Natural Plant Extracts Research Articles

STUDY OF STEVIA ECAPSULATION FOR USING IN PROBIOTIC DELIVERY SYSTEMS

At the moment, incoming products, beverages, raw materials on the market must comply with the requirements of State standards and safety requirements. The question of nutritional value is growing every day, based on the fact that the constant use of healthy foods develops the body's resistance to various diseases. Such products are called useful or functional products. An equally urgent task for today's specialists is the development of a functional fermented milk product that contains a pleasant sweet taste from natural Stevia plant extract. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a natural sweetener, which has many useful properties. For example, one of the first benefits in low-calorie content does not include fast carbohydrates. So, Stevia has less effect on blood sugar levels and does not increase insulin and is suitable for diabetics. In addition, Stevia extract can be used as prebiotic for co-encapsulation with probiotic microorganisms to enrich functional beverages. Purpose of this study is investigation of formulation parameters for reсeiving саpsules whiсh сreаte а strong bаrrier to penetrаtion of the encapsulated substаnсe to the externаl environment; the саpsules providing more effiсient mаnifestаtion of а сomplex of biologiсаl, phаrmасologiсаl, preventive or mediсinаl properties of bаgged substаnсe. Development of cаpsules of the long term of storаge in whiсh the асtive loaded mаteriаl is proteсted by аn envelope аnd саn preserve activity in vаrious pH environments became the most perspective. Ionic gelation method through extrusion represents a simple encapsulation technique that does not require organic solvents, making it suitable for both hydrophobic or hydrophilic compounds. Stevia extract -loaded Alginate-Chitosan particles with improved physicochemical properties with a process yield of 88-89% were obtained. The release kinetics of active agent was monitored using UV-vis spectroscopy and showed a slow release within 24 hours. Thus, the slow kinetics of the release of the agent demonstrates the effectiveness of the methodology of encapsulation based on the ionic gelation and hardening of shell. Сreаtion of саpsules with the ingredients enсаpsulаted inside, hаving thermostаble properties, resistаnсe to influenсe of асidiс environments аnd enzymes, meсhаniсаl аnd osmotiс resistаnсe to influenсe of externаl physiсаl аnd сhemiсаl fасtors, suсh аs meсhаniсаl effeсt, temperаture inсreаse, сhаnge of pressure, аnd аlso inсreаse in proteсtion of bаgged substаnсes remains as an actual problem at present time. The morphology, average diameters of wet and dry microcapsule were determined by optical microscopy using Olympus Soft Imaging Solutions GmbH, version E_LCmicro_09Okt2009. Twenty microparticles were randomly selected from triplicate batches to determine size distribution. The compositions of microcapsules for analysis on a scanning electron microscope were applied to a highly conductive graphite tape. SEM equipment was used to determine the pore size on the surface of the microparticles. Studies results showed that sizes of microcapsules were 720-830 µm, and color was determined by color of loaded agent. Microencapsulation allows not only protect active agent from aggressive environment, prolong activity, but also can be used for development product with useful properties for human health. Funding: This research is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP19679879).

The Role of Plant Extracts in Enhancing Nutrition and Health for Dogs and Cats: Safety, Benefits, and Applications.

Plant extracts, derived from various natural sources, encompass primary and secondary metabolites, which include plant polysaccharides, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenes, and volatile oils. These compounds exhibit a range of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial functions. Currently, polyphenols and other bioactive compounds are being incorporated into the diets of farm animals, fish, and pets to promote health benefits. Despite this, the application and potential of plant extracts in canine and feline nutrition have not been comprehensively explored. Many aspects of the mechanisms underlying the action of these plant metabolites remain to be analyzed and elucidated. Furthermore, leveraging natural plant extracts for the treatment of clinical conditions in dogs and cats is a crucial component of clinical nutrition. Consequently, this review aims to highlight the impact of plant extracts on overall health, gastrointestinal health, immune health, cardiovascular health, redox balance, and pathology in dogs and cats.

Sustainable Recovery of Polyphenols and Carotenoids from Horned Melon Peel via Cloud Point Extraction.

