A Novel Biochemical Study of Anti-Ageing Potential of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis Bark Waste Standardized Extract and Silver Nanoparticles

Valorization of plant by-products in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial and catalytic properties

Biosynthesis based on natural compounds has emerged as a sustainable approach for the production of metallic nanoparticles (MNP). The main objective of this study was to biosynthesize stable and multifunctional silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using different plant by-products as reducers and capping agents. Extracts obtained from Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus pinaster, Citrus sinensis, Cedrus atlantica and Camellia sinensis by-products, were evaluated. From all plant by-products tested, aqueous extract of eucalyptus leaves (EL), green tea (GT) and black tea (BT) were selected due to their higher antioxidant phenolic content and were individually employed as reducers and capping agents to biosynthesize AgNP. The green AgNP showed zeta potential values of -31.8 to -36.3 mV, with a wide range of particle sizes (40.6 to 86.4 nm), depending on the plant extract used. Green AgNP exhibited an inhibitory effect against various pathogenic bacteria, including Gram-negative (P. putida, E. coli, Vibrio spp.) and Gram-positive (B. megaterium, S. aureus, S. equisimilis) bacteria with EL-AgNP being the nanostructure with the greatest antimicrobial action. EL-AgNP showed an excellent photodegradation of indigo carmine (IC) dye under direct sunlight, with a removal percentage of up to 100% after 75 min. A complete cost analysis revealed a competitive total cost range of 8.0-9.0 €/g for the biosynthesis of AgNP.

Nanotechnology-Based Approaches for Cosmeceutical and Skin Care: A Systematic Review

Cosmeceuticals have gained great importance and are among the top-selling products used for skin care. Because of changing lifestyles, climate, and increasing pollution, cosmeceuticals are utilized by every individual, thereby making cosmeceuticals a fruitful field for research and the economy. Cosmeceuticals provide incredibly pleasing aesthetic results by fusing the qualities of both cosmetics and medicinal substances. Cosmeceuticals are primarily utilized to improve the appearance of skin by making it smoother, moisturized, and wrinkle-free, in addition to treating dermatological conditions, including photoaging, burns, dandruff, acne, eczema, and erythema. Nanocosmeceuticals are cosmetic products that combine therapeutic effects utilizing nanotechnology, allowing for more precise and effective target-specific delivery of active ingredients, and improving bioavailability.

Underlying Mechanisms of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases as Potential Targets for Preventive or Therapeutic Strategies Using Phytochemicals

During aging, several tissues and biological systems undergo a progressive decline in function, leading to age-associated diseases such as neurodegenerative, inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In this review, we focus on the molecular underpinning of senescence and neurodegeneration related to age-associated brain diseases, in particular, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, along with introducing nutrients or phytochemicals that modulate age-associated molecular dysfunctions, potentially offering preventive or therapeutic benefits. Based on current knowledge, the dysregulation of microglia genes and neuroinflammation, telomere attrition, neuronal stem cell degradation, vascular system dysfunction, reactive oxygen species, loss of chromosome X inactivation in females, and gut microbiome dysbiosis have been seen to play pivotal roles in neurodegeneration in an interactive manner. There are several phytochemicals (e.g., curcumin, EGCG, fucoidan, galangin, astin C, apigenin, resveratrol, phytic acid, acacetin, daucosterol, silibinin, sulforaphane, withaferin A, and betulinic acid) that modulate the dysfunction of one or several key genes (e.g., TREM2, C3, C3aR1, TNFA, NF-kb, TGFB1&2, SIRT1&6, HMGB1, and STING) affected in the aged brain. Although phytochemicals have shown promise in slowing down the progression of age-related brain diseases, more studies to identify their efficacy, alone or in combinations, in preclinical systems can help to design novel nutritional strategies for the management of neurodegenerative diseases in humans.

Green Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Enzyme Inhibition Effects of Chestnut (Castanea sativa) Honey-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles

In this study, chestnut honey-based silver nanoparticles (CH-AgNPs) were synthesized at different temperatures (30, 60 and 90 °C) and these nanoparticles were characterized by different techniques such as UV-vis spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The DPPH free radical scavenging assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity of the obtained nanoparticles. The inhibition effects of these nanoparticles for some clinically important enzymes such as myeloperoxidase and collagenase were investigated. In addition, the disk diffusion method (DDM), agar well diffusion (AWD), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) techniques were used to determine the antibacterial activity of CH-AgNPs. In honey-based silver nanoparticle production processes using green synthesis, it was determined that the nanoparticle sizes decreased from 55 to 27 nm with an increase in temperature. In addition, it was determined that the rate of inhibition of myeloperoxidase (36.4% to 34.0%) and collagenase enzymes (74.2% to 68.7%) increased with a decrease in particle size. As a result of the antibacterial activity tests, it was observed that CH-AgNPs have antibacterial activity against all target pathogens including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The obtained results show that CH-AgNPs produced using chestnut honey have the potential to be used in fields such as medicine, pharmacy and cosmetic technology.

