We have prepared a low-cost bamboo charcoal from Bambusa bambos and investigated it as an adsorbent of methylene blue (MB). The bamboo charcoal was analyzed using XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis and FE-SEM techniques. The conversion of lignin-cellulose to a carbonaceous structure, indicating that the bamboo charcoal has an amorphous structure, was confirmed by XRD analysis. The amorphous carbon bamboo charcoal was verified by C & boxH;C stretching bond vibration at wave number of 1566 cm-1. The charcoal exhibited absorbance in the UV region with an energy gap of 3.54 eV. A honeycomb-like structure with 94.94 at. percentage (at%) of C element was confirmed by FE-SEM EDS analysis. We also investigated the effect of temperature and the adsorbent concentration. An adsorption study at optimal condition confirmed that adsorption by bamboo charcoal followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm with maximum adsorption capacity of 18.8 mg/g. Our study illustrates that bamboo charcoal derived from Bambusa bambos could be a low-cost alternative for MB dye removal, contributing to long-term environmental sustainability.

Acorus calamus, a perennial herbaceous plant with a long history of traditional use, is attracting scientific interest for its diverse bioactive compounds and therapeutic potential. This review investigates its medicinal properties, including neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory effects, and antihyperglycemic activities, primarily attributed to compounds such as α-asarone. A. calamus also has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi, making it a natural antibiotic. Its antioxidative and cardioprotective properties are promising for cardiovascular health, while its antispasmodic and neuroprotective properties suggest applications in neuromuscular and cognitive disorders. Ongoing research aims to decipher mechanisms, dosing, and safety, bridging traditional practices with modern healthcare options.

Inflammation serves as a critical immune response to infection or injury; however, chronic inflammation contributes significantly to tissue damage, fibrosis, and systemic diseases like autoimmune disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. Furthermore, chronic low-grade inflammation, known as "inflammaging," is a hallmark of physiological decline during aging. While Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel is recognized for its diverse bioactive metabolites, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory potential remain under-defined. This study utilized a computational approach to analyze 112 metabolites from pomegranate peel to predict their molecular targets using STITCH and SwissTargetPrediction, identifying 863 potential target genes. A total of 4986 inflammation-associated genes were compiled from multiple databases, and overlap analysis revealed 733 common genes. Among these, PDE4B and ABCC1 were shortlisted as a primary regulatory hub for inflammatory pathways for further investigation. Analysis of the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, Gene Ontology (GO), and KEGG pathways indicated roles for PI3K-Akt signaling, apoptosis, and insulin resistance. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation analysis demonstrated strong binding affinities of compounds with pubchem ID 535560 and 569501 with PDE4B; and 69377 and 75487878 with ABCC1. These findings suggest that pomegranate peel metabolites may effectively mitigate inflammation by modulating these critical proteins, though subsequent in vitro and in vivo validation is essential.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and is frequently associated with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, which further exacerbate tumor progression. Madhunashini (Gymnema sylvestre), a traditional herbal formulation used in the management of diabetes, was evaluated for its anti-cancer potential in TNBC and its ability to regulate pathways common to both cancer and diabetes. In vitro studies using MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells demonstrated that Madhunashini induced a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and significantly inhibited cell migration and proliferation, with significant anti-migratory potential compared to cisplatin. Untargeted LC–MS/MS metabolomic profiling uncovered diverse compounds such as glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, fatty acyls, amino acid derivatives, and phenolic compounds. Drug-likeness and ADMET screening resulted in 242 metabolites with favourable pharmacokinetic properties. Network pharmacology analysis revealed molecular overlap between TNBC and diabetes, identifying key signaling pathways related to angiogenesis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell migration. Among the shared targets, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1/SERPINE1) emerged as a key regulator associated with tumor aggressiveness. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated strong binding interactions between PAI-1 and several Madhunashini's metabolites, supporting a potential mechanism involving disruption of uPA–uPAR signalling and extracellular matrix remodeling. These findings suggest that Madhunashini suppresses aggressive TNBC phenotypes through multi-target modulation of cancer–metabolic pathways, underscoring its therapeutic potential for TNBC, particularly in the context of diabetes-associated cancer progression.

Herbal tea has a long history in India and is made from various plant parts, including leaves and flowers. India has a rich variety of bamboo species. Bamboo leaves are used in some parts of the world, especially Asia, to make a mild and aromatic tea with potential health benefits. This review evaluates existing research on bamboo leaf tea, including the different bamboo species used, their chemical makeup and their antioxidant properties. The analysis of five studies covering nineteen bamboo species revealed that brewing methods impact the tea's chemical composition. All studies found phenols and flavonoids, suggesting health benefits. Strong antioxidant activity was confirmed through DPPH and FRAP assays, and this activity is further boosted by fermentation, as with kombucha, which increases the availability of beneficial compounds and adds helpful microbial byproducts. Bamboo leaf tea, being a sustainable and underutilized resource, offers potential for addressing some global health and environmental issues. This review summarizes the scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of bamboo leaf tea and discusses its potential in the development of new functional foods and drinks.

