Introduction Microbial infections are a major global health concern, as many microbial strains have developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics. As a result, these drugs are becoming increasingly ineffective, making it harder to control and treat infections efficiently. Similarly, oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the body's antioxidant defences, leading to cellular damage and disease. To combat both these issues, we reported the effective and sustainable antimicrobial and antioxidant agents by enhancing the medicinal potency of the Himalayan herb Aconitum heterophyllum. Methods This study investigated the green synthesis of bio silver nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Aconitum heterophyllum (AH-bAgNPs) under optimised conditions. The formation of AH-bAgNPs was confirmed by the visual appearance of yellow colour and a distinct surface plasmon resonance peak at 432 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis identified the phytoconstituents responsible for reducing and stabilising silver ions. Particle size and zeta potential were measured to confirm nanoscale dimensions and stability of AH-bAgNPs. Results To confirm the antimicrobial efficiency of AH-bAgNPs, well diffusion assays were used against four bacterial strains (Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal (Candida auris) strains. Results demonstrated that the higher antimicrobial activity of AH-bAgNPs, compared to plant extract alone. Furthermore, the synthesised AH-bAgNPs showed higher antioxidant activity. Conclusion This work underscores the potential of AH-bAgNPs as sustainable, plant-based nanotherapeutics for combating microbial infections and oxidative stress, merging traditional knowledge with modern biomedical innovation.

The widespread use of allopathic medications has significantly improved modern healthcare; however, their associated side effects and the rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance have intensified the search for safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. In this context, natural resources, especially Himalayan medicinal herbs, have resurfaced as potential alternatives due to their therapeutic potency and biocompatibility. The Himalayan region offers a unique reservoir of bioactive plants suitable for biomedical applications based on nanotechnology. It is well known for its high biodiversity and traditional medicinal uses. This review assesses the biological applications of bionanoparticles derived from Himalayan herbs, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. It also critically looks at recent developments in the green synthesis of these bionanoparticles. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action that explain their improved therapeutic efficacy are addressed. Overall, this review emphasizes the scientific value of Himalayan herb-based nanobiomedicines as viable, sustainable substitutes for traditional allopathic medications, as well as their potential for future biomedical applications.

Achieving sustainable agricultural productivity and ensuring global food security are among the most pressing challenges faced in the 21st century. Currently, nanobiopesticides offer new possibilities for enhancing the efficacy of pest management strategies, which leads to improved crop production without compromising food and environmental safety. In this study, we have developed a nanobiopesticide using Delphinium cashmirianum-derived bio silver nanoparticles (DC-bAgNPs). To produce stable DC-bAgNPs, the effect of plant extract volume and silver salt concentration was studied and optimized. The analysis of the UV–visible spectrum revealed a distinct surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 417 nm, which confirmed the photo fabrication of DC-bAgNPs. The morphology, elemental composition, particle size, stability, and surface functionality of the prepared DC-bAgNPs were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The developed DC-bAgNPs based nanobiopesticide was then screened for antifungal activity against the fungal pathogen Cladobotryum dendroides, which causes cobweb disease in commercially cultivated mushrooms. The results demonstrated that the prepared DC-bAgNPs based nanobiopesticide showed good antifungal activity in the tested microbial strain. Thus, this study provides evidence that the developed nanobiopesticide can serve as an eco-friendly and non-toxic agent for treating fungal diseases in mushrooms, offering a sustainable solution to our agricultural system.

