Strong Antibacterial Properties Research Articles

HSA, free Radicals, and antibacterial interaction with ferrous oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Amorphophallus paeoniifolius

This work provides a sustainable method for producing iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) using an extract from Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (AP) tubers. The nanoparticles were then thoroughly characterized by TGA/DSC, UV, FTIR, and SEM examination. They demonstrated their strong antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbes. The sizes of the ZOI were found to be 19, 25, 16 and 14 at 100 mg/mL as compared to cefoxitin as 18, 23, 8 and 12 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtils) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) respectively. Their interaction with 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) revealed their free radical scavenging up to 70 %. NPs at 260 nm (λmax) have shown a hypo-chromic effect in the spectrophotometric approach, suggesting that FeONPs are intercalating in nature. The fluorescence quenching tests indicated the development of a non-fluorescent complex, implying FeONPs interaction with human serum albumin (HSA). As per Scatchard parameters, five binding sites observed in HSA during the interaction with FeONPs, where the Kb value indicated the NPs strong binding strength. The HSA and DPPH interaction nature of FeONPs suggests that they might be helpful in medical applications.

Comparative study of a liposome and emulsion system with cinnamon essential oil on the quality and proteolysis of refrigerated minced pork.

Essential oils have been recognized for their strong antibacterial property, making them an innovative approach for preserving meat. However, their chemical instability and direct impact on meat proteins limit their application. To overcome these limitations, various loading systems have been explored. This study aimed to compare the effect of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) loaded in a liposome and emulsion system on the proteolysis of minced pork and to evaluate the advantages of each delivery system in preventing microorganism-induced quality deterioration of meat. Minced pork treated with CEO-liposomes exhibited lower pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and total viable count (TVC) values than CEO-emulsions and provided better protection against microorganisms. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis confirmed that CEO-liposome was more effective in protecting proteins from degradation. Moreover, CEO-liposome produced lower amount of bitter amino acids and harmful biogenic amines. Antibacterial mechanisms indicated that CEO-liposome exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect against major spoilage bacteria in meat products by increasing cell membrane permeability. The membrane damage was further supported by an increase in conductivity and the leakage of nucleic acids. Compared to the CEO-emulsion system, CEO-liposome emerged as an effective preservative for minced pork. These results provided important theoretical support for using a bioactive compound delivery system to prevent microorganism-induced quality deterioration in meat.

Assessing antibacterial efficacy of a polyhexanide hydrogel versus alginate-based wound dressing in burns.

Burn injuries pose a heightened risk of infection, which is primarily responsible for increased morbidity and mortality. Factors such as extensive skin damage and compromised immunity exacerbate this vulnerability. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are frequently identified in burns, with Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa often resistant to antibacterial agents. While Flaminal, an alginate-based wound dressing (Flen Health, Belgium), aids wound healing, its antibacterial effects are limited compared with 1% silver sulfadiazine (1% SSD). In contrast, Prontosan Wound Gel X, a betaine and polyhexanide-based hydrogel (B. Braun Medical AG, Switzerland), has been shown to effectively combat various microbes and promotes wound healing. In this study, two research cohorts were retrospectively established (control group: patients receiving standard of care with the alginate-based wound dressing; intervention group: patients receiving the polyhexanide hydrogel wound dressing), comprising patients admitted to a burn centre between 2019 and 2022. Patients were eligible when continuous wound treatment with either of the two wound dressings was performed. Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) scans were conducted. Regions of interest (ROIs) were selected based on LDI scans and divided into healing time categories. Wound swabs were collected and the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was documented. Bacterial load was evaluated using a semiquantitative scale. Wound healing was recorded. The control group consisted of 31 patients with 93 ROIs, while the intervention group had 67 ROIs involving 29 patients. Both groups exhibited similar proportions of healing time categories (p>0.05). The polyhexanide hydrogel dressing outperformed the alginate-based dressing in antiseptic efficacy by significantly reducing the incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa- and Staphylococcus aureus-positive cultures in patients' wounds. Wound healing time for conservative treatment was comparable between groups. In this study, the polyhexanide hydrogel dressing minimised Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus colonisation in burn wounds, demonstrating strong antibacterial properties, emphasising its potential to minimise infections in burn injuries.

