Exploring the multi-faceted potential: Synthesized ZnO nanostructure - Characterization, photocatalysis, and crucial biomedical applications.

This research describes the methodology for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). It demonstrates a unique, cost-effective, and non-toxic chemical technique for producing ZnO-NPs using the precipitation method with NaOH as reducing and capping agents. The formed nanoparticles have been characterized and analyzed using numerous techniques such as; Fluorescence emission spectroscopy (FL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), ultraviolet-visible optical absorption (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Also, the analytical technique X-ray diffraction studies has been used which showed that the ZnO-NPs had a Wurtzite hexagonal crystal structure with an average crystallite size of 34.27 nm. The form and the size of the synthesized ZnO-NPs have been seen in SEM and TEM photographs. Using J-image, particle size has been obtained at 13.33 nm, and the grain boundaries were all approximately spherical. Peaks in the FT-IR spectrum of the NPs indicate the presence of carboxylate (COO) and hydroxyl (O-H) functional groups. According to these findings, Zn interstitial defects are responsible for the 380 nm emission peak. Since EDX could not identify any impurities below the detection threshold, we may be sure that Zn and O are the principal components of the synthesized sample. ZnO-NPs cause an absorption band at 350.34 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum and a band gap of 3.24 eV. The catalytic activity of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) was evaluated by investigating their effectiveness in degrading crystal violet (CV) and methylene blue (MB) dyes, along with assessing the degradation rates. The results demonstrated a high degradation efficiency, with ZnO NPs achieving approximately 96.72 % degradation for CV and 97.169 % for MB dyes, underscoring their remarkable efficacy in the degradation process. As for antimicrobial activity assessment, the results revealed that the ZnO-NPs had negligible impact on Gram-negative bacteria, whereas they exhibited a discernible effect on Gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, it showed anti-cancer potential against colon (SW480), breast (MDA-231), and cervix (HELA) lines cells as seen by (MTT) assay. Hence, due to its simplified processes and cheaper chemicals, our synthesis technique may use in industrial settings for various applications.

Designing Green Synthesis-Based Silver Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Theranostics and Cancer Invasion Prevention.

Introduction: Researchers are increasingly favouring the use of biological resources in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. This synthesis process is quick and affordable. The current study examined the antibacterial and anticancer effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from the Neurada procumbens plant. Biomolecules derived from natural sources can be used to coat AgNPs to make them biocompatible. Methods: UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to verify the synthesis of AgNPs from Neurada procumbens plant extract, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize their morphology, crystalline structure, stability, and coating. Results: UV-visible spectrum of AgNPs shows an absorption peak at 422 nm, indicating the isotropic nature of these nanoparticles. As a result of the emergence of a transmission peak at 804.53 and 615.95 cm-1 in the spectrum of the infrared light emitted by atoms in a sample, FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated that the Ag stretching vibration mode is metal-oxygen (M-O). Electron dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectral analysis shows that elementary silver has a peak at 3 keV. Irradiating the silver surface with electrons, photons, or laser beams triggers the illumination. The emission peak locations have been found between 300 and 550 nm. As a result of DLS analysis, suspended particles showed a bimodal size distribution, with their Z-average particle size being 93.38 nm. Conclusion: The findings showed that the antibacterial action of AgNPs was substantially (p≤0.05) more evident against Gramme-positive strains (S. aureus and B. cereus) than E. coli. The biosynthesis of AgNPs is an environmentally friendly method for making nanostructures that have antimicrobial and anticancer properties.

