Studying the impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the expression of pivotal genes related to menthol biosynthesis and certain biochemical parameters in peppermint plants (Mentha Piperita L.).

BACKGROUND: This study examines the impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) on gene expression associated with menthol biosynthesis and selected biochemical parameters in peppermint plants (Mentha piperita L.). Menthol, the active ingredient in peppermint, is synthesized through various pathways involving key genes like geranyl diphosphate synthase, menthone reductase, and menthofuran synthase. Seedlings were treated with different concentrations of TiO2NPs (50, 100, 200, and 300 ppm) via foliar spray. After three weeks of treatment, leaf samples were gathered and kept at -70 °C for analysis. RESULTS: According to our findings, there was a significant elevation (P ≤ 0.05) in proline content at concentrations of 200 and 300 ppm in comparison with the control. Specifically, the highest proline level was registered at 200 ppm, reaching 259.64 ± 33.33 µg/g FW. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content exhibited a decreasing trend following nanoparticle treatments. Catalase activity was notably affected by varying TiO2NP concentrations, with a significant decrease observed at 200 and 300 ppm compared to the control (P ≤ 0.05). Conversely, at 100 ppm, catalase activity significantly increased (11.035 ± 1.12 units/mg of protein/min). Guaiacol peroxidase activity decreased across all nanoparticle concentrations. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis indicated increased expression of the studied genes at 300 ppm concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, it can be inferred that at the transcript level, this nanoparticle exhibited efficacy in influencing the biosynthetic pathway of menthol.

The synthesis of broccoli sprout extract-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles as efficient drug delivery vehicles: development and characterization.

Targeted drug delivery of biological molecules using the development of biocompatible, non-toxic and biodegradable nanocarriers can be a promising method for cancer therapy. In this study, silk fibroin protein nanoparticles (SFPNPs) were synthesized as a targeted delivery system for sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE). The BSE-loaded SFPNPs were conjugated with polyethylene glycol and folic acid, and then their physicochemical properties were characterized via UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, DLS, FE-SEM and EDX analyses. In vitro, the release profile, antioxidant and anticancer activities of NPs were also studied. The FE-SEM and DLS analyses indicated stable NPs with an average size of 88.5 nm and high zeta potential (-32 mV). The sulforaphane release profile from NPs was pH-dependent, with the maximum release value (70%) observed in simulated intestinal fluid (pH = 7.4). Encapsulation of BSE also decreased the release rate of sulforaphane from the capsules compared to free BSE. In vitro cytotoxicity of BSE and NPs on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) was concentration-dependent, and the IC50 for BSE and NPs were 54 and 210 µg ml-1, respectively. Moreover, the NPs demonstrated no appreciable cytotoxicity in normal mouse fibroblast (L929) cell lines. These results indicated that biocompatible NPs synthesized as controlled and long-term targeted drug delivery systems can be a potential candidate for breast cancer therapy.