Antifungal, phyto, cyto, genotoxic and lipophilic properties of three complexes of sulfadimethoxine (HSDM) with Ag(I). Synthesis and characterization of [Ag3SDM(SCN)2]·H2O and [Ag2(SDM)2o-phenanthroline]·H2O

Assessment of the biological effect of metal ions and their complexes using Allium cepa and Artemia salina assays: a possible environmental implementation of biological inorganic chemistry

The pollution of aquatic ecosystems due to the elevated concentration of a variety of contaminants, such as metal ions, poses a threat to humankind, as these ecosystems are in high relevance with human activities and survivability. The exposure in heavy metal ions is responsible for many severe chronic and pathogenic diseases and some types of cancer as well. Metal ions of the groups 11 (Cu, Ag, Au), 12 (Zn, Cd, Hg), 14 (Sn, Pb) and 15 (Sb, Bi) highly interfere with proteins leading to DNA damage and oxidative stress. While, the detection of these contaminants is mainly based on physicochemical analysis, the chemical determination, however, is deemed ineffective in some cases because of their complex nature. The development of biological models for the evaluation of the presence of metal ions is an attractive solution, which provides more insights regarding their effects. The present work critically reviews the reports published regarding the toxicity assessment of heavy metal ions through Allium cepa and Artemia salina assays. The in vivo toxicity of the agents is not only dose depended, but it is also strongly affected by their ligand type. However, there is no comprehensive study which compares the biological effect of chemical agents against Allium cepa and Artemia salina. Reports that include metal ions and complexes interaction with either Allium cepa or Artemia salina bio-indicators are included in the review.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using mixed leaves aqueous extract of wild olive and pistachio: characterization, antioxidant, antimicrobial and effect on virulence factors of Candida

In this study, a successfully rapid, simple approach was applied for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles AgNPs using for the first time the mixed leaves extract of Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris and Pistacia lentiscus from natural association aimed to enhance their antimicrobial potential. The plant extract acts both as reducing and capping agents. When the aqueous extract was added to AgNO₃ solution, the color was changed from pale to yellow to brown indicating the reduction of Ag ions and synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) without any solvent or hazardous reagents. The green synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR spectrum and the X-ray crystallography. The AgNPs showed superior antioxidant activity measured by DPPH, Ferric Antioxidant Reducing Power (FRAP) as well as the total antioxidant activity methods. Moreover, the analysis of phytochemical constituents including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and total polyphenols contents mentioned the most richness of the silver nanoparticles compared to plant extract. The new synthesized AgNPs demonstrated the bactericidal and fungicidal effects against all the tested bacterial and fungal strains and found to limit the spore germination of filamentous fungi. AgNPs also gave an anti-biofilm activity and synergistic effect with the conventional antibiotic's drugs. Here we firstly describe the silver nanoparticles effect on virulence factors of Candida species by reduction of enzymes like proteinase and phospholipase, inhibition of morphogenesis of Candida albicans cells. This natural product, acquiring these properties, should be promoted to be used in pharmaceutical and medical industries in future.