Preparation of bismuth sulfide nanoparticles as targeted biocompatible nano-radiosensitizer and carrier of methotrexate

In this study, Bi₂S₃@BSA–Bio–MTX nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized for the first time by bovine serum albumin (BSA)-mediated biomineralization (Bi₂S₃@BSA NPs) followed by covalent bonding of biotin (Bio) and methotrexate (MTX) on the surface of the Bi₂S₃@BSA NPs via carbodiimide chemistry. The synthesized NPs were globular and exhibited uniform morphology with a hydrodynamic diameter of 107.6 ± 6.81 nm (mean ± standard deviation) and zeta potential of −20.9 ± 2.18 mV. Drug release from Bi₂S₃@BSA–Bio–MTX NPs indicated an enzyme-dependent release pattern. The in vitro biocompatibility of NPs was confirmed by investigating their cytotoxicity against the HEK-293 cell line and hemolysis assay test, whereas the in vivo biocompatibility of the NPs was evaluated and confirmed by the lethal dose 50 (LD₅₀) test. To evaluate the in vitro anticancer activity of the functionalized NPs and MTX, their cytotoxic effects was assessed against 4T1 cancer cells by 5-dimethylthiazol-z-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with and without X-ray radiation. Results showed that Bi₂S₃@BSA–Bio–MTX NPs have excellent anticancer activity, especially following X-ray radiation.     

Saussurea costus for sustainable and eco-friendly synthesis of palladium nanoparticles and their biological activities

Palladium nanoparticles have been evaluated as a viable candidate in the realm of biological applications due to their unique features. Saussurea costus extract was used as a stabilizing and reducing agent for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles with average grain size of 17.6 ± 1.2 nm. The synthesized PdNPs were evaluated for their antioxidant activity, anti Alzheimer's activity, antibacterial and anticancer activities. The nanocharacterization was carried out using different spectroscopic techniques, including UV–visible spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction analysis, X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Size distribution, and Zeta potential. The characterization data explained the PdNPs mediated by S.costus extract have spherical form and are disseminated without agglomeration. FTIR and XPS supported the hypotheisis that the biomolecules of S.costus are activing as a reducing and stabilizing agents. The antioxidant activity of PdNPs was assessed using a free radical scavenging assay (DPPH) which exhibited similar results to the ABTS assay i.e. 90 μg/mL IC₅₀ value. Moreover Alzheimer's disease can easily be inhibited by S.costus@PdNPs at 400 mg/mL, with 79.23 ± 1.11 % of inhibition rate against AChE and 76.13 ± 0.43 % towards BChE. S.costus@PdNPs showed comparatively greater antibacterial activity against all four Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa microorganisms. Supplementary research carried out on the anti-tumor effects of the generated PdNPs using the colon cancer (HCT-116), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. PdNPs showed potent anticancerous activity against all the cell lines. Thus we recommend S.costus@PdNPs as a thearapeutic agent after successful clinical trails in future.     

The surface modification of spherical ZnO with Ag nanoparticles: A novel agent,biogenic synthesis,catalytic and antibacterial activities

Nowadays, the industrial wastewater pollutants including toxic dyes and pathogenic microbes have caused serious environmental contaminations and human health problems. In the present study, eco-friendly and facile green synthesis of Ag modified ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-Ag NPs) using Crataegus monogyna (C. monogyna) extract (ZnO-Ag@CME NPs) is reported. The morphology and structure of the as-biosynthesized product were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), differential reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. TEM and FESEM images confirmed the oval and spherical-like structure of the products with a size of 55–70 nm. The EDS analysis confirmed the presence of Zn, Ag, and O elements in the biosynthesized product. The photocatalytic results showed ZnO-Ag@CME NPs were degraded (89.8% and 75.3%) and (94.2% and 84.7%) of methyl orange (MO) and basic violet 10 (BV10), under UV and sunlight irradiations, respectively. The Ag modified ZnO nanoparticles exhibited enhanced catalytic activity towards organic pollutants, and showed better performance than the pure ZnO nanoparticles under UV and sunlight irradiations. This performance was probably due to the presence of silver nanoparticles as a plasmonic material. Antibacterial activity was performed against different bacteria. ZnO-Ag@CME NPs showed high antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium, P. vulgaris, S. mitis, and S. faecalis with MIC values of 50, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5, and 12.45 µg/mL, respectively. All in all, the present investigation suggests a promising method to achieve high-efficiency antibacterial and catalytic performance.     

