Magnetic properties, anticancer and antibacterial effectiveness of sonochemically produced Ce3+/Dy3+ co-activated Mn-Zn nanospinel ferrites

Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activity of spinel structured transition metal ferrites supported on reduced graphene oxide against pathogenic strains of bacteria and fungi

One of the global challenges for living things is to provide pollution and harmful microbes-free environment. In this study, magnetically retrievable spinel-structured manganese zinc ferrite (Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) (MZF) was synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. Further, the MZF with different weight percentages (10 wt%, 50 wt%, and 80 wt%) were supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The phase purity and morphology of MZF and MZF/rGO nanocomposite were confirmed by x-ray diffraction technique and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, UV-visible spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses of the as-synthesized nanocomposites were examined for the detection of various chemical groups, band gap, and thermal properties, respectively. The MZF/rGO nanocomposite exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activity againstEggerthella lenta, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,andCandida albicanscompared to bare MZF and rGO. The high surface area of rGO plays a crucible role in antimicrobial analysis. Additionally, the antibacterial and antifungal activity is compared by synthesizing various metal ferrites such as MnFe2O4, ZnFe2O4, and Fe3O4. The 50 wt% MZF/rGO nanocomposite exhibits significantly high antibacterial activity. However, 10 wt% MZF/rGO nanocomposite shows good antifungal activity than Fe3O4, MnFe2O4, ZnFe2O4, MnZnFe2O4, 50 wt%, and 80 wt% MZF/rGO nanocomposites. These findings suggest that the prepared ferrite nanocomposites hold promise for microbial inhibition.

Controlled Release of the Anticancer Drug Cyclophosphamide from a Superparamagnetic β-Cyclodextrin Nanosponge by Local Hyperthermia Generated by an Alternating Magnetic Field

A β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) nanosponge (NS) was synthesized using diphenyl carbonate (DPC) as a cross-linker to encapsulate the antitumor drug cyclophosphamide (CYC), thus obtaining the NSs-CYC system. The formulation was then associated with magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) to develop the MNPs-NSs-CYC ternary system. The formulations mentioned above were characterized to confirm the deposition of the MNPs onto the organic matrix and that the superparamagnetic nature of the MNPs was preserved upon association. The association of the MNPs with the NSs-drug complex was confirmed through field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, ζ-potential, atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, selected area electron diffraction, and vibrating-sample magnetometer. The superparamagnetic properties of the ternary system allowed the release of CYC by utilizing magnetic hyperthermia upon the exposure of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The drug release experiments were carried out at different frequencies and intensities of the magnetic field, complying with the "Atkinson-Brezovich criterion". The assays in AMF showed the feasibility of release by controlling hyperthermia of the drug, finding that the most efficient conditions were F = 280 kHz, H = 15 mT, and a concentration of MNPs of 5 mg/mL. CYC release was temperature-dependent, facilitated by local heat generation through magnetic hyperthermia. This phenomenon was confirmed by DFT calculations. Furthermore, the ternary systems outperformed the formulations without MNPs regarding the amount of released drug. The MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assays demonstrated that including CYC within the magnetic NS cavities reduced the effects on mitochondrial activity compared to those observed with the free drug. Finally, the magnetic hyperthermia assays showed that the tertiary system allows the generation of apoptosis in HeLa cells, demonstrating that the MNPs embedded maintain their properties to generate hyperthermia. These results suggest that using NSs associated with MNPs could be a potential tool for a controlled drug delivery in tumor therapy since the materials are efficient and potentially nontoxic.

