Anti-inflammatory mechanism of various metal and metal oxide nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts: A review

Boosting the anti-inflammatory effect of self-assembled hybrid lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles via hybridization with gold nanoparticles for the treatment of psoriasis: elemental mapping and in vivo modeling

Gold nanoparticles are a promising drug delivery system for treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, including psoriasis, due to their small size and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to conjugate gold nanoparticles with anti-psoriatic formulations that previously showed successful results in the treatment of psoriasis (tacrolimus-loaded chitosan nanoparticles and lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles) by virtue of their surface charges, then examine whether the hybridization with gold nanoparticles would enhance the anti-psoriatic efficacy in vivo. Successful formation of gold nanoparticles was examined by elemental mapping and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Hybrid conjugates were examined in terms of particle size and zeta potential by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Morphological features were captured by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was conducted, as well. All characterization was conducted for the conjugated nanoparticles and compared with their bare counterparts. The in vivo results on imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse model showed promising anti-psoriatic effects upon application of gold conjugated tacrolimus-loaded lecithin-chitosan hybrid nanoparticles with a significant difference from the bare hybrid nanoparticles in some of the inflammatory markers. The anti-inflammatory effect of the gold conjugate was also evident by a lower spleen to body weight ratio and a better histopathological skin condition compared to other tested formulations.

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors for the Detection of Salmonellosis: Current Prospective and Challenges

Salmonellosis is a major cause of foodborne infections, caused by Salmonella, posing a major health risk. It possesses the ability to infiltrate the food supply chain at any point throughout the manufacturing, distribution, processing or quality control process. Salmonella infection has increased severely and requires effective and efficient methods for early monitoring and detection. Traditional methods, such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and culture plate, consume a lot of time and are labor-intensive. Therefore, new quick detection methods for on-field applications are urgently needed. Biosensors provide consumer-friendly approaches for quick on-field diagnoses. In the last few years, there has been a surge in research into the creation of reliable and advanced electrochemical sensors for the detection of Salmonella strains in food samples. Electrochemical sensors provide extensive accuracy and reproducible results. Herein, we present a comprehensive overview of electrochemical sensors for the detection of Salmonella by focusing on various mechanisms of electrochemical transducer. Further, we explain new-generation biosensors (microfluidics, CRISPR- and IOT-based) for point-of care applications. This review also highlights the limitations of developing biosensors in Salmonella detection and future possibilities.

Biogenic Synthesis of CuO, ZnO, and CuO-ZnO Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extracts of Dovyalis caffra and Their Biological Properties

Biogenic metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a useful tool in biology due to their biocompatibility properties with most biological systems. In this study, we report the synthesis of copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs), and their nanocomposite (CuO–ZnO) prepared using the phytochemical extracts from the leaves of Dovyalis caffra (kei apple). The physicochemical properties of these nanomaterials were established using some characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The XRD result confirmed the presence of a monoclinic CuO (Tenorite), and a hexagonal ZnO (Zincite) nanoparticles phase, which were both confirmed in the CuO–ZnO composite. The electron microscopy of the CuO–ZnO, CuO, and ZnO NPs showed a mixture of nano-scale sizes and spherical/short-rod morphologies, with some agglomeration. In the constituent’s analysis (EDX), no unwanted peak was found, which showed the absence of impurities. Antioxidant properties of the nanoparticles was studied, which confirmed that CuO–ZnO nanocomposite exhibited better scavenging potential than the individual metal oxide nanoparticles (CuO, and ZnO), and ascorbic acid with respect to their minimum inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values. Similarly, the in vitro anticancer studies using MCF7 breast cancer cell lines indicated a concentration-dependent profile with the CuO–ZnO nanocomposite having the best activity over the respective metal oxides, but slightly lower than the standard 5-Fluorouracil drug.

Novel Gold Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis with Eryngium thyrsoideum Boiss Extract, Characterization, and In Vivo Investigations on Inflammatory Gene Expression and Biochemical Parameters in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

In this work, we synthesized and reported gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with Eryngium thyrsoideum Boiss plant extract for first time. The plant extract has important effect as reducing and stabilizing agent for preparation of Au nanoparticles. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized with FT-IR, UV-vis, XRD, SEM, and TEM analyses. All analyses confirmed successful synthesis of gold nanoparticles with high purity. The antidiabetic activity of synthesized Au NPs was investigated on type 2 diabetic rats by studying their influences on serum biochemical parameters and inflammatory markers. Obtained results revealed that hepatic enzymes, TNF-α, and interleukin-6 of diabetic rats receiving gold nanoparticles decreased in compare with healthy control rats. As inflammatory markers are main reasons for hyperglycemic-induced insulin resistance in diabetes, Au NPs have a possible option for management of the diabetes-related complication via their potent anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic effects.

Plant Extracts Mediated Metal-Based Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Biological Applications

The vastness of metal-based nanoparticles has continued to arouse much research interest, which has led to the extensive search and discovery of new materials with varying compositions, synthetic methods, and applications. Depending on applications, many synthetic methods have been used to prepare these materials, which have found applications in different areas, including biology. However, the prominent nature of the associated toxicity and environmental concerns involved in most of these conventional methods have limited their continuous usage due to the desire for more clean, reliable, eco-friendly, and biologically appropriate approaches. Plant-mediated synthetic approaches for metal nanoparticles have emerged to circumvent the often-associated disadvantages with the conventional synthetic routes, using bioresources that act as a scaffold by effectively reducing and stabilizing these materials, whilst making them biocompatible for biological cells. This capacity by plants to intrinsically utilize their organic processes to reorganize inorganic metal ions into nanoparticles has thus led to extensive studies into this area of biochemical synthesis and analysis. In this review, we examined the use of several plant extracts as a mediating agent for the synthesis of different metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs). Furthermore, the associated biological properties, which have been suggested to emanate from the influence of the diverse metabolites found in these plants, were also reviewed.

