Comparative evaluation of the ovicidal activity of Azadirachta indica and its green synthesized silver nanoparticles against Fasciola gigantica eggs.

Objectives: To investigate the potential of nanoparticles synthesized from neem leaves in pest management for Bactrocera dorsalis. Methods: This study involves extracting the insecticidal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica) by fermenting air-dried leaves with rice wash. The crude fermented neem extract (FNE) was applied as a biopesticide against male B. dorsalis in an improvised olfactometer. The remaining crude extract was utilized in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and copper nanoparticles (CuNP). The insecticidal activities of FNE and the extracts with AgNP and CuNP were tested against B. dorsalis. Findings: The experimental treatments 100% FNE and 20% FNECuNP have the same effect as the positive control, causing the death of adult male fruit fly of 83.33% mortality rate after 24 h. The treatment 20% FNE-AgNP showed a higher mortality rate, 100%, after 24 h. Likewise, the results of the larvicidal activities infer that the most effective treatment with a mortality rate of 100% after 24-h exposure is the extract with silver nanoparticles. Moreover, the neem extract, FNE-AgNP, and FNE-CuNP exhibited ovicidal properties, suppressing the development of eggs into third instar larvae. Fermented neem extract can be used to formulate biopesticide enhanced with nanoparticles for controlling B. dorsalis. Novelty: This study showed that the fermented neem leaves extract using rice wash is effective in the green synthesis of silver and copper nanoparticles. The prepared biopesticide metal nanoparticles can be used in the management of B. dorsalis. Keywords: Silver nanoparticles; Copper nanoparticles; Insecticidal; Bactrocera dorsalis; Azadirachta indica

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has gained attention for being environmentally friendly and cost-effective. This study investigates the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using neem and turmeric extracts, which serve as natural reducing and capping agents, with a focus on characterizing these nanoparticles and assessing their antimicrobial properties against oral pathogens. Neem and turmeric extracts were prepared by heating their powdered forms in distilled water, followed by filtration. The extracts were then mixed with a silver nitrate solution, and the reaction was stirred for 24-48h. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, SEM, EDAX, and XRD analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles was tested against four oral pathogens using the agar well diffusion method. Successful synthesis of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by a color change and characterization analyses. UV-Visible spectroscopy showed a peak at 440nm, indicating nanoparticle formation. SEM revealed spherical and uniform nanoparticles, while EDAX confirmed the presence of silver. XRD analysis showed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles, with sizes ranging from 4nm to 14.81nm. The nanoparticles exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus species, but were less effective against Candida albicans. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of neem and turmeric extracts in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles, which exhibited notable antimicrobial activity. This research underscores the potential of plant-mediated synthesis for developing eco-friendly antimicrobial agents.

Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles fabricated using Anisomeles indica: Mosquitocidal potential against malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis vectors

Abstract:- The development of eco-friendly and reliable processes for manufacturing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) represents a significant milestone in the field of nanotechnology. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used as antimicrobial agent in many bacterial strains and microorganisms. Green synthesis is preferable because it is cheap, pollution free and improves environmental and human health safety. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was achieved by heating aqueous silver nitrate solution with neem ( A. Indica) leaf extract. The reduction of silver ion to silver nanoparticles was confirmed by observing a change in color from reddish to dark brown indicating the formation of AgNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images provided evidence of their mild agglomerated spherical shape. Keyword:- Green Synthesis, Neem leaf extract, Silver nanoparticles, SEM

As green nanotechnology creates, researchers are growing increasingly interested in the ecologically benign creation of nanoparticles. Due to their unique biological uses and physiologically active plant metabolites that aid in green synthesis, biosynthesized nanoparticles are garnering interest. This work describes a simple method of synthesising silver nanoparticles using tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts. The plant extracts operate as reducing agents, with silver nitrate acting as a precursor. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the colour changing from greenish brown to dark brown. The leaf broth caused the aqueous silver ions to reduce in size and form silver nanoparticles in a green way. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were characterised using XRD and a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. It has been discovered that tulsi and neem leaf extracts have the ability to convert silver ions into silver nanoparticles in less than ten minutes of reaction time. Additionally, the biosynthesised AgNPs’ antibacterial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains were assessed. Therefore, this method may be applied to the rapid and safe biosynthesis of stable silver nanoparticles for the environment.

Simple SummaryFeed additives based on medicinal plants, such as neem and moringa plant extracts, are used to mitigate rumen methane emissions, but data regarding their effects on lamb meat quality are scarce. This study investigated the effects of oral supplementation of neem and moringa leaf extracts on the carcass quality and meat fatty acid composition of lambs. Neem leaf extracts had no effect on carcass fat and meat fatty acid composition. Whereas, Moringa leaf extract improved the meat fatty acid composition of lambs compared to the monensin treatment. There is an increased interest in the use of medicinal plants as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters and as agents for methane production mitigation. This study investigated the effects of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera feed additives on the carcass and meat quality of lambs. Forty South African Mutton Merino lambs, weighing between 29 and 43 kg, were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 10 lambs/treatment) and fed a basal total mixed ration (TMR) containing soybean meal (17%), yellow maize (28%), Alfalfa hay (20%), Eragrostis curvula hay (22.2%), molasses (6.0%), wheat offal (5%), urea (0.8%) and vitamin premix (0.5%) on a DM basis. The dietary treatments: TMR diet (control); TMR diet with A. indica leaf extract (A. indica leaf extract at a dosage of 50 mg per kg of feed: neem); TMR diet with M. oleifera leaf extract (M. oleifera leaf extract at a dosage of 50 mg per kg DM of feed: moringa); TMR diet with monensin (at a dosage of 50 mg monensin sodium per kg of feed: positive control). After an adaptation period of 10 days to the experimental conditions, the lambs from all treatment groups were fed ad libitum with the experimental diets. The lambs were slaughtered at a live weight of 60–65 kg after a 23 week trial period. The plant extract dietary additives had no significant effects on the carcass characteristics of the lambs. In comparison to monensin, supplementing with moringa leaf extracts resulted in a higher proportion of C18:1n9c (45.0% ± 0.57 vs. 40.5% ± 0.80; p < 0.05), total MUFAs (47.3% ± 0.66 vs. 42.6% ± 0.87; p < 0.05), and UFA:SFA ratio (1.01 ± 0.03 vs. 0.85 ± 0.03; p < 0.05), which may be beneficial for human health. Our results suggest that natural feed additives, such as A. indica and M. oleifera leaf extracts, can be included in lamb diets without compromising meat fatty acid composition. The negative economic impacts of such technologies on animal production and farm profitability should not be expected.

Experiments were conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of neem (Azardirachta indica) leaf extract on selected field crops&#39; seed germination and seedling vigor. Five crops viz., rice, maize, sorghum, finger millet, and black gram seeds were used in the study. Seeds of each crop were placed on filter paper saturated with six different concentrations of neem leaf extract (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6%), while water was used as the control. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemicals, including alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and proteins, was conducted using ethanol, chloroform, and diethyl ether extracts. The analysis revealed that neem leaves are richest in alkaloids (5.14%), followed by flavonoids (4.12%). The results showed that Azardirachta indica leaf extracts significantly reduced seed germination and seedling vigor in all crops. As the concentration of the neem leaf extract increased, germination percentages decreased across all crops, with reductions of 18% to 20% compared to the control. Blackgram exhibited the greatest reduction in germination, with germination rates dropping from 89% (water control) to 30% at the highest concentration of neem extract (6%). Regardless of crop type, seedling vigor also declined with increasing neem extract concentrations. Seedling vigor in the water control was recorded as 287.30, 723.1, 696.6, 348.6, and 232.16 for rice, sorghum, maize, black gram, and finger millet, respectively, while values in the 6% neem extract treatment were 161.2, 198.21, 226.4, 58.9, and 62.5, respectively. These results suggest that neem (Azardirachta indica) leaf extract exhibits allelopathic effects, inhibiting both seed germination and seedling growth across various crops.

Comparative assessment of albendazole and triclabendazole ovicidal activity on Fasciola hepatica eggs

Developing an efficient and cost-effective wound-healing substance to treat wounds and regenerate skin is desperately needed in the current world. Antioxidant substances are gaining interest in wound healing, and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles have drawn considerable attention in biomedical applications due to their efficient, cost-effective, and non-toxic nature. The present study evaluated in vivo wound healing and antioxidant activities of silver nanoparticles from Azadirachta indica (AAgNPs) and Catharanthus roseus (CAgNPs) leaf extracts in BALB/c mice. We found rapid wound healing, higher collagen deposition, and increased DNA and protein content in AAgNPs- and CAgNPs (1% w/w)-treated wounds than in control and vehicle control wounds. Skin antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, catalase, GPx, GR) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased after 11 days CAgNPs and AAgNPs treatment. Furthermore, the topical application of CAgNPs and AAgNPs tends to suppress lipid peroxidation in wounded skin samples. Histopathological images evidenced decreased scar width, epithelium restoration, fine collagen deposition, and fewer inflammatory cells in CAgNPs and AAgNPs applied wounds. In vitro, the free radical scavenging activity of CAgNPs and AAgNPs was demonstrated by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Our findings suggest that silver nanoparticles prepared from C. roseus and A. indica leaf extracts increased antioxidant status and improved the wound-healing process in mice. Therefore, these silver nanoparticles could be potential natural antioxidants to treat wounds.

Sumac (Rhuscoriaria L., family Anacardiaceae) is rich in bioactive components like tannins and phenolic compounds, exhibiting antioxidant properties. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SAgNP) offers eco-friendly and cost-effective production methods. In this study, the effect of Sumac nano silver particles (SAgNP) on lead pharmacokinetics was assessed. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles involved adding 25 ml of sumac extract to 200 ml of 1 mM silver nitrate solution under hot stirring. Twenty-one male albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: lead group (60 mg/kg of lead acetate orally), crude group (100 mg/kg of crude sumac extract orally), and nano group (100 mg/kg of SAgNP orally followed by lead acetate). Results demonstrated successful SAgNP formation and significant reduction (p≤0.05) in blood lead concentration after 6 hours, suggesting SAgNP's potential in lowering lead levels. SAgNP exhibited stronger efficacy than crude extract in reducing blood lead concentrations. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles offers a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach with promising applications in mitigating lead toxicity.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) utilizing plant extracts has been widely optimized these days because of its eco-friendly, simple, and cost-effective manner. This present study was performed to evaluate the scale-up trial on synthesis parameter and centrifugation duration of Plantago major L. leaf ethanolic extract in the green synthesis of Ag NPs. Leaf extract concentration of 0.25%, 70 °C of temperature, 60 min of synthesis time, and 30 min of centrifugation time were concluded as the optimized scale-up condition of green synthesis. The scale-up trial resulted in spherical silver nanoparticles with an average size 12.2±5.11 nm, proven from various spectroscopic (UV–Vis, EDS, FTIR), microscopic observations (SEM, FE-TEM), and other observations (SAED, DLS, XRD). The synthesized Ag NPs also exhibit promising antibacterial activity against several tested bacteria at 20 μg mL−1 of dosage. This study offers nine times higher yield of the synthesized Ag NPs (107.2±6.82 mg) at about the same making time of smaller scale of green synthesis. Sufficient nanoparticles will provide flexibility to carry out its characterization in an efficient manner and further bioactivity test and/or formulation experiments, such as in cosmetics, medical ointments, and other pharmaceutical products.

