Ultrasonic-assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles through cinnamon extract: biochemical, structural, and antimicrobial properties

ABSTRACTUltrasonic-assisted green synthesis of silver nanoparticles is gaining more attention owing to its benefits over conventional synthesis process. The main objective of this study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles with aqueous cinnamon extract using ultrasound-assisted extraction and their physico-chemical characterization. Total phenolic content, DPPH, FRAP of cinnamon aqueous extract were 315 mg GAE/g, 89% scavenging activity and 9.5 mmol Trolox eq/100 g reducing power respectively. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-rays Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-rays (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). XRD spectra depicted that the nanoparticles were crystallite in structure and 50 nm in size. SEM micrographs showed that nanoparticles were spherical in shape. EDX, FTIR and NMR spectra indicated that the phenolic compounds present in cinnamon aqueous extract played their role in capping and reducing the silver ions. Cinnamon-based silver nanoparticles showed potential antimicrobial activity against Gram negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, cinnamon extract obtained through ultrasonic-assisted extraction could be a valuable source of polyphenols, which actively participated in the reduction and stabilization of silver nanoparticles

State of the Art Compendium of Macro and Micro Energies

In the span of past few decades, population, urbanization and industrialization have transformed the mankind living standard and dynamics of the nature. Certainly, energy is the basic need for all living organisms. Energy is the route towards the economic growth. The evidence shows that the countries faced with energy crises are left behind in the economic activities; as a result, people are deprived. This study reviewed the available renewable energy resources and potential with positive and negative aspects. This study comprehensively discusses the renewable macro and micro energy resources studied in the past two decades reported in various studies. The paper is divided into two sections; the first section discusses the energy produced in the macro level and the second section discusses the energy produced using different strategies and techniques in the micro level. The potential and positive outcomes of the energy resources were identified. New paradigm of micro energies and importance of reusing the available resource of micro energy using different resources like energy harvesting on the road surface, vibration, airflow, radio frequency and thermal energy etc. were discussed. Lastly, the study focus does not only review but also finds the potential and opportunities for the researchers in the future to utilize the renewable energy resources

Phytochemical composition, antilipidemic and antihypercholestrolemic perspectives of Bael leaf extracts

Abstract Background In recent times, focus on plant research has improved all over the world and essential parts of plants provide bioactive compounds in human diet. The bael (Aegle marmelos) has enormous traditional uses in the treatment of chronic diarrhea, dysentery, peptic ulcers and as a laxative. The main focus of this study was characterization of bael leaf extract for its bioactive constituents, antihypercholestrolemic and antilipidemic perspectives. Methods After proximate composition of bael powder, the aqueous extract of bael leaf was used for phytochemical profiling (alkaloids, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content). Afterwards, normal rats group G0 was administrated basal diet while G1 and G2 normal rat groups were fed diets containing bael leaf extract 125 mg and 250 mg, respectively for consecutive 60 days. In a similar way, hyperlipidemic rats group Gh0 was administrated basal diet while Gh1 and Gh2 hyperlipidemic rat groups were fed diets containing bael leaf extract 125 mg and 250 mg, respectively for consecutive 60 days. The blood drawn on day 0, day 30 and day 60 was analyzed for serum parameters, such as total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low–density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides concentration and free and ester cholesterol. Results Bael leaf powder is a rich source of crude fiber (14.50 ± 0.10 g/100 g). Aqueous extract of bael leaf contains alkaloids (15.58 ± 0.05 mg/g), flavonoids (64.00 ± 0.05 mg/g), phenolics (30.34 ± 0.01 GAEmg/g). From the In vivo studies, the lowest weight gain was observed in group G2 and in Gh2 as compared to control of both groups. The decrease in serum TC for G1–15.06%, G2–17.27% while in Gh1–22.46% and Gh2–34.82% after day 60, respectively. The maximum decrease was observed in group G2 (− 14.33%) and in Gh2 (− 24.79%) for triglycerides after 60 days. For HDL-cholesterol, significant increase (11.20%) in G2 and (49.83%) in Gh2 was observed of after 60 days. A trend in decrease of serum LDL–cholesterol in G2 (− 9.63%) and in Gh2 (− 44.65%) was also observed at day 60, and − 19.05% and − 30.06% decrease was noted in G2 and Gh2, respectively and decreasing trend was observed in free and total cholesterol − 22.30% and − 81.49% for groups G2 and Gh2 after day 60. Conclusions The results of the present study demonstrated that the extract contents of bael leaf provide protective role against hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic conditions

