In vitro assessment of antimicrobial and genotoxic effect of metallosurfactant based nickel hydroxide nanoparticles against Escherichia coli and its genomic DNA

Innovative approaches to cationic and anionic (catanionic) amphiphiles self-assemblies: Synthesis, properties, and industrial applications

Meeting the contemporary demand for the development of functional, biocompatible, and environment friendly self-assembled structures using efficient, cost-effective, and energy-saving methods, the field of colloids has witnessed a surge in interest. Research into cationic and anionic (catanionic) surfactant combinations has gained momentum due to their distinct advantages and synergistic properties in this context. Catanionic self-assemblies have emerged as promising contenders for addressing these requirements. Catanionic self-assemblies possess high stability, adjustable surface charge, and low critical aggregation concentration. This comprehensive review article distinguishes between cationic/anionic non-equimolar and equimolar ratio mixing formation of high-salt catanionic self-assemblies known as catanionic mixture and salt-free counterparts, termed ion-pair amphiphiles, respectively. It explores diverse synthesis techniques, emphasizing the roles of solvents, salts, and pH conditions and covers both experimental and theoretical aspects of state-of-the-art catanionic self-assemblies. Additionally, the review investigates the development of multi-responsive catanionic self-assemblies using light, pH, temperature, and redox, responsive cationic/anionic amphiphiles. It provides an in-depth exploration of potential synergistic interactions and properties, underscoring their practical importance in a wide range of industrial applications. The review explores challenges like precipitation, stability and identifies knowledge gaps, creating opportunities in the dynamic catanionic self-assembly field. It aims to offer insights into the journey of catanionic self-assemblies, from inception to current status, appealing to a broad audience invested in their scientific and industrial potential.

Current developments and future perspectives of nanotechnology in orthopedic implants: an updated review

Orthopedic implants are the most commonly used fracture fixation devices for facilitating the growth and development of incipient bone and treating bone diseases and defects. However, most orthopedic implants suffer from various drawbacks and complications, including bacterial adhesion, poor cell proliferation, and limited resistance to corrosion. One of the major drawbacks of currently available orthopedic implants is their inadequate osseointegration at the tissue-implant interface. This leads to loosening as a result of immunological rejection, wear debris formation, low mechanical fixation, and implant-related infections. Nanotechnology holds the promise to offer a wide range of innovative technologies for use in translational orthopedic research. Nanomaterials have great potential for use in orthopedic applications due to their exceptional tribological qualities, high resistance to wear and tear, ability to maintain drug release, capacity for osseointegration, and capability to regenerate tissue. Furthermore, nanostructured materials possess the ability to mimic the features and hierarchical structure of native bones. They facilitate cell proliferation, decrease the rate of infection, and prevent biofilm formation, among other diverse functions. The emergence of nanostructured polymers, metals, ceramics, and carbon materials has enabled novel approaches in orthopaedic research. This review provides a concise overview of nanotechnology-based biomaterials utilized in orthopedics, encompassing metallic and nonmetallic nanomaterials. A further overview is provided regarding the biomedical applications of nanotechnology-based biomaterials, including their application in orthopedics for drug delivery systems and bone tissue engineering to facilitate scaffold preparation, surface modification of implantable materials to improve their osteointegration properties, and treatment of musculoskeletal infections. Hence, this review article offers a contemporary overview of the current applications of nanotechnology in orthopedic implants and bone tissue engineering, as well as its prospective future applications.

Toxicity profiling of metallosurfactant based ruthenium and ruthenium oxide nanoparticles towards the eukaryotic model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the present study, a facile method was used to synthesize the ruthenium and ruthenium oxide (RuO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) derived from three different metallosurfactants. Firstly, three metallosurfactants were fabricated i.e. RuCTAC (Bishexadecyltrimethylammonium ruthenium tetrachloride), RuDDA (Bisdodecylamine ruthenium dichloride), and RuHEXA (Bishexadecylamine ruthenium dichloride) and characterized by CHN, FTIR, and ¹HNMR. These metallosurfactants were further utilized to fabricate the mixed type of NPs (Ru and RuO₂ NPs) using the biocompatible microemulsion technique and NPs were then characterized. Subsequently, the nanotoxicity of mixed NPs (Ru & RuO₂) was studied towards Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The detailed study of nanotoxicity against the S. cerevisiae cells was done by employing optical microscopy, FESEM, anti-yeast activity assay, circular dichroism, and gel electrophoresis techniques. FESEM and optical microscopy analyses indicated that RuCTAC nanosuspension (Ns) has the most toxic effect on the S. cerevisiae cells. FESEM analysis confirmed the harmful impact of Ru and RuO₂ NPs on the S. cerevisiae cells. From the FESEM analysis, complete alteration in the morphology, cell membrane breakage, and formation of the holes on the cell wall of S. cerevisiae was affirmed in presence of all three types of Ns i.e. RuCTAC, RuDDA, and RuHEXA Ns. Genotoxicity of the NPs was confirmed by circular dichroism and gel electrophoresis and it was found that RuCTAC and RuHEXA Ns have the most damaging influence on the yeast genomic DNA.

