Synergistic Effects of AgNPs and Biochar: A Potential Combination for Combating Lung Cancer and Pathogenic Bacteria.

The synthesis of reliable biological nanomaterials is a crucial area of study in nanotechnology. In this study, Emericella dentata was employed for the biosynthesis of AgNPs, which were then combined with synthesized biochar, a porous structure created through biomass pyrolysis. The synergistic effects of AgNPs and biochar were evaluated through the assessment of pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-apoptotic gene expression, and antibacterial activity.

Novel Cognitions in Allelopathy: Implications from the "Horizontal Natural Product Transfer".

Whereas the translocation of allelochemicals between plants is well established, a related general transfer of genuine specialized metabolites has not been considered so far. The elucidation of the so-called "Horizontal Natural Product Transfer" revealed that alkaloids, such as nicotine and pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are leached out from decomposing alkaloid-containing plants (donor plants), are indeed taken up by the roots of plants growing in the vicinity (acceptor plants). Further studies demonstrated that phenolic compounds, such as coumarins or stilbenes, are also taken up by acceptor plants.

Accumulation, Source Identification, and Cancer Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Different Jordanian Vegetables.

The accumulation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in plants is considered one of the most serious threats faced by mankind because of their persistence in the environment and their carcinogenic and teratogenic effect on human health. The concentrations of sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 PAHs) were determined in four types of edible vegetables (tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, and cucumbers), irrigation water, and agriculture soil, where samples were collected from the Jordan Valley, Jordan. The mean total concentration of 16 PAHs (∑16PAHs) ranged from 10.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using L. Aqueous Extract with the Evaluation of Its Antibacterial Activity against Clinical and Food Pathogens.

The rapid development of nanotechnology and its applications in medicine has provided the perfect solution against a wide range of different microbes, especially antibiotic-resistant ones. In this study, a one-step approach was used in preparing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by mixing silver nitrate with hot (St. John's wort) aqueous extract under high stirring to prevent agglomeration.

Antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of (L.) Merr. & Perry essential oil with identification of its chemical constituents.

Aromatic plants embrace volatile compounds with efficiency in treating different diseases. In Jordan, flower buds (clove) are extensively used as folk medicine without awareness of its bio-safe dosage. Herein, clove buds were hydrodistilled using the Clevenger apparatus, and the resulting essential oil (CEO) was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Pilot study on the uptake and modification of harmaline in acceptor plants: An innovative approach to visualize the interspecific transfer of natural products.

Substances which have been leached out from decomposing plant parts or exuded from vital plants (donor plants), are taken up by acceptor plants and subsequently modified. This phenomenon was likewise established for harmala alkaloids. Employing hydroponically grown barley seedlings, it becomes evident that harmaline and harmine are taken up by the roots of the acceptor plants.

The genuine localization of indole alkaloids in Vinca minor and Catharanthus roseus.

Based on the occurrence of indole alkaloids in so-called "chloroform leaf surface extracts", it was previously deduced that these alkaloids are present in the cuticle at the leaf surface of Catharanthus roseus and Vinca minor. As no symplastic markers were found in these extracts this deduction seemed to be sound. However, since chloroform is known to destroy biomembranes very rapidly, these data have to be judged with scepticism.

Horizontal Natural Product Transfer: Intriguing Insights into a Newly Discovered Phenomenon.

Just recently, the "horizontal natural product transfer" was unveiled: alkaloids, which have been leached out from decomposing alkaloidal donor plants, are taken up by the roots of acceptor plants. In the same manner, many other natural products, such as coumarins or stilbenes, are also taken up from the soil. Recent research outlined that alkaloids are transferred also from a living donor plant to plants growing in their vicinity.

Uptake and modification of umbelliferone by various seedlings.

Inspired by the recently discovered phenomenon of "horizontal natural product transfer" we investigated the putative uptake of phenolic specialized metabolites. Umbelliferone was chosen for this case study, since this coumarin as well as its derivatives can easily be determined by HPLC analyses. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.