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As industrial effluents consisting of toxic organic dye molecules cause severe harms to humans and damages to the environment, the detoxification of industrial waste water becomes one of the priority areas to be considered by countries all over the world. In this context, the present study is focused on the synthesis of an eco-friendly nanocomposite SnO 2 :Mo/rGO to photo-catalytically detoxify dye effluents. The detoxifying efficiency of this photocatalytic nanocomposite prepared using the flower extract of Cassia fistula was examined by decomposing methylene blue (cationic-MB) and rose bengal (anionic-RB) dyes. The nanocomposite is found to be superior compared to its constituents (SnO 2 :Mo and rGO) for both MB (99 %) and RB (98 %) dyes. After treatment, the water was examined for its non-toxicity by supplying it for seed germination process using Cowpea seeds (Vigna unguiculata). The seed germination results clearly reveal that near complete detoxification of dye solution is achieved, when SnO 2 :Mo/rGO nanocomposite is used as photocatalyst. Thus, the SnO 2 :Mo/rGO nanocomposite synthesized using Cassia fistula flower extract can be considered as a potential photocatalyst for commercial dye detoxification processes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to determine the chemical profiling, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of Moringa concanensis pod husk (MCPH) by in vitro and in silico methods. Phytochemical analysis displayed significant ratios of secondary metabolites in all the extracts MPCH. Major compounds recorded during chemical profiling are 2,5-dimethylfuran-3,4(2H,5H)-dione (19.2%), oleic acid (13.4%) and campesterol (9%), pyranone (5.7%), monomethyl succinate (5.7%), and 1,2-cyclopentanedione (5.4%). In vitro pharmacological studies revealed that methanolic extract of MCPH had a significant effect on α-amylase (IC 50 of 78.98 ± 0.58 μg/mL), α-glucosidase (IC 50 of 40.80 ± 0.53 μg/mL) enzyme inhibition assays and antioxidant (IC 50 of 54.60 ± 0.5 μg/mL for NO) activity. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against various bacterial strains and the ethyl acetate (MIC of 59.30 μg/mL), methanol (MIC of 14.84 μg/mL) and aqueous (MIC of 118.70 μg/mL) extracts of MCPH possessed potent inhibition effect against all the tested bacteria. Molecular docking investigation revealed that α-tocopherol acetate, palmitone, α-tocopherol, oleamide, β-sitosterol, and heptagonal had maximum binding affinity and docking score for all enzyme targets studied. Simulation studies indicate that α-tocopherol acetate could potentially be used as an activator to manage the enzymatic activity of α-amylase. The results showed that Moringa concanensis pod husk extracts are potential biological source of myriad phytoconstituents with pharmacological properties that can be further regulated for the discovery of novel drugs for the mankind. [Display omitted] • Palmitic acid, β-sitosterol, oleic acid, and campesterol are major constituents of M. concanensis pod husk. • Methanolic extract exhibits notable therapeutic effects, showing a positive correlation with identified phytochemicals • Maximum binding affinity with α-tocopherol acetate, α-tocopherol, β-sitosterol, oleamide and palmitone was recorded • α-tocopherol acetate has better stability, flexibility with proteins responsible for diabetes in simulation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposite of TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 enriched with enzyme prepared from bio-wastes (fruit and vegetable peels) was synthesized for the photocatalytic decomposition of toxic dye solution and the toxicity, if any, of the resultant water obtained after treatment was tested by exposing freshwater Catla catla fish to the treated water. The result was compared with the toxicity of the untreated test dye solution. The bio-enzyme powered TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite exhibits enhanced degradation efficiency of 99% for methylene blue (MB) and 95% for methyl orange (MO) in 45 min, whereas the bare TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 exhibits efficiencies of only 92% for MB and 90% for MO. The quantitative study showed that enzymes present in the system viz., protease, peroxidase, cellulase, amylase and lipase act as supporting catalyst and thereby improve the photocatalytic ability of the synthesized nanocomposite for effective dye degradation. The results showed the combined effects of composite partners and the bio-cocatalyst. Characterization of the prepared samples was performed using XRD, FTIR, SEM, RAMAN, UV, EDS and XPS and the results are correlated with the application concerned. The histology study was performed through paraffin wax method to evaluate the toxic effects of the industrial dyes on Catla catla fish by exposing the fish to different aquarium systems (Dye, Control and Treated water). [Display omitted] • Efficient bio-enzyme coupling with semiconductor photocatalyst. • Photocatalytically detoxified dyes tested by exposing fish. • Histology study on fish for detoxification test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To identify the knowledgeable Paliyar and Muthuvar traditional healers in Theni District of Tamil Nadu, Southern India and to explore their indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge. Methods: With the help of standardized questionnaires, 12 informants were interviewed on the medicinal use of the local flora in various tribal villages of Theni District, Tamil Nadu during August 2008 to July 2009. Results: A total of 86 plant species belonging to 75 genera and 45 families were reported with ethnomedicinal uses. In terms of the number of medicinal plant species, Acanthaceae (6 genera and 7 species, 8% of total collected plants) and Cucurbitaceae (5 species) are dominant families. Among the different plant parts used for the preparation of medicine, the leaves were most frequently used for the treatment of diseases. Conclusions: The use of plants among the Paliyars and Muthuvars reflects their interest in ethnomedicine and further investigation on these species may lead to the discovery of novel bioactive molecules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]