Search

The use of natural products isolated from mushrooms against infection, cancer diseases and other oxidative-stress-related diseases is one of the cornerstones of modern medicine. Therefore, we tried to establish a combination of medicinal mushrooms and nanotechnology possibly with the field of medicine for the development of antibacterial agents against these MDR strains. The aim of the research was to understand the molecular identification, characterization and antibacterial action of Calvatia gigantea and Mycena leaiana. The identification of fruiting body species via morpho-anatomical and molecular methods was necessary to analyze the genetic variability and phylogenetic relationships of mushrooms. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Calvatia from Hunza, Pakistan, exhibited 98% resemblance to the previously discovered Langermannia gigantean (DQ112623) and L. gigantean (LN714562) from northern Europe, and Mycena (Pakistan) showed a 97% similarity to M. leaiana (MF686520) and M. leaiana (MW448623) from the USA. UV-vis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for AgNPs' characterization. The UV-vis absorption peak of 500–600 nm indicates the AgNPs' presence. XRD results determined Calvatia gigantea AgNPs were nanocrystals and Mycena leaiana seems to be amorphous. In addition, SEM results showed the cubic morphology of C. gigantea with a diameter of 65 nm, and the FTIR spectra of fruiting body revealed the presence of functional groups—carboxyl, nitro, and hydroxyl—in AgNPs, which catalyzed the reduction of Ag+ to Ag0. Further antibacterial activity of mushrooms against MDR strains was determined via agar well diffusion assay, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was estimated by qualitative experimentation using the broth dilution method. All experiments were conducted in triplicate. The results showed that the mushroom AgNPs, along with their synergy and nano-composites (with the exception of Ethyl-acetate), were shown to have zones of inhibition from 4 mm to 29 mm against multidrug-resistant pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli. The mushroom composites were active against most of the tested microorganisms whilst the lowest MIC value (10–40 mg/mL) was recorded against MDR strains. Hence, the present study suggested the possibility of employing compounds present in mushrooms for the development of new antibacterial agents, as well as efflux pump inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important cash crop in Pakistan, largely cultivated for its oil. However, its production is severely affected by a soil-borne fungal pathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina causing charcoal rot. The present study investigates the effectiveness of Trichoderma species, known antagonists to soil-borne pathogens for managing charcoal rot. The research also extends to the use of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Trichoderma viride for disease control. Isolates of both pathogen and antagonist from the Fungal Culture Bank of Pakistan were brought and cultured on PDA media, and their in vitro interactions with M. phaseolina were observed. Additionally, the in vivo efficacy of these species was tested on sunflower plants. Results showed that three Trichoderma spp. (T. asperellum, T. harzianum and T. viride) significantly reduced the prevalence of M. phaseolina and boosted plant growth. Moreover, AgNPs synthesized from T. viride were effective in halting the progression of charcoal rot, showing an increase in biochemical markers like Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, Phenol, and Flavonoids. This study demonstrates the potential of Trichoderma spp. and AgNPs in the sustainable management of charcoal rot in sunflower, thus contributing to improved crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scutellaria multicaulis is a medicinal plant indigenous to Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It has been widely used as a prominent herb in traditional medicine for thousands of years. This plant is reported to contain baicalein, wogonin, and chrysin flavonoids, which are a significant group of chemical ingredients which can cure different diseases, such as breast cancer. S. multicaulis leaf extract was used for the bioreduction of silver nanoparticles (SmL-Ag-NPs), and their phytochemical contents and antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-proliferative, and apoptotic activity were evaluated. Optimal physicochemical properties of SmL-Ag-NPs were obtained by mixing 5% of leaf extract and 2 mM of aqueous AgNO3 solution and confirmed by characterization studies including UV–visible spectrophotometry, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), zeta potential, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), X-ray crystallography (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. SmL-Ag-NPs exhibited a higher content of total phenol and total flavonoid and potential antioxidant activity. SmL-Ag-NPs also demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MDA-MB231 cell multiplication with an IC50 value of 37.62 μg/mL through inducing cell apoptosis. Results show that SmL-Ag-NPs is effective at inhibiting the proliferation of MDA-MB231 cells compared to tamoxifen. This demonstrates that SmL-Ag-NPs could be a bio-friendly and safe strategy to develop new cancer therapies with a reduction in the adverse effects of chemotherapy in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, green nanotechnology has received much importance in different fields. It is concerned with the production of small‐size nanoparticles (NPs). It is less toxic to human health and also environmentally benign. Heliotropium eichwaldi (HE) is an herbaceous weed and is widely distributed in Pakistan. The herb is used traditionally for earache, headache, cleaning, and healing ulcers. The aim of this study is to develop an easy and justifiable method for the synthesis of HE‐AgNPs using HE extract and then to investigate the effects of HE‐AgNPs as a free radical scavenger, an inhibitor of the two enzymes, that is, alpha‐amylase (α‐amylase) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). UV–Vis spectrum at 416 nm confirmed the AgNPs formation, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the irregular‐shaped HE‐AgNPs, the average size of 19.79 nm was calculated using four major peaks (38.41°, 44.48°, 64.56°, and 77.47°) of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed the peaks for the functional groups, and electron diffraction X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed that silver was the main element (30.68%). The HE‐AgNPs showed an excellent %scavenging of ferric chloride (73 ± 0.098), ammonium molybdenum (72 ± 0.0021), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (64 ± 0.055), H2O2 (63.6 ± 0.001), and 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (67.36 ± 0.0014). Hydroxyl radical (67 ± 0.005) showed low IC50 values of 99.93 ± 0.017, 84.58 ± 0.017, 90.14 ± 0.059, 116.02 ± 0.034, 113.02 ± 0.035, and 134.4 ± 0.042 μg as compared with HE extract. Similarly, a maximum inhibition of 67 ± 0.21% (HE extract), 71.4 ± 0.0021% (HE‐AgNPs), and 85 ± 0.11% (glucophage) was reported against α‐amylase with IC50 values of 68 ± 0.27 μg ml−1 for HE extract, 34.43 ± 0.21 μg ml−1 for HE‐AgNPs, and 27.43 ± 0.13 μg ml−1 for glucophage. Statistical analysis showed that HE inhibits α‐amylase in a competitive mode, and HE‐AgNPs in a mixed mode. Similarly, in the case of AChE, the HE plant and HE‐AgNPs exhibited 57 ± 0.21% and 64 ± 0.0021% inhibition with IC50 values of 20 ± 0.014 and 16.81 ± 0.011 μg, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that the HE plant and HE‐AgNPs caused a non‐competitive type of AChE. Our work suggests the successful generation of HE‐AgNPs, subsequently as significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti‐Alzheimer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to carbapenems is a global threat, especially in developing countries with limited health resources. Prevalence, antibiogram, PCR detection of antibiotic resistance genes, and potency of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa were studied. Kirby-Bauer disc method and PCR were used to study antibiogram and drug resistance genes respectively in 255 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from a tertiary care hospital. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) precursor salts were reacted with Aspergillus flavus culture filtrate to trigger the extracellular mycosynthesis of AgNPs. Mycosynthesis was first monitored regularly by visible ultraviolet spectroscopy that recorded AgNP peaks of approximately 400–470 nm. Confirmation by Transmission electron micrographs provided confirmation of AgNPs formed within a range of 5–30 nm. Individual and combined antibacterial activity of ten antibiotics and AgNPs was analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated for phenotypic and genotypic multidrug resistance. Data were evaluated using SPSS version 20. p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 61.5% were carbapenemase producers (p < 0.01). The recorded frequency of blaIMP-1, blaSHV, blaVIM, blaOXA, and blaTEM were 13%, 32%, 15%, 21%, and 43%, respectively. The reducing order of antimicrobial activity of antibiotics and AgNPs was piperacillin/tazobactam + AgNPs (31 mm), cefoxitin + AgNPs (30 mm) > amikacin + AgNPs (25 mm) > aztreonam + AgNPs (23 mm) > meropenem + AgNPs (22 mm) > imipenem + AgNPs (20 mm) > gentamycin + AgNPs (17 mm) > ciprofloxacin + AgNPs (16 mm) > cefoperazone/sulbactam + AgNPs (14 mm) ≥ ceftazidime + AgNPs (14 mm). The conjugated effect of AgNPs plus antibiotics showed a 0.15–3.51 (average of 2.09) fold-area augmentation of antimicrobial activity. AgNPs conjugated with antibiotics effectively inhibited MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To the best of our understanding, this is an inaugural report from Punjab Pakistan enlisting co-expression of Metallo-β-lactamases, extended-spectrum β-lactamases, and AmpC-β-lactamase plus activity of antibiotic-AgNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sidr honey is used as food and medicine in many countries. Study of immunomodulatory and anticancer activity of Sidr honey did not tested before. The aim of this work was to study the anticancer activity and immunomodulatory as well as antimicrobial potential of Sidr honey and its synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Sidr honey from three sources (two