Acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), is a clinical syndrome that can cause pulmonary edema, inflammation, oxidative stress, and immunological dysregulations. β-Caryophyllene (BCP), a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene, possesses a variety of pharmacological properties and has the potential to be a therapeutic agent. This study aimed to comprehend the effect of BCP on Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB and ACE2/MasR axis in a rat model of ALI by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the underlying mechanisms during this process. The study also examined pulmonary edema, BALF, and cytokine production to investigate inflammation and oxidative stress. In the LPS group, Western blot analysis showed decreased Nrf2/HO-1 and ACE2/MasR, including increased lung edema, elevated vascular permeability, neutrophil infiltration in BALF, increased cytokine levels, and histological changes. In comparison to the LPS group, BCP dramatically reduced lung edema, vascular permeability, and histological changes. Additionally, by lowering malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase activity in lung tissues, it also reduced oxidative stress. BCP boosted IL-10 production and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration. BCP administration decreased VEGF-A and SP-D expression, subsequently lowering NF-κB activation and cytokine production. Further, BCP altered ACE2 expression, indicating its involvement by activating the ACE2/Angiotensin (1-7)/MasR axis. In addition, BCP could stimulate the Nrf2/HO-1 anti-oxidant axis to suppress NF-κB and reduce inflammation. BCP modulation of the ACE2/MasR and Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB axis impedes the course of ALI by influencing immunological response including but not limited to oxidative stress, the influx of neutrophils, and cytokine production. Hence, BCP may act as a potential candidate for management of ALI.

Insect infestations in today's world has caused substantial harm and financial setbacks to textiles. One such major threat is the Tineola bisselliella species, also known as common clothes moth. They create small holes on textiles, thereby compromising the integrity and making it unsuitable for future use. In this particular study, permethrin and deltamethrin were utilized to develop a sustained release combinational microemulsion formulation, against clothes moth larvae. Response surface methodology- Box Behnken design was utilized to optimize process variables (organic solvent and surfactant concentration (%), and sonication time (min)) on the responses (cumulative percentage insecticide release at 8 h (%) (CIR) and mean particle size (nm) (MPS). The optimized formulation had MPS of 84.7 +/- 5.8 nm and CIR at 8 h of 67.5 +/- 0.7%. . The same was further subjected to preparation of final permethrin and deltamethrin loaded microemulsion formulation and characterized. The LC95 95 value against clothes moth larvae was determined using probit analysis and was reported to be 1631.13 mu g/mL. Dermal irritation study and histopathological examination on female Wistar rats confirmed the non-irritability and safety on the exposed skin surface. Further, the cell viability assay on C6/36 insect cell line revealed the IC50 50 value to be 710 mu g/mL. All the results were consistent for inferring that the prepared microemulsion is safe and possess potential larvicidal activity against clothes moth larvae for safeguarding textile treasures.

Emerging infestations of bed bugs are affecting normal human lifestyle globally. This study has been designed to optimize the rearing conditions for Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera), to support the scientific research on them. Bed bugs have been projected onto three different temperature (20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C) and relative humidity (50%, 70%, and 90%) conditions to check their overall growth and survival rate. Adult mortality, weight loss, egg laying, percentage hatching, hatching initiation and completion, nymph mortality, and molting have been evaluated to optimize the best conditions. The temperature at 25 °C with 90% RH showed minimum mortality for adults (female 13.33 ± 3.33% and male 6.67 ± 3.33%) and nymphs (13.33 ± 3.33%), while maximum egg laying (40.33 ± 1.86), with highest percentage hatching (98.23 ± 0.58%). At 30 °C with 90% RH, hatching initiation and completion (5.19 ± 0.12 days and 7.23 ± 0.16 days) as well as molting initiation and completion (3.73 ± 0.12 days and 7.00 ± 0.24 days) were found to be fastest. Thus, it can be concluded that 25 °C with 90% RH is ideal for rearing of adults and 30 °C with 90% RH is appropriate for rapid growth of nymphs.

