Desertifilum sp. EAZ03 cell extract as a novel natural source for the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and antibacterial, anticancer and antibiofilm characteristics of synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles

Green synthesis, characterization, structural, morphological, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity evaluation of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Fioria vitifolia extract

The increasing prevalence of bacterial pathogens diseases and the rise in multidrug resistance highlights the urgent need for new drug delivery systems or novel drug molecules to enhance treatment options. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles attracting attention due to their potential in biomedical applications, such as cancer therapy and diagnostics. ZnO is a versatile compound with excellent UV-blocking, anti-inflammatory, and wide-bandgap semiconductor properties. This study focuses on the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using 'Fioria vitifolia' leaf extract, as a reducing agent with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) aids in reducing particle size and preventing aggregation, enhancing nanoparticle stability. The ZnO nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), and Photoluminescence (PL). These analyses confirmed the successful formation of ZnO nanoparticles. The nanoparticles demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity, especially against 'Enterobacter', and exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cells (A549), but has low toxicity to standard cells (L929). The IC50 values affirmed their potential as anticancer agents, suggesting their dual promise as antimicrobial and anticancer compounds. The enormous potential of biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles as biological agents a sustainable substitute for chemically synthesized medications is highlighted in this study. The potential of the nanoparticles in a range of biomedical applications is highlighted by their ecologically friendly manufacturing process as well as their proven antibacterial and anticancer qualities.

Biogenic synthesis and characterization of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antihemolytic zinc oxide nanoparticles from Desertifilum sp. TN-15 cell extract

Cyanobacteria, being a prominent category of phototrophic organism, exhibit substantial potential as a valuable source of bioactive compounds and phytonutrients, including liposomes, amino derivatives, proteins, and carotenoids. In this investigation, a polyphasic approach was employed to isolate and characterize a newly discovered cyanobacterial strain from a rice field in the Garh Moor district of Jhang. Desertifilum sp. TN-15, a unique and less explored cyanobacterial strain, holds significant promise as a novel candidate for the synthesis of nanoparticles. This noticeable research gap underscores the novelty and untapped potential of Desertifilum sp. TN-15 in the field of nanomedicine. The characterization of the biogenically synthesized ZnO-NPs involved the application of diverse analytical techniques. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy revealed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 298 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis was utilized to confirm the involvement of biomolecules in the biogenic synthesis and stability. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to probe the surface morphology of the biogenic ZnO-NPs unveiling their size of 94.80 nm and star-shaped. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analysis substantiated the crystalline nature of ZnO-NPs, with a crystalline size measuring 46 nm. To assess the physical stability of ZnO-NPs, zeta potential and dynamic light scattering measurements were conducted, yielding values of + 31.6 mV, and 94.80 nm, respectively, indicative of favorable stability. The antibacterial capabilities of Desertifilum sp. TN-15 are attributed to its abundance of bioactive components, including proteins, liposomes, amino derivatives, and carotenoids. Through the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) with this strain, we have effectively used these chemicals to generate nanoparticles that exhibit noteworthy antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 30.05 ± 0.003 µg/ml). Additionally, the ZnO-NPs displayed potent antifungal activity and antioxidant properties, as well as significant antihemolytic effects on red blood cells (IC50: 4.8 µg/ml). Cytotoxicity assessment using brine shrimps revealed an IC50 value of 3.1 µg/ml. The multifaceted actions of the biogenically synthesized ZnO-NPs underscore their potential applications in pharmacological and therapeutic fields. This study proposes a novel method for ZnO-NPs production utilizing the recently identified cyanobacterial strain Desertifilum sp. TN-15, highlighting the growing significance of biological systems in the environmentally friendly fabrication of metallic oxide nanomaterials.

Breaking Barriers in Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Plant-Mediated Metal/Metal Oxide/Bimetallic Nanoparticles: Antibacterial, Anticancer, Mechanism Elucidation, and Versatile Utilizations

