Evaluation of in vitro anthelmintic activity of crude extract and synthesized green silver nanoparticles of the leaves of Mammea americana L

One of the most severe parasite infections to ever plague animals, paramphistomosis is particularly devastating in tropical and subtropical areas and causes significant economic losses to the world's food industry and poor animal health. In the present study potency of the crude extract and green synthesized silver nanoparticles from fresh and mature Mammea americana L. leaves was evaluated on trematode Paramphistomum cervi, collected from the infected rumen of the cow (Bos indicus) in 0.9% phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The crude extract at five dose levels (1 mL, 2 mL, 3 mL 4 mL, and 5 ml), and silver nanoparticles (AgNps) at the five dose levels (10 mg/mL, 30 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 70 and 90 mg/mL) were applied. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Characterization studies of AgNPs revealed the synthesis of stable, crystalline AgNPs measuring an average size of 20-50 nm. The efficacy was evaluated based on the spontaneous movement reduction and death of P. cervi. Maximum anthelmintic activity was found at the dose of 5 mL of crude extract and 90 mg/mL of AgNPs of M. americana leaves. The scanning electron micrograph study of treated helminths of crude and AgNps revealed conspicuous distortion on the surface architecture. It also showed shrinkage of the whole body and severe damage on both suckers (anterior and posterior). AgNPs caused more shredded and torn tegumental surfaces with loss of tegumental papillae compared to untreated. Thus, this study confirmed that the M. americana leaves extract and synthesized AgNPs can be a potential alternative herbal drug in traditional folklore medicine against serious helminth infections in our livestock industry.

Concentration- and Solvent-Induced Chiral Tuning by Manipulating Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids in Glycoconjugate Supra-Scaffolds: Interaction with Protein, and Streptomycin Delivery

We showed solvent- and concentration-triggered chiral tuning of the fibrous assemblies of two novel glycoconjugates Z-P(Gly)-Glu and Z-F(4-N)-Glu made by chemical attachment of Cbz-protected [short as Z)] non-proteinogenic amino acids L-phenylglycine [short as P(Gly)] and 4-Nitro-L-phenylalanine [short as F(4-N)] with D-glucosamine [short as Glu]. Both biomimetic gelators can form self-healing and shape-persistent gels with a very low critical gelator concentration in water as well as in various organic solvents, indicating they are ambidextrous supergelators. Detailed spectroscopic studies suggested β-sheet secondary structure formation during anisotropic self-aggregation of the gelators which resulted in the formation of hierarchical left-handed helical fibers in acetone with an interlayer spacing of 2.4 nm. After the physical characterization of the gels, serum protein interaction with the gelators was assessed, indicating they may be ideal for biomedical applications. Further, both gelators are benign, non-immunogenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic in nature, which was confirmed by performing the blood parameters and liver function tests on Wister rats. Streptomycin-loaded hydrogels showed efficacious antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo as well. Finally, cell attachment and biocompatibility of the hydrogels were demonstrated which opens a newer avenue for promising biomedical and therapeutic applications.

Quinolone-fused cyclic sulfonamide as a novel benign antifilarial agent

Search of potent antifilarial drugs has been a major thrust area in tropical medicine research over the decades. Herein, we report 4,7-dimethyl-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-3λ⁶-[1,2]thiazino[4,3-f]quinoline-3,3,8-trione (8l) as a new class of antifilarial agent which is extremely potent, with lethality against all the developmental stages (oocyte, microfilaria and adult) of the filarial parasite Setaria cervi. Molecular investigation on its mode of action revealed that 8l is a typical inducer of reactive oxygen species that triggers oxidative stress inside the filarid and further signals induction of apoptosis by activating both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Moreover, 8l is also active against Wolbachia, the essential endosymbiont of several human infectious filarids. Selective toxicity against filarial parasites and non-toxic nature in rat model were found as unique traits of 8l to be a future medicine. Taken en masse, this maiden report on a novel quinolone fused cyclic sulfonamide presents a promising therapeutic lead for lymphatic filariasis in future.