ZnO nanoparticles applied to bioimaging and drug delivery

ZnO NPs induce miR-342-5p mediated ferroptosis of spermatocytes through the NF-κB pathway in mice

BACKGROUND

Zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) is one of the metal nanomaterials with extensive use in many fields such as feed additive and textile, which is an emerging threat to human health due to widely distributed in the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the toxic effects associated with ZnO NPs. Although previous studies have found accumulation of ZnO NPs in testis, the molecular mechanism of ZnO NPs dominated a decline in male fertility have not been elucidated.

RESULTS

We reported that ZnO NPs exposure caused testicular dysfunction and identified spermatocytes as the primary damaged site induced by ZnO NPs. ZnO NPs led to the dysfunction of spermatocytes, including impaired cell proliferation and mitochondrial damage. In addition, we found that ZnO NPs induced ferroptosis of spermatocytes through the increase of intracellular chelatable iron content and lipid peroxidation level. Moreover, the transcriptome analysis of testis indicated that ZnO NPs weakened the expression of miR-342-5p, which can target Erc1 to block the NF-κB pathway. Eventually, ferroptosis of spermatocytes was ameliorated by suppressing the expression of Erc1.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study reveals a novel mechanism in that miR-342-5p targeted Erc1 to activate NF-κB signaling pathway is required for ZnO NPs-induced ferroptosis, and provide potential targets for further research on the prevention and treatment of male reproductive disorders related to ZnO NPs.

The emerging role of nuclear receptor coactivator 4 in health and disease: a novel bridge between iron metabolism and immunity

Nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) has recently been recognized as a selective cargo receptor of ferritinophagy participating in ferroptosis. However, NCOA4 is also a coactivator that modulates the transcriptional activity of many vital nuclear receptors. Recent novel studies have documented the role of NCOA4 in healthy and pathogenic conditions via its modulation of iron- and non-iron-dependent metabolic pathways. NCOA4 exhibits non-ferritinophagic and iron-independent features such as promoting tumorigenesis and erythropoiesis, immunomodulation, regulating autophagy, and participating in DNA replication and mitosis. Full-length human-NCOA4 is composed of 614 amino acids, of which the N-terminal (1-237) contains nuclear-receptor-binding domains, while the C-terminal (238-614) principally contains a ferritin-binding domain. The exploration of the protein structure of NCOA4 suggests that NCOA4 possesses additional significant and complex functions based on its structural domains. Intriguingly, another three isoforms of NCOA4 that are produced by alternative splicing have been identified, which may also display disparate activities in physiological and pathological processes. Thus, NCOA4 has become an important bridge that encompasses interactions between immunity and metabolism. In this review, we outline the latest advances in the important regulating mechanisms underlying NCOA4 actions in health and disease conditions, providing insights into potential therapeutic interventions.

pH-responsive self-assembled nanoparticles for tumor-targeted drug delivery

Recent advances in the field of drug delivery have opened new avenues for the development of novel nanodrug delivery systems (NDDS) in cancer therapy. Self-assembled nanoparticles (SANPs) based on tumour microenvironment have great advantages in improving antitumor effect, and pH-responsive SANPs prepared by the combination of pH-responsive nanomaterials and self-assembly technology can effectively improve the efficacy and reduce the systemic toxicity of antitumor drugs. In this review, we describe the characteristics of self-assembly and its driving force, the mechanism of pH-responsive NDDS, and the nanomaterials for pH-responsive SANPs type. A series of pH-responsive SANPs for tumour-targeted drug delivery are discussed, with an emphasis on the relation between structural features and theranostic performance.

Enhancing 3D-printed denture base resins: A review of material innovations

The limited physical and mechanical properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), the current gold standard, necessitates exploring improved denture base materials. While three-dimensional (3D) printing offers accuracy, efficiency, and patient comfort advantages, achieving superior mechanics in 3D-printed denture resins remains challenging despite good biocompatibility and esthetics. This review investigates the potential of innovative materials to address the limitations of 3D-printed denture base materials. Thus, this article is organized to provide a comprehensive overview of recent efforts to enhance 3D-printed denture base materials, highlighting advancements. It critically examines the impact of incorporating various nanoparticles (zirconia, titania, etc.) on these materials' physical and mechanical properties. Additionally, it delves into recent strategies for nanofiller surface treatment and biocompatibility evaluation and explores potential future directions for polymeric composites in denture applications. The review finds that adding nanoparticles significantly improves performance compared to unmodified resins, and properties can be extensively enhanced through specific modifications, particularly silanized nanoparticles. Optimizing 3D-printed denture acrylics requires a multifaceted approach, with future research prioritizing novel nanomaterials and surface modification techniques for a novel generation of superior performance, esthetically pleasing, and long-lasting dentures.

On the Fate of Lithium Ions in Sol-Gel Derived Zinc Oxide Nanocrystals

Among diverse chemical synthetic approaches to zinc oxide nanocrystals (ZnO NCs), ubiquitous inorganic sol-gel methodology proved crucial for advancements in ZnO-based nanoscience. Strikingly, unlike the exquisite level of control over morphology and size dispersity achieved in ZnO NC syntheses, the purity of the crystalline phase, as well as the understanding of the surface structure and the character of the inorganic-organic interface, have been limited to vague descriptors until very recently. Herein, ZnO NCs applying the standard sol-gel synthetic protocol are synthesized with zinc acetate and lithium hydroxide and tracked the integration of lithium (Li) cations into the interior and exterior of nanoparticles by combining various techniques, including advanced solid-state NMR methods. In contrast to common views, it is demonstrated that Li+ ions remain kinetically trapped in the inorganic core, enter into a shallow subsurface layer, and generate "swelling" of the surface and interface regions. Thus, this work enabled both the determination of the NCs' structural imperfections and an in-depth understanding of the unappreciated role of the Li+ ions in impacting the doping and the passivation of sol-gel-derived ZnO nanomaterials.

pH-Sensitive doxorubicin delivery using zinc oxide nanoparticles as a rectified theranostic platform: in vitro anti-proliferative, apoptotic, cell cycle arrest and in vivo radio-distribution studies

Despite enormous advancements in its management, cancer is the world's primary cause of mortality. Therefore, tremendous strides were made to produce intelligent theranostics with mitigated side effects and improved specificity and efficiency. Thus, we developed a pH-sensitive theranostic platform composed of dextran immobilized zinc oxide nanoparticles, loaded with doxorubicin and radiolabeled with the technetium-99m radionuclide (99mTc-labelled DOX-loaded ZnO@dextran). The platform measured 11.5 nm in diameter with -12 mV zeta potential, 88% DOX loading efficiency and 98.5% radiolabeling efficiency. It showed DOX release in a pH-responsive manner, releasing 93.1% cumulatively at pH 5 but just 7% at pH 7.4. It showed improved intracellular uptake, which resulted in a high growth suppressive effect against MCF-7 cancer cells as compared to the free DOX. It boasted a 4 times lower IC50 than DOX, indicating its significant anti-proliferative potential (0.14 and 0.55 μg ml-1, respectively). The in vitro biological evaluation revealed that its molecular mode of anti-proliferative action included downregulating Cdk-2, which provoked G1/S cell cycle arrest, and upregulating both the intracellular ROS level and caspase-3, which induced apoptosis and necrosis. The in vivo experiments in Ehrlich-ascites carcinoma bearing mice demonstrated that DOX-loaded ZnO@dextran showed a considerable 4-fold increase in anti-tumor efficacy compared to DOX. Moreover, by utilizing the diagnostic radionuclide (99mTc), the radiolabeled platform (99mTc-labelled DOX-loaded ZnO@dextran) was in vivo monitored in tumor-bearing mice, revealing high tumor accumulation (14% ID g-1 at 1 h p.i.) and reduced uptake in non-target organs with a 17.5 T/NT ratio at 1 h p.i. Hence, 99mTc-labelled DOX-loaded ZnO@dextran could be recommended as a rectified tumor-targeted theranostic platform.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles damage the prefrontal lobe in mouse: Behavioral impacts and key mechanisms

Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have dualistic properties due to their advantage and toxicity. However, the impact and mechanisms of ZnO NPs on the prefrontal lobe have limited research. This study investigates the behavioral changes following exposure to ZnO NPs (34 mg/kg, 30 days), integrating multiple behaviors and bioinformatics analysis to identify critical factors and regulatory mechanisms. The essential differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including ORC1, DSP, AADAT, SLITRK6, and STEAP1. Analysis of the DEGs based on fold change reveals that ZnO NPs primarily regulate cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis in neural cells, damaging the prefrontal lobe. Moreover, disruption of cell communication, mineral absorption, and immune pathways occurs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) further shows enrichment of behavior, neuromuscular process, signal transduction in function, synapses-related, cAMP signaling, and immune pathways. Furthermore, alternative splicing (AS) genes highlight synaptic structure/function, synaptic signal transduction, immune responses, cell proliferation, and communication.

Composite Microgels Loaded with Doxorubicin-Conjugated Amine-Functionalized Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles for Stimuli-Responsive Sustained Drug Release

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address the need for efficient drug delivery with high drug encapsulation efficiency and sustained drug release. We aim to create nanoparticle-loaded microgels for potential applications in treatment development.

Methods

We adopted the process of ionic gelation to generate microgels from sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose. These microgels were loaded with doxorubicin-conjugated amine-functionalized zinc ferrite nanoparticles (AZnFe-NPs). The systems were characterized using various techniques. Toxicity was evaluated in MCF-7 cells. In vitro release studies were conducted at different pH levels at 37 oC, with the drug release kinetics being analyzed using various models.

Results

The drug encapsulation efficiency of the created carriers was as high as 70%. The nanoparticle-loaded microgels exhibited pH-responsive behavior and sustained drug release. Drug release from them was mediated via a non-Fickian type of diffusion.

Conclusion

Given their high drug encapsulation efficiency, sustained drug release and pH-responsiveness, our nanoparticle-loaded microgels show promise as smart carriers for future treatment applications. Further development and research can significantly benefit the field of drug delivery and treatment development.

Characterization and Cytotoxicity Assessment of Synthesized Palladium (II) Complex-Encapsulated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment

The treatment of cancer often leads to a range of adverse effects. Encapsulating drugs can mitigate these effects and enhance drug efficacy by enabling a controlled release at the site of interest. This study details the successful synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) through the precipitation of Zn(NO3)2·6H2O with KOH. A Pd(II) complex drug was synthesized from a Schiff base ligand derived from 2-hydroxybenzohydrazide and (E)-1-(2-(p-tolyl)hydrazono)propan-2-one using potassium tetrachloropalladate(II). This complex was subsequently incorporated into ZnONPs. Characterization of the resulting compounds was performed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy. TEM imaging revealed particle sizes of 160.69 ± 4.74 nm for ZnONPs and 185.28 ± 2.3 nm for the Pd(II) complex-encapsulated ZnONPs. The Zeta potential values were 6.53 mV for ZnONPs and 7.36 mV for Pd(II) complex-encapsulated ZnONPs. UV-visible spectroscopy showed an absorption peak at 360 nm for ZnONPs, while the Pd(II) complex-encapsulated ZnONPs exhibited a peak at 410 nm. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of the Pd(II) complex within the ZnONPs, as evidenced by a consistent Zn-O vibrational band at 832 cm-1 and a shift in another peak from 460 to 413 cm-1. Additionally, the detection of a C = N stretching vibration at 1548 cm-1 and a carbonyl stretch at 1626 cm-1 was observed. The Encapsulation Efficiency (E.E.) of the Pd(II) complex was 97.2%. A drug release experiment conducted at pH 7 showed a steady-state release pattern after 16 h, with a cumulative release of 44.3%. The cytotoxic effects of the Pd(II) complex and its encapsulated form in ZnONPs on the MCF-7 cell line were assessed via MTT test. The Pd(II) complex encapsulated within ZnONPs exhibited decreased toxicity relative to the unencapsulated drug, as evidenced by a higher IC50 value of 418.5 μg/ml. This suggests that the encapsulation facilitates a sustained release, which allows for targeted accumulation within cells. The elevated IC50 value indicates that the drug delivery system may be engineered to modulate the release of the drug in a more controlled manner, potentially resulting in a prolonged release profile rather than an immediate therapeutic impact.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Applications of Aerva persica Aqueous-Root Extract-Mediated Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles

In the present study, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by using aqueous extracts of Aerva persica roots. Characterization of as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles was carried out using different techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and BET surface area analysis. Morphological analysis confirmed the small, aggregated flake-shaped morphology of as-synthesized ZnO nanostructures. The as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles were analyzed for their potential application as anti-inflammatory (using in vivo inhibition of carrageenan induced paw edema) and antioxidant (using in vitro radical scavenging activity) agents. The ZnO nanoparticles were found to have a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of standard ascorbic acid (antioxidant) and indomethacin (anti-inflammatory drug). Therefore, due to their ecofriendly synthesis, nontoxicity, and biocompatible nature, zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized successfully from roots extract of the plant Aerva persica with potent efficiencies can be utilized for different biomedical applications.

Mesoporous zinc oxide-based drug delivery system offers an antifungal and immunoregulatory strategy for treating keratitis

Fungal keratitis is a refractory eye disease that is prone to causing blindness. Fungal virulence and inflammatory responses are two major factors that accelerate the course of fungal keratitis. However, the current antifungal drugs used for treatment usually possess transient residence time on the ocular surface and low bioavailability deficiencies, which limit their therapeutic efficacy. In this work, natamycin (NATA)-loaded mesoporous zinc oxide (Meso-ZnO) was synthesized for treating Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis with excellent drug-loading and sustained drug release capacities. In addition to being a carrier for drug delivery, Meso-ZnO could restrict fungal growth in a concentration-dependent manner, and the transcriptome analysis of fungal hyphae indicated that it inhibited the mycotoxin biosynthesis, oxidoreductase activity and fungal cell wall formation. Meso-ZnO also promoted cell migration and exhibited anti-inflammatory role during fungal infection by promoting the activation of autophagy. In mouse models of fungal keratitis, Meso-ZnO/NATA greatly reduced corneal fungal survival, alleviated tissue inflammatory damage, and reduced neutrophils accumulation and cytokines expression. This study suggests that Meso-ZnO/NATA can be a novel and effective treatment strategy for fungal keratitis.

Functionalized ZnO-Based Nanocomposites for Diverse Biological Applications: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

The wide array of structures and characteristics found in ZnO-based nanostructures offers them a versatile range of uses. Over the past decade, significant attention has been drawn to the possible applications of these materials in the biomedical field, owing to their distinctive electronic, optical, catalytic, and antimicrobial attributes, alongside their exceptional biocompatibility and surface chemistry. With environmental degradation and an aging population contributing to escalating healthcare needs and costs, particularly in developing nations, there's a growing demand for more effective and affordable biomedical devices with innovative functionalities. This review delves into particular essential facets of different synthetic approaches (chemical and green) that contribute to the production of effective multifunctional nano-ZnO particles for biomedical applications. Outlining the conjugation of ZnO nanoparticles highlights the enhancement of biomedical capacity while lowering toxicity. Additionally, recent progress in the study of ZnO-based nano-biomaterials tailored for biomedical purposes is explored, including biosensing, bioimaging, tissue regeneration, drug delivery, as well as vaccines and immunotherapy. The final section focuses on nano-ZnO particles' toxicity mechanism with special emphasis to their neurotoxic potential, as well as the primary toxicity pathways, providing an overall review of the up-to-date development and future perspectives of nano-ZnO particles in the biomedicine field.

Piezoelectric dressings for advanced wound healing

The treatment of chronic refractory wounds poses significant challenges and threats to both human society and the economy. Existing research studies demonstrate that electrical stimulation fosters cell proliferation and migration and promotes the production of cytokines that expedites the wound healing process. Presently, clinical settings utilize electrical stimulation devices for wound treatment, but these devices often present issues such as limited portability and the necessity for frequent recharging. A cutting-edge wound dressing employing the piezoelectric effect could transform mechanical energy into electrical energy, thereby providing continuous electrical stimulation and accelerating wound healing, effectively addressing these concerns. This review primarily reviews the selection of piezoelectric materials and their application in wound dressing design, offering a succinct overview of these materials and their underlying mechanisms. This study also provides a perspective on the current limitations of piezoelectric wound dressings and the future development of multifunctional dressings harnessing the piezoelectric effect.

Aloe vera assisted green synthesis of Ag and Cu co-doped ZnO nanoparticles and a comprehensive analysis of their structural, morphological, optical, electrical and antibacterial properties

This study investigates the potential of utilizing Aloe vera-assisted green synthesis with transition metal dopants of Ag and Cu for greater efficiency and sustainability in advanced scientific applications utilizing ZnO nanoparticles. Samples were prepared using the co-precipitation method, maintaining a basic pH media of 10. Aloe vera gel extract was chosen for its acclaimed role as a stabilizing and reducing agent and its proven antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. The XRD report revealed the hexagonal Wurtzite crystal structure of nanoparticles, exhibiting a crystallite size range of 17-23 nm with substantial alterations in lattice parameters, dislocation density, and bond lengths when dopants were added. Additionally, EDX analysis confirmed the perfect doping of Ag and Cu in ZnO without any impurities. SEM analysis indicated a reduction in agglomeration, accompanied by a transition in particle morphology from columnar to globular. Additionally, the optical study showed a band gap range of 3.18-3.27 eV, confirming it to be a wide band gap semiconductor. The effect of dopants resulted in an increase in transparency and band gap, while a decrease in absorption coefficient in the visible wavelength region. With increasing temperature, a decline in electrical resistivity was noted, with co-doped nanoparticles consistently exhibiting the lowest resistivity, affirming semiconductor characteristics. Most importantly, A remarkable antibacterial efficacy was noticed at low concentrations against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The zone of inhibition produced by nanoparticles exhibited values akin to the antibiotic control, even at substantially lower doses. This research offers a comprehensive analysis of the effects of Ag and Cu in Aloe vera-assisted green-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, concurrently addressing their potential applications in biomedical, energy storage, and optoelectronic devices.

The advancing of polymeric core-shell ZnO nanocomposites containing 5-fluorouracil for improving anticancer activity in colorectal cancer

The study investigated the use of 5-fluorouracil-loaded ZnO nanocomposites (5-FU/Gd-ZnO NCs) as a potential treatment for cancer. 5-FU is a commonly used drug for cancer treatment but has undesirable side effects. The materials were characterized using various techniques, including PXRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, DLS, £-potential, and AFM. The data showed that the nanocomposites had a plate-like agglomeration with particle diameters ranging from 317.6 to 120.1 nm. The IC50 value of 5-FU-ZnO, which inhibits cell growth, was found to be 1.85 ppm. The effects of 5-FU-ZnO on inflammatory markers were also examined. While 5-FU increased the levels of TNF-a and IL-1b, the nanocomposites were able to reduce these levels. Additionally, the 5-FU/Gd-ZnO-NCs group showed an increase in thiol levels and a decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase levels. Flow cytometry results showed that 5-FU, ZnO-NCs, and 5-FU/Gd-ZnO-NCs did not have any additive or synergistic effects on the suppression or eradication of cancer cells. In vivo, experiments showed that the 5-FU/Gd-ZnO NCs had similar necrotic characteristics and reduced fibrosis and collagen deposition compared to the free medication. The nanocomposites also exhibited higher antioxidative activity and lower inflammatory responses compared to the 5-FU group. It was shown that 5-FU/Gd-ZnO-NCs successfully inhibit cell proliferation. The in vivo results were comparable to those obtained with free 5-FU, suggesting the potential of these nanocomposites as therapeutic agents.

Tailoring of an anti-diabetic drug empagliflozin onto zinc oxide nanoparticles: characterization and in vitro evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic potential

Diabetes is a serious health issue that can be a great risk factor related to numerous physical problems. A class of drugs "Gliflozin" especially Sodium Glucose Co. Transporter 2 was inhibited by a novel drug, which is known as "empagliflozin". While ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) had considerable promise for combating diabetes, it was employed in the treatment and management of type-2 diabetes mellitus. The new drug empagliflozin was initially incorporated into Zinc Oxide NPs in this study using the surface physio-sorption technique, and the degree of drug adsorption was assessed using the HPLC method. The tailored product was characterized by using the FTIR, EDX, Ultraviolet-Visible, XRD and SEM techniques. With an average particle size of 17 nm, SEM revealed mono-dispersion of NPs and sphere-like form. The Freundlich isotherm model best fits and explains the data for the physio-sorption investigation, which examined adsorption capabilities using adsorption isotherms. The enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which are involved in the human metabolism of carbohydrates, were used in the in-vitro anti-diabetic assays. It was discovered that the composite showed the highest levels of 81.72 and 92.77% inhibition of -α-amylase and -glucosidase at an absolute concentration of 1000 μg per ml with IC50 values of 30.6 μg per ml and 72 μg per ml.

Experimental and density functional theory studies on some metal oxides and the derived nanoclusters: a comparative effects on human ferritin

A comprehensive investigation into the green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) has garnered significant attention due to its commendable reliability, sustainability, and environmentally friendly attributes. Green synthesis methods play a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects associated with conventional approaches employed for nanostructure preparation. This research endeavors to examine the impact of ginger plant extract-assisted green synthesis of metal oxides NPs on the serum ferritin levels of anemic diabetic patients in vitro, focusing specifically on α-Fe2O3 and ZnO NPs. Sixty diabetic volunteers with anemia (35-50 years) and thirty healthy volunteers were enrolled as controls. The assessment was conducted using the VIDAS Ferritin (FER) assay. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy measurements were performed to elucidate the intrinsic and extrinsic transitions of these NPs, affirming the successful formation of α-structured iron oxide. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,2p) level of theory to investigate the geometry optimization and molecular electrostatic potential maps of the NPs. Furthermore, TD-DFT calculations were employed to explore their frontier molecular orbitals and various quantum chemical parameters. The binding affinity and interaction types of ZnO and α-Fe2O3 NPs to the active site of the human H-Chain Ferritin (PDB ID: 2FHA) target were determined with the help of molecular docking. Results unveiled the crystalline structure of ZnO and the α-structure of α-Fe2O3. Analysis of the frontier molecular orbitals and dipole moment values demonstrated that ZnO (total dipole moment (D) = 5.80 µ) exhibited superior chemical reactivity, biological activity, and stronger molecular interactions with diverse force fields compared to α-Fe2O3 (D = 2.65 µ). Molecular docking of the metal oxides NPs with human H-chain ferritin provided evidence of robust hydrogen bond interactions and metal-acceptor bonds between the metal oxides and the target protein. This finding could have a great impact on using metal oxides NPs-ferritin as a therapeutic protein, however, further studies on their toxicity are required.

Application of nZnO supported with nanoclay for improving shrimp immunity

This study discloses the nanoscale silicate platelet-supported nZnO (ZnONSP) applied as novel feed additives in aquaculture. The preparation of the nanohybrid (ZnO/NSP = 15/85, w/w) was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The effects of ZnONSP on growth, zinc accumulation, stress response, immunity and resistance to Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) were \demonstrated. To evaluate the safety of ZnONSP, shrimps (2.0 ± 0.3 g) were fed with ZnONSP containing diets (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) for 56 days. Dietary ZnONSP did not affect the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, zinc accumulation, and the expression of heat shock protein 70 in tested shrimps. To examine the immunomodulatory effect of ZnONSP, shrimps (16.6 ± 2.4 g) were fed with the same experimental diets for 28 days. Dietary ZnONSP improved the immune responses of haemocyte in tested shrimps, including phagocytic rate, phagocytic index, respiratory burst, and phenoloxidase activity, and upregulated the expression of several genes, including lipopolysaccharide, β-1,3-glucan binding protein, peroxinectin, penaeidin 2/3/4, lysozyme, crustin, anti-lipopolysaccharide factor, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, clotting protein and α-2-macroglobulin. In the challenge experiment, shrimps (17.2 ± 1.8 g) were fed with ZnONSP containing diets (400 and 800 mg/kg) for 7 days and then infected with Vibrio alginolyticus. Notably, white shrimps that received ZnONSP (800 mg/kg) showed significantly improved Vibrio resistance, with a survival rate of 71.4 % at the end of 7-day observation. In conclusion, this study discovers that ZnONSP is a new type of immunomodulatory supplement that are effective on enhancing innate cellular and humoral immunities, and disease resistance in white shrimp.

Review of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Toxicokinetics, Tissue Distribution for Various Exposure Routes, Toxicological Effects, Toxicity Mechanism in Mammals, and an Approach for Toxicity Reduction

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used as a sunscreen, antibacterial agent, dietary supplement, food additive, and semiconductor material. This review summarizes the biological fate following various exposure routes, toxicological effects, and toxicity mechanism of ZnO NPs in mammals. Furthermore, an approach to reduce the toxicity and biomedical applications of ZnO NPs are discussed. ZnO NPs are mainly absorbed as Zn2+ and partially as particles. Regardless of exposure route, elevated Zn concentration in the liver, kidney, lungs, and spleen are observed following ZnO NP exposure, and these are the target organs for ZnO NPs. The liver is the main organ responsible for ZnO NP metabolism and the NPs are mainly excreted in feces and partly in urine. ZnO NPs induce liver damage (oral, intraperitoneal, intravenous, and intratracheal exposure), kidney damage (oral, intraperitoneal, and intravenous exposure) and lung injury (airway exposure). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and induction of oxidative stress may be a major toxicological mechanism for ZnO NPs. ROS are generated by both excess Zn ion release and the particulate effect resulting from the semiconductor or electronic properties of ZnO NPs. ZnO NP toxicity can be reduced by coating their surface with silica, which prevents Zn2+ release and ROS generation. Due to their superior characteristics, ZnO NPs are expected to be used for biomedical applications, such as bioimaging, drug delivery, and anticancer agents, and surface coatings and modification will expand the biomedical applications of ZnO NPs further.

Characterizing the Ligand Shell Morphology of PEG-Coated ZnO Nanocrystals Using FRET Spectroscopy

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) ligands can inhibit proteins and other biomolecules from adhering to underlying surfaces, making them excellent surface ligands for nanocrystal (NC)-based drug carriers. Quantifying the PEG ligand shell morphology is important because its structure determines the permeability of biomolecules through the shell to the NC surface. However, few in situ analytical tools can reveal whether the PEG ligands form either an impenetrable barrier or a porous coating surrounding the NC. Here, we present a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy-based approach that can assess the permeability of molecules through PEG-coated ZnO NCs. In this approach, ZnO NCs serve as FRET donors, and freely diffusing molecules in the bulk solution are FRET acceptors. We synthesized a series of variable chain length PEG-silane-coated ZnO NCs such that the longest chain length ligands far exceed the Förster radius (R0), where the energy transfer (EnT) efficiency is 50%. We quantified the EnT efficiency as a function of the ligand chain length using time-resolved photoluminescence lifetime (TRPL) spectroscopy within the framework of FRET theory. Unexpectedly, the longest PEG-silane ligand showed equivalent EnT efficiency as that of bare, hydroxyl-passivated ZnO NCs. These results indicate that the "rigid shell" model fails and the PEG ligand shell morphology is more likely porous or in a patchy "mushroom state", consistent with transmission electron microscopy data. While the spectroscopic measurements and data analysis procedures discussed herein cannot directly visualize the ligand shell morphology in real space, the in situ spectroscopy approach can provide researchers with valuable information regarding the permeability of species through the ligand shell under practical biological conditions.

Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on l-Carnosine Biofunctionalized Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers; a Biomimetic Wound Healing Material

Multifunctional biohybrid nanofibers (NFs) that can simultaneously drive various cellular activities and confer antibacterial properties are considered desirable in producing advanced wound healing materials. In this study, a bionanohybrid formulation was processed as a NF wound dressing to stimulate the adhesion and proliferation of fibroblast and endothelial cells that play a major role in wound healing. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospun NFs were hydrolyzed using NaOH and biofunctionalized with l-carnosine (CAR), a dipeptide which could later biosynthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) on the NFs surface. The morphological study verified that ZnO NPs are uniformly distributed on the surface of CAR/PAN NFs. Through EDX and XRD analysis, it was validated that the NPs are composed of ZnO and/or ZnO/Zn(OH)2. The presence of CAR and ZnO NPs brought about a superhydrophilicity effect and notably raised the elastic modulus and tensile strength of Zn-CAR/PAN NFs. While CAR ligands were shown to improve the viability of fibroblast (L929) and endothelial (HUVEC) cells, ZnO NPs lowered the positive impact of CAR, most likely due to their repulsive negative surface charge. A scratch assay verified that CAR/PAN NFs and Zn-CAR/PAN NFs aided HUVEC migration more than PAN NFs. Also, an antibacterial assay implied that CAR/PAN NFs and Zn-CAR/PAN NFs are significantly more effective in inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) than neat PAN NFs are (1000 and 500%, respectively). Taken together, compared to the neat PAN NFs, CAR/PAN NFs with and without the biosynthesized ZnO NPs can support the cellular activities of relevance for wound healing and inactivate bacteria.

Recent Advances in Targeted Drug Delivery Strategy for Enhancing Oncotherapy

Targeted drug delivery is a precise and effective strategy in oncotherapy that can accurately deliver drugs to tumor cells or tissues to enhance their therapeutic effect and, meanwhile, weaken their undesirable side effects on normal cells or tissues. In this research field, a large number of researchers have achieved significant breakthroughs and advances in oncotherapy. Typically, nanocarriers as a promising drug delivery strategy can effectively deliver drugs to the tumor site through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect-mediated passive targeting and various types of receptor-mediated active targeting, respectively. Herein, we review recent targeted drug delivery strategies and technologies for enhancing oncotherapy. In addition, we also review two mainstream drug delivery strategies, passive and active targeting, based on various nanocarriers for enhancing tumor therapy. Meanwhile, a comparison and combination of passive and active targeting are also carried out. Furthermore, we discuss the associated challenges of passive and active targeted drug delivery strategies and the prospects for further study.

Toward functionalization of ZnO nanotubes and monolayers with 5-aminolevulinic acid drugs as possible nanocarriers for drug delivery: a DFT based molecular dynamic simulation

We have investigated the interactions between a 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) drug and ZnO nanostructures including ZnO monolayers and ZnO nanotubes (ZnONTs) using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In the context of the dispersion corrected Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) approach, the energetics, charge transfer, electronic structure and equilibrium geometries have been estimated. As ALA is adsorbed onto/into the ZnONTs and on the ZnO monolayer with interaction energies (Eint) of -2.55/-2.75 eV and -2.51 eV, respectively, the calculated Eint values and bonding distances (∼2 Å) reveal that the interaction type is chemisorption. The ZnO nanostructures showed promising performance in the ALA drug functionalization, taking into account the interaction energy values. The band gap almost remains unchanged for both of the substrates under consideration after ALA adsorption, and the semiconductor properties of the substrates are preserved, according to the analyzed density of states (DOSs) spectra. The interaction nature of the ALA-ZnO nanostructures according to the atom in molecule (AIM) analysis was found to be polar attraction with partial covalent bonding between O and Zn. Our DFT based molecular dynamic (MD) simulation results demonstrate that, in the aqueous solution, ALA moves toward the interior sidewall of the ZnONTs and ZnO nanosheet surface and binds to the Zn atom through its O (carbonyl/hydroxyl groups) and N atoms and the hydroxyl H atom was dissociated and binds to the O atom of the ZnO surface. However, in the case of ALA adsorption onto the outer surface of ZnONTs, only the O atoms of carbonyl groups bind to the Zn atom and the structure of the drug remains undestroyed during the adsorption. The current findings shed light on the polar drug adsorption/encapsulation behavior on/into ZnO nanostructures, which may encourage further use of ZnO-based nanomaterials in the field of drug delivery and bio-functionalized nanomaterials.

The role of electrostatic potential in the translocation of triangulene across membranes

Triangulene and its derivatives show broad application prospects in the fields of biological imaging and biosensing. However, its interaction with cell membranes is still poorly studied. In this study, classical molecular dynamics simulations were used to adjust the electrostatic potential of triangulene to observe its interactions with cell membranes. We found that electrostatic potential not only affects the behavior as it enters the cell membrane, but also spatial distribution within the cell membrane. The angle distribution of inside-0 and all-0 triangulene when penetrating the membrane is more extensive than that of ESP triangulene. However, inside-0 triangulene could cross the midline of the cell membrane and prefers to stay in the upper leaflet, while all-0 triangulene and ESP triangulene can reach the lower leaflet. These findings can help us regulate the distribution of nanoparticles in cells, so as to design functional nanoparticles that conform to the requirements.

Nanoparticle Synthesis and Their Integration into Polymer-Based Fibers for Biomedical Applications

The potential of nanoparticles as effective drug delivery systems combined with the versatility of fibers has led to the development of new and improved strategies to help in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Nanoparticles have extraordinary characteristics that are helpful in several applications, including wound dressings, microbial balance approaches, tissue regeneration, and cancer treatment. Owing to their large surface area, tailor-ability, and persistent diameter, fibers are also used for wound dressings, tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, and protective clothing. The combination of nanoparticles with fibers has the power to generate delivery systems that have enhanced performance over the individual architectures. This review aims at illustrating the main possibilities and trends of fibers functionalized with nanoparticles, focusing on inorganic and organic nanoparticles and polymer-based fibers. Emphasis on the recent progress in the fabrication procedures of several types of nanoparticles and in the description of the most used polymers to produce fibers has been undertaken, along with the bioactivity of such alliances in several biomedical applications. To finish, future perspectives of nanoparticles incorporated within polymer-based fibers for clinical use are presented and discussed, thus showcasing relevant paths to follow for enhanced success in the field.

Immunomodulatory zinc-based materials for tissue regeneration

Zinc(Zn)-based materials have contributed greatly to the rapid advancements in tissue engineering. The qualities they possess that make them so beneficial include their excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility, anti-bacterial activity, among and several others. Biomedical materials that act as a foreign body, will inevitably cause host immune response when introduced to the human body. As the osteoimmunology develops, the immunomodulatory characteristics of biomaterials have become an appealing concept to improve implant-tissue interaction and tissue restoration. Recently, Zn-based materials have also displayed immunomodulatory functions, especially macrophage polarization states. It can promote the transformation of M1 macrophages into M2 macrophages to enhance the tissue regeneration and reconstruction. This review covers mainly Zn-based materials and their characteristics, including metallic Zn alloys and Zn ceramics. We highlight the current advancements in the type of immune responses, as well as the mechanisms, that are induced by Zn-based biomaterials, most importantly the regulation of innate immunity and the mechanism of promoting tissue regeneration. To this end, we discuss their applications in biomedicine, and conclude with an outlook on future research challenges.

MDM2 upregulation induces mitophagy deficiency via Mic60 ubiquitination in fetal microglial inflammation and consequently neuronal DNA damage caused by exposure to ZnO-NPs during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the human body is quite vulnerable to external stimuli. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are widely used in daily life, and they enter the human body via environmental or biomedical exposure, thus having potential risks. Although accumulating studies have demonstrated the toxic effects of ZnO-NPs, few studies have addressed the effect of prenatal ZnO-NP exposure on fetal brain tissue development. Here, we systematically studied ZnO-NP-induced fetal brain damage and the underlying mechanism. Using in vivo and in vitro assays, we found that ZnO-NPs could cross the underdeveloped bloodbrain barrier and enter fetal brain tissue, where they could be endocytosed by microglia. ZnO-NP exposure impaired mitochondrial function and induced autophagosome overaccumulation by downregulation of Mic60, thus inducing microglial inflammation. Mechanistically, ZnO-NPs increased Mic60 ubiquitination by activating MDM2, resulting in imbalanced mitochondrial homeostasis. Inhibition of Mic60 ubiquitination by MDM2 silencing significantly attenuated the mitochondrial damage induced by ZnO-NPs, thereby preventing autophagosome overaccumulation and reducing ZnO-NP-mediated inflammation and neuronal DNA damage. Our results demonstrate that ZnO-NPs are likely to disrupt mitochondrial homeostasis, inducing abnormal autophagic flux and microglial inflammation and secondary neuronal damage in the fetus. We hope the information provided in our study will improve the understanding of the effects of prenatal ZnO-NP exposure on fetal brain tissue development and draw more attention to the daily use of and therapeutic exposure to ZnO-NPs among pregnant women.

Emerging biomaterials for tumor immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

The immune system interacts with cancer cells in various intricate ways that can protect the individual from overproliferation of cancer cells; however, these interactions can also lead to malignancy. There has been a dramatic increase in the application of cancer immunotherapy in the last decade. However, low immunogenicity, poor specificity, weak presentation efficiency, and off-target side effects still limit its widespread application. Fortunately, advanced biomaterials effectively contribute immunotherapy and play an important role in cancer treatment, making it a research hotspot in the biomedical field.

MAIN BODY

This review discusses immunotherapies and the development of related biomaterials for application in the field. The review first summarizes the various types of tumor immunotherapy applicable in clinical practice as well as their underlying mechanisms. Further, it focuses on the types of biomaterials applied in immunotherapy and related research on metal nanomaterials, silicon nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, polymer nanoparticles, and cell membrane nanocarriers. Moreover, we introduce the preparation and processing technologies of these biomaterials (liposomes, microspheres, microneedles, and hydrogels) and summarize their mechanisms when applied to tumor immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss future advancements and shortcomings related to the application of biomaterials in tumor immunotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Research on biomaterial-based tumor immunotherapy is booming; however, several challenges remain to be overcome to transition from experimental research to clinical application. Biomaterials have been optimized continuously and nanotechnology has achieved continuous progression, ensuring the development of more efficient biomaterials, thereby providing a platform and opportunity for breakthroughs in tumor immunotherapy.

Organic and inorganic nanomaterials: fabrication, properties and applications

Nanomaterials and nanoparticles are a burgeoning field of research and a rapidly expanding technology sector in a wide variety of application domains. Nanomaterials have made exponential progress due to their numerous uses in a variety of fields, particularly the advancement of engineering technology. Nanoparticles are divided into various groups based on the size, shape, and structural morphology of their bodies. The 21st century's defining feature of nanoparticles is their application in the design and production of semiconductor devices made of metals, metal oxides, carbon allotropes, and chalcogenides. For the researchers, these materials then opened a new door to a variety of applications, including energy storage, catalysis, and biosensors, as well as devices for conversion and medicinal uses. For chemical and thermal applications, ZnO is one of the most stable n-type semiconducting materials available. It is utilised in a wide range of products, from luminous materials to batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells to biomedical photocatalysis sensors, and it may be found in a number of forms, including pellets, nanoparticles, bulk crystals, and thin films. The distinctive physiochemical characteristics of semiconducting metal oxides are particularly responsible for this. ZnO nanostructures differ depending on the synthesis conditions, growth method, growth process, and substrate type. A number of distinct growth strategies for ZnO nanostructures, including chemical, physical, and biological methods, have been recorded. These nanostructures may be synthesized very simply at very low temperatures. This review focuses on and summarizes recent achievements in fabricating semiconductor devices based on nanostructured materials as 2D materials as well as rapidly developing hybrid structures. Apart from this, challenges and promising prospects in this research field are also discussed.

Biosynthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Nigella sativa against coccidiosis in commercial poultry

Coccidiosis causes huge economic losses worldwide. Current study evaluated the effect of biosynthesized Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using Nigella sativa, on Eimeria tenella infected broilers. Scanning electron microscopy showed spherical ZnONPs with 50-100 nm diameter, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy revealed the functional groups involved in the reduction of zinc acetate dihydrate to ZnONPs, UV-vis spectroscopy showed a peak at 354 nm, and Zeta potential exhibited stability at - 30 mV. A total of 150, a day-old broiler chicks were divided into 5 equal groups. Control negative: uninfected and untreated; Control positive: Infected and untreated; 3rd, 4th and 5th group were infected orally with 5 × 10⁴ sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella and treated with 60 mg/kg ZnONPs, 1% Nigella sativa seeds and amprolium 125 ppm, respectively. ZnONPs significantly (p < 0.05) improved the growth performance in the infected birds and decreased the oocyst shedding and anti-coccidial index. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of aspartate transferase and alanine transferase, whereas, a significantly higher amount of antioxidants like catalase and superoxide dismutase in ZnONPs treated group was observed. Pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-2 and TNF-α were significantly decreased by ZnONPs (p < 0.05). In conclusion, biogenic ZnONPs with Nigella sativa might have enhanced anticoccidial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects with improved growth performance.

Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Biomedical Applications: A Review

Nanotechnology has inscribed novel perception into the material science and one of the most extensively used nanomaterials is Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with healthcare and biomedical applications. Because of its outstanding biocompatibility, low toxicity, and low cost, ZnO NPs have become one of the most prominent metal oxide NPs in biological applications. This review highlights the different aspects of ZnO NPs, like their green synthesis as a substitute of conventional route due to avoidance of threat of hazardous, costly precursors and subsequent mostly therapeutic applications. Due to their wide bandwidth and high excitation binding energy, ZnO NPs have undergone extensive research. In addition to their potential applications as antibiotics, antioxidants, anti-diabetics, and cytotoxic agents, ZnO NPs also hold a promising future as an antiviral treatment for SARS-CoV-2. Zn has antiviral properties and may be effective against a variety of respiratory virus species, particularly SARS-CoV-2. This review includes a variety of topics, including the virus's structural properties, an overview of infection mechanism, and current COVID-19 treatments. Nanotechnology-based techniques for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 are also discussed in this review.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as electrochemical sensors for the efficient detection of pharmaceutical residues

Pharmaceutical residues are the undecomposed remains from drugs used in the medical and food industries. Due to their potential adverse effects on human health and natural ecosystems, they are of increasing worldwide concern. The acute detection of pharmaceutical residues can give a rapid examination of their quantity and then prevent them from further contamination. Herein, this study summarizes and discusses the most recent porous covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for the electrochemical detection of various pharmaceutical residues. The review first introduces a brief overview of drug toxicity and its effects on living organisms. Subsequently, different porous materials and drug detection techniques are discussed with materials' properties and applications. Then the development of COFs and MOFs has been addressed with their structural properties and sensing applications. Further, the stability, reusability, and sustainability of MOFs/COFs are reviewed and discussed. Besides, COFs and MOFs' detection limits, linear ranges, the role of functionalities, and immobilized nanoparticles are analyzed and discussed. Lastly, this review summarized and discussed the MOF@COF composite as sensors, the fabrication strategies to enhance detection potential, and the current challenges in this area.

Synergistic Effects of Silicate-Platelet Supporting Ag and ZnO, Offering High Antibacterial Activity and Low Cytotoxicity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are remarkably able to eliminate microorganisms, but induce cytotoxicity in mammalian cells, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are considered to have a wide bactericidal effect with weak cytotoxicity. In this study, both zinc oxide nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles were co-synthesized on a nano-silicate platelet (NSP) to prepare a hybrid of AgNP/ZnONP/NSP. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the formation of nanoparticles on the NSP. Synthesized ZnONP/NSP (ZnONP on NSP) was confirmed by the absorption peaks on UV-Vis and XRD. AgNP synthesized on ZnONP/NSP was also characterized by UV-Vis, and ZnONP/NSP showed no interference with synthesis. The images of TEM demonstrated that NSP provides physical support for the growth of nanoparticles and could prevent the inherent aggregation of ZnONP. In antibacterial tests, AgNP/ZnONP/NSP exhibited more efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) than ZnONP/NSP (ZnONP was synthesized on NSP) and AgNP/NSP (AgNP was synthesized on NSP). In cell culture tests, 1/10/99 (weight ratio) of AgNP/ZnONP/NSP exhibited low cytotoxicity for mammalian cells (>100 ppm). Therefore, AgNP/ZnONP/NSP, containing both AgNP and ZnONP, with both strong antibacterial qualities and low cytotoxicity, showed potentially advantageous medical utilizations due to its antibacterial properties.

Navigating zinc-involved nanomedicine in oncotherapy

Zinc (Zn), extolled as "the flower of life" in modern medicine, has been extensively highlighted with its physiological functions to maintain growth, development, and metabolism homeostasis. Driven by the substantial advancement of nanotechnology and oncology, Zn-involved nanomedicines integrating the intrinsic bioactivity of Zn species and the physiochemical attributes of Zn-composed nanosystems have blazed a highly efficient and relatively biosafe antineoplastic path. In this review, we aim to highlight and discuss the recent representative modalities of emerging Zn-involved oncology nanomedicine, mainly emphasizing the rational design, biological effect and biosafety, and therapeutic strategies. In addition, we provide the underlying critical obstacles and future perspectives of Zn-involved oncology nanomedicines, primarily focusing on the chances and challenges of clinical translation. Furthermore, we hope the review can give rise to opportunities within oncology nanomedicine and other biomedical fields, promoting the prosperity and progress of the "Zincic Age".

The advance anticancer role of polymeric core-shell ZnO nanoparticles containing oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer

We evaluated the activity of core-shell ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs@polymer shell) containing Oxaliplatin via polymerization through in vitro studies and in vivo mouse models of colorectal cancer. ZnO NPs were synthesized in situ when the polymerization step was completed by co-precipitation. Gadolinium coordinated-ZnONPs@polymer shell (ZnO-Gd NPs@polymer shell) was synthesized by exploiting Gd's oxophilicity (III). The biophysical properties of the NPs were studied using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), field emission electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and z-potential. (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) was used to determine the antiproliferative activity of ZnO-Gd-OXA. Moreover, a xenograft mouse model of colon cancer was exerted to survey its antitumor activity and effect on tumor growth. In the following, the model was also evaluated by histological staining (H-E; Hematoxylin & Eosin and trichrome staining) and gene expression analyses through the application of RT-PCR/ELISA, which included biochemical evaluation (MDA, thiols, SOD, CAT). The formation of ZnO NPs, which contained a crystallite size of 16.8 nm, was confirmed by the outcomes of the PXRD analysis. The Plate-like morphology and presence of Pt were obtained in EDX outcomes. TEM analysis displayed the attained ZnO NPs in a spherical shape and a diameter of 33 ± 8.5 nm, while the hydrodynamic sizes indicated that the particles were highly aggregated. The biological results demonstrated that ZnO-Gd-OXA inhibited tumor growth by inducing reactive oxygen species and inhibiting fibrosis, warranting further research on this novel colorectal cancer treatment agent.

Development and DoE-ANN based optimization of novel swellable matrix-diffusible doxorubicin loaded zinc oxide nanoflowers using sonochemical-precipitation method

This research aimed to acquire doxorubicin loaded zinc oxide nanoflowers (DOX-ZnO-NFs) for intracellular drug cargo possessing a synergistic in-vitro anticancer activity with minimal toxicity. Zinc is the main inorganic metallic component of various enzyme systems and has the possibility of fabrication into the diverse nano-structural forms. An easy absorption and extensive tissue distribution of zinc have made it unique candidate for drug delivery system. Hence, the zinc oxide nanoflowers were prepared with sonochemical-precipitation. The developed system was characterized using the reported methods and was optimized employing design of experiment, coupled with artificial neural network approach. The optimized nanoflowers (DOX-ZnO-NFV) were anionic with particle size of 24 ± 0.05 nm, polydispersity index of <0.5, a zeta potential of -25.68 ± 0.16 mV, yield of 87.40% and encapsulation efficiency of 85.25%. DOX-ZNO-NFV depicted sustained DOX release, around 65.413% release in 30 h at pH 7.4 and assumed Weibull model with its derived parameters, a and b of 22.77 and 0.918, respectively. DOX-ZnO-NFV remained stable on storage for 3 months at 4° C/50% RH and 25° C/60% RH. DOX-ZnO-NFV displayed a zone of inhibition of 13.50 ± 1.25 mm and 25.50 ± 0.98 mm, respectively against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli strains, presenting the nanoflowers as self-preservative. DOX-ZnO-NFV exhibited higher in-vitro anticancer activity in Henrietta Lacks cell line, with least hemolysis compared to the free DOX and ZnO-NF. Thus, doxorubicin loaded zinc oxide nanoflowers envisioned to act as better chemotherapeutic cargos with the maximize anticancer activity and minimal toxicity.

Mechanistic Approaches to the Application of Nano-Zinc in the Poultry and Biomedical Industries: A Comprehensive Review of Future Perspectives and Challenges

Bio-fortification is a new, viable, cost-effective, and long-term method of administering crucial minerals to a populace with limited exposure to diversified foods and other nutritional regimens. Nanotechnology entities aid in the improvement of traditional nutraceutical absorption, digestibility, and bio-availability. Nano-applications are employed in poultry systems utilizing readily accessible instruments and processes that have no negative impact on animal health and welfare. Nanotechnology is a sophisticated innovation in the realm of biomedical engineering that is used to diagnose and cure various poultry ailments. In the 21st century, zinc nanoparticles had received a lot of considerable interest due to their unusual features. ZnO NPs exhibit antibacterial properties; however, the qualities of nanoparticles (NPs) vary with their size and structure, rendering them adaptable to diverse uses. ZnO NPs have shown remarkable promise in bio-imaging and drug delivery due to their high bio-compatibility. The green synthesized nanoparticles have robust biological activities and are used in a variety of biological applications across industries. The current review also discusses the formulation and recent advancements of zinc oxide nanoparticles from plant sources (such as leaves, stems, bark, roots, rhizomes, fruits, flowers, and seeds) and their anti-cancerous activities, activities in wound healing, and drug delivery, followed by a detailed discussion of their mechanisms of action.

A modular design approach to polymer-coated ZnO nanocrystals

Hybrid materials based on inorganic nanocrystals with organic polymers feature peculiar and fascinating properties and various applications. However, there is still a need for simple synthesis procedures that provide precise control over the polymer/nanocrystal microstructure of these materials. Herein, a novel organometallic approach to polymer-coated ZnO nanocrystals was developed. The presented method merges the initial ring-opening polymerization of ϵ-caprolactone mediated by an organozinc alkoxide initiator and an air-promoted transformation of the resulting macromolecular organozinc species. This one-pot procedure results in quantum-sized ZnO crystals with a core diameter of ca 3 nm coated by poly(ϵ-caprolactone) covalently bonded to the surface. Overall, the ability to create well-defined hybrid composites should provide a unique ability to access various nanosystems.

Review on Metal-Organic Framework Classification, Synthetic Approaches, and Influencing Factors: Applications in Energy, Drug Delivery, and Wastewater Treatment

Metal ions or clusters that have been bonded with organic linkers to create one- or more-dimensional structures are referred to as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Reticular synthesis also forms MOFs with properly designated components that can result in crystals with high porosities and great chemical and thermal stability. Due to the wider surface area, huge pore size, crystalline nature, and tunability, numerous MOFs have been shown to be potential candidates in various fields like gas storage and delivery, energy storage, catalysis, and chemical/biosensing. This study provides a quick overview of the current MOF synthesis techniques in order to familiarize newcomers in the chemical sciences field with the fast-growing MOF research. Beginning with the classification and nomenclature of MOFs, synthesis approaches of MOFs have been demonstrated. We also emphasize the potential applications of MOFs in numerous fields such as gas storage, drug delivery, rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and separation membranes. Lastly, the future scope is discussed along with prospective opportunities for the synthesis and application of nano-MOFs, which will help promote their uses in multidisciplinary research.

