Phytochemical composition, toxicological profiling and effect on pup birth weight of Corchorus olitorius leaf extract in rats: Implications for fetal macrosomia control

Recent advances and challenges of the green ZnO-based composites biosynthesized using plant extracts for water treatment

Recently, there has been a notable rise in the prevalence of persistent pollutants in the environment, posing a significant hazard due to their toxicity and enduring nature. Conventional wastewater treatment methods employed in treatment plants rarely address these persistent pollutants adequately. Meanwhile, the concept of green synthesis has garnered considerable attention, owing to its environmentally friendly approach that utilizes fewer toxic chemicals and solvents. The utilization of materials derived from sustainable sources presents a promising avenue for solving pressing environmental concerns. Among the various sources of biological agents, plants stand out for their accessibility, eco-friendliness, and rich reserves of phytochemicals suitable for material synthesis. The plant extract-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) has emerged as a promising solution for applications in wastewater treatment. Thorough investigations into the factors influencing the properties of these green ZnONPs are essential to establish a detailed and reliable synthesis process. Major weaknesses inherent in ZnONPs can be addressed by changing the optical, magnetic, and interface properties through doping with various semiconductor materials. Consequently, research efforts to mitigate water pollution are being driven by both the future prospects and limitations of ZnO-based composites. This review underscores the recent advancements of plant extract-mediated ZnONP composites for water treatment.

Phytochemical profiling, toxicity studies, wound healing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Musa paradisiaca L. Musaceae (Plantain) stem extract in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The stem of Musa paradisiaca (plantain) has found application in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation, ulcers and wound injuries.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigated the phytochemical composition, toxicity profile, wound healing, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of aqueous Musa paradisiaca stem extract (AMPSE) in rats.

METHODS

Phytochemical analysis of methanol-MPSE was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Acute toxicity testing was carried out through oral administration of a single dose of AMPSE up to 5 g/kg. Four separate groups of rats were used for the subacute toxicity testing (n = 6). Group 1 served as a normal control and did not receive AMPSE, groups 2-4 received AMPSE daily by gavage for 28 days. In the experiments with excision and incision wounds, the rats were treated with 10 w/w AMPS extract. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of AMPSE were assessed using egg albumin-induced paw oedema and acetic acid-induced writhing methods, respectively. For the subacute, anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies, AMPSE was administered to the experimental rats at doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg body weight.

RESULTS

Bioactive compounds identified include β-sitisterol, n-hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, diethyl sulfate, p-hydroxynorephedrine, phenylephrine, nor-pseudoephedrine, metaraminol, pseudoephedrine and vanillic acid. No signs of toxicity and no deaths were observed in all the groups. For the groups treated with AMPSE for 28 days, a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, sodium, chloride, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed while high density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutathione and superoxide dismutase increased compared to control (p < 0.05). In wound healing experiments, AMPSE showed greater percent wound contraction and wound resistance fracture compared to the povidone-iodine (PI) treated and control groups. Treatment with 900 mg/kg AMPSE resulted in significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that AMPSE is not toxic but contains biologically active compounds with hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering and wound-healing effects. Treatment of rats with AMPSE has shown that AMPSE has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hepatoprotective, lipid-lowering and wound-healing effects, supporting its therapeutic use in ethnomedicine.