Sunlight-driven antibacterial activity of a novel zinc oxide quantum dot and its optimization using Box-Behnken design-A medicament for communicable disease protective wearables.

The current study focuses on microwave-assisted zinc oxide quantum dots synthesis (ZnO-QDs) from zinc oxide bionanocomposite (ZnO-BC) preparation. The novelty lies in the preparation of ZnO-QDs, since the natural elements present in ZnO-BC itself acted as a surface penetration enhancer without using any chemical agent. Under ultraviolet (UV) light ZnO-QDs emitted a blue glow, confirming the fluorescence property. Using Box-Behnken design, the experimental factors of ZnO-QDs were optimized, yielding a positive response of 350 nm absorbance and these results also matched with the UV-visible spectroscopy characterization studies of ZnO-QDs. Using Escherichia coli, the antibacterial activity of ZnO-BC in comparison to ZnO-QDs was determined using the well diffusion method and an inhibition zone ranging from 11 to 23 mm and in the broth assay the OD values were reduced by almost seven and 10 times for ZnO-BC and ZnO-QDs, respectively, when compared to the control (untreated). The antibacterial activity demonstrated that our newly prepared BC and its QDs have superior activity when compared to the standard antibiotics such as ampicillin. This type of nanomaterial can be used as a new bioactive natural material with light-assisted activity for antibacterial coatings in the manufacture of personal protective equipment.

Evaluation of phytoconstituents and anti-nephrotoxic and antioxidant activities of Monochoria vaginalis.

Monochoria vaginalis is an herbaceous medicinal plant used to treat, liver problems India. Acetaminophen is a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic agent which, at high doses, causes liver and kidney necrosis in man and animals. The aim of the present study is to evaluate phytoconstituents and investigate the nephroprotective & antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract of Monochoria vaginalis on acetaminophen induced toxicity in rats. Phytoconstituents like n-hexadecanoic acid, 3-methyl- acetate-1-butanol, 1,1,3-triethoxy- propane, Z,Z,Z-1,4,6,9 - nonadecatetraene, undecanoic acid, 3-trifluoroacetoxy penta decane and 4-ethyl-5-octyl-2,2-bis (trifluoromethyl) - cis-1,3-dioxalone were identified from ethanol extract of Monochoria vaginalis by using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrograph (GC MS). Biochemical studies show that there is an increase in the levels of serum urea and creatinine along with an increase in the body weight and reduction in the levels of uric acid in acetaminophen induced groups. These values are retrieved significantly by treatment with Monochoria vaginalis extracts at two different doses. The antioxidant studies reveal that the levels of renal SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx in the APAP treated animals are increased significantly along with a reduced MDA content in ethanol extract of Monochoria vaginalis treated groups. Apart from these, histopathological changes also reveal the protective nature of the Monochoria vaginalis extract against acetaminophen induced necrotic damage of renal tissues. In conclusion, these data suggest that the ethanol extract of Monochoria vaginalis can prevent renal damage from APAP induced nephrotoxicity in rats and it is likely to be mediated through active phytoconstituents and its antioxidant activities.