Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂NPs) have a broad scale of applications in the biomedical field due to their excellent physicochemical and catalytic properties. The present study aims to synthesize the CeO₂NPs from Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) leaf extract, which has been used in Indian traditional medicine for its neuroprotective properties. The CeO₂NPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The antioxidant property was evaluated by 2,2-di (4-tert-octyl phenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl and OH radical assays. The neuroprotective potential was assessed against the oxidative stress (OS) induced by H₂O₂ in the human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell line. CeO₂NPs exhibited significant DPPH and OH radical scavenging activity. Our results revealed that CeO₂NPs significantly increased H₂O₂-induced cell viability, decreased lactate dehydrogenase, protein carbonyls, reactive oxygen species generation, apoptosis, and upregulated antioxidant enzyme activity. Our findings suggest that the CeO₂NPs protect the SH-SY5Y cells from OS and apoptosis, which could potentially counter OS-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health concern and one of the gravest challenges to humanity today. Antibiotic resistance has been acquired by certain bacterial strains. As a result, new antibacterial drugs are urgently required to combat resistant microorganisms. Species of Trichoderma are known to produce a wide range of enzymes and secondary metabolites that can be exploited for the synthesis of nanoparticles. In the present study, Trichoderma asperellum was isolated from rhizosphere soil and used for the biosynthesis of ZnO NPs. To examine the antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs against human pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used. The obtained antibacterial results show that the biosynthesized ZnO NPs were efficient antibacterial agents against the pathogens E. coli and S. aureus, with an inhibition zone of 3–9 mm. The ZnO NPs were also effective in the prevention of S. aureus biofilm formation and adherence. The current work shows that the MIC dosages of ZnO NPs (25, 50, and 75 μg/mL) have effective antibacterial activity and antibiofilm action against S. aureus. As a result, ZnO NPs can be used as a part of combination therapy for drug-resistant S. aureus infections, where biofilm development is critical for disease progression.

The main aim of this work is to provide basic data on the aspects of pro-oxidant and antioxidant processes in different life stages of Eudrilus eugeniae. The levels of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), along with the byproducts of lipid and protein oxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC), content were determined in the whole body of juvenile, sub-adult and adult earthworms. The SOD activity significantly (P < 0.05) decreased during development from juvenile to adult, while CAT activity showed an increase with advancing age. The MDA content significantly increased in the adult compared to other age groups. The protein carbonyl content showed insignificant changes with respect to age. Our results suggest that the decline in SOD activity coupled with increased levels of MDA implicate the susceptibility of older animals to oxidative stress.

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Decalepis hamiltonii?(Dh) aqueous root extract and its compounds against age-related oxidative stress?(OS) in the discrete regions of the rat brain. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats of 4-?and 22-month-old were divided into control and six supplemented groups. The supplemented groups were orally administered with ellagic acid?(EA), 4-hydroxyisophthalic acid?(4-HIA), and Dh extract for 30?days. Results: Age-related decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities was noticed. The hippocampus was found to be more vulnerable to OS as seen by the elevation in the OS markers. Supplementation of the Dh extract, EA, and 4-HIA was found to be effective in up-regulating the antioxidant status. However, the extent of up-regulation was more evident in Dh supplemented animals. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Dh extract and its compounds exhibit neuroprotective effects against age-related OS and can be used as a dietary therapeutic intervention for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Purpose: 4-Hydroxyisophthalic acid (4-HIA) is a bioactive compound present in the roots of Decalepis hamiltonii, which has attracted considerable attention in attenuating oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases. However, its efficacy is limited because of its low solubility and bioavailability. Therefore, the present study aimed to encapsulate 4-HIA using biocompatible copolymer polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and evaluate its antioxidant and neuroprotective potential. Methods: The nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by solid/oil/water (s/o/w) emulsion technique and characterized using XRD, SEM, HR-TEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. Antioxidant assays such as 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability were performed to assess the antioxidant potential of the fabricated NPs. Results: The bioactive component, 4-HIA, was efficiently encapsulated by the PLGA polymer and was found to be spherical and smooth with a size < 10nm. 4-HIA showed better scavenging capability in DPPH and superoxide assays as compared to 4-HIA encapsulated PLGA and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In contrast, 4-HIA encapsulated PLGA NPs exhibited a significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than 4-HIA and BHT alone. Further, the encapsulated NPs efficiently curtailed hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that 4-HIA encapsulated PLGA NPs might be a therapeutic intervention towards the effective management of oxidative stress as it has exhibited efficient neuroprotective potential against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells.