Antitumor impact of iron oxide nanoparticles in Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice

Enhancing the antibacterial effect of iron oxide and silver nanoparticles by extremely low frequency electric fields (ELF-EF) against S. aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is the cause of many infectious and inflammatory diseases and a lot of studies aim to discover alternative ways for infection control and treatment rather than antibiotics. This work attempts to reduce bacterial activity and growth characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus using nanoparticles (iron oxide nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles) and extremely low frequency electric fields (ELF-EF). Bacterial suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus were used to prepare the samples, which were evenly divided into groups. Control group, 10 groups were exposed to ELF-EF in the frequency range (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1 Hz), iron oxide NPs treated group, iron oxide NPs exposed to 0.8 Hz treated group, silver NPs treated group and the last group was treated with silver NPs and 0.8 Hz. Antibiotic sensitivity testing, dielectric relaxation, and biofilm development for the living microbe were used to evaluate morphological and molecular alterations. Results showed that combination of nanoparticles with ELF-EF at 0.8 Hz enhanced the bacterial inhibition efficiency, which may be due to structural changes. These were supported by the dielectric measurement results which indicated the differences in the dielectric increment and electrical conductivity for the treated samples compared with control samples. This was also confirmed by biofilm formation measurements obtained. We may conclude that the exposure of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to ELF-EF and NPs affected its cellular activity and structure. This technique is nondestructive, safe and fast and could be considered as a mean to reduce the use of antibiotics.

Advances on novel iron saccharide-iron (III) complexes as nutritional supplements

Iron deficiency is prevalent worldwide, and iron supplementation is a promising strategy to address iron needs of the body. However, traditional oral supplements such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous succinate, and ferrous gluconate are absorbed in the form of ferrous ions, leading to lipid peroxidation and side effects due to other reasons. In recent years, saccharide-iron (III) complexes (SICs) as novel iron supplements have aroused attention for the high iron absorption rate and no gastrointestinal irritation at oral doses. In addition, research on the biological activities of SICs revealed that they also exhibited good abilities in treating anemia, eliminating free radicals, and regulating the immune response. This review focused on the preparation, structural characterization, and bioactivities of these new iron supplements, as promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency.

Biomonitoring and risk assessment of naturally and chemically synthesized iron-oxide nanoparticles: A comparative approach

Nanostructured oxides and oxyhydroxides of iron are imperative constituents of the Earth's geological and biological processes i.e. biogeochemical cycles. So, the characteristic applications of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONps) are closely linked to their surroundings and biological sinks. This work reports a low-cost green approach to promote 'waste-to-wealth' ideology by the direct and self-catalysis of iron rust into its nanoparticles (N-FeONps). A comparison is drawn based on the properties, morphologies, and applications after synthesizing FeONps by chemical precipitation method (C-FeONps). Spherical nanoparticles with vibrational properties are obtained in the size domain of 32 nm (N-FeONps) and 23 nm (C-FeONps). The application of Uniform deformation model, Uniform stress deformation model, Uniform deformation energy density model, and Size-strain plot models reveal comparatively greater defects in the crystal structures of C-FeONps. The biosafety profiling of natural and chemically designed nano-units performed on the species of bacteria, fungus, algae, and plants have shown enhanced safety terms associated with N-FeONps. The performance of N-FeONps has surpassed its chemical counterpart in medical applications such as antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity with approximate percentages of 26 % and 51 % respectively. The findings of this piece of work favors the naturally obtained FeONps (N-FeONps), as they are economically viable, non-toxic, and have a greater antioxidant and anti-inflammatory arena. Hence, this waste-to-wealth ideology should be promoted for maintaining waste and designing solutions for the medical industries in one go.

Evaluation of the skin protective effects of niosomal-entrapped annona squamosa against UVA irradiation

Annona squamosa is a medicinal plant that has been used in folk medicine since antiquity. The goal of this study is to see how effective Annona squamosa leaf extract (A.S.L.E) or its niosomal-entrapped preparation is at protecting skin from UVA irradiation. The prepared niosomal-entrapped A.S.L.E has been characterized via spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy imaging. Furthermore, the entrapment efficiency and in vitro release of A.S.L.E were determined. In this study, ex vivo and freshly prepared samples from the dorsal region of the rats' skin were used as biological samples, which were divided into five groups: control UVA-unexposed, unprotected UVA-exposed, A.S.L.E-protected UVA-exposed, and niosomal-entrapped A.S.L.E UVA-exposed. UVA irradiation was performed by exposing the skin samples to a UVA-producing lamp for 4 h. Samples from various groups were then examined using FTIR spectroscopy, histopathology, and protein electrophoresis methods. The results showed that A.S.L.E has a skin protective effect against UVA irradiation. The niosomal-entrapped A.S.L.E was more effective than the native plant leaf extract in protecting skin from the damaging effects of UVA. Therefore, the nanotechnologically formulated preparation, niosomal-entrapped A.S.L.E, can be used as an effective photoprotector (sunscreen) against the adverse effects of UVA radiation.

