A molecular dynamics simulation study of EthylChlorophyllide A molecules confined in a SiO2 nanoslit

This paper investigates the dynamic behavior of EthylChlorophyllide A (EChlideA) molecules in a methanol solution confined within a 4 nm silica nanoslit, using molecular dynamics simulations over a duration of 1 ms. Three systems, containing 1, 2, and 4 solutes, were studied at 298 K. The results demonstrate that EChlideA molecules predominantly adsorb onto the silica surfaces, driven by specific interactions between chlorin ring's methyl group and the hydroxyl groups of the silica. This adsorption leads to stable binding, particularly in less crowded environments, as indicated by the potential of mean force analysis. Higher molecular concentrations, such as those with four EChlideA molecules, introduce variation in binding strength due to molecular aggregation and complex interactions. The orientation analysis reveals that the chlorin ring tends to align parallel to the surface, requiring rotational adjustments during surface diffusion. In addition, solvent coordination around the Mg ion remains consistent under bulk conditions, although with some variation in higher concentrations. This study also highlights a decrease in linear diffusion and an increase in rotational relaxation times for EChlideA molecules within the confined nanoslit, reflecting the influence of molecular concentration and arrangement on their dynamics. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of surface interactions, molecular orientation, and solvent coordination in confined environments, offering implications for the design of nanoscale systems.

Apoptotic efficiency of Dicoma anomala biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against A549 lung cancer cells

Lung cancer is one of the common forms of cancer that affects both men and women and is regarded as the leading cause of cancer related deaths. It is characterized by unregulated cell division of altered cells within the lung tissues. Green nanotechnology is a promising therapeutic option that is adopted in cancer research. Dicoma anomala (D. anomala) is one of the commonly used African medicinal plant in the treatment of different medical conditions including cancer. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using D. anomala MeOH root extract. We evaluated the anticancer efficacy of the synthesized AgNPs as an individual treatment as well as in combination with pheophorbide a (PPBa) mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in vitro. UV-VIS spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to confirm the formation of D.A AgNPs. Post 24 h treatment, A549 cells were evaluated for ATP proliferation, morphological changes supported by LIVE/DEAD assay, and caspase activities. All experiments were repeated four times (n=4), with findings being analysed using SPSS statistical software version 27 set at 0.95 confidence interval. The results from the present study revealed a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation in both individual and combination therapy of PPBa mediated PDT and D.A AgNPs on A549 lung cancer cells with significant morphological changes. Additionally, LIVE/DEAD assay displayed a significant increase in the number of dead cell population in individual treatments (i.e., IC50's treated A549 cells) as well as in combination therapy. In conclusion, the findings from this study demonstrated the anticancer efficacy of green synthesized AgNPs as a mono-therapeutic drug as well as in combination with a chlorophyll derivative PPBa in PDT. Taken together, the findings highlight the therapeutic potential of green nanotechnology in medicine.

From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations

This review explores the extensive applications of plants in areas of biomimetics and bioinspiration, highlighting their role in developing sustainable solutions across various fields such as medicine, materials science, and environmental technology. Plants not only serve essential ecological functions but also provide a rich source of inspiration for innovations in green nanotechnology, biomedicine, and architecture. In the past decade, the focus has shifted towards utilizing plant-based and vegetal waste materials in creating eco-friendly and cost-effective materials with remarkable properties. These materials are employed in making advancements in drug delivery, environmental remediation, and the production of renewable energy. Specifically, the review discusses the use of (nano)bionic plants capable of detecting explosives and environmental contaminants, underscoring their potential in improving quality of life and even in lifesaving applications. The work also refers to the architectural inspirations drawn from the plant world to develop novel design concepts that are both functional and aesthetic. It elaborates on how engineered plants and vegetal waste have been transformed into value-added materials through innovative applications, especially highlighting their roles in wastewater treatment and as electronic components. Moreover, the integration of plants in the synthesis of biocompatible materials for medical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds and artificial muscles demonstrates their versatility and capacity to replace more traditional synthetic materials, aligning with global sustainability goals. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current and potential uses of living plants in technological advancements, advocating for a deeper exploration of vegetal materials to address pressing environmental and technological challenges.

Using Natural Dye Additives to Enhance the Energy Conversion Performance of a Cellulose Paper-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Green and sustainable power sources for next-generation electronics are being developed. A cellulose paper-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was fabricated to harness mechanical energy and convert it into electricity. This work proposes a novel approach to modify cellulose paper with natural dyes, including chlorophyll from spinach, anthocyanin from red cabbage, and curcumin from turmeric, to enhance the power output of a TENG. All the natural dyes are found to effectively improve the energy conversion performance of a cellulose paper-based TENG due to their photogenerated charges. The highest power density of 3.3 W/m2 is achieved from the cellulose paper-based TENG modified with chlorophyll, which is higher than those modified with anthocyanin and curcumin, respectively. The superior performance is attributed not only to the photosensitizer properties but also the molecular structure of the dye that promotes the electron-donating properties of cellulose.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Photosensitizing Efficiency of Porphyrins, Chlorins and Isobacteriochlorins toward Melanoma Cancer Cells

Skin cancer is one of the cancers that registers the highest number of new cases annually. Among all forms of skin cancer, melanoma is the most invasive and deadliest. The resistance of this form of cancer to conventional treatments has led to the employment of alternative/complementary therapeutic approaches. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears to be a promising alternative to overcome the resistance of melanoma to conventional therapies. PDT is a non-invasive therapeutic procedure in which highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated upon excitation of a photosensitizer (PS) when subjected to visible light of an adequate wavelength, resulting in the death of cancer cells. In this work, inspired by the efficacy of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles to act as PS against tumor cells, we report the photophysical characterization and biological assays of isobacteriochlorins and their corresponding chlorins and porphyrins against melanoma cancer cells through a photodynamic process. The non-tumoral L929 fibroblast murine cell line was used as the control. The results show that the choice of adequate tetrapyrrolic macrocycle-based PS can be modulated to improve the performance of PDT.

Electronic and steric effects controlling monomer-dimer self-assembly in 6H-1,4-diazepinoporphyrazines: an experimental and theoretical study

A series of 5,7-disubstituted 1,4-diazepinoporphyrazinato magnesium(II) and nickel(II) complexes, including two novel compounds, were obtained by metal-templated macrocyclization. A combination of X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR, UV-vis, and electrochemical analyses allowed us to study their tendency towards H-type dimerization and trace the influence of structural and solvation factors on dimer stability. Based on the physicochemical and theoretical DFT calculation data, it was found that the main binding forces between 6H-1,4-diazepinoporphyrazine decks in the dimers were efficient π-π donor-acceptor interactions induced by the interdeck C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the metal-ligand (Pz^2- → M²⁺) electronic interactions have a key influence on the π-π stacking of the porphyrazine cores. It was shown that the displacement of the metal ion out of the macrocycle plane induced by coordinating agents can trigger the dissociation of the dimer, since the resulting enhancement of the donor-acceptor electronic interaction between the metal ion and the π-system of the ligand leads to a subsequent weakening of the π-π stacking of the porphyrazine cores. The TD-DFT calculations predicted the non-degeneracy of the HOMO-1 → LUMO and HOMO → LUMO+1 transitions in the 6H-1,4-diazepinoporphyrazine H-dimers, which explains the Q-band splitting in their UV-vis spectra.