Harnessing nature's potential: Alpinia galanga methanolic extract mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticle, characterization and evaluation of anti-neoplastic activity

With the advent of nanotechnology, the treatment of cancer is changing from a conventional to a nanoparticle-based approach. Thus, developing nanoparticles to treat cancer is an area of immense importance. We prepared silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from methanolic extract of Alpinia galanga rhizome and characterized them by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Zetasizer, and Transmission electron Microscopy (TEM). UV-Vis spectrophotometry absorption spectrum showed surface plasmon between 400 and 480 nm. FTIR spectrum analysis implies that various phytochemicals/secondary metabolites are involved in the reduction, caping, and stabilization of AgNPs. The Zetasier result suggests that the particles formed are small in size with a low polydispersity index (PDI), suggesting a narrow range of particle distribution. The TEM image suggests that the particles formed are mostly of spherical morphology with nearly 20-25 nm. Further, the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) image showed five electron diffraction rings, suggesting the polycrystalline nature of the particles. The nanoparticles showed high anticancer efficacy against cervical cancer (SiHa) cell lines. The nanostructures showed dose-dependent inhibition with 40% killing observed at 6.25 µg/mL dose. The study showed an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to the synthesis of AgNPs and provided insight into the development of antioxidant and anticancer agents.

Silver nanoparticle as an alternate to antibiotics in cattle semen during cryopreservation

The proposed study was to determine if the silver nanoparticles can be used as potential antimicrobial agents and can replace the use of conventional antibiotics in semen without affecting the motility and fertility of semen. The silver nanoparticles prepared by chemical reduction method were confirmed by determination of the wavelength of surface plasmon resonance peak and further characterized using Zetasizer by determining their size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. The nanoparticles were assessed for antibacterial activity and their concentration was optimized for use in semen extender for cryopreservation. Cryopreserved semen was further evaluated for seminal parameters, antioxidant parameter, and microbial load. Prepared silver NPs showed a plasmon resonance peak at 417 nm wavelength. NPs were found to possess antibacterial activity and were supplemented in semen extender @ 125 and 250 µg/ml for semen cryopreservation. There was a significant increase in pre and post-freezing motility and other seminal parameters. The microbial load of frozen-thawed semen of control and supplemented groups were well within the permissible limits. Lipid peroxidation levels were reduced in NPs supplemented groups, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were significantly reduced in semen supplemented with 125 µg/ml NPs. Thus it can be conclude that silver NPs can be successfully used as a substitute for antibiotics in cattle bull semen cryopreservation with good antimicrobial activity and no adverse effects on sperm characteristics.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Recently Isolated Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical and Aquatic Strains and Demonstration of Silver Nanoparticle Potency

This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) strains isolated from the clinical and aquatic environment. Three types of Ag NPs were investigated for their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence properties on a total number of 132 AB strains isolated in the same temporal sequence from intra-hospital infections (IHIs), wastewater (WW), and surface water (SW) samples between 2019 and 2022 from different Romanian locations and characterized at the phenotypic and genotypic levels. The comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance (AR) profiles according to the isolation source and the geographical location demonstrated a decrease in MDR level in AB recovered from WW samples in 2022 from north-eastern/central/southern regions (N-E/C-W/analyzed strains S): 87.5/60/32.5%. The AB strains were lecithinase, caseinase, amylase, and lipase producers, had variable biofilm formation ability, and belonged to six genotypes associated with the presence of different virulence genes (ompA, csuE, bap, and bfmS). The Ag NPs synthesized with the solvothermal method exhibited an inhibitory effect on microbial growth, the adherence capacity to the inert substratum, and on the production of soluble virulence factors. We report here the first description of a powerful antibacterial agent against MDR AB strains circulating between hospitals and anthropically polluted water in Romania.

Suppression of sonic hedgehog pathway-based proliferation in glioblastoma cells by small-size silver nanoparticles in vitro

Glioblastomas (GBs) are one of the most aggressive and invasive intracranial cancers. Recently, it has been postulated that, among other factors, the hedgehog (HH) pathway may be a key factor in this phenomenon. Moreover, it has been reported that small-size silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are characterized by a high cytotoxic effect towards GBs. However, their effect on the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway has never been demonstrated in any cancer cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the anti-proliferative properties of 5-nm AgNPs on the SHH pathway in the GB cell line (U-87MG) in vitro. The results showed a time- and dose-dependent decrease in the metabolic activity in the U-87MG cells treated with AgNPs, with IC50 reaching 30.41 and 21.16 µg/mL after 24 h and 48 h, respectively, followed by an increase in the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. The co-treatment of the cells with AgNPs and Robotnikinin (SHH inhibitor) abolished and/or strengthened the effect of AgNPs, especially on the SHH mRNA levels and on the PCNA, PTCH1, Gli1, and SUFU protein levels. Interestingly, no changes in the level of ERK1/2, Akt, and SRC kinase protein expression were detected, suggesting a direct impact of AgNPs and/or ROS on the inhibition of the canonical SHH pathway. However, more studies are needed due to the increase in the mTOR protein expression after the treatment of the cells with AgNPs, as in the Robotnikinin treatment. In conclusion, small-size AgNPs are able to inhibit the proliferation of GB cells in vitro by suppressing the canonical SHH pathway.

Applications of Silver Nanoparticles in Dentistry

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been effectively applicable in most regions because of their antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms. AgNPs can be applied in disinfection and prophylaxis and to prevent diseases of the oral cavity. Because of developing interest in AgNPs, this article shows the application of AgNPs in various fields of dentistry such as nanocomposites, implant coatings, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, preventing dental caries, biofilm, infectious microbes, local anesthesia, microorganisms causing damage to the pulp, as well as deals with diseases such as oral malignancies due to their antitumor properties. AgNPs have a potential system with major features including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer action. They may also be used as a sustained drug delivery vehicle.

Physicochemical Transformations of Silver Nanoparticles in the Oro-Gastrointestinal Tract Mildly Affect Their Toxicity to Intestinal Cells In Vitro: An AOP-Oriented Testing Approach

The widespread use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in food and consumer products suggests the relevance of human oral exposure to these nanomaterials (NMs) and raises the possibility of adverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of Ag NPs in a human intestinal cell line, either uncoated or coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (Ag PVP) or hydroxyethylcellulose (Ag HEC) and digested in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Physicochemical transformations of Ag NPs during the different stages of in vitro digestion were identified prior to toxicity assessment. The strategy for evaluating toxicity was constructed on the basis of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) showing Ag NPs as stressors. It consisted of assessing Ag NP cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, perturbation of the cell cycle and apoptosis. Ag NPs caused a concentration-dependent loss of cell viability and increased the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species as well as DNA damage and perturbation of the cell cycle. In vitro digestion of Ag NPs did not significantly modulate their toxicological impact, except for their genotoxicity. Taken together, these results indicate the potential toxicity of ingested Ag NPs, which varied depending on their coating but did not differ from that of non-digested NPs.

