Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology
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A Detailed Study of Aloe Barbadensis Phytochemistry, Taxonomy and Its Anticancer Activity
Full text linkAloe barbadensis Mill., the scientific name of which is Aloe vera plant, is an essential perennial succulent plant with tremendous medicinal and pharmacological values. This species falls under the family Asphodelaceae and possesses thick fleshy and lanceolate leaves which are basal and in a rosette structure, the inner parenchyma has gel and the pericyclic region contains yellow latex. For centuries, Aloe barbadensis has been incorporated in different cultures in ethnomedical practices whereby it is used for the management of burns, wound, skin infection and gastrointestinal problems. The plant contains bioactive attributes mainly because it has contained a variety of phytochemical constituents which include polysaccharides like acemannan and glucomannan, anthraquinones as aloin A, aloin B, emodin, chromones namely aloesin, vitamins C, E, B complex, enzymes such as bradykinase and amylase, amino acids, and minerals and fatty acids. These constituents have a combined effect of biological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory activities. Specifically, several scientific studies have revealed that Aloe barbadensis could have potential medicinally active anticancer properties based on its properties such as apoptosis, antiproliferation of tumor cells, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis. Alchemical compounds like aloin and emodin have exhibited good cytotoxicity to a number of cancer cell lines from breast, colon and liver cancer cells. It is also necessary to give the brief information about Aloe barbadensis including taxonomy, morphological differentiation of the plant from other Aloe species, phytochemistry and various other compounds, and the effectiveness of this plant as an anticancer agent.
 
Mas Receptor as a Target for Neuropathic Pain Management: Insights into Angiotensin-(1-7) Signaling and Therapeutic Opportunities
Full text linkMas is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that binds to Angiotensin (1-7) and it is evaluated as an important element of non classical Renin Angiotensin System. While the RAS axis has been considered as pro-inflammatory and pro-nociceptive by leveraging the Angiotensin II and AT1 receptor, the Angiotensin (1-7) /Mas axis offers anti-inflammatory, vessels dilating, and neuroprotective functions. It is produced by two mechanisms first, Angiotensin (1-7) is obtained from Angiotensin II via the mechanism of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and also by the binding of the formed Ang-(1-7) to its receptor, Mas receptor, it activates several signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2 and nitric oxide (NO). These pathways together prevent neuronal death, decrease oxidative stress and inhibit the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and reduces the expression of various cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. With regard to neuropathic pain, the Mas receptor contributes to regulation of glial-neuronal crosstalk and negative regulation of microglial and astrocytic activity and neuroimmune balance. Experimental studies have shown that the use of Mas receptor by Angiotensin (1-7) or synthetic activators attenuates mechanical alodynia and thermal hypoesthesia, proving that the Marques and colleagues’ hypothesis has possible therapeutic applications. Also, the Mas receptor has functional cross-talk with other pain-modulatory systems, including the endogenous opioid and endocannabinoid systems, contributing to the enhancer of this sort of analgesia. Thus, the novel Angiotensin (1-7)/Mas receptor pathway can be considered as the novel promising candidate for the use of new non-opioid analgesic for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Further research in Mas receptor agonists, peptide analogs, and targeted drug delivery system shows that there is potential to practical application of these discoveries
Impact of Pharmacist-Led Education on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Over-the Counter Drugs Among the General Population: A Systematic Review
Full text linkThe increasing reliance on over-the-counter (OTC) medications for self-treatment represents a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries. While OTC drugs offer rapid symptom relief and help reduce the burden on healthcare systems, inappropriate self-medication can lead to adverse drug reactions, drug resistance, and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. This systematic review aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to OTC drug use among the general population, drawing insights from cross-sectional studies conducted in Saudi Arabia, India, Libya, the UAE, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The review also examines the potential role of pharmacist-led educational interventions in promoting safe medication practices. Eligible cross-sectional studies were identified, and key data were extracted and synthesized narratively to identify trends, common findings, and areas for targeted intervention. Findings consistently reveal widespread gaps in knowledge, misconceptions, and unsafe practices regarding OTC medications. These results underscore the urgent need for structured, pharmacist-led educational initiatives to improve responsible self-medication. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to enhance medication literacy, mitigate risks associated with OTC drug use, and provide valuable support in regions with limited access to formal healthcare services
Air Pollution in India: Ecological, Health, and Socio-Economic Implications - A Review
Full text linkAir pollution has emerged as one of the most critical environmental stressors of the 21st century, with India among the most affected countries globally. The rapid pace of urbanization, industrial expansion, and vehicular growth has elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds to hazardous levels. This review synthesizes literature published between 2000 and 2025 to examine the ecological, health, and socio-economic implications of air pollution in India. The review analyzes major pollution sources including vehicular emissions, coal-based power plants, stubble burning, household biomass use, and urban dust. Ecological impacts include ozone-induced crop yield losses, reduced forest productivity, urban biodiversity decline, and contamination of aquatic and soil systems. Public health consequences are severe, with over 1.6 million premature deaths annually linked to respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and maternal-child health conditions. Vulnerable populations such as children, women, the elderly, and outdoor workers face disproportionate risks. Socio-economic burdens include reduced labor productivity, escalating healthcare costs, agricultural losses, and damage to tourism and cultural heritage, amounting to nearly 8.5% of India’s GDP.
