Synthesis and characterization of copper nanoparticles stabilized with Quisqualis indica extract: Evaluation of its cytotoxicity and apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells

Harnessing nanomaterials for copper-induced cell death

Copper (Cu), an essential micronutrient with redox properties, plays a pivotal role in a wide array of pathological and physiological processes across virtually all cell types. Maintaining an optimal copper concentration is critical for cellular survival: insufficient copper levels disrupt respiration and metabolism, while excess copper compromises cell viability, potentially leading to cell death. Similarly, in the context of cancer, copper exhibits a dual role: appropriate amount of copper can promote tumor progression and be an accomplice, yet beyond befitting level, copper can bring about multiple types of cell death, including autophagy, apoptosis, ferroptosis, immunogenic cell death, pyroptosis, and cuproptosis. These forms of cell death are beneficial against cancer progression; however, achieving precise copper regulation within tumors remains a significant challenge in the pursuit of effective cancer therapies. The emergence of nanodrug delivery systems, distinguished by their precise targeting, controlled release, high payload capacity, and the ability to co-deliver multiple agents, has revitalized interest in exploiting copper's precise regulatory capabilities. Nevertheless, there remains a dearth of comprehensive review of copper's bidirectional effects on tumorigenesis and the role of copper-based nanomaterials in modulating tumor progression. This paper aims to address this gap by elucidating the complex role in cancer biology and highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Through an exploration of copper's dualistic nature and the application of nanotechnology, this review seeks to offer novel insights and guide future research in advancing cancer treatment.

The impact of copper nanoparticles surfactant on the structural and biological properties of chitosan/sodium alginate wound dressings

Multifunctional wound dressings based on hydrogels are an efficacious and practicable strategy in therapeutic processes and accelerated chronic wound healing. Here, copper (Cu) nanoparticles were added to chitosan/sodium alginate (CS/SA) hydrogels to improve the antibacterial properties of the prepared wound dressings. Due to the super-hydrophobicity of Cu nanoparticles, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as a surfactant, and then added to the CS/SA-based hydrogels. The CS/SA/Cu hydrogels were synthesized with 0, 2, 3.5, and 5 wt% Cu nanoparticles. The structural and morphological properties in presence of PEG were evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The biodegradation and swelling properties of the hydrogels were investigated in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at 37 °C for up to 30 days. Cell viability and adhesion, as well as antibacterial behavior, were investigated via MTT assay, FESEM, and disk diffusion method, respectively. The obtained results showed that PEG provided new intra- and intermolecular bonds that affected significantly the hydrogels' degradation and swelling ratio, which increased up to ~1200 %. Cell viability reached ~110 % and all samples showed remarkable antibacterial behavior when CS/SA/Cu containing 2 wt% was introduced. This study provided new insights regarding the use of PEG as a surfactant for Cu nanoparticles in CS/SA hydrogel wound dressing, ultimately affecting the chemical bonding and various properties of the prepared hydrogels.

Nutrition and melanoma: the contribution of trace elements in onset, progression, and treatment of melanoma

Melanoma is a highly malignant and drug-resistant disease that imposes a substantial economic burden on the world. There are many studies linking trace elements to diverse types of cancers, including melanoma. This review elucidates the relationship between trace elements exposure and melanoma. It was identified that copper, manganese, selenium, zinc, iron, and many other trace elements were associated with melanoma in humans. In terms of epidemiology, different elements have different correlations with melanoma. These trace elements affect the occurrence and development of melanoma through various mechanisms, such as oxidative stress and the MAPK pathway. The literature on the role of trace elements in the pathogenesis and treatment of melanoma depicts promising prospects for this field.

Copper nitroprusside analogue nanoparticles against melanoma: detailed in vitro and in vivo investigation

Melanoma is the most invasive and lethal form of skin cancer that arises from the malignant transformation of specialized pigment-producing cell melanocytes. Nanomedicine represents an important prospect to mitigate the difficulties and provide significant benefits to cure melanoma. In the present study, we investigated in vitro and in vivo therapeutic efficacies of copper nitroprusside analogue nanoparticles (abbreviated as CuNPANP) towards melanoma. Initially, in vitro anti-cancer activities of CuNPANP towards melanoma cells (B16F10) were evaluated by several experiments such as [methyl-3H]-thymidine incorporation assay, cell cycle and apoptosis assays using FACS analysis, ROS generation using DCFDA, DHE and DAF2A reagents, internalization of nanoparticles through ICP-OES analysis, co-localization of the nanoparticles using confocal microscopy, JC-1 staining to investigate the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and immunofluorescence studies to analyze the expressions of cytochrome-c, Ki-67, E-cadherin as well as phalloidin staining to analyze the cytoskeletal integrity. Further, the in vivo therapeutic effectiveness of the nanoparticles was established towards malignant melanoma by inoculating B16F10 cells in the dorsal right abdomen of C57BL/6J mice. The intraperitoneal administration of CuNPANP inhibited tumor growth and increased the survivability of melanoma mice. The in vivo immunofluorescence studies (Ki-67, CD-31, and E-cadherin) and TUNEL assay further support the anti-cancer and apoptosis-inducing potential of CuNPANP, respectively. Finally, various signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in anti-cancer activities were further evaluated by Western blot analysis. The results altogether indicated the potential use of copper-based nanomedicines for the treatment of malignant melanoma.

Copper oxide nanoparticles: an effective suppression tool against bacterial leaf blight of rice and its impacts on plants

BACKGROUND

To address the challenges of food security for the ever-increasing population, the emergence of nanotechnology provides an alternate technology of choice for the production of safer pesticides which serves as a substitute for conventional fertilizer. The antidrug resistance of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and build-up of chemicals in the environment has made it necessary to find alternative safe techniques for effective disease management. Hence, in this study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were produced by green synthesis using a Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. flower extract.

RESULTS

The characterization of CuONPs using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive spectrum profile, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction ascertained the presence of CuONPs, which were nanorods of 28.1 nm. CuONPs significantly obstructed the growth and biofilm development of Xoo by 79.65% and 79.17% respectively. The antibacterial mechanism of CuONPs was found to result from wounding the cell membrane, giving rise to an exodus of intracellular content and generation of oxidative reactive oxygen species that invariably inhibited Xoo respiration and growth. A toxicity study under greenhouse conditions revealed that CuONPs significantly increased growth variables and the biomass of rice, and reduced bacterial leaf blight. Application of CuONPs on Arabidopsis improved the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters; the ΦPSII was significantly increased by 152.05% in comparison to the control.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, these results suggest that CuONPs in low concentration (200.0 μg mL-1 ) are not toxic to plants and can serve as nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

From lab to ecosystem: Understanding the ecological footprints of engineered nanoparticles

Nanotechnology has attained significant attention from researchers in past decades due to its numerous advantages, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and improved stability over conventional drug delivery systems. The fabrication of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerenes, metallic and metal oxide-based NPs, has been steadily increasing day due to their wide range of applications from household to industrial applications. Fabricated ENPs can release different materials into the environment during their fabrication process. The effect of such materials on the environment is the primary concern with due diligence on the safety and efficacy of prepared NPs. In addition, an understanding of chemistry, reactivity, fabrication process, and viable mechanism of NPs involved in the interaction with the environment is very important. To date, only a limited number of techniques are available to assess ENPs in the natural environment which makes it difficult to ascertain the impact of ENPs in natural settings. This review extensively examines the environmental effects of ENPs and briefly discusses useful tools for determining NP size, surface charge, surface area, and external appearance. In conclusion, the review highlights the potential risks associated with ENPs and suggests possible solutions.

