Cytotoxic Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Mediated by Euphorbia Retusa

Synthesis and Characterization of Silver and Zinc Nanoparticles From Vitex altissima: Comparative Analysis of Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, and Anti-Biofilm Activities

Metal nanoparticles have attained much popularity due to their low toxicity, economic feasibility, and eco-friendly nature. The present study focuses on the synthesis of silver and zinc nanoparticles from Vitex altissima leaf extract, further characterized by UV/Vis spectral analysis, Powder-x-ray diffraction (XRD), FE-SEM, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential. Synthesized silver and zinc nanoparticles were screened for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm activities. AgNPs exhibited moderate antioxidant activities compared to ZnNPs, which were studied using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and ABTS assays. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed using membrane stabilization and human red blood cell methods. Furthermore, both types of nanoparticles, AgNPs and ZnNPs, exhibited anti-biofilm activity against four MDR bacterial strains: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Synthesized nanoparticles show antibacterial activity. Our data suggest that silver nanoparticles exhibited moderate activity compared to ZnNPs. These nanoparticles could act as potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents.

Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles via Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Mitochondrial Pathway in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Due to their exceptional physicochemical features, green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been of considerable interest in cancer treatment. In the present study, for the first time, we aimed to green synthesize AgNPs from Euphorbia retusa and explore their anticancer potential on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. First, the green synthesized AgNPs (EU-AgNPs) were well characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectrum, XRD, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), and EDX techniques. The characterization data exhibited that EU-AgNPs were spherical in shape and crystalline in nature with an average size of 17.8 nm. FTIR results established the presence of active metabolites in EU-AgNPs. Second, the anticancer effect of EU-AgNPs was evaluated against MCF-7 cells by MTT and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays. Moreover, morphological changes, ROS production, MMP, and apoptotic marker genes were also studied upon exposure to cytotoxic doses of EU-AgNPs. Our results showed that EU-AgNPs induce cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 40 μg/mL. Morphological changes in MCF-7 cells exposed to EU-AgNPs also confirm their cytotoxic effects. Increased ROS and decreased MMP levels revealed that EU-AgNPs induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction. Moreover, ROS-mediated apoptosis was confirmed by elevated levels of proapoptotic marker genes (p53, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9) and reduced levels of an antiapoptotic gene (Bcl-2). Altogether, these findings suggested that EU-AgNPs could induce potential anticancer effects through ROS-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.

Psidium guajav-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles as a multifunctional, microbicidal, antioxidant and antiproliferative agent against destructive pathogens

Bio-inspired zinc oxide nanoparticles are gaining immense interest due to their safety, low cost, biocompatibility, and broad biological properties. In recent years, much research has been focused on plant-based nanoparticles, mainly for their eco-friendly, facile, and non-toxic character. Hence, the current study emphasized a bottom-up synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from Psidium guajava aqueous leaf extract and evaluation of its biological properties. The structural characteristic features of biosynthesized ZnO NPs were confirmed using various analytical methods, such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited a hydrodynamic shape with an average particle size of 11.6-80.2 nm. A significant antimicrobial efficiency with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 40 and 27 µg/ml for Enterococcus faecalis, followed by 30 and 40 µg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus, 20 and 30 µg/ml for Staphylococcus mutans, 30 µg/ml for Candida albicans was observed by ZnO NPs. Additionally, they showed significant breakdown of biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans indicating their future value in drug-resistance research. Furthermore, an excellent dose-dependent activity of antioxidant property was noticed with an IC50 of 9.89 µg/ml. The antiproliferative potential of the ZnO NPs was indicated by the viability of MDA MB 231 cells, which showed a drastic decrease in response to increased concentrations of biosynthesized ZnO NPs. Thus, the present results open up vistas to explore their pharmaceutical potential for the development of targeted anticancer drugs in the future.

Cytotoxicity and Characterization of Zinc Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum Herbal Formulation

Background Toxicological assessments of nanoparticles are becoming more and more necessary due to the current rapid increase in interest in them for biomedical applications. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Ocimum tenuiflorum (black tulsi) and Ocimum gratissimum (African basil) herbal formulation extracts and to evaluate their cytotoxic effects. Methods The synthesis of AgNPs and ZnONPs was monitored using UV-visible spectra analysis at different time intervals. The nanoparticles' morphology and elemental composition were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Furthermore, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra analysis was employed to identify the functional groups within the nanoparticles. The cytotoxic effects of the nanoparticles were evaluated using the brine shrimp lethality assay. Results The UV-visible spectra analysis revealed the successful synthesis of AgNPs and ZnONPs, with maximum absorption peaks observed at 430 nm and 380 nm, respectively. SEM images showed that AgNPs were spherical in shape and tended to agglomerate, while ZnONPs displayed a unique rod-like to short prism shape, and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of both silver and zinc in these nanoparticles, alongside other elements from the herbal extracts. FT-IR analysis indicated the existence of diverse functional groups on the nanoparticles' surfaces. The brine shrimp lethality assay results demonstrated a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect of the nanoparticles. Conclusion The study successfully synthesized and characterized AgNPs and ZnONPs using Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum herbal formulation extracts. The nanoparticles exhibited significant cytotoxic effects, suggesting their potential applications in various fields. Our results highlight the need for a more discrete use of nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Further studies are needed to explore their potential uses and ensure their safe and effective application.

