Research on dye sensitized solar cells: recent advancement toward the various constituents of dye sensitized solar cells for efficiency enhancement and future prospects.

It is universally accepted that the financial advancement of a state is essentially dependent upon the energy sector as it is essential in the growth, development, and improvement of the farming, mechanical, and defense sectors. A dependable source of energy is expected to enhance society's expectation of everyday comforts. Modern industrial advancement, which is indispensable for any nation, relies upon electricity. The principal explanation behind the energy emergency is rapidly increasing the use of hydrocarbon resources. Thus, the use of renewable resources is essential to overcome this dilemma. The consumption of hydrocarbon fuels and their discharge has destructive consequences on our surroundings. Third-generation photovoltaic (solar) cells are latest encouraging option in solar cells. Currently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) utilize organic (natural and synthetic) dye and inorganic (ruthenium) as a sensitizer. The nature of this dye combined with different variables has brought about a change in its use. Natural dyes are a feasible alternative in comparison to expensive and rare ruthenium dye owing to their low cast, easy utility, abundant supply of resources, and no environmental threat. In this review, the dyes generally utilized in DSSC are discussed. The DSSC criteria and components are explained, and the progress in inorganic and natural dyes is monitored. Scientists involved in this emerging technology will benefit from this examination.

Precursor effects on the physical, biological, and catalytic properties of Fagonia indica Burm.f. mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles.

We report a facile, green and precursor-based comparative study on the biosynthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using anticancerous Fagonia indica as effective chelating agent. Biosynthesis was carried out using zinc sulfate and zinc acetate as precursor salts to make ZnOS and ZnOA NPs under similar experimental conditions which were characterized extensively for physical and biological properties. Scherrer equation deduced a mean crystallite size of ~23.4 nm for ZnOA NPs and ~41 nm for ZnOS NPs. The nature of the NPs was compared using UV, diffuse reflectance spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis-DTA, selected area electron diffraction, EDS, zeta potential, high resolution (HR)-SEM, and HR-TEM. Detailed in vitro pharmacognostic activities revealed a significant therapeutic potential for ZnOA and ZnOS . Potential antimicrobial activities for the NPs and their nanocosmeceutical formulations are reported. ZnOA NPs were more cytotoxic to Leishmania tropica as compared to ZnOS . Significant antioxidant and protein kinase inhibition was obtained. The hemolytic assay indicated a hemocompatible nature of both ZnOA and ZnOS NPs. Catalytic degradation of crystal violet dye (CVD) by NPs was examined under different parameters (light, dark, UV). Furthermore, sonophotocatalytic degradation of CVD was also studied. Our results suggested that precursor can have a significant effect on the physical, biological, and catalytic properties of the NPs. In future, we recommend different other in vitro, in vivo biological activities, and mechanistic studies of these as-synthesized NPs.

Environmentally friendly green approach for the fabrication of silver oxide nanoparticles: Characterization and diverse biomedical applications.

In the present study, green silver nanoparticles (Ag2 ONPs) were prepared from aqueous and ethanolic leaves extract of Rhamnus virgata in a facile, green, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way. The color changes from light brown to brownish black determined the synthesis of Ag2 ONPs(Aq) and Ag2 ONPs(Et) . The phytofabrication of Ag2 ONPs was confirmed using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques: energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Detailed in vitro biological activities determined significant biopotentials for Ag2 ONPs. The Ag2 ONPs(Aq) and Ag2 ONPs(Et) were investigated for anticancer potential against HUH-7 (IC50 : 9.075 µg/ml for Ag2 O(Aq) and 25.66 µg/ml for Ag2 O(Et) ) and HepG2 (IC50 : 25.18 µg/ml for Ag2 O(Aq) and IC50 : 27.74 µg/ml for Ag2 O(Aq) ) cell lines. Concentration-dependent cytotoxicity was performed against brine-shrimps (IC50 : 36.04 µg/ml for Ag2 O(Aq) and 28.82 µg/ml for Ag2 O(Et) ) and Leishmanial parasite (amastigotes and promastigotes). Disc-diffusion method revealed significant antimicrobial activities. In addition, significant enzyme inhibitory activity and antiradical potentials were studied. The hemocompatible nature of Ag2 ONPs(Aq) and Ag2 ONPs(Et) was revealed using biocompatibility tests. In conclusion, the green Ag2 ONPs(Aq) and Ag2 ONPs(Et) are nontoxic and biocompatible and has shown significant biological activities. We further encourage in vivo studies to ensure biosafety and biocompatibility, so that they can be effectively utilized in nano-pharmaceutical industries.

