Surface decoration by Spirulina polysaccharide enhances the cellular uptake and anticancer efficacy of selenium nanoparticles

Properties of Sodium alginate-polysaccharide-modified selenium nanoparticles and its application in the preservation of fresh-cut Bamboo shoots (Pleioblastus amarus)

To enhance the shelf life of fresh-cut bitter bamboo shoots (Pleioblastus amarus), this study developed three distinct solutions: selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), polysaccharide-modified selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs-sa), and sodium alginate-polysaccharide-modified selenium nanoparticles (SA&SeNPs-sa). The solutions were characterized, and their antioxidant activities were compared to identify the most stable and effective formulation for preserving fresh-cut bitter bamboo shoots. The results revealed that the synthesized selenium nanoparticles were spherical, with an average diameter of 86.96 nm and a ζ-potential of -3.81 mV. Ultraviolet spectroscopy and energy spectrum analysis confirmed their identity as SeNPs. Upon interaction with sodium alginate (SA), the average particle sizes of SeNPs-sa and SA&SeNPs-sa increased to 91.07 and 120.43 nm, respectively, with ζ-potentials of -18.27 mV and -39.43 mV. The shift in the absorption peaks observed in the infrared analysis further indicates that the stability of SA&SeNPs-sa is greater than that of SeNPs and SeNPs-sa. Regarding antioxidant activity, SA&SeNPs-sa exhibited superior 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ABTS+ radical scavenging rates of 57.91% and 55.80%, respectively, significantly outperforming SeNPs and SeNPs-sa. Subsequent experiments evaluated the preservation effects of SA and SA&SeNPs-sa on fresh-cut bitter bamboo shoots. Compared to the control and SAtreated groups, SA&SeNPs-sa effectively delayed yellowing by inhibiting polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities, while maintaining higher catalase activity and total phenolic content. Furthermore, this treatment significantly reduced weight loss and respiratory intensity, slowed the degradation of soluble proteins and total sugars, and inhibited microbial proliferation on the surface. In conclusion, the SA&SeNPs-sa treatment effectively mitigated quality deterioration and significantly extended the shelf life of fresh-cut bitter bamboo shoots. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The deterioration of fruits and vegetables after cutting causes a decrease in economic value. In this study, composite coatings were fabricated by using sodium alginate as a film-forming matrix and adding selenium nanoparticles to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut bitter bamboo shoots. These coatings are easy to produce and apply and provide a sustainable solution to reduce waste of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.

Biogenesis, characterization, and applications of Spirulina selenium nanoparticles

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, researchers are attracted to the phyco-synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) for biotechnological and medical applications as they possess many advantages such as safety, nutritional value, and easy biodegradation than gold, copper, and silver nanoparticles. Spirulina platensis is the preferred microalgae for SeNPs synthesis because it contains many compounds that increase their stability making them fit for biomedical treatments.

RESULTS

The biosynthesized Spirulina platensis selenium nanoparticles (SP-SeNPs) were spherical and crystalline, with a diameter of 65 nm and a net charge of -16.7 mV. Furthermore, they were surrounded by active groups responsible for stability. The DPPH radical scavenging test assessed the antioxidant efficacy of SP-SeNPs and exposed scavenging inhibition of 79.234% at a 100 µM dosage. ABTS and H2O2 radical scavenging assay is dose-dependent recording IC50 of 50.69 and 116.18 µg/ml, respectively. The antibacterial efficacy was investigated against 13 G-negative & G-positive bacteria. The study demonstrated that SP-SeNPs had antibacterial and antibiofilm efficiencies against the tested strains with MBC of 286-333 µg/ml. The highest percentages of biofilm inhibition were recorded for Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with ratios of 78.8 and 69.9%, respectively. The prepared SP-SeNPS efficiently suppressed the tested fungi growth with MIC (350 µg/ml) and MFCs (480-950 µg/ml). Most notably, biogenic SeNPs effectively extended the clot formation period recording 170.4 S for prothrombin time (PT) and 195.6 S for the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). SP-SeNPs reduced the cell viability of breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and ovarian cancer (SKOV-3) cell lines with a percentage of 17.6009% and 14.9484% at a concentration of 100 ug/ml, respectively. Moreover, SP-SeNPs could effectively alleviate the inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages with a reduction percentage of 8.82% in Nitric oxide concentration.

CONCLUSION

The investigation findings reveal that SP-SeNPs are a hopeful antimicrobial, anti-tumor, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory factor that can be applied in medical cures.

Selenium nanoparticles enhance metabolic and nutritional profile in Phaseolus vulgaris: comparative metabolomic and pathway analysis with selenium selenate

Selenium is a beneficial element in agriculture, particularly for its potential to improve plant growth and stress tolerance at suitable concentrations. In this study, Phaseolus vulgaris was foliar-sprayed with selenium selenate (Se) or selenium nanoparticles (SeNP) at different concentrations during the vegetative stage; afterward, the seed yield was analyzed for metabolomics using 1H, J-resolved and HSQC NMR data, and NMR databases. A total of 47 metabolites were identified with sugars being the major chemical class. In the control sample, the most abundant sugar was stachyose (14.6 ± 0.8 mM). Among the identified alkaloids, the concentration of trigonelline was the highest (0.6 ± 0.08 mM). Chemometric and cluster analyses distinctly differentiated the control from the Se and SeNP-treated samples. Treatments with SeNP resulted in elevated concentrations of sugars, carboxylic acids, and sulfur-containing amino acids compared to control and Se treated samples. Conversely, betaine levels were higher in Se samples. The presence of Se and SeNP significantly decreased the levels of several aliphatic amino acids, e.g. alanine. The addition of 50 µM SeNP upregulated the levels of trigonelline and syringate by 2-fold and 1.75-fold, respectively, relative to the control. Pathway analysis indicated the most significantly altered pathways due to SeNP addition were arginine biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism. The pathways influenced by Se addition were glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism as well as glycine-serine and threonine metabolism. This study proved that SeNP are more efficient than Se in enhancing the metabolic profile of Phaseolus vulgaris which will have implications for agricultural practices, focusing on the sustainability and nutritional enhancement of crops.

Selenium in cancer management: exploring the therapeutic potential

Selenium (Se) is important and plays significant roles in many biological processes or physiological activities. Prolonged selenium deficiency has been conclusively linked to an elevated risk of various diseases, including but not limited to cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Keshan disease, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The intricate relationship between selenium status and health outcomes is believed to be characterized by a non-linear U-shaped dose-response curve. This review delves into the significance of maintaining optimal selenium levels and the detrimental effects that can arise from selenium deficiency. Of particular interest is the important role that selenium plays in both prevention and treatment of cancer. Finally, this review also explores the diverse classes of selenium entities, encompassing selenoproteins, selenium compounds and selenium nanoparticles, while examining the mechanisms and molecular targets of their anticancer efficacy.

