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Plant-parasitic nematodes infect and cause substantial yield losses in numerous crops. Growing concern over chemical nematicides has attracted attention to safe alternatives. Meloidogyne incognita is one of the plant parasitic nematode species in the tropics and subtropics, which have a drastic economic effect on crops. This nematode is polyphagous, attacking both monocotyledons and dicotyledons crops. This study aimed to investigate the management of M. incognita using six botanical viz., Commelina benghalensis, Evolvulus nummularius, Gomphrena celosioides, Lindenbergia indica, Scoparia dulcis, and Vernonia cinerea under the pots condition. It was found that the pots treated with the amendment of fresh leaves (60 g) of selected botanicals with dried powder 10 g of L. indica efficiently reduced the infestation caused by M. incognita on carrots along with significantly increased growth and biochemical attributes. Out of the six botanicals, GC–MS analysis was performed with the two most effective plants, namely, L. indica and S. dulcis. Results from GC–MS analysis showed various volatile compounds in leaves extract of both plants, out of which phytol was a major compound. Our study concluded that various compounds, along with phytol shown by GC–MS analysis, suppress the infestation of M. incognita and increase the yield of carrots.

The stingless bee, Tetragonula sapiens, is one of the species producing propolis in Indonesia. To date, there is still limited information about the standard characteristics and biological activity of propolis. This study investigated the standardized extract of Indonesian propolis in terms of its potency for controlling diabetes and high blood pressure in vitro, in accordance with its standard parameters. Three types of extracts; i.e., ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP), spray-dry propolis without wax (SDPNW), and spray-dry propolis with wax (SDPW); were prepared from T. sapiens stingless bees collected in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The ethanolic extractable, loss on drying, ash, and water content parameters of EEP, SDPNW, and SDPW met the natural extract requirement. There is no significant value for their residual solvent levels (

Background and Aim: Instances of chikungunya reported throughout the world in the past two decades of the present century. There is a lack of effective medicine or vaccine for chikungunya treatment. Non-structural protein, the nsP2 cysteine protease (nsP2pro) is an attractive target for inhibitors. It is a key enzyme for proteolytic cleavage of polyprotein precursors and produces functional proteins for replication and multiplication of the virus. Bioactive metabolites from Nigella sativa L; a popular spice and well-known medicinal plant, were selected for the current study against nsP2pro to search for potent non-toxic natural inhibitors of nsP2pro. Experimental procedure: Out of 54 bioactive metabolites from N. sativa 27 qualified drug likeliness properties. Virtual screening of 27 selected molecules was performed using AutoDock Vina. Top four molecules Kaempferol, (-)-Epicatechin, (+)-Catechin, and Apigenin with the least binding energy were taken for molecular docking employing AUTODOCK4. These metabolites were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation and MMPBSA, and the resilience of protein–ligand complexes had been assessed in terms of RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, and hydrogen bonding. Results and Conclusions: Drug likeliness, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation properties, and MMPBSA analyses made clear that Kaempferol, (-)- Epicatechin, (+)- Catechin, and Apigenin all seem to be potential nsP2pro potent inhibitors and strong candidates for chikungunya virus drug development.

Poor organic matter and nitrogen (N) deficiency along with salinity in arid and semiarid region soils are major hurdles to optimization of cereal's yield. In different cereals, maize productivity is significantly decreased due to less availability of N in low organic matter soils. Scientists suggest the incorporation of organic fertilizers to overcome this issue. That’s why the current study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of chemically produced nitrate blended acidified carbon (NBC). There were 3 levels of NBC i.e., 0, 0.50 and 1.00% applied under naturally normal and saline soils having EC 2.75 and 6.19 dS/m respectively. Results showed that the addition of 1.00NBC was significantly better compared to 0NBC for improvement in maize growth attributes i.e., root (32.86 and 77.84%) and shoot (74.17 and 67.57%) length, shoot fresh (53.98 and 97.42%) and dry weight (53.20and 84.20%), root dry (45.97 and 53.66%) and fresh weight (45.62 and 25.14%) in normal and saline conditions respectively. A significant enhancement in chlorophyll a, b, total and carotenoids of maize leaves also validated the imperative role of 1.00NBC than 0NBC in saline and normal soil. Application of 1.00BC also significantly decreases leaves electrolyte leakage and Na concentration in root and leaves over 0NBC in saline soils. In conclusion, 1.00NBC is an effective amendment to improve maize growth in saline soil. More investigations are suggested on different cereal crops under variable agroclimatic zones to declare 1.00NBC as the most effective amendment for alleviation of salinity stress.

Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a foremost complications among diabetic patients worldwide with growing prevalence and mortality rates annually. Nearly, 25–40% of diabetic patients suffer from DN. Objective: The current research work was done to ascertain the therapeutic properties of ononin against the streptozotocin (STZ)-challenged DN in rats via alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Methodology: The DN was initiated to experimental rats via intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg of STZ. Then DN animals were supplemented orally with three various doses of ononin at 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg once a day for 60 days. After the completion, the glucose level and bodyweight of the animals were recorded. The renal function markers like creatinine, BUN, uric acid, and microalbumin (U-mAlb) was assessed using hematological analyzer. The contents of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and fibronectin was assessed using assay kits. The levels of ROS and antioxidant biomarkers were assessed using standard techniques and renal tissues were examined histologically. Results: The ononin treatment substantially improved the bodyweight and depleted the FBG level, BUN, creatinine, uric acid, and U-mAlb levels in the STZ-challenged DN animals. The levels of inflammatory and fibrosis factors i.e. IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and fibronectin was remarkably depleted by the ononin treatment. The ononin also decreased the ROS level and improved the GSH content, SOD and GPx activities in the STZ-challenged DN animals. The findings of histological study also confirmed the therapeutic roles of ononin against STZ-induced changes in renal tissues. Conclusion: Altogether, our results from this study evidences the beneficial roles of ononin treatment against the STZ-initiated DN in animals via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it could be the potential candidate in the future for the management of DN.

