Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles: A Novel, Environment-Friendly, Economic, Safe Approach

Nanoparticles can be synthesised using a variety of methods. These approaches, on the other hand, are connected with the development of undesired byproducts that are both harmful and expensive. As a result, several attempts are being undertaken to develop unique, cost-effective, safe, and dependable "green" techniques for producing desirable nanoparticles. To develop a novel, environment-friendly, economic, safe approach to the synthesis of gold nanoparticles via the biological entity. Addition of aqueous gold chloride solution to the microwave-exposed aqueous extracellular Cassia tora leaf extract yielded poly shaped gold nanoparticles. The UV-vis. spectroscopic investigations are led to notice and affirm the formation of nanoparticles. FTIR studies are performed to affirm the role of a biomolecule in stabilizing the nanoparticles. X-beam diffraction study is utilized to affirm the crystalline nature of nanoparticles. The elemental characterization of the samples is regulated by EDX studies. The size and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles are explored using HR-TEM analysis and FESEM. It is seen that the flavonoids which are separated during microwave warming of extracellular solution of the cassia tora leaves are liable for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles. The nanoparticle was noted to be well dispersed and polyshaped with a 20-60 nm range. The leaf extract based preparation of AuNP is more gainful since leaf is used instead of microorganism as many of the issues like pathogenicity, procedural maintenance of hygiene of cell culture and labor efforts can be overcome. The presence of flavonoids in the leaf was discovered by the examination of produced nanoparticles, suggesting that they may have fulfilled both reduction and stabilisation activities. The presented approach can be inferred to be cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and capable of manufacturing nanoparticles with desired physical and pharmacological properties.

Response of Occurrence of Winter Weeds to Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Soil of Gandhinagar District, Gujarat, India

Gandhinagar is the capital city of Gujarat State. The paper deals with the estimation of nutrients (pH, EC, N, P, K, Zn) in soil of different talukas of Gandhinagar district. This district has four talukas with 290 villages and 10 urban habitations in the district. For the study purpose, the entire district was divided into 20 sites. Five sites of each talukas were selected. Total 20 sampling sites were selected to collect samples. The study was carried for a period of 2 year (2011 to 2013). Soil samples were colleted and analysed for their parameters like pH, EC, Nitrate, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc (Zn) at monthly. Zn was recorded critical in Mansa and Dehgam taluka and quite low in Kalol taluka. The occurrence types and distribution of Amaranthus viridis L., Achyranthus aspera L., Trianthema portulacastrum L, Boerhavia diffusa L., Cyperus rotundus L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Tridex procumbens L., Parthenium hysterophorus L., Euphorbia hirta L., Vernonia cinera (L.) Less., Digera muriata (L.) Mart., Cassia tora L., Chenopodium album L., Portulaca oleracea L. in the study area of Gandhinagar showed relations with the soil in which they occur.

Formulation and evaluation of Cassia tora phytosomal gel using central composite design.

Background:: Cassia tora has been classified as an antifungal agent, but no optimized formulation for improved drug penetration has been developed. Objective:: The present work aimed to formulate Cassia tora extract (CTE) phytosomal gel that could be used for its antifungal effects and improved therapeutic activity. Materials and Methods: The CTE phytosomes were formulated by varying the concentration of lecithin (0.15-0.25% w/v) and speed of rotation (100-160 rpm). A 22 factorial design was applied by taking the above two parameters as independent variables and vesicular size and entrapment efficiency as dependent variables. The phytosomes were also evaluated for polydispersity index, zeta potential and in vitro drug release. The optimized phytosomes of CTE were further developed into a gel, the optimized gel was also evaluated and stability studies were conducted. Results and Discussion: The optimized CTE phytosome showed a vesicular size of ~ 124 nm and entrapment efficiency of 95%. The CTE phytosomes showed a drug release of 58.79% in 24 hours following Higuchi's order of release. The CTE phytosomes were formulated into a gel by using 1% Carbopol 934 and were evaluated for pH, viscosity and homogeneity. The formulated gel showed better penetration than conventional gel and stability changes indicated no major changes to the CTE phytosomal gel. Conclusion: The optimized gel had better penetration and drug release than the conventional gel. Its therapeutic activity, therefore can be estimated to be enhanced.

