Green-Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles Using Garlic Cloves (Allium sativum): Biophysical Characterization and Cytotoxicity on Vero Cells

Nanomaterial in controlling biofilms and virulence of microbial pathogens

The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a grave concern to global public health, exacerbated by the alarming shortage of effective antibiotics in the pipeline. Biofilms, intricate populations of bacteria encased in self-produced matrices, pose a significant challenge to treatment, as they enhance resistance to antibiotics and contribute to the persistence of organisms. Amid these challenges, nanotechnology emerges as a promising domain in the fight against biofilms. Nanomaterials, with their unique properties at the nanoscale, offer innovative antibacterial modalities not present in traditional defensive mechanisms. This comprehensive review focuses on the potential of nanotechnology in combating biofilms, focusing on green-synthesized nanoparticles and their associated anti-biofilm potential. The review encompasses various aspects of nanoparticle-mediated biofilm inhibition, including mechanisms of action. The diverse mechanisms of action of green-synthesized nanoparticles offer valuable insights into their potential applications in addressing AMR and improving treatment outcomes, highlighting novel strategies in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

Fabrication of Nickel/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites from Citrus sinensis Extract Prompts Apoptosis Through Impeding JAK/STAT3 Signaling in Gastric Cancer

In this study, we sought to fabricate nickel/zinc oxide nanocomposites utilizing Citrus sinensis (C. sinensis) peel extract (CS-Ni/ZnO NCs) and investigate their ability to impede the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in gastric cancer AGS cells. Different methods, including UV-Vis spectral analysis, FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDAX, DLS, and zeta potential, were used to characterize the fabricated CS-Ni/ZnO NCs. By measuring ROS, MMP, and apoptotic cell death using the appropriate fluorescence describing procedures, the anticancer potential of CS-Ni/ZnO NCs was examined against AGS cells. The synthesized CS-Ni/ZnO NCs displayed a rod structure with a diameter of 74.76 nm. The cytotoxicity assay showed that the CS-Ni/ZnO NCs diminished the viability of the AGS cells in a dosage-dependent manner. Results from the fluorescence probe assay showed that the CS-Ni/ZnO NCs caused apoptosis in AGS cells. JAK/STAT-3 over expressions thought to expand the transcriptional regulation of proliferation and anti-apoptosis. Hence, inhibition of JAK/STAT-3 expression is considered a crucial target for impeding the expansion of gastric cancer proliferation. The JAK/STAT3 signaling cascade was successfully blocked by CS-Ni/ZnO NCs treatment, which also started the apoptotic pathway in the AGS cells. The findings conclude that CS-Ni/ZnO NCs might serve as a promising chemo-preventive agent for treating GC.

Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Potential of Phytogenic Selenium Nanoparticle- and Light Regime-Mediated In Vitro Caralluma tuberculata Callus Culture Extract

In vitro plant cultures have emerged as a viable source, holding auspicious reservoirs for medicinal applications. This study aims to delineate the antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential of phytosynthesized selenium nanoparticle (SeNP)- and light stress-mediated in vitro callus cultures of Caralluma tuberculata extract. The morphophysicochemical characteristics of biogenic SeNPs were assessed through a combination of analytical techniques, including UV-visible spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-rays, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and zeta potential spectroscopy. The antioxidative potential of the callus extract 200 and 800 μg/mL concentrations was assessed through various tests and exhibited pronounced scavenging potential in reducing power (26.29%), ABTS + scavenging (42.51%), hydrogen peroxide inhibition (37.26%), hydroxyl radical scavenging (40.23%), and phosphomolybdate (71.66%), respectively. To inspect the hypoglycemic capacity of the callus extract, various assays consistently demonstrated a dosage-dependent relationship, with higher concentrations of the callus extract exerting a potent inhibitory impact on the catalytic sites of the alpha-amylase (78.24%), alpha-glucosidase (71.55%), antisucrase (59.24%), and antilipase (74.26%) enzyme activities, glucose uptake by yeast cells at 5, 10, and 25 mmol/L glucose solution (72.18, 60.58 and 69.33%), and glucose adsorption capacity at 5, 10, and 25 mmol/L glucose solution (74.37, 83.55, and 86.49%), respectively. The findings of this study propose selenium NPs and light-stress-mediated in vitro callus cultures of C. tuberculata potentially operating as competitive inhibitors. The outcomes of the study were exceptional and hold promising implications for future medicinal applications.

Exposure of Caralluma tuberculata to biogenic selenium nanoparticles as in vitro rooting agent: Stimulates morpho-physiological and antioxidant defense system

The commercial-scale production of Caralluma tuberculata faces significant challenges due to lower seed viability and sluggish rate of root growth in natural conditions. To overcome these obstacles, using phyto-mediated selenium nanomaterials as an in vitro rooting agent in plant in vitro cultures is a promising approach to facilitate rapid propagation and enhance the production of valuable therapeutic compounds. This study aimed to investigate the impact of phytosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on the morphological growth attributes, physiological status, and secondary metabolite fabrication in in vitro propagated Caralluma tuberculata. The results demonstrated that a lower dose of SeNPs (100 μg/L) along with plant growth regulators (IBA 1 mg/L) had an affirmative effect on growth parameters and promoted earliest root initiation (4.6±0.98 days), highest rooting frequency (68.21±5.12%), number of roots (6.3±1.8), maximum fresh weight (710±6.01 mg) and dry weight (549.89±6.77 mg). However, higher levels of SeNPs (200 and 400 μg/L) in the growth media proved detrimental to growth and development. Further, stress caused by SeNPs at 100 μg/L along with PGRs (IBA 1 mg/L) produced a higher level of total chlorophyll contents (32.66± 4.36 μg/ml), while cultures exposed to 200 μg/L SeNPs alone exhibited the maximum amount of proline contents (10.5± 1.32 μg/ml). Interestingly, exposure to 400 μg/L SeNPs induced a stress response in the cultures, leading to increased levels of total phenolic content (3.4 ± 0.052), total flavonoid content (1.8 ± 0.034), and antioxidant activity 82 ± 4.8%). Furthermore, the combination of 100 μg/L SeNPs and plant growth regulators (1 mg/L IBA) led to accelerated enzymatic antioxidant activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD = 4.4 ± 0.067 U/mg), peroxidase dismutase (POD = 3.3 ± 0.043 U/mg), catalase (CAT = 2.8 ± 0.048 U/mg), and ascorbate peroxidase (APx = 1.6 ± 0.082 U/mg). This is the first report that highlights the efficacy of SeNPs in culture media and presents a promising approach for the commercial propagation of C. tuberculata with a strong antioxidant defense system in vitro.

