Surface-modified ZrO2 nanoparticles with caffeic acid: Characterization and in vitro evaluation of biosafety for placental cells

Comparable Toxicity of Surface-Modified TiO2 Nanoparticles: An In Vivo Experimental Study on Reproductive Toxicity in Rats

Nanoparticles (NPs), a distinct class of particles ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm, are one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century, and titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2 NPs) are among the most widely produced and used NPs globally. The increased application of TiO2 NPs raises concerns regarding their global safety and risks of exposure. Many animal studies have reported the accumulation of TiO2 NPs in female reproductive organs; however, evidence of the resultant toxicity remains ambiguous. Since the surface area and chemical modifications of NPs can significantly change their cytotoxicity, we aimed to compare the toxic effects of pristine TiO2 powder with surface-modified TiO2 powders with salicylic acid (TiO2/SA) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (TiO2/5-ASA) on the ovaries, oviducts, and uterus on the 14th day following acute oral treatment. The results, based on alterations in food and water intake, body mass, organ-to-body mass ratio, hormonal status, histological features of tissues of interest, and antioxidant parameters, suggest that the modification with 5-ASA can mitigate some of the observed toxic effects of TiO2 powder and encourage future investigations to create NPs that can potentially reduce the harmful effects of TiO2 NPs while preserving their positive impacts.

Silica nanoparticles loaded with caffeic acid to optimize the performance of cassava starch/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose film for meat packaging

Cassava starch/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CC) was used as the substrate to create a multipurpose food packaging film, and caffeic acid@silica nanoparticles (C@SNPs) was added. The encapsulation rate of caffeic acid in C@SNPs was 84.7 ± 0.97 %. According to SEM pictures, the nanoparticles were evenly dispersed throughout the film and exhibited good compatibility with the other polymers. C@SNPs was added, which enhanced the physical characteristics of film and decreased its water solubility. The best mechanical and oxygen barrier qualities among them are found in the C@SCC_5:1 film, whose tensile strength rises from 7.17 MPa to 15.44 MPa. The C@SCC_5:1 film has scavenging rates of 95.43 % and 84.67 % against ABTS and DPPH free radicals, respectively, and CA can be released continuously in various food systems. In addition, the antibacterial rate of E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus of C@SCC_5:1 film in meat was 99.9 %, and it can effectively delay lipid oxidation and pH rise. In conclusion,C@SCC_5:1 film is a new type of antibacterial and antioxidant food packaging material.

The Role of Dietary Polyphenols in Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Disorders

Polyphenols are a group of phytochemicals with extensive biological functions and health-promoting potential. These compounds are present in most foods of plant origin and their increased widespread availability through the intake of nutritional supplements, fortified foods, and beverages, has also led to increased exposure throughout gestation. In this narrative review, we focus on the role of polyphenols in both healthy and pathological pregnancy. General information related to their classification and function is followed by an overview of their known effects in early-pregnancy events, including the current insights into molecular mechanisms involved. Further, we provide an overview of their involvement in some of the most common pregnancy-associated pathological conditions, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus. Additionally, we also discuss the estimated possible risk of polyphenol consumption on pregnancy outcomes. The consumption of dietary polyphenols during pregnancy needs particular attention considering the possible effects of polyphenols on the mechanisms involved in maternal adaptation and fetal development. Further studies are strongly needed to unravel the in vivo effects of polyphenol metabolites during pregnancy, as well as their role on advanced maternal age, prenatal nutrition, and metabolic risk of the offspring.

Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles Supported by Surface-Modified Zirconium Dioxide with Dihydroquercetin

The antibacterial performance and cytotoxic examination of in situ prepared silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), on inorganic-organic hybrid nanopowder consisting of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO₂ NPs) and dihydroquercetin (DHQ), was performed against Gram (-) bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram (+) bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, as well as against human cervical cancer cells HeLa and healthy MRC-5 human cells. The surface modification of ZrO₂ NPs, synthesized by the sol-gel method, with DHQ leads to the interfacial charge transfer (ICT) complex formation indicated by the appearance of absorption in the visible spectral range. The prepared samples were thoroughly characterized (TEM, XRD, reflection spectroscopy), and, in addition, the spectroscopic observations are supported by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations using a cluster model. The concentration- and time-dependent antibacterial tests indicated a complete reduction of bacterial species, E. coli and S. aureus, for all investigated concentrations of silver (0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 mg/mL) after 24 h of contact. On the other side, the functionalized ZrO₂ NPs with DHQ, before and after deposition of Ag NPs, do not display a significant decrease in the viability of HeLa MRC-5 cells in any of the used concentrations compared to the control.

Caffeic acid protects human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity

Caffeic acid is highlighted as one of the major phenolic compounds present in foods with known antioxidant activity. This phenolic is among commonly consumed substances in everyday diet of pregnant women. However, there is not enough information on its effects during pregnancy, especially the most vulnerable early stage. Extravillous trophoblast cells are specific cells of the placenta that come in direct contact with maternal uterine tissue. Through this study we investigated the cytoprotective effects of caffeic acid on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in first trimester extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo. Investigated concentrations (1-100 μM) of caffeic acid showed neither cytotoxic nor genotoxic effects on HTR-8/SVneo cells. The treatment with caffeic acid 100 μM significantly increased the percentage of cells in G2/M phase of the cell cycle, compared to non-treated cells. Pretreatment with caffeic acid (10 and 100 μM) attenuated oxidative DNA damage significantly, reduced cytotoxicity, protein and lipid peroxidation, and restored antioxidant capacity in trophoblast cells following H₂O₂ exposure. This beneficial outcome is probably mediated by the augmentation of GSH and effective ROS scavenging by caffeic acid. These promising results require further investigations to reveal the additional mechanisms/pathways and confirmation through studies in vivo.