Development of plant based nanoparticles has many advantages over conventional physico-chemical methods and has various applications in medicine and biology. In present study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using leaf extracts of two medicinal plants Cassia fistula and Melia azadarach. 0.01 M zinc acetate dihydrate was used as a precursor in leaf extracts of respective plants for NPs synthesis. The structural and optical properties of NPs were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The antibacterial potential of ZnO NPs was examined by paper disc diffusion method against two clinical strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) based on the zone of inhibition and minimal inhibitory indices (MIC). Change in color of the reaction mixture from brown to white indicated the formation of ZnO NPs. UV peaks at 320 nm and 324 nm, and XRD pattern matching that of JCPDS card for ZnO confirmed the presence of pure ZnO NPs. FTIR further confirmed the presence of bioactive functional groups involved in the reduction of bulk zinc acetate to ZnO NPs. SEM analysis displayed the shape of NPs to be spherical whereas DLS showed their size range from 3 to 68 nm. The C. fistula and M. azadarach mediated ZnO NPs showed strong antimicrobial activity against clinical pathogens compared to standard drugs, suggesting that plant based synthesis of NPs can be an excellent strategy to develop versatile and eco-friendly biomedical products.

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Green route to synthesize Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles using leaf extracts of Cassia fistula and Melia azadarach and their antibacterial potential

Antiparasitic activity of the essential oil of Lippia alba on ectoparasites of Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) and its physiological and histopathological effects

The antispasmodic effect of drugs is used for the symptomatic treatment of cramping and discomfort affecting smooth muscles from the gastrointestinal, billiary or genitourinary tract in a variety of clinical situations.The existing synthetic antispasmodic drugs may cause a series of unpleasant side effects, and therefore the discovery of new molecules of natural origin is an important goal for the pharmaceutical industry. This review describes a series of recent studies investigating the antispasmodic effect of essential oils from 39 plant species belonging to 12 families. The pharmacological models used in the studies together with the mechanistic discussions and the chemical composition of the essential oils are also detailed. The data clearly demonstrate the antispasmodic effect of the essential oils from the aromatic plant species studied. Further research is needed in order to ascertain the therapeutic importance of these findings.

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/9/1675/pdf

Antispasmodic Effect of Essential Oils and Their Constituents: A Review.

Ecdysteroids are secondary metabolites, widely distributed in the animal and plant kingdoms. They have a wide range of pharmacological effects in vertebrates, including mammals, most of which are beneficial for humans. Therefore, they have become compounds of interest for the pharmaceutical industry due to their adaptogenic, anabolic, hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolaemic and antimicrobial activities, which are still being researched. Nowadays, ecdysteroids are present as active ingredients in bodybuilding supplements. Because of their complex structures, their chemical synthesis seems unprofitable and impractical. Due to high content of ecdysteroids in many plants, they are primarily obtained by extraction of the plant material. Plant in vitro cultures provide an alternative source of these compounds, helping to avoid problems associated with field production-such as variable yield or dependence on environmental factors, as well as limited availability of natural resources. Plant cell and tissue cultures may be suggested as alternatives for the production of plant biomass rich in pharmaceutically active ecdysteroids. Moreover, the use of common biotechnological strategies, such as elicitation or precursor feeding, may further increase the yield and improve production of these compounds. In this paper, we describe general information about ecdysteroids: their structure, biosynthesis, distribution, role in plants, and we review recent studies on micropropagation of ecdysteroid-producing plants and cell cultures, and potential ability of ecdysteroids enhancement in in vitro cultures.

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Ecdysteroids: production in plant in vitro cultures

Ethnobotanical survey of plants used by Bapedi traditional healers to treat tuberculosis and its opportunistic infections in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Objective
To study callus induction from different explants (internode, leaf, root) and in vitro plantlets propagation from medicinally important plant Achyranthes aspera L.

In vitro callus induction and plantlet regeneration of Achyranthes aspera L., a high value medicinal plant.

Medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medicinal practitioners to cure different diseases due to their world-wide availability and fewer side effects. Melia azedarach L. (Ghoda Neem locally) belongs to the family Meliaceae, is a highly significant medicinal plant found almost everywhere in Bangladesh. Traditionally, different parts such as leaf, flower, seed, fruit, and young branches of have been used for the treatment of malaria, diabetes, purgative, cough, skin disease, and so on. Experimental and clinical studies prove that it has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, analgesic, anticancer, antiulcer, antipyretic, antiplasmodial and male contraceptive properties. For the last few decades or so, extensive research work has been done to prove its biological activities and pharmacology of its extracts. The present compendium review will focus on is traditional uses and pharmaceutical activities found on different scientific research and reports. This review also includes reports on phytochemistry, taxonomy, morphology, monographs, distribution and toxic effects of M. azedarach.

/pdf/pharmacological-potentials-of-melia-azedarach-l-a-review-2prkxpa3r4.pdf

Pharmacological Potentials of Melia Azedarach L. - A Review

Achyranthes aspera (Amaranthaceae) is a highly significant medicinal herb that is common in Bangladesh. The effect of five sterilizing substances (ethanol, mercuric chloride, Flugal, Nystatin, and sodium hypochlorite) on germination and development of explants of A. aspera was evaluated. The percentage of contamination and germination, as well as seed color, growth pattern, and shootlet development were determined. Among the different sterilants, sodium hypochlorite solution application for 30 min was the most effective treatment. At higher concentration, all sterilizing agents showed maximum effect against microbiological contaminantion, although the survival percentage was low.

/pdf/sterilization-factors-affect-seed-germination-and-211ev3bhmn.pdf

Sterilization factors affect seed germination and proliferation of Achyranthes aspera cultured in vitro

Achyranthes aspera L. (Apang locally) belongs to the family Amaranthaceae, is a highly significant medicinal herb found almost everywhere in Bangladesh. The herbs are produced by using traditional propagation and in vitro techniques. Micropropagation is a rapid propagation technique, but the greatest problem is contamination with fungi and bacteria. We analyzed the effects of Nistatin, Flugal, Bavistin, Ridomil gold, and HgCl 2 on surface sterilization to obtain desirable asepsis. However, among the different sterelants, Flugal 3% for 10min followed by 0.1% HgCl 2 for 2-3min was the most effective treatment when field-grown plants (node) were used as explants. At higher concentration, fungicides were showed maximum effects against contaminants although survival percentages were low. This is the first report of successful sterilization and reduced contamination of explants from naturally field grown A. aspera L. by different sterilizing agents.

In vitro sterilization protocol for micropropagation of Achyranthes aspera L. node

The present comprehensive review was conducted in the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering of Islamic University, Kushtia, to pile up update ethno-pharmacological information of Lippia alba (Mill) that is available in different scientific literatures. L. alba, belongs to the family of verbenaceae, found everywhere in Bangladesh and it is commonly used in folk medicine to treat gastric illnesses, diarrhea, fever, asthma, malaria, and inflammation. Phytochemical analysis showed that the crude extract of fresh leaves consists of some valuable essential oils and that is found to be effective against bacteria, fungus, protozoa, and virus. The present paper also covers the taxonomy, morphology, monograph, usable parts, and distribution of this valuable medicinal plant.

/pdf/a-comprehensive-ethnopharmacological-review-on-lippia-alba-m-2usweprilu.pdf

Shamima Nasrin

Papers

In vitro callus induction and plantlet regeneration of Achyranthes aspera L., a high value medicinal plant.

Pharmacological Potentials of Melia Azedarach L. - A Review

Sterilization factors affect seed germination and proliferation of Achyranthes aspera cultured in vitro

In vitro sterilization protocol for micropropagation of Achyranthes aspera L. node

A Comprehensive Ethnopharmacological Review on Lippia Alba M