Casting Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Fagonia Blend Microbial Arrest

A nano-bioengineered cobalt oxide biostimulant mediated regulation of physiological, biochemical, and antioxidant mechanisms in Zea mays

Biogenic synthesized cobalt nanoparticles (NPs), dose optimization toxicity, and metabolic studies of Zea mays are very important before their application in the field. Here, we investigate the morphological, biochemical, and metabolic response of summer maize (Zea mays) against bulk cobalt chloride and Withania-assisted bioengineered cobalt NPs. It was found that cobalt chloride as bulk and concentration of 100 mg/L NPs inhibits growth via significant changes their metabolic and biochemical molecules. While biogenic assisted with Withania, cobalt NPs with concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/L have shown a significant increase in shoot length by 15% and 9% respectively. Root length was found to be decreased at 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L as compared to control. Fresh and dry weight was found to be increased at 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L. However, chlorophyll contents seemed to decline at 25 mg/L and increased at 50 mg/L. Carbohydrate content was found to be decreased at 50 mg/L and 25 mg/L by 76% and 70% respectively. Starch content was found to be increased at 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L by 28% and 33% respectively. Nitrate content was found to be decreased at 50 mg/L by 17%. However, higher tested concentrations showed a very much decrease in these compounds. Results displayed that a small quantity of cobalt oxide nanoparticles had a stimulatory impact on the seedling development while a higher quantity encouraged an inhibitory effect. 100 mg/L also showed an increase in activities when comparison was done against control. At 25 mg/L all activities were found to be maximum. This increased level suggests that the congregation of these secondary metabolites generates an oxidative response in plants when exposed to Cobalt oxide nanoparticles and cobalt chloride. However, further mechanistic research should be adopted as our experimental findings ruled out the generalized phytotoxicity of plants.

Synthesis and Characterization of Silver and Zinc Nanoparticles From Vitex altissima: Comparative Analysis of Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, and Anti-Biofilm Activities

Metal nanoparticles have attained much popularity due to their low toxicity, economic feasibility, and eco-friendly nature. The present study focuses on the synthesis of silver and zinc nanoparticles from Vitex altissima leaf extract, further characterized by UV/Vis spectral analysis, Powder-x-ray diffraction (XRD), FE-SEM, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential. Synthesized silver and zinc nanoparticles were screened for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm activities. AgNPs exhibited moderate antioxidant activities compared to ZnNPs, which were studied using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and ABTS assays. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed using membrane stabilization and human red blood cell methods. Furthermore, both types of nanoparticles, AgNPs and ZnNPs, exhibited anti-biofilm activity against four MDR bacterial strains: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Synthesized nanoparticles show antibacterial activity. Our data suggest that silver nanoparticles exhibited moderate activity compared to ZnNPs. These nanoparticles could act as potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents.

Physio-biochemical insights into Arsenic stress mitigation regulated by Selenium nanoparticles in Gossypium hirsutum L

Arsenic is a nonessential toxic metalloid hampering the growth and development of plants. The cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is of great economic importance in the textile industry as well as in the production of edible oil. In developing countries, especially Pakistan, the export of cotton has a distinct position. However, there has been a significant decline in cotton production over the past few years due to climate change, heavy metals induction and biotic stresses. A notable decrease in cotton growth and product is observed in response to arsenic stress. Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPS) were prepared by green chemistry approach and characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, and XRD to mitigate the heavy metals induced toxicity in cotton seedling. Results shows that arsenic toxicity causes a drastic decrease in photosynthesis, phenolics, proteins, growth of seedlings, relative water content, and overall plant biomass. However, these physio-biochemical attributes were upregulated by applications of Se NPs. Moreover, As stress causes severe oxidative damage by overproduction of MDA, H2O2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The supplementation of SeNPs positively regulate the As stress in cotton seedlings by altering important antioxidant enzymes involved in ROS detoxification such as SOD, POD, and CAT. Se NPs ameliorate the toxicity by increasing activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The accumulation of As in roots alter the architecture of roots including reduced branching of roots. Current results suggest that the applications of selenium nanoparticles especially 20 mg/L concentration confidently alleviate the As induced toxicity in cotton seedlings.

Biogenic synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Eucalyptus globulus Leaf Extract and its impact on germination and Phytochemical composition of Lactuca sativa

Green nanomaterials are increasingly used to improve plant growth and phytochemical traits. This study employed Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, a medicinal plant, as a bio-reductant and capping agent to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs), which were applied as seed primers for Lactuca sativa (lettuce), an annual species prized for its short germination time and rich bioactive compounds. Characterization of CuO-NPs using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX confirmed their purity, crystalline structure, and an average particle size of 74.66 nm. The CuO-NPs were applied at concentrations of 0.01 mg/ml, 0.02 mg/ml, 0.03 mg/ml, and 0.04 mg/ml. At the highest concentration (0.04 mg/ml), significant reductions in physical growth parameters were observed, with plant length, height, and width measuring 7.85 cm, 5.50 cm, and 3.48 cm, respectively, compared to 13.70 cm, 11.52 cm, and 11.18 cm in control plants. Phytochemical analysis identified tannins, alkaloids, phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, and glycosides in all methanolic extracts, while carotenoids were absent at higher concentrations (0.03 mg/ml and 0.04 mg/ml) due to phytotoxicity. FTIR analysis revealed a prominent peak at 858 cm⁻¹ at 0.01 mg/ml, indicating the presence of antioxidant-rich aromatic phenyl compounds. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that CuO-NPs synthesized using Eucalyptus globulus extract enhance phytochemical constituents at optimal concentrations but inhibit growth and reduce key phytochemicals at higher doses. Future research should optimize nanoparticle concentrations to minimize phytotoxicity while maximizing beneficial effects on plant growth and bioactive compounds.

Mechanism of Cell-Killing Activity of Plantaricin LD1 Against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922

Plantaricin LD1 was purified from a potential probiotic strain, Lactobacillus plantarum LD1 previously isolated from indigenous food, Dosa. In this study, we have performed a detailed mechanism of action of plantaricin LD1 against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 considering Micrococcus luteus MTCC 106 as control. The plantaricin LD1 showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 34.57 µg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 138.3 µg/mL against M. luteus MTCC 106, whereas MIC 69.15 µg/mL and MBC 276.6 µg/mL were found against E. coli ATCC 25922. The efflux of potassium ions, dissipation of membrane potential (∆ψ), and transmembrane pH gradient (∆pH) of plantaricin LD1-treated cells suggested the membrane-acting nature of plantaricin LD1. Plantaricin LD1 also caused degradation of the genomic DNA of the target strains tested. The cell killing was confirmed by staining with propidium iodide and visualized under light and electron microscopes. The bacteriocin-treated cells were found to be ruptured, swollen, and elongated. Thus, the findings indicate plantaricin LD1 kills E. coli ATCC 25922 by interacting with the cell membrane resulting in the efflux of intracellular contents and also causing degradation of nucleic acids leading to cell death.

Green Synthesis, Characterization and Pharmaceutical Applications of Biocompatible Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Heliotropium rariflorum Stocks

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles are safe, non-toxic, and biocompatible. These NPs are used in food packaging materials, self-cleaning glass, ceramics, deodorants, sunscreens, paints, coatings, ointments, lotions, and as preservatives. This study explored the biological potential of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using H. rariflorum. Methods: In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus solani were determined. Antioxidant activity was explored using the DPPH radical scavenging method. In vivo analgesic, antipyretic and sedative potential of synthesized nanoparticles was investigated using a mouse model. Results: SEM with various magnification powers showed that some particles were spherical while some were aggregated, flake-shaped, and hexagonal with rough and irregular surfaces. The EDX analysis revealed Zn (12.63%), O (22.83%) and C (63.11%) with trace quantities of Si (0.40%), Ca (0.54%) and P (0.49%). The XRD pattern indicated an amorphous state, with no peaks observed throughout the spectrum. The UV-visible spectrophotometry revealed a characteristic absorption peak at 375 nm, indicating the presence of ZnO nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) displayed several small peaks between 1793 and 2370 cm-1, providing evidence of the presence of different kinds of organic compounds with different functional groups. ZnO-NPs showed dose-dependent antibacterial and antifungal potential against all strains. Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were the most susceptible strains. The nanoparticles exhibited a maximum antioxidant effect of 85.28% at 100 μg/mL. In this study, the acute toxicity test showed no mortality, and normal behavior was observed in mice at ZnO-NP doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. For analgesic and antipyretic activities, a two-way ANOVA revealed that dose, time, and the interaction between dose and time were significant. In contrast, the samples had a non-significant effect on sedative activity. Conclusions: This innovative study suggests a potential use of plant resources for managing microbes and treating various diseases, providing a scientific basis for the traditional use of H. rariflorum.

Green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles as a potential regulator of callus growth, plant physiology, antioxidative and microbial contamination in Oryza sativa L

In tissue culture, efficient nutrient availability and effective control of callus contamination are crucial for successful plantlet regeneration. This study was aimed to enhance callogenesis, callus regeneration, control callus contamination, and substitute iron (Fe) source with FeO-NPs in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media. Nanogreen iron oxide (FeO-NPs) were synthesized and well characterized with sizes ranging from 2 to 7.5 nm. FeO-NPs as a supplement in MS media at 15 ppm, significantly controlled callus contamination by (80%). Results indicated that FeCl3-based FeO-NPs induced fast callus induction (72%) and regeneration (43%), in contrast FeSO4-based FeO-NPs resulted in increased callus weight (516%), diameter (300%), number of shoots (200%), and roots (114%). Modified media with FeO-NPs as the Fe source induced fast callogenesis and regeneration compared to normal MS media. FeO-NPs, when applied foliar spray, increased Plant fresh biomass by 133% and spike weight by 350%. Plant height increased by 54% and 33%, the number of spikes by 50% and 265%, and Chlorophyll content by 51% and 34% in IRRI-6 and Kissan Basmati, respectively. Additionally, APX (Ascorbate peroxidase), SOD (Superoxide dismutase), POD (peroxidase), and CAT (catalase) increased in IRRI-6 by 27%, 29%, 283%, 62%, while in Kissan Basmati, APX increased by 70%, SOD decreased by 28%, and POD and CAT increased by 89% and 98%, respectively. Finally, FeO-NPs effectively substituted Fe source in MS media, shorten the plant life cycle, and increase chlorophyll content as well as APX, SOD, POD, and CAT activities. This protocol is applicable for tissue culture in other cereal crops as well.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Stachys maritima via Quantum Dots and Molecular Docking

Stachys maritima is a species of plant belonging to the Lamiaceae, commonly known as common sea lavender. The extraction of S. maritima involves drying the aerial parts, grinding them into powder, followed by extraction with methanol. ST-CQDs (S. maritima carbon quantum dots) were synthesized from S. maritima extract via pyrolysis. An optimal synthesis condition of 7 hours of pyrolysis was determined to yield ST-CQDs with high absorption in the visible-UV range. Characterization techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) confirmed the spherical and homogeneous nature of the carbon quantum dots. S. maritima methanol extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity with a DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) IC50 value of 0.114±0.001 mg/mL. Similarly, ST-CQDs showed strong antioxidant properties with a DPPH IC50 value of 0.69±0.03 mg/mL. Moreover, the methanol extract of S. maritima demonstrated antimicrobial activity against E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923, with effective MIC values of 25 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. However, ST-CQDs did not show antimicrobial effects against the tested microorganisms (E. coli ATCC 25922, S. aureus ATCC 25923, K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883, and C. albicans ATCC 10231). Molecular docking simulations suggested that compounds derived from S. maritima (such as 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid and palmitic acid) could interact effectively with TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha), indicating potential anti-inflammatory properties. This study highlights that the methanol extract of S. maritima possesses potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and ST-CQDs exhibit similar antioxidant properties. However, ST-CQDs did not demonstrate antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. Molecular docking simulations also suggest potential anti-inflammatory properties of compounds derived from the plant.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles mediated salinity stress mitigation in Pisum sativum: a physio-biochemical perspective

Salinity is the major abiotic stress among others that determines crop productivity. The primary goal is to examine the impact of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the growth, metabolism, and defense systems of pea plants in simulated stress conditions. The ZnO NPs were synthesized via a chemical process and characterized by UV, XRD, and SEM. The ZnO NPs application (50 and 100) ppm and salt (50 mM and 100 mM) concentrations were carried out individually and in combination. At 50 ppm ZnO NPs the results revealed both positive and negative effects, demonstrating an increase in the root length and other growth parameters, along with a decrease in Malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide concentrations. However, different concentrations of salt (50 mM and 100 mM) had an overall negative impact on all assessed parameters. In exploring the combined effects of ZnO NPs and salt, various concentrations yielded different outcomes. Significantly, only 50 mM NaCl combined with 50 ppm ZnO NPs demonstrated positive effects on pea physiology, leading to a substantial increase in root length and improvement in other physiological parameters. Moreover, this treatment resulted in decreased levels of MAD, Glycine betaine, and hydrogen peroxide. Conversely, all other treatments exhibited negative effects on the assessed parameters, possibly due to the high concentrations of both stressors. The findings offered valuble reference data for research on the impact of salinity on growth parameters of future agriculture crop.