Immunomodulatory and Antitumoral Activity of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by Red Algae Aqueous Extracts

This study reports on the green and cost-efficient synthesis of gold nanoparticles from three different red algae extracts. The nanoparticles synthesized were fully characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, HRTEM, and Z-potential. Relevant components occurring in the extracts, such as polysaccharides or phenolic content, were assessed by analytical techniques such as spectrophotometric assays and liquid chromatography. Finally, the antioxidant, antitumoral, and anti-inflammatory potential of both the extracts and the gold nanoparticles synthesized were analyzed in order to determine a possible synergistic effect on the nanoparticles. The results obtained confirmed the obtainment of gold nanoparticles with significant potential as immunotherapeutic agents. The therapeutic potential of these nanoparticles could be higher than that of inert gold nanoparticles loaded with bioactive molecules since the former would allow for higher accumulation into the targeted tissue.

Novel Hydrophobic Nanostructured Antibacterial Coatings for Metallic Surface Protection

A simple and cost-efficient method to modify different surfaces in order to improve their bioactivity, corrosion and wear resistance proved to be sol-gel coatings. The silane layers have been shown to be effective in the protection of steel, aluminum or magnesium alloys and copper and copper alloys. Moreover, it has been found that the adding of different inorganic nanoparticles into silica films leads to increasing their performance regarding corrosion protection. In this study, we fabricated, a simple sol-gel method, transparent mono- and bi-layered hydrophobic coatings with simultaneous antibacterial, hydrophobic and anti-corrosive properties for the protection of metallic surfaces against the action of air pollutants or from biological attacks of pathogens. The first layer (the base) of the coating contains silver (Ag) or zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with an antibacterial effect. The second layer includes zinc oxide nanoparticles with flower-like morphology to increase the hydrophobicity of the coating and to improve corrosion-resistant properties. The second layer of the coating contains a fluorinated silica derivative, 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane (PFOTES), which contributes to the hydrophobic properties of the final coating by means of its hydrophobic groups. The mono- and bi-layered coatings with micro/nano rough structures have been applied by brushing on various substrates, including metallic surfaces (copper, brass and mild steel) and glass (microscope slides). The as-prepared coatings showed improved hydrophobic properties (water CA > 90°) when compared with the untreated substrates while maintaining the transparent aspect. The corrosion resistance tests revealed significantly lower values of the corrosion rates recorded for all the protected metallic surfaces, with the lowest values being measured for the bi-layered coatings containing ZnO particles, both in the first and in the second layers of the coating. Considering the antibacterial activity, the most effective were the AOAg-II and AOZnO-II coatings, which exhibited the highest reduction of microbial growth.

Effective CpG Delivery Using Zwitterion-Functionalized Dendrimer-Entrapped Gold Nanoparticles to Promote T Cell-Mediated Immunotherapy of Cancer Cells

Recently, cell-based immunotherapy has become one of the most promising ways to completely eliminate cancer. The major challenge is to effectively promote a proper immune response to kill the cancer cells by activated T cells. This study investigated the effect of T cell-mediated immunotherapy trigged by Au DENPs-MPC (zwitterion 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-functionalized dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles) loading oli-godeoxynucleotides (ODN) of unmethylated cytosine guanine dinucleotide (CPG). Here, we first synthesized Au DENPs-MPC, evaluated their capability to compress and transfect CpG-ODN to bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs), and investigated the potential to use T cells stimulated by matured BMDCs to inhibit the growth of tumor cells. The developed Au DENPs-MPC could apparently reduce the toxicity of Au DENPs, and enhanced transfer CpG-ODN to the BMDCs for the maturation as demonstrated by the 44.41–48.53% increase in different surface maturation markers. The transwell experiments certificated that ex vivo activated T cells display excellent anti-tumor ability, which could effectively inhibit the growth of tumor cells. These results suggest that Au DENPs-MPC can deliver CpG-ODN efficiently to enhance the antigen presentation ability of BMDCs to activate T cells, indicating that T cells-based immunotherapy mediated by Au DENPs-MPC loaded with CpG-ODN may become the most promising treatment of cancer.

Recent Developments in Nanomaterials-Based Drug Delivery and Upgrading Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, despite the recent developments in the management of CVDs, the early and long outcomes vary considerably in patients, especially with the current challenges facing the detection and treatment of CVDs. This disparity is due to a lack of advanced diagnostic tools and targeted therapies, requiring innovative and alternative methods. Nanotechnology offers the opportunity to use nanomaterials in improving health and controlling diseases. Notably, nanotechnologies have recognized potential applicability in managing chronic diseases in the past few years, especially cancer and CVDs. Of particular interest is the use of nanoparticles as drug carriers to increase the pharmaco-efficacy and safety of conventional therapies. Different strategies have been proposed to use nanoparticles as drug carriers in CVDs; however, controversies regarding the selection of nanomaterials and nanoformulation are slowing their clinical translation. Therefore, this review focuses on nanotechnology for drug delivery and the application of nanomedicine in CVDs.