The goal of this study was to enhance the medicinal potency of the high-value Himalayan herb Colchicum luteum by synthesizing biogenic silver nanoparticles (CL-bAgNPs). The rapid increase in life-threatening diseases such as cancer, microbial infections and oxidative stress-related disorders represents a global health concern. Natural remedies, such as herbs, have been used for centuries due to their therapeutic properties, but their low efficiency in targeted delivery and slow onset of action often reduces their therapeutic impact. A combination of herbs with nanotechnology-based approaches has gained attention because it increases the medicinal efficiency of herbs. In this study, Colchicum luteum, a high-value medicinal Himalayan herb, was utilized for the synthesis of CL-bAgNPs. The bioactive compounds present in Colchicum luteum acted as natural reducing and stabilizing agents and facilitated the eco-friendly synthesis of CL-bAgNPs. Various experimental parameters were optimized to achieve maximum yield and stability of CL-bAgNPs. UV-visible spectrum revealed a distinct surface plasmon resonance peak at 425 nm, which confirms that CL-bAgNPs had been photo-fabricated using Colchicum luteum extract. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical morphology and size between 5 and 40 nm, dynamic light scattering measured an average hydrodynamic diameter of 56 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.245, zeta potential was -24.2 mV, indicating stability, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed elemental composition of the prepared CL-bAgNPs. To confirm enhancement in medicinal potency of Colchicum luteum, both CL-bAgNPs and extract of Colchicum luteum were tested against microbial pathogens (bacterial and fungal) and found that CL-bAgNPs exhibited stronger antimicrobial effects with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 250 to 1000 μg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration values from 500 to 1000 μg/mL, significantly outperforming the plant extract. Additionally, the DPPH assay showed 80.19 ± 1.2 % inhibition of free radicals using CL-bAgNPs, outperforming the plant extract in the antioxidant test. The anti-cancer activity of CL-bAgNPs was studied using the MTT assay, and it showed excellent results against the human breast and lung cancer cell lines. Finally, CL-bAgNPs demonstrated high biocompatibility, with almost 80 % viability in normal cells at the highest tested concentration, indicating no significant cytotoxicity. Thus, the CL-bAgNPs not only enhance the therapeutic efficacy of Colchicum luteum but also represent a promising, eco-friendly nanobiomedicine with potential applications in antimicrobial, antioxidant and targeted anticancer treatment.

The accurate and sensitive detection of toxic heavy metals, particularly mercury ions, in aquatic environments is crucial due to their severe environmental persistence and detrimental health effects. In this study, we report the synthesis and application of a novel fluorescent sensor based on carbon dots encapsulated within a zeolitic imidazolate framework (CDs@ZIF-8) for the selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ in aqueous media. The carbon dots were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using m-phenylenediamine and l-ascorbic acid, followed by in situ encapsulation into the ZIF-8 matrix through a one-pot solvothermal strategy. Structural and morphological characterization confirmed the successful formation and integration of CDs within the ZIF-8 framework without compromising its crystallinity or thermal stability. The resulting CDs@ZIF-8 sensor exhibited strong blue fluorescence with excellent photostability, environmental tolerance, and dispersibility in water. Notably, the sensor demonstrated high sensitivity toward Hg2+ ions, with a wide linear detection range of 0.01-1.0 mu M, having a low detection limit of 83 nM and a quenching constant of 6.17 x 106 M-1. The fluorescence quenching followed a concentration-dependent Stern-Volmer relationship and was visually detectable under UV light. Real water sample analysis revealed recovery rates between 95.54% and 99.01%, confirming the practical applicability of the sensor. These findings suggest that the CDs@ZIF-8 platform holds significant promise as a cost-effective, portable, and environmentally friendly fluorescent probe for real-time Hg2+ monitoring in environmental samples.

Food toxicity has become an increasing concern due to the rising levels of contaminants in food products. The identification of foodborne toxins is crucial for safeguarding public health and ensuring food safety. In recent decades, advances in sensor technology have enabled the rapid, efficient, and reliable detection of food pollutants. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered significant attention as efficient sensory materials due to their active metal sites, large surface areas, excellent chemical and thermal stability, and tunable structures with variable pore sizes, making them a promising alternative to conventional analytical techniques. However, despite extensive research on MOFs for contaminant detection, there is a notable lack of studies dedicated specifically to luminescent MOF-based optical sensors for food contaminants. This review comprehensively discusses the latest advancements in the design and development of luminescent MOFs based optical sensors, focusing on their synthesis routes—including solvothermal, mechanochemical, sonochemical, and electrochemical methods—and the strategies employed to induce and tune their luminescence, such as ligand-based, metal-based, guest-induced, and exciplex emission. Special attention is given to their working mechanisms and their applications for the detection of wide spectrum of food contaminants, including veterinary drug residues, heavy metals, pesticides, microbial pathogens, illegal additives, and other hazardous substances. Challenges such as stability, scalability, and regulatory concerns are critically analyzed, along with future perspectives that emphasize integration with the real-time monitoring platforms. This work aims to serve as a foundational resource for researchers and stakeholders developing next-generation sensors for enhanced food safety and public health protection.

