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Inflammation-related diseases are recognized as the major cause of morbidity around the globe. In this study, the anti-inflammatory potential of sericin, curcumin, and their mixture was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Edema was induced via 1% carrageenan and then sericin (0.03, 0.06, 0.09 mg/ml), curcumin (1%, 2%, 3%), and their mixture doses were applied topically. The paw circumference and thickness were measured after 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-hour post-carrageenan injection. The levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were measured from the serum. In mice fibroblast cells, sericin (20, 40, 60 μg/ml), curcumin (5, 10, 20 μM), and mixture concentrations were applied and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Afterward, the cells were used for the analysis of gene expression, and the supernatant was collected for protein expression of IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10. Our results demonstrated that sericin and curcumin caused a dose-dependent reduction in edema, whereas the mixture-treated group reduced the paw thickness and circumference most significantly (p= .0001). Furthermore, the mixture treatment of carrageenan-inflicted group increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4 (650.87 pg/ml) and IL-10 (183.14 pg/ml), in comparison to the carrageenan control. The in vitro data revealed that among all the treatment doses, the mixture-treated group has effectively reduced the gene (1.13-fold) and protein (51.9 pg/ml) expression of IL-1β in comparison to McCoy cells stimulated with LPS. Moreover, mixture treatment elevated the expression of IL-4 and IL-10 at genes (4.3-fold and 3.7-fold, respectively) and protein levels (169.33 and 141.83 pg/ml, respectively). The current study reports the enhanced anti-inflammatory effects of the mixture of curcumin and sericin through modulating expressions of interleukins in vitro and in vivo. Thus, natural products (curcumin and sericin)-based formulations have greater potential for clinical investigations.

Burns wounds are one of the most health-threatening problems worldwide. Sericin is a natural protein synthesized by the silkworm Bombyx moriL. It is a natural biomaterial that helps in the management of wounds by promoting the proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Jasminum grandiflorumL leaves contain high mucilage content and have been used to cure various dermal wounds in ancient times. The present study was aimed to investigate the individual and synergetic effect of sericin and J. grandiflorumleaves extract on burn injury in mice. Ten-week-old mice weighing 22 g ± 5 g were randomly divided into eight groups, each group containing 10 mice. Burn injury in mice was induced by using a hot metal rod. Wounds were evaluated morphologically and histologically. In comparison with controls, 4% sericin + jasmine (S + J) expressively improved wound contraction area. Restoration of the epidermis was also faster in S + J 4% group (P≤ .01) than in other groups. Histopathological analysis also verified the efficacy of the 4% S + J cream. It is concluded that a mixture of sericin and jasmine leaves effectively improved the healing process of skin burns.

Aedes aegypti(Linnaeus, 1762) is a major vector responsible for dengue transmission. Insecticides are being used as the most effective tool to control vector populations in Lahore, Pakistan. Control of Ae. aegyptiis threatened by the development of resistance against insecticides. The current status of insecticide resistance was evaluated against pyrethroids (deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin) in different populations of Lahore (Model Town, Mishri Shah, Sadar Cantt, Walton, and Valencia). The susceptibility of the larval and adult populations was tested following the standard WHO guidelines. Moderate to high levels of resistance were found against pyrethroids in the larval (RR50: 3.6–27.2 and RR90: 5–90) and adult populations (percentage mortality < 98%). Biochemical assays revealed a statistically significant increase in the enzyme level in all field populations compared to the laboratory strain. The value of esterase was one-fold higher, monooxygenase was 3.9- to 4.7-fold higher, and glutathione S-transferases was 1.9- to 2.6-fold higher in field populations compared to the laboratory strain. These results depict the presence of resistance against deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin in field populations of Lahore mediated by metabolic enzymes i.e. esterases, monooxygenases, and glutathione S-transferase.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as 7, 12-dimethylbenzneanthracene (DMBA), due to long-term bioaccumulation cause serious physiological processes and behavioral dysfunctions such as cancer, ageing, and hypertension. Silk sericin (SS) is instrumental in cancer applications due to presence of flavonoids and carotenoids which are natural pigments, present in the layer of sericin that has antioxidant and antityrosinase activity. It reduces oxidative stress and suppresses cancer cytokines while interacting with reactive oxygen species (ROS) to stand against lipid peroxidation. Recent research was focused to calculate the pharmacological intervention of sericin-conjugated silver nanoparticles (S-AgNO3NPs) against DMBA-induced toxicity. For this purpose, SS protein was extracted from silkworm cocoons by degumming process and the prepared S-AgNO3NPs via a green synthesis. In female albino mice, a total of 50 mg/kg oral administration of DMBA was used for the induction of toxicity which required almost 8 to 10 weeks approximately. After 60 days of experimentation, mice were dissected, blood samples were collected for further hematological and biochemical analysis and were euthanized via cervical dislocation. There was a significant rise in the level of red blood cells, platelets, lymphocytes, and hemoglobin at the highest applied concentration of sericin and its nanoparticles. Similarly, a reasonable decline was observed in the level of white blood cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes as compared to the cancer-inducing group. The level of glutathione, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase as well as immunoglobulins such as immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were significantly reduced in all treatment groups as compared to the DMBA-induced group. Substantial effects were demonstrated in response to S-AgNO3NPs II (T) at the highest concentrations (200 mg/kg, BW) as follows: glutathione (2.42 ± 0.26 μmol/L), lactate dehydrogenase (493.6 ± 5.78 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (158.4 ± 6.35 U/L), IgA (4.22 ± 0.19 g/L), IgG (70 ± 1.70 g/L), and IgM (4.76 ± 0.12). The histopathological study of the liver, kidneys, and brain revealed that the DMBA-induced group showed cytotoxic effects against all selected organs of mice that were recovered by treatment of selective compounds but highly effective recovery was seen in S-AgNO3NPs II (T). These results concluded that silk S-AgNO3NPs showed significant pharmacological potential against cancer-inducing toxicity.

