An update on polyethylene and biodegradable plastic mulch films and their impact on the environment.

Many ways are being developed in the realm of agriculture to increase crop yield while inflicting minimal damage to the soil and environment. One among them is the application of agricultural, biodegradable mulch (BDM) films. Organic substances or synthetic materials are used for making mulches. Also, bio-based polymers derived from bacteria, microorganisms, or fossil fuels are used to make BDM films. BDM films are used in crop production because of their high agronomical advantages which lead to sustainable agriculture. These films are placed on the soil's surface, around the plants. Mulches help in conserving the moisture, control the temperature of the soil, control the growth of the weed, and help in the utilization of soil nutrients thus, overall enhancing the crop yield. The usage of plastic mulch in agriculture has expanded substantially all around the world, over the past ten years, this is because polyethylene films are cheaper, easily produced, highly flexible, and durable. However, the improper disposal of used plastic films has resulted in soil pollution and environmental contamination. Traditional mulches are replaced by BDM, which is a more environmentally friendly alternative. After being used, degradable mulch films could be tilled into the soil and are expected to disintegrate over time. This review focuses on the BDMs, their history, plastic mulches, how BDMs became an alternative source for plastic mulches, their composition, and also addresses their significance. In addition, we discuss the environmental impact of films, including how it alters the climate, soil, temperature, and weed management.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Nardostachys jatamansi and evaluation of its anti-biofilm effect against classical colonizers.

In this communication, we present the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using medicinally important Nardostachys jatamansi rhizome extract in the presence of sunlight. UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were employed to characterize the synthesized AgNPs. UV-visible spectroscopic studies confirmed the presence of biosynthesized AgNPs. Transmission Electron Microscopic studies revealed the structure of spherical AgNPs in the diameter range of 10-15 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and elemental mapping clearly confirmed the presence of silver in AgNPs samples. Interestingly, biomolecules functionalised AgNPs exhibited a remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-biofilm activities and hence biosynthesized AgNPs from N. jatamansi can be used as a promising biomaterial for biomedical applications.

Anti-inflammatory effects of royal poinciana through inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway.

Inflammation is part of the non-specific immune response that occurs in reaction to any type of bodily injury. In some disorders the inflammatory process, which under normal conditions is self-limiting, becomes continuous and chronic inflammatory diseases develop subsequently including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer etc. Barks of Delonix regia is used traditionally in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the therapeutic potential of D. regia ethanol extract and its active constituent ß-Elemene with special interest in inflammation model using standard in vivo anti-inflammatory models: Carrageenan-induced paw edema, Cotton pellet granuloma, and Acetic acid-induced vascular permeability. To explicate the mechanism of action for the possible anti-inflammatory activity, we determined the level of major inflammatory mediators (NO, iNOS, COX-2-dependent prostaglandin E2 or PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-12). Additionally, we determined the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), by mRNA expression in drug treated LPS-induced murine macrophage model. To explore the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity, we evaluated expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), nuclear factor kappa-B cells (NF-kB), and NF-kB inhibitor alpha (IK-Ba). Furthermore, we determined the acute and sub-acute toxicity of D. regia extract in BALB/c mice. This study established a significant anti-inflammatory activity of D. regia extract and ß-Elemene along with the inhibition of TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-12 expressions. Further, the expression of TLR4, NF-kBp65, MyD88, iNOS and COX-2 molecules were reduced in drug-treated groups, but not in the LPS-stimulated untreated or control groups, Thus, our results collectively indicated that the D. regia extract and ß-Elemene can efficiently inhibit inflammation.

Antimicrobial flavonoids isolated from Indian medicinal plant Scutellaria oblonga inhibit biofilms formed by common food pathogens.

Scutellaria oblonga Benth., a hitherto phytochemically unexplored Indian medicinal folklore plant was extracted with acetone and subjected to chromatography to yield nine flavonoids, for the first time from this plant. Antimicrobial assays were performed against 11 foodborne pathogens, and three molecules (Techtochrysin, Negletein and Quercitin-3-glucoside) depicted significant activity. These molecules were assessed for their rate of antibacterial action using time-kill curves which depicted complete inhibition of most of the bacteria within 12-16 h. The significant biofilm-reducing capability exhibited by these three molecules formed a significant finding of the current study. In most of the experiments, a 90-95% reduction in biofilms was observed. Thus, flavonoids as natural molecules from S. oblonga could be further researched to be used as potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents.

Evaluation of antitumor and antioxidant activity of Sargassum tenerrimum against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice.

CONTEXT: In the last half century, discovering, developing and introducing of clinical agents from marine sources have seen great successes, with examples including the anti-cancer compound trabectedin. However, with increasing need for new anticancer drugs, further exploration for novel compounds from marine organism sources is strongly justified. OBJECTIVE: The major aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor and antioxidant potential of Sargassum tenerrimum J.Agardh (Sargassaceae) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ethanol extract of S. tenerrimum (EEST) from whole algae was used to evaluate cytotoxicity followed by in vivo assessment of toxicity, using biochemical parameters including hepatic and non-hepatic enzymes. Antioxidant properties were examined in animals bearing EAC treated with daily oral administration of 100-300 mg/kg extract suspension. RESULTS: Antitumor effects of EEST in EAC bearing mice was observed with LD50 1815 mg/kg. Parameters like body weight, tumor volume, packed cell volume, tumor cell count, mean survival time and increase in life span in animals in the EAC bearing animals treated with EEST 300 mg/kg was comparable with control group. Significant differences were also seen with changes in total protein content, hepatic enzymes contents, MDA level, and free radical scavenging enzymes in untreated vs. EEST treated group animals. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of antioxidant enzymes and hepatic enzymes in the EAC animal model treated with EEST exhibited similar effects as the positive control drug 5-flurouracil. S. tenerrimum extracts contain effective antioxidants with significant antitumor activity.

Gracilaria edulis extract induces apoptosis and inhibits tumor in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Marine environment is inestimable for their chemical and biological diversity and therefore is an extraordinary resource for the discovery of new anticancer drugs. Recent development in elucidation of the mechanism and therapeutic action of natural products helped to evaluate for their potential activity. METHODS: We evaluated Gracilaria edulis J. Ag (Brown algae), for its antitumor potential against the Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) in vivo and in vitro. Cytotoxicity evaluation of Ethanol Extract of Gracilaria edulis (EEGE) using EAT cells showed significant activity. In vitro studies indicated that EEGE cytotoxicity to EAT cells is mediated through its ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and therefore decreasing intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels may be attributed to oxidative stress. RESULTS: Apoptotic parameters including Annexin-V positive cells, increased levels of DNA fragmentation and increased caspase-2, caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities indicated the mechanism might be by inducing apoptosis. Intraperitoneally administration of EEGE to EAT-bearing mice helped to increase the lifespan of the animals significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased survival of mice. Extensive hematology, biochemistry and histopathological analysis of liver and kidney indicated that daily doses of EEGE up to 300 mg/kg for 35 days are well tolerated and did not cause hematotoxicity nor renal or hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive antitumor analysis in animal model and in Ehrlich Ascites Tumor cells was done including biochemical, and pathological evaluations indicate antitumor activity of the extract and non toxic in vivo. It was evident that the mechanism explains the apoptotic activity of the algae extract.