Nanoparticles in Combating Neuronal Dysregulated Signaling Pathways: Recent Approaches to the Nanoformulations of Phytochemicals and Synthetic Drugs Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

As the worldwide average life expectancy has grown, the prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) has risen dramatically. A progressive loss of neuronal function characterizes NDDs, usually followed by neuronal death. Inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and protein misfolding are critical dysregulated signaling pathways that mainly orchestrate neuronal damage from a mechanistic point. Furthermore, in afflicted families with genetic anomalies, mutations and multiplications of α-synuclein and amyloid-related genes produce some kinds of NDDs. Overproduction of such proteins, and their excessive aggregation, have been proven in various models of neuronal malfunction and death. In this line, providing multi-target therapies carried by novel delivery systems would pave the road to control NDDs through simultaneous modulation of such dysregulated pathways. Phytochemicals are multi-target therapeutic agents, which employ several mechanisms towards neuroprotection. Besides, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical issue in managing NDDs since it inhibits the accessibility of drugs to the brain in sufficient concentration. Besides, discovering novel delivery systems is vital to improving the efficacy, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic of therapeutic agents. Such novel formulations are also employed to improve the drug's biodistribution, allow for the co-delivery of several medicines, and offer targeted intracellular delivery against NDDs. The present review proposes nanoformulations of phytochemicals and synthetic agents to combat NDDs by modulating neuroinflammation, neuroapoptosis, neuronal oxidative stress pathways and protein misfolding.

Nanoparticles as a novel tool to inhibit inflammatory cytokines in human lymphocytes and macrophages of coronary artery disease

TNFα and NF-kB contribute in activation of pro-inflammatory signaling pathways and complications of coronary artery diseases (CAD). Current study highlights novel properties of Au (15 ± 2nm), ZnO (77± 45nm) and MgO (11± 4nm) nanoparticles (NPs) as possible anti-inflammatory agents with greater efficacy and lower toxicity. Decrease in TNFα and NF-kB levels in Single Vessel Disease (SVD), Double Vessel Disease (DVD) and Triple-Vessel coronary artery disease (TVD) macrophage and lymphocyte cultures at varying concentrations of NPs has been studied to find an effective therapeutic concentration (ETC). Au and MgO NPs exhibits 5µg/ml ETC compared to 1µg/ml ZnO in all three CAD categories with negligible toxicity. ZnO remains most statistically significant (p<0.001) in SVD and TVD cultures whereas MgO shows efficacy in DVD and TVD cultures with more than 50% reduction in TNFα and NF-kB levels at their respective ETCs. Au NPs exhibit prominent effect in DVD cultures. The mRNA expression results support the down-regulation of TNFα and NF-kB after NPs exposure in respective cultures. Findings of this prospective observational cohort study suggest use of NPs as an alternate anti-inflammatory agent in coronary artery and other diseases.

A nanosecond pulsed laser-ablated MWCNT-Au heterostructure: an innovative ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensing prototype for the identification of glutathione

Here, a scheme that aptly describes the reduction of gold nanoparticles’ crystalline size on the surface of MWCNTs in an aqueous phase to generate a LAMWCNT-Au heterostructure, employing an Nd:YAG laser (energy = 505 mJ and λ = 1064 nm) is developed.

Evaluation of silver nanoparticles in cosmeceutical and potential biosafety complications

Silver nanoparticles are well received in the cosmeceutical industry due to their broad spectrum of pharmacology applications. Research on the therapeutic properties exhibited by silver nanoparticles revealed that the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are the main attraction in the establishment of nanocosmeceutical products whereby their mechanisms of action are reviewed in this paper. In addition, studies on other uses of silver nanoparticles acknowledged that the particles act as antifungal agents in nail polishes and pigments in coloured beauty products such as lipsticks and eye shadows. Despite the extensive use of silver nanoparticles in the cosmetic line, there are still limited resources on the mechanism of actions and the effect of the particles on the bio-functionality of the body. The safety of silver nanoparticles could be comprehended from their skin penetration ability and toxicity to the human body in which it could be justified that both features are mainly influenced by the morphology of the particles and the method of application. This article summarizes exclusively on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, the biomedical mechanisms and applications as well the limitations with respect to skin penetration ability and toxicity effects which will contribute significantly to the vast research on the association of nanotechnology and cosmetics.

Review on metal nanoparticles as nanocarriers: current challenges and perspectives in drug delivery systems

Over the past few years, nanotechnology has been attracting considerable research attention because of their outstanding mechanical, electromagnetic and optical properties. Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field comprising nanomaterials, nanoelectronics, and nanobiotechnology, as three areas which extensively overlap. The application of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) has drawn much attention offering significant advances, especially in the field of medicine by increasing the therapeutic index of drugs through site specificity preventing multidrug resistance and delivering therapeutic agents efficiently. Apart from drug delivery, some other applications of MNPs in medicine are also well known such as in vivo and in vitro diagnostics and production of enhanced biocompatible materials and nutraceuticals. The use of metallic nanoparticles for drug delivery systems has significant advantages, such as increased stability and half-life of drug carrier in circulation, required biodistribution, and passive or active targeting into the required target site. Green synthesis of MNPs is an emerging area in the field of bionanotechnology and provides economic and environmental benefits as an alternative to chemical and physical methods. Therefore, this review aims to provide up-to-date insights on the current challenges and perspectives of MNPs in drug delivery systems. The present review was mainly focused on the greener methods of metallic nanocarrier preparations and its surface modifications, applications of different MNPs like silver, gold, platinum, palladium, copper, zinc oxide, metal sulfide and nanometal organic frameworks in drug delivery systems.

