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Quantum dots (QDs), also known as nanoparticle-based fluorescent probes, are luminescent semiconductor particles with a size range of 2–20 nm. The unique optical and electronic capabilities of QDs have led to expanded applications in several fields such as optoelectronics, transistors, sensors, photodetection, catalysis, and medicine. The distinct quantum effects of nanocrystals can be controlled by changing their sizes and shapes using a variety of top-down and bottom-up tactics. QDs were traditionally fabricated using complex, expensive, toxic, and aggressive chemical techniques, which limited their application in a variety of disciplines. A unique approach for the biosynthesis of nanomaterials has been devised, which employs living organisms in the synthesis process and adheres to green chemistry principles. Biogenic QDs have favorable physicochemical features, biocompatibility, and fewer cytotoxic effects as a result of using natural biomolecules and enzymatic processes for mineralization, detoxification, and nucleation of metals and nonmetals to synthesize QDs. This is the first comprehensive review of its kind that highlights the synthesis of several doped and undoped QDs, including graphene QDs, carbon dots, silicon QDs, N/S-CDs, silver-CDs, cadmium-selenium QDs, and zinc oxide QDs, exclusively using photoautotrophic algae and plants. The different plausible mechanisms behind phyco- and phyto-fabrication of QDs are also discussed in detail along with their applications that include detection of organic and inorganic compounds, degradation of hazardous dyes, free radical scavenging, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity and bioimaging. Thus, this review aims to give valuable insights for the rational fabrication of photoluminescent nanomaterials with tunable structural and functional properties.

The most common factor that contributes to aging is the loss of proteostasis, resulting in an excess amount of non-functional/damaged proteins. These proteins lead to various age-associated phenotypes such as cellular senescence and dysfunction in the nutrient-sensing pathways. Despite the various factors that can contribute to aging, it is still a process that can be changed. According to recent advances in the field of biology, the ability to alter the pathways that are involved in aging can improve the lifespan of a person. Autophagy is a process that helps in preserving survival during stressful situations, such as starvation. It is a common component of various anti-aging interventions, including those that target the insulin/IGF-1 and rapamycin signaling pathways. It has been shown that altered autophagy is a common feature of old age and its impaired regulation could have significant effects on the aging process. This review aims to look into the role of autophagy in aging and how it can be used to improve one's health.

The rapid growth of various industries has led to a significant, alarming increase in recalcitrant pollutants in the environment. Hazardous dyes, heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and other associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (such as acenaphthene, fluorene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and pyrene) have posed a significant threat to the surroundings due to their refractory nature. Although activated carbon has been reported to be an adsorbent for removing contaminants from wastewater, it has its limitations. Hence, this review provides an elaborate account of converting agricultural waste into biochar with nanotextured surfaces that can serve as low-cost adsorbents with promising pollutant-removing properties. A detailed mechanism rationalized that this strategy involves the conversion of agrowaste to promising adsorbents that can be reduced, reused, and recycled. The potential of biowaste-derived biochar can be exploited for developing biofuel for renewable energy and also for improving soil fertility. This strategy can provide a solution to control greenhouse gas emissions by preventing the open burning of agricultural residues in fields. Furthermore, this serves a dual purpose for environmental remediation as well as effective management of agricultural waste rich in both organic and inorganic components that are generated during various agricultural operations. In this manner, this review provides recent advances in the use of agrowaste-generated biochar for cleaning the environment.

Abstract Exosomes being non-ionized micro-vesicles with a size range of 30–100 nm possess the ability to bring about intracellular communication and intercellular transport of various types of cellular components like miRNA, mRNA, DNA, and proteins. This is achieved through the targeted transmission of various inclusions to nearby or distant tissues. This is associated with the effective communication of information to bring about changes in physiological properties and functional attributes. The extracellular vesicles (EVs), produced by fungi, parasites, and bacteria, are responsible to bring about modulation/alteration of the immune responses exerted by the host body. The lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, and glycans of EVs derived from the pathogens act as the ligands of different families of pattern recognition receptors of the host body. The bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) are responsible for the transfer of small RNA species, along with other types of noncoding RNA thereby playing a key role in the regulation of the host immune system. Apart from immunomodulation, the BMVs are also responsible for bacterial colonization in the host tissue, biofilm formation, and survival therein showing antibiotic resistance, leading to pathogenesis and virulence. This mini-review would focus on the role of exosomes in the development of biofilm and consequent immunological responses within the host body along with an analysis of the mechanism associated with the development of resistance.