Zinc is one of the crucial micronutrients required for the sustenance of growth and metabolism in plants. Zinc deficiency results in growth inhibition and chlorosis in plants along with low production of carbohydrates, proteins, and chlorophyll. The utilization of zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) is an effective strategy to enhance growth in plants. The present investigation was carried out to determine the effect of green synthesized ZnNPs on the growth and yield of Pisum sativum L. Two pea varieties were raised in pots treated with various levels of ZnNPs. Zinc nanoparticles escalated the growth and yield of pea plants. Maximum growth and yield were obtained at 400 and 600 ppm as compared to control and zinc sulphated treated plants. In conclusion green synthesized zinc nanoparticles can enhance crop pea plant's growth and productivity. More investigations are suggested under variable agro-climatic zones for declaration of the best application rate between 400 and 600 ppm for different crops.

In contemporary times, the development of a cost-effective and sustainable platform for mitigating water pollutants is an ongoing challenge. Herein, Ananas comosus waste leaves mediated Au NPs have been synthesized after optimization of various reaction parameters and are found highly stable (for one year). The formation of Au NPs is confirmed by various characterization techniques i.e., UV–Visible spectrophotometer, FTIR, SAED, and HRTEM. UV–Vis spectrum displays the surface plasmon wavelength around 520 nm. HRTEM images show that the synthesized Au NPs are in narrow size distribution having size range between 20 and 30 nm with different shapes. Furthermore, they are employed as the effective catalyst, photocatalyst, and antimicrobial agents for the conversion reduction of 4-nitrophenol (20 min), methylene blue dye degradation (90 min), and Escherichia coli (inhibition zone 16 mm), and Bacillus subtilis (inhibition zone 13 mm) bacteria, respectively. Thus, this study offers a positive step in material research to prepare efficient photocatalyst, catalysts, and antimicrobial agents via a cost-effective and sustainable approach.

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is chronic inflammatory ailment that distinguished by diarrhea, stomach pain, reduced body weight, and hematochezia. UC affects nearly 400 per 100,000 peoples worldwide. In this exploration, we intended to fabricate the copper oxide nanoparticles from the T. kirilowii (TK-CuNPs) and inspect their curative potential against the Dextran sulfate disodium salt (DSS)-provoked colitis in animals. Methods: Formulated TK-CuNPs were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, and DLS techniques. UC was provoked in mice through administering of 2% DSS for 7-days and treated with the 10 mg/kg bodyweight of TK-CuNPs via intragastric intubation. Myeloperoxidase activity, colon weight, and length, and spleen weight were determined by standard methods. Pro-inflammatory mediators, i.e. IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were inspected by the assay kits. The expression of COX-2 and iNOS were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Histopathological changes in colon tissues were investigated microscopically by H&E staining. The cytotoxicity and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of TK-CuNPs were analyzed in RAW-264.7 cells. Results: The outcomes of various characterization studies demonstrated the formation of TK-CuNPs. The TK-CuNPs supplementation to the DSS induced colitis mice demonstrated the appreciable bodyweight gain and reduced the DAI scores. TK-CuNPs improved the colon length and spleen weight and suppressed the MPO activity. The status of pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α was appreciably suppressed by the TK-CuNPs treatment. The expressions of COX-2 and iNOS was also diminished by the TK-CuNPs. TK-CuNPs did not possessed toxicity to the RAW-264.7 cells and suppressed the inflammatory markers level in the RAW-264.7 cells. Discussion and Conclusion: The current findings revealed that fabricated TK-CuNPs can be a hopeful therapeutic agent to treat acute colitis.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the common cancers that have a direct impact on the numerous facets of life. GC still remains a life threatening with one million mortalities per year worldwide. Objective: In this work, we planned to formulate the Neodymium/Zinc oxide nanocomposites by using the Avaram Senna flower extract (AS-Nd/ZnONCs) and examine its anticancer potential against the GC AGS cells via inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Methodology: The developed AS-Nd/ZnONCs were characterized by various techniques like UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, FE-SEM, EDAX, FT-IR, and photoluminescence studies. Antibacterial assay was performed by well diffusion method. The anticancer potential of AS-Nd/ZnONCs were investigated against AGS cells by MTT, ROS and MMP measurement, and apoptotic cell death using respective fluorescence staining techniques. The cell adhesion and antioxidants status were detected by standard method. The mRNA expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling molecules was studied via RT-PCR technique. Results: The formulated AS-Nd/ZnONCs exhibited the hexagonal wurtzite structure with 33.56 nm size. The outcomes of antibacterial assay proved that the AS-Nd/ZnONCs has remarkable antibacterial activity. The MTT assay evidenced that the AS-Nd/ZnONCs dose-dependently suppressed the AGS cell viability. Fluorescence staining results demonstrated that the AS-Nd/ZnONCs provoked the apoptotic cell death in AGS cells. AS-Nd/ZnONCs treatment effectively inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade and triggered the apoptotic pathway in the AGS cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings confirmed that the formulated AS-Nd/ZnONCs could be a hopeful chemopreventive agent in the future to treat the GC.