Effective decolonization strategy for mupirocin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by TPGS-modified mupirocin-silver complex

The widespread utilization of mupirocin to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-caused infectious diseases has led to the emergence of mupirocin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MuRSA), posing a serious global medical threat. In order to counteract MuRSA, we develop a d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) modified mupirocin and silver complex (TPGS/Mup-Ag) to combat MuRSA. The surfactivity of TPGS endows Mup-Ag with a homogeneous and small particle size (∼16 ​nm), which significantly enhances bacterial internalization. Silver ions are released from the mupirocin-Ag complex (Mup-Ag) to exert a synergistic antibacterial activity with mupirocin. Results manifest that our strategy reduces the concentration of mupirocin that induces 50% bacterial death from about 1000 ​μmol/mL to about 16 ​μmol/mL. In vitro bacterial infection model suggests that TPGS/Mup-Ag can not only eliminate both intracellular and inhibit bacterial adhesion, but also living cells are not affected. Results of in vivo experiments demonstrate that TPGS/Mup-Ag can effectively inhibit the progression of skin infection and accelerate wound healing, as well as alleviate systemic inflammation in both the subcutaneous infection model and the wound infection model. Furthermore, this study may contribute to the development of therapeutic agents for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and offer ideas for silver-based bactericides.

Co-Culturing Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons With Rat Schwann Cells Protects Them Against the Cytotoxic Effects of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles

Previous studies using monotypic nerve cell cultures have shown that nanoparticles induced neurotoxic effects on nerve cells. Interactions between neurons and Schwann cells may protect against the neurotoxicity of nanoparticles. In this study, we developed a co-culture model consisting of immortalized rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and rat Schwann cells and employed it to investigate our hypothesis that co-culturing DRG neurons with Schwann cells imparts protection on them against neurotoxicity induced by silver or gold nanoparticles. Our results indicated that neurons survived better in co-cultures when they were exposed to these nanoparticles at the higher concentrations compared to when they were exposed to these nanoparticles at the same concentrations in monotypic cultures. Synapsin I expression was increased in DRG neurons when they were co-cultured with Schwann cells and treated with or without nanoparticles. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was increased in Schwann cells when they were co-cultured with DRG neurons and treated with nanoparticles. Furthermore, we found co-culturing with Schwann cells stimulated neurofilament polymerization in DRG neurons and produced the morphological differentiation. Silver nanoparticles induced morphological disorganization in monotypic cultures. However, there were more cells displaying normal morphology in co-cultures than in monotypic cultures. All of these results suggested that co-culturing DRG neurons with Schwann cells imparted some protection on them against neurotoxicity induced by silver or gold nanoparticles, and altering the expression of neurofilament-L, synapsin I, and GFAP could account for the phenomenon of protection in co-cultures.

Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles from Two Varieties of Agaricus bisporus and Their Antibacterial Activity

Agaricus bisporus, the most widely cultivated mushroom, is safe to eat and enriched with protein and secondary metabolites. We prepared silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from two varieties of A. bisporus and tested their antibacterial activity The synthesized AgNPs were initially confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy peaks at 420 and 430 nm for white and brown mushrooms AgNPs, respectively. AgNPs were further characterized by zeta sizer, transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) prior to antibacterial activity by the well diffusion method against six bacterial strains which include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. TEM results revealed a spherical shape with an average diameter of about 11 nm in the white mushroom extract and 5 nm in the brown mushroom extract. The presence of elemental silver in the prepared AgNPs was confirmed by EDS. The IR spectrum of the extract confirmed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, carboxylic, or amide groups which aided in the reduction and capping of synthesized AgNPs. The AgNPs from both extracts showed almost the same results; however, nanoparticles prepared from brown mushrooms were smaller in size with strong antibacterial activity.

Preservation of Litchi Fruit with Nanosilver Composite Particles (Ag-NP) and Resistance against Peronophythora litchi

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is susceptible to infection by Peronophythora litchi post storage, which rapidly decreases the sensory and nutritional quality of the fruit. In this study, the effects of nanosilver (Ag-NP) solution treatment on the shelf life of litchi fruit and the inhibition of P. litchi were examined, and the underlying mechanisms were discussed. For investigations, we used one variety of litchi (‘Feizixiao’), dipping it in different concentrations of Ag-NP solution after harvesting. Meanwhile, we treated P. litchi with different concentrations of Ag-NP solution. According to the data analysis, litchi treated with 400 μg/mL Ag-NPs and stored at 4 °C had the highest health rate and the lowest browning index among all the samples. In the same trend, treatment with 400 μg/mL Ag-NPs produced the best results for anthocyanin content, total soluble solids content, and titratable acidity content. Additionally, according to the results of the inhibition test, 800 μg/mL Ag-NP solution had a 94.97% inhibition rate against P. litchi. Within 2–10 h following exposure to 400 μg/mL Ag-NP solution, the contents of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase in P. litchi gradually increased and peaked, followed by a gradual decline. At this time, the integrity of the cell membrane of P. litchi could be broken by Ag-NP solution, and the sporangia showed deformed germ tubes and abnormal shapes. Taken together, these results suggested that Ag-NP treatment inhibited respiration and P. litchi activity, which might attenuate litchi pericarp browning and prolong the shelf life of litchi. Accordingly, Ag-NPs could be used as an effective antistaling agent in litchi fruit and as an ecofriendly fungicide for the post-harvest control of litchi downy blight. This study provides new insights into the application of Ag-NP as an antistaling agent for fruit storage and as an ecofriendly fungicide.

Impact of ultra-small silver nanoparticles of 2 nm (AgNP2) on neutrophil biology: AgNP2 alter the actin cytoskeleton and induce karyorrhexis by a mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent mechanism in vitro and transitorily attract neutrophils in vivo

Silver (Ag) is known as an antibacterial agent and there is a growing interest to use silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a variety of medical applications and other sectors. Some studies reported that one of the undesired effects of AgNPs is inflammation and that these NPs can alter the biology of neutrophils. Since it is commonly accepted that the more NPs are small, the more toxic they are the aim of this study was to determine the impact of ultra-small silver nanoparticles of 2 nm (AgNP₂) on the biology of neutrophils, key player cells in inflammation. We report that AgNP₂ are potent neutrophil activators as they rapidly induce actin polymerization and dismantling the actin network. Although AgNP₂ are not necrotic for neutrophils and do not induce ROS production, kinetic studies reveal that AgNP₂ are rapid inducer of apoptosis. Pyknosis (mainly 1-2 large nuclear dots) was observed after only 1h of treatment followed by karyorrhexis (several small dots) and by a complete nuclear dissolution leading to anuclear neutrophils after 6h. These observations are not associated with the release of silver ions since treatment of neutrophils with 1-50 μg/ml AgNO₃ (as a source of Ag⁺) did not induce any apparent changes. AgNP₂ induce p38 and Erk-1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and although karyorrhexis was markedly reversed by MAPK inhibitors, the cell nuclei remain with a pyknotic-like phenotype but do not return to the characteristic polylobed nucleus. Using the murine air pouch model of inflammation AgNP₂ were found to induce a neutrophil influx. Our data indicate that AgNP₂ are potent neutrophil activators targeting the actin cytoskeleton and the mechanism involved for inducing apoptosis is rapid, complex, and partially includes MAPK pathways. Therefore, the ultra-small AgNP₂ are more potent than larger ones for inducing apoptosis and they can transitorily attract neutrophils in vivo.

