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Background: Increasing prevalence of microbial resistance and side effects of currently available drugs compels the researchers to look for alternate therapies and formulations to overcome this problem. Plant based formulations have been proved to be most reliable agents in recent times. Objective: In the current study, bio fabricated herbal silver nanoparticles (HSNPs) were prepared by reducing silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution with ethyl acetate fractions (EAF) of Blumea lacera extracts. These bios conjugated HSNPs were then assessed for potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities along with in vitro antioxidant effect. Methods and results: The synthesis was confirmed by absorbance peak at 441 nm due to surface plasmon resonance in UV-visible spectrophotometer. FTIR spectra of HSNPs indicated the phytochemicals having C-O bond responsible for reducing of Ag+ to Ago. Average size of HSNPs was found to be 59.21 nm which was in good agreement with TEM and SEM results. EDS analysis showed the existence of Silver, Nitrogen and Carbon in HSNPs. The antibacterial activity of HSNPs in terms of zone of inhibition (ZOI) via disc diffusion assay and against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was found to be 25.0±1.19 mm and 18.3±2.08 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of HSNPs was found to be 50 µg/ml and 60 µg/ml against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of the HSNPs was insignificant as compared to EAF but the results of anti-inflammatory activity was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The overall result demonstrated better in-vitro pharmacological potential of HSNPs compared to neat extract/EAF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The species Marsilea quadrifolia L. belonging to the family Marsileaceae is a semi-aquatic plant widely distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of India. The whole plant of Marsilea quadrifolia L. is extensively used for its eminent medicinal properties. Objectives: Despite promising therapeutic benefits, the plant seems to be less explored, and consequently, the present investigation focuses on exploring pharmacognostical parameters, quality control standardization and antioxidant studies. Materials and Methods: The microscopical (transverse sections of leaves, petiole, stem, and root.) studies, leaf constants (stomatal number, vein islet number, etc.), and powder microscopic examination were performed. All physicochemical evaluations, like swelling index, foaming index, etc. were accomplished as per the World health organization (WHO) guidelines. TLC profiling and HPLC standardization of ethanolic extract was also performed. In vitro, antioxidant activities of ethanolic extract were carried out by various methods. Results: The transverse sections of all parts of the plant, leaf constants, and powder microscopy were reported with clear identification. Physicochemical parameters, i.e., foaming index (<100), Loss on drying (13.99 w/w), moisture content (13.75 w/w), total ash value (13.5 w/w) were done. Ethanolic extract was standardized with reference to quercetin and quantified HPLC data was calculated to be 2.1805±0.02089 mg/g. The antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract and its IC50 values are reported. Conclusion: We have reported complete pharmacognostical standardization of Marsilea quadrifolia L. as per WHO guidelines. We have reported the antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Marsilea quadrifolia L. along with quantitative estimation of quercetin using HPLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional medicines are the basis of plant derived natural products including extracts, fractions, essential oils and active chemicals. From past decade plant derived products become a primary choice for biological and pharmacological research and contribute for the development of various synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs worldwide. Assurance of the safety, quality and efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals has now become a crucial point throughout the world. The present review is focused about the 'omics' approaches towards the identification of any adulteration and maintenance of the quality of phytopharmaceuticals. DNA and RNA based genomics and metabolomics profiling of phytopharmaceuticals have been successfully used for the chemical analysis, characterization and quality control of herbal medicines because of their accuracy and reliability. In this regard, present review discusses the potential usage of various advanced biotechniques like DNA fingerprinting, Next Generation Sequencing, Epigenetic profiling, metabarcoding, chemometrics, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism analysis to authenticate the plant based medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel drug delivery system is a novel approach to drug delivery that addresses the limitations of the traditional drug delivery systems. Our country has a vast knowledge base of Ayurveda whose potential is only being realized in the recent years. However, the drug delivery system used for administering the herbal medicine to the patient is traditional and outof-date, resulting in reduced efficacy of the drug. If the novel drug delivery technology is applied in herbal medicine, it may help in increasing the efficacy and reducing the side effects of various herbal compounds and herbs. This is the basic idea behind incorporating novel method of drug delivery in herbal medicines. Thus it is important to integrate novel drug delivery system and Indian Ayurvedic medicines to combat more serious diseases. For a long time herbal medicines were not considered for development as novel formulations owing to lack of scientific justification and processing diffi culties, such as standardization, extraction and identifi cation of individual drug components in complex polyherbal systems. However, modern phytopharmaceutical research can solve the scientifi c needs (such as determination of pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, site of action, accurate dose equired etc.) of herbal medicines to be incorporated in novel drug delivery system, such as nanoparticles, microemulsions, matrix systems, solid dispersions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles and so on. This article summarizes various drug delivery technologies, which can be used for herbal actives together with some examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]