Nanohydroxyapatite as a Biomaterial for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration after Mechanical Damage-In Vitro Study

Ultrasonic-assisted europium decorated cuprous oxide nanoparticles: exploring their photothermal capabilities and antioxidant properties for biomedical applications

Metal oxide nanoparticles offer capabilities for cancer therapeutics, but their applicability is often jeopardized due to toxicity hurdles. To tackle this problem, in this study, we have synthesized europium decorated cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Eu-Cu2O NPs) via a facile ultrasonic-assisted method. Surface decoration of nanoparticles is an effective strategy to tailor their physicochemical and biological properties. The decorated nanoparticles were found to possess improved stability, superior biocompatibility and enhanced photothermal properties than the undecorated pristine nanoparticles (Cu2O NPs). In vitro studies validated the capacity of the decorated nanoparticles to regulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and in turn combat the inherent toxicity of cuprous nanoparticles. By controlling the ROS dynamics and decreasing inadvertent toxic effects minimize possibilities of higher toxicity enabling this innovative strategy to potentially transform into an effective platform for drug delivery systems.

Potential Applications of Rare Earth Metal Nanoparticles in Biomedicine

In recent years, the world scientific community has shown increasing interest in rare earth metals in general and their nanoparticles in particular. Medicine and pharmaceuticals are no exception in this matter. In this review, we have considered the main opportunities and potential applications of rare earth metal (gadolinium, europium, ytterbium, holmium, lutetium, dysprosium, erbium, terbium, thulium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, europium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, praseodymium, cerium) nanoparticles in biomedicine, with data ranging from single reports of effects found in vitro to numerous independent in vivo studies, as well as a number of challenges to their potential for wider application. The main areas of application of rare earth metals, including in the future, are diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasms, therapy of infections, as well as the use of antioxidant and regenerative properties of a number of nanoparticles. These applications are determined both by the properties of rare earth metal nanoparticles themselves and the need to search for new approaches to solve a number of urgent biomedical and public health problems. Oxide forms of lanthanides are most often used in biomedicine due to their greatest biocompatibility and nanoscale size, providing penetration through biological membranes. However, the existing contradictory or insufficient data on acute and chronic toxicity of lanthanides still make their widespread use difficult. There are various modification methods (addition of excipients, creation of nanocomposites, and changing the morphology of particles) that can reduce these effects. At the same time, despite the use of some representatives of lanthanides in clinical practice, further studies to establish the full range of pharmacological and toxic effects, as well as the search for approaches to modify nanoparticles remain relevant.

Luminescence Properties of Samarium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles and Cytotoxicity Assessment on SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Samarium-doped nanohydroxyapatite is a biomaterial with nerve regeneration activity and bioimaging. In this work, Sm/HAp; (Ca10-x Sm x (PO4)6(OH)2) (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) was synthesized using the hydrothermal method and thermally treated from 200 to 800 °C. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy. The results confirmed the successful integration of Sm3+ ions into the hydroxyapatite. Our findings revealed the influence of the Sm3+ content and thermal treatment on the emission properties, obtaining a maximum emission at Sm = 0.05 thermally treated at 800 °C. The SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell viability study revealed a Sm3+ concentration-and particle size-dependent response. This research emphasizes the optical and cell viability of Sm/HAp in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, making them suitable for further research as agents that activate regenerative processes in cells and neurons.

The biological functions of europium-containing biomaterials: A systematic review

The biological functions of rare-earth elements (REEs) have become a focus of intense research. Recent studies have demonstrated that ion doping or alloying of some REEs can optimize the properties of traditional biomaterials. Europium (Eu), which is an REE with low toxicity and good biocompatibility, has promising applications in biomedicine. This article systematically reviews the osteogenic, angiogenic, neuritogenic, antibacterial, and anti-tumor properties of Eu-containing biomaterials, thereby paving the way for biomedical applications of Eu. Data collection for this review was completed in October 2022, and 30 relevant articles were finally included. Most articles indicated that doping of Eu ions or Eu-compound nanoparticles in biomaterials can improve their osteogenic, angiogenic, neuritogenic, antibacterial, and anti-tumor properties. The angiogenic, antibacterial, and potential neuritogenic effects of Eu(OH)₃ nanoparticles have also been demonstrated.

Nanomaterials Application in Endodontics

In recent years, nanomaterials have become increasingly present in medicine, especially in dentistry. Their characteristics are proving to be very useful in clinical cases. Due to the intense research in the field of biomaterials and nanotechnology, the efficacy and possibilities of dental procedures have immensely expanded over the years. The nano size of materials allows them to exhibit properties not present in their larger-in-scale counterparts. The medical procedures in endodontics are time-consuming and mostly require several visits to be able to achieve the proper result. In this field of dentistry, there are still major issues about the removal of the mostly bacterial infection from the dental root canals. It has been confirmed that nanoparticles are much more efficient than traditional materials and appear to have superior properties when it comes to surface chemistry and bonding. Their unique antibacterial properties are also promising features in every medical procedure, especially in endodontics. High versatility of use of nanomaterials makes them a powerful tool in dental clinics, in a plethora of endodontic procedures, including pulp regeneration, drug delivery, root repair, disinfection, obturation and canal filling. This study focuses on summing up the current knowledge about the utility of nanomaterials in endodontics, their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and provides a number of reasons why research in this field should be continued.

Nanostructural Materials with Rare Earth Ions: Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization, Modification and Applications

The success of nanotechnology in the field of physical, chemical and medical sciences has started revolutionizing the drug delivery science and theranostics (therapy and diagnostics) [...].