Introduction: Immune deficiency in children may present as mysterious recurrent illnesses or prolonged recovery from common ailments. Primary immune deficiencies can present anytime from birth to adolescence with a wide variety of signs and symptoms. Herbal formulations have gained attention because selected botanical ingredients possess reported antioxidant and health-promoting properties; however, their safety and efficacy should be established for the intended population. Method: This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a polyherbal Camellia sinensis syrup through physicochemical characterization, antioxidant activity, stability, and microbial quality assessment. Camellia sinensis is rich in polyphenols, catechins, and antioxidants that exhibit strong immunomodulatory properties. Kiwi fruit and basil leaf extracts were combined to enhance their potential immunomodulatory activity. All three extracts were prepared using the decoction process. Liquid jaggery was used as a vehicle instead of sugar or artificial syrup, serving as a natural sweetener and nutraceutical, providing essential nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and potassium. Results: The formulated syrup exhibited acceptable physicochemical characteristics (pH 6.4, specific gravity 1.06, viscosity 77.07 cP), demonstrated no microbial growth, remained stable under the tested conditions, and showed antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 47.35 μg/mL in the DPPH assay. Discussion: The inclusion of Camellia sinensis, kiwi fruit, and basil leaves, along with liquid jaggery, provides a potent combination of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory properties. The selected herbal ingredients provide antioxidant bioactive compounds that may contribute to immune health based on previous literature; however, direct immunomodulatory activity was not evaluated in the present study. Conclusion: The developed herbal syrup demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties, stability, microbial quality, and in vitro antioxidant activity. Further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies are required to establish its immunomodulatory efficacy and paediatric safety.
Context/Aim: Tuberculosis remains one of the major current health challenges caused by a single infectious pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The severity of this epidemic is mainly associated with the emergence of its multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains against known anti-tuberculosis drugs. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new antimycobacterial molecules to overcome this phenomenon. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimycobacterial activity of extracts from selected Moroccan medicinal plants. Materials and Methods: Nine plant species were selected for this study. Three different extracts were prepared from each species using distilled water, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. The obtained twenty-seven extracts were tested for their antimycobacterial activity using the disc diffusion method and the resazurin microtiter assay against two mycobacterial strains: Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Finally, extracts from the active plants were subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening. Results: The studied plant extracts exhibited variable antimycobacterial activity. The MIC values ranged from 0.3 to 50 mg/mL against Mycobacterium aurum and from 0.7 to 100 mg/mL against Mycobacterium smegmatis. Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate extract of Marrubium vulgare showed the highest activity, with bactericidal effects reflected by MBC values of 0.7 mg/mL and 1.5 mg/mL against M. aurum and M. smegmatis, respectively. Phytochemical screening indicated that the most active extracts were rich in flavonoids. Discussion: The results demonstrate a promising antimycobacterial potential of the ethyl acetate extracts from Laurus nobilis, Marrubium vulgare, and Chamaerops humilis, as indicated by significant inhibition zone diameters and low MIC/MBC values. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening suggests that this activity may be associated with the high content of flavonoids in these extracts. Conclusion: According to these results, the studied medicinal plants appear to be a promising source for isolating and purifying new effective antitubercular compounds.
Vacuum-assisted agroinfiltration is a widely used technique for transient gene expression in plants. However, its application is limited to small-sized plants that fit completely inside a vacuum chamber. Large, woody, and perennial species are, therefore, excluded from vacuum infiltration. The recently granted patent, titled “MX2023015160A, System and Method of Localized Vacuum Infiltration”, introduces a novel solution to overcome this physical limitation. This method enables localized vacuum infiltration of attached plant organs, independent of the overall size of the plant. This method is especially useful for large, woody, and perennial species that are difficult to transform. The usefulness of this invention has already been demonstrated by achieving the first transient genetic expression in planta in two economically important fruit trees, avocado (Persea americana) and cacao (Theobroma cacao), as previously published in peer-reviewed scientific articles. This invention advances plant biotechnology by enabling transient gene expression in mature, attached organs of woody perennial plants. Consequently, it extends functional genomics studies beyond detached tissues, thus facilitating investigations into native physiological contexts.