Selenium bio-nanocomposite based on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS): Synthesis, characterization and application in alleviating cadmium toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gained significant attention owing to their favorable bioavailability and low toxicity, making them widely applications in the fields of medicine, food and agriculture. In this study, bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were used as a novel stabilizer and capping agent to prepare dispersed SeNPs. Results show that EPS-SeNPs presented negative potential (-38 mV), spherical morphologies with average particle size about 100-200 nm and kept stable at room temperature for a long time. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the synthesized nanoparticles were pure amorphous nanoparticles, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectrum showed a spike at 55.6 eV, indicating the presence of zero-valent nano‑selenium. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy analysis confirmed proteins and polysaccharides in EPS played a crucial role in the synthesis of EPS-SeNPs. Compared to EPS or sodium selenite (Na2SeO3), EPS-SeNPs showed a relatively moderate result in terms of scavenging free radicals in vitro. In contrast, EPS-SeNPs demonstrated lower toxicity to rice seeds than Na2SeO3. Notably, the exogenous application of EPS-SeNPs effectively alleviated the growth inhibition and oxidative damaged caused by cadmium (Cd), and significantly reduced Cd accumulation in rice plants.

Nelumbo nucifera synthesized selenium nanoparticles modulate the immune-antioxidants, biochemical indices, and pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines pathways in Oreochromis niloticus infected with Aeromonas veronii

Bacterial infection is considered one of the major issues in fish culturing that results in economic losses. Metal nanoparticles are a cutting-edge and effective disease management and preventive strategy because of their antibacterial ability. In this investigation, the selenium nanoparticles were prepared by a biological method using Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract. The in-vitro antibacterial activity of N. nucifera synthesized selenium nanoparticles (NN-SeNPs) was tested against Aeromonas veronii. A treatment assay was conducted on 210 Oreochromis niloticus (average body weight: 27 ± 2.00 g). A preliminary approach was conducted on 90 fish for determination of the therapeutic concentration of NN-SeNPs which was found to be 4 mg/L. Fish (n = 120) were categorized into four groups for 10 days; G1 (control) and G2 (NN-SeNPs) were non-challenged and treated with 0 and 4 mg/L NN-SeNPs, respectively. While, G3 and G4 were infected with 2 × 106 CFU/mL of A. veronii and treated with 0 and 4 mg/L NN-SeNPs, respectively. NN-SeNPs exhibited an inhibition zone against A. veronii with a diameter of 16 ± 1.25 mm. The A. veronii infection increased the hepato-renal biomarkers (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and creatinine) than the control group. An oxidative stress was the consequence of A. veronii infection (higher malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels with lower glutathione peroxidase superoxide, dismutase, and catalase activity). A. veronii infection resulted in lower immunological biomarker values (immunoglobulin M, lysozyme, and complement 3) with higher expression of the inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-ɑ) as well as lower expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β). Therapeutic application with 4 mg/L NN-SeNPs prevented the disease progression; and modulated the hepato-renal function disruptions, oxidant-immune dysfunction, as well as the pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines pathway in the A. veronii-infected fish. These findings suggest that NN-SeNPs, employed as a water therapy, can safeguard fish from the harmful effects of A. veronii and serve as a promising antibacterial agent for sustainable aquaculture.

Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles and Their Effect on Pancreatic Functions and Acute Pancreatitis in Rats

Acute pancreatitis (AP) have been documented to have severe impact on pancreatic function. Frequent incidence of AP can result in chronic pancreatitis and thereby it can increase the probability of pancreatic cancers. This study intended to examine the effect of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) synthesized from Coleus forskohlii leaf extract on pancreatic function and AP in rat. Primarily, Se-NPs was fabricated using the C. forskohlii leaf extract. The synthesized nanomaterial was characterized through UV-visible, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopies. Notably, the zeta potential of Se-NPs was found to be -32.8 mV with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.18. Morphological analysis on SEM unveiled the spherical shape of Se-NP with an average particle size of 12.69 nm. Strikingly, cytotoxicity analysis on pancreatic cancer and normal cells unveiled the concentration-dependent toxicity profile. However, IC 50 value is lower in normal pancreatic cell lines in comparison to pancreatic cancer cells lines. Assessment of Se-NPs on AP rats revealed the positive impact of Se-NPs. It effectively decreased the amount of lipase, amylase, IL-1β, MDA, NO, and Bcl-2 while increased the glucose, insulin, HOMA-β and antioxidant potential in AP rats. In addition, an evaluation of Se-NPs in the pancreatic functions revealed the non-harmful effect of Se-NPs.

Hypothesizing the Green Synthesis of Tamoxifen Loaded Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death all over the world and is not only limited to females but also affects males. For estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, tamoxifen has been considered the gold-line therapy for many decades. However, due to the side effects associated with the use of tamoxifen, its use is only limited to individuals in high-risk groups and limits its clinical application to moderate and/or lower-risk groups. Thus, there is a necessity to decrease the dose of tamoxifen, which can be achieved by targeting the drug to breast cancer cells and limiting its absorption to other body parts. Artificial antioxidants used in the formulation preparation are assumed to upsurge the risk of cancer and liver damage in humans. The need of the hour is to explore bioefficient antioxidants from natural plant sources as they are safer and additionally possess antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The objective of this hypothesis is to prepare tamoxifen-loaded PEGylated NiO nanoparticles using green chemistry, tumbling the toxic effects of the conventional method of synthesis for targeted delivery to breast cancer cells. The significance of the work is to hypothesize a green method for the synthesis of NiO nanoparticles that are eco-friendly, cost-effective, decrease multidrug resistance, and can be used for targeted therapy. Garlic extract contains an organosulfur compound (Allicin) which has drug-metabolizing, anti-oxidant, and tumour growth inhibition effects. In breast cancer, allicin sensitizes estrogen receptors, increasing the anticancer efficacy of tamoxifen and reducing offsite toxicity. Thus, this garlic extract would act as a reducing agent and a capping agent. The use of nickel salt can help in targeted delivery to breast cancer cells and, in turn, reduces drug toxicity in different organs. This novel strategy may aim for cancer management with less toxic agents acting as an apt therapeutic modality.

