Among the most promising nanomaterials, metallic nanoparticles with antibacterial and antitumor properties are expected to open new avenues to fight and prevent various tumours and infectious diseases. The study of bactericidal nanomaterial is particularly timely considering the recent increase in new resistant strains of bacteria to the most potent antibiotics and the potential role of bactericidal nanomaterial as anticancer agents. This has promoted the research of the well-known activity of silver ions and silver-based compounds, including silver nanoparticles. The present work is the study of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Penicillium brevicompactum (MTCC-1999). The colour of the cell filtrate changes to dark brown upon addition of 1 mM AgNO 3 , suggesting the formation of silver nanoparticles. These silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized and analyzed by UV-vis spectrophotometric analysis, which showed a peak of absorbance at 420 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis showed amines and amides that are responsible for the stabilization of AgNPs. To determine the particle size, atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis was used, which showed that the nanoparticles are spherical and are 30-50 nm in size. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed that AgNPs were well dispersed, spherical, and well within the range of 40-50 nm. These nanoparticles displayed good antibacterial activity and also increased the antibiotic activity of gatifloxacin, tetracycline, and vancomycin. These nanoparticles were further studied for their anticancer activity and showed high toxicity towards the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

Recently a surge has been witnessed in number of new academic pharmacy institution establishing concern with quality of graduates passing out. Survey has also established the poor understanding of the health education among the students. Developed countries have formulated and successfully implemented new strategies to impart education to the current generation. Problem Based Learning (PBL) is one of the novel technique used in majority of health universities in US, UK and Asian countries. This has led to tremendous development in the quality of health science graduates. The process allows a group of student to discuss and solve a real life situation though discussion. It involves exposing a group of students to a trigger/case/problem asking the student to solve the trigger within a specified time through a defined process facilitated by a tutor. The student are allowed to go for self-study based on their discussion and allowed to meet again for second session after a week to solve the trigger. The student capability can be measured by the facilitator using a designed rubrics or any other evaluation strategies. This process have proved to enhance the soft skill, cognitive, metacognitive, problem solving and critical thinking skills among the students. The strategy also helps the students to work in group and develop a democratic attitude and to judge a problem based on consensus. Indian pharmacy colleges should adopt the system to install critical thinking ability among the students.

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Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC (Family: Asteraceae), commonly known as 'lilac tasselflower' is an important edible medicinal plant found to be used as one of the popular ingredients of traditional vegetable salads in Malaysia, Bangladesh and India. In addition to its use as a vegetable, the plant is documented in ethnomedicine to possess several medicinal benefits in treating night blindness, epilepsy, fever and inflammatory diseases, malaria, asthma, liver diseases, eye inflammation, influenza, burns and breast abscesses. The pharmacological studies have shown that the plant possesses numerous notable biological activities such as antimicrobial, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antianxiety, anticataract and anticonvulsant activities. A few phytoconstituents have been isolated from the plant. The plant is rich with flavonoids. Presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been reported in the plant. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are considered to be hepatotoxic and therefore, the use of the plant either as a food or in ethnomedicine need to be restricted. With the availability of primary investigations, further investigations are recommended to study the toxicity of the plant in detail before rationalizing its use as a health food.