Vera Leaf Extract Research Articles

Green synthesis of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles for arsenic(V) remediation with a novel aspect for sludge management

A simple, single step and eco-friendly approach was taken for synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticles using Aloe vera leaf extract. The nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques and used for arsenic(V) remediation in synthetic system with an initial concentration range of 2–30mg/L. The effect of pH, particle dosage and initial arsenic concentration on arsenic adsorption was investigated using response surface methodology involving five levels Central Composite Design (CCD) considering adsorption capacity as the response. The nanoparticles showed a high sorption capacity of 38.48mg/g in the experimental range of concentration compared to other inorganic oxide based adsorbents.A novel approach was adopted for utilization of arsenic contained sludge. As(V) sorbed nanoparticles were used in the preparation of colored soda lime silicate glass. The basic properties such as density, thermal and optical properties were measured for the experimental glass sample and compared with samples containing commercial Fe2O3.The overall study indicates that the green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticle is a prospective candidate for arsenic remediation in contaminated water. The arsenic contained sludge may be used in preparation of coloured glasses which have wide application in making container bottles and building glasses.

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of three plants used in Cameroonian ethnoveterinary medicine: Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) leaves, Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) seeds or leaves, and Mimosa pudica L. (Fabaceae) leaves in Kabir chicks

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Xanthorrhoeaceae), Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) and Mimosa pudica L. (Fabaceae) are widely used in the Cameroonian ethnoveterinary medicine as a panacea, and specifically for gastrointestinal disorders as well as an anthelmintic and antibacterial. Aim of the studyThe present study evaluated the potential toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Aloe vera leaves, Carica papaya leaves or seeds, and Mimosa pudica leaves after acute and sub-chronic administration in chicks. Materials and methodsFor the acute toxicity test a single administration of each of the four hydroalcoholic extracts was given orally at doses ranging from 40 to 5120mg/kg (n=5/group/sex). In the sub-chronic study, these extracts were given orally as a single administration to chicks at doses of 80, 160, 320 and 640mg/kg/day for 42 days. The anti-angiogenic properties of these extracts (5–320µg/mg) were investigated in the chick chorioallantoic membrane in vivo. ResultsIn the acute toxicity test, none of the four studied hydroalcoholic extracts induced mortality or significant behavioural changes. The sub-acute treatment with the four plant extracts did not alter either the body weight gain or the food and water consumption. However, the results indicated that Aloe vera leaf extract acute treatment by oral route at doses up to 2560mg/kg did not produce death in 50% (5/10) of chicks during 24h or 14 days of observation, but 20% (2/10) chicks died. The haematological and biochemical analyses did not show significant differences in any of the parameters examined in female or male groups, with the exception of a transient rise in white blood cell counts at high doses (640mg/kg). Additionally, these extracts did not have the potential for anti-angiogenic effects through the inhibition of neo-angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane in vivo. ConclusionThe results showed that the therapeutic use of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Aloe vera leaves, Carica papaya leaves or seeds and Mimosa pudica leaves had very low toxicity in oral acute high dose administration and no toxicity in oral sub-chronic low dose administration and indicate that the plants could be considered safe for oral medication in chicks.

Green Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using Aloe vera Leaf Extract and Its Antibacterial Activity Against Fish Bacterial Pathogens

The present study reports biologically oriented process for green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles by using eco-friendly and non-toxic Aloe vera leaf extract. Powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope analysis revealed that synthesized CuO nanoparticles are in monoclinic phase with average particle size of 20 nm. The antibacterial activity of green synthesized CuO nanoparticles was tested against three bacterial fish pathogens “viz:” Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Flavobacterium branchiophilum, which are responsible for causing severe infectious diseases in fishes. CuO NPs exhibits enhanced antibacterial activity against all the fish pathogens even at lower concentrations, i.e. above 20 μg/mL.

The Effects of Co-administration of Immobilization Stress and Aloe vera on Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Rats

Background:: Immobilization has been used extensively and accepted widely for studying stress-induced alterations. To determine the protective effects of Aloe vera leaf extract, we evaluated the effects of co-administration of immobilization stress and Aloe vera leaf extract on serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tumor marker in male rats. Materials and Methods:: In this experimental study, 45 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 9 groups of 5 rats in each including: 1) control, 2) normal saline receiving, 3) Aloe vera extract receiving, 4) acutely immobilized, 5) chronically immobilized, 6) acutely immobilized+Aloe vera extract, 7) chronically immobilized+Aloe vera extract, 8) acutely immobilized+normal saline and 9) chronically immobilized + normal saline. The animals were exposed to chronic or acute immobilization stress for 2 h/day or 8 h/day for a period of 3 weeks or one week, respectively. Aloe vera extract (300 mg/kg/day) was fed by gavage feeding orally. Blood samples were collected and following serum collection, CEA level was determined by radioimmunoassay method. Data were compared statistically between groups using ANOVA. Results:: Serum CEA level was significantly increased in acutely (0.640±0.025 ng/mL) or chronically immobilized (0.647±0.023 ng/mL) rats compared with control animals group (0.564±0.014 ng/mL) (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between serum CEA levels of acutely or chronically immobilized Aloe vera extract received animals compared with control rats (0.622±0.027 ng/m and 0.616±0.044 ng/mL, respectively). Conclusion:: Our findings indicate that immobilization stress enhances serum CEA level, however, intake of Aloe vera extract can withstand against.

Inhibitory Effects of Extracts from Plant Materials on In Vitro Glycation and Oxidation

Extracts from Aloe vera leaves, Aloe arborescens leaves, Aloe vera callus, Portulaca oleracea and cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) bean husk (CBH) were prepared using acetone, chloroform, ethanol, hexane, and water. Solvent extracts of Aloe vera leaf had very high antioxidant activities showing IC 50 values in the ranges of 0.02-0.17 mg/ mL, and had the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content among the tested samples. We hypothesized that Aloe vera leaf and CBH extracts might possess considerable in vitro anti-glycation activities. Indeed, these extracts strongly inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end-products from RNase in the presence of ribose. The chloroform extract of Aloe vera leaf showed the strongest inhibition of AGE formation (99.9%), followed by the 95% acetone extract (92.8%) at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, exhibiting higher anti-glycation activities than those of AG and rutin (73.4% and 96.1% at 1 mg/mL, respectively). The anti-glycation activity of all extracts was correlated positively with their total contents of phenolics and flavonoids. We conclude that Aloe vera leaf extracts and their constituents may be used as anti-glycation agents.

Mosquitocidal and antibacterial activity of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles from Aloe vera extracts: towards an effective tool against the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi?

Mosquitoes represent an important threat for lives of millions of people worldwide, acting as vectors for devastating pathogens, such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and West Nile. In addition, pathogens and parasites polluting water also constitute a severe plague for populations of developing countries. Here, we investigated the mosquitocidal and antibacterial properties of Aloe vera leaf extract and silver nanoparticles synthesized using A. vera extract. Mosquitocidal properties were assessed in laboratory against larvae (I-IV instar) and pupae of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. Green-synthesized silver nanoparticles were tested against An. stephensi also in field conditions. Antibacterial properties of nanoparticles were evaluated against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella typhi using the agar disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration protocol. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In laboratory conditions, the A. vera extract was toxic against An. stephensi larvae and pupae, even at low dosages. LC50 were 48.79 ppm (I instar), 59.09 ppm (II instar), 70.88 ppm (III instar), 83.58 ppm (IV instar), and 152.55 ppm (pupae). Green-synthesized silver nanoparticles were highly toxic against An. stephensi. LC50 were 3.825 ppm (I instar), 4.119 ppm (II instar), 4.982 ppm (III instar), 5.711 ppm (IV instar), and 6.113 ppm (pupae). In field conditions, the application of A. vera-synthesized silver nanoparticles (10 × LC50) leads to An. stephensi larval reduction of 74.5, 86.6, and 97.7%, after 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Nanoparticles also showed antibacterial properties, and the maximum concentration tested (150 mg/L) evoked an inhibition zone wider than 80 mm in all tested bacterium species. This study adds knowledge about the use of green synthesis of nanoparticles in medical entomology and parasitology, allowing us to propose A. vera-synthesized silver nanoparticles as effective candidates to develop newer and safer mosquitocidal control tools.

