Anticancer effects of silver nanoparticles encapsulated by Taxus baccata extracts

Research Progress on Taxus Extraction and Formulation Preparation Technologies

Taxus, as a globally prevalent evergreen tree, contains a wealth of bioactive components that play a crucial role in the pharmaceutical field. Taxus extracts, defined as a collection of one or more bioactive compounds extracted from the genus Taxus spp., have become a significant focus of modern cancer treatment research. This review article aims to delve into the scientific background of Taxus extracts and their considerable value in pharmaceutical research. It meticulously sifts through and compares various advanced extraction techniques such as supercritical extraction, ultrasound extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, solid-phase extraction, high-pressure pulsed electric field extraction, and enzymatic extraction, assessing each technology's advantages and limitations across dimensions such as extraction efficiency, extraction purity, economic cost, operational time, and environmental impact, with comprehensive analysis results presented in table form. In the area of drug formulation design, this paper systematically discusses the development strategies for solid, liquid, and semi-solid dosage forms based on the unique physicochemical properties of Taxus extracts, their intended medical uses, and specific release characteristics, delving deeply into the selection of excipients and the critical technical issues in the drug preparation process. Moreover, the article looks forward to the potential directions of Taxus extracts in future research and medical applications, emphasizing the urgency and importance of continuously optimizing extraction methods and formulation design to enhance treatment efficacy, reduce production costs, and decrease environmental burdens. It provides a comprehensive set of preparation techniques and formulation optimization schemes for researchers in cancer treatment and other medical fields, promoting the application and development of Taxus extracts in pharmaceutical sciences.

Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Therapy and Enhancing Photodynamic Therapy

Different conventional therapeutic procedures are utilized globally to manage cancer cases, yet the mortality rate in patients with cancer remains considerably high. Developments in the field of nanotechnology have included novel therapeutic strategies to deal with cancer. Biogenic (green) metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained using plant-mediated protocols are attractive to researchers exploring cancer treatment. Biogenic AgNPs present advantages, since they are cost-effective, easy to obtain, energy efficient, and less toxic compared to chemically and physically obtained AgNPs. Also, they present excellent anticancer abilities thanks to their unique sizes, shapes, and optical properties. This review provides recent advancements in exploring biogenic AgNPs as a drug or agent for cancer treatment. Thus, great attention was paid to the anticancer efficacy of biogenic AgNPs, their anticancer mechanisms, their efficacy in cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT), their efficacy in targeted cancer therapy, and their toxicity.

The potential effect of silver nanoparticles synthesized with Coffea arabica green seeds on Leishmania major proliferation, cytotoxicity activity, and cytokines expression level

The goal of this study was to analyze the antileishmanial and antibacterial activity of Coffea arabica green seed biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (C. arabica AgNPs), as well as cytotoxicity and cytokine gene expression. UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and FESEM methods used to examine the C. arabica AgNPs. MTT test was used to assess the antileishmanial and cytotoxicity effects. The gene expression level was assessed in NPs-treated J774 cells by qPCR. The synthesized C. arabica AgNPs were in the size range of 20-70 nm, through FESEM pictures. The IC50 values of the NPs were 65. 4 and 47.70 μg/mL against promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major, but these values were 580.1 and 171.1 μg/mL for Glucantime® as the control drug. C. arabica AgNPs represented a significant increase in IL-12P40, as a Th1 cytokine, in comparison to Glucantime® at high concentrations (P < 0.01), whilst IL-10 expression level showed a significant reduction between NPs-treated and Glucantime®-treated macrophages at 250-1000 μg/mL concentrations (P < 0.001). Moreover, the NPs were cytotoxic on cancer cell lines of Hek293, MCF7, and A172 with the CC50 values of 437.2, 116.8, and 72.9 µg/mL, respectively. It showed a significant effect of these NPs against A172 (P < 0.001). Also, the lowest MIC values of the NPs were obtained for Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (204 µg/mL). According to the antileishmanial, anticancer, and antibacterial activity of these NPs, it can considered a bio-agent drug in the future in endemic countries.