Comparative Anti-inflammatory Activity of Silver and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum Herbal Formulations

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the anti-inflammatory properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) that were synthesized utilizing African tulsi and black tulsi herbal formulations. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by the utilization of bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation and egg albumin denaturation tests. In addition, a membrane stabilization experiment was performed to evaluate their efficacy as anti-inflammatory drugs. Methods This study was conducted at Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India. AgNPs and ZnONPs were synthesized using Ocimum tenuiflorum (African tulsi) and Ocimum gratissimum (black tulsi) extracts. The BSA denaturation assay involved mixing serum albumin with different nanoparticle concentrations (10-50 µg/mL) and measuring absorbance at 660 nm. The egg albumin denaturation assay followed a similar procedure. The membrane stabilization assay utilized red blood cells and spectrophotometric measurements at 540 nm. Results In the BSA denaturation assay, AgNPs and ZnONPs showed concentration-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation. While these nanoparticles exhibited anti-inflammatory potential, diclofenac sodium consistently displayed slightly stronger inhibition. In the egg albumin denaturation assay, AgNPs and ZnONPs inhibited protein denaturation at various concentrations. Their anti-inflammatory effects were comparable to the standard drug, diclofenac sodium. In the membrane stabilization assay, both nanoparticle types demonstrated concentration-dependent membrane stabilization effects. Diclofenac sodium exhibited slightly stronger membrane stabilization. Conclusions AgNPs and ZnONPs synthesized using Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum (African tulsi and black tulsi) possess anti-inflammatory potential, as demonstrated by their inhibition of protein denaturation and membrane stabilization. While these nanoparticles show promise as anti-inflammatory agents, further research is needed to explore their clinical applications and safety profiles.

Nature's Green Potential: Anticancer Properties of Plants of the Euphorbiaceae Family

The number of cancer cases will reach 24 million in 2040, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Current treatments for cancer are not effective and selective for most patients; for this reason, new anticancer drugs need to be developed and researched enough. There are potentially useful drugs for cancer isolated from plants that are being used in the clinic. Available information about phytochemistry, traditional uses, in vitro and in vivo experiments with plants, and pure compounds isolated from the Euphorbiaceae family indicates that this family of plants has the potential to develop anticancer drugs. This review examines selected species from the Euphorbiaceae family and their bioactive compounds that could have potential against different types of cancer cells. It reviews the activity of crude extracts, isolated compounds, and nanoparticles and the potential underlying mechanisms of action.

Exploring the Anticancer Potential of Premna resinosa (Hochst.) Leaf Surface Extract: Discovering New Diterpenes as Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) Binding Agents

Premna, a genus consisting of approximately 200 species, predominantly thrives in tropical and subtropical areas. Many of these species have been utilized in ethnopharmacology for diverse medicinal applications. In Saudi Arabia, Premna resinosa (Hochst.) Schauer (Lamiaceae) grows wildly, and its slightly viscid leaves are attributed to the production of leaf accession. In this study, we aimed to extract the surface accession from fresh leaves using dichloromethane to evaluate the anticancer potential. The plant exudate yielded two previously unknown labdane diterpenes, Premnaresone A and B, in addition to three already described congeners and four known flavonoids. The isolation process was accomplished using a combination of silica gel column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC, the structures of which were identified by NMR and HRESIMS analyses and a comparison with the literature data of associated compounds. Furthermore, we employed a density functional theory (DFT)/NMR approach to suggest the relative configuration of different compounds. Consequently, we investigated the possibility of developing new chaperone inhibitors by subjecting diterpenes 1-5 to a Surface Plasmon Resonance-screening, based on the knowledge that oridonin, a diterpene, interacts with Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) 1A in cancer cells. Additionally, we studied the anti-proliferative activity of compounds 1-5 on human Jurkat (human T-cell lymphoma) and HeLa (epithelial carcinoma) cell lines, where diterpene 3 exhibited activity in Jurkat cell lines after 48 h, with an IC₅₀ of 15.21 ± 1.0 µM. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations revealed a robust interaction between compound 3 and Hsp70 key residues.

The Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles' Antiviral Activity in Combination with Pelargonium zonale Extract against the Human Corona 229E Virus

Almost one-third of all infectious diseases are caused by viruses, and these diseases account for nearly 20% of all deaths globally. It is becoming increasingly clear that highly contagious viral infections pose a significant threat to global health and economy around the world. The need for innovative, affordable, and safe antiviral therapies is a must. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are novel materials of low toxicity and low cost and are known for their antiviral activity. The genus Pelargonium was previously reported for its antiviral and antimicrobial activity. In this work, Pelargonium zonale leaf extract chemical profile was studied via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and was used for the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Furthermore, the antiviral activity of the combination of P. zonale extract and the biosynthesized nanoparticles of ZnO against the human corona 229E virus was investigated. Results revealed that ZnONPs had been biosynthesized with an average particle size of about 5.5 nm and characterized with UV, FTIR, TEM, XRD, and SEM. The antiviral activity showed significant activity and differences among the tested samples in favor of the combination of P. zonale extract and ZnONPs (ZnONPs/Ex). The lowest IC_50, 2.028 µg/mL, and the highest SI, 68.4 of ZnONPs/Ex, assert the highest antiviral activity of the combination against human coronavirus (229E).