Enhancing physical characteristics and antibacterial efficacy of chitosan through investigation of microwave-assisted chemically formulated chitosan-coated ZnO and chitosan/ZnO physical composite

This study investigates the creation and analysis of chitosan-zinc oxide (CS-ZnO) nanocomposites, exploring their effectiveness in inhibiting bacteria. Two synthesis approaches, physical and chemical, were utilized. The CS-ZnO nanocomposites demonstrated strong antibacterial properties, especially against Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium. Chemically synthesized nanocomposites (CZ10 and CZ100) exhibited larger inhibition zones (16.4 mm and 18.7 mm) compared to physically prepared CS-Z5 and CS-Z20 (12.2 mm and 13.8 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, CZ nanocomposites displayed enhanced thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures of 281°C and 290°C, surpassing CS-Z5 and CS-Z20 (260°C and 258°C). The residual mass percentages at 800°C were significantly higher for CZ10 and CZ100 (58% and 61%) than for CS-Z5 and CS-Z20 (36% and 34%). UV–Visible spectroscopy revealed reduced band gaps in the CS-ZnO nanocomposites, indicating improved light absorption. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed uniform dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles within the chitosan matrix. In conclusion, this research underscores the impressive antimicrobial potential of CS-ZnO nanocomposites, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, and highlights their enhanced thermal stability. These findings hold promise for diverse applications in industries such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, and materials science, contributing to the development of sustainable materials with robust antimicrobial properties.

In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Imidazolium Poly(ionic liquids) Microspheres Loaded in GelMA-PEG Hydrogels.

Repairing damaged tissue caused by bacterial infection poses a significant challenge. Traditional antibacterial hydrogels typically incorporate various components such as metal antimicrobials, inorganic antimicrobials, organic antimicrobials, and more. However, drawbacks such as the emergence of multi-drug resistance to antibiotics, the low antibacterial efficacy of natural agents, and the potential cytotoxicity associated with metal antibacterial nanoparticles in hydrogels hindered their broader clinical application. In this study, we successfully developed imidazolium poly(ionic liquids) (PILs) polymer microspheres (APMs) through emulsion polymerization. These APMs exhibited notable antibacterial effectiveness and demonstrated minimal cell toxicity. Subsequently, we integrated the APMs into a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel. This composite hydrogel not only showcased strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties but also facilitated the migration of human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and promoted osteogenic differentiation in vitro.

Antibacterial activity of Spondias pinnata leaf extract on the in-vitro growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

Background: Infectious diseases caused by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria infection continue to be a significant cause of health problems. Over the past decades, there has been a growing interest in Spondias pinnata research. It has also been demonstrated that the essential oil and leaf extract of Spondias pinnata has strong antibacterial properties. This study aims to assess and analyze the antibacterial activity of Spondias pinnata leaf extract on the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. Methods: The design of this research is an experimental study with a post-test-only control group design at the Biomedical Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Warmadewa, and the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Udayana. The samples in this study were Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella typhimurium bacteria in which antibacterial activity of Spondias pinnata leaf extract was tested by using the Kirby-Bauer method. Results: The active compounds contained in the extract of Spondias pinnata leaf include saponins, phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins. Antibacterial activity of 60% extract concentration on Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans) had a strong inhibitory effect. Antibacterial activity of 40% and 60% extract concentrations on Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium) had moderate inhibitory effects. Conclusion: Spondias pinnata leaf extract had antibacterial activity potential on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, aligning with its increased concentration.