Developmental toxicity and neurobehavioral effects of sodium selenite and selenium nanoparticles on zebrafish embryos

Selenium, a trace mineral, is essential for several physiological processes in humans and animals. It is an antioxidant vital for the immunological response, DNA synthesis, thyroid hormone metabolism, and antioxidant defense enzymes. Zebrafish embryos and larvae were exposed to different concentrations of sodium selenite (SodSe) and selenium nanoparticles (SeNs) at various developmental stages. The study evaluated the impact of SodSe and SeNs on larvae survival, hatching rate, and morphological abnormalities. Also, acridine orange staining was used to analyze the apoptotic cell death, and behavioral tests were conducted to assess anxiety-like behaviors. The results showed that both SodSe and SeNs influence the development and neurobehavior of zebrafish larvae in a concentration-dependent manner. SodSe at high concentration causes low survival rates, delayed hatching, and increased morphological defects in zebrafish larvae. In addition, exposure to SodSe resulted in elevated apoptosis in different larval tissues. Zebrafish larvae treated with SodSe and SeNs exhibited anxiety-like behaviour, increased thigmotaxis, less exploratory behaviour, and less swimming patterns. The nerve conductions and stimuli responses evaluated through acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and cortisol assays, revealed a decrease in the activity in a dose-dependent manner of SodSe and SeNs. Interestingly, the effects of SeNs were lower even at higher concentrations when compared with SodSe at lower concentrations on zebrafish embryos. This shows that SeNs synthesized through biological methods may be less toxic and may have lower effect on the development and neurobehavior of zebrafish larvae. Thus, our study confirms the cytotoxic and neurobehavioral effects of SodSe and suggests the use of SeNs at lower concentration to provide insights into better understanding of developmental stages and metabolic pathways in zebrafish larvae.

Selenium Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis and Biomedical Application

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are extremely popular objects in nanotechnology. "Green" synthesis has special advantages due to the growing necessity for environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and low-cost methods. This review considers the biosynthesis mechanism of bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants, including the role of various biological substances in the processes of reducing selenium compounds to SeNPs and their further packaging. Modern information and approaches to the possible biomedical use of selenium nanoparticles are presented: antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other properties, as well as the mechanisms of these processes, that have important potential therapeutic value.

Beneficial effects of bio-fabricated selenium nanoparticles as seed nanopriming agent on seed germination in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Climate change and increasing population pressure have put the agriculture sector in an arduous situation. With increasing demand for agricultural production overuse of inputs have accentuated the negative impact on environment. Hence, sustainable agriculture is gaining prominence in recent times with an emphasis on judicious and optimum use of resources. The field of nanotechnology can immensely help in achieving sustainability in agriculture at various levels. Use of nutrients and plant protection chemicals in nano-form can increase their efficacy even at reduced doses thus decreasing their pernicious impact. Seed priming is one of the important agronomic practices with widely reported positive impacts on germination, seedling growth and pathogen resistance. In the current study, the effect and efficacy of selenium nanoparticles synthesized using phyto-extracts as a seed priming agent is studied. This nanopriming enhanced the germination, hastened the seedling emergence and growth with an increase in seedling vigour and nutrient status. This eco-friendly and economical method of synthesizing nanoparticles of various nutrient minerals can optimize the resource use thus helping in sustainable agriculture by reducing environment damage without compromising on efficacy.

Biosynthesis of nano selenium in plants

Selenium is a non-essential element with beneficial and toxic effects on plants, whose exact role in plant physiology leaves many unanswered questions. Various species of hydroponically grown plants produce defined selenium nano particles (SeNP) with a narrow size distribution and about 2 million selenium atoms by biosynthesis when being exposed to selenite, proving that green synthesis of SeNP is not only possible in plants extracts, but also in living organisms. The detection was performed with single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. These results require a new view of the selenium biochemistry in plants and its impact on nutrition, food sciences and medicine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis of elemental nanoparticles in general and selenium nanoparticles in particular by living plants.

Biosynthesis and characterization of selenium nanoparticles from Andrographis alata: Assessment of their potential antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer's and wound healing properties

Recently, there has been a lot of focus on the environmentally friendly, specifically plant-based, synthesis of nanoparticles. The extract of leaves from Andrographis alata (A. alata) was used in the current work as a reducing agent to create selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), which will be used in biological applications (antibacterial, antioxidant and antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer's and wound healing properties). As part of detailed characterization, the UV-Vis spectra showed an absorption peak at 274 nm with a size in the range of 55-75 nm were shown in morphological investigations using EDS, DLS and SEM analysis to have crystalline spherical-shaped structures. Against several harmful bacterial strains, SeNPs demonstrated a remarkable antibacterial effectiveness. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of synthesized SeNPs completely prevented the development of various pathogens. Furthermore, bio-reduced SeNPs showed high cholinesterase inhibition efficacy and good antipotential Alzheimer's. According to the current research, treatment with biosynthesized SeNPs stimulates faster wound healing in NIH3T3 murine fibroblast cell lines without cytotoxicity. Different in vitro biological experiments also showed that, when compared with the extract of A. alata, bio-reduced SeNPs had considerable antibacterial, antioxidant effects, antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer's and wound healing. In general, the findings demonstrate the efficacy and prospective therapeutic uses of SeNPs.

Post-harvest biocontrol of Fusarium infection in tomato fruits using bio-mediated selenium nanoparticles

The protection of post-harvest infection by Fusarium spp. is a major worldwide demand, especially using effective natural alternatives to chemical fungicides. In this respect, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were biosynthesized using Fenugreek seeds aqueous extract. Bio-mediated SeNPs were characterized using XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, TEM, and EDX. XRD confirmed the crystalline nature with six characteristic peaks corresponding to Se-nanocrystals. TEM showed spherical-shaped SeNPs with 34.02-63.61 nm diameter. FTIR verified the presence of different bio-functional groups, such as, N-H, O-H, C-N, and C-NH2 acting as stabilizing/reducing agents during the biosynthesis. Bio-mediated SeNPs exhibited excellent biocidal activity against F. oxysporum and F. moniliforme, with MIC of 0.25 and 1.7 mg/mL, respectively. Direct treatment of F. oxysporum with SeNPs led to significant deformation and lysis of the fungal hyphae within 18 h. The treatment of infected fruits with MIC of SeNPs reduced the infection signs by 100% and preserved the fresh-like appearance of treated fruits for 25 and 35 days when stored at 25 °C and 5 °C, respectively. Therefore, SeNPs is considered efficacious fungicidal against Fusarium spp. in-vitro and in-vivo. The treatment of tomato fruits with MIC of SeNPs positively affected its chemical properties, as well as decreased weight loss %, confirming the barrier effect of SeNPs, thus increasing fruits' shelf-life. Bio-mediated SeNPs appeared safe towards normal HSF and OEC cell lines with IC50> 300 μg/mL. Overall results recommend the usage of bio-mediated SeNPs as safe powerful bioagent against Fusarium infection, maintaining tomato quality, and providing protection from post-harvest invasion and/or destroying existing infections.

A State-of-the-Art Systemic Review on Selenium Nanoparticles: Mechanisms and Factors Influencing Biogenesis and Its Potential Applications

Selenium is a trace element required for the active function of numerous enzymes and various physiological processes. In recent years, selenium nanoparticles draw the attention of scientists and researchers because of its multifaceted uses. The process involved in chemically synthesized SeNPs has been found to be hazardous in nature, which has paved the way for safe and ecofriendly SeNPs to be developed in order to achieve sustainability. In comparison to chemical synthesis, SeNPs can be synthesized more safely and with greater flexibility utilizing bacteria, fungi, and plants. This review focused on the synthesis of SeNPs utilizing bacteria, fungi, and plants; the mechanisms involved in SeNP synthesis; and the effect of various abiotic factors on SeNP synthesis and morphological characteristics. This article discusses the synergies of SeNP synthesis via biological routes, which can help future researchers to synthesize SeNPs with more precision and employ them in desired fields.

