We report here biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extracts of (i) Azadirachta indica leaves and (ii) Citrullus colocynthis fruit and their larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti. The UV–Vis spectroscopy absorption peaks occurred in the range of 412–416 nm for A. indica AgNPs and 416–431 nm for C. colocynthis AgNPs indicating the silver nature of prepared colloidal samples. The scanning electron microscopy examination revealed the spherical morphology of both types of NPs with average size of 17 ± 4 nm ( A. indica AgNPs) and 26 ± 5 nm ( C. colocynthis AgNPs). The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the face-centred cubic (FCC) structure with crystallite size of 11 ± 1 nm ( A. indica AgNPs) and 15 ± 1 nm ( C. colocynthis AgNPs) while characteristic peaks appearing in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated the attachment of different biomolecules on AgNPs. The larvicidal activity at different concentrations of synthesized AgNPs (1–20 mg l −1 ) and extracts (0.5–1.5%) against Aedes aegypti was examined for 24 h. A concentration-dependent larvicidal potential of both types of AgNPs was observed. The LC 50 values were found to be 0.3 and 1.25 mg l −1 for C. colocynthis AgNPs and A. indica AgNPs, respectively. However, both extracts did not exhibit any notable larvicidal activity.

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Development of an embedded thin-film strain-gauge-based SHM network into 3D-woven composite structure for wind turbine blades,"

The present study investigated the biomedical potential of eco-friendly Citrullus colocynthis-mediated silver nanoparticles (Cc-AgNPs). The antibacterial efficacy of Cc-AgNPs was evaluated against two multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacterial strains, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antiproliferative and antilipidemic performance of the prepared particles was determined against the MCF7 cell line, a breast cancer cell line. The in vitro antibacterial assay revealed that Cc-AgNPs induced dose-dependent bactericidal activity, as a considerable increase in the zone of inhibition (ZOI) was noted at higher concentrations. Reduced proliferation, migration, spheroid size, and colony formation exhibited the substantial antiproliferative potential of Cc-AgNPs against MCF7 cells. Significant alterations in the expression of cell surface markers, apoptosis, and cell proliferation genes further confirmed the antiproliferative impact of Cc-AgNPs. Moreover, Cc-AgNPs exhibited antilipidemic activity by reducing cellular cholesterol and triglyceride levels and regulating key genes involved in lipogenesis. In conclusion, these results propose that Cc-AgNPs can be employed as a potent tool for future antibacterial and anticancer applications