Proteomic Response of Aedes aegypti Larvae to Silver/Silver Chloride Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis Metabolites

Simple Summary

Aedes aegypti is a vector of important mosquito-borne diseases. Green synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to control the larvae of mosquitoes including A. aegypti. However, the molecular responses of A. aegypti larvae to green synthesized NPs remain unexplored. This work analyzed protein expression in A. aegypti larvae in response to treatment using green synthesized silver/silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl NPs) based on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Fifteen differentially expressed protein spots were selected for identification using mass spectrometry. The results showed that the six upregulated proteins in A. aegypti larvae responsible for green synthesized Ag/AgCl NP treatment were involved in mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA and protein damage, inhibition of cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis, implying the modes of actions of Ag/AgCl NPs. This finding has provided greater insight into the possible mechanisms of green synthesized Ag/AgCl NPs on the control of A. aegypti larvae.

Abstract

Silver/silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl NPs) are an alternative approach to control the larvae of Aedes aegypti, a vector of mosquito-borne diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of Ag/AgCl NPs to A. aegypti have not been reported. In this work, Ag/AgCl NPs were synthesized using supernatant, mixed toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti), and heterologously expressed Cry4Aa and Cry4Ba toxins. The images from scanning electron microscopy revealed that the Ag/AgCl NPs were spherical in shape with a size range of 25–100 nm. The larvicidal activity against A. aegypti larvae revealed that the Ag/AgCl NPs synthesized using the supernatant of Bti exhibited higher toxicity (LC₅₀ = 0.133 μg/mL) than the Ag/AgCl NPs synthesized using insecticidal proteins (LC₅₀ = 0.148–0.217 μg/mL). The proteomic response to Ag/AgCl NPs synthesized using the supernatant of Bti in A. aegypti larvae was compared to the ddH₂O-treated control. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis revealed 110 differentially expressed proteins, of which 15 were selected for identification using mass spectrometry. Six upregulated proteins (myosin I heavy chain, heat shock protein 70, the F₀F₁-type ATP synthase beta subunit, methyltransferase, protein kinase, and condensin complex subunit 3) that responded to Ag/AgCl NP treatment in A. aegypti were reported for NP treatments in different organisms. These results suggested that possible mechanisms of action of Ag/AgCl NPs on A. aegypti larvae are: mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA and protein damage, inhibition of cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis. The findings from this work provide greater insight into the action of green synthesized Ag/AgCl NPs on the control of A. aegypti larvae.

Exposure of Candida parapsilosis to the silver(I) compound SBC3 induces alterations in the proteome and reduced virulence

The antimicrobial properties of silver have been exploited for many centuries and continue to gain interest in the fight against antimicrobial drug resistance. The broad-spectrum activity and low toxicity of silver have led to its incorporation into a wide range of novel antimicrobial agents, including N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. The antimicrobial activity and in vivo efficacy of the NHC silver(I) acetate complex SBC3, derived from 1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-diphenylimidazol-2-ylidene (NHC*), have previously been demonstrated, although the mode(s) of action of SBC3 remains to be fully elucidated. Label-free quantitative proteomics was applied to analyse changes in protein abundance in the pathogenic yeast Candida parapsilosis in response to SBC3 treatment. An increased abundance of proteins associated with detoxification and drug efflux were indicative of a cell stress response, whilst significant decreases in proteins required for protein and amino acid biosynthesis offer potential insight into the growth-inhibitory mechanisms of SBC3. Guided by the proteomic findings and the prolific biofilm and adherence capabilities of C. parapsilosis, our studies have shown the potential of SBC3 in reducing adherence to epithelial cells and biofilm formation and hence decrease fungal virulence.

Ag Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications-Synthesis and Characterization-A Review

Silver nanoparticles have been intensively studied over a long period of time because they exhibit antibacterial properties in infection treatments, wound healing, or drug delivery systems. The advantages that silver nanoparticles offer regarding the functionalization confer prolonged stability and make them suitable for biomedical applications. Apart from functionalization, silver nanoparticles exhibit various shapes and sizes depending on the conditions used through their fabrications and depending on their final purpose. This paper presents a review of silver nanoparticles with respect to synthesis procedures, including the polluting green synthesis. Currently, the most commonly used characterization techniques required for nanoparticles investigation in antibacterial treatments are described briefly, since silver nanoparticles possess differences in their structure or morphology.

Pro-inflammatory effects of silver nanoparticles in the intestine

Nanotechnology is a promising technology of the twenty-first century, being a rapidly evolving field of research and industrial innovation widely applied in our everyday life. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are considered the most commercialized nanosystems worldwide, being applied in diverse sectors, from medicine to the food industry. Considering their unique physical, chemical and biological properties, AgNP have gained access into our daily life, with an exponential use in food industry, leading to an increased inevitable human oral exposure. With the growing use of AgNP, several concerns have been raised, in recent years, about their potential hazards to human health, more precisely their pro-inflammatory effects within the gastrointestinal system. Therefore a review of the literature has been undertaken to understand the pro-inflammatory potential of AgNP, after human oral exposure, in the intestine. Despite the paucity of information reported in the literature about this issue, existing studies indicate that AgNP exert a pro-inflammatory action, through generation of oxidative stress, accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, interference with transcription factors and production of cytokines. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanistic pathways and molecular targets involved in the intestinal pro-inflammatory effects of AgNP.

Potential toxicity of nanoparticles on the reproductive system animal models: A review

Over the past two decades, nanotechnology has been involved in an array of applications in various fields, including diagnostic kits, disease treatment, drug manufacturing, drug delivery, and gene therapy. But concerns about the toxicity of nanoparticles have greatly hindered their use; also, due to their increasing use in various industries, all members of society are exposed to the toxicity of these nanoparticles. Nanoparticles have a negative impact on various organs, including the reproductive system. They also can induce abortion in women, reduce fetal growth and development, and can damage the reproductive system and sperm morphology in men. In some cases, it has been observed that despite the modification of nanoparticles in composition, concentration, and method of administration, there is still damage to the reproductive organs. Therefore, understanding how nanoparticles affect the reproductive system is of very importance. In several studies, the nanoparticle toxicity effect on the genital organs has been investigated at the clinical and molecular levels using the in vivo and in vitro models. This study reviews these investigations and provides important data on the toxicity, hazards, and safety of nanoparticles in the reproductive system to facilitate the optimal use of nanoparticles in the industry.