Effective and prolonged targeting of a nanocarrier to the inflammation site by functionalization with ZnBPMP and chitosan

Efficient and selective targeting of inflamed tissues/organs is critical for diagnosis and therapy. Although nanomaterials themselves have an intrinsic advantage due to their size for targeting inflammation sites, additional functionalization of the nanomaterials with proper targeting moieties is desired to enhance the targeting efficiency. In this study, we aimed to improve the inflammation targeting characteristics of a pluronic-based nanocarrier, which has advantages as a nanosized delivery cargo for diverse molecules, by conjugating with chitosan and ZnBPMP (two Zn(II) ions chelated 2,6-bis[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino)-methyl]-4-methylphenol) moiety. Specific and significant cellular uptake and interaction between the nanocarrier functionalized with ZnBPMP ligand and chitosan to an apoptosis-induced immune cell line were observed in vitro. An inflammation model in the mouse ear caused by skin hypersensitivity was used to evaluate the effect of functionalization with chitosan and ZnBPMP moiety by comparing with various control groups. Functionalization of the nanocarrier with chitosan greatly enhanced the in vivo circulation time of the nanocarrier, so prolonged targeting ability of the nanocarrier to the inflamed ear was achieved. Additional ZnBPMP functionalization to chitosan-functionalized nanocarrier also resulted in significantly improved initial targeting and further enhancement in the targeting until 5 days to the inflamed ear and the decreased non-specific accumulation of the nanocarrier to the remaining body. Thus, developed nanocarrier has a high potential as a drug delivery carrier as well as a diagnostic agent to the inflammation sites.

Cuminum cyminum L.-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: Their Characterization and Effect on Formalin-Induced Nociceptive Response in Male Rats

In this study, a simple, low-cost, rapid, and eco-friendly approach for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) seed (CcAgNPs) was developed. Also, the anti-nociceptive properties of these synthesized AgNPs were evaluated in vivo. The CcAgNPs characterized using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analysis of phytochemical components in the aqueous extract of cumin seeds showed high concentrations of total phenols and ascorbic acid and low concentrations of total flavonoids. The analysis of phytochemical components and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups responsible for the bioreduction of Ag⁺ to AgNPs. The UV-Vis absorbance spectrum of CcAgNPs showed a maximum wavelength at 442 nm. The analysis of TEM images showed a spherical shape with a size of less than 50 nm, while XRD spectra revealed the crystallinity of CcAgNPs. The analysis of anti-nociceptive properties of CcAgNPs showed that the first phase of formalin-induced pain was significantly reduced in the groups receiving 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CcAgNPs compared with the controls and the group receiving 300 mg/kg of sodium salicylate (SS300). The second phase of formalin pain was also significantly reduced in the groups receiving 200 and 500 mg/kg CcAgNPs compared to the controls and SS300 group. Overall, we introduced a new AgNPs synthesized from cumin seeds (CcAgNPs) and showed their anti-nociceptive properties in the formalin-induced pain.

Plant-Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Advances in the New Millennium towards Understanding Their Therapeutic Role in Biomedical Applications

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have become one of the most popular metal oxide nanoparticles and recently emerged as a promising potential candidate in the fields of optical, electrical, food packaging, and biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, and low cost. They have a role in cell apoptosis, as they trigger excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and release zinc ions (Zn2+) that induce cell death. The zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using the plant extracts appear to be simple, safer, sustainable, and more environmentally friendly compared to the physical and chemical routes. These biosynthesized nanoparticles possess strong biological activities and are in use for various biological applications in several industries. Initially, the present review discusses the synthesis and recent advances of zinc oxide nanoparticles from plant sources (such as leaves, stems, bark, roots, rhizomes, fruits, flowers, and seeds) and their biomedical applications (such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, photocatalytic, wound healing, and drug delivery), followed by their mechanisms of action involved in detail. This review also covers the drug delivery application of plant-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles, focusing on the drug-loading mechanism, stimuli-responsive controlled release, and therapeutic effect. Finally, the future direction of these synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles' research and applications are discussed.

Association between maternal urinary selenium during pregnancy and newborn telomere length: results from a birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

Newborn telomere length is considered as an effective predictor of lifespan and health outcomes in later life. Selenium is an essential trace element for human health, and its antioxidation is of great significance for the prevention of telomere erosion.

METHODS

We recruited 746 mother-newborn pairs in Wuhan Children's Hospital between 2013 and 2015. Urine samples were repeatedly collected at three time points during pregnancy, and umbilical cord blood samples were collected right after parturition. Urinary selenium concentration was detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and newborn telomere length was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. We applied general estimating equations to examine the trimester-specific association between maternal urinary selenium during pregnancy and newborn telomere length.

RESULTS

The median of creatinine-corrected selenium concentrations during pregnancy were 16.29, 18.08, and 18.35 μg/g·creatinine in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. Selenium concentrations in all the three trimesters were significantly associated with newborn telomere length. Per doubling of maternal urinary selenium concentrations was associated with 6.44% (95% CI: 0.92, 12.25), 6.54% (95% CI: 0.17, 13.31), and 6.02% (95% CI: 0.29, 12.09) longer newborn telomere length in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to provide evidence for the effect of maternal selenium levels on fetal telomere erosion. Findings from our study suggested that maternal urinary selenium was positively associated with newborn telomere length, indicating that intrauterine selenium exposure might have effect on initial setting of human telomere length.

