Senna alata (L.) Roxb., of the family Fabaceae, is a stress resilient shrubby plant of leguminous group with diazotrophic bacterial association that grows naturally in wastelands and has significant phytoremediation potential against toxic heavy metals. It plays important ecological service by attracting the honey bees and other wild bees with its bright yellow flowers to provide forages. Moreover, capacity of S. alata to produce considerable biomass with profuse branching systems in adverse soil condition and seeds that remain viable for several years make it distinctively potential candidate for modifying the unfavourable soil condition of wastelands. However, plants that have great ethnomedicinal and economic importance as per available literature are considered as more promising for the optimum use of degraded sites for the economic development of the local people by implementing favourable agronomic practices. S. alata fulfils these criteria too as it is traditionally known for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial and antidiabetic properties. Again, recently this plant has been reported as potential alternative source for producing commercially important cellulose. However, there is lack of information in available literature describing the potential of S. alata as a stress resilient candidate worth to be used for creation of vegetation cover over degraded wastelands. Therefore, here, we review the prospectives of S. alata to explore its feasibility for creating vegetation cover to improve soil quality in wastelands, which will be helpful to plant scientists, environmentalists, and pharmacologists.

According to Siddha pathology fever is classified as 64 types based on origin. Astabhairava Mathirai (ABM) is a Siddha metallo-mineral formulation traditionally used to treat 64 types of fever. Despite its historical significance, scientific validation of its safety is crucial for its acceptance in modern medicine. This study aims to assess the quality parameters of Asta bhairava mathirai based on PLIM Guidelines. The Astabhairava Mathirai was subjected to physiochemical analysis, Biochemical analysis, HPTLC and safety analysis like aflatoxin, pesticide residue, Microbial contamination, and heavy metals. The physicochemical analysis showed total ash (6.76%), acid-insoluble ash (1.14 %), pH (3.23), friability (0.020%), Water Extractive (26.95%), Alcohol Extractive (32.84%), hardness (1.0 kg/cm2), disintegration time (45 minutes). The biochemical analysis showed the presence of sulphide, sodium, iron, calcium, reducing sugar, and alkaloid. The safety studies viz., aflatoxin, pesticide residue, microbial contamination and heavy metals analysis revealed that the test drug ABM is within the AYUSH permissible limits. The HPTLC analysis showed the presence of 10 versatile phytochemical. Thus, the study reveals that the Astabhairava Mathirai has significant quality and safety. Consequently, these parameters can serve in the study of Astabhairava Mathirai as an important Siddha medicinal preparation among the scientific forum.

Senecio dalzelii, a member of this genus, holds significant value in traditional medicine and ethnobotanical practices. However, the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of its essential oil (EO) remain underexplored. The EO was extracted from fresh aerial parts of S. dalzelii using hydro-distillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. Subsequent GC-MS profiling and phytochemical screening were performed to identify bioactive compounds. A total of 35 chemical compounds were identified, accounting for 91.68% of the total EO yield. The major constituents were Thymyl Methyl Ether (18.78%), 4-(2', 4', 4'-trimethyl-yciclo 4.1.0], hept-2'-en-3'-yl)-3-buten-2-one (9.9%), Estragole (7.64%), α-Curcumene (6.2%), (-)-δ-Cadinol (4.64%), Caryophyllene (4.24%). TLC profiles showed 8 bands with iodine vapor and 9 bands at 254 and 366 nm, respectively, indicating the diverse bioactive components. EOs found to be rich in phytochemicals with potential attributed to the inclusion of flavonoids (9.16 μg quercetin equivalents mg⁻¹ EO), and total phenols (3.41 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) mg⁻¹ EO). EO exhibited significant antioxidant activity, as measured by DPPH, showing an IC50 value of 1.06 mg/mL, and the Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) showed 59.41±2.38 μg ascorbic acid equivalent at 2 mg¹ EO, respectively. The EO also exhibited significant adulticidal efficacy against Callosobrochus maculatus; the LC50 and LC95 values of the EO were 8.89 and 17.58 μL/mL, respectively. This Study shows that S. dalzelii EO contains various phytochemicals, particularly thymyl methyl ether and phenolics, which contribute to its significant antioxidant and insecticidal properties. Therefore, these findings suggest potential use of S. dalzellii EO as a natural antioxidant and biopesticide for agro-pharmaceutical or biocontrol applications.

Natural dyes are derived from plant parts such as roots, stems, leaves, bark, flowers, fruits and seeds. Either it can be produced as powder format or extract of the specific parts can be utilized. One of the major causes in the current scenario is synthetic dye effluent production, which can be alternatively changed by using plant extracts as natural dye and fixative agents called natural mordants. Three different plant sources selected for natural colourant extraction such as curcumin pigment from rhizome of Curcuma longa L., anthocyanin pigment from petals of Caesalphinia pulcherrima Sw. and Clitoria ternatea L. were extracted by adding the juice of Citrus limonum L. used as a citric acid natural solvent, citric acid crystals and water were used as solvent to extract dyes and seeds of Terminalia chebula used as natural mordant. The cotton fabric was dipped in fixative plant extracts, dried after some time and it is immersed in plant extracts of natural dye. Then, the fabric was examined under washing fastness and light fastness tests of the different natural dyes with Terminalia chebula seeds powder mordant application, which showed better results in the dye Curcuma longa L. The current study emphasises eco-friendliness and economic usefulness to the textile industries.

Fish are a vital source of protein and nutrients, but their health is threatened by oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antioxidant effect of different extracts of Jackfruit seed parts viz. Jackfruit seed slimy sheath powder (JSS), Jackfruit seed slimy sheath- pectin (SSP), Jackfruit seed brown tegmen powder (JST), and the fleshy white jackfruit seed extract (jackfruit seed without any protective coat) (JSE) on ferrous sulphate-induced lipid peroxidation in Anabas testudineus hepatocytes. Using an in vitro model, fish hepatocytes were treated with varying concentrations of extracts and incubated for 30 and 60 minutes. The results showed that these extracts exhibited protective effect against oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation products (MDA and CD) and modulating antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT). The order of protective activity was JSE > SSP > JSS > JST, with effects being temporal and concentration-dependent response. SSP and JSE exhibit maximum hepatoprotective activity against FeSO4-induced toxicity compared to the other extracts used in the study.

Integrin α5β1 plays an important role in promoting tumour metastasis in melanomas which have the highest mortality rate among all dermatological cancers. Interactions of fibronectin with integrin α5β1 activates cellular signalling through phosphatidylinositol 3’ kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathways. Synthetic inhibitors have been used for targeting integrins and integrin mediated signalling pathways but such therapies are often hindered by toxicity or by a lack of efficacy. In our present study, the effects of the phytochemical all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on integrin α5β1α5β1-fibronectin interactions and integrin α5β1 mediated signalling were studied using the metastatic murine melanoma cell line B16F10 as a model. Molecular docking indicated ATRA has higher binding affinity to integrin α5β1 (Δ ΔG = - 6.89 kcal/mole) in comparison to its synthetic inhibitor ATN-161 (ΔΔG = - 4.83 kcal/mole). ATRA also showed higher binding affinity to ERK and equal binding affinity to PI3K compared to their synthetic inhibitors ravoxertinib and alpelisib respectively. Treatment of B16F10 cells with ATRA (20 μM/ml) for 24 hours significantly inhibited integrin α5β1α5β1-fibronectin interactions (as shown by cell adhesion assays), integrin α5 expression, phosphorylation of ERK, PI3K and MMP-2 expression (as shown by ELISA). Treatment of cells with ATRA (20 μM/ml) also inhibited MMP-2 activity but increased expression of the MMP inhibitor TIMP-2. Inhibition of integrin α5β1α5β1-fibronection interactions and α5β1 mediated signalling through PI3K and ERK upon ATRA treatment could lower invasive potential of tumour cells by inhibiting MMP-2 expression and activity. Our studies thus indicate that ATRA has excellent potential as an inhibitor of integrin α5β1 and targeting integrin α5β1α5β1-fibronectin interactions and integrin α5β1 mediated signalling pathways for modulation of MMP-2 with ATRA could show good therapeutic potential for melanoma treatment.

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating the discovery of novel therapeutic agents to combat this disease. The present study focuses on identifying drug-like molecules with anticancer properties through an in silico approach, targeting the human topoisomerase I-DNA complex (PDB ID: 1A35), a critical enzyme in DNA replication and repair. The primary objectives were to evaluate the binding affinity and drug-likeness of selected ligands, including antibiotics (gentamicin and amikacin) and chemotherapeutic agents (irinotecan and topotecan), using computational tools. The protein structure was prepared and energy-minimized, while ligands were sketched using ChemDraw Ultra 8.0, converted to 3D forms, and energy-minimized using Chem3D Pro 8.0. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina PyRx, and interactions were visualized with Biovia Discovery Studio 2024 Client. The results revealed binding energies of -6.2 and -6.7 kcal/mol for amikacin and gentamicin, respectively, and -8.4 and -7.6 kcal/mol for irinotecan and topotecan, respectively, indicating strong interactions with the target protein. These findings underscore the potential of these compounds as promising candidates for anticancer drug development, particularly due to their favorable binding affinities and adherence to Lipinski’s Rule of Five. This study highlights the significance of computational approaches in accelerating drug discovery and provides a foundation for further experimental validation of these molecules as potential anticancer agents.