Comprehensive Improvement of Various Features of Cu-Cd Ferrites (Cu0.5Cd0.5Fe2-xCexO4) by Cerium (Ce3+) Ion Substitution

Cerium (Ce3+) substitution in Cu-Cd spinel nanoferrites with the compositional formula Cu0.5Cd0.5Fe2-xCexO4 (x = 0.0, 0.0125, 0.0250, 0.0375, 0.050) was performed by the hydrothermal route. The structural, morphological, optical, electrical, and dielectric properties of Ce-substituted Cu-Cd ferrites were explored. X-ray diffraction revealed the single-phase cubic structure of all nanoferrites. The average crystallite size (72.42-11.61 nm) and lattice constant (8.419-8.449 Å) were observed for the synthesized ferrites. The surface shapes of particles were determined by scanning electron microscopy. The substitution was also verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. The semiconducting behavior of ferrites was determined from their electrical properties, such as direct current (DC) electrical resistivity. The Curie temperature was observed at 523 K temperature for all nanoferrites. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss significantly indicated the reducing behavior with an increase in the cerium concentration. The sample Cu0.5Cd0.5Fe1.975Ce0.025O4 resulted in the lowest optical bandgap energy, DC resistivity, and dielectric losses. The nature of the electrical resistivity and dielectric constants indicate that the designed materials are highly appropriate for the design of microwave gadgets.

Newly Synthesized CoFe2-xDyxO4 (x = 0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.4) Nanoparticles Reveal Promising Anticancer Activity against Melanoma (A375) and Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells

The current study focuses on the synthesis via combustion of dysprosium-doped cobalt ferrites that were subsequently physicochemically analyzed in terms of morphological and magnetic properties. Three types of doped nanoparticles were prepared containing different Dy substitutions and coated with HPGCD for higher dispersion properties and biocompatibility, and were later submitted to biological tests in order to reveal their potential anticancer utility. Experimental data obtained through FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM confirmed the inclusion of Dy3+ ions in the nanoparticles' structure. The size of the newly formed nanoparticles ranged between 20 and 50 nm revealing an inverse proportional relationship with the Dy content. Magnetic studies conducted by VSM indicated a decrease in remanent and saturation mass magnetization, respectively, in Dy-doped nanoparticles in a direct proportionality with the Dy content; the decrease was further amplified by cyclodextrin complexation. Biological assessment in the presence/absence of red light revealed a significant cytotoxic activity in melanoma (A375) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells, while healthy keratinocytes (HaCaT) remained generally unaffected, thus revealing adequate selectivity. The investigation of the underlying cytotoxic molecular mechanism revealed an apoptotic process as indicated by nuclear fragmentation and shrinkage, as well as by Western blot analysis of caspase 9, p53 and cyclin D1 proteins. The anticancer activity for all doped Co ferrites varied was in a direct correlation to their Dy content but without being affected by the red light irradiation.

Pr3+ Ion-Substituted Ni-Co Nano-Spinel Ferrites: Their Synthesis, Characterization, and Biocompatibility for Colorectal Cancer and Candidaemia

Nanotherapeutics have attracted tremendous research interest in the modern pharmaceutical and biomedical industries due to their potential for drug development, targeted delivery, and therapeutic applications. Therefore, the current study underpins the synthesis of praseodymium ion (Pr3+)-substituted Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 nano-spinel ferrites, (Co0.5Ni0.5PrxFe2-xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) NSFs, CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs) via the sonochemical route for its application as a nanotherapeutic treatment option. The synthesized nanomaterial was characterized using various analytical techniques, including scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD). After substitution with Pr (x = 0.08), the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential analysis indicated an increase in hydrodynamic diameter, with an average zeta potential value of -10.2 mV. The investigation of CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs on colorectal cancer (HCT-116) cells demonstrated a significant effect on cancer cell viability. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs was between 46 ± 0.91 and 288 ± 8.21 for HCT-116 cells. The effect of CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs on normal human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells showed a reduction in the HEK-293 cell viability; however, the cell viability was better than HCT-116. The NSFs treatment also showed morphological changes in cancer cell nuclei, as revealed by DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), nuclear disintegration, and chromatic fragmentation, which are signs of apoptosis or programmed cell death. To examine the potential antifungal effects of CoNiPr NSFs on Candida albicans, known to cause candidemia among cancer patients, the viability of the cells was assessed post treatment with CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs. The increasing ratio of dopant had a moderate impact on the percentage of cell viability loss of 42, 44, and 43% with x = 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10, respectively. These results reinforce that increased dopant significantly impacts the antifungal properties of the synthesized nanomaterial. These findings support the idea that NSFs might be useful in pharmaceuticals.