Integrated Redox Proteomic Analysis Highlights New Mechanisms of Sensitivity to Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used nanomaterials in both commercial and clinical biomedical applications, but the molecular mechanisms underlying their activity remain elusive. In this study we profiled proteomics and redox proteomics changes induced by AgNPs in two lung cancer cell lines: AgNPs-sensitive Calu-1 and AgNPs-resistant NCI-H358. We show that AgNPs induce changes in protein abundance and reversible oxidation in a time and cell-line-dependent manner impacting critical cellular processes such as protein translation and modification, lipid metabolism, bioenergetics, and mitochondrial dynamics. Supporting confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data further emphasize mitochondria as a target of AgNPs toxicity differentially impacting mitochondrial networks and morphology in Calu-1 and NCI-H358 lung cells. Proteomics data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD021493.

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AgNP-sensitive cells experience broader changes in protein abundance.

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Redox proteomics reveals increased reversible oxidation in AgNP-sensitive cells.

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AgNPs alter protein translation, lipid metabolism, and bioenergetics.

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Mitochondria is identified as key target underlying AgNP toxicity.

Polyethylene, Polystyrene, and Polypropylene leachate impact upon marine microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta

In the aquatic environment, plastics may release several hazardous substances of severe ecotoxicological concern not covalently bound to the polymers. The aim of this study was to examine the adverse effects of leachates of different virgin polymers, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) on marine microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta. The tests carried out on D. tertiolecta included: growth inhibition, oxidative stress (DCFH-DA), and DNA damage (COMET assay). Polypropylene and PS leachates produced growth inhibition at the lowest concentration (3.1% of leachate). In contrast, a hormesis phenomenon was observed with PE leachates. An algae inhibition growth ranking (PP>PS>PE) was noted, based upon EC₅₀ values. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated were increased with leachates concentrations with PS exhibiting the highest ROS levels, while a marked genotoxic effect (30%) was found only with PP. All leachates were free from detectable quantities of organic compounds (GC/MS) but showed the presence of transition, post-transition and alkaline earth metals, metalloids, and nonmetals (<limit of quantification (LOQ) to 83.5 µg/L). Therefore, the observed toxic action might reasonably be attributable to the presence of metals and in conjunction with polymeric actions. This investigation underlines the need to better characterize the potential impact of virgin polymers.

Utility of Galleria mellonella larvae for evaluating nanoparticle toxicology

The use of nanoparticles in consumer products is currently on the rise, so it is important to have reliable methods to predict any associated toxicity effects. Traditional in vitro assays fail to mimic true physiological responses of living organisms against nanoparticles whereas murine in vivo models are costly and ethically controversial. For these reasons, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Galleria mellonella as an alternative, non-rodent in vivo model for examining nanoparticle toxicity. Silver, selenium, and functionalized gold nanoparticles were synthesized, and their toxicity was assessed in G. mellonella larvae. The degree of acute toxicity effects caused by each type of NP was efficiently detected by an array of indicators within the larvae: LD₅₀ calculation, hemocyte proliferation, NP distribution, behavioral changes, and histological alterations. G. mellonella larvae are proposed as a nanotoxicological model that can be used as a bridge between in vitro and in vivo murine assays in order to obtain better predictions of NP toxicity.

Cellular, Molecular and Biochemical Impacts of Silver Nanoparticles on Rat Cerebellar Cortex

BACKGROUND

The excessive exposure to silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) has raised concerns about their possible risks to the human health. The brain is a highly vulnerable organ to nano-silver harmfulness. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impacts of Ag-NPs exposure on the cerebellar cortex of rats.

METHODS

Rats were assigned to: Control, vehicle control and Ag-NP-exposed groups (at doses of 10 mg and 30 mg/kg/day). Samples were processed for light and electron microscopy examinations. Immunohistochemical localization of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) and calbindin D28k (CB) proteins was performed. Analyses of expression of DNA damage inducible transcript 4 (Ddit4), flavin containing monooxygenase 2 (FMO2) and thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) genes were done. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were also measured.

RESULTS

Ag-NPs enhanced apoptosis as evident by upregulation of Ddit4 gene expressions and JNK protein immune expressions. Alterations of redox homeostasis were verified by enhancement of Txnip and FMO2 gene expressions, favoring the activation of inflammatory responses by increasing NF-κB protein immune expressions and serum inflammatory mediator levels. Another cytotoxic effect was the reduction of immune expressions of the calcium regulator CB.

CONCLUSION

Ag-NPs exposure provoked biochemical, cellular and molecular changes of rat cerebellar cortex in a dose-dependent manner.

Effects of wound dressings containing silver on skin and immune cells

Wound dressings with silver have been shown to be cytotoxic in vitro. However, the extrapolation of this cytotoxicity to clinical settings is unclear. We applied dressings with various forms of silver on porcine skin ex vivo and investigated silver penetration and DNA damage. We assessed antimicrobial efficacy, cytotoxicity to skin cells, and immune response induced by the dressings. All dressings elevated the DNA damage marker γ-H₂AX and the expression of stress-related genes in explanted skin relative to control. This corresponded with the amount of silver in the skin. The dressings reduced viability, induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in skin cells, and induced the production of pro-inflammatory IL-6 by monocytes. The oxidative burst and viability of activated neutrophils decreased. The amount of silver released into the culture medium varied among the dressings and correlated with in vitro toxicity. However, antimicrobial efficiencies did not correlate strongly with the amount of silver released from the dressings. Antimicrobial efficiency and toxicity are driven by the form of silver and the construction of dressings and not only by the silver concentration. The damaging effects of silver dressings in ex vivo skin highlight the importance of thorough in vivo investigation of silver dressing toxicity.

Cold atmospheric plasma induces silver nanoparticle uptake, oxidative dissolution and enhanced cytotoxicity in glioblastoma multiforme cells

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) emerged as a promising reagent for cancer therapy with oxidative stress implicated in the toxicity. Meanwhile, studies reported cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species has selectivity towards cancer cells. Gold nanoparticles display synergistic cytotoxicity when combined with CAP against cancer cells but there is a paucity of information using AgNP, prompting to investigate the combined effects of CAP using dielectric barrier discharge system (voltage of 75 kV, current is 62.5 mA, duty cycle of 7.5kVA and input frequency of 50-60Hz) and 10 nm PVA-coated AgNP using U373MG Glioblastoma Multiforme cells. Cytotoxicity in U373MG cells was >100-fold greater when treated with both CAP and PVA-AgNP compared with either therapy alone (IC₅₀ of 4.30 μg/mL with PVA-AgNP alone compared with 0.07 μg/mL after 25s CAP and 0.01 μg/mL 40s CAP). Combined cytotoxicity was ROS-dependent and was prevented using N-Acetyl Cysteine. A novel darkfield spectral imaging method investigated and quantified AgNP uptake in cells determining significantly enhanced uptake, aggregation and subcellular accumulation following CAP treatment, which was confirmed and quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results indicate that CAP decreases nanoparticle size, decreases surface charge distribution of AgNP and induces uptake, aggregation and enhanced cytotoxicity in vitro.