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising field in pharmaceutical research, involving producing unique nanoscale materials with sizes up to 100 nm via physiochemical and biological approaches. Nowadays more emphasis has been given to eco-friendly techniques for developing nanomaterials to enhance their biological applications and minimize health and environmental risks. With the help of green nanotechnology, a wide range of green metal, metal oxide, and bimetallic nanoparticles with distinct chemical compositions, sizes, and morphologies have been manufactured which are safe, economical, and environment friendly. Due to their biocompatibility and vast potential in biomedical (antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral, analgesic, anticoagulant, biofilm inhibitory activity) and in other fields such as (nanofertilizers, fermentative, food, and bioethanol production, construction field), green metal nanoparticles have garnered significant interest worldwide. The metal precursors combined with natural extracts such as plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria to get potent novel metal, metal oxide, and bimetallic nanoparticles such as Ag, Au, Co, Cu, Fe, Zr, Zn, Ni, Pt, Mg, Ti, Pd, Cd, Bi2O3, CeO2, Co3O4, CoFe2O4, CuO, Fe2O3, MgO, NiO, TiO2, ZnO, ZrO2, Ag-Au, Ag-Cr, Ag-Cu, Ag-Zn, Ag-CeO2, Ag-CuO, Ag-SeO2, Ag-TiO2, Ag-ZnO, Cu-Ag, Cu-Mg, Cu-Ni, Pd-Pt, Pt-Ag, ZnO-CuO, ZnO-SeO, ZnO-Se, Se-Zr, and Co-Bi2O3. These plant-mediated green nanoparticles possess excellent antibacterial and anticancer activity when tested against several microorganisms and cancer cell lines. Plants contain essential phytoconstituents (polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids, etc.) compared to other natural sources (bacteria, fungi, and algae) in higher concentration that play a vital role in the development of green metal, metal oxide, and bimetallic nanoparticles because these plant-phytoconstituents act as a reducing, stabilizing, and capping agent and helps in the development of green nanoparticles. After concluding all these findings, this review has been designed for the first time in such a way that it imparts satisfactory knowledge about the antibacterial and anticancer activity of plant-mediated green metal, metal oxide, and bimetallic nanoparticles together, along with antibacterial and anticancer mechanisms. Additionally, it provides information about characterization techniques (UV–vis, FT-IR, DLS, XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, AFM) employed for plant-mediated nanoparticles, biomedical applications, and their role in other industries. Hence, this review provides information about the antibacterial and anticancer activity of various types of plant-mediated green metal, metal oxide, and bimetallic nanoparticles and their versatile application in diverse fields which is not covered in other pieces of literature.

Recent advances in the synthesis, characterization and biomedical applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have become the widely used metal oxide nanoparticles and drawn the interest of global researchers due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, sustainability and cost-effective properties. Due to their unique optical and chemical properties, it emerges as a potential candidate in the fields of optical, electrical, food packaging and biomedical applications. Biological methods using green or natural routes are more environmentally friendly, simple and less use of hazardous techniques than chemical and/or physical methods in the long run. In addition, ZnONPs are less harmful and biodegradable while having the ability to greatly boost pharmacophore bioactivity. They play an important role in cell apoptosis because they enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release zinc ions (Zn2+), causing cell death. Furthermore, these ZnONPs work well in conjunction with components that aid in wound healing and biosensing to track minute amounts of biomarkers connected to a variety of illnesses. Overall, the present review discusses the synthesis and most recent developments of ZnONPs from green sources including leaves, stems, bark, roots, fruits, flowers, bacteria, fungi, algae and protein, as well as put lights on their biomedical applications such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, wound healing, and drug delivery, and modes of action associated. Finally, the future perspectives of biosynthesized ZnONPs in research and biomedical applications are discussed.

Toxicological effects of cyanobacterial metabolites on zebrafish larval development

Freshwater cyanobacteria are known worldwide for their potential to produce toxins. However, these organisms are also found in marine, terrestrial and extreme environments and produce unique compounds, other than toxins. Nevertheless, their effects on biological systems are still barely known. This work tested extracts of different cyanobacterial strains against zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae and analyzed their metabolomic profiles using liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Strains Desertifilum tharense, Anagnostidinema amphibium, and Nostoc sp. promoted morphological abnormalities such as pericardial edema, edema in the digestive system region, curvature of the tail and spine in zebrafish larvae in vivo. In contrast, Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorogloeopsis sp. did not promote such changes. Metabolomics revealed unique compounds belonging to the classes of terpenoids, peptides, and linear lipopeptides/microginins in the nontoxic strains. The toxic strains were shown to contain unique compounds belonging to the classes of cyclic peptides, amino acids and other peptides, anabaenopeptins, lipopeptides, terpenoids, and alkaloids and derivatives. Other unknown compounds were also detected, highlighting the rich structural diversity of secondary metabolites produced by cyanobacteria. The effects of cyanobacterial metabolites on living organisms, mainly those related to potential human and ecotoxicological risks, are still poorly known. This work highlights the diverse, complex, and unique metabolomic profiles of cyanobacteria and the biotechnological potential and associated risks of exposure to their metabolites.