from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and one from Pakistan) was diluted to 20% and tested for its biological activities and to synthesize AgNPs. The results demonstrated that honeys could produce AgNPs (spherical shape), modulated the growth of normal splenic cells, and have antimicrobial activities. Sidr honey has anticancer activity against HepG2 but not Hela cells. Sidr honey can be used as antimicrobial agent, but can be used as anticancer agent with care as it stimulated cell growth of some lines (e.g., Hala) and inhibited another (e.g., HepG2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Green synthesis of AgNPs from roots of important medicinal plants of Pakistan. • Well defined morphology, uniform, spherical size distribution of synthesized AgNP. • Dose dependent relationship of AgNPs and inhibition of pathogenic bacterial strains. • AgNPs with root extracts synergistically improved the antibacterial potential. • The synthesized AgNPs could be used in pharmaceutical and homeopathic industry. In the past few years, biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been standout amongst the most utilized nanoparticles both in the field of therapeutics and clinical practices. Therefore, the current study aimed to synthesize AgNPs for the first time using aqueous root extracts of important plants of Pakistan i.e. Bergenia ciliata, Bergenia stracheyi, Rumex dantatus and Rumex hastatus and characterize them. In addition, antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs at 30–150 μg/well was assessed using well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus , Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains that are considered most harmful bacteria for human beings. The characterization of synthesized AgNPs showed the absorption maxima ranged from 434 to 451 nm and XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of AgNPs as well as FTIR elucidated the involvement of biomolecules for reduction and capping of AgNPs. SEM determined the average size of AgNPs ranging from 25 to 73 nm and strong signals of silver were captured in EDX images. The result of antibacterial activity showed that only aqueous root extracts of all selected plants were inactive against all the tested bacterial strains. However, importantly, direct relationship between zone of inhibition of S. aureus, S. typhi and P. aeruginosa was found with increasing concentration of AgNPs of each selected plant. Moreover, S. haemolyticus was only inhibited by R. hastatus based AgNPs at only high concentrations and E. coli was inhibited by R. dantatus and R. hastatus based AgNPs. However, B. cereus was not inhibited by any AgNPs except R. hastatus and R. hastatus based AgNPs have greater antibacterial potential among all the synthesized AgNPs. These results suggest that synthesized AgNPs have improved antibacterial potential of root extracts of each selected plant and these synthesized AgNPs could be used in pharmaceutical and homeopathic industry for the cure of human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is the most valuable fruit industry in the world as well as in Pakistan, due to its different nutritional aspects. But this fruit industry is facing huge losses due to various biotic and abiotic diseases. Citrus gummosis caused by water loving fungus Phytophthora species is also one of the major diseases of citrus around the globe. This study was conducted to evaluate five different chemicals (Kasumin, Evito, Cabrio top, Topsin M, Kocide @ 100, 200 and 300 ppm concentrations) and three treatments of plant based nanoparticles (Silver, Copper and their combination @ 0.25, 0.5 and 1% concentrations) against Phytophthora spp. under lab conditions through poisoned food technique. Among fungicides, the least mycelial growth was observed by application of Evito at 300 ppm concentration followed Kasumin and Kocide at same concentration, whereas among nanoparticles combination of Silver and Copper nanoparticles was found most effective against the mycelial growth followed by solo application of silver and copper at 1 % concentration respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of nanotechnology is crucial for a sustainable increase in food production to cope with the increasing food demand of the burgeoning population. Wheat production has to increase significantly for food security in Pakistan with the help of nanotechnology. In biological systems, utilization of nanoparticles has been increased due to their growth-promoting effects on germination, photosynthetic attributes, nutrient use efficiency and metabolic activities. An experiment was conducted with the objective to establish a relationship between growth parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity in response to silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs). Application of Ag (20 mg/L) and Au NPs (10 mg/L) significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase. Consequently, growth parameters: fresh and dry biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll (a, b) and total chlorophyll contents, also increased significantly. These results suggest that application of Ag and Au NPs has the potential to promote wheat growth through enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]