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Stable zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using green approach of nanotechnology. The present investigation aimed to synthesize, stable, cost effective, rapid, eco-friendly approach for the bio-reduction of zinc nitrate hexahydarate to their nano size using phytochemicals present in the root extract of Viola canescens. The synthesized nanoparticles were further characterized by UV-visible, XRD, FTIR, SEM techniques and tested against the Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogenic cultures of bacteria. The average size of synthesized nanoparticles was less than 11 nm with hexagonal morphology. The clear zone of inhibition against tested bacteria showed their capability as antimicrobial agent.

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Increasing tendency of drug resistance and continuously emerging new diseases have limited the available therapeutic options. Plants are still a positive hope for search of new therapeutic agents, which have provided many effective therapeutic agents and have not been yet explored to their full potential. In the present study, two ferns Adiantum edgeworthii and Adiantum capilllus-veneris from the Himalayas, have been explored for the presence of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in them. Antimicrobial peptides are different class of therapeutic agents having multimodal action mechanism and different site of action. Hence they could be a solution against the problem of drug resistance. In the present study, whole proteins (WPs) of the ferns were precipitated using TCA, and low molecular weight protein fractions (LMPFs) of WPs were isolated using SDS-PAGE. Antibacterial activities of WPs and LMPFs were tested against six human pathogenic bacteria S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, E. faecalis, and K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The results showed that AMPs were present both the ferns and antibacterial potency of LMPFs was higher than WPs. It was also observed that WPs of A. capillus-veneris was about 11.4% more active than WPs of A. edgeworthii.  Antibacterial activity of WPs was compared with two standard antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Erythromycin) and comparable results were obtained. Further research for purification and characterization of pure antimicrobial peptides from these plants are expected to provide new therapeutic agents.

The present investigation medicinal plant resources in sacred forests of Garhwal Himalaya were carried out in six sacred protected groves in four districts of Garhwal Himalaya. The aim of the study was to enlist the important plants of medicinal value in these forests. A total of 126 plant species were found of medicinal importance representing 99 genera under 53 families. Herb species contributed the maximum (46.83%) to the total medicinal plant species. The family Rosaceae was the dominant family with (13) species. Leaves are the mostly used plant part, accounting for 41 species followed by roots/rhizomes/bulb with (38) species. The medicine from a tree near temple is considered more holy (prashad) and effective in treating diseases because of penance of deities. The region is enriched with large number of religion based conservation areas with rich vegetation and if studied with wisdom and in detail may prove to be boon for communities and conservation management for such areas.