As the nano revolution unfolds, it is imperative to integrate nanoscience and medicine. The secret gleaned from nature have led to the generation of biogenic technologies for the fabrication of advanced nanomaterials. Present investigation discloses the gold nanoparticles biosynthesizing capability of the flower of pharmacologically important tree Couroupita guianensis. Rapid, cost-effective, one-step process of synthesis has been achieved. Newly genre gold nanoparticles were characterized by involving UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TEM analysis. Interestingly, as a result of extensive screening on the application of newly synthesized gold nanoparticles their anticancer potential has been discovered using MTT assay, DNA fragmentation, apoptosis by DAPI staining, and comet assay for DNA damage.

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Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci L.) is one of the most important serious insect pests of onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivation in Ethiopia. The present study was conducted to evaluate some botanical extracts viz. Artemisia annua, Azadirachta indica, Bidens pilosa, Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium, Cymbopogon citratus, Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana spp., (local var.,), Parthenium hysterophorous, Phytolacca dodecandra, Securidaca longepedunculata and two indigenous isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) viz. Beauveria bassiana (PPRC-56) and Metarhizium anisopliae (PPRC-6) and soap detergent powder. They were examined for controlling onion thrips (Thrips tabaci L.) under field condition in Guder, Toke Kutaye district of Ethiopia from mid October 2010 to early April 2011. Diazinon 60% E.C was applied at the recommended rate of 1.8 l/h and the plot left was examined as controls. After 1 st day application of the different agents, EPF and untreated control were not significantly different. However, the results on 3 rd , 5 th

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A study was undertaken with the aim of identifying a suitable plant for the phytoremediation of metal-polluted soil from an artisanal mining area in Ecuador. Three zones including a natural zone (NZ), abandoned zone (AZ) and intensively mined zone (IZ) were selected. Three common native plants grown in the three zones were identified and collected, including Miconia zamorensis, Axonopus compressus and Erato polymnioides. The percentage of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization that benefits their own survival in polluted soil was analyzed in the root samples of these candidate species. Analysis of the soils and plants collected from the different zones showed that the concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd were comparatively lower in the NZ, higher in the AZ and IZ, and highest in the AZ for all the metals. The concentration of all these metals in plant tissues was the highest in E. polymnioides. The data analysis including the metal accumulation index, bioconcentration factor and translocation factor strongly identified E. polymnioides as a hyperaccumulator plant suitable for phytoremediation.