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Background and Objectives: Chitosan is the major component present in fish scales and crustacean shell waste. Chitosan was isolated from scales of fish waste of Catla (Catla catla) by chemical method involving demineralization, deproteinization, and deacetylation. Methods: Chitosan isolated from fish scales was confirmed qualitatively by Richard's method. Further, it was quantitatively analyzed and was found to contain 6 g of chitosan (100 g of dried fish scales). Chitosan had been characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis. A new method of preparing silver nanoparticles combined with chitosan is used here. It was characterized using ultraviolet and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The potential of chitosanbased silver nanoparticles against Culex (III instar) and Anopheles (IV instar) was screened, and biochemical parameters of the larval tissues were also estimated. Results: Protein, carbohydrate, lipid, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase content were found to be decreased in the treated larval tissues when compared to the control in both mosquito species. Conclusions: Decreased levels of biochemical contents are indicating the high toxic capacity of chitosan silver nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cynodon dactylon (Poaceae) commonly known as arugampul, is a perennial grass, forming thick mats by means of stolons and rhizomes. It is bitter, sharp, hot taste, good odour, laxative, brain and heart tonic, emetic, expectorant, carminative and useful against pains, inflammation and tooth ache. In the present study an attempt has been made to evaluate Cynodon dactylon protein fraction immunomodulatory activity. Cynodon dactylon protein (Cdpf) was administered intraperitonealy at doses of ED50 to healthy Swiss albino mice. Assessment of immunomodulatory activity was carried out by testing the humoral (antibody titre) and cellular (foot pad swelling) immune responses to the antigenic challenges with sheep RBCs and by neutrophil adhesion test. Intraperitonealy administered Cdpf showed a significant increase of test parameters Viz., neutrophil test, Haemagglutinating Antibody Titre (HAT) and Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) response. In mice immunized with sheep RBC, Cdpf enhanced the humoral antibody response to the antigen and significantly potentiated the cellular immunity by facilitating the food pad thickness response to sheep RBC in sensitized mice. There was increase in immunomodulation, there was significant improvement compared to control group and differences were statistically significant in Cdpf, therefore Cynodon dactylon protein fraction promises strong utility in clinical practice as an effective immunostimulant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]