Kiranmai, et al.: Green Synthesis and Synergistic Activity of Copper NanoparticlesIn the present study an attempt has been made to synthesize copper nanoparticles from green tea (Camellia sinensis) and β-cyclodextrin. Polyphenols present in green tea extract reduced copper ions to highly stable copper nanoparticles. They were characterized using various analytical techniques. Ultraviolet-visible spectra of copper nanoparticles showed a maximum absorbance at 659 nm. The presence of polyphenols was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The reduction of ionic Cu to copper nanoparticles was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Further nanoparticles were screened for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Synergistic activity of copper nanoparticles with ampicillin, amoxicillin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacilin was also evaluated. It was observed that the antibacterial activity of these antibiotics was increased in the presence of nanoparticles. The results revealed that combination of antibiotics with nanoparticles have significant antibacterial effects especially ampicillin has shown enhanced activity. Proposed mechanism for this action was also incorporated in this study.

AIM:To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of the bark of Anogeissus latifolia ; in vitro in primary rat hepatocyte monolayer culture and in vivo in the liver of Wistar rats intoxicated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). METHODS:In the in vitro study, a primary hepatocyte monolayer culture was treated with CCl4 and extract of Anogeissus latifolia . Hepatoprotective activity was demonstrated in the CCl4 damaged primary monolayer culture. In the in vivo study, the hepatoprotective activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of Anogeissus latifolia was analyzed in liver injured CCl4-treated rats. Biochemical parameters including serum transaminases [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were analyzed. The biochemical findings were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections.

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Background The present study was aimed to evaluate the molecular level anticaries effect of different medicinal plants against Streptococcus mutans ( S.mutans) glucosyltransferases (gtf). Methods A total of six natural sources named as Terminalia chebula (T.chebula), Psidium guajava (P.guajava), Azadirachta indica (A.indica) and Pongamia pinnata (P.pinnata) ; two essential oils, clove ( Syzygium aromaticum ) and peppermint oil ( Mentha piperita ) were selected as test samples. Hydroalcoholic plant extracts and essential oils were examined for their inhibitory potential on gtf isolated from S.mutans. Polyherbal mouth wash was prepared and its effect on gtf activity was compared with commercial chlorhexidine mouth wash (5%w/v). Enzyme kinetic study was carried out in order to explore the molecular mechanism of enzyme action. Results Out of six natural sources tested, A.indica has shown maximum inhibitory effect of 91.647% on gtf and T.chebula has shown IC 50 of 1.091 mg/ml which is significant when compared to standard chlorhexidine. From the final result of kinetic analysis it was found that T.chebula, P.guajava and P.pinnata have show uncompetitive inhibition where as A.indica has shown non-competitive inhibition. Surprisingly, both essential oils have shown allosteric inhibition (sigmoidal response). The polyherbal moutwash has shown significant inhibitory potential on gtf (95.936%) when compared to commercial chlorhexidine mouthwash ( p < 0.05). Conclusion All the tested samples have shown considerable gtf inhibitory action. Moreover polyherbal mouth wash has shown promising noncompetitive inhibitory activity against gtf and it could be the future formulation to combat dental caries.

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