Phytopharmacology Research Journal

Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and its Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Wound Healing, and Immunomodulatory Activities -A Review

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Iron oxide nanoparticles, particularly in the form of Fe₂O₃, have gained significant attention due to their distinctive physicochemical properties and diverse biomedical applications. This review examines various synthesis methods for Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, including co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, and green synthesis, each influencing the nanoparticles' size, morphology, and surface characteristics. Furthermore, the biological activities of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles are discussed in detail, focusing on their antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and immunomodulatory properties. Studies show that Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibit strong antimicrobial effects against a range of pathogens, including drug-resistant strains, through mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cell membrane disruption. In cancer therapy, Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles contribute to targeted drug delivery and hyperthermia, selectively inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Their anti-inflammatory properties aid in modulating inflammatory responses, while wound healing applications demonstrate their ability to promote cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. Additionally, the immunomodulatory effects of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles enhance immune responses, showing potential as vaccine adjuvants and in the treatment of autoimmune conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements and challenges in the application of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in biomedicine, suggesting future directions for optimizing their therapeutic efficacy and safety.

Biomedical Applications of Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) Nanoparticles

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as versatile and promising materials in biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties, including high stability, biocompatibility, photocatalytic activity, and tunable surface chemistry. This review explores their broad spectrum of applications in the biomedical field, emphasizing their role in drug delivery, cancer therapy, antimicrobial coatings, and biosensing. TiO₂ NPs demonstrate significant potential in targeted drug delivery systems due to their ability to conjugate with bioactive molecules, enabling controlled and site-specific therapeutic release. Their photocatalytic properties make them suitable for photodynamic and photothermal therapies, providing effective, minimally invasive treatments for cancer. Furthermore, TiO₂ NPs exhibit strong antimicrobial activity, offering innovative solutions for infection control in medical devices and implants. Recent advancements in TiO₂-based biosensors have facilitated the sensitive and rapid detection of biomarkers, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Despite their promising applications, challenges such as potential toxicity and long-term biocompatibility must be addressed through rigorous research and development. This paper highlights the current progress and future perspectives of TiO₂ nanoparticles, underscoring their transformative potential in advancing biomedical technologies.

Phytochemical investigation and in vitro urease inhibitory screening of various extracts of Bauhinia variegate stem

Mian Sayed Khan, Humaira Naz, Zuneera Akram — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Natural products are still a good source for the identification of bioactive compounds that have great therapeutic potential. Phytochemical profile and urease inhibitory activity of fractions of Bauhinia variegata flowers through various solvents were examined systematically in this paper. N-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and butanol were used as successive solvents to extract and fractionate the stem material. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of a wide range of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, tannins, steroids, fatty acids, and reducing sugars, especially in the methanol and butanol fractions. The jack bean urease method was used to carry out the urease inhibitory assay using thiourea as the reference standard. Each of the fractions exhibited significant dose-dependent urease inhibition, with the largest exhibited being butanol (90.54% inhibition; IC 50 = 31.02-1.65 5g/mL), then methanol (77.49% inhibition; IC₅₀ = 45.03 ± 1.40 µg/mL) and ethyl acetate (65.09% inhibition; IC₅₀= 57.72 ± 1.34 µg/mL). Such results indicate that polar phytoconstituents like flavonoids and tannins are most likely behind the activity. These findings not only confirm the traditional application of B. variegata in the management of gastrointestinal disorders but the findings also draw our attention to the potential of B. variegata as a source of natural urease inhibitors, which may be important in the treatment of urease-related conditions, including peptic ulcers, kidney stones, and Helicobacter pylori infections. Further isolation and characterization of active constituents is justified in order to explain their modes of action and therapeutic potential. The paper contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by encouraging plant-based, environmentally friendly solutions to drug discovery and human wellness.

The Histo-protective Properties of Celtis occidentalis Methanolic Extract in Glyphosate-based herbicide intoxicated Renal and Gills Toxicity in Cyprinus Carpio

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Pesticides are widely used to enhance crop yield, but their release can contaminate the environment. Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl glycine), a broad-spectrum organophosphorus herbicide, is extensively applied to control unwanted weeds. The present study evaluated the histo-protective efficacy of Celtis occidentalis leaf extract in Cyprinus carpio exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH). Twenty one fish were divided into three groups (n=7): Group I (control), Group II (GBH, 0.71 ml), and Group III (GBH + extract 300 mg/kg; EGBH) for 28 days. Histopathological analysis of kidneys and gills revealed that glyphosate exposure caused severe tissue damage, including swelling of Bowman’s capsule, glomerular contraction, vacuolar degeneration of renal epithelial cells, tubular hypertrophy, necrosis, and interstitial hemorrhage with inflammatory infiltration. In gills, congestion of blood vessels, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of epithelial and pillar cells, hemorrhage, fusion and curling of secondary lamellae, mucous accumulation, and lamellar disorganization were evident. Co-administration of C. occidentalis extract markedly ameliorated these alterations, restoring normal tissue architecture in a dose-dependent manner. The findings demonstrate that glyphosate induces significant renal and gill histopathological alterations in C. carpio, while methanolic extract of C. occidentalis exhibits strong protective effects against herbicide-induced toxicity.

Allelopathic Impact of Parthenium hysterophorous Leaf Extract on the Yield-Contributing Traits of Allium sativum L.

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon by which plants release biochemical compounds (allelochemicals) into their surroundings, manipulating the progress and existence of other organisms. The current work aimed to investigate the allelopathic influence of Parthenium hystyerophrous extract on garlic genotype. The attentiveness of Parthenium extract was applied to the seedling of garlic, and found maximum plant height (82.00cm) for treatment (T3), while minimum was noted in T1 treatment (24.50). the study investigated the effect of treatments on root length and dry matter reduction. The results showed a significant reduction in root length, averaging 3.50, while it had a minimum reduction at 3.65. Statistical analysis revealed varying correlations between root size and dehydration depth, with R values of 0.767, 0.173, and 0.041. The relationship between treated and control plant root lengths was significant in control and treatment-1, but less so in treatment-3. Although the correlation between weight and root length was significant in control and treatment-1, it was weaker in treatment-3, with an R value of 0.138 and 0.31, respectively. This study aimed to explore various applications of allelopathy, suggesting that effective allelochemicals should be further isolated and investigated. Keywords: (Allelochemicals, Parthenium, allelopathy, Plant height, root)