN2, and MS/MS fragments). Afterward, calibration curves of three major cannabinoids were established with a linear range of 1-250 ng·ml-1 for Δ8-THC (2) (R2 = 0.9999), 0.1-25 ng·ml-1 for Δ9-THC (3) (R2 = 0.9987), and 0.04-10 ng·ml-1 for CBD (4) (R2 = 0.9986) as well as very low limits of detection (0.008-0.2 ng·ml-1). Finally, relative quantification of Δ8-THC (2), Δ9-THC (3), and CBD (4) in eight complex acid-treated CBD mixtures was achieved without chromatographic separation. The results showed good correspondence (R2 = 0.999) with those obtained by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection/mass spectrometry.

Characterization and biological prospects of various calcined temperature-V2O5 nanoparticles synthesized by Citrus hystrix fruit extract.

In this study, a simple green synthesis of vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles (VNPs) was prepared by the extract of Kaffir lime fruit (Citrus hystrix) as a green reducing and stabilizing agent, along with the investigation of calcination temperature was carried out at 450 and 550 °C. It was affirmed that, at higher temperature (550 °C), the VNPs possessed a high degree crystalline following the construction of (001) lattice diffraction within an increase in crystalline size from 47.12 to 53.51 nm, although the band gap of the materials at 450 °C was lower than that of the VNPs-550 (2.53 versus 2.66 eV, respectively). Besides, the materials were assessed for the potential bioactivities toward antibacterial, antifungal, DNA cleavage, anti-inflammatory, and hemolytic performances. As a result, the antibacterial activity, with minimal inhalation concentration (MIC) < 6.25 µg/mL for both strains, and fungicidal one of the materials depicted the dose-dependent effects. Once, both VNPs exhibited the noticeable efficacy of the DNA microbial damage, meanwhile, the outstanding anti-inflammatory agent was involved with the IC50 of 123.636 and 227.706 µg/mL, accounting for VNPs-450 and VNPs-550, respectively. Furthermore, this study also demonstrated the hemolytic potential of the VNPs materials. These consequences declare the prospects of the VNPs as the smart and alternative material from the green procedure in biomedicine.

Improvement and prediction of the extraction parameters of lupeol and stigmasterol metabolites of Melia azedarach with response surface methodology.

BACKGROUND: Melia azedarach is known as a medicinal plant that has wide biological activities such as analgesic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and is used to treat a wide range of diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, and various skin diseases. However, optimizing the extraction of valuable secondary metabolites of M. azedarach using alternative extraction methods has not been investigated. This research aims to develop an effective, fast, and environmentally friendly extraction method using Ultrasound-assisted extraction, methanol and temperature to optimize the extraction of two secondary metabolites, lupeol and stigmasterol, from young roots of M. azedarach using the response surface methodology. METHODS: Box-behnken design was applied to optimize different factors (solvent, temperature, and ultrasonication time). The amounts of lupeol and stigmasterol in the root of M. azedarach were detected by the HPLC-DAD. The required time for the analysis of each sample by the HPLC-DAD system was considered to be 8 min. RESULTS: The results indicated that the highest amount of lupeol (7.82 mg/g DW) and stigmasterol (6.76 mg/g DW) was obtained using 50% methanol at 45 °C and ultrasonication for 30 min, and 50% methanol in 35 °C, and ultrasonication for 30 min, respectively. Using the response surface methodology, the predicted conditions for lupeol and stigmasterol from root of M. azedarach were as follows; lupeol: 100% methanol, temperature 45 °C and ultrasonication time 40 min (14.540 mg/g DW) and stigmasterol 43.75% methanol, temperature 34.4 °C and ultrasonication time 25.3 min (5.832 mg/g DW). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the amount of secondary metabolites lupeol and stigmasterol in the root of M. azedarach could be improved by optimizing the extraction process utilizing response surface methodology.

Genome-wide characterization of the bHLH gene family in Gynostemma pentaphyllum reveals its potential role in the regulation of gypenoside biosynthesis.

