Home > Biogenic Synthesis, Characterization and Pharmacological Evaluation of Nano-Particles Prepared by Using the Extracts of Arisaema Jacquemontii, Hedera Nepalensis and Valeriana Jatamansi
Biogenic Synthesis, Characterization and Pharmacological Evaluation of Nano-Particles Prepared by Using the Extracts of Arisaema Jacquemontii, Hedera Nepalensis and Valeriana Jatamansi
Nanobiotechnology and green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) are novel and efficient alternatives for synthesis of metal NPs using extracts of medicinal plants. Arisaema jacquemontii (family: Araceae), Hedera nepalensis (family: Araliaceae) and Valariana jatamansi (family: Valerianaceae) are important medicinal plants of Himalayas and Kashmir. A. jacquemontii has anti-proliferative property and is traditionally used as snakebite antidote, ringworm killer and to treat skin diseases. Leaf juice of H. nepalensis is given in dyspepsia and leaves paste is applied on ulcers. V. jatamansi is used as tranquilliser, carminative, anti-inflammatory, expectorant and muscle relaxant. The aim of the present study was to investigate the green synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) and pharmacological evaluation of the three plants. Methanolic extract solution (50mg/100ml de-ionized water) of selected parts of the test plants was used to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Methanolic extract was mixed with gold chloride (AuCl3) solution (0.1 mM concentration) in 3:1 ratios to produce AuNPs from A. jacquemontii tuber and 4:1 ratios for AuNPs from the rest of the samples. To synthesize AgNPs from tubers, 0.1mM AgNO3 was mixed with extract at 1:5 ratios. AgNPs were formed from H. nepalensis stem and leaves at 1:5 and 1:2 ratios respectively. AgNPs of V. jatamansi root and shoot were synthesized at 1:10 and 1:5 ratios respectively. Preliminary observation of synthesis of NPs was carried out by visual detection of color change from light yellow to dark purple and dark yellow/brown for AuNPs and AgNPs synthesis respectively. UV-vis spectrophotometric analysis further confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs by showing SPR peak in 400-500nm and 500-600nm range respectively. Temperature and salt stability studies of AgNPs and AuNPs revealed the stability of NPs at 20-40°C temperature and at milimolar salt concentration. FTIR confirmed the involvement of mainly carboxylic acid/phenol, tertiary alcohol, alkene, alkane and alcohol of plant extracts in reduction of Au-metal to form AuNPs. XRD analysis revealed that all AuNPs were crystalline in nature and the average nanocrystallite size for AuNPs synthesized from all three test plants was in the range of 6.23nm-10.92nm. Crystals were cubic in nature. SEM analysis revealed average size of 36nm, 32nm, 29nm, 25nm and 24nm for tubers, stem, leaves, root and shoot nanosphere AuNPs. According to XRD data, synthesized AgNPs were mainly crystalline in nature. SEM results reported size of synthesized AgNPs in 30nm-49nm range. AgNPs of all the samples were spherical in shape. FTIR analysis revealed the involvement of mainly alkenes, carboxylic acids, ether and aromatic ring (aryl) groups in reduction of Ag-metal. Overall among all the tested microbes, P. aeruginosa was the most sensitive microbe (62-88% growth inhibition) followed by C. albicans (59-82% growth inhibition). The most resistant bacterium was K. pneumonia (35-47% growth inhibition). V. jatamansi showed better antimicrobial activities than the other two tested plant species. AgNPs reported greater antimicrobial activity than AuNPs. Among all the tested extracts, generally, n-butanol fractions and methanolic crude extracts showed higher antioxidant activity. NPs also reported their antioxidant potential. Phytochemical screening of extracts indicated the presence of several bioactive compounds in the extract including flavonoids, sterols, saponins, tannins, alkaloids and oils in different extracts of different parts of all the three test plant species. On the basis of these results it is evident that all the three plants can be used for stable and active NPs synthesis that posses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Extracts of test plants also revealed antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant properties due to the presence of bioactive compounds in it.
A qualitative phenomenological approach was used in this study to describe the lived experiences of Tagumpay National High School (TNHS) teachers on Online Learning Action Cell (LAC) session. LAC is a school-based professional development for teachers implemented by the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd). Due to teacher’s lack of participation on classroom LAC, a fully-online mode option is explored by offering TNHS teachers Online LAC session using Facebook as a Learning Management System (LMS). To capture the lived experience of teachers, an in-depth interview with a purposive sample of one TNHS teacher is done in the process. The data gathered went through “Hycner’s Explicitation Process” (1999, in Groenewald, 2004) which includes bracketing, delineating, clustering, summarizing and extracting unique themes. Validity and Credibility were accomplished through an intercoder agreement between researchers, Facebook chat records, bracketing, and member checking. Results identified three themes in relation to teacher’s experience of Online LAC session including usefulness, barriers, and preference. Findings revealed the major role of TNHS teacher’s context on how Online LAC is utilized. Recommendations include administrator and expert teacher working with classroom teachers and the inclusion of teachers’ voices as input in the program design, implementation and evaluation stages of Online LAC to better address curriculum needs and facilitate the delivery of high-quality professional development for teachers’ professional growth.
Background: Clubfoot known as Congenital Talipes Equino Varus Deformity (CTEV) is one of the most common congenital foot deformities. Affect 1-2/1000 live births worldwide. Males are more affected with Club foot compared to female. Idiopathic clubfeet was considered 80% as isolated birth defects and 20% are syndromic or neurogenic. Objective: 1. To estimate the demographic characteristics of patients with clubfoot at FMIC, Kabul, Afghanistan from 2011 to July 2016. 2. To determine the outcomes of Turco’s Procedure for idiopathic clubfoot among children from 2011 to July 2016 at Paediatric Orthopaedic Department of FMIC, Kabul, Afghanistan.Methodology: A descriptive case series study design is used to determine the outcomes of Turco’s Procedure for idiopathic clubfoot among children at Paediatric Orthopaedic Department of French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), Kabul, Afghanistan during January 2011 to July 2016. Records of 99 participants with 151 feet who had undergone Turco’s procedure were clinically and radiologically assessed and followed for 3 years. Self-developed structured questionnaire was used by applying consecutive sampling technique. Age range of the study participants was from nine months to five years. The descriptive analysis was done, using SPSS Version 22. Mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for Quantitative continuous/discrete variables. Frequency and proportions were calculated for categorical variables. T- test for two independent samples and Chi-square test also were run for few variables.Result: Out of 99 participants, 67(67.7%) males and 32(32.3%) females were affected; males were affected twice as often as girls. 52 (52.5%) participants were bilaterally, 26 (26.3%) Right side and 21 (21.2%) were Left side affected. 25 (25.3%) participants had positive family history. Hospital length of stay at hospital was 1.7 days (1 to 7 days). Participant’s feet were assessed clinically and radiologically. The results showed that Turco’s procedure in 79.8% of participants was successful and 20.2% of them had developed some kinds of complications. Family satisfaction rate was 89% found in the study. Conclusion: Clubfoot is one of the most common congenital foot deformities and patients with idiopathic clubfoot can be successfully treated in most of the cases by Turco’s procedure; Outcome of the surgery will be better if patient gets treatment at appropriate age. Overall, an 80% success rate of Turco’s procedure was found in this study