Microwave-assisted green synthesis and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles derived from a supercritical carbon dioxide extract of the fresh aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri L

Purpose: To synthesize and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from a supercritical carbon dioxide extract of the fresh aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri. Methods: The synthesis of AgNPs of a P. niruri extract was carried out in a microwave oven. The extraction was carried out using a supercritical fluid extractor. The AgNPs were characterized by the Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectral analysis, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) zetasizer analysis, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The antimicrobial assays of AgNPs were carried out against different bacterial and fungal strains. Results: Results of various analytical techniques confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs of a P. niruri extract. The UV–vis spectroscopy showed an intense silver surface plasmon resonance band at 415 NM. The AgNPs had a mean size of 110 nm in the Zetasizer analysis. TEM images illustrated spherical AgNPs having a mean particle size of 110 nm. The X-ray diffractograms showed peaks at 38.17°, 44.28°, and 64.52°. The average crystallite size of Ag-NPs was found to be 110 nm. FT-IR spectra confirmed the stability of the AgNPs. The AgNPs demonstrated good antimicrobial effects against several tested pathogenic microbes. Conclusion: An efficiently synthesized AgNPs of P. niruri (SC-CO2) extract has been prepared by a simple, eco-friendly, cost-effective, rapid green chemistry methodology. The AgNPs of P. niruri extract possesses significant antimicrobial properties against the tested bacterial and fungal strains. Keywords: Nanoparticles, Phyllanthus niruri, Supercritical fluid extraction, Microwave, Antimicrobial activit

Practice Patterns and Barriers for Intravenous Thrombolysis: A Survey of Neurologists in Saudi Arabia

Only a small fraction of patients with acute ischemic stroke receive intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). We sought to assess barriers and practice patterns in using IVT for acute ischemic stroke among neurologists in Saudi Arabia. An electronic survey was sent to all neurologists registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. A total of 148 (77.5%) neurologists responded. The most common reported barriers for IVT administration were delayed presentation to hospitals (82.4%) and unclear time of symptom onset (50.0%). Only 9.9% of neurologists reported strict adherence to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines for IVT administration. The most frequently waived criteria were “minor stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] < 5” (49.4%) and “seizure at onset” (45.7%). For the extended 3–4.5-hour window, 18.5% of neurologists reported strict adherence to the four exclusion criteria. The most frequently waived criteria were “age older than 80 years” (53.1%) and “history of both diabetes and prior stroke” (42.0%). In conclusion, most neurologists do not adhere to the IVT exclusion criteria. However, little consensus exists regarding which criteria do not interfere with IVT administration. Barriers to IVT administration were identified and require immediate action by healthcare authorities in Saudi Arabia

Ursolic acid rich Ocimum sanctum L leaf extract loaded nanostructured lipid carriers ameliorate adjuvant induced arthritis in rats by inhibition of COX-1, COX-2, TNF-α and IL-1: Pharmacological and docking studies.

Ursolic acid (UA) is a promising molecule with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and potential anti-arthritic activity.This study was undertaken to make formulation and evaluation of Ocimum sanctum L. leaf extract (OLE) loaded nano-structured lipid carriers (OLE-NLCs) for improved transdermal delivery of UA. Different surfactants, solid lipids and liquid lipids were used for the preparation of NLCs. The NLCs were developed using emulsion solvent diffusion and evaporation method. Different physicochemical properties, entrapment efficacy, in vitro release evaluation, and ex vivo permeation studies of the prepared NLCs were carried out. The in vivo anti-arthritic activity of OLE-loaded NLC gel and control gel formulation (OLE free NLC gel) against Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in wister albino rats was also carried out.OLE-NLCs were composed of spherical particles having a mean particle size of ~120 nm, polydispersity index of ~0.162 and zeta potential of ~ -27 mV. The high entrapment efficiency (EE) of UA ~89.56% was attained. The in vitro release study demonstrated a prolonged release of UA from the NLCs up to 12 h. The developed formulation was found to be significantly better with respect to the drug permeation amount with an enhancement ratio of 2.69 as compared with marketed formulation. The in vivo biological activity investigations, studies showed that the newly prepared NLCs formulation of OLE showed excellent anti-arthritic activity and the results were found at par with standard marketed diclofenac gel for its analgesic and anti-arthritic activities. These results were also supported by radiological analysis and molecular docking studies.The overall results proved that the prepared OLE-NLCs were very effective for the treatment of arthritis and the results were found at par with standard marketed the standard formulation of diclofenac gel

Effect of application of OLE loaded NLC on paw edema in rats.

<p>Effect of application of OLE loaded NLC on paw edema in rats.</p

The molecular effects of Asperuloside against thermogenesis and anti-inflammatory process through multiple recent obesity pathways: An anti-obesity drug discovery by in-silico analysis

Objectives: Adenosine receptor signaling and suppressing potential pathways such as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and takeda G-protein-coupled receptor-5(TGR5) have been identified as potential targets for enhancing metabolic health. Certain adenosine receptor (AR) ligands have been suggested to reduce inflammation and improve thermogenesis in adipose tissue. Methods: This study employed in-silico biomolecular fractions of adenosine receptors and other potential targets to understand the mechanism of action of Asperuloside. Additionally, the anti-obesity potential of Asperuloside, a dual-acting ligand with A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAR) agonist and A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) agonist activities, were examined using computational analysis in the obesity model. The impact of Asperuloside on inflammation and thermogenesis was studied through diverse protein structures such as the A2AAR complex with agonist/A2AAR complex with antagonist, the rhodopsin mutant with bound galphact peptide (as A3 adenosine receptor), The Human TGR5 complex with synthetic agonist 23H, and AHR receptors antagonism. Results: The study found that Asperuloside has therapeutic affinity for the binding site of adenosine receptors and revealed a novel binding interaction that helps reduce inflammation and improve thermogenesis-mediated obesity. Conclusion: Asperuloside may have anti-obesity effects through its dual-acting ligand with A2AAR and A3AR agonist activities. This study provides a major step towards understanding the mechanism of action of Asperuloside and its potential use as an anti-obesity drug. In vivo tests will help ascertain its pharmacokinetic characteristics, metabolite production in animals, and the effects of chronic daily absorption

Molecular interactions of <i>Ursolic acid</i> (Blue ball and stick) with Cox-2 (Red Cartoon/Surface).

<p>Molecular interactions of <i>Ursolic acid</i> (Blue ball and stick) with Cox-2 (Red Cartoon/Surface).</p

Ursolic acid (3β-hydroxy-urs- 12-en-28-oic acid).

<p>Ursolic acid (3β-hydroxy-urs- 12-en-28-oic acid).</p

Size distribution of OLE-NLC.

<p>Size distribution of OLE-NLC.</p