Biosynthesis and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Leaf Extract of Senecio chrysanthemoides

Nanotechnology has recently appeared as an important study subject in modern material sciences. Greener synthesis of nanoparticles has gained the attention of many scientists because of its integral characteristics such as effectiveness, eco-friendly, and low cost. In the present study by following the green synthesis approach, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were formed for the very first time by using Senecio chrysanthemoides leaf extract as a reducing agent. The UV-Vis spectrophotometer was used to study the synthesized ZnO NPs, and the specific peak was found to be at 349 nm. The characteristic Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) peak was found to be at 449 cm^-1 which displays the peak of ZnO molecules. The surface morphology of the ZnO NPs was determined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) study showed that the synthesized ZnO NPs are present at the weight percentage of 66.38%. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum confirmed the hexagonal phase wurtzite structure, with the average particle size of 31 nm, and demonstrated the crystalline structure of ZnO NPs. Additionally, to all these experiments, we compared the anti-inflammatory properties of biogenic ZnO NPs to a standard drug. Biosynthesized ZnO NPs have revealed an effective anti-inflammatory activity at a higher concentration (100 mL^-1) and showed 73% inhibition in comparison with diclofenac sodium drug. Zinc oxide was shown to be compatible with diclofenac sodium, according to the results. The ZnO NPs produced using the greener synthesis process have the potential to be used in a broad range of fields and also used as a good anti-inflammatory agent.

Natural resources for sustainable synthesis of nanomaterials with anticancer applications: A move toward green nanomedicine

Today, researchers have focused on the application of environmentally-benign and sustainable micro- and nanosystems for drug delivery and cancer therapy. Compared to conventional chemotherapeutics, advanced micro- and nanosystems designed by applying abundant, natural, and renewable feedstocks have shown biodegradability, biocompatibility, and low toxicity advantages. However, important aspects of toxicological assessments, clinical translational studies, and suitable functionalization/modification still need to be addressed. Herein, the benefits and challenges of green nanomedicine in cancer nanotherapy and targeted drug delivery are cogitated using nanomaterials designed by exploiting natural and renewable resources. The application of nanomaterials accessed from renewable natural resources, comprising metallic nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal-organic frameworks, natural-derived nanomaterials, etc. for targeted anticancer drug delivery and cancer nanotherapy are deliberated, with emphasis on important limitations/challenges and future perspectives.

Current Research on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have piqued the curiosity of researchers all over the world due to their extensive biological activity. They are less toxic and biodegradable with the capacity to greatly boost pharmacophore bioactivity. ZnO-NPs are the most extensively used metal oxide nanoparticles in electronic and optoelectronics because of their distinctive optical and chemical properties which can be readily modified by altering the morphology and the wide bandgap. The biosynthesis of nanoparticles using extracts of therapeutic plants, fungi, bacteria, algae, etc., improves their stability and biocompatibility in many biological settings, and its biofabrication alters its physiochemical behavior, contributing to biological potency. As such, ZnO-NPs can be used as an effective nanocarrier for conventional drugs due to their cost-effectiveness and benefits of being biodegradable and biocompatible. This article covers a comprehensive review of different synthesis approaches of ZnO-NPs including physical, chemical, biochemical, and green synthesis techniques, and also emphasizes their biopotency through antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiviral, wound healing, and cardioprotective activity. Green synthesis from plants, bacteria, and fungus is given special attention, with a particular emphasis on extraction techniques, precursors used for the synthesis and reaction conditions, characterization techniques, and surface morphology of the particles.

Cyanobacteria: miniature factories for green synthesis of metallic nanomaterials: a review

Nanotechnology is one of the most promising and advanced disciplines of science that deals with synthesis, characterization and applications of different types of Nanomaterials (NMs) viz. nanospheres, nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanocomposites, nanoalloys, carbon dots and quantum dots. These nanosized materials exhibit different physicochemical characteristics and act as a whole unit during its transport. The unique characteristics and vast applications of NMs in diverse fields viz. electronics, agriculture, biology and medicine have created huge demand of different type of NMs. Conventionally physical and chemical methods were adopted to manufacture NMs which are expensive and end up with hazardous by-products. Therefore, green synthesis exploiting biological resources viz. algae, bacteria, fungi and plants emerged as a better and promising alternative due to its cost effective and ecofriendly approach and referred as nanobiotechnology. Among various living organisms, cyanobacteria have proved one of the most favourable bioresources for NMs biosynthesis due to their survival in diverse econiches including metal and metalloid contaminated sites and capability to withstand high levels of metals. Biosynthesis of metallic NMs is accomplished through bioreduction of respective metal salts by various capping agents viz. alkaloids, pigments, polysaccharides, steroids, enzymes and peptides present in the biological systems. Advancement in the field of Nanobiotechnology has produced large number of diverse NMs from cyanobacteria which have been used as antimicrobial agents against Gram positive and negative human pathogens, anticancer agents, luminescent nanoprobes for imaging of cells, antifungal agents against plant pathogens, nanocatalyst and semiconductor quantum dots in industries and in bioremediation in toxic pollutant dyes. In the present communication, we have reviewed cyanobacteria mediated biosynthesis of NMs and their applications in various fields.