The application prospect of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles in the treatment of osteoarthritis

The current understanding of osteoarthritis is developing from a mechanical disease caused by cartilage wear to a complex biological response involving inflammation, oxidative stress and other aspects. Nanoparticles are widely used in drug delivery due to its good stability in vivo and cell uptake efficiency. In addition to the above advantages, metal/metal oxide NPs, such as cerium oxide and manganese dioxide, can also simulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes and catalyze the degradation of superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide. Degrading of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles releases metal ions, which may slow down the progression of osteoarthritis by inhibiting inflammation, promoting cartilage repair and inhibiting cartilage ossification. In present review, we focused on recent research works concerning osteoarthritis treating with metal/metal oxide nanoparticles, and introduced some potential nanoparticles that may have therapeutic effects.

Potentialities of bioinspired metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in biomedical sciences

To date, various reports have shown that metallic gold bhasma at the nanoscale form was used as medicine as early as 2500 B.C. in India, China, and Egypt. Owing to their unique physicochemical, biological, and electronic properties, they have broad utilities in energy, environment, agriculture and more recently, the biomedical field. The biomedical domain has been used in drug delivery, imaging, diagnostics, therapeutics, and biosensing applications. In this review, we will discuss and highlight the increasing control over metal and metal oxide nanoparticle structures as smart nanomaterials utilized in the biomedical domain to advance the role of biosynthesized nanoparticles for improving human health through wide applications in the targeted drug delivery, controlled release drug delivery, wound dressing, tissue scaffolding, and medical implants. In addition, we have discussed concerns related to the role of these types of nanoparticles as an anti-viral agent by majorly highlighting the ways to combat the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, along with their prospects.

Amelioration of autoimmunity and inflammation by zinc oxide nanoparticles in experimental rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the lining of the synovial joints and approximately affects 0.5 - 1% of the total population imposing a socioeconomic burden. The current study aimed at investigating the novel possible beneficial effects of using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on such devastating disease. The complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model was used to mimic RA in rats where ZnO NPs were given orally (2 mg/kg/day) daily for 14 days; and diclofenac Na, the standard drug, was given intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg/day) the day after CFA, daily for 14 days. Our results displayed that ZnO NPs attenuated adjuvant-induced increased production of inflammatory mediators interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and total leukocyte count. Besides, they ameliorated autoimmunity through suppression of anti-citrullinated protein auto antibodies (anti-CCP) levels in rats. In conclusion our results highlight the benefits which could be obtained of nanoparticles either alone or in combination with the known anti-arthritic and/or anti-inflammatory agents, giving rise to new protocols to maximize the control of RA.

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles for the treatment of osteoarthritis alone or in combination with Diacerein® in a rat model

Gold (Au) compounds were used as an effective therapeutic agent for various inflammatory diseases; however, the use of Au compounds becomes limited because of its association with several side effects. Hence, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were developed as a new option for the medical proposes. However, the safety evaluation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment remains vague. This study aimed to biosynthesize, characterize and evaluate the therapeutic effects of biosynthesized AuNPs and/or Diacerein^® (DIA) in experimental OA. OA was induced by a single injection of monosodium iodoacetate (3 mg/joint) in the intra-articular knee of female rats. Normal rats (N-rats) and OA-rats were treated orally for 5 weeks as follow: untreated N-rats; untreated OA-rats; N-rats received DIA (50 mg/kg b.w); N-rats received AuNPs (30 μg/kg b.w.); N-rats received AuNPs plus DIA; OA-rats received DIA; OA-rats received AuNPs, and OA-rats received AuNPs plus DIA. Blood, knee cartilage, liver and kidney samples were collected for biochemical and histological analysis. The synthesized AuNPs were nearly spherical with average size of 20 nm and zeta potential of 33 mV. AuNPs and DIA induced a significant improvement in serum inflammatory cytokines, biochemical parameters, estrogen level, hepatic and renal oxidative markers, hepatic DNA fragmentation, genomic template stability and cartilage joint histology of OA-rats. AuNPs were more effective than DIA and the combined treatment was more effective than the single treatment. It could be concluded that AuNPs are promising for the treatment of OA alone or in combination with DIA.

Inhibitory Effects of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles on the Differentiation into Osteoclasts In Vitro

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been widely studied to inhibit differentiation into osteoclasts. However, reports of the inhibitory effects of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) during the process of differentiation into osteoclasts are rare. We compared the inhibitory effect of GNPs and SNPs during the process of differentiation into osteoclasts. Bone marrow-derived cells were differentiated into osteoclasts by the receptor activator of the nuclear factor-kappa-Β ligand (RANKL). The inhibitory effect of GNPs or SNPs during the process of differentiation into osteoclasts was investigated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and actin ring staining. The formation of TRAP positive ⁽⁺⁾ multinuclear cells (MNCs) with the actin ring structure was most inhibited in the SNP group. In addition, the expression of specific genes related to the differentiation into osteoclasts, such as c-Fos, the nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), TRAP, and Cathepsin K (CTSK) were also inhibited in the SNP groups. As a result, the levels related to differentiation into osteoclasts were consistently lower in the SNP groups than in the GNP groups. Our study suggests that SNPs can be a useful material for inhibiting differentiation into osteoclasts and they can be applied to treatments for osteoporosis patients.