Introduction: The present investigation focuses on investigating the Amaranthus viridis L. aqueous extract (AVWE) as a prolonged corrosion inhibitor when applied to the surface of Stainless steel410 (SS-410) in an acidic solution (0.5 M HCl), and the inhibitory efficacy of AVWE was utilised in the formulation of a bio-coating that comprises the AVWE inhibitor along with other additives. Methods: AVWE was prepared by Soxhlet extraction using distilled water as the solvent to selectively isolate polar phytochemicals responsible for corrosion inhibition. The extraction was carried out under reflux for 12 h, employing 400 mL of solvent for 200 g of dried plant material previously dried in a water bath. The obtained semi-solid extract was transferred to a clean vial and preserved in a desiccator for further use. The inhibition efficiency of the AVWE inhibitor was analysed by various techniques, including gravimetric analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) analysis. Following the completion of studies on the inhibitory effects of AVWE, a bio-coating was formulated with the AVWE and other additives such as resin, metal oxide, and diluents. ASTM D3359 and durability techniques were used to test the adhesion and sustainability of the formulated coating, respectively. Results: UV-visible and IR spectroscopy validated the formation of a protective film on the metal surface. Morphological findings obtained from SEM, EDX, and AFM techniques indicated that the addition of the green inhibitor resulted in a reduction in the surface corrosion of SS-410. A gravimetric analysis demonstrated a corrosion inhibition efficiency of 97.22%, whereas electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated an inhibition efficiency of 95.12% for SS-410 at an inhibitor concentration of 500 ppm in 0.5 M HCl. LC-MS analysis identifies inhibitor phytochemicals that adsorb on metal. ASTM D 3359 and durability test revealed that the formulated coating is environmentally sustainable and protects SS-410 from corrosion. Discussion: Stainless steel, the most commonly used engineering material in a wide range of applications, suffers from severe corrosion and gradual deterioration. The effects of corrosion on the economy are widespread and create significant challenges in various sectors. Most of the products used in corrosion mitigation processes are harmful to the environment. Natural inhibitors such as plant extracts and biopolymers are more effective alternatives. These inhibitors are safe, inexpensive, renewable, and eco-friendly. In view of their environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness, recent investigations have focused on plant-based “green” inhibitors for SS-410 in acidic media (HCl). Electrochemical and surface analyses have demonstrated that Colebrookea oppositifolia extract achieves an inhibition efficiency of 95% for SS410 in 0.5 M HCl, whereas Pouzolzia zeylanica L. extract exhibits an inhibition efficiency of 94.9% under the same conditions. Therefore, AVWE was selected as a green corrosion inhibitor in the present study to mitigate corrosion on the SS-410 surface. Conclusion: The present study proposes a method for employing AVWE, a naturally occurring substance known for its anti-corrosion properties, on stainless steel-410 surfaces. The primary findings indicate that exposure to 0.5 M hydrochloric acid leads to a significant reduction in the corrosion of stainless steel-410 when treated with AVWE. Furthermore, a higher concentration of AVWE demonstrates an enhanced inhibitory effect compared to a lower concentration. The inherent inhibitory properties of AVWE indicate its potential as a promising candidate for the development of environmentally friendly corrosion-resistant coatings
Konjac gum is derived from the tuber Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch and is rich in Glucomannan, a polysaccharide with high gelling power. This study aims to evaluate, through a bibliographic and patent survey, the use of Konjac gum in the production of pharmaceutical hydrogels. The research was carried out through databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline, and by the Orbit Intelligence platform from 2004 to February 2025. In total, 12 articles and 25 patent families were identified, including patents related to the use of the Konjac hydrogel formulation range. 32% of the hydrogel formulations used on skin injuries analyzed had konjac in their composition due to its gelling action, and in 24% of patents, researchers introduced konjac gum in the development because of its healing potential. A 0.05 g concentration of konjac gum was the most common method for preparing antibacterial gels, which exhibited good biocompatibility and possessed excellent antibacterial and hemostatic properties, potentially aiding in the healing of infected wounds. Inventions using 1 g of glucomannan aimed to improve the hydrogel structure. Konjac, due to its greater biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewability, in addition to its high gelling, healing, and inflammatory process reduction power, has aroused growing interest in the production of biomedical materials such as hydrogels for the treatment of skin wounds.
