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Currently, Nano-materials have been explored for their abundant biomedical applications. In the present study the green synthesized (SC-AgNPs) by root extract of Smilax Chenensis have been characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy revealed SPR peak at 432 nm and FT-IR data reveals that the bioactive components of root extract have been actively involved in the reduction and stabilization of SC-AgNPs. TEM and AFM results revealed that SC-AgNPs were roughly spherical in shape. Further, the particle size of SC-AgNPs was also carried out by Dynamic Light Scattering method by aqueous colloidal solution and the results reveals that the SC-AgNPs are poly-dispersed in nature with an average size 45.6 nm with a Z average of 39.5 nm. The stability of colloidal SC-AgNPs was further confirmed by negative zeta potential value of − 21.0 mV. The SC-AgNPs showed good antibacterial activity against both gram –ve and gram + ve bacteria, whereas, SC-AgNPs coupled with antibiotic reveals excellent and enhanced antibacterial activity. The gram –ve E.coli and gram + ve S.aureus revealed highest zone of inhibition when compared to other two bacterial species. So, SC-AgNPs coupled with antibiotics can be excellent alternative to treat antibiotic resistant bacteria. The SC-AgNPs also reveals excellent antioxidant activity among them DPPH method revealed superior activity with an IC50 value76.22. The SC-AgNPs also reveals superior anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 with IC50 value of 33.98 µg/mL and photo-catalytic activity the optical density of reduced from 1.861 to 0.135 OD within 30 min. The green SC-AgNPs detected to have multiple therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citronella grass ( Cymbopogon nardus) is a perennial herb. Many researchers have studied the exploitation of the active compounds in this plant for medicinal purposes, but there have been no studies on its phytotoxic compounds. Therefore, we investigated the phytotoxic active compounds in the roots of C. nardus. A significant inhibition was observed on the germination of cress ( Lepidium sativum L.), lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.), barnyard grass ( Echinochloa crus- galli L.), and Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) by the aqueous methanol extract of C. nardus roots. The extract decreased the total germination percentage (GP) and germination index (GI, progressive total of daily cumulative germination), and extended the time required for 50% germination ( T ) of all test species. A phytotoxic compound of the extract was isolated and identified as N-octanoyl tyramine by spectral analysis. This compound showed the inhibition on the germination of cress and barnyard grass. The decline in GP, GI, and T was observed at concentrations of 30-2000 μM of N-octanoyl tyramine. The compound also showed the significant inhibition on the growth of cress and barnyard grass seedlings at concentrations greater than 100 and 300 μM, respectively. This study suggests that C. nardus could produce phytotoxic compounds, and N-octanoyl tyramine may be responsible for its phytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jatropha gossypifolia root bark is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various diseases and infections. We have studied the phytochemistry and evaluated the anticancer activity of J. gossypifolia root extract. Phytochemical investigation of the root of J. gossypifolia resulted in the isolation and characterization of one new diterpenoid along with four well-known compounds. The new compound was established by 1D and 2D NMR spectra and x-ray analysis, while spectral (H, C NMR, and ESI-MS) characteristics of the known compounds were compared with reported data. The new compound showed potent proliferation inhibitory activity against A-549 human cancer cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracts from mycorrhizal roots, non-mycorrhizal roots obtained from mycorrhizal root systems, and non-inoculated maize roots were fractionated by gel chromatography and their effects on the hyphal growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices were studied under aseptic conditions. Low-molecular (MW lower than 3000) extracts obtained from mycorrhizal roots contained the fraction that most rapidly suppresses the hyphae growth. This was not observed for the fastest fraction obtained from non-mycorrhizal roots. The increased content of some inorganic ions, mainly potassium, was recorded in the fastest fraction of the mycorrhizal root extracts. At the same time, higher contents of two unidentified major organic compounds were revealed in this fraction of the mycorrhizal root extract compared to the non-mycorrhizal one. Some of these compounds, which are locally accumulated in the mycorrhizal parts of the root, are probably responsible for the effect observed. Potassium alone, even at a high concentration, cannot be responsible for the supression observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]