Nanomaterials for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Inflammatory Arthritis

Nanomaterials have received increasing attention due to their unique chemical and physical properties for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common complex multifactorial joint-associated autoimmune inflammatory disorder. RA is characterized by an inflammation of the synovium with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) and by the destruction of the articular cartilage and bone, and it is associated with the development of cardiovascular disorders such as heart attack and stroke. While a number of imaging tools allow for the monitoring and diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, and despite ongoing work to enhance their sensitivity and precision, the proper assessment of RA remains difficult particularly in the early stages of the disease. Our goal here is to describe the benefits of applying various nanomaterials as next-generation RA imaging and detection tools using contrast agents and nanosensors and as improved drug delivery systems for the effective treatment of the disease.

Saccorhiza polyschides used to synthesize gold and silver nanoparticles with enhanced antiproliferative and immunostimulant activity

Over the last years, there has been an increasing trend towards the use of environmentally friendly processes to synthesize nanomaterials. In the case of nanomedicine, the use of bionanofactories with associated biological properties, such as seaweed, has emerged as a promising field of work due to the possibility they open for both the preservation of those properties in the nanomaterials synthesized and/or the reduction of their toxicity. In the present study, gold (Au@SP) and silver (Ag@SP) nanoparticles were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Saccorhiza polyschides (SP). Several techniques showed that the nanoparticles formed were spherical and stable, with mean diameters of 14 ± 2 nm for Au@SP and 15 ± 3 nm for Ag@SP. The composition of the biomolecules in the extract and the nanoparticles were also analyzed. The analyses performed indicate that the extract acts as a protective medium, with the particles embedded in it preventing aggregation and coalescence. Au@SP and Ag@SP showed superior immunostimulant and antiproliferative activity on immune and tumor cells, respectively, to that of the SP extract. Moreover, the nanoparticles were able to modulate the release of reactive oxygen species depending on the concentration. Hence, both nanoparticles have a significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer or in immunostimulant therapy.

Assessment of SnFe2O4 Nanoparticles for Potential Application in Theranostics: Synthesis, Characterization, In Vitro, and In Vivo Toxicity

In this research, tin ferrite (SnFe2O4) NPs were synthesized via hydrothermal route using ferric chloride and tin chloride as precursors and were then characterized in terms of morphology and structure using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray power diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The obtained UV-Vis spectra was used to measure band gap energy of as-prepared SnFe2O4 NPs. XRD confirmed the spinel structure of NPs, while SEM and TEM analyses disclosed the size of NPs in the range of 15-50 nm and revealed the spherical shape of NPs. Moreover, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and BET analysis was carried out to estimate elemental composition and specific surface area, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity of the synthesized NPs were studied on normal (HUVEC, HEK293) and cancerous (A549) human cell lines. HUVEC cells were resistant to SnFe2O4 NPs; while a significant decrease in the viability of HEK293 cells was observed when treated with higher concentrations of SnFe2O4 NPs. Furthermore, SnFe2O4 NPs induced dramatic cytotoxicity against A549 cells. For in vivo study, rats received SnFe2O4 NPs at dosages of 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg. The 10 mg/kg dose increased serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The pathology showed necrosis in the liver, heart, and lungs, and the greatest damages were related to the kidneys. Overall, the in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that SnFe2O4 NPs at high doses had toxic effects on lung, liver and kidney cells without inducing toxicity to HUVECs. Further studies are warranted to fully elucidate the side effects of SnFe2O4 NPs for their application in theranostics.

Impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on intestinal community in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced acute colitis mice and the intervention effect of vitamin E

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are widely applied as additives in foods due to their excellent whitening and brightening capability. Although the toxicity and antibacterial activity of TiO2-NPs have been extensively studied, their impact on the gut microbiota in vivo still remains unclear, especially in animals with gastrointestinal disorders. In the present study, healthy mice and TNBS-induced colitis mice were administered with TiO2-NPs (38.3 ± 9.3 nm) orally at a dose of 100 mg per kg bw daily for 10 days to study the impact of TiO2-NPs on the gut microbiota and colitis development. Moreover, the mechanism of TiO2-NPs on the gut microbiota was also discussed when the colitis mice were additionally administered with vitamin E to remove ROS. Changes in the microbiota community structure and gut-associated function prediction were analyzed through bioinformatics. The result showed that the oral administration of TiO2-NPs mitigated colitis symptoms by reducing the DAI and CMDI scores and TNF-α level. Furthermore, 16S rDNA sequencing analysis showed that the structure and function prediction of gut microbiota could be modified in healthy mice and colitis mice after exposure to TiO2-NPs, but the opposite physiological effect occurred since the dominant flora varied in these two groups. Moreover, vitamin E intervention did not change the effects of TiO2-NPs on the microbiota community structure and gut-associated function, which indicates that the mechanism of the biological effects of TiO2-NPs on the gut microbiota may not be associated with their ability to induce the generation of ROS. In summary, our work firstly found that TiO2-NPs could regulate the gut microbiota of colitis mice and participate in the mitigation of TNBS-induced acute colitis, and the capability of TiO2-NPs to induce the generation of ROS inducement did not contribute to this process.