Biofabrication of Silver Nanoparticles by Azadirachta indica Rhizosphere Bacteria with Enhanced Antibacterial Properties

Microorganisms (MOs) are prominent in ecological functioning and balance. The rhizosphere is considered one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth and serves as a breeding spot for many MOs. Rhizosphere microbial diversity changes according to plant species, genotype, and the nature of the soil. The current study reports the possible use of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Azadirachta indica for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The physicochemical characterization and antibacterial activity of these green synthesized AgNPs are also reported. The gene (16S rRNA) sequence of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere showed a maximum similarity of 99.25% with Bacillus subtilis. After incubation, the colorless reaction mixture transformed to brown, which indicates the formation of AgNPs, and UV-vis spectral analysis also confirmed the biosynthesis of AgNPs. Compared to lower temperatures, the efficiency of AgNP synthesis was high at the higher temperature. The scanning electron microscope image demonstrated spherical-shaped AgNPs with sizes ranging from 18 to 21 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis established the elemental analysis of synthesized AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs showed strong bactericidal properties against pathogenic bacteria Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Therapeutic effect of ZnO NPs–polyhexanide-hydrogel on Staphylococcus aureus-induced skin wound infection in mice

Nanometer zinc oxide (ZnONPs) offers strong antibacterial, wound healing, hemostatic benefits, and UV protection. Additionally, poly(hexamethylene biguanide)hydrochloride (PHMB) is an environmentally friendly polymer with strong bactericidal properties. However, the synergistic effect of the combination of ZnONPs and PHMB has not been previously explored. The purpose of this study is to explore the synergies of ZnONPs and PHMB and the healing efficacy of ZnO NPs–PHMB-hydrogel on skin wounds in mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, the mice were subjected to skin trauma to create a wound model and were subsequently infected with S. aureus, and then divided into various experimental groups. The repair effect was evaluated by assessing the healing rate, as well as measuring the levels of TNF-α, IL-2, EGF, and TGF-β1 contents in the tissue. On the 4th and 9th days post-modeling, the Z-P group exhibited notably higher healing rates compared to the control group. However, on the 15th day, both the Z-P and AC groups achieved healing rates exceeding 99%. ZnO NPs–PHMB-hydrogel promoted the formation of a fully restored epithelium, increased new hair follicles and sebaceous glands beneath the epidermis, and markedly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, which was markedly distinct from the control group. On the 7th day, the Z-P group exhibited significantly higher levels of EGF and TGF-β1, along with a considerable reduction in the TNF-α levels as compared with the control group. These results affirmed that ZnO NPs–PHMB-hydrogel effectively inhibits S. aureus infection and accelerates skin wound healing.

Enhancing Healing of Infected Wounds with Glycerin‐Modified Sodium Alginate/Silk Sericin Composite Film Functionalized with Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharide‐Capped Silver Nanoparticles

AbstractA sodium alginate/silk sericin (SA/SS) film was modified with glycerin (GI) and Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide@silver nanoparticles (PSP@AgNPs) to create a SA/SS/GI/PSP@AgNP composite film with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The physicochemical properties of the SA/SS/GI/PSP@AgNP composite film were analyzed, and its cytocompatibility, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties were investigated. The optimum conditions for the preparation of the SA/SS/GI/PSP@AgNP composite film were 2 % SA, 2 % SS, 20 % GI, and 40 μg/mL of PSP@AgNPs. The addition of GI improved the surface smoothness of the composite films, while the presence of PSP@AgNPs did not significantly alter it. Spectroscopic characterization demonstrated that GI and PSP@AgNPs were physically bound to SA/SS. Approximately 53 % of the PSP@AgNP was released from the SA/SS/GI/PSP@AgNP composite film over 24 h of soaking in aqueous solution. The resulting leaching solution did not cause hemolysis or cytotoxicity, indicating its biocompatibility. Additionally, the SA/SS/GI/PSP@AgNP composite film exhibited strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and it promoted healing of mouse wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus.