Green nanogold activity in experimental breast carcinoma in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, fabrication of nanoparticles (NPs) has been deployed widely in technologies and many concerns have emerged about the hazardous effect on human health after NPs exposure. OBJECTIVE: Green synthesis of gold NPs (AuNPs) and assessment of their activity in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer mouse model. METHODS: Chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) was used in formation of AuNPs with the help of Curcuma longa as aqueous reducing extract and stabilizing agent at room temperature. Formed NPs were characterized with UV-Vis spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Zetasizer measurement, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Virgin female albino mice with DMBA-induced breast cancer were treated with formed AuNPs for 5 consecutive days and were dissected after 28 days of the beginning of treatment. RESULTS: UV-Vis spectrometry showed absorbance maximum peak at 530 nm for formed AuNPs, FTIR confirmed formation of plant extract layer around formed NPs; zetasizer measurement revealed 278.2 nm as an average size of produced NPs; SEM and TEM approved formation of monodisperse spherical AuNPs. Biochemical analysis of untreated breast cancer group revealed marked changes in liver and kidney functions manifested by raised activity levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Whereas, the treated group with AuNPs post-breast cancer induction displayed reduction in the activities (of ALT, AST and creatinine), while the BUN activity level was raised. Histopathological examination showed heavy incidence of tumor foci in the breast and lymph nodes belonged to the untreated breast cancer group confirmed with intense response to Ki-67 antibodies. While the treated group with AuNPs post-breast cancer induction showed degenerated tumor foci in the breast and lymph nodes with weak response to Ki-67 antibodies. CONCLUSION: AuNPs were successfully synthesized using HAuCl4 and C. longa extract confirmed their ability to control DMBA-induced breast cancer in virgin female Swiss albino mice.

Bee pollen and propolis improve neuroinflammation and dysbiosis induced by propionic acid, a short chain fatty acid in a rodent model of autism.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of autism because the cytokine levels are typically disturbed in the brain in autistic patients. Prebiotics-rich diet maintains the healthy gut microbiota and hence can regulate the neuroinflammation indirectly. The study aimed to investigate the role of bee pollen and propolis in ameliorating neuroinflammation, including cytokine levels, in an animal model of autism. METHODS: Hamsters were classified as four groups: Group I, control; Group II, autistic model/animals treated with 250 mg propionic acid (PPA)/kg body weight (BW)/day for 3 days; Group III, animals treated with bee pollen at a dose of 250 mg/kg BW/day for 4 weeks; and Group IV, animals treated with propolis at a dose of 250 mg/kg BW/day for 4 weeks. Neuroinflammatory responses were evaluated using the levels of interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α), IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). RESULTS: Significant decrease of IL-10 (P<0.026), VEGF (P<0.005), and TNFα(P<0.005) levels and increased IL-1α (P<0.032), IL-6(P<0.028), and IFN-γ (P<0.013) levels were observed between the four studied groups. The neurotoxic effects of PPA was clearly presented as much higher IL-6, as pro-inflammatory cytokine (P<0.05), concomitant with much lower IL-10, as anti-inflammatory cytokine(P<0.015) compared to controls. Both bee pollen and propolis were effective in ameliorating the neurotoxic effects of PPA demonstrating non-significant changes of IL-6 and IL-10 when compared to control healthy hamsters. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that both bee pollen and propolis protect against neuroinflammation in the rodent model of autism. However, further studies are needed to investigate the clinical benefits of prebiotics-rich diet in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism.

Understanding the roles of glutamine synthetase, glutaminase, and glutamate decarboxylase autoantibodies in imbalanced excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmission as etiological mechanisms of autism.

AIM: Autism is a heterogeneous neurological disorder that is characterized by impairments in communication and social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and sensory abnormalities. The etiology of autism remains unclear. Animal, genetic, and post-mortem studies suggest that an imbalance exists in the neuronal excitation and inhibition system in autism. The aim of this study was to determine whether alterations of the measured parameters in children with autism are significantly associated with the risk of a sensory dysfunction. METHODS: The glutamine synthetase (GS), kidney-type glutaminase (GLS1), and glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibody levels were analyzed in 38 autistic children and 33 age- and sex-matched controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: The obtained data demonstrated significant alterations in glutamate and glutamine cycle enzymes, as represented by GS and GLS1, respectively. While the glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies levels were remarkably increased, no significant difference was observed compared to the healthy control participants. CONCLUSION: The obtained data indicate that GS and GLS1 are promising indicators of a neuronal excitation and inhibition system imbalance and that combined measured parameters are good predictive biomarkers of autism.