Biological Activities of Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesized from Camellia sinensis (L) Kuntze Leaves

Selenium in the form of selenoproteins is formed through a unique translocation recoding pathway and plays a vital role in human metabolism. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) when synthesized using green synthesis from plant extract offer more advantages than physical and chemical methods. Previous studies have synthesized selenium nanoparticles from green tea and white tea; here, we report the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles from Camillia sinensis (L) Kuntze leaves (black tea) by green synthesis. Moreover, we have tested the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the plant extract, SeNPs, and combination of plant extract and SeNPs which have not been previously studied. The antimicrobial efficacy of SeNPs was tested against Klebsiella pneumonia, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus. They showed inhibitory effects against these organisms individually and in combination with Camellia sinensis leaf extract. The antioxidant properties of SeNPs were checked using FRAP and DPPH assays, where high radical scavenging activity was exhibited by SeNPs and in combination with the plant extract. Furthermore, synthesized SeNPs were examined for cytotoxicity tolerance against Vero cells and their IC50 values determine that plant-mediated SeNPs showed high cytotoxicity at minimal concentrations. If explored further, the reducing, capping, and stabilizing capabilities of SeNPs may demonstrate other inhibitory effects and could be explored for understanding the role of selenium in cellular metabolism.

Antifungal screening of selenium nanoparticles biosynthesized by microcystin-producing Desmonostoc alborizicum

Metal nanoparticles exhibit excellent antifungal abilities and are seen as a good substitute for controlling different kinds of fungi. Of all known taxa, cyanobacteria have received significant consideration as nanobiofactories, as a result of the cellular assimilation of heavy metals from the environment. The cellular bioactive enzymes, polysaccharides and pigments can be used as reducers and coatings during biosynthesis. The probability of the antifungal activity of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) to prevent plant fungi that can affect humans was evaluated and a toxic Iranian cyanobacterial strain of Desmonostoc alborizicum was used to study the biotechnology of SeNP synthesis for the first time. Characterization of nanoparticles with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer showed the formation of SeNPs in the range of 271-275 nm with the appearance of an orange color. Morphological examination of nanoparticles with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), revealed the spherical shape of nanoparticles. The results of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) showed 7 peaks and a hexagonal structure of average crystal size equal to 58.8 nm. The dispersion index of SeNPs was reported as 0.635, which indicated the homogeneity of the nanoparticle droplet size. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles was + 22.7. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis exhibited a sharp and intense peak located at the wave number of 404 cm- 1, related to the SeNPs synthesized in this research. The results of the antifungal activity of SeNPs showed among the investigated fungi, Pythium ultimum had the highest resistance to SeNPs (14.66 ± 0.52 µg/ml), while Alternaria alternata showed the highest sensitivity (9.66 ± 0.51 µg/ml) (p < 0.05). To the best of our knowledge this is the first report concerning the characterization and antifungal screening of SeNPs biosynthesized by Iranian cyanobacteria, which could be used as effective candidates in medical applications.

Phytomediated selenium nanoparticles and light regimes elicited in vitro callus cultures for biomass accumulation and secondary metabolite production in Caralluma tuberculata

Introduction

Caralluma tuberculata holds significant importance as a medicinal plant due to its abundance of bioactive metabolites, which offer a wide range of therapeutic potentials. However, the sustainable production of this plant is challenged by overexploitation, changes in natural conditions, slow growth rate, and inadequate biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in wild populations. Therefore, the current study was conducted to establish an in vitro based elicitation strategy (nano elicitors and light regimes) for the enhancement of biomass and production of secondary metabolites.

Methods

Garlic clove extract was employed as a stabilizing, reducing, or capping agent in the green formulation of Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and various physicochemical characterization analyses such as UV visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) Spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed. Furthermore, the effects of phytosynthesized SeNPs at various concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/L on callus proliferation and biosynthesis of medicinal metabolites under different light regimes were investigated.

Results and discussion

Cultures grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media containing SeNPs (100 µg/L), in a dark environment for two weeks, and then transferred into normal light, accumulated maximum fresh weight (4,750 mg/L FW), phenolic contents (TPC: 3.91 mg/g DW), flavonoid content (TFC: 2.04 mg/g DW) and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity (85%). Maximum superoxide dismutase (SOD: 4.36 U/mg) and peroxide dismutase activity (POD: 3.85 U/mg) were determined in those cultures exposed to SeNPs (100 µg/L) under complete dark conditions. While the callus cultures proliferate on media augmented with SeNPs (200 µg/L) and kept under dark conditions for two weeks and then shifted to normal light conditions exhibited the highest catalase (CAT: 3.25 U/mg) and ascorbate peroxidase (APx: 1.93 U/mg) activities. Furthermore, LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis confirmed the effects of SeNPs and light conditions that elicited the antidiabetic metabolites (cumarins, gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, querctin and rutin). This protocol can be scaled up for the industrial production of plant biomass and pharmacologically potent metabolites using in vitro callus cultures of C. tuberculata.

A review on synthesis and antibacterial potential of bio-selenium nanoparticles in the food industry

Effective control of foodborne pathogen contamination is a significant challenge to the food industry, but the development of new antibacterial nanotechnologies offers new opportunities. Notably, selenium nanoparticles have been extensively studied and successfully applied in various food fields. Selenium nanoparticles act as food antibacterial agents with a number of benefits, including selenium as an essential trace element in food, prevention of drug resistance induction in foodborne pathogens, and improvement of shelf life and food storage conditions. Compared to physical and chemical methods, biogenic selenium nanoparticles (Bio-SeNPs) are safer and more multifunctional due to the bioactive molecules in Bio-SeNPs. This review includes a summarization of (1) biosynthesized of Bio-SeNPs from different sources (plant extracts, fungi and bacteria) and their antibacterial activity against various foodborne bacteria; (2) the antibacterial mechanisms of Bio-SeNPs, including penetration of cell wall, damage to cell membrane and contents leakage, inhibition of biofilm formation, and induction of oxidative stress; (3) the potential antibacterial applications of Bio-SeNPs as food packaging materials, food additives and fertilizers/feeds for crops and animals in the food industry; and (4) the cytotoxicity and animal toxicity of Bio-SeNPs. The related knowledge contributes to enhancing our understanding of Bio-SeNP applications and makes a valuable contribution to ensuring food safety.

Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Using Epigallocatechin Gallate Protect against Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Acute Epileptic Seizures in Mice via Antioxidative, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Activities

Several negative outcomes are associated with current anti-epileptic medications. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a plant-derived compound called catechin and has many medicinal activities, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles are also showing their neuroprotective effect. The anti-epileptic effect of EGCG, alone or with SeNPs, is still debated. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential anti-seizure effect of biosynthesized SeNPs using EGCG (EGCG-SeNPs) against epileptic seizures and hippocampal damage, which is enhanced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) injection in mice. Mice were grouped as follows: control; PTZ-exposed group (epileptic model); EGCG + PTZ-treated group; sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) + PTZ-treated group; EGCG-SeNPs + PTZ-treated group; and valproic acid (VPA) + PTZ-treated group. EGCG-SeNPs administration showed anti-epileptic activity by increasing the latency time and reducing the seizure duration following the PTZ injection. Additionally, EGCG-SeNPs counteracted the PTZ-induced changes in oxidants and antioxidants. Moreover, EGCG-SeNPs inhibited the inflammatory response by suppressing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreasing the immunoreactivity of the glial fibrillary acidic protein and mRNA expression of glutamate receptor subunit zeta-1 (NMDAR; Grin1), showing their inhibitory effect on epilepsy-associated inflammation. Moreover, EGCG-SeNPs reduced PTZ-induced neuronal apoptosis, as indicated by a reduction in the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins and an elevation of the anti-apoptotic protein. Moreover, EGCG-SeNPs administration significantly modulated the PTZ-induced changes in monoamine levels and acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampal tissue. The obtained findings suggest the anti-seizure activity of EGCG-SeNPs via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, along with their neuromodulatory effect.

The role of selenium and nano selenium on physiological responses in plant: a review

Selenium (Se), being an essential micronutrient, enhances plant growth and development in trace amounts. It also protects plants against different abiotic stresses by acting as an antioxidant or stimulator in a dose-dependent manner. Knowledge of Se uptake, translocation, and accumulation is crucial to achieving the inclusive benefits of Se in plants. Therefore, this review discusses the absorption, translocation, and signaling of Se in plants as well as proteomic and genomic investigations of Se shortage and toxicity. Furthermore, the physiological responses to Se in plants and its ability to mitigate abiotic stress have been included. In this golden age of nanotechnology, scientists are interested in nanostructured materials due to their advantages over bulk ones. Thus, the synthesis of nano-Se or Se nanoparticles (SeNP) and its impact on plants have been studied, highlighting the essential functions of Se NP in plant physiology. In this review, we survey the research literature from the perspective of the role of Se in plant metabolism. We also highlight the outstanding aspects of Se NP that enlighten the knowledge and importance of Se in the plant system.

Graphical abstract

Stabilization of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Nano-Selenium Using Anoectochilus burmannicus Extract as a Potential Novel Functional Ingredient

Anoectochilus burmannicus is an orchid that contains phenolic compounds and exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties. This study aimed to investigate whether its ethanolic extract (ABE) can be used as a reducing agent and/or a stabilizer of nano-selenium (SeNP) synthesis. SeNPs exhibited higher antioxidant activity than ABE-SeNPs. In contrast, ABE-SeNP (4 µM Se) had greater anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced macrophages than SeNPs. Interestingly, ABE acted as a stabilizer for SeNPs by preventing particle aggregation and preserving its antioxidant activity after long-term storage (90 days). Moreover, after the freeze-drying process, ABE-SeNPs could be completely reconstituted to suspension with significantly stable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities compared to freshly prepared particles, suggesting the cryoprotectant and/or lyoprotectant role of ABE. The present study shows the potential of ABE as an effective stabilizer for nanoparticles and provides evidence for the development of ABE-SeNPs as a food supplement or novel functional ingredient for health benefits.

A Recent Update on the Impact of Nano-Selenium on Plant Growth, Metabolism, and Stress Tolerance

Selenium (Se) is a microelement that plays an important nutrient role by influencing various physiological and biochemical traits in plants. It has been shown to stimulate plant metabolism, enhancing secondary metabolites and lowering abiotic and biotic stress in plants. Globally, the enormous applications of nanotechnology in the food and agricultural sectors have vastly expanded. Nanoselenium is more active than bulk materials, and various routes of synthesis of Se nanoparticles (Se-NPs) have been reported in which green synthesis using plants is more attractive due to a reduction in ecological issues and an increase in biological activities. The Se-NP-based biofortification is more significant because it increases plant stress tolerance and positively impacts their metabolism. Se-NPs can enhance plant resistance to various oxidative stresses, promote growth, enhance soil nutrient status, enhance plant antioxidant levels, and participate in the transpiration process. Additionally, they use a readily available, biodegradable reducing agent and are ecologically friendly. This review concentrates on notable information on the different modes of Se-NPs' synthesis and characterization, their applications in plant growth, yield, and stress tolerance, and their influence on the metabolic process.

Evaluation of Selenium Nanoparticles in Inducing Disease Resistance against Spot Blotch Disease and Promoting Growth in Wheat under Biotic Stress

In the present study, SeNPs were synthesized using Melia azedarach leaf extracts and investigated for growth promotion in wheat under the biotic stress of spot blotch disease. The phytosynthesized SeNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vitro efficacy of different concentrations of phytosynthesized SeNPs (i.e., 100 μg/mL, 150 μg/mL, 200 μg/mL, 250 μg/mL, and 300 μg/mL) was evaluated using the well diffusion method, which reported that 300 μg/mL showed maximum fungus growth inhibition. For in vivo study, different concentrations (10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L) of SeNPs were applied exogenously to evaluate the morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters under control conditions and determine when infection was induced. Among all treatments, 30 mg/L of SeNPs performed well and increased the plant height by 2.34% compared to the control and 30.7% more than fungus-inoculated wheat. Similarly, fresh plant weight and dry weight increased by 17.35% and 13.43% over the control and 20.34% and 52.48% over the fungus-treated wheat, respectively. In leaf surface area and root length, our findings were 50.11% and 10.37% higher than the control and 40% and 71% higher than diseased wheat, respectively. Plant physiological parameters i.e., chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content, were increased 14, 133, and 16.1 times over the control and 157, 253, and 42 times over the pathogen-inoculated wheat, respectively. Our findings regarding carotenoid content, relative water content, and the membrane stability index were 29-, 49-, and 81-fold higher than the control and 187-, 63-, and 48-fold higher than the negative control, respectively. In the case of plant biochemical parameters, proline, sugar, flavonoids, and phenolic contents were recorded at 6, 287, 11, and 34 times higher than the control and 32, 107, 33, and 4 times more than fungus-inoculated wheat, respectively. This study is considered the first biocompatible approach to evaluate the potential of green-synthesized SeNPs as growth-promoting substances in wheat under the spot blotch stress and effective management strategy to inhibit fungal growth.

