Exploring Anticancer Properties of Medicinal Plants against Breast Cancer by Downregulating Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2.

Plants have a history of being employed in managing breast cancer. However, no scientific evidence supports the idea that these plants can effectively reduce the level of HER2 expression. In this study, extracts from 10 medicinal plants were evaluated for their anticancer properties against HER2-positive breast cancer cells through various methods, including the SRB assay, comet assay, annexin V-FITC dual staining, and immunoblotting. All extracts exerted antiproliferative activity against HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Terminalia chebula (T. chebula), Berberis aristata (B. aristata), and Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens) reduced HER2 expression in tested cell lines. In addition, an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was observed after the treatment. A comparative proteomics study showed modulation in the proteome profile of breast cancer cells after treatment with T. chebula, B. aristata, Punica granatum, M. pruriens, and Acorus calamus. Metabolic profiling of lead plants revealed the existence of multiple anticancer compounds. Our study demonstrates the considerable potential of the mentioned plants as innovative therapies for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Separation Methods of Phenolic Compounds from Plant Extract as Antioxidant Agents Candidate.

In recent years, discovering new drug candidates has become a top priority in research. Natural products have proven to be a promising source for such discoveries as many researchers have successfully isolated bioactive compounds with various activities that show potential as drug candidates. Among these compounds, phenolic compounds have been frequently isolated due to their many biological activities, including their role as antioxidants, making them candidates for treating diseases related to oxidative stress. The isolation method is essential, and researchers have sought to find effective procedures that maximize the purity and yield of bioactive compounds. This review aims to provide information on the isolation or separation methods for phenolic compounds with antioxidant activities using column chromatography, medium-pressure liquid chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, counter-current chromatography, hydrophilic interaction chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, molecularly imprinted technologies, and high-performance thin layer chromatography. For isolation or purification, the molecularly imprinted technologies represent a more accessible and more efficient procedure because they can be applied directly to the extract to reduce the complicated isolation process. However, it still requires further development and refinement.

Plant-Assisted Synthesis of Ag-Based Nanoparticles on Cotton: Antimicrobial and Cytotoxicity Studies.

The syntheses of Ag-based nanoparticles (NPs) with the assistance of plant extracts have been shown to be environmentally benign and cost-effective alternatives to conventional chemical syntheses. This study discusses the application of Paliurus spina-christi, Juglans regia, Humulus lupulus, and Sambucus nigra leaf extracts for in situ synthesis of Ag-based NPs on cotton fabric modified with citric acid. The presence of NPs with an average size ranging from 57 to 99 nm on the fiber surface was confirmed by FESEM. XPS analysis indicated that metallic (Ag0) and/or ionic silver (Ag2O and AgO) appeared on the surface of the modified cotton. The chemical composition, size, shape, and amounts of synthesized NPs were strongly dependent on the applied plant extract. All fabricated nanocomposites exhibited excellent antifungal activity against yeast Candida albicans. Antibacterial activity was significantly stronger against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus than Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. In addition, 99% of silver was retained on the samples after 24 h of contact with physiological saline solution, implying a high stability of nanoparticles. Cytotoxic activity towards HaCaT and MRC5 cells was only observed for the sample synthetized in the presence of H. lupulus extract. Excellent antimicrobial activity and non-cytotoxicity make the developed composites efficient candidates for medicinal applications.

Green synthesis of chitosan- and fluoride-functionalized silver nanoparticles using Camelia sinensis: Characterisation and dental applications.

