The life form and leaf size spectra of plant species of the Thandiani forests, district Abbottabad, were studied during the summer of 2013. These forests host 252 plant species of 97 families. Biological spectra showed that Hemicryptophytes (80 spp., 31.74%) were dominant followed by Megaphanerophytes (51 spp., 20.24%), Therophytes (49 spp., 19.44%) and Nanophanerophytes (45 spp., 17.86). Hemicryptophytes are the indicators of cold temperate vegetation. At the lower elevations, Megaphanerophytes and Nanophanerophytes were dominant which confirm trees as dominant habit form due to high soil depth, moisture and temperature factors. Data on Leaf spectra in the area showed that Microphyllous (88 spp., 34.92%) species were dominant followed by Leptophyllous (74 spp., 29.36%) and Nanophyllous (60 spp., 23.80%). The Microphyllous plants again are the indicator of cold temperate zone as the area is situated at an elevation of 1191-2626 m. Similarly, Nanophylls were dominant at lower elevations. Data on family importance values and diversity among various communities were also recorded. Life form and Leaf spectra studies could be used to understand the micro climatic variation of the region.

The design of actively efficient and low-toxicity formulations against virulent bacterial strains causing skin infections remains a challenging task. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate in vitro a hydrogel impregnated with a known plant extract for topical applications against major skin bacteria. A poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/gelatin hydrogel, namely HG, was prepared by esterification following the solution casting method. The gelling process was realized by cross-linking the synthetic polymer PVA and the biopolymer gelatin in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl). A crude extract of Nigella sativa seeds was then encapsulated in HG, and the resulting HGE was characterized morphologically (by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)), structurally (by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy), behaviorally (by swelling behavior), and biologically (by the agar well diffusion method). The results of HGE were compared to HG and HG impregnated with 10% acetic acid (HGAA). SEM sections of HGE revealed a dense and porous surface, suggesting a good hydrophilicity. X-ray diffractograms indicated that HGE and HG had a similar degree of crystallinity. FTIR spectra confirmed that esterification occurred between PVA and gelatin suggesting that the amine group is involved in the intercalation of the plant extract components in HG. Further, HGE was found to be as wettable and swellable as HG, suggesting a good biocompatibility. Eventually, HGE exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect against two major skin pathogens, the Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, suggesting a good extract release. Taken together, the experimental data indicated that HGE might be a promising wound dressing.

Background: Using a variety of chemical compounds and biomolecules, researchers have been working on new antidiabetic drugs for many years. Anti-diabetic research is increasingly using nanomaterials because of their unique qualities, such as their tiny size, biocompatibility, and ability to penetrate cell membranes for drug delivery. Using extract of T. couneifolia coated with silver nanoparticles as a model for diabetes mellitus research was one of the goals of this work. Methods: Uv-Vis spectroscopy was used to measure the TAgNPs surface plasmon resonance. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the attached functional groups, XRD analysis confirmed the size and crystallinity, scanning electron microscopy revealed that the majority of the particles were spherical, and EDX performed the elemental analysis. For 21 days, alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats (N = 25, n = 5/group) were administered 10 mg/kg body weight of photosynthesized AgNPs as a standard animal model, while those in the untreated normal control group C, received distilled water as a control, diabetics who were treated with 0.5 mg/kg of body weight of glibenclamide, 10 mg/kg of methanolic T. couneifolia extract, and diabetics who were given 10 mg/kg of body weight of synthetic AgNPs derived from T. couneifolia in the DAgNPs group. At the conclusion of the treatment, lipid, liver and kidney profiles were re-examined to determine whether or not the treatment had been effective (day 21). Oral glucose doses of 2 g/kg of body weight were administered to each group, and blood glucose levels were measured at various intervals (day 21). Fasting glucose levels were measured using a glucometer. Each animal’s urine was tested for leukocytes, nitrites, and bilirubin using lab-made prepared assay kits. One-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The surface plasmon resonance effect was examined with UV-vis, it showed a sharp peak at 412 nm. X-ray diffraction measurements indicated that the produced nanoparticles were between 15 to 31.44 nm in size. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were fed AgNPs derived from phytosynthesized AgNPs, compared to diabetic control rats, diabetic rats treated with AgNPs showed a considerable improvement in their dyslipidemia status. Over the course of the days, it also lowered blood glucose levels. A reduction in blood glucose levels, a rise in body weight, and significant improvements in the lipid, liver, and renal profiles were also seen. Conclusions: The present findings revealed that plant mediated silver nanoparticles significantly improved the alloxan induced diabetic changes in various treated rats and might be used for the treatment of diabetes.

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.