LCMS Based Untargeted Metabolic Profiling Revealed a Strong Association of Nanoselenium Treated Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Seed Bioactive Compounds as Novel Potential Disease Targets- A Nano-bioinformatics Approach

The convergence of nanotechnology with bioinformatics and the study of plant secondary metabolites hold remarkable potential for transformative scientific breakthroughs. Synergy enables a deeper understanding of the biosynthesis and functions of plant secondary metabolites, unlocking avenues to engineer novel applications in areas like pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and sustainable materials. The present study was conducted to check the effect of plant-mediated selenium nanoparticles to improve the bioactive compounds in sesame. Three varieties of sesame (TS-5, TH-6, and Till-18) were sown and got treated with different concentration of selenium nanoparticles. On the basis of antioxidant, biochemical, and physiological parameters, best performing seed samples from crop were selected and subjected to UHPLC analysis. From all 276 identified metabolites, the top 20 differentially expressed bioactive, medicinally important compounds were subjected to Swiss target prediction, KEGG, and Metascape analysis to reveal drug targets, gene targets, cell targets, and disease targets. Swiss target prediction revealed that most of the drug targets had kinases as the highest target in all the bioactive metabolites, followed by nuclear transporters, cytochrome P450, and proteins associated with electrochemical channels. Metascape analysis revealed that most of the compounds had highest enrichment in non-canonical activation of NOTCH3 followed by regulation of hormone levels. Furthermore, DisGeNET analysis revealed that most of the metabolites had strong association with impaired glucose tolerance followed by myocardial ischemia and neuralgia. Tissue and cell accumulation analysis by PaGeneBase revealed the highest accumulation in the small intestine, colon, ovary, and DRG cells. The study concluded that selenium nanoparticles has an ability to improve certain medicinally important metabolites in sesame, coupled with bioinformatics tools which revealed a great insight into the potential of those compounds, and the information can further be used in future studies.

pH responsive fabrication of PVA-stabilized selenium nano formulation encapsulated with luteolin to reduce diabetic ureteral injury by decreasing NLRP3 inflammasome via Nrf2/ARE signaling

Diabetic ureteral injury (DUI) is a condition characterized by damage to the ureter, causing functional and morphological changes in the urinary system, which have a significant impact on a quality of life and requires appropriate medical treatment. The present study describes to novel design of luteolin (LT), a type of natural flavonoid, encapsulated selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) to attain therapeutic potential for DUI. The physico-chemical characterizations of prepared Se NPs have benefitted zeta potential (-18 mV) and particle size (10-50 nm). In vitro assays were demonstrated the potential of LT-SeNPs by HEK 293 cells stimulated by STZ for DUI. Cytotoxicity assays on HEK 293 and NIH-3T3 showed >90% cell viability, which demonstrates the suitability of the nanoformulation for DUI treatment. The LT-SeNPs significantly inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome through Nrf2/ARE pathway, which benefits for DUI treatment. The developed LT-SeNPs could be an effective formulation for the DUI therapy.

Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of the Polysaccharide Hydrolysate from Lactobacillus plantarum LPC-1 and Their Effect on Spinach (Spinach oleracea L.) Growth

This study presents a comparison between two hydrolysis systems (MnO2/H2O2 and ascorbic acid (VC)/H2O2) for the depolymerization of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Lactobacillus plantarum LPC-1. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize these two degradation systems, resulting in two H2O2-free degradation products, MEPS (MnO2/H2O2-treated EPS) and VEPS (VC/H2O2-treated EPS), where H2O2 residues in the final products and their antioxidant activity were considered vital points. The relationship between the structural variations of two degraded polysaccharides and their antioxidant activity was characterized. Physicochemical tests showed that H2O2 had a notable impact on determining the total and reducing sugars in the polysaccharides, and both degradation systems efficiently eliminated this effect. After optimization, the average molecular weight of EPS was reduced from 265.75 kDa to 135.41 kDa (MEPS) and 113.11 kDa (VEPS), improving its antioxidant properties. Characterization results showed that the two hydrolysis products had similar major functional groups and monosaccharide composition as EPS. The crystal structure, main chain length, and branched chain number were crucial factors affecting the biological activity of polysaccharides. In pot testing, two degraded polysaccharides improved spinach quality more than EPS due to their lower molecular weights, suggesting the advantages of low-molecular-weight polysaccharides. In summary, these two degradation techniques offer valuable insights for further expanding the utilization of microbial resources.

Bioactivity of selenium nanoparticles biosynthesized by crude phycocyanin extract of Leptolyngbya sp. SSI24 cultivated on recycled filter cake wastes from sugar-industry

BACKGROUND

Beet filter cake (BFC) is a food-grade solid waste produced by the sugar industry, constituting a permanent source of pollution. Cyanobacteria are considered a sustainable resource for various bioactive compounds such as phycocyanin pigment with valuable applications. This study aimed to use beet filter cake extract (BFCE) as an alternative medium for the economic cultivation of cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. SSI24 PP723083, then biorefined the bioactive component such as phycocyanin pigment that could be used in the production of selenium nanoparticles.

RESULTS

The results of the batch experiment displayed that the highest protein content was in BG11medium (47.9%); however, the maximum carbohydrate and lipid content were in 25% BFCE (15.25 and 10.23%, respectively). In addition, 75% BFCE medium stimulated the phycocyanin content (25.29 mg/g) with an insignificant variation compared to BG11 (22.8 mg/g). Moreover, crude phycocyanin extract from Leptolyngbya sp SSI24 cultivated on BG11 and 75% BFCE successfully produced spherical-shaped selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) with mean sizes of 95 and 96 nm in both extracts, respectively. Moreover, XRD results demonstrated that the biosynthesized Se-NPs have a crystalline nature. In addition, the Zeta potential of the biosynthesized Se-NPs equals - 17 mV and - 15.03 mV in the control and 75% BFCE treatment, respectively, indicating their stability. The biosynthesized Se-NPs exhibited higher effectiveness against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the biosynthesized Se-NPs from BG11 had higher antioxidant activity with IC50 of 60 ± 0.7 compared to 75% BFCE medium. Further, Se-NPs biosynthesized from phycocyanin extracted from Leptolyngbya sp cultivated on 75% BFCE exhibited strong anticancer activity with IC50 of 17.31 ± 0.63 µg/ml against the human breast cancer cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

The BFCE-supplemented medium can be used for the cultivation of cyanobacterial strain for the phycocyanin accumulation that is used for the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles that have biological applications.

In vitro assessment of the effect of magnetic fields on efficacy of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles by Alborzia kermanshahica

Cyanobacteria represent a rich resource of a wide array of unique bioactive compounds that are proving to be potent sources of anticancer drugs. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have shown an increasing potential as major therapeutic platforms and led to the production of higher levels of ROS that can present desirable anticancer properties. Chitosan-SeNPs have also presented antitumor properties against hepatic cancer cell lines, especially the Cht-NP (Chitosan-NPs), promoting ROS generation and mitochondria dysfunction. It is proposed that magnetic fields can add new dimensions to nanoparticle applications. Hence, in this study, the biosynthesis of SeNPs using Alborzia kermanshahica and chitosan (CS) as stabilizers has been developed. The SeNPs synthesis was performed at different cyanobacterial cultivation conditions, including control (without magnetic field) and magnetic fields of 30 mT and 60 mT. The SeNPs were characterized by uv-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and TEM. In addition, the antibacterial activity, inhibition of bacterial growth, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), as well as the antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of SeNPs, were performed. The results of uv-visible spectrometry, DLS, and zeta potential showed that 60 mT had the highest value regarding the adsorption, size, and stabilization in compared to the control. FTIR spectroscopy results showed consistent spectra, but the increased intensity of peaks indicates an increase in bond number after exposure to 30 mT and 60 mT. The results of the antibacterial activity and the inhibition zone diameter of synthesized nanoparticles showed that Staphylococcus aureus was more sensitive to nanoparticles produced under 60 mT. Se-NPs produced by Alborzia kermanshahica cultured under a 60 mT magnetic field exhibit potent antimicrobial and anticancer properties, making them a promising natural agent for use in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries.

Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Potential of Phytogenic Selenium Nanoparticle- and Light Regime-Mediated In Vitro Caralluma tuberculata Callus Culture Extract

In vitro plant cultures have emerged as a viable source, holding auspicious reservoirs for medicinal applications. This study aims to delineate the antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential of phytosynthesized selenium nanoparticle (SeNP)- and light stress-mediated in vitro callus cultures of Caralluma tuberculata extract. The morphophysicochemical characteristics of biogenic SeNPs were assessed through a combination of analytical techniques, including UV-visible spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-rays, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and zeta potential spectroscopy. The antioxidative potential of the callus extract 200 and 800 μg/mL concentrations was assessed through various tests and exhibited pronounced scavenging potential in reducing power (26.29%), ABTS + scavenging (42.51%), hydrogen peroxide inhibition (37.26%), hydroxyl radical scavenging (40.23%), and phosphomolybdate (71.66%), respectively. To inspect the hypoglycemic capacity of the callus extract, various assays consistently demonstrated a dosage-dependent relationship, with higher concentrations of the callus extract exerting a potent inhibitory impact on the catalytic sites of the alpha-amylase (78.24%), alpha-glucosidase (71.55%), antisucrase (59.24%), and antilipase (74.26%) enzyme activities, glucose uptake by yeast cells at 5, 10, and 25 mmol/L glucose solution (72.18, 60.58 and 69.33%), and glucose adsorption capacity at 5, 10, and 25 mmol/L glucose solution (74.37, 83.55, and 86.49%), respectively. The findings of this study propose selenium NPs and light-stress-mediated in vitro callus cultures of C. tuberculata potentially operating as competitive inhibitors. The outcomes of the study were exceptional and hold promising implications for future medicinal applications.

A Snapshot of Selenium-enclosed Nanoparticles for the Management of Cancer

Among the primary causes of mortality in today's world is cancer. Many drugs are employed to give lengthy and severe chemotherapy and radiation therapy, like nitrosoureas (Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin), Antimetabolites (5-fluorouracil, Methotrexate), Topoisomerase inhibitors (Etoposide), Mitotic inhibitors (Doxorubicin); such treatment is associated with significant adverse effects. Antitumor antibiotics have side effects similar to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals, and additional Se supplementation is required, particularly for individuals deficient in Se. Due to its unique features and high bioactivities, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), which act as a supplement to counter Se deficiency, have recently gained worldwide attention. This study presented a safer and more economical way of preparing stable SeNPs. The researcher has assessed the antiproliferative efficiency of SeNPs-based paclitaxel delivery systems against tumor cells in vitro with relevant mechanistic visualization. SeNPs stabilized by Pluronic F-127 were synthesized and studied. The significant properties and biological activities of PTX-loaded SeNPs on cancer cells from the lungs, breasts, cervical, and colons. In one study, SeNPs were formulated using chitosan (CTS) polymer and then incorporated into CTS/citrate gel, resulting in a SeNPs-loaded chitosan/citrate complex; in another study, CTS was used in the synthesis of SeNPs and then situated into CTS/citrate gel, resulting in Se loaded nanoparticles. These formulations were found to be more successful in cancer treatment.

Advances in the Synthesis and Bioactivity of Polysaccharide Selenium Nanoparticles: A Review

Selenium, an essential trace element of the human body, is pivotal in human health and disease prevention. Nevertheless, the narrow therapeutic index of selenium, where the toxic and therapeutic doses are close, limits its clinical utility. Significantly, nanoscale selenium synthesized by different methods using polysaccharides as stabilizers has low toxicity properties and exhibits excellent bioactivity. Its biological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and immune function enhancement, are improved compared with traditional organic and inorganic selenium compounds, conferring greater potential for application in biomedicine. Therefore, this review evaluates the advancements in various synthesis methodologies for polysaccharide selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) and their biological activities. It aims to provide a comprehensive theoretical basis and research directions for the future development of highly efficient, minimally toxic, and biocompatible polysaccharide-Se NPs and the application of polysaccharide-Se NPs in biomedicine.

Novel biocatalysts based on enzymes in complexes with nano- and micromaterials

In today's world, there is a wide array of materials engineered at the nano- and microscale, with numerous applications attributed to these innovations. This review aims to provide a concise overview of how nano- and micromaterials are utilized for enzyme immobilization. Enzymes act as eco-friendly biocatalysts extensively used in various industries and medicine. However, their widespread adoption faces challenges due to factors such as enzyme instability under different conditions, resulting in reduced effectiveness, high costs, and limited reusability. To address these issues, researchers have explored immobilization techniques using nano- and microscale materials as a potential solution. Such techniques offer the promise of enhancing enzyme stability against varying temperatures, solvents, pH levels, pollutants, and impurities. Consequently, enzyme immobilization remains a subject of great interest within both the scientific community and the industrial sector. As of now, the primary goal of enzyme immobilization is not solely limited to enabling reusability and stability. It has been demonstrated as a powerful tool to enhance various enzyme properties and improve biocatalyst performance and characteristics. The integration of nano- and microscale materials into biomedical devices is seamless, given the similarity in size to most biological systems. Common materials employed in developing these nanotechnology products include synthetic polymers, carbon-based nanomaterials, magnetic micro- and nanoparticles, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, nano-sized mesoporous hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks, protein-based nano-delivery systems, lipid-based nano- and micromaterials, and polysaccharide-based nanoparticles.

Recent research progress on the synthesis and biological effects of selenium nanoparticles

Selenium is an essential trace element for the human body, with the chemical and physical characteristics of both metals and nonmetals. Selenium has bioactivities related to the immune system, antioxidation, anti-virus, and anti-cancer. At the same time, it also plays a role in reducing and alleviating the toxicity of heavy metals. Compared with inorganic selenium, organic selenium is less toxic and has greater bioavailability. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have the advantages of high absorption rate, high biological activity, and low toxicity, and can be directly absorbed by the human body and converted to organic selenium. Selenium nanoparticles have gradually replaced the traditional selenium supplement and has broad prospects in the food and medical industries. In this paper, the chemical, physical, and biological methods for the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles are reviewed, and the microbial synthesis methods of selenium nanoparticles, the effects of selenium nanoparticles on crop growth, and the antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-tumor effects of selenium nanoparticles are also systematically summarized. In addition, we evaluate the application of selenium nanoparticles in selenium nutrition enhancement, providing support for the application of selenium nanoparticles in animals, plants, and humans.

Effect of Selenium Nanoparticle Size on IL-6 Detection Sensitivity in a Lateral Flow Device

Sepsis is the body's response to an infection. Existing diagnostic testing equipment is not available in primary care settings and requires long waiting times. Lateral flow devices (LFDs) could be employed in point-of-care (POC) settings for sepsis detection; however, they currently lack the required sensitivity. Herein, LFDs are constructed using 150-310 nm sized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and are compared to commercial 40 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the detection of the sepsis biomarker interleukin-6 (IL-6). Both 310 and 150 nm SeNPs reported a lower limit of detection (LOD) than 40 nm AuNPs (0.1 ng/mL compared to 1 ng/mL), although at the cost of test line visual intensity. This is to our knowledge the first use of larger SeNPs (>100 nm) in LFDs and the first comparison of the effect of the size of SeNPs on assay sensitivity in this context. The results herein demonstrate that large SeNPs are viable alternatives to existing commercial labels, with the potential for higher sensitivity than standard 40 nm AuNPs.

Hesperidin Induced HePG-2 Cell Apoptosis through ROS-Mediated p53/Bcl-2/Bax and p-mTOR Signaling Pathways

Recently, research showed that one of the most common kinds of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is also the fourth main cause of cancer deaths. In studies regarding chemicals to better treat the disease, hesperidin shows a novel potential in performing anticancer activities, particularly in liver cancer. However, the specific mechanism of hesperidin that causes such activities remains a mystery. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate hesperidin’s effect on cell proliferation and activation of ROS-mediated signaling pathways in HePG-2 cells. Hesperidin shows a significant impact on inhibiting HePG-2 cells’ proliferation through induction of cell apoptosis by Bcl-2, Bax, and p53 pathways. Treating cells with hesperidin in a dose-dependent manner shows a significant increase in the apoptotic cell population (sub-G1). Moreover, Hesperidin’s induction of apoptotic activities shows dependence on ROS (reactive oxygen species) overproduction, further affecting the p-mTOR pathways and leading to DNA damage. Hence, the overall data demonstrate that ROS-mediated signaling pathways exhibit mechanisms that may lead to useful information for interpreting hesperidin-induced hepatocarcinoma cell apoptosis.

Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles in Biomedical Sciences: Properties, Current Trends, Novel Opportunities and Emerging Challenges in Theranostic Nanomedicine

Selenium is an important dietary supplement and an essential trace element incorporated into selenoproteins with growth-modulating properties and cytotoxic mechanisms of action. However, different compounds of selenium usually possess a narrow nutritional or therapeutic window with a low degree of absorption and delicate safety margins, depending on the dose and the chemical form in which they are provided to the organism. Hence, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are emerging as a novel therapeutic and diagnostic platform with decreased toxicity and the capacity to enhance the biological properties of Se-based compounds. Consistent with the exciting possibilities offered by nanotechnology in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, SeNPs are useful tools in current biomedical research with exceptional benefits as potential therapeutics, with enhanced bioavailability, improved targeting, and effectiveness against oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated disorders. In view of the need for developing eco-friendly, inexpensive, simple, and high-throughput biomedical agents that can also ally with theranostic purposes and exhibit negligible side effects, biogenic SeNPs are receiving special attention. The present manuscript aims to be a reference in its kind by providing the readership with a thorough and comprehensive review that emphasizes the current, yet expanding, possibilities offered by biogenic SeNPs in the biomedical field and the promise they hold among selenium-derived products to, eventually, elicit future developments. First, the present review recalls the physiological importance of selenium as an oligo-element and introduces the unique biological, physicochemical, optoelectronic, and catalytic properties of Se nanomaterials. Then, it addresses the significance of nanosizing on pharmacological activity (pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and cellular interactions of SeNPs. Importantly, it discusses in detail the role of biosynthesized SeNPs as innovative theranostic agents for personalized nanomedicine-based therapies. Finally, this review explores the role of biogenic SeNPs in the ongoing context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and presents key prospects in translational nanomedicine.

Herbal-mediated preparation of nano-sized particles of selenium, its characterization, and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity

This study aimed to synthesize selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using stevia plant leaves and to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of nano-sized particles of selenium. A new organic synthesis of nano-sized selenium particles was done in this study. In this study, stevia leaves for the synthesis of nano-sized particles along with sodium selenite were done. This mixture was mixed homogeneously using an orbital shaker overnight. The color change indicated the formation of SeNPs. The SeNPs were evaluated for their size and shape and their antimicrobial property was assessed. SeNPs showed excellent antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans at 100 μL concentration. At 25 μL and 50 μL, C. albicans showed intermediate susceptibility to SeNPs which also indicated a good antimicrobial potential. Following C. albicans, SeNPs showed good antimicrobial potential against Streptococcus mutans at all concentrations. SeNPs possessed good antimicrobial activity against most common oral pathogens.

Metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles from plant, animal, and fisheries wastes: potential and valorization for application in agriculture

Global agriculture is facing tremendous challenges due to climate change. The most predominant amongst these challenges are abiotic and biotic stresses caused by increased incidences of temperature extremes, drought, unseasonal flooding, and pathogens. These threats, mostly due to anthropogenic activities, resulted in severe challenges to crop and livestock production leading to substantial economic losses. It is essential to develop environmentally viable and cost-effective green processes to alleviate these stresses in the crops, livestock, and fisheries. The application of nanomaterials in farming practice to minimize nutrient losses, pest management, and enhance stress resistance capacity is of supreme importance. This paper explores innovative methods for synthesizing metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles using plants, animals, and fisheries wastes and their valorization to mitigate abiotic and biotic stresses and input use efficiency in climate-smart and stress-resilient agriculture including crop plants, livestock, and fisheries.

Therapeutic potential of selenium nanoparticles

Diseases have always been a disconcerting issue and have changed into being an inevitable member of the world’s population. Medical advancements have brought in improved treatments for particular ailments, but unfortunately those betterments have resulted in either side effects or turned out futile to a certain extent. The emergence of nanotechnology has considerably benefitted medical experts in disease diagnosis and therapeutics. Currently, an expansive range of nanoparticles is being explored for their effectiveness in therapies, and one among them is selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Nano-selenium exhibits significant properties which make it best suited for this purpose. The article highlights the key role of SeNPs in treating major diseases like cancer, diabetes, and microbial infections.

Mushroom-Derived Novel Selenium Nanocomposites’ Effects on Potato Plant Growth and Tuber Germination

Multicomponent materials, where nanosized selenium (Se) is dispersed in polymer matrices, present as polymer nanocomposites (NCs), namely, selenium polymer nanocomposites (SeNCs). Selenium as an inorganic nanofiller in NCs has been extensively studied for its biological activity. More ecologically safe and beneficial approaches to obtain Se-based products are the current challenge. Biopolymers have attained great attention with perspective multifunctional and high-performance NCs exhibiting low environmental impact with unique properties, being abundantly available, renewable, and eco-friendly. Composites based on polysaccharides, including beta-glucans from edible and medicinal mushrooms, are bioactive, biocompatible, biodegradable, and have exhibited innovative potential. We synthesized SeNCs on the basis of the extracellular polysaccharides of several medicinal mushrooms. The influence of bio-composites from mushrooms on potato plant growth and tuber germination were studied in two potato cultivars: Lukyanovsky and Lugovskoi. Bio-composites based on Grifola umbellata demonstrated the strongest positive effect on the number of leaves and plant height in both cultivars, without negative effect on biomass of the vegetative part. Treatment of the potato tubers with SeNC from Gr. umbellata also significantly increased germ length. Potato plants exposed to Se-bio-composite from Ganoderma lucidum SIE1303 experienced an increase in the potato vegetative biomass by up to 55% versus the control. We found earlier that this bio-composite was the most efficient against biofilm formation by the potato ring rot causative agent Clavibacter sepedonicus (Cms). Bio-composites based on Pleurotus ostreatus promoted increase in the potato root biomass in the Lugovskoi cultivar by up to 79% versus the control. The phytostimulating ability of mushroom-based Se-containing bio-composites, together with their anti-phytopathogenic activity, testifies in favor of the bifunctional mode of action of these Se-biopreparations. The application of stimulatory green SeNCs for growth enhancement could be used to increase crop yield. Thus, by combining myco-nanotechnology with the intrinsic biological activity of selenium, an unexpectedly efficient tool for possible applications of SeNCs could be identified.

Green Synthesis of Gold, Iron and Selenium Nanoparticles Using Phytoconstituents: Preliminary Evaluation of Antioxidant and Biocompatibility Potential

This study aimed at fabricating gold (Au), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs) using various natural plant extracts from the Fertile Crescent area and evaluating their potential application as antioxidant and biocompatible agents to be used in the pharmaceutical field, especially in drug delivery. The Au-NPs were synthesized using Ephedra alata and Pistacia lentiscus extracts, whereas the Fe-NPs and Se-NPs were synthesized using peel, fruit and seed extracts of Punica granatum. The phytofabricated NPs were characterized by the UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscope technique showed that the synthesized NPs surface was spherical, and the particle size analysis confirmed a particle size of 50 nm. The crystalline nature of the NPs was confirmed by the XRD analysis. All synthesized NPs were found to be biocompatible in the fibroblast and human erythroleukemic cell lines. Se-NPs showed a dose-dependent antitumor activity as evidenced from the experimental results with breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. A dose-dependent, free-radical scavenging effect of the Au-NPs and Se-NPs was observed in the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, with the highest effect recorded for Au-NPs.