Antihyperlipidemic efficacy of aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in albino rats

Abstract Background Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) natural, safe, non-toxic, non-caloric sugar substitute is rich source of pharmacologically important glycoside stevioside that is linked to the pathology and complications of hyperlipidemia. Methods The present research was carried out to explore the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves in albino rats. For this purpose, hyperlipidemia was induced by administration of Cholesterol (90% E, Appli Chem, Darmstadt, Germany) mixed at dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of rats in their daily routine feed. The hyperlipidemic rats were administered with aqueous stevia extract at different dose levels (200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm/kg b.w.) for 8 weeks; the control rats were fed basal diet during this period. Ethical approval for the current research was obtained from Institutional Review Board Faculty of Science & Technology Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Results Stevia aqueous extract decreased the body weight gain by lowering the feed intake of hyperlipidemic rats. Furthermore, administration of stevia extract at different levels significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the TC (125.22 ± 5.91 to 110.56 ± 5.81 mg/dL), TG (102.13 ± 6.89 to 98.62 ± 7.22 mg/dL), LDL (33.02 ± 4.79 to 22.77 ± 4.36 mg/dL), VLDL (21.22 ± 5.79 to 19.33 ± 5.95 mg/dL) levels and LDL/HDL ratios (0.83 ± 1.22 to 0.54 ± 1.66 mg/dL) from H1 to H4. Conversely, it improved the HDL (39.76 ± 4.34 to l42.02 ± 4.39 mg/dL) level in hyperlipidemic rats compared with untreated rats after eight weeks study period. Conclusion It is concluded that aqueous extract of stevia has anti-hyperlipidemic effects in albino rats, and therefore could be a promising nutraceutical therapy for the management of hyperlipidemia and its associated complications

Optimal Ultrasound-Assisted Process Extraction, Characterization, and Functional Product Development from Flaxseed Meal Derived Polysaccharide Gum

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) has several health-promoting applications as dietary food ingredient supplementation, owing to presence of high quality of oil, polyunsaturated fatty acids, high dietary fiber and protein contents. The presence of different anti-nutritional components, for example cyanogens (HCN) and tannins in meal, limits its application for food purposes. The study was conducted to observe the effect of ultrasound-assisted extraction on polysaccharide gums (PSG) yield using response surface methodology. The selected variables were sonication temperature (&#176;C), water to meal ratio, sonication amplitude level (%), sonication pH, and sonication time (min). Ultrasound-assisted extraction significantly reduced the anti-nutritional components like HCN and tannins. The extracted PSG yield from partially defatted flaxseed meal (PDFM) samples varied to a minimum of 7.24% to a maximum of 11.04% when extraction temperature (&#176;C) and amplitude level (%) varied from &#8722;1 to +1 and keeping all other variables constant at mean value. Physiochemical and functional properties of extracted PSG were studied. Yoghurt with different treatment combinations were prepared by supplementing flaxseed-derived PSG as stabilizer ranging from 0.25% to 1.5%, keeping baseline samples without PSG as control. Functional properties of PSG-supplemented yoghurt such as pH, syneresis, and viscosity were determined to assess the influence of PSG supplementation on yoghurt quality. In the organoleptic behavior of PSG-supplemented yoghurt, no adverse effect on the flavor have been observed, but the textural properties vary significantly among different treatments. Overall, the acceptability of 1% PSG-supplemented yoghurt was significantly higher than other treatments

