Insect silk is a protein that naturally produces semi-crystalline fibres in the air. Insects produce silk to protect themselves from rain, wind, and predator pressure when nesting. Several uses of silk have been identified because of its general strength, stiffness, and biodegradability. While the longevity of threads is well known, the characteristics of biomaterials are still unknown. These features of silk generated by the lepidopteran caterpillar Parotis marginata are shown in this study. We find approximately 60 nests in a single Tagar (Tabernaemontana divaricata) plant. When we spread it, we found silk (thickness: 45.0 ± 9.8 µm) on average 100 cm2 of each nest. We obtain 6000 square centimetres (0.6 square metres) of silk from each tree. The focused mass of the silk, thickness and apparent density show its hydrophobic nature, while the X-ray powder diffraction pattern shows its crystallite sheet structure. The thermal stability and endurance of silk are shown by its thermogravimetric curve. According to Fourier transform infrared analysis, it contains alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. The energy-dispersive X-ray findings show that the silk is mostly carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O), with tiny quantities of magnesium (Mg), aluminium (Al), sulphur (S), silicon (Si), and potassium (K). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about P. marginata properties of silk.

Aim: Preparation of a herbometallic nano-drug, Rasa Manikya nanoparticle (RMNP) and investigation of its antimicrobial, and anticancer activity. Materials & methods: Physicochemical characterizations of RMNP were performed using different analytical methods. The antimicrobial and anticancer potential of RMNPs were assessed by an in vitro cellular assay. Bacterial cell wall lysis was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and mitochondrial metabolism alteration factor was measured via standard method. Results: Physicochemical analysis confirmed that RMNP was rich in mineral constituents. Synergistic effect of RMNPs enhanced lysis of bacterial peptidoglycan layers and impaired cellular redox balance, GSH/NADPH level followed by induction of cell apoptosis. Conclusion: The present study confirms that RMNP can be used as a dual therapeutic option for combating drug-resistant microbial strains and breast cancer.

Two rhodamine and azo based chemosensors (HL1 = (3',6'-bis(ethylamino)-2-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(phenyldiazenyl)benzylidene)amino)-2',7'-dimethylspiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one) and HL2 = (3',6'-bis(ethylamino)-2-(((2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(p-tolyldiazenyl)benzylidene)amino)-2',7'-dimethylspiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one) have been synthesized for colorimetric and fluorometric detection of three trivalent metal ions, Al3+, Cr3+ and Fe3+. The chemosensors have been thoroughly characterized by different spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. They are non-fluorescent due to the presence of a spirolactam ring. The trivalent metal ions initiate an opening of the spirolactam ring when excited at 490 nm in Britton-Robinson buffer solution (H2O/MeOH 1 : 9 v/v; pH 7.4). The opening of the spirolactam ring increases conjugation within the probe, which is supported by an intense fluorescent pinkish-yellow colouration and an enhancement of the fluorescence intensity of the chemosensors by ∼400 times in the presence of Al3+ and Cr3+ ions and by ∼100 times in the presence of Fe3+ ions. Such a type of enormous fluorescence enhancement is rarely observed in other chemosensors for the detection of trivalent metal ions. A 2 : 1 binding stoichiometry of the probes with the respective ions has been confirmed by Job's plot analysis. Elucidation of the crystal structures of the Al3+ bound chemosensors (1 and 4) also justifies the 2 : 1 binding stoichiometry and the presence of an open spirolactam ring within the chemosensor framework. The limit of detection (LOD) values for both the chemosensors towards the respective metal ions are in the order of ∼10-9 M which supports their application in the biological field. The biocompatibility of the ligands has been studied with the help of the MTT assay. The results show that no significant toxicity was observed up to 100 μM of chemosensor concentration. The capability of our synthesized chemosensors to detect intracellular Al3+, Cr3+ and Fe3+ ions in the cervical cancer cell line HeLa was evaluated with the aid of fluorescence imaging.