Sustainable fabrication of silver-titania nanocomposites using goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) fruit extract and their photocatalytic and antibacterial applications

Silver-titania nanocomposites (Ag-TiO₂ NCs) have unique functional attributes due to their photocatalytic and antibacterial properties. In this study, titania nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) were successfully in-situ decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using the aqueous extract of goji berries (Lycium barbarum L.) as a bioreducing and stabilizing agent. Different Ag-TiO₂ NCs were synthesized by treating different concentrations of silver nitrate with a specific concentration of TiO₂-NPs in the presence of fruit extract. The green-synthesized NCs were characterized using several techniques viz., ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, field-emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed the formation of face-centered cubic (fcc) crystals, and FE-TEM analysis revealed the embedment of Ag-NPs throughout the surface of TiO₂-NPs. The average size of Ag-NPs on TiO₂-NPs increased from 11.2 ± 3.05 nm to 16.4 ± 4.5 nm with an increase in the concentration of silver ions, and the morphology of Ag-NPs was predominantly quasi-spherical and hexagonal. These NCs exhibited an excellent photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye, methylene blue (MB). The synthesized Ag-TiO₂ NCs (3:1) showed higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ∼ 93.4% for MB in 130 min under visible light irradiation. Ag-TiO₂ NC_S also exhibited good antibacterial activities towards Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative). Therefore, the formation of Ag-NPs on the surface of TiO₂-NPs to form Ag-TiO₂ NCs exhibits eco-friendly photocatalytic degradation of azo dye contaminants as well as antibacterial activity.     

Citrus sinensis leaf aqueous extract green-synthesized silver nanoparticles: Characterization and cytotoxicity,antioxidant, and anti-human lung carcinoma effects

The present work demonstrates the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) by using aqueous extract of Citrus sinensis as green reductant and capping agent without any toxic reagent. Physicochemical characteristics of the said nanoparticles were elucidated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vids) techniques. The biogenic Ag NPs are uniformly globular. The Ag NPs has been explored biologically in the anticancer and antioxidant assays. In the cellular and molecular part of the recent study, the treated cells with Ag NPs were assessed by MTT assay for 48 h about the cytotoxicity and anti-human lung carcinoma properties on normal (HUVEC) and lung carcinoma cell lines i.e. NCI-H661, HLC-1, NCI-H1563, LC-2/ad, NCI-H1299, and PC-14. The viability of malignant lung cell line reduced dose-dependently in the presence of Ag NPs. The IC50 of Ag NPs were 82, 139, 170, 66, 62, and 50 µg/mL against NCI-H661, HLC-1, NCI-H1563, LC-2/ad, NCI-H1299, and PC-14 cell lines, respectively. In the antioxidant test, the IC50 of Ag NPs and vitamin E against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals were 21 and 15 µg/mL, respectively. After clinical study, Ag NPs containing Citrus sinensis leaf aqueous extract may be used to formulate a new chemotherapeutic drug or supplement to treat the several types of human lung adenocarcinoma.     