Gut microbiota and their derivatives in the progression of colorectal cancer: Mechanisms of action, genome and epigenome contributions

Gut microbiota interacts with host epithelial cells and regulates many physiological functions such as genetics, epigenetics, metabolism of nutrients, and immune functions. Dietary factors may also be involved in the etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC), especially when an unhealthy diet is consumed with excess calorie intake and bad practices like smoking or consuming a great deal of alcohol. Bacteria including Fusobacterium nucleatum, Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), and Escherichia coli (E. coli) actively participate in the carcinogenesis of CRC. Gastrointestinal tract with chronic inflammation and immunocompromised patients are at high risk for CRC progression. Further, the gut microbiota is also involved in Geno-toxicity by producing toxins like colibactin and cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) which cause damage to double-stranded DNA. Specific microRNAs can act as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes depending on the cellular environment in which they are expressed. The current review mainly highlights the role of gut microbiota in CRC, the mechanisms of several factors in carcinogenesis, and the role of particular microbes in colorectal neoplasia

Preventive role of green tea catechins from obesity and related disorders especially hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND: During the last few years, scientific investigations have proposed diet based regimens to prevent several health ailments including obesity, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. In this regard, a promising tool is the use of functional foods/nutraceuticals. Present research project was an attempt to explore nutraceutical worth of locally grown green tea variety (Qi-Men) against lifestyle related disorders. METHODS: Functional drinks (T2 and T3) were prepared by adding catechins and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) @ 550mg/500mL and compared with control (T1). These functional drinks were tested in experimental rats modeling (Sprague Dawley). Based on diets, four studies were conducted i.e. trial-I (normal diet), trial-II (high cholesterol diet), trial-III (high sucrose diet), trial-IV (high cholesterol+high sucrose diet). Rats were monitored daily for their feed and drink intake while body weight was measured on weekly basis. After period of 56days rats were sacrificed and evaluated their serum lipid (cholesterol, LDL and HDL), glucose and insulin levels. RESULTS: Results for feed consumption by rats revealed that highest feed intake was recorded in group provided control drink than other groups. However, non significant differences were noted among all groups for drink consumption. Functional drinks resulted in significant reduction in body weight with maximum lowering noted in trial-II and III i.e. 10.73 to 8.49% and 10.12 to 10.49%, respectively. Likewise, cholesterol and LDL were substantially reduced with 14.42% decrease observed in trial-IV and 30.43% in trial-II, respectively. Furthermore, serum glucose and insulin levels were also lowered significantly in the trial-III and IV while in trial-I and II differences were non-significant. In contrast to lipid profile, experimental drink containing EGCG reduced the trait better than catechins based functional drink. CONCLUSIONS: The drinks supplemented with catechins and EGCG are effective against obesity, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia

Phytochemical properties and in-vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity assessment of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Argyrolobium roseum (Camb.)

ABSTRACTThe current study aimed to investigate the phenolic and flavonoid contents, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of A. roseum (Camb.). The MTT assay was used to determine cytotoxicity, Comet assay was used to determine genotoxicity and mutagenicity of extracts was assessed through Ames test. The results showed that total phenolic contents were higher in aqueous extract (538.26 mg GAE/100 g); however, total flavonoid contents were significantly higher in ethanolic extract (6553.29 mg Eq. of Quercetin/100 g). The cells survival percentage was significantly (P  .05). IC50 of ethanolic and aqueous extract of A. roseum was 5.54 mg/ml and 11.39 mg/ml, respectively. The results indicated that all concentration groups of ethanolic and aqueous extract of A. roseum significantly (P  .05) changes were observed in revertant colonies of both bacterial strains (T 98; T 100) at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/ml concentrations of both aqueous and ethanolic extract of A. roseum as MI index was less than 2. The research concluded that A. roseum extracts exhibited no cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity at lower concentrations (≤2 mg/ml)