Investigating the in vitro photothermal effect of green synthesized apigenin-coated gold nanoparticle on colorectal carcinoma

Tau- and α-synuclein-targeted gold nanoparticles: applications, opportunities, and future outlooks in the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases

The use of nanomaterials in medicine offers multiple opportunities to address neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. These diseases are a significant burden for society and the health system, affecting millions of people worldwide without sensitive and selective diagnostic methodologies or effective treatments to stop their progression. In this sense, the use of gold nanoparticles is a promising tool due to their unique properties at the nanometric level. They can be functionalized with specific molecules to selectively target pathological proteins such as Tau and α-synuclein for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. Additionally, these proteins are used as diagnostic biomarkers, wherein gold nanoparticles play a key role in enhancing their signal, even at the low concentrations present in biological samples such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid, thus enabling an early and accurate diagnosis. On the other hand, gold nanoparticles act as drug delivery platforms, bringing therapeutic agents directly into the brain, improving treatment efficiency and precision, and reducing side effects in healthy tissues. However, despite the exciting potential of gold nanoparticles, it is crucial to address the challenges and issues associated with their use in the medical field before they can be widely applied in clinical settings. It is critical to ensure the safety and biocompatibility of these nanomaterials in the context of the central nervous system. Therefore, rigorous preclinical and clinical studies are needed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of these strategies in patients. Since there is scarce and sometimes contradictory literature about their use in this context, the main aim of this review is to discuss and analyze the current state-of-the-art of gold nanoparticles in relation to delivery, diagnosis, and therapy for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as recent research about their use in preclinical, clinical, and emerging research areas.

Plant extract mediated synthesis of ZnO and CeO2 nanoparticles for spectrofluorometric assay of omeprazole and domperidone in pharmaceuticals

The current research proposed a highly sensitive and selective spectrofluorometric approach for the assay of gastrointestinal medications omeprazole (OMZ) and domperidone (DOM). Green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles such as zinc oxide (ZnONPs) and cerium oxide (CeO2NPs) using Pimpinella anisum and Syzygium aromaticum extract was used as fluorescence emission catalysts for the determination of OMZ and DOM. Due to their unique optical properties, nanoparticles (NPs) form the basis for spectrofluorimetric quantification of the selected drugs. The detection studies were performed under λex/λem 350/450 nm and 284/392 nm for OMZ and DOM in the presence of ZnONPs and CeO2NPs, respectively. Under ideal conditions, fluorescence intensities (FI) were linearly with correlation coefficient (r = 0.999) over concentration ranges of 0.1-100 and 0.01-200 μg mL-1 for OMZ, 0.01-100 and 0.01-300 n g mL-1 for DOM in the presence of ZnONPs and CeO2NPs, respectively. Method validation was carried out to guarantee the accuracy, suitability, and precision of the proposed fluorescence (FL) systems for the determination of OMZ and DOM. Analytical method guidelines and requirements were followed. The designed procedure was used effectively to identify the determined drugs in both their pure and commercial versions.

Current Overview of Metal Nanoparticles' Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications, with a Focus on Silver and Gold Nanoparticles

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered considerable attention, due to their unique physicochemical properties, that render them promising candidates for various applications in medicine and industry. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements in the manufacturing, characterization, and biomedical utilization of metal NPs, with a primary focus on silver and gold NPs. Their potential as effective anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents, drug delivery systems, and imaging agents in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of disorders is reviewed. Moreover, their translation to therapeutic settings, and the issue of their inclusion in clinical trials, are assessed in light of over 30 clinical investigations that concentrate on administering either silver or gold NPs in conditions ranging from nosocomial infections to different types of cancers. This paper aims not only to examine the biocompatibility of nanomaterials but also to emphasize potential challenges that may limit their safe integration into healthcare practices. More than 100 nanomedicines are currently on the market, which justifies ongoing study into the use of nanomaterials in medicine. Overall, the present review aims to highlight the potential of silver and gold NPs as innovative and effective therapeutics in the field of biomedicine, citing some of their most relevant current applications.

Cannabidiol-Loaded Nanocarriers and Their Therapeutic Applications

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the most promising constituents isolated from Cannabis sativa, exhibits diverse pharmacological actions. However, the applications of CBD are restricted mainly due to its poor oral bioavailability. Therefore, researchers are focusing on the development of novel strategies for the effective delivery of CBD with improved oral bioavailability. In this context, researchers have designed nanocarriers to overcome limitations associated with CBD. The CBD-loaded nanocarriers assist in improving the therapeutic efficacy, targetability, and controlled biodistribution of CBD with negligible toxicity for treating various disease conditions. In this review, we have summarized and discussed various molecular targets, targeting mechanisms and types of nanocarrier-based delivery systems associated with CBD for the effective management of various disease conditions. This strategic information will help researchers in the establishment of novel nanotechnology interventions for targeting CBD.