Assessment of antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, and antiviral impact of a green zinc oxide/activated carbon nanocomposite

This work deals with the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles/activated carbon (ZnO NPs/AC) nanocomposites with different weight ratios (3:1, 1:1, and 1:3), where the antimicrobial, antiviral, and cytotoxicity impact of the formulated nanocomposites were evaluated versus the crude ZnO and AC samples. The formula (3:1; designated Z3C1) exhibited the utmost bactericidal effect against Gram positive group, unicellular and filamentous fungi. Regarding Gram negative group, the sample (Z3C1) was remarkably effective against Klebsiella pneumonia, unlike the case of Escherichia coli. Moreover, the whole samples showed negligible cytotoxicity against the human WI38 cell line, where the most brutality (4%) was exerted by 1000 µg/mL of the formula (Z1C3). Whilst, the formula (Z3C1) exerted the apical inhibition impact against Herpes simplex (HSV1) virus. Consequently, the synthesized (Z3C1) nanocomposite was sorted out to be fully characterized via different physicochemical techniques including FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, Zeta potential, TGA, and BET. XRD indicated a predominance of the crystalline pattern of ZnO NPs over the amorphous AC, while the FTIR chart confirmed an immense combination between the ZnO NPs and AC. SEM, TEM, and size distribution images illustrated that the fabricated ZnO NPs/AC was in the nanoscale size swung from 30 to 70 nm. The distinctive surface area of composite material, recording 66.27 m²/g, clearly disclosed its bioactivity toward different bacterial, fungal, and virus species.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Prime a Protective Immune Response in Galleria mellonella to Defend Against Candida albicans

Purpose: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have exerted antimicrobial properties. However, there is insufficient evaluation regarding the in vivo antifungal activity of ZnO-NPs. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of ZnO-NPs in controlling Candida albicans in the invertebrate Galleria mellonella. Methods: Galleria mellonella larvae were injected with different doses of ZnO-NPs to determine their in vivo toxicity. Non-toxic doses of ZnO-NPs were chosen for prophylactic injection in G. mellonella followed by C. albicans infection. Then the direct in vitro antifungal effect of ZnO-NPs against C. albicans was evaluated. In addition, the mode of action of ZnO-NPs was assessed in larvae through different assays: quantification of hemocyte density, morphology observation of hemocytes, characterization of hemocyte aggregation and phagocytosis, and measurement of hemolymph phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Results: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were non-toxic to the larvae at relatively low concentrations (≤20 mg/kg). ZnO-NP pretreatment significantly prolonged the survival of C. albicans-infected larvae and decreased the fungal dissemination and burden in the C. albicans-infected larvae. This observation was more related to the activation of host defense rather than their fungicidal capacities. Specifically, ZnO-NP treatment increased hemocyte density, promoted hemocyte aggregation, enhanced hemocyte phagocytosis, and activated PO activity in larvae. Conclusion: Prophylactic treatment with lower concentrations of ZnO-NPs protects G. mellonella from C. albicans infection. The innate immune response primed by ZnO-NPs may be part of the reason for the protective effects. This study provides new evidence of the capacity of ZnO-NPs in enhancing host immunity and predicts that ZnO-NPs will be attractive for further anti-infection applications.

Cyanobacteria as biochemical energy source for the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles, mechanism and potential applications: a review

Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) has gained great concern among researchers due to their unique properties, excellent applications and efficient route of synthesis. From the last decades, the number biologicals such as plants, fungus, bacteria, yeast, algae, and cyanobacteria and their products are using by various researchers for the synthesis of different NPs. However, the pillar of green chemistry keeps touching new heights to improve the performance. This review paper unveils almost recent cyanobacteria-assisted greener NP synthesis technique, characterization and application. The enormous potency of cyanobacteria in NP synthesis (silver, gold, copper, zinc, palladium, titanium, cadmium sulfide, and selenium) and significance of reducing enzymes were summarized. The extracellular and intracellular entity such as metabolites, enzyme, protein, pigments in cyanobacteria play a significant role in the conversion of metal ions to metal NPs with unique properties discussed briefly. The green synthesis of nanomaterials is valuable because of their cost-effective, nontoxic and eco-friendly prospects as well as the potential application metal NPs such as antibacterial, antifungal, anticancerous, catalytic, drug delivery, bioimaging, nanopesticide, nanofertilizer, sensing properties, etc. Therefore, in the present review, we have systematically discussed the mechanisms of synthesis and applications of cyanobacteria-assisted green synthesis of NPs.