Manganese Ferrite nanoparticles are synthesized using biological agents as a fuel by the self-combustion method using ginger root/cardamom seeds extract. The green synthesis of manganese ferrite is eco-friendly, inexpensive, and easy to produce in large-scale solid materials. Plant extract mediated MnFe2O4 nanoparticles are characterized by various techniques to analyse the size, structure, crystallinity, and photocatalytic properties. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of manganese, iron, and oxygen elements. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed spinel structure and was endorsed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR). The formation of porous structure and the morphology of prepared materials are studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images. This type of structure is useful for the photocatalytic dye degradation of Methylene Blue in visible light under the influence of various concentrations of H2O2. Fenton type effect is observed in visible spectrophotometer for dye degradation. The effects of MnFe2O4 ginger root (MnG) (100 μg) and MnFe2O4 cardamom (MnC) (100 μg) are tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis on Mueller Hinton agar plates using well diffusion assay, and the zones of inhibition are measured.

Hospital acquired infections caused due to ESKAPE pathogens pose a challenge for treatment due to their growing antimicrobial resistance. Curcuma aromatica (CA) is traditionally known for its antibacterial, wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study highlights the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (CAAgNPs) capped and stabilized by the compounds from CA rhizome extract, also further demonstrating their antibacterial, antibiofilm and synergistic effects against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. CAAgNPs were synthesized using aqueous rhizome extract of CA (5 mg/ml) and AgNO3 (0.8 mM) incubated at 60°C up to 144 h. UV-vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed CAAgNPs with characteristic peak at 430 nm, 13 ± 5 nm size of spherical shape, showing presence of silver and crystalline nature, respectively. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential confirmed their monodispersed nature with average diameter of 77.88 ± 48.60 nm and stability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis demonstrated the presence of phenolic -OH and carbonyl groups possibly involved in the reduction and stabilization of CAAgNPs. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) and minimum biofilm inhibitory concentrations (MBICs) of CAAgNPs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, NCIM 5029 and PAW1, and, Staphylococcus aureus, NCIM 5021 and S8 were in range from 8 to 128 μg/ml. Almost 50% disruption of pre-formed biofilms at concentrations 8–1,024 μg/ml was observed. Fluorescence microscopy and FESEM analysis confirmed cell death and disruption of pre-formed biofilms of P. aeruginosa PAW1 and S. aureus S8. Checkerboard assay demonstrated the synergistic effect of CAAgNPs (0.125–4 μg/ml) in combination with various antibiotics (0.063–1,024 μg/ml) against planktonic and biofilm forms of P. aeruginosa PAW1. The study confirms the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of CAAgNPs alone and in combination with antibiotics against MDR pathogens, thus, reducing the dose as well as toxicity of both. CAAgNPs have the potential to be used in wound dressings and ointments, and to improve the performances of medical devices and surgical implants. In vivo toxicity of CAAgNPs however needs to be tested further using mice models.