The work represents a rare example of an aza-crown-based macrocyclic chemosensor, H2DTC (H2DTC = 1,16-dihydroxy-tetraaza-30-crown-8) for the selective detection of both Zn2+ and Cu2+ in HEPES buffer medium (pH 7.4). H2DTC exhibits a fluorescence response for both Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions. The reversibility of the chemosensor in its binding with Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions is also examined using a Na2EDTA solution. H2DTC exhibits a chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect in the presence of Zn2+ ions and a quenching effect (CHEQ) in the presence of paramagnetic Cu2+ ions. Furthermore, the geometry and spectral properties of H2DTC and the chemosensor bound to Zn2+ have been studied by DFT and TDDFT calculations. The limit of detection (LOD) values are 0.11 × 10-9 and 0.27 × 10-9 M for Cu2+ and Zn2+, respectively. The formation constants for the Zn2+ and Cu2+ complexes have been measured by pH-potentiometry in 0.15 M NaCl in 70:30 (v:v) water:ethanol at 298.1 K. UV-vis absorption and fluorometric spectral data and pH-potentiometric titrations indicate 1:1 and 2:1 metal:chemosensor species. In the solid state H2DTC is able to accommodate up to four metal ions, as proved by the crystal structures of the complexes [Zn4(DTC)(OH)2(NO3)4] (1) and {[Cu4(DTC)(OCH3)2(NO3)4]·H2O}n (2). H2DTC can be used as a potential chemosensor for monitoring Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions in biological and environmental media with outstanding accuracy and precision. The propensity of H2DTC to detect intracellular Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions in the triple negative human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 and in HeLa cells has been determined by fluorescence cell imaging.

An innovative green route has been adapted in this study to biosynthesize Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the first time using the cell exudate of a novel bacteria Gluconacetobacter kombucha (RG3T). Bio-reduction of silver was carried out by adding AgNO3 and glucose along with the bacterial cell exudate. The onset of dark brown colour indicated the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) and was further validated by absorption spectrum at 430 nm using UV-Vis Spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study clearly illustrated the crystalline phase of the formed NPs. Further, morphological studies was done by Transmission electron microscope (TEM) which showed an approximate size of 20 nm exhibiting the shape of a sphere. Along with this, results obtained from Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) particle size analyser also confirmed the surface morphology and functional group of the NPs. Broad spectrum antibacterial activity with Gram positive and negative bacteria were evaluated along with the antioxidant activity which showed high potency of NPs. RG3T-NPs were treated against cell lines like MCF-7, HEPG-2, and notedly against Triple negative human breast cancer (TNBC) cell line which showed it's superior efficiency. Therefore, it can be concluded that RG3T-NPs points itself to be a significant bio-material with antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties.

The silver nanoparticles OC-AgNPs, synthesized from the aqueous extract of Oxalis corniculata (OC), showed antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1), and anti-biofilm, and antibacterial activities against human isolates of six multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The OC-AgNP was characoterized by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy; while its morphology and distribution were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results revealed that the biogenic OC-AgNPs are spherical with an average diameter of 40 nm and has shown UV-Vis peak at 445 nm. The cytotoxicity and safety of OC-AgNP has been evaluated by MTT assay in Vero cells and triple-negative human breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells. The plaque reduction assay has been used to test the antiviral activity against HSV-1F. The anti-biofilm activity was assessed by crystal violet staining, followed by light and confocal microscopy; while the antibacterial activity was determined by conventional disk-diffusion and broth-dilution methods. Moreover, the mechanism of anti-biofilm and antibacterial activity was examined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The CC50 (cytotoxicity) on Vero cells was 300 mu g/ml; while the survival percentage of MDA-MB-468 cells was 27.12% at 20 mu M and 80.97% at 100 mu M of, respectively. The OC-AgNP showed moderate antiviral activity against HSV-1F at EC50 of 25 mu g/ml; but significantly inhibited the biofilm produced by Pseudomonus aeruginosa and Escherichia coli at 25-50 mu g/ml; while at 30-50 mu M we observed the dose-dependent lowering of fluorescence intensity under light and confocal microscope. Interestingly, the OC-AgNPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15 mm), Escherichia coli (12 mm), Salmonella typhi (10 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (11 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (10 mm) with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 0.65-0.90 mu M (0.11- 0.153 mu g), respectively. Further, the FESEM micrograph showed disruption of membrane structure with the damage of cell membrane integrity of Pseudomonus aeruginosa at its MIC.

