Plant Extracts Research Articles

Teucrium polium Extract Ameliorates Neurobehavioral, Neurochemical Induced by Nicotine in Brain of Mice

Background: Smoking tobacco is a serious global health problem that is associated with psychiatric disorders and increased mortality rates. Nicotine, the main compound consumed during smoking, causes damage to different organs, especially the brain. The current study assessed the modulatory impact of Teucrium polium extract (TPE) on nicotine-induced behavioral and biochemical, alterations in mice brains. Methods: Twenty-four mice were divided into four groups and treated for three weeks. Group one was control, group two was subcutaneously injected with 2.5 mg/kg nicotine, group three received 100 mg/kg TPE orally, and group four was given 2.5 mg/kg of nicotine subcutaneously after an hour of oral administration of 100 mg/kg TPE. Result: The HPLC results of the plant extract showed the presence of 11 bioactive compounds. Nicotine administration increased anxiety and decreased locomotor activity and forelimb grip strength. Dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholinesterase activity showed a significant decline in the nicotine-induced group. Treatment with TPE showed anxiolytic effects, modulated muscle strength and locomotor activity. Also, there was an increase in neurotransmitters compared with the nicotine group. In conclusion, TPE protected against nicotine-induced neurotoxicity through modulating behavior and neurotransmitter levels in mice.

Antimicrobial Metabolites of Caucasian Medicinal Plants as Alternatives to Antibiotics

This review explores the potential of antimicrobial metabolites derived from Caucasian medicinal plants as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. With the rise of antibiotic resistance posing a global health threat, there is a pressing need to investigate alternative sources of antimicrobial agents. Caucasian medicinal plants have traditionally been used for their therapeutic properties, and recent research has highlighted their potential as sources of antimicrobial compounds. Representatives of 15 families of Caucasian medicinal plant extracts (24 species) have been explored for their efficacy against these pathogens. The effect of these plants on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi is discussed in this paper. By harnessing the bioactive metabolites present in these plants, this study aims to contribute to the development of new antimicrobial treatments that can effectively combat bacterial infections while minimizing the risk of resistance emergence. Herein we discuss the following classes of bioactive compounds exhibiting antimicrobial activity: phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, saponins, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds of Allium species. The review discusses the pharmacological properties of selected Caucasian medicinal plants, the extraction and characterization of these antimicrobial metabolites, the mechanisms of action of antibacterial and antifungal plant compounds, and their potential applications in clinical settings. Additionally, challenges and future directions in the research of antimicrobial metabolites from Caucasian medicinal plants are addressed.

Plant Extract in the Control of Poultry Omphalitis

Bacteria continue to disrupt poultry production and can cause resistant and persistent yolk sac infections to prevention efforts, known as omphalitis, resulting in poultry death. This literature review aims to demonstrate how plant extracts can help combat omphalitis in poultry. The Google Scholar database served as a resource for retrieving pertinent literature covering a wide range of search terms relevant to the scope of the research. The search strategy involved a combination of terms such as antimicrobials, chick embryo, omphalitis, plant extracts, poultry nutrition, and sanitization. The potential of plant extracts in preventing or treating infections in poultry, especially omphalitis, is mainly due to their antibacterial and safety properties. Sanitization and direct delivery of plant extracts to the internal contents of eggs, feed, or water are cutting-edge interventions to reduce the bacterial load in eggs and poultry, minimizing infection rates. For example, these interventions may include advanced treatment technologies or precise delivery systems focused on disease prevention in poultry.

Tiny Green Army: Fighting Malaria with Plants and Nanotechnology

Malaria poses a global threat to human health, with millions of cases and thousands of deaths each year, mainly affecting developing countries in tropical and subtropical regions. Malaria’s causative agent is Plasmodium species, generally transmitted in the hematophagous act of female Anopheles sp. mosquitoes. The main approaches to fighting malaria are eliminating the parasite through drug treatments and preventing transmission with vector control. However, vector and parasite resistance to current strategies set a challenge. In response to the loss of drug efficacy and the environmental impact of pesticides, the focus shifted to the search for biocompatible products that could be antimalarial. Plant derivatives have a millennial application in traditional medicine, including the treatment of malaria, and show toxic effects towards the parasite and the mosquito, aside from being accessible and affordable. Its disadvantage lies in the type of administration because green chemical compounds rapidly degrade. The nanoformulation of these compounds can improve bioavailability, solubility, and efficacy. Thus, the nanotechnology-based development of plant products represents a relevant tool in the fight against malaria. We aim to review the effects of nanoparticles synthesized with plant extracts on Anopheles and Plasmodium while outlining the nanotechnology green synthesis and current malaria prevention strategies.