Structural Analysis of Cu+ and Cu2+ Ions in Zeolite as a Nanoreactor with Antibacterial Applications

In this work, we report the structural analysis of Cu+ and Cu2+ ions in zeolite as a nanoreactor with antibacterial applications. A simple one-step process was implemented to obtain Cu ions in zeolite A (ZA4) by controlling the temperature in the solutions to guarantee the ions' stability. Samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, showing the characteristic zeolite elements as well as the characteristic bands with slight modifications in the chemical environment of the zeolite nanoreactor attributed to Cu ions by FT-IR spectroscopy. In addition, a shift of the characteristic peaks of ZA4 in X-ray diffraction was observed as well as a decrease in relative peak intensity. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity of Cu ions in the zeolite nanoreactor was evaluated.

Recent Progress in Spinel Ferrite (MFe2O4) Chemiresistive Based Gas Sensors

Gas-sensing technology has gained significant attention in recent years due to the increasing concern for environmental safety and human health caused by reactive gases. In particular, spinel ferrite (MFe2O4), a metal oxide semiconductor with a spinel structure, has emerged as a promising material for gas-sensing applications. This review article aims to provide an overview of the latest developments in spinel-ferrite-based gas sensors. It begins by discussing the gas-sensing mechanism of spinel ferrite sensors, which involves the interaction between the target gas molecules and the surface of the sensor material. The unique properties of spinel ferrite, such as its high surface area, tunable bandgap, and excellent stability, contribute to its gas-sensing capabilities. The article then delves into recent advancements in gas sensors based on spinel ferrite, focusing on various aspects such as microstructures, element doping, and heterostructure materials. The microstructure of spinel ferrite can be tailored to enhance the gas-sensing performance by controlling factors such as the grain size, porosity, and surface area. Element doping, such as incorporating transition metal ions, can further enhance the gas-sensing properties by modifying the electronic structure and surface chemistry of the sensor material. Additionally, the integration of spinel ferrite with other semiconductors in heterostructure configurations has shown potential for improving the selectivity and overall sensing performance. Furthermore, the article suggests that the combination of spinel ferrite and semiconductors can enhance the selectivity, stability, and sensing performance of gas sensors at room or low temperatures. This is particularly important for practical applications where real-time and accurate gas detection is crucial. In conclusion, this review highlights the potential of spinel-ferrite-based gas sensors and provides insights into the latest advancements in this field. The combination of spinel ferrite with other materials and the optimization of sensor parameters offer opportunities for the development of highly efficient and reliable gas-sensing devices for early detection and warning systems.

Comparative Anticancer Potentials of Taxifolin and Quercetin Methylated Derivatives against HCT-116 Cell Lines: Effects of O-Methylation on Taxifolin and Quercetin as Preliminary Natural Leads

Six flavonoids present in Pulicaria jaubertii, i.e., 7,3'-di-O-methyltaxifolin (1), 3'-O-methyltaxifolin (2), 7-O-methyltaxifolin (3), taxifolin (4), 3-O-methylquercetin (5), and quercetin (6), were tested for their anticancer activities. The methylated flavonoids, compounds 1-3 and 5, were evaluated for their anticancer activities in comparison to the non-methylated parent flavonoids taxifolin (4) and quercetin (6). The structures of the known compounds were reconfirmed by spectral analyses using ¹H and ¹³C NMR data comparisons and HRMS spectrometry. The anticancer activity of these compounds was evaluated in colon cancer, HCT-116, and noncancerous, HEK-293, cell lines using the MTT antiproliferative assays. The caspase-3 and caspase-9 expressions and DAPI (4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining assays were used to evaluate the apoptotic activity. All the compounds exhibited antiproliferative activity against the HCT-116 cell line with IC₅₀ values at 33 ± 1.25, 36 ± 2.25, 34 ± 2.15, 32 ± 2.35, 34 ± 2.65, and 36 ± 1.95 μg/mL for compounds 1 to 6, respectively. All the compounds produced a significant reduction in HCT-116 cell line proliferation, except compounds 2 and 6. The viability of the HEK-293 normal cells was found to be significantly higher than the viability of the cancerous cells at all of the tested concentrations, thus suggesting that all the compounds have better inhibitory activity on the cancer cell line. Apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation and nuclear shrinkage were also induced by the compounds. The expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 genes increased in HCT-116 cell lines after 48 h of treatment, suggesting cell death by the apoptotic pathways. The molecular docking studies showed favorable binding affinity against different pro- and antiapoptotic proteins by these compounds. The docking scores were minimum as compared to the caspase-9, caspase-3, Bcl-xl, and JAK2.

Biological activities and antioxidant potential of different biosynthesized nanoparticles of Moringa oleifera

The science of nanotechnology is expanding daily and has the potential to benefit people. Moringa oleifera is an abundant source of phenolic compounds, which are bioactive substances. It is recognised as a necessary plant because of its medicinal potential and a wide variety of health benefits. The aim of the current study is to examine the antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity effects of five nanoparticles (La₂O₃, CuO, Fe₂O₃, Ag, and ZnO) made using bioactive chemicals in the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves on four human cell lines (T47D, HepG2, A549, and Wi38). The UV-visible spectroscopy analysis with a surface plasmon peak in the 300-490 nm range and the value of the zeta potential of the various biosynthesized nanoparticles ranged from + 31 to + 37 mV, indicated the repulsion between the particles and the stability of the formulation nanoparticles confirmed the formation of all nanoparticles. Additionally, the DPPH method was used to assess the antioxidant activity of five distinct metal nanoparticles. The results show that this method works in parallel and is dependent on both the concentration of NPs and the incubation time. The anticancer effect of synthesized nanoparticles against four different cell lines has been tested. The cytotoxicity assay showed a dose-dependent and time-dependent effect of nanoparticles. The obtained results conclude that acceptable potency against T47D and A549 cell lines with IC₅₀ ranged from 38 to 210 μg/mL and 26 to 115 μg/mL, respectively. However, HepG2 and Wi38 cell lines showed relatively higher resistance against all tested nanoparticles when compared with Doxorubicin. Moreover, the antibacterial results revealed that silver nanoparticles exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against both Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Nanoparticles' high therapeutic activity at low concentrations opens up new avenues for the development of novel therapeutic approaches against human pathogens.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Co0.5Ni0.5Ga0.01Gd0.01Fe1.98O4/ZnFe2O4 Spinel Ferrite Nanocomposites: Comparative Study between Sol-Gel and Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid Approaches

In this study, the samples of the ZnFe₂O₄ (ZFO) spinel ferrites nanoparticles (SFNPs), Co_0.5Ni_0.5Ga_0.01Gd_0.01Fe_1.98O₄ (CNGaGdFO) SFNPs and (Co_0.5Ni_0.5Ga_0.01Gd_0.01Fe_1.98O₄)_x/(ZnFe₂O₄)_y (x:y = 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1) (CNGaGdFO)_x/(ZFO)_y spinel ferrite nanocomposites (NC) have been synthesized by both sol-gel and Green pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) approaches. All products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), elemental mappings and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It was objected to tune the magnetic properties of a soft spinel ferrite material with a softer one by mixing them with different fractions. Some key findings are as follows. M-H investigations revealed the exhibition of ferrimagnetic phases for all synthesized samples (except ZnFe₂O₄) that were synthesized by sol-gel or PLAL methods at both 300 K and 10 K. ZnFe₂O₄ ferrite NPs exhibits almost paramagnetic feature at 300 K and glass-like phase at very low temperatures below 19.23 K. At RT analyses, maximum saturation magnetization (M_S) of 66.53 emu/g belongs to nanocomposite samples that was synthesized by sol-gel method and x:y ratio of 1:3. At 10 K analyses, M_S,_max = 118.71 emu/g belongs to same nanocomposite samples with ratio of 1:3. Maximum coercivities are 625 Oe belonging to CNGaGdFO and 3564 Oe belonging to NC sample that was obtained by sol-gel route having the 3:1 ratio. Squareness ratio (SQRs = M_r/M_S) of NC sample (sol-gel, 4:1 ratio) is 0.371 as maximum and other samples have much lower values until a minimum of 0.121 (laser, 3:1) assign the multi-domain wall structure for all samples at 300 K. At 10 K data, just CNGaGdFO has 0.495 SQR value assigning single domain nature. The maximum values of effective crystal anisotropy constant (K_eff) are 5.92 × 10⁴ Erg/g and 2.4 × 10⁵ Erg/g belonging to CNGaGdFO at 300 K and 10 K, respectively. Further, this sample has an internal anisotropy field H_a of 1953 Oe as largest at 300 K. At 10 K another sample (sol-gel, 3:1 ratio) has H_a,max of 11138 Oe which can also be classified as a soft magnetic material similar to other samples. Briefly, most magnetic parameters of NCs that were synthesized by sol-gel route are stronger than magnetic parameters of the NCs that were synthesized by PLAL at both temperatures. Some NC samples were observed to have stronger magnetic data as compared to magnetic parameters of Co_0.5Ni_0.5Ga_0.01Gd_0.01Fe_1.98O₄ NPs at 10 K.