In this research work, sol-gel technique was employed to prepare the strontium based spinel ferrite nanoparticles (SrFe2O4) with different ratios of terbium (Tb). Different characterization techniques were used to investigate the structural, morphological, dielectric and magnetic properties of the prepared samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD) result suggests that face-centered cube spinel nanocrystalline structure is formed. Crystallite size of the SrFe2O4decreases with rising of Tb ratio. The morphology, shape and size of the SrFe2O4were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and results reveal inhomogeneous distributions of the nanostructures with high agglomeration. The electrical resistivity of the SrFe2O4increases with rising of Tb ratio, which is confirmed from the cyclic voltammetry. It is observed that dielectric constant of all the samples decreases with increasing the frequency range. It is determined that the dielectric constants of the spinel ferrites are frequency dependent and decrease with increasing the frequency of applied electric field. The magnetic behavior of SrFe2O4with different ratios of Tb was studied and it is found that the saturation magnetization values of samples decrease with increase in the substitution of Tb3+at octahedral sites for Fe3+. This decrease in the values of Msis also attributed to spin at surface of nanoparticles.

Spiders contribute significantly to natural pest control in agriculture. Here, we investigated the biodiversity, population dynamics and predatory activities of spiders in the maize-growing districts (Kasur and Lahore) of Punjab, Pakistan during 2018–2019. Various collecting methods including pitfall and yellow pan traps, manual hand-picking, beat sheet, and sweep nets were used to collect spiders on a biweekly basis. The collected 12,894 individuals represented 45 different species, 27 genera, and 13 families. The major families recorded were Araneidae (32.92%), Lycosidae (20.43%) and Salticidae (11.12%) comprising >64% of the overall abundance. Neoscona theisi(Araneidae) was found to be most dominant species (11.61%). Moreover, the species Macracantha hasselti(Araneidae) and Atypena formosanaare reported for the first time from Pakistan. Besides, the estimated species diversity from both districts was 97%. The Margalef's index was highest in Kasur (D = 5.08) and lowest in Lahore (D = 4.95). The values of the Shannon-Wiener and species evenness indices were similar in Kasur and Lahore suggesting similar diversity levels and an even distribution. Spider abundance was highest in April and lowest in June and July. These findings will help to develop effective Integrated Pest Management strategies in maize growing areas across the world.

AbstractPredators hold a position of great importance in agro-ecosystems. Their primary significance is that they deter the prey and reduce their plant foraging behaviour, thereby reducing damage and indirectly enhancing the biomass production. The present study was designed to observe the foraging activity of insects in response to spider silk and the cues deposited by spiders on the plants. Orb-weaving spider, Argiope trifasciata,was used as a silk source while Acrida turrita, the common grasshopper of rice fields was used as model herbivorous insect. Foraging of grasshoppers on the silk/cues-deposited plant leaves was compared with the control leaves. Resultantly, a sharp contrast was observed in the foraging activity. Silk-treated leaves were distinctly avoided by the grasshoppers when they were given a choice between the silk-treated and untreated leaves. Furthermore, the learning behaviour of grasshopper was also examined against fresh spider cues. The grasshoppers exhibited a preference for the clean filter paper; by spending more time on it as compared to the cue-deposited filter paper. Therefore, the study provided conclusive evidences that irrespective of the absence of spider, the presence of silk itself is an effective deterrent in threatening the prey and reducing the herbivory damage.

AbstractIn the present study, effects of λ-cyhalothrin and emamectin benzoate on survival, locomotion, avoidance behaviour and growth of Plexippus paykulliSavigny Et Audouin, 1827 were studied. P. paykulliwas found highly susceptible against the recommended field rate concentration of λ-cyhalothrin. The pesticide affected survival, locomotion and growth of the spiders. On the other hand, emamectin benzoate showed a negligible effect on spiders survival. However, emamectin benzoate significantly affected the locomotion and growth of P. paykulli. It is concluded that although emamectin benzoate is less toxic than λ-cyhalothrin for P. paykulli, it cannot be recommended for IPM programme.