Effects of Aloe Vera Leaf Extract on Growth, Clinical Chemistry and Histology of Selected Organs in Turkey Poults Challenged withEscherichia coli

A 6-weeks feeding trial was carried out to elucidate the effect of different levels of aloe vera leaf extract on the performance and health of turkey poults challenged with Escherichia coli. Sixty (60) turkey poults were randomly grouped into five treatments which were further replicated three times in a completely randomized design. The first group of poults was without infection and fed on the basal diet alone, and served as the positive control (P-CON). Out of the rest four infected groups, one was fed the basal diet alone to serve as the negative control (N-CON), while the others were fed the basal diet with tetramycin (ANT), or aloe vera at 2-mL (ALV2) and 3-mL (ALV3) per litre of water. The response of turkey poults to the challenge were assessed in terms of their growth performance, histology, haematology and serum constituents. The growth parameters, such as survival, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency were significantly (P<0.05) higher in poults given ALV3. Histological results of the organs (breast muscle, liver, spleen and ileum) showed normal morphological pattern for poults subjected to ALV2 while those kept on ALV3 showed normal for breast muscle, spleen and ileum but not for the liver. Similarly, birds raised on ANT showed normal organ morphology compared with the positive control. However, the birds challenged with E. coli without (N-CON) showed abnormal morphological pattern for all the organs investigated. There were also no adverse effects of aloe vera leaf extract on turkey poults health, as determined from the analysis of various haematological parameters and serum metabolites. The results indicated that Aloe vera leaf extract inclusion at 2mL (ALV2) in drinking water could successfully replace antibiotics in the rearing of turkey poults.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Aloe vera leaf extract and antifungal activity against Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus sp.

Silver nanoparticles are receiving increasing attention in the field of agriculture. This study aims at evaluating the antifungal properties of green synthesised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Aloe vera leaf extract against two pathogenic fungus Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus sp. Results revealed that synthesised nanoparticles showed strong absorption maximum at 400 nm corresponding to the surface plasmon resonance. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. From the scanning photograph it is clear that particles are heterogeneous in shape such as rectangular, triangular and spherical with uniform distribution. FT-IR study showed sharp absorption peaks at 1,631 and 3,433 cm−1 for amide and alcoholic hydroxide groups, respectively. On the other hand, synthesised silver nanoparticles showed highest antifungal activity against Aspergillus sp. than Rhizopus sp. by application of 100 μL of 1 M silver nanoparticles with maximum inhibition of the growth of fungal hyphae. However, microscopic observation revealed that synthesised nanoparticles caused detrimental effects on conidial germination along with other deformations such as structure of cell membrane and inhibited normal budding process of both the tested species. Therefore, it has been concluded that Aloe vera leaf extract origin silver nanoparticles have tremendous potentiality towards controlling pathogenic fungus. However, further research is needed to check the efficacy of size-dependent AgNPs on different species of fungus.

Antibacterial activity testing of ethanolic extract of aloe vera leaf and gel against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Introduction: The interest on Aloe vera based herbal products is fast growing during recent years, particularly in medication regarding their antibacterial properties which had a lot of active components such as saponin and anthraquinone. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as one of the most important human pathogens causing nosocomial infections and became the first priority as a consequence of their resistancy. The purpose of this study is to determine the minimum levels of ethanol extract of leaves and Aloe Vera gel that can inhibit MRSA and find out whether there are differences in antibacterial power between of ethanol extract of leaves and Aloe Vera gel. Methods: Ten isolates of MRSA were investigated for their sensitivity to Aloe vera leaf and gel extract using the serial dilution method by doing two times repetition and statistically analyzed according to t-test method. Result: The result shows that the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Aloe vera leaf and gel extract each located at a concentration of 25% and 12,5%. There is a significant difference in antibacterial power between the ethanol extract of leaves and Aloe Vera gel in inhibiting MRSA with MIC values of 25% and 12.5% Conclusion: There was a difference between Aloe vera leaf and gel extract antibacterial activity, where the gel extract is more effective than leaf extract.

The antimicrobial and wound healing effect of Aloe Vera in induced diabetic rats

The study was conducted on sixteen streptozotocin induced diabetic rats to investigate whether the topical application of Aloe Vera gel and alcoholic Aloe Vera leaf extract could improve the wound healing in diabetic rats. The rats were weight, matched, and placed in to four groups 4 rats of each group. Full thickness circular skin wound (2cm in diameter) was experimentally created dorsal to the neck area of each rat. Animals in group (1) left without dressing as a control group. Animals in group (2 and 3) were treated topically with Aloe Vera gel (100%) and alcoholic Aloe Vera leaf extracts (100%) respectively, while the animals of group (4) were treated with povidone iodine (4%). Treated groups were dresses twice daily for 14 successive days. The treated wound in groups 2, and 3 were significantly healed faster in comparison to the wound of control group. The effect produced by the Aloe Vera with reference to the wound contraction, wound closure, decreased in surfaces area of wound, and tissue regeneration at the wound site. Histologically wounds treated with Aloe Vera show increase in macrophages, fibroblast migration, collagen regeneration and epithelialization compared with the control group. The wet, dry granulation tissue weight, and hydroxyproline content increased significantly when compared to control. Aloe Vera was seen exhibited antimicrobial activity against some pathogenic microorganism. In conclusion Aloe Vera have strong wound healing property and effective as topical preparation and formulated as fairly economical therapeutic agent for wound management.

In vitro activity of Aloe vera inner gel against Helicobacter pylori strains

Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) is a herbal remedy widely used for a variety of illnesses; A. vera leaf extracts have been promoted for detoxification, cure constipation, help flush out toxins and wastes from the body, promote digestion and are used in the treatment of peptic ulcer for cytoprotective action. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of A. vera inner gel against both susceptible and resistant Helicobacter pylori strains isolated in Abruzzo region, Italy. The inner gel of leaves of a 5-year-old plant of A. vera was extracted, homogenized and tested from 800 to 1.56 mg ml(-1) against 14 clinical strains and one reference strain of H. pylori using the broth microdilution methodology. Furthermore, the sample of A. vera was investigated for the chemical fingerprint of anthraquinones. The inhibitory concentrations of A. vera inner gel were similar to the bactericidal ones, with values ranging from 6.25 to 800 mg ml(-1) . Fifty per cent of the detected strains, independently of their susceptibility profile, were inhibited in their growth at 100 mg ml(-1) . Aloe vera inner gel expresses antibacterial properties against H. pylori and, therefore, in combination with antibiotics, could represent a novel strategy for the treatment of the infection of H. pylori, especially in cases of multiresistance. The study demonstrates that the Aloe vera inner gel expresses antibacterial properties against both susceptible and resistant Helicobacter pylori strains. These findings may impact on the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon of H. pylori, proposing the A. vera inner gel as a novel effective natural agent for combination with antibiotics for the treatment of H. pylori gastric infection.

Electrochemical noise investigation of Aloe plant extract as green inhibitor on the corrosion of stainless steel in 1 M H2SO4

The inhibition action of Aloe Vera leaf extract as environmentally friendly inhibitor for the corrosion protection of stainless steel in 1M H2SO4 solution was studied by electrochemical techniques as well as scanning electron microscope. The results of linear polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy proved the effectiveness of Aloe Vera extract as concentration increased. Corrosion inhibition of Aloe extract was also studied by electrochemical noise (EN). Employing EN, different aspects like transient analysis, noise resistant and characteristic charge were characterized. Moreover, a literature review of Aloe Vera characterization using high-performance liquid chromatography and GC-MS was carried out.

Anticonvulsant activity of Aloe vera leaf extract in acute and chronic models of epilepsy in mice

The effect of Aloe vera in epilepsy has not yet been explored. This study was done to explore the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera leaf powder on three acute and one chronic model of epilepsy. In acute study, aqueous extract of Aloe vera leaf (extract) powder was administered in doses 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. Dose of 400 mg/kg of Aloe vera leaf extract was chosen for chronic administration. Oxidative stress parameters viz. malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also estimated in brain of kindled animals. In acute study, Aloe vera leaf (extract) powder in a dose-dependent manner significantly decreased duration of tonic hind limb extension in maximal electroshock seizure model, increased seizure threshold current in increasing current electroshock seizure model, and increased latency to onset and decreased duration of clonic convulsion in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model as compared with control group. In chronic study, Aloe vera leaf (extract) powder prevented progression of kindling in PTZ-kindled mice. Aloe vera leaf (extract) powder 400 mg/kg p.o. also reduced brain levels of MDA and increased GSH levels as compared to the PTZ-kindled non-treated group. The results of study showed that Aloe vera leaf (extract) powder possessed significant anticonvulsant and anti-oxidant activity.

Ameliorative effects of aqueous leaf extract of aloe arborescens on anti- hyperglycaemia and antihyperlipidemia alterations in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Diabetes poses great challenge to the world’s health care system. Its worldwide prevalence was estimated at 366 million in 2011 of these, 183 million people were believed to be unaware of their condition. If no measures taken, the prevalence is projected to rise to 552 million people by 2030, representing around 10% of the global adult population. The aim of present study was designed to examine the potential anti-hyperlipidaemic and antihyperlipidemia efficacy of the aqueous extract from Aloe vera leaf gel in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The animals were divided into three groups of normal mice; alloxan-induced diabetic mice and diabetic mice treated with 300mg/kg b.w of the aqueous leaf extract, respectively. Treatment was via the oral route for 21days. Various biochemical parameters, including lipid profile and serum glucose were decreased as well as HDL-C increased. Statistical analysis were done by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test. These results demonstrate the anti-diabetic and antihyperlipidaemic activities of Aloe vera leaf extract in diabetic mice.

Mosquito larvicidal activity of Aloe vera (Family: Liliaceae) leaf extract and Bacillus sphaericus, against Chikungunya vector, Aedes aegypti

The bio-efficacy of Aloe vera leaf extract and bacterial insecticide, Bacillus sphaericus larvicidal activity was assessed against the first to fourth instars larvae of Aedes aegypti, under the laboratory conditions. The plant material was shade dried at room temperature and powdered coarsely. A. vera and B. sphaericus show varied degrees of larvicidal activity against various instars larvae of A. aegypti. The LC50 of A. vera against the first to fourth instars larvae were 162.74, 201.43, 253.30 and 300.05ppm and the LC90 442.98, 518.86, 563.18 and 612.96ppm, respectively. B. sphaericus against the first to fourth instars larvae the LC50 values were 68.21, 79.13, 93.48, and 107.05ppm and the LC90 values 149.15, 164.67, 183.84, and 201.09ppm, respectively. However, the combined treatment of A. vera+B. sphaericus (1:2) material shows highest larvicidal activity of the LC50 values 54.80, 63.11, 74.66 and 95.10ppm; The LC90 values of 145.29, 160.14, 179.74 and 209.98ppm, against A. aegypti in all the tested concentrations than the individuals and clearly established that there is a substantial amount of synergist act. The present investigation clearly exhibits that both A. vera and B. sphaericus materials could serve as a potential larvicidal agent. Since, A. aegypti is a container breeder vector mosquito this user and eco-friendly and low-cost vector control strategy could be a viable solution to the existing dengue disease burden. Therefore, this study provides first report on the mosquito larvicidal activity the combined effect of A. vera leaf extract and B. sphaericus against as target species of A. aegypti.

On The Novel Action of Melanolysis by a Leaf Extract of Aloe vera and Its Active Ingredient Aloin, Potent Skin Depigmenting Agents

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of an Aloe vera leaf extract, along with its standard active ingredient aloin, on the isolated tail melanophores of Bufo melanostictus tadpoles, which are a type of disguised smooth muscle cells offering excellent in vitro opportunities for studying the effects of pharmacological and pharmaceutical agents. It was found that the leaf extract of A.vera and its active ingredient aloin induced powerful, dose-dependent, physiologically significant melanin aggregating effects in the isolated tail melanophores of B. melanostictus similar to those of adrenaline per se. These preliminary findings clearly demonstrate that the extract of A.vera and its active ingredient aloin cause melanin aggregation leading to skin lightening via alpha adrenergic receptor stimulation. The present study opens new vistas for the use of A.vera regarding its clinical application as a new nontoxic melanolytic agent for the treatment of hyperpigmentation.