Using natural plant extracts as food additives is a promising approach for improving food products' quality, nutritional value, and safety, offering advantages for both consumers and the environment. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to develop a sustainable method for extracting polyphenols and carotenoids from horned melon peel using the cloud point extraction (CPE) technique, intending to utilize it as a natural food additive. CPE is novel promising extraction method for separation and pre-concentration of different compounds while being simple, inexpensive, and low-toxic. Three parameters within the CPE approach, i.e., pH, equilibrium temperature, and equilibrium time, were investigated as independent variables through the implementation of Box-Behnken design and statistical analyses. The optimized conditions for the maximum recovery of both polyphenols and carotenoids, reaching 236.14 mg GAE/100 g and 13.80 mg β carotene/100 g, respectively, were a pH value of 7.32, an equilibrium temperature of 55 °C, and an equilibrium time of 43.03 min. The obtained bioactives' recovery values under the optimized conditions corresponded to the predicted ones, indicating the suitability of the employed RSM model. These results highlight the effectiveness of CPE in extracting bioactive compounds with varying polarities from agricultural by-products, underscoring its potential for enhancing the value of food waste and advancing sustainable practices in food processing. According to microbiological food safety parameters, the optimal CPE extract is suitable for food applications, while its storage under refrigerated and dark conditions is particularly beneficial. The CPE extract's enhanced stability under these conditions makes it a more viable option for long-term storage, preserving both safety and quality.

Inhibitory Effect of Sorbus aucuparia Extracts on the Fusarium proliferatum and F. culmorum Growth and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis.

Fungal infections are among the most common diseases of crop plants. Various species of the Fusarium spp. are naturally prevalent and globally cause the qualitative and quantitative losses of farming commodities, mainly cereals, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, Fusarium spp. can synthesize toxic secondary metabolites-mycotoxins under high temperature and humidity conditions. Among the strategies against Fusarium spp. incidence and mycotoxins biosynthesis, the application of biological control, specifically natural plant extracts, has proved to be one of the solutions as an alternative to chemical treatments. Notably, rowanberries taken from Sorbus aucuparia are a rich source of phytochemicals, such as vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, as well as minerals, including iron, potassium, and magnesium, making them promising candidates for biological control strategies. The study aimed to investigate the effect of rowanberry extracts obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) under different conditions on the growth of Fusarium (F. culmorum and F. proliferatum) and mycotoxin biosynthesis. The results showed that various extracts had different effects on Fusarium growth as well as ergosterol content and mycotoxin biosynthesis. These findings suggest that rowanberry extracts obtained by the SFE method could be a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides for eradicating Fusarium pathogens in crops, particularly cereal grains. However, more research is necessary to evaluate their efficacy against other Fusarium species and in vivo applications.

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Traditionally-Used Natural Plant Extracts to Inhibit Proliferation of a HeLa Cell Cancer Line and Replication of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV).

Traditional approaches employing natural plant products to treat a wide array of ailments have been documented and described for thousands of years. However, there remains limited scientific study of the therapeutic potential or effectiveness of ethnobotanical applications. Increases in the incidence of cancer and emerging infectious diseases demonstrate a growing need for advances in the development of therapeutic options. In this study, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of aqueous extracts prepared from four plants, purple aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) Nemsom), common sage (Salvia lyrata (L.)), northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume), and lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina (K.) Koch)) traditionally used in Native American medicine in Indiana, USA. Using a combination of cytotoxicity assays, immunofluorescence microscopy, and antiviral assays, we found that sage and spicebush extracts exhibit cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on HeLa cell proliferation and that sage, spicebush, and aster extracts were capable of significantly inhibiting human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), a major respiratory pathogen of infants and the elderly. Chemical analysis of the four extracts identified four major compounds which were subsequently evaluated to identify the responsible constituents in the extracts. While none of the identified compounds were shown to induce significant impacts on HeLa cell proliferation, two of the compounds, (1S)-(-)-Borneol and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furfural, identified in sage and spicebush, respectively, were shown to have antiviral activities. Our data suggest that several of the extracts tested exhibited either anti-proliferative or antiviral activity supporting future further analysis.

Matrix Metalloproteinases on Skin Photoaging.

