Biofilm formation on surfaces via microbial colonization causes infections and has become a major health issue globally. The biofilm lifestyle provides resistance to environmental stresses and antimicrobial therapies. Biofilms can cause several chronic conditions, and effective treatment has become a challenge due to increased antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics available for treating biofilm-associated infections are generally not very effective and require high doses that may cause toxicity in the host. Therefore, it is essential to study and develop efficient anti-biofilm strategies that can significantly reduce the rate of biofilm-associated healthcare problems. In this context, some effective combating strategies with potential anti-biofilm agents, including plant extracts, peptides, enzymes, lantibiotics, chelating agents, biosurfactants, polysaccharides, organic, inorganic, and metal nanoparticles, etc., have been reviewed to overcome biofilm-associated healthcare problems. From their extensive literature survey, it can be concluded that these molecules with considerable structural alterations might be applied to the treatment of biofilm-associated infections, by evaluating their significant delivery to the target site of the host. To design effective anti-biofilm molecules, it must be assured that the minimum inhibitory concentrations of these anti-biofilm compounds can eradicate biofilm-associated infections without causing toxic effects at a significant rate.

Cancer is one of the major deadly diseases globally. The alarming rise in the mortality rate due to this disease attracks attention towards discovering potent anticancer agents to overcome its mortality rate. The discovery of novel and effective anticancer agents from natural sources has been the main point of interest in pharmaceutical research because of attractive natural therapeutic agents with an immense chemical diversity in species of animals, plants, and microorganisms. More than 60% of contemporary anticancer drugs, in one form or another, have originated from natural sources. Plants and microbial species are chosen based on their composition, ecology, phytochemical, and ethnopharmacological properties. Plants and their derivatives have played a significant role in producing effective anticancer agents. Some plant derivatives include vincristine, vinblastine, irinotecan, topotecan, etoposide, podophyllotoxin, and paclitaxel. Based on their particular activity, a number of other plant-derived bioactive compounds are in the clinical development phase against cancer, such as gimatecan, elomotecan, etc. Additionally, the conjugation of natural compounds with anti-cancerous drugs, or some polymeric carriers particularly targeted to epitopes on the site of interest to tumors, can generate effective targeted treatment therapies. Cognizance from such pharmaceutical research studies would yield alternative drug development strategies through natural sources which could be economical, more reliable, and safe to use.

Bee products have been extensively employed in traditional therapeutic practices to treat several diseases and microbial infections. Numerous bioactive components of bee products have exhibited several antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antiprotozoal, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Apitherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses the bioactive properties of bee products to prevent and/or treat different diseases. This review aims to provide an elaborated vision of the antiviral activities of bee products with recent advances in research. Since ancient times, bee products have been well known for their several medicinal properties. The antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of bee products and their bioactive components are emerging as a promising alternative therapy against several viral infections. Numerous studies have been performed, but many clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the potential of apitherapy against pathogenic viruses. In that direction, here, we review and highlight the potential roles of bee products as apitherapeutics in combating numerous viral infections. Available studies validate the effectiveness of bee products in virus inhibition. With such significant antiviral potential, bee products and their bioactive components/extracts can be effectively employed as an alternative strategy to improve human health from individual to communal levels as well.

Propolis is a natural hive product collected by honeybees from different plants and trees. The collected resins are then mixed with bee wax and secretions. Propolis has a long history of use in traditional and alternative medicine. Propolis possesses recognized antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Both properties are characteristics of food preservatives. Moreover, most propolis components, in particular flavonoids and phenolic acids, are natural constituents of food. Several studies suggest that propolis could find use as a natural food preservative. This review is focused on the potential application of propolis in the antimicrobial and antioxidant preservation of food and its possible application as new, safe, natural, and multifunctional material in food packaging. In addition, the possible influence of propolis and its used extracts on the sensory properties of food is also discussed.

Rhizobia are bacteria well known for biological nitrogen fixation through symbioses. These bacteria may also perform as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). In this study the role of rhizobia as PGPR was studied. Rhizobia was isolated from the root nodules of various summer legumes including Glycine max (Soybaen), Vigna radiata (Mung bean), Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea), Susbenia grandiflora (Sesbania) and Cymposistetra gonoloba (Guar) grown at New Developmental Farm (NDF), the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during summer 2011. Rhizobia were isolated from root nodules by using yeast minitol agar media, pure culture of each isolate was prepared and examined for various PGPR traits. Data revealed that 9, 83, 47 and 21% of tested strains were found to produce cyanide (HCN), siderophores, indole-acetic acid (IAA) and solubilized phosphorus respectively. Among the tested rhizoial isolates, rhizobia isolated from Vigna radiata showed highest PGPR activity fallowed by Glycine max while relatively lower PGPR activity was observed for rhizobial isolates of Cymposistetra gonoloba (Guar). All the tested isolates were gram negative. Soybaen and cowpea isolates were found to be fast growing while mung bean, susbenia and guar were slow growing in nature. This study indicates that rhizobial isolates of Vigna radiata and Glycine max have the capability to be used as PGPR.