Copolymer-Green-Synthesized Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Enhance Folate-Targeting in Cervical Cancer Cells In Vitro

Turmeric-Black Cumin Essential Oils and Their Capacity to Attenuate Free Radicals, Protein Denaturation, and Cancer Proliferation

Turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa) and black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa) are polyherbal ingredients used for the management of cancer and other chronic inflammatory diseases in Nigerian ethnomedicine. Previous studies have shown the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of the individual plant extracts. However, the two spices have not been biologically potentiated in their combined form. Therefore, this study obtained essential oils (EOs) from the combined spices and evaluated their inhibitory effects on free radicals, protein denaturation, and cancer proliferation. The EOs were extracted by hydro-distillation (HD) and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In vitro antioxidant assessment was conducted based on DPPH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), and ferric ion (Fe3+) radical scavenging assays. The cytotoxicity of the oil against non-tumorigenic (HEK293) and cancerous (HepG2 and HeLa) cell lines was determined following the MTT cell viability assay. An in silico molecular docking analysis of the oil constituents was also performed. Six batches of EOs I-VI were afforded, comprising twenty-two major constituents, with aromatic Ar-turmerone being the most prominent compound. There was a marked improvement in the bioactivity of the oils upon repeated HD and as a combination. The batch VI oil exhibited the best activity, with a cytotoxicity (CC50) of 10.16 ± 1.69 µg/100 µL against the HepG2 cell line, which was comparable to 5-fluorouracil (standard, CC50 = 8.59 ± 1.33 µg/100 µL). In silico molecular docking suggested δ-curcumene, Ar-curcumene, Ar-turmerol, and Ar-turmerone among the promising compounds based on their high binding energy scores with NOX2, NF-κB, and mdm2 proteins. In conclusion, the oils from the turmeric-black cumin combined possess a considerable inhibition ability against free radicals, protein denaturation, and cancer proliferation. This study's findings further underscore the effectiveness of turmeric-black cumin as a polyherbal medicinal ingredient.

Sustainable Synthesis of Novel Green-Based Nanoparticles for Therapeutic Interventions and Environmental Remediation

The advancement in nanotechnology has completely revolutionized various fields, including pharmaceutical sciences, and streamlined the potential therapeutic of many diseases that endanger human life. The synthesis of green nanoparticles by biological processes is an aspect of the newly emerging scientific field known as "green nanotechnology". Due to their safe, eco-friendly, nontoxic nature, green synthesis tools are better suited to produce nanoparticles between 1 and 100 nm. Nanoformulation of different types of nanoparticles has been made possible by using green production techniques and commercially feasible novel precursors, such as seed extracts, algae, and fungi, that act as potent reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents. In addition to this, the biofunctionalization of nanoparticles has also broadened its horizon in the field of environmental remediation and various novel therapeutic innovations including wound healing, antimicrobial, anticancer, and nano biosensing. However, the major challenge pertaining to green nanotechnology is the agglomeration of nanoparticles that may alter the surface topology, which can affect biological physiology, thereby contributing to system toxicity. Therefore, a thorough grasp of nanoparticle toxicity and biocompatibility is required to harness the applications of nanotechnology in therapeutics.

Polymeric Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), utilized extensively in biomedical applications, have received increasing interest in the preceding years and today represent an established part of the nanotechnology field [...].

Green Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Terminalia chebula Dried Fruit Extract: Characterization and Antibacterial Action

INTRODUCTION

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have emerged as potential antibacterial agents. In this study, we aimed to synthesize CuONPs using Terminalia chebula (T. chebula) dried fruit extract and evaluate their antibacterial activity against specific wound pathogens. Our primary objective was to comprehensively characterize dried T. chebula fruit (TCF)-CuONPs and assess their antibacterial efficacy.

METHODS

CuONPs were synthesized through a green synthesis approach employing T. chebula dried fruit extract. Structural and compositional characterization involved UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial activity of CuONPs was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli through various assays, including agar well diffusion, time-kill curve, protein leakage analysis, and antibiofilm assays.

RESULTS

Characterization revealed a distinct absorption peak at 440 nm in UV-visible spectroscopy, spherical morphology under SEM, and the presence of copper in EDX analysis. TEM revealed nanoparticle dimensions of approximately 10-12 nm. In antibacterial assays, TCF-CuONPs displayed significant efficacy, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibiting heightened susceptibility.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully synthesized eco-friendly copper oxide nanoparticles using T. chebula dried fruit extract and thoroughly characterized their structural and compositional attributes. CuONPs exhibited substantial antibacterial potency against specific wound pathogens, indicating their potential in wound management applications. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable antibacterial solutions with implications for healthcare and environmental sustainability. Further research can delve into the mechanisms and broader applications of CuONPs based on the specific experimental outcomes.

Copper and Copper-Based Nanoparticles in Medicine-Perspectives and Challenges

Nanotechnology has ushered in a new era of medical innovation, offering unique solutions to longstanding healthcare challenges. Among nanomaterials, copper and copper oxide nanoparticles stand out as promising candidates for a multitude of medical applications. This article aims to provide contemporary insights into the perspectives and challenges regarding the use of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles in medicine. It summarises the biomedical potential of copper-based nanoformulations, including the progress of early-stage research, to evaluate and mitigate the potential toxicity of copper nanomaterials. The discussion covers the challenges and prospects of copper-based nanomaterials in the context of their successful clinical translation. The article also addresses safety concerns, emphasizing the need for toxicity assessments of nanomedicines. However, attention is needed to solve the current challenges such as biocompatibility and controlled release. Ongoing research and collaborative efforts to overcome these obstacles are discussed. This analysis aims to provide guidance for the safe and effective integration of copper nanoparticles into clinical practice, thereby advancing their medical applications. This analysis of recent literature has highlighted the multifaceted challenges and prospects associated with copper-based nanomaterials in the context of their translation from the laboratory to the clinic. In particular, biocompatibility remains a formidable hurdle, requiring innovative solutions to ensure the seamless integration into the human body. Additionally, achieving the controlled release of therapeutic agents from copper nanoparticles poses a complex challenge that requires meticulous engineering and precise design.