Cytotoxic activities of metallic nanoparticles biosynthesized using plant extracts and pure compounds from Cephalaria species

Green nanotechnology has been focused on new concepts and fundamental research to produce nanoparticles in high rates and low risks by the use of different sources such as microorganisms and plants. Due to the several constituents in secondary metabolites, plants play an important role in nanomaterial synthesis known as ecofriendly methods which acquired important potential in different studies. The current work aimed to synthesize different silver and zinc-based nanoparticles using Cephalaria tchihatchewii via phytobiological methods involving metallic solutions, organic extracts, and isolated compounds. Sixteen types of nanoparticles were determined in between 50 and 297 nm as diameter and characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activities of nanoparticles were evaluated against human lung cancer (A549), breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), prostate cancer (PC3), and healthy lung (CCD-34Lu) cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromide MTT assay utilizing doxorubicin as a positive control. Against PC3 cells, the cytotoxic activity of silver nitrate and loganin-AgNPs show significant inhibition with IC50 values of 2.39 ± 0.16 and 7.84 ± 1.21 respectively compared with doxorubicin (12.99 ± 1.57 µg/mL). A moderate inhibition activity was observed for Zinc sulfate, elmalienoside-B-AgNPs, methyl glycoside-AgNPs, and luteolin-7-O-glycoside-AgNPs with IC50 values of 22. 27± 0.18, 11.59 ± 0.82, 12.43 ± 0.37 and 13.26 ± 1.63 µg/mL, respectively. The inhibition activity against human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 was significantly reported with silver nitrate (2.25 ± 0.62 µg/mL), and elmalienoside-B-AgNPs (11.48 ± 0.46 µg/mL) compared with doxorubicin (11.61± 0.68 µg/mL). The cytotoxicity activities, make Cephalaria tchihatchewii plant a suitable candidate in different biopharmaceutical usages especially in anticancer activities. This study will provide a clear perspective on nanoparticles containing green synthesized pure compounds and the reaction mechanism of their activities.

Review on Herbal Mouthwash for Management and Prevention of Oral Diseases

General health and dental health are equally important. Periodontal disease, gingivitis, plaque, and sore throats may affect a higher proportion of the population these days. To support maintaining the best possible dental health, several formulae are available. To support maintaining the best possible dental health, several formulae are available. Using mouthwash is recommended to lessen plaque, discomfort, bacteria, and bad breath. Herbal mouthwash is preferred over chemical mouthwash since it has fewer side effects or almost no side effects, doesn't include alcohol, and is not irritating. Medicinal plants can be used for prevention, treatment and management of disease as they have antibacterial qualities against pathogens that afflict humans. Compared to synthetic mouthwash, herbal mouthwash has fewer or no negative effects because it is made from extracts of crude drugs. Several plant extracts are used to make herbal mouthwashes. The following herbs which are helpful in dentistry are mentioned in this article: clove, peppermint, miswak, Tulsi, wintergreen, guava, pomegranate, and cinnamon. Mouthwashes made with natural ingredients that people may easily make and use safely at home could improve dental health in general. Using natural mouthwash to maintain dental health is the main objective of this review.

Analysis of Plant Extracts' Influence on Coriander Plant Development (Coriandrum sativum): Exploring Potential for Improvement

This study aimed to assess the impact of a formulation containing plant extracts from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), garlic (Allium sativum), and aloe vera (Aloe vera) at varying concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 5%, and 10%) on the growth and germination rate of coriander seedlings (Coriandrum sativum). The seedlings were cultivated in a prototype greenhouse under room temperature conditions to shield them from external weather factors. Notably, the 5% concentration exhibited significant variation, while the 10% concentration showed modest growth compared to the control group. These findings underscore the potential of natural fertilizers in enhancing the growth of herbaceous plants and advocate for exploring plant-based formulations as an ecofriendly alternative for fertilization practices.