Investigation of anti-human ovarian cancer effects of decorated Au nanoparticles on Thymbra spicata extract modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles

This work describes an eco-friendly approach for in situ immobilization of Au nanoparticles on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, with the help of Thymbra spicata extract and ultrasound irradiations, without using any toxic reducing and capping agents. The combination of Fe₃O₄ NPs and Au NPs in one hybrid nanostructure (Fe₃O₄@Thymbra spicata/Au NPs) represents a promising strategy for targeted biomedical applications. The structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties were characterized by various analytical techniques such as fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). MTT assay was used on common ovarian cancer cell lines i.e., SW-626, PA-1, and SK-OV-3 to survey the cytotoxicity and anti-ovarian cancer effects of Fe₃O₄@Thymbra spicata/Au NPs. The best results of cytotoxicity and anti-ovarian cancer properties were seen in the concentration of 1000 µg/mL. Fe₃O₄@ Thymbra spicata/Au NPs had very low cell viability and high anti-ovarian cancer activities dose-dependently against PA-1, SW-626, and SK-OV-3 cell lines without any cytotoxicity on the normal cell line (HUVEC). For investigating the antioxidant properties of Fe₃O₄@ Thymbra spicata/Au NPs, the DPPH test was used in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene as the positive control. Fe₃O₄@Thymbra spicata/Au NPs inhibited half of the DPPH molecules in the concentration of 107 µg/mL. Maybe significant anti-human ovarian cancer potentials of Fe₃O₄@Thymbra spicata/Au NPs against common human ovarian cancer cell lines are linked to their antioxidant activities. After confirming the above results in the clinical trial researches, this formulation can be administrated for the treatment of several types of human ovarian cancers in humans.     

Antibacterial,antioxidant and photocatalytic activity of novel Rubus ellipticus leaf mediated silver nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science that has significant applications in applied sciences. In this study, silver nanoparticles (SNPs) were synthesized utilizing the leaf filtrate of Rubus ellipticus. SNPs were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction patterns to determine their morphology and chemical composition. The surface plasmon resonance of SNPs revealed a peak at 415 nm. The synthesized SNPs were mainly spherical crystals with an average size of 21.43 nm. When compared to plant extract and positive controls (AgNO₃ and penicillin), SNPs demonstrated significant bactericidal activity against all the tested bacteria (gram-positive and gram-negative). The most effective bactericidal activity was found against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.25 µg/mL. In addition, a dose-dependent antioxidant activity of SNPs was found against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical with an average IC50 value of 72.84 µg/mL. The photocatalytic activity of Methylene blue (MB) dye decomposition under sunlight was studied. The results showed that MB degraded by 98 % after 150 min in the sun. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that R. ellipticus biosynthesized SNPs may have bactericidal and photocatalytic effects.     

Ultrasonic green synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by Pectin: Characterization and evaluation of the cytotoxicity,antioxidant, and colorectal carcinoma properties

Regarding applicative, facile, green chemical research, a bio-inspired approach is being reported for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles by pectin as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent without using any toxic and harmful reagent. The biosynthesized Pectin/Ag NPs were characterized by advanced physicochemical techniques like ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) study. It has been established that pectin-stabilized silver nanoparticles have a spherical shape with a mean diameter from 15 to 20 nm. After that, the biological performance of those biomolecules functionalized Ag NPs was investigated. In the MTT assay, human colorectal carcinoma (HCT-8 [HRT-18], Ramos.2G6.4C10, HT-29, and HCT 116) and normal cell lines (HUVEC) were used to study the cytotoxicity and anticancer potential of human colorectal over the AgNO₃ and Pectin/Ag NPs. The cell viability of Pectin/Ag NPs was very low against human colorectal carcinoma cell lines without any cytotoxicity on the normal (HUVEC) cell line. The best anti-human colorectal carcinoma properties of Pectin/Ag NPs against the above cell lines was in the case of the HCT 116 cell line. The antioxidant properties of the AgNO₃ and Pectin/Ag NPs were calculated against DPPH free radicals. The IC50 of Pectin/Ag NPs was 167 µg/mL. According to the above results, the Pectin/Ag NPs may be administrated to treat human colorectal carcinoma in humans.     

