Synthesis of CuS and ZnO/Zn(OH)2 nanoparticles and their evaluation for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities

In this study, the copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS‐NPs) and the zinc oxide/zinc hydroxide nanoparticles ((ZnO/Zn(OH)₂‐NPs) were synthesized by a simple and low‐cost method, and the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized and identified by UV–Vis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The antimicrobial activity of the CuS‐NPs and the ZnO/Zn(OH)₂‐NPs were examined by broth dilution to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibacterial agent required to inhibit the growth of a pathogen and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) required to kill a particular bacterium. Agar disc diffusion method was used to determine the zone of inhibition. The nanoparticles demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 1827), Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC 150504), Escherichia coli (ATCC 33218) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25293). Antifungal activity against Aspergillus oryzae (PTCC 5164) was also obtained. The data obtained from antimicrobial activities by broth dilution and agar disc diffusion methods exhibited the CuS‐NPs were more effective than the ZnO/Zn(OH)₂‐NPs. A good correlation was observed between the data obtained by both methods.     

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Thymus kotschyanus extract and evaluation of their antioxidant,antibacterial and cytotoxic effects

Present study used ecofriendly, cost efficient and easy method for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) at the room temperature by Thymus Kotschyanus extract as reducing and capping agent. Various analytical technique including UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy determined presence of Ag NPs in the solution, the functional groups of Thymus Kotschyanus extract in the reduction and capping process of Ag NPs are approved by FT‐IR, crystallinity with the fcc plane approved from the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) determined existence of elements in the sample, surface morphology, diverse shapes and size of present Ag NPs were showed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Beginning and end destroy temperature of present silver nanoparticles were determined by thermal gravimetric spectroscopy (TGA). In addition, antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties of Ag NPs were studied. Agar disk and agar well diffusion are the methods to determined antibacterial properties of synthesized Ag NPs. Also MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) were recognized by macro broth dilution assay. DPPH free radical scavenging assay was used for antioxidant property and compare to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as standard antioxidant that showed high antioxidant activity more than BHT. Synthesized Ag NPs have great cell viability in a dose depended manner and demonstrate that this method for synthesis silver nanoparticles provided nontoxic. The average diameter of synthesized Ag NPs was about 50–60 nm.     

Preparation,characterization, and evaluation of cytotoxicity,antioxidant, cutaneous wound healing,antibacterial, and antifungal effects of gold nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Falcaria vulgaris leaves

The new age drugs are nanoparticles of metals, which can combat conditions like wounds and fight human pathogens like bacteria. The aim of the experiment was preparation, characterization, and assessment of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, cutaneous wound healing, antibacterial, and antifungal potentials of gold nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Falcaria vulgaris leaves (AuNPs@F. vulgaris) under in vitro and in vivo condition. These nanoparticles were characterized by FT‐IR, UV, XRD, FE‐SEM, TEM, and AFM. The synthesized AuNPs@F. vulgaris had great cell viability dose‐dependently (Investigating the effect of the nanoparticles on HUVEC cell line) and indicated these nanoparticles were nontoxic. DPPH free radical scavenging test was done to evaluate the antioxidant potentials, which showed similar antioxidant potentials for AuNPs@F. vulgaris and butylated hydroxytoluene. In part of cutaneous wound healing effect of F. vulgaris, after creating the cutaneous wound, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: untreated control, treatment with Eucerin basal ointment, treatment with 3% tetracycline ointment, treatment with 0.2% HAuCl₄ × H₂O ointment, treatment with 0.2% F. vulgaris ointment, and treatment with 0.2% AuNPs@F. vulgaris ointment. These groups were treated for 10 days. Use of AuNPs@F. vulgaris ointment in the treatment groups substantially decreased (p ≤ 0.01) the wound area, total cells, neutrophil, and lymphocyte and remarkably raised (p ≤ 0.01) the wound contracture, hydroxyl proline, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte, and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate compared to other groups. In antimicrobial part, MIC, MBC, and MFC were specified by macro‐broth dilution assay. AuNPs@F. vulgaris revealed higher antibacterial and antifungal properties than many standard antibiotics (p ≤ 0.01). Also, AuNPs@F. vulgaris prevented the growth of all bacteria at 2‐8 mg/ml concentrations and removed them at 2‐16 mg/ml concentrations (p ≤ 0.01). In case of antifungal potentials of AuNPs@F. vulgaris, they inhibited the growth of all fungi at 2‐4 mg/ml concentrations and destroyed them at 2‐8 mg/ml concentrations (p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, synthesized AuNPs@F. vulgaris revealed non‐cytotoxicity, antioxidant, cutaneous wound healing, antibacterial, and antifungal activities.     