Application of Selenium Nanoparticles in Localized Drug Targeting for Cancer Therapy

BACKGROUND

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gardened their place in the biomedical field and serve as a chemotherapeutic agent for targeted drug delivery due to their capacity to exert distinct mechanisms of action on cancer and normal cells. The principle behind these mechanisms is the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) eventually leads to apoptosis via the dysfunction of various pathways. SeNPs, when used in higher concentrations, lead to toxicity; therefore, conjugation and surface functionalization not only improve their toxic nature but also enhance their anticancer activity.

OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this analysis is to provide a thorough and systematic investigation into the use of various SeNPs in localized drug targeting for cancer therapy. This has been achieved by citing examples of numerous SeNPs and their use as a drug targeting agent for cancer therapy.

METHODS

All relevant data and information about the various SeNPs for drug targeting in cancer therapy were gathered from various databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Taylor and Francis imprints, American Chemical Society, Springer, Royal Society of Chemistry, and Google scholar.

RESULTS

SeNPs are explored due to their better biopharmaceutical properties and their cytostatic behavior. Se, as an essential component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and other seleno-chemical substances, might boost chemotherapeutic efficacy, and protect tissues from cellular damage caused by ROS. SeNPs have the potential to set the stage for developing new strategies to treat malignancy.

CONCLUSION

This review extensively analyzed the anticancer efficacy and functionalization strategies of SeNPs in drug delivery to cancer cells. In addition, this review highlights the mechanism of action of drug-loaded SeNPs to suppress the proliferation of cancer cells in different cell lines.

Selenium nanoparticles inhibited H1N1 influenza virus-induced apoptosis by ROS-mediated signaling pathways

Influenza A (H1N1) viruses are distributed around the world and pose a threat to public health. Vaccination is the main treatment strategy to prevent influenza infection, but antiviral drugs also play an important role in controlling seasonal and pandemic influenza. Currently, as influenza viruses may be developing antiviral resistance, new agents with different modes of action are being investigated. Recently, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), which have antiviral effects, have attracted increasing attention in biomedical interventions. The appearance of nanotechnology has attracted great attention in the field of nanomedicine. SeNPs constitute an attractive vector platform for delivering a variety of drugs to action targets. SeNPs are being explored for potential therapeutic efficacy in a variety of oxidative stress and inflammation-mediated diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disease. SeNPs could inhibit infection of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with H1N1 and prevent chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. ROS play a key role in physiological processes for apoptosis. SeNPs significantly inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MDCK cells. Mechanistic investigation revealed that SeNPs inhibited the apoptosis induced by H1N1 virus infection in MDCK cells by improving the level of GPx1. Our results suggest that SeNPs are an effective selenium source and a promising H1N1 influenza antiviral candidate.

The Effect of Organoselenium Compounds on Histone Deacetylase Inhibition and Their Potential for Cancer Therapy

Genetic and epigenetic changes alter gene expression, contributing to cancer. Epigenetic changes in cancer arise from alterations in DNA and histone modifications that lead to tumour suppressor gene silencing and the activation of oncogenes. The acetylation status of histones and non-histone proteins are determined by the histone deacetylases and histone acetyltransferases that control gene transcription. Organoselenium compounds have become promising contenders in cancer therapeutics. Apart from their anti-oxidative effects, several natural and synthetic organoselenium compounds and metabolites act as histone deacetylase inhibitors, which influence the acetylation status of histones and non-histone proteins, altering gene transcription. This review aims to summarise the effect of natural and synthetic organoselenium compounds on histone and non-histone protein acetylation/deacetylation in cancer therapy.

Trace Element Selenium Effectively Alleviates Intestinal Diseases

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in the body. It is mainly used in the body in the form of selenoproteins and has a variety of biological functions. Intestinal diseases caused by chronic inflammation are among the most important threats to human health, and there is no complete cure at present. Due to its excellent antioxidant function, Se has been proven to be effective in alleviating intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Therefore, this paper introduces the role of Se and selenoproteins in the intestinal tract and the mechanism of their involvement in the mediation of intestinal diseases. In addition, it introduces the advantages and disadvantages of nano-Se as a new Se preparation and traditional Se supplement in the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases, so as to provide a reference for the further exploration of the interaction between selenium and intestinal health.

Anticancer Activity of Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles: Apoptotic and Immunogenic Cell Death Markers in Colon Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer is a health problem with high mortality rates and prevalence. Thus, innovative treatment approaches need to be developed. Biogenic nanoparticles are nanomaterials that can be synthesised in biological systems and, compared to chemically synthesised nanoparticles, have better bioavailability while being more cost-effective, eco-friendlier, and less toxic. In our previous studies, the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 was used to synthesise selenium nanoparticles (SeNps), which were shown to inhibit colon cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we have further investigated SeNps' pro-apoptotic activity and their ability to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in colon cancer cells. The SeNps' effect on Caco-2 cells growth was examined along with their potential to induce caspase activation. Moreover, the expression of typical pro-apoptotic and ICD markers were examined in SeNps-treated HT29 and CT26 cells by flow cytometry, Western blot, ELISA and fluorescence microscopy. Elevated caspase-3 activation and surface phosphatyldoserine, that subsided upon co-incubation with a pan-caspase inhibitor, were detected in SeNps-treated cells. Furthermore, nanoparticles induced modulation of the expression of various apoptosis-related proteins. We also report the detection of biomarkers involved in ICD, namely the translocation of calreticulin and ERp57, the release of HMGB1 and ATP, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from SeNps-treated cells. Moreover, RAW246.7 macrophages exhibited a higher rate of phagocytosis against treated CT26 when compared to control cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that treatment with SeNps might be an efficient strategy to destroy tumour cells by inducing apoptotic cell death and triggering immune responses.

Radiation Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles Capped with β-Glucan and Its Immunostimulant Activity in Cytoxan-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) with diameters from 64.8 to 110.1 nm were successfully synthesized by γ-irradiation of solutions containing Se⁴⁺ and water-soluble yeast β-glucan. The size and size distribution of SeNPs were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Analytical X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern results confirmed the crystal structure of the Se nanoparticles and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that β-glucan could interact with SeNPs through steric (Se…O) linkages leading to a homogeneous and translucent solution state for 60 days without any precipitates. In vivo tests in cytoxan-induced immunosuppressed mice revealed that the daily supplementation of SeNPs/β-glucan at concentrations of 6 mg per kg body weight of tested mice significantly stimulated the generation of cellular immune factors (white blood cells, neutrophil, lymphocyte, B cells, CD4+ cells, CD34+ cells and natural killer cells) and humoral immune indexes (IgM, IgG, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2) in peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen of the immunosuppressed mice. The obtained results indicated that radiation-synthesized SeNPs/β-glucan may be a candidate for further evaluation as an agent for the prevention of immunosuppression in chemotherapy.

Selenium Nanoparticles as a Natural Antioxidant and Metabolic Regulator in Aquaculture: A Review

Balanced aquafeed is the key factor for enhancing the productivity of aquatic animals. In this context, aquatic animals require optimal amounts of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The original plant and animals' ingredients in the basal diets are insufficient to provide aquafeed with suitable amounts of minerals. Concurrently, elements should be incorporated in aquafeed in optimal doses, which differ based on the basal diets' species, age, size, and composition. Selenium is one of the essential trace elements involved in various metabolic, biological, and physiological functions. Se acts as a precursor for antioxidative enzyme synthesis leading to high total antioxidative capacity. Further, Se can enhance the immune response and the tolerance of aquatic animals to infectious diseases. Several metabolic mechanisms, such as thyroid hormone production, cytokine formation, fecundity, and DNA synthesis, require sufficient Se addition. The recent progress in the nanotechnology industry is also applied in the production of Se nanoparticles. Indeed, Se nanoparticles are elaborated as more soluble and bioavailable than the organic and non-organic forms. In aquaculture, multiple investigations have elaborated the role of Se nanoparticles on the performances and wellbeing of aquatic animals. In this review, the outputs of recent studies associated with the role of Se nanoparticles on aquatic animals' performances were simplified and presented for more research and development.