Development of Tropisetron Hydrochloride Orodispersible Tablet using Natural Superdisintigrants

The foremost objective of this research was to compare and evaluate natural super disintegrants with synthetic super disintegrants for the preparation of the orodispersible tablet. Tropisetron hydrochloride is widely used as an antiemetic drug, which is a potential drug candidate for developing an orodispersible tablet for quick onset of action. Various formulations were prepared using different concentrations (5%, 7.5%, and 10%) by direct compression method of natural super disintegrants (Banana power and Cassia tora powder) and synthetic super disintegrants (Croscarmellose sodium, Crospovidone, and Sodium starch glycolate). The compatibility studies between the drug and excipients were carried out using FTIR spectroscopy before tablet formulation. The pre-compression parameters were evaluated for additive properties. Standardization of banana powder was done by various parameters like extractive value, ash value, loss on drying, TLC identification test, etc. Post-compression parameters like hardness, weight variation, friability, thickness, the time required for disintegration, wetting time, the release of drug in-vitro, and in-vitro dispersion time of the tablets were evaluated. The disintegration time and in-vitro drug release of optimized formulation (F2) were found to be 4.66±1.15 secs and 99.25±0.15%. The optimized formulation (F2) was subjected to stability studies (40 C& 75 % RH) for one month. The results were shown that natural super disintegrants require less disintegration time as compared to synthetic super disintegrants. Hence present study reveals that the orodispersible tablets prepared using Banana powder and Cassia tora powder is super disintegrants that shown better appearance and rapid disintegration time.

Emodin and rhein in Cassia tora ameliorates activity of mitochondrial enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation in the retina of diabetic mice

Cassia tora is an annual herb, which has pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and antidiabetic effects. Accordingly, its effect on diabetes has been well-studied. However, it is unclear whether it has an effect on mitochondrial dysfunction associated with diabetes. In this study, the effects of emodin and rhein in C. tora seed ethanolic extract (ER/CSEE) on retinal mitochondrial function were examined in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. HFD-fed mice exhibited decreased mitochondrial function followed by compensatory increase in the expression levels of mitochondrial enzymes. However, ER/CSEE treatment for 12 weeks ameliorated the activity of retinal mitochondrial complexes and reduced the expression level of enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, except that of complex II and citrate synthase in citric acid cycle. This suggests that repairing capacity of enzymes in electron transport chain and citric acid cycle of mitochondria are different in response to the metabolic state. Therefore, it concluded that emodin and rhein play a pharmacological role in fat metabolism by influencing activities of enzymes in citric acid cycle linked with beta-oxidation in retina.

Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Amphoteric Galactomannan Derivative for the Mitigation of Malachite Green and Congo Red Dye From Aqueous Solution

Biopolymeric materials have been utilized for water treatments since ancient times. Consequently, there is a cumulative and persistent interest in the study of novel sustainable, inexpensive and natural biobased alternatives. Amphoteric derivatives of galactomannans are still unexplored and rarerly used materials to treat industrial wastes. The study was explored to synthesize and characterize amphoteric derivative of Cassia tora gum, a 1,5 galactomannan for its application as a potential adsorbent for mitigation of cationic (Malachite green) and anionic (Congo red) dyes by applying ‘Taguchi design’ (L9). The derivative was also studied for the conditioning of water using kaolin suspension. The results indicated that amphoteric derivative (anionic DS ~ 0.52 and cationic DS 0.197) is effective in maximum adsorption of Malachite green (73%) and Congo red (17 %) dyes and as a flocculant at a minimum dose of 10 ppm. The amphoteric derivative was characterized by X-ray-diffraction, TG analysis and spectroscopic techniques.

Characterization of Cassia Tora Seed (CTS) Oil-Based Biodiesel-Diesel Blends

The paper reported on the characterization of CTS oil-based biodiesel-diesel blends. The study's primary objective are the physicochemical characterization of oil and biodiesel from Cassia Tora seed (CTS) oil, characterization of CTS oil-based biodiesel using FTIR and GCMS analysis. Extraction revealed the pres-ence of 8.8% oil in Cassia Tora seed. The CTS biodiesel's viscosity was found to be 0.9092, which is well above the petroleum diesel. The physiochemical characterization showed that 5, 12.5 and 20 % CTS oil-based biodiesel-diesel blends are within acceptable limit for combustion engine without modification having viscosities of 0.8744, 0.8764, and 0.8787 respec-tively while 100% CTS oil-based biodiesel would require upgrading to meet up with the recommended standard for fuel used as diesel in internal combustion engines. FTIR and GCMS analysis showed functional groups and characteristic peaks of fatty acids and methyl ester with carbon range from C13–C17, C16 constituted the major Fatty acid group and contained 61.69 % Monounsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA), and 38.31 % Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA) giving a 94.3% biodiesel yield.