In the field of nanotechnology, nanoparticles have emerged as remarkable materials in various fields of science, including medicine, electronics, environmental science, and catalysis. Their high surface to volume ratio, small size, and tunable properties make them ideal for applications in drug delivery, efficient energy storage materials, and advanced sensors. Synthesis of metal nanoparticles using the chemical reduction method involves the use of toxic reducing and stabilizing agents and a multistep process. To overcome these limitations, green or biological method is considered an alternative route for the preparation of biogenic metal nanoparticles (bMNPs) and are popular due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, single-step process, and straightforward deployment. This review highlights the versatile use of bio sources like microbial (bacteria, fungi, algae, and yeast) and plant-based (flowers, leaves, fruits, and roots) sources and biopolymers as natural reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of bMNPs, offering a cleaner alternative to conventional chemical methods. The bMNPs generated through these sources exhibit remarkable optical properties, particularly surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which enables their application as visual sensors. These sensors are favored for their simplicity and the ability to provide rapid results comparable to sophisticated instrumentation. This review provides a detailed discussion on factors that affect the synthesis of bMNPs, such as pH of reaction medium, temperature, stirring speed, type and concentration of metal salt, on the size, shape, yield, and stability of bMNPs. Moreover, we discussed the mechanism of the formation of bMNPs and explained their characterization techniques to confirm their formation. Then, this review discusses the working of bMNPs as visual sensors and a comprehensive analysis of the application of bMNPs in the monitoring of environmental pollutants. This review not only provides the collective information on the use of bMNPs as visual sensors, but this review also paves the way for researchers working in the field of green analytical technologies.

Surface-functionalized MXenes have emerged as highly promising 2D materials for smart optical sensors due to their unique physicochemical properties, including high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and excellent optical response. These features are enhanced by functionalization of ligands on the surface of MXenes to improve the selectivity, sensitivity, and stability, enabling precise detection of various environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and biological pathogens. Recent advances have driven the development of fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based MXene optical sensors, for onsite and real-time monitoring of pollutants. This review highlights the latest progress in synthesis, characterization, and surface modification of MXenes, for the detection of chemical and biological contaminants. Key performance indicators such as limit of detection, reproducibility, response time, and reusability are discussed to evaluate sensing effectiveness. Finally, current challenges and future prospects for MXene-based sensors in sustainable environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance are outlined, offering an in-depth discussion of every aspect of surface functionalized MXene based sensors. This comprehensive discussion paves the way for researchers working in the field of MXene based sensing technology.

The presence of chemical pollutants in air, water, soil and food samples pose significant challenges due to their potential health risks and regulatory concerns. Therefore, detection and quantification of chemical pollutants in environmental samples is a necessary task. To combat this issue, molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIP NPs) and imprinted nanocomposites (Imp NCs) emerged as promising sensing material. Their tunable surface properties, stability, and reusability make them superior alternatives to conventional sensors. Additionally, their ability to function in complex environmental matrices enhances their practical applicability. The development of MIP NPs and Imp NCs based sensors opened new horizon in field of pollutant monitoring technologies. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent advances in the MIP NPs and Imp NCs based optical sensors for detection of chemical contaminants. The review begins with discussion on various methods for preparing MIP NPs and Imp NCs based sensors with the advantages and disadvantages associated with each synthetic approach. Then detailed analyses on factors that influence the imprinting efficiency, such as selection of functional monomer, cross linker, porogen solvent and nanomaterials to optimize sensor performance. Furthermore, working of MIP NPs and Imp NCs based optical sensors discussed thoroughly. Special emphasis is given to optical detection techniques, including fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Then review provides comprehensive discussion on the practical application of MIP NPs and Imp NCs for screening chemical pollutants (pesticides, pharmaceutical drugs, dyes, explosives, polymeric compounds and other chemical pollutants). Thus, this review provide single source where all the information including synthesis, working mechanism and sensing application of MIP NPs and Imp NCs are available for researchers working in the field of imprinted sensing systems. This review is a sincere attempt to highlight the use of MIP NPs and Imp NCs based sensors, which will guide readers in designing futuristic sensing materials, and their integration with smart sensing platforms, such as portable and real-time monitoring devices, will help in developing next-generation pollutant monitoring technologies.

We have designed a simple, sensitive and selective colorimetric probe for monitoring the presence of heavy metal cadmium (Cd2+) using 2-Mercapto-4-methyl-5-thiazoleacetic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles (MTAAuNPs). In the design of the sensor, MTA molecules were capped on the surfaces of AuNPs, which provided suitable functionality and acted as a caching unit of the sensor. The sensor was analyzed using FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), to confirm their shape, size, dispersity and surface morphology. The working of the developed sensor is simple, where the red colour of MTA-AuNPs turns to blue, and it was observed that the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of MTAAuNPs at 524 nm shifted to a longer wavelength at 680 nm in the presence of Cd2+ ions. The prepared nano sensor has a selective nature as it induced color and spectral change in the presence of Cd2+ only and didn't show any response to other heavy metals. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the sensor showed a good linear relationship over the concentration of 50-500 mu M of Cd2+ with a detection limit of 21.1 x 10-6 M, which is comparable with many other sophisticated analytical instruments. The real-time utility of the sensor was demonstrated by the determination of Cd2+ in various Himalayan water bodies (Lake and River) with very little standard deviation, which directs the on-site applicability of the developed optical probe.

Global population growth demands quality food, prompting increased use of agrochemicals to boost agricultural productivity. However, balancing the benefits and risks of these chemicals is crucial to protecting ecosystems and ensuring food security, highlighting the need for sustainable disease management methods, including bio control agents. The continuous search for environmentally friendly pesticides and sustainable methods has led to the investigation of plant- derived bionanoparticles that can be called ‘nanobiopesticides’. Their enhanced pesticidal characteristics and regulated release make them promising options for crop protection applications. In this investigation, we sought the use of plant Fritillaria cirrhosa derived bio silver nanoparticles (FC-bAgNPs) and their application as nanobiopesticide. For the production of stable FC-bAgNPs, the effects of the extract amount and concentration of silver salt were all optimized at the laboratory level. UV–visible spectrum analysis, which revealed a distinct surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 450 nm, was used to confirm that bAgNPs had been photo fabricated using plant extract of F. cirrhosa. The functional groups, shape, size and stabilization of FC-bAgNPs were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The practical applicability of developed FC-bAgNPs based nanobiopesticides has been checked by screening their antifungal activity against Cladobotryum dendroides, a fungal spice responsible for cobweb disease in commercially cultivated mushrooms. The results showed that the prepared nanobiopesticide effectively controlled fungal growth in the tested samples. Overall, this study provided evidence that the developed FC-bAgNPs successfully acted as an environment-friendly nanobiopesticide to combat fungal disease in mushroom crop. This research is a very important development in the way to achieve the goal of sustainable agriculture.

In recent years, the urgent need to address environmental deterioration has sparked a surge in the development of innovative materials tailored for pollutant monitoring. With growing concerns surrounding pollution and its profound impact on human health and ecosystems, there is a pressing demand for effective solutions. In response, researchers have turned to the synthesis and application of novel materials as key avenues for intervention. Among the array of emerging materials, a particular focus has gravitated towards carbon dots encapsulated metal organic frameworks (CDs@MOF), which hold immense promise for sensor applications. These materials have captured attention due to their exceptional properties, including high surface area, customizable porosity, and heightened optical sensing capabilities. Their unique attributes position them as frontrunners in the quest for innovative sensor technologies aimed at addressing environmental challenges. In this regard, the current review delves into the burgeoning field of luminescent sensors, particularly focusing on the synergy between CDs and MOF. The exploration spans heavy metal cations, anionic pollutants, pesticides, hazardous gases, and organic contaminants showcasing the versatility of CDs@MOF sensors in monitoring various environmental pollutants by exhibiting sensitivity, selectivity, and applicability in real-world scenarios. Beyond pollutant detection, the review highlights the role of CDs@MOF sensors in measuring various environmental parameters like moisture, pH, and temperature, offering a holistic approach to the management of the environment. This review not only emphasizes existing knowledge but also brings to light novel dimensions, encouraging researchers for exploration of CDs@MOF as optical sensors in pollutant sensing. The culmination of this study highlights CDs@MOF sensors as transformative tools in understanding, managing, and safeguarding of our environment.

