Luffa aegyptiaca fruit juice was used as a low purity source of enzyme, which contained peroxidase activity of 180 IU/mL. The results of UV/VIS and IR studies suggested that L. aegyptiaca fruit juice works efficiently in the enzymatic conversion of phenolic compounds, namely guaiacol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, anisole, resorcinol, catechol, pyrogallol, hydroquinone, veratryl alcohol and phoreguicinol to quinones at 30°C. The p-cresol and pyrogallol were converted to quinones more efficiently as compared to other phenolic compounds. Determination of enzymatic characteristic properties such as Michaelis-Menten constant (Km), temperature optima and pH optima using different phenolic compounds, indicated p-cresol as a potential substrate for the peroxidase enzyme assay at room temperature, whereas guaiacol, which is widely used as a substrate for enzyme assay, has a higher temperature optima at 60°C for its maximum catalytic activity. Enzyme activity is inhibited by sodium azide using different phenolic substrates in the reaction mixture.

Objective: The objective of our research is to prepare silver nanoparticles from the rhizome extract of Curcuma caesia and develop topical herbal gel formulation for the effective treatment of acne. Methods: In this present study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using hydroalcoholic extract of Curcuma caesia rhizome. Silver nanoparticles loaded gels were evaluated for pH, viscosity, spreadability, in vitro release, estimation of total flavonoids and alkaloid content and antibacterial (propioni bacterium acne) studies. Results: The synthesized silver nanoparticles were stable, spherical shape with average particle size of 220.5 nm. The results obtained in the developed formulation showed no lumps, had uniform color dispersion and were free from any fiber and particle. It was also observed to have easy washablity, good spreadability, pH was found to be 6.58±0.02 and 7.02±0.01 similar to pH of the skin. The antibacterial study of the developed formulation showed inhibitory activity against Propioni bacterium acne. Synthesized silver nanoparticle loaded gel displayed drug release of optimized formulation F3 follows the Higuchi kinetic model, and the mechanism is found to be non Fickian/anomalous according to Korsmeyer–Peppas. Silver nanoparticles effectively inhibited the growth of both microorganism indicating good antibacterial properties. Conclusion: Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Curcuma caesia is a new, green method and not reported yet, as per literature survey done for this project. Successful synthesis and evaluation of silver nanoparticles was proved by the in-vitro study. Keywords: Curcuma caesia, Silver nanoparticles, Propioni bacterium acne, Acne, Flavonoids content, Alkaloid content, Antibacterial.

Luffa aegyptiaca fruit has been assayed for the presence of lignin peroxidase activity using veratryl alcohol as the substrate. The fruit juice contained activity of 3.14 U/ml which was much higher than 0.075 U/ml reported in the culture filtrate of Phanarochaete chrysosporium ATCC-24725. The Km value of the lignin peroxidase using veratryl alcohol as the variable substrate in 50mM phosphate buffer pH 2.5 at 25˚C was found to be 50 μM respectively. The pH and temperature optima of the lignin peroxidase were 2.4 and 22˚C, respectively. The present article reports viable method to explore rich sources of lignin peroxidase from plants which can be used as a mediator in oxidative organic transformations within green chemistry domain ensuring ecofriendly synthesis of bioorganic molecules of pharmaceutical value.

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