Nanoparticles (NPs) are easily accessed in biological systems due to their widespread distributio... more Nanoparticles (NPs) are easily accessed in biological systems due to their widespread distribution, and they may have neutral, promoting, or inhibiting effects. The positive impact on plants is shown in better plant growth, increased biomass production, enhanced enzyme actions, and improved crop productivity. In contrast, negative effects include germination retardation, growth inhibition, cell impairment, deterioration, and eventually death. Different outcomes depend on factors such as plant species, the physicochemical nature of the NP, NP size, shape, and concentration, and the type of medium. More research is needed on many fronts regarding the interaction of NPs with plants, including the absorption capacity of diverse plant species, methods of uptake and translocation, and interactions between the NPs and plant tissues at cellular and genetic levels. However, the effects of these tiny particles after entering the plant body will be influenced directly or indirectly by the three most critical factors: the shape, size, and dose of NPs used during applications. Therefore, analyzing the outcomes of these three factors of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) on plant systems will enhance our understanding of the benefits and risks of these tiny particles on the ecosystem balance. It will also provide appropriate guidelines for farmers to handle NPs in cropland with the utmost care and accuracy.
The study compares the effect of incorporation of three different groups of anti-hyperlipidemic d... more The study compares the effect of incorporation of three different groups of anti-hyperlipidemic drugs, namely niacin, simvastatin, and fenofibrate on the phase profile of liposomal membranes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine(DPPC). The fluorescence anisotropy studies, using 1, ...
Handbook of Environmental Materials Management, 2019
Introduction Homeopathic medicines are inexpensive, easy to fabricate, environment friendly, nont... more Introduction Homeopathic medicines are inexpensive, easy to fabricate, environment friendly, nontoxic, and cost-effective. Very small amount of natural ingredients, no chemicals, and easy manufacturing process using simple equipments are required to produce these medicines. The little waste is also almost exclusively biodegradable. These lead to preservation of natural resources and a small carbon footprint with negligible environmental impact and no question of over-consumption. Environment-conscious human beings thus have the opportunity to conserve energy and protect the environment by using homeopathic medicines. Using the recently established nanoparticle aspect of these medicines, we have been working on a very interesting and unique field of “homeopathic nanomedicines and their effect on environment.” Degradation of Herbicidal Chemicals The occurrence and fate of active pharmaceutical ingredients present in water and industrial wastewater have been a prime concern of today. Residues from human environments contain agents that can contaminate natural environments. Several industries use azo dyes as coloring agents. They are mostly found in industrial wastewater effluents and cause environmental pollution. These chemically complex synthetic compounds are not easily degradable by using bacteria or chemicals. Using the nanomedicine Cuprum metallicum, we have shown how one such azo dye, methyl orange, can be degraded. Maximum dye degradation, as well as antibacterial effect against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, was observed in the presence of 200C potency of the nanomedicine. Increase in Growth and Germination Rate in Plants Due to higher temperature and humidity, storage of seeds is a major problem in tropical countries. With time the seeds lose their moisture and germination activity along with important minerals and proteins. We have shown how pretreatment with homeopathic nanomedicine Allium cepa enhances the invigoration and root growth of mung bean seeds, stored for more than 2 years. Because of its nanodimension, the medicine easily penetrates the membrane and gives the required effect. This way we can reduce the use of fertilizers or chemicals with side effects. The study will be useful for farmers. Increase of Photo- and Thermovoltage Generation In order to combat the great energy demand in an environment-friendly way, photoconversion of solar energy has been the target of research. For efficient use of solar energy, various techniques are being developed, the use of engineered nanoparticles being the latest addition in the list. However, the hazardous effects of them limit their use. In this search for a suitable agent, we realized that zinc oxide, a homeopathic medicine tagged with suitable dyes, can efficiently be used for photovoltage generation. This system can also be used for thermovoltage generation and can be successfully used to utilize the industrial waste heat. Enhancement of Electrical Properties of Capacitors The electrical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) films have been improved by incorporating a number of homeopathic nanomedicines by simple solution casting technique, which increases the dielectric constant of the pure PVDF to a maximum of four to six times the value of the pure one. This enhancement of electrical properties will have a significant contribution in the present-day research in electronics. As negligible, renewable, or biodegradable chemical are used to prepare homeopathic medicines, very small pollution will occur compared to other chemically synthesized nanoparticles. In this way we can connect with the web of life for a long time in this universe without hampering our ecosystem. Therapeutic and Wound-Healing Effects of Homeopathic Medicine Commercially available drugs while cure the disease also affect the system adversely, and their toxic effect lingers. Homeopathic medicine is a very good alternative to curb these side effects. Effect on hemolysis using Aurum metallicum at three different potencies has been studied. All the samples are found to be nontoxic, causing minimum harm to the red blood cells. Hemolysis is maximum for the drug at 6C potency. Cuprum metallicum also has good capability to destroy gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) and shows wound-healing activity in a dose-dependent manner. So it seems that homeopathic drugs have potential scope as future medicine instead of the harmful commercially available medicines which have hazardous side effects both on human life and to the environment.