Applications of Green Synthesized Metal Nanoparticles - a Review

Green nanotechnology is an emerging field of science that focuses on the production of nanoparticles by living cells through biological pathways. This topic plays an extremely imperative responsibility in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, fuel and energy, electronics, and bioengineering. Biological processes by green synthesis tools are more suitable to develop nanoparticles ranging from 1 to 100 nm compared to other related methods, owing to their safety, eco-friendliness, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. In particular, the metal nanoparticles are synthesized by top-down and bottom-up approaches through various techniques like physical, chemical, and biological methods. Their characterization is very vital and the confirmation of nanoparticle traits is done by various instrumentation analyses such as UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), annular dark-field imaging (HAADF), and intracranial pressure (ICP). In this review, we provide especially information on green synthesized metal nanoparticles, which are helpful to improve biomedical and environmental applications. In particular, the methods and conditions of plant-based synthesis, characterization techniques, and applications of green silver, gold, iron, selenium, and copper nanoparticles are overviewed.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) mediated green synthesis of copper nanoparticles and their application in anticancer activity

Green synthesis of nanoparticles has drawn huge attention in the last decade due to their eco-friendly, biocompatible nature. Phyto-assisted synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is widespread in the field of nanomedicine, especially for antimicrobial and anticancer activity. Here in the present research work, investigators have used the stem extract of the Himalayan plant Hippophae rhamnoides L, for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). The synthesized of CuNPs were analyzed by using sophisticated instruments, i.e., Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The size of the synthesized CuNPs was varying from 38 nm to 94 nm which were mainly spherical in shape. Further, the potential of the synthesized CuNPs was evaluated as an anticancer agent on the Hela cell lines, by performing an MTT assay. In the MTT assay, a concentration-dependent activity of CuNPs demonstrated the lower cell viability at 100 μg/mL and IC50 value at 48 μg/mL of HeLa cancer cell lines. In addition to this, apoptosis activity was evaluated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining, Annexin V, and Propidium iodide (PI) staining, wherein the maximum ROS production was at a dose of 100 µg per mL of CuNPs with a higher intensity of green fluorescence. In both DAPI and PI staining, maximum nuclear condensation was observed with 100 μg/mL of CuNPs against HeLa cell lines.

Nanotechnology Formulations Designed with Herbal Extracts and Their Therapeutic Applications - A Review

Because of the increasing demand for natural products, the development of nanoformulations containing natural active ingredients requires in-depth knowledge of the substances used, methods of obtaining, and stability profiles to ensure product quality, efficacy, and safety. Considering this, the bibliography of the last five years presented in databases (PubMed and Science Direct) was discussed in this work, discussing the study with medicinal plants to obtain active metabolites with therapeutic properties, as well as the different nano-systems responsible for carrying these molecules. Due to the wealth of biodiversity found in the world, many species are submitted to the extraction process for several purposes. However, identifying, classifying, and quantifying the constituents of herbal matrices are crucial steps to verify their therapeutic potential. In addition, knowing the techniques of production and elaboration of nanotechnology products allows the optimization of the incorporation of herbal extracts as an innovation target. For studies to be successful, it is necessary to exhaust experimental results that guarantee the efficacy, safety, and quality of natural nanosystems, with the objective of obtaining reliable answers in nanotechnology therapy.

Biogenic Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles: A Systematic Review of Their Features and Main Applications

Nanotechnology is an innovative field of study that has made significant progress due to its potential versatility and wide range of applications, precisely because of the development of metal nanoparticles such as copper. Nanoparticles are bodies composed of a nanometric cluster of atoms (1-100 nm). Biogenic alternatives have replaced their chemical synthesis due to their environmental friendliness, dependability, sustainability, and low energy demand. This ecofriendly option has medical, pharmaceutical, food, and agricultural applications. When compared to their chemical counterparts, using biological agents, such as micro-organisms and plant extracts, as reducing and stabilizing agents has shown viability and acceptance. Therefore, it is a feasible alternative for rapid synthesis and scaling-up processes. Several research articles on the biogenic synthesis of copper nanoparticles have been published over the past decade. Still, none provided an organized, comprehensive overview of their properties and potential applications. Thus, this systematic review aims to assess research articles published over the past decade regarding the antioxidant, antitumor, antimicrobial, dye removal, and catalytic activities of biogenically synthesized copper nanoparticles using the scientific methodology of big data analytics. Plant extract and micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) are addressed as biological agents. We intend to assist the scientific community in comprehending and locating helpful information for future research or application development.

Biogenic green metal nano systems as efficient anti-cancer agents

Metal/metal oxide nano systems (M-NSs) of tunable and manipulative properties are emerging suitable for cancer management via immunity development, early-stage diagnosis, nanotherapeutics, and targeted drug delivery systems. However, noticeable toxicity, off-targeted actions, lacking biocompatibility, and being expensive limit their acceptability. Moreover, involving high energy (top-down routes) and hazardous chemicals (bottom-up chemical routes) is altering human cycle. To manage such challenges, biomass (plants, microbes, animals) and green chemistry-based M-NSs due to scalability, affordability, are cellular, tissue, and organ acceptability are emerging as desired biogenic M-NSs for cancer management with enhanced features. The state-of-art and perspective of green metal/metal oxide nano systems (GM-NSs) as an efficient anti-cancer agent including, imaging, immunity building elements, site-specific drug delivery, and therapeutics developments are highlighted in this review critically. It is expected that this report will serve as guideline for design and develop high-performance GM-NSs for establishing them as next-generation anti-cancer agent capable to manage cancer in personalized manner.

Biogenic copper oxide nanoparticles from Bacillus coagulans induced reactive oxygen species generation and apoptotic and anti-metastatic activities in breast cancer cells

The present study examined the anticancer capabilities of Bacillus coagulans supernatant-produced copper oxide nanoparticles (BC-CuONPs) on MCF-7 and SKBR3 cancer cells. The X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential techniques were used to characterize BC-CuONPs. This study also investigated the cellular and molecular processes of NPs' anti-proliferative and apoptotic properties on human breast cancer cells and compared them to the commercial pharmaceutical tamoxifen. The size of the spherical NP was from 5 to 47 nm with negative zeta potential. The MTT results showed the great cytotoxic effect of BC-CuONPs against breast cancer cells. The BC-CuONPs inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The up-regulation of BCL2-associated X (BAX), cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (P21), Caspase 3 (CASP3), and Caspase 9 (CASP9), the down-regulation of BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation results suggested that BC-CuONPs had a significant apoptotic impact when compared to the control. Scratch tests and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor gene (VEGF) down-regulation demonstrated that BC-CuONPs had anti-metastatic activity. The cell cycle analysis and down-regulation of Cyclin D1 (CCND1) and cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) revealed that cancer cells were arrested in the sub-G1 phase. Finally, the results showed that the secondary metabolites in the supernatant of Bacillus coagulans could form CuONPs, and biogenic BC-CuONPs showed anti-metastasis and anticancer properties on breast cancer cells while having less adverse effects on normal cells. Therefore, the synthesized CuONPs using B. coagulans supernatant can be shown as a potential candidate for a new therapeutic strategy in cancer management.