Re-sensitizing Ampicillin and Kanamycin-Resistant E. coli and S. aureus Using Synergistic Metal Micronutrients-Antibiotic Combinations

Due to the recent emergence of multi-drug resistant strains, the development of novel antimicrobial agents has become a critical issue. The use of micronutrient transition metals is a promising approach to overcome this problem since these compounds exhibit significant toxicity at low concentrations in prokaryotic cells. In this work, we demonstrate that at concentrations lower than their minimal inhibitory concentrations and in combination with different antibiotics, it is possible to mitigate the barriers to employ metallic micronutrients as therapeutic agents. Here, we show that when administered as a combinatorial treatment, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺ increase susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to ampicillin and kanamycin. Furthermore, ampicillin-resistant E. coli is re-sensitized to ampicillin when the ampicillin is administered in combination with Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, or Ni². Similarly, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, or Cd²⁺ re-sensitize kanamycin-resistant E. coli and S. aureus to kanamycin when administered in a combinatorial treatment with those transition metals. Here, we demonstrate that for both susceptible and resistant bacteria, transition-metal micronutrients, and antibiotics interact synergistically in combinatorial treatments and exhibit increased effects when compared to the treatment with the antibiotic alone. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo assays, using a murine topical infection model, showed no toxicological effects of either treatment at the administered concentrations. Lastly, we show that combinatorial treatments can clear a murine topical infection caused by an antibiotic-resistant strain. Altogether, these results suggest that antibiotic-metallic micronutrient combinatorial treatments will play an important role in future developments of antimicrobial agents and treatments against infections caused by both susceptible and resistant strains.

Toxicity assessment of palladium oxide nanoparticles derived from metallosurfactants using multi assay techniques in Allium sativum

In today's world, nanotechnology is reaching practically every ground and entering the human lifestyle by becoming a part of it. Thus, it is vital to check the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of nanosubstances on plants, as they are the base constituent of ecosystem. The present work deals with the toxicity evaluation of metallosurfactant derived palladium oxide nanoparticles towards Allium sativum (Garlic cloves). The nanoparticles were prepared using microemulsion quenching method (a softer approach) using palladium metallosurfactants as precursors. The three ligands used were cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), dodecylamine (DDA) and hexadecylamine (HEXA). Further, their characterization was done using TEM, Size Distribution curve, FESEM, EDS, XRD and Zeta potential. Garlic (Allium sativum) cloves were used to investigate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of fabricated PdO NPs. To check the cytotoxicity, optical microscopy was employed and for the genotoxic assessment, different parameters such as chromosomal aberrations in the mitosis, circular dichroism, and gel electrophoresis were utilized. From mitosis study, chromosomes aberrations were confirmed such as chromosomes stickiness, breakage, C-Mitosis, delay in anaphase, spindle fibre abnormality, laggard, vagrant and condensed chromosomes. Morphology of A. sativum clove, rooting and shooting pattern in the presence of PdO nanosuspension was observed. From all the experiments, it was concluded that all the three PdO nanosuspension are toxic in nature to both the cells and to genome, although, bishexadecyltrimethyl ammonium palladium tetrachloride (PdCTAC) Ns was found to be the most cytotoxic and genotoxic. Gel electrophoresis also confirmed the complete degradation of DNA in the presence of PdCTAC Ns.

Nickel Carcinogenesis Mechanism: DNA Damage

Nickel (Ni) is known to be a major carcinogenic heavy metal. Occupational and environmental exposure to Ni has been implicated in human lung and nasal cancers. Currently, the molecular mechanisms of Ni carcinogenicity remain unclear, but studies have shown that Ni-caused DNA damage is an important carcinogenic mechanism. Therefore, we conducted a literature search of DNA damage associated with Ni exposure and summarized known Ni-caused DNA damage effects. In vitro and vivo studies demonstrated that Ni can induce DNA damage through direct DNA binding and reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulation. Ni can also repress the DNA damage repair systems, including direct reversal, nucleotide repair (NER), base excision repair (BER), mismatch repair (MMR), homologous-recombination repair (HR), and nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair pathways. The repression of DNA repair is through direct enzyme inhibition and the downregulation of DNA repair molecule expression. Up to now, the exact mechanisms of DNA damage caused by Ni and Ni compounds remain unclear. Revealing the mechanisms of DNA damage from Ni exposure may contribute to the development of preventive strategies in Ni carcinogenicity.

Bactericidal effects of metallosurfactants based cobalt oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus

This work deals with the fabrication of metallosurfactants derived cobalt oxide and hydroxide nanosuspensions (Ns) by microemulsion method and their antimicrobial, cytotoxic, genotoxic, antioxidant and cytostatic activity have been investigated. The methodology used is environmentally compliant as no external reducing agent was used. Three metallosurfactants i.e. CoCTAC (Bishexadecyltrimethylammonium cobalt tetrachloride), CoDDA (Bisdodecylamine cobalt dichloride) and CoHEXA (bishexadecylamine cobalt dichloride) were used. Co-metallosurfactants were synthesized, characterized and were utilized for the preparation of mixed microemulsion to yield nanosuspensions. Nanoparticles prepared were characterized using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy and Zeta potential. The nanoparticles were found to be spherical, with size range 1-5 nm, for all the three precursors. Further, their cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). To evaluate these activities, techniques such as gram staining method, agar well diffusion, and colony forming unit count (CFU) were utilized. From all these experiments it was confirmed that CoCTAC Ns has maximum antimicrobial activity against multiple medicine resistant S. aureus. Circular dichroism and gel electrophoresis also validated the vigorous genotoxic effect of CoCTAC Ns. The antimicrobial activity trend investigated from CFU experiment was CoCTAC Ns (2 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) > CoDDA Ns (17 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) > CoHEXA Ns (46.5 × 10⁵ CFU/mL). FESEM authenticated the effect of Co Ns on the morphology of S. aureus. Cell shrinkage, formation of holes, change of morphology, and cell wall rupturing was observed for all three cases but most significant antibacterial activity was noted for the case of CoCTAC Ns. In addition, antiproliferative activity was also examined against HepG2 cells (human liver cancer cell line) and HEK293 cells (human embryonic kidney cell line). After 70% confluency of cells, cobalt oxide/hydroxide Ns were added by diluting the nanosuspension in 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.8% V/V ratio to check the cell viability.