This study investigated the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of Bambusa tulda tea. The tea exhibited low moisture and ash content, indicative of good drying quality. Its acidic pH was attributed to the presence of organic acids. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugars, triterpenoids and cardiac glycosides. The dry extract contained higher levels of phenolics and flavonoids compared to the infusion, resulting in stronger antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by a lower IC50 value of 3.794 in the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Furthermore, silica (SiO₂) was extracted from the tea leaves and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). These analyses revealed an amorphous structure and spherical morphology. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses corroborated the spherical morphology and elemental composition of the SiO₂. The extracted SiO₂ effectively degraded methylene blue and Congo red dyes under sunlight, highlighting the potential of B. tulda tea as a sustainable source of SiO₂ for environmental remediation.

Abstract: The introduction of nanotechnology in food packaging has significantly transformed and impacted food safety, quality, and shelf-life enhancement. It simplifies the monitoring of product quality in real-time. This review gives an insight into the introductory perspective of food packaging, emphasizing active packaging, biosensors, and intelligent systems. Engineering of these nano-based active package materials to impart preservation, freshness, and safety advantages by interacting with the food environment. Nano-based biosensors play a major role in quality precision and rapid evaluation of packaged food matters. This article also provides advantages and challenges associated with these new-generation technologies to meet the requirements of food industries. To conclude, the future of food safety and preservation will be significantly determined by the increasing impact of nanotechnology in food packaging, making it a more effective, consumer- focused, and environmentally friendly option.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic medical condition, has attained a global pandemic status over the last few decades affecting millions of people. Despite a variety of synthetic drugs available in the market, the use of herbal medicines for managing diabetes is gaining importance because of being comparatively safer. This article reviews the result of a substantial literature search on polyherbal formulations (PHFs) developed and evaluated with potential for DM. The accumulated data in the literature allowed us to enlist 76PHFs consisting of different parts of 147 plant species belonging to 58 botanical families. The documented plant species are laden with bioactive components with anti-diabetic properties and thus draw attention. The most favoured ingredient for PHFs was leaves of Gymnema sylvestre and seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum used in 27 and 22 formulations, respectively. Apart from herbs, shilajit (exudates from high mountain rocks) formed an important component of 9 PHFs, whereas calcined Mytilus margaritiferus and goat pancreas were used in Dolabi, the most commonly used tablet form of PHF in Indian markets. The healing properties of PHFs against diabetes have been examined in both pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. However, the mechanism(s) of action of PHFs are still unclear and considered the pitfalls inherent in understanding the benefits of PHFs. From the information available based on experimental systems, it could be concluded that plant-derived medicines will have a considerable role to play in the control of diabetes provided the challenges related to their bioavailability, bioefficacy, optimal dose, lack of characterization, ambiguous mechanism of action, and clinical efficiency are addressed.

This review article explores the multifaceted significance of fermented bamboo shoots, a culinary tradition deeply rooted in the practices of local tribes in Northeastern India. The therapeutic properties of fermented bamboo shoots span anti-aging, anticancer, antioxidant, cardioprotective, and weight loss benefits, positioning them as valuable functional foods enriched with probiotics. Northeast India, encompassing the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur, and Tripura, serves as a hub for the cultivation and consumption of fermented bamboo shoot-based products. The unique microbial ecosystem associated with bamboo shoots contributes to the synthesis of diverse health-promoting compounds, with rich concentrations of glycosides and flavones. Microorganisms, including Lactobacillus species, Bacillus species, Candida species, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae play a pivotal role in the fermentation process, contributing to the distinct characteristics of these products. The active involvement of tribal communities, constituting 75% of the regional population, underscores the cultural and traditional significance of this culinary practice. The review also delineates an array of fermented bamboo shoot-based products offerings, such as ekung, heccha, eup, mesu, lung-siej, soibum, soidon, soijim, and hirring, reflecting the rich culinary diversity arising from this traditional practice. Beyond their cultural importance, these products hold substantial industrial and economic value, and are integral to the livelihoods of local communities in Northeastern India. In summary, fermented bamboo shoots have emerged as a complex resource intertwining cultural heritage, health benefits, and economic dimensions within the unique context of Northeastern Indian communities.

Microorganisms are extremely important because they play major roles in different fields such as health, agriculture, and industry. Researchers have learned more about previously undiscovered microorganisms through the direct sequencing of environmental samples. Metagenomic includes the field that starts with data administration, processing and ends with storage. It has become a driving force for discoveries in microbial habitat ecology and biotechnology. In the study of microbial world, sequencing technologies are used to scan microbial diversity and discover novel organisms. This chapter elaborates the application, methods and tools, bioinformatics-based data analysis, analysis pipelines, and web servers available for metagenomic data analysis.

Food production must undergo systems change to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs). For example, organic farming can be empowered by soil microorganisms with plant growth promotion (PGP) and biocontrol features. In this context, there have been limited studies on pomegranate. We investigated microbial diversity in rhizosphere of the pomegranate "Bhagwa" variety and its potential role in PGP and biocontrol. Both bulk and rhizosphere soil samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties. Whole metagenome sequencing was conducted using the Illumina NovaSeq6000 platform. Surprisingly, we found that bulk and rhizosphere soil samples had comparable microbial diversity. Metagenome sequencing revealed the abundance of Streptomyces indicus, Bradyrhizobium kalamazoonesis, and Pseudomonas cellulosum in the rhizosphere that are reported here for the first time in agricultural literature. Pathway prediction analysis using KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia for Genes and Genomes) and COG (clusters of orthologous genes) databases identified metabolic pathways associated with biocontrol properties against pathogens. We confirmed the metagenome data in vitro, which demonstrated their PGP potential and antimicrobial properties. For instance, S. indicus produced high concentration of indole-3-acetic acid, a PGP phytohormone, that can stimulate plant growth. In addition, an antimicrobial susceptibility assay suggested that bacterial extracts displayed activity against Xanthomonas, a primary pathogen causing the pomegranate wilt disease. In conclusion, this study suggests that S. indicus, B. kalamazoonesis, and P. cellulosum can potentially be PGP and biocontrol agents that may contribute to increased crop productivity in pomegranate cultivation. These agents and their combinations warrant future research with an eye on SDGs and so as to enable and innovate organic farming and pomegranate agricultural practices.

SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate and circulate at alarming levels around the world and is exemplified by the emergence of the new variant JN.1. The emergence of novel SARS-CoV variants underscores the urgency for the development of new drugs. Phytochemicals, known for their safety and efficacy, have been widely used to address various ailments. This study aims at identifying the anti-SARS-CoV potential of emodin, a bioactive anthraquinone, and its derivatives. Key proteins, including hemagglutinin-esterase(HE), papain-like protease(PLpro), major protease(3CLpro), non-structural protein (nsp3) and spike protein(S) of SARS-CoV, were used as protein targets for the virtual screening of 110 emodin derivatives (ED) and remdesivir a proven antiviral drug. Among the 110 derivatives, ED21, ED25, ED5 inhibited HE, 3CLpro and S protein, respectively. ED29 inhibited both PLpro and nsp3 with high binding affinity. Similar receptor binding sites were occupied by remdesivir and emodins.These emodins are bound to similar amino acids in receptors as compared to remdesivir. Further dynamic simulations studies with ED21-HE, ED25-3CLpro, ED5-S, ED29-PLpro and ED29-nsp3 complexes showed all of them are stable with minimum root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), solvent-accessible surface area (SASA) and radius of gyration (Rg); and are comparable to APO protein. All the ligands accepted Lipinski’s rule of five. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis revealed only ED21 and ED5 as promising druglike candidates that can have high therapeutic value and no side effects. These in-silico findings contribute to the development of potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, potentially advancing the quest for effective antiviral drugs.

Myricetin demonstrates considerable potential in the area of anticancer research. It is known to be recognized as a rich natural polyphenolic flavonoid found abundantly in diverse dietary sources. This study investigates the impact of myricetin on cellular processes, including cell death, cell cycle regulation, and the expression of apoptotic genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of myricetin was assessed using the MTT assay and cell cycle analysis on MCF-7 cells. Propidium iodide or Annexin V flow cytometric analysis was used to confirm apoptosis. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the gene expression linked to apoptosis in MCF-7 cells following a 24-hour myricetin administration. Molecular docking was employed to probe the binding of myricetin to BCL-2. The cytotoxicity of myricetin revealed an IC50 of 5.06 µg/100 µl at 24 hours. Myricetin induced apoptosis in the Sub G0/G1 phase (10.38%). The findings showed up-regulation of the antiapoptotic gene BCL-2, along with elevated expression of caspase-9 and caspase-7, while the caspase-3 gene exhibited down-regulation. In silico analysis further confirmed the efficient binding of myricetin to BCL-2. The findings suggest that Myricetin exhibits a potent apoptotic effect by inhibiting cell cycle progression, however, further in-vivo investigations are necessary to understand the complexity of this molecule.

Medicinal plants offer significant therapeutic potential due to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals. This renders them promising candidates for the treatment of a wide range of ailments. Diabetes, a severe metabolic disorder, is conventionally managed using commercial pharmaceutical drugs. Nevertheless, these prescription medications are both economical and linked to various adverse effects. The increasing popularity of herbal remedies is attributed to their cost-effectiveness and their capacity to deliver enhanced therapeutic benefits with fewer associated side effects. This chapter is dedicated to the exploration of well-known medicinal plants, including Trigonella, Syzium, Punica, Momordica, and Gymnema species, for their efficacy in addressing issues related to diabetes. The principal goal of this chapter is to offer an in-depth examination of the chemical compositions and preclinical assessments that substantiate their anti-diabetic properties.

A conventional plant flavonoid known as myricetin is well-known for its wide range of effects, including its strong anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant characteristics. In this study, we examined anti-inflammatory potential of Myricetin (MN) by looking at the expressions of COX-2, IL-6 and TNF-α in leukemia cancer cell lines (THP-1). The THP-1 was cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium supplemented with 10

Background:The induction of the inflammatory cascade results in the production of a number of inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nitric oxide (NO), and proinflammatory cytokines like TNF-, IL-, and IL-6. This study examined the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of a methanolic crude extract of Punica granatum L. peel (PPM) on monocytic leukaemia cell line (THP-1). Materials and methods:The PPM along with Quercetin as reference was used to assess the cytotoxic effect on THP-1 cells and describe its effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines such as COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6 against cancer cell line by flow cytometry. Results:The percentage of viable cells significantly decreased which correlates to non-toxicity whereas quercetin was found to be highly toxic, the IC50 could not be calculated because of drug precipitation. There was a significant decrease in the expressions of inflammatory cytokines upon pre-treatment of the cells with PPM prior to LPS stimulation. Conclusion:Our findings indicate that no cytotoxicity was observed after the treatment of THP-1 cells with PPM (25-400 µg/ml), but at higher concentration (400µg/ml), the cell viability decreased to 84% and attenuated the expression level of inflammatory cytokines. The inhibitory effect of the extract on pro-inflammatory factors production may provide a theoretical source on upcoming treatment of inflammation.

Vaccination is an important method of immunological preventive care required for health management of all animal including fish. More particularly, immunization is important in in-land fisheries for the management of diseases in fish brood stocks and healthy seed production. According to the latest statistics in 2020, 90.3 million tonnes of captured fish production was achieved from the aquaculture sector. Out of the above, 78.8 million tonnes from marine and 11.5 million tonnes from inland waters aquaculture sectors. About 4% decline in fish production was achieved in 2020 than 2018 from inland fisheries sectors. On the other hand, the digestive protein content, healthy fats and nutritional values of fish products are comparitively more affordable as compared to other meat sources. In 2014, about 10% aquatic cultured animals were lost (costing > 10 billion $ global annual loss) due to infectious diseases. Therefore, vaccination in fish especially in brood stocks is one of the most important approaches to stop such losses in the fisheries sector. Fish vaccines consist of either whole killed pathogens, subunit of a protein, a recombinant protein, DNA vaccines or live attenuated vaccines. Challenges existing are adaption of vaccination in fisheries sector, route of administration, use of effective adjuvants and most importantly lack of effective results. Use of autogenous vaccines, vaccination via intramuscular, intraperitoneal or oral routes, and most importantly adding vaccines in feed using top dressing methods or as a constituent in fish feed are now in emerging. These method shall lower the risk of using antibiotics in cultured water which in turn will reduce the environmental contamination.

The H3N2 subtype of the influenza A virus continues to be a notable public health issue due to its association with seasonal epidemics and severe human morbidity. The constrained effectiveness of current antiviral medications, combined with the inevitable emergence of drug-resistant variants, mandates the exploration of innovative therapeutic approaches. This study focuses on the identification of phytocompounds from Coleus amboinicus with the potential to target hemagglutinin, viral protein involved in viral entry by binding to sialyl glycoconjugates receptors on the surface of host cells. Molecular docking studies were carried out to assess the efficacy of C. amboinicus phytocompounds with hemagglutinin receptor-binding site. The study revealed that among the 84 signature phytocompounds, isosalvianolic acid and salvianolic acid C showed the highest docking scores and favourable intermolecular interactions. Pharmacokinetic analysis and Pan-assay interference compounds (PAINS) filtering confirmed that isosalvianolic acid meets the criteria outlined in Lipinski's rule of five, exhibits favourable ADMET profiles and passes PAINS filters. Furthermore, the molecular dynamics simulations followed by radius of gyration (Rg), solvent accessible surface area (SASA), and MM-PBSA calculations for binding free energy, verified the stability of the docked complexes. Together, the study identifies isosalvianolic acid as a promising inhibitor of the H3N2 virus by binding to hemagglutinin, indicating its potential as a strategy for therapeutic intervention.