Functionalization of ampicillin and gentamicin with biogenic copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) remodel antimicrobial and cytotoxic outcome against MDR clinical isolates

The present study reports the functionalization of antibiotic-conjugated Alternanthera pungens and Trichodesma indicum copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). Initially, antibiotic profiling of multi-drug resistant (MDR) clinical isolates against five antibiotics was verified and then gentamicin and ampicillin conjugates of CuNPs were prepared. Biosynthesized nanostructures were characterized through UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Biogenic synthesized CuNPs displayed highest antibacterial activity (24.0-31.3 mm inhibition zones) when capped with gentamicin as compared to the ampicillin-conjugated NPs which showed resistance against most of the bacterial species. A. pungens-derived conjugates of gentamicin (CuAp-GNT) along with the vehicle revealed 4.86 ± 0.20% and 4.25 ± 2.96% hemolytic potential and highest MDA production in S. typhimurium (3.18 ± 1.52 µg/mL and 6.31 ± 3.49 µg/mL) and K. pneumoniae (2.99 ± 0.90 µg/mL and 4.06 ± 1.20 µg/mL). Similarly, CuAp-GNT also showed highest DNA protection ability by displaying 1342.99 ± 11.87 band intensity. All-inclusive, CuAp showed more promising effects when conjugated with gentamicin indicating that capping of gentamicin with the active components of the plant-based copper nanostructures increases the antibacterial capacity of the drug. Hence, conjugation of antibiotics with bio-based sources offers great potential for identifying potent drug leads.

Metallic Nanosystems in the Development of Antimicrobial Strategies with High Antimicrobial Activity and High Biocompatibility

Antimicrobial resistance is a major and growing global problem and new approaches to combat infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacterial strains are needed. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to nanomedicine, which has great potential in the development of controlled systems for delivering drugs to specific sites and targeting specific cells, such as pathogenic microbes. There is continued interest in metallic nanoparticles and nanosystems based on metallic nanoparticles containing antimicrobial agents attached to their surface (core shell nanosystems), which offer unique properties, such as the ability to overcome microbial resistance, enhancing antimicrobial activity against both planktonic and biofilm embedded microorganisms, reducing cell toxicity and the possibility of reducing the dosage of antimicrobials. The current review presents the synergistic interactions within metallic nanoparticles by functionalizing their surface with appropriate agents, defining the core structure of metallic nanoparticles and their use in combination therapy to fight infections. Various approaches to modulate the biocompatibility of metallic nanoparticles to control their toxicity in future medical applications are also discussed, as well as their ability to induce resistance and their effects on the host microbiome.

Targeting Apoptotic Pathway of Cancer Cells with Phytochemicals and Plant-Based Nanomaterials

Apoptosis is the elimination of functionally non-essential, neoplastic, and infected cells via the mitochondrial pathway or death receptor pathway. The process of apoptosis is highly regulated through membrane channels and apoptogenic proteins. Apoptosis maintains cellular balance within the human body through cell cycle progression. Loss of apoptosis control prolongs cancer cell survival and allows the accumulation of mutations that can promote angiogenesis, promote cell proliferation, disrupt differentiation, and increase invasiveness during tumor progression. The apoptotic pathway has been extensively studied as a potential drug target in cancer treatment. However, the off-target activities of drugs and negative implications have been a matter of concern over the years. Phytochemicals (PCs) have been studied for their efficacy in various cancer cell lines individually and synergistically. The development of nanoparticles (NPs) through green synthesis has added a new dimension to the advancement of plant-based nanomaterials for effective cancer treatment. This review provides a detailed insight into the fundamental molecular pathways of programmed cell death and highlights the role of PCs along with the existing drugs and plant-based NPs in treating cancer by targeting its programmed cell death (PCD) network.

Advancements in nanoparticle-based treatment approaches for skin cancer therapy

Skin cancer has emerged as the fifth most commonly reported cancer in the world, causing a burden on global health and the economy. The enormously rising environmental changes, industrialization, and genetic modification have further exacerbated skin cancer statistics. Current treatment modalities such as surgery, radiotherapy, conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are facing several issues related to cost, toxicity, and bioavailability thereby leading to declined anti-skin cancer therapeutic efficacy and poor patient compliance. In the context of overcoming this limitation, several nanotechnological advancements have been witnessed so far. Among various nanomaterials, nanoparticles have endowed exorbitant advantages by acting as both therapeutic agents and drug carriers for the remarkable treatment of skin cancer. The small size and large surface area to volume ratio of nanoparticles escalate the skin tumor uptake through their leaky vasculature resulting in enhanced therapeutic efficacy. In this context, the present review provides up to date information about different types and pathology of skin cancer, followed by their current treatment modalities and associated drawbacks. Furthermore, it meticulously discusses the role of numerous inorganic, polymer, and lipid-based nanoparticles in skin cancer therapy with subsequent descriptions of their patents and clinical trials.

Quisqualis indica extract for men with lower urinary tract symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Quisqualis indica in men with moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 135 subjects with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 8-19 were randomized in 2 centers from June 2018 to April 2019. Patients were assigned into one of the three groups: a low-dose group (LG, 1,000 mg Q. indica), a high-dose group (HG, 2,000 mg Q. indica) or a placebo group (PG). The primary endpoint was the change of IPSS at the end of treatment from baseline. Secondary end points included the changes of prostate specific antigen, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual volume (PVR) and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), with drug safety.

RESULTS

113 patients were able to finish the study. Compared to the PG, total IPSS in the LG and the HG was significantly improved at 6 weeks and 12 weeks. For IPSS subscores, LG showed improvements in all except for urgency and quality of life at 6 weeks. HG showed improvements in incomplete emptying and frequency at 6 weeks and 12 weeks along with improvements in intermittency, straining, and quality of life at 12 weeks. For IIEF-5 subscores, orgasmic function and overall satisfaction improved in HG when compared to PG at 12 weeks. Lastly, increase of Qmax and decrease of PVR was observed at 6 weeks in LG.

CONCLUSIONS

12-week treatment with Q. indica has a therapeutic effect and is well tolerated in patients with LUTS.

Copper Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress in SW480 Human Colon Cancer Cell Line

Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) have various applications in biomedicine, owing to their unique properties. As the effect of CuNPs on the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the human colorectal cancer cell line SW480 has not yet been studied, we investigated the toxicity and mechanism of action of these NPs in SW480 cells. MTT assay was performed to assess the effect of the particles on the viability of SW480 cells. The levels of oxidative stress were assessed after 24 h of treatment with CuNPs by evaluating the Reactive Oxygen Specious (ROS) production. The antioxidant enzyme activity was assessed using a colorimetric method. To investigate the effect of NPs on cellular apoptosis, Hoechst33258 staining was performed, and the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 was evaluated by qRT-PCR. The MTT assay results showed that CuNPs inhibited the viability of SW480 cells. Moreover, the increase in ROS production at all three concentrations (31, 68, and 100 μg/ml) was significant. It has been observed that CuNPs lead to increased expression of Bax and p53, and decreased expression of Bcl-2. Hoechst staining was performed to confirm apoptosis. In conclusion, the induction of apoptosis demonstrated the anticancer potential of the CuNPs.

