University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Medicinal plants have been an essential source of indigenous medicines and continue to play a vital role in pharmaceutical industries. Comprehensive knowledge of their elemental composition is crucial, as these elements significantly influence metabolic and physiological processes. The current investigation focuses on the compositional analysis of the Otostegia limbata (OL-MP), a medicinal plant, using the fast and efficient Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. Four major parts of the plant, root, bark, leaves, and flowers, along with surrounding soil samples, were analyzed. Twelve elements, including Ca, Mg, Al, K, Sr, Ba, Fe, Ti, Cr, Mn, Li, and Na, were detected with varying concentrations across the samples. Plasma temperature and electron number density were estimated using the Boltzmann plot method and Stark broadening parameter, yielding values of approximately (10,000 ± 1000 K) and (1.31 ± 1.00 × 10¹⁷ cm^-3), respectively. Compositional analysis was conducted using Calibration-Free LIBS (CF-LIBS), which revealed high concentrations of silicon (22.8 %) and calcium (13.5 %) in the soil. In plant tissues, calcium was predominant, with roots containing 34.7 % calcium and 18.5 % iron; bark exhibiting elevated calcium (24.11 %), potassium (19.38 %), and iron (16.38 %); leaves rich in calcium (30.6 %) and barium (20.3 %); and flowers showing the highest calcium content at 34.9 %, highlighting its key role in reproductive structures. The accuracy of the proposed method was comparable to that of advanced laboratory equipment, with detected elemental concentrations found to be below toxic thresholds. This comprehensive, non-destructive analytical approach demonstrates potential for direct toxicity monitoring and quality assurance in homeopathic and pharmaceutical applications.

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination threaten poultry health, feed safety, and global food security. Mycotoxins result in reduced poultry growth, nutrient absorption, and a compromised immune system, causing severe financial losses. The rise of antibiotic resistance due to excessive antibiotic use in poultry also necessitates alternative strategies.

Total 28 strains were isolated from the gut of indigenous Aseel and broiler chickens. Strains SB1, SB2, and SD2 completely inhibited Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus, and Fusarium proliferatum and were assessed via spore germination and mycotoxin reduction assays. The strains significantly inhibited fungal spore germination (up to 91.7 ± 0.3%;P ≤ 0.001) and reduced aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and fumonisin production by 91.6 ± 1.2%, 93.6 ± 0.6%, and 93.0 ± 0.5%, respectively. FTIR analysis of bacterial metabolites revealed shifts in peaks at 1467-3240 cm^- 1, indicating the presence of various functional groups. LC-MS/MS metabolomics, supported by multivariate analysis, revealed that metabolites were enriched with antifungal and mycotoxin-reducing compounds, including phenylacetic acid. Metabolites showed zones of inhibition up to 38.0 ± 1.1 mm against A. flavus, up to 36.0 ± 0.5 mm against A. ochraceus, and up to 34.0 ± 0.5 mm ZOI against F. proliferatum (P ≤ 0.0001). They also showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations and fungicidal concentrations between 3 and 5 µLmL^- 1 (P ≤ 0.001). 16 S rRNA sequencing identified SB1 as Bacillus subtilis (PV569530), SB2 as Bacillus clausii (PV569531), and SD2 as Bacillus sp. (PV569532).

Thus, this study highlights the microflora of indigenous Aseel chickens as a potential source of antifungal and mycotoxin-reducing compounds, offering a sustainable approach to control fungal and mycotoxin contamination in poultry feed.

As this study did not involve higher animals, no clinical trial number was required.

Nanotechnology is an emerging field in the therapeutic domain of cancer research. The development of novel anticancer agents in combination with nanotechnology is a highly promising area as it could offer safer and more effective delivery methods for better overall outcomes. Considering this, a naturally occurring silkworm protein (sericin) was combined with nanoparticle formulations to explore the subsequent anticancer effects in breast cancer. In this study, a breast cancer animal mice model was developed by using 7, 12-dimethylbenzneanthracene (DMBA) (a carcinogenic compound) followed by evaluation of the antitumor effects of a natural protein (sericin) and its nanoparticle conjugates. For this purpose, the mice were treated with two different concentrations of individual sericin protein together with conjugated silver nanoparticles (100-200 mg/kg, b.w.). Mice were dissected after 60 days of the treatment, and biochemical results showed that sericin and its conjugated nanoparticles had significant effects against the DMBA-induced carcinogenic group in comparison with the untreated control group. Particularly, sericin-conjugated NPs induced more prominent effects in the animal model. The histopathological analysis of the spleen and mammary tissues showed cytotoxic effects in the DMBA group, and sericin-conjugated NPs were highly effective and minimized the cytotoxic effects of DMBA. Consequently, sericin-conjugated nanoparticles induced more efficient anti-breast tumor effects in animal mice models and have promising future clinical applications in overcoming drug resistance.