International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206, 2021
In an effort to improve the electrical properties of the electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride-h... more In an effort to improve the electrical properties of the electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP), we introduced a novel and simple approach to synthesize PVDF-HFP composite films by incorporating ultrahigh dilutions of two homeopathic medicines Ferrum metallicum (FM) and Zincum oxidatum (ZO) in different potencies. The homeo-PVDF-composite films (HPCF) were synthesized by simple solution casting technique. XRD, FESEM, FTIR studies were performed to check the presence of nanoparticles in the film. The electrical properties of the HPCF samples get enhanced significantly due to the incorporation of the medicines and the effect increases with the increase in potency of the medicines.
2020 International Conference on Computer, Electrical & Communication Engineering (ICCECE), 2020
Viral epidemics have posed a problem for quick development of drugs and vaccines to control the m... more Viral epidemics have posed a problem for quick development of drugs and vaccines to control the menace. A case in point is the Ebola viral disease with high fatality ratio in Africa. It is making a comeback in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after its rampage in West Africa in 2014-16 that has spawned fears of leading to a pandemic. Vaccines such as the experimental rVSV-ZEBOV has provided protection in 70-80% of the cases, but such vaccines are in short supply and doubts exist of its availability and sustainability in pandemic cases. Peptide vaccines promise to amend this lacuna as a chemical construct that can be scaled up to requirement in manufacturing set-up, are easy to produce in pure form and store as well as transport much more easily and economically than traditional vaccines. Although no peptide vaccines have been licensed yet for human use, the rapid growth of applications of in silico approaches to peptide vaccine design and application to a myriad of virus infe...
International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206, 2021
Homeopathic medicines are often prescribed at very high dilutions and it is a clinically observed... more Homeopathic medicines are often prescribed at very high dilutions and it is a clinically observed fact that the medicinal effect of the drug remains even at these high dilutions. The increase in potency of a medicine due to potentization is still debatable from physico-chemical point of view. Out of various hypotheses to explain this phenomenon, a recent hypothesis, advanced by us and supported by others, is that the size of the constituent particles decreases and eventually achieves nano dimension due to potentization. From the experiments performed by our group, the size of nanoparticles (NPs) of Cuprum metallicum, Zincum oxydatum, Aurum metallicum, Ferrum metallicum and Aconitum napellus (6cH, 30cH and 200cH) have been estimated. A general mathematical expression of the form y = a x-n has been derived which relates the size of NPs (y) with the corresponding potencies (x). There is no method to calculate the accurate potency of the homeopathic medicine, as the potency of a medicin...
We have synthesised a novel nanocomposite film by incorporating copper and cobalt nanoparticles, ... more We have synthesised a novel nanocomposite film by incorporating copper and cobalt nanoparticles, prepared by the method of trituration, in the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) films by simple solution-casting technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study of these nanocomposite films detected presence of α- and β-phases. Scanning electron micrographs showed spherulitic crystal structure of PVDF-HFP in the nanocomposite film and study of dielectric properties over broadband frequency of these doped nanocomposite film showed that these films have higher dielectric permittivity and significantly lower dissipation factor (tanδ) at room temperature compared to the pure PVDF-HFP. The incorporation of metallic nanoparticles in the polymer matrix activates the transition of phase between α and β and provides the nanocomposites higher mobile charge carriers which participate in the interfacial polarisation. The room temperature dielectric constant of the pure PVDF-HFP at 20 Hz frequency increases with increase in concentration of the metal nanoparticles and reaches a maximum almost four times the value of the pure one. At higher concentrations, the effect reduces, perhaps due to agglomeration of the nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles, obtained by the method of trituration, are inexpensive, easy to fabricate and environment friendly. Thus, their incorporation in polymer matrix to get enhanced electrical properties will have a significant contribution to the present day research.
Nanoparticles (NPs) are easily accessed in biological systems due to their widespread distributio... more Nanoparticles (NPs) are easily accessed in biological systems due to their widespread distribution, and they may have neutral, promoting, or inhibiting effects. The positive impact on plants is shown in better plant growth, increased biomass production, enhanced enzyme actions, and improved crop productivity. In contrast, negative effects include germination retardation, growth inhibition, cell impairment, deterioration, and eventually death. Different outcomes depend on factors such as plant species, the physicochemical nature of the NP, NP size, shape, and concentration, and the type of medium. More research is needed on many fronts regarding the interaction of NPs with plants, including the absorption capacity of diverse plant species, methods of uptake and translocation, and interactions between the NPs and plant tissues at cellular and genetic levels. However, the effects of these tiny particles after entering the plant body will be influenced directly or indirectly by the three most critical factors: the shape, size, and dose of NPs used during applications. Therefore, analyzing the outcomes of these three factors of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) on plant systems will enhance our understanding of the benefits and risks of these tiny particles on the ecosystem balance. It will also provide appropriate guidelines for farmers to handle NPs in cropland with the utmost care and accuracy.
The study compares the effect of incorporation of three different groups of anti-hyperlipidemic d... more The study compares the effect of incorporation of three different groups of anti-hyperlipidemic drugs, namely niacin, simvastatin, and fenofibrate on the phase profile of liposomal membranes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine(DPPC). The fluorescence anisotropy studies, using 1, ...
Handbook of Environmental Materials Management, 2019
Introduction Homeopathic medicines are inexpensive, easy to fabricate, environment friendly, nont... more Introduction Homeopathic medicines are inexpensive, easy to fabricate, environment friendly, nontoxic, and cost-effective. Very small amount of natural ingredients, no chemicals, and easy manufacturing process using simple equipments are required to produce these medicines. The little waste is also almost exclusively biodegradable. These lead to preservation of natural resources and a small carbon footprint with negligible environmental impact and no question of over-consumption. Environment-conscious human beings thus have the opportunity to conserve energy and protect the environment by using homeopathic medicines. Using the recently established nanoparticle aspect of these medicines, we have been working on a very interesting and unique field of “homeopathic nanomedicines and their effect on environment.” Degradation of Herbicidal Chemicals The occurrence and fate of active pharmaceutical ingredients present in water and industrial wastewater have been a prime concern of today. Residues from human environments contain agents that can contaminate natural environments. Several industries use azo dyes as coloring agents. They are mostly found in industrial wastewater effluents and cause environmental pollution. These chemically complex synthetic compounds are not easily degradable by using bacteria or chemicals. Using the nanomedicine Cuprum metallicum, we have shown how one such azo dye, methyl orange, can be degraded. Maximum dye degradation, as well as antibacterial effect against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, was observed in the presence of 200C potency of the nanomedicine. Increase in Growth and Germination Rate in Plants Due to higher temperature and humidity, storage of seeds is a major problem in tropical countries. With time the seeds lose their moisture and germination activity along with important minerals and proteins. We have shown how pretreatment with homeopathic nanomedicine Allium cepa enhances the invigoration and root growth of mung bean seeds, stored for more than 2 years. Because of its nanodimension, the medicine easily penetrates the membrane and gives the required effect. This way we can reduce the use of fertilizers or chemicals with side effects. The study will be useful for farmers. Increase of Photo- and Thermovoltage Generation In order to combat the great energy demand in an environment-friendly way, photoconversion of solar energy has been the target of research. For efficient use of solar energy, various techniques are being developed, the use of engineered nanoparticles being the latest addition in the list. However, the hazardous effects of them limit their use. In this search for a suitable agent, we realized that zinc oxide, a homeopathic medicine tagged with suitable dyes, can efficiently be used for photovoltage generation. This system can also be used for thermovoltage generation and can be successfully used to utilize the industrial waste heat. Enhancement of Electrical Properties of Capacitors The electrical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) films have been improved by incorporating a number of homeopathic nanomedicines by simple solution casting technique, which increases the dielectric constant of the pure PVDF to a maximum of four to six times the value of the pure one. This enhancement of electrical properties will have a significant contribution in the present-day research in electronics. As negligible, renewable, or biodegradable chemical are used to prepare homeopathic medicines, very small pollution will occur compared to other chemically synthesized nanoparticles. In this way we can connect with the web of life for a long time in this universe without hampering our ecosystem. Therapeutic and Wound-Healing Effects of Homeopathic Medicine Commercially available drugs while cure the disease also affect the system adversely, and their toxic effect lingers. Homeopathic medicine is a very good alternative to curb these side effects. Effect on hemolysis using Aurum metallicum at three different potencies has been studied. All the samples are found to be nontoxic, causing minimum harm to the red blood cells. Hemolysis is maximum for the drug at 6C potency. Cuprum metallicum also has good capability to destroy gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) and shows wound-healing activity in a dose-dependent manner. So it seems that homeopathic drugs have potential scope as future medicine instead of the harmful commercially available medicines which have hazardous side effects both on human life and to the environment.