Combined Use of Astragalus Polysaccharide and Berberine Attenuates Insulin Resistance in IR-HepG2 Cells via Regulation of the Gluconeogenesis Signaling Pathway

Insulin resistance (IR) is likely to induce metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Gluconeogenesis (GNG) is a complex metabolic process that may result in glucose generation from certain non-carbohydrate substrates. Chinese herbal medicine astragalus polysaccharides and berberine have been documented to ameliorate IR, and combined use of astragalus polysaccharide (AP) and berberine (BBR) are reported to synergistically produce an even better effect. However, what change may occur in the GNG signaling pathway of IR-HepG2 cells in this synergistic effect and whether AP-BBR attenuates IR by regulating the GNG signaling pathway remain unclear. For the first time, we discovered in this study that the optimal time of IR-HepG2 cell model formation was 48 h after insulin intervention. AP-BBR attenuated IR in HepG2 cells and the optimal concentration was 10 mg. AP-BBR reduced the intracellular H2O2 content with no significant effect on apoptosis of IR-HepG2 cells. In addition, a rapid change was observed in intracellular calcium current of the IR-HepG2 cell model, and AP-BBR intervention attenuated this change markedly. The gene sequencing results showed that the GNG signaling pathway was one of the signaling pathways of AP-BBR to attenuate IR in IR-Hepg2 cells. The expression of p-FoxO1Ser256 and PEPCK protein was increased, and the expression of GLUT2 protein was decreased significantly in the IR-HepG2 cell model, and both of these effects could be reversed by AP-BBR intervention. AP-BBR attenuated IR in IR-HepG2 cells, probably by regulating the GNG signaling Pathway.

Nanosilver induces the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in mouse neutrophil granulocytes

As a new type of antibacterial agent, nanosilver has attracted great attention in biomedical applications. However, the safety of nanosilver to humans and the environment has not been well elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of nanosilver on novel effector mechanism of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and its possible molecular mechanisms. In this study, nanosilver (10, 20 and 40 μg/mL) was incubated with neutrophils for 90 min. Then, nanosilver-induced the release of NETs was observed by laser confocal microscopy. Nanosilver-induced NETs release was also quantitatively detected by pico Green®. In addition, the role of NADPH oxidase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 signaling pathways in nanosilver-induced NETs release were detected by the inhibitors and pico Green®. The results indicated that nanosilver significantly activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to release NETs, which was a DNA-based network structure modified with histones (H3) and neutrophil elastase (NE). The inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, ERK and p38 signaling pathways significantly inhibited the formation of nanosilver-induced NETs. Furthermore, nanosilver did not alter the extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level of PMN cells. All these results showed that nanosilver significantly induced NETs release, and the potential molecular mechanisms were correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production-dependent on NADPH oxidase, ERK and p38 signaling pathways, which might provide a new perspective on nanosilver-induced excess NETs release related to the host immune damage.

Silver nanoparticles alter epithelial basement membrane integrity, cell adhesion molecule expression, and TGF-β1 secretion

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in consumer and pharmaceutical products due to their antipathogenic properties. However, safety concerns have been raised due to their bioactive properties. While reports have demonstrated AgNPs can embed within the extracellular matrix, their effects on basement membrane (BM) production, integrin engagement, and tissue-integrity are not well-defined. This study analyzed the effects of AgNPs on BM production, composition and integrin/focal adhesion interactions in representative lung, esophageal, breast and colorectal epithelia models. A multidisciplinary approach including focused proteomics, QPCR arrays, pathway analyses, and immune-based, structural and functional assays was used to identify molecular and physiological changes in cell adhesions and the BM induced by acute and chronic AgNP exposure. Dysregulated targets included CD44 and transforming growth factor-beta, two proteins frequently altered during pathogenesis. Results indicate AgNP exposure interferes with BM and cell adhesion dynamics, and provide insight into the mechanisms of AgNP-induced disruption of epithelial physiology.

Subcellular targets of zinc oxide nanoparticles during the aging process: role of cross-talk between mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the genotoxic response

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are being produced abundantly and applied increasingly in various fields. The special physicochemical characteristics of ZnO NPs makes them incline to undergo physicochemical transformation over time (aging), which modify their bioavailability and toxicity. However, the subcellular targets and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the genotoxicity induced by ZnO NPs during aging process are still unknown. The present study found that the acute cytotoxic effects of fresh ZnO NPs was largely regulated by mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, which the level of cleaved Caspase-3 and mitochondria damage were significantly higher than that of 60 day-aged ZnO NPs. In contrast, aged ZnO NPs induced more reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker protein (BIP/GRP78) expression and their genotoxicity could be dramatically suppressed by either ROS scavengers (DMSO, CAT and NaN3) or ER stress inhibitor (4-PBA). Using mitochondrial-DNA deficient (ρ0) AL cells, we further found that ER stress induced by aged ZnO NPs was triggered by ROS generated from mitochondria, which eventually mediated the gentoxicity of aged NPs. Our data provided novel information on better understanding the contribution of subcellular targets to the genotoxic response of ZnO NPs during the aging process.

Construction of novel multifunctional luminescent nanoparticles based on DNA bridging and their inhibitory effect on tumor growth

Cyclic RGD peptide was introduced onto the surface of silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-single strand DNA (ssDNA)-graphene quantum dots (GQDs) (ADG) after coating with a hybrid phospholipid material (ADG-DDPC) to be used for antitumor treatment. The Ag and ssDNA content was quantified. The morphology and properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-VIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The etching effect of H2O2 on the AgNPs and the cleavage of DNA was observed. The cytotoxicity of the ADG-DDPC was investigated using the cell viability and LDH content. The cell uptake was evaluated by using the fluorescence recovery of the GQDs in the ADG-DDPC. The antitumor effects of ADG-DDPC were also evaluated. The content of the ssDNA was 15.3 μg mL-1. The content of the silver element in AgNPs was 3.75 μg mL-1 and 20.43 μg mL-1 in ADG-DDPC. ADG were distributed uniformly with the GQDs on the surface. After coating with hybrid phospholipid membranes containing DSPE-PEG2000-cRGD, ADG-DDPC was detected with an average size of 25.2 nm with a low IC50 of 209.68 ng mL-1 and showed LDH activity on HeLa cells. A better cellular uptake of ADG-DDPC was observed in HeLa cells, compared with cRGD-unmodified ADG nanoparticles (ADG-DDP), up to 6 and 12 h using the fluorescence recovery of GQDs as a measurement. Compared with ADG-DDP (3.6 mg of silver equivalent per kg body weight), ADG-DDPC at the same dose significantly halted 50.9% of tumor growth with little change to body weights when compared with a PTX Injection (10 mg kg-1). The novel nanoparticles, ADG-DDPC, could target tumor sites to exhibit multifunctional inhibition on tumor growth with little toxicity.