How to Treat Melanoma? The Current Status of Innovative Nanotechnological Strategies and the Role of Minimally Invasive Approaches like PTT and PDT

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, the incidence and mortality of which are increasing worldwide. Its extensive degree of heterogeneity has limited its response to existing therapies. For many years the therapeutic strategies were limited to surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Fortunately, advances in knowledge have allowed the development of new therapeutic strategies. Despite the undoubted progress, alternative therapies are still under research. In this context, nanotechnology is also positioned as a strong and promising tool to develop nanosystems that act as drug carriers and/or light absorbents to potentially improve photothermal and photodynamic therapies outcomes. This review describes the latest advances in nanotechnology field in the treatment of melanoma from 2011 to 2022. The challenges in the translation of nanotechnology-based therapies to clinical applications are also discussed. To sum up, great progress has been made in the field of nanotechnology-based therapies, and our understanding in this field has greatly improved. Although few therapies based on nanoparticulate systems have advanced to clinical trials, it is expected that a large number will come into clinical use in the near future. With its high sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexed measurement capacity, it provides great opportunities to improve melanoma treatment, which will ultimately lead to enhanced patient survival rates.

Comprehensive Analysis of Cuproptosis-Related Genes in Immune Infiltration and Prognosis in Melanoma

Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM, hereafter referred to as melanoma) is the most lethal skin cancer with increasing incidence. Regulated cell death plays an important role in tumorigenesis and serves as an important target for almost all treatment strategies. Cuproptosis is the most recently identified copper-dependent regulated cell death form that relies on mitochondria respiration. However, its role in tumorigenesis remains unknown. The correlation of cuproptosis-related genes with tumor prognosis is far to be understood, either. In the present study, we explored the correlation between cuproptosis-related genes with the prognosis of melanoma by accessing and analyzing a public database and found 11 out 12 genes were upregulated in melanoma tissues and three genes (LIPT1, PDHA1, and SLC31A1) have predictive value for the prognosis. The subgroup of melanoma patients with higher cuproptosis-related gene expression showed longer overall survival than those with lower gene expression. We chose LIPT1 for further exploration. LIPT1 expression was increased in melanoma biopsies and was an independent favorable prognostic indicator for melanoma patients. Moreover, LIPT1 expression was positively correlated with PD-L1 expression and negatively associated with Treg cell infiltration. The melanoma patients with higher LIPT1 expression showed longer overall survival than those with lower LIPT1 expression after receiving immunotherapy, indicating the prognostic predictive value of LIPT1. Finally, a pan-cancer analysis indicated that LIPT1 was differentially expressed in diverse cancers as compared to normal tissues and correlated with the expression of multiple immune checkpoints, especially PD-L1. It could serve as a favorable prognosis indicator in some cancer types. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the prognostic value of cuproptosis-related genes, especially LIPT1, in melanoma, and revealed the correlation between LIPT1 expression and immune infiltration in melanoma, thus providing new clues on the prognostic assessment of melanoma patients and providing a new target for the immunotherapy of melanoma.

Potential antimicrobial, antidiabetic, catalytic, antioxidant and ROS/RNS inhibitory activities of Silybum marianum mediated biosynthesized copper oxide nanoparticles

Use of medicinal plants for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles offers several advantages over other synthesis approaches. Plants contain a variety of bioactive compounds that can participate in reduction and capping of nanoparticles. Plant mediated synthesis has the leverage of cost effectiveness, eco-friendly approach and sustained availability. In the current study Silybum marianum, a medicinally valuable plant rich in silymarin content, is used as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the fabrication of nanoparticles. Biosynthesized CuO-NPs were characterized using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) techniques. Characterization revealed that CuO-NPs having a crystalline structure showed spherical morphology with an average size of 15 nm. HPLC analysis demonstrated conjugation of various silymarin components, especially the presence of silybin A (705.06 ± 1.59 mg g^-1 DW). CuO-NPs exhibited strong bactericidal potency against clinically important pathogenic bacterial strains e.g. Enterobacter aerogenes and Salmonella typhi with an inhibition zone of 18 ± 1.3 mm and 17 ± 1.2 mm, respectively. Synthesized nanoparticles indicated a dose dependent cytotoxic effect against fibroblast cells exhibiting a percentage cell viability of 83.60 ± 1.505% and 55.1 ± 1.80% at 25 μg mL^-1 and 100 μg mL^-1 concentration, respectively. Moreover, CuO-NPs displayed higher antioxidant potential in terms of (TAC: 96.9 ± 0.26 μg AAE/mg), (TRP: 68.8 ± 0.35 μg AAE/mg), (DPPH: 55.5 ± 0.62%), (ABTS: 332.34 μM) and a significant value for (FRAP: 215.40 μM). Furthermore, enzyme inhibition assays also exhibited excellent enzyme inhibition potential against α-amylase (35.5 ± 1.54%), urease (78.4 ± 1.26%) and lipase (80.50.91%), respectively. Overall findings indicated that biosynthesized CuO-NPs possess immense in vitro biological and biomedical properties and could be used as a broad-spectrum agent for a wider range of biomedical applications.

Sunlight-Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using the Berries of Ribes rubrum (Red Currants): Characterisation and Evaluation of Their Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities

Plants are a treasure trove of several important phytochemicals that are endowed with therapeutic and medicinal properties. Ribes rubrum L. (red currants) are seasonal berries that are widely consumed for their nutritional value and are known for their health benefits. Red currants are a rich source of secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, tocopherols, phenolic acids, ascorbic acid, and flavonoids. In this study, sunlight-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was successfully accomplished within 9 min after adding the silver nitrate solution to the aqueous extract of red currant. The synthesised AgNPs were characterised with UV–Vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX). The efficacy of aqueous extracts of red currants and AgNPs in controlling the growth of some pathogenic fungi and bacteria was also investigated. The UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectrum displayed an absorption peak at 435 nm, which corresponded to the surface plasmon band. The strong silver signal on the EDX spectrum at 3 keV, authenticated the formation of AgNPs. The several peaks on the FTIR spectrum of the aqueous extract of red currant and the nanoparticles indicated the presence of some important functional groups such as amines, carbonyl compounds, and phenols that are vital in facilitating the process of capping and bioreduction, besides conferring stability to nanoparticles. The TEM microphotographs showed that the nanoparticles were well dispersed, roughly spherical, and the size of the nanoparticles ranged from 8 to 59 nm. The red currant silver nanoparticles were highly potent in inhibiting the growth and proliferation of some fungal and bacterial test isolates, especially Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum musae, and Trichoderma harzianum. Based on the robust antifungal and antibacterial activity demonstrated in this study, red currant nanoparticles can be investigated as potential replacements for synthetic fungicides and antibiotics.

Recent Developments in Metallic Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy, Diagnosing and Imaging Applications

Cancer continues to represent a global health concern, imposing an ongoing need to research for better treatment alternatives. In this context, nanomedicine seems to be the solution to existing problems, bringing unprecedented results in various biomedical applications, including cancer therapy, diagnosing, and imaging. As numerous studies have uncovered the advantageous properties of various nanoscale metals, this review aims to present metal-based nanoparticles that are most frequently employed for cancer applications. This paper follows the description of relevant nanoparticles made of metals, metal derivatives, hybrids, and alloys, further discussing in more detail their potential applications in cancer management, ranging from the delivery of chemotherapeutics, vaccines, and genes to ablative hyperthermia therapies and theranostic platforms.