Apigenin-coated gold nanoparticles as a cardioprotective strategy against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in male rats via reducing apoptosis

Aims

Cardiotoxicity is associated with doxorubicin (DOX), an effective anticancer drug. Apigenin has cardioprotective properties; it may be employed as a capping and reducing agent in synthesizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This study examined the cardioprotective impact of AuNPs synthesized with apigenin (Api) in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC).

Main methods

Api-AuNPs were synthesized in a single pot without needing additional reagents for reducing gold ions or stabilizing the NPs. The cytotoxicity of Api-AuNPs on H9c2 heart cells was subsequently determined using the MTT assay. In the animal investigation, 40 male rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control, cardiotoxicity (DOX), DOX treated with apigenin (DOX + Api), or DOX treated with Api-AuNPs (DOX + Api-AuNPs). To examine heart function, echocardiography was conducted. Blood samples were obtained to evaluate injury indicators (Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), Cardiac Troponin I (cTn-I), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and Aspartate transaminase (AST)). The heart was removed under general anesthetic, weighed, and preserved in formalin solution. Six micrometer-thick cardiac tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin, eosin (H&E), and immunohistochemistry to identify cardiomyocyte apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase3).

Key findings

Api-AuNPs have an average size of 21.4 ± 11.6 nm and are stable in physiological environments. Api-AuNPs therapy substantially reduced body and heart weight loss compared to the DOX group. Injury indicators were reduced dramatically by Api-AuNPs treatment. Api-AuNPs inhibited myocardial apoptosis via modulating Bax, caspase3, and Bcl-2 and ameliorating tissue damage caused by DOX.

Significance

Api-AuNPs' anti-apoptotic activities provide cardioprotection against DIC. It has the potential to reduce cardiotoxicity and boost myocardial performance.

The Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin-coated Gold Nanoparticle Against Leishmania Major Causative Agent of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL): An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

We synthesized and characterized curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles (Cur@AuNPs) and investigated their stability, cytotoxicity, leishmanicidal activity in in vitro and in in vivo experiments. Cur@AuNPs synthesized through a simple one-pot green chemistry technique. The in vitro leishmanicidal activity of curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles against extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of protozoan parasite Leishmania major (L. major) was determined by applying the tetrazolium reduction colorimetric quantitative MTT technique. For in vivo assessment, the footpad lesion size and parasite burden in two infection site organs including lymph nodes and footpads of susceptible BALB/c mice infected with L. major were measured. Mice immune responses in all study groups were quantified by measuring the levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Viability of Leishmania promastigotes significantly diminished with the inhibition in promastigotes growth (IC₅₀) of 64.79 μg/mL and 29.89 μg/mL for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. In vitro nanoparticles treatment efficiently cleared the L. major amastigotes explanted in macrophages but had no harmful toxicity on the mice cells. In the in vivo condition, in the treated infected BALB/c mice the CL lesion size, Leishmania parasite burden, and IL-4 were decreased, while IFN-γ was significantly increased. The results suggest that Cur@AuNP was an effective compound against Leishmania parasite in vitro and in vivo, efficiently induced T-helper 1 (Th1) responses and augmented host cellular immune responses, and ending in a reduced Leishmania parasite burden. Therefore, it may be identified as a novel potential therapeutic approach for the local therapy of zoonotic CL treatment with high cure rates.

Green synthesized apigenin conjugated gold nanoparticles inhibit cholangiocarcinoma cell activity and endothelial cell angiogenesis in vitro

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare malignancy of the biliary tract with extremely poor clinical outcomes due to a lack of effective therapies to improve disease management. The emerging green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has extensively provided their use in biomedical applications. In this study, we developed AuNPs via reducing gold salts with apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone). The synthesized apigenin-conjugated AuNPs (api-AuNPs) were physicochemically characterized by various techniques before evaluation their biological and functional inhibition in a CCA cell line, KKU-M055. The mean size of api-AuNPs was 90.34 ± 22.82 nm with zeta potential of -36 ± 0.55. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀, 0.8 mg/mL) of api-AuNPs on cell proliferation of KKU-M055 was 1.9-fold less than that of an immortalized human cholangiocyte cell line, MMNK1 (IC₅₀, 1.5 mg/mL). Moreover, api-AuNPs induced cell apoptosis via the up-regulation of Bax, Bid, and Caspase 3, and down-regulation of Bcl2, leading to elevated caspase 3/7, 8, 9 activities and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The api-AuNPs significantly inhibited the migration of KKU-M055 cells and suppressed the proliferation, migration, and in vitro tube formation of vascular endothelial cells. Collectively, our findings indicate the dual abilities of api-AuNPs that potentially inhibit cancer cell growth and motility as well as endothelial cell-mediated angiogenesis, which may offer a novel therapeutic avenue to treat CCA patients effectively.