Abstract Background Personal protection measures using insecticide-treated fabric is one of the most effective strategies to prevent the bites of hematophagous insects. Many countries have had success treating fabrics with pyrethroids on an individual level. Methods In the current study, a new combination of insecticides, alpha-cypermethrin (ACP) and deltamethrin (DET), has been impregnated on fabric composed of a 50:50 blend of polyester and cotton. Residual and morphological analysis was performed along with the evaluation of physical parameters. Biological evaluations were performed to check the repellency, knockdown, and mortality of insecticide-impregnated fabric (IIF) against bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) using Petri plate assay and mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) using cone bioassay. Results The results showed the repellency of IIF to be 56.6% for C. lectularius and a knockdown percentage of 53.3% and 63.3% for Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively. A > 80% mortality was found for both species of mosquitoes up to 20 cycles of washing with no significant difference (P > 0.05). From high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the reduction in the contents of ACP and DET after subsequent washes can be correlated with the overall decrease in bioefficacy. ACP and DET remaining in unit gram of fabric after 20 wash cycles were found to be 5.4 mg and 3.1 mg, respectively. By examining the fabric’s surface morphology using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and utilizing energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis, it was possible to identify the presence of insecticides that were adhered to the fabric. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed distinctive endothermic peak of insecticide at 98.3 ºC, whereas no change in thermal behavior was observed from thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, the physical attributes of IIF provide conclusive evidence for its firmness. Conclusion All experimental findings were consistent with the potential use of IIF as a bed bug- and mosquito-repellent fabric to be used against hematophagous infestations. This fabric can serve as a potential strategy to control vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, trench fever, etc. Graphical Abstract

BACKGROUND:Defense personnel utilize capsaicin-based ocular sprays as non-lethal agents for law implementation during instances of mob violence. This study involves the capsaicin antagonist Capsazepine and the investigation of whether Capsazepine's antagonistic approach can be favorably utilized for defense utilization to block capsaicin-initiated pain and inflammation via the ocular pathway.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:Ocular capsazepine in situ gels were prepared with polymers Pluronic F-127 and Chitosan; optimized formulation was quantified in ocular tissues chromatographically and by in vivo live ocular imaging; anti-inflammatory efficacy was determined by eye irritation testing, corneal and retinal imaging, ocular prostaglandin estimation, and by viability and proliferation testing using human ocular cell lines, etc.RESULTS:A physicochemically stable Capsazepine in situ gel was formulated which showed little ocular irritation, considerable transcorneal permeation; was precisely quantified in ocular tissues by gas chromatography and in vivo live ocular imaging; showed anti-inflammatory properties against capsaicin by eye imaging experiments, prostaglandin declination and showed acceptable cytocompatibility when studied using human ocular cell lines.CONCLUSIONS:The fabricated in situ Capsazepine gel system might be promising for ocular delivery as it appears a pharmacologically potent and safe development, suitable for utilization in the ocular clinical therapy, provided there is additional research to substantiate it.

Mosquitoes (Diptera; Culicidae) are a biting nuisance and are of economic and health importance, especially for people living in tropical countries like India. Given the environmental concerns and health hazards of synthetic insecticides, development of natural products for the control of mosquito and mosquito-borne diseases are needed. In view of this, an essential oil based novel liquid vaporizer formulation with citronella and eucalyptus oils has been developed using a computer aided Artificial Neural Network and Particle Swarm Optimization (ANN-PSO) algorithm approach, aiming to predict the best optimized formulation (OF). Following the development, OF was characterized by Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) spectroscopy and gas chromatographymass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The efficacy of the OF was assessed against two major mosquito vectors viz. Anopheles stephensi and Aedes albopictus using a Peet-Grady chamber. Finally, toxicological impacts of the OF following its inhalation were investigated as per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The results revealed all the ideal characteristics of the OF which were found to provide a slow release of up to 450 h at room temperature. Most importantly, the OF, exhibited 50% mosquito knock down (KT50) within 11.49 +/- 1.34 and 14.15 +/- 2.15 min against An. stephensi and Ae. albopictus respectively. Toxicity assessment showed a non toxic nature of the OF following inhalation. Thus the present development would be beneficial for controlling both An. stephensi and Ae. albopictus without any associated health hazards.