Drying methods influence the physicochemical and functional properties of seed-used pumpkin

The effects of far-infrared radiation drying (FIRD), freeze drying (FD), vacuum drying (VD), and hot air drying (HAD) on appearance, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, antityrosinase capacity using B16F10 melanoma cell from seed-used pumpkins (hull-less pumpkin and hull pumpkin) were evaluated. Results suggested that hull-less pumpkin (HLP) dehydrated by FIRD provided the highest total polyphenols content (37.11 ± 1.05 mg GAE/ g DW) and the ability of scavenging free radicals. HPLC analysis exhibited that coumaric acid was predominant phenolic acid in pumpkin. The correlation analysis demonstrated that polyphenolic compounds were related to antioxidant capacity. HLP-FD possessed better colour, higher preservation of β-carotene, ascorbic acid and higher sugar contents compared with HLP-HAD. The highest antityrosinase activity was recorded in HLP-VD with a concentration of 37.16%. The melanin inhibition increased to 76.61%, and intracellular tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanoma cells decreased to 88.63% at 800 μg/mL of polyphenol extract.

Microbial cell factories a new dimension in bio-nanotechnology: exploring the robustness of nature

Bio-based nanotechnology has its existence in biological dimensions e.g. microbial cell factories (bacteria, fungi. algae, yeast, cyanobacteria) plants, and biopolymers. They provide multipurpose biological platforms to supply well-designed materials for diverse nano-biotechnological applications. The "green or bio-based synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs)" has witnessed a research outburst in the past decade. The bio-based synthesis of NPs using microbial cell factories is a benign process and requires mild conditions for the synthesis with end products being less/non-toxic. As a result, its application has extended in multitudinous industries including environment, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical. Thus, the present review summarizes all the significant aspects of nanotechnology and the reason to switch towards the bio-based synthesis of NPs using microbial cell factories. It consists of a detailed description of the bio-based methods employed for the synthesis and classification of NPs. Also, a comprehensive study on the application of bio-based NPs in the various industrial and biotechnological domains has been discussed. The limitation and its solution would help identify the applicability of NPs to "identified and unidentified" sectors.

ZnO nanoparticles stimulate oxidative stress to induce apoptosis of B16F10 melanoma cells:In vitroandin vivostudies

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers. However, there remain many limitations in the current clinical treatments of it. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been considered to be a promising antitumor drug due to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and biofunctionality. In this study, we prepared spherical ZnO NPs with an average diameter of less than 10 nm by a simple chemical method. According to thein vitrocytotoxicity assay, ZnO NPs in a certain concentration range (20-35μg ml^-1) showed significant cytotoxicity to B16F10 melanoma cells, while having little effect on the viability of 3T3L1 fibroblasts. When cultured with B16F10 melanoma cells, ZnO NPs induced the generation of reactive oxygen and mitochondrial superoxide through the release of Zn²⁺, leading to oxidative stress in the cells, further reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential and decreasing the number of mitochondrial cristae. Furthermore, damaged mitochondria induced the release of apoptosis factors to promote cell apoptosis. FITC-Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining assay was used to analyze different apoptosis stages of B16F10 cells induced by ZnO NPs. A polymer hydrogel (Gel-F127-ZnO NPs) with Pluronic F127 as the carrier of ZnO NPs was fabricated for evaluating the antitumor effect of ZnO NPsin vivo. Thein vivoexperiment indicated that the tumor recurrence was significantly inhibited in tumor-bearing mice after treated with Gel-F127-ZnO NPs. Conclusively, ZnO NPs showed a strong antitumor effect bothin vitroandin vivo.

Plant-Extract-Mediated Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely used in several fields including catalysis, bioengineering, photoelectricity, antibacterial, anticancer, and medical imaging due to their unique physical and chemical properties. In the traditional synthesis method of MNPs, toxic chemicals are generally used as reducing agents and stabilizing agents, which is fussy to operate and extremely environment unfriendly. Based on this, the development of an environment-friendly synthesis method of MNPs has recently attracted great attention. The use of plant extracts as reductants and stabilizers to synthesize MNPs has the advantages of low cost, environmental friendliness, sustainability, and ease of operation. Besides, the as-synthesized MNPs are nontoxic, more stable, and more uniform in size than the counterparts prepared by the traditional method. Thus, green preparation methods have become a research hotspot in the field of MNPs synthesis. In this review, recent advances in green synthesis of MNPs using plant extracts as reductants and stabilizers have been systematically summarized. In addition, the insights into the potential applications and future development for MNPs prepared by using plant extracts have been provided.

A Review on Green Synthesis, Characterization and Anticancer Application of Metallic Nanoparticles

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and also the main obstacle of accelerating anticipation. It is globally recognized as overwhelmingly challenging in terms of clinical management. Cancer is taken into account because a prime lethal disease affects different organs of the body. Even with the rapid improvements in the medical sciences, there are no proper medicines to treat specific kinds of cancer. One of the fundamental issues within the malignant growth treatment is the side effect because of conventional treatment systems. Nanotechnology might be an extremely encouraging field for the therapeutic and drug areas; thus, it assumes a crucial part in improving humankind's satisfaction. In the infield of nanotechnology, a plant-mediated fusion of metal nanoparticles has been developed as a substitute to defeat the limitations of traditional synthesis approaches similar to physical and synthetic strategies. These tunable properties of nanomaterials make them progressed apparatuses in the biomedical platform particularly for the improvement of new diagnostics and focused on therapeutics for malignancy.This review incorporates the characterization of nanoparticles with size and shape and features critical uses of biosynthesized green nanomaterials in cancer theranostics.

Synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Pergularia tomentosa leaves and decolorization studies

In this investigation, Pergularia tomentosa leaves were used as a promising source of bioproducts for the reduction of copper sulfate into copper oxide nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FI-IR showed the presence of hydroxyl, ester, and aromatic groups, which are characteristics of phenolics and other bioproducts. SEM features exhibited spherical and agglomerated particles. In EDX data, the peak at 1 Kev, is an index of metallic nanoparticles of copper. The signals related to C and O peaks indicated the presence of phytochemicals in the studied extract. The synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles had a face-centered cubic structure. The size of the nanoparticles varied from 1.7 to 15.2 nm. The adsorption capacity of methylene blue using copper oxide nanoparticles reached 93.2 mg/g (pH = 6, T = 22 °C, adsorbent dose = 0.0125 g). Additionally, methylene blue solution was completely decolorized after 2 min of reaction (pH = 6, 0.0057 mg NaBH₄, C₀ = 10 mg/L, catalyst = 0.005 g). NOVELTY STATEMENTIn this study, Pergularia tomentosa leaves were used, for the first time, as a biomaterial rich in bioproducts for the reduction of copper sulfate into copper oxide nanoparticles. The prepared particles act as promising materials for the decolorization of contaminated water via both adsorption and degradation processes.