Phytofabrication of the nanoparticles with exotic shape and size is an attractive area where nanostructures with noteworthy physicochemical and optoelectronic properties that can be significantly employed for photocatalytic dye degradation. In this study a medicinal plant, Plumbago auriculata leaf extract (PALE) was used to synthesize zinc oxide particles (ZnOPs) and silver mixed zinc oxide particles (ZnOAg1Ps, ZnOAg10Ps, ZnO10Ag1Ps) by varying the concentration of the metal precursor salts, i.e. zinc acetate and silver nitrate. The PALE showed significantly high concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, reducing sugar, starch, citric acid and plumbagin up to 314.3 ± 0.33, 960.0 ± 2.88, 121.3 ± 4.60, 150.3 ± 3.17, 109.4 ± 2.36, and 260.4 ± 8.90 μg/ml, respectively which might play an important role for green synthesis and capping of the phytogenic nanoparticles. The resulting particles were polydispersed which were mostly irregular, spherical, hexagonal and rod like in shape. The pristine ZnOPs exhibited a UV absorption band at 352 nm which shifted around 370 in the Ag mixed ZnOPs with concomitant appearance of peaks at 560 and 635 nm in ZnO10Ag1Ps and ZnOAg1Ps, respectively. The majority of the ZnOPs, ZnOAg1Ps, ZnOAg10Ps, and ZnO10Ag1Ps were 407, 98, 231, and 90 nm in size, respectively. Energy dispersive spectra confirmed the elemental composition of the particles while Fourier transform infrared spectra showed the involvement of the peptide and methyl functional groups in the synthesis and capping of the particles. The composites exhibited superior photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye, maximum being 95.7% by the ZnOAg10Ps with a rate constant of 0.0463 s−1 following a first order kinetic model. The present result clearly highlights that Ag mixed ZnOPs synthesized using Plumbago auriculata leaf extract (PALE) can play a critical role in removal of hazardous dyes from effluents of textile and dye industries. Further expanding the application of these phytofabricated composites will promote a significant complementary and alternative strategy for treating refractory pollutants from wastewater.

The application of nanotechnology is gaining worldwide attention due to attractive physico-chemical and opto-electronic properties of nanoparticles that can be also employed for catalytic dye degradation. This study reports a phytogenic approach for fabrication of silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Leucophyllum frutescens (Berl.) I. M. Johnst (Scrophulariaceae) leaf extract (LFLE). Development of intense dark brown and purple color indicated the synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. Further characterization using UV-visible spectroscopy revealed sharp peak at 460 nm and 540 nm for AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively that were associated to their surface plasmon resonance. High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) revealed the spherical shape of the AgNPs, whereas anisotropic AuNPs were spherical, triangular and blunt ended hexagons. The majority of the spherical AgNPs and AuNPs were ∼50 ± 15 nm and ∼22 ± 20 nm, respectively. Various reaction parameters such as, metal salt concentration, temperature and concentration of the leaf extract were optimized. Maximum synthesis of AgNPs was obtained when 5 mM for AgNO3 reacted with 10% LFLE for 48 h at 50°C. Likewise, AuNPs synthesis was highest when 2 mM HAuCl4 reacted with 10% LFLE for 5 h at 30°C. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed phase purity of both the nanoparticles and confirmed elemental silver and gold in AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. The average hydrodynamic particles size of AgNPs was 34.8 nm while AuNPs was 140.8 nm as revealed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) that might be due to agglomeration of smaller nanoparticles into larger clusters. ZETA potential of AgNPs and AuNPs were 0.67 mV and 5.70 mV, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystallinity of the nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that various functional groups from the phytochemicals present in LFLE played a significant role in reduction and stabilization during the biogenic synthesis of the nanoparticles. The bioreduced AgNPs and AuNPs catalytically degraded Rhodamine B dye (RhB) in presence of UV-light with degradation rate constants of 0.0231 s−1 and 0.00831 s−1, respectively. RhB degradation followed a first order rate kinetics with 23.1 % and 31.7% degradation by AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively.

