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The control of Zika virus mosquito vectors and well as the development of drugs in the fight against biofilm-forming microbial pathogens, are timely and important challenges in current bionanoscience. Here we focused on the eco-friendly fabrication of Ag nanostructures using the seed extract of Pedalium murex, an ancient Indian medicinal plant. Initial confirmation of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) production was showed by a color change from transparent to dark brown. The UV-Visible spectrum (476nm), X-ray diffraction peaks (101, 200, 220 and 311) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shed light on the production of green-capped AgNPs. Morphological structure analysis using HR-TEM showed that the AgNPs were mostly hexagonal in shape with rough edges, and a size of 20-30nm. The larvicidal potential of P. murex seed extract and AgNPs fabricated using the P. murex seed extract (Pm-AgNPs) was tested on fourth instar mosquito larvae of the Zika virus vector Aedes aegypti. Maximum efficacy was achieved by Pm-AgNPs against Ae. aegypti after 24h (LC 50 34.88; LC 90 64.56mg/ml), if compared to the P. murex seed extract. Histopathological analyses showed severe damages to the hindgut and larval muscles in NPs-treated Ae. aegypti larvae. The sub-MIC concentrations of Pm-AgNPs exhibited significant anti-biofilm activity against Gram positive (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Shigella sonnei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial pathogens, as showed by EPS and MTP assays. Light and CLSM microscopic studies highlighted a significant impact of P. murex seed extract and Pm-synthesized AgNPs on the surface topography and architecture of bacterial biofilm, both in Gram positive and Gram negative species. Overall, results reported here contribute to the development of reliable large-scale protocols for the green fabrication of effective mosquito larvicides and biofilm inhibitors., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ceratotheca (Pedaliaceae) is an endemic African genus comprising of five species. The genus is commonly used as a leafy vegetable with medicinal properties., Aim of the Review: The review aims to highlight the unexplored nutritional and pharmacological potential of African indigenous leafy vegetables Ceratotheca sesamoides and triloba, in order to conserve and domesticate these species., Methods: The information was obtained from various search engines such as Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science as well as Ethnobotanical books., Results: Ceratotheca sesamoides and triloba have good nutritional potential. The species are high in energy levels, fat content, proteins and carbohydrate values. The species have also been reported to have good antibacterial, antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic, antiplasmodial and antiviral properties. These species have slight toxicity and cytotoxic activity when extracted at high concentrations but no mutagenic activity was detected., Conclusions: To date, few studies have documented the usage (nutrition and pharmacology) of Ceratotheca sesamoides and triloba. More studies investigating the nutritional content as well as methods of its improvement are necessary if the plant is to be included as a domesticated vegetable crop. Safety and toxicity analysis of this leafy vegetable need to be extensively studied as the plants are consumed in high quantities., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)