Apigenin-Loaded PLGA-DMSA Nanoparticles: A Novel Strategy to Treat Melanoma Lung Metastasis

The flavone apigenin (APG), alone as well as in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, is known to exhibit potential anticancer effects in various tumors and inhibit growth and metastasis of melanoma. However, the potential of apigenin nanoparticles (APG-NPs) to prevent lung colonization of malignant melanoma has not been well investigated. APG-loaded PLGA-NPs were surface-functionalized with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) for the treatment of melanoma lung metastasis. DMSA-conjugated APG-loaded NPs (DMSA-APG-NPs) administered by an oral route exhibited sustained APG release and showed considerable enhancement of plasma half-life, C_max value, and bioavailability compared to APG-NPs both in plasma and the lungs. DMSA-conjugated APG-NPs showed comparably higher cellular internalization in B16F10 and A549 cell lines compared to that of plain NPs. Increased cytotoxicity was observed for DMSA-APG-NPs compared to APG-NPs in A549 cells. This difference between the two formulations was lower in B16F10 cells. Significant depolarization of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and an enhanced level of caspase activity were observed in B16F10 cells treated with DMSA-APG-NPs compared to APG-NPs as well. Western blot analysis of various proteins was performed to understand the mechanism of apoptosis as well as prevention of melanoma cell migration and invasion. DMSA conjugation substantially increased accumulation of DMSA-APG-NPs given by an intravenous route in the lungs compared to APG-NPs at 6 and 8 h. This was also corroborated by scintigraphic imaging studies with radiolabeled formulations administered by an intravenous route. Conjugation also allowed comparatively higher penetration as evident from an in vitro three-dimensional tumor spheroid model study. Finally, the potential therapeutic efficacy of the formulation was established in experimental B16F10 lung metastases, which suggested an improved bioavailability with enhanced antitumor and antimetastasis efficacy of DMSA-conjugated APG-NPs following oral administration.

Plant-mediated green synthesis of metal-based nanoparticles for dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic applications

The skin is the primordial barrier that protects the human body against environmental factors. Due to the arise of dermatological pathologies, the development of efficient delivery systems for topical applications has received increased interest. The highest challenge consists of increasing the penetration of the active ingredients through the skin barrier, alongside to the need of obtaining enough skin retention to achieve therapeutic concentrations. Metals, specially noble metals, have been used for years to treat and prevent health issues, among them dermatological disorders. Nanoparticles have been extensively used for topical applications given their advantages, namely by enhancing solubility of apolar drugs, the possibility of controlled release, the higher stability and the capability to target specific areas and delivery of high concentrations of active ingredients. In order to take advantage of the before mentioned unique properties of nanoparticles and the biological activities of metals, various metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) have been synthesized in the past few years, such as silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs), zinc (ZnNPs), zinc oxide (ZnONPs), copper (CuNPs) and copper oxide (CuONPs) nanoparticles. These MNPs are flexible structures that allow the control of physical characteristics, with enhanced surface properties, which provides a high applicability in dermopharmacy and cosmetics. The conventional methods for synthesizing nanoparticles (physical and chemical approaches) are associated with major drawbacks, being the most concerning the high cost (in resources, energy, time and space) and human/environmental toxicity. Hence, the need to develop an alternative synthesis pathway was imposed, giving rise to the green synthesis methodology. In general, green synthesis consist of using biological sources (plants, bacteria or fungi) to synthesize ecological benign, non-hazard and biocompatible nanoparticles. With the development of green synthesis, starting materials have been used more frequently, among them plants. Plant-mediated green synthesis of nanoparticles is based on the use of plant extracts to synthesize nanoparticles, and their outstanding advantages have paved the way for exciting developments on nanoparticle synthesis to the detriment of complex and toxicity-associated chemical and physical synthesis. MNPs produced by plant-mediated synthesis also demonstrate notorious biological activities, i.e., anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound healing and antiaging activities. However, safety assessment of phyto MNPs (phyto-MNPs) holds significant importance due to the lack of toxicological studies and the conception issues that some of the available studies show. In general, current studies suggest the biocompatibility and safety of phyto-MNPs, together with significantly improved and relevant biological activities towards dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Against this backdrop, there is still a long way to run until the application of phyto-MNPs in the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields, but studies so far show a very high potential towards their clinical translation for dermopharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. This review focuses on phyto-MNPs synthesized resorting to various plant extracts, including their production, characterization and the biological activities that support their topical application for dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes.

Antibacterial and cytotoxic evaluation of copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles as a potential disinfectant material of connections in implant provisional abutments: An in-vitro study

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the antibacterial activity against mono and multispecies bacterial models and the cytotoxic effects of zinc oxide and copper nanoparticles(ZnO-NPs/Cu-NPs) in cell cultures of human gingival fibroblasts(HGFs).

DESIGN

The antibacterial activities of ZnO-NPs and Cu-NPs against 4 bacteria species were tested according to their minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) and against mature multispecies anaerobic model by spectral confocal laser scanning microscopy. The viabilities and cytotoxic effects of ZnO-NPs and Cu-NPs to HGFs cell cultures were tested by MTT, LDH assays, production of ROS, and the activation of caspase-3. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey tests, considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant.

RESULTS

For all strains, MICs of ZnO-NPs and Cu-NPs were in the range of 78.3 μg/mL-3906 μg/mL and 125 μg/mL-625 ug/mL, respectively. In a multispecies model, a significant decrease in the total biomass volume(μ3) was observed in response to exposure to 125 μg/mL of each NPs for which there was bactericidal activity. Significant differences were found between the volumes of viable and nonviable biomass exposed to nanostructures with Cu-NPs compared to ZnO-NPs. Both NPs induced mitochondrial dose-dependent cytotoxicity, ZnO-NPs increases LDH release and intracellular ROS generation. Cu-NPs at a concentration of 50 μg/mL induced production of cleaved caspase-3, activating the apoptotic pathway early and at low doses.

CONCLUSIONS

After 24 h, ZnO-NPs are biocompatible between 78-100 μg/mL and Cu-NPs below 50 μg/mL. Antibacterial activity in a monospecies model is strain dependent, and in a multispecies model was a lower doses after 10 min of exposure.

Antitumor effect of copper nanoparticles on human breast and colon malignancies

Breast and colon carcinomas are two types of common cancers which lead to cancer-related deaths. Due to their cytotoxic potential against cancer cells, recently many studies of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have been conducted. In the current work, we aim to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects of CuNPs on the human breast (MCF-7) and colon (LoVo) cancer cells. CuNPs were prepared in starch-stabilizing aqueous solution by electroless deposition technique in alkaline tartrate bath using formaldehyde as the reducing agent of copper sulfate. The obtained CuNPs were characterized by SEM, TEM, and XRD to confirm the particle size, morphology, and chemical composition. Standard colorimetric MTT and LDH assays were used to estimate the cytotoxic effect of CuNPs on MCF-7 and LoVo cells. Furthermore, CuNP-treated cells undergoing apoptosis were assessed based on the expression of apoptosis-related genes using qRT-PCR. The results indicate that the mean particle size of the synthesized CuNPs was ~ 50-60 nm, and they were spherical in shape with mainly the chemical structure of the copper metallic phase. MTT assay revealed that CuNPs induced cytotoxicity in tested cells with IC₅₀ rates of 16.4 (in MCF-7) and 21.6 μg/ml (in LoVo). Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis showed that CuNPs caused a significant increment of Bax, P53, and Caspases 9, 8, and 3 genes. Overall, the anticancer potential of prepared CuNPs were reported through apoptotic induction which highlight the potential use of CuNPs as an efficient anticancer agent.

Phytosynthesized nanoparticles as a potential cancer therapeutic agent

Plants are the well-known sources for the hyper-accumulation and reduction of metallic ions. Analysis of various plant extracts has justified the presence of different types of phytochemicals that possess the stabilization and reduction functionalities of precursors to form nanoparticles. Such characteristics make plants as an attractive source for synthesizing eco-friendly nanoparticles (NPs) with potentially less toxicity to the body. Recently, phytosynthesized nanoparticles have been explored for targeted inhibition and diagnosis of cancer cells without affecting non-cancerous healthy cells. The aim of this review is to discuss the characteristic performance of NPs synthesized from various plant sources for the diagnosis and inhibition of cancer. The mode of action of phytosynthesized nanoparticles for anti-cancer applications are also discussed.

Crotalaria verrucosa Leaf Extract Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Assessment of Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activity

In this work, we present an ecofriendly, non-hazardous, green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) by leaf extract of Crotalaria verrucosa (C. verrucosa). Total phenolic content, total flavonoid and total protein contents of C. verrucosa were determined. Further, synthesized ZnO NPs was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) Spectra, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. UV-vis shows peak at 375 nm which is unique to ZnO NPs. XRD analysis demonstrates the hexagonal phase structures of ZnO NPs. FTIR spectra demonstrates the molecules and bondings associated with the synthesized ZnO NPs and assures the role of phytochemical compounds of C. verrucosa in reduction and capping of ZnO NPs. TEM image exhibits that the prepared ZnO NPs is hexagonal shaped and in size ranged between 16 to 38 nm which is confirmed by DLS. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to determine the thermal stability of biosynthesized nanoparticles during calcination. The prepared ZnO NPs showed significant antibacterial potentiality against Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli) pathogenic bacteria and SEM image shows the generalized mechanism of action in bacterial cell after NPs internalization. In addition, NPs are also found to be effective against the studied cancer cell lines for which cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assay and results demonstrate highest growth of inhibition at the concentration of 100 µg/mL with IC50 value at 7.07 µg/mL for HeLa and 6.30 µg/mL for DU145 cell lines, in contrast to positive control (C. verrucosa leaf extract) with IC50 of 22.30 µg/mL on HeLa cells and 15.72 µg/mL on DU145 cells. Also, DAPI staining was performed in order to determine the effect on nuclear material due to ZnO NPs treatment in the studied cell lines taking leaf extract as positive control and untreated negative control for comparison. Cell migration assay was evaluated to determine the direct influence of NPs on metastasis that is potential suppression capacity of NPs to tumor cell migration. Outcome of the synthesized ZnO NPs using C. verrucosa shows antimicrobial activity against studied microbes, also cytotoxicity, apoptotic mediated DNA damage and antiproliferative potentiality in the studied carcinoma cells and hence, can be further used in biomedical, pharmaceutical and food processing industries as an effective antimicrobial and anti-cancerous agent.

The effect of dual-frequency ultrasound waves on B16F10 melanoma cells: Sonodynamic therapy using nanoliposomes containing methylene blue

BACKGROUND

We investigated the effect of dual-frequency sonication on the viability of B16F10 melanoma cells in the presence of methylene blue (MB) encapsulated in nanoliposomes.

METHODS

Treatment protocols were studied: sonication groups (40 kHz, 1 MHz and dual-frequency), the same sonication groups with nanoliposomes containing MB, MB free and nanoliposomes containing MB groups, and so sham and control groups. The nanoliposomes were prepared by the lipid film hydration method. The cell viability of the different treatment groups was evaluated by the MTT assay.

RESULTS

The dual-frequency protocols caused higher viability losses compared to the kHz and MHz sonications (P < .05). In presence of the nanoliposomes containing MB, dual frequency led to 6% and 3% viability for 600 and 1200 seconds, respectively, while the corresponding values were 10% and 4% for the 40 kHz protocols and 22% and 9% for the 1 MHz, as compared to the control group (100%). The result of KI dosimetry showed that the cavitation activity of the dual-frequency protocol was about 1.23, as compared to sonication at 40 kHz and 1 MHz.

CONCLUSION

Enhancement of inertial cavitation induction by dual-frequency sonication may be the primary effective mechanism, which causes increased sonochemical processes and drug release from nanocarriers.

Photocatalytic, antiproliferative and antimicrobial properties of copper nanoparticles synthesized using Manilkara zapota leaf extract: A photodynamic approach

Copper nanoparticles were synthesized using Manilkara zapota leaf extract. The synthesis of the nanoparticle was primarily visualized when the colour of the reaction mixture turned into reddish-brown. Biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis, FT-IR, XRD, SEM and EDX. The UV spectra showed maximum absorption at 584 nm. FT-IR studies showed stretching frequency at 592.76 cm^-1, which is the fingerprint region for Cu-O bond. The crystallinity of the synthesized copper nanoparticles (Mz-Cu NPs) was revealed through XRD analysis. The synthesized Mz-Cu NPs were spherical with an average size of 18.9-42.5 nm and it was shown by SEM analysis. EDX analysis displayed that the nano sample contains 58 % of copper. The antimicrobial property of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated against fungal plant pathogens Rhizoctonia solani (MTCC 12232), Sclerotium oryzae (MTCC 12230) and bacterial species, namely Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 23857), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Vibrio harveyi (ATCC 35084), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (ATCC 33845). In in-vitro haemolytic assay, the particle showed 5.73, 3.34, 0.5 % hemolysis at 100, 50, 25 μg/mL concentration respectively. In the antiproliferative assay, the IC₅₀ values of MCF7 and Vero cells were found to be 53.89 and 883.69 μg/μl. The particle degraded Methyl violet, Malachite green and Coomassie brilliant blue by 92.2, 94.9 and 78.8 %, within 50, 40 and 60 min, respectively, through its photocatalytic activity.

Advances in Natural or Synthetic Nanoparticles for Metastatic Melanoma Therapy and Diagnosis

Advanced melanoma is still a major challenge in oncology. In the early stages, melanoma can be treated successfully with surgery and the survival rate is high, nevertheless the survival rate drops drastically after metastasis dissemination. The identification of parameters predictive of the prognosis to support clinical decisions and of new efficacious therapies are important to ensure patients the best possible prognosis. Recent progress in nanotechnology allowed the development of nanoparticles able to protect drugs from degradation and to deliver the drug to the tumor. Modification of the nanoparticle surface by specific molecules improves retention and accumulation in the target tissue. In this review, we describe the potential role of nanoparticles in advanced melanoma treatment and discuss the current efforts of designing polymeric nanoparticles for controlled drug release at the site upon injection. In addition, we highlight the advances as well as the challenges of exosome-based nanocarriers as drug vehicles. We place special focus on the advantages of these natural nanocarriers in delivering various cargoes in advanced melanoma treatment. We also describe the current advances in knowledge of melanoma-related exosomes, including their biogenesis, molecular contents and biological functions, focusing our attention on their utilization for early diagnosis and prognosis in melanoma disease.