Biomedical potential of Anabaena variabilis NCCU-441 based Selenium nanoparticles and their comparison with commercial nanoparticles

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are gaining importance in the field of medicines due to their high surface area and unique properties than their other forms of selenium. In this study, biogenic selenium nanoparticles (B-SeNPs) were synthesized using cyanobacteria and their bioactivities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and biocompatibility) were determined for comparison with commercially available chemically synthesized selenium nanoparticles (C-SeNPs). Color change of reaction mixture from sky blue to orange-red indicated the synthesis of biogenic SeNPs (B-SeNPs). UV-Vis spectra of the reaction mixture exhibited peak at 266 nm. During optimization, 30 °C of temperature, 24 h of time and 1:2 concentration ratio of sodium selenite and cell extract represented the best condition for SeNPs synthesis. Various functional groups and biochemical compounds present in the aqueous extract of Anabaena variabilis NCCU-441, which may have possibly influenced the reduction process of SeNPs were identified by FT-IR spectrum and GC-MS. The synthesized cyanobacterial SeNPs were orange red in color, spherical in shape, 10.8 nm in size and amorphous in nature. The B-SeNPs showed better anti-oxidant (DPPH, FRAP, SOR and ABTS assays), anti-microbial (antibacterial and antifungal) and anti-cancer activitities along with its biocompatibility in comparison to C-SeNPs suggesting higher probability of their biomedical application.

Enzyme-Loaded Flower-Shaped Nanomaterials: A Versatile Platform with Biosensing, Biocatalytic, and Environmental Promise

As a result of their unique structural and multifunctional characteristics, organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs), a newly developed class of flower-like, well-structured and well-oriented materials has gained significant attention. The structural attributes along with the surface-engineered functional entities of hNFs, e.g., their size, shape, surface orientation, structural integrity, stability under reactive environments, enzyme stabilizing capability, and organic-inorganic ratio, all significantly contribute to and determine their applications. Although hNFs are still in their infancy and in the early stage of robust development, the recent hike in biotechnology at large and nanotechnology in particular is making hNFs a versatile platform for constructing enzyme-loaded/immobilized structures for different applications. For instance, detection- and sensing-based applications, environmental- and sustainability-based applications, and biocatalytic and biotransformation applications are of supreme interest. Considering the above points, herein we reviewed current advances in multifunctional hNFs, with particular emphasis on (1) critical factors, (2) different metal/non-metal-based synthesizing processes (i.e., (i) copper-based hNFs, (ii) calcium-based hNFs, (iii) manganese-based hNFs, (iv) zinc-based hNFs, (v) cobalt-based hNFs, (vi) iron-based hNFs, (vii) multi-metal-based hNFs, and (viii) non-metal-based hNFs), and (3) their applications. Moreover, the interfacial mechanism involved in hNF development is also discussed considering the following three critical points: (1) the combination of metal ions and organic matter, (2) petal formation, and (3) the generation of hNFs. In summary, the literature given herein could be used to engineer hNFs for multipurpose applications in the biosensing, biocatalysis, and other environmental sectors.

Green Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles by Cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis (abdf2224): Cultivation Condition Quality Controls

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are well-known bioactive compounds. Various chemical and biological methods have been applied to SeNP synthesis. Spirulina platensis is a widely used blue-green microalgae in various industries. In this study, the biosynthesis of SeNPs using sodium selenite and Spirulina platens has been developed. The SeNP synthesis was performed at different cultivation condition including pH and illumination schedule variation. The SeNPs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, size, and zeta potential measurements, and the antioxidant activities of selected SeNPs were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assays. FT-IR analysis showed the production of SeNPs. The 12 h dark/12 h light cycles and continuous light exposure at pH 5 led to the production of stable SeNPs with sizes of 145 ± 6 and 171 ± 13 nm, respectively. Antioxidant activity of selected SeNPs was higher than sodium selenite. It seems that green synthesis is a safe method to produce SeNPs as well as a convenient method to scale-up this production.

Microbial Fabricated Nanosystems: Applications in Drug Delivery and Targeting

The emergence of nanosystems for different biomedical and drug delivery applications has drawn the attention of researchers worldwide. The likeness of microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, algae, fungi, and even viruses toward metals is well-known. Higher tolerance to toxic metals has opened up new avenues of designing microbial fabricated nanomaterials. Their synthesis, characterization and applications in bioremediation, biomineralization, and as a chelating agent has been well-documented and reviewed. Further, these materials, due to their ability to get functionalized, can also be used as theranostics i.e., both therapeutic as well as diagnostic agents in a single unit. Current article attempts to focus particularly on the application of such microbially derived nanoformulations as a drug delivery and targeting agent. Besides metal-based nanoparticles, there is enough evidence wherein nanoparticles have been formulated using only the organic component of microorganisms. Enzymes, peptides, polysaccharides, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly-(amino acids) are amongst the most used biomolecules for guiding crystal growth and as a capping/reducing agent in the fabrication of nanoparticles. This has promulgated the idea of complete green chemistry biosynthesis of nano-organics that are most sought after in terms of their biocompatibility and bioavailability.

Potentialities of selenium nanoparticles in biomedical science

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have revolutionized biomedical domain and are still developing rapidly. Hence, this perspective elaborates SeNPs properties, synthesis, and biomedical applications, together with their potential for management of SARS-CoV-2.

Microalgae Encapsulation Systems for Food, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics Applications

Microalgae are microorganisms with a singular biochemical composition, including several biologically active compounds with proven pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, among others. These properties make microalgae an interesting natural resource to be used as a functional ingredient, as well as in the prevention and treatment of diseases, or cosmetic formulations. Nevertheless, natural bioactives often possess inherent chemical instability and/or poor solubility, which are usually associated with low bioavailability. As such, their industrial potential as a health-promoting substance might be severely compromised. In this context, encapsulation systems are considered as a promising and emerging strategy to overcome these shortcomings due to the presence of a surrounding protective layer. Diverse systems have already been reported in the literature for natural bioactives, where some of them have been successfully applied to microalgae compounds. Therefore, this review focuses on exploring encapsulation systems for microalgae biomass, their extracts, or purified bioactives for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic purposes. Moreover, this work also covers the most common encapsulation techniques and types of coating materials used, along with the main findings regarding the beneficial effects of these systems.

Cytotoxicity and antimicrobial efficiency of selenium nanoparticles biosynthesized by Spirulina platensis

Nanotechnology has been exploited as a great scientific area especially in stating scenarios in drug discovery. In the present study, biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were prepared by the filtrate of Spirulina platensis after ultrasonication of their biomass. The biosynthesized SeNPs was characterized by using ultra-violet visible, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The zeta potential of Biogenic SeNPs was -32.9 ± 8.12 mv that caused their stability. TEM micrographs elucidated the spherical shape of Biogenic SeNPs with a mean average size of 79.40 ± 44.26 nm. Biogenic SeNPs showed potential antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria and yeast fungi C. albicans ATCC10231. No toxic effect was observed for SeNPs on normal kidney and liver cell lines. Biogenic SeNPs could be considered as a hopeful choice for future therapeutic applications because of their good biocompatibility and reactivity.