Application of copper nanoparticles containing natural compounds in the treatment of bacterial and fungal diseases

The development of nanotechnology has generated different nanoscale-sized materials, with metal-based nanomaterials being some of the most interesting and promising. Thousands of articles in various specialized journals all over the world are dedicated to different metallic nanomaterials. Metallic nanomaterials are being widely researched, with gold-, silver-, iron-, and copper-based materials showing potential in medicine. Studies have demonstrated the effect of copper nanoparticles in medicinal herbs on the prevention, control, and treatment of microbial diseases. Experiments have examined the chemical characterization and assessment of the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) using the aqueous extract of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl flower. These nanoparticles were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction analysis. TEM and FE-SEM images exhibited a uniform spherical morphology and diameters of 10–25 nm for the biosynthesized nanoparticles. FT-IR results suggested polysaccharides and protein in S. lavandulifolia acted as reducing agents, reducing copper ions to Cu NPs. In vitro biological experiments indicated that Cu NPs have excellent antioxidant potential against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, antifungal effects against Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida guilliermondii, Candida glabrata, and Candida albicans, and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These nanoparticles did not have cytotoxicity properties against human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These results indicate that the inclusion of S. lavandulifolia extract ameliorates the solubility of Cu NPs, which leads to a remarkable enhancement in fungicidal and bactericidal effects under in vitro conditions.     

On demand release of ionic silver from gold-silver alloy nanoparticles: fundamental antibacterial mechanisms study

Synthesis and biomedical research of bimetallic gold-silver nanoparticles (Au–Ag NPs) have gained much attention due to their unique properties. Antibacterial mechanism of gold-silver nanoparticles is a current topic of interest in nanomedicine engineering. We used three routes in the synthesis of Au–Ag NPs alloy: i) Co-reduction of [HOOC-4-C₆H₄NN]AuCl₄/AgNO₃, ii) Seeding of AuNPs-COOH/AgNO₃ and iii) immobilization of AgNPs over the parent AuNPs-COOH. Two mild reducing agents, NaBH₄ and 9-BBN (9-borabicyclo(3.3.1)nonane), were used. Colloidal alloy nanoparticles structure was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The particles reduced using NaBH₄ were larger (~20 nm) than those synthesized using 9-BBN (<10 nm). The synthesized nanoparticles showed high stability under notoriously leaching conditions of chloride-containing electrolytes. Moreover, we studied the Au–Ag NPs antibacterial activity against the growth of Gram-negative Escherichia coli ATCC strain 25922 and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC strain 29213. The antibacterial mechanisms were evaluated by studying the time-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A major destruction of the bacterial cell wall and leakage of cell components were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which is clearly visible towards E. coli more than S. aureus bacterial strain. The destruction of the bacterial cell wall was further confirmed by detecting the DNA leakage using gel electrophoresis. The synergistic effect of gold enhanced the antibacterial properties, however, with low cytotoxicity to human dermal fibroblast cells. This study deals with the important aspects of time-dependent mechanisms of the antibacterial action of Au–Ag NPs since the leaching out of Ag ion is slow compared to AgNPs. The Au–Ag NPs alloy efficiently tackles microbial activity that can be controlled to minimize cytotoxicity and thus opens their future applications as antibacterial agents.     