Skin aging is characterized by an imbalance between the generation and degradation of extracellular matrix molecules (ECM). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the primary enzymes responsible for ECM breakdown. Intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli can induce different MMPs. However, there is limited literature especially on the summary of skin MMPs and potential inhibitors. We aim to focus on the upregulation of MMP expression or activity in skin cells following exposure to UV radiation. We also would like to offer valuable insights into potential clinical applications of MMP inhibitors for mitigating skin aging. This article presents the summary of prior research, which involved an extensive literature search across diverse academic databases including Web of Science and PubMed. Our findings offer a comprehensive insight into the effects of MMPs on skin aging after UV irradiation, including their substrate preferences and distinct roles in this process. Additionally, a comprehensive list of natural plant and animal extracts, proteins, polypeptides, amino acids, as well as natural and synthetic compounds that serve as inhibitors for MMPs is compiled. Skin aging is a complex process influenced by environmental factors and MMPs. Research focuses on UV-induced skin damage and the formation of Advanced Glycosylation End Products (AGEs), leading to wrinkles and impaired functionality. Inhibiting MMPs is crucial for maintaining youthful skin. Natural sources of MMP inhibitor substances, such as extracts from plants and animals, offer a safer approach to obtain inhibitors through dietary supplements. Studying isolated active ingredients can contribute to developing targeted MMP inhibitors.

Investigation of the Lipid-Lowering Activity and Mechanism of Three Extracts from Astragalus membranaceus, Hippophae rhamnoides L., and Taraxacum mongolicum Hand. Mazz Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments.

Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism, resulting in lipid accumulation in the plasma. According to reports, medicinal and edible plants can reduce the risk of metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia. This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus extract (AME), Hippophae rhamnoides L. extract (HRE), and Taraxacum mongolicum Hand. Mazz extract (TME) on hyperlipidemia. Active compounds and potential gene targets of AME, HRE, and TME were screened using LC-MS and TCMSP databases, and hyperlipidemia targets were detected from the OMIM and DisGeNet databases. A drug-target pathway disease network was constructed through protein interactions, GO enrichment, and KEGG pathway analysis. Finally, the lipid-lowering effects of three extracts were validated through in vitro HepG2 cell and in vivo animal experiments. The results show that LC-MS and network pharmacology methodologies identified 41 compounds and 140 targets. KEGG analysis indicated that the PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways significantly treat hyperlipidemia with AHT. In vitro experiments have shown that AHT is composed of a ratio of AME:HRE:TME = 3:1:2. HepG2 cell and animal experiments revealed that AHT exhibits strong lipid-lowering and antioxidant properties, significantly regulating the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). It is worth noting that AHT can effectively downregulate the protein expression levels of p-AKT/AKT and p-PI3K/PI3K and upregulate the protein expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK and SIRT1, verifying the results predicted by network pharmacology. This study presents a novel approach to utilizing these natural plant extracts as safe and effective treatments for hyperlipidemia.

Incorporation of Polygonatum cyrtonema extracts of NADES into chitosan/soybean isolate protein films: Impact on sweet cherry storage quality

This study developed a biodegradable food film, incorporating bioactive components of Polygonatum cyrtonema extracted using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) into a matrix of chitosan and soy protein isolate. The films containing varying concentrations (0 %–5 %) of P. cyrtonema extract (PCE) were characterized. The addition of PCE improved the mechanical (+25.9 MPa for tensile strength), optical (+11.29 mm−1 for opacity), and thermal stability (−14.39 % for weight loss) of the films. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rates increased by approximately 1.1 times and 0.5 times, respectively, and malondialdehyde formation reduced by 8 %. The films also effectively inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli. The films showed complete biodegradability after 7 days. Using the NADES-PCE coated film reduced the weight loss of sweet cherries by 41.04 % while significantly decreasing the loss of hardness, total phenols, vitamin C, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity, thereby considerably extending the storage life of the sweet cherries. Overall, this study developed a new environmentally friendly packaging material and improved the functionality of the packaging film by leveraging natural plant extracts, demonstrating tremendous potential in the field of food preservation and packaging.