Design and synthesis of nano Cu/chitosan-starch bio-composite for the treatment of human thyroid carcinoma

In this study we report the green synthesis of nontoxic and stable Cu nanoparticles (NP) using chitosan/starch hydrogel with reducing/capping ability without using any harsh reducing agents. Starch was used as a reducing agent for the synthesis of Cu NPs that was further stabilized by chitosan polymers. The in situ prepared Cu NPs/CS-Starch bio-composite were characterized by advanced physicochemical techniques like Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis, TGA and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopic (ICP-OES) study. It has been established that Cu NPs/CS-Starch bio-composite have a spherical shape with a mean diameter from 5 to 7 nm. Cell viability of Cu NPs/CS-Starch bio-composite was very low against common human thyroid carcinoma cell lines i.e. TPC1, BCPAP and FTC133 without any cytotoxicity on normal cell line. The best anti-human thyroid carcinoma effects of Cu NPs/CS-Starch bio-composite was observed against the TPC1 cell line. For investigating the antioxidant properties of Cu NPs/CS-Starch bio-composite, the DPPH assay was used in the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene as the positive control. Cu NPs/CS-Starch bio-composite inhibited half of the DPPH molecules in the concentration of 207 µg/mL. The antioxidant activity of Cu NPs/CS-Starch bio-composite is significantly related to its anti-human thyroid carcinoma potentials. Based on to the above findings, the Cu NPs/CS-Starch bio-composite could be administrated for the treatment of several types of human thyroid carcinoma in humans.     

Antibacterial studies of bio-functionalized carbon decorated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)

In the present report, Lemon juice (bio-extract) extract was efficaciously used for the synthesis of bio-functionalized silver nanoparticles (Ag-1, Ag-2 & Ag-3 NPs) and decorated with carbon material obtained from mustard oil. The morphology, size, crystal structure, formation and interaction were studied by means of innumerable analytical methods including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The XRD results approve the formation of AgNPs with face-centered cubic (fcc) lattice. The XRD results also exhibit some unassigned peaks which might be due to the presence of bio-organic materials on the surface of AgNPs. The bands observed from the IR spectra showing the involvement of biomolecules onto the surface of silver nanoparticles. Mostly citric acid plays a major role in bio-reduction, capping agent, and stabilization of silver ions. We attained maximal inhibition zone (2.10 ​± ​0.05 and 2.03 ​± ​0.027) counter to gram-negative bacteria K. pneumoniae and P. bacilli with Ag-3 respectively, but lowest inhibition zone (1.27 ​± ​0.22) contrary to S. aureus as a gram-positive bacteria with Ag-2.     

Biogenic synthesis from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">yedoensis</Emphasis> leaf extract,characterization, and photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles

Green synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) from Prunus × yedoensis leaf extract (PYLE), and their application for removal of phosphate and their antibacterial activity, were studied for the first time. NPs were obtained using a green chemistry approach from 0.1 M TiO₂ and PYLE at ratio of 1:1 (v/w). Initial confirmation of production of TiO₂ NPs was provided by a color change from white to light yellow, then calcination was performed at 500 °C for 1 h. The TiO₂ NPs were characterized using various analytical techniques such as ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the optimal amount of TiO₂ NPs for removal of phosphate was 10 mg/l (10 ppm) with duration of 25 min. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of TiO₂ NPs was also investigated using two different bacteria (Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli) in aqueous medium. The results revealed highly efficient sunlight-driven photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of TiO₂ NPs.     

