The worldwide growing antibiotic resistance against microbes has shifted the trend towards medicinal plants. Herbs are gaining courtesy for their effectiveness, safety, cheapness, and therapeutic potential. The current study focuses on the antibacterial potential of Mentha piperita (mint), Syzygium cumini (jamun), Citrus limon (lemon), and Punica granatum (pomegranate) extracts against isolated bacterial strains from diabetic foot infections. Diabetic foot samples (n=80) were collected for isolation of bacteria. Samples were run on respective media for isolation of different bacteria, which were further identified through microscopy and biochemical testing. Antibacterial activity was determined by disc and well diffusion methods. Several bacteria like S. aureus (42), P. aeruginosa (41), E. coli (28) K. pneumonia (22), S. epidermidis (15), Bacillus (7), and Proteous mirabilis (7) were isolated. Antibacterial analysis revealed moderate sensitivity of the four selected extracts against isolates, which was higher compared to most synthetic antibiotics. The lemon extract showed moderate antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis (8mm), P. aeruginosa (10mm) Bacillus (10mm), and P. mirabilis (11mm). Similarly, pomegranate also showed moderate sensitivity against all isolated bacteria. Jamun leaf extract showed antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis (12mm), K. pneumonia (10mm), E. coli (12mm), S. aureus, (11mm) and P. mirabilis (10mm). Hence plants could be used as an alternative to synthetic antibiotics with modifications to achieve better results.

The emergence of medication resistance and unfavorable side effects from existing antibiotics has prompted the quest for novel antimicrobial agents over the last 2 decades. Plant extracts have been shown to have antibacterial effects in numerous studies. The objective of this study was the evaluation of the antibacterial effect of economically important medicinal plants found in Pakistan. Onosma bracteatum (flowers and leaves), Viola odorata (flowers and leaves), Cuscuta reflexa (whole plant), Swertia chirata (whole plant), and Fagonia arabica (whole plant) were used against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Water and ethanol extracts were obtained from different parts of the plants. To evaluate the antibacterial effect of these plants, qualitative assay agar well diffusion method was performed. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth micro dilution method. Results revealed that the highest inhibition zone (18 mm) was shown by ethanol extract of V odorata flower against P aeruginosa. Ethanol extract of C reflexa plants is best for all 3 tested microbes (P aeruginosa, B subtilis, and E coli). The results concluded that all these plants have abilities to fight against these tested bacteria. Ethanol extract of V odorata flower has the highest activity against P aeruginosa.

A nanoparticle (NP) is a tiny particle with ranging in size from 10 to 100 nm. Bionanomaterials have a remarkable potential as ‘magic bullets’ mainly produced from plants, bacteria, fungi, etc. Green synthesized of nanomaterials are powerful and significant tool defending from the unsafe effects of medicine in addition to overcoming the obstacles to access of the drug in targeted tissues and dealing with drug resistance effectively. In recent era, the designing of bio-nanoparticles and extensive use in numerous biomedical applications like as anti-cancerous, antibacterial, and site-specific drug delivery systems has become the top-priority research goal. Nanoparticles are used in the field of medicine as a powerful weapon due to their stability, inert nature, high dispersity, non-cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility. The current chapter specifically emphasizes the applications of bio-nanoparticles in the field of medicine.

Tables listing band assignment for spectral features observed in PC loadings, confusion matrix for PLS-DA derived classification model and results of PLS-DA based leave-one-mouse-out analysis after tissue autofluorescence subtraction; and figure showing radial visualization plot after autofluorescence removal.

Background The therapeutic potential of Haloxylon griffithii found in northern region of Balochistan, so far has been neglected. Purpose The current study was aimed to assess the phytochemicals and pharmacological potential of fractions isolated from H griffithii. Research Design During phytochemicals analysis of H griffithii using GC/MS showed various bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, and carboxylic acids. In vitro antioxidant activity of H griffithii was determined by 2, 2’- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Disc diffusion method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity. Results The quantitative analysis of ethyl acetate showed highest total flavonoid contents (1.19 ± .05) while ethanol with lowest value (.52 ± .01). The total phenolic contents in ethyle acetate was 1.50 ± .42, whereas ethanol showed lowest value (.77 ± .02). Ethanol exhibited excellent (88.68 ± 3.0) free radical scavenging potential measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging assay. For antimicrobial activity, different bacterial and fungal strains like B subtilis, S aureus, E coli, S typhi, C albicans, and A. niger were selected . The essential oil showed maximum % inhibition diameter (9 mm) against B. Subtillus and (5 mm) against C albicans, respectively . The ethyl acetate presented % inhibition diameter (9 mm) against S aureus and (6 mm) against A niger. Anti-urease activity also showed positive response. Conclusions The presence of high (%) bioactive compounds with great therapeutic potential suggest that H griffithii can be used as natural alternative of synthetic drugs without side effects.

