A faster and environmentally viable phytochemical assisted reduction method of synthesizing catalytically active gold nanoparticles (GNPs) is reported.

To understand the spread of SARS-CoV2, in August and September 2020, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (India), conducted a sero-survey across its constituent laboratories and centers across India. Of 10,427 volunteers, 1058 (10.14%) tested positive for SARS CoV2 anti-nucleocapsid (anti-NC) antibodies; 95% of which had surrogate neutralization activity. Three-fourth of these recalled no symptoms. Repeat serology tests at 3 (n=607) and 6 (n=175) months showed stable anti-NC antibodies but declining neutralization activity. Local sero-positivity was higher in densely populated cities and was inversely correlated with a 30 day change in regional test positivity rates (TPR). Regional seropositivity above 10% was associated with declining TPR. Personal factors associated with higher odds of sero-positivity were high-exposure work (Odds Ratio, 95% CI, p value; 2∙23, 1∙92–2∙59, <0.0001), use of public transport (1∙79, 1∙43–2∙24, <0.0001), not smoking (1∙52, 1∙16–1∙99, 0∙0257), non-vegetarian diet (1∙67, 1∙41–1∙99, <0.0001), and B blood group (1∙36,1∙15-1∙61, 0∙001).

Objective: The aims of the present study were to document spice and condiment plants, to identify the most culturally important spice and condiment plants and to evaluate market potential of some spices and condiments used by some ethnic communities of Assam. Methods: The ethnobotanical study was conducted for four ethnic communities namely Ahom, Deori, Mishing, Sonowalkachari from Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam. The information was collected from 120 informants from each community through semi-structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 51 species belonging to 42 genera and 26 families used as spices and condiments by the ethnic communities of Assam were documented in the present study. Maximum number of spices and condiments were used by Ahom and had maximum similarity with Mishing, Sonowal-kachari and Deori. Maximum number of the spice and condiment plants belonged to families Amaryllidaceae and Zingiberaceae. Majority of the plants used by ethnic communities were under cultivation. Among all communities, herbs were used as spices and condiments. However, trees, shrubs and climbers were also used as spices and condiments. The study also revealed that fresh leafy herbaceous species were mostly used as spices and condiments by the communities of Assam. Flavouring was the most preferred category. The cultural important index of Allium cepa was highest among all selected communities of Assam. Piper nigrum showed the highest market potential. Conclusion: The present study revealed that spice and condiment plants were culturally more important in each ethnic community.

Amomum subulatum is a popular aromatic and medicinal spice crop being used for centuries to treat a variety of health ailments. The ethnopharmacological use of Amomum subulatum has been described in various medicinal systems including Ayurveda, Unani, and Chinese for its therapeutic properties in mitigating gastrointestinal disorders, lung congestions, respiratory ailments, jaundice, tuberculosis, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, ischemic heart diseases, etc. Literature search using Google Scholar, PubMed, NCBI, Elsevier, Wiley online Library, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus databases was restricted to English-language articles. Significant information on pharmacological properties of Amomum subulatum, including antioxidant (ROS/RNS pathways), anti-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, COX-2, NF-кB, HO-1, arachidonic acid pathways), antinephrotoxic (urea, creatinine, Cystatin-C), antihepatotoxic (SGOT, SGPT, and ALP), antidiabetic, etc., was collected for the review. The pharmacological properties of this traditional herb may be attributed to the plethora of secondary metabolites present in it. Preliminary phytochemical screening reported the abundance of flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acid esters, etc. 1,8-cineole (60%-80% of total volatile oil), α-terpineol, limonene, α-terpinyl acetate, etc., are the notable phytochemicals reported from Amomum subulatum. However, detailed insights into the molecular mechanistic pathways mediating the beneficial role of this traditional herb on cell/animal models and large-scale clinical trials are lacking.In the present review, we provide a comprehensive description of the current knowledge on Amomum subulatum, including its phytoconstituents, pharmacological uses, and toxicities, its implication in host health effects, including in vitro/in vivo efficacy, and the potential of these emerging species to suggest areas for future research.