BACKGROUND: Gynostemma pentaphyllum, an ancient Chinese herbal medicine, serves as a natural source of gypenosides with significant medicinal properties. Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play pivotal roles in numerous biological processes, especially in the regulation of secondary metabolism in plants. However, the characteristics and functions of the bHLH genes in G. pentaphyllum remain unexplored, and their regulatory role in gypenoside biosynthesis remains poorly elucidated. RESULTS: This study identified a total of 111 bHLH members in G. pentaphyllum (GpbHLHs), categorizing them into 26 subgroups based on shared conserved motif compositions and gene structures. Collinearity analysis illustrated that segmental duplications predominately lead to the evolution of GpbHLHs, with most duplicated GpbHLH gene pairs undergoing purifying selection. Among the nine gypenoside-related GpbHLH genes, two GpbHLHs (GpbHLH15 and GpbHLH58) were selected for further investigation based on co-expression analysis and functional prediction. The expression of these two selected GpbHLHs was dramatically induced by methyl jasmonate, and their nuclear localization was confirmed. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that GpbHLH15 and GpbHLH58 could bind to the promoters of the gypenoside biosynthesis pathway genes, such as GpFPS1, GpSS1, and GpOSC1, and activate their promoter activity to varying degrees. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our findings provide a detailed analysis of the bHLH family and valuable insights into the potential use of GpbHLHs to enhance the accumulation of gypenosides in G. pentaphyllum.

Green-fabricated silver nanoparticles from Quercus incana leaf extract to control the early blight of tomatoes caused by Alternaria solani.

BACKGROUND: Early blight (EB) of Tomatoes, caused by Alternaria solani, is a serious fungal disease that adversely affects tomato production. Infection is characterized by dark lesions on leaves, stems, and fruits. Several agrochemicals can be used to control infection, these chemicals may disrupt environmental equilibrium. An alternative technology is needed to address this significant fungal threat. This study was designed to control the growth of EB in tomatoes caused by A. solani, using green-fabricated silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). RESULTS: Ag-NPs were synthesized through an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach using leaf extract of Quercus incana Roxb. (Fagaceae). The physico-chemical characterization of the Ag-NPs was conducted through UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The Ag-NPs produced were round with a mean diameter of 27 nm. The antifungal activity of these Ag-NPs was assessed through in vitro Petri plate and in vitro leaflet assays against A. solani. The green fabricated Ag-NPs exhibited excellent antifungal activity in vitro at a concentration of 100 mg/l against A. solani, inhibiting growth by 98.27 ± 1.58% and 92.79 ± 1.33% during Petri plate and leaflet assays, respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study suggests the practical application of green-fabricated Ag-NPs from Q. incana leaf extract against A. solani to effectively control EB disease in tomatoes.

Management of Tomato Bacterial Canker Disease by the Green Fabricated Silver Nanoparticles.

Bacterial canker disease caused by Clavibacter michiganensis is a substantial threat to the cultivation of tomatoes, leading to considerable economic losses and global food insecurity. Infection is characterized by white raised lesions on leaves, stem, and fruits with yellow to tan patches between veins, and marginal necrosis. Several agrochemical substances have been reported in previous studies to manage this disease but these were not ecofriendly. Thus present study was designed to control the bacterial canker disease in tomato using green fabricated silver nanoparticles (AgNps). Nanosilver particles (AgNPs) were synthesized utilizing Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). FTIR showed presence of bioactive compounds in green fabricated AgNPs and UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band in the range of 350 nm to 355 nm. SEM showed the rectangular segments fused together, and XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNPs. The presence of metallic silver ions was confirmed by an EDX detector. Different concentrations (10, 20, 30, and 40 ppm) of the green fabricated AgNPs were exogenously applied on tomato before applying an inoculum of Clavibacter michigensis to record the bacterial canker disease incidence at different day intervals. The optimal concentration of AgNPs was found to be 30 µg/mg that exhibited the most favorable impact on morphological (shoot length, root length, plant fresh and dry weights, root fresh and dry weights) and physiological parameters (chlorophyll contents, membrane stability index, and relative water content) as well as biochemical parameters (proline, total soluble sugar and catalase activity). These findings indicated a noteworthy reduction in biotic stress through the increase of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities by the green fabricated AgNPs. This study marks a first biocompatible approach in assessing the potential of green fabricated AgNPs in enhancing the well-being of tomato plants that affected with bacterial canker and establishing an effective management strategy against Clavibacter michiganensis. This is the first study suggests that low concentration of green fabricated nanosilvers (AgNPs) from leaf extract of Moringa oleifera against Clavibacter michiganensis is a promisingly efficient and eco-friendly alternative approach for management of bacterial canker disease in tomato crop.