Biotechnological advancements towards water, food and medical healthcare: A review

The global health status is highly affected by the growing pace of urbanization, new lifestyles, climate changes, and resource exploitation. Modern technologies pave a promising way to deal with severe concerns toward sustainable development. Herein, we provided a comprehensive review of some popular biotechnological advancements regarding the progress achieved in water, food, and medicine, as the most substantial fields related to public health. The emergence of novel organic/inorganic materials has brought about significant improvement in conventional water treatment techniques, anti-fouling approaches, anti-microbial agents, food processing, biosensors, drug delivery systems, and implants. Particularly, a growing interest has been devoted to nanomaterials and their application for developing novel structures or improving the characteristics of standard components. Also, bioinspired materials have been widely used to improve the performance, efficiency, accuracy, stability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of traditional systems. On the other side, the fabrication of innovative devices for precisely monitoring and managing various ecosystem and human health issues is of great importance. Above all, exceptional advancements in designing ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), microelectromechanical systems (MEMs), and implantable medical devices have altered the future landscape of environmental and biomedical research. This review paper aimed to shed light on the wide-ranging materials and devices that have been developed for health applications and mainly focused on the impact of nanotechnology in this field.

Carbon dot incorporated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy and fluorescence imaging†

A new and efficient theranostic nanoplatform was developed via a green approach for targeted cancer therapy and fluorescence imaging, without the use of any anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Toward this aim, monodisperse and spherical mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of approximately 50 nm diameter were first synthesized using the sol–gel method and loaded with hydrothermally synthesized anticancer carbon dots (CDs). The resulting MSNs-CDs were then functionalized with chitosan and targeted by an anti-MUC1 aptamer, using the glutaraldehyde cross-linker, and fully characterized by TEM, FE-SEM, EDS, FTIR, TGA, XRD, and BET analysis. Potent and selective anticancer activity was obtained against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells with the maximum cell mortalities of 66.2 ± 1.97 and 71.8 ± 3%, respectively, after 48 h exposure with 100 μg mL⁻¹ of the functionalized MSNs-CDs. The maximum mortality of 40.66 ± 1.3% of normal HUVEC cells was obtained under the same conditions. Based on the results of flowcytometry analysis, the apoptotic mediated cell death was recognized as the main anticancer mechanism of the MSNs-CDs. The fluorescence imaging of MCF-7 cancer cells was also studied after exposure with MSNs-CDs. The overall results indicated the high potential of the developed nanoplatform for targeted cancer theranostics.

Efficient cancer therapy and fluorescence imaging was obtained by aptamer targeted mesoporous silica nanoparticles incorporating carbon dots.

Augmented anticancer effect and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by using Taxus wallichiana leaf extract

Background

Taxus wallichiana is an evergreen tree species found in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. The tree possesses important secondary metabolites such as Taxol that has been implicated in treating breast, ovarian and colon cancer. Therefore keeping in view the importance of this plant species, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Taxus wallichiana aqueous leaf extract and evaluated for their anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties.

Methods

Silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized for their optical, morphological and structural features using techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and were evaluated for their antibacterial activity and anti-cancer activity using U251 cell line.

Results

The study showed that the UV-absorbance peak of Ag₂O NPs at 450 nm shifted to 410 nm, affirming the formation of leaf extract Ag NPs. Similarly structural studies revealed the crystalline nature of the cubic structure of the Ag crystal with an average crystallite size of 29 nm. FTIR analysis exhibited the existence of different functional elements including O-H and N-H and phenolic groups. Non-spherical glomerular shaped Taxus wallichiana Ag NPs were observed from SEM studies and EDX profile showed Ag as the main element along with constituent of biological origin. The synthesized Ag NPs showed significant antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxic activity of Ag NPs on U251 brain cancer cells showed a synergistic effect with 10 ug/mL concentration after 48 and 72 h incubation based on cell viability assay indicating promising glioblastoma drug potential.

An Investigation of Electrospun Clerodendrum phlomidis Leaves Extract Infused Polycaprolactone Nanofiber for In Vitro Biological Application

The in vitro antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities of a few plant extracts were widely known for decades, and they were used for application in the conventional way. Specifically, electrospun nanofibrous mats have recently exhibited great antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities. The herbal extracts infused into these formations are expected to have a more efficient and integrated effect on in vitro biological applications. The purpose of this study is to develop polycaprolactone- (PCL-) based nanofiber mats that are infused with a traditional plant extract using Clerodendrum phlomidis leaves to improve the synthesized nanofibers' antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant efficacy. This study examined the morphology, thermal properties, mechanical properties, structure, and in vitro drug release studies of electrospun nanofibers. Antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities of the electrospun nanofibrous mats were also studied. The HRTEM and FESEM pictures of PCL and PCL-CPM nanofibers provide that smooth, defect-free, and homogeneous nanofibers were found to be 602.08 ± 75 nm and 414.15 ± 82 nm for PCL and PCL-CPM nanofibers, respectively. The presence of Clerodendrum phlomidis extract in the electrospun nanofibers was approved by UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy. The incorporation of Clerodendrum phlomidis extract to nanofiber mats resulted in substantial antibacterial activity against bacterial cells. PCL-CPM mats exposed to oral cancer (HSC-3) and renal cell carcinoma (ACHN) cell lines displayed promising anticancer activity with less than 50% survival rate after 24 h of incubation. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay performed on PCL-CPM nanofibers revealed the antioxidant scavenging activity with maximum inhibition of 34% suggesting the role of the secondary metabolites release from scaffold. As a result, the findings of this study revealed that Clerodendrum phlomidis extract encapsulating PCL electrospun nanofibers has a high potential for usage as a biobased antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant agent.

Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles and photocatalytic activity evaluation for the degradation of methylene blue dye

The present study focuses on iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) biosynthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity (PCA) appraisal for methylene blue dye degradation. A green rapid biogenic synthesis route was employed for synthesis of Fe NPs using banana peel extract. The synthesized Fe NPs was characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and EDX (energy dispersive X-ray) techniques. These analysis confirmed the synthesis of zero valent Fe NPs with high crystallinity, purity and semi spherical in shape. The photocatalytic activity was assessed under ultra violet irradiation and under optimum conditions, 87% degradation of MB dye was obtained for 72 min of irradiation, which revealed promising catalytic efficiency of the Fe NPs. The result shows that photocatalytic activity of Fe NPs is promising and could possibly be used to treat dyes in industrial effluents and the use of green synthetic protocol is suggested due to its ecofriendly nature.

Synergistic effect of plant extract coupled silver nanoparticles in various therapeutic applications- present insights and bottlenecks

The phytocomponent conjugated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively explored for various therapeutic applications such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anticoagulant effects. The bio-conjugation of Ag-based nanomaterial with plant extracts reduces their toxicity to biological systems and enhances their therapeutic effectiveness. The diversity of phytochemicals or capping agents provided by the plant extracts and the small size and large surface area of AgNPs permits maximum adsorption of these capping agents onto their surfaces that further promote the therapeutic performance of phytoconjugated AgNPs in various biomedical applications. The mechanistic action involved in antimicrobial and anticancer functions of AgNPs is mainly dependent on the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in cellular apoptosis and necrosis. This review summarizes the recent studies of various plant extract assisted synthesis of AgNPs, potential biomedical applications with the possible mechanism of action and major shortcomings affecting their therapeutic efficacy.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its antibacterial activity using fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus isolated from Taxus baccata Linn

The present study is focused on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) utilizing endophytic fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus, isolated from Taxus baccata Linn. Extracellular extract of Talaromyces purpureogenus has shown occurrence of secondary metabolites viz. terpenoids and phenols. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of 16 compounds. Techniques like Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were employed to characterize the synthesized AgNPs. UV–Vis spectroscopy showed sharp peaks at 380–470 nm which indicates the presence of metallic silver. FTIR analysis showed the presence of various functional groups like phenols, hydroxyl groups, and primary amines. In DLS, Z-average size and PdI of synthesized AgNPs were 240.2 r.nm and 0.720 respectively, with zeta potential − 19.6 mV. In FEG-SEM and HRTEM the spherical AgNPs showed diameter in the range of 30–60 nm. In EDS analysis the weight percent of Ag is 67.26% and atomic percent is 43.13%. From XRD analysis the size of AgNPs was found to be 49.3 nm with face-centered cubic crystalline nature of fungal synthesized AgNPs. These nanoparticles have shown significant antibacterial activity against tested strains viz. Listeria monocytogenes (13 ± 0.29 mm), Escherichia coli (17 ± 0.14 mm), Shigella dysenteriae (18 ± 0.21 mm) and Salmonella typhi (14 ± 0.13 mm). These synthesized AgNPs have shown effective free radical scavenging activity against 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The present study showed that the endophytic fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus can be used as a prominent source to synthesize AgNPs by using biological, ecofriendly, and in a non-toxic way accompanied by antibacterial and antioxidant properties which further can reduce the harvesting pressure faced by Taxus baccata.