Boosting Natural Killer Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapy with Selenocystine/Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Inhibitor-Encapsulated Nanoemulsion

Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy represents a promising strategy to overcome the bottlenecks of cancer treatment. However, the therapeutic efficacy is greatly limited by downregulation of recognition ligands on the tumor cell surface, and the immunosuppressive effects can be thwarted by the tumor microenvironment such as secretion of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which could stunt the NK cell-mediated immune response. To overcome these limitations, herein we developed a nanoemulsion system (SSB NMs) to co-deliver TGF-β inhibitor and selenocysteine (SeC) to achieve amplified anticancer efficacy. SSB NMs significantly enhanced the lytic potency of NK92 cells by 2.1-fold. Moreover, a subtoxic dose of SSB NMs effectively sensitized MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells to NK cells derived from seven clinical patients, resulting in an up to 13.8-fold increase in cancer lysis. Mechanistic studies reveal that the sensitizing effects relied on natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D)/NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) signaling with the involvement of DNA damage response. SSB NMs also effectively restrained TGF-β/TGF-β RI/Smad2/3 signaling, which thus enhanced NKG2DL expression on tumor cells and stimulated NKG2D surface expression on NK92 cells, ultimately contributing to the enhanced immune response. Furthermore, SSB NMs sustained release of SeC and TGF-β inhibitor and synergized with NK92 cells to induce significant anticancer effects in vivo. Together, this study not only demonstrates a simple strategy for the design of a nanoemulsion to co-deliver synergistic drugs but also sheds light on the application and action mechanisms in NK cell adaptive therapy against breast cancer, especially TNBCs.

Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles and their protective, antioxidative effects in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) was performed by mixing Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle plant) leaf extract with the solution of selenious acid (H₂SeO₃) under continuous stirring conditions resulting the roselle plant secondary metabolites conjugated Se NPs. The existence of functional groups of roselle plant secondary metabolites on the surface of prepared Se NPs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The formation of crystalline nanoparticles with anisotropic shape was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Furthermore, we also studied anti-oxidative and protective effects of Se NPs in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes rats. These STZ induced diabetic rats were daily exposed to Se NPs or/and insulin treatment and the effect of Se NPs on the factors correlated to oxidative damage in the rat testes were evaluated. The biochemical studies showed that the Se NPs are capable to enhance the serum testosterone reduction caused due to STZ induced diabetes. In addition, Se NPs can significantly reduce the oxidative stress indicators of the testicular tissue such as nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation. However, the treatment of Se NPs on the STZ induced diabetic rats increased the activities of antioxidant enzyme as well as the glutathione content in testicular tissues. Furthermore, microscopic studies revealed that the Se NPs are capable of preventing the histological damage in the testes of STZ induced diabetic rats. Altogether, these results explained the possible effects of Se NPs in attenuating oxidative damage induced by diabetes, especially in the testicular tissue.

Natural Metallic Nanoparticles for Application in Nano-Oncology

Here, the various types of naturally synthesized metallic nanoparticles, which are essentially composed of Ce, Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Cu, Ni, Se, Fe, or their oxides, are presented, based on a literature analysis. The synthesis methods used to obtain them most often involve the reduction of metallic ions by biological materials or organisms, i.e., essentially plant extracts, yeasts, fungus, and bacteria. The anti-tumor activity of these nanoparticles has been demonstrated on different cancer lines. They rely on various mechanisms of action, such as the release of chemotherapeutic drugs under a pH variation, nanoparticle excitation by radiation, or apoptotic tumor cell death. Among these natural metallic nanoparticles, one type, which consists of iron oxide nanoparticles produced by magnetotactic bacteria called magnetosomes, has been purified to remove endotoxins and abide by pharmacological regulations. It has been tested in vivo for anti-tumor efficacy. For that, purified and stabilized magnetosomes were injected in intracranial mouse glioblastoma tumors and repeatedly heated under the application of an alternating magnetic field, leading to the full disappearance of these tumors. As a whole, the results presented in the literature form a strong basis for pursuing the efforts towards the use of natural metallic nanoparticles for cancer treatment first pre-clinically and then clinically.

Phytogreen synthesis of multifunctional nano selenium with antibacterial and antioxidant implications

The exploitation of plant extracts for the synthesis of nano selenium having antibacterial and antioxidant activities is an exciting approach to counteract the prevalence of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which holds relevance for medical and food industries. In the present work, a green and facile method for the preparation of nano selenium (nSe) using the fruit extract of Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus Emblica) has been reported. The optical and structural properties of the as-synthesized nSe were studied through various characterization techniques. Eventually, the antioxidant potential of nSe was investigated via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl free radical scavenging assays. Parallely, the antibacterial activity of nSe against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated. The antioxidant assays indicated that even low dosage of nSe showed excellent activity with EC50 values of 0.21 μg ml−1 and 3.34 μg ml−1, respectively. Moreover, nSe exhibited significant inhibition in bacterial growth at low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against Escherichia coli (16 μg ml−1), Staphylococcus aureus (32 μg ml−1) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (48 μg ml−1) compared to MIC values for standard drug ampicillin. Importantly, nSe did not induce any cytotoxic effects on normal human keratinocytes (HaCaT) at the tested concentrations; representing their biocompatible nature. The data obtained demonstrated the versatility of phytogreen nSe as a potent antioxidant and antibacterial agent to effectively prevent as well as treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

Omics for Bioprospecting and Drug Discovery from Bacteria and Microalgae

"Omics" represent a combinatorial approach to high-throughput analysis of biological entities for various purposes. It broadly encompasses genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics. Bacteria and microalgae exhibit a wide range of genetic, biochemical and concomitantly, physiological variations owing to their exposure to biotic and abiotic dynamics in their ecosystem conditions. Consequently, optimal conditions for adequate growth and production of useful bacterial or microalgal metabolites are critically unpredictable. Traditional methods employ microbe isolation and 'blind'-culture optimization with numerous chemical analyses making the bioprospecting process laborious, strenuous, and costly. Advances in the next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have offered a platform for the pan-genomic analysis of microbes from community and strain downstream to the gene level. Changing conditions in nature or laboratory accompany epigenetic modulation, variation in gene expression, and subsequent biochemical profiles defining an organism's inherent metabolic repertoire. Proteome and metabolome analysis could further our understanding of the molecular and biochemical attributes of the microbes under research. This review provides an overview of recent studies that have employed omics as a robust, broad-spectrum approach for screening bacteria and microalgae to exploit their potential as sources of drug leads by focusing on their genomes, secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathway genes, transcriptomes, and metabolomes. We also highlight how recent studies have combined molecular biology with analytical chemistry methods, which further underscore the need for advances in bioinformatics and chemoinformatics as vital instruments in the discovery of novel bacterial and microalgal strains as well as new drug leads.

Effects of Zn-L-Selenomethionine on Carcass Composition, Meat Characteristics, Fatty Acid Composition, Glutathione Peroxidase Activity, and Ribonucleotide Content in Broiler Chickens

The effects of organic Zn-L-selenomethionine (Zn-L-SeMet) at 0.3 ppm on carcass composition, meat characteristics, fatty acid composition, glutathione peroxidase activity, and ribonucleotide content were compared against the commercial inorganic sodium selenite (Na-Se) and the combination of the two, in commercial broilers. A total of 540 one day-old chicks were assigned at random to 3 dietary treatments : i) commercial inorganic selenium as control or T1, ii) a 1:1 ratio of inorganic and organic selenium as T2, and iii) organic selenium as T3. Carcass composition, meat characteristics, cholesterol content, fatty acid composition, and ribonucleotide content were generally unaffected by treatments. However, discrepancy were significantly observed in glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) and water holding capacity, with organic selenium showing higher glutathione peroxidase activity (p<0.01) and lower shrinkage loss (p<0.05), respectively. These findings could be explained by the contribution of organic selenium in bioavailability of GSH-Px. However, having conducted in a commercial close house system with sufficient amount of nutritional supplementation, the present study demonstrated little or no effects of organic Zn-L-SeMet on meat characteristics, fatty acid composition, and ribonucleotide content (flavor characteristic) in broiler chickens.

