Balamurugan Chandramohan

Earthworm-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles: A potent tool against hepatocellular carcinoma, Plasmodium falciparum parasites and malaria mosquitoes.

The development of parasites and pathogens resistant to synthetic drugs highlighted the needing of novel, eco-friendly and effective control approaches. Recently, metal nanoparticles have been proposed as highly effective tools towards cancer cells and Plasmodium parasites. In this study, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (EW-AgNP) using Eudrilus eugeniae earthworms as reducing and stabilizing agents. EW-AgNP showed plasmon resonance reduction in UV-vis spectrophotometry, the functional groups involved in the reduction were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, while particle size and shape was analyzed by FESEM. The effect of EW-AgNP on in vitro HepG2 cell proliferation was measured using MTT assays. Apoptosis assessed by flow cytometry showed diminished endurance of HepG2 cells and cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. EW-AgNP were toxic to Anopheles stephensi larvae and pupae, LC(50) were 4.8 ppm (I), 5.8 ppm (II), 6.9 ppm (III), 8.5 ppm (IV), and 15.5 ppm (pupae). The antiplasmodial activity of EW-AgNP was evaluated against CQ-resistant (CQ-r) and CQ-sensitive (CQ-s) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. EW-AgNP IC(50) were 49.3 μg/ml (CQ-s) and 55.5 μg/ml (CQ-r), while chloroquine IC(50) were 81.5 μg/ml (CQ-s) and 86.5 μg/ml (CQ-r). EW-AgNP showed a valuable antibiotic potential against important pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Concerning non-target effects of EW-AgNP against mosquito natural enemies, the predation efficiency of the mosquitofish Gambusia affinis towards the II and II instar larvae of A. stephensi was 68.50% (II) and 47.00% (III), respectively. In EW-AgNP-contaminated environments, predation was boosted to 89.25% (II) and 70.75% (III), respectively. Overall, this research highlighted the EW-AgNP potential against hepatocellular carcinoma, Plasmodium parasites and mosquito vectors, with little detrimental effects on mosquito natural enemies.

In vivo and in vitro effectiveness of Azadirachta indica-synthesized silver nanocrystals against Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium falciparum, and their potential against malaria mosquitoes

Malaria transmission is a serious emergence in urban and semiurban areas worldwide, becoming a major international public health concern. Malaria is transmitted through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. The extensive employ of synthetic pesticides leads to negative effects on human health and the environment. Recently, plant-synthesized nanoparticles have been proposed as highly effective mosquitocides. In this research, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using the Azadirachta indica seed kernel extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. AgNP were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry, SEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The A. indica seed kernel extract was toxic against Anopheles stephensi larvae and pupae, LC50 were 232.8ppm (larva I), 260.6ppm (II), 290.3ppm (III), 323.4ppm (IV), and 348.4ppm (pupa). AgNP LC50 were 3.9ppm (I), 4.9ppm (II), 5.6ppm (III), 6.5ppm (IV), and 8.2ppm (pupa). The antiplasmodial activity of A. indica seed kernel extract and AgNP was evaluated against CQ-resistant (CQ-r) and CQ-sensitive (CQ-s) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. IC50 of A. indica seed kernel extract were 63.18μg/ml (CQ-s) and 69.24μg/ml (CQ-r). A. indica seed kernel-synthesized AgNP achieved IC50, of 82.41μg/ml (CQ-s) and 86.12μg/ml (CQ-r). However, in vivo anti-plasmodial experiments conducted on Plasmodium berghei infecting albino mice showed moderate activity of the A. indica extract and AgNP. Overall, this study showed that the A. indica-mediated fabrication of AgNP is of interest for a wide array of purposes, ranging from IPM of mosquito vectors to the development of novel and cheap antimalarial drugs.

Fabrication of nano-mosquitocides using chitosan from crab shells: Impact on non-target organisms in the aquatic environment

Mosquitoes are arthropods of huge medical and veterinary relevance, since they vector pathogens and parasites of public health importance, including malaria, dengue and Zika virus. Currently, nanotechnology is considered a potential eco-friendly approach in mosquito control research. We proposed a novel method of biofabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using chitosan (Ch) from crab shells. Ch-AgNP nanocomposite was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, EDX and XRD. Ch-AgNP were tested against larvae and pupae of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi obtaining LC50 ranging from 3.18 ppm (I) to 6.54 ppm (pupae). The antibacterial properties of Ch-AgNP were proved against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi, while no growth inhibition was reported in assays conducted on Proteus vulgaris. Concerning non-target effects, in standard laboratory considtions the predation efficiency of Danio rerio zebrafishes was 68.8% and 61.6% against I and II instar larvae of A. stephensi, respectively. In a Ch-AgNP-contaminated environment, fish predation was boosted to 89.5% and 77.3%, respectively. Quantitative analysis of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and LPO from hepatopancreas of fresh water crabs Paratelphusa hydrodromous exposed for 16 days to a Ch-AgNP-contaminated aquatic environment were conducted. Notably, deleterious effects of Ch-AgNP contaminating aquatic enviroment on the non-target crab P. hydrodromous were observed, particularly when doses higher than 8-10ppm are tested. Overall, this research highlights the potential of Ch-AGNP for the development of newer control tools against young instar populations of malaria mosquitoes, also highlighting some risks concerned the employ of nanoparticles in aquatic environments.

