@article {2487, title = {Myricitrin-Mediated Biogenic Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis, Characterization, and its Antioxidant, Anticancer, and DNA Cleavage Activities}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {April 2025}, pages = {121-128}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {121}, abstract = {

Introduction: Myricitrin (MY) is a potent antioxidant flavonoid that has recently gained research interest due to its wide applications in food, cosmetics, and medicine. Objective: The current work reports MY, its isolation and characterization from Eugenia uniflora leaves, and green synthesis with AgNO3 to afford myricitrin-based silver nanoparticles (MY-Ag NPs). Materials and Methods: The biosynthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using UV, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods. Antioxidant, anti-cancer, and DNA cleavage activities were based on standard in vitro bioassay methods. Results: The UV-vis absorption peak at 430 nm suggests the formation of silver-based NPs. The FESEM imaging showed spherical-to-cubical shaped MY-Ag NPs with an average size of 45.35 nm. The EDX analysis showed the presence of elemental Ag (89.40\%) and N (10.22\%), suggesting a successful synthesis. The XRD analysis revealed various peaks at 38.37$^{0}$, 43.56$^{0}$, 63.76$^{0}$, and 77.77$^{0}$, which suggest metallic silver reflections, further establishing the crystallinity of NPs. The MY-Ag NPs inhibited O2 -, OH-, H2O2, and NO free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. At 50 and 80 μg/mL, it demonstrated a better inhibitory effect on OH- radical than L-ascorbic acid. The cytotoxicity (IC50) against human cancer cell lines of the kidney (ACHN) and the liver (HepG2) were 54.21 {\textpm} 0.06 μg/mL and 33.36 {\textpm} 2.25 μg/mL respectively at 48 h post-treatment. Lastly, at 20 mg/mL for 120 minutes, MY-Ag NPs cleaved DNA, acting as chemical nucleases. This may suggest its capacity to impede cancer cells by cleaving the genome. Conclusion: Therefore, this study has shown that Myricitrinbased Ag NPs possess notable antioxidant and cytotoxicity that can be further exploited in the search for newer anticancer agents.

}, keywords = {Anticancer, Antioxidant, DNA cleavage, Myricitrin, Silver nanoparticles}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.17}, author = {Pallab Kar and Ayodeji O. Oriola and Moganavelli Singh and Adebola O. Oyedeji} } @article {2533, title = {Natural Flavonoid Glycoside-Based Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Compound Isolation, Nanoparticle Green Synthesis, Characterization, and in vitro Antioxidant, Anti-hyperglycaemic and Anti-inflammatory Effects}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {September 2025}, pages = {531-541}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {531}, abstract = {

Introduction: Recent advances in effective and efficient drug delivery have favoured the biological applications of phytochemical-based metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). Objective: This study, therefore, utilized a flavonoid glycoside, Myricitrin (MY), isolated from Eugenia uniflora as a biogenic substance for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and evaluated the antioxidant, anti-hyperglycaemic, and anti-inflammatory potentials. Materials and Methods: Flavonoid glycoside was isolated from the leaf of E. uniflora following standard phytochemical techniques for extraction, solvent-partitioning, column chromatography, and thin-layer chromatography. The phytocompound was characterized by NMR and HRESI-MS methods. Zinc oxide NPs were green synthesized using the isolated flavonoid glycoside. The biogenic ZnONPs were characterized using UV-Vis, FESEM, EDX, and XRD techniques. The biological potential of the MY-ZnONPs was based on in vitro analysis. Nitric oxide (NO), H2O2, OH, and O2 - antioxidant methods were used. The anti-hyperglycaemic effect was based on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, while the egg albumin denaturation (EAD) method was used to determine the antiinflammatory effect. Results: Flavonoid glycoside was isolated and characterized as myricitrin from E. uniflora. The MY-ZnONPs were green synthesized as a greyish powder. The UV-Vis absorption peaks at 387 and 415 nm match the characteristic peaks for ZnONPs. The FESEM revealed petal-, irregular-, and spindle-shaped NPs of 30-80 nm size, which tend to agglomerate in clusters and bundles. The EDX analysis showed the elemental weight percentage of Zn and O to be 79.83\% and 18.51\%, respectively, indicating the successful formation of ZnO nanoparticles. The X-ray diffractogram showed the crystallinity of the NPs at 29.23$^{0}$, 36.25$^{0}$, 51.50$^{0}$, 63.67$^{0}$, 72.06$^{0}$, and 78.90$^{0}$. At 100 μg/mL, the NPs demonstrated a comparable 68\% inhibition of O2 - to Quercetin, the standard antioxidant. They inhibited EAD in a dose-de pendent manner, having >=75\% inhibition at 200 μg/mL. Finally, they exhibited notable anti-hyperglycaemic properties against α-amylase and α-glucosidase with IC50 of 89.24{\textpm}0.63 and 105.95{\textpm}0.05 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown MY-ZnONPs as a flavonoid glycoside-based metal oxide nanoparticle with notable antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