The study highlights mitigation strategies such as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Bharat Stage VI vehicular norms, and clean household energy initiatives, while noting enforcement gaps and governance challenges. Future research needs include satellite–ground data integration, AI-driven forecasting, and citizen science approaches. Ensuring clean air in India is therefore a public health imperative, ecological necessity, and economic opportunity
Unraveling the Dynamics of the 2023 Anthrax Outbreak: Insights from Spatial and Temporal Analysis in the Kariba Ecosystem, Zambia
Full text linkThe 2023 anthrax outbreak in the Lake Kariba ecosystem of Zambia, particularly in the Sinazongwe district, heralded a significant threat to both animal and human populations. This study aimed to unravel the spatial and temporal distribution of anthrax deaths, identify the sources of the outbreak, and analyze the factors contributing to its spread. Through meticulous investigation and analysis of data collected from June to November 2023, we uncovered critical insights into the dynamics of the outbreak.
Spatially, the outbreak affected 25 locations, with the highest concentration of anthrax-related cattle deaths observed in Chimonselo, Chiyabi, and Dengeza villages. Temporally, the first livestock case emerged in June 2023, with vaccination efforts commencing in August and covering over 68,000 cattle by November 2023. Concurrently, sightings of dead hippos along the shores of Lake Kariba underscored the potential role of wildlife in disseminating anthrax. Tissue samples from a hippo carcass tested positive for anthrax, suggesting a zoonotic transmission pathway.
Climate change emerged as a critical factor exacerbating the outbreak, with prolonged droughts impacting water availability and pasture quality, rendering livestock more susceptible to diseases. Additionally, illegal livestock trade across Lake Kariba and collusion between coal truck drivers and livestock traders facilitated the spread of anthrax-contaminated meat, circumventing veterinary checkpoints.
The chronology of events leading to the outbreak elucidated the cascade of factors contributing to its delayed detection and control. The contamination of Lake Kariba by anthrax-infected hippo carcasses emerged as a primary source of the outbreak, with contaminated pastures also playing a significant role. It is probable that the outbreak in Sinazongwe district was epidemiologically linked to simultaneous outbreaks in neighboring Zimbabwe.
The absence of anthrax vaccination programs and a deficient animal disease early warning system exacerbated the vulnerability of livestock populations. The outbreak spread across a wide geographical area, particularly affecting villages along the shores of Lake Kariba, highlighting the significance of waterborne transmission.
In conclusion, this study provides critical insights into the complex interplay between wildlife, livestock, humans, and the environment in anthrax outbreaks. By implementing the recommended control measures, enhancing disease surveillance, and fostering cross-border collaboration, future outbreaks can be mitigated, safeguarding public health, livestock, and wildlife in the Lake Kariba ecosystem of Zambia
Green Synthesis of Organic Compounds Using Eco-Friendly Catalysts
Full text linkGreen synthesis of organic compounds aims to reduce environmental impact by employing catalysis strategies that minimize hazardous reagents, waste, and energy consumption while maximizing selectivity and atom economy. Eco-friendly catalysts — including biocatalysts (enzymes), biomass-derived heterogeneous catalysts, plant-mediated nanocatalysts, metal-organic frameworks, and benign solvent-supported catalytic systems such as deep eutectic solvents — enable a wide range of sustainable transformations (oxidations, reductions, C–C bond forming reactions, and multicomponent condensations) with improved green metrics. This paper reviews a multidisciplinary approach to green catalytic routes, reports a set of representative laboratory experiments comparing eco-friendly catalyst classes across model reactions, and discusses reaction performance, recyclability, and life-cycle considerations to guide practical selection of catalysts for sustainable organic synthesis
Role of Ayurveda in Lifestyle Disorders Management: A Comparative Study
Full text linkNowadays, the worldwide increase of lifestyle diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, adiposity, and cardiovascular disease, has become a major public health issue. As much as modern medicine has made tremendous progress in diagnostics and acute care, it frequently falls short in longterm prevention and its scope toward holistic wellbeing. In Ayurveda,an Indian traditional system of medicine, the concept of health care is based upon “Preventive health care through personal diet and regimen”.This is the scenario that was current in the ancient days also, when the geniuses of Ayurveda like Charaka, Sushruta and others were deeply engrossed in defining and deciding the code of conduct and on the concept of health and health care. This review sheds light on the role of Ayurveda in management of lifestyle disorder in comparison with modern medicine bringing into focus strengths, weaknesses and areas that can be complemented. Based on published WHO data, clinical trials, and available meta-analysis, the paper presents on prevalence trends and on the effectiveness of classic Ayurvedic remedies (such as Panchakarma, Triphala, Guggulu, Arjuna, Ashwagandha) compared to standard therapeutic strategies. These findings suggest that integrative strategies, by which beneficial preventive Ayurvedic modalities are combined with modern evidence-based care, have potential to reduce the disease burden, improve quality of life, and reduce side effects. But concerns regarding standardisation, dosing regimes and multicentre RCTs remain. This research validates Ayurveda as an organized body of knowledge and highlights the significance of policy level integration and further studies to confirm Ayurvedic interventions within modern health care