Supplementary Figures - PDF file 259K, Figure S1. Comparison of 4T1-WT, NC and KD9 cell lines. (A) Oxylite Oxygen Consumption Rate; (B) Reactive oxygen species (ROS); (C) mitochondria level; (D) Primary tumor (~ 100 mm3) lactate concentration. Figure S2. Histology of small (100 mm3) primary NC and KD9 tumors (A). Representative small tumors show similar features: a few small areas of necrosis (H&E) and reduced blood flow (Hoechst). Scale bar represents 5 mm. Cell Mitochondria (B). NC and KD9 cells were grown on the cover slips and stained for mitochondria by Mitotracker red CMXRos. Fig. S3. Primary orthotopic tumor growth and development of lung metastases. Three weeks after tumor inoculation, the mice were sacrificed and the primary tumor volume and weight, as well as lung weight (reflecting the presence of lung metastases) were measured in NC (n=6) and KD9 (n=6) tumor bearing animals Fig. S4. Western blot analysis of LDH-A expression: The absence of puromycin in the culture media results in a reappearance of LDH-A expression in KD9 cells growing in vitro (columns 3 and 5)

Fusarium cotton wilt is a devastating disease of the cotton crop throughout the world, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (FOV). Chemical control has many side effects, so, biological controls have been widely used for the management of Fusarium wilt. This study aimed to investigate the possible use of an actinomycetes Saccharothrix algeriensis (SA) NRRL B-24137 to control FOV. To access in-vitro anti-Fusarium ability of SA NRRL B-24137, dual culture assay, spore germination and seed germination tests were carried out. Following in-vitro investigations, several pot tests in a greenhouse environment were used to evaluate the biological control potential of SA NRRL B-24137 against FOV. Dual culture assay and spore germination revealed that SA NRRL B-24137 showed significant anti-Fusarium activity.During spore germination 87.77% inhibition of spore germination were observed. In pot experiments, SA NRRL B-24137 primed cotton seeds resulted in a 74.0% reduction in disease incidence. In soil there was a significant reduction in FOV spores in the presence of SA NRRL B-24137. Positive correlation was also observed on different concentrations of SA NRRL B-24137 towards FOV reduction. The results of this study showed that SA NRRL B-24137 has the potential to be employed as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium cotton wilt, improving cotton growth characteristics and yield.

Supplementary Methods - PDF file 158K, Supplemental methods contain both techniques and further data strengthening the manuscript. These include our Analysis of Breast Cancer Microarray Datasets, Generation of LDH-A knockdown and control cell lines and In vitro assays, and in vivo methods (MR measurements)

1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 2Department of Pharmacy, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 3Department of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 4Department of Zoology, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 5Department of Pharmaceutics, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; 6University College of Conventional Medicine, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 7Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 8Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan; 9Department of Livestock and Dairy Development, Peshawar, Pakistan; 10Department of Zoology, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 11Department of Healthcare Management, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 12Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan; 13University College of Eastern Medicine, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 14Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Swabi, Pakistan; 15Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Background:In the field of nanotechnology, the metallic nanoparticles are of remarkable interest because of their unique electronic, magnetic, chemical, and mechanical properties.Purpose:In the present work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using bio-reduction method.Research Design:Silver nitrate was used as metallic precursor and the extract of Moringa oleifera leaves with different concentrations was used as reducing as well capping agent. The extract exhibited strong potential in rapid reduction of silver ions for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.Results:The absorption SPR peaks appeared in the range of 415 to 439 nm. SEM analysis exhibited that particles were spherical in shape with size distribution range from 10 nm to 25 nm. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were pure crystalline in nature as confirmed by the XRD spectra with average crystallite size 7 nm. In vitro antibacterial activity of the prepared silver nanoparticles colloidal samples as well the extract was studied using different concentrations of AgNPs (C1 = 100 μg/ml, C2 = 50 μg/ml, C3 = 25 μg/ml) by well diffusion method against Gram negative Escherichia coli. The antibacterial performance was assessed by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI).Conclusions:The results suggested that AgNPs prepared by green approach can be considered as an alternative antibacterial agent.

