Antibacterial Applications of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Aqueous Extract of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Leaves

Silver nanoparticles are known to have bactericidal effects. A new generation of dressings incorporating antimicrobial agents like silver nanoparticles is being formulated to reduce or prevent infections. The particles can be incorporated in materials and cloth rendering them sterile. Recently, it was found that aqueous silver ions can be reduced by aqueous extract of plant parts to generate extremely stable silver nanoparticles in water. Apart from being environmentally friendly process, use of Neem leaves extract might add synergistic antibacterial effect of Neem leaves to the biosynthesized nanoparticles. With this hypothesis the biosynthetic production of silver nanoparticles by aqueous extract of Neem leaves and its bactericidal effect in cotton cloth against E. Coli were studied in this work. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by short term (1 day) and long term (21 days) interaction of Neem extract (20% w/v) and 0.01 M AgNO3 solution in 1:4 mixing ratio. The synthesized particles were characterized by UV visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and incorporated into cotton disks by (i) centrifuging the disks with liquid broth containing nanoparticles, (ii) in-situ coating process during synthesis, and (iii) coating with dried and purified nanoparticles. The antibacterial property of the nanoparticles coated cotton disks was studied by disk diffusion method. The effect of consecutive washing of the coated disks with distilled water on antibacterial property was also investigated. This work demonstrates the possible use of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles by its incorporation in cloths leading them to sterilization.

A delphi study on health in future India

PIP: A delphi study was conducted to identify or envision health scenarios in India by the year 2000. Questionnaires consisting of 48 questions on 5 areas (diagnosis and therapy; family planning; pharmaceuticals and drugs; biochemical and biomedical research; health services) were mailed to 250 experts in India. 36 responded. Results were compiled and mailed back to the respondents for changes and comments. 17 people responded. Results of the delphi study shows that policy decisions with respect to compulsory family planning as well as health education at secondary school level will precede further breakthroughs in birth control technology. Non operation reversible sterilization procedures, immunological birth control, Ayurvedic medicines for contraception and abortion, and selection of baby's sex are all possible by 2000 thereafter. Complete eradication of infectious diseases, malnutrition and associated diseases is considered unlikely before 2000, as are advances in biomedical research. Changes in health services (e.g., significant increases in hospital beds and doctors, cheap bulk drugs), particularly in rural areas, are imminent, leading to prolonging of life expectancy to 70 years. Genetic engineering may provide significant breakthroughs in the prevention of malignancies and cardiac disorders. The India delphi study is patterned after a similar delphi study conducted in the U.S. by Smith, Kline and French (SKF) Laboratories in 1968. The SKF study was able to predict some breakthroughs with basic research which have been realized.

Technological-forecasting and research inputs in area of birth-control technology

Technological forecasting, defined as quantified probabilistic prediction of timings and degree of change in the technological parameters, capabilities desirability or needs at different times in the future, is applied to birth control technology (BCT) as a means of revealing the paths of most promising research through identifying the necessary points for breakthroughs. The present status of BCT in the areas of pills and the IUD, male contraceptives, immumological approaches, post-coital pills, abortion, sterilization, luteolytic agents, laser technologies, and control of the sex of the child, are each summarized and evaluated in turn. Fine mapping is done to identify the most potentially promising areas of BCT. These include efforts to make oral contraception easier, improvement of the design of the IUD, clinical evaluation of the male contraceptive danazol, the effecting of biochemical changes in the seminal fluid, and researching of immunological approaches and the effects of other new drugs such as prostaglandins. The areas that require immediate and large research inputs are oral contraception and the IUD. On the basis of population and technological forecasts, it is deduced that research efforts could most effectively aid countries like India through the immediate production of an oral contraceptive pill or IUD with long-lasting effects. Development of a pill for males or an immunization against pre gnancy would also have a significant impact. However, the major impediment to birth control programs to date is attitudes, which must be changed through education.