Silver‐coated copper nanocomposites synthesis using the essence of Foeniculum vulgare mill and estimation of its antibacterial and cytotoxicity effects

AbstractThe Cu3.96Ag0.04 nanoparticles were synthesized using the essence of Foeniculum vulgare Mill for the first time. The particles were fully analysed by conventional characterization methods such as powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results have shown the crystal structure of silver copper particles and the crystallite size obtained by the Scherer equation was 23.2 nm. The TEM images interestingly displayed the formation of nanorods in the solid phase with nearly 5 nm widths and different lengths up to 100 nm. The hydrodynamic size is also compatible with the solid phase and crystallite sizes. Biologically, the particles were tested against infective gram negative and gram positive bacteria. The synthetic NPs show strong antibacterial properties against gram negative bacteria. Also, the synthesized nanoparticles had an inhibitory effect on the growth of cancer cells, which was dose‐ and time‐dependent.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Nanoformulated Chamomile and Green Tea-Based Mouthwash: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction Nanotechnology plays a significant role in the biomedical and dental fields, offering numerous benefits to humans. Particularly, nanoparticles synthesised through green methods involving herbal formulations present promising advantages. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs)demonstrate strong antibacterial properties. Utilising treatments incorporating chamomile tea and green tea may potentially reduce toxicity while enhancing antibacterial effectiveness against oral infections. This study aimed to develop a mouthwash containing ZnONPs, followed by an evaluation of both its cytotoxicity and antibacterial effectiveness. Materials and methods This study was conducted at Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Chennai, India. In the synthesis of ZnONPs, a formulation consisting of chamomile tea and green tea was employed. Subsequently, these synthesised nanoparticles were used in the preparation of mouthwash. An antimicrobial test of the produced ZnONPs was carried out using the agar well diffusion technique for oral pathogens. For analysis ofcytotoxicity, brine shrimps were used in an assay, and comparisons were made with a commercially available mouthwash. Results The antimicrobial properties were assessed, and the formulated mouthwash demonstrated a zone of inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (20 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (11 mm), Streptococcus mutans (15 mm)and Candida albicans (13 mm), when the agar welldiffusion assay was carried out.Furthermore, the formulated mouthwash exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to the commercially available mouthwash when cytotoxicity was checked in brine shrimps. Conclusion In our study, the ZnONPsynthesis with chamomile tea and green tea showed notable antibacterial and antifungal effects. In addition,lower toxicity was observed compared to the commercially available mouthwash. These findings suggest that mouthwash formulated with green-synthesis ZnONPs could serve as a viable alternative to synthetic mouthwash options. As a result, it is suggested that ZnONPs could be employed in mouthwash formulations at concentrations of 40 µL.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles obtained from Punica granatum flower extract for phytochemical determination and antibacterial activity

Numerous biomedical applications such as biological detection, drug delivery, diagnostic imaging and tissue engineering, have incorporated nanotechnology. Parts of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) flower are known to have strong antibacterial properties. In this study, the anti-susceptibility test was used to look into the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Punica granatum and the inhibitory effect of these particles. According to the current study, prepared AuNPs were evaluated using a variety of methods including UV-visible spectrophotometry, FTIR, SEM and GC-MS to identify the phytochemicals. The bacterial and fungal species Candida albicans and Malassezia furfur that are inhibited by the synthetic colloidal gold nanoparticles made with Punica granatum flower extract include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Protea. In this work, we describe a simple, quick and reproducible method for the environmentally friendly synthesis of AuNPs without the need for expensive reducing agents. Simple incubation of a flower extract with aqueous gold ions at ambient temperature resulted in ‘medium monodisperse’ nanoparticles, suggesting that the plant extract acted as a strong reducing agent.

Chromatographic Fingerprinting of Cacao Pod Husk Extracts (Theobroma cacao L.): Exploring Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Antidiabetic Properties with In Silico Molecular Docking Analysis.

Naturaldrugs derived from plants are becoming more popular because of their apparent biologicalefficacy, affordability, and safety. A byproduct of cocoa farms, cocoa pod husk (CPH), is often disregarded yet contains an abundance of phenolic chemicalsthat have antimicrobial and antioxidant features, which has led to intensive investigation into possible biomedical applications. In order to identify crucial functional groups and phytochemical components, we carefully examined the 80% ethanol and dichloromethane extracts of CPH using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and HPLC. Theantibacterial and antioxidant properties of such extracts and their impact on cytotoxicity and α-glucosidasewere explored. According to our results, the 80% ethanol and dichloromethane extracts contained 19 and 12 phytochemical components, respectively. Interestingly, at 250µg/mL, all CPH extracts showed strong antibacterial properties that totally prevented the bacterial growth. At 66.6% and 82.7%, respectively, the ethanol and dichloromethane extracts showed impressive antioxidant and DPPH scavenging capabilities where the ethanol extract showed a substantially lower IC50 value of 35.26µg/mL than the dichloromethane extract, which had an IC50 value of 23.88µg/mL. Furthermore, the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the dichloromethane extract was found to be better, as shown by its IC50 value of 126.5µg/mL, which was lower than that of the ethanol extract at 151.3µg/mL. The extracts' compatibility was verified by cytotoxicity tests, which revealed no appreciable alterations in the cell lines. Additionally, novel in silico molecular docking experiments were performed on 25 discovered compounds, providing insight into their possible bioactivity. Broad-spectrum activities of extractswere confirmed by molecular docking investigations aimed at interacting with α-glucosidase proteins. Our thorough analysis makes CPH extracts seem like theexcellent candidates for biomedical uses. These results provide new insights into the therapeutic potential of CPH extractsand pave the way for the development of innovative medications and natural remedies.

Scalable Fabrication of Structurally Stable Polymer Film with Excellent UV-Shielding, Fluorescent, and Antibacterial Capabilities.

This research presents a new approach to facilely fabricating a multifunctional film using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the base material. The film is modified chemically to incorporate various desirable properties such as high transparency, UV-shielding, antibacterial activity, and fluorescence. The fabrication process of this film is straightforward and efficient. The modified film showed exceptional UV-blocking capability, effectively blocking 100% of UV radiation. It also exhibits strong antibacterial properties. Additionally, the film emitted bright blue fluorescence, which can be useful in various optical and sensing applications. Despite the chemical modification, the film retained the excellent properties of PVA, including high transparency (90%) at 550 nm and good mechanical strength. Furthermore, it demonstrated remarkable stability even under harsh conditions such as exposure to long-term UV radiation, extreme temperatures (-40 or 120 °C), or immersion in different solvents. Overall, this work showcases a promising strategy to develop versatile, structurally stable, transparent, and flexible polymer films with multiple functionalities. These films have potential applications in various fields that require protection, such as packaging materials, biomedical devices, and optical components.

Effect of Carrier Materials for Active Silver in Antibacterial Powder Coatings

Environmentally friendly powder coatings which have the advantages of being VOC-free, low-cost, and high-efficiency with a high recovery rate have been attracting increasing research attention. The introduction of antibacterial agents into the powder coatings endows them with a capacity to kill bacteria and viruses on the surface of objects; additionally, this enables them to inhibit the indirect transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. Silver, possessing broad-spectrum, strong, and stable antibacterial properties, is considered to be a promising antibacterial material for use in coating applications. Carrier materials for active silver play an important role in its activity and stability. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on the effects of different types of carriers in such coating systems, especially in green powder coating systems. In this paper, we investigated two types of carriers for active silver agents: zeolite, i.e., Linde type A (LTA) zeolite and Y-type zeolite; clay-based materials, i.e., montmorillonite and vermiculite. All the agents showed high antibacterial activity, with antibacterial rates of over 99% as compared to commercial agents. Among the four agents, the Ag-LTA zeolite antimicrobial agent showed a reduction rate of over 99.99%; additionally, it maintained a reduction rate of 99% after seven washing cycles. Thus, this agent was demonstrated to have the highest effectiveness and high durability; these features can be attributed to the high silver content and small particle size. The LTA zeolite also provides a protective effect for silver ions, protecting them from reduction, due to the restriction of elemental silver formation within the confined interior space of the α-cage structure. The Y-type zeolite antimicrobial agent exhibited a slightly lower antimicrobial performance due to its higher silicon-to-aluminum ratio and its lower cation exchange capacity. Comparatively, antimicrobial agents utilizing clay-based carriers have lower cation exchange capacity, resulting in poorer antimicrobial effectiveness than zeolite carriers. In addition, silver loaded on clay-based materials is prone to detach from the carrier and undergo a reduction reaction, making the coating yellowish in color. This study first provides information on the roles of different types of carriers in powder coating systems; then, this information guides the selection of carriers for active silver for the development of efficient antimicrobial agents and coatings.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oil from Citrus reticulata Blanco Peels Collected from Agrowastes.

Citrus fruits have a thick outer coat which is often discarded due to its low economic value and usually contributes to the waste. So this work focused on exploring the potential pharmacological properties of the discarded citrus peels. In the present study, we extracted the essential oil from peel wastes of Citrus reticulata Blanco (CREO) from the local market. The antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties of essential oil were evaluated. The CREO exhibited a strong antioxidant property with DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, H2 O2 radical scavenging, Ferric reducing antioxidant power and for Lipid peroxidation inhibition respectively. Antibacterial properties of CREO was indicated against different pathogenic microbial strains like E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and S. enterica in terms of disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Further, anticancer properties studied on breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity with IC50 of 56.67±3.12 μg/mL and 76.44±2.53 μg/mL respectively. The GC-MS analysis of CREO revealed the presence of major compounds like S-limonene, α-pinene, α-myrcene, and cis-terpinene which might have played a significant role in strong antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer properties. The study thus identified the potential health benefits of Citrus reticulata peel waste.

NYCTANTHES ARBORTRITIS LINN: AN ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL MIRACULOUS NATURAL RESOURCE

Nyctanthes arbortritis (Parijat tree) is a medicinal plant that has long been utilized in a variety of Ayurvedic formulations to treat a range of ailments. Many medicinal qualities like analgesic, antipyretic, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-cancer properties, have been identified through comprehensive research on the pharmacological screening of Nyctanthes arbortritis. It has been demonstrated that the plant both inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells and has cytotoxic effects on them. As a promising therapy option for a range of inflammatory and pain related disorders, the extracts of its different plant parts have also been discovered to possess strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. The plant extracts also have strong antifungal and antibacterial properties, which makes them a possible medicinal source for the creation of novel antibiotics. In this article, we have represented the collective scientific information about the various phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities of the Nyctanthes arbortritis.

Biosynthesis of Bt-Ag2O nanoparticles using Bacillus thuringiensis and their pesticidal and antimicrobial activities.

Nanosilver oxide exhibits strong antibacterial and photocatalytic properties and has shown great application potential in food packaging, biochemical fields, and other fields involving diseases and pest control. In this study, Ag2O nanoparticles were synthesized using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt-Ag2O NPs). The physicochemical characteristics of the Bt-Ag2O NPs were analyzed by UV‒vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and zeta potential. The phis-chemical characterization revealed that the Bt-Ag2O NPs are in spherical shape with the small particle size (18.24nm), high crystallinity, well dispersity, and stability. The biopesticidal and antifungal effects of Bt-Ag2O NPs were tested against Tribolium castaneum, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium chrysogenum. The survival, growth, and reproduction of tested pests and molds were significantly inhibited by Bt-Ag2O NPs in a dose-dependent manner. Bt-Ag2O NPs showed higher pesticidal activities against T. castaneum than Bt and commercial Ag2O NPs. The LC50 values of Bt, Ag2O NPs, and Bt-Ag2O NPs were 0.139%, 0.072%, and 0.06% on day 14, respectively. The Bt-Ag2O NPs also showed well antifungal activities against A. flavus and P. chrysogenum, while it resulted a small inhibition zone than commercial Ag2O NPs did. In addition, A. flavus showed much more sensitive to Bt-Ag2O NP treatments, compared to P. chrysogenum. Our results revealed that Bt-Ag2O NPs synthesized using B. thuringiensis could act as pesticides and antifungal agents in stored-product fields. KEY POINTS: • Bt-Ag2O NPs could be synthesized using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). • The NPs showed a high degree of crystallinity, spherical shape, and small particle size. • The NPs also showed excellent insecticidal and antifungal activity.