Aloe vera Induced Biomimetic Assemblage of Nucleobase into Nanosized Particles

AimBiomimetic nano-assembly formation offers a convenient and bio friendly approach to fabricate complex structures from simple components with sub-nanometer precision. Recently, biomimetic (employing microorganism/plants) synthesis of metal and inorganic materials nano-particles has emerged as a simple and viable strategy. In the present study, we have extended biological synthesis of nano-particles to organic molecules, namely the anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), using Aloe vera leaf extract.MethodologyThe 5-FU nano- particles synthesized by using Aloe vera leaf extract were characterized by UV, FT-IR and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The size and shape of the synthesized nanoparticles were determined by TEM, while crystalline nature of 5-FU particles was established by X-ray diffraction study. The cytotoxic effects of 5-FU nanoparticles were assessed against HT-29 and Caco-2 (human adenocarcinoma colorectal) cell lines.ResultsTransmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopic techniques confirmed nano-size of the synthesized particles. Importantly, the nano-assembled 5-FU retained its anticancer action against various cancerous cell lines.ConclusionIn the present study, we have explored the potential of biomimetic synthesis of nanoparticles employing organic molecules with the hope that such developments will be helpful to introduce novel nano-particle formulations that will not only be more effective but would also be devoid of nano-particle associated putative toxicity constraints.

Mosquitocidal and water purification properties of Cynodon dactylon, Aloe vera, Hemidesmus indicus and Coleus amboinicus leaf extracts against the mosquito vectors

Ethanolic extracts of Cynodon dactylon, Aloe vera, Hemidesmus indicus and Coleus amboinicus were tested for their toxicity effect on the third-instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. The leaves of C. dactylon, A. vera, H. indicus and C. amboinicus were collected from natural habitats (forests) in Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 250 g of fresh, mature leaves were rinsed with distilled water and dried in shade. The dried leaves were put in Soxhlet apparatus and extract prepared using 100% ethanol for 72 h at 30-40°C. Dried residues were obtained from 100 g of extract evaporated to dryness in rotary vacuum evaporator. Larvicidal properties of ethanolic leaf extracts showed that the extracts are effective as mosquito control agents. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. No mortality was observed in the control. The median lethal concentration (LC(50)) values observed for the larvicidal activities are 0.44%, 0.51%, 0.59% and 0.68% for extracts of C. dactylon, A. vera, H. indicus and C. amboinicus, respectively. The observed mortality were statistically significant at P < 0.05 level. C. dactylon showed the highest mortality rate against the three species of mosquito larvae in laboratory and field. The selected plants were shown to exhibit water purification properties. Water quality parameters such as turbidity, pH and water clarity were analyzed in the water samples (pre-treatment and post-treatment of plant extracts) taken from the different breeding sites of mosquitoes. Water colour, turbidity and pH were reduced significantly after treatment with C. dactylon (13 HU, 31.5 mg/l and 6.9), H. indicus (13.8 HU, 33 mg/l and 7.1), A. vera (16 HU, 33.8 mg/l and 7.4) and C. amboinicus (21 HU, 35 mg/l and 7.5) extracts. The study proved that the extracts of C. dactylon, A. vera, H. indicus and C. amboinicus have both mosquitocidal and water sedimentation properties.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by aloe barbadensis miller leaf extract: Structure and optical properties

Biological methods for nanoparticle synthesis using microorganisms, enzymes, and plants or plant extracts have been suggested as possible ecofriendly alternatives to chemical and physical methods. In this paper, we report on the synthesis of nanostructured zinc oxide particles by both chemical and biological method. Highly stable and spherical zinc oxide nanoparticles are produced by using zinc nitrate and Aloe vera leaf extract. Greater than 95% conversion to nanoparticles has been achieved with aloe leaf broth concentration greater than 25%. Structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by using UV–Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, Photoluminescence, SEM, TEM and XRD analysis. SEM and TEM analysis shows that the zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared were poly dispersed and the average size ranged from 25 to 40 nm. The particles obtained have been found to be predominantly spherical and the particle size could be controlled by varying the concentrations of leaf broth solution.

Biomimetic assemblage of nucleobase 5-fluorouracil into nano-size three-dimensional particles

AbstractBiomimetic nano-assembly formation offers a convenient and bio friendly approach to fabricate complex structures from simple components with sub-nanometer precision. Recently, extract from cells of microorganism/plant origin have emerged as a simple and viable route for the synthesis of metal and inorganic material nano-particles. In the present study, we have extended biological synthesis of nano-particles to organic molecules, namely the anticancer agent, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using Aloe vera leaf extract. The formation of 5-FU nano- particles was assessed by UV, FT-IR and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopic techniques confirmed nano-size of the synthesized particles. Importantly, the nano-assembled 5-FU retained its anticancer action against various cancer cell lines. Finally, the anti-tumor potential of 5-FU nano-particles was established against DMBA induced fibrosarcoma in Balb/c mice.