Introduction: There is increasing development of antibiotic resistance among the Enterococcus species. Objectives: This study was performed to determine prevalence and characterize the vancomycin-resistant and linezolid-resistant enterococcus isolates from a tertiary care center. Moreover, the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of these isolates was also determined. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was performed in Medical College, Kolkata, India, over a period of two years (from January 2018 to December 2019). After obtaining clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee, Enterococcus isolates from various samples were included in the present investigation. In addition to the various conventional biochemical tests, the VITEK 2 Compact system was used to identify the Enterococcus species. The isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to different antibiotics using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method and VITEK 2 Compact to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2017 guidelines were used to interpret susceptibility. Multiplex PCR was performed for genetic characterization of the vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus isolates and sequencing was performed for characterization of the linezolid-resistant Enterococcus isolates. Results: During the period of two years, 371 isolates of Enterococcus spp. were obtained from 4934 clinical isolates showing a prevalence of 7.52%. Among these isolates, 239 (64.42%) were Enterococcus faecalis, 114 (30.72%) Enterococcus faecium, and others were Enterococcus durans, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus gallinarum, and Enterococcus avium. Among these, 24 (6.47%) were VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus) of which 18 isolates were Van A type and six isolates of Enterococcus casseliflavus and Enterococcus gallinarum were resistant VanC type. There were two linezolid-resistant Enterococcus, and they were found to have the G2576T mutation. Among the 371 isolates, 252 (67.92%) were multi-drug resistant. Conclusion: This study found an increasing prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus isolates. There is also an alarming prevalence of multidrug resistance among these isolates.

In recent years, microbial food safety has garnered a lot of attention due to worldwide expansion of the food industry and processed food products. This has driven the development of novel preservation methods over traditional ones. Food-derived antimicrobial peptides (F-AMPs), produced by the proteolytic degradation of food proteins, are emerging as pragmatic alternatives for extension of the shelf-life of food products. The main benefits of F-AMPs are their wide spectrum antimicrobial efficacy and low propensity for the development of antibiotic resistance. However, direct application of F-AMPs in food limits its efficacy during storage. Therefore, the development of nanocarriers for the conjugation and distribution of potential AMPs may hold great potential to increase their bioactivity. This review highlights the significance of F-AMPs as a feasible and sustainable alternative to conventional food preservatives. The most recent developments in production, characterization, and mode of action of these AMPs against planktonic and biofilm forming pathogens are thoroughly discussed in this work. Moreover, nano-conjugation of F-AMPs with different nano-carriers and potential future application in food packaging are emphasized. This review may aid in comprehending the nano-conjugation of F-AMPs and offer insightful recommendations for further exploration and potential uses in the food processing industry.

Porous nano-scaffolds provide for better opportunities to restore, maintain, and improve functions of damaged tissues and organs by facilitating tissue regeneration. Various nanohybrids composed of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are being widely explored for tissue engineering. Since biological activity is enhanced by several orders of magnitude in multicomponent scaffolds, remarkable progress has been observed in this field, which has aimed to develop the controlled synthesis of multifunctional MSNs with tuneable pore size, efficient delivering capacity of bioactive factors, as well as enhanced biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this review, we aim to provide a broad survey of the synthesis of multifunctional MSN based nanostructures with exotic shapes and sizes. Further, their promise as a novel nanomedicine is also elaborated with respect to their role in bone tissue engineering. Also, recent progress in surface modification and functionalization with various polymers like poly (l-lactic acid)/poly (ε-caprolactone), polylysine-modified polyethylenimine, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), and poly (citrate-siloxane) and biological polymers like alginate, chitosan, and gelatine are also covered. Several attempts for conjugating drugs like dexamethasone and β–estradiol, antibiotics like vancomycin and levofloxaci, and imaging agents like fluorescein isothiocyanate and gadolinium, on the surface modified MSNs are also covered. Finally, the scope of developing orthopaedic implants and potential trends in 3D bioprinting applications of MSNs are also discussed. Hence, MSNs based nanomaterials may serve as improved candidate biotemplates or scaffolds for numerous bone tissue engineering, drug delivery and imaging applications deserving our full attention now.

Nanoscale materials have recently gained wide attention due to their potential to revolutionize many technologies and industrial sectors, including information technology, homeland security, transportation, energy, food safety, environmental science, catalysis, photonics and medicine. Among various nanoparticles, platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) are widely used for biomedical applications, including imaging, implants, photothermal therapy and drug delivery. Indeed, PtNPs possesses intrinsic antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Also, due to their remarkable catalytic activity, they are able to reduce the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and impair the downstream pathways leading to inflammation. Various approaches, including both physical and chemical methods, are currently employed for synthesis of PtNPs. However, the use of hazardous reaction conditions and toxic chemicals in these processes poses a potential threat to the environment and severely compromise the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles. Hereby, increasing need for exploitation of novel routes for synthesis of PtNPs has led to development of biological fabrication using microbes, specifically bacteria. Herein, we present a most comprehensive report on biogenesis of PtNPs by several bacteria like Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Desulfovibrio alaskensis, Escherichia coli, Shewanella algae, Plectonema boryanum, etc. An overview of the underlying mechanisms of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods of synthesis is included. Moreover, this review highlights the scope of developing optimized process to control the physicochemical properties, such as the nanoparticle surface chemistry, charge, size and shape, which, in turn, may affect their nanotoxicity and response at the biointerface for nanomedicine applications.

Various bacterial pathogens are responsible for nosocomial infections resulting in critical pathophysiological conditions, mortality, and morbidity. Most of the bacterial infections are associated with biofilm formation, which is resistant to the available antimicrobial drugs. As a result, novel bactericidal agents need to be fabricated, which can effectively combat the biofilm-associated bacterial infections. Herein, for the first time we report the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of silver-platinum nanohybrids (AgPtNHs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The AgPtNHs were synthesized by a green route using Dioscorea bulbifera tuber extract at 100°C for 5 h. The AgPtNHs ranged in size from 20 to 80 nm, with an average of ∼59 nm. AgNPs, PtNPs, and AgPtNHs showed a zeta potential of −14.46, −1.09, and −11.39 mV, respectively. High antimicrobial activity was observed against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus and AgPtNHs exhibited potent antimicrobial synergy in combination with antibiotics such as streptomycin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, novobiocin, and ampicillin up to variable degrees. Interestingly, AgPtNHs could inhibit bacterial biofilm formation significantly. Hence, co-administration of AgPtNHs and antibiotics may serve as a powerful strategy to treat bacterial infections.

Background: Enterococcus is an important cause of infection in the hospital as well as in the community. Methods: A prospective study was done in Medical College, Kolkata for a period of 2 years (from January 2018 to December 2019). After obtaining clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee, Enterococcus isolates from cases of vaginitis were included in the study. Identification of Enterococcus species was done by Gram stain and conventional biochemical tests along with automated identification by VITEK 2 Compact. These isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to different antibiotics by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by VITEK 2 Compact. Interpretation of susceptibility was done according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2017 guidelines. Biofilm detection for Enterococcus species was done. Results: During the period of 2 years, 39 isolates of Enterococcus spp. were obtained from vaginitis cases. Among these, 27 were Enterococcus faecalis and 12 Enterococcus faecium. All isolates were highly susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid. Biofilm was detected in eight isolates of which five were strong biofilm producer and three moderate biofilm producers. Conclusion: Biofilm production is an important virulence factor in Enterococcus isolates from vaginitis.

Bone injuries and fractures are often associated with post-surgical failures, extended healing times, infection, a lack of return to a normal active lifestyle, and corrosion associated allergies. In this regard, this review presents a comprehensive report on advances in nanotechnology driven solutions for bone tissue engineering. The fabrication of metals such as copper, gold, platinum, palladium, silver, strontium, titanium, zinc oxide, and magnetic nanoparticles with tunable physico-chemical and opto-electronic properties for osteogenic scaffolds is discussed here in detail. Furthermore, the rational selection of a polymeric base such as chitosan, collagen, poly (L-lactide), hydroxyl-propyl-methyl cellulose, poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid, polyglucose-sorbitol-carboxymethy ether, polycaprolactone, natural rubber latex, and silk fibroin for scaffold preparation is also discussed. These advanced materials and fabrication strategies not only provide for appropriate mechanical strength but also render integrity, making them appealing for orthopedic applications. Further, such scaffolds can be functionalized with ligands or biomolecules such as hydroxyapatite, polypyrrole (PPy), magnesium, zinc dopants, and growth factors to stimulate osteogenic differentiation, mineralization, and neovascularization to aid in rapid healing. Future directions to co-incorporate bioceramics, biogenic nanoparticles, and fourth generation biomaterials to enhance biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and rapid recovery are also included in this review. Hence, the further development of such biomimetic metal-based nano-scaffolds at a lower cost with reduced risks and greater efficacy at regrowing bone can revolutionize the future of orthopedics.

