Development of a Synergistic Nanomaterial Scaffold Combining Silver Nanoparticles, Collagen, and Doxycycline for Enhanced Scar-Free Skin Regeneration.

Introduction The efficacy of wound-healing treatments can be significantly enhanced through innovative combination therapies. This research investigates the wound-healing properties of a combination therapy involving silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using Delphinium denudatum (Dd), bovine tendon collagen (BTC), and the antibiotic doxycycline (DOX) in Wistar albino rats. Each component has known therapeutic benefits: AgNPs possess antimicrobial properties, BTC aids in tissue regeneration, and DOX is an effective antibiotic. The synergy between these components is hypothesized to enhance wound closure, reduce inflammation, and promote scar-free healing. Methods The synthesis of DdAgNPs was carried out using Dd. The presence of AgNPs was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The study was conducted on Wistar albino rats following ethical guidelines for animal research. The rats were divided into different groups to receive various treatments: DdAgNPs alone, BTC alone, DOX alone, combinations of two components, and the triple combination of DdAgNPs: BTC: DOX. Wound closure rates, epithelialization, and collagen deposition were monitored and recorded over time. Tissue samples from the wound sites were collected for histological analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to evaluate epithelialization and overall tissue architecture. Collagen deposition was assessed using Masson's trichrome staining. Additionally, the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was measured as an indicator of inflammation. Results UV-Vis spectroscopy provided the characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak indicative of AgNPs, while HRTEM revealed the morphology and size of the nanoparticles, showing spherical particles with an average size of 35±10.42 nm. The combination therapy of DdAgNPs: BTC: DOX significantly enhanced wound closure compared to individual and dual-component treatments. This was evidenced by faster epithelialization and increased collagen deposition. The histological analysis showed that the triple combination treatment resulted in more organized tissue architecture and denser collagen fibers. Furthermore, the treatment led to a marked decrease in COX-2 expression, indicating reduced inflammation and potential for lower scar formation. Conclusion The synergistic application of DdAgNPs, BTC, and DOX presents a promising strategy for advanced wound healing and tissue regeneration. The combination therapy not only accelerates wound closure but also enhances the quality of healing by promoting epithelialization and collagen deposition while reducing inflammation. These findings offer a potential pathway for developing effective, scar-free healing solutions, highlighting the benefits of integrating multiple therapeutic agents in wound care.

Discovery of antibacterial biogenic magnetosome nanoparticles from Providencia sp. MTBPRB-1: Screening, purification and characterization.

Bacterial species referred to as magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) biomineralize iron oxides and iron sulphides inside the cell. Bacteria can arrange themselves passively along geomagnetic field lines with the aid of these iron components known as magnetosomes. In this study, magnetosome nanoparticles, which were obtained from the taxonomically identified MTB isolate Providencia sp. PRB-1, were characterized and their antibacterial activity was evaluated. An in vitro test showed that magnetosome nanoparticles significantly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Magnetosomes were found to contain cuboidal iron crystals with an average size of 42 nm measured by particle size analysis and scanning electron microscope analysis. The energy dispersive X-ray examination revealed that Fe and O were present in the extracted magnetosomes. The extracted magnetosome nanoparticles displayed maximum absorption at 260 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum. The distinct magnetite peak in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy spectra was observed at 574.75 cm-1. More research is needed into the intriguing prospect of biogenic magnetosome nanoparticles for antibacterial applications.

Identification of apigenin-4'-glucoside as bacterial DNA gyrase inhibitor by QSAR modeling, molecular docking, DFT, molecular dynamics, and in vitro confirmation studies.

CONTEXT: It is well known that antibiotic resistance is a major health hazard. To eradicate antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, it is essential to find a novel antibacterial agent. Hence, in this study, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed using 43 DNA gyrase inhibitors, and 700 natural compounds were screened for their antibacterial properties. Based on molecular docking and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) studies, the top three leads viz., apigenin-4'-glucoside, 8-deoxygartanin, and cryptodorine were selected and structurally optimized using density functional theory (DFT) studies. The optimized structures were redocked, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed. Binding energies were calculated by molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area solvation (MM-PBSA). Based on the above studies, apigenin-4'-glucoside was identified as a potent antibacterial lead. Further in vitro confirmation studies were performed using the plant Lawsonia inermis containing apigenin-4'-glucoside to confirm the antibacterial activity. METHODS: For QSAR modeling, 2D descriptors were calculated by PaDEL-Descriptors v2.21 software, and the model was developed using the DTClab QSAR tool. Docking was performed using PyRx v0.8 software. ORCA v5.0.1 computational package was used to optimize the structures. The job type used in optimization was equilibrium structure search using the DFT hybrid functional ORCA method B3LYP. The basis set was 6-311G (3df, 3pd) plus four polarization functions for all atoms. Accurate docking was performed for optimized leads using the iGEMDOCK v2.1 tool with a genetic algorithm by 10 solutions each of 80 generations. Molecular dynamic simulations were performed using GROMACS 2020.04 software with CHARMM36 all-atom force field.

4a-methyl-dodecahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]quinoline-6-one produced by Endophytic Fungi Aspergillus niger E12 obtained from Dodonaea viscosa Plant Leaves as a Novel Antibacterial Compound.

Endophytic fungi were isolated from forty plant leaf samples from Gudiyam forest. The potent antibacterial strain Aspergillus niger E12 isolated from the plant Dodonaea viscosa showed maximal antibacterial activity against all the test organisms, viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus coagulans, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The production of the antibacterial compound was optimized using the yeast extract sucrose medium (2% YES) using response surface methodology (RSM). For the production, the optimal parