Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Achillea biebersteinii Flower Extract and Its Anti-Angiogenic Properties in the Rat Aortic Ring Model

Silver nanoparticles display unique physical and biological properties which have attracted intensive research interest because of their important medical applications. In this study silver nanoparticles (Ab.Ag-NPs) were synthesized for biomedical applications using a completely green biosynthetic method using Achillea biebersteinii flowers extract. The structure and properties of Ab.Ag-NPs were investigated using UV-visible spectroscopic techniques, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDS). The UV-visible spectroscopic analysis showed the absorbance peak at 460 nm, which indicates the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The average particle diameter as determined by TEM was found to be 12 ± 2 nm. The zeta potential analysis indicated that Ab.Ag-NPs have good stability EDX analysis also exhibits presentation of silver element. As angiogenesis is an important phenomenon and as growth factors imbalance in this process causes the acceleration of several diseases including cancer, the anti-angiogenic properties of Ab.Ag-NPs were evaluated using the rat aortic ring model. The results showed that Ab.Ag-NPs (200 μg/mL) lead to a 50% reduction in the length and number of vessel-like structures. The synthesized silver nanoparticles from the Achillea biebersteinii flowers extract, which do not involve any harmful chemicals were well-dispersed and stabilized through this green method and showed potential therapeutic benefits against angiogenesis

Acute oral Toxicity Study of Sharpunkhadi granules on Swiss Albino Rats - A novel herbal formulation for Sickle Cell Anemia

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common global monogenic disorders with an autosomal recessive inheritance. It has been estimated that, between 2010 and 2050, about 14.2 million babies will be born with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Hydroxyurea, an essential anticancer drug is one of the most promising drugs for this condition used in present. However, decreased production of platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells are the major known side effects of Hydroxyurea. Objectives: To determine median lethal dose of Sharpunkhadi granules when administered a single dose to rats, followed by an observation period of 14 days. Material and method: Sharpunkhadi granules is a novel self-designed formulation comprised of 8 herbs which possess Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Immunomodulator, Analgesic and Hepatoprotective activities. The acute toxicity study of Sharpunkhadi granules was conducted as per the OECD Guideline for the testing of Acute Toxic Class Method No.423. Results: No mortality was observed in all treated rats at the dose level of 2000mg/kg B.wt. Based on the results, single oral administration of sharpunkhadi granules in female wistar rats at a dose level 2000 mg/kg b.wt. did not result in any mortality under the conditions and procedures followed in the study. Hence the LD50 cut off value for the test item was 5000 mg/kg b.wt. or infinitive. Conclusion: It was concluded that the novel herbal Sharpunkhadi granules are safe and might be a potential management option for Sickle Cell Anemia

Synthesis, characterisation and antifungal activity of chemically and fungal-produced silver nanoparticles against Trichophyton rubrum

Aims To characterise and explore the potential in extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus oryzae and to investigate the antifungal effect of chemically vs. biologically synthesised AgNPs comparing with conventional antifungal drugs against Trichophyton rubrum. Methods and Results Chemically synthesised AgNPs (Chem-AgNPs) coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were synthesised by chemical reduction method with glucose in PVP aqueous solution. Biologically synthesised AgNPs (Bio-AgNPs) were produced from the extracellular cell-free filtrate of Penicillium chrysogenum MUM 03.22 and Aspergillus oryzae MUM 97.19. Among the commercial antifungal drugs terbinafine exhibited the lower MIC range values of 0.063 to 0.25 μg ml-1 for the clinical strains. Chem-AgNPs exhibited antifungal activity against all T. rubrum strains. Bio-AgNPs produced by the fungal cell-free filtrate of P. chrysogenum showed an antifungal activity higher than fluconazole but less than terbinafine, itraconazole and Chem-AgNPs. Conclusion The synthesis parameters in future works should be carefully studied to take full advantage of all the potential of filamentous fungi in the synthesis of AgNPs. Significance and Impact of the study: Bio-AgNPs could be used as antifungal agents, namely against dermatophytesThe authors thank Pedro Martins (Physics Department of University of Minho) for help in XRD analysis. The authors thank to SDBSWeb: http://sdbs.db.aist.go.jp (Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology). The authors thank the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013. Nicolina Dias acknowledges the project 'Consolidating Research Expertise and Resources on Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology at CEB/IBB', RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012

Seasonal Distribution of Escherichia coli and Relationship Among Physicochemical Parameters in Lake Water in the Gudiyattam Area, Tamil Nadu, India

The freshwater ecosystem is deteriorating and becoming more polluted due to industrialization, urbanization, and increasing industries. This study is about the bacteriological and physicochemical properties of the lake water in Gudiyattam town and its surroundings. For this research, samples of lake water from different locations were collected monthly during the period from May 2019 to April 2020 and analyzed based on standard procedures. The physicochemical parameters and bacteriological analyses were studied for all four lakes (S1, S2, S3 and S4). The bacterial analysis results showed the presence of coliform bacteria in all lakes. The most dominant value of the MPN index for total coliform number was determined as 80,000 MPN/100mL, at S4 (Valathur) location during monsoon season. It is understood from the fecal coliform count that location S4 was again found to be dominant when compared to the other lakes, with a result of 8,500MPN/100mL in the monsoon season. The possible reason for the high bacteriological values is thought to be the mixing of drainage waters into the lakes. The MPN value was higher in the monsoon season compared to the pre-monsoon season, which indicates that agricultural runoff occurs in the monsoon season. All the lakes were contaminated with bacterial populations, especially at location S4, which needs the most attention among all the lakes. The above-selected lakes are major surveilling factors for humans for various activities

Effects Of Tea (Camellia sinensis) As A Tenderizer On The Orgonaleptic Properties, Ph Value And Tenderness Of Goat Meat Breed Peranakan Etawa (Capra caprahircus) On Muscle (Musculus bicep femoris)

The aim of this research was to determine the pH value and organoleptic value of Goat Meat. Experimental meat used in this study was Goat meat from the breed peranakan etawa using the muscle (Musculus bicep femoris). This research was conducted by tenderizing the meat with Green Tea (Camella sinesis) Extract tenderizers. The experimental design used was the completely randomized design with seventeen various treatments and two replications. Each of the seventeen tenderizers used different percentages of green tea (Camellia sinensis) being 1%, 2%, 4% and 8% respectively and was used to tenderize meat in different duration of days being 1 day, 4 days, 8 days and 12 days. Result of research showed that Green tea (Camellia sinensis) can be used as a tenderizer for a maximal of 1 day and 1-2% tea extract would have to be used to make the meat tender as it had a neutral level of pH7.1 which contributed to the tenderness of the meat