Rapid, eco-friendly, and cost-effective one-pot synthesis of copper nanoparticles is reported here using medicinal plants like Gnidia glauca and Plumbago zeylanica. Aqueous extracts of flower, leaf, and stem of G. glauca and leaves of P. zeylanica were prepared which could effectively reduce Cu2+ ions to CuNPs within 5 h at 100°C which were further characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Further, the CuNPs were checked for antidiabetic activity using porcine pancreatic α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition followed by evaluation of mechanism using circular dichroism spectroscopy. CuNPs were found to be predominantly spherical in nature with a diameter ranging from 1 to 5 nm. The phenolics and flavonoids in the extracts might play a critical role in the synthesis and stabilization process. Significant change in the peak at ∼1095 cm−1 corresponding to C-O-C bond in ether was observed. CuNPs could inhibit porcine pancreatic α-amylase up to 30% to 50%, while they exhibited a more significant inhibition of α-glucosidase from 70% to 88%. The mechanism of enzyme inhibition was attributed due to the conformational change owing to drastic alteration of secondary structure by CuNPs. This is the first study of its kind that provides a strong scientific rationale that phytogenic CuNPs synthesized using G. glauca and P. zeylanica can be considered to develop candidate antidiabetic nanomedicine.

Wounds continue to be a serious medical concern due to their increasing incidence from injuries, surgery, burns and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Delays in the healing process are influenced by infectious microbes, especially when they are in the biofilm form, which leads to a persistent infection. Biofilms are well known for their increased antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the development of novel wound dressing drug formulations and materials with combined antibacterial, antibiofilm and wound healing properties are required. Nanomaterials (NM) have unique properties due to their size and very large surface area that leads to a wide range of applications. Several NMs have antimicrobial activity combined with wound regeneration features thus give them promising applicability to a variety of wound types. The idea of NM-based antibiotics has been around for a decade at least and there are many recent reviews of the use of nanomaterials as antimicrobials. However, far less attention has been given to exploring if these NMs actually improve wound healing outcomes. In this review, we present an overview of different types of nanomaterials explored specifically for wound healing properties combined with infection control.

Green chemistry approaches for designing therapeutically significant nanomedicine have gained considerable attention in the past decade. Herein, we report for the first time on anticancer potential of phytogenic platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) using a medicinal plant Gloriosa superba tuber extract (GSTE). The synthesis of the nanoparticles was completed within 5 hours at 100°C which was confirmed by development of dark brown and black colour for PtNPs and PdNPs, respectively, along with enhancement of the peak intensity in the UV-visible spectra. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed that the monodispersed spherical nanoparticles were within a size range below 10 nm. Energy dispersive spectra (EDS) confirmed the elemental composition, while dynamic light scattering (DLS) helped to evaluate the hydrodynamic size of the particles. Anticancer activity against MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines was evaluated using MTT assay, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. PtNPs and PdNPs showed 49.65 ± 1.99% and 36.26 ± 0.91% of anticancer activity. Induction of apoptosis was most predominant in the underlying mechanism which was rationalized by externalization of phosphatidyl serine and membrane blebbing. These findings support the efficiency of phytogenic fabrication of nanoscale platinum and palladium drugs for management and therapy against breast cancer.