Graphical Abstract

Green Metallic Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy: Evaluation Models and Cancer Applications

Metal-based nanoparticles are widely used to deliver bioactive molecules and drugs to improve cancer therapy. Several research works have highlighted the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles by green chemistry, using biological entities to minimize the use of solvents and control their physicochemical and biological properties. Recent advances in evaluating the anticancer effect of green biogenic Au and Ag nanoparticles are mainly focused on the use of conventional 2D cell culture and in vivo murine models that allow determination of the half-maximal inhibitory concentration, a critical parameter to move forward clinical trials. However, the interaction between nanoparticles and the tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more human-like evaluation models or to improve the existing ones for a better understanding of the molecular bases of cancer. This review provides recent advances in biosynthesized Au and Ag nanoparticles for seven of the most common and relevant cancers and their biological assessment. In addition, it provides a general idea of the in silico, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models used for the anticancer evaluation of green biogenic metal-based nanoparticles.

Boswellia dalzielii-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles Inhibited Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Kasumi-1 Cells by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest

BACKGROUND

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) persists to be a major health problem especially among children as effective chemotherapy to combat the disease is yet to be available. Boswellia dalzielii is a well-known herb that is traditionally used for treatment and management of many diseases including degenerative diseases. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized from the phytochemicals of B. dalzielii stem bark aqueous extract. The silver nanoparticles were characterized by carrying out Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Energy Filtered Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analyses. Antioxidant capacity of the nanoparticles was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and the antiproliferative effect of the nanoparticles on Kasumi-1 leukemia cells was investigated using PrestoBlue assay. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to observe the effect of the nanoparticles on the leukemia cell cycle progression.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles were formed from electrons of the plant phytochemicals which include aromatic compounds, ethers, and alkynes. FESEM analysis revealed that the sizes of the nanoparticles range from 12 nm to 101 nm; however, DLS analysis estimated a larger average size of the nanoparticles (108.3 nm) because it measured the hydrodynamic radii of the nanoparticles. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles was -16 nm, and the XRD pattern of the nanoparticles has distinct peaks at 38.02°, 42.94°, 64.45°, 77.20°, and 81.47°, which is typical of face-centered cubic (fcc) structure of silver. The Trolox Equivalence Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) of the nanoparticles was estimated to be 300.91 μM Trolox/mg silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles inhibited Kasumi-1 cell proliferation. The half minimal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) that inhibited Kasumi-1 cell proliferation are 49.5 μg/ml and 13.25 μg/ml at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. The nanoparticles induced cell cycle arrest in the Kasumi-1 cells at S (5% increase) and G2/M (3% increase) phases.

CONCLUSION

The nanoparticles synthesized from the stem bark extract of B. dalzielii inhibit the growth of Kasumi-1 leukemia cells by activating cell cycle arrest; thus, they are potential antileukemic agents.

Biodegradable nanocarriers based on chitosan-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles for delivery of methotrexate for application in breast cancer treatment

Nanocarriers have demonstrated great promise in the delivery of hydrophobic drugs particularly to tumor spaces by enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are the attractive nanocarrier system to reduce the drug's toxic side effects, enable controlled drug release, prevent drug degradation and provide a biocompatible and biodegradable high surface area carrier. Surface-modified MSNs have been applied to increase drug loading and efficiency. In this study, functionalized MSNs loaded with methotrexate (MTX) were designed for use as a cytotoxic agent. The MSNs were first modified with 3-triethoxysilylpropylamine (APTES) and then with chitosan through covalent coupling mediated by glutaraldehyde. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were optimized for each step. The loading percentage (12.2%) and release profile of MTX as an anti-breast cancer drug, loaded at amine-modified MSNs, were measured via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, the uptake profiles of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled MSN-APTES-chitosan with or without MTX were monitored on MCF7 cancer cells via confocal microscopy. Following exposure of nanoparticles to body fluids, they were surrounded by specific proteins that may affect their cellular uptake. Hence, the adsorption profiles of protein corona on the surface of MSN, amine-modified MSN and MTX-loaded MSN-APTES-chitosan were analyzed. The cytotoxic potential for killing breast cancer cells was also studied. The MTX loaded MSN-APTES-chitosan showed a positive effect at a low dose (0.5 μM MTX). In this study, we introduce a new method to synthesize biodegradable MSNs with small and uniform particle size, achieve high MTX loading via covalent amine and chitosan-functionalization, monitor the cellular uptake and demonstrate the potential to decrease the viability of breast cancer cells at low dose.

Salacia mulbarica leaf extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antibacterial and ct-DNA damage via releasing of reactive oxygen species

In this examination, we researched the advantages of DNA fragmentation and metallic nanoparticles well-appointed with biomolecules. A novel interpretation of DNA damage by Silver Nano-Clusters (AgNCs) which were developed by the utilization of green synthesis method was demonstrated. The green synthesis of AgNCs was accomplished by utilizing the leaf extract of Salacia mulbarica (SM). The preparation of SM-AgNCs was developed by estimating surface plasmon resonance peak around 449 nm by using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The effect of phytochemicals in SM leaf extract on the development of stable SM-AgNCs was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The size of the fabricated SM-AgNCs was estimated by dynamic light scattering and zeta-sizer analysis and the morphology of the SM-AgNCs was examined by transmission electron microscopy. The presence of clusters of Ag particles in the prepared SM-AgNCs was recognized by energy dispersion X-ray analysis. The results show that saponins, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds present in plant extract may play a great part in developing the SM-AgNCs in their specialized particles. The succeeded SM-AgNCs shows incredible anti-bacterial action towards Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. In-light of the antibacterial study, these SM-AgNCs were analyzed with calf thymus-DNA and found significant damage to the strand of thymus-DNA.

Recent Advances in Metal Decorated Nanomaterials and Their Various Biological Applications: A Review

Nanoparticles (nanoparticles) have received much attention in biological application because of their unique physicochemical properties. The metal- and metal oxide-supported nanomaterials have shown significant therapeutic effect in medical science. The mechanisms related to the interaction of nanoparticles with animal and plant cells can be used to establish its significant role and to improve their activity in health and medical applications. Various attempts have been made to discuss the antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial activity of metal-supported nanoparticles. Despite all these developments, there is still a need to investigate their performance to overcome modern challenges. In this regard, the present review examines the role of various types of metal-supported nanomaterials in different areas such as antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and so on. Based on the significant ongoing research and applications, it is expected that metal-supported nanomaterials play an outstanding role not only in medical but also in other important areas.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of a novel nano-toxin formulation based on biologically synthesized silver nanoparticle loaded with recombinant truncated pseudomonas exotoxin A

Bacterial toxins have received a great deal of attention in the development of antitumor agents. Currently, these protein toxins were used in the immunotoxins as a cancer therapy strategy. Despite the successful use of immunotoxins, immunotherapy strategies are still expensive and limited to hematologic malignancies. In the current study, for the first time, a nano-toxin comprised of truncated pseudomonas exotoxin (PE38) loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared and their cytotoxicity effect was investigated on human breast cancer cells. The PE38 protein was cloned into pET28a and expressed in Escherichia coli, BL21 (DE3), and purified using metal affinity chromatography and was analyzed by 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. AgNPs were biologically prepared using cell-free supernatant of E. Coli K12 strain. Nanoparticle formation was characterized by energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The PE38 protein was loaded on AgNPs and prepared the PE38-AgNPs nano-toxin. Additionally, in vitro release indicated a partial slow release of toxin in about 100 hr. The nano-toxin exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cells. Also, real-time polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated the ability of nano-toxin to upregulate Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3, -8, -9, and P53 apoptotic genes in the MCF-7 tumor cells. Apoptosis induction was determined by Annexin-V/propidium flow cytometry and caspases activity assay after treatment of cancer cells with the nano-toxin. In general, in the current study, the nano-toxin exhibit an inhibitory effect on the viability of breast cancer cells through apoptosis, which suggests that AgNPs could be used as a delivery system for targeting of toxins to cancer cells.