Chemical characterization and evaluation of antimicrobial and cutaneous wound healing potentials of gold nanoparticles using Allium saralicum R.M. Fritsch

The use of herbal medicines dates back a long way in history. Herbal medicines have been widely used all over the world since ancient times and have been recognized by physicians and patients for their good therapeutic value as they have fewer adverse effects than modern medicines. Recently, researchers have used gold nanoparticles synthesized by plants in the prevention, control, and treatment of infectious disorders and cutaneous wounds. The aims of this study were to synthesize gold nanoparticles from aqueous extract of Allium saralicum R.M. Fritsch (AuNPs) and assess their therapeutic capacities. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FT-IR results offered polysaccharides and protein in A. saralicum were the sources of reducing power, reducing gold ions to AuNPs. According to XRD analysis, the crystal size of the nanoparticles was 41.6 nm. TEM and FE-SEM images exhibited average diameters of 45 nm for the biosynthesized nanoparticles. The synthesized AuNPs had great cell viability on HUVECs line and showed this method was nontoxic. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging test indicated similar antioxidant potentials for A. saralicum, AuNPs, and butylated hydroxytoluene. To determine the antifungal and antibacterial properties of HAuCl₄, A. saralicum, and AuNPs, agar diffusion tests were used. The aim of the application both HAuCl₄ and A. saralicum in microbial tests was to investigate the synergism effects between them. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were specified by macro-broth dilution assay. AuNPs exhibited higher antifungal and antibacterial effects than all standard antibiotics (p ≤ 0.01). The MIC and MBC of AuNPs against all bacteria were in the ranges 1–4 mg/ml and 2–8 mg/ml, respectively. The MIC and MFC of AuNPs against all fungi were in the ranges 1–4 mg/ml and 2–4 mg/ml, respectively. In vivo part, AuNPs ointment group raised significantly (p ≤ 0.01) the wound contracture, vessel, hydroxyl proline, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte, fibroblast, and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate and decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01) the wound area, total cells, and lymphocyte compared to other groups in rats. The results of FT-IR, UV–Vis, XRD, TEM, and FE-SEM analyses confirm that the aqueous extract of A. saralicum leaves can be used to yield gold nanoparticles with a notable amount of remedial effects without any cytotoxicity against HUVECs.     

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of cytotoxicity,antioxidant, antibacterial,antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing properties of gold nanoparticles produced via a green chemistry synthesis using Gundelia tournefortii L. as a capping and reducing agent

The exploitation of various plant materials for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles is considered a green technology because it does not involve any harmful chemicals. The aim of the experiment was chemical characterization and evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing activities of gold nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Gundelia tournefortii L. leaves (AuNPs@GT). These nanoparticles were characterized by fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and UV–visible spectroscopy. DPPH free radical scavenging test was done to assess the antioxidant properties, which indicated similar antioxidant potentials for AuNPs@GT and butylated hydroxytoluene. Agar diffusion tests were applied to determine the antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were specified by macro‐broth dilution assay. AuNPs@GT indicated higher antibacterial and antifungal effects than all standard antibiotics (p ≤ 0.01). Also, AuNPs@GT inhibited the growth of all bacteria and fungi and removed them at 2‐4 mg/mL concentrations (p ≤ 0.01). In vivo experiment, after creating the cutaneous wound, the rats were randomly divided into six groups: untreated control, treatment with Eucerin basal ointment, treatment with 3% tetracycline ointment, treatment with 0.2% HAuCl₄ ointment, treatment with 0.2% G. tournefortii ointment, and treatment with 0.2% AuNPs@GT ointment. These groups were treated for 10 days. For histopathological and biochemical analysis of the healing trend, a 3 × 3 cm section was prepared from all dermal thicknesses at day 10. Use of AuNPs@GT ointment in the treatment groups substantially reduced (p ≤ 0.01) the wound area, total cells, neutrophil, and lymphocyte and remarkably raised (p ≤ 0.01) the wound contracture, hydroxyl proline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte, fibroblast, and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate compared to other groups. The synthesized AuNPs@GT had great cell viability dose‐dependently (Investigating the effect of the plant on HUVEC cell line) and revealed this method was nontoxic. The results showed that the leave aqueous extract of G. tournefortii is very good bioreductant in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles for treatment of bacterial, fungal, and skin diseases.     

Falcaria vulgaris leaf aqueous extract mediated synthesis of iron nanoparticles and their therapeutic potentials under in vitro and in vivo condition

In recent years, researchers have used bionanotechnology techniques as cost‐effective and eco‐friendly routes to fabricate nanoparticles. The present study confirms the ability of aqueous extract of Falcaria vulgaris for the biosynthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs@F. vulgaris). Also, in this study, we showed the antioxidant, cytotoxicity, cutaneous wound healing, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of these nanoparticles. FeNPs@F. vulgaris were characterized by UV, FT‐IR, XRD, FE‐SEM, and TEM analysis. According to the XRD analysis, 25.3 nm was measured for the crystal size of nanoparticles. FE‐SEM and TEM images exhibited a uniform spherical morphology and average diameters of 25 nm for the biosynthesized nanoparticles. FTIR results offered protein and polysaccharides in F. vulgaris were the sources of reducing power, reducing iron ions to FeNPs@F. vulgaris. In vivo design, FeNPs@F. vulgaris ointment remarkably reduced (p ≤ 0.01) the wound area, total cells, neutrophil, and lymphocyte and substantially increased (p ≤ 0.01) the wound contracture, vessel, hydroxyl proline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte, and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate compared to other groups in rats. Also, FeNPs@F. vulgaris indicated potential antioxidant activity against DPPH, antifungal potentials against Candida glabrata, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida guilliermondii, antibacterial properties against Gram‐positive bacteria (Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram‐negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) without any cytotoxicity effect against human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Finally, the results showed the useful antioxidant, non‐cytotoxic, cutaneous wound healing, antifungal, and antibacterial effects of FeNPs@F. vulgaris.     

Preparation,Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Activities of Silver/Chitosan Composites

Hybrid silver/chitosan composites were prepared and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) exhibited that silver nanoparticles were embedded in chitosan. The antibacterial activities of these composites were screened against Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesuis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, which were much higher than that of chitosan. The TEM images of the treated bacteria showed that silver nanoparticles adhered to the bacterial cell surface and entered the interior of the cell, assuming that silver nanoparticles released from silver/chitosan composites could efficiently destroy the cell integrity of bacteria. Moreover, the composites exhibited higher antioxidant activity than chitosan based on the assessment of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radical scavenging and reducing power.     

Preparation of chitosan functionalized end‐capped Ag‐NPs and composited with Fe3O4‐NPs: Controlled release to pH‐responsive delivery of progesterone and antibacterial activity against pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO‐1)

In this work, functionalized chitosan end‐capped Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and composited with Fe₃O₄‐NPs was prepared as pH‐responsive controlled release carrier for gastric‐specific drug delivery. The structure of prepared material was characterized by FE‐SEM, XRD, EDS and FT‐IR analysis. The loading behavior of the progesterone onto this novel material was studied in aqueous medium at 25°C and their release was followed spectrophotometrically at 37°C in seven different buffer solutions (pH 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2 and 7.2) to simulate intestine and gastric media which experimental results reveal more release rate in pH 1.2 (gastric medium) with respect to other buffers. This observation is attributed to dependency of the CS‐IMBDO‐Ag‐Fe₃O₄‐NPs and progesterone structure with buffer pH that candidate this new material as prospective pH‐sensitive carrier for gastric‐targeted drug delivery. On the other hand, the antibacterial properties of this material against gram‐negative bacterium pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO‐1) in agar plates was studied and accordingly based on broth micro dilution the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with respect to standard CLSI in different concentrations of CS‐IMBDO‐Ag‐Fe₃O₄‐NPs was calculated. The results reveal that MIC and MBC values are 50 and 1250 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, extracts of Portulaca oleracea leaves was prepared and its antibacterial activity in single and binary system with CS‐IMBDO‐Ag‐Fe₃O₄‐NPs as synergies effect against PAO‐1 was tested and results shown that these materials have significant synergistic effect for each other.     

In vitro curcumin delivery and antibacterial activity of RuS2 and RuO2 nanoparticles loaded chitosan biopolymer

In this work, RuS₂ and RuO₂ nanoparticles loaded chitosan (Chitosan was extracted from Lobsters shells of Persian Gulf, IR. Iran) was prepared and characterized via FE‐SEM, EDS and FT‐IR analysis. FESEM showed the formation of spherical nanoparticles in size ranging of 20 to 100 mm. Subsequently, the role of these new materials as curcumin drug carrier and in vitro release of curcumin in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution (pH 7.4) were studied. RuS₂‐NPs‐CS than to RuO₂‐NPs‐CS showed higher drug loading efficiency (>91%) and rapid (<90 min) curcumin drug release in SBF solution. Also, antibacterial activity of RuS₂‐NPs‐CS and RuO₂‐NPs‐CS in presens and absence of Rosemary extracts against the gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO 1) was evaluated by detection of minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). MIC of RuS₂‐NPs‐CS, RuO₂‐NPs‐CS and Rosemary extracts on Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were found to be 50 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml and 1250 mg/ml, respectively. The synergistic effect of these materials for inhibition of PAO 1 growth showed that mixture of RuS₂‐NPs‐CS and Rosemary extracts has a better efficiency than to other mixture materials.     

Green synthesis and chemical characterization of gold nanoparticle synthesized using Camellia sinensis leaf aqueous extract for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in comparison to daunorubicin in a leukemic mouse model

According to chemotherapeutic properties of medicinal plants, pharmacologists have always tried to synthesize and formulate the new chemotherapeutic supplements or drugs of metallic nanoparticles using plants. In this study, Camellia sinensis leaf aqueous extract-based gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are reported for the first time to exert a dietary therapeutic potential compared to Daunorubicin in an animal model of acute myeloid leukemia. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using different techniques including UV-Vis., FT-IR spectroscopy, TEM, EDS, FE-SEM, and XRD. DPPH free radical scavenging test was done to evaluate the antioxidant potentials of HAuCl₄, C. sinensis, AuNPs, and daunorubicin. For the analyzing of cytotoxicity effects of HAuCl₄, C. sinensis, AuNPs, and daunorubicin, MTT assay was used on HUVEC, Human HL-60/vcr, 32D-FLT3-ITD, and Murine C1498 cell lines. In vivo design, induction of acute myeloid leukemia was done by 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in 75 mice. Then, the animals were randomly divided into six subgroups, including control, untreated, HAuCl₄, C. sinensis, AuNPs, and daunorubicin. FTIR findings suggested antioxidant compounds in the nanoparticles were the sources of reducing power, reducing gold ions to AuNPs. SEM and TEM images exhibited a uniform spherical morphology and diameters of ~20-30 nm for the nanoparticles. DPPH test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for daunorubicin and AuNPs. These nanoparticles similar to daunorubicin had low cell viability dose-dependently against Human HL-60/vcr, 32D-FLT3-ITD, and Murine C1498 cell lines without any cytotoxicity on HUVEC cell line. AuNPs similar to daunorubicin, significantly (p≤0.05) increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines and the lymphocyte, platelet, and RBC parameters and decreased the weight and volume of liver and spleen, the pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the total WBC, blast, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts, as compared to the untreated mice. According to the above results, it appears that AuNPs can be used as a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in the clinical trial.     

One-Step Photochemical Green Synthesis of Water-Dispersible Ag,Au, and Au@Ag Core–Shell Nanoparticles

A simple and green synthetic protocol for the rapid and effective preparation of Ag, Au and Au@Ag core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) is reported based on the light irradiation of a biocompatible, water-soluble dextran functionalized with benzophenone (BP) in the presence of AgNO₃, HAuCl₄, or both. Photoactivation of the BP moiety produces the highly reducing ketyl radicals through fast (<50 ns) intramolecular H-abstraction from the dextran scaffold, which, in turn, ensures excellent dispersibility of the obtained metal NPs in water. The antibacterial activity of the AgNPs and the photothermal action of the Au@Ag core–shell are also shown.     

Pistacia atlantica leaf extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antioxidant,cytotoxicity, and antibacterial effects under in vitro condition

Recently, researchers have investigated the therapeutical properties of metal nanoparticles especially silver nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo conditions. The aim of the experiment was green synthesis and chemical characterization of silver nanoparticles from aqueous extract of Pistacia atlantica leaf (Ag NPs) and evaluation of their cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects under in vitro condition. Ag NPs were spherical with a size range of 40-60 nm and characterized using various analysis techniques including UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy to determine the presence of Ag NP in the solution. We studied functional groups of Pistacia atlantica extract in the reduction and capping process of Ag NP by FT-IR, crystallinity and FCC planes by XRD pattern, elemental analysis of the sample by EDS, and surface morphology, shapes, and size of Ag NPs by SEM, AFM, and TEM. Destroy initiation and termination temperatures of the Ag NPs were determined by TGA. DPPH free radical scavenging test was done to evaluate the antioxidant potentials, which indicated similar antioxidant potentials for Ag NPs and butylated hydroxytoluene. The synthesized Ag NPs had great cell viability dose-dependently and indicated this method was nontoxic. Agar diffusion tests were done to determine the antibacterial characteristic. Ag NPs revealed similar antibacterial property to the standard antibiotic. Also, Ag NPs prevented the growth of all bacteria at 1-7 μg/ml concentrations and removed them at 3-15 μg/ml concentrations. Finally, synthesized Ag NPs revealed non-cytotoxicity, antioxidant and antibacterial activities in a dose-depended manner.     

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from aqueous extract of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam and evaluation of their bio-activities under in vitro and in vivo conditions

The purpose of this experiment was the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from aqueous extracts of Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam (AgNPs@Ziziphora) and assessment of their cytotoxicity, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and cutaneous wound-healing effects. These nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV–Vis, TEM, and FESEM analyses indicated that the size of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) depended on Z. clinopodioides and AgNO₃ concentrations. In vitro biological experiments indicated that AgNPs@Ziziphora has excellent antioxidant potential against DPPH, antifungal effects against Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, and Candida albicans, and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumonia, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Also, these nanoparticles did not exhibit cytotoxicity property against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). An in vivo biological test revealed that AgNPs@Ziziphora ointment significantly (p ≤ 0.01) increased the levels of wound contracture, blood vessels, hydroxyl proline, hexuronic acid, hexosamine, fibrocytes, fibroblasts, and fibrocyte/fibroblast ratio and significantly (p ≤ 0.01) decreased the wound area, and levels of total cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes than other groups in rats. The results of UV–Vis, XRD, FESEM-EDX, AFM, and TEM confirmed that the aqueous extract of Z. clinopodioides can be used to produce silver nanoparticles with significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cutaneous wound-healing properties without any cytotoxicity.     

Physiochemical properties and novel biological applications of Callistemon viminalis‐mediated α‐Cr2O3 nanoparticles

We report an eco‐friendly synthesis of α‐Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) using Callistemon viminalis (Bottle Brush) flower extracts as an efficient reducing and capping agent. NPs of sizes 15 nm and 17 nm were synthesized by annealing them at 400°C and 500°C, respectively, which were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, UV–Vis, Fourier transform‐infrared, high‐resolution‐transmission electron microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, SAED, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and SQUID. Microplate‐based assay was used for examining antibacterial potential against 12 pathogenic bacterial strains, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated. MTT cytotoxic assay was accomplished on Leishmania tropica amastigotes and promastigotes, which revealed IC₅₀ values of 44 μg/ml and 10.56 μg/ml, respectively. An IC₅₀ value of 46.32 μg/ml was obtained for HepG2 cancer cells. Enzyme inhibition studies indicated good acetylcholinesterase, moderate butyrylcholinesterase and low alpha‐glucosidase inhibition. Hemolytic assay indicated hemocompatibility at low concentration. In addition, good DPPH radical scavenging and moderate reducing power and total antioxidant potential was revealed by α‐Cr₂O₃ NPs.     

A One‐Step Process for the Antimicrobial Finishing of Textiles with Crystalline TiO2 Nanoparticles

Titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) in their two forms, anatase and rutile, were synthesized and deposited onto the surface of cotton fabrics by using ultrasonic irradiation. The structure and morphology of the nanoparticles were analyzed by using characterization methods such as XRD, TEM, STEM, and EDS. The antimicrobial activities of the TiO₂–cotton composites were tested against Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram‐positive) strains, as well as against Candida albicans. Significant antimicrobial effect was observed, mainly against Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the combination of visible light and TiO₂ NPs showed enhanced antimicrobial activity.     

Phytochemical characterisation and bioprospection for antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Lippia alba Brown ex Britton & Wilson (Verbenaceae)

Ethanol extract and fractions obtained from fresh and dry aerial parts of Lippia alba were examined in order to determine their phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activities. The ethanol extracts and fractions exhibited an antioxidant effect by the DPPH assay, especially samples of fresh plant. HPLC analysis of the ethyl acetate fractions identified the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The ethanol extract and fractions showed activity against reference and multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC range 2000–250 μg/mL). The hexane and dichloromethane fractions of fresh plant showed better activity against reference strains of Escherichia coli (MIC of 250 and 125 μg/mL, respectively), but all extracts and fractions were less active against multidrug-resistant strains of all the Gram-negative species evaluated. The results showed that the extract and fractions of L alba aerial parts showed antibacterial activity, even against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, and antioxidant effect (DPPH assay).     

Investigation and comparison of biological effects of regioselectively synthesized thiazole derivatives

In this study, anticancer, antibacterial (against hospital-isolated antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strains), antifungal, and antioxidant effects of synthesized heterocyclic compounds 5 and 7 containing thiazole core were examined. Cytotoxicity testing was utilized against MCF-7 breast cancer cells via MTT cell viability assay. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were checked out according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, and antioxidant properties were evaluated through scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. Results showed the viability of breast cancer cell lines was reliant on concentration of heterocycles and time of incubation. Synthetic compounds exhibited excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties base on their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values as well as high antioxidant activities according to their IC₅₀ values. Higher anticancer and antibacterial properties were observed with compound 7; on the contrary, thiazole 5 had better antioxidant effects. They can be introduced as potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer agents.     

Modulation of antibiotic activity by the hydroalcoholic extract from leaves of Caryocar coriaceum WITTM

The aim of this study was to identify the presence of tannins, phenols and flavonoids on the hydroalcoholic extract of Caryocar coriaceum leaves (HECCL) and to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of this extract. The extract was tested alone (1024–1 μg/mL) or associated (MIC/8) with several antibiotics in order to identify any antibacterial activity against multiresistant bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The existence of tannins, total phenols (901.31 mg/g) and flavonoids (89.68 mg/g) was confirmed in the HECCL. The presence of rutin and quercetin were confirmed by Thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, the antioxidant activity of the extract (9 μg/mL) was determined. Moreover, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value found for HECCL was 1024 μg/mL and the association between HECCL (MIC/8) with benzylpenicillin significantly changed its minimum inhibitory concentration from 2500 to 625 μg/mL against E. coli.