Synthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles: A Novel Approach for Antimicrobial Properties and Biomedical Performance, Featuring Nodularia haraviana from the Cholistan Desert.

Nanoparticles have emerged as a prominent area of research in recent times, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized via phyco-technology have gained significant attention due to their potential therapeutic applications. Nodularia haraviana, a unique and lesser-explored cyanobacterial strain, holds substantial promise as a novel candidate for synthesizing nanoparticles. This noticeable research gap underscores the novelty and untapped potential of Nodularia haraviana in applied nanotechnology. A range of analytical techniques, including UV-vis spectral analysis, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction, were used to investigate and characterize the AgNPs. Successful synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed through UV-visible spectroscopy, which showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 428 nm. The crystalline size of AgNPs was 24.1 nm. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that silver oxide nanoparticles had 179.3 nm diameters and a negative surface charge of -18 mV. Comprehensive in vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that AgNPs have significant therapeutic potential. The antimicrobial properties of AgNPs were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against various microbial strains. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity assays were performed on Leishmanial promastigotes (IC50: 18.71 µgmL-1), amastigotes (IC50: 38.6 µgmL-1), and brine shrimps (IC50: 134.1 µg mL-1) using various concentrations of AgNPs. The findings of this study revealed that AgNPs had significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 57.5%, TRP: 55.4%, TAC: 61%) and enzyme inhibition potential against protein kinase (ZOI: 17.11 mm) and alpha-amylase (25.3%). Furthermore, biocompatibility tests were performed against macrophages (IC50: >395 µg mL-1) and human RBCs (IC50: 2124 µg mL-1). This study showed that phyco-synthesized AgNPs were less toxic and could be used in multiple biological applications, including drug design and in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. This study offers valuable insights and paves the way for further advancements in AgNPs research.

Myco- and phyco-remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls in the environment: a review.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic organic compounds and pose serious threats to environment and public health. PCBs still exist in different environments such as air, water, soil, and sediments even on ban. This review summarizes the phyco- and myco-remediation technologies developed to detoxify the PCB-polluted sites. It was found that algae mostly use bioaccumulation to biodegradation strategies to reclaim the environment. As bio-accumulator, Ulva rigida C. Agardh has been best at 25 ng/g dry wt to remove PCBs. Evidently, Anabaena PD-1 is the only known PCB degrading alga and efficiently degrade Aroclor 1254 and dioxin-like PCBs up to 84.4% and 37.4% to 68.4%, respectively. The review suggested that factors such as choice of algal strains, response of microalgae, biomass, the rate of growth, and cost-effective cultivation conditions significantly influence the remediation of PCBs. Furthermore, the Anabaena sp. linA gene of Pseudomonas paucimobilis Holmes UT26 showed enhanced efficiency. Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm is the most efficient PCB degrading fungus, degrading up to 98.4% and 99.6% of PCB in complex and mineral media, respectively. Combine metabolic activities of bacteria and yeast led to the higher detoxification of PCBs. Fungi-algae consortia would be a promising approach in remediation of PCBs. A critical analysis on potentials and limits of PCB treatment through fungal and algal biosystems have been reviewed, and thus, new insights have emerged for possible bioremediation, bioaccumulation, and biodegradation of PCBs.

Eugenol Elicits Prolongevity by Increasing Resistance to Oxidative Stress in C. elegans.

AIMS: To analyze the efficacy of eugenol on longevity by assessing its antioxidant effect using Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model. BACKGROUND: Eugenol is a major polyphenolic component of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) which attributes wide pharmacological activities and can serve as a biomarker. However, the possible effect of eugenol on longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this investigation was to provide the first scientific based results about the effect of eugenol on longevity, slowing down of paralysis in Alzheimer's model and the mechanism behind it in Caenorhabditis elegans animal model system. METHODS: The phenolic components of methanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum were analyzed by RP-HPLC. Worms were exposed to different concentrations of extract and one of its components - eugenol. Lifespan, health span, survival in CL4176 Alzheimer's model and molecular mechanism were analyzed. RESULTS: Extract of Ocimum sanctum and eugenol increased lifespan and provided indemnity against pro-oxidants. It also significantly improved healthy ageing and slowed the progression of neurodegeneration in CL4176 Alzheimer's model of the worm by increasing survival against prooxidants and slowing down the paralysis. Longevity effect was independent of the DAF-16 as observed by using DAF-16::GFP and daf-16 null mutant strains. These results implicate eugenol as a potent therapeutic compound that may curtail ageing and age related disorders like- Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSION: The present work demonstrated eugenol as a potential anti-ageing compound that may curtail ageing, improve heath span by enhancing resistance to oxidative stress and exerts its effect independent of DAF-16 pathway. So, it can be assumed that eugenol can be beneficial to humans as well, albeit further research is necessary before declaring it for human consumption.