This research aimed to synthesise and characterise chitosan/fluoride functionalised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) reduced with white tea (Camellia sinensis, WT) and evaluate the effects of WT_AgNPs application on demineralised dentine. The WT_AgNPs were characterised to determine their molecular composition, organic matter content, crystallite size, and degree of aggregation. Forty human molars were randomly assigned to different control groups: sound dentine (SD) and demineralised dentine (DD), and experimental groups: WT_AgNPs, WT_AgNPs_NaF, and WT_AgNPs_CHS. Then, the nanoparticles were applied to the DD control group to evaluate the chemical, crystallographic, and microstructural characteristics of treated-dentine. In addition, a three-point bending test was employed to assess dentine's mechanical response. The WT_AgNPs showed molecular groups related to various organic compounds, potentially acting as reducing and capping agents. All AgNPs presented spherical shapes with crystal sizes of approximately 20 nm. The application of WT_AgNPs indicated a higher degree of mineralisation and crystallites sizes of hydroxyapatite than the DD group. SEM images showed that WT_AgNPs presented different degrees of aggregation and distribution patterns on the surface of the demineralized dentine. The dentine flexural strength was significantly increased in all WT_AgNPs groups compared to control groups. The application of WT_AgNPs demonstrated remineralising and strengthening potential on demineralised dentine.

Combined effect of brazilin-rich extract and lawsone methyl ether against infection-causing bacteria.

Bacterial contamination and infection widely affect the food, pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. Additionally, these bacteria developed resistance to synthetic antibiotics causing public health danger, globally. Natural plant extracts (NPE) are suitable alternatives to synthetic antibiotics to tackle antimicrobial resistance problems. Furthermore, a blend or combination of different NPEs exerts a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Therefore, the combined effect of brazilin-rich extract (BRE) and lawsome methyl ether (LME) against infection-causing common bacteria were evaluated. BRE had a lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against most of the Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) while LME was active against most of the Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis). The combination of BRE and LME at 2:1 and 1:1 concentration significantly reduced the MIC value of each compound as compared to either BRE or LME concentration alone (P < 0.05). Further time-kill kinetics revealed a 3.0-3.5 log reduction in Gram-positive bacteria and a 2.5-3.0 log reduction in Gram-negative bacteria during 120 min of incubation, respectively. Therefore, a combination of BRE and LME was recommended as natural antibacterial to synthetic antibiotics for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Effect of dietary Lagnaria breviflora leaves extract on the growth performance, haematological, antioxidative and immune responses of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles.

The effects of dietary Lagnaria breviflora leaves extract (LBLE) on the growth performance, feed utilisation and haematological parameters of juveniles African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (mean = 8.45 ± 0.6 g) raised in a flow water (mean temperature 26.7°C, mean pH 7.52, mean dissolved oxygen 6.05 mg/L) were assessed in this study. Diets (400 g/kg crude protein; 4631.5 kcal/kg gross energy) supplemented with LBLE at levels of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 g/kg diet were served to fish in triplicates (each replicate has 20 fish) until they appeared satiated for 12 weeks. Then, they were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila infection for further 2 weeks. Fish served dietary LBLE had considerable higher weight gain (64.76 g) and specific growth rate (765.5% g/day) than the fish group fed with the control diet with a reduced feed conversion ratio (1.45) (p < 0.05). Compared to fish fed with the control diet, the villi height (146.30 µm) and width (284.35 µm) of the intestines increased greatly in a dose (LBLE in diets) dependent order. Similarly, dietary LBLE increased (p < 0.05) the packed cell volume (46.11%) and haemoglobin (17.03 g/dL), whereas 1.5 g of LBLE increased the counts of white blood cells. Glutathione S-transferase (769.43 U/mg protein), glutathione peroxidase (84.14 U/mg protein) and superoxide dismutase (433.15 U/mg protein) activities were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in fish fed with diets supplemented with LBLE compared to the control one. Additionally, dietary LBLE increased phagocytic and lysozyme activities and protected C. gariepinus against bacterial infections where the lowest death was observed in the fish fed on the diet containing 1.5 g LBLE/kg feed. These findings showed that the fish fed with LBLE/kg diet improved their immune system, antioxidant and growth performance in addition to providing protection from A. hydrophila infection with the optimum dose of 1.80 g/kg diet.

Neuroprotective Effect of Sterculia setigera Leaves Hydroethanolic Extract.