Physico-chemical characterization and anti-laryngeal cancer effects of the gold nanoparticles

Most recently, gold nanoparticles due to anticancer properties have been considered in medical science. So the aim of the study was green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Ocimum basilicum extract and its anticancer activity. The prepared Au nanoparticles were characterized by advanced physicochemical techniques like Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and UV–vis spectroscopy study. It has been established that Au nanoparticles have a spherical shape with a mean diameter from 19 to 44 nm. In the cellular and molecular part of the recent study, the treated cells with Au nanoparticles were assessed by MTT assay for 48 h about the cytotoxicity and anti-human laryngeal cancer properties on normal (HUVEC) and cancer (HEp-2, TU212, KB, UM-SCC-5, UM-SCC-11A and UM-SCC-11B) cell lines. In the antioxidant test, the IC50 of Au nanoparticles and BHT against DPPH free radicals were 228 and 208 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 of Au nanoparticles were 174, 231, 179, 143, 230, and 216 µg/mL against HEp-2, TU212, KB, UM-SCC-5, UM-SCC-11A and UM-SCC-11B cell lines, respectively. The viability of malignant cell lines reduced dose-dependently in the presence of Au nanoparticles. It appears that the anti-cancer effect of Au nanoparticles e to their antioxidant effects.     

Oak gum mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles under ultrasonic conditions: Characterization and evaluation of its antioxidant and anti-lung cancer effects

Herein, we represent the bio-synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) employing Oak gum as the green template, an efficient natural and non-toxic reductant and stabilizer based on its phytochemicals by using ultrasonic irradiation. The characterization of as-synthesized Ag NPs was performed through Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), elemental mapping, UV–Vis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). After the characterization, the synthesized Ag NPs/O. Gum was engaged in biological assays like study of anti-oxidant properties by DPPH mediated free radical scavenging test using MeOH and BHT as reference molecules. Thereafter, on having a significant IC₅₀ value in radical scavenging assay, we extended the bio-application of the desired nanocomposite in anticancer study of A549, Calu6 and H358 human lung cell lines in-vitro through MTT assay. They had very low cell viability and high anti-human lung cancer activities dose-dependently against the cell lines without any cytotoxicity on the normal cell line (MRC-5). The IC₅₀ of Ag NPs/O. Gum was found 161.25, 289.26 and 235.29 µg/mL against A549, Calu6 and H358 cell lines, respectively. Maybe significant anti-human lung cancer potentials of Ag NPs/O. Gum against common lung cancer cell lines are related to their antioxidant activities. So, these results suggest that synthesized Ag NPs/O. Gum as a chemotherapeutic nanomaterial have a suitable anticancer activity against lung cell lines.     

Chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles promoted antibacterial,antibiofilm, wound-healing of murine macrophages and antiproliferation of human breast cancer MCF 7 cells

In the present study, environmentally benign silver nanoparticles were synthesized using commercially purchased shrimp-shell chitosan as a capping agent. The synthesized chitosan-silver nanoparticles (Ch-AgNPs) were physico-chemically characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) along with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), DLS and Zeta potential analysis. Ch-Ag NPs were crystalline, uniformly dispersed, and spherically shaped, with particle size between 8 and 48 nm. The average size of Ch-AgNPs was 21 nm. In-vitro anti-biofilm activity of Ch-AgNPs was tested against wound infection-causing pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative). Ch-AgNPs displayed anti-biofilm activity in a dose-dependent manner. Light and confocal-laser scanning microscopy confirmed the significant inhibition of biofilm growth of S. aureus (85%) and P. aeruginosa (95%) at 100 μg mL⁻¹ of Ch-AgNPs. Moreover, Ch-AgNPs promoted wound healing by increasing the migration of RAW 264.7 murine macrophages cells at 75 and 100 μg mL⁻¹after 24 h. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity of Ch-AgNPs against MCF 7 (human breast cancer) cells, depicted the greater inhibition of proliferation of cells (64%) at 100 μg mL^−1.     