Biosynthesized Gold, Silver, Palladium, Platinum, Copper, and Other Transition Metal Nanoparticles

Nanomedicine is a potential provider of novel therapeutic and diagnostic routes of treatment. Considering the development of multidrug resistance in pathogenic bacteria and the commonness of cancer, novel approaches are being sought for the safe and efficient synthesis of new nanoparticles, which have multifaceted applications in medicine. Unfortunately, the chemical synthesis of nanoparticles raises justified environmental concerns. A significant problem in their widespread use is also the toxicity of compounds that maintain nanoparticle stability, which significantly limits their clinical use. An opportunity for their more extensive application is the utilization of plants, fungi, and bacteria for nanoparticle biosynthesis. Extracts from natural sources can reduce metal ions in nanoparticles and stabilize them with non-toxic extract components.

New Green Approaches in Nanoparticles Synthesis: An Overview

Nanotechnology is constantly expanding, with nanomaterials being more and more used in common commercial products that define our modern life. Among all types of nanomaterials, nanoparticles (NPs) occupy an important place, considering the great amount that is produced nowadays and the diversity of their applications. Conventional techniques applied to synthesize NPs have some issues that impede them from being appreciated as safe for the environment and health. The alternative to these might be the use of living organisms or biological extracts that can be involved in the green approach synthesis of NPs, a process that is free of harmful chemicals, cost-effective and a low energy consumer. Several factors, including biological reducing agent concentration, initial precursor salt concentration, agitation, reaction time, pH, temperature and light, can influence the characteristics of biologically synthesized NPs. The interdependence between these reaction parameters was not explored, being the main impediment in the implementation of the biological method on an industrial scale. Our aim is to present a brief review that focuses on the current knowledge regarding how the aforementioned factors can control the size and shape of green-synthesized NPs. We also provide an overview of the biomolecules that were found to be suitable for NP synthesis. This work is meant to be a support for researchers who intend to develop new green approaches for the synthesis of NPs.

Apigenin in cancer therapy: From mechanism of action to nano-therapeutic agent

Apigenin (APG) is a flavonoid presence in beverages, vegetables, and fruits containing anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral activities, as well as cancer management properties. There is growing evidence that APG presented extensive anti-cancer effects in several cancer types by modulating various cellular processes, including angiogenesis, apoptosis, metastasis, autophagy, cell cycle, and immune responses, through activation or inhibition of different cell signaling pathways and molecules. By emerging nanotechnology and its advent in the biomedicine field, cancer therapy has been changed based on nanotechnology-based delivery systems. APG nanoformulations have been used to target tumor cells specifically, improve cellular uptake of APG, and overcome limitations of the free form of APG, such as low solubility and poor bioavailability. In this review, the biotherapeutic activity of APG and its mechanisms, both in free form and nanoformulation, toward cancer cells are discussed to shed some light on APG anti-tumor activity in different cancers.

Plasmonic hyperthermia or radiofrequency electric field hyperthermia of cancerous cells through green-synthesized curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles

Nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia is one of the prominent adjuvant therapies which has been faced by many problematic challenges such as efficiency and safety. To compare the nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy and radiofrequency electric field hyperthermia, green-synthesized curcumin-coated gold nanoparticles (Cur@AuNPs) were applied in an in vitro study. Using recently published methodologies, each step of the study was performed. Through green chemistry, curcumin was applied as both a reducing and a capping agent in the gold nanoparticle synthesis process. Various techniques were applied for the characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles. The heating rate of Cur@AuNPs in the presence of RFEF or laser irradiation was recorded by using a non-contact thermometer. The cellular uptake of the Cur@AuNPs was studied by ICP-AES. The cellular viability and apoptosis rate of different treatment were measured to investigate the effect of two different nano-hyperthermia techniques on the murine colorectal cancer cell line. The average size of Cur@AuNPs was 7.2 ± 3.3 nm. The stability of the gold nanoparticles in the phosphate buffer saline with and without fetal bovine serum was verified by UV-Vis spectroscopy. FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and TEM indicate that the stability is a result of phenolic coating on the surface of nanoparticles. Cur@AuNPs can absorb both light and radiofrequency electric field exposure in a way that could kill cancerous cells in a significant number (30% in 64 μg/ml concentration). Green-synthesized Cur@AuNPs could induce apoptosis cell death in photothermal therapy and radiofrequency electric field hyperthermia.