Kongensin A targeting PI3K attenuates inflammation-induced osteoarthritis by modulating macrophage polarization and alleviating inflammatory signaling

The inflammatory microenvironment, polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype, and consequent matrix degradation and senescence of chondrocytes are primary contributors to the degeneration of knee joint cartilage, further exacerbating the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Kongensin A (KA) is a recently identified natural plant extract exhibiting anti-necrotic apoptosis and anti-inflammatory properties, but the potential efficacy in alleviating OA remains uncertain. The current research lucubrated the effect of KA on the inflammatory microenvironment and macrophage polarization, as well as its regulatory function in extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism and chondrocyte senescence. Our findings demonstrated that KA can suppress inflammatory signaling, maintain homeostasis between ECM anabolism and catabolism, and suppress chondrocytes senescence. Further investigation elucidated that the mechanism involves the suppression of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB axis in chondrocytes under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, KA impeded M1 polarization of macrophages via inhibiting PI3K/AKT/NF-κB axis. Subsequently, we treated chondrocytes with macrophages-derived conditioned medium (CM) and revealed that KA can promote ECM anabolism and alleviate chondrocytes senescence by reprogramming macrophage polarization. Consistent with in vitro experiments, in vivo administration of KA demonstrated alleviated cartilage degeneration and delayed progression of OA. Collectively, through obstructing the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB axis, KA can reprogram macrophage polarization, promote matrix metabolism equilibrium, and alleviate chondrocytes senescence, thereby attenuating the pathology of OA. In conclusion, KA may emerge as a promising therapy for OA.

Ubiquitination and De-Ubiquitination in the Synthesis of Cow Milk Fat: Reality and Prospects.

Ubiquitination modifications permit the degradation of labelled target proteins with the assistance of proteasomes and lysosomes, which is the main protein degradation pathway in eukaryotic cells. Polyubiquitination modifications of proteins can also affect their functions. De-ubiquitinating enzymes reverse the process of ubiquitination via cleavage of the ubiquitin molecule, which is known as a de-ubiquitination. It was demonstrated that ubiquitination and de-ubiquitination play key regulatory roles in fatty acid transport, de novo synthesis, and desaturation in dairy mammary epithelial cells. In addition, natural plant extracts, such as stigmasterol, promote milk fat synthesis in epithelial cells via the ubiquitination pathway. This paper reviews the current research on ubiquitination and de-ubiquitination in dairy milk fat production, with a view to providing a reference for subsequent research on milk fat and exploring new directions for the improvement of milk quality.

Evaluation of Anti-arthritic Activity of hydro-alcoholic Root Extract of Moringa concanensis in complete Freund’s Adjuvant-induced Arthritic Rats

Background: Arthritis, a debilitating inflammatory disorder, has been a target for numerous therapeutic interventions. Natural plant extracts, especially those rich in phytochemicals like terpenoids, have demonstrated potential as alternative remedies. In this context, Moringa concanensis, a traditionally known medicinal plant, needs further elucidation regarding its anti-arthritic efficacy. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic potential of the hydro-alcoholic root extract of Moringa concanensis in a Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis rat model. Methods: An initial phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis were executed on the hydro-alcoholic root extract of Moringa concanensis. Arthritis was subsequently induced in rats using CFA. Comprehensive assessments were made on various parameters such as body weight, paw volume, joint diameter, serum rheumatoid factor, serum C-reactive protein, ALP, ALT, total protein, total cholesterol, and urea. Additionally, histopathological studies of the liver and ankle joints were carried out. For comparative efficacy, methotrexate was employed as a positive control. Results: Rats receiving the hydro-alcoholic extract at dosages of 200mg/kg (p.o) and 400mg/kg (p.o) exhibited a notable reduction in the physical and biochemical indicators of arthritis, in comparison to the untreated arthritic model. Histopathological observations further confirmed that the anti-arthritic effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract were on par with methotrexate. Conclusion: The hydro-alcoholic root extract of Moringa concanensis exhibited significant anti-arthritic activity, possibly attributed to its terpenoid content. The findings advocate for its potential application as a therapeutic agent in managing arthritis.

High-coverage characterization and discovery of molecular markers for quality control of natural fragrant plant extracts using UPLC-HRMS-based untargeted metabolomics.

