Designing a Silymarin Nanopercolating System Using CME@ZIF-8: An Approach to Hepatic Injuries

It is commonly known that silymarin, a phytoconstituent obtained from the Silybum marianum plant, has hepatoprotective and antioxidative properties. However, its low oral bioavailability and poor water solubility negatively impact its therapeutic efficacy. The goal of the present study was to determine the efficiency of the Cordia myxa extract-based synthesized zeolitic imidazole metal-organic framework (CME@ZIF-8 MOF) for increasing silymarin's bioavailability. A coprecipitation technique was used to synthesize the CME@ZIF-8 and polyethylene glycol-coated silymarin-loaded MOFs (PEG-Sily@CME@ZIF-8) and a complete factorial design was used to optimize them. The crystalline size of CME@ZIF-8 was 14.7 nm and the size of PEG-Sily@CME@ZIF-8 was 17.39 nm. The loading percentage of the silymarin drug in CME@ZIF-8 was 33.5%. The optimized formulations were then characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, surface morphology, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and drug release in an in vitro medium. Additionally, a rat model was used to investigate the optimized formulation's in vivo hepatoprotective effectiveness. The synthesized silymarin-loaded CME@ZIF-8 MOFs were distinct particles with a porous, spongelike shape and a diameter of (size) nm. Furthermore, the designed silymarin-loaded PEG-Sily@CME@ZIF-8 MOF formulation exhibited considerable silymarin release from the synthesized formula in dissolution investigations. The in vivo evaluation studies demonstrated that the prepared PEG-Sily@CME@ZIF-8 MOFs effectively exhibited a hepatoprotective effect in comparison with free silymarin in a CCl4-based induced-hepatotoxicity rat model via ameliorating the normal antioxidant enzyme levels and restoring the cellular abnormalities produced by CCl4 toxication. In combination, biologically produced CME@ZIF-8 may promise to be a viable biologically based nanocarrier that can enhance the loading and release of silymarin medication, which has low solubility in water.

Bioinspired and Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Medical Applications: A Green Perspective

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess unmatched chemical, biological, and physical properties that make them unique compounds as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer agents. With the increasing drug resistance, AgNPs serve as promising entities for targeted drug therapy against several bacterial, fungal, and viral components. In addition, AgNPs also serve as successful anticancer agents against several cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers. Several works in recent years have been done towards the development of AgNPs by using plant extracts like flowers, leaves, bark, root, stem, and whole plant parts. The green method of AgNP synthesis thus has several advantages over chemical and physical methods, especially the low cost of synthesis, no toxic byproducts, eco-friendly production pathways, can be easily regenerated, and the bio-reducing potential of plant derived nanoparticles. Furthermore, AgNPs are biocompatible and do not harm normally functioning human or host cells. This review provides an exhaustive overview and potential of green synthesized AgNPs that can be used as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer agents. After a brief introduction, we discussed the recent studies on the development of AgNPs from different plant extracts, including leaf parts, seeds, flowers, stems, bark, root, and whole plants. In the following section, we highlighted the different therapeutic actions of AgNPs against various bacteria, fungi, viruses, and cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancers. We then highlighted the general mechanism of action of AgNPs. The advantages of the green synthesis method over chemical and physical methods were then discussed in the article. Finally, we concluded the review by providing future perspectives on this promising field in nanotechnology.

Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory Studies, and Identification of Bioactive Compounds Using GC-MS of Ethanolic Novel Polyherbal Extract

Hyperglycemia is the hallmark of diabetes, which is a collection of related metabolic disorders. Over time, diabetes can cause a variety of problems, including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Ethanolic novel polyherbal extract (PHE) was prepared by mixing equal amounts of the following ingredients: Terminalia chebula Retz. (TC), Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (TB), Berberis aristata DC. (BA), Nyctanthes arbostratis L. (NA), Premna integrifolia L. (PI), and Andrographis paniculata Nees. (AP). Analysis of PHE results revealed phytochemicals like glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phytosterols, and saponins. The aim of the study was to prepare an ethanolic extract of PHE using the cold maceration technique, and identify bioactive molecules from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, and evaluate biological responses by using in vitro studies like antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. PHE was found to contain a total of 35 phytochemicals in GC-MS of which 22 bioactive compounds were obtained in good proportion. There are a few new ones, including 2-buten-1-ol, 2-ethyl-4-(2, 2, 3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl (17.22%), 1, 2, 5, 6-tetrahydrobenzonitrile (4.26%), 4-piperidinamine, 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-(0.07%), undecanoic acid, 5-chloro-, chloromethyl ester (0.41%), are identified. Antioxidant activity was estimated using EC₅₀ values of 392.143 µg/ml, which were comparable to the standard value of EC₅₀ 310.513 µg/ml obtained using DPPH. Antioxidant activity was estimated with EC₅₀ 392.143 µg/ml, comparable to standard EC₅₀ 310.513 µg/ml using DPPH. In vitro anti-inflammatory potential was found with IC₅₀ of 91.449 µg/ml, comparable to standard IC₅₀ 89.451 µg/ml for membrane stabilization and IC₅₀ of 36.940 µg/ml, comparable to standard IC₅₀ 35.723 µg/ml for protein denaturation assays. As a result, the findings of this study show an enrichment of bioactive phytochemicals that can be used to investigate biological activity. To better understand how diabetes receptors work, in silico studies like docking could be carried out.

Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapeutic Efficacy with Sonotheranostic Strategies

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the modality for establishing a firm immune response and immunological memory. However, intrinsic limitations of conventional low responsive poor T cell infiltration and immune related adverse effects urge the coupling of cancer nanomedicines with immunotherapy for boosting antitumor response under ultrasound (US) sensitization to mimic dose-limiting toxicities for safe and effective therapy against advanced cancer. US is composed of high-frequency sound waves that mediate targeted spatiotemporal control over release and internalization of the drug. The unconventional US triggered immunogenic nanoengineered arena assists the limited immunogenic dose, limiting toxicities and efficacies. In this Review, we discuss current prospects of enhanced immunotherapy using nanomedicine under US. We highlight how nanotechnology designs and incorporates nanomedicines for the reprogramming of systematic immunity in the tumor microenvironment. We also emphasize the mechanical and biological potential of US, encompassing sonosensitizer activation for enhanced immunotherapeutic efficacies. Finally, the smartly converging combinational platform of US stimulated cancer nanomedicines for amending immunotherapy is summarized. This Review will widen scientists' ability to explore and understand the limiting factors for combating cancer in a precisely customized way.

Phytotoxic Evaluation of Phytosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles on Lettuce

The increasing metal release into the environment warrants investigating their impact on plants, which are cornerstones of ecosystems. Here, Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) seedlings were exposed hydroponically to different concentrations of silver ions and nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for 25 days to evaluate their impact on plant growth. Seedlings taking Ag+ ions showed an increment of 18% in total phenolic content and 12% in total flavonoid content, whereas under Ag NPs, 7% free radical scavenging activity, 12% total phenolic contents (TPC), and 10% total reducing power are increased. An increase in 31% shoot length, 25% chlorophyll, 11% carbohydrate, and 16% protein content of the lettuce plant is observed in response to Ag NPs, while silver nitrate (AgNO3) has a reduced 40% growth. The lettuce plant was most susceptible to toxic effects of Ag+ ions at a lower concentration, i.e., 0.01 mg/L, while Ag NPs showed less toxicity, only when higher concentrations >100 mg/L were applied. Further, biomolecules other than antioxidant enzymes showed higher phytotoxicity for Ag+ ions, followed by Ag NPs with the concentration of 25, 50, and 100 mg/L compared to the control. Thus, moderate concentrations of Ag NPs have a stimulatory effect on seedling growth, while higher concentrations induced inhibitory effects due to the release of Ag+ ions. These results suggest that optimum metallic contents are desirable for the healthier growth of plants in a controlled way.

Physiological and anti-oxidative response of biologically and chemically synthesized iron oxide: Zea mays a case study

The synthesis methodology, particle size and shape, dose optimization, and toxicity studies of nano-fertilizers are vital prior to their field application. This study investigates the comparative response of chemically synthesized and biologically synthesized iron oxide nanorods (NRs) using moringa olefera along with bulk FeCl3 on summer maize (Zea mays). It is found that FeCl3 salt and chemically synthesized iron oxides NRs caused growth retardation and impaired plant physiological and anti-oxidative activities at a concentration higher than 25 mg/L due to toxicity by over accumulation. While iron released form biologically synthesized NRs have shown significantly positive results even at 50 mg/L due to their low toxicity, an improved leaf area (13%), number of leaves per plant (26%), total chlorophyll content (80%) and nitrate content (6%) with biologically synthesized NRs are obtained. Moreover, the plant anti-oxidative activity also increased on treatment with biologically synthesized NRs because of their ability to form a complex with metal ions. These findings suggest that biologically synthesized iron oxides NRs are an efficient iron source and can last for a long time. Thus, proving that nanofertilizer are required to have specific surface chemistry to release the nutrient in an appropriate concentration for better plant growth.

Fractionation of Biomolecules in Withania coagulans Extract for Bioreductive Nanoparticle Synthesis, Antifungal and Biofilm Activity

Withania coagulans contains a complex mixture of various bioactive compounds. In order to reduce the complexity of the plant extract to purify its phytochemical biomolecules, a novel fractionation strategy using different solvent combination ratios was applied to isolate twelve bioactive fractions. These fractions were tested for activity in the biogenic synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles, biofilm and antifungal activities. The results revealed that plant extract with bioactive fractions in 30% ratio for all solvent combinations showed more potent bioreducing power, according to the observed color changes and the appearance of representative absorption peaks at 500-510 nm in the UV-visible spectra which confirm the synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs). XRD diffraction was used to define the crystal structure, size and phase composition of the products. The fractions obtained using 90% methanol/hexane and 30% methanol/hexane showed more effectiveness against biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus so these fractions could potentially be used to treat bacterial infections. The 90% hexane/H2O fraction showed excellent antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, while the 70% methanol/hexane fraction showed good antifungal activity for C. albicans, so these fractions are potentially useful for the treatment of various fungal infections. On the whole it was concluded that fractionation based on effective combinations of methanol/hexane was useful to investigate and study bioactive compounds, and the active compounds from these fractions may be further purified and tested in various clinical trials.