Introduction: In the present era we are left behind with limited options for the treatment of serious infections caused by multidrug resistant S.aureus, most remarkably nosocomially acquired Methicillin resistant S.aureus (MRSA). The problem increases more when these strains easily become multidrug resistant (MDR) due to biofilm formation. Those staphylococcal species that are vancomycin and linezolid resistant are also resistant to other antistaphylococcal agents which call for an urgent intervention to develop newer antimicrobial agents. Aim: The present study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the antibiofilm effect of EDTA against the biofilm forming MRSA isolates, isolated from different clinical infections. Materials and Methods: The biofilms formed on polystyrene microtitre plates by the MRSA strains were treated by different concentrations of EDTA to find out its anti-biofilm activity. Further simultaneously the antibiotic susceptibility pattern was noted down to check whether the MRSA strains become MSSA (Methicillin sensitive S.aureus). Results: Our data demonstrates that EDTA at 4mM concentration inhibits biofilm of MRSA and at 20 mM have an ability to reduce and dissociate the biofilm membrane, allowing the antibiotics to enter and convert MRSA strains into MSSA. Conclusion: These findings suggest that commercially available EDTA could be used in future to control MRSA and its biofilmrelated infections.

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial metabolic disease characterized by post-prandial hyperglycemia (PPHG). α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors aim to explore novel therapeutic agents. Herein we report the promises of Dioscorea bulbifera and its bioactive principle, diosgenin as novel α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitor. Among petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and 70% ethanol (v/v) extracts of bulbs of D. bulbifera, ethyl acetate extract showed highest inhibition upto 72.06 ± 0.51% and 82.64 ± 2.32% against α-amylase and α-glucosidase respectively. GC-TOF-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract indicated presence of high diosgenin content. Diosgenin was isolated and identified by FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR and confirmed by HPLC which showed an α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition upto 70.94 ± 1.24% and 81.71 ± 3.39%, respectively. Kinetic studies confirmed the uncompetitive mode of binding of diosgenin to α-amylase indicated by lowering of both Km and Vm. Interaction studies revealed the quenching of intrinsic fluorescence of α-amylase in presence of diosgenin. Similarly, circular dichroism spectrometry showed diminished negative humped peaks at 208 nm and 222 nm. Molecular docking indicated hydrogen bonding between carboxyl group of Asp300, while hydrophobic interactions between Tyr62, Trp58, Trp59, Val163, His305 and Gln63 residues of α-amylase. Diosgenin interacted with two catalytic residues (Asp352 and Glu411) from α-glucosidase. This is the first report of its kind that provides an intense scientific rationale for use of diosgenin as novel drug candidate for type II diabetes mellitus.

Gnidia glauca and Dioscorea bulbifera are traditional medicinal plants that can be considered as sources of natural antioxidants. Herein we report the phytochemical analysis and free radical scavenging activity of their sequential extracts. Phenolic and flavonoid content were determined. Scavenging activity was checked against pulse radiolysis generated ABTS(•+) and OH radical, in addition to DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals by biochemical methods followed by principal component analysis. G. glauca leaf extracts were rich in phenolic and flavonoid content. Ethyl acetate extract of D. bulbifera bulbs and methanol extract of G. glauca stem exhibited excellent scavenging of pulse radiolysis generated ABTS(•+) radical with a second order rate constant of 2.33 × 10(6) and 1.72 × 10(6), respectively. Similarly, methanol extract of G. glauca flower and ethyl acetate extract of D. bulbifera bulb with second order rate constants of 4.48 × 10(6) and 4.46 × 10(6) were found to be potent scavengers of pulse radiolysis generated OH radical. G. glauca leaf and stem showed excellent reducing activity and free radical scavenging activity. HPTLC fingerprinting, carried out in mobile phase, chloroform: toluene: ethanol (4: 4: 1, v/v) showed presence of florescent compound at 366 nm as well as UV active compound at 254 nm. GC-TOF-MS analysis revealed the predominance of diphenyl sulfone as major compound in G. glauca. Significant levels of n-hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid were also present. Diosgenin (C₂₇H₄₂O₃) and diosgenin (3á,25R) acetate were present as major phytoconstituents in the extracts of D. bulbifera. G. glauca and D. bulbifera contain significant amounts of phytochemicals with antioxidative properties that can be exploited as a potential source for herbal remedy for oxidative stress induced diseases. These results rationalize further investigation in the potential discovery of new natural bioactive principles from these two important medicinal plants.