Plants are a valuable source of information for pharmacological research and new drug discovery. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the leaves of the medicinal plant Sterculia setigera. In vitro, the effect of Sterculia setigera leaves dry hydroethanolic extract (SSE) was tested on cultured cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) survival when exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), using the viability probe fluorescein diacetate (FDA), a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay, an immunocytochemical staining against Gap 43, and the quantification of the expression of genes involved in apoptosis, necrosis, or oxidative stress. In vivo, the effect of intraperitoneal (ip) injection of SSE was assessed on the developing brain of 8-day-old Wistar rats exposed to ethanol neurotoxicity by measuring caspase-3 activity on cerebellum homogenates, the expression of some genes in tissue extracts, the thickness of cerebellar cortical layers and motor coordination. In vitro, SSE protected CGN against H2O2 and 6-OHDA-induced cell death at a dose of 10 µg/mL, inhibited the expression of genes Casp3 and Bad, and upregulated the expression of Cat and Gpx7. In vivo, SSE significantly blocked the deleterious effect of ethanol by reducing the activity of caspase-3, inhibiting the expression of Bax and Tp53, preventing the reduction of the thickness of the internal granule cell layer of the cerebellar cortex, and restoring motor functions. Sterculia setigera exerts neuroactive functions as claimed by traditional medicine and should be a good candidate for the development of a neuroprotective treatment against neurodegenerative diseases.

Effect of Celastrus Orbiculatus Extract on proliferation and apoptosis of human Burkitt lymphoma cells.

The lymphoma incidence rate is on the rise, with invasive forms particularly prone to relapse following conventional treatment, posing a significant threat to human life and wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that traditional Chinese botanical drug medicine offers promising therapeutic benefits for various malignancies, with previous experimental findings indicating that Celastrus orbiculatus extract effectively combats digestive tract tumors. However, its impact on lymphoma remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the impact and underlying mechanisms of COE on the proliferation and apoptosis of Burkitt lymphoma cells. We diluted COE in RPMI-1640 medium to create various working concentrations and introduced it to human Burkitt lymphoma Raji and Ramos cells. To evaluate cell viability, we used the CCK-8 assay, and we observed morphological changes using HE staining. We also conducted Annexin V-PI and JC-1 staining experiments to assess apoptosis. By combining the cell cycle experiment with the EDU assay, we gained insights into the effects of COE on DNA replication in lymphoma cells. Using Western blotting, we detected alterations in apoptosis-related proteins. In vivo experiments revealed that following COE intervention, tumor volume decreased, survival time was prolonged, spleen size reduced, and the expression of tumor apoptosis-related proteins changed. Our findings indicate that COE effectively inhibits lymphoma cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by regulating these apoptosis-related proteins.

Methods for screening and evaluation of antimicrobial activity: A review of protocols, advantages, and limitations.

Infectious diseases pose a formidable global challenge, compounded by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, researchers are actively exploring novel antimicrobial compounds as potential solutions. This endeavor underscores the pivotal role of methods employed for screening and evaluating antimicrobial activity-a critical step in discovery and characterization of antimicrobial agents. While traditional techniques such as well-diffusion, disk-diffusion, and broth-dilution are commonly utilized in antimicrobial assays, they may encounter limitations concerning reproducibility and speed. Additionally, a diverse array of antimicrobial assays including cross-streaking, poisoned-food, co-culture, time-kill kinetics, resazurin assay, bioautography, etc., are routinely employed in antimicrobial evaluations. Advanced techniques such as flow-cytometry, impedance analysis, and bioluminescent technique may offer rapid and sensitive results, providing deeper insights into the impact of antimicrobials on cellular integrity. However, their higher cost and limited accessibility in certain laboratory settings may present challenges. This article provides a comprehensive overview of assays designed to characterize antimicrobial activity, elucidating their underlying principles, protocols, advantages, and limitations. The primary objective is to enhance understanding of the methodologies designed for evaluating antimicrobial agents in our relentless battle against infectious diseases. By selecting the appropriate antimicrobial testing method, researchers can discern suitable conditions and streamline the identification of effective antimicrobial agents.

Malaria: biochemical, physiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic updates.