Phytoremediation Efficiency of Eichhornia crassipes for Treating Textile Wastewater in the Mumbai Industrial Belt
Full text linkIndustrial textile wastewater contains high organic load, complex dyestuffs, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals, posing severe environmental challenges, particularly in critically polluted industrial zones in Maharashtra. In this study, the phytoremediation potential of Eichhornia crassipes was evaluated using graded concentrations (20–100%) of textile effluent collected from the MIDC discharge channel. The experiment was conducted for 60 days in controlled 30-L containers, and physico-chemical parameters were monitored at 15-day intervals. The results demonstrated significant reductions across major pollutants. pH shifted from highly alkaline toward near-neutral levels, while Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) decreased by up to 57.8% and 62.2%, respectively. Organic load indicators, BOD and COD, showed notable reductions of 72–77% and 68–71%, reflecting strong plant–microbe synergistic degradation. Electrical conductivity decreased by 58%, indicating a marked reduction in ionic strength. Dissolved oxygen levels improved substantially due to photosynthetic oxygenation. Macronutrients (P, N, Ca, Mg, K, S) showed considerable removal, with phosphorus exhibiting the highest reduction (93%). Heavy metals, including Fe and Mn, were also effectively removed (57–60%) through rhizofiltration and root-associated sequestration. Overall, Eichhornia crassipes demonstrated strong suitability as a low-cost, eco-friendly phytoremediation agent capable of significantly improving the quality of high-strength textile wastewater. The results support the integration of decentralized phytoremediation systems as effective pre-treatment or polishing steps within industrial wastewater management frameworks in heavily burdened regions
Curcumin and Resveratrol Synergy: A Multi-Target Strategy Against Neurodegenerative Disease Pathology
Full text linkNeurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer\u27s and Parkinson\u27s pose a significant global health challenge due to their complex pathology and the lack of effective treatments. This review paper synthesises evidence on the neuroprotective potential of two prominent natural compounds, curcumin and resveratrol, and explores their synergistic effects. Curcumin, a polyphenol from turmeric, and resveratrol, a stilbenoid found in grapes, have been extensively studied for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. These compounds operate through multiple molecular pathways, including the modulation of the Nrf2/ARE signalling pathway, inhibition of NF-κB, and regulation of key proteins involved in amyloid-beta plaque formation and tau phosphorylation. The synergy between curcumin and resveratrol is particularly noteworthy, as their combined use has demonstrated enhanced efficacy in mitigating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in various preclinical models. This paper critically reviews the mechanisms, preclinical studies, and clinical evidence for both compounds, highlighting their combined therapeutic potential. It also addresses the major challenges, such as poor bioavailability, and discusses advanced delivery strategies like nanomedicine to enhance their efficacy. The findings suggest that a synergistic approach with curcumin and resveratrol represents a promising strategy for developing novel neuroprotective agents for a range of neurological disorders
Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Agaricus bisporus for Advanced Glycoconjugate Recognition and Biomedical Sensing
Full text linkThe demand for safe, biocompatible nanomaterials in Glycotechnology and biomedical diagnostics has driven increasing interest in green-synthesised metal oxide nanoparticles. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesised using Agaricus bisporus (button mushroom) extract as a natural reducing and stabilising agent. The phytochemicals present in the mushroom—primarily polysaccharides, phenolics, and proteins—enabled a rapid, eco-friendly nanoparticle synthesis pathway. The ZnONPs were characterised using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and zeta potential analysis. Results confirmed the successful formation of crystalline, hexagonal wurtzite ZnONPs with an average particle size of 20–40 nm and high colloidal stability. The biocompatible nature of the mushroom-derived ZnONPs was evaluated through in vitro cytotoxicity assays, hemocompatibility tests, and ROS generation studies, all confirming low toxicity and excellent bio-safety. Finally, their potential in Glycotechnology was demonstrated by evaluating the nanoparticles for glycan sensing, glycoprotein immobilisation, and electrochemical biosensor platforms. The findings suggest that Agaricus bisporus-derived ZnONPs represent a promising material for next-generation glycan-based biosensors and biomedical devices