}, keywords = {Anti-inflammation, antihyperglycaemia, Antioxidant, Green synthesis, natural flavonoid glycosides, ZnO Nanoparticles}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.66}, author = {Pallab Kar and Ayodeji O. Oriola and Adebola O. Oyedeji} } @article {2501, title = {Synthesis and Characterization of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles using Medicinally important Nigella sativa L. (black Cumin) and their Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and DNA Cleavage Potentials}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {June 2025}, pages = {282-288}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {282}, abstract = {

Introduction: The application of nanotechnology in herbal medicine offers promising prospects for drug delivery by enabling targeted, controlled, and efficient delivery of medicinal ingredients, potentially minimizing side effects and improving treatment outcomes. Nigella sativa L. (black Cumin) seed infusions are useful in Asian and African ethnomedicines in remedying stress and inflammatory-related ailments. Objective: On this premise, black Cumin-based silver nanoparticles (BC-Ag NP) were developed and evaluated for their biological potential. Materials and Methods: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were green synthesized using the seed aqueous extract of black cumin (BC). The BC-AgNPs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), highresolution transmission electron microscopy analysis (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The biological potential of the NPs was based on NO, H2O2, {\textbullet}OH, and O2 {\textbullet}{\textendash} radical scavenging antioxidant, egg albumin denaturation (anti-inflammatory), and DNA cleavage assay methods. Results: The SEM and FESEM revealed spherical-to-cubical-shaped ultrafine BC-Ag NPs with a size of less than 100 nm. The HR-TEM micrograph confirmed each NP to be spherical in shape and within the 10-50 nm range. The X-ray diffractogram showed the crystallinity of the NPs with a sharp peak at 38.12{\textdegree} [reflection index (111)] at an average size of 47 nm. The transformation of metallic silver into elemental silver was validated by EDX analysis, with 97.58\% elemental Ag at ~3 keV acute curve. The BC-Ag NPs showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity, with IC50 of 87.56 {\textpm} 1.54 and 110.5 {\textpm} 2.27 μg/mL against H2O2 and O2 ._ free radicals, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity of the NPs was one-third the potency of Diclofenac sodium (standard drug) at IC50 of 103.44 {\textpm} 5.35 μg/mL. Finally, the BC-Ag NPs acted as chemical nucleases to cleave DNA at a 20 mg/mL concentration for 120 minutes. Conclusion: This study has shown that AgNPs biosynthesized with black Cumin seed extract possess notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and DNA cleavage properties and, thus, may be a useful nanomaterial for efficient pharmaceutical delivery.

}, keywords = {Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, DNA cleavage, Nigella sativa, Silver nanoparticles}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.35}, author = {Ayodeji O. Oriola and Pallab Kar and Adebola O. Oyedeji} } @article {2529, title = {Synthesis and Characterization of Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Eugenia uniflora Extract and its Anticancer Potential}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {August 2025}, pages = {506-510}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {506}, abstract = {

Introduction: Green synthesized nanoparticles have continued to be an important bioresource, exhibiting targeted delivery to diseases{\textquoteright} active sites with considerable eco-friendliness and effectiveness. Objective: In this study, the medicinally useful Eugenia uniflora L. through green synthesis with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), was potentiated for its anticancer activity. Materials and Methods: The leaf aqueous extract of E. uniflora (EU) was biosynthesized with zinc acetate dihydrate precursor to develop EU-ZnONPs. Characterization was based on field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The anticancer potential of EU-ZnONPs was based on MTT-based cytotoxicity (CC50) against human cancerous (HepG2 and ACHN) cell lines. Results: The FESEM revealed spherical-to-cubical shaped EU-ZnONPs with 40 and 80 nm average size ranges. Further microscopic evaluation by HRTEM showed that the bulk of the nanoparticles (NPs) are spherical, ranging from 5{\textendash}30 nm in size. The UV-Vis absorption peak at 387 nm agreed with the characteristic 300-400 nm peak range of biogenic ZnONPs. The presence of Zn and O at elemental weight percentages of 73.55 and 23.05\% confirmed the successful green synthesis of the Eu-ZnONPs. At 48 h post-treatment, the cytotoxicity against HepG2 and ACHN cancer cell lines was concentration-dependent, with CC50 values of 54.21 {\textpm} 0.06 μg/mL and 33.36 {\textpm} 2.25 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: This study has shown that EUZnONPs possess notable cytotoxicity against HepG2 and ACHN cancer cells, thus suggesting E. uniflora extract-based ZnONPs as a promising anticancer bioresource.

}, keywords = {Anticancer, Eugenia uniflora, Green synthesis, ZnO Nanoparticles}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.63}, author = {Pallab Kar and Ayodeji O. Oriola and Adebola O. Oyedeji} } @article {2454, title = {Citrus Extract-Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Capacity to Attenuate Free Radicals and Inflammation}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {December 2024}, pages = {1222-1233}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {1222}, abstract = {

Introduction: The exploitation of plant materials for the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) for biological applications, is considered an eco-friendly technology because it does not involve the use of toxic chemicals. Objective: The study was carried out to synthesize citrus extract-mediated ZnO NPs and evaluate their free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory capacity. Materials and Methods: ZnO NPs were green synthesized, using the peel and leaf aqueous extracts of three citrus plants: Nova mandarin, Satsuma mandarin and Eureka lemon. The citrus extract based ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, microscopy (SEM and TEM), EDX and XRD analyses. They were screened against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) free radicals. Finally, their inhibitory effects against egg albumin denaturation (EAD) were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: The six afforded biogenic NPs consistently exhibited FTIR vibrational band around 500 cm-1, which is characteristics of a metal oxide (Zn-O) band. They also showed UV-Vis absorption peaks at 387 and 415 nm, suggesting the formation of ZnO NPs. Nova mandarin peel (NMP) ZnO NPs exhibited the best DPPH and NO radical scavenging activities, with 50\% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 7.61{\textpm}0.69 and 19.93{\textpm}0.40 μg/mL, respectively. It also gave the best inhibition against EAD, with an IC50 of 14.80{\textpm}1.29 μg/mL. Morphological assessment of NMP extract-based ZnO NPs revealed rod-shaped particles at 35-50 nm range. Conclusion: It has been shown through this study that citrus extract based ZnO NPs, especially those prepared with NMP, may have the capacity to attenuate free radical release and inflammation in biological systems.

}, keywords = {Anti-inflammatory capacity, Citrus plants, Free Radical Scavenging Activity, Nova mandarin, Zinc oxide nanoparticle green synthesis}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2024.16s.236}, author = {Tabisa Diniso and Ayodeji O. Oriola and Gugulethu M. Miya and Simon K. Kuria and Yiseyon S. Hosu and Opeoluwa O. Oyedeji and Mike O. Ojemaye and Ludwe Majiza and Jerry O. Adeyemi and Adebola O. Oyedeji} } @article {979, title = {Correlation of Total Phenolic, Flavonoid and Tannin Content of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) (Crassulaceae) Extract with the Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activities}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {September 2019}, pages = {1003-1009}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1003}, abstract = {

Bryophyllum pinnatum is a perennial herb used in traditional medicine against varieties of ailments such as memory disorder. This study quantitatively estimated the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and total proautocyanidin (TPA) contents of extract and fractions of B. pinnatum and correlated them with its antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities. Methanolic extract of the dried leaves was partitioned into n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. Total phenolic, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins content were estimated as gallic acid or quercetin equivalents. DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging activity as well as ferric reducing power assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activity, using 2,6-di-tert-butyl- 4-methylphenol (DDM) and ascorbic acid as standards. In vitro anticholinesterase activity was evaluated by Ellmann{\textquoteright}s colorimetry assay with phsiostigmine (serine) and donepezil as positive control. The crude methanol extract had the highest phenolic, flavonoid and tannin content. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC50 0.004 mg/ml) while the aqueous fraction had the highest NO scavenging and ferric reducing effects with values of IC50 0.012 mg/ml and 0.007 mg/ml respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction had the best cholinesterase inhibitory effect (IC50 0.951 μg/ml AChE; 3.546 μg/ml BuChE). DPPH radical scavenging effect correlated strongly with total phenolic, flavonoids and proautocyanidins (r2 0.896, 0.651 and 0.619 respectively) while ferric reducing power showed weak correlation and NO scavenging as well as AChE inhibition had no correlation. The study shows DPPH radical scavenging could be due to the phenolic content while other class of compounds are responsible for the cholinesterase inhibition.

}, keywords = {Anticholinesterase, Antioxidant, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Total flavonoids, Total Phenolics}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.158}, author = {Taiwo O. Elufioye and Damilare M. Olusola and Adebola O. Oyedeji} }