Background: Malaria has been appraised as a significant vector-borne parasitic disease with grave morbidity and high-rate mortality. Several challenges have been confronting the efficient diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Method: Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) were all used to gather articles. Results: Diverse biochemical and physiological indices can mirror complicated malaria e.g., hypoglycemia, dyslipidemia, elevated renal and hepatic functions in addition to the lower antioxidant capacity that does not only destroy the parasite but also induces endothelial damage. Multiple trials have been conducted to improve recent points of care in malaria involving biosensors, lap on-chip, and microdevices technology. Regarding recent therapeutic trials, chemical falcipain inhibitors and plant extracts with anti-plasmodial activities are presented. Moreover, antimalaria nano-medicine and the emergence of nanocarrier (either active or passive) in drug transportation are promising. The combination therapeutic trials e.g., amodiaquine + artemether + lumefantrine are presented to safely counterbalance the emerging drug resistance in addition to the Tafenoquine as a new anti-relapse therapy. Conclusion: Recognizing the pathophysiology indices potentiate diagnosis of malaria. The new points of care can smartly manipulate the biochemical and hematological alterations for a more sensitive and specific diagnosis of malaria. Nano-medicine appeared promising. Chemical and plant extracts remain points of research.

Genetic activity and cytotoxic effect of Silybum marianum extract in comparison with the impact of antitumor drugs etoposide and methotrexate: a study on Drosophila melanogaster.

One of the most important directions in medical practice involves the exploration of protectors and adaptogens to mitigate side effects associated with the use of antitumor and potent medications. The extracts of medicinal plants are actively tested as protectors. In connection with this, the aim of the research was to determine the effectiveness of the protective properties of Silybum marianum extract against the drugs 'etoposide' and 'methotrexate' at concentrations of 800 µg/kg using the model object Drosophila melanogaster. To analyse the protective properties, the following research methods were applied: determining the lethal concentration, average individual fertility of individuals, mortality of F1 offspring at embryonic stages, SMART (a method for determining the frequency of somatic mutations and recombinations) and assessing the intensity of programmed cell death. The study revealed that a 5% S. marianum extract reduces the genotoxicity of etoposide and exhibits a high cytotoxic effect, both independently and in combination with etoposide and methotrexate.

Immune response enhancement by dietary supplementation with Caesalpinia sappan extract in weaned pigs challenged with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

BACKGROUND: At present, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) caused by the PRRS virus (PRRSV) is one of the most severe epidemics impacting pig farming globally. Despite the fact that a number of studies have been conducted on potential solutions to this problem, none have proven effective. The focus of problem solving is the use of natural ingredients such as plant extracts. Popular throughout Asia, Caesalpinia sappan (CS) is a therapeutic plant that inhibits PRRSV in vitro. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the efficacy of CS extract dietary supplementation on the productive performance, antibody levels, immunological indicators, and lung pathology of PRRSV-challenged weaned pigs. A total of 32 weaned piglets (28 days old) were randomized into 4 groups and kept separately for 14 days. The treatments were organized in a 2 × 2 factorial design involving two factors: PRRSV challenge and supplementation with 1 mg/kg CS extract. The pigs in the PRRSV-challenged groups were intranasally inoculated with 2 mL of PRRSV (VR2332) containing 104 TCID50/mL, while those in the groups not challenged with PRRSV were inoculated with 2 mL of normal saline. RESULTS: In the PRRSV-challenged group (CS + PRRSV), supplementation with CS extract led to an increase in white blood cells (WBCs) on Day 7 post infection (p < 0.05) and particularly in lymphocytes on Days 7 and 14. The antibody titer was significantly greater in the CS + PRRSV group than in the PRRSV-challenged group not administered CS (PRRSV group) on Day 14 postinfection (S/P = 1.19 vs. 0.78). In addition, CS extract administration decreased the prevalence of pulmonary lesions, which were more prevalent in the PRRSV-challenged pigs that did not receive the CS extract. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that supplementation with CS extract is beneficial for increasing WBC counts, especially lymphocytes, increasing the levels of antibodies and reducing the prevalence of lung lesions in PRRSV-infected pigs.