Do Nanomosquitocides Impact Predation of Mesocyclops edax Copepods Against Anopheles stephensi Larvae

Mosquitoes transmit serious human diseases, causing millions of deaths every year. The use of synthetic insecticides to control vector mosquitoes cause physiological resistance and adverse environmental effects, in addition to enormous operational costs. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were biosynthesized using a cheap extract of the Acorus calamus rhizome, as reducing and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesized AgNP were characterized by using UV–Vis spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). R. calamus extract and green-synthesized AgNP showed ovicidal, larvicidal, pupicidal and adulticidal toxicity against the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. In ovicidal experiments, egg hatchability was reduced by 100 % after treatment with 25 and 50 ppm of AgNP. In larvicidal and pupicidal assays, LC50 values of A. calamus extract were 219.06 ppm (I instar), 246.01 ppm (II), 285.79 ppm (III), 345.19 ppm (IV) and 470.93 ppm (pupa); green-synthesized AgNP were highly effective, with LC50 of 8.94 ppm (I), 11.64 ppm (II), 14.94 ppm (III), 19.15 ppm (IV) and 28.66 ppm (pupa). In adulticidal trials, A. calamus extract and AgNP showed LC50 of 251.71 ppm and 12.74 ppm, respectively. The predatory efficiency of the cyclopoid crustacean Mesocyclops edax in standard laboratory conditions was 71 % and 58 % against I and II instar larvae of A. stephensi, respectively. In an aquatic environment treated with ultra-low doses of AgNP, M. edax predation efficiency was 84 % and 69 %, respectively. Predation was higher against I instar larvae over other instars. Overall, these results suggest that A. calamus-synthesized AgNPs represents a concrete possibility for eco-friendly control of A. stephensi.

Neem cake as a promising larvicide and adulticide against the rural malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies (Diptera: Culicidae): a HPTLC fingerprinting approach

Abstract Mosquitoes are insects of huge public health importance, since they act as vectors for important pathogens and parasites. Here, we focused on the possibility of using the neem cake in the fight against mosquito vectors. The neem cake chemical composition significantly changes among producers, as evidenced by our HPTLC (High performance thin layer chromatography) analyses of different marketed products. Neem cake extracts were tested to evaluate the ovicidal, larvicidal and adulticidal activity against the rural malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies. Ovicidal activity of both types of extracts was statistically significant, and 150 ppm completely inhibited egg hatching. LC50 values were extremely low against fourth instar larvae, ranging from 1.321 (NM1) to 1.818 ppm (NA2). Adulticidal activity was also high, with LC50 ranging from 3.015 (NM1) to 3.637 ppm (NM2). This study pointed out the utility of neem cake as a source of eco-friendly mosquitocides in Anopheline vector control programmes.

Bio Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticle from Argemone mexicana for the Control of Aedes albopictus and their Antimicrobial Activity

BACKGROUND Plant synthesized silver nanoparticles give rapid control on mosquito larvae of dengue vector, Aedes albopictus. AgNPs synthesized from the plant, Argemone mexicana for the control of larvae and these nanoparticles inhibit the growth of microbes are broad spectrum of nanoparticle activities. METHODS Nanoparticles were subjected to analysis by UV-vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, laboratory evaluation of plant mediated nano-particle carried out lethal toxicity on Aedes albopictus. The characterization studies confirmed the spherical shape and size (5-50 nm) of silver nano-particles. RESULTS The efficacy of AgNPs was tested at concentration of 2 to 10 ppm against L1 to L4 larval instar of A. albopictus. The LC50 followed by LC90 values were (L1) 5.24, 8.66; (L2) 5.56, 8.85; (L3) 6.20, 10.01 and (L4) 7.04, 10.92 at 10 ppm of silver nanoparticle, whereas LC50 (LC90) values of (L1) 7.63, 11.58; (L2) 8.17, 11.88; 8.80, 12.82 and 8.94, 12.26 at 10 ppm of plant extract alone treated larvae, respectively. The mortality rates were positively correlated with the concentration of AgNPs. Significant (P<0.05) high square value changes in the larval mortality were also recorded between the period of exposure against all larval instar of A. albopictus. Silver nanoparticles were also tested for antimicrobial activity and significant toxicity inhibition was observed against the gram positive microbes and it exhibited mild toxicity against P. aeroginosa. CONCLUSION Plant, A. mexicana synthesized silver nano-particles are rapid and potential mosquito larvicidal as well as antimicrobial agents. Finding of our results support that silver nanoparticles can be prepared in a simple and cost-effective manner and are suitable for bio-formulation against mosquitoes and microbes.