Facile Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Impact on Cytotoxicity, Antioxidative Properties and Bactericidal Activity

Background

Bioreductive processes are quite potent, effective and affordable for the synthesis of green NPs, as compared to the physical and chemical methods. The present study aimed to evaluate the bactericidal, antioxidative and anticancer activity of FeONPs derived from the turmeric rhizome (Curcuma amada) using ferric chloride as a precursor.

Methods

With focusing on the manufacture of FeONPs via green approach, we characterized the NPs using FTIR, FT-Vis, DLS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The produced particles were tested for antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The synthesized NPs were also examined using the MDA-MB-231 human epithelial breast cancer cell line and NCI-60 cancer cell lines.

Results

The antioxidant activity of TR-FeONPs was concentration-dependent. The scavenging activity of TR-FeONPs was 76.09% at a concentration of 140 µg/ml. Using different concentrations of TR-FeONPs in the MTT assay against the MDA-MB-231 cell line indicated a reduction of less than 50% in cell viability at 125 µg/ml. Moreover, TR-FeONPs exhibited an effective bactericidal property. The gTR-FeONPs synthesized bioreductively were found to be effective in renal cancer, UO-31 cell line, with GI50 value of 66.64%.

Conclusion

Our study showcases a sustainable method based on green chemistry principles to produce FeONPs utilizing turmeric rhizome. We anticipate that the FeONPs produced through this biosynthesis process could serve as a promising drug delivery system in cancer treatment and as an effective antimicrobial agent against various diseases.

Biological Activities of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Green Synthesized Using the Aqueous Extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss

BACKGROUND

Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. is known as a native medicinal plant of Iran.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, aqueous extract of D. kotschyi was used to synthesize ZnO-NPs. To produce ZnO-NPs, aerial parts of D. kotschyi were powdered and then macerated for obtaining aqueous extract, after that, aqueous extract was used to reduse zinc nitrate to ZnO-NPs.

METHODS

To confirm nanoparticles synthesis, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, FTIR, and XRD were used. The synthesized ZnO-NPs were studied for antimicrobial activities by microdilution method for calculating MIC and MBC. Analysis of ZnO-NPs confirmed successful synthesis by extract of D. kotschyi.

RESULTS

The sizes of ZnO-NPs were estimated 50-200 nm in diameter. Antibacterial and antifungal experiments showed potent activities against Staphylococos aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The results of the studies showed that the nanoparticles synthesized with the aqueous extract of D. kotschyi have a much greater antimicrobial effect than the aqueous extract of D. kotschyi and zinc nanoparticles, each alone (MIC values 3.7 to 7.5 mg/ml).

CONCLUSION

The noteworthy point is that the inhibitory rate of synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles is higher compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol (MIC values 15 mg/ml). Determining the therapeutic and toxic dose of this product for humans requires further investigation and clinical trials.

Solvent-Dependent Photoluminescence Emission and Colloidal Stability of Carbon Quantum dots from Watermelon Peels

Waste peels are considered an environmental burden and typically disposed in landfills. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various solvents on the luminescence properties of carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Watermelon peels were recycled and reuse as precursors for the synthesis of biomass CQDs via a green carbonization method. The colloidal stability, surface charge, and particle size were characterized using zeta potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS). DLS revealed that the size of the CQDs was approximately 5.80 ± 0.4 nm to 9.74 ± 0.8 nm. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) results demonstrated a correlation with the DLS results. The optical properties were characterized by photoluminescence (PL) and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. PL measurements at different excitation wavelengths revealed that the CQDs emissions were influenced by the polarity of the solvents. Meanwhile, the Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) results showed the presence of oxygen-containing groups on the surface of the CQDs. These results deepen our understanding of the solvent-dependent behavior and colloidal stability of the CQDs.