Synthesis of Ottonia anisum Extract Mediated ZnO NPs and Their Local Anesthetic, Analgesic and HCl­induced Acute Lung Injury Activities.

In this study, we outlined the green synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the plant-mediated method. Employing the nitrate derivative of Zinc and the extract from the native medicinal plant, Ottonia anisum, the nanoparticles were effectively produced. After obtaining a yellow-colored paste, it was meticulously dried, gathered, and set aside for subsequent examination. The UV-visible spectrometry analysis indicated an absorption peak at 320 nm, which is indicative of ZnO NPs. Characterization techniques, such as XRD and HR-TEM, confirmed the existence of agglomerated ZnO NPs with an average diameter of 40 nm. Through EDS analysis, distinct energy signals for both Zinc and Oxygen were observed, confirming their composition. Furthermore, FT-IR spectroscopy highlighted an absorption peak for Zn-O bonding in the range of 400 to 600 cm -1 . Further, we employed three distinct pain models in mice to evaluate the influence of ZnO NPs on the nociceptive threshold. Our findings revealed that, when orally administered, ZnO NPs at concentrations ranging from 5-20 mg/kg exerted a dose-dependent analgesic effect in both the hot-plate and the acetic acid-induced writhing tests. Moreover, when ZnO NPs were administered at doses between 2.5-10 mg/kg, there was a notable reduction in pain responses during both the initial and subsequent phases of the formalin test, but no change in PGE 2 production within the mice's hind paw was found. On the other hand, acute lung injury studies revealed that the administration of ZnO NPs orally 90 minutes prior to HCl instillation decreased the neutrophil infiltration into the lungs in a doseresponsive manner. This reduction in pulmonary inflammation was paralleled by a significant decrease in lung edema, as evidenced by the reduced total protein content in the BALF. Additionally, the ZnO NPs appeared to recalibrate the lung's redox equilibrium following HCl exposure, which was determined through measurements of ROS, malondialdehyde, glutathione, and catalase activity. All these results further indicated the potential of biofabricated ZnO NPs for future applications in analgesics and acute lung injury treatments.

In Silico PASS Predictions and Exploration of Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Citrus Karna Raf. Fruit.

Objective: Inflammation and oxidative stress are major factors in the development of many disorders. Natural antioxidants present in plants can interrupt, decrease, or reduce the oxidation of components sensitive to oxidative processes by scavenging free radicals and lowering oxidative stress. Most anti-inflammatory agents used in the management of inflammatory disorders diminish oxidative damage. The biological potential of Citrus karna Raf. remains undisclosed, despite its richness in several bioactive compounds. Methods: The methanolic extract was evaluated for quantitative phytochemical analysis and antioxidative efficacy using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. A carrageenan-induced paw edema model was employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential as antioxidants exert anti-inflammatory effects. In silico prediction of activity spectra for substance predictions were performed to understand the possible mechanism of action of phytochemicals. Results: Citrus karna methanolic extract (CKME) showed dose-dependent radical scavenging effects. The powerful scavenging activity of CKME could be due to the diverse polyphenolic compounds such as ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, and naringin. In addition, the percentage inhibition of paw edema and swelling was observed in CKME-treated rats and mice, which is the same as that of standard drug-treated groups. The Pa value of ascorbic acid, beta-bisabolene, linalool, and naringin is more than 0.7 which shows that these phytoconstituents might contribute to the anti-inflammatory action of extract samples such as CKME. Conclusions: Our findings shows that CKME possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The richness of plants in polyphenolics such as flavonoids might be a contributing factor for these potential effects.

Efficacy of Lamium album as a natural fungicide: impact on seed germination, ergosterol, and mycotoxins in Fusarium culmorum-infected wheat seedlings.

