@article {2603, title = {Green-Synthesized Copper Nanoparticles from Azadirachta Indica for Antimicrobial Applications and Potential Visible-Light- Assisted Organic Load Reduction of POME}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {18}, year = {2026}, month = {June 2026}, pages = {129-138}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {129}, abstract = {

Objective: Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is a high-strength agro-industrial wastewater of serious environmental concern due to its high organic load and microbial contamination. Methods: Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized using Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract and copper sulfate at different extract-to-metal salt ratios (1:1 and 2:1). The formation of CuNPs was confirmed by color change, FESEM, and EDX analyses. POME samples were collected from two treatment stages (raw and acidification ponds), and bacteria were isolated and identified using morphological, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. The antimicrobial activity of CuNPs at two concentrations (0.008 g and 0.016 g) was evaluated against isolated bacterial strains (Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Stenotrophomonas spp.) using the agar well diffusion method. Results: The synthesized CuNPs ranged from 11{\textendash}40 nm in size, confirming the presence of elemental copper with bioorganic capping. Antibacterial activity increased with CuNP loading, with the maximum inhibition zone (50 mm) observed for Bacillus spp. using CuNPs synthesized from a 0.1 M precursor solution and 0.016 g nanoparticle dose. At higher precursor concentrations (1.0 M), aggregation of nanoparticles occurred, leading to reduced antibacterial efficiency. Neem-CuNPs therefore demonstrated strong antimicrobial (disinfection) activity, while photocatalytic effects were observed as a secondary, light-assisted reduction of organic content rather than direct biodegradation. Conclusion: The green-synthesized CuNPs offer an eco-friendly and effective antimicrobial strategy for managing POME-associated bacteria. These findings provide a basis for future work combining CuNPs with biological systems to enhance wastewater remediation.

}, keywords = {Antimicrobial activity, Azadirachta indica, Copper nanoparticles, Disinfection, Green synthesis, Wastewater treatment}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2026.18.126}, author = {Anu Avudaiappan and Krittika Chandran and Sajna Keeyari Purayil and Abiramy Krishnan and Maimuna Gai and Aishath Aala Rasheed and Soh Lee May and Nur Izzah Bt Tohar and Jamal Moideen Muthu Mohamed} } @article {2461, title = {Marrubium vulgare Leaf Extract-Assisted Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: Optimization, Characterization and In Vitro Exploration of Their Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Anti- Inflammatory Potential}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {January 2025}, pages = {7-21}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {7}, abstract = {

Background: Biogenic metal nanoparticles are gaining popularity due to their remarkable biomedical properties, which provide hope in the fight against various diseases. Objective: This research produced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from an aqueous extract of Marrubium vulgare leaves by a simple, onestep, bottom-up green route. For the first time in the literature, the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory potentials of AgNPs obtained using leaves of Marrubium vulgare are investigated. Methods and results: The optimal conditions for biosynthesis were 80 {\textdegree}C reaction temperature, 60 min incubation time, 2 mM AgNO3, and 100 μL extract volume. The FTIR results indicated that the distinct functional groups found in M. vulgare extract were also present in AgNPs, confirming their critical role in silver bioreduction and AgNP capping. The biosynthesized AgNPs were crystalline, with face-centered cubic geometry, according to XRD analysis. DLS analysis asserted that the constructed AgNP{\textquoteright}s average size was 34.58 nm, whereas SEM/TEM revealed their spherical morphology. The AgNPs produced through biosynthesis inhibited microbial proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. They exhibited bactericidal attributes against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with MIC values ranging from 0.041 to 5.312 μg/mL and MBCs from 0.083 to 5.312 μg/mL. Furthermore, the AgNPs exhibited fungicidal activity against three Candida albicans strains, with MIC and MFC respective values recorded at 2.656 and 2.656-5.312 μg/mL. Additionally, the biosynthesized AgNPs demonstrated significant antioxidant potency compared to ascorbic acid and the extract. Their potent in vitro anti-inflammatory effect, attributed to the inhibition of BSA denaturation, was directly proportional to the AgNP concentration, with a maximum inhibition of 86.14\% observed at 200 μg/mL. Conclusion: Therefore, the findings suggest that AgNPs have promising applications in combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and might be utilized as potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

}, keywords = {Biological activities, Characterization, Green synthesis, Marrubium vulgare, Silver nanoparticles}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.2}, author = {Sarra Abbad and Nadia Aissaoui and Fatima Zahra Gana} } @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 {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 {1991, title = {Development and Evaluation of Bio fabricated Silver Nanoparticles from Blumea lacera for In-vitro Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {April 2023}, pages = {266-278}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {266}, abstract = {

Background: Increasing prevalence of microbial resistance and side effects of currently available drugs compels the researchers to look for alternate therapies and formulations to overcome this problem. Plant based formulations have been proved to be most reliable agents in recent times. Objective: In the current study, bio fabricated herbal silver nanoparticles (HSNPs) were prepared by reducing silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution with ethyl acetate fractions (EAF) of Blumea lacera extracts. These bios conjugated HSNPs were then assessed for potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities along with in vitro antioxidant effect. Methods and Results: The synthesis was confirmed by absorbance peak at 441 nm due to surface plasmon resonance in UV-visible spectrophotometer. FTIR spectra of HSNPs indicated the phytochemicals having C-O bond responsible for reducing of Ag+ to Ago. Average size of HSNPs was found to be 59.21 nm which was in good agreement with TEM and SEM results. EDS analysis showed the existence of Silver, Nitrogen and Carbon in HSNPs. The antibacterial activity of HSNPs in terms of zone of inhibition (ZOI) via disc diffusion assay and against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was found to be 25.0{\textpm}1.19 mm and 18.3{\textpm}2.08 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of HSNPs was found to be 50 μg/ml and 60 μg/ml against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of the HSNPs was insignificant as compared to EAF but the results of anti-inflammatory activity was significant (p\<0.05). Conclusion: The overall result demonstrated better in-vitro pharmacological potential of HSNPs compared to neat extract/EAF. Key words: Green synthesis, Phytopharmaceuticals, Inflammation, Kukrounda, HPTLC.

}, keywords = {Green synthesis, HPTLC., Inflammation, Kukrounda, Phytopharmaceuticals}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2023.15.38}, author = {Tarkeshwar Dubey and Kancharla Bhanukiran and Kuna Das and Siva Hemalatha} } @article {1254, title = {Anti-inflammatory and Cytotoxic Effect of Arrow Root Mediated Selenium Nanoparticles}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {September 2020}, pages = {1363-1367}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {1363}, abstract = {

Nanoparticles serve to reduce toxicity, enhance bioactivity and improve targeting. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are explored because of it{\textquoteright}s unique characteristics and various known therapeutic benefits such as antioxidants activities and reducing risk of cancer. In this study, arrow root which is a starch obtained from tapioca or cassava is mediated with SeNPs and studied for it{\textquoteright}s anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effect. The plant extract of arrow root was prepared and mixed with the sodium selenite solution. The solution is kept in a magnetic stirrer while being observed for any colour change. The synthesis of nanoparticles is observed using UV-vis spectrophotometry. Then the anti-inflammatory activity is observed using albumin denaturation assay and cytotoxic analysis conducted on brine shrimp nauplii. The results showed that there was a lower toxicity rate of SeNPs and significant anti-inflammatory activity which concludes that these nanoparticles can be used in various drug designing aspects in future.

}, keywords = {Anti-inflammatory, Brine shrimp, Green synthesis, Selenium nanoparticles}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.188}, author = {Twinkle Francis and S Rajeshkumar and Anita Roy and T Lakshmi} }