Present investigation deals with antimicrobial screening of ten medicinally important plants used by the inhabitants of district Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) for different infectious diseases.

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.

The antibacterial activity of the methanolic and n-hexane extracts of Fagonia cretica L., Peganum harmala L., Tribulus terrestris L., Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf and Ricinus communis L., were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoni and Salmonella typhi. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of F. cretica, P. harmala and C. tinctoria revealed the presence of saponins, phlobatannins, anthraquinones and alkaloids. Tannins and flavonoids were found in C. tinctoria and R. communis. Glycosides were found in F. cretica and P. harmala, while terpenoids and phenolics occurred in P. harmala. Group tests revealed that the methanolic and n-hexane extract of F. cretica, P. harmala, T. terrestris, C. tinctoria andR. communis had OH, carboxylic and phenolic groups. The methanolic and n-hexane extracts of F. cretica, P. harmala, T. terrestris, C. tinctoria and R. communis showed the absence of aldehyde and ketone group. The ability of the methanolic and n-hexane extracts of F. cretica, P. harmala, T. terrestris, C. tinctoria and R. communis to inhibit the growth of different bacteria has shown their broad spectrum antibacterial potential, which may be used in the management of microbial infections. Key words: Zygophyllaceae, Euphorbiaceae, antibacterial activity, extract, phytochemical screening.

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles are safe, non-toxic, and biocompatible. These NPs are used in food packaging materials, self-cleaning glass, ceramics, deodorants, sunscreens, paints, coatings, ointments, lotions, and as preservatives. This study explored the biological potential of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using H. rariflorum. Methods: In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus solani were determined. Antioxidant activity was explored using the DPPH radical scavenging method. In vivo analgesic, antipyretic and sedative potential of synthesized nanoparticles was investigated using a mouse model. Results: SEM with various magnification powers showed that some particles were spherical while some were aggregated, flake-shaped, and hexagonal with rough and irregular surfaces. The EDX analysis revealed Zn (12.63%), O (22.83%) and C (63.11%) with trace quantities of Si (0.40%), Ca (0.54%) and P (0.49%). The XRD pattern indicated an amorphous state, with no peaks observed throughout the spectrum. The UV–visible spectrophotometry revealed a characteristic absorption peak at 375 nm, indicating the presence of ZnO nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) displayed several small peaks between 1793 and 2370 cm⁻¹, providing evidence of the presence of different kinds of organic compounds with different functional groups. ZnO-NPs showed dose-dependent antibacterial and antifungal potential against all strains. Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were the most susceptible strains. The nanoparticles exhibited a maximum antioxidant effect of 85.28% at 100 μg/mL. In this study, the acute toxicity test showed no mortality, and normal behavior was observed in mice at ZnO-NP doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. For analgesic and antipyretic activities, a two-way ANOVA revealed that dose, time, and the interaction between dose and time were significant. In contrast, the samples had a non-significant effect on sedative activity. Conclusions: This innovative study suggests a potential use of plant resources for managing microbes and treating various diseases, providing a scientific basis for the traditional use of H. rariflorum.

Background: Chaerophyllum villosum (Ganjari) and Achillea millefolium L. (Yarrow) are highly medicinal plants widely used in both folk and official medicine. Materials and Methods: The analgesic activities of C. villosum and A. millefolium were evaluated by hot plate method and acetic acid-induced writhing test, the anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw oedema method and antidiarrheal activity was carried out by charcoal meal test. Results: The quantitative phytochemical analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of both plants showed several phytoconstituents including alkaloids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponin, terpenoids with highest concentration of Tri tetracontane (7.52%) and methyl stearate (8.5%) in methanolic and chloroformic extract of C. Villosum respectively. Octadecanal (6.21%) and n-hexadecanoic acid (10.6%) were showing maximum concentration in methanolic and chloroformic extract of A. millefolium respectively. The chloroformic extract of A. millefolium showed higher (25.33 ± 4.72) peripheral analgesic activities at 300 mg/kg. The chloroformic extract of Chaerophyllum villosum exhibited higher (11.56 ± 0.15) central analgesic activities at 300 mg/kg. In antidiarrheal activity the methanolic extract of Chaerophyllum villosum highly (17.06 ± 1.5) inhibited charcoal movement at 300 mg/kg. In anti-inflammatory activities the chloroformic extract of Chaerophyllum villosum at 300 mg/kg showed high inhibition in the paw volume (1.09 ± 0.04) after 5 hours of induction of carrageenan. Conclusion: The results suggested that Chaerophyllum villosum and Acheilia millefolium exhibited significant peripheral and central analgesic activity, anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal activity which elucidated its use in the treatment of pain, inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders.