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Open wounds are easily susceptible to infection, so it is necessary to develop a suitable barrier to prevent infection and enhance wound healing. The nanofibers has potential applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Certain phytochemicals are proangiogenic agents and helps in tissue remodeling. The present study focuses on the fabrication and characterization of Melia dubia (MD) leaf ethanolic extract incorporated polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin (Gel) electrospun nanofibers (NFs) for efficient wound dressing applications. The existence of bioactive compounds in MD leaf extract was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GCMS). The fabricated nanofibers are characterized by scanning electron microscope (HRSEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray crystalline diffraction analysis (XRD), contact angle and mechanical strength analysis. Antioxidant and in-vitro drug release was evaluated for NFs. Then antibacterial activity was tested against clinical pathogens and the biocompatibility of the NFs was tested on L929 fibroblast cells by MTT and confocal analysis. GCMS analysis of MD leaf extract confirms the existence of numerous bioactive compounds, that support wound healing. HRSEM analysis revealed that MD leaf extract loaded electrospun nanofibers were smooth, ultrafine, and free of beads with 256 ± 89 nm. The incorporation of the MD leaf extract into the NFs reduced their semi-crystalline nature and increased the tensile strength of the NFs. Contact angle analysis confirmed that incorporation of plant extracts enhanced the hydrophilic nature (22.93 ± 4.3°). The continuous sustained release of drug from initial concentration (∼74 %). In vitro antibacterial analysis revealed that fabricated NFs effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (18.2 ± 1.5 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (26.5 ± 2.0 mm), multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (23.0 ± 0.9 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.1 ± 1.2 mm). In vitro biocompatibility assays revealed that fabricated NFs are not cytotoxic and enhanced the proliferation of fibroblast. The study indicated the possible ability of Melia dubia leaf extract incorporated PCL/Gel NFs in the killing of wound pathogens with biocompatibility towards L929 cells.

Objective: Green synthesis of metallic and metal oxide nanomaterial has received significant importance in various fields. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles was performed using aqueous extracts of Cissus quadrangularis. Aqueous extracts of plants plays a major role to reduce the silver nitrate to silver nanoparticles and also aid as surface stabilizing material for silver nanoparticles production. Methods: The synthesized nanoparticles was monitored by physicochemical techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, Uv–Vis, and SEM. Anti-arthritic activity of silver nanoparticles was examined by Egg albumin denaturation and albumin (BSA) denaturation method. Results: XRD, FT-IR and Uv–Vis spectrum confirms crystalline nature of silver nanoparticles. SEM images show the spherical shape of the nanoparticles. Egg albumin denaturation method results revealed 81% inhibition and bovine serum albumin method shows 85% inhibition than standard drug. Conclusion: It confirms that, the green synthesized silver nanoparticles would be useful in promoting research aiming at the development of new agent for arthritis applications. Hence, the utilization of natural harmless materials like plant extracts for nanoparticles synthesis offers various advantages like eco-friendliness and compatibility for drug and biomedical applications.

Background: Uranium is a toxic heavy metal, naturally present in soil and water, that causes several health effects due to free radical generation and damage to DNA. Gynmenma sylvestre is a pharmacologically important medicinal plant that has been used in the treatment of diabetes and several other ailments. Accordingly, in this analysis, we intended to examine the protective effect of G. sylvestre leaf extract (GSE) against uranium toxicity. Methods: Aqueous leaf extract of Gymnema sylvestre was prepared and its qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was carried out. The antioxidant potential of the extract was analysed. Human lymphocytes isolated from freshly collected blood samples were treated with uranyl nitrate and GSE independently and in combination. The toxic effects of uranium and the protective effect of the leaf extract have been analyzed by MTT assay, micronucleus and γH2AX DNA damage response detection. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of major and important phytochemical groups such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, etc. 15 μg/mL of GSE significantly reduced toxicity in the 3 different uranium concentrations (0.25, 0.50 & 0.75 mM). Cell viability percentage increased from 90.44 to 94%, 80.40 to 86% and 72.03 to 77.40% in the GSE and uranium co-exposure groups. GSE treatment led to statistically significant reduction in the average number of micronuclei observed per 1000 binucleate cells in all three groups with values 30.66, 40 and 48.33 micronuclei respectively. GSE was successful in reducing the γH2AX percentages in the treated cell groups with statistically significant protection with values 22.11 ± 1.56, 48.43 ± 0.83 and 51.14 ± 1.78 respectively. Conclusion: This study is the first to report the in vitro toxic effects of uranium in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as the protective effect of Gymnema sylvestre against uranium induced damages. GSE could alleviate DNA damage in cells treated with uranium in a dose-dependent way. Together these findings emphasize that GSE could be a promising protective agent against uranium-induced damages and should be further evaluated for the identification of active principle(s).

Biology retracts the article “Advantage of Species Diversification to Facilitate Sustainable Development of Aquaculture Sector” cited above [...]

We developed a colorimetric method for the rapid detection of copper ions (Cu2+) in aqueous solution. The detection of Cu2+ is based on coordination reactions of Cu2+ with casein peptide-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), leading to a distinct color change of the solution from yellow to red. The developed method has a good detection limit of about 0.16 µM Cu2+ using 0.05 mL of AgNPs stock solution and a linearity in the range of 0.08–1.44 µM Cu2+ with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.973. The developed method is a useful tool for the detection of Cu2+ ions. Furthermore, it can be used for monitoring Cu2+ in water at concentrations below the safe limit for drinking water set by the World Health Organization.

Intensified agrochemical-based monoculture systems worldwide are under adoption to meet the challenge of human population growth and the ever-growing global demand for food. However, this path has been opposed and criticized because it involves overexploitation of land, monoculture of few species, excessive input of agrochemicals, and adverse impacts on human health and the environment. The wide diversity among polyculture systems practiced across the globe has created confusion over the priority of a single strategy towards sustainable aquaculture development and safer products. Herein, we highlight the significance of polyculture and integrated aquaculture practices in conveying the successful transition of the aquaculture industry towards sustainable development. So far, the established thought is that the precise selection of aquatic species and a focus on compatible and complementary species combinations are supposed to facilitate rapid progress in food production with more profitability and sustainability. Therefore, the advantages of species diversification are discussed from an ecological perspective to enforce aquaculture expansion. This account asserts that a diverse range of aquaculture practices can promote synergies among farmed species, enhance system resilience, enable conservation, decrease ecological footprints, and provide social benefits such as diversified income and local food security.

Aminoglycoside (AMG) antibiotics are being applied to treat infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, mainly in livestock, and are prescribed only in severe cases because of their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Monitoring antibiotic residues in dairy products relies on the accessibility of portable and efficient analytical techniques. Presently, high-throughput screening techniques have been proposed to detect several antimicrobial drugs having identical structural and functional features. The L-histidine functionalized gold nanoparticles (His@AuNPs) do not form a complex with other tested antibiotic classes but show high selectivity for AMG antibiotics. We used ligand-induced aggregation of His@AuNPs as a rapid and sensitive localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) assay for AMG antibiotics, producing longitudinal extinction shifts at 660 nm. Herein, we explore the practical application of His@AuNPs to detect streptomycin spiked in water, milk, and whey fraction of milk with nanomolar level sensitivity. The ability of the analytical method to recognize target analytes sensitively and rapidly is of great significance to perform monitoring, thus would certainly reassure widespread use of AMG antibiotics. The biosynthesis of hybrid organic–inorganic metal nanoparticles like His@AuNPs with desired size distribution, stability, and specific host–guest recognition proficiency, would further facilitate applications in various other fields.