Nanomaterials induce DNA-protein crosslink and DNA oxidation: A mechanistic study with RTG-2 fish cell line and Comet assay modifications

Genotoxic effects of nanomaterials (NMs) have been controversially reported in literature, and the mode of action (MoA) via DNA oxidation is cited as the main damage caused by them. Evidence of nano-silver as a crosslinker has been previously reported by the present research team in an in vivo fish genotoxicity study. Thus, aiming to confirm the evidence about NMs as crosslinker agent, the present investigation elucidated the genotoxic potential of NMs and their genotoxic MoA through in vitro assay with RTG-2 cells line (rainbow trout gonadal) by exposure to nano-silver (PVP-coated) and nano-titanium. The types and levels of DNA damage were assessed by the Comet assay (standard alkaline, hOGG1-modified alkaline, and two crosslink-modified alkaline versions). It was demonstrated that the use of the standard alkaline Comet assay alone may inaccurately predict the genotoxicity of NMs since oxidative and crosslink DNA damages were also verified in RTG-2 cells when assessed by the modified versions of the alkaline protocol. More importantly, it was confirmed that both nano-silver and nano-titanium acted as DNA-protein crosslinkers through the Comet assay version with proteinase K. As both nano-silver and nano-titanium present a great risk to aquatic life, these findings reinforce the need of genotoxicity testing strategies that encompass the assessment of different types of DNA damage, in order to ensure an accurate prediction of the genotoxic potential of NMs.

Biogenic pentagonal silver nanoparticles for safer and more effective antibacterial therapeutics

Background

Biological synthesis of nanomaterials possesses unprecedented potential in the production of nanomaterials due to their ability to produce nanomaterials with improved biocompatibility in addition to eco-friendly synthetic procedures.

Methods

This article reports the isolation of an air-borne fungus from the campus of Integral University, Lucknow, with an exceptional ability to withstand very high concentrations of silver salt. The fungus was found to produce pentagonal silver nanoparticles (AgPgNps) when silver ions were reduced from silver nitrate. Molecular analysis and biochemical characterization techniques based on 18-seconds rRNA identified the fungus to belong to the Aspergillus sp. with the NCBI accession no KF913249. Material characterization techniques including ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and zeta potential analysis were used to satisfactorily characterize the as-synthesized AgPgNps.

Results

The AgPgNps synthesized by the fungus Aspergillus sp. exhibit an absorption that is maximum centered at about 416 nm, with a standard particle size of 23.22±2 nm. These AgPgNps exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against an array of bacterial pathogens with remarkable minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₅₀) values: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) – 9.230 µg/mL, Bacillus sp. (ATCC 14593) – 12.781 µg/mL, Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) – 5.063 µg/mL, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883) – 5.426 µg/mL. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis of biosynthesized AgPgNps showed a dose–response activity against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and adenocarcinoma cells (A549) with MIC₅₀ values of 0.038 µg/mL and 0.044 µg/mL, respectively.

Conclusion

These findings are very crucial to evaluate the biosynthetic process for the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) with unique properties. These NPs may find potential applications in sensing, medicine, and antimicrobial and anticancer therapies.

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics for system-level characterization of biological responses to engineered nanomaterials

The widespread use of engineered nanomaterials or nanotechnology makes the characterization of biological responses to nanomaterials an important area of research. The application of omics approaches, such as mass spectrometry-based proteomics, has revealed new insights into the cellular responses of exposure to nanomaterials, including how nanomaterials interact and alter cellular pathways. In addition, exposure to engineered nanomaterials often leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species and cellular oxidative stress, which implicates a redox-dependent regulation of cellular responses under such conditions. In this review, we discuss quantitative proteomics-based approaches, with an emphasis on redox proteomics, as a tool for system-level characterization of the biological responses induced by engineered nanomaterials. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Nanoparticles-Caused Oxidative Imbalance

Application of nanomaterials in nearly every single branch of industry results in their accumulation in both abiotic environment and tissues of living organisms. Despite the common use of nanomaterials, we are not able to precisely define their toxicity towards humans and surrounding biota. Although we were able to determine final effects of chronic exposure to nanoparticles which consist of many pathologies such as respiratory diseases, allergies, diseases of cardiovascular system, disorders in embryonic life differentiation and growth disorders, toxic effects on the immune system and cancers. The most predominantly investigated feature of most nanoparticles is their ability to induce oxidative stress on cellular level. Imbalance in redox state of cells can lead to various malfunctions in their internal metabolism, which in turn can lead to mentioned pathologies on the organismal level if the exposure is persistent and spread wide enough. Imbalance in redox state translate into production of reactive oxygen species in amounts impossible to be scavenged in given time. Many reactive oxygen species play crucial role in physiological processes in properly functioning cells. It was proven on numerous occasions that abundance of ROS, aside from oxidative damage, can lead to more subtle adverse effects tied to disturbances in intra- and intercellular signaling pathways. In this chapter we would like to address the nanoparticle-induced redox imbalance in cells and its effects.

The Role of Autophagy in Nanoparticles-Induced Toxicity and Its Related Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms

In the past decades, nanoparticles have been widely used in industry and pharmaceutical fields for drug delivery, anti-pathogen, and diagnostic imaging purposes because of their unique physicochemical characteristics such as special ultrastructure, dispersity, and effective cellular uptake properties. But the nanotoxicity has been raised over the extensive applications of nanoparticles. Researchers have elucidated series of mechanisms in nanoparticles-induced toxicity, including apoptosis, necrosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy. Among upon mechanisms, autophagy was recently recognized as an important cell death style in various nanoparticles-induced toxicity, but the role of autophagy and its related cellular and molecular mechanisms during nanoparticles-triggered toxicity were still confusing. In the chapter, we briefly introduced the general process of autophagy, summarized the different roles of autophagy in various nanoparticle-treated different in vitro/in vivo models, and deeply analyzed the physicochemical and biochemical (cellular and molecular) mechanisms of autophagy during nanoparticles-induced toxicity through listing and summarizing representative examples. Physicochemical mechanisms mainly include dispersity, size, charge, and surface chemistry; cellular mechanisms primarily focus on lysosome impairment, mitochondria dysfunction, mitophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress and endoplasmic reticulum autophagy; while molecular mechanisms were mainly including autophagy related signaling pathways, hypoxia-inducible factor, and oxidative stress. This chapter highlighted the important role of autophagy as a critical mechanism in nanoparticles-induced toxicity, and the physicochemical and biochemical mechanisms of autophagy triggered by nanoparticles might be useful for establishing a guideline for the evaluation of nanotoxicology, designing and developing new biosafety nanoparticles in the future.

Antibacterial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles: Structural Effects

The increase of antibiotic resistance in bacteria has become a major concern for successful diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been achieved on the development of nanotechnology-based medicines for combating multidrug resistance in microorganisms. Among this, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) hold great promise in addressing this challenge due to their broad-spectrum and robust antimicrobial properties. This review illustrates the antibacterial mechanisms of silver nanoparticles and further elucidates how different structural factors including surface chemistry, size, and shape, impact their antibacterial activities, which are expected to promote the future development of more potent silver nanoparticle-based antibacterial agents.