Antifungal activity of green synthesized selenium nanoparticles and their effect on physiological, biochemical, and antioxidant defense system of mango under mango malformation disease

Plant extract-based green synthesis of nanoparticles is an emerging class of nanotechnology that has revolutionized the entire field of biological sciences. Green synthesized nanoparticles are used as super-growth promoters and antifungal agents. In this study, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized using Melia azedarach leaves extract as the main reducing and stabilizing agent and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The green synthesized SeNPs were exogenously applied on Mangifera indica infected with mango malformation disease. The SeNPs at a concentration of 30 μg/mL were found to be the best concentration which enhanced the physiological (chlorophyll and membrane stability index), and biochemical (proline and soluble sugar) parameters. The antioxidant defense system was also explored, and it was reported that green synthesized SeNPs significantly reduced the biotic stress by enhancing enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities. In vitro antifungal activity of SeNPs reported that 300 μg/mL concentration inhibited the Fusarium mangiferae the most. This study is considered the first biocompatible approach to evaluate the potential of green synthesized SeNPs to improve the health of mango malformation-infected plants and effective management strategy to inhibit the growth of F. mangifera.

Effect of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles using Nepeta extract against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii

The problems of drug resistance in bacteria have become one of the daily challenges of the clinical treatment of patients, which inevitably forces us to use agents other than common antibiotics. Among these, we can take help from different properties and applications of nanoparticles (NPs). In this work, we evaluate the antibacterial activity of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) against standard strains of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The production of biosynthesized SeNPs was proved by ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffractometer, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Dynamic light scattering, and Zeta potential methods. The cytotoxicity effect of SeNPs was investigated by MTT assay. Disk diffusion agar (DDA) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were performed on the mentioned bacteria using different classes of standard antibiotics and SeNPs separately. The impact of SeNPs combined with the desired antibiotics for better treatment of these infections was evaluated by checkerboard assay to determine the synergism effect. After the confirmation results based on the biosynthesis of SeNPs, both standard bacterial strains were susceptible to SeNPs and had a zone of inhibition using the DDA test. Also, the results of MICs showed that biosynthesized SeNPs in lower concentrations than antibiotics cause no growth of bacteria. On the other hand, according to the checkerboard assay, SeNPs had a synergistic effect with conventional antibiotics. The antibacterial sensitivity tests demonstrated the inhibition of bacterial growth in the presence of lower concentrations of SeNPs than common antibiotics. This property can be exerted in future applications to solve the drug resistance obstacle of microorganisms in bacterial diseases.

Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles in Biomedical Sciences: Properties, Current Trends, Novel Opportunities and Emerging Challenges in Theranostic Nanomedicine

Selenium is an important dietary supplement and an essential trace element incorporated into selenoproteins with growth-modulating properties and cytotoxic mechanisms of action. However, different compounds of selenium usually possess a narrow nutritional or therapeutic window with a low degree of absorption and delicate safety margins, depending on the dose and the chemical form in which they are provided to the organism. Hence, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are emerging as a novel therapeutic and diagnostic platform with decreased toxicity and the capacity to enhance the biological properties of Se-based compounds. Consistent with the exciting possibilities offered by nanotechnology in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, SeNPs are useful tools in current biomedical research with exceptional benefits as potential therapeutics, with enhanced bioavailability, improved targeting, and effectiveness against oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated disorders. In view of the need for developing eco-friendly, inexpensive, simple, and high-throughput biomedical agents that can also ally with theranostic purposes and exhibit negligible side effects, biogenic SeNPs are receiving special attention. The present manuscript aims to be a reference in its kind by providing the readership with a thorough and comprehensive review that emphasizes the current, yet expanding, possibilities offered by biogenic SeNPs in the biomedical field and the promise they hold among selenium-derived products to, eventually, elicit future developments. First, the present review recalls the physiological importance of selenium as an oligo-element and introduces the unique biological, physicochemical, optoelectronic, and catalytic properties of Se nanomaterials. Then, it addresses the significance of nanosizing on pharmacological activity (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and cellular interactions of SeNPs. Importantly, it discusses in detail the role of biosynthesized SeNPs as innovative theranostic agents for personalized nanomedicine-based therapies. Finally, this review explores the role of biogenic SeNPs in the ongoing context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and presents key prospects in translational nanomedicine.

Latent Potential of Multifunctional Selenium Nanoparticles in Neurological Diseases and Altered Gut Microbiota

Neurological diseases remain a major concern due to the high world mortality rate and the absence of appropriate therapies to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Therefore, the major focus is on the development of such strategies that not only enhance the efficacy of drugs but also increase their permeability in the BBB. Currently, nano-scale materials seem to be an appropriate approach to treating neurological diseases based on their drug-loading capacity, reduced toxicity, targeted delivery, and enhanced therapeutic effect. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient and has been of remarkable interest owing to its essential role in the physiological activity of the nervous system, i.e., signal transmission, memory, coordination, and locomotor activity. A deficiency of Se leads to various neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, owing to the neuroprotective role of Se (selenium) nanoparticles (SeNPs) are of particular interest to treat neurological diseases. To date, many studies investigate the role of altered microbiota with neurological diseases; thus, the current review focused not only on the recent advancement in the field of nanotechnology, considering SeNPs to cure neurological diseases, but also on investigating the potential role of SeNPs in altered microbiota.

The creation of selenium nanoparticles decorated with troxerutin and their ability to adapt to the tumour microenvironment have therapeutic implications for triple-negative breast cancer

The unique use of selenium–troxerutin nanoconjugates as an effective management therapy for treating TNBC.

Therapeutic potential of selenium nanoparticles

Diseases have always been a disconcerting issue and have changed into being an inevitable member of the world’s population. Medical advancements have brought in improved treatments for particular ailments, but unfortunately those betterments have resulted in either side effects or turned out futile to a certain extent. The emergence of nanotechnology has considerably benefitted medical experts in disease diagnosis and therapeutics. Currently, an expansive range of nanoparticles is being explored for their effectiveness in therapies, and one among them is selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Nano-selenium exhibits significant properties which make it best suited for this purpose. The article highlights the key role of SeNPs in treating major diseases like cancer, diabetes, and microbial infections.

Sustainable agronomic response of carbon quantum dots on Allium sativum: Translocation, physiological responses and alternations in chromosomal aberrations

The revolutionary growth in the usage of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) in different areas have ultimately directed their discharge in the environment and further augmented the exposure of agricultural crops to these released particles. Therefore, the aim of current study is to evaluate the uptake, translocation and phytotoxicity of blue emissive CQDs on Allium sativum plant. The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity assessment of CQDs towards Allium sativum roots was estimated as function of three different concentrations. Considering the role of CQDs in promoting seed germination at 50 ppm concentration, a greenhouse experiment was performed to evaluate their effect on plant growth. Systematic investigations have shown the translocation of CQDs and their physiological response in terms of increased shoot length wherein P-CQDs exhibited more accumulation into Allium sativum parts. Our investigations unfold the opportunity to utilize Aegle marmelos fruit derived CQDs as a growth regulator in variety of other food plants.

