Curcuma longa and Curcumin have been documented to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, including anti- Acanthamoeba activity. Hence, this study sought to explore the anti-adhesion activity of C. longa extract and Curcumin against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoites and cysts in plastic and contact lenses. Our results showed that C. longa extract and Curcumin significantly inhibited the adhesion of A. triangularis trophozoites and cysts to the plastic surface, as investigated by the crystal violet assay (P < 0.05). Also, an 80–90% decrease in adhesion of trophozoites and cysts to the plastic surface was detected following the treatment with C. longa extract and Curcumin at 1/2 × MIC, compared to the control. In the contact lens model, approximately 1 log cells/mL of the trophozoites and cysts was reduced when the cells were treated with Curcumin, when compared to the control. Pre-treatment of the plastic surface with Curcumin at 1/2-MIC reduced 60% and 90% of the adhesion of trophozoites and cysts, respectively. The reduction in 1 Log cells/mL of the adhesion of A. triangularis trophozoites was observed when lenses were pre-treated with both the extract and Curcumin. Base on the results obtained from this study, A. triangularis trophozoites treated with C. longa extract and Curcumin have lost strong acanthopodia, thorn-like projection pseudopodia observed by scanning electron microscope. This study also revealed the therapeutic potentials of C. longa extract and Curcumin, as such, have promising anti-adhesive potential that can be used in the management/prevention of A. triangularis adhesion to contact lenses.

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Phytopharmaceuticals have been widely used globally since ancient times and acknowledged by healthcare professionals and patients for their superior therapeutic value and fewer side-effects compared to modern medicines. However, phytopharmaceuticals need a scientific and methodical approach to deliver their components and thereby improve patient compliance and treatment adherence. Dose reduction, improved bioavailability, receptor selective binding, and targeted delivery of phytopharmaceuticals can be likely achieved by molding them into specific nano-formulations. In recent decades, nanotechnology-based phytopharmaceuticals have emerged as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of various communicable and non-communicable diseases. Nanotechnology combined with phytopharmaceuticals broadens the therapeutic perspective and overcomes problems associated with plant medicine. The current review highlights the therapeutic application of various nano-phytopharmaceuticals in neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastro-intestinal disorders. We conclude that nano-phytopharmaceuticals emerge as promising therapeutics for many pathological conditions with good compliance and higher acceptance.

Aim and Objectives: Plants are a good source of secondary metabolites, which have huge potential to kill micro-organisms. The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Ocimum sanctum ethanol extract against drug-resistant and drug-sensitive strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Materials and Methods: A total of 119 strains of P. aeruginosa, 92 multidrug-resistant (MDR) and 27 pan sensitive strains were included in the study, which were isolated from different human clinical samples. Ocimum sanctum crude leaves extract was prepared with the standard "cold extraction method". The susceptibility agar dilution plates were made by mixing molten Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA) media with plant extract in different quantities to get the final extract concentration of 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.05%. These plates were used for determining the sensitive/ resistance nature of all strains of P. aeruginosa against plant extract. Results: Among 92 MDR strains in MHA plates with 0.05% of plant extract, 59 strains were sensitive and 33 were resistant. The same MDR strains in MHA plate with 0.1% of the extract showed somewhat similar trends, 61 sensitive and 31 resistant. Whereas with 0.2% of the extract, 67 strains were sensitive, 11 showed resistance while 14 showed discrete colonies. Among 27 pan sensitive strains at 0.05% concentration, there was complete growth inhibition in 23, while discrete colonies were observed in 4, though, at 0.1% and 0.2%, all strains were found as sensitive. Conclusion: Analysis of the present study showed that Ocimum sanctum extract possess compounds with antimicrobial properties against commonly used isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.

Background Dysdercus koenigii Fabricius is a polyphagous agricultural pest of paramount importance. Farnesol is a plant-derived open-chain aliphatic sesquiterpenoid alcohol. It is an intermediate in the metabolic pathway of juvenile hormone biosynthesis. The effects of Farnesol on haemocytes of fifth instar nymphs of Dysdercus koenigii were assessed in the present investigation. The early fifth instar nymphs were treated with doses of 0.05 μL, 0.1 μL and 0.2 μL Farnesol topically and day wise change in the total haemocytes was reported. Different types of haemocytes were identified in the haemolymph based on their morphological characteristics. Difference in day wise distribution pattern of haemocytes was evaluated in relation to dose of treatment. Results In normal fifth instar nymphs, age-related variation in the haemocyte count was evident; the haemocyte number increased up to four days and subsequently decreased till six-day when the nymph moulted. The results indicate that Farnesol had an adverse effect on the total number of haemocytes; in treated nymphs the haemocyte count decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The decrease was most prominent in the nymphs treated with a dose of 0.2 μL Farnesol. Based on the morphological characteristics, six different types of haemocytes, viz. prohaemocyte, plasmatocyte, adipohaemocyte, granulocytes, oenocytoids and disintegrated cells were identified in the haemolymph. The percent composition of different haemocytes showed variation depending on the age of the fifth instar nymph and the dose of treatment. In control, the percentages of plasmatocytes decreased up to day 5 and then increased up to 7 days. The percentage of adipohaemocytes increased throughout the nymphal period of the fifth instar, except for a small dip on the fourth day. Granulocytes and oenocytoids showed no clear trend. In Farnesol-treated nymphs, an increase in percent of prohaemocytes was observed in all the treatments. Dose-dependent effects were more prominent after day 5. An increase in plasmatocytes was seen after day 3. A distinct dose-related decrease was reported in adipohaemocytes on all days. Percent of disintegrated cells also showed an increase in all the tested doses of Farnesol on all the days. Granulocytes and oenocytoids showed no definitive trend of change. Conclusions Farnesol is a plant sesquiterpenoid and acts as a precursor in juvenile hormone biosynthesis. The application of Farnesol exogenously may disturb haemocyte patterns which may challenge the immune response of insects. Therefore, Farnesol can potentially be used as an alternative approach in pest management.