Nanoparticles for Topical Application in the Treatment of Skin Dysfunctions-An Overview of Dermo-Cosmetic and Dermatological Products

Nanomaterials (NM) arouse interest in various fields of science and industry due to their composition-tunable properties and the ease of modification. They appear currently as components of many consumer products such as sunscreen, dressings, sports clothes, surface-cleaning agents, computer devices, paints, as well as pharmaceutical and cosmetics formulations. The use of NPs in products for topical applications improves the permeation/penetration of the bioactive compounds into deeper layers of the skin, providing a depot effect with sustained drug release and specific cellular and subcellular targeting. Nanocarriers provide advances in dermatology and systemic treatments. Examples are a non-invasive method of vaccination, advanced diagnostic techniques, and transdermal drug delivery. The mechanism of action of NPs, efficiency of skin penetration, and potential threat to human health are still open and not fully explained. This review gives a brief outline of the latest nanotechnology achievements in products used in topical applications to prevent and treat skin diseases. We highlighted aspects such as the penetration of NPs through the skin (influence of physical-chemical properties of NPs, the experimental models for skin penetration, methods applied to improve the penetration of NPs through the skin, and methods applied to investigate the skin penetration by NPs). The review summarizes various therapies using NPs to diagnose and treat skin diseases (melanoma, acne, alopecia, vitiligo, psoriasis) and anti-aging and UV-protectant nano-cosmetics.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Eucommia ulmoides extract and their potential biological function in cosmetics

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from plant extracts have recently emerged as a rapidly growing field with numerous applications in pharmaceutical and clinical contexts. The purpose of this research is to come up with a novel method for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles that use Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract as a reducing agent. The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed using UV-vis spectroscopy, and the properties of AgNPs were characterized using Transmission Electron Microscope, Fourier Infrared Spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Zeta potential. The results showed that the AgNPs exhibited a characteristic absorption peak at 430 nm, their diameter ranged from 4 nm to 52 nm, and C, O, and Cl elements, which might represent flavonoids and phenolic components absorbed on the surface of AgNPs. The zeta potential of AgNPs was found to be −30.5 mV, which indicates repulsion among AgNPs and they have good dispersion stability. AgNPs have been found to suppress the tyrosinase activity both in mushroom tyrosinase and A375 cells, as well as diminish ROS formation in HaCat cells. According to this study, AgNPs is a novel material that can enhance skin health by preventing melanin development.

Potential Anti-aging Components From Moringa oleifera Leaves Explored by Affinity Ultrafiltration With Multiple Drug Targets

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), widely used in tropical and subtropical regions, has been reported to possess good anti-aging benefits on skincare. However, the potential bioactive components responsible for its anti-aging effects, including anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase activities, have not been clarified so far. In this study, M. oleifera leaf extracts were first conducted for anti-elastase and anti-collagenase activities in vitro by spectrophotometric and fluorometric assays, and the results revealed that they possessed good activities against skin aging-related enzymes. Then, multi-target bio-affinity ultrafiltration coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (AUF-HPLC-MS) was applied to quickly screen anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and anti-hyaluronidase ligands in M. oleifera leaf extracts. Meanwhile, 10, 8, and 14 phytochemicals were screened out as the potential anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and anti-hyaluronidase ligands, respectively. Further confirmation of these potential bioactive components with anti-aging target enzymes was also implemented by molecule docking analysis. In conclusion, these results suggest that the M. oleifera leaves might be a very promising natural source of anti-aging agent for skincare, which can be further explored in the cosmetics and cosmeceutical industries combating aging and skin wrinkling.

Polyphenol derived bioactive carbon quantum dots incorporated multifunctional hydrogel as oxidative stress attenuator for antiaging and in vivo wound-healing applications

Upregulation of certain enzymes, such as collagenase, tyrosinase, and elastase, is triggered by several extrinsic environmental factors, such as temperature, UV radiation, humidity, and stress, and leads to elasticity loss...

