Antibacterial and anticancer activities of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Embelia ribes Burm.f. berries extract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained considerable attention in the field of medicine and water treatment owing to their physiochemical properties. Biosynthesis of AgNPs is favourable over chemical synthesis for issues of environmental concern. Here, we synthesized AgNPs using aqueous seed extract of berries of Embelia ribes Burm.f. and analyzed their antibacterial and anticancer activities. The phytochemicals present in the seed extract of E. ribes berries were used as reducing agent for the formation of AgNPs. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and HR-TEM analysis. The Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak observed at 430 nm from UV-spectrum further confirms the formation of AgNPs. The presence of phytochemical adhering to AgNPs was confirmed from FTIR spectrum. XRD and SAED analysis showed that the AgNPs are of crystalline in nature. TEM images showed the AgNPs were roughly spherical shaped and approximately around 30 nm in size. The AgNPs thus synthesized, were evaluated for antibacterial and anticancer activities. The results revealed significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and also dose dependent inhibition of cell proliferation in MCF-7 cell line. Higher concentration showed low cytotoxicity and maximum inhibition was at 10 ng/mL after 24 h.

Effect of fly ash inhalation on biochemical and histomorphological changes in rat lungs.

Effect of respirable fly ash particles inhalation on lungs of rats was investigated by exposing them to respirable aerosols of size classified power plant fly ash at average concentrations of up to 14.4 +/- 1.77 mg/m3 for 4 hr/day for 28 consecutive days. A remarkable increase was found in blood eosinophil counts of fly ash exposed animals. Biochemical indicators of pulmonary damage viz. lactate dehydrogenase (cytoplasmic enzyme used as a measure of cell injury), gamma-glutamyl transferase (Clara cell damage) and alkaline phosphatase (potential measure of Type 11 cell secretions) in broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of fly ash exposed group showed significant elevation. Clumping of fly ash particles in the lungs was observed as evidenced by fly ash ladened macrophage accumulation in the alveolar region. The results suggest a damage, local inflammation and remodelling of lung as indicated by hypertrophy and hyperplasia. These changes reflect the toxic effects of the fly ash inhalation.

Effect of trichloroethylene (TCE) inhalation on biotransformation enzymes of rat lung and liver.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is widely used as an industrial solvent and cleaning fluid. In the present study the toxic effects of TCE inhalation on pulmonary and hepatic biotransformation enzymes in rats have been investigated by assay of aniline hydroxylase (AH), aminopyrine-N-demethylase (APD), benzo-a-pyrene hydroxylase (BH) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activities and glutathione (GSH) contents in liver as well as lungs of exposed animals. In both organs phase I and phase II drug metabolizing enzymes have been found to be increased along with decrease in GSH contents following TCE inhalation. Pulmonary as well as hepatic MFO's seem to be activated by inhaled TCE probably in an attempt for its rapid detoxification and reduced glutathione is used during its biotransformation.