Cotreatment of Small Gold Nanoparticles Protects Against the Increase in Cerebral Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Oxidative Stress Induced by Acute Ethanol Exposure in the Zebrafish

Gold nanoparticles (GNP) have emerged as an alternative to biomaterials in biomedical applications. Research has clearly demonstrated the relative safety and low toxicity of these molecules. However, the possible neuroprotective effect of GNP on the central nervous system (CNS) and its relationship with neurological and psychiatric disorders remain unclear. Zebrafish is a reliable model to investigate the impact of ethanol (EtOH) consumption on the CNS, including reward signaling such as the cholinergic neurotransmission system. Here, we investigated whether cotreatment or pretreatment with GNP prevented EtOH-induced changes in acetylcholinesterase activity and oxidative stress in the brain of zebrafish. We exposed adult zebrafish to 2.5 mg·L^-1 GNP 1 h prior to EtOH (1% v/v) treatment for 1 h, and cotreated adult zebrafish simultaneously with both substances for 1 h. Pretreatment with GNP did not prevent EtOH-induced increase in the acetylcholinesterase activity, whereas cotreatment with 2.5 mg·L^-1 GNP and EtOH protected against this increase. The results also suggested similar protective effect on oxidative stress parameters in the zebrafish pretreated with GNP at 2.5 mg·L^-1. GNP significantly decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species and dihydrodichlorofluorescein levels when cotreated with EtOH. GNP also prevented EtOH-induced increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, suggesting a modulatory role of GNP in enzymatic antioxidant defenses. Our results showed that GNP was able to modulate the disruption of cholinergic and oxidative homeostasis in the brain of zebrafish. These findings indicate for the first time that zebrafish is an interesting perspective to investigate nanoparticles against disorders related to alcohol abuse.

Unravelling the human triple negative breast cancer suppressive activity of biocompatible zinc oxide nanostructures influenced by Vateria indica (L.) fruit phytochemicals

The present study delineates the biosynthesis of ZnOVI nanostructures by using aqueous fruit extract of V. indica. The study has disclosed the role of V. indica fruit extract as both reducing and capping agents, ushering the formation of ZnOVI nanostructures with distinct morphologies. The formation of ZnOVI nanostructures was corroborated by FT-IR and UV-visible spectroscopy which was further substantiated by the elemental composition study through EDS spectroscopy. The nanostructures were also investigated by Rietveld refinement of PXRD data, FE-SEM, and BET analysis. The morphology, size, and surface area were found to be precursor stoichiometry dependent. The in-vitro cytotoxicity study of ZnOVI nanostructures carried out on MDA-MB468 human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells has revealed their potential cytotoxicity (91.18 ± 1.98). MTT assay performed on the NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast cells has unfolded the non-toxic nature of ZnOVI nanostructures. Additionally, the results of the AO-EB dual staining assay indicated early apoptosis in TNBC cells by displaying greenish yellow-fluorescence in the nuclei. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement study has confirmed the elevated intracellular levels of ROS, supporting the oxidative-stress induced cytotoxicity in ZnOVI nanostructures treated TNBC cells. Furthermore, the haemocompatibility of ZnOVI nanostructures was evaluated using human erythrocytes. Thus, the obtained results have shown greater potential in the anticancer activity of bio-fabricated ZnOVI nanostructures.

Optimization for biogenic microbial synthesis of silver nanoparticles through response surface methodology, characterization, their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and catalytic potential

Silver is a poisonous but precious heavy metal that has widespread application in various biomedical and environmental divisions. Wide-ranging usage of the metal has twisted severe environmental apprehensions. Henceforth there is a cumulative call for the progress of modest, low-cost and, the ecological method for remediation of silver. In the present study, Bacillus cereus was isolated from contaminated soil. Various experimental factors like the amount of AgNO3, inoculum size, temperature, time, and pH were improved by using central composite design (CCD) grounded on response surface methodology (RSM). Optimized values for AgNO3 (1 mM) 10 ml, inoculum size (Bacillus cereus) 8.7 ml, temperature 48.5 °C, time 69 h, and pH 9 showed in the form of optimized ramps. The formed nanoparticles stayed characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectrometry, particle size analyzer, and X-ray diffraction. The particle size ranges from 5 to 7.06 nm with spherical form. The antimicrobial effectiveness of synthesized nanoparticles was tested contrary to five multidrug resistant microbial strains, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Porteus mirabilis by disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum lethal concentrations were detected by the broth macro dilution method. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) was used to check the free radical scavenging ability of biogenic silver nanoparticles. Similarly, anti-radical activity was checked by 2,2'-Azino-Bis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid (ABTS) with varying time intervals. Catalytic potential of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was also investigated.

Recent Advances in Antiinflammatory Material Design

Implants and prostheses are widely used to replace damaged tissues or to treat various diseases. However, besides the risk of bacterial or fungal infection, an inflammatory response usually occurs. Here, recent progress in the field of anti-inflammatory biomaterials is described. Different materials and approaches are used to decrease the inflammatory response, including hydrogels, nanoparticles, implant surface coating by polymers, and a variety of systems for anti-inflammatory drug delivery. Complex multifunctional systems dealing with inflammation, microbial infection, bone regeneration, or angiogenesis are also described. New promising stimuli-responsive systems, such as pH- and temperature-responsive materials, are also being developed that would enable an "intelligent" antiinflammatory response when the inflammation occurs. Together, different approaches hold promise for creation of novel multifunctional smart materials allowing better implant integration and tissue regeneration.

