Biosynthesized nano-composites, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), can be engineered to function as smart nano-biomedicine platforms for the detection and management of diverse ailments, such as infectious diseases and cancer. This study determined the eco-friendly fabrication of silver nanoparticles using Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. flower buds and their efficacy against antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The UV-Visible spectrum was found at 413 nm showing a typical resonance spectrum for L. speciosa flower bud extract-assisted silver nanoparticles (Ls-AgNPs). Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the presence of amines, halides, and halogen compounds, which were involved in the reduction and capping agent of AgNP formation. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the face-centered cubic crystals of NPs. Energy dispersive X-ray verified the weight of 39.80% of silver (Ag), TEM analysis revealed the particles were spherical with a 10.27 to 62.5 nm range, and dynamic light scattering recorded the average particle size around 58.5 nm. Zeta potential showed a significant value at −39.4 mV, and finally, thermo-gravimetric analysis reported higher thermal stability of Ls-AgNPs. Further, the obtained Ls-AgNPs displayed good antimicrobial activity against clinical pathogens. In addition, a dose-dependent decrease in the anticancer activity by MTT assay on the osteosarcoma (MG-63) cell line showed a decrease in the cell viability with increasing in the concentration of Ls-AgNPs with an IC₅₀ value of 37.57 µg/mL. Subsequently, an apoptotic/necrosis study was conducted with the help of Annexin-V/PI assay, and the results indicated a significant rise in early and late apoptosis cell populations. Therefore, green synthesized Ls-AgNPs were found to have potent antimicrobial and anticancer properties making them fascinating choices for future bio-medical implementations.

Green nanoparticle (NPs) synthesis is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and the NPs have demonstrated improved biocompatibility for use in healthcare. This study evaluated the biogenic synthesis of AgNPs from the leaves of Cardamine hirsuta L. and their biological properties. The UV-Vis. spectra at 411 nm exhibited a distinct resonance spectrum for C-AgNPs produced from C. hirsuta L. FT-IR analysis exhibited the presence of functional groups of phyto-compounds of C. hirsuta responsible of silver salt reduction and capping agents of C-AgNPs. The microscopic-based study, such as HR-TEM analysis, showed that the particles were uniformly distributed, spherical, and ranged in size from 5.36 to 87.65 nm. EDX analysis confirmed a silver (Ag) content of 36.3% by weight, and XRD analysis exhibited the face-centred cubic (FCC) crystalline nature of C-AgNPs. DLS measured the mean particle size of 76.5 nm. The zeta potential was significant at −27.9 mV, and TGA analysis revealed that C-AgNPs had higher thermal stability. C-AgNPs demonstrated moderate antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. In addition, the anti-proliferative activity measured by the MTT assay on the Caco-2 cell line demonstrated decreased cell viability with increasing C-AgNPs dosage, with an IC₅₀ concentration of 49.14 µg/mL. In addition, an Annexin-V/Propidium iodide flow cytometric study was utilized to evaluate the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Early and late apoptosis cell populations increased significantly compared to the untreated control. Therefore, green-synthesized C-AgNPs have significant antimicrobial and anti-proliferative abilities, making them intriguing options for future biomedical applications.

Background and Objectives: Saussurea lappa (S. lappa) is an important species of the Asteraceae family with several purposes in traditional medicine. This study intended to explore the cytotoxic effect of S. lappa on HepG2 cancer cell proliferation. Materials and Methods: The effects of an S. lappa n-butanol extract on the induction of apoptosis were investigated by flow cytometry and mitochondrial cytochrome C-releasing apoptosis assay. Additionally, real-time PCR was employed to confirm apoptosis initiation. Further, qualitative estimation of the active constituent of S. lappa was done by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS). Results: The cell viability study revealed that the n-butanol extract of S. lappa demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 56.76 μg/mL. Cell morphology with dual staining of acridine orange (AO)-ethidium bromide (EB) showed an increase in orange/red nuclei due to cell death by S. lappa n-butanol extract compared to control cells. Apoptosis, as the mode of cell death, was also confirmed by the higher release of cytochrome C from mitochondria, the increased expression of caspase-3 and bax, along with down regulation of Bcl-2. Conclusion: These findings conclude that S. lappa is a cause of hepatic cancer cell death through apoptosis and a potential natural source suggesting furthermore investigation of its active compounds that are responsible for these observed activities.

The consistent increase in multidrug resistance among pathogens and increased cancer incidence are serious public health concerns and threaten humans by killing countless lives. In the present study, Talaromyces pinophilus CJ15 was characterized and evaluated for its antibacterial, candidicidal and cytotoxic activities. The selected isolate Talaromyces pinophilus CJ15 with 18S rRNA gene sequence of 1021 base pairs exhibited antifungal activity on plant pathogens via dual culture. The GC-MS profiling of crude extract illustrated the existence of many bioactive macromolecules which include squalene belonging to the terpenoids family. The biological macromolecules in the bioactive fraction of CJ15 exhibited increasing antibacterial activity with an increase in concentration such that the highest activity was recorded against Shigella flexneri with 15, 18, 20, and 24 mm inhibition zones at 25, 50, 75 and 100 μl concentrations, respectively. The squalene, having a molecular weight of 410.718 g/mol, displayed candidicidal activity with a right-side shifted log phase in the growth curve of all the treated Candida species, indicating delayed exponential growth. In cytotoxic activity, the extracted squalene exhibited an IC₅₀ concentration of 26.22 μg/ml against JURKAT cells and induced apoptosis-induced cell death. This study's outcomes encourage the researchers to explore further the development of new and improved bioactive macromolecules that could help to prevent infections and human blood cancer.