Rajesh Singh Tomar

The postprandial hyperglycemia that occurs in diabetes mellitus could be prevented or managed by the inhibition of the activity of pancreatic α-amylase. This study was carried out to comparatively check the inhibition potential of Carica papaya leaf extract and its biosynthesised gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In this study, Carica papaya leaves were collected, and an extract was prepared; then, phytochemical screening of Carica papaya leaves was carried out. Further, this extract was used for the synthesis of AuNPs. Synthesised nanoparticles were characterised by FTIR, SEM, EDAX, and DLS for the analysis of surface functional groups, the size, elemental composition, zeta potential, and zeta size, respectively. Further standard methods for enzyme inhibition assay were approached to evaluate the anti-α- amylase activity of Carica papaya leaves and AuNPs. Carica papaya leaf (10-50mg/mL) and AuNPs (0.0625-1mg/mL) showed inhibition against the pancreatic α-amylase. The highest inhibition at 50mg/mL concentration of leaf extract exhibited 73% inhibition, and AuNPs exhibited 37.8% at 1mg/mL. The characterisation of AuNPs confirmed the functional groups, particle size, and elemental composition. These findings indicate that the crude leaf extract exhibited greater inhibition against pancreatic α- amylase than the biosynthesised gold nanoparticles. However, the study is limited to enzyme-based assays, and further biological validation is required to establish physiological relevance. Major Findings: The leaf extract exhibited higher inhibition compared to AuNPs. Although AuNPs showed activity at lower concentrations, they did not achieve 50% inhibition within the tested range. These findings indicate that the crude extract demonstrated greater inhibitory effectiveness under in vitro conditions.

The rapid hike in the usage of metallic as well as non-metallic nanoparticles demands their increased synthesis. In our study we synthesized bimetallic Zn-Cu nanoparticles using the greener route i.e. dry leaves powder of Citrus limon as it is environment-friendly, cost-effective, has a high surface area to volume ratio and hence superior over monometallic nanoparticles synthesized via physical or chemical approach. UTI is the most common nosocomial infection and the bacteria associated with it usually is E. coli. This pathogen forms biofilm and makes it difficult to treat the disease in less time. Hence, antimicrobial as well as antibiofilm activity of synthesized bimetallic nanoparticles was checked against E. coli. Our experimental procedure involved the preparation of ethanolic plant extract using dry leaf powder followed by synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles. Particles were then characterized by using biophysical techniques such as FTIR, Powder-XRD and SEM-EDX. Next, we identified bacteria isolated from environment and hospital source and prepared their pure cultures. Lastly, we carried out the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of synthesized nanoparticles against isolated E. coli. Particles showed the colour change from blue to green upon synthesis and were found to be a triclinic primitive type with an average particle size calculated to be 27.76nm as seen in PXRD. FTIR analysis gave characteristic peaks of functional groups. SEM-EDX confirmed successful doping and grain size of the particle. Bacteria isolated from samples showed pink rods in gram staining indicating gram-negative bacilli. Biochemical findings confirmed E. coli in samples. Characteristic zones of inhibition in range 12-18mm establish good antibacterial properties with MIC of synthesized nanoparticles <0.5mg/ml and crystal violet assay assure antibiofilm properties of Zn-Cu. The result of the study can be advantageous to develop an understanding of the development of nano-based medicine for biofilm-producing pathogens.

Objectives: Impaired wound healing is a major complication. A few factors such as blood glucose level, poor circulation, immune system deficiency, and infection are the root causes of impaired wound healing. The aim of the present study was to bio-synthesize copper nanoparticles with potential antibacterial activity against wound-associated pathogens. Materials and Methods: Copper nanoparticles were fabricated using the sot-gel method with the mixing of Syzigium cumini leaf extract in metal salt solution. The particles were then later characterized using UV spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and XRD, and evaluated for their antibacterial activity and its MIC against four wound-associated pathogens. Results: The results obtained from TEM, SEM, and XRD characterization showed that the particle size was below 100 nm and of spherical shape. FTIR analysis showed the possibility of various biomolecules, which have a role in capping and stabilizing copper nanoparticles. The particles synthesized showed antibacterial activity against four wound-associated pathogens (P. mirabilis, S. saprophyticus, S. pyogenes, and P. aeruginosa). Conclusion: The biosynthesized copper nanoparticles showed potent antimicrobial activity, thus the antibacterial activity of the synthesized copper nanoparticles could be used in several biomedical applications. Additionally, they can be exploited as a better therapeutic agent for treating infection seen in impaired diabetic wounds. The particles synthesized by the biological route are eco-friendly, less toxic, feasible, and cost effective.

Objective: This study was performed to identify the phytochemicals and comparatively evaluate the antioxidant activity of Calotropis procera andAzadirachta indica by detection of total phenolics, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity, and estimation of condensed tannins in differentsolvent systems and at different temperatures.Methods: Leaves of C. procera and A. indica were extracted in water, methanol by soaking dried leaf powder at room temperature and also by boilingthe leaf powder in water for 30 minutes. Phytochemical tests were performed in all of the extracts. The antioxidant activity was determined byhydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity. Quantitative estimation of total phenolics and hydrolysable tannins was also performed.Results: The total phenolics in both leaf extracts was obtained maximum in boiled extract (40.7±1.20 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g dry extractin C. procera and 33.66±1.45 mg GAE/g dry extract in A. indica). The amount of hydrolysable tannins in both leaf extracts was found to be highest inmethanol (150±1.88 mg catechin equivalent/g dry extract in C. procera and 144.8±2.63 mg catechin equivalent/g dry extract in A. indica).Conclusion: The study showed promising results indicating that these plants are a good source of antioxidants. The majority of phytochemicals wereextracted in distilled water and methanol acts as a good solvent for extraction of tannins, whereas an increase in temperature leads to poor extractionof tannins.Keywords: Antioxidant, Phytochemicals, Phenolics, Radical, Tannins.© 2017 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.