MOSQUITO LARVICIDAL EFFICACY OF THE ACETONE LEAF EXTRACT OF SOLANUM TRILOBATUM AGAINST CULEX QUINQUEFASCIATUS AND AEDES AEGYPTI

Objective: The main objective of our study is to control the vector-borne disease. It is one among the major disease burden in developing countries. There are lots of researches carried out using the various plant extracts against larvicidal activities of the Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. The present investigation was aimed to investigate the phytochemical analysis and mosquito larvicidal activities of Solanum trilobatum in acetone extract against the second instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti. Methods: The leaf extract of S. trilobatum was subjected to phytochemical analysis and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry analysis. The mortality rates of the second instar larvae were recorded after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of exposure. The lethal concentration (LC)50 and LC90 were determined followed by probit analysis.Results: The LC50 values for C. quinquefasciatus were found to be 265.69 ppm, 227.59 ppm, 212.42 ppm, and 189.47 ppm at various time intervals, and the LC90 values were 558.27 ppm, 504.92 ppm, 479.09 ppm, and 444.28 ppm. Similarly, LC50 values for A. aegypti were noticed at 301.09 ppm, 256.01 ppm, 209.75 ppm, and 167.44 ppm and the LC90 values were 582.34 ppm, 477.52 ppm, 419.40 ppm, and 371.84 ppm for the time interval of 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h.Conclusion: The result of the current work revealed that the leaf extract of the S. trilobatum has the potential to be acted as an alternative for the controlling of the mosquitoes

IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS MEDIATED SILVER NANOPARTICLES AGAINST URINARY TRACT PATHOGENS

Objective: The objective of the present study is to synthesize green mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Plectranthus amboinicus leaf extract and to evaluate its antibacterial activity against selected urinary tract infection (UTI) causing bacteria. Methods: Phytoconstituents present in leaf extract of P. amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng were analyzed by standard qualitative tests. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by visual inspection, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs was examined against the UTI pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of AgNPs were carried out by broth dilution method and standard plate count method, respectively. Results: Synthesized AgNPs exhibited a spherical shape with an average size of 17.3 nm. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs against tested bacterial pathogens showed a maximum inhibition zone of 22.00±1.00 mm against P. aeruginosa. The bacterial growth inhibition was confirmed by MIC and MBC. Conclusion: P. amboinicus leaf extract mediated AgNPs could be used as an effective antibacterial agent for the management of UTIs. Surface modifications of urinary catheters with AgNPs may prevent the risk of contamination and the associated infections

Biocompatibility studies on lanthanum oxide nanoparticles

Lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (LONP), a rare earth metal oxide, have unique properties that make them a suitable candidate for several biomedical applications. We investigated certain key in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility endpoints on LONP. LONP were cytotoxic in in vitro assays and predominantly exerted their action via release of reactive oxygen species. These nanoparticles were neither irritants nor sensitizers in a rabbit model. LONP extracts did not exert any acute systemic toxicity effects in mice. On the other hand LONP exerted toxicity to the liver following oral administration, suggesting that these particles are absorbed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and deposited in the hepatobiliary system. LONP did not induce any mutation in the Ames test both in the presence or absence of S-9. These observations provide a base line biocompatibility and toxicity data on LONP. The current findings will also be useful in defining standards for nanoparticle containing devices. © The Royal Society of Chemistry

Epigallocatechin gallate supplementation protects against renal injury induced by fluoride intoxication in rats: Role of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

Fluoride intoxication generates free radicals, causing oxidative stress that plays a critical role in the progression of nephropathy. In the present study, we hypothesized that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), found in green tea, protects the kidneys of rats treated with fluoride by preventing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Pretreatment of fluoride-treated rats with EGCG resulted in a significant normalization of creatinine clearance and levels of urea, uric acid, and creatinine. Fluoride intoxication significantly increased renal oxidative stress markers and decreased the levels of renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. In addition, renal NO, TNF-α, IL-6 and NF-κB were also increased in the renal tissue of fluoride-treated rats. Further, EGCG pretreatment produced a significant improvement in renal antioxidant status and reduced lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and the levels of inflammatory markers in fluoride-treated kidney. Similarly, mRNA and protein analyses showed that EGCG pretreatment normalized the renal expression of Nrf2/Keap1 and its downstream regulatory proteins in fluoride-treated rat kidney. EGCG also effectively attenuated fluoride-induced renal apoptosis by the up-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9 and cytochrome c. Histology and immunohistochemical observations of Kim-1 provided further evidence that EGCG effectively protects the kidney from fluoride-mediated oxidative damage. These results suggest that EGCG ameliorates fluoride-induced oxidative renal injury by activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Comparative study of nutritional and economical parameters of silkworm (Bombyx mori) treated with silver nanoparticles and Spirulina

Abstract Background Sericulture depends on rearing of silkworm on mulberry leaves. For this reason, Silk production has direct relationship with larval growth. One of the alternative ways of improvement of larval growth and cocoon production is enrichment of mulberry leaves with supplementary nutrients. The present study has been aiming to find out the feed efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Spirulina-treated MR2 mulberry leaves with regard to food utilization by larvae and ultimate impact on the economic parameters of silkworm (Bombyx mori). Result Fresh mulberry leaves were treated with chemically mediated AgNPs and Spirulina; it was diluted by different concentrations such as 100 ppm AgNPs (T2), 300 ppm AgNPs (T3), 500 ppm AgNPs (T4), AgNPs with Spirulina (T5), and Spirulina alone (T6). Group T1 served as the control. The result indicates significant differences among the six groups. The economic traits and the nutrient efficacy were significantly increased in AgNPs and Spirulina-treated groups when compared to those in the control. Conclusion Silkworms are the only source for producing silk. Commercial AgNPs and Spirulina administration has significantly induce food consumption, utilization, and superior cocoon characters by maintaining a balance in the gut flora. Thus, it is inferred that silkworm larvae fed with commercial AgNPs and Spirulina beneficially influence the energy and economic parameters of B. mori, which can be exploited in commercial cocoon production