Cadmium (Cd+2) is a hazardous heavy metal that can cause serious health problems, including cancer. Because of this, the World health organization (WHO) fixed the maximum allowed limit of Cd+2 in drinking water or industrial wastewater is 3.0 µgL−1. To accurately detect even lower concentration of Cd+2, a reliable and easy-to-use method was developed by our group. Here in this work, simple and visual detection was proposed to detect Cd2+ ions by using 6-Mercaptopyridine-3-carboxylic acid functionalized gold nanoparticles (MPyC-AuNPs). The prepared MPyC-AuNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectrometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of MPyC-AuNPs was observed at 524 nm, and the aggregation of MPyC-AuNPs leads to spectral change from 524 nm to 677 nm. The aggregation is due to the formation of the metal ligand coordination between MPyC-AuNPs and Cd2+ ions. Moreover, MPyC-AuNPs based sensor is highly selective for the detection of Cd2+ and giving response only for Cd2+ among tested metal ions. Under the optimal conditions, a good linear relationship (R2 = 0.9956) was observed between the ratio of the extinction at 680 nm to that at 524 nm and the concentration of Cd2+ over the range of 1 µM - 100 µM. The detection limit was found to be 5.4 × 10−7µM, which is equal to 0.0607µgL−1 lesser than the allowed limit by WHO. Moreover, the developed sensor was capable to detect Cd2+ from water samples with good recovery and lesser relative standard deviation. Thus MPyC-AuNPs proven as efficient sensors for the on-site monitoring of Cd2+ in water (tap, river and canal) samples.

Worldwide every year around 34% of agriculture production is affected by various pests which create hurdles in our goal "food for all." To solve this issue, large amounts of pesticides are used to control crop losses due to pests and increase agriculture production. However, pesticides are highly toxic chemicals and designed to kill pests (insect, fungi, weeds, rodents, etc.) and showed harmful effects on humans and animals when in contact. Their unwanted release in the environment through surface runoff and leaching at agriculture fields contaminated water, soil, and food. That is why pesticides residue contamination turns out to be a huge crisis for human health and environment. Hence, development of simple analytical tools to determine pesticides contamination is highly demanded. Meanwhile, available sophisticated instrumentation methods are suffering from expensive analysis, lengthy procedures, and long analysis time. Utilizing fluorescence properties of carbon dots it can be used as a selective and sensitive fluorescence sensor to detect pesticides. Also, combinations of carbon dots–based fluorescence sensor with simple spectrofluorometer enhance performance of sensor near equal to sophisticated instruments. This book chapter provides a detailed description on carbon dots–based fluorescence sensors used for the detection of pesticides. Also, here we discussed the practicality of carbon dots–based fluorescence sensors to detect trace level pesticides residues in complex sample matrices.

Recently, carbon dots (CDs) have been emerged as one of the potential nanomaterials in the interdisciplinary research areas of physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science due to its unique physicochemical properties like aqueous solubility, biocompatibility, photoluminescence, high resistance to photobleaching, and ease of surface functionalization. Due to its ease of fabrication and fascinating properties, the role of CDs has been explored in wide variety applications including bioimaging, theranostic, sensing, photo-catalysis, light-harvesting devices, etc. In general, bottom-up and top-down approaches have been utilized for the preparation of CDs. Bottom-up approaches include the assembling of molecular precursors from smaller carbon units such as carbohydrates, organic acids, polymers, natural products, and biomass via hydrothermal, carbonization, microwave, solvothermal, pyrolysis, and thermal decomposition techniques, whereas top-down approach includes breaking down of wide variety of carbon nanomaterials (graphite, carbon soot, carbon nanotubes, activated carbon, and nanodiamonds) into smaller carbon nanoparticles via laser ablation, chemical and electrochemical oxidation, arc-discharge, and ultrasonication techniques. Moreover, the size and properties of the CDs can be altered by controlling the reaction condition and time. Hence, the selection of effective synthesis route is an important factor for controlled preparation of CDs with uniform size and surface passivation. However, top-down approaches always require sophisticated instruments, harsh reaction condition, and longer reaction time, which limit their use for large-scale production of CDs as compared to the bottom-up approaches. In this chapter, various bottom-up routes for the precise fabrication of CDs have been briefly summarized and discussed.