The secretome from human-derived mesenchymal stem cells augments the activity of antitumor plant extracts in vitro.

Cancer is understood as a multifactorial disease that involve multiple cell types and phenotypes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The components of the TME can interact directly or via soluble factors (cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, extracellular vesicles, etc.). Among the cells composing the TME, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear as a population with debated properties since it has been seen that they can both promote or attenuate tumor progression. For various authors, the main mechanism of interaction of MSCs is through their secretome, the set of molecules secreted into the extracellular milieu, recruiting, and influencing the behavior of other cells in inflammatory environments where they normally reside, such as wounds and tumors. Natural products have been studied as possible cancer treatments, appealing to synergisms between the molecules in their composition; thus, extracts obtained from Petiveria alliacea (Anamu-SC) and Caesalpinia spinosa (P2Et) have been produced and studied previously on different models, showing promising results. The effect of plant extracts on the MSC secretome has been poorly studied, especially in the context of the TME. Here, we studied the effect of Anamu-SC and P2Et extracts in the human adipose-derived MSC (hAMSC)-tumor cell interaction as a TME model. We also investigated the influence of the hAMSC secretome, in combination with these natural products, on tumor cell hallmarks such as viability, clonogenicity, and migration. In addition, hAMSC gene expression and protein synthesis were evaluated for some key factors in tumor progression in the presence of the extracts by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Multiplex, respectively. It was found that the presence of the hAMSC secretome did not affect the cytotoxic or clonogenicity-reducing activities of the natural extracts on cancer cells, and even this secretome can inhibit the migration of these tumor cells, in addition to the fact that the profile of molecules can be modified by natural products. Overall, our findings demonstrate that hAMSC secretome participation in TME interactions can favor the antitumor activities of natural products.

Interplay between Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, the bacteriome and phytopathogens in Lycoris radiata.

Alkaloids are a large group of plant secondary metabolites with various structures and activities. It is important to understand their functions in the interplay between plants and the beneficial and pathogenic microbiota. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (AAs) are unique secondary metabolites in Amaryllidaceae plants. Here, we studied the interplay between AAs and the bacteriome in Lycoris radiata, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant containing high amounts of AAs. The relationship between AAs and bacterial composition in different tissues of L. radiata was studied. In vitro experiments revealed that AAs have varying levels of antimicrobial activity against endophytic bacteria and pathogenic fungi, indicating the importance of AA synthesis in maintaining a balance between plants and beneficial/pathogenic microbiota. Using bacterial synthetic communities with different compositions, we observed a positive feedback loop between bacteria insensitive to AAs and their ability to increase accumulation of AAs in L. radiata, especially in leaves. This may allow insensitive bacteria to outcompete sensitive ones for plant resources. Moreover, the accumulation of AAs enhanced by insensitive bacteria could benefit plants when challenged with fungal pathogens. This study highlights the functions of alkaloids in plant-microbe interactions, opening new avenues for designing plant microbiomes that could contribute to sustainable agriculture.

Charting the Cannabis plant chemical space with computational metabolomics.

INTRODUCTION: The chemical classification of Cannabis is typically confined to the cannabinoid content, whilst Cannabis encompasses diverse chemical classes that vary in abundance among all its varieties. Hence, neglecting other chemical classes within Cannabis strains results in a restricted and biased comprehension of elements that may contribute to chemical intricacy and the resultant medicinal qualities of the plant. OBJECTIVES: Thus, herein, we report a computational metabolomics study to elucidate the Cannabis metabolic map beyond the cannabinoids. METHODS: Mass spectrometry-based computational tools were used to mine and evaluate the methanolic leaf and flower extracts of two Cannabis cultivars: Amnesia haze (AMNH) and Royal dutch cheese (RDC). RESULTS: The results revealed the presence of different chemical compound classes including cannabinoids, but extending it to flavonoids and phospholipids at varying distributions across the cultivar plant tissues, where the phenylpropnoid superclass was more abundant in the leaves than in the flowers. Therefore, the two cultivars were differentiated based on the overall chemical content of their plant tissues where AMNH was observed to be more dominant in the flavonoid content while RDC was more dominant in the lipid-like molecules. Additionally, in silico molecular docking studies in combination with biological assay studies indicated the potentially differing anti-cancer properties of the two cultivars resulting from the elucidated chemical profiles. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight distinctive chemical profiles beyond cannabinoids in Cannabis strains. This novel mapping of the metabolomic landscape of Cannabis provides actionable insights into plant biochemistry and justifies selecting certain varieties for medicinal use.

Synthesis and characterization of marine seagrass (Cymodocea serrulata) mediated titanium dioxide nanoparticles for antibacterial, antibiofilm and antioxidant properties.

Cymodocea serrulata mediated titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) were successfully synthesized. The XRD pattern and FTIR spectra demonstrated the crystalline structure of TiO2 NPs and the presence of phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids in the extract. Further SEM revealed that TiO2 NPs has uniform structure and spherical in shape with their size ranged from 58 to 117 nm. Antibacterial activity of TiO2 NPs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae), provided the zone of inhibition of 33.9 ± 1.7 and 36.3 ± 1.9 mm, respectively at 100 µg/mL concentration. MIC of TiO2 NPs against MRSA and V. cholerae showed 84% and 87% inhibition at 180 µg/mL and 160 µg/mL respectively. Subsequently, the sub-MIC of V. cholerae demonstrated minimal or no impact on bacterial growth at concentration of 42.5 µg/mL concentration. In addition, TiO2 NPs exhibited their ability to inhibit the biofilm forming V. cholerae which caused distinct morphological and intercellular damages analysed using CLSM and TEM. The antioxidant properties of TiO2 NPs were demonstrated through TAA and DPPH assays and exposed its scavenging activity with IC50 value of 36.42 and 68.85 µg/mL which denotes its valuable antioxidant properties with potential health benefits. Importantly, the brine shrimp based lethality experiment yielded a low cytotoxic effect with 13% mortality at 100 µg/mL. In conclusion, the multifaceted attributes of C. serrulata mediated TiO2 NPs encompassed the antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-biofilm inhibition effects with low cytotoxicity in nature were highlighted in this study and proved the bioderived TiO2 NPs could be used as a promising agent for biomedical applications.

Exploring non-cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of selenium nanoparticles synthesized from Gymnema sylvestre and Cinnamon cassia extracts for herbal nanomedicine.

The increasing need for pharmaceutical agents that possess attributes such as safety, cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and absence of side effects has driven the advancement of nanomedicine research, which lies at the convergence of nanotechnology and medicine. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to synthesize non-toxic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Gymnema sylvestre (G. sylvestre) and Cinnamon cassia (C. cassia) extracts. It also sought to develop and evaluate versatile nanomedicine formulations i.e. selenium nanoparticles of G. sylvestre and C. cassia (SeNPs), drug (lupeol) loaded SeNPs (DLSeNPs), drug-loaded and coated (PEG) SeNPs (DLCSeNPs) without side effects. METHODS: The SeNPs formulations were hydrothermally synthesized, loaded with lupeol to improve efficacy, coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for targeted delivery, and characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential analysis, size distribution analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Hemolytic cytotoxicity, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydzayl (DPPH), total Reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) antioxidant assays, carrageenan-induced paw edema, and histological studies were used to estimate the acute anti-inflammatory activity of the synthesized SeNPs. RESULTS: The final form of PEGylated and drug (lupeol)-loaded selenium nanoparticles (DLCSeNPs) exhibited an average particle size ranging from 100 to 500 nm as evidenced by SEM, and Zeta potential results. These nanoparticles demonstrated no cytotoxic effects and displayed remarkable antioxidant (IC50 values 19.29) and anti-inflammatory capabilities. These results were fed into Graph-pad Prism 5 software and analyzed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.001). All nano-formulations exhibited significant overall antioxidant activity, with IC50 values ≤ 386 (p < 0.05) as analyzed by ANOVA. The study's results suggest that G. sylvestre outperformed C. cassia in terms of reducing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical, potassium ferricyanide, and ammonium molybdate in respective antioxidant assays. As far as anti-inflammatory activities are concerned drug (lupeol)-loaded and PEG-coated G. sylvestre SeNPs exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory potential from all other nano-formulations including drug (lupeol)-loaded and PEG-coated C. cassia SeNPs, as exhibited to reduce the release of pro-inflammatory signals i.e. cytokines and NF-kB, making them innovative anti-inflammatory nanomedicine. CONCLUSION: The study synthesized lupeol-loaded and PEG-coated SeNPs, showcasing the potential for biocompatible, cost-effective anti-inflammatory nanomedicines. G. Sylvester's superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory performance than Cinnamon cassia emphasizes medicinal plant versatility.