Lights triggered differential accumulation of antioxidant and antidiabetic secondary metabolites in callus culture of Eclipta alba L.

Eclipta alba L., also known as false daisy, is well known and commercially attractive plant with excellent hepatotoxic and antidiabetic activities. Light is considered a key modulator in plant morphogenesis and survival by regulating important physiological cascades. Current study was carried out to investigate growth and developmental aspects of E. alba under differential effect of multispectral lights. In vitro derived callus culture of E. alba was exposed to multispectral monochromatic lights under controlled aseptic conditions. Maximum dry weight was recorded in culture grown under red light (11.2 g/L) whereas negative effect was observed under exposure of yellow light on callus growth (4.87 g/L). Furthermore, red light significantly enhanced phenolics and flavonoids content (TPC: 57.8 mg/g, TFC: 11.1 mg/g) in callus cultures compared to rest of lights. HPLC analysis further confirmed highest accumulation of four major compounds i.e. coumarin (1.26 mg/g), eclalbatin (5.00 mg/g), wedelolactone (32.54 mg/g) and demethylwedelolactone (23.67 mg/g) and two minor compounds (ß-amyrin: 0.38 mg/g, luteolin: 0.39 mg/g) in red light treated culture whereas stigmasterol was found optimum (0.22 mg/g) under blue light. In vitro based biological activities including antioxidant, antidiabetic and lipase inhibitory assays showed optimum values in cultures exposed to red light, suggesting crucial role of these phytochemicals in the enhancement of the therapeutic potential of E. alba. These results clearly revealed that the use of multispectral lights in in vitro cultures could be an effective strategy for enhanced production of phytochemicals.

Potential phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of esophagus cancer: A green therapeutic approach.

Globally, esophagus cancer (EC) is one of the most frequently reported malignancies and leading cause of deaths. Currently, different treatment methods are available like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or their combination. These treatment strategies are not enough and are often associated with adverse side effects. The alternate treatment option like phytochemicals have come up with ease of bioavailability and cost-effectiveness. Due to general acceptance, lower side effects, safety and pleiotropic effect, phytochemicals can be used as an adjuvant treatment for alleviating side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Phytochemicals perform multiple functions; release cytochrome-c, loss mitochondrial membrane potential, down-regulate expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, up-regulate pro-apoptotic proteins, activate caspases, p53, inhibit Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, phosphorylate NF-κB, STAT3 and PI3K. The knowledge compiled here encompasses anti-EC phytochemicals, their occurrence, bioavailability therapeutic effects and mechanism of action by targeting several genes and signaling pathways. Overall, the clinical data compiled on phytochemicals against EC is not sufficient and need future research to provide additional insights for developing potential anticancer drugs in pharma industries.

Greener synthesis of ZnO and Ag-ZnO nanoparticles using Silybum marianum for diverse biomedical applications.

AIM: To investigate the physical and biological properties of Silybum marianum inspired ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), Ag-ZnO heterostructures. Experiment: Nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, high resolution electron microscopy, ζ potential and thermo-gravimetric analysis etc. Results: Ag-ZnO-NPs indicated slightly higher antimicrobial potential then ZnO-NPs. Good antileishmanial (IC50 = 246 µg/ml for Ag-ZnO; 341 µg/ml for ZnO) and antioxidant potential while moderate enzyme inhibition is reported. 2, 2-Diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging of Ag-ZnO was higher relative to ZnO-NPs. Nanocosmaceutical formulation of nanoparticles indicated stable antimicrobial performance. CONCLUSION: Biosynthesized nanoparticles indicated interesting biological properties and should be subjected to further research to establish their pharmacological relevance.