Antibiotic resistance rate is rising worldwide. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are potent for fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR), independently or synergistically. The purpose of this study was to prepare AgNPs using wild ginger extracts and to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of these AgNPs against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Enterococcus faecalis. AgNPs were synthesized using wild ginger extracts at room temperature through different parameters for optimization, i.e., pH and variable molar concentration. Synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed by UV/visible spectroscopy and further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDXA), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Disc and agar well diffusion techniques were utilized to determine the in vitro antibacterial activity of plant extracts and AgNPs. The surface plasmon resonance peaks in absorption spectra for silver suspension showed the absorption maxima in the range of 400–420 nm. Functional biomolecules such as N–H, C–H, O–H, C–O, and C–O–C were present in Zingiber zerumbet (Z. zerumbet) (aqueous and organic extracts) responsible for the AgNP formation characterized by FTIR. The crystalline structure of ZZAE-AgCl-NPs and ZZEE-AgCl-NPs was displayed in the XRD analysis. SEM analysis revealed the surface morphology. The EDXA analysis also confirmed the element of silver. It was revealed that AgNPs were seemingly spherical in morphology. The biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited complete antibacterial activity against the tested MDR bacterial strains. This study indicates that AgNPs of wild ginger extracts exhibit potent antibacterial activity against MDR bacterial strains.

Allelochemicals are secondary metabolites which are not edible and can be used as growth regulators and bio-herbicides. The goal of current study was to assess allelopathic ability of Lantana camara (Sage-plant) flowers against weeds viz. Avena fatua (Wild oat), Euphorbia helioscopia (Sun-spurge), Chenopodium album (Goosefoot), Phalaris minor (Canary-grass), and Rumex dentatus (Knotweed). Bioassay analysis of three methanolic fractions of the Combi flash from L. camara was performed at 50%, 75% and 100% concentration using germination percentage parameters, inhibition of plumule and radicle size. The fraction II of Combi flash strongly suppressed all weeds with negligible effect on T. aestivum . Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy was conducted for the fraction, and isolated compounds were used to perform bioassays. From fraction II GC–MS detected four methyl esters of allelopathic fatty acid viz. Methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, methyl stearate and methyl linoleate. The evaluation of physiological effects of the bioassay revealed substantial suppression of chlorophyll, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide, dismutase peroxidase) and protein material in all weeds by methyl palmitate. Bioassay activity and study of physiological parameters revealed that the effective bio-herbicidal compound in Lantana camara flowers is methyl palmitate. This is the first time that methyl palmitate (a fatty acid methyl ester) has been related to herbicidal activity in L. camara flowers. It is proposed that field studies based on hormesis research and the mechanism of action of this compound be carried out.

Abstract:: The process of melanogenesis, that takes place in the melanocytes of the epidermis, leads to hyperpigmentation. The biosynthetic pathway for production of melanin involves the enzyme tyrosinase that has been an attractive target for cosmaceutical research. Numerous synthetic, semisynthetic and natural, especially plant-based, inhibitors of tyrosinase have been reported in the literature. In plants, the secondary metabolites like flavonoids, chalcones, stilbenes, tannins, hydroquinone and kojic acid, etc... have been shown to possess the anti-tyrosinase activity. In the current review, we have covered the progress in this sphere that would be useful for not only further mechanistic investigations but also for the optimization of the structure of the metabolites for improved activity and selectivity. Thus the review presents a comprehensive report on tyrosinase inhibitors of plant origin reported in the extract form or as isolated compounds. Huge gap has been found between research and industry due to inconsistent pursual of the potent plant based extracts. There is a need to completely evaluate the extracts for structure optimization using molecular docking and evaluation of the safety inorder to benefit the industry with non toxic biological friendly products through invivo and exvivo optimization.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Bistorta amplexicaulis of the genus Polygonum (Polygonaceae) has been reported for its antioxidant and anticancer activities. However, the low cellular uptake of the compounds in its extract limit their therapeutic application. Objectives: The present study was aimed at developing a nanoliposomal carrier system for B. amplexicaulis extracts for its improved cellular uptake thus resulting in enhanced anticancer activity. Methods: Ultra Pressure Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) was used to identify major compounds in the plant extract. Nanoliposomes (NLs) were prepared using a thin-film rehydration method using DPPC, PEG2000DSPE and cholesterol, followed by characterization through several parameters. In vitro screening was performed against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG-2) using MTT-assay. Raw extract and nanoliposomes were tested on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). Moreover, molecular docking was performed to validate the data obtained through wet lab. Results: The UHPLC method identified gallic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and catechin as the major compounds in the extract. The NLs with size ranging between 140-155 nm, zeta potential -16.9 to -19.8 mV and good polydispersity index of < 0.1 were prepared, with a high encapsulation efficiency of 81%. The MTT assay showed significantly (p > 0.05) high uptake and cytotoxicity of NLs as compared to the plant extract. Moreover, a reduced toxicity against HUVEC cells was observed as compared to the extract. Also, the docking of identified compounds suggested a favorable interaction to the SH2 domain of both STAT3 and STAT5. Conclusion: Overall, the results suggested NLs as a potential platform that could be developed for the improved intracellular delivery of plant extract thus increasing their therapeutic outcomes.

Background: Dengue virus (DENV) is an RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae of the genus Flavivirus with worldwide distribution. Dengue fever is caused by any of four closely-related serotypes DENV, an emerging pandemic-prone viral disease in many regions of the world. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of dengue virus genotypes and serotypes in children aged below 15 years in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: In this study, 112 serum samples were collected from clinically suspected dengue fever patients from March 2017 to December 2018 at different tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. Regarding the patients’ age, the samples were divided into four groups from A to D (i.e., 0 - 1, 1 - 5, 5 - 10, and 10 - 15 years of age). Rapid immuno-chromatography (ICT) test was conducted on the collected serum samples, followed by quantitative RT-PCR for serotype of dengue virus. Results: Out of 112 samples, 34 samples were diagnosed as DENV positive by the rapid ICT screening method. No virus was detected in groups A and B, while three samples were positive in group C (1 boy and two girls), and 31 samples (23 boys and 8 girls) were positive in group D. The results of quantitative RT-PCR exclusively showed DEN-3 serotype in all the ICT positive samples. The results indicated that the prevalence of DEN-3 serotype in children was 100%, indicating that DEN-3 serotype might cause severe epidemics in the future in Lahore, Pakistan. Hematological analysis revealed an increase in hematocrits in 41.1% dengue-positive cases. Leucopenia was prominent in 79.4% of the cases, while Thrombocytopenia was reported in 70.5% of the participants. The biochemical analysis also indicated an increase in liver enzymes in patients (ALT 88%, AST 79%), while the lower levels of cholesterol (69 %) and serum albumin (25%) were also observed. Conclusions: Dengue virus spreads and grows quickly worldwide over a highly short time interval. Dengue fever claims for a significant number of lives. This study would help individuals know about the status of laboratory parameters in dengue fever and detect how to overcome the prevalence of Dengue virus.

No abstract