A comparative study of Mentha longifolia var. asiatica and Zygophyllum arabicum ZnO nanoparticles against breast cancer targeting Rab22A gene

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, and the incidence rate has increased enormously over the last three decades. Rab proteins are members of the Rab GTPase superfamily. The aberrant function of these proteins leads to the development of tumors. Mentha longifolia var. asiatica and Zygophyllum arabicum have been known for their therapeutic potential for ages. The present study aimed to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles encapsulated with the extracts of M. longifolia var. asiatica and Z. arabicum and evaluating their therapeutic potential against breast cancer, targeting the Rab22A gene and its protein. UV-Vis spectrophotometer showed characteristic absorbance peaks at 295 nm and 345 nm for Z. arabicum and M. longifolia var. asiatica ZnONPs, respectively. The FTIR bands of Z. arabicum nanoparticles suggested the presence of aldehydes, alcohols, and polyols whereas bands of M. longifolia var. asiatica ZnONPs suggested the presence of carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups, alkynes, and amines. SEM revealed the size of Z. arabicum ZnO NPs to be 25 ± 4 nm with a spherical shape as compared to nanoparticles of M. longifolia var. asiatica having a size of 35 ± 6 nm with a hexagonal shape. EDX determined the elemental composition of both particles. The cytotoxicity of both plant extracts and respective NPs was determined against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, which was found to be significant with an IC50 value of 51.68 μM for Z. arabicum and 88.02 μM for M. longifolia var. asiatica ZnO compared to plant extracts (64.01 μM and 107.9 μM for Z. arabicum and M. longifolia var. asiatica). The gene expression and protein levels of Rab22A were decreased in nanoparticle-treated cells as compared to the control group. The apoptotic role of synthesized nanoparticles against the MCF-7 cell line was also determined by the expression of apoptotic pathway genes and proteins (bax, caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9). All samples showed significant apoptotic activity by activating intrinsic and extrinsic pathway genes. The activity of Z. arabicum was more eminent as compared to M. longifolia var. asiatica which was evident by the greater expression of studied genes and proteins as determined by Real-time qPCR and ELISA. This is the first-ever report describing the comparative analysis of the efficacy of Z. arabicum and M. longifolia var. asiatica ZnONPs against breast cancer.

Bioinspired and Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Medical Applications: A Green Perspective

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess unmatched chemical, biological, and physical properties that make them unique compounds as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer agents. With the increasing drug resistance, AgNPs serve as promising entities for targeted drug therapy against several bacterial, fungal, and viral components. In addition, AgNPs also serve as successful anticancer agents against several cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers. Several works in recent years have been done towards the development of AgNPs by using plant extracts like flowers, leaves, bark, root, stem, and whole plant parts. The green method of AgNP synthesis thus has several advantages over chemical and physical methods, especially the low cost of synthesis, no toxic byproducts, eco-friendly production pathways, can be easily regenerated, and the bio-reducing potential of plant derived nanoparticles. Furthermore, AgNPs are biocompatible and do not harm normally functioning human or host cells. This review provides an exhaustive overview and potential of green synthesized AgNPs that can be used as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer agents. After a brief introduction, we discussed the recent studies on the development of AgNPs from different plant extracts, including leaf parts, seeds, flowers, stems, bark, root, and whole plants. In the following section, we highlighted the different therapeutic actions of AgNPs against various bacteria, fungi, viruses, and cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers. We then highlighted the general mechanism of action of AgNPs. The advantages of the green synthesis method over chemical and physical methods were then discussed in the article. Finally, we concluded the review by providing future perspectives on this promising field in nanotechnology.

Green Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Silver Nanoparticles Using Bioflocculant: A Review

Nanotechnology has emerged as an effective means of removing contaminants from water. Traditional techniques for producing nanoparticles, such as physical methods (condensation and evaporation) and chemical methods (oxidation and reduction), have demonstrated high efficiency. However, these methods come with certain drawbacks, including the significant energy requirement and the use of costly and hazardous chemicals that may cause nanoparticles to adhere to surfaces. To address these limitations, researchers are actively developing alternative procedures that are cost-effective, environmentally safe, and user-friendly. One promising approach involves biological synthesis, which utilizes plants or microorganisms as reducing and capping agents. This review discusses various methods of nanoparticle synthesis, with a focus on biological synthesis using naturally occurring bioflocculants from microorganisms. Bioflocculants offer several advantages, including harmlessness, biodegradability, and minimal secondary pollution. Furthermore, the review covers the characterization of synthesized nanoparticles, their antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity. Additionally, it explores the utilization of these NPs in water purification and dye removal processes.

