Rahul Gupta

The increasing utilization of nanoparticles (NPs) in agricultural practices has led to a surge in demand for nano-based products. Herein, we investigate the dose-dependent impacts of nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)₂)/nickel (Ni) NPs, synthesized using Asparagus racemosus Linn. leaf extract, on the seed germination and growth of Vigna radiata (Linn.) Wilczek. In all seed samples, 100% germination was observed in Treatment 1 (2.74 mg mL⁻¹) and Treatment 2 (5.48 mg mL⁻¹) of Ni/Ni(OH)₂ NPs. However, in Treatment 3 (8.22 mg mL⁻¹) and Treatment 4 (10.96 mg mL⁻¹), the germination percentage was lower, reaching 80%. Further, Treatment 5 (13.70 mg mL⁻¹) of Ni/Ni(OH)₂ NPs showed a reduced germination rate of 60%, indicating a prolonged germination process at higher concentrations. Remarkably, the length of seedlings showed a significant increase in all experimental treatments compared to the control group, which received 5 mL of distilled water. Among the investigated parameters, Treatment 2 demonstrated the most promising outcomes, exhibiting the highest chlorophyll stability index (23.73%) and membrane stability index (67.89%) values, as well as the lowest root ion leakage (24.75%). These findings indicate that Ni/Ni(OH)₂ has the capacity to enhance seed germination and foster seedling growth.

Background: In the last few decades, plants have been playing a vital role in treating cancer and infectious diseases. Natural products have been rediscovered as effective methods of drug production amid advances in combinatorial chemistry. Roots of Martynia annua are being used as a folklore remedy for the treatment of cancer and rheumatism successfully. Aims of the Study: In the present study, ethanolic, aqueous and hydro-ethanolic root extracts of Martynia annua were screened for in vitro cytotoxicity activity using different cell lines. Settings and Design: In the experiment, lung cancer cell lines (A549), leukemia cancer cell lines (K562), oral cancer cell lines (SCC-40), breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) & cervix cancer cell lines (SiHa) were studied on the extracts. Materials and Methods: The method used was Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay technique in which growth inhibition of 50% (GI50) was analyzed by comparing it with standard drug Adriamycin (ADR) (doxorubicin). Results: Aqueous & ethanolic extract of Martynia annua root had shown high anticancer activity with GI50 value 11.3µg/ml and 20.4µg/ml respectively on human leukemia cell line K-562 but for human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, human lung cancer cell line A-549, human squamous cell carcinoma SCC-40 and human cervical cancer cell line SiHa the extracts showed activity in more than 80µg/ml. Conclusion: The anticancer activity of aqueous extract of Martynia annua root was found superior than the ethanolic extract in Human Leukemia Cell Line K-562. The study indicates that the Martynia annua root extracts are most effective against the fast proliferative cells (Leukemic cells) and possibly a cell cycle arrest (needed to be proved as future perspective) is the mode of action of the extract. To study its effect on targeted cancers, specific in vivo scientific studies and clinical trials should be carried out by further researchers.

Surveys of freshwater fishes of India were carried out during the period 2011–2017. Members of the species of the genus Prosorhynchoides Dollfus, 1929 (Digenea: Bucephalidae) infect the intestine of freshwater and marine fishes. Prosorhynchoides fusiformis (Verma, 1936) Srivastava and Chauhan, 1973, Prosorhynchoides garuai (Verma, 1936) Srivastava and Chauhan, 1973, Prosorhynchoides karvei (Bhalerao, 1937) Srivastava and Chauhan, 1973, and Prosorhynchoides thapari (Dayal, 1948) Bott and Cribb, 2005, are redescribed from the intestine of some freshwater fishes of India. In this paper we also review the taxonomic status of Indian freshwater Prosorhynchoides spp. We transfer Prosorhynchoides macronius and Prosorhynchoides bagarius (previous name Neobucephalopsis bagarius) to P. fusiformis and accordingly revise the status of other Neobucephalopsis spp. We also transfer Prosorhynchoides sinhai, Prosorhynchoides eutropiichthis, and Prosorhynchoides mauryai (previous name Neobucephalopsis garuai) to P....

Acanthocephalans are fish parasites of worldwide distribution, penetrate their thorny proboscis into the intestinal wall of host and absorb nutrients. No diagnostic tool is available except postmortem investigations and identification by parasitologists. The aim of present study was to explore and assign taxonomical status to Pallisentis species prevalent in food fishes of river Gomti, Lucknow, India. A survey of fishes of river Gomti was carried out during the year 2011–2013. Acanthocephalans recovered from the intestine of Channa punctatus were kept in refrigerator for eversion of proboscis, fixed in A.F.A. fixative (50% alcohol, formalin and acetic acid in ratio of 100: 6: 2.5) for 24 hours further preserved in 70% ethanol. Camera Lucida diagrams of acetoalum carmine stained permanent mounts were made for morphometric studies. Two new species of genus Pallisentis were identified and named as P. channai n. sp. and P. vinodai n. sp., their taxonomical status is based on major characters of proboscis hooks, spines of collar and trunk region, cement gland nuclei. On average 9 fishes were found infected with Pallisentis spp. out of 60 fishes examined randomly. Pallisentis spp. are important parasitic infection in Channidae fishes with the prevalence rate of 15%. Two new species of Pallisentis recognized from Channa punctatus of river Gomti, Lucknow, India and diagnostic features of genus are given.

Diabetes mellitus is a global metabolic epidemic affecting essential biochemical activities in almost every age group. Indian literatures like Ayurveda have already mentioned herbal remediation for a number of human ailments. Among Indian traditional medicinal plants several potential anti-diabetic plants and herbs are being used as part of our diet since prehistoric time. India has a long list of native medicinal plants with confirmed blood sugar lowering property. Some of these have proved remarkable for cure of diabetes and its complications. The current paper is aimed at providing a review on clinical and experimental studies carried out on the most effective and commonly used hypoglycemic plants and herbs species from traditional Indian flora. This write-up includes hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic activities of plants, active hypoglycemic compounds and constituents along with their available toxicity status.