Green Chemistry Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Potential Anticancer Effects

Nanobiotechnology has grown rapidly and become an integral part of modern disease diagnosis and treatment. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a class of eco-friendly, cost-effective and biocompatible agents that have attracted attention for their possible biomedical and bioengineering applications. Like many other inorganic and organic nanoparticles, such as AuNPs, iron oxide and quantum dots, AgNPs have also been widely studied as components of advanced anticancer agents in order to better manage cancer in the clinic. AgNPs are typically produced by the action of reducing reagents on silver ions. In addition to numerous laboratory-based methods for reduction of silver ions, living organisms and natural products can be effective and superior source for synthesis of AgNPs precursors. Currently, plants, bacteria and fungi can afford biogenic AgNPs precursors with diverse geometries and surface properties. In this review, we summarized the recent progress and achievements in biogenic AgNPs synthesis and their potential uses as anticancer agents.

Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen Leaf Extract Derived Silver Nanoparticles Induce Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells Without Affecting Human Lymphocytes or Erythrocytes

Plant-derived synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has found wide biomedical applications including cancer cure. This report deals with biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (MZLAgNPs) employing leaf extracts of Manilkara zapota (L.) under optimized conditions. Characterization of MZLAgNPs using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and FESEM analyses revealed that the particles were predominantly spherical averaging 24 nm in size. Their cellular effects were assessed by MTT assay, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy of cells stained with propidium iodide, acridine orange/ethidium bromide, and annexin V-FITC to visualize signs of apoptosis. Evaluation of cell proliferation by clonogenic assay, wound healing ability by scratch assay and cell cycle distribution by flow-cytometry was also carried out. Apoptosis-related gene expressions were analyzed by RTq-PCR and western blot analysis. MZLAgNPs selectively inhibited growth of colorectal carcinoma HCT116, HeLa, and non-small lung carcinoma A549 cells, dose-dependently with IC₅₀ concentrations of 8, 16, and 29 μg/mL respectively, following 72-h treatment, without affecting growth of normal human lymphocytes and erythrocytes. Apoptosis induction was observed by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulation of apoptotic-related genes - PUMA, cas-3, cas-8, cas-9, and BAX, expression of caspase 3, and occurrence of PARP cleavage were observed in MZLAgNPs/cisplatin treated cells. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate the therapeutic potential of biogenic MZLAgNPs as an effective agent for killing colorectal carcinoma cells by apoptosis induction.

Unveiling the potentials of biocompatible silver nanoparticles on human lung carcinoma A549 cells and Helicobacter pylori

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are gaining importance in health and environment. This study synthesized AgNPs using the bark extract of a plant, Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Tv) as confirmed by a absorption peak at 420 nm corresponding to the Plasmon resonance of AgNPs. The AgNPs were spherical, oval-shaped with size range of 2–40 nm as evident by field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM) and particle size analysis (PSA). The particles formed were crystalline by the presence of (111), (220) and (200) planes, as revealed by X ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The presence of amine, amide, phenolic, and alcoholic aromatics derived from Tv extract was found to be capping and or reducing agents as evident by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. The Tv-AgNPs were observed to be biocompatible to chick embryonic and NIH3T3 cells at various concentrations. Interestingly, Tv-AgNPs at the concentration of 320 µg. mL⁻¹ induced 82.5% of cell death in human lung cancer, A549 cells and further 95% of cell death with annexin V FITC/PI based apoptosis. The Tv-AgNPs selectively targeted and damaged the cancer cells through ROS generation. The Tv-AgNPs displayed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8.12 µg.mL⁻¹ and 18.14 µg.mL⁻¹ against STEC and H. pylori respectively. This multi-potent property of Tv-AgNPs was due to shape and size specific property that facilitated easy penetration into the bacterial and cancer cells for targeted therapy.

Biogenic magnetite nanoparticles: A potent and environmentally benign agent for efficient removal of azo dyes and phenolic contaminants from water

A comprehensive study was conducted toward the green and facile synthesis of biocompatible magnetite nanoparticles for the efficient removal of organic contaminants from water. The nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified co-precipitation method and functionalized by the taxane diterpenoids extracted from Taxus baccata L., and fully characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, SEM, FTIR, VSM, and XRD. The synthesized monodisperse magnetite nanoparticles, with a narrow size distribution of less than 50 nm, displayed significant and stable magnetic activity without surface oxidation after several months. The batch experiments clearly indicated the efficient iron-catalyzed removal of Nile blue, methylene blue, methylene orange, and 4-nitrophenol for several cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity. The relevant kinetic data of the dyes removal reactions were fitted to a pseudo-first order model. Moreover, in vitro MTT assay revealed high biocompatibility of the nanoparticles with no significant toxicity on different human cell lines. The overall results indicated high potential of green synthesized, biocompatible magnetite nanoparticles for the environmental applications especially wastewater remediation.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using flower extract of Malva sylvestris and investigation of their antibacterial activity