Influence of Solvents' Polarity on the Physicochemical Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of Titania Synthesized Using Deinbollia pinnata Leaves

Nanotechnology is one of the most interesting areas of research due to its flexibility to improve or form new products from nanoparticles (NPs), and as a fast, greener, more eco-friendly and sustainable solution to technological and environmental challenges. Among metal oxides of photocatalytic performance, the use of titania (TiO₂) as photocatalyst is most popular due to its unique optical and electronic properties. Despite the wide utilization, the synthesis of TiO₂ NPs bears many disadvantages: it utilizes various less environmental-friendly chemicals, high cost, requires high pressure and energy, and potentially hazardous physical and chemical methods. Hence, the development of green synthesis approach with eco-friendly natural products can be used to overcome these adverse effects. In this work, TiO₂ NPs have been prepared by using Deinbollia pinnata leaves extracts, obtained by different solvents (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol) with different polarities. The extracts acted as the reducing agent, while titanium isopropoxide as the precursor and water as the solvent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the synthesized TiO₂ consist of anatase phase in high purity, with average crystallite size in the range of 19–21 nm. Characterization by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed the TiO₂ NPs possess a uniform semi-spherical shape in the size range of 33–48 nm. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra of green TiO₂ NPs showed two peaks for the main elements of Ti (61 Wt.%) and O (35 Wt.%). The band-gap energy of 3.2 eV was determined using UV-Vis spectroscopy. From the nitrogen sorption analysis, type V isotherm of the material was obtained, with BET surface area of 31.77 m²/g. The photocatalytic activity of synthesized TiO₂ was evaluated for photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV light irradiation. Based on the results, it is shown that TiO₂ NPs synthesized with D. pinnata leaves extracted using ethyl acetate showed the most effective photodegradation performance, achieving 98.7% of MO conversion within 150 min. It can be concluded that the use of plant extracts in synthesis with TiO₂ managed to produce highly crystalline anatase TiO₂ with superior photocatalytic activity in the photodegradation of organic dye.

Metal Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Sensing: Progress and Challenges in the Clinical Transition of Point-of-Care Testing

With the rise in public health awareness, research on point-of-care testing (POCT) has significantly advanced. Electrochemical biosensors (ECBs) are one of the most promising candidates for the future of POCT due to their quick and accurate response, ease of operation, and cost effectiveness. This review focuses on the use of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) for fabricating ECBs that has a potential to be used for POCT. The field has expanded remarkably from its initial enzymatic and immunosensor-based setups. This review provides a concise categorization of the ECBs to allow for a better understanding of the development process. The influence of structural aspects of MNPs in biocompatibility and effective sensor design has been explored. The advances in MNP-based ECBs for the detection of some of the most prominent cancer biomarkers (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), Herceptin-2 (HER2), etc.) and small biomolecules (glucose, dopamine, hydrogen peroxide, etc.) have been discussed in detail. Additionally, the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) ECBs have been briefly discussed. Beyond that, the limitations and challenges that ECBs face in clinical applications are examined and possible pathways for overcoming these limitations are discussed.

Chemopreventive mechanism of action by oxidative stress and toxicity induced surface decorated selenium nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

Scientists are working on creating novel materials that can help in the treatment of diverse cancer-related diseases having trademark highlights like the target siting, specificity, improved therapeutic index of radiotherapy and chemotherapeutic treatments. The utilization of novel nanomaterials which are surface adorned with drugs or natural compounds can be used in diverse medical applications and helps in setting up a new platform for its improvement in the chemotherapeutic potentiality. One such nanomaterial is the trace element selenium in its nanoparticulate form that has been proved to be a potential chemotherapeutic agent recently.

METHODS

The English language papers were gathered from electronic databases like Sciencedirect, Pub Med, Google Scholar and Scopus, the papers are published from 2001 to 2019.

RESULTS

In the initial phase, approximately 200 papers were searched upon, out of which 118 articles were included after screening and critical reviewing. The information included was also tabulated for better knowledge and easy read. These articles contain information on the nanotechnology, inflammation, cancer and selenium as nanoparticles.

CONCLUSION

The overview of the paper explains the enhancement of potentiality of anticancer drugs or phytochemicals which restricts its utilization in chemotherapeutic applications by the encapsulation or adsorption of them on selenium nanoparticles proven to accelerate the anticancerous properties with better results when compared with individual components. SeNPs (selenium nanoparticles) have demonstrated chemotherapeutic activity due to pro-oxidant property, where the anti-oxidant enzymes are stimulated to produce reactive active species, which induces oxidative stress, followed by activation of the apoptotic signalling pathway, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial dysfunction and other pathways that ultimately lead to cell death. Selenium in nanoparticulate form can be used as a micronutrient to human health, thereby having low toxicity, can easily be degraded and also has good biocompatibility.

Biogenic nanoparticles: a comprehensive perspective in synthesis, characterization, application and its challenges

BACKGROUND

Translating the conventional scientific concepts into a new robust invention is a much needed one at a present scenario to develop some novel materials with intriguing properties. Particles in nanoscale exhibit superior activity than their bulk counterpart. This unique feature is intensively utilized in physical, chemical, and biological sectors. Each metal is holding unique optical properties that can be utilized to synthesize metallic nanoparticles. At present, versatile nanoparticles were synthesized through chemical and biological methods. Metallic nanoparticles pose numerous scientific merits and have promising industrial applications. But concerning the pros and cons of metallic nanoparticle synthesis methods, researchers elevate to drive the synthesis process of nanoparticles through the utilization of plant resources as a substitute for use of chemicals and reagents under the theme of green chemistry. These synthesized nanoparticles exhibit superior antimicrobial, anticancer, larvicidal, leishmaniasis, wound healing, antioxidant, and as a sensor. Therefore, the utilization of such conceptualized nanoparticles in treating infectious and environmental applications is a warranted one.

CONCLUSION

Green chemistry is a keen prudence method, in which bioresources is used as a template for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Therefore, in this review, we exclusively update the context of plant-based metallic nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, and applications in detailed coverage. Hopefully, our review will be modernizing the recent trends going on in metallic nanoparticles synthesis for the blooming research fraternities.