Green nanotechnology has emerged as a viable option for the production of nanoparticles. The purpose of the current investigation was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Terminalia arjuna extracts, as well as their combinations, as green reducing and capping agents. The parameters (concentration of silver nitrate solution and plant extract, time, pH, and temperature) were optimized for maximal yields, regulated size, and stability of silver nanoparticles. The ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis) and the surface plasmon resonance band (SPR) were used to validate the synthesis of AgNPs. The size, shape, and stability of nanoparticles were assessed using a zeta analyzer and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The biomolecules responsible for the reduction of silver ion (Ag+) and the stability of silver nanoparticles generated with the plant extracts were identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The agar-well diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial activity of biosynthesized nanoparticles against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella multocida, and Escherichia coli. When 1 mM of silver nitrate (AgNO3) was added to plant extracts and incubated for 60 min at 75°C in a neutral medium, maximum nanoparticles were produced. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were stable, spherical, and monodispersed according to zeta potential and scanning electron microscopy. Silver nanoparticles synthesized with combination 2 and T. arjuna showed the highest zone of inhibition (16 mm) against B. subtilis while combination 3 showed the largest zone of inhibition against S. aureus (17 ± 0.8). It was concluded that greenly produced silver nanoparticles showed good antibacterial activity while causing negligible cytotoxicity.

The aim of the present study was to enhance the pharmaceutical potential and oral bioavailability of piperine, which is the bioactive constituent of Piper nigrum, using the nanosuspension approach. Nanoprecipitation, which is a simple and reproducible process, was used for nanosuspension formulation. To prepare a pharmaceutical-grade nanosuspension with the required particle size, important formulation parameters (amount of plant extract, concentration of stabilizer, and antisolvent-to-solvent ratio) were optimized using the central composite design of response surface methodology. The optimized nanosuspension was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and in vitro dissolution testing as well as by measuring the zeta potential. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies were conducted to determine the bioavailability of the prepared nanosuspension. Results of the optimization study indicated that 0.13% plant extract, 0.25% stabilizer, and an antisolvent-to-solvent ratio of 10.0 were the best parameters to obtain a homogeneous nanosuspension with the required particle size. The optimized nanosuspension demonstrated a mean particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of 172.5 nm, 0.241, and − 16.6 mV, respectively. The results of the characterization studies illustrated that the nanosuspension was in the nanometer size range and had good surface morphology. The optimized nanosuspension showed a better dissolution rate and a 3.65-fold higher oral bioavailability for the P. nigrum nanosuspension than its coarse suspension. The present outcomes clearly demonstrated that to obtain an effective therapeutic potential, nanoformulation of medicinal plants is a better alternative than conventional dosage forms.

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The present study was designed to develop safer, effective, and viable cardioprotective herbal combination to control oxidative stress related cardiac ailments as new alternatives to synthetic drugs. The synergetic cardioprotective potential of herbal combination of four plants T. arjuna (T.A.), P. nigrum (P.N), C. grandiflorus (C), and C. oxyacantha (Cr) was assessed through curative and preventive mode of treatment. In preventive mode of treatment, the cardiac injury was induced with synthetic catecholamine (salbutamol) to pretreated rabbits with the proposed herbal combination for three weeks. In curative mode of treatment, cardiotoxicity/oxidative stress was induced in rabbits with salbutamol prior to treating them with plant mixture. Cardiac marker enzymes, lipids profile, and antioxidant enzymes as biomarker of cardiotoxicity were determined in experimental animals. Rabbits administrated with mere salbutamol showed a significant increase in cardiac marker enzymes and lipid profile and decrease in antioxidant enzymes as compared to normal control indicating cardiotoxicity and myocardial cell necrosis. However, pre- and postadministration of plant mixture appreciably restored the levels of all biomarkers. Histopathological examination confirmed that the said combination was safer cardioprotective product.

In vivo and in vitro crude powder (CPE), native (NNE) and gemotherapeutic (GNE) extracts ofAzadirachta indica (neem) were studied to rationalize its traditional use. Live Haemonchus contortus and earthworms were used to access the in vitro and anthelmintic effect of crude extracts (NNE and GNE) of neem. The in vitro inhibitory effect of both GNE and NNE was evident in the paralysis or mortality of H. contortus and earthworms noted at 24 h post exposure. In egg hatch assay, NNE extract demonstrated inhibitory effect on egg hatching of H. Contortus after 48 h, with 100% eggs remaining unhatched at 4.0 mg/mL; while in GNE after 48 h, again 100% eggs remained unhatched at 2.0 mg/mL. All these results were also compared with positive control velbazine. For in vivo studies, GTNE, NNE and crude powder of neem were administered in increasing doses (1.0-3.0 g/kg) to sheep naturally infected with mixed species of gastrointestinal nematodes. A maximum reduction of 73.6% EPG was recorded in sheep treated with GNE at 3.0 g followed by crude powder of neem at 3.0 g (27%) and NNE at 3.0 g (43.8%). Levamisole, a standard anthelmintic agent, showed 99.23% reduction in faecal eggs per gram (EPG) basis. The data show that GNE and NNE exhibit dose dependent anthelmintic activity both in vivo and in vitro. The results suggest that utilization of GTNE, NNE and crude powder of neem may be useful in the control of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes.