Advanced Material Against Human (Including Covid-19) and Plant Viruses: Nanoparticles As a Feasible Strategy

ZnO based 0-3D diverse nano-architectures, films and coatings for biomedical applications

Thin-film nano-architecting is a promising approach that controls the properties of nanoscale surfaces to increase their interdisciplinary applications in a variety of fields. In this context, zinc oxide (ZnO)-based various nano-architectures (0-3D) such as quantum dots, nanorods/nanotubes, nanothin films, tetrapods, nanoflowers, hollow structures, etc. have been extensively researched by the scientific community in the past decade. Owing to its unique surface charge transport properties, optoelectronic properties and reported biomedical applications, ZnO has been considered as one of the most important futuristic bio-nanomaterials. This review is focused on the design/synthesis and engineering of 0-3D nano-architecture ZnO-based thin films and coatings with tunable characteristics for multifunctional biomedical applications. Although ZnO has been extensively researched, ZnO thin films composed of 0-3D nanoarchitectures with promising thin film device bio-nanotechnology applications have rarely been reviewed. The current review focuses on important details about the technologies used to make ZnO-based thin films, as well as the customization of properties related to bioactivities, characterization, and device fabrication for modern biomedical uses that are relevant. It features biosensing, tissue engineering/wound healing, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer activity, as well as biomedical diagnosis and therapy with an emphasis on a better understanding of the mechanisms of action. Eventually, key issues, experimental parameters and factors, open challenges, etc. in thin film device fabrications and applications, and future prospects will be discussed, followed by a summary and conclusion.

Antiviral Activity of Chitosan Nanoparticles and Chitosan Silver Nanocomposites against Alfalfa Mosaic Virus

Plant viruses are a global concern for sustainable crop production. Among the currently available antiviral approaches, nanotechnology has been overwhelmingly playing an effective role in circumventing plant viruses. Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) was isolated and identified from symptomatic pepper plants in Egypt using symptomatology, serological tests using the direct ELISA technique, differential hosts and electron microscopy. The virus was biologically purified from a single local lesion that developed on Chenopodium amaranticolor. The AMV infection was further confirmed using an AMV coat protein-specific primer RT-PCR. We further evaluated the antiviral potential of chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) and chitosan silver nanocomposites (CS-Ag NC) in different concentrations against AMV infections in pepper plants. All tested concentrations of CS-NPs and CS-Ag NC induced the inhibition of AMV systemically infected pepper plants when applied 24 h after virus inoculation. The foliar application of 400 ppm CS-NPs or 200 ppm CS-Ag NC produced the highest AMV inhibitory effect (90 and 91%) when applied 24 h after virus inoculation. Treatment with CS-NPs and CS-Ag NC considerably increased the phenol, proline and capsaicin contents compared to the infected plants. Moreover, the agronomic metrics (plant height, fresh and dry pod weights and number of pods per plant) were also significantly improved. According to our results, the potential applications of CS-NPs and CS-Ag NC may provide an effective therapeutic measure for better AMV and other related plant virus management.

A mini review on the prospects of Fagara zanthoxyloides extract based composites: a remedy for COVID-19 and associated replica?

Studies are still being conducted to find a sustainable and long-lasting solution to the lethal consequences of the feared virus characterized as coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and its accompanying pathogenic replication, which pose a serious threat to human survival in the wake of its broad distribution. Since its emergence, researchers have investigated synthetic approaches in search of a dependable vaccine or treatment and curtail the spread of the virus and also enhance the health of a patient who has been affected. Unfortunately, the infection is yet to be entirely eradicated in many parts of the world. Despite the introduction of synthetic pharmaceuticals like remdesivir and derivatives of chloroquine, plant extracts may be an alternative reliable strategy that could successfully combat the operation of the virus. Herein, we investigated the prospects of fagara zanthoxyloides lam. (rutaceae) (syn. zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides), a well-known medicinal tree whose extracts have demonstrated success in treating many microbiological and viral-related infections. The distinctive plant extracts contain several bioactive phytochemicals with promising biological activity with minimal or no side effects and are being researched for a variety of applications, particularly in the pharmaceutical and medicinal industries. Consequently, in this review, we examined the crude extracts from the Fagara species and suggested that careful consideration should be given to its independent use or combination with other bioactive molecules, such as biopolymers and nano-metallic composites, to combat the terrifying Covid-19 virus and its associates.

Distinct Antimicrobial Analysis to Evaluate Multi-Component Wound Dressing Performance

Wound infection hinders adequate healing, being particularly grievous and prevalent in burn wounds and chronic wounds. Wound infection extends inflammation, preventing epithelialization and angiogenesis. Therefore, infection prolongs healing time, steeply increases treatment costs and degrades patients wellbeing. One successful strategy to control wound infection is to apply an active wound dressing, able to eliminate or significantly reduce the microbial population present at the infection site. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a multipurpose antimicrobial agent with a wide scope of applications which include wound dressings. Nevertheless, several studies denote AgNPs dose-dependent cytotoxicity, and their capability to bypass the blood-brain barrier and induce a neurotoxic effect. Hence, we propose to adopt two different strategies to attempt the simultaneously immobilize and increase the load of AgNPs within the wound dressing fabric. Thus, the envisaged objective is to prevent potential systemic cytotoxicity /through immobilization and to improve its antimicrobial capability due to the higher concentration of AgNPs. Two different approaches were used: i. AgNPs were suspended in an alginate (ALG) solution, ii. AgNPs were embedded in Mordenite (MOR) zeolite, followed by addition of an ALG solution. Both suspensions were incorporated into polyester fabric assisted by its surface activation by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment. The bactericidal and virucidal effectiveness of each composite was tested against bacteria species known to induce nosocomial infections and a bacteriophage that is a potential surrogate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Two distinct antimicrobial analysis were used to provide insights on the antimicrobial effectiveness of the obtained composites and to indirectly assess the release of AgNPs.

Synergistic Effects Between Metal Nanoparticles and Commercial Antimicrobial Agents: A Review

Nanotechnology has expanded into a broad range of clinical applications. In particular, metal nanoparticles (MNPs) display unique antimicrobial properties, a fundamental function of novel medical devices. The combination of MNPs with commercial antimicrobial drugs (e.g., antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals) may offer several opportunities to overcome some disadvantages of their individual use and enhance effectiveness. MNP conjugates display multiple advantages. As drug delivery systems, the conjugates can extend the circulation of the drugs in the body, facilitate intercellular targeting, improve drug stabilization, and possess superior delivery. Concomitantly, they reduce the required drug dose, minimize toxicity, and broaden the antimicrobial spectrum. In this work, the common strategies to combine MNPs with clinically used antimicrobial agents are underscored. Furthermore, a comprehensive survey about synergistic antimicrobial effects, the mechanism of action, and cytotoxicity is depicted.

Bactericidal and Virucidal Activities of Biogenic Metal-Based Nanoparticles: Advances and Perspectives

Much progress has been achieved in the preparation and application of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in the field of medicine, mainly for antibacterial and antiviral applications. In the war against bacteria and viruses, besides traditional antibiotics and antiviral drugs, metal-based nanoparticles, such as silver (AgNPs), copper (CuNPs), copper oxides (CuO-NPs), iron oxide (FeO-NPs), zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), and titanium oxide (TiO2-NPs) have been used as potent antimicrobial agents. These nanoparticles can be synthesized by traditional methods, such as chemical and physical routes, or more recently by biogenic processes. A great variety of macro and microorganisms can be successfully used as reducing agents of metal salt precursors in the biogenic synthesis of metal-based NPs for antimicrobial activity. Depending on the nature of the biological agent, NPs with different sizes, aggregation states, morphology, surface coatings and charges can be obtained, leading to different antimicrobial effects. Considering the drug resistance to traditional therapies, the development of versatile nanomaterials with potent antimicrobial effects is under intensive investigation. In this sense, this review presents and discusses the recent progress in the preparation and application of metal-based nanoparticles biogenically synthesized for antibacterial and antivirus applications. The strength and limitations are critically discussed.