Background: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a non-communicable, life-threatening syndrome that is present all over the world. The use of eco-friendly, cost-effective and green synthesised nanoparticles (NPs) as a medicinal therapy in the treatment of T2DM is an attractive option. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of the phyto-synthesised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained from Phagnalon niveum plant methanolic extract. Methods: The green synthesised AgNPs made from Phagnalon niveum plant methanolic extract were analysed by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and the functional groups involved in the reduction of the silver ions (Ag⁺) were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The size and crystallinity were assessed via X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The morphology of AgNPs was confirmed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The amount of silver (Ag) was estimated via energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. An intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg alloxan per kg albino Wistar rats’ body weight, at eight weeks old and weighing 140–150 g, was used to induce diabetes mellitus (N = 25; n = 5/group). Group C: untreated normal control rats that only received distilled water, group DAC: diabetic control rats that received alloxan 200 mg/Kg body weight, DG: diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide at 0.5 mg/kg body weight, DE: diabetic rats that received methanolic P. niveum extract at 10 mg/Kg body weight, and DAgNPs: diabetic rates that received AgNPs synthesised from P. niveum at 10 mg/kg body weight. The blood glucose levels were monitored on days 0, 7, and 14, while lipid, liver, and kidney profiles were checked after dissection at the end of treatment (day 21). On the final day of the period study (day 21), an oral glucose tolerance test was carried out by administering orally 2 g/kg body weight of glucose to the respective groups, and the blood glucose level was checked. A fasting glucose level was measured using a glucometer. Urine samples were collected from each animal and analysed using lab-made assay kits for glucose, bilirubin, pH, leukocytes, and nitrite, among other factors. For statistical analyses, a one-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s test were applied. Results: The green-mediated synthesis of AgNPs using P. niveum methanolic extract produced spherical and mono-dispersed NPs with a size ranging from 12 to 28 nm (average: 21 nm). Importantly, a significant reduction of blood glucose levels and an increase in body weight, as well as a remarkable improvement in lipid, liver, and kidney profiles, were noticed. Conclusions: The biosynthesised AgNPs significantly improved the abnormalities in body weight, urine, and serum levels, indicating that it is a promising anti-diabetic agent.

Background: Due to the high expense, less effectiveness and more side effects of available synthetic medicine, the researchers and communities are focusing on phyto-based natural bioactive compounds, which are considered safer for the treatment of syndromes and chronic diseases. Aim: The current project was aimed to determine the phytochemicals constituents available in the aerial parts of methanol extract of Carduus edelbergii via GC-MS, fabrication of AuNPs mediated with the mentioned extract; characterization and evaluation of antimicrobial, antioxidant and antidiabetic potency of the synthesized AuNPs. Methods: Confirmation of green synthesis of AuNPs, functional groups responsible for the reduction in Au⁺, size and crystallinity, morphology and quantity of gold (Au) were carried out by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and dispersive X-ray (EDX), respectively, whereas in vitro antioxidant characteristics were assessed by DPPH and ABTS assays. Wistar albino rats were used to test the anti-diabetic properties of the methanol extract and AuNPs. Results: GC-MS revealed that the diluted methanol extract of Carduus edelbergii consists of about 19 chemical constituents. Among the identified compounds, the 13-Docosenoic acid, methyl ester, (Z)—has the highest concentration (38.16%), followed by 9-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)—(15.72%) and n-Hexadecanoic acid (15.07%). Methanol extract and its fabricated nanoparticles showed significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In vivo antidiabetic study revealed a noteworthy (p < 0.05) decline in body weight and HDL and elevated concentration of blood glucose, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL, ALP, ALT and AST in diabetic control. The said changes were recovered significantly (p < 0.05) by treatment of diabetic rats with methanol extract (150 and 300 mg/Kg BW) and AuNPs of Carduus edelbergii (5 and 10 mg/Kg BW). Conclusion: The green synthesized AuNPs exhibit significant antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic characteristics.

In current scenario, plant‐mediated synthesis of nanoparticles has received significant interest owing to its cost‐effectiveness and eco‐friendly methods. This study was planned to find the potential of Carduus edelbergii Rech.f. extract for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their subsequent antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities. The prepared plant extract was analyzed for phytochemicals, elements, and nutrients. The fabricated AgNPs were characterized by spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized AgNPs and the Carduus edelbergii extract were investigated for their antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antifungal characteristics. The results showed that the plant extract contains a wide range of important nutrients and secondary metabolites. The synthesized AgNPs were crystalline and globular with an average diameter of 36.5 nm and exhibited a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak at roughly 420 nm. As compared to Carduus edelbergii extract, the phytofabricated AgNPs had an increased antioxidant and cytotoxic efficacy. The AgNPs showed substantial antibacterial action against Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Klebsiella aerogenes and Escherichia coli) bacteria. The findings revealed that the phytofabricated AgNPs could be an effective antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal for treatment of medical conditions.

Smaller cities struggle to achieve carbon-neutrality goals. In Finland, the goal is to reach carbon neutrality by 2035, which means that by and large the smaller cities need to address this target. Several measures to cut carbon emissions have been analyzed in different cities, but it seems that in most cases the reductions in the mobility sector are far behind the ambitious goals, and hence jeopardize the reaching of the 2035 milestone. However, many other improvements are possible regarding accessibility, equity, health, and affordability of urban mobility in smaller cities that have traditionally relied very heavily on private car use. It seems that one of the keys is the electrification of mobility while shifting energy production from fossil energy to cleaner forms, such as wind, hydro, and solar power in the future but more effective land/use policy in the long term.

The purpose of this paper is to study how smart mobility solutions in rural areas are addressing sustainability in their value propositions. A multi-case study was conducted on four smart mobility projects located in rural areas across Europe. The study evaluates how the value propositions include the dimensions of sustainability. The results show that the value propositions of the projects studied are mostly economic. Social and environmental value propositions are made mainly to end-user customer segments, but not to customer segments that can be regarded as organisational or institutional.