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Green synthesis leverages biological resources such as plant extracts to produce cost-effectively and environmentally friendly NPs. In our study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are biosynthesized using blank roasted grams (Cicer arietinum) as reducing agents. CA-AgNPs were characterized by a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 224 nm in the UV–Vis spectrum. FTIR analysis revealed functional groups with O–H stretching at 3410 cm−1, C–H stretching at 2922 cm−1, and C=O stretching at 1635 cm−1. XRD patterns exhibited sharp peaks at 33.2°, 38.4°, 55.7°, and 66.6°, confirming high crystallinity. Morphological analysis through FESEM indicated spherical CA-AgNPs averaging 500 nm in size, with EDS revealing Ag at 97.51% by weight. Antimicrobial assays showed zones of inhibition of 14 mm against Candida albicans, 18 mm against Escherichia coli., and 12 mm against Propionibacterium acnes. The total phenolic content of CA-AgNPs was 26.17 ± 13.54 mg GAE/g, significantly higher than the 11.85 ± 9.57 mg GAE/g in CA extract. The ABTS assay confirmed the antioxidant potential with a lower IC50 value of 1.73 ± 0.41 µg/mL, indicating enhanced radical scavenging activity. Anti-melanogenesis was validated through tyrosinase, showing inhibition rates of 97.97% at the highest concentrations. The anti-inflammatory was evaluated by western blot, which showed decreased expression of iNOS and COX-2. This study demonstrates the green synthesis of CA-AgNPs and its potential biomedical applications. The results of this study demonstrate that biosynthesized CA-AgNPs have key biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Africa, plants belonging to the Restionaceae family possess an ecological dominance. As a result, they have been the subject of numerous morphological, anatomical, and evolutionary studies. However, few studies have focused on their phytochemical profile and their potential pharmacological activities. The genus Elegia L. is the second largest of this family comprising 52 species, which are mainly used as materials for thatching. Limited studies on the chemical constituents of Elegia species and their importance as medicinal plants have been undertaken. This review provides constructive and extensive information about the botanical characterization, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Elegia. A comprehensive search of previously published literature was performed for studies on this genus, using databases with different key search words. This survey documented 52 Elegia species summarizing their previous taxonomic classification. In addition, 14 species were found to be studied for their phytochemical profile, revealing 14 chemical compounds. Concerning their biological activities, only one species (E. tectorum (L.f.) Moline and H.P.Linder) is reported for its anti-wrinkle activity. Moreover, two species are locally used for thatching and as materials for brooms. The present review highlights the Elegia genus as an important source of bioactive phytochemicals with flavonol glycosides being the main metabolites and reveals the uncharted territory of this genus for new research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the anti-senescence effect of 3-bromo-4,5- dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Methods: HDF were subjected to treatment of BDB and then treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce premature senescence. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity in HDF was determined using the SA-β-gal staining method. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using the 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay. Western blotting assay was performed to assess the level of antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1). In addition, intracellular collagen and collagenase contents were analyzed using the respective ELISA kits. Elastase activity in HDF supernatants was measured from p-nitroaniline release and normalized using total protein content. Results: Treatment of HDF with H2O2 increased the activity of SAP-gal, but BDB pre-treatment resulted in the reduction of SA-β- gal activity. Moreover, BDB significantly reduced H2O2-induced intracellular ROS production. BDB also markedly increased the level of GPX1, which was inhibited by 400 µM of H2O2. Furthermore, in in vitro study, BDB significantly increased intracellular collagen content and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-1 and elastase activities in HDF. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that BDB shows anti- senescence and anti-wrinkle activities in vitro.

Ferulic acid isolated from Tetragonia tetragonioides was tested for its whitening effect on the B16F10 mouse melanoma cell line and its anti-wrinkle activity on the CCD-986sk human dermal fibroblast cell line. Ferulic acid, one of the primary phenolic compounds that can be isolated from T. tetragonioides, has been reported to show potential as a functional food, for its whitening effect and anti-wrinkle activity. To measure its whitening and anti-wrinkle activities, cells were treated with ferulic acid isolated from T. tetragonioides at concentrations between 5 and 20 μM. Ferulic acid showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 20 μM. Ferulic acid inhibited melanin synthesis, tyrosinase expression, and microphthalmia transcription factor expression in B16F10 cells stimulated with α-melanocyte stimulating hormone. Ferulic acid induced procollagen synthesis, hyaluronic acid synthesis, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase synthesis, and inhibited matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-9 expression in CCD-986sk cells stimulated with UV-B. On the basis of these results, we conclude that ferulic acid isolated from T. tetragonioides shows potential for use as a functional food, with whitening and anti-wrinkle activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]