Nanotechnology has gain the tremendous attention due to excellent contribution to the therapeutic formulation over the conventional therapeutic approach. In the modern world, many types of nanomaterials such as metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanomaterials, polymeric nanomaterials, and nanoclusters have become essential tools for disease monitoring, therapy, and drug delivery due to their unique physicochemical properties. Functionalized carbon nanomaterials have gained more attention in view of different therapeutic purposes in nano diagnostics, multimodality imaging, implant-related complications, early detection of circulating cancer biomarkers, targeting ligands, chemo drugs, polymer functionalization, image-guided cancer therapy, and in molecular recognition using specific target genes. Carbon nanomaterials have been used as prominent drug delivery vectors due to their unique sp2 hybridization in carbon nanostructures and inherent hydrophobic nature. Moreover, the functionalization of carbon nanomaterials may provide the adsorption of DNA or RNA drugs or molecules via hydrophobic interactions or π-π stacking. This chapter provided information regarding the state of the art of functionalization of carbon nanomaterials and their application in therapeutics. Carbon nanomaterials are arranged, based on their morphological characteristics, into fullerenes, nanotubes, nanohorns, nanodiamonds, nanobots, graphene oxide, graphene derivatives, and carbon quantum dots. The functionalization strategies and chemical conjugation of each carbon nanomaterial are also briefly discussed, followed by their applications in therapeutics. At the end of the chapter, the safety/toxicity concerns of each carbonaceous nanomaterial are highlighted.

Recently, antimicrobial resistance is the most challenging and significant concern faced by the present generation since diverse pathogenic microbes have gained resistance to even newly manufactured drugs which complicates the treatment of most common microbial diseases. Numerous attempts have been made to establish alternative ways to overcome the antimicrobial resistance towards the drugs. In this connection, the NPs have emerged as the most innovative and promising antimicrobial agents for the various treatment approaches. Furthermore, plant-based NPs have been widely used for various biomedical applications such as antimicrobial agents and cancer therapy due to their cost-effectiveness, ease of synthesis and environment friendly nature. Eco-friendly plant-derived NPs are viewed as critical components of future medicinal chemistry to control various life-threatening diseases in humans and animals. The present review focuses on an updated assessment of synthesis methodologies adopted for preparation of plant-derived NPs and antimicrobial efficiency of plant-derived NPs. We also explored the role of NPs in drug transport and mode of action of the frequently used plant-derived NPs, specifically silver, gold, copper and zinc NPs. The environmental and health aspects of NPs used in the medical field are also reviewed with the probable solutions for minimizing side effects. Hence, this review summarizes all important aspects (synthesis, medical applicability, challenges and possible solutions) of plant-derived NPs which can provide the unique platform for researchers working in the field of plant-derived NPs for the exploration of various biomedical applications.

Novel series of 1,3,4-thiadiazole and piperazine substituted quinazoline derivatives have been designed, synthesized, and tested in vitro for antimycobacterial activity. The synthetic procedure involved Suzuki C-C cross-coupling on a quinazoline ring and subsequently by the formation of 1,3,4-thiadiazole based piperazines. Many synthesized analogs were observed active against Mycobacterium H37Rv strain in preliminary analysis using the BACTEC MGIT method. A secondary antimycobacterial assay using the Lowenstein-Jensen MIC method indicates that bromo (7c), trifluoromethyl (7f), and hydroxy (7 h) groups substituted analogs have shown strong efficacy in the range of 3.12-6.25 mu g/mL. Active compounds were also tested for their cytotoxic activity against Human cervical (HeLa) cells at their MICs. The synthesized analogs were analyzed by IR, 1H NMR, 13 C NMR, MS, and elemental analysis for their structure determination.