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Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a vital oilseed crop widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, serving as an important source of edible oil, protein, and income for millions of farmers. However, its productivity is often threatened by stem rot disease, caused by the soil-borne fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. This pathogen thrives in warm, humid conditions and can lead to significant crop losses, making it a major concern for growers. With growing awareness of the negative impacts of chemical fungicides on the environment and the risk of pathogen resistance, there is a pressing need for safer, more sustainable disease management strategies. In response to this challenge, the present study—titled “Effect of Trichoderma spp. and Neem Leaf Extract on Stem Rot of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii”— was designed to explore eco-friendly alternatives. Specifically, it focused on evaluating the effectiveness of beneficial fungi from the Trichoderma genus and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract as biocontrol agents. The goal was not only to reduce the impact of stem rot but also to promote healthier plant growth and improve overall crop yield in a more environmentally responsible way. A field experiment was laid out using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) comprising seven treatments with three replications. The treatments involved seed treatment (S.T.) with five Trichoderma species—T. harzianum, T. virens, T. reesei, T. hamatum, and T. asperellum—each combined with a foliar spray (F.S.) of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract at 10% concentration. These were compared against a chemical fungicide control (Carbendazim + Mancozeb @ 0.2%) and an untreated control. The results of the study clear and significant differences among treatments in terms of plant growth and pod yield. Among the biocontrol options tested, the combination of Trichoderma harzianum and neem leaf extract stood out, recording the greatest plant height and number of leaves at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing—measuring 14.05 cm, 26.22 cm, and 32.30 cm in height, and 25.06, 53.00, and 77.06 leaves per plant, respectively. In terms of yield performance, the same treatment recorded a maximum pod yield of 1.35 tonnes per hectare and highest cost-benefit (C: B) with a value of 1:2.0, highlighting its economic advantage for farmers. While the chemical control (Carbendazim + Mancozeb) also showed effectiveness in managing stem rot, several biocontrol treatments either matched or surpassed it in both growth and yield parameters. These findings reinforce the potential of integrating Trichoderma species with neem extract as a promising, eco-friendly alternative to conventional fungicides in sustainable groundnut cultivation.

Background: Appearance of antibiotic resistance has raised the demand to find alternative therapies and modified drug delivery system of medicinal plants to treat bacterial infections.&#x0D; Objective: The aim of this study is the green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles by using crude extract of Crotalaria burhia and to evaluate their antibacterial potential.&#x0D; Methods: The roots and stems of plant were used to prepare the crude extract. The phytochemical analysis of different compounds in extract was performed. 1mM AgNO3 and different concentrations of plant extract were used for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The particles size and zeta potential were measured by zeta sizer while surface morphology of silver nanoparticles was observed with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles was performed by 96 well microdilution plate method.&#x0D; Results: The particle size and zeta potential of optimized formulation was 92 nm and -24.8 mV. The SEM analysis showed that silver nanoparticles are irregular and spherical shape. The antibacterial activity showed that MIC value of silver nanoparticles was lower for E. coli than S. aureus.&#x0D; Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles possess potent bactericidal activity against E. coli and moderate activity against S. aureus. It had been concluded that these nanoparticles can be used against multi-drug resistant bacterial infections.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have been already proposed for many advanced research approaches in the fields of therapeutics and nanomedicine due to their non-antigenicity and more potent optical characteristics along with their respective antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in effective site specific targeted drug-delivery practices systems. In last few years, chemically synthesized metal based nanoparticles has been studies for their biological and delivery behaviours because of use of various chemical and bio-hazardous chemicals in their preparations. Various previous studies on green synthesis of silver metal based nanoparticles have been designed which involved biological sources like microorganisms, plants and herbal extracts as cost effective, eco-friendly and non-toxic approaches. So that, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has been much exploited in wider range of applications in the field of biomedical, therapeutics, nanomedicine and pharmaceuticals as more potent and safe drug delivery vehicles as compared to chemically preparations of silver nanoparticles. Therefore, in this review, we recollected the comparative studies based on advantages of green approaches of silver nanoparticles over their respective chemical preparations. Keywords: Silver nanoparticles, Green synthesis, Therapeutics, Nanomedicine, Drug delivery vehicles.