Background: Medicinal plants are a source of phytochemicals and they are used for the treatment of several oxidative stress-related or other diseases for their effectiveness, low toxicity and easy availability. Five traditionally used and less characterized herbaceous weeds of West Bengal, India, namely, Heliotropium indicum, Tridax procumbens, Cleome rutidosperma, Commelina benghalensis and Euphorbia hirta, were investigated for the current research study. Methods: Aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts of the leaves were analyzed for estimation of essential phytochemicals and to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant status, medicinal properties and cytotoxic effects. To the best of our knowledge, several assays and comparative evaluations using these herbs are reported for the first time. For quantitative study, UV-vis spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector HPLC-DAD techniques were used. Antibacterial properties were investigated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. For in vitro anti-lithiatic study, a titration method was used. The cell viability assay was done using peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: The aqueous extract exhibits higher content of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and inhibition percentage values for free radical scavenging assays, whereas the 70% ethanolic extract exhibits higher content of alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. HPLC-DAD analysis of 70% ethanolic extracts led us to identify 10 predominant phenolic constituents. Euphorbia hirta extracts showed minimum cytotoxicity (cell death ~2.5% and 4% in water and 70% ethanolic extract, respectively), whereas Cleome rutidosperma and Tridax procumbens’ 70% ethanolic extracts showed higher cell death (~13% and 28%, respectively), compared with the control (cell death ~10-12%). Conclusions: The study concluded that of all the medicinal weeds selected for the current study, Euphorbia hirta possesses the highest amount of bioactive compounds and hence exhibits the highest in vitro antioxidant activity and promising in vitro medicinal properties.

Tridax procumbens Linn. is an widespread herbaceous weed distributed throughout India. It is commonly known as coat buttons, is also dispensed as Bhringraj, and used as Ayurvedic medicine for liver disorders and hair growth. The plant is an annual or perennial herbaceous weed, found mainly in the croplands, disturbed areas, lawn, and roadsides. Literature survey suggested that the various parts of the plant were reported to possess phytochemical compounds like alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, fumaric acid, β-sitosterol, and tannins. It was richly endowed with oleanolic acid, and high content of sodium and potassium are also present. Bioactive components like luteolin, glucoluteolin, quercetin, and isoquercetin also have been reported from its flowers. Primary plant pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoids also analyzed from leaves. So, it is well known for several potential pharmacological activities like anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, wound healing, insecticidal, hepato-protective, anti-diabetic, immune modulating, anti-cancer, anti-dysentery, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hair fall. The present review study deals with natural habitat, taxonomical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological activities of Tridax procumbens. This study may be helpful for identification and preparation of a clear profile of the plant which may open new avenues in the medical field in the treatment of various diseases.

Vegetables are intrinsic to a healthy diet. But the peels are discarded as food waste, unknowing of their potential as the source of bioactive compounds. The study aims to find the nutritional constituents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of these food wastes. Here we make a comparative investigation among the five underutilized vegetable parts namely, Solanum tuberosum (Potato peel), Cucumis sativus (Cucumber peel), Musa acuminata (Unripe Banana peel), Brassica oleracea (Cauliflower stem), Lagenaria siceraria (Bottle gourd peel). After the primary screening, including proximate and qualitative analysis, the quantification of primary and secondary metabolites as well as minerals was estimated by different standard methods. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by both DPPH and H2O2 radical scavenging assays. Antimicrobial activity was analyzed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) strains of bacteria compared with positive and negative controls. From the proximate analysis, the highest moisture and water content were found in the peel sample of Lagenaria siceraria. Out of ten qualitative tests, protein, fatty acid, flavonoid, alkaloid and xanthoprotein were detected in all five samples. Among the quantitative estimations, Lagenaria siceraria showed the highest amount of polysaccharides (85.82±0.12 mg DE/g DW), ascorbic acid (2.48±0.14 mg AAE/g FW), thiamine (24.46±0.13 mg TE/g DW), polyphenols (86.36±0.10 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (49.59±0.07 mg QE/g DW), minerals like K, Ca and Mg and 72.35±0.40% inhibition by DPPH. Simultaneously a significant amount of protein (63.59±0.13 mg BSAE/g FW), the amino acid (7.84±0.02 mg AAE/g DW), minerals like Na, Zn and B and 88.76±0.10% inhibition by H2O2 were found in Cucumis sativus. At a higher concentration, all samples were exhibited significant antimicrobial activity which laid out a strong correlation with previously screened phytonutrients and antioxidants. The overall findings suggested that these underutilized vegetable parts can be utilized in the processing of potential functional foods as well as pharmaceuticals rather than thrown out as agro-waste.

Bovine mastitis, a prevalent and costly disease affecting dairy cows, severely impacts milk production, quality, and cow health and poses significant challenges to the dairy industry worldwide. Traditional treatment strategies relying on antibiotics face concerns of antibiotic resistance and residual antibiotic residues in dairy products. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative and sustainable approaches. Our study explores the efficacy of a GMO-based antibiotic-free treatment in fighting Bovine mastitis. We use the bioengineered defensin Nisin PV as the antimicrobial to specifically target the causative pathogenStaphylococcus aureus. To disrupt the biofilm formation, we have leveraged the potency of DNaseI. By hacking the quorum sensing technique of Staphylococcus aureus, our Genetically modified bacteria sense the presence of pathogens and initiate their eradication by producing Nisin PV and DNaseI. Additionally, a lysis-based kill switch is incorporated to ensure the release of the therapeutic components. The findings of this research have the potential to revolutionize bovine mastitis management, offering a sustainable and effective alternative to antibiotic-based treatments. Implementation of bioengineered defensins could reduce disease incidence, minimize economic losses, and promote responsible antimicrobial stewardship in the dairy industry. This innovative approach contributes to the development of sustainable solutions for safeguarding animal health, enhancing milk quality, and preserving human health.