Synthesis of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystal/ZnO nanohybrids using Oxytenanthera abyssinica cellulose and zinc nitrate hexahydrate for radical scavenging, photocatalytic, and antibacterial activities

The extremely low antioxidant, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties of cellulose limit its application in the biomedical and environmental sectors. To improve these properties, nanohybrides were prepared by mixing carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CCNCs) and zinc nitrate hexahydrate. Data from FTIR, XRD, DLS, and SEM spectra showed that, ZnO nanoparticles, with a size ranging from 94 to 351 nm and the smallest nanoparticle size of 164.18 nm, were loaded onto CCNCs. CCNCs/ZnO1 nanohybrids demonstrated superior antibacterial, photocatalytic, and antioxidant performance. More considerable antibacterial activity was shown with a zone of inhibition ranging from 26.00 ± 1.00 to 40.33 ± 2.08 mm and from 31.66 ± 3.51 to 41.33 ± 1.15 mm against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Regarding photodegradation properties, the maximum value (∼91.52 %) of photocatalytic methylene blue degradation was observed after 75 min exposure to a UV lamp. At a concentration of 125.00 μm/ml of the CCNC/ZnO1 nanohybrids sample, 53.15 ± 1.03 % DPPH scavenging activity was obtained with an IC50 value of 117.66 μm/ml. A facile, cost-effective, one-step synthesis technique was applied to fabricate CCNCs/ZnO nanohybrids at mild temperature using Oxytenanthera abyssinica carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals as biotemplate. The result showed that CCNCs/ZnO nanohybrids possess potential applications in developing advanced functional materials for dye removal and antibacterial and antioxidant applications.

A comparative study on green synthesis and characterization of Mn doped ZnO nanocomposite for antibacterial and photocatalytic applications

Biological and green synthesis of nanomaterial is a superior choice over chemical and physical methods due to nanoscale attributes implanted in a green chemistry matrix, have sparked a lot of interest for their potential uses in a variety of sectors. This research investigates the growing relevance of nanocomposites manufactured using ecologically friendly, green technologies. The transition to green synthesis correlates with the worldwide drive for environmentally sound procedures, limiting the use of traditional harsh synthetic techniques. Herein, manganese was decorated on ZnO NPs via reducing agent of Withania-extract and confirmed by UV-spectrophotometry with highest peak at 1:2 ratio precursors, and having lower bandgap energy (3.3 eV). XRD showed the sharp peaks and confirms the formation of nanoparticles, having particle size in range of 11-14 nm. SEM confirmed amorphous tetragonal structure while EDX spectroscopy showed the presence of Zn and Mn in all composition. Green synthesized Mn-decorated ZnO-NPs screened against bacterial strains and exhibited excellent antimicrobial activities against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. To check further, applicability of synthesized Mn-decorated Zn nanocomposites, their photocatalytic activity against toxic water pollutants (methylene blue (MB) dye) were also investigated and results showed that 53.8% degradation of MB was done successfully. Furthermore, the installation of green chemistry in synthesizing nanocomposites by using plant extract matrix optimizes antibacterial characteristics, antioxidant and biodegradability, helping to build sustainable green Mn decorated ZnO nanomaterial. This work, explains how biologically friendly Mn-doped ZnO nanocomposites can help reduce the environmental impact of traditional packaging materials. Based on these findings, it was determined that nanocomposites derived from biological resources should be produced on a wide scale to eradicate environmental and water contaminants through degradation.