Industrial waste is mainly responsible for accumulating Zn (II) in the soil, which needs to be removed to avoid its bioaccumulation and hazardous effects on the environment. In a recent study, the potential of the RY12 strain was evaluated as a biosorbent of Zn (II) ions in an aqueous medium. Different microbiological techniques like biochemical, molecular characterization, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used for the identification of RY12. The impact of different parameters such as the initial zinc ion concentration, pH, temperature, and the removal of other metals such as manganese, lead, cobalt, silver, copper, mercury, and chromium was also evaluated on the reduction of Zn (II). Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also carried out to investigate the role of cellular surfaces in the sorption of Zn+2 ions. Both biochemical and phylogenetic analyses established that strain RY12 Pseudomonas sp. capable of reducing Zn +2 up to 89% at 28°C (pH = 6.5; initial Zn +2 concentration = 200 mg/L). The FTIR analysis revealed that the bacterial cell wall’s amino, carboxyl, and phosphate groups were involved in the reaction with Zn (II). Our findings suggest that Pseudomonas sp. RY12 is a proficient bacterium for removing zinc from industrial waste and could be a valuable bioremediation agent. Keywords RY12 , biosorption , heavy metal removal , industrial wastewater , Zn (II) , bioremediation

Plants are playing important role in the planet by providing food for humans and stability in the environment. Phytohormones are key regulators in various physiological processes and among the most important small signaling molecules affecting plant growth and yield production. These biochemical also initiate adaptive responses caused by external stimuli, such as biotic and abiotic stress. Generally, on the basis of physiology, plant hormones roughly fall into two classes. In class one, phytohormones fall which is responsible for plants growth-promoting activities, such as cell division, cell elongation, seed and fruit development, and pattern of differentiation. On the other hand, the second class of hormone play important role in plants’ response, such as biotic and abiotic stresses. Some other hormones, such as jasmonates, salicylic acid, brassinosteroids, and strigolactones, also play a key role in plants. Their biochemical signaling network and their crosstalk ability make plant hormones excellent candidates to optimize plant growth and/or mediate abiotic and biotic stresses in agriculture. In the end, the future trends of plant hormone analysis are exploring plant hormones and their applications. We believe the perspective may serve as guidance for the research of plant hormones in the analytical, environmental, and botanical fields.

Industrial waste is mainly responsible for accumulating Zn (II) in the soil, which needs to be removed to avoid its bioaccumulation and hazardous effects on the environment. In a recent study, the potential of the RY12 strain was evaluated as a biosorbent of Zn (II) ions in an aqueous medium. Different microbiological techniques like biochemical, molecular characterization, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used for the identification of RY12. The impact of different parameters such as the initial zinc ion concentration, pH, temperature, and the removal of other metals such as manganese, lead, cobalt, silver, copper, mercury, and chromium was also evaluated on the reduction of Zn (II). Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was also carried out to investigate the role of cellular surfaces in the sorption of Zn+2 ions. Both biochemical and phylogenetic analyses established that strain RY12 Pseudomonas sp. capable of reducing Zn+2 up to 89% at 28°C (pH = 6.5; initial Zn+2 concentration = 200 mg/L). The FTIR analysis revealed that the bacterial cell wall's amino, carboxyl, and phosphate groups were involved in the reaction with Zn (II). Our findings suggest that Pseudomonas sp. RY12 is a proficient bacterium for removing zinc from industrial waste and could be a valuable bioremediation agent.

Due to extensive application of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed, antimicrobial resistance has been increased. To overcome this challenge, rumen microbiologists search for new probiotics to improve the rate of livestock production. The present study was aimed to isolate and evaluate breed-specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as potential animal probiotics. The current study was conducted during 10 months from July 2020 to April 2021, in which a total of n=12 strains were isolated from different samples including milk, rumen, and feces of Nilli Ravi Buffaloes. These isolates were evaluated for their antimicrobial potential against common animal pathogens (Bacillus spp., E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp.). All the isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the phylogenetic analyses inferred that these strains showed close relations to the species of various genera; Enterococcus lactis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis Weissella cibaria, Weissella soli, Bacillus tequilensis, Weissella bombi, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus megaterium, Lactobacillus ruminis, and Lactococcus lactis. NMCC-Ru2 has exhibited the enormous potential of antimicrobial activity, 28 mm, for Salmonella typhimurium;23 mm for Listeria monocytogenes 21 mm for E.coil. Highest resistance was seen in NMCC-Ru2 agasint test antbiotic, like 25.5 mm for Tetracycline. Overall results revesl that the probiotic profile of isolates was achieved using standard criteria, particularly with animal probiotic properties.