The ability of organisms and organic compounds to reduce metal ions and stabilize them into nanoparticles (NPs) forms the basis of green synthesis. To date, synthesis of NPs from various metal ions using a diverse array of plant extracts has been reported. However, a clear understanding of the mechanism of green synthesis of NPs is lacking. Although most studies have neglected to analyze the green-synthesized NPs (GNPs) for the presence of compounds derived from the extract, several studies have demonstrated the conjugation of sugars, secondary metabolites, and proteins in these biogenic NPs. Despite several reports on the bioactivities (antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, catalytic, etc.) of GNPs, only a handful of studies have compared these activities with their chemically synthesized counterparts. These comparisons have demonstrated that GNPs possess better bioactivities than NPs synthesized by other methods, which might be attributed to the presence of plant-derived compounds in these NPs. The ability of NPs to bind with organic compounds to form a stable complex has huge potential in the harvesting of precious molecules and for drug discovery, if harnessed meticulously. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of green synthesis and high-throughput screening of stabilizing/capping agents on the physico-chemical properties of GNPs is warranted to realize the full potential of green nanotechnology.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are submicron particles with 1- 100 nm lengths in two or three dimensions. NPs released as nanomaterial-containing wastes from household, industrial and medical products are emerging as a new threat to the environment. Plants, being fixed to the two major environmental sinks where NPs accumulate ¬— namely water and soil, cannot escape the impact of nanopollution. Recent studies have shown that plant growth, development and physiology are significantly affected by NPs. But, the effect of NPs on plant secondary metabolism is still obscure. The induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following interactions with NPs has been observed consistently across plant species. Taking into account the existing link between ROS and secondary signaling messengers that lead to transcriptional regulation of secondary metabolism, in this perspective we put forward the argument that ROS induced in plants upon their interaction with NPs will likely interfere with plant secondary metabolism. As plant secondary metabolites play vital roles in plant performance, communication and adaptation, a comprehensive understanding of plant secondary metabolism in response to NPs is an utmost priority.

Objectives: In this review, we aim at updating the available information on the improvement of the Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae) phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties via elicitation. Key findings: Hypericum perforatum seedlings, shoots, roots, calli and cell suspension cultures were treated with diverse elicitors to induce the formation of secondary metabolites. The extracts of the elicitor-treated plant material containing naphthodianthrones, phloroglucinols, xanthones, flavonoids and other new compounds were quantitatively analysed and tested for their bioactivities. While hypericins were mainly produced in H. perforatum cultures containing dark nodules, namely shoots and seedlings, other classes of compounds such as xanthones, phloroglucinols and flavonoids were formed in all types of cultures. The extracts obtained from elicitor-treated samples generally possessed better bioactivities compared to the extract of control biomass. Summary: Although elicitation is an excellent tool for the production of valuable secondary metabolites in H. perforatum cell and tissue cultures, its exploitation is still in its infancy mainly due to the lack of reproducibility and difficulties in scaling up biomass production.

Erlotinib-HCl is a quinazoline derivative used as a drug in the therapy of non-small-cell lung cancer. The present study was conducted to compare the subacute toxicity induced by Erlotinib-HCl delivered to rats as nanoparticles and as free drug. Wistar rats were orally administered with a daily dosage of 200 mg kg(-1) Erlotinib-HCl either as free drug or as Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) encapsulated nanoparticles. After four weeks of treatment, the animals were analyzed for toxicological changes. Although nanoparticulate form of the drug did not induce any toxicity, free drug significantly reduced the levels of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC) and haemoglobin, while increasing the levels of neutrophils and corpuscular haemoglobin. Moreover, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly increased in the animals administered with free drug. Histopathological studies confirmed significant damage to the internal organs of animals treated with free drug. Whereas, the internal organs of animals treated with the drug encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles were more or less similar to the healthy organs. Our results show that Erlotinib-HCl delivered in the form of nanoparticles has less toxic effect than the free drug in experimental rats.

To evaluate the anti-ulcer activity and acute toxicity of Ficus religiosa (F. religiosa) leaf ethanolic extract in animal models. Anti-ulcer activity of F. religiosa ethanolic extract (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) was studied on stress induced ulcer animal models. Ranitidine was used as standard. The anti-ulcer activity of F. religiosa was evaluated with the help of ulcer area and histopatholgical examination. Preliminary phyto-chemical screening and acute toxicity studies of F. religiosa also carried out. Results showed that the extract treatments prevented ulcer area and gastric secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of 2 000 mg/kg extract did not show any acute toxicity in albino mice. Preliminary phytochemical analysis identified the presence of flavonoids in the ethanolic extract of F. religiosa. The extract is non-toxic even at relatively high concentrations. The anti-ulcer activity is probably due to the presence of flavanoids.