Biogenic silver nanoparticles using Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf extract: synthesis, spectral analysis, and antimicrobial studies.

Nanotechnology is gaining momentum due to its ability to transform metals into nanoparticles. The synthesis, characterization, and applications of biologically synthesized nanomaterials have become an important branch of nanotechnology. Plant extracts are a cost-effective, ecologically friendly, and efficient alternative for the large-scale synthesis of nanoparticles. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNps) were synthesized using Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf extract. After exposing the silver ions to the leaf extract, the rapid reduction of silver ions led to the formation of AgNps in solution. The synthesis was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the AgNps synthesized using R. nasutus leaf extract was investigated against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus using a disc diffusion method. The AgNps showed potential activity against all of the bacterial strains and fungal colonies, indicating that R. nasutus has the potential to be used in the development of value-added products in the biomedical and nanotechnology-based industries.

Effect of Pimpinellatirupatiensison Oxidative Enzymes in STZ-induced Diabetic Rat Kidney.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Pimpinellatirupatiensis(Pt) by assaying the activities of selective mitochondrial enzymes in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the activities of oxidative enzymes Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), Malate dehydrogenase (MDH), Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was significantly (p < 0.01) increased in diabetic rats. The daily oral treatment of Pimpinellatirupatiensisethyl alcohol extract (750 mg/kg body weight/day) to diabetic rats for 30 days reversed the above changes in a significant (p < 0.01) manner. From our observations, we conclude that administration of Pt altered the activities of oxidative enzymes, thereby suggesting its role in mitochondrial energy production. The obtained results were compared with Glibenclamide, a standard anti diabetic drug. Thus, the modulatory effects of Pt on altering these enzymes activities afford a promise for widespread use for treatment of diabetes in the future.