Aloe Vera coated Dextran Sulfate/Chitosan nanoparticles (Aloe Vera @ DS/CS) encapsulating Eucalyptus essential oil with antibacterial potent property

The goal of this work is to encapsulate Eucalyptus staigeriana essential oil in biopolymer matrices, to optimize the biological effects and the antibacterial properties of this oil. In this study, Eucalyptus extract was encapsulated in Aloe Vera coated Dextran Sulfate/Chitosan nanoparticles to form a hydrogel with potent properties. In this study, Eucalyptus extract was loaded on to Aloe Vera coated Dextran Sulphate/Chitosan nanoparticles to obtain a nano-hydrogel with potent properties. The characterization of nanoparticles was evaluated using transmission and scanning electron microscopes, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and antibacterial activity. The E. staigeriana release profile from the prepared nanoparticles was studied in vitro at a pH of 7.4. The results showed that this nano-carrier controls Eucalyptus release. Aloe Vera coated Dextran Sulfate/Chitosan nanoparticles encapsulated with E. staigeriana inhibited the bacteria by 47.27%. These investigations concluded that E. staigeriana loaded Aloe Vera coated Dextran Sulfate/Chitosan hydrogel could be used as a powerful dressing material to accelerate wound healing.

GANE can Improve Lung Fibrosis by Reducing Inflammation via Promoting p38MAPK/TGF-β1/NF-κB Signaling Pathway Downregulation

There is a trend to use nanoparticles as distinct treatments for cancer treatment because they have overcome many of the limitations of traditional drug delivery systems. Gallic acid (GA) is an effective polyphenol in the treatment of tissue injuries. In this study, GA was loaded onto niosomes to produce gallic acid nanoemulsion (GANE) using a green synthesis technique. GANE's efficiency, morphology, UV absorption, release, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis were evaluated. An in vitro study was conducted on the A549 lung carcinoma cell line to determine the GANE cytotoxicity. Also, our study was extended to evaluate the protective effect of GANE against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. GANE showed higher encapsulation efficiency and strong absorption at 280 nm. Transmission electron microscopy presented a spherical shape of the prepared nanoparticles, and FTIR demonstrated different spectra for the free gallic acid sample compared to GANE. GANE showed cytotoxicity for the A549 carcinoma lung cell line with a low IC₅₀ value. It was found that oral administration of GANE at 32.8 and 82 mg/kg.b.w. and dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) provided significant protection against LPS-induced pulmonary fibrosis. GANE enhanced production of superoxide dismutase, GPx, and GSH. It simultaneously reduced the MDA level. The GANE and dexamethasone, induced the production of IL-4, but suppressed TNF-α and IL-6. On the other hand, the lung p38MAPK, TGF-β1, and NF-κB gene expression was downregulated in rats administrated with GANE when compared with the LPS-treated rats. Histological studies confirmed the effective effect of GANE as it had a lung-protective effect against LPS-induced lung fibrosis. It was noticed that GANE can inhibit oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and cytokines and downregulate p38MAPK, TGF-β1, and NF-κB gene expression to suppress the proliferation and migration of lung fibrotic cells.

A sunscreen nanoparticles polymer based on prolonged period of protection

UV rays are one of the most dangerous factors that harm the skin. There is continuous improvement in getting an effective sunscreen that protects the skin from excessive exposure to UV rays. Typically, phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (PBSA) is used as a sun blocking agent, but its disadvantage is that it can photodegrade and cause cell damage. In our work, PBSA was encapsulated in niosomes nanoparticles then coated with chitosan-aloe vera (CS-nio-aloe/PBSA) to form a carrier polymer with novel and potent properties. This polymer controls PBSA release and epidermal penetration. Characterization of CS-nio-aloe/PBSA polymer nanoparticles through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The carrier polymer release rate was studied in vitro and epidermal permeability to coated PBSA was assessed using mouse skin. The nanoparticle polymer containing sunscreen was effectively prepared with an encapsulation efficiency of 80%. The formulation (CS-nio-aloe/PBSA) was completely deposited on the surface of the skin. This supports its use to protect the skin, and its nanostructures stimulate the release of PBSA for a longer period. Encapsulation of PBSA in CS-nio-aloe nanoparticles could allow for further cellular preservation, UV protection, control of free PBSA, and limited penetration through the mouse skin epidermis.