Synthesis of Cu doped NiO for their antioxidant and photocatalytic properties: Green synthesis using Lycopodium Linn

Metal oxide nanoparticles produced by plant extracts are more stable and biocompatible in comparison with those produced by physical and chemical methods. This research focuses on the synthesis of pure and Cu doped NiO nanoparticles (NPs) using Phytolacca dodecandra L'Herit (P.d) leaf extract and evaluation of their antioxidant and photocatalytic activities. The obtained Cu-doped NiONPs have been characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis), N2 adsorption-desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analyses in different concentrations (1, 3, and 5 %) of copper at an optimum temperature of 400 °C. The photocatalytic activity of prepared samples was studied by degradation of Rose Bengal (RB) and Methylene Blue (MB) dye aqueous solutions. Under UV radiation for 60 min. 5-Cu-NiO nanophotocatalyst showed degradation efficiency of 98.7 % (0.5 mol/L), high apparent constant (0.9871 min−1) and long term stability towards MB dye. In the antioxidant test, NiO NPs and Cu−NiO NPs prevented the oxidation of 50 % of the H2O2 molecules at a concentration of 363.96 and 350.29 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the enhancement of the antioxidant activity of the biosynthesized NiO NPs might be an effect of copper ions present in the particles. Facile and green synthesis process with the excellent degradation performance demonstrates that the Cu doped NiO NPs have a great potential for wastewater treatment applications.

Optimizing bioherbicide application timing and plant spacing to manage weed growth in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation

Weed management is crucial for successful rice cultivation. Bioherbicides derived from cogon grass extract offer a promising solution for weed control. Additionally, optimizing plant spacing has been recognized as an effective method to suppress weed growth. Thus, this study aims to investigate the impact of cogon grass extract application timing and plant spacing on weed growth in rice cultivation. The study was conducted from October 2022 to February 2023 in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The study was 3 × 2 factorial and arranged in a randomized completely block design (RCBD). The first factor was the bioherbicide application timing: control (no application), three days before planting, and at the time of planting. The second factor was plant spacing: 15 × 15 and 25 × 25 cm. In total, there were six treatment combinations and three replications (replications as blocks). The research results indicated the application timing of bioherbicide did not significant effect on the growth of weed and rice, as well as the grain dry weight. Fimbristylis miliacea was obtained as the dominant weed species. Bioherbicide application at the time of planting could alter the composition of weed species compared to the control in plant spacing of 15 × 15 cm. Furthermore, the plant spacing of 25 × 25 cm resulted in higher grain and weed dry weight (19.40 g/clump and 45.00 g/0.25 m2) compared to 15 × 15 cm (12.92 g/clump and 23.04 g/0.25 m2). On the contrary, the grain dry weight per hectare was higher in 15 × 15 cm (5.74 t/ha) than in 25 × 25 cm (3.10 t/ha). The research findings indicate that closer plant spacing can suppress weed growth and increase the grain dry weight per hectare compared to wider plant spacing. We recommend that the use of cogon grass extract dosage needs to be increased above 50 L/ha.

Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using Acacia nilotica plant extract and their anti-bacterial activity

Green-synthesised silver nanoparticles (AgNP) used to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This article addresses the synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) based on Acacia nilotica plant extract, as well as their antibacterial efficacy against human illnesses. The information of homogeneous, spherical shaped AgNP with an average size of 23.65 nm was confirmed by XRD, SEM, EDAX, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and FTIR analysis. The effectiveness of the produced AgNP against various bacteria was tested using MIC and zone of inhibition experiments, showing impressive inhibitory effects. These findings imply that the environmentally friendly production method and potent antibacterial properties of the biosynthesized AgNP hold promise for upcoming bio-related uses.