In this work formation of silver nanoparticles using pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum) extract and its bio applications were studied. Gradual appearance of a peak at 422 nm during the reduction of AgNO3 by the fruit extract confirmed the formation of AgNPs. FTIR spectra indicated the details of formation mechanism. Images obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that the sample contains spherical AgNPs and XRD analysis showed its (FCC) crystal structure. This study also revealed that the synthesised AgNPs were monocrystalline in nature. Application of these AgNPs were studied measuring their affinity to bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA). Cytotoxicity of the synthesised AgNPs was determined by DAPI staining. The results showed that the nanoparticles have significant anticancer activity against triple negative breast carcinoma and MDA-MB-468 cells. We concluded that the cell death was routed through apoptotic pathway.

Microplastics (MPs) are established contaminants of coastal ecosystem. Present investigation is aimed to assess comparative toxicity of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) and expanded polystyrene microplastic (EPS-MP) in the coelomocytes of Astropecten indicus, a common seastar of Digha coast of Bay of Bengal, India. Coastal water of Digha, a tourist spot of attraction, bears the ecotoxicological risk of contamination by various agents including expanded and nonexpanded microplastics of industrial origin. Coelomocytes of seastar perform multiple physiological functions including pathogen engulfment, cytotoxicity and respiratory gas exchange and considered as immunoeffector cells in echinoderms. We report an adverse shift in total count, phagocytic response, cytotoxicity and oxidative potential of the coelomocytes of A. indicus under the exposures of 0.5 and 1 mg L−1 PS-MP and EPS-MP for 7 and 14 d. Experimental data suggested a higher level of cytotoxicity of EPS-MP in coelomocytes in comparison to that of PS-MP. Seastar is considered as a keystone species, which plays an important role in maintaining the functional homeostasis of coastal ecosystem. Unrestricted contamination of coastal water by MPs may lead to a persistent immunophysiological stress in seastar. Experimental endpoints may be considered as effective monitoring tool to assess ecotoxicity of MPs in seastar and alike organisms sharing the same habitat.

In the structure of [Zn(ppmh)(adp)(H2O)](n) [adp(2-), adipate ion; ppmh, N-Pyridin-2-yl-N'-pyridin-4-ylmethylene-hydrazine], Zn(II) is bridged by dicarboxylato-O of two independent adp(2-) and ppmh is affixed through pyridyl-N and water coordinates to form ZnO3N tetrahedral coordination motif. The H bonding and pi-pi interactions with pendant ppmh help to construct a 3-D supramolecular network. The optical band gap, 3.22 eV, is lower than that of DFT computed energy gap, 3.71 eV which may be due to not inclusion of framework strain in the calculation. The compound shows antibacterial activity [IC50, 186 +/- 2.1 mu g/mL (E. coli) and IC50, 190.12 +/- 2.64 mu g/mL (S. aureus)] and active against HepG2 (Human Liver) cancer cells [LD50, 58 mu g/mL]. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

In general, paramagnetic ions serve as fluorescence quencher. Very few fluorogens are known who could enhance emission on binding with paramagnetic transition metal ions. In this work, a novel (3-methoxy-7-pyridin-2-yl-5, 6, 8, 13-tetrahydro-7H-8, 13a-diaza-benzo [f]naphtho [2,1-a]azulen-14-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester (HPBD) is characterized by spectroscopic techniques who selectively senses Cu2+ ions with the 'turn-on' fluorescence enhancement at 463 nm over 25 metal ions. Limit of detection is as low as 35.58 nM (EPA recommended tolerance limit, 20 mu M) in buffered (HEPES, pH, 7.4) acetonitrile (MeCN)/H2O (v/v, 19:1) medium. The 1:1 composition of [Cu-PBD](+) complex is supported by fluorometric Job's plot, mass spectra and Bensei-Hildebrand plot (association constant K-a = 5.2 x 10(4) M-1). It is further studied to monitor Cu2+ ions in Hep G2 cells by fluorescence microscope.

Fluorescent 1D Zn(ii) coordination polymers are aggregated via noncovalent interactions. The emission of the CPs is exclusively quenched by Cu2+ and the LOD is at μM range. In aqueous medium internalization CPs within HepG2 cells is detected by microscopic cell image using Cu2+.

A Cu(II) compound, [Cu(L)(2)] (1) [HL = 2-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3-(pyridin-3-yliminomethyl)-benzaldehyde] has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique and other spectroscopic data. Presence of different noncovalent interactions leads to 3D supramolecular structure. Hirshfeld surfaces analysis is performed to investigate the extent of non-covalent interactions in the solid state. Compound 1 exhibits potential antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) bacterial species. The measurement of ROS generation may also help to explain the mechanism of microbial action which may be due to one or multiple steps of signaling cascades ensuing in damaged cell wall synthesis or impaired cross-linking of polymer units. Furthermore, the compound improves cellular ROS in human liver cancer cells which in turn culminates in the death of cancer cells. The toxicity has been checked by MTT assay. The compound shows promising anticancer activity against HepG2 cell line and the LD50 is 62 mu g/ml. The compound can also be employed for promising material applications; after theoretical and experimental investigations it is observed that the band gap is in the range of semiconducting material.

Biochemical activities of Fluorescein, Rose Bengal and Rhodamine 101 were studied by DNA binding, antibacterial and cytotoxic studies. DNA binding studies were done using spectroscopic, thermodynamic and molecular modeling techniques. Antibacterial activities were investigated against a gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and a gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Cytotoxic activities were studied against Wi-38 cell line. We observed these dyes bound to minor groove of DNA and structural diversity of dyes affect the phenomenon. No significant antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of these dyes were found in our observations.

Introduction and Aim:Emergence of different applications of metallic nanoparticles in various field leads to innovation of new synthetic strategies. Besides being non-toxic to mammalian cells, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) has gained paramount attention due to its excellent antibacterial potential. This study illustrates a comparative analysis of antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of both phytochemically synthesized and chemically synthesized commercially available ZnONPs. Materials and Methods:As a source of reducing agent, leaf extract of Coriander sativum was employed in case of green synthesis of ZnONPs. Several techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic light Scattering (DLS) and Field emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) were performed to characterize both green synthesized and commercial ZnONPs.Antibacterial potential of both theZnONPs were investigated on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains to draw a correlative outcome. Hepatocellular cell line was used to determine the cytotoxic activity of both ZnONPs. Results:Both the nanoparticles showed antibacterial and cytotoxic activity with measurable degree of difference. Conclusion: From these studies it can be concluded, the green synthesized nanoparticles showed greater antibacterial as well as cytotoxic activity in comparison to the commercial ZnONPs.

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

The Freshwater ecosystem of India supports a wide range of invertebrates including Eunapius carteri, a common variety of sponge. Copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate are less studied industrial toxins which accumulate in natural waterbodies and affect the physiology of sponge. Flagellary mode of feeding and porous architecture facilitate the entry of these contaminants into the body of the sponge. Current experimental endpoints included phagocytic response, lysosomal membrane stability, generation of reactive oxygen species, superoxide anion, nitric oxide and activities of phosphatases, lysozyme, phenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase in E. carteri exposed separately to these toxins for 7 and 14 days. Treatment with both toxins for 14 d resulted in inhibition in phagocytosis, pro and antioxidation defense response of sponge. Copper oxide nanoparticle exposure led to an increase in generation of reactive oxygen species. Both the toxins depleted lysosomal membrane stability and activities of lysozyme and phosphatases. Unrestricted contamination of freshwater ecosystem by copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate may lead to a state of physiological stress and immunocompromisation in E. carteri, a neglected aquatic bioresource of India. Selected experimental endpoints may be considered as biomarkers of aquatic toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles and copper sulfate.

Nanotechnology is an emerging technique currently used in the field of new generation pharmaceutics. Green synthesized manganese oxide (MnO2) nano-conjugate has now been widely used as biomarkers in several clinical manifestations. The main objective of the present study is to investigate the possible remedial role of green synthesized MnO2-NP against the dysfunctions of the liver cell. Phytochemicals conjugated MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a green route using papaya (Carica Papaya) leaf extract, followed by the characterization of nanoconjugate by XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, and SEM, and later on tested for treatment against Hyperbilirubinemia through the removal of bilirubin from blood in mice model. In order to comprehend the effect of nano-conjugate in degrading bilirubin, it was intraperitoneally injected in paracetamol intoxicated mice, suffering from hyperbilirubinemia. The effectiveness of the green synthesized nano-conjugate was further confirmed by the histopathological study for symptomatic treatment in hyperbilirubinemia. After one week of paracetamol induction on a regular basis and subsequent treatment with nano-conjugate, the activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Malate dehydrogenase (LPO) were investigated, which indicated the commendable ameliorative response of the MnO2nanoparticles.results implicates that these green synthesized nanomaterials could emerge as a promising ameliorative agent and an ideal for jaundice as well as other associated hepatic disorders.