Biogenic and facile synthesis of selenium nanoparticles using Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. fruit extract and anticancer activity against in vitro model of breast cancer

Biogenic synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using plant extracts has emerged as a promising alternative approach to traditional chemical synthesis. The current study aims to introduce a safe, low-cost, and green synthesis of SeNPs using fresh fruit extract of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. The biogenic synthesis of SeNPs was confirmed by different analyses including ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared, and energy-dispersive X-ray. Also, the crystalline nature, size, and morphology of the obtained SeNPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The SeNPs were successfully synthesized with fruit extract of V. arctostaphylos L. in a regular spherical form and narrow size distribution with suitable zeta-potential values and exhibited appropriate biocompatibility. It revealed that the synthesized SeNPs can significantly inhibit the growth of 4T1 breast cancer cells with an IC₅₀ of ∼84.19 ± 25.96 µg/ml after 72 h treatment. Overall, it can be concluded that the green synthesized SeNPs can be attractive, nontoxic, and eco-friendly candidates for drug delivery or medicinal applications.

Green Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles Mediated by Nilgirianthus ciliates Leaf Extracts for Antimicrobial Activity on Foodborne Pathogenic Microbes and Pesticidal Activity Against Aedes aegypti with Molecular Docking

The present study deals with the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Nilgirianthus ciliatus leaf extracts, characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, DLS, and zeta potential analysis. The antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC96), Escherichia coli (MTCC443), and Salmonella typhi (MTCC98) showed the remarkable inhibitory effect at 25 µl/mL concentration level. Furthermore, the characterized SeNPs showed a great insecticidal activity against Aedes aegypti in the early larval stages with the median Lethal Concentration (LC₅₀) of 0.92 mg/L. Histopathological observations of the SeNPs treated midgut and caeca regions of Ae. aegypti 4th instar larvae showed damaged epithelial layer and fragmented peritrophic membrane. In order to provide a mechanistic approach for further studies, molecular docking studies using Auto Dock Vina were performed with compounds of N. ciliatus within the active site of AeSCP2. Overall, the N. ciliates leaf-mediated biogenic SeNPs was promisingly evidenced to have potential larvicidal and food pathogenic bactericidal activity in an eco-friendly approach.

Methods for Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts and their Biological Applications - A Review

Nanotechnology, a fast-developing branch of science, is gaining extensive popularity among researchers simply because of the multitude of applications it can offer. In recent years, biological synthesis has been widely used instead of physical and chemical synthesis methods, which often produce toxic products. These synthesis methods are now being commonly adapted to discover new applications of nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts. In this review, we elucidate the various ways by which nanoparticles can be biologically synthesized. We further discuss the applications of these nanoparticles.

Emerging Roles of Green-Synthesized Chalcogen and Chalcogenide Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics

The last few decades have seen an overwhelming increase in the amount of research carried out on the use of inorganic nanoparticles. More fascinating is the tremendous progress made in the use of chalcogen and chalcogenide nanoparticles in cancer theranostics. These nanomaterials, which were initially synthesized through chemical methods, have now been efficiently produced using different plant materials. The paradigm shift towards the biogenic route of nanoparticle synthesis stems from its superior advantages of biosafety, eco-friendliness, and simplicity, among others. Despite a large number of reviews available on inorganic nanoparticle synthesis through green chemistry, there is currently a dearth of information on the green synthesis of chalcogens and chalcogenides for cancer research. Nanoformulations involving chalcogens such as sulfur, selenium, and tellurium and their respective chalcogenides have recently emerged as promising tools in cancer therapeutics and diagnosis. Similar to other inorganic nanoparticles, chalcogens and chalcogenides have been synthesized using plant extracts and their purified biomolecules. In this review, we provide an up-to-date discussion of the recent progress that has been made in the plant-mediated synthesis of chalcogens and chalcogenides with a special focus on their application in cancer theranostics.

Mitigative effect of biosynthesized SeNPs on cyanobacteria under paraquat toxicity

Increasing population has resulted in increased food demand. Pesticides like paraquat (PQ) have been used indiscriminately to increase the growth and yield of crops. However, this has adversely affected a wide spectrum of non-target organisms like cyanobacteria that are used as a bio-fertilizer in the rice field. In the present study, biogenic- Gloeocaspa gelatinosa NCCU -430 mediated selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized and characterized using different techniques including UV-Visible spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, TEM and SEM-EDX for their use as PQ toxicity mitigator in cyanobacterial biofertilizer (Anabaena variabilis NCCU-442). Therefore, a comparative study was performed among control, PQ, SeNPs and SeNPs+PQ to check the efficacy of SeNPs in mitigation of PQ induced toxicity. Supplementation of SeNPs in PQ treated culture enhanced antioxidant enzymes activity i.e., SOD (7.55%), CAT (57.94%), APX (17.45%) and GR (14.72%) as compared to only PQ treated culture. The outcomes of the present study suggested that SeNPs can ameliorate the PQ induced stress that may be used in sustainable rice cultivation needed for filing the gap between requirement and supply.

Multi-Biofunctional Properties of Phytofabricated Selenium Nanoparticles From Carica papaya Fruit Extract: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antimycotoxin, Anticancer, and Biocompatibility

The present study focused on phytofabrication of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) from Carica papaya extract and exploration of their multi-biofunctional features. Total phenolics and flavonoids of C. papaya fruit extract were determined as 23.30 ± 1.88 mg gallic acid equivalents and 19.21 ± 0.44 mg quercetin equivalents per gram, respectively, which suggested that C. papaya fruit extract could be a competitive reducing and stabilizing agent during phytofabrication of nanoparticles. UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy showed the formation of SeNPs from sodium selenite, which could be related to the reducing and stabilizing activities of C. papaya fruit extract. The SeNPs were found to be stable with a Zeta potential of −32 mV. The average hydrodynamic size of SeNPs was found as 159 nm by dynamic light scattering. The SeNPs showed a broader XRD pattern with no sharp Bragg’s peaks and found to be amorphous. SEM showed that SeNPs were spherical in shape and EDX pattern showed that SeNPs were made up of Se (71.81%), C (11.41%), and O (14.88%). The HR-TEM picture showed that SeNPs were spherical in morphology and have a size range of 101–137 nm. The SeNPs exhibited potent antioxidant activity and their EC50 values (effective concentration required to inhibit 50% of radicals) were 45.65 ± 2.01 and 43.06 ± 3.80 μg/ml in DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. The antimicrobial action of SeNPs was found as a broad spectrum and suppressed microbial pathogens in ascending order: fungi &gt; Gram-positive bacteria &gt; Gram-negative bacteria. The SeNPs have been demonstrated to reduce the growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum at 40 μg/ml in broth culture, which is noteworthy. The SeNPs reduced cancer cell proliferation (RAW 264.7, Caco-2, MCF-7, and IMR-32) more preferentially than normal cells (Vero), found to be highly biocompatible. Lower doses of SeNPs (up to 50 μg/ml) were shown to be less toxic and did not cause death in Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos, implying that lower doses of SeNPs could be beneficial for biological purposes. The present study concluded that phytofabricated SeNPs have multiple biofunctional properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimycotoxin, and anticancer activities, as well as high biocompatibility.