The chemical components of natural fragrant plant extracts are of high complexity, and the strategies for quality control (QC) and further discovery of fragrance mechanisms still need to be further investigated. This study integrated the strategies and methods of untargeted metabolomics and chemometrics and statistical modeling to attain the goal. The techniques of reversed-phase and HILIC analysis of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) were simultaneously used to collect data in both positive and negative ion modes. The pattern analysis of fingerprints and discovery of characteristic molecular markers for QC analysis were comprehensively employed to reach in-depth analysis of the quality variation and discovery of differential molecules among natural fragrant plant extracts. The former uses fingerprint technique to analyze their overall similarities and differences, and the latter comprehensively discovers molecular substances characterizing the chemical characteristics of fragrant extracts with the help of metabolomics and univariate and multivariate methods. The findings are expected to be used as the molecular markers in product manufacturing, sales, and consumption to achieve accurate quality control and recognition of targeted molecules for potential quality monitoring using spectroscopy techniques. In this work, 27 natural fragrant extracts were applied as examples, and their chemical components were comprehensively analyzed with discovery of markers for quality control. After data integration, 1178 molecules were annotated, and 267 differential metabolite molecules with the values of variable importance in the projection (VIP) larger than 1.0 were found. The results show that the method proposed in this work is of great significance for high-coverage analysis, QC marker discovery, and aroma mechanism elucidation, which has potential applications in the areas of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and others.

Plumbagin enhances antimicrobial and anti-biofilm capacities of chlorhexidine against clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae while reducing resistance mutations.

With the widespread misuse of disinfectants, the clinical susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) to chlorhexidine (CHX) has gradually diminished, posing significant challenges to clinical disinfection and infection control. K. pneumoniae employs overexpression of efflux pumps and the formation of thick biofilms to evade the lethal effects of CHX. Plumbagin (PLU) is a natural plant extract that enhances membrane permeability and reduces proton motive force. In this study, we elucidated the synergistic antimicrobial activity of PLU in combination with CHX, effectively reducing the MIC of CHX against K. pneumoniae to 1 µg/mL and below. Crucially, through crystal violet staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy live/dead staining, we discovered that PLU significantly enhances the anti-biofilm capability of CHX. Mechanistically, experiments involving membrane permeability, alkaline phosphatase leakage, reactive oxygen species, and RT-qPCR suggest that the combination of PLU and CHX improves the permeability of bacterial inner and outer membranes, promotes bacterial oxidative stress, and inhibits oqxA/B efflux pump expression. Furthermore, we conducted surface disinfection experiments on medical instruments to simulate clinical environments, demonstrating that the combination effectively reduces bacterial loads by more than 3 log10 CFU/mL. Additionally, results from resistance mutation frequency experiments indicate that combined treatment reduces the generation of resistant mutants within the bacterial population. In summary, PLU can serve as an adjuvant, enhancing the anti-biofilm capability of CHX and reducing the occurrence of resistance mutations, thereby extending the lifespan of CHX.IMPORTANCEAs disinfectants are extensively and excessively utilized worldwide, clinical pathogens are progressively acquiring resistance against these substances. However, high concentrations of disinfectants can lead to cross-resistance to antibiotics, and concurrent use of different disinfectants can promote bacterial resistance mutations and facilitate the horizontal transfer of resistance genes, which poses significant challenges for clinical treatment. Compared with the lengthy process of developing new disinfectants, enhancing the effectiveness of existing disinfectants with natural plant extracts is important and meaningful. CHX is particularly common and widely used compared with other disinfectants. Meanwhile, Klebsiella pneumoniae, as a clinically significant pathogen, exhibits high rates of resistance and pathogenicity. Previous studies and our data indicate a significant decrease in the sensitivity of clinical K. pneumoniae to CHX, highlighting the urgent need for novel strategies to address this issue. In light of this, our research is meaningful.

Technologies to decontaminate aflatoxins in foods: a review

SummaryAflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus spp., found in staple food commodities. Aflatoxins are carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic and pose a serious threat to the health of humans. The identification and quantification of aflatoxins in foods is a major challenge to guarantee food safety. Therefore, developing feasible, sensitive, and robust methods for decontamination is paramount, with short processing time and negligible impact on quality. This review evaluates recent novel technologies for aflatoxins decontamination by physical methods (microwave heating, Gama and electron beam irradiation, pulse light and ultraviolet), chemical methods (ozone, natural plant extracts, and organic acids), and biological methods (atoxigenic Aspergillus strains, Trichoderma spp., and bacteria and yeast). The study highlights on the cutting‐edge technologies of smart packaging and artificial intelligence (AI). To achieve more efficiency and adaptability to different food matrices in aflatoxins decontamination, the study suggests integrating multiple strategies. The study also recommends integrating Partnership for Delivery (P4D) to share the responsibility to increase the chance for success and control aflatoxins in foods.