Assessment of antimicrobial activity and In Vitro wound healing potential of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized with Capparis spinosa extract

Agents that will accelerate wound healing maintain their clinical importance in all aspects. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) ZnO nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis from Capparis spinosa L. extract and their effect on in vitro wound healing. ZnO NPs were synthesized and characterized using Capparis spinosa L. extract. ZnO NPs were tested against nine ATCC-coded pathogen strains to determine antimicrobial activity. The effects of different doses (0.0390625-20 µg/mL) of NPs on cell viability were determined by MTT assay. The effect of ZnO NPs doses (0.0390625 µg/mL, 0.078125 µg/mL, 0.15625 µg/mL, 0.3125 µg/mL, 0.625 µg/mL, 1.25 µg/mL) that increase proliferation and migration on wound healing was investigated in an in vitro wound experiment. Cell culture medium obtained from the in vitro wound assay was used for biochemical analysis, and plate alcohol-fixed cells were used for immunohistochemical staining. It was determined that NPs formed an inhibition zone against the tested Gram-positive bacteria. The ZnO NPs doses determined in the MTT test provided faster wound closure in in-vitro conditions compared to the DMSO group. Biochemical analyses showed that inflammation and oxidative status decreased, while antioxidant levels increased in ZnO NPs groups. Immunohistochemical analyses showed increased expression levels of Bek/FGFR2, IGF, and TGF-β associated with wound healing. The findings reveal the antimicrobial effect of ZnO nanoparticles obtained using Capparis spinosa L. extract in vitro and their potential applications in wound healing.

Construction of Negative Electrostatic Pore Environments in a Scalable, Stable and Low-Cost Metal-organic Framework for One-Step Ethylene Purification from Ternary Mixtures

One-step separation of C2 H4 from ternary C2 mixtures by physisorbents remains a challenge to combine excellent separation performance with high stability, low cost, and easy scalability for industrial applications. Herein, we report a strategy of constructing negative electrostatic pore environments in a stable, low-cost, and easily scaled-up aluminum MOF (MOF-303) for efficient one-step C2 H2 /C2 H6 /C2 H4 separation. This material exhibits not only record high C2 H2 and C2 H6 uptakes, but also top-tier C2 H2 /C2 H4 and C2 H6 /C2 H4 selectivities at ambient conditions. Theoretical calculations combined with in situ infrared spectroscopy indicate that multiple N/O sites on pore channels can build a negative electro-environment to provide stronger interactions with C2 H2 and C2 H6 over C2 H4 . Breakthrough experiments confirm its exceptional separation performance for ternary mixtures, affording one of the highest C2 H4 productivity of 1.35 mmol g-1 . This material is highly stable and can be easily synthesized at kilogram-scale from cheap raw materials using a water-based green synthesis. The benchmark combination of excellent separation properties with high stability and low cost in scalable MOF-303 has unlocked its great potential in this challenging industrial separation.

Investigating the Effects of Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Produced Using Papaver somniferum Extract on Oxidative Stress, Cytotoxicity, and the Induction of Apoptosis in the THP-1 Cell Line

This study investigated the effect of novel zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) biosynthesized employing Papaver somniferum leaf on oxidative stress, necrosis, and apoptosis in the leukemia cancer THP-1 cell. The obtained ZnO was examined using SEM, AFM, and TEM microscopy, which revealed an irregular spherical morphology with a size ranging from 20 to 30 nm, and the UV-vis absorbance revealed a strong absorption peak in the range of 360-370, nm confirming the production of ZnO NPs. THP-1 cells were subjected to an MTT, an EdU proliferation, a lactate dehydrogenase release tests, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction experiment, a DAPI staining detection assay, and a flow cytometric analysis for Annexin V to measure the effects of ZnO NPs on cancer cell growth inhibition, apoptosis, and necrosis. Our results show that ZnO NPs inhibit THP-1 line in a concentration-dependent pattern. It was observed that ZnO NPs triggered necrosis (cell death) and apoptosis in the cell line. ZnO NPs massively improved the formation of intracellular ROS, which is crucial in deactivating the development of leukemic cells. In conclusion, ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using Papaver somniferum extract have the ability to inhibit proliferation leukemic cancer cells, making them potential anticancer agents.

Green synthetic strategies and pharmaceutical applications of thiazine and its derivatives: An updated review

Thiazines are a sizable class of organic heterocycles that are notable for their skeletal versatility and relative chemical simplicity, making them among the most flexible sources of biologically active compounds. The term "green synthesis" refers to implementing energy-efficient procedures for the nature-friendly production of materials and chemicals using green solvents, catalysts, and suitable reaction conditions.Considering the importance of green chemistry and the outstanding therapeutic profile of thiazines, the present work was designed to review the recent advances in green chemistry-based synthetic strategies of thiazine and its derivatives. The green synthetic approaches, including microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and various other synthetic methods for thiazine and its derivatives, were discussed and generalized. In addition, applications of thiazine and its derivatives in pharmaceutical sciences were explained with examples of marketed drugs.The discussed sustainable synthetic methods for thiazines and their derivatives could be useful in developing other medicinally important lead molecules. They could also aid in developing new synthetic schemes and apparatuses that may simplify chemical manufacturing processes and enable novel reactions with minimal by-products while questing for optimal, green solvents. This review can help anyone interested in this fascinating class of heterocycles to make decisions about selecting targets and tasks for future research.

Green, General and Low-cost Synthesis of Porous Organic Polymers in Sub-kilogram Scale for Catalysis and CO2 Capture

Porous organic polymers (POPs) with high porosity and tunable functionalities have been widely studied for use in gas separation, catalysis, energy conversion and energy storage. However, the high cost of organic monomers, and the use of toxic solvents and high temperatures during synthesis pose obstacles for large-scale production. Herein, we report the synthesis of imine and aminal-linked POPs using inexpensive diamine and dialdehyde monomer in green solvents. Theoretical calculations and control experiments show that using meta-diamines is crucial for forming aminal linkages and branching porous networks from [2 + 2] polycondensation reactions. The method demonstrates good generality in that 6 POPs were successfully synthesized from different monomers. Additionally, we scaled up the synthesis in ethanol at room temperature, resulting in the production of POPs in sub-kilogram quantities at a relatively low cost. Proof-of-concept studies demonstrate that the POPs can be used as high-performance sorbents for CO2 separation and as porous substrates for efficient heterogeneous catalysis. This method provides an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach for large-scale synthesis of various POPs.

Porous Salts Containing Cationic Al24-Hydroxide-Acetate Clusters from Scalable, Green and Aqueous Synthesis Routes

The solution chemistry of aluminum is highly complex and various polyoxocations are known. Here we report on the facile synthesis of a cationic Al24 cluster that forms porous salts of composition [Al24(OH)56(CH3COO)12]X4, denoted CAU-55-X, with X = Cl-, Br-, I-, HSO4-. Three-dimensional electron diffraction was employed to determine the crystal structures. Various robust and mild synthesis routes for the chloride salt [Al24(OH)56(CH3COO)12]Cl4 in water were established resulting in high yields (> 95%, 215 g per batch) within minutes. Specific surface areas and H2O capacities with maximum values of up to 930 m2/g and 430 mg/g are observed. The particle size of CAU-55-X can be tuned between 140 nm and 1250 nm, permitting its synthesis as stable dispersions or as highly crystalline powders. The positive surface charge of the particles, allow fast and effective adsorption of anionic dye molecules and adsorption of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Scalable Green Synthesis of Robust Ultra-Microporous Hofmann Clathrate Material with Record C3 H6 Storage Density for Efficient C3 H6 /C3 H8 Separation

Developing porous materials for C₃ H₆ /C₃ H₈ separation faces the challenge of merging excellent separation performance with high stability and easy scalability of synthesis. Herein, we report a robust Hofmann clathrate material (ZJU-75a), featuring high-density strong binding sites to achieve all the above requirements. ZJU-75a adsorbs large amount of C₃ H₆ with a record high storage density of 0.818 g mL^-1 , and concurrently shows high C₃ H₆ /C₃ H₈ selectivity (54.2) at 296 K and 1 bar. Single-crystal structure analysis unveil that the high-density binding sites in ZJU-75a not only provide much stronger interactions with C₃ H₆ but also enable the dense packing of C₃ H₆ . Breakthrough experiments on gas mixtures afford both high separation factor of 14.7 and large C₃ H₆ uptake (2.79 mmol g^-1 ). This material is highly stable and can be easily produced at kilogram-scale using a green synthesis method, making it as a benchmark material to address major challenges for industrial C₃ H₆ /C₃ H₈ separation.

Novel zinc oxide nanoparticles of Teucrium polium suppress the malignant progression of gastric cancer cells through modulating apoptotic signaling pathways and epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Management of gastric cancer is still challenging due to resistance to current chemotherapeutics and recurrent disease. Moreover, green- synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using natural resources are one of the most promising therapeutic agents for anticancer therapy. Here we report the facile green synthesis and characterization of ZnO-NPs from Teucrium polium (TP-ZnO-NP) herb extract and the anticancer activities of these nanoparticles on gastric cancer cells. Facile green synthesis of TP-ZnO-NP was achieved using zinc acetate dihydrate. For the characterization of TP-ZnO-NP, UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, XRD and EDX analyses were performed. Antiproliferative and anticancer activities of TP-ZnO-NP were explored using the HGC-27 gastric cancer cell line model. MTT cell viability and colony formation assays were used for the analysis of cell proliferation and migration. Wound healing assay was used to analyze the migration capacities of cells. Annexin V/PI double staining, DNA ladder assay, and Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide staining were performed to analyze the induction of apoptosis. qPCR was used to determine gene expression levels of apoptotic and epithelial to mesenchymal transition marker genes. The aqueous extract of TP served as both a reducing and capping agent for the successful biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Remarkably, synthesized TP-ZnO-NPs were found to have significant antiproliferative and anticancer activities on HGC-27 gastric cancer cells. Collectively, current data suggest that TP-ZnO-NP is a novel and promising anticancer agent for future therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer.

Hybrid of sodium polytungstate polyoxometalate supported by the green substrate for photocatalytic degradation of auramine-O dye

Nowadays, textile industries have severely polluted the ecosystem and water sources via disposal of highly thermo- and photo-stable dyes within the ecology that require practical strategies to remove them from nature. In studies, the photocatalytic disinfection technique has been shown to have widespread applications in indoor air, environmental health, detection, biological, biomedical, laboratory hospital, pharmaceutical food industry, plant safety, waste water, effluents disposal, and drinking water disinfection. Herein, the sodium polytungstate (SPT) polyoxometalate (POM) was synthesized through a multi-step production procedure and hence modified via employing a green protocol by using tartaric acid, glutamic acid, and kombucha solvent toward efficient and total complete removal of the highly toxic, stable, and carcinogenic auramine-O (AO) dye from aqueous media. In this regard, developed materials were well-characterized, and their photocatalysis performance for photodegradation of AO dye was examined. Achieved results showed that the optimum absorption conditions were achieved at pH of 5.0, 15 mg/L of AO concentration, 0.04 g of photocatalyst dosage, and 110 min irradiation time, where SPT and modified SPT via green protocol showed full desirability (desirability function (DF) index of 1) along with 71.75 and 100% removal percentage, respectively. Obtained results justified the superior photocatalytic role of the SPT POM and its derived nanocluster that can be used for the complete removal of highly stable dyes from aqueous media till reaching the drinking water standard.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using Hyssopus Officinalis L. Extract Induced oxidative stress and changes the expression of key genes involved in inflammatory and antioxidant Systems

BACKGROUND

Recent advances in the synthesis of bioactive nanoparticles resulted in the discovery and introduction of new bioactive nanoparticles to the pharmaceutical industry. In this regard, this research is aimed to synthesize the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Hyssopus officinalis L. extract and to evaluate the safety of nanoparticles using Balb/C mice.

METHODS

Forty male mice were divided into four groups and received 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of ZnO-NPs for thirty days. At the end of the experiment, blood sugar, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (A.S.T.), and alanine aminotransferase (A.L.T.) were determined. Furthermore, histopathological and oxidative stress biomarker analyses in liver and kidney tissues were performed. The changes in the major inflammatory- and antioxidant-related genes were determined.

RESULTS

The results showed that blood sugar and creatinine reduced significantly (P < 0.05) when 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg ZnO-NPs were supplemented to the diet. The serum ALT and AST and lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidney tissues were increased significantly (p < 0.05) when 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg ZnO-NPs were supplemented to the diet. Supplementation of ZnO-NPs suppressed the expression of antioxidant-related genes (SOD and CAT) and up-regulated the inflammatory biomarkers (iNOS and TNF- α). The concentration of 200 mg/Kg nanoparticles indicated cellular degeneration and necrosis in the liver and kidney tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, it can be concluded that supplementation of ZnO-NPs synthesized using Hyssopus Officinalis L. extract in this study at 50 mg/kg or higher concentrations might be toxic to the mice.

Green synthesis of DOX-loaded hollow MIL-100 (Fe) nanoparticles for anticancer treatment by targeting mitochondria

Fe-based Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are promising drug delivery materials due to their large surface area, high stability, and biocompatibility. However, their drug loading capacity is constrained by their small pore size, and a further improvement in their drug capacity is needed. In this work, we report an effective and green structural modification strategy to improve drug loading capacity for Fe-based MOFs. Our strategy is to grow MIL-100 (Fe) on carboxylate-terminated polystyrene (PS-COOH) via a sustainable route, which creates a large inner cavity as well as exposure of more functional groups that benefit drug loading capacity. We perform the scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope to confirm the hollow structure of MIL-100 (Fe). Up to 30% of drug loading capacity has been demonstrated in our study. We also conduct cell viability tests to investigate its therapeutic effects on breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). Confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging confirms cellular uptake and mitochondrial targeting function of doxorubicin-loaded H-M (DOX@H-M) nanoparticles. JC-1 staining of cancer cells reveals a significant change in the mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating the mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis of tumor cells. Our study paves the way for facile synthesis of hollow structural MOFs, and demonstrates the potential of applying Fe-based MOFs in breast cancer treatment.

Cuminum cyminum L.-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: Their Characterization and Effect on Formalin-Induced Nociceptive Response in Male Rats

In this study, a simple, low-cost, rapid, and eco-friendly approach for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) seed (CcAgNPs) was developed. Also, the anti-nociceptive properties of these synthesized AgNPs were evaluated in vivo. The CcAgNPs characterized using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analysis of phytochemical components in the aqueous extract of cumin seeds showed high concentrations of total phenols and ascorbic acid and low concentrations of total flavonoids. The analysis of phytochemical components and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups responsible for the bioreduction of Ag⁺ to AgNPs. The UV-Vis absorbance spectrum of CcAgNPs showed a maximum wavelength at 442 nm. The analysis of TEM images showed a spherical shape with a size of less than 50 nm, while XRD spectra revealed the crystallinity of CcAgNPs. The analysis of anti-nociceptive properties of CcAgNPs showed that the first phase of formalin-induced pain was significantly reduced in the groups receiving 200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CcAgNPs compared with the controls and the group receiving 300 mg/kg of sodium salicylate (SS300). The second phase of formalin pain was also significantly reduced in the groups receiving 200 and 500 mg/kg CcAgNPs compared to the controls and SS300 group. Overall, we introduced a new AgNPs synthesized from cumin seeds (CcAgNPs) and showed their anti-nociceptive properties in the formalin-induced pain.

Recent Advancements in Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles for improvement of bioactivities: a Review

Natural products have widely been used in applications ranging from antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and various other medicinal applications. Use of these natural products was recognized way before the establishment of basic chemistry behind the disease and the chemistry of plant metabolites. After the establishment of plant chemistry various new horizons evolved, and application of the natural products breached the orthodox limitations. In one such interdisciplinary area, use of plant materials in the synthesis of nano particles (NPs) has exponentially emerged. This advancement has offered various environment friendly methods where hazardous chemicals are completely replaced by natural products in the sophisticated and hectic synthesis processes. This review is an attempt to understand the mechanism of metal nano particles synthesis using plant materials. It includes details on the role of plant's secondary metabolites in the synthesis of nano particles including the mechanism of action. In addition, use of these nano materials has widely been discussed along with the possible mechanism behind their antimicrobial and catalytic action.

Facile Preparation of Nanosilver Particles with Excellent Antimicrobial Activity via Release of Ionic Silver

Nanosilver particles (SNPs) have been widely exploited in various fields, including the medical sciences due to their excellent inhibitory and bactericidal effects. It is of great importance to prepare SNPs using green synthesis that has environmentally acceptable solvent systems and eco-friendly reducing agents. In the current study, gallic acid was employed as both a reducing agent and a stabilizing agent to synthesize SNPs at mild ambient conditions. The image of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that SNPs exhibited approximately spherical shape with the average diameter of 13.81±2.21 nm. The absorbance peak of obtained SNPs was sharp with the maximum wavelength of 400.5 nm by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, suggesting the formation of small and highly monodispersed SNPs. The antimicrobial potential of the SNPs was evaluated against multiple common pathogenic microbes. The results indicated that the microbial sensitivity to the SNPs was found to vary depending on the microbial species. Among them, the gram-negative bacteria exhibited more sensitive toward SNPs than the gram-positive bacteria. In addition, the N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a silver ion chelator, pretreatment could protect the E. coli and P. aeruginosa from the SNPs inhibition, while the pretreatment of the L-ascorbic acid, an antioxidant against oxidative stress, did not significantly influence the antibacterial effects of the SNPs. These data suggested that the ionic silver release, but not reactive oxygen species (ROS), played a key role in the antimicrobial effect of the SNPs. To sum up, this study provides an environmentally friendly technique for facile synthesis of SNPs with excellent antibacterial potential.