Revolutionizing Integrated Pest Management Using Nanobiotechnology: A Novel Approach to Curb Overuse of Synthetic Insecticides

Nanotechnology: A promising field of advanced interdisciplinary research has unlocked an extensive range of scenarios in the sectors like agriculture, electronics, pharmacy, healthcare, pest management and much more. In agriculture, the potential uses and benefits of nanotechnology are enormous. With the use of Nanotechnology, the management of insect pests through the formulations of nanomaterial-based insecticides have changed the course of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Traditional strategies in Integrated Pest Management used in agriculture are insufficient and the application of chemical pesticides have caused adverse effects on animals, human health and the environment. With the utilization of nanotechnological approaches, the green and efficient alternatives would provide the management of insect pests without causing an impact on animals and the environment. The present study aims to focus on the management of insect pests utilizing modern nanotechnological approaches

In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and anticancer potential of Artemisia absinthium growing in Kashmir Himalayas

Herbal medicines are an important and growing part of International pharmacopeia. Research and testing enhance our understanding of their medical properties, making them a safer alternative or preferable option to allopathic medication. Plant-derived pharmaceuticals are gaining popularity due to the belief that "green medicine" is safer and more trustworthy than expensive synthetic drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and anticancer potential of the methanolic leaf extract of Artemisia absinthium against human lung cancer A549 cell line by well diffusion method and MTT assay, respectively. The A. absinthium leaf extract showed the highest activity against Enterococcus faecalis (20 ± 0.7 mm), and Escherichia coli (18 ± 0.8 mm), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16 ± 0.6 mm), Candida albicans (14 ± 0.9 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (13 ± 0.8 mm), with MIC values 128, 128, 128, 256 and 256 µg/mL respectively. The methanolic extract of A. absinthium showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) cytotoxicity against the A549 cancer cell line with an IC50 value of 36.8 µg/mL. The present study's findings give strong evidence for using the methanolic leaf extract of A. absinthium as an effective ethnomedicinal agent and a possible candidate for treating various human diseases and a potent bioactive agent in anticancer medications

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Biogenic Silver and Zinc Nanocrystals/Nanoparticles to Combat the Drug Resistance in Human Pathogens

The emergence of biogenic nanomaterials as novel antimicrobials introduces a new paradigm in human health care. Based on the recent reports of the World Health Organization, infectious diseases pose one of the greatest health challenges. Increased multi-drug resistance prevalence among human pathogens, due to the inefficiency of commercially available antimicrobial drugs in the market is a great threat to humans. The poor solubility, stability and side effects of the antibacterial therapy prompted the researchers to explore new innovative strategies for developing new antimicrobials. Recently, biogenic nanoparticles have proven their effectiveness against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens as an alternative to conventional antibiotics. Biogenic nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are easy to produce, biocompatible, provide enhanced uptake and are eco-friendly. Moreover, the capping of the biogenic nanocrystals provides an active surface for interaction with biological components, facilitated by free active surface functional groups to enhance their efficacy and delivery. Inorganic nanocrystals (AgNPs and ZnONPs) are effective both as nano-bactericides and as nanocarriers against sensitive and MDR) pathogens. The present chapter focuses on the utilization of the recent nanosystems to combat drug resistance in human pathogens. Nanomedicine represents a new generation of potiential antimicrobial candidates capable of combating the drug resistance in various pathogenic organisms

Chitosan nanoparticles: a versatile platform for biomedical applications

Chitosan is a biodegradable and biocompatible natural polymer that has been extensively explored in recent decades. The Food and Drug Administration has approved chitosan for wound treatment and nutritional use. Furthermore, chitosan has paved the way for advancements in different biomedical applications including as a nanocarrier and tissue-engineering scaffold. Its antibacterial, antioxidant, and haemostatic properties make it an excellent option for wound dressings. Because of its hydrophilic nature, chitosan is an ideal starting material for biocompatible and biodegradable hydrogels. To suit specific application demands, chitosan can be combined with fillers, such as hydroxyapatite, to modify the mechanical characteristics of pH-sensitive hydrogels. Furthermore, the cationic characteristics of chitosan have made it a popular choice for gene delivery and cancer therapy. Thus, the use of chitosan nanoparticles in developing novel drug delivery systems has received special attention. This review aims to provide an overview of chitosan-based nanoparticles, focusing on their versatile properties and different applications in biomedical sciences and engineering.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of quercetin on steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis in ovary of mice with experimentally-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome

IntroductionPolycystic Ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects the health of many women around the world. Apart from fundamental metabolic problems connected to PCOS, focus of our study is on the role of quercetin on genes relevant to steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis.MethodsEighteen mature parkes strain mice (4-5 weeks old) weighing 18–21 g were randomly divided into three groups of six each as follows: Group I serves as the control and was given water and a regular chow diet ad lib for 66 days; group II was given oral gavage administration of letrozole (LETZ) (6 mg/kg bw) for 21 days to induce PCOS and was left untreated for 45 days; For three weeks, Group III received oral gavage dose of LETZ (6 mg/kg), after which it received Quercetin (QUER) (125 mg/kg bw orally daily) for 45 days.ResultsIn our study we observed that mice with PCOS had irregular estrous cycle with increased LH/FSH ratio, decreased estrogen level and decline in expression of Kitl, Bmp1, Cyp11a1, Cyp19a1, Ar, lhr, Fshr and Esr1 in ovary. Moreover, we observed increase in the expression of CYP17a1, as well as increase in cholesterol, triglycerides, testosterone, vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF and insulin levels. All these changes were reversed after the administration of quercetin in PCOS mice.DiscussionQuercetin treatment reversed the molecular, functional and morphological abnormalities brought on due to letrozole in pathological and physiological setting, particularly the issues of reproduction connected to PCOS. Quercetin doesn’t act locally only but it acts systematically as it works on Pituitary (LH/FSH)- Ovary (gonad hormones) axis. the Side effects of Quercetin have to be targeted in future researches. Quercetin may act as a promising candidate for medical management of human PCOS

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using the leaf extract of Lavandula angustifolia and evaluation of their antibacterial activity against human pathogens

The present study was aimed to the biosynthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Lavandula angustifolia. The nanoparticles were characterized by different techniques like UV-Visible spectroscopy, FESEM analysis, and X-ray diffraction. From the UV-Visible spectra analysis, it was observed the peak obtained at 350 nm confirmed the biosynthesis of LA-ZnONPs. The shape and size of LA-ZnONPs were confirmed by FESEM analysis, and from FESEM analysis it was found that the LA-ZnONPs were truncated and triangular in shape with an average size of 61.52 nm respectively. Further, the XRD analysis showed the LA-ZnONPs were crystalline in nature. By using well diffusion assay, the antibacterial activity of LA-ZnONPs was investigated against gram-positive S. aureus (ATCC 25923) and gram-negative E. coli (ATCC 11229) pathogens in a dose-dependent manner. The LA-ZnONPs exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against both the pathogens. The LA-ZnONPs thus possessed excellent antibacterial activity against human pathogens and can be used in drug developmen