A simple, environmentally benign green synthesis of silver nanoparticles was achieved using lemon fruit extract (Citrus lemon). The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The predominantly spherical mono dispersed 2 to 10 nm sized silver nanoparticles were obtained for the first time using lemon extract. The anti-microbial activity of silver nanoparticles was also explored. Lemon extract-mediated synthesis is cost efficient, eco-friendly and an easy alternative to conventional methods of silver nanoparticles synthesis. Downloaded by [University of Sherbrooke] at 12:55 11 April 2015 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 2
The silver nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction method and the nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were investigated to evaluate the antibacterial activity against urinary tract infectious (UTIs) bacterial pathogens. Thirty-two bacteria were isolated from mid urine samples of 25 male and 25 female patients from Thondi, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India and identified by conventional methods. Escherichia coli was predominant (47%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19%), Enterobacter sp. (6%), Proteus morganii (3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (3%). The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles was evaluated by disc diffusion assay. P. aeruginosa showed maximum sensitivity (11 ± 0.58 mm) followed by Enterobacter sp. (8 ± 0.49 mm) at a concentration of 20 lg disc -1 and the sensitivity was highly comparable with the positive control kanamycin and tetracycline. K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. morganii and S. aureus showed no sensitivity against all the tested concentrations of silver nanoparticles. The results provided evidence that, the silver nanoparticles might indeed be the potential sources to treat urinary tract infections caused by P. aeruginosa and Enterobacter sp.
The effect of the aqueous extract of Melia azedarach Linn. (Meliaceae) against ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis in male Wistar albino rats is summarized in this study. Lithiasis was induced in rats by administering 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water for 28 days and was manifested by high urinary calcium, phosphate, oxalate, and low urinary magnesium content. Simultaneous administration of aqueous extract of Melia azedarach (AEMA; 250 mg=kg body weight) orally for 28 days along with ethylene glycol (0.75%) reduced urinary calcium, oxalate, phosphate, and elevated urinary magnesium level. It also increased the urine volume, thereby reducing the tendency for crystallization. The histopathological studies confirmed the induction of lithiasis as microcrystal deposition was observed in sections of kidney from animals treated with ethylene glycol. This was reduced, however, after treatment with the extract. These observations enable us to conclude that AEMA is effective against ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis.
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