Silver nanoparticles are nanoparticles of silver which are in the range of 1 and 100 nm in size. Silver nanoparticles have unique properties which help in molecular diagnostics, in therapies, as well as in devices that are used in several medical procedures. The major methods used for silver nanoparticle synthesis are the physical and chemical methods. The problem with the chemical and physical methods is that the synthesis is expensive and can also have toxic substances absorbed onto them. To overcome this, the biological method provides a feasible alternative. The major biological systems involved in this are bacteria, fungi, and plant extracts. The major applications of silver nanoparticles in the medical field include diagnostic applications and therapeutic applications. In most of the therapeutic applications, it is the antimicrobial property that is being majorly explored, though the anti-inflammatory property has its fair share of applications. Though silver nanoparticles are rampantly used in many medical procedures and devices as well as in various biological fields, they have their drawbacks due to nanotoxicity. This review provides a comprehensive view on the mechanism of action, production, applications in the medical field, and the health and environmental concerns that are allegedly caused due to these nanoparticles. The focus is on effective and efficient synthesis of silver nanoparticles while exploring their various prospective applications besides trying to understand the current scenario in the debates on the toxicity concerns these nanoparticles pose.

No abstract

Vitex negundo Linn is an important medicinal plant belonging to the Verbenaceae family. Every part of the plant is enriched with therapeutic value; hence the plant plays a pivotal role in traditional medicine systems. The presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and phenolic compounds in the various plant parts are responsible for the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties which are being exploited in the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and so on. The major phytochemical components are Vitexin (8-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone), Isovitexin (5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) 6[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one), Vitedoin and Negundin((7R,8S)-8-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6, 7-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3-methoxy-7,8-dihydronaphthalen-2-ol). The scope of Vitex negundo as an adjuvant in modern medicine is huge. Therefore, this review focuses on research conducted till date to evaluate the phytochemical composition, and pharmacological activities of Vitex negundo medicinal plant.

Background: The aqueous crude extract of Garcinia mangostana fruit pericarp was already proven to contain antiurolithiatic property. Based on this previous study the current study was focused on analysing the anti-urolithiatic property of α- mangostin, a xanthone polyphenol isolated from the fruit pericarp of G. manostana, which has not been tested for its anti-urolithiatic property till now. Objective: The aim of this present study is to evaluate the anti-urolithiatic property of the isolated α- mangostin from G. mangostana fruit pericarp using in silico, in vitro and in vivo analysis. Study Design: Antiurolithiatic activity of α- mangostin through Molecular docking study à In vitro S.S.M model study à Animal studies. Place and Duration: Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Post Bag No.1, Pennalur, Sriperumbudur Tk, Kancheepuram Dt, TN-602117, India. Materials and Methods: In silico Molecular docking of α- mangostin with Kidney stone forming proteins- Xanthine dehydrogenase (Xdh), Oxalate oxidase and Tamm-Horesefall Protein (THP) were performed using AutoDock 4.0 and was visualised in Discovery studio software. In vitro Simultaneous Static flow Model (S.S.M) was performed to investigate its Antiurolithiatic property against Calcium Oxalate (CaOx) and Calcium Phosphate (CaP) crystals. Based on the in silico and in vitro analysis, the study was extrapolated to Ethylene Glycol (EG) induced urolithiasis rat models. The animal study was performed with 36 Albino Wistar rats which were divided into 6 groups. All group except group I received EG (0.75% in drinking water) for the induction of Urolithiasis for 28 days under curative regimen. Group III was administered orally with Cystone (750 mg/kg) from 15th to 28thday. Group IV to VI was administered orally with GMPE (300 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg) from 15thto 28th day. Results: Molecular Docking studies showed an inhibitory interaction of α- mangostin with oxalate oxidase, Xdh and THP with binding affinity of -4.47, -4.00 and -3.41 Kcal/mol respectively. S.S.M showed 54.71% inhibition for CaOx crystals and 62.21% inhibition of CaP crystals. The animal studies showed significant results in reduction of serum calcium (P<0.01), serum phosphate (P<0.01), urine calcium(P<0.001) and urine phosphate(P<0.01). Conclusion: Thus, α- mangostin proved to be potent Anti-urolithiatic agent by reducing and disintegrating the urinary crystals.

Background: It is well known that almond and tea is best known to prevent Diabetes mellitus due to its abundant source of polyphenols. Also, probiotics also have been used in the treatment of Diabetes. This study is focused on the combined effect of all these three ingredients through the process of fermentation. Objective: The aim of this present study is to develop, analyse sensory parameters in human volunteers for optimisation and evaluate the antidiabetic efficiency of Fermented Almond milk tea (FAMT) both in vitro and in vivo analysis. Study Design: Development of FAMTàOptimisation of FAMT based on sensory analysis from 25 human participantsà In vitro antidiabetic analysis of FAMT extract à Animal studies. Place and Duration: The research work was conducted during November, 2019 to March, 2020 at the Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Post Bag No.1, Pennalur, Sriperumbudur Tk, Kancheepuram Dt, TN-602117, India. Materials and Methods: FAMT was prepared by optimisation of different formulation based on sensory analysis recorded from 25 healthy human volunteers. The FAMT extract was prepared and was used for the in vitro analysis and phytochemical screening. The animal study was performed with 30 Albino Wistar rats which were divided into 5 groups under preventive regimen. Group I was healthy normoglycemic control group. Group II served as positive control. Group III received metformin (350 mg/kg bw, p.o) for 28 days. Group IV received 5% Fermented almond milk for 28 days. Group V received 5% FAMT for 28thday. All groups except Group I received single dose of STZ (50 mg/kg bw, i.p) on the 29th day for the induction of Diabetes mellitus. After 7 days from induction, animals were anaesthetized and blood was drawn for the evaluation of plasma glucose and serum TG, cholesterol & insulin.   Results: It was observed that FAMT (8:2) was favoured by the participants more than other formulations. FAMT was found to contain Saponins, flavonoids and phenol. The total poly phenol of FAMT (373 ± 3.0 μg/ml) was high than Fermented almond milk (232.5 ± 2.50 μg/ml). The DPPH scavenging, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibiting percentage of FAMT (59 ± 4%,52 ± 3%, 50 ± 4% respectively) was high when compared to fermented almond milk (32 ± 2%,34 ± 2% and 45 ± 2% respectively). From animal studies it was significantly observed that plasma glucose (P<0.0001) was reduced, serum insulin (P<0.001) was increased, serum TG (P<0.0.001) and cholesterol (P<0.01) were reduced when compared to Positive control Group- II. Conclusion: Thus, FAMT was proved to act as a prophylactic anti-diabetic drink and was more potent than normal fermented almond milk.