The effects of Marrubium alysson and Torilis arvensis natural and nano extracts on priming of wheat seeds in response to drought

AbstractAgriculture and climate change are inextricably linked in various aspects. Droughts have become more frequent as a result of climate change, having a significant impact on crop productivity. As a result, the current study investigated the effect of seed priming with natural plant extract and biosynthesized nano plant extract as an environmentally friendly tool for mitigating the drought effect on wheat as an economic crop. The study investigates the biosynthesis of Ag-nano particles from extracts of Marrubium alysson and Torilis arvensis. The UV–Vis spectrophotometer was used to characterize the biosynthesized AgNPs. Wheat grains were primed with Marrubium alysson and Torilis arvensis, along with their nanoextracts, and grown in different water regimes (100%, 60% and 40% field capacity), as well as hydropriming. Leaves were collected to determine the photosynthetic pigments, phenolics, flavonoids, CAT, GPX, H2O2, MDA, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins. In comparison with hydropriming seeds, the study discovered that natural and nano extracts significantly increased the CAT and GPX, as well as soluble proteins. Phenolics, flavonoids, soluble sugars, H2O2, and MDA content all decreased significantly, but pigment content remained unchanged. The study believed that priming wheat with natural and nano extracts, improved drought tolerance through the use of their metabolites, which included soluble sugars, phenolics, and flavonoids, accumulating in other metabolites like lignin, starch, and flavolignan to increase plant tolerance and reduce oxidative damage. Furthermore, nano extracts of Torilis arvensis and Marrubium alysson may be more effective than plant extracts since they separate from each other in PCA analysis.

Bio-efficacy of some plant extracts as a new acaricide for control of the house dust and stored product mites

ABSTRACT House mites frequently trigger allergic conditions. Although conventional treatments are effective, they can result in drug resistance and pose risks to the environment, human health, and non-target organisms. Therefore, this study evaluates new botanical extracts for their biological activities against Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart 1897; Pyroglyphidae), D. farinae (Hughes 1961; Pyroglyphidae), and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank 1781; Acaridae), not only to control them but also to reduce their allergens (dead bodies and faecal particles) by keeping them away. It is noteworthy that of these plants, Allium cepa L. (Alliaceae) and Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae) peel extracts, as well as leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae), were tested for the first time in the present study as new bioacaricides, while Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae) and H. sabdariffa leaves proved to be new botanical repellents for these mite species. Based on LC50 values, A. cepa, Beta vulgaris, and S. melongena extracts had the most potent toxic effects on these mite species, while extracts of Aloe vera, Capsicum annum, and P. nigrum had the strongest repellent activity against them at the highest concentration. These natural plant extracts may have valuable potential as new acaricidal products.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Mangifera indica, Mentha arvensis, and Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in Children: A Comparative In Vivo Study.

Herbal medicines are both promotive and preventive in inhibiting dental caries. Most commonly used natural plant extracts like mango (Mangifera indica) and pudina (Mentha arvensis) as an entire or together are scientifically well proven to be safe and effective against various oral health problems, especially in preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases. The present study aims to comparatively evaluate the effect of Mangifera indica, Mentha arvensis, and Chlorhexidine (CHX) (0.2%) mouthwashes on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) in children. By random allocation, 45 healthy children were selected between the age-group of 7 and 10 years of both genders from a residential school. They were divided into three study groups of 15 in each; group I-CHX (control group), group II-Mangifera indica mouthwash, and group III-Mentha arvensis mouthwash. Stimulated whole saliva sample collected for the amount of colony forming units and cultured for S. mutans and C. albicans. The data was tabulated, and statistical analysis was done with one-way variance analysis of the variance (ANOVA), Tukey's post hoc honestly significant difference (HSD) test, and Bonferroni and Kruskal-Wallis test. Mangifera indica (group II) and Mentha arvensis (group III) showed a significant reduction of salivary counts at baseline, 14th day, and 21st day period and minimal effect on C. albicans for Mangifera indica. Among the three types of mouthwash, the CHX was the most superior; it showed a statistically significant reduction overall. When compared to Mangifera indica with Mentha arvensis, Mentha arvensis showed a statistically significant reduction in S. mutans and C. albicans and had an almost equivocal effect like CHX. Both herbal mouthwashes had a significant reduction in the S. mutans and C. albicans in children. So, it can be considered an active ingredient in mouthwashes. It may serve as a natural antimicrobial mouthwash with no adverse effects. Kajjari S, K VB, Janardhanan S, et al. Antimicrobial Efficacy of Mangifera indica, Mentha arvensis, and Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in Children: A Comparative In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(S-1):S78-S83.

Improving Fruit Set, Yield and Fruit Quality of Barhee Date Palms Using Some Natural Plant Extracts

This experiment was conducted during two successive seasons (2020 and 2021). The aim of this research is to study the effect of spraying Barhee date palm with some natural plant extracts on fruit set, yield and fruit physical and chemical properties. Inflorescences were sprayed with moringa and garlic extracts at 2 or 4% for both, three times (one hour before pollination, one month after pollination and two months after pollination). The obtained results indicated that spraying date palm inflorescences with moringa and garlic extracts produced higher initial fruit set as compared with the untreated ones in the two seasons. While all tested treatments improved fruit physical characteristics such as fruit weight, flesh weight, fruit length and diameter compared to the control treatment in the two studied seasons; moringa extract recorded the heaviest bunches and yield/palm in both seasons. In addition, the results showed that moringa extract at 4% increased total soluble solids%, total sugars%, reducing and non-reducing sugars% in both seasons compared to the control. Meanwhile, the lowest fruit set, bunch weight, yield/palm and fruit physical and chemical properties were recorded due to the control in both seasons. Also, all treatments reduced significantly total acidity% in both seasons. In addition, spraying moringa extract at 4% improved leaf mineral content (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and gave the highest values followed by moringa extract at 2%, then garlic extract at 4% and 2%, respectively in both seasons.

Design and development of antiperspirant formulation from natural extract: An overview

Antiperspirants are typically applied to the under arms, to prevent or reduce perspiration and odour, providing comfort and confidence to individuals. Antiperspirants are one of the most commonly used cosmetics with millions of people applying them to their axillae regularly. Aluminium salts are commonly used as antiperspirants which increase alzhimer’s disease, breast and prostate cancer and, contact dermatitis. As a result plant extract with antibacterial properties are useful. Herbal cosmetics products are believed to have effectiveness and inherent acceptability due to their wide spread use in everyday life while avoiding negative effects associated with synthetic products. The natural plant extracts like helps to avoid the adverse effects caused by chemicals and offer a promising avenue for developing effective and safe antiperspirant formulations.

An Online Survey on Usability, Acceptability, Attitude and Knowledge of Herbal and Synthetic Cosmetic Among Sikkimese Population

In recent years, the global cosmetics industry has witnessed a notable shift in consumer preferences towards natural and organic products, leading to an increased demand for herbal cosmetics derived from plant-based ingredients. This research survey presents a comparative analysis of herbal and synthetic cosmetics, exploring distinctions in formulation, efficacy, safety, and environmental impact. Herbal cosmetics incorporate natural elements like plant extracts, essential oils, herbs, and fruits, while synthetic counterparts are developed using chemical compounds in laboratories to replicate specific properties. The main objective is to find out the preferences between herbal and synthetic cosmetics among individuals in Sikkim. The methodology adopted for mini survey was pre-prepared questionnaires were developed by using Google forms and shared through the online platforms such as Mail, Whatapps and facebook. An online survey conducted in different districts of Sikkim revealed that 42% of respondents favoured herbal cosmetics, while 31% preferred synthetic products and 23% had no specific preference. Factors influencing those leaning toward synthetic cosmetics included perceived effectiveness, availability, and affordability. Despite the clear interest and preference for herbal cosmetics, the survey also highlighted limited choice and availability in comparison to synthetic alternatives. This suggests a substantial opportunity for growth in the herbal cosmetic industry, emphasizing the need for increased accessibility to meet the growing demand in Sikkim and beyond. Keywords: Knowledge of Herbal, An Online Survey, Herbal Cosmetics, Acceptability, Usability, Sikkimese People