Application of Selenium Nanoparticles in Localized Drug Targeting for Cancer Therapy

BACKGROUND

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gardened their place in the biomedical field and serve as a chemotherapeutic agent for targeted drug delivery due to their capacity to exert distinct mechanisms of action on cancer and normal cells. The principle behind these mechanisms is the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) eventually leads to apoptosis via the dysfunction of various pathways. SeNPs, when used in higher concentrations, lead to toxicity; therefore, conjugation and surface functionalization not only improve their toxic nature but also enhance their anticancer activity.

OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this analysis is to provide a thorough and systematic investigation into the use of various SeNPs in localized drug targeting for cancer therapy. This has been achieved by citing examples of numerous SeNPs and their use as a drug targeting agent for cancer therapy.

METHODS

All relevant data and information about the various SeNPs for drug targeting in cancer therapy were gathered from various databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Taylor and Francis imprints, American Chemical Society, Springer, Royal Society of Chemistry, and Google scholar.

RESULTS

SeNPs are explored due to their better biopharmaceutical properties and their cytostatic behavior. Se, as an essential component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and other seleno-chemical substances, might boost chemotherapeutic efficacy, and protect tissues from cellular damage caused by ROS. SeNPs have the potential to set the stage for developing new strategies to treat malignancy.

CONCLUSION

This review extensively analyzed the anticancer efficacy and functionalization strategies of SeNPs in drug delivery to cancer cells. In addition, this review highlights the mechanism of action of drug-loaded SeNPs to suppress the proliferation of cancer cells in different cell lines.

Phytogenic Selenium Nanoparticles Elicited the Physiological, Biochemical, and Antioxidant Defense System Amelioration of Huanglongbing-Infected ‘Kinnow’ Mandarin Plants

Citrus greening or huanglongbing (HLB) is commonly known as yellow dragon disease and affects citrus production worldwide. Therefore, it has a significant impact on and deleterious effects in the agro-industrial sector. Significant efforts have been made to combat this disease and mitigate its destructive impact on citrus production, but still, there is no effective biocompatible treatment available to control HLB disorder. This study is considered the first biocompatible approach to evaluate the potential of phytogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) to improve the health of HLB-infected ‘Kinnow’ mandarin plants. Polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) with specific primers were used to detect HLB disease in ‘Kinnow’ mandarin plants, and PCR products were sequenced to identify Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), and accession numbers for CLas1 and CLas2, MZ851933 and MZ851934, respectively, were obtained. SeNPs were synthesized by using Allium sativum L. clove extract as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent and various techniques such as UV-visible spectrophotometry, energy dispersive X-rays, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were used to confirm the biogenesis of SeNPs. Different concentrations of SeNPs (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg L⁻¹) were exogenously applied to HLB-infected ‘Kinnow’ mandarin plants and obtained spectacular results. The obtained results from the current study proved that 75 mg L⁻¹ of SeNPs was most effective to improve the chlorophyll, carotenoids, relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), total soluble sugar (TSS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC) and significant decrease was observed in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline (PRO) contents of HLB-infected ‘Kinnow’ mandarin plants as compared to untreated diseased citrus plants. In conclusion, these results allow us to synthesize the SeNPs formulation as a promising management strategy to treat the HLB disease in citrus plants.

Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles using Rosmarinus officinalis and investigated their antimicrobial activity

The interest of many has been attracted by plant-mediated synthesizing procedures for nanoparticles since they provide certain qualities including being cost-effective, quick, and compatible with the environment. In this regard, this work introduces the production of selenium-nanoparticles (Se-NPs) in a biological manner utilizing aqueous extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis). Production of Se-NPs was confirmed using UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. Also, dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis was used for determination particle size distribution, while we distinguished the identification of crystalline construction of nanoparticles through the means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, DLS, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination indicated that Se-NPs are often spherical with a size about 20 to 40 nm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the synthesized Se-NPs by R. officinalis extract against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) was 256, 16, 32, 128, and 64 µg/mL, respectively. The synthesized Se-NPs had no significant effect on Mycobacterium simiae (M. simiae) and had exhibited a strong antimicrobial functionality towards the gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and can stand as a potent antibacterial agent.

Green-synthetized selenium nanoparticles using berberine as a promising anticancer agent

OBJECTIVE

The chemo-preventative and therapeutic properties of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been documented over recent decades and suggest the potential uses of SeNPs in medicine. Biogenic SeNPs have higher biocompatibility and stability than chemically synthesized nanoparticles, which enhances their medical applications, especially in the field of cancer therapy. This study evaluated the potential of green-synthetized SeNPs by using berberine (Ber) as an antitumor agent and elucidated the mechanism by which these molecules combat Ehrlich solid tumors (ESTs).

METHODS

SeNPs containing Ber (SeNPs-Ber) were synthesized using Ber and Na₂SeO₃ and characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Sixty male Swiss albino mice were then acclimatized for one week, injected with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, and divided into four groups: EST, EST + cisplatin (5 mg/kg), EST + Ber (20 mg/kg), and EST + SeNPs-Ber (0.5 mg/kg). At the end of a 16-day observation period, 12 mice from each group were euthanized to analyze differences in the body weight, tumor size, gene expression, and oxidative stress markers in the four groups. Three mice from each group were kept alive to compare the survival rates.

RESULTS

Treatment with SeNPs-Ber significantly improved the survival rate and decreased the body weight and tumor size, compared to the EST group. SeNPs-Ber reduced oxidative stress in tumor tissue, as indicated by a decrease in the lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels and an increase in the glutathione levels. Moreover, SeNPs-Ber activated an apoptotic cascade in the tumor cells by downregulating the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression rate and upregulating the Bcl-2-associated X protein and caspase-3 expression rates. SeNPs-Ber also considerably improved the histopathological alterations in the developed tumor tissue, compared to the EST group.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides a new insight into the potential role of green-synthesized SeNPs by using Ber as a promising anticancer agent, these molecules could be used alone or as supplementary medication during chemotherapy.