Biosynthesis,characterization, biological and photo catalytic investigations of Elsholtzia blanda and chitosan mediated copper oxide nanoparticles

Bio synthesis of nanoparticles using plant parts has gained considerable attention, given the fact that the method is green, environment friendly, cheaper, simple and involves no hazardous substances. The present study involves the green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using chitosan and the aqueous leaf extract of Elsholtzia blanda, an aromatic medicinal herb. The synthesized E.blanda-chitosan mediated copper oxide nanoparticles (CPCE) and E. blanda mediated copper oxide nanoparticles (PCE) were subjected to different characterization techniques, Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). The absorbance peaks in UV–Vis spectroscopy at 286 nm and 278 nm for CPCE and PCE respectively indicated the formation of nanoparticles. TEM and SEM employed for studying the surface morphology showed rod-like and spherical morphology bearing average size of 47.71 nm for CPCE and 36.07 nm for PCE. The antibacterial activities of the prepared nanoparticles were tested against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi by agar well diffusion method. The results indicate that CuO NPs possess effective antibacterial potential against all tested bacteria with a maximum zone of inhibition of 18 mm for Enterococcus faecalis. Antioxidant studies revealed the highest DPPH scavenging activity of 89% at 25 μg/mL concentration of the nanoparticles. The percentage of the photo catalytic degradation of Congo red was found to be 95% after 10 h.     

New potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-cancer therapies of chitosan derivatives and its nanoparticles: Preparation and characterization

Chitosan (CS) is a biopolymer and has reactive amine/hydroxyl groups facilitated its modifications. The purpose of this study is improvement of (CS) physicochemical properties and its capabilities as antiviral and antitumor through modification with 1-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)thiosemicarbazide (3A) or 1-(5-fluoro-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)thiosemicarbazide (3B) via crosslinking of poly(ethylene glycol)diglycidylether (PEGDGE) using microwave-assisted as green technique gives (CS-I) and (CS-II) derivatives. However, (CS) derivatives nanoparticles (CS-I NPs) and (CS-II NPs) are synthesized via ionic gelation technique using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Structures of new (CS) derivatives are characterized using different tools. The anticancer, antiviral efficiencies and molecular docking of (CS) and its derivatives are assayed. (CS) derivatives and its nanoparticles show enhancement in cell inhibition toward (HepG-2 and MCF-7) cancer cells in comparison with (CS). (CS-II NPs) reveals the lowest IC₅₀ values are 92.70 ± 2.64 μg/mL and 12.64 µ g/mL against (HepG-2) cell and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) respectively and the best binding affinity toward corona virus protease receptor (PDB ID 6LU7) ?5.71 kcal / mol. Furthermore, (CS-I NPs) shows the lowest cell viability% 14.31 ± 1.48 % and the best binding affinity ?9.98 kcal/moL against (MCF-7) cell and receptor (PDB ID 1Z11) respectively. Results of this study demonstrated that (CS) derivatives and its nanoparticles could be potentially employed for biomedical applications.     

Calcination temperature-dependent morphology of photocatalytic ZnO nanoparticles prepared by an electrochemical–thermal method

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with tunable morphologies were synthesized by a hybrid electrochemical–thermal method at different calcination temperatures without the use of any surfactant or template. The NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope and N₂ gas adsorption–desorption studies. The FT-IR spectra of ZnO NPs showed a band at 450 cm^?1, a characteristic of ZnO, which remained fairly unchanged at calcination temperatures even above 300 °C, indicating complete conversion of the precursor to ZnO. The products were thermally stable above 300 °C. The ZnO NPs were present in a hexagonal wurtzite phase and the crystallinity of ZnO increased with an increasing calcination temperature. The ZnO NPs calcined at lower temperature were mesoporous in nature. The surface areas of ZnO NPs calcined at 300 and 400 °C were 51.10 and 40.60 m² g^?1, respectively, which are significantly larger than commercial ZnO nanopowder. Surface diffusion has been found to be the key mechanism of sintering during heating from 300 to 700 °C with the activation energy of sintering as 8.33 kJ mol^?1. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs calcined at different temperatures evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under sunlight showed strong dependence on the surface area of ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs with high surface area showed enhanced photocatalytic activity.     