Synthesis and Characterization of Silica, Silver-Silica, and Zinc Oxide-Silica Nanoparticles for Evaluation of Blood Biochemistry, Oxidative Stress, and Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats

Evaluation of nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical applications has received a lot of attention for detailed study on pharmacokinetics prior to clinical application. In this study, pure C-SiO₂ (crystalline silica) NPs and SiO₂ nanocomposites with silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were prepared by utilizing different synthesis routes such as sol-gel and co-precipitation techniques. The prepared NPs showed highly crystalline nature as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis where average crystallite sizes of 35, 16, and 57 nm for C-SiO₂, Ag-SiO₂, and ZnO-SiO₂ NPs, respectively, were calculated. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups related to the chemicals and procedures used for sample preparation. Due to agglomeration of the prepared NPs, the scanning electron microscope images showed large particle sizes when compared to their crystalline sizes. The optical properties of the prepared NPs such as absorption were obtained with UV-Vis spectroscopy. For in vivo biological evaluation, albino rats, both male and female, kept in different groups were exposed to NPs with 500 μg/kg dose. Hematological, serum biochemistry, histo-architecture, oxidative stress biomarkers, and antioxidant parameters in liver tissues along with various biomarkers for the evaluation of erythrocytes were estimated. The results on hemato-biochemistry, histopathological ailments, and oxidative stress parameters exhibited 95% alteration in the liver and erythrocytes of C-SiO₂ NPs-treated rats while 75 and 60% alteration in the liver tissues of rats due to exposure to Ag-SiO₂ and ZnO-SiO₂ NPs, respectively, when compared with the albino rats of the control (untreated) group. Therefore, the current study showed that the prepared NPs had adverse effects on the liver and erythrocytes causing hepatotoxicity in the albino rats in respective order C-SiO₂ > Ag SiO₂ > ZnO-SiO₂. As the C-SiO₂ NPs appeared to be the most toxic, it has been concluded that coating SiO₂ on Ag and ZnO reduced their toxicological impact on albino rats. Consequently, it is suggested that Ag-SiO₂ and ZnO-SiO₂ NPs are more biocompatible than C-SiO₂ NPs.

Advances in Fluorescent Sensing Carbon Dots: An Account of Food Analysis

Illuminating the use of nanomaterials, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have transfigured the food safety arena because of their bright luminescence, optical properties, low toxicity, and enhanced biocompatibility. Therefore, fluorescent resonance energy transfer, photoinduced electron transfer, and an internal filtering effect mechanism allow precise detection of food additives, heavy metal ions, pathogenic bacteria, veterinary drug residues, and food nutrients. In this review, we describe the primal mechanism of CQD-based fluorescence sensors for food safety inspection. This is an abridged description of the nanodesign and future perspectives of more advanced CQD-based sensors for food safety analysis.

Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory Studies, and Identification of Bioactive Compounds Using GC-MS of Ethanolic Novel Polyherbal Extract

Hyperglycemia is the hallmark of diabetes, which is a collection of related metabolic disorders. Over time, diabetes can cause a variety of problems, including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Ethanolic novel polyherbal extract (PHE) was prepared by mixing equal amounts of the following ingredients: Terminalia chebula Retz. (TC), Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (TB), Berberis aristata DC. (BA), Nyctanthes arbostratis L. (NA), Premna integrifolia L. (PI), and Andrographis paniculata Nees. (AP). Analysis of PHE results revealed phytochemicals like glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phytosterols, and saponins. The aim of the study was to prepare an ethanolic extract of PHE using the cold maceration technique, and identify bioactive molecules from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, and evaluate biological responses by using in vitro studies like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. PHE was found to contain a total of 35 phytochemicals in GC-MS of which 22 bioactive compounds were obtained in good proportion. There are a few new ones, including 2-buten-1-ol, 2-ethyl-4-(2, 2, 3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl (17.22%), 1, 2, 5, 6-tetrahydrobenzonitrile (4.26%), 4-piperidinamine, 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-(0.07%), undecanoic acid, 5-chloro-, chloromethyl ester (0.41%), are identified. Antioxidant activity was estimated using EC₅₀ values of 392.143 µg/ml, which were comparable to the standard value of EC₅₀ 310.513 µg/ml obtained using DPPH. Antioxidant activity was estimated with EC₅₀ 392.143 µg/ml, comparable to standard EC₅₀ 310.513 µg/ml using DPPH. In vitro anti-inflammatory potential was found with IC₅₀ of 91.449 µg/ml, comparable to standard IC₅₀ 89.451 µg/ml for membrane stabilization and IC₅₀ of 36.940 µg/ml, comparable to standard IC₅₀ 35.723 µg/ml for protein denaturation assays. As a result, the findings of this study show an enrichment of bioactive phytochemicals that can be used to investigate biological activity. To better understand how diabetes receptors work, in silico studies like docking could be carried out.