Silver nanoparticles: Electron transfer, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, beneficial and toxicological effects. Mini review

The industry of nanotechnology has had a rapid development in the last decades. In particular, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have unique properties so they can be used in different industrial applications, mainly in areas such as electronics, environment, medicine, biosensors and biotechnology; as well as household and healthcare-related products, like cosmetics, due to their antimicrobial properties. These beneficial effects are also offset by the higher chemical reactivity of these NPs due to their surface area to volume ratio, leading to the increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells. AgNPs, however, have a dark side: they increase the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). With increased human exposure to AgNPs, the risk and safety standards have attracted much attention. This review highlights the beneficial and toxicological effects of AgNPs in terms of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Silver Nanoparticles: Two-Faced Neuronal Differentiation-Inducing Material in Neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) Cells

We have previously demonstrated the potential of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in the induction of neuronal differentiation of human neuroblastoma, SH-SY5Y cells; we aimed herein to unveil its molecular mechanism in comparison to the well-known neuronal differentiation-inducing agent, all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). AgNP-treated SH-SY5Y cells showed significantly higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, stronger mitochondrial membrane depolarization, lower dual-specificity phosphatase expression, higher extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, lower AKT phosphorylation, and lower expression of the genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes than RA-treated cells. Notably, pretreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine significantly abolished AgNP-induced neuronal differentiation, but not in that induced by RA. ERK inhibition, but not AKT inhibition, suppresses neurite growth that is induced by AgNP. Taken together, our results uncover the pivotal contribution of ROS in the AgNP-induced neuronal differentiation mechanism, which is different from that of RA. However, the negative consequence of AgNP-induced neurite growth may be high ROS generation and the downregulation of the expression of the genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes, which prompts the future consideration and an in-depth study of the application of AgNP-differentiated cells in neurodegenerative disease therapy.

Crucial role of chelatable iron in silver nanoparticles induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity

Damage to mitochondria and subsequent ROS leakage is a commonly accepted mechanism of nanoparticle toxicity. However, malfunction of mitochondria results in generation of superoxide anion radical (O₂^•-), which due to the relatively low chemical reactivity is rather unlikely to cause harmful effects triggered by nanoparticles. We show that treatment of HepG2 cells with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) resulted in generation of H₂O₂ instead of O₂^•-, as measured by ROS specific mitochondrial probes. Moreover, addition of a selective iron chelator diminished AgNPs toxicity. Altogether these results suggest that O₂^•- generated during NPs induced mitochondrial collapse is rapidly dismutated to H₂O₂, which in the presence of iron ions undergoes a Fenton reaction to produce an extremely reactive hydroxyl radical (^•OH). Clarification of the mechanism of NPs-dependent generation of ^•OH and demonstration of the crucial role of iron ions in NPs toxicity will facilitate our understanding of NPs toxicity and the design of safe nanomaterials.

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Superoxide radical is the main product generated by nanosilver exposed mitochondria.

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Iron chelation prevent the cell from nanosilver induced DNA damage.

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Iron chelation diminish nanosilver cytotoxicity.

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Nanosilver toxicity depends on Fenton reaction involving superoxide-derived H₂O₂.

Silver nanoparticles increase connexin43-mediated gap junctional intercellular communication in HaCaT cells through activation of reactive oxygen species and mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in health and consumer products that routinely contact skin. However, the biological effects and possible mechanisms of AgNPs on skin remain unclear. Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) plays a critical role in multicellular organisms to maintain tissue homeostasis. The aim of this study is to examine if non-coated AgNPs affect GJIC in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), and to identify the possible molecular mechanisms responsible for the effects. GJIC, connexin (Cx)43 protein and mRNA expression, and the effect of siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cx43 on GJIC were assessed. HaCaT cells exposed to non-coated AgNPs at different doses after a 24 hour exposure. To explore further the underlying mechanism, reactive oxygen species and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway were evaluated after 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Our results revealed that non-coated AgNP exposure at subcytotoxic doses increase GJIC partially via Cx43 upregulation. Reactive oxygen species and extracellular signal-regulated kinase and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase were involved in the AgNP-induced upregulation of Cx43. This study provides new insight into the potential mechanism of AgNP biological activity.

Carbon Black Nanoparticles Inhibit Aromatase Expression and Estradiol Secretion in Human Granulosa Cells Through the ERK1/2 Pathway

Secretion of 17-β-estradiol (E2) by human granulosa cells can be disrupted by various environmental toxicants. In the current study, we investigated whether carbon black nanoparticles (CB NPs) affect the steroidogenic activity of cultured human granulosa cells. The human granulosa cell line KGN and granulosa cells from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization were treated with increasing concentrations of CB NPs (1 to 100 µg/mL) together or not with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). We observed that CB NPs are internalized in KGN cells without affecting cell viability. CB NPs could be localized in the cytoplasm, within mitochondria and in association with the outer face of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. In both cell types, CB NPs reduced in a dose-dependent manner the activity of aromatase enzyme, as reflected by a decrease in E2 secretion. A significant decrease was observed in response to CB NPs concentrations from 25 and 50 µg/mL in KGN cell line and primary cultures, respectively. Furthermore, CB NPs decreased aromatase protein levels in both cells and reduced aromatase transcript levels in KGN cells. CB NPs rapidly activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 in KGN cells and pharmacological inhibition of this signaling pathway using PD 98059 significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of CB NPs on CYP19A1 gene expression and aromatase activity. CB NPs also inhibited the stimulatory effect of FSH on aromatase expression and activity. Altogether, our study on cultured ovarian granulosa cells reveals that CB NPs decrease estrogens production and highlights possible detrimental effect of these common NPs on female reproductive health.

Oral subchronic exposure to silver nanoparticles causes renal damage through apoptotic impairment and necrotic cell death

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most widely used nanomaterials. Following oral exposure, AgNPs can accumulate in various organs including kidneys where they show gender specific accumulation. There is limited information on their effect on renal system following long-term animal exposure especially at the ultramicroscopic and molecular level. In this study, we have assessed the effect of 60 days oral AgNPs treatment on kidneys of female Wistar rats at doses of 50 ppm and 200 ppm that are below previously reported lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL). AgNPs treatment led to decrease in kidney weight and some loss of renal function as seen by increased levels of serum creatinine and early toxicity markers such as KIM-1, clusterin and osteopontin. We also observed significant mitochondrial damage, loss of brush border membranes, pronounced swelling of podocytes and degeneration of their foot processes using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These symptoms are similar to those seen in nephrotic syndrome and 'Minimal change disease' of kidney where few changes are visible under light microscopy but significant ultrastructural damage is observed. Prolonged treatment of AgNPs also led to the activation of cell proliferative, survival and proinflammatory factors (Akt/mTOR, JNK/Stat and Erk/NF-κB pathways and IL1β, MIP2, IFN-γ, TNF-α and RANTES) and dysfunction of normal apoptotic pathway. Our study shows how long term AgNPs exposure may promote ultrastructural damage to kidney causing inflammation and expression of cell survival factors. These changes, in the long term, could lead to inhibition of the beneficial apoptotic pathway and promotion of necrotic cell death in kidneys.