XPS study of silver and copper nanoparticles demonstrated selective anticancer,proapoptotic, and antibacterial properties

Silver and copper nanoparticles were produced by an ecologically safe metal vapor synthesis (MVS) method using acetone as an organic dispersion medium. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the specimens are spherical and polydisperse, and their average size is 2.5 nm for silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and 2.6 nm for copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses showed that the state of silver in the nanoparticles is close to that of silver in the Ag⁰ state, whereas copper black contains two oxidized states of the metal—Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺. Biological in vitro studies demonstrated that the nanoparticles have antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species. Cu NPs exhibited more prominent antibacterial effects and induced significant growth inhibition of Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. Both types of nanoparticles showed anticancer properties in vitro. Cu NPs induced intense cytotoxicity in cancer and normal fibroblasts in vitro cultures, but their inhibitory effect against noncancerous cells was milder compared with cancer cell lines. Ag NPs demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against human lung and cervical adenocarcinoma cell lines. Further in vitro studies indicated that the mechanism of Ag NPs and Cu NPs anticancer effects involves induction of apoptosis. The present study describes a green synthesis approach for production of biologically active silver and copper nanoparticles and highlights their potential for medical application.     

Novel silver-platinum bimetallic nanoalloy synthesized from Vernonia mespilifolia extract: Antioxidant,antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities

In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles comprising silver and platinum with promising therapeutic activities were synthesized using ethanolic Vernonia mespilifolia plant extract for the first time. The bimetallic silver-platinum nanoparticles (AgPtNPs) were characterized using solid-state techniques including UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. The internal morphological structure showed that the AgPtNPs were spherical with a diameter of approximately 35.5 ± 0.8 nm, while FTIR confirmed the effective capping and formation of the nanoparticles by phytoconstituents. The polyphenolic contents of the green synthesized nanoparticles from the ethanolic extract of V. mespilifolia (AgNPs and AgPtNPs) was found to be (28.0 ± 0.8 and 13.6 ± 0.1 mg GAE/g) total phenol, while the flavonoids content was (366.2 ± 17.0 and 126.6 ± 0.2 mg QE/g), and proanthocyanins content was (161.8 ± 0.6 and 70.2 ± 0.6 mg CE/g). The AgPtNPs displayed a greater ability to scavenge free radicals, especially DPPH and ABTS (IC₅₀ 19.5 and 21.6 µg/mL) respectively when compared with AgNPs and ascorbic acid. Besides, the AgPtNPs had a higher ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (44.1 mg GAE/g) when compared to AgNPs (18.5 mg GAE/g). Moreover, the AgPtNPs showed a two-fold antimicrobial activity towards pathogenic microbes compared to AgNPs and a selective cytotoxic potency towards MCF-7 breast cancer cell line compared to HEK 293 normal cell line. In summary, these fascinating bioactivities displayed by the AgPtNPs highlighted their potential in therapeutic biomedical applications.     

Biosynthesis of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Justicia gendarussa</Emphasis> leaves for photocatalytic and toxicity studies

Eco-friendly biosynthesis of polycrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) was synthesised using Justicia gendarussa (J. gendarussa) leaf extract as oxidizing agents. They were compared with TiO₂ NPs synthesized using the glacial acetic acid and also studied was the combined effect of synthesis of TiO₂ NPs. The crystalline nature and structural formation of TiO₂ NPs synthesized by different methods were confirmed by the X-ray diffraction technique, and functional groups of materials were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The synthesized materials were investigated for photocatalytic activity for methylene blue under UV irradiation and toxicity activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The result indicates that TiO₂ NPs synthesised by J. gendarussa showed superior and enhanced activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Biosynthesized TiO₂ NPs showed higher photodegradation of dyes when compared with other TiO₂ NPs synthesized by different methods. This is due to the alterations in band gap; structural changes and surface area in nanoparticles that increased the activity. Also, nanosphere/disc like morphology of TiO₂ NPs is confirmed using TEM.