High-quality colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were synthesised via a green approach by using hydroalcoholic extracts of Malva sylvestris. Silver nitrate was used as a substrate ion while the plant extract successfully played the role of reducing and stabilising agents. The synthesised nanoparticles were carefully characterised by using transmission electron microscopy, atomic-force microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. The maximum absorption wavelengths of the colloidal solutions synthesised using 70 and 96% ethanol and 100% methanol, as extraction solvents, were 430, 485 and 504 nm, respectively. Interestingly, the size distribution of nanoparticles depended on the used solvent. The best particle size distribution belonged to the nanoparticles synthesised by 70% ethanol extract, which was 20-40 nm. The antibacterial activity of the synthesised nanoparticles was studied on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes using disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations assays. The best antibacterial activity obtained for the AgNPs produced by using 96% ethanolic extract.

Phytochemical-assisted synthetic approaches for silver nanoparticles antimicrobial applications: A review

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have recently emerged as promising materials in the biomedical sciences because of their antimicrobial activities towards a wide variety of microorganisms. Nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems with antimicrobial activity are critical as they may lead to novel treatments for cutaneous pathogens. In this review, we explore the recent progress on phytochemical-mediated synthesis of Ag NPs for antimicrobial treatment and associated infectious diseases. We discuss the biological activity of Ag NPs including mechanisms, antimicrobial activity, and antifungal/antiviral effects towards various microorganisms. The advent of Ag NP-based nanocarriers and nano-vehicles is also described for treatment of different diseases, along with the mechanisms of microbial inhibition. Overall, this review will provide a rational vision of the main achievements of Ag NPs as nanocarriers for inhibition of various microbial agents (bacteria, fungus, and virus).

Possible role of nanocarriers in drug delivery against cervical cancer

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the largest cancer killer among women in most developing countries including India. Although, various drugs have been developed for cervical cancer, treatment with these drugs often results in a number of undesirable side effects, toxicity and multidrug resistance (MDR). Also, the outcomes for cervical cancer patients remain poor after surgery and chemo radiation. Methods: A literature search (for drugs and delivery systems against cervical cancer) was performed on PubMed and through Google. The present review discuss about various methods including its current conventional treatment with special reference to recent advances in delivery systems encapsulating various anticancer drugs and natural plant products for targeting towards cervical cancer. The role of photothermal therapy, gene therapy and radiation therapy against cervical cancer is also discussed. Results: Systemic/targeted drug delivery systems including liposomes, nanoparticles, hydrogels, dendrimers etc. and localized drug delivery systems like cervical patches, films, rings etc. are safer than the conventional chemotherapy which has further been proved by the several drug delivery systems undergoing clinical trials. Conclusion: Novel approaches for the aggressive treatment of cervical cancer will optimistically result in decreased side effects as well as toxicity, frequency of administration of existing drugs, to overcome MDR and to increase the survival rates.

Nickel nanoparticle synthesis using Camellia Sinensis as reducing and capping agent: Growth mechanism and photo-catalytic activity evaluation

Recently, the biosynthesis of nanoparticle attracted the attention of scientific community due to its simplicity, ease and eco-friendly nature. In the present study, Camellia Sinensis (C. Sinensis) leaves extract was employed for the synthesis of nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs). The fabricated NiNPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction techniques. The photocatalytic activity (PCA) was evaluated by degrading crystal violet (CV) dye. The NiNPs size was in the range of 43.87-48.76nm, spherical in shape and uniformly distributed with magnetization saturation of 0.073 emu/g. The NiNPs showed promising PCA under solar light irradiation. At optimized conditions, up to 99.5% CV dye degradation was achieved. Results revealed that biosynthesis can be adopted for the synthesis of NiNPs in nano-size range since it is simple, cost effective and eco-friendly in nature versus physico-chemical methods.