Selenium nanoparticles: A potent chemotherapeutic agent and an elucidation of its mechanism B Biointerfaces

Mounting evidence support the potential benefits of functional foods or nutraceuticals for human health and diseases. Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), a highly valued nutraceutical herb with a wide array of health benefits, has attracted growing interest from health-conscious individuals, the scientific community, and pharmaceutical industries. The pleiotropic pharmacological effects of black cumin, and its main bioactive component thymoquinone (TQ), have been manifested by their ability to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation, and to promote immunity, cell survival, and energy metabolism, which underlie diverse health benefits, including protection against metabolic, cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, renal, respiratory, reproductive, and neurological disorders, cancer, and so on. Furthermore, black cumin acts as an antidote, mitigating various toxicities and drug-induced side effects. Despite significant advances in pharmacological benefits, this miracle herb and its active components are still far from their clinical application. This review begins with highlighting the research trends in black cumin and revisiting phytochemical profiles. Subsequently, pharmacological attributes and health benefits of black cumin and TQ are critically reviewed. We overview molecular pharmacology to gain insight into the underlying mechanism of health benefits. Issues related to pharmacokinetic herb–drug interactions, drug delivery, and safety are also addressed. Identifying knowledge gaps, our current effort will direct future research to advance potential applications of black cumin and TQ in health and diseases.

Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.): A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, Molecular Pharmacology, and Safety.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in Pharmacy and Medicine. In particular, AgNPs synthesized and mediated by plant extracts have shown topossess several biological activities. In the present study, AgNPs were synthesized using Picea abies L. stem bark extract as reducing agent. Factors, such as metal ion solution, pH, and time, which play a role in the AgNPs synthesis, were assessed. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Further, the study has been extended to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of AgNPs. The broad peak obtained at 411–475 nm (UV-Vis spectroscopy), and the color change pattern, confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs. TEM results showed spherical or rarely polygonal AgNPs with an average size of 44 nm at pH = 9. The AgNPs showed antioxidant activity and antibacterial effect against human pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results show that spruce bark extract is suitable for obtaining AgNPs, with antibacterial and antioxidant activity.

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/9/11/1541/pdf

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using the Spruce Bark Extract

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract and evaluation of its antibacterial activity

Human and animal welfare primarily depends on the availability of food and surrounding environment. Over a century and half, the quest to identify agents that can enhance food production and protection from vector borne diseases resulted in the identification and use of a variety of pesticides, of which the pyrethroid based ones emerged as the best choice. Pesticides while improved the quality of life, on the other hand caused enormous health risks. Because of their percolation into drinking water and food chain and usage in domestic settings, humans unintentionally get exposed to the pesticides on a daily basis. The health hazards of almost all known pesticides at a variety of doses and exposure times are reported. This review provides a comprehensive summation on the historical, epidemiological, chemical and biological (physiological, biochemical and molecular) aspects of pyrethroid based insecticides. An overview of the available knowledge suggests that the synthetic pyrethroids vary in their chemical and toxic nature and pose health hazards that range from simple nausea to cancers. Despite large number of reports, studies that focused on identifying the health hazards using doses that are equivalent or relevant to human exposure are lacking. It is high time such studies are conducted to provide concrete evidence on the hazards of consuming pesticide contaminated food. Policy decisions to decrease the residual levels of pesticides in agricultural products and also to encourage organic farming is suggested.

Pyrethroid based pesticides - chemical and biological aspects.

Cytotoxic Effect of Caralluma fimbriata Against Human Colon Cancer Cells

Background: An increase in prevalence of diabetes mellitus necessitates the need to develop new drugs for its effective management. Plants and their bioactive compounds are found to be an alternative therapeutic approach. Caralluma fimbriata, used in this study, is well known for its various biological effects. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperglycemic effect of the ethanolic leaf extract of C. fimbriata. Materials and Methods: Different concentrations (1–1000 μ g/mL) of the ethanolic leaf extract of C. fimbriata were subjected to alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory assay with acarbose as control. Cytotoxicity was assessed by 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Glucose uptake assay was performed on L6 myotubes using the extract in 1 μ g–100 μ g/mL, using metformin and insulin as control. Results: The C. fimbriata extract showed potent inhibitory activity on enzymes of glucose metabolism in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum alpha-amylase inhibitory effect was 77.37% ± 3.23% at 1000 μ g/mL with an IC50value of 41.75 μ g/mL and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect was 83.05% ± 1.69% at 1000 μ g/mL with an IC50value of 66.71 μ g/mL. The maximum glucose uptake was found to be 66.32% ± 0.29% for the Caralluma extract at 100 μ g/mL and that of metformin (10 μ g/mL) was 74.44% ± 1.72% and insulin (10 μ M) 85.55% ± 1.14%. The extract was found to be safe as the IC50of extract and metformin was found to be ≥1000 μ g/mL and ≥1000 μ M, respectively, in the cell line tested. Conclusion: The study concludes that C. fimbriata has promising antihyperglycemic activity. Abbreviations used: GLUT: Glucose transporter; MTT: 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide.

Antihyperglycemic Activity of Caralluma fimbriata: An In vitro Approach.

Antioxidant Activity of Cumin Oil Mediated Silver Nanoparticles

Aim: To evaluate the anti inflammatory activity of silver nanoparticles synthesised using Cumin oil. Introduction: Silver nanoparticles are today a standout amongst the most generally utilised Nanoparticles both in key therapeutic sciences and clinical practice. Silver particles are connected to modified cell demise, and expanded cytotoxicity in specific conditions. Materials and method: Preparation of denaturation particles using Cumin oil and evaluating the anti inflammatory activity by using albumin denaturation assay technique. Results: The characteristic surface plasmon absorption band were observed at 440nm. It is observed that with the increase in concentration, the anti-inflammatory activity of silver nanoparticles increases. Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles synthesized using cumin oil exhibit potent anti inflammatory activity and hence can be used along with anti inflammatory drugs, which would potentiate the effect of the drugs.

Anti inflammatory activity of Silver nanoparticles synthesised using Cumin oil

Introduction: Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has been increasingly preferred nowadays over physical and chemical approaches. In this study, silver nanoparticles are synthesised using nutmeg oleoresin at room temperature. Materials and methods: Nutmeg oleoresin mediated silver nanoparticles was prepared using 1 milli molar of silver nitrate. The prepared nanoparticles were confirmed using UV-vis spectrophotometer. Different concentrates of the synthesised nutmeg oleoresin mediated silver nanoparticles was tested against Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis using agar well diffusion method and MIC will be determined.
Results: It has been observed that the anti bacterial effect of the prepared AgNP’s was almost similar against all the organisms used in the study with a maximum ZOI against Pseudomonas sp. and minimum ZOI against Enterococcus faecalis. It has also been observed that the antibacterial activity of the AgNP’s increased with increasing concentration. Conclusion: The synthesised nutmeg oleoresin mediated AgNP’s showed tremendous antimicrobial activity against the oral pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas sp. with increased activity against Pseudomonas sp. Thus novel biological approach for the synthesis of AgNP’s using nutmeg oleoresin is a eco-friendly method and can be used in the development new drugs against oral pathogens.

Roy Anitha

Papers

Cytotoxic Effect of Caralluma fimbriata Against Human Colon Cancer Cells

Antihyperglycemic Activity of Caralluma fimbriata: An In vitro Approach.

Antioxidant Activity of Cumin Oil Mediated Silver Nanoparticles

Anti inflammatory activity of Silver nanoparticles synthesised using Cumin oil

Preparation of Silver nanoparticles using Nutmeg oleoresin and its Antimicrobial activity against Oral pathogens