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A low-cost, efficient, and ecofriendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using gums as reducing agent was performed. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of the prepared nanoparticles was tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The in vitro toxicity was evaluated by performing hemolytic analysis. The mutagenic activity was evaluated using Ames test. The prepared nanoparticles possessed high antibacterial potential and also inhibited the biofilm formation. Under the conditions of this study, it is concluded that the prepared AgNPs were nontoxic and nonmutagenic and possessed pharmaceutical applications.

Investigation on natural sources from plants, animals, and microorganisms that produce gums and mucilages goes on increasing day by day to check their pharmaceutical applications. Different mucilages have been studied for their pharmaceutical effects but the use of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) mucilage as a pharmaceutical excipient is still under the cover. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate and compare the flow property and binding ability of crude, purified, modified (hydrolyzed and grafted), green synthesized nanoparticles (Zinc oxide (ZnO), cuperic oxide (CuO), silver (Ag), and gold (Au)) of date palm mucilage with hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and commercially available paracetamol tablets. Previously purified mucilage (with 58.4% yield) was subjected to modification (i.e., acidic, basic, and enzymatic), grafting (polyacrylamide), and green synthesis of nanoparticles. Flow properties of powdered (granular) crude, purified, modified, and nanoparticles were studied and compared with flow properties of HPMC and paracetamol tablet granules. Tablets were made using granules of all types of date palm mucilage (discussed above), HPMC, and granules of paracetamol tablets to study and compare weight uniformity, hardness, friability, dissolution rate, and disintegration time. When 100 mg/kg of mucilage sample was given to mice no oral toxicity was found. The results obtained during this study were within the acceptable ranges given in pharmacopeias. The pseudoplastic flow behavior, hygroscopic nature, increased solubility, and swelling index across the increase in temperature, hardness of the tablets, friability, and drug release behavior were found better than HPMC and the binders used in commercially available paracetamol, hence making the date palm mucilage (crude, purified, and modified) an excellent excipient to be used in pharmaceutical dosage forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of present research work was to evaluate the Salvia macrosiphon Boiss. of Lamiaceae (mint family), using biochemical and biological assays. Plant's phytochemicals extraction was performed in methanol, butanol and water by mechanical shaking process. TPC and TFC were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric procedures, respectively. The highest TPC (99.61±3.45 mg GAE/g) and TFC (234.72±7.12mg CE/g) were obtained in butanol and methanol, respectively. Regarding the antioxidant potential methanol extract showed the highest DPPH° scavenging potential (78.0±2.0%) and reducing activity (0.923±0.020 absorbance). The antibacterial activity of butanol extract against P. aeruginosa were found highest (ZOI = 23±2.00 mm). Antifungal study of methanol extract showed the ZOI (11 ±0.67mm) against F. brachygibbosum. The results revealed that the methanol stem extract of S. macrosiphon bear significant medicinal value and could be used for formulating phytomedicines and food preservers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was investigated to explore the bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential and microbial biofilm inhibition of the pomegranate peel extract of two cultivars. Maximum antioxidant activity (49.07%) and total phenolic contents (132.72‐mg GAE/100 g) were obtained by the peel extract of Turosha Taki cultivar of pomegranate. The highest biofilm activity, that is, 40.5% (Spin Trush), 19.12% (Turosha Taki), 18.82% (Spin Trush), and 15.65% (Spin Trush), was shown against the following four bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Eleven compounds were found in n‐hexane peel extract, while major volatile/bioactive compounds identified through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) of Spin Trush and Turosha Taki was found to be amino propionic acid (48.12%) and Alanine (48.12%). Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) identified different organic compounds in pomegranate peel extract of Spin Trush and Turosha Taki with a wavelength of 616.16 and 3,317.08 cm−1. It was concluded that peel extract of both pomegranate varieties exhibited maximum antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and total phenolic contents. The results also showed that using GC–MS and IR spectroscopy was an extremely effective method for determining the presence or absence of a wide variety of phytochemicals and functional groups in both varieties. Hence, this study also helps the researchers and industry to recognize the importance of pomegranate peel extracts and their health benefits used as antacids and laxatives in the pharmaceutical industry. Practical applications: Bioactive compounds present in the pomegranate peel could be utilized in different food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the present research project, Phoenix dactylifera mucilage was explored to disclose its modification and capping potential for encapsulation of silver nano particles. Process of silver nano formulation was monitored by running the sample on UV/VIS spectrophotometry. Antioxidant, antimicrobial activity as well as cytotoxicity of crude and modified mucilage were analyzed. Synthesized spherical nanoparticles were sized up to 39 nm. UV/VIS spectrophotometric results revealed an intense peak at 427 nm along with other small peaks in region of 350-450 nm owing to the existence of poly disperse silver nanoparticles. Maximum phenolic contents were displayed by crude mucilage (230.37 ± 0.04 mg GAE/100g dw). Scavenging activity (44.18 ± 0.95%) and flavonoid contents (28.47 ± 0.07 mg QE/100g dw) were detected maximum in carboxymethylated mucilage. Nano formulated mucilage exhibited bactericidal activity maximum against Escherichia coli and minimum against Staphylococcus aureus and inhibition zone was calculated up to 35 and 17 mm respectively. Growth inhibition of Fusarium solani and Aspergillus niger by nano formulated mucilage was maximum (45.00 & 66.67%, respectively) of all the samples under investigations. The outcome exposed that such modified products might have potential applications in food as well as medicinal products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel series of 5-(3-Chlorophenyl)-2-((N-(substituted)-2-acetamoyl)sulfanyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives was efficiently synthesized and screened for antibacterial, hemolytic and thrombolytic activities. The molecule 7c remained the best inhibitor of all selected bacterial strains and furthermore possessed very low toxicity, 8.52±0.31. Compound 7a 7b and 7f showed very good thrombolytic activity relative to Streptokinase employed as reference drug. In addition to low toxicity and moderately good thrombolytic activity, the synthesized compounds possessed excellent to moderate antibacterial activity, relative to ciprofloxacin. All compounds especially 7b and 7f can be consider for further clinical studies and might be helpful in synthesis of new drugs for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus fumigatus has been selected to bioleach the metals ion from brown shale. Process parameters like pH (5.0, 5.5, 5.8, 6.0, and 6.5), substrate concentration (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%), pulp density (1, 5, 10, 15, and 20%), temperature (30, 35, 40, 45, 50oC) and agitation (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 rpm) were optimized according to L25 Taguchi orthogonal experimental array design that resulted in the twenty five batch bio recovery experiments. After biorecovery experiments, optimum value of pH, substrate, pulp density, temperature and agitation was detected 6.0, 5%, 10%, 45°C & 300 rpm respectively. Maximum boileached metals analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) were Al 85.00%, Mg 81.30%, Cu 68.10%, Mn 71.50%, and Ni 62.10% with an inoculum size of 3.10 ×106 spores/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]