Despite the efficacy of cisplatin as a chemotherapeutic agent against various cancers, its clinical utility is limited by serious adverse reactions including nephrotoxicity. Various studies revealed that metformin is more than a simple antidiabetic agent. Metformin was found to improve inflammatory, and fibrotic renal damage. The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of metformin against cisplatin-induced acute renal injury in rats. 40 adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group. Group I (control group). Group ІІ animals receive metformin at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day by oral gavage for 10 days. Group ІІI animals receive a single injection of cisplatin intraperitoneally at a dose of 8 mg/kg. Group ІV animals receive cisplatin Plus metformin. At the end of the experiment, the kidneys were removed, weighed, and sampled for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical studies. Metformin decreased elevated serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and immunoexpression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax) induced by cisplatin. It increased reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and immunoexpression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl2). It also ameliorated the morphological changes induced by cisplatin. Cisplatin has nephrotoxic effects as indicated by biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical alterations. Metformin was found to have protective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through the improvement of kidney function, and histopathological changes in rat kidney.

Biofertilizer technology continues to be derailed by the short shelf life of inoculants. The survival efficiency of rhizobacterial inoculants in biofertilizer formulations dramatically depends on the choice of carrier material. The use of wastes as carriers for biofertilizer formulations is a commonly explored option because of their ready availability, cost-effectiveness and ability to affect soil health. The present study investigated the suitability of eggshell (ES) as a carrier for cow dung waste (CDC) and lignite (L) in the combined formulation of green chili plant growth using three rhizobacterial inoculants, namely, the N-fixing bacterium Enterobacter sp. GG1, the P-solubilizing bacterium Bacillus sonorensis GG2, and the K-solubilizing bacterium Lysinibacillus fusiformis GG3, under room-temperature conditions. The combination of eggshell and lignite supported the maximum viability of Enterobacter sp. GG1 (9.09±0.025 log CFU g-1), B. sonorensis GG2 (9.19±0.023025 log CFU g-1), and L. fusiformis GG3 (9.09±0.042025 log CFU g-1) under six-month room conditions. A new physiochemically formulated eggshell with an NPK consortium exhibited a significant correlation at the 0.05 significance level (2-tailed). Considering the results of this study on the optimization of green chili plants after two months of treatment under environmental conditions, the maximum growth of plants inoculated with the NPK consortium (ES+L) was 159.16% shoot and 40.58% root growth, with increased available plant nutrients in clayey soil (i.e., N 64.54±1.81 ppm, P 29.51±1.65 ppm, and K 73.95±6.43 ppm). The findings of this study highlight the potential of eggshell waste as a sustainable and effective carrier material for biofertilizer formulations, addressing waste management challenges to enhance rhizobacterial viability and improve nutrient availability in soil.

Phosphorus is crucial for plant growth and productivity, and its scarcity in soil negatively affects crop yields. A major portion of chemical phosphate fertilizer precipitates with soil minerals, making it unavailable for plant growth. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms play a pivotal role in enhancing phosphorus availability, facilitating better nutrient absorption, and ultimately boosting plant growth. This article presents a brief overview of the phosphorus status in Indian soil, discusses the various forms of phosphorus and its dynamics across different soil types, and analyses the factors involved, highlighting the importance of phosphorus management for sustainable agriculture. Physiological and molecular mechanisms of microbial phosphate solubilization provide deep insights into exploring PSMs for managing phosphorous in different soil types. It also provides a path for the necessity to explore the multifarious plant growth-promoting traits of PSMs underscoring its applicability for sustainable agricultural practices with viable economy. The mechanism of solubilization of phosphorus has been discussed to understand the role of microorganisms in different soils. The study highlights the role of significant microorganisms in developing tailored consortia of PSMs and other plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) based on the chemical composition of the soil, along with an integrated nutrient approach incorporating PSMs. This review offers valuable insights into harnessing PSMs and their practical applications, facilitating their broader adoption in agricultural systems to maintain soil health.