Fusarium culmorum is a major wheat pathogen, and its secondary metabolites (mycotoxins) cause damage to plants, animals, and human health. In the era of sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly methods of prevention and control are constantly needed. The use of plant extracts as biocontrol agents has gained popularity as they are a source of active substances that play a crucial role in fighting against phytopathogens. This study evaluated the impact of Lamium album on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. In a pot experiment, the effect of L. album on wheat seedlings artificially inoculated with F. culmorum was evaluated by measuring seedling growth parameters, and by using chromatographic methods, ergosterol and mycotoxins levels were analyzed. The results showed that the phytotoxic effect of L. album flower extracts on wheat seed germination and seedling growth was concentration dependent. The radicle length was also reduced compared to the control; however, L. album did not significantly affect the dry weight of the radicle. A slight phytotoxic effect on seed germination was observed, but antifungal effects on artificially infected wheat seedlings were also confirmed with the reduction of ergosterol level and mycotoxins accumulation in the roots and leaves after 21 days of inoculation. F. culmorum DNA was identified in the control samples only. Overall, this study is a successful in planta study showing L. album flower extract protection of wheat against the pathogen responsible for Fusarium crown and root rot. Further research is essential to study the effects of L. album extracts on key regulatory genes for mycotoxin biosynthetic pathways.

Phytochemical analysis and anthelmintic activity of Combretum mucronatum leaf extract against infective larvae of soil-transmitted helminths including ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes.

BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infect more than a quarter of the world's human population. In the absence of vaccines for most animal and human gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), treatment of infections primarily relies on anthelmintic drugs, while resistance is a growing threat. Therefore, there is a need to find alternatives to current anthelmintic drugs, especially those with novel modes of action. The present work aimed to study the composition and anthelmintic activity of Combretum mucronatum leaf extract (CMLE) by phytochemical analysis and larval migration inhibition assays, respectively. METHODS: Combretum mucronatum leaves were defatted with petroleum ether and the residue was extracted by ethanol/water (1/1) followed by freeze-drying. The proanthocyanidins and flavonoids were characterized by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). To evaluate the inhibitory activity of this extract, larval migration assays with STH and GIN were performed. For this purpose, infective larvae of the helminths were, if necessary, exsheathed (Ancylostoma caninum, GIN) and incubated with different concentrations of CMLE. RESULTS: CMLE was found to be rich in flavonoids and proanthocyanidins; catechin and epicatechin were therefore quantified for standardization of the extract. Data indicate that CMLE had a significant effect on larval migration. The effect was dose-dependent and higher concentrations (1000 µg/mL) exerted significantly higher larvicidal effect (P < 0.001) compared with the negative control (1% dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) and lower concentrations (≤ 100 µg/ml). Infective larvae of Ascaris suum [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 5.5 µg/mL], Trichuris suis (IC50 = 7.4 µg/mL), and A. caninum (IC50 = 18.9 µg/mL) were more sensitive to CMLE than that of Toxocara canis (IC50 = 310.0 µg/mL), while infective larvae of Toxocara cati were largely unaffected (IC50 > 1000 µg/mL). Likewise, CMLE was active against most infective larvae of soil-transmitted ruminant GIN, except for Cooperia punctata. Trichostrongylus colubriformis was most sensitive to CMLE (IC50 = 2.1 µg/mL) followed by Cooperia oncophora (IC50 = 27.6 µg/mL), Ostertagia ostertagi (IC50 = 48.5 µg/mL), Trichostrongylus axei (IC50 = 54.7 µg/mL), Haemonchus contortus (IC50 = 145.6 µg/mL), and Cooperia curticei (IC50 = 156.6 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that CMLE exhibits promising anthelmintic properties against infective larvae of a large variety of soil-transmitted nematodes.

Botanicals as promising antimicrobial agents for enhancing oral health: a comprehensive review.