Exploration of reducing and stabilizing phytoconstituents in Arisaema dracontium extract for the effective synthesis of Silver nanoparticles and evaluation of their antibacterial and toxicological proprties.

Medicinal plants have been widely used for their antimicrobial properties against various microorganisms. Arisaema dracontium a familiar medicinal plant, was analyzed and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using extracts of different parts of its shoot including leaves and stem. Further, the antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts such as ethyl acetate, n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, and chloroform extracts were analyzed. AgNPs were prepared using aqueous silver nitrate solution and assessed their antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) and Non-multidrug-resistant bacteria. The characterization of AgNPs was done by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTI), and X-ray Diffraction approaches. The leaf extract contained Tannins, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, and Steroids while Alkaloids, Saponins, and Glycosides were undetected. The stem extract contained Alkaloids, Tannins, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids, and Glycosides while Terpenoids were not observed. The AgNPs synthesized from stem and leaf extracts in the current study had spherical shapes and ranged in size from 1 to 50 nm and 20-500 nm respectively as were visible in TEM. The leaf extract-prepared AgNPs showed significantly higher activities i.e., 27.75 mm ± 0.86 against the MDR strains as compared to the stem-derived nanoparticles i.e., 24.33 ± 0.33 by comparing the zones of inhibitions which can be attributed to the differences in their phytochemical constituents. The acute toxicity assay confirmed that no mortality was noticed when the dosage was 100 mg per kg which confirms that the confirms that the AgNPs are not toxic when used in low quantities. It is concluded that leaf extract from A. dracontium could be used against pathogenic bacteria offering economic and health benefits compared to the chemical substances.

Biological activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using viticultural waste.

This research paper presents a novel approach to the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using viticultural waste, allowing to obtain NP dispersions with distinct properties and morphologies (monodisperse and polydisperse AgNPs, referred to as mAgNPs and pAgNPs) and to compare their biological activities. Our synthesis method utilized the ethanolic extract of Vitis vinifera pruning residues, resulting in the production of mAgNPs and pAgNPs with average sizes of 12 ± 5 nm and 19 ± 14 nm, respectively. Both these AgNPs preparations demonstrated an exceptional stability in terms of size distribution, which was maintained for one year. Antimicrobial testing revealed that both types of AgNPs inhibited either the growth of planktonic cells or the metabolic activity of biofilm sessile cells in Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. No comparable activity was found towards Gram-positives. Overall, pAgNPs exhibited a higher antimicrobial efficacy compared to their monodisperse counterparts, suggesting that their size and shape may provide a broader spectrum of interactions with target cells. Both AgNP preparations showed no cytotoxicity towards a human keratinocyte cell line. Furthermore, in vivo tests using a silkworm animal model indicated the biocompatibility of the phytosynthesized AgNPs, as they had no adverse effects on insect larvae viability. These findings emphasize the potential of targeted AgNPs synthesized from viticultural waste as environmentally friendly antimicrobial agents with minimal impact on higher organisms.