Housefly, Musca (M) domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) is a pervasive insect that transmits a variety of pathogens to humans and livestock. Although numerous synthetic pesticides are available to combat houseflies, their ecological and toxicological concerns have led to the exploration of natural products as safer alternatives. The present work was designed to develop an essential oil based controlled-release evaporating tablet (EO-CRT) and investigate its repellency against M. domestica. This study assesses the toxicological impacts of the EO-CRT following its sub-chronic inhalation exposure. Briefly, repellent activity of fourteen essential oils viz. lemon grass, bergamot, mentha, basil, camphor, lavender, clove, patchouli, rosemary, cinnamon, eucalyptus, citronella, jasmine and wild turmeric against M. domestica were screened using the 'Y'-tube olfactometer. The synergistic activity of the best four oils, under preliminary screening, were further evaluated by double and triple blending. The best combination of three oils were finalized for optimization with 17-run, 3-factor, 3-level Box-Behnken design. This was then employed to construct polynomial models and predict the best optimized formulation EO-CRT. EO-CRT was characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The efficacy of the EO-CRT against M. domestica was assessed by attraction and repellent assay. Chest X-ray, histopathology and scanning electron microscopy of the exposed lung was performed to study EO-CRT's sub-chronic toxicity on Wistar rats. The EO-CRT showed slow release up to a period of 10 days at room temperature, exhibited 100% repellency (%Error=1.237) against M. domestica and was found to possess all the characteristics of an ideal formulation. Sub-chronic toxicity study further revealed the non-toxic nature of the EO-CRT. Thus, our study provides an assurance that the formulated EO-CRT could be effective not only in repelling the nuisance pest, M. domestica, in human dwellings, but also in minimizing the mechanical transmission of pathogens by it.

Frostbite is a cold induced injury which occurs due to exposure of a particular site of body to sub-zero temperature. One of the primary reasons for lack of proper studies about the underlying mechanism of frostbite injury is due to non-availability of any reliable animal model and method for inflicting frostbite. In our current research, a device was designed and standardised to inflict frostbite wound in wistar rat. A formulation comprising different combination of essential oils was also developed and its activity was assessed and found effective in the treatment of frostbite wound.

Morphological, bio-chemical and antibacterial potential of an ascomycetous fungus, Daldinia concentrica, was evaluated. It was collected from dead, decaying log of Mimusops elengi tree and isolated by plating in potato dextrose medium. Macroscopic and microscopic features of the stromata were studied. The crude methanol extract of the stromata (30 mg/ml) exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (MTCC-40), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC-7093), Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC-661), Enterobacter aerogenes (MTCC-111) and Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC-7443), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC-121). Bacillus subtilis was the most sensitive organism to the methanol extract of this fungus with 41.33 mm zone of inhibition. Gas Chromatographic–Mass Spectral Analysis of stromatal methanol extract revealed the presence of 19 compounds. The present investigation indicated the potential antibacterial activity of native D. concentrica, which could be useful for pharmaceutical application.

Vector-borne diseases impose enormous menace worldwide including India. The principal strategies for combating diseases are vector control including the use of ovicide and larvicide against mosquitoes. The present study assessed the role of larvicidal and ovicidal properties of dried leaf extract of Piper longum and also determined their toxicity against three important 3rd instar mosquito larvae, viz., Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. The plant extracts with different concentrations caused a significant mortality as assayed by WHO (2005) procedure. The aqueous extract of P. longum (PLWE) showed the highest larval mortality on 24 h post treatment. PLWE showed ovicidal activity with the mean percent hatchability of egg(s) raft of three vectors on 48 h post treatment. The initial phytochemical screening of PLWE showed terpenoids, alkaloids etc. and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis showed chemical constituents such as Eugenol, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Phytol, Oleic Acid, 4-Chromanol, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol, Tetradecanoic acid etc. Further, the study of histopathology showed alterations in the midgut epithelium with PLWE treatment causing larval death. Thus, our data suggest that the PLWE is the promising larvicidal activity to control the disease vectors and to our knowledge, larvicidal properties of PLWE are the first report so far. Further in-depth study is needed to establish mechanism of action of larvicidal activity of plant extract at molecular level. (c) 2020 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cardiopulmonary functions such as respiratory depression, severe irritation, inflamed respiratory tract, hyperventilation and, tachycardia are the most affected ones when it comes to the riot control agent oleoresin capsicum (OC) exposure. However, no studies have been done to elucidate the mechanism underlying deterioration of the combined cardiopulmonary functions. Parameters such as acute respiratory, cardiac, parameters and ultrasonography (USG) measurements were investigated in an in vivo setup using Wistar rats at 1 h and 24 h post inhalation exposure to 2%, 6% and 10% OC, whereas, cell migration in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), metabolomics and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were investigated in an in vitro setup. Results obtained from electrophysiological recording indicated that OC exposure produces apnea and decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was obtained from hemodynamic parameters whereas cardiac parameters assessment revealed increase in the level of cardiac output (CO) and decrease in stroke volume (SV) with recovery towards the post-exposure period. A decrease in the percentage area of certain fatty acid pathway metabolites in BALF appropriately linked the lung injury following OC exposure which was further cemented by increasing concentration of EPO. Histopathology and SEM also proved to be favorable techniques for the detection of OC induced physiological cardiac and pulmonary modifications respectively. Furthermore, Boyden chamber experiment established the chemoattractant property of OC. It may be concluded from the above studies that these newly reported facets may be utilized pharmacologically to mitigate cardiopulmonary adverse effects owing to OC exposure.

Oleaginous yeasts can accumulate intracellular lipid bodies or triacylglycerides (TAGs) under nutrient limiting conditions. TAGs derived from those yeast strains are considered as an alternative to conventional plant-based oils for biodiesel production. In this study, we attempt to isolate and characterize yeast strains from selected traditional fermented foods of Manipur and Mizoram, India, and study their oleaginous attributes for biodiesel production. Fourteen potential oleaginous yeasts were isolated from fermented food samples of Manipur and Mizoram, India. The isolates were identified by 5.8S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene sequencing. Intracellular TAG accumulation by yeast cells were confirmed by Nile red fluorescence microscopy and spectrometry technique. The most promising isolates were evaluated for lipid accumulation having different initial carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios and also the full kinetic studies (depicting the glucose consumption, biomass, and lipid production) using optimum C/N ratio were estimated. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profile of the transesterified lipids were analyzed by GC-MS. The identified yeast isolates belonged to seven different genera viz. Rhodotorula, Pichia, Candida, Saturnispora, Wickerhamomyces, Zygoascus, and Saccharomyces. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, maximum biomass concentration of 5.66 ± 0.03 g/L and 4.713 ± 0.03 g/L was produced by Wickerhamomyces anomalus FK09 and Pichia kudriavzevii FK02, respectively. The highest lipid concentration (g lipid/L fermentation broth) of 0.58 g/L was attained by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa R2, followed by Wickerhamomyces anomalus FK09 (0.51 g/L), and Zygoascus hellenicus FC10 (0.41 g/L). Rhodotorula mucilaginosa R2 exhibited the maximum lipid content (% lipid/g dry cell weight) of (21.63 ± 0.1%) after 96 h of growth. The C/N ratio of 40 and 20 was found to be optimum for R. mucilaginosa R2 and W. anomalus FK09 with a lipid content of 22.21 ± 0.4% and 12.83 ± 0.08% respectively. Newly isolated yeast strains were obtained from traditional fermented food samples of Manipur and Mizoram, India. FAME analysis of the transesterified lipid extracts suggested the potential use of yeast-derived oil as an alternative to vegetable oil for biodiesel production.

Microbial lipids derived from oleaginous fungi are considered as an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production. We attempt to isolate a cellulolytic oleaginous fungi as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. The fungus was identified by 5.8 S-ITS rRNA gene sequencing. The extracellular enzyme activities were recorded after every 24 h for 7 days. Nile red staining and fluorescence microscopy was used to visualise the lipid bodies within the fungal hyphae. A renewable heterogeneous base catalyst derived from Musa balbisiana cola peels was used for the transesterification of Penicillium citrinum PKB20 derived oil into biodiesel. GC-MS analysis was used to analyse the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profile of the transesterified lipids. Penicillium citrinum PKB20 was isolated from detritus rich soil of Assam, India. The endoglucanase, xylanase and β-glucosidase enzyme activities were found to be 292.83 ± 0.29, 111.72 ± 0.45 and 6.54 ± 0.13 U/mg respectively. The specific enzyme activity for extracellular lipase was found to be 3.12 ± 0.16 U/mg. It could accumulate up to 60.61% of lipids in nitrogen-limited medium (7.34 ± 0.45 g/L biomass production). The extracted lipids were converted to biodiesel with 89.3% conversion efficiency. The predominant fatty acids were oleic acid (30.09%), palmitic acid (20.25%) and linoleic acid (33.14%) suggesting a balance between oxidative stability and cold flow properties for suitable biodiesel quality. Penicillium citrinum PKB20 was found to be a potential feedstock for biodiesel production with desirable fuel properties. The cellulolytic nature could be utilised for simultaneous lipid production directly on cellulosic substrates.

Abstract The present study is aimed at the development of a sunscreen cream for use in high altitude areas which have been found to possess superior sun protection factor (SPF) along with remarkable antioxidant activity. The topical formulation is a standard oil-in-water emulsion of a combination of United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approved ultraviolet filters; along with melatonin and pumpkin seed oil. The in-silico optimized formulation was characterized using established methods and the stability study was carried out as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The formulation was prepared after requisite pre-formulation analysis by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetric and thermogravimetric analyses; followed by characterization based on color, odor, phase separation, spreadability, specific gravity, homogeneicity, centrifugation and sensitivity. For the stability study, a total of three samples from three batches of the finished product were subjected to the stability study. The samples were analyzed for content uniformity, pH, in vitro SPF, rheology, zeta potential, droplet diameter and microbial analysis of the 0th day and also the the end of the storage period. Results obtained from the stability study indicated that the formulation possesses 50+ in vitro SPF value and remained stable for 6 months and 12 months under storage at 40 ± 2 °C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity; and −20 °C ± 5 °C respectively.

Vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya, dengue, encephalitis, filariasis, and malaria pose an enormous menace to humans. Use of larvicidal strategies acting against the immature stages of mosquitoes might be useful in combating these diseases. The available synthetic insecticides have serious side effects, are toxic to the environment and the insects probably have higher chances of developing resistance against them. As compared to synthetic pesticides, essential oils (EOs) are ecologically safe, have no mammalian toxicity or the chances of development of resistance are reasonable and highly popular with the organic growers. In the present investigation, we have studied the larvicidal properties of four different concentrations (10, 50, 100 and 500 mg/l) of 3 essential oils (EOs), namely, citronella (Cympobogon nardus), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), and patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) against the larval stage of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Biochemical and histopathological changes in the Aedes aegypti larvae after exposure to essential oils were studied. Essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for chemical compositions. The highest larvicidal activity was observed in the EOs from patchouli oil against the larvae of Aedes aegypti with LC50 (lethal concentration required to kill 50% of the population) value 25.14 mg/l respectively. LC50 values for citronella, eucalyptus and patchouli oils were found to be 38.37, 51.93, 25.14 mg/l respectively. Glucose, total protein and urea levels were misbalanced in the larvae after oil exposure. A serious damage in brush border, digestive cells, basal membrane, epithelium, and peritrophic membrane in the mid gut of the essential oil treated larvae were observed under histopathological study. The major aromatic compounds identified by the GC-MS were linalool, citronellol, citronellal and β-Citral in citronella oil; eucalyptol, dpinene, and o-cymene in eucalyptus oil; patchouli alcohol and seychellene in patchouli oil respectively. A concentration-dependent larvicidal effect was shown by the EOs against Aedes aegypti larva. The aromatic compounds identified in the EOs triggered significant responses in mortality. EOs can be applied as green pesticide which could be effective to control the vector borne diseases.

Paraquat (PQ), a highly popular agricultural herbicide, is a serious occupational hazard with lethality reported at doses as low as 35 mg/kg body weight with intoxication occurring via inhalation or dermal route. The main objective of this study was to determine the median lethal concentration (LCt(50)) of paraquat through whole body exposure in adult male Wistar rats. Aerosolized PQ dissolved in water was delivered in a dose-dependent manner, to fully conscious rats confined in whole body plethysmograph (WBP), in a nebulized form with concentrations ranging from 40-200 mg/kg of air over a 4 h exposure period. Animals were observed up to 24-48 h post-exposure to observe any lethality. LCt(50) estimates (+/- 95% confidence interval) were obtained from the sequential stage-wise experiments using probit analysis. Rat lungs were examined radiologically and histopathologically. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis determined the correlation of PQ accumulation in the lungs with the actual exposed dose of PQ. The actual LCt(50) was found to be 218 g center dot min/m(3) whereas 57.9 +/- 2.90 mu g/g of PQ accumulated in the lungs of each lifeless animal. All animals exhibited severe respiratory changes and pulmonary abnormalities. This study demonstrated that when compared with the actually exposed dose, the amount of PQ that accumulated in the lungs was very low, but enough to cause death in 50% of animal population and cause pulmonary abnormalities in each of the experimental animal. The PQ exposure carried out in WBP also facilitated the dermal absorption of aerosolized PQ, which replicated the real-life situation in workers operating with PQ.