Dietary Cyanus depressus (M. Bieb.) Soják plant extract enhances growth performance, modulates intestinal microbiota, and alters gene expression associated with digestion, antioxidant, stress, and immune responses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Dietary Cyanus depressus (M. Bieb.) Soják plant extract enhances growth performance, modulates intestinal microbiota, and alters gene expression associated with digestion, antioxidant, stress, and immune responses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The Effect of Combinations of Antibiotics and Natural Products on the Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Introduction/Background The steadily increasing bacterial resistance to existing antimicrobial drugs is a significant issue, hence, it is imperative to look out for new approaches to bacterial therapy Occasionally, effective inhibitory action is not produced when antibiotics are used alone. To overcome this problem, a combination of drugs is often used. One approach to treat infectious diseases is the use of a combination of antibiotics together with plant extracts or phytochemicals. For patients with serious infections caused by pathogens resistant to drugs, combination therapy is beneficial and useful. Materials and Methods Seven antibiotics were obtained from a local pharmacy (gentamicin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, and azithromycin). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by broth micro-dilution method, and different antimicrobial combinations were studied on 20 Multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates (10 S. aureus and 10 P. aeruginosa). Moreover, the antibacterial activity of some volatile oils (limonene, rosemary, salvia, thymus, and black pepper), plant extracts (moringa seed, curcumin, and capsicum), and phytochemicals (thymol, and chitosan) was detected against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa isolates using broth micro-dilution method. Results According to our findings, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin or gentamicin together exhibited a substantial synergistic effect against S. aureus. Moreover, the combination of amoxicillin with ceftazidime was synergistic to reduce MIC by five to six times. Regarding MDR clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, the combination of azithromycin with doxycycline exhibited a decrease of MIC of azithromycin by about five to sixfold. The combination of gentamicin with ceftriaxone was significant. For natural compounds, thymol, rosemary oil, curcumin, capsicum, and moringa seed extract exhibited the highest synergistic activity with the tested antibiotics against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Conclusion In conclusion, the lack of new antibiotics necessitates the improvement of existing ones. Our study shows that antibiotic combinations and antibiotic-natural plant combinations are very promising strategies for combating complex bacterial resistance.

Green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles using Ligustrum lucidum extract, and the antioxidant and antifungal evaluation

Abstract Biosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles using plant extract is an inexpensive, simple, rapid, and environmentally friendly approach to obtaining nanoparticles for biological applications. Herein, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) were successfully synthesized using an aqueous extract from Ligustrum lucidum leaves. The structural, optical, and morphological characteristics of the nanoparticles were assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometer, transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). Nanocrystalline CuO with an average crystalline size of 22.0 nm and a band gap energy of 1.4 eV were confirmed from the XRD and UV vis spectrophotometer, respectively. Morphological studies showed spherical nanoparticles, whose particle size estimation (30±5 nm) agrees with the crystalline size deduced from the XRD pattern. A free radical scavenging activity of the CuO nnanoparticles, evaluated using the 1, 1-diphenhyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, showed that it exhibited high antioxidant activity (IC50: 63.35 µg/mL) that is concentration dependent. Antifungal evaluation using four different fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Trichoderma harzianum) indicated a direct relationship between the potency of the particles and their concentration, with 1 ppm solution exhibiting the highest potency. The green synthesized CuO-NPs using Ligustrum lucidum may be potentially used as an antioxidant and antifungal agent for therapeutic applications.

Ethnomedicine, antibacterial activity, antioxidant potential and phytochemical screening of selected medicinal plants in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, western Ethiopia.

Medicinal plants play a major role in the delivery of healthcare, particularly among the rural population of Ethiopia. Plant extracts and their bioactive compounds have been utilized for the treatment of several diseases. This study was aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity, antioxidant capacity, and phytochemical content of selected medicinal plants used in Dibatie district, western Ethiopia. Study plants were collected, shade dried, pulverized, extracted by maceration in 80% ethanol, and subjected to antibacterial, antioxidant, and phytochemical tests. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using 96-well microplates and nutrient broth microdilution. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Phytochemical screening was conducted using standard test methods. The ethanolic extract of Polystachya steudneri Rchb.f. pseudobulbs was the most active against gram-negative Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Shigella flexneri, with MIC values of 8 ± 0, 11 ± 5, 3 ± 1, 3 ± 1, and 2 ± 0mg/mL, respectively. The ethanolic extract of P. steudneri was also the most effective against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Enterococcus faecalis, with MIC values of 8 ± 0, 8 ± 0, 3 ± 1, and 16 ± 0mg/mL, respectively. Ethanolic extracts of Gnidia involucrata Steud. ex A.Rich. stems and roots were effective antioxidants, with respective 50% DPPH free radical inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 168.68 and 181.79µg/mL, followed by that of P. steudneri (IC50 = 203.11µg/mL). The study plants contained alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. This study confirmed the antibiotic, antioxidant, and phytochemical constituents of the investigated plants and suggested further investigations that may lead to bioactive lead compounds.

Sustainable fabrication of a novel ZIF-67 modified with Atriplex halimus-mediated MoO3/GO-NH2 for expeditious removal of nitrophenol

Herein, a novel, green, and sustainable MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO composite has been fabricated for the removal of notorious o-nitrophenols (o-NPs) from wastewater. Atriplex halimus L. (saltbush) served a dual function where the plant extract was used for the synthesis of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) NPs, while the spent biomass-derived biochar was utilized as feedstock to produce green graphene oxide (GO). Ultimately, the MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO composite was in situ fabricated by mixing MoO3 and AmGO with ZIF-67 during its preparation by the self-templating approach. Remarkably, the adsorption of o-NP onto MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO attained equilibrium in just less than 10 min. The kinetics and isotherms analyses verified that the o-NP adsorption onto MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO adhered to the Pseudo-2nd-order and Freundlich models, with a consistent qmax value of 500 mg/g. A conceivable adsorption mechanism was investigated in detail. Moreover, the ionic strength test implied the impact of the salting-out phenomenon in boosting o-NP adsorption. The eco-friendly MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO proves to be a sustainable adsorbent, displaying excellent recyclability in consistently removing o-NP across multiple cycles.

Piscicidal Effects of Extracts of Karenja Plant Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre and Vat plant Clerodendrum viscosum (Vent.) on singhi Fish Heteropneustes Fossilis (Bloch)

The piscicidal properties of the seed, leaf and bark of the indigenous plants, karenja Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre and vat Clerodendrum viscosum (Vent.) were studied on the predatory fish Singhi, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) under laboratory conditions. Distilled water, 50% ethyl alcohol and absolute ethyl alcohol extracts of the plant parts of the plants were tested in this experiment. The altered behaviour due to the effects of the extracts was noted, initially hyperactivity, losing stamina and in the later period, after a few hours, the affected fishes becoming sluggish and inactive. Mortality data varied depending upon the toxicity of the plant parts, extracts and concentrations. On the basis of concentrations, the relative toxicity of the piscicides on H. fossilis for P. pinnata was found to be in the order of seed > bark > leaf and for C. viscosum, seed > leaf > bark. The toxicity of seed and leaf extracts of C. viscosum was greater than P. pinnata but opposite for bark extract for the fish. On the basis of LC50 values the toxicity of both the plant parts were similar as to seed > bark > leaf. The Chittagong Univ. J. B. Sci.,Vol. 7(1 &2):65-78 , 2012.

Supercapacitors and triboelectric nanogenerators based on electrodes of greener iron nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes composites

The development of supporting materials based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) impregnated with iron nanoparticles via a sustainable and green synthesis employing plant extract of Punica granatum L. leaves was carried out for the iron nanoparticle modification and the following impregnation into the carbon nanotubes composites (CNT-Fe) that were also coated with polypyrrole (CNT-Fe + PPy) for use as electrode for supercapacitor and triboelectric nanogenerators. The electrochemical characterization of the materials by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) assays revealed that the CNT-Fe + PPy gave rise to better performance due to the association of double-layer capacitance behavior of carbon derivative in association with the pseudocapacitance contribution of PPy resulting in an areal capacitance value 202 mF/ cm2 for the overall composite. In terms of the application of electrodes in triboelectric nanogenerators, the best performance for the composite of CNT-Fe + PPy was 60 V for output voltage and power density of 6 μW/cm2. The integrated system showed that the supercapacitors can be charged directly by the nanogenerator from 0 to 42 mV in 300 s. The successful green synthesis of iron nanoparticles on CNT and further PPy coating provides a feasible method for the design and synthesis of high-performance SCs and TENGs electrode materials. This work provides a systematic approach that moves the research front forward by generating data that underpins further research in self-powered electronic devices.

Determination of Trace Cd(II) in Water and Cosmetics based on Au/GO/CuO Nanocomposite Functionalized Electrochemical Sensor

Abstract Cadmium (Cd(II)) is highly toxic to environmental, and while many approaches have been developed to measure cumulative Cd(II) concentration over time, online monitoring of spatiotemporal changes remains challenging. To address this, an electrochemical sensor for determination of ultra-trace Cd(II) was developed, based on gold/graphene oxide/copper oxide (Au/GO/CuO) nanomaterials modifying glassy carbon electrode. CuO nanoparticles were prepared by a green synthesis method using plant extract, and the Au nanoparticles were deposited on the GO/CuO nanosubstrates by an in-situ electrochemical method. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The CuO nanoparticles are layered flower-like with an average particle size of 200-500 nm. Au/GO/CuO nanocomposites with high specific surface area and excellent electronic transmission capability enhanced the electrochemical signal of the sensor. Owing to the synergistic effect of Au/GO/CuO, the sensor exhibited good performance to Cd(II) in the ultra-wide range of 5×10-11 - 5×10-7 M with a detection limit of 2×10-11 M. The sensor was successfully quantified for determining Cd(II) with desirable recovery, displaying outstanding long-term stability, high sensitivity, and reproducibility. After validating its accuracy, this sensor was successfully used for detection of Cd (II) in water and cosmetic samples.

Characterization of Green Synthesized Nanoparticles with Anti-diabetic Properties. A Systematic Review.

Plants are used in medicine because they are low-cost, widely available, and have few side effects (compared to pharmacological treatment). Plants have phytocompounds with antidiabetic properties that can be delivered using nanoparticles (NPs). To describe the antidiabetic properties of green synthesized NPs (GSNPs) and their characterization methods. Three databases were searched using the terms "type 2 diabetes mellitus," "antidiabetic effects," "phytochemicals," "plants," and "nanoparticles." Studies describing the antidiabetic effects (in vitro or animal models) of NPs synthesized by plant extracts and characterizing them through UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and DLS were included. 16 studies were included. In vitro studies reported enzyme inhibition values between 11% (H. polyrhizus) and 100% (A. concinna) for alfa-amylase and between 41.1% (M. zapota) and 100% (A. concinna) for alfa-glucosidase. Animal studies with Wistar Albino rats having diabetes (induced by alloxan or streptozotocin) reported improved blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL after treatment with GSNPs. Regarding characterization, NP sizes were measured with DLS (25-181.5 nm), SEM (52.1-91 nm), and TEM (8.7-40.6 nm). The surface charge was analyzed with zeta potential (-30.7 to -2.9 mV). UV-Vis spectroscopy was employed to confirm the formations of AgNPs (360-460 nm), AuNPs (524-540 nm), and ZnONPs (300-400 nm), and FTIR was used to identify plant extract functional groups. GSNP characterization (shape, size, zeta potential, and others) is essential to know the viability and stability, which are important to achieve health benefits for biomedical applications. Studies reported good enzyme inhibition percentages in in vitro studies, decreasing blood glucose levels and improving lipid profiles in animal models with diabetes. However, these studies had limitations in the methodology and potential risk of bias, so results need careful interpretation.

Bio-ultrasonic synthesis of tin oxide quantum dots: Effect of bio-carbon and their UV Photocatalytic activity

Abstract An ecofriendly synthesis is realized to elaborate tin oxide quantum dots (SnO2 -QDs) using the plant aqueous extract of Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) and SnCl4.5H2O at room temperature as a biological solvent and a precursor respectively. The effect of Aloe Vera extract concentration on the properties of SnO2-QDs has been studied. Morphological and structural properties of the as synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized using field effect-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The chemical composition of the nanoparticles was studied by Raman, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier transformation infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The optical properties were investigated by UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that all samples have a tetragonal rutile structure, with an estimated crystal size closed to the exciton Bohr radius, indicating a strong confinement of the carriers in the material. The crystallite size of SnO2-QDs nanoparticles decreases as Aloe Vera plant extract concentration increases. The formation of SnO2-QDs and the presence of graphitic carbon in samples were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, EDX analysis and Fourier transformation infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The blue shift of absorption is the most likely attributed to the quantum confinement effect. An Ostwald-repining growth model based on the concept of surface energy has been proposed to explain the kinetic growth of SnO2 QDs. The improvement of photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue (MB) might be caused by the size and the high surface area of the material.