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In the present study, green silver nanoparticles (Ag 2 ONPs) were prepared from aqueous and ethanolic leaves extract of Rhamnus virgata in a facile, green, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way. The color changes from light brown to brownish black determined the synthesis of Ag 2 ONPs (Aq) and Ag 2 ONPs (Et). The phytofabrication of Ag 2 ONPs was confirmed using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques: energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fouriertransform infrared, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Detailed in vitro biological activities determined significant biopotentials for Ag 2 ONPs. The Ag 2 ONPs (Aq) and Ag 2 ONPs (Et) were investigated for anticancer potential against HUH-7 (IC 50 : 9.075 μg/ml for Ag 2 O (Aq) and 25.66 μg/ml for Ag 2 O (Et)) and HepG2 (IC 50 : 25.18 μg/ml for Ag 2 O (Aq) and IC 50 : 27.74 μg/ml for Ag 2 O (Aq)) cell lines. Concentration-dependent cytotoxicity was performed against brineshrimps (IC 50 : 36.04 μg/ml for Ag 2 O (Aq) and 28.82 μg/ml for Ag 2 O (Et)) and Leishmanial parasite (amastigotes and promastigotes). Disc-diffusion method revealed significant antimicrobial activities. In addition, significant enzyme inhibitory activity and antiradical potentials were studied. The hemocompatible nature of Ag 2 ONPs (Aq) and Ag 2 ONPs (Et) was revealed using biocompatibility tests. In conclusion, the green Ag 2 ONPs (Aq) and Ag 2 ONPs (Et) are nontoxic and biocompatible and has shown significant biological activities. We further encourage in vivo studies to ensure biosafety and biocompatibility, so that they can be effectively utilized in nano-pharmaceutical industries.

This study shows that the production, packaging, sale and consumption of naswar should be regulated so as to protect the public from the health hazards associated with its consumption.

Pollen micro-morphological features have proven to be helpful for the plant taxonomists in the identification and classification of plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the palynological features of family Asteraceae and Lamiaceae from flora of District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscope (LM) for their taxonomic importance. Pollen of seven Asteraceous species belonging to four genera and four Lamiaceae species categorized into four genera were collected from different localities of research area.The present research work provides detailed information of diverse morphopalynological characters both qualitatively and quantitatively including pollen shape, type, diameter, P/E ratio, exine sculpturing and thickness. Type of pollen in Asteraceae and Lamiaceae was ranged from tricolporate, tricolpate, trizonocolpate and hexazonocolpate. The maximum polar diameter (40.05 μm) and equatorial diameter (37.66 μm) was observed in the Ajuga bracteoosa while minimum polar and equatorial diameter was noted in Isodon rugosus (11.10 μm) and Erigeron canadensis (13.20 μm) respectively. Sculpturing of exine include; echinate, reticulate scabrate, aerolate, reticulate-verrucate, reticulate-scabrate, perforate and reticulate to perforate. Exine thickness was examined maximum 1.50 μm in Helianthus tuberosus, whereas minimum in Conyza Canadensis (0.16 μm). The pollen fertility was found highest in C Canadensis (83.33%) and lowest in Ajuga bracteosa (58.06%). The observed pollen morphology has many valuable qualitative and quantitative attributes for the better understanding of their taxonomy and play significant role in correct identification.

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BackgroundTissue damage is associated with pain, which is an alarming sign. Aspirin and morphine have been widely used in recent decades for management of pain. Medicinal herbs have been in use for treatment of different diseases for centuries. Many of these herbs possess analgesic activity with relatively less incidences of adverse effects. The strong positive correlation of alkaloids in medicinal plants for analgesic activity persuades an intention to determine possible analgesic activity of total alkaloids extracted from the selected medicinal plants using animal models to answer its possible mechanisms.MethodsCrude alkaloids from selected medicinal plants (Woodfordia fruticosa, Adhatoda vasica, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Vitex negundo, Peganum harmala and Broussonetia papyrifera) were extracted as per reported literature. The test crude alkaloids were screened foracute toxicity study. Writhings induced by acetic acid, tail immersion method and formalin-induced nociception assay procedures were used for possible analgesic effects of the crude alkaloids.ResultsCrude alkaloids were safe up to dose of 1250 mg/kg body weight in mice. The alkaloids significantly reduced the abdominal constrictions, and increased the time for paw licking response in both phases with a significant raise in latency time in nociception models (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the antinociceptive response was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with naloxone suggesting involvement of the opioid receptors for possible antinociceptive action.ConclusionsCrude alkaloids of Woodfordia fruticosa and Peganum harmala showed prominent analgesic potentials through inhibition of peripheral as well as central nervous system mechanisms. Further work is required for isolation of the pharmacologically active constituents.

Helicobacter pullorum (H.pullorum) commonly colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of poultry causing gastroenteritis. The bacterium may be transmitted to humans through contaminated meat where it has been associated with colitis and hepatitis. Despite the high prevalence of H. pullorum observed in poultry, little is known about the mechanisms by which this bacterium establishes infection in host and its virulence determinants. In this article we aim to provide an overview of this emerging zoonotic pathogen; its general characteristics, hosts, prevalence, and transmission as well as its pathogenic potential. We also discuss possible control strategies and risk of disease emergence.