Structural, Magnetic, and Mossbauer Parameters' Evaluation of Sonochemically Synthesized Rare Earth Er3+ and Y3+ Ions-Substituted Manganese-Zinc Nanospinel Ferrites

The effect of Er³⁺ and Y³⁺ ion-co-substituted Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Er _x Y _x Fe_2-2x O₄ (MZErYF) (x ≤ 0.10) spinel nanoferrites (SNFs) prepared by a sonochemical approach was investigated. Surface and phase analyses were carried out using SEM, TEM, and XRD. Hyperfine parameters were determined by fitting room-temperature (RT) Mossbauer spectra. Magnetic field-dependent magnetization data unveiled the superparamagnetic nature at RT and ferrimagnetic nature at 10 K. RT saturation magnetization (M _S) and calculated magnetic moments (n _B) are 34.84 emu/g and 1.47 μ_B, respectively, and have indirect proportionalities with increasing ion content. M _S and n _B data have a similar trend at 10 K including remanent magnetizations (M _r). The measured coercivities (H _C) are between 250 and 415 Oe. The calculated squareness ratios are in the range of 0.152-0.321 for NPs and assign the multidomain nature for NPs at 10 K. The extracted effective magnetocrystalline constants (K _eff) have an order of 10⁴ erg/g except for Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Er_0.10Y_0.10Fe_1.80O₄ SNFs that has 3.37 × 10⁵ erg/g. This sample exhibits the greatest magnetic hardness with the largest magnitude of H _C = 415 Oe and an internal anisotropy field H _a = 1288 Oe among all magnetically soft NPs.

Improving photocatalytic efficiency of MnFe2O4 ferrites via doping with Zn2+/La3+ ions: photocatalytic dye degradation for water remediation

The interference of industrial effluents such as dyes, surfactants, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pharmaceutical waste has become a severe global problem for human health due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic properties. Ferrites were considered promising photocatalysts for the degradation of organic and inorganic dyes. This study mainly focused on improving the photocatalytic performance of MnFe₂O₄ nanoferrites via doping of Zn²⁺ and La³⁺ ions. The zinc and lanthanum substituted Mn_1-xZn_xLa_yFe_2-yO₄ nanoferrites were prepared by the sol-gel auto-combustion technique for the degradation of organic textile malachite green dye (MGD) under the natural solar irradiation. The synthesized nanoferrites were investigated for their structural properties, surface morphology and elemental analysis, optical studies, magnetic properties, and photocatalytic performance by XRD, FESEM/EDX, FTIR/Raman spectrum, vibrating sample magnetometer, and UV-visible spectrophotometer, respectively. The substitution of zinc and lanthanum improved the photocatalytic efficiency of nanoferrites, and about 96% of MGD was degraded by Mn_0.97Zn_0.03La_0.04Fe_1.96O₄ after 60 min of irradiation. The results showed the pseudo-first-order kinetics for dye degradation using undoped and Zn/La-doped MnFe₂O₄ photocatalysts.