Suppressor capacity of copper nanoparticles biosynthesized using Crocus sativus L. leaf aqueous extract on methadone-induced cell death in adrenal phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cell line

In this research, we prepared and formulated a neuroprotective supplement (copper nanoparticles in aqueous medium utilizing Crocus sativus L. Leaf aqueous extract) for determining its potential against methadone-induced cell death in PC12. The results of chemical characterization tests i.e., FE-SEM, FT-IR, XRD, EDX, TEM, and UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed that the study showed that copper nanoparticles were synthesized in the perfect way possible. In the TEM and FE-SEM images, the copper nanoparticles were in the mean size of 27.5 nm with the spherical shape. In the biological part of the present research, the Rat inflammatory cytokine assay kit was used to measure the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) test was used to show DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. Caspase-3 activity was assessed by the caspase activity colorimetric assay kit and mitochondrial membrane potential was studied by Rhodamine123 fluorescence dye. Also, the cell viability of PC12 was measured by trypan blue assay. Copper nanoparticles-treated cell cutlers significantly (p ≤ 0.01) decreased the inflammatory cytokines concentrations, caspase-3 activity, and DNA fragmentation and they raised the cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential in the high concentration of methadone-treated PC12 cells. The best result of neuroprotective properties was seen in the high dose of copper nanoparticles i.e., 4 µg. According to the above results, copper nanoparticles containing C. sativus leaf aqueous extract can be used in peripheral nervous system treatment as a neuroprotective promoter and central nervous system after approving in the clinical trial studies in humans.

Novel Biosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Zingiber and Allium sp. with Synergic Effect of Doxycycline for Anticancer and Bactericidal Activity

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), due to their cost-effective synthesis, interesting properties, and a wide range of applications in conductive inks, cooling fluids, biomedical field, and catalysis, have attracted the attention of scientific community in recent years. The aim of the present study was to develop and characterize antibacterial and anticancer CuNPs synthesized via chemical and biological methods, and further synthesize CuNPs conjugated with doxycycline to study their synergic effect. During the chemical synthesis, ascorbic acid was used as a stabilizing agent, while Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum-derived extracts were used during the biological methods for synthesis of CuNPs. Characterization of CuNPs was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray crystallography (XRD). Antimicrobial evaluation of the nanomaterials against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli was performed by using disk diffusion method, while anticancer behavior against HeLa and HepG2 cell lines was studied by MTT assay. TEM revealed spherical-shaped nanoparticles with mean size of 22.70 ± 5.67, 35.01 ± 5.84, and 19.02 ± 2.41 nm for CuNPs, Gin-CuNPs, and Gar-CuNPs, respectively, and surface plasmon resonance peaks were obtained at 570 nm, 575 nm, and 610 nm for CuNPs, Gar-CuNPs, and Gin-CuNPs, respectively. The results of FTIR confirmed the consumption of biomolecules from the plant extracts for the synthesis of CuNPs. XRD analysis also confirmed synthesis of CuNPs. Doxycycline-conjugated NPs exhibited more antibacterial effects than doxycycline or CuNPs alone. Copper nanoparticles prepared by biological synthesis are cost-effective and eco-friendly as compared to their chemical counterparts. The chemically synthesized nanoparticles displayed more significant antimicrobial activity when capped with doxycycline than Z. officinale and A. sativum-mediated CuNPs; however, green-synthesized nanoparticles showed greater anticancer activity than their chemical counterparts.

Current status of plant metabolite-based fabrication of copper/copper oxide nanoparticles and their applications: a review

Since green mode of nanoparticles (NPs) synthesis is simple, advantageous and environment friendly relative to chemical and physical procedures, various plant species have been used to fabricate copper and copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu/CuO-NPs) owing to the presence of phytochemicals which often act as capping as well as stabilizing agent. These Cu/CuO-NPs are highly stable and used in the degradation of organic dyes like methylene blue and reduction of organic compounds such as phenols. They are also used as antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal agent due to their cytotoxicity. They are also examined for agricultural crops growth and productivity. Cu-NPs increased the root and shoot growth of mung bean. In wheat plants, these particles reduced shoot growth; and enhanced the grain yield and stress tolerance through starch degradation. Similarly, CuO-NPs treated seedlings have shown reduced chlorophyll, carotenoid and sugar content, whereas proline and anthocyanins were increased in Brassica rapa seedlings. Overall, this review presents the recent understanding of plant-mediated Cu and CuO-NPs fabrication and their application in biomedicine, environmental remediation and agricultural practices. A comparison of the traditional/conventional method of fabrication of NPs with those of green protocols has also been made. Some misconception of copper chemistry has also been critically discussed in terms of oxidation and reduction reactions.

Folate decorated epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) loaded PLGA nanoparticles; in-vitro and in-vivo targeting efficacy against MDA-MB-231 tumor xenograft

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenolic constituent of green tea exhibits significant anti-cancer potential over a wide range of cancer cells. We have developed folate peptide decorated PLGA-NPs loaded with EGCG (FP-EGCG-NPs) to bind folate receptor (FR) specific breast cancer cell lines and evaluated their efficacy in pre-clinical studies. EGCG loaded PLGA nanoparticles (EGCG-NPs) were characterised for size, surface morphology, surface charge, encapsulation efficacy and in-vitro drug release kinetics. Cellular uptake and in-vitro cytotoxicities of free drug, folate peptide conjugated and unconjugated EGCG-NPs were investigated against FR positive MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The conjugated nanoparticles exhibited promising cytotoxic potentials as well as significantly high cellular internalisation in MDA-MB-231 cells as compared to unconjugated one. It also ensured longer half life, higher plasma concentration, favourably high apoptotic potential and significantly high mitochondrial depolarization effect as compared to free EGCG. The loaded nanoparticles were radiolabeled with technetium-99m and their tumor selectivity in MDA-MB-231 tumor bearing nude mice was investigated by scintigraphic imaging study. Finally in-vivo therapeutic efficacy studies in tumor bearing nude mice were also done to evaluate the efficacy of the formulation for cancer treatment.

Mitochondria-mediated Caspase-dependent and Caspase-independent apoptosis induced by aqueous extract from Moringa oleifera leaves in human melanoma cells

Malignant melanoma is a very aggressive and serious type of cutaneous cancer. Previous studies indicated the anti-cancer activity of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves (MOE) against a variety of cell lines. However, there has not been much research about the effect of MOE on melanoma. Therefore, this study was about to investigate the anti-proliferation mediated by apoptosis of MOE on human melanoma cell lines. Furthermore, the related molecular mechanisms of the apoptosis were also examined. An aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves was prepared and the anti-proliferative activity on melanoma cells and normal cells was tested using WST-1 assay. The apoptotic hallmarks including DNA condensation and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization were assessed. The expression of apoptosis-related genes and the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential were then examined to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. MOE inhibited cell growth of A375 cells and A2058 cells in a dose-dependent manner but had little effect on human normal fibroblasts. The cell growth inhibition was induced by apoptosis which was expressed via chromatin condensation and PS externalization. MOE decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, MOE increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, activated Caspase-3/7, Caspase-9, PARP and AIF translocation, leading to apoptotic cell death. Our study indicated that MOE exerted significant anti-cancer effects on melanoma cells in vitro which involved mitochondria-mediated Caspase-dependent and Caspase-independent apoptosis pathways. These results provided a scientific approach for using Moringa oleifera leaves as an alternative therapy to treat skin cancer.