International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206, 2021
In an effort to improve the electrical properties of the electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride-h... more In an effort to improve the electrical properties of the electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP), we introduced a novel and simple approach to synthesize PVDF-HFP composite films by incorporating ultrahigh dilutions of two homeopathic medicines Ferrum metallicum (FM) and Zincum oxidatum (ZO) in different potencies. The homeo-PVDF-composite films (HPCF) were synthesized by simple solution casting technique. XRD, FESEM, FTIR studies were performed to check the presence of nanoparticles in the film. The electrical properties of the HPCF samples get enhanced significantly due to the incorporation of the medicines and the effect increases with the increase in potency of the medicines.
2020 International Conference on Computer, Electrical & Communication Engineering (ICCECE), 2020
Viral epidemics have posed a problem for quick development of drugs and vaccines to control the m... more Viral epidemics have posed a problem for quick development of drugs and vaccines to control the menace. A case in point is the Ebola viral disease with high fatality ratio in Africa. It is making a comeback in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after its rampage in West Africa in 2014-16 that has spawned fears of leading to a pandemic. Vaccines such as the experimental rVSV-ZEBOV has provided protection in 70-80% of the cases, but such vaccines are in short supply and doubts exist of its availability and sustainability in pandemic cases. Peptide vaccines promise to amend this lacuna as a chemical construct that can be scaled up to requirement in manufacturing set-up, are easy to produce in pure form and store as well as transport much more easily and economically than traditional vaccines. Although no peptide vaccines have been licensed yet for human use, the rapid growth of applications of in silico approaches to peptide vaccine design and application to a myriad of virus infe...
International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206, 2021
Homeopathic medicines are often prescribed at very high dilutions and it is a clinically observed... more Homeopathic medicines are often prescribed at very high dilutions and it is a clinically observed fact that the medicinal effect of the drug remains even at these high dilutions. The increase in potency of a medicine due to potentization is still debatable from physico-chemical point of view. Out of various hypotheses to explain this phenomenon, a recent hypothesis, advanced by us and supported by others, is that the size of the constituent particles decreases and eventually achieves nano dimension due to potentization. From the experiments performed by our group, the size of nanoparticles (NPs) of Cuprum metallicum, Zincum oxydatum, Aurum metallicum, Ferrum metallicum and Aconitum napellus (6cH, 30cH and 200cH) have been estimated. A general mathematical expression of the form y = a x-n has been derived which relates the size of NPs (y) with the corresponding potencies (x). There is no method to calculate the accurate potency of the homeopathic medicine, as the potency of a medicin...
We have synthesised a novel nanocomposite film by incorporating copper and cobalt nanoparticles, ... more We have synthesised a novel nanocomposite film by incorporating copper and cobalt nanoparticles, prepared by the method of trituration, in the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) films by simple solution-casting technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study of these nanocomposite films detected presence of α- and β-phases. Scanning electron micrographs showed spherulitic crystal structure of PVDF-HFP in the nanocomposite film and study of dielectric properties over broadband frequency of these doped nanocomposite film showed that these films have higher dielectric permittivity and significantly lower dissipation factor (tanδ) at room temperature compared to the pure PVDF-HFP. The incorporation of metallic nanoparticles in the polymer matrix activates the transition of phase between α and β and provides the nanocomposites higher mobile charge carriers which participate in the interfacial polarisation. The room temperature dielectric constant of the pure PVDF-HFP at 20 Hz frequency increases with increase in concentration of the metal nanoparticles and reaches a maximum almost four times the value of the pure one. At higher concentrations, the effect reduces, perhaps due to agglomeration of the nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles, obtained by the method of trituration, are inexpensive, easy to fabricate and environment friendly. Thus, their incorporation in polymer matrix to get enhanced electrical properties will have a significant contribution to the present day research.
The Ebola viral disease with high fatality ratio is making a comeback in the Democratic Republic ... more The Ebola viral disease with high fatality ratio is making a comeback in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after its rampage in West Africa in 2014-16, that has spawned fears of leading to a pandemic. Vaccines such as the experimental rVSV-ZEBOV has provided protection in 70-80% of the cases, but such vaccines are in short supply and doubts exist of its availability and sustainability in pandemic cases. Peptide vaccines promise to amend this lacuna as a chemical construct that can be scaled up to requirement in manufacturing setup , are easy to produce in pure form and store as well as transport much more easily and economically than traditional vaccines. Although no peptide vaccines have been licensed yet for human use, the rapid growth of applications of in silica approaches to peptide vaccine design and application to a myriad of virus infections, and subsequent follow-up experimental work, have led to expectations to licensures in the near future. We have proposed a protocol to automate the search procedure for suitable peptide vaccines using mathematical and computational modelling approaches that ensure long life of such vaccines even in the face of rapid mutational changes in viral sequences. In this paper we outline the mathematical model we have used and the recent improvements in the techniques to ensure the best recommendations for peptide vaccine libraries, especially against the Ebola virus that threatens to spill over the Congo border and cause epidemic and pandemics in a globalized world. .
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Papers by Papiya Nandy