Effects of Lotus Flower Extract on Cotton Fabric and Its Antimicrobial Activity against Wound Causing Pathogens

Abstract Background: Hemp that belongs to the cannabis plant has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries due to the purposes that contained natural plant products. Of all these types, lotus flower extract obtained from the Nelumbo nucifera has been considered to possess some antibacterial activity. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of bacteriostatic activity of lotus flower extract incorporated into fabrics used in coating the dressing. Methods: Leaves of lotus were used and subjected to extraction using methanol and diethyl ether solvents. These extracts were then practiced in a Petri dish plate against the specific pathogens of wound infections obtained from Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC). According to the type of cell wall, the pathogens were divided into Gram-positive cocci: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, and Gram-negative: Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial effectiveness was tested by means of the disc diffusion method. The phytochemical component was also screened as a way of determining the secondary metabolites present in the extracts. Results: Alkaloids, anthraquinone, flavone, saponin, glycoside, tannin, phenol and cardiac glycoside were present in the Phytochemical analysis of extracts of O.moschata. The antibacterial tests on bacterial species’ growth revealed that all the extracts were moderately effective against S. aureus, showing the zone of inhibition between 5 – 10 mm, whereas against P. aeruginosa and E. coli the extracts were highly effective with a zone of inhibition between 7 – 15 mm. Conclusion: In the case of this research, it is clearly depicted that lotus flower extracts have strong antibacterial properties especially against the Gram-negative bacteria namely P. aeruginosa and E. coli. These findings are in concordance with the ethno medial usage of lotus plant in treating infected wounds and opens up applications in using the extracts to develop antibacterial fabric scarf solutions. More related works should be conducted to investigate the clinical utility and effectiveness of the above extracts in wound healing and their safety.

Electroless silver plating on fabrics for antimicrobial coating: comparison between cotton and polyester.

In the past few years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the interest towards textiles with antimicrobial functionalities faced a significant boost. This study proposes a rapid and convenient method, in terms of reactants and equipment, for fabricating antimicrobial coatings on textiles. Through the electroless silver plating reaction, silver coatings were successfully applied on cotton and polyester, rapidly and at room temperature. Functionalized samples were characterized by morphological (optical and scanning electron microscopies) and chemical tests (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS) to investigate the nature of the silver coating. Although distinct nanoparticles did not form, XPS analysis detected the presence of silver, which resulted in an increased surface roughness and hydrophobicity of both cotton and polyester textiles. Ag-coated samples exhibited approximately 80% biocompatibility with murine L929 fibroblasts or human HaCaT cells, and strong antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli in direct contact tests. In antiviral experiments with SARS-CoV-2 virus, treated cotton showed a 100% viral reduction in 30 min, while polyester achieved 100% reduction in 1 h. With a human norovirus surrogate, the Feline Calicivirus, both treated textiles have a faster antiviral response, with more than 60% viral reduction after 5 min, while achieving a 100% reduction in 1 h. In conclusion, this study presents a fast, efficient, and low-cost solution for producing antimicrobial textiles with broad applications in medical and healthcare scenarios.