Phyto-Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles Derived from Conifer Bark Extracts and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial and Cytogenotoxic Effects

Silver nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents showed various biological activities. In the present study, colloidal silver nanoparticle solutions were produced from the aqueous extracts of Picea abies and Pinus nigra bark. The phenolic profile of bark extracts was analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was monitored using UV-Vis spectroscopy by measuring the Surface Plasmon Resonance band. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and transmission electron microscopy analyses. The antimicrobial and cytogenotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles were evaluated by disk diffusion and Allium cepa assays, respectively. Picea abies and Pinus nigra bark extract derived silver nanoparticles were spherical (mean hydrodynamic diameters of 78.48 and 77.66 nm, respectively) and well dispersed, having a narrow particle size distribution (polydispersity index values of 0.334 and 0.224, respectively) and good stability (zeta potential values of -10.8 and -14.6 mV, respectively). Silver nanoparticles showed stronger antibacterial, antifungal, and antimitotic effects than the bark extracts used for their synthesis. Silver nanoparticles obtained in the present study are promising candidates for the development of novel formulations with various therapeutic applications.

Nanoparticle platforms for dermal antiaging technologies: Insights in cellular and molecular mechanisms

Aging is a continuous process defined by a progressive functional decline in physiological parameters. Skin, being one of the most vulnerable organs, shows early signs of aging which are predominantly affected by intrinsic factors like hormone, gender, mood, enzymes, and genetic predisposition, and extrinsic factors like exposure to radiation, air pollution, and heat. Visible morphological and anatomical changes associated with skin aging occur due to underlying physiological aberrations governed by numerous complex interactions at cellular and subcellular levels. Nanoparticles are perceived as a powerful tool in the cosmeceutical industry both for augmenting the efficacy of existing agents and as a novel standalone therapy. Both organic and inorganic nanoparticles have been extensively investigated in antiaging applications. The use of nanoparticles helps to enhance the activity of antiaging molecules by selectively targeting cellular and molecular pathways. On the other hand, the nanoparticle platforms also gained increasing popularity as the skin protectant against extrinsic factors such as UV radiation and pollutants. This review comprehensively discusses skin aging and its mechanism by highlighting the impact on cellular, subcellular, and epigenetic elements. Importantly, the review elaborates on the examples of organic and inorganic nanoparticle-based formulations developed for antiaging application and provides mechanistic insights on how they modulate the mechanisms of skin aging. The clinical progress of nanoparticle antiaging technologies and factors that impact clinical translation are also explored. This article is categorized under: Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Toward a Better Understanding of Metal Nanoparticles, a Novel Strategy from Eucalyptus Plants

Nanotechnology is a promising tool that has opened the doors of improvement to the quality of human's lives through its potential in numerous technological aspects. Green chemistry of nanoscale materials (1-100 nm) is as an effective and sustainable strategy to manufacture homogeneous nanoparticles (NPs) with unique properties, thus making the synthesis of green NPs, especially metal nanoparticles (MNPs), the scientist's core theme. Researchers have tested different organisms to manufacture MNPs and the results of experiments confirmed that plants tend to be the ideal candidate amongst all entities and are suitable to synthesize a wide variety of MNPs. Natural and cultivated Eucalyptus forests are among woody plants used for landscape beautification and as forest products. The present review has been written to reflect the efficacious role of Eucalyptus in the synthesis of MNPs. To better understand this, the route of extracting MNPs from plants, in general, and Eucalyptus, in particular, are discussed. Furthermore, the crucial factors influencing the process of MNP synthesis from Eucalyptus as well as their characterization and recent applications are highlighted. Information gathered in this review is useful to build a basis for new prospective research ideas on how to exploit this woody species in the production of MNPs. Nevertheless, there is a necessity to feed the scientific field with further investigations on wider applications of Eucalyptus-derived MNPs.

Transformation of Biowaste for Medical Applications: Incorporation of Biologically Derived Silver Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Coating

Nanobiotechnology has undoubtedly influenced major breakthroughs in medical sciences. Application of nanosized materials has made it possible for researchers to investigate a broad spectrum of treatments for diseases with minimally invasive procedures. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been a subject of investigation for numerous applications in agriculture, water treatment, biosensors, textiles, and the food industry as well as in the medical field, mainly due to their antimicrobial properties and nanoparticle nature. In general, AgNPs are known for their superior physical, chemical, and biological properties. The properties of AgNPs differ based on their methods of synthesis and to date, the biological method has been preferred because it is rapid, nontoxic, and can produce well-defined size and morphology under optimized conditions. Nevertheless, the common issue concerning biological or biobased production is its sustainability. Researchers have employed various strategies in addressing this shortcoming, such as recently testing agricultural biowastes such as fruit peels for the synthesis of AgNPs. The use of biowastes is definitely cost-effective and eco-friendly; moreover, it has been reported that the reduction process is simple and rapid with reasonably high yield. This review aims to address the developments in using fruit- and vegetable-based biowastes for biologically producing AgNPs to be applied as antimicrobial coatings in biomedical applications.