Anticancer effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared by varying entry time of ion carriers against A431 skin cancer cells in vitro

Although, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZRTs) as an anti-cancer agent have been the subject of numerous studies, none of the reports has investigated the impact of the reaction entry time of ion-carriers on the preparation of ZRTs. Therefore, we synthesized variants of ZRTs by extending the entry time of NaOH (that acts as a carrier of hydroxyl ions) in the reaction mixture. The anti-proliferative action, morphological changes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and nuclear apoptosis of ZRTs on human A431 skin carcinoma cells were observed. The samples revealed crystallinity and purity by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of ZRT-1 (5 min ion carrier entry) and ZRT-2 (10 min ion carrier entry) revealed microtubule like morphology. On prolonging the entry time for ion carrier (NaOH) introduction in the reaction mixture, a relative ascent in the aspect ratio was seen. The typical ZnO band with a slight shift in the absorption maxima was evident with UV-visible spectroscopy. Both ZRT-1 and ZRT-2 exhibited non-toxic behavior as evident by RBC lysis assay. Additionally, ZRT-2 showed better anti-cancer potential against A431 cells as seen by MTT assay, ROS generation and chromatin condensation analyses. At 25 μM of ZRT-2, 5.56% cells were viable in MTT test, ROS production was enhanced to 166.71%, while 33.0% of apoptotic cells were observed. The IC50 for ZRT-2 was slightly lower (6 μM) than that for ZRT-1 (8 μM) against A431 cells. In conclusion, this paper presents a modest, economical procedure to generate ZRT nano-structures exhibiting strong cytotoxicity against the A431 cell line, indicating that ZRTs may have application in combating cancer.

Electrically Conductive Hydrogels for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Articular cartilage is a highly specialized tissue found in diarthrodial joints, which is crucial for healthy articular motion. Despite its importance, articular cartilage has limited regenerative capacities, and the degeneration of this tissue is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with hundreds of millions of people affected. As current treatment options for cartilage degeneration remain ineffective, tissue engineering has emerged as an exciting approach to create cartilage substitutes. In particular, hydrogels seem to be suitable candidates for this purpose due to their biocompatibility and high customizability, being able to be tailored to fit the biophysical properties of native cartilage. Furthermore, these hydrogel matrices can be combined with conductive materials in order to simulate the natural electrochemical properties of articular cartilage. In this review, we highlight the most common conductive materials combined with hydrogels and their diverse applications, and then present the current state of research on the development of electrically conductive hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering. Finally, the main challenges and future perspectives for the application of electrically conductive hydrogels on articular cartilage repair strategies are also discussed.

Ferroptosis of Endothelial Cells in Vascular Diseases

Endothelial cells (ECs) line the inner surface of blood vessels and play a substantial role in vascular biology. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is strongly correlated with the initiation and progression of many vascular diseases. Regulated cell death, such as ferroptosis, is one of the multiple mechanisms that lead to ED. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death associated with various vascular diseases, such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and pulmonary vascular diseases. This review summarized ferroptosis of ECs in vascular diseases and discussed potential therapeutic strategies for treating ferroptosis of ECs. In addition to lipid peroxidation inhibitors and iron chelators, a growing body of evidence showed that clinical drugs, natural products, and intervention of noncoding RNAs may also inhibit ferroptosis of ECs.

Self-Healing Coating with a Controllable Release of Corrosion Inhibitors by Using Multifunctional Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots as Valves

As an intelligent response system, self-healing anticorrosion materials containing nanocontainers have aroused increasing demands. It is highly expected that the nanocontainers can rapidly respond on corrosion signals to efficiently release corrosion inhibitors, meanwhile to avoid an undesirable leakage before the local corrosion happening. Herein, zinc oxide quantum dot (ZnO-QD)-sealed hollow mesoporous TiO₂ nanocontainers loading with 14.2% benzotriazole (BTA) inhibitor have been successfully prepared [hollow mesoporous titanium dioxide nanospheres (HMTNs)-BTA@ZnO-QDs]. ZnO-QDs play the multifunctional roles on anticorrosion of the self-healing coating. The corrosion tests of coatings on the carbon steel well demonstrate that ZnO-QDs can not only act as a valve to seal and release BTA on the time but also act as a precursor to produce the protective film of Zn(OH)₂ by the reaction of Zn²⁺ ions with OH^- around the cathode region to inhibit the corrosion of carbon steel. After being soaked in 3.5% NaCl solution for 30 days, the |Z|_0.01 Hz value of the coating with HMTNs-BTA@ZnO-QDs still maintains at 2.87 × 10⁷ Ω cm². Once the defects are formed in the coating, the acid-responsive ZnO-QD valves are rapidly decomposed to release BTA inhibitor; meanwhile, the resulted Zn(OH)₂ layer prevent the carbon steel substrate from corrosion in the cathode area. Therefore, it could be promising that the present design of the nanocontainers matching with the multifunctional ZnO-QDs can offer a valuable strategy to construct the self-healing and anticorrosion coatings with a multiresponse to the corrosion environment.

Antitumor Activity of the Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Doxorubicin Complex In Vitro and In Vivo

Various metal oxide nanomaterials have been widely used as carriers to prepare pH-sensitive nanomedicines to respond to the acidic tumor microenvironment promoting antitumor efficiency. Herein, we used zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as metal oxide nanomaterial coated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMHP) and doxorubicin (DOX) complex (LMHP-DOX) to prepare ZnO-LD NPs for controllable pH-triggered DOX release on the targeted site. Our results indicated that the released DOX from ZnO-LD NPs was pH-sensitive. The oxygen produced by ZnO-LD NPs in H₂O₂ solution was observed in in vitro experiment. The ZnO-LD NPs entered into both PC-3M and 4T1 tumor cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis and micropinocytosis pathway. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by ZnO-LD NPs could significantly increase the caspase 3/7 level, leading to tumor cell apoptosis. The in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity was confirmed in PC-3M and 4T1 cell lines or tumor-bearing mice models. The in vivo and in vitro tumor images via second-order nonlinearity of ZnO-LD NPs indicated that ZnO-LD NPs could penetrate deep into the tumor tissues. Therefore, the ZnO-LD NPs developed in our study could provide an efficient approach for the preparation of pH-sensitive nano delivery systems suitable for tumor therapy and imaging.

Enhancement of fluorescence and anti-tumor effect of ZnO QDs by La doping

ZnO quantum dots (QDs) have received much attention as biomarkers and drug delivery systems in cancer treatment, due to their low cost, ease of preparation, and pH-responsive degradation. However, its applications are limited by the low quantum yield and light absorption. In this work, a lanthanum-doped zinc oxide (La-ZnO) QDs-based drug delivery platform was constructed. The results show that 4% La doping is the most beneficial for improving the fluorescent properties of the ZnO QDs. After loading the drug, the cell activity was 15% at ZnO@DOX and 12% at La-ZnO@DOX. According to in vitro and in vivo experiment results, the La-ZnO QDs show enhancement of the antitumor effect. Dual enhancement of fluorescence and anti-tumor effects make La-ZnO QDs promising as a drug delivery system in cancer treatment.