Effects of silver adsorbed on fumed silica, silver phosphate glass, bentonite organomodified with silver and titanium dioxide in aquatic indicator organisms

In order to reduce the level of transmission of diseases caused by bacteria and fungi, the development of antimicrobial additives for use in personal care, hygiene products, clothing and others has increased. Many of these additives are based on metals such as silver and titanium. The disposal of these products in the environment has raised concerns pertaining to their potential harmfulness for beneficial organisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the shape, surface chemistry, size and carrier of three additives containing silver and one with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) on microcrustacean survival. Daphnia magna was used as a bioindicator for acute exposure test in suspensions from 0.0001 to 10,000ppm. Ceriodaphnia dubia was used for chronic test in TiO₂ suspensions from 0.001 to 100ppm. D. magna populations presented high susceptibility to all silver based additives, with 100% mortality after 24hr of exposure. A different result was found in the acute experiments containing TiO₂ suspensions, with mortality rates only after 48hr of incubation. Even on acute and chronic tests, TiO₂ did not reach a linear concentration-response versus mortality, with 1ppm being more toxic than 10,000ppm on acute test and 0.001 more toxic than 0.01ppm on chronic assay. Silver based material toxicity was attributed to silver itself, and had no relation to either form (nano or ion) or carrier (silica, phosphate glass or bentonite). TiO₂ demonstrated to have a low acute toxicity against D. magna.

Sensitive detection of DNA oxidation damage induced by nanomaterials

From a toxicological point of view, nanomaterials are of interest; because - on account of their great surface area relative to mass - they tend to be more reactive than the bulk chemicals from which they are derived. They might in some cases have the potential to damage DNA directly, or could act via the induction of oxidative stress. The comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) is widely used to measure DNA strand breaks and also oxidised bases, by including in the procedure digestion with lesion-specific enzymes such as formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (which converts oxidised purines to breaks) or endonuclease III (recognising oxidised pyrimidines). We summarise reports in which these enzymes have been used to study a variety of nanomaterials in diverse cell types. We also stress that it is important to carry out tests of cell viability alongside the genotoxicity assay, since cytotoxicity can lead to adventitious DNA damage. Different concentrations of nanomaterials should be investigated, concentrating on a non-cytotoxic range; and incubating for short and longer periods can give valuable information about the mode of damage induction. The use of lesion-specific enzymes can substantially enhance the sensitivity of the comet assay in detecting genotoxic effects.

A green single-step procedure to synthesize Ag-containing nanocomposite coatings with low cytotoxicity and efficient antibacterial properties

Implant-associated infections still pose a serious threat leading to several complications. This study reported an environmentally benign Ag-containing nanocomposite coating with efficient antibacterial property fabricated on the metal implant via electrophoretic deposition (EPD). In such coatings, Ag₂O/AgCl mixed with chitosan/gelatin (CS/G) polymers work together to exert the antibacterial property which could act as an alternative to traditional Ag nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the shuttle fiber-like morphology distributed lamellarly and some nanoparticles carved uniformly into the cross section. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed a core-shell-like structure of the released nanoparticles in experimental groups. The Ag-containing coatings exhibited strong antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus strains and Escherichia coli strains. Meanwhile, the CCK-8 tests showed that after assembling with chitosan and gelatin polymers, the cytotoxicity of Ag was largely decreased. In addition, such coatings also exhibited strong bond strength with metal substrates and good degradable properties. Therefore, such Ag-containing CS/G coatings fabricated via EPD may be a promising candidate to be administrated in controlling the implant-associated infections.

Biosynthesized Protein-Capped Silver Nanoparticles Induce ROS-Dependent Proapoptotic Signals and Prosurvival Autophagy in Cancer Cells

In recent years, the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in biomedical applications has shown an unprecedented boost along with simultaneous expansion of rapid, high-yielding, and sustainable AgNP synthesis methods that can deliver particles with well-defined characteristics. The present study demonstrates the potential of metal-tolerant soil fungal isolate Penicillium shearii AJP05 for the synthesis of protein-capped AgNPs. The particles were characterized using standard techniques, namely, UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The anticancer activity of the biosynthesized AgNPs was analyzed in two different cell types with varied origin, for example, epithelial (hepatoma) and mesenchymal (osteosarcoma). The biological NPs (bAgNPs) with fungal-derived outer protein coat were found to be more cytotoxic than bare bAgNPs or chemically synthesized AgNPs (cAgNPs). Elucidation of the molecular mechanism revealed that bAgNPs induce cytotoxicity through elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and induction of apoptosis. Upregulation of autophagy and activation of JNK signaling were found to act as a prosurvival strategy upon bAgNP treatment, whereas ERK signaling served as a prodeath signal. Interestingly, inhibition of autophagy increased the production of ROS, resulting in enhanced cell death. Finally, bAgNPs were also found to sensitize cells with acquired resistance to cisplatin, providing valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of bAgNPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides a holistic idea about the molecular mechanisms behind the cytotoxic activity of protein-capped AgNPs synthesized using a metal-tolerant soil fungus.

Genotoxicity of citrate-coated silver nanoparticles to human keratinocytes assessed by the comet assay and cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in industrial, cosmetic, and biomedical products, and humans are frequently exposed to these products through the skin. It is widely recognized that the characteristics of AgNPs (e.g., size, coating) may influence their cytotoxic effects, but their correlation with DNA damage and mitotic disorders remains poorly explored. In this study, human keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line) were exposed to well-characterized 30 nm AgNPs coated with citrate, and their effects on viability, DNA fragmentation (assessed by the comet assay), and micronuclei (MNi) induction (assessed by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assays, CBMN) were investigated. The results showed that 10 and 40 μg/mL AgNPs decreased cell proliferation and viability, and induced a significant genetic damage. This was observed by an increase of DNA amount in comet tail, which linearly correlated with dose and time of exposure. Also, cytostaticity (increase of mononucleated cells) and MNi rates increased in treated cells. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in nucleoplasmatic bridges (NPBs) or nuclear buds (NBUDs), although NBUDs tended to increase in all conditions and periods. The cytostatic effects on HaCaT cells were also shown by the decrease of their nuclear division index. Thus, both comet and CBMN assays supported the observation that citrate-AgNPs induced genotoxic effects on HaCaT cells. Considering that AgNPs are present in a vast number of consumer products and also in multiple nanomedicine skin applications and formulations, more research is needed to determine the properties that confer less toxicity of AgNPs to different cell lines.