Enhanced Antimicrobial and Cytotoxicity on Cancer Cell using Bio-Originated Selenium Nanoparticles

Present work describes the bio-originated synthesis of selenium nanoparticles using seed extract of Cassia angustifolia. The biological macromolecules in seed extract react with metal ions to generate selenium nanoparticles. The seed extract acts as reducing, capping and stabilizing agents. The selenium nanoparticles produced by the plant extract are amorphous, nearly spherical in shape and held together by protein coating in a range of about 80-100 nm in size, under ambient conditions. The structural properties of selenium nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, FESEM with EDAX, HRTEM and AFM. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of selenium nanoparticles were tested against four bacterial and two fungal strains using standard agar-well diffusion method. The zone of inhibition was observed in the selenium nanoparticles against different microbes and suggested that the bio-originated selenium nanoparticles act as an effective antibacterial and antifungal agent, so it has a great latent in the preparation of drugs used against pathogenic diseases. The cytotoxicity of bio-originated selenium nanoparticles was tested under in vitro conditions on Vero cell line and had compared with MDA-MB231 cancer cell line at different concentrations and the results had proved that bio-originated synthesis selenium nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of human breast-cancer cells by concentration-dependent manner.

Sulforaphane-assisted preparation of tellurium flower-like nanoparticles

A new method for the fabrication of flower-like tellurium nanoparticles is reported. It is based on the reduction of tellurite precursor by products generated during decomposition of sulforaphane at elevated temperature in aqueous medium. These species and other organic molecules present in the reaction mixture are being adsorbed on the surface of tellurium nuclei and govern further tellurium growth in the form of nanoflowers. The obtained particles have been characterized by a range of physicochemical techniques. It was shown that the average size of the nanoflower particles is ca. 112 nm, and they are composed of smaller domains which are ca. 30 nm in diameter. The domains are crystalline and consist of trigonal tellurium as shown by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The tellurium nanoflowers were examined from the perspective of their potential anticancer activity. The in vitro cell viability studies were conducted on breast cancer (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7) and normal cell lines (MCF-10A) employing MTT and CVS assays. It was shown, that the nanoflowers exhibit considerable cytotoxicity against cancer cells which is ca. 3-7 times higher than that observed for reference normal cells. The preliminary in vivo investigations on rats revealed that the nanoflowers accumulate predominantly in pancreas after intraperitoneal administration, without observable negative behavioral effects.

Effects of Selenium Species on the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction

The effects of selenium species on the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (B-Z) reaction were investigated by adding them to the system before and during oscillation. When selenium species were added into the system before oscillation, sodium selenite prolonged the induction period, whose effect was strong as sodium selenite could consume malonic acid to prohibit the accumulation of bromomalonic acid. For selenomethionine and selenocystine, their effects were derived from their reaction with ^•CH₂COOH and ^•Br₂^- producing a radical cation of selenoamino acids, which prohibited the accumulation of bromomalonic acid. Here, the selenium atoms in selenoamino acids, as reactive centers, took part in the redox reaction. As a result, the induction period was prolonged. However, as a diselenide, selenocystine can reduce bromate in acidic medium, which led to shortening of the induction period. Therefore, the effect of selenocystine on the induction period was the result of two opposite effects. Nanoselenium shortened the induction period in a certain concentration range because bromate was directly reduced by nanoselenium and the accumulation of bromomalonic acid was promoted. Furthermore, the dose perturbation effect was investigated by the injection of nanoselenium during oscillation. It was found that the amplitude was increased or decreased in a dose-dependent fashion when nanoselenium was injected at peak or trough of the time-dependent redox potential curve.

Phytofabrication of Selenium Nanoparticles From Emblica officinalis Fruit Extract and Exploring Its Biopotential Applications: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Biocompatibility

In the present study, phytofabricated selenium nanoparticles (PF-SeNPs) were prepared from aqueous fruit extract of Emblica officinalis in a facile, green, economic, tactic and eco-friendly way. The aqueous fruit extract of E. officinalis was found to be rich with various secondary metabolites including phenolics (59.18 ± 2.91 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), flavonoids (38.50 ± 2.84 mg catechin equivalents/g), and tannins (44.28 ± 3.09 mg tannic acid equivalents/g) and determined that highly appropriate for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. The facile phytofabrication of PF-SeNPs was confirmed by UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopic analysis. The XRD pattern and Raman spectroscopy showed that synthesized PF-SeNPs were amorphous in nature. The Zeta potential analysis confirmed that PF-SeNPs were negatively charged (-24.4 mV). The DLS analysis revealed that PF-SeNPs were in nano size and less aggregated with poly-dispersity index of less than 0.2. The SEM images depicted that PF-SeNPs were spherical in shape. The EDX analysis revealed that PF-SeNPs were constituted with Se (61.60%), C (29.96%), and O (4.41%). The HR-TEM analysis determined that PF-SeNPs were in nano size with an average diameter of 15–40 nm. The PF-SeNPs have offered fascinating bio-potential applications, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and biocompatibility. They have also exhibited dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity, and EC50 was determined as 15.67 ± 1.41 and 18.84 ± 1.02 μg/mL for DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. The PF-SeNPs has also shown the wide range of antimicrobial activity on foodborne pathogens, and it was found to be highly efficient on fungi followed by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The biocompatibility of PF-SeNPs was assessed in N2a cells with much higher IC50 value (dose required to inhibit 50% of cell viability) compared to sodium selenite. Also, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and caspase-3 were much less altered on treatment of PF-SeNPs related to sodium selenite. The cytotoxic studies clearly determined that PF-SeNPs was much less toxic and safer related to sodium selenite. Thus, PF-SeNPs could find suitable application as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent in food, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industry.

Imaging and Targeting of the α(2-6) and α(2-3) Linked Sialic Acid Quantum Dots in Zebrafish and Mouse Models

Sialic acid-conjugated nanocarriers have emerged as attractive biomarkers with promising biomedical applications. The translation of these nanocarriers into clinical applications requires in-depth assessment in animal models. However, due to the complexity, ethical concerns, and cost of the high-order animal system, there is an immediate need of information-rich simple animal models to decipher the biological significance. Herein, we performed in vivo head-to-head comparison of Neu5Acα(2-6) and α(2-3)Gal conjugated quantum dots (QDs) toxicity, biodistribution, and sequestration in wild-type zebrafish ( Danio rerio) and mouse model (C57BL). The fluorescent properties and cadmium composition of quantum dots were used to map the blood clearance, biodistribution, and sequestration of the sialylated QDs in major organs of both models. We observed that α(2-6) sialylated QDs preferentially have prolonged circulating half-life and broader biodistribution in both models. On the contrary, α(2-3) sialic acid and galactose-conjugated QDs have shortened blood circulation time and are sequestered in the liver, and cleared after several hours in both models. These results demonstrate the applicability of the zebrafish and sialylated QDs to target specific organs, as well as drug delivery and biomedical diagnostics.

Preparation and evaluation of spirulina polysaccharide nanoemulsions

The aim of the present study was to prepare spirulina polysaccharide (PSP) into an oral nanoemulsion (NE) with the aim of improving its oral bioavailability and prolonging its sustained release effect. The PSP-NE was prepared through a phase transformation method, and its formulation components were screened through the use of a pseudo-ternary phase diagram. The optimal formulation of PSP-NE was determined to be: 11.9% Span 80, 6.0% Tween-80, 9.0% ethanol, 62.8% soybean oil, and 10.3% PSP aqueous solution. The prepared PSP-NE was clear and transparent, had a uniform color and spherical morphology, exhibited stability and no adhesion. The average particle size was 79.93±19 nm, the polydispersity index was 0.185±0.04 (n=3), and the entrapment rate was 62%. Small-animal imaging results showed that the prepared PSP-NE exhibited a sustained release and tissue effect in contrast to the PSP aqueous solution. The present study showed that the prepared PSP-NE not only exhibited a sustained release and tissue effect in contrast to the PSP aqueous solution, but also had superior performance in terms of antitumor and antioxidant effects.