The mouth houses the second largest diversity of microorganisms in the body, harboring more than 700 bacterial species colonizing the soft mucosa and hard tooth surfaces. Microbes are the cause of several health-related problems, such as dental carries, gingivitis, periodontitis, etc., in the mouth across different age groups and socioeconomic/demographic groups. Oral infections are major health problems that affect the standard of living. Compromised oral health is related to chronic conditions and systemic disorders. Microbes responsible for dental caries are acid-producing and aciduric Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococci, Lactobacilli). Gram-negative bacteria (Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Actinobacillus, and Fusobacterium) capable of growing in anaerobic environments are responsible for periodontal diseases. Due to the high prevalence of oral diseases, negative effects associated with the use of antimicrobial agents and increased antibiotic resistance in oral pathogens, suitable alternative methods (effective, economical and safe) to suppress microbes disturbing oral health need to be adopted. Side effects associated with the chemical antimicrobial agents are vomiting, diarrhea and tooth staining. Several researchers have studied the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts and phytochemicals and have used them as indigenous practices to control several infections. Therefore, phytochemicals extracted from plants can be suitable alternatives. This review focuses on the various phytochemical/plant extracts suppressing the growth of oral pathogens either by preventing their attachment to the surfaces or by preventing biofilm formation or other mechanisms.

Green synthesis of nanomaterials by using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents.

An alternative method to conventional synthesis is examined in this review by the use of plant extracts as reducing and capping agents. The use of plant extracts represents an economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional synthesis. In contrast to previous reviews, this review focuses on the synthesis of nano-compounds utilizing plant extracts, which lack comprehensive reports. In order to synthesize diverse nanostructures, researchers have discovered a sustainable and cost-effective method of harnessing functional groups in plant extracts. Each plant extract is discussed in detail, along with its potential applications, demonstrating the remarkable morphological diversity achieved by using these green synthesis approaches. A reduction and capping agent made from plant extracts is aligned with the principles of green chemistry and offers economic advantages as well as paving the way for industrial applications. In this review, it is discussed the significance of using plant extracts to synthesize nano-compounds, emphasizing their potential to shape the future of nanomaterials in a sustainable and ecologically friendly manner.

Exploring the potential of a Ephedra alata leaf extract: Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant activity, antibacterial properties, and green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.

Ephedra alata leaf extracts have therapeutic properties and contain various natural compounds known as phytochemicals. This study assessed the phytochemical content and antioxidant effects of a Ephedra alata leaf extract, as well as zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle production. The extract contained phenolic acids, including vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillin and rutin. Its total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were 48.7 ± 0.9 mg.g-1 and 1.7 ± 0.4 mg.g-1, respectively. The extract displayed a DPPH inhibition rate of 70.5%, total antioxidant activity of 49.5 ± 3.4 mg.g-1, and significant antimicrobial activity toward Gram-positive and negative bacteria. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles had spherical shape, crystallite size of 25 nm, particle size between 5 and 30 nm, and bandgap energy of 3.3 eV. In specific conditions (90 min contact time, pH 7, and 25°C), these nanoparticles efficiently photodegraded 87% of methylene blue, suggesting potential applications for sustainable water treatment and pollution control.

Synergistic effect of Panax ginseng, Polygonatum cyrtonema, Epiphyllum oxypetalum, Nelumbo nucifera and Osmanthus fragrans extracts on skin aging regulation. From in silico predictions to in vitro outcome.

Intrinsic and extrinsic aging affect the health of human skin. Extracellular matrix protein degradation, DNA damage and oxidative stress are known to disturb skin architecture and skin homeostasis leading to skin aging. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) delivers a large amount of knowledge regarding the phytotherapeutic power of diverse plants. Panax ginseng, Polygonatum cyrtonema, Epiphyllum oxypetalum, Nelumbo nucifera and Osmanthus fragrans are five plants used in TCM for their protective effect. In this study, several combinations of these TCM plants were explored: first, an in silico analysis was performed to predict their potential to target biological activities in the skin and then, some predictions were verified with in vitro studies to underline the synergistic effect of plant extracts. The results showed a stronger anti-aging activity for the combination with the five plants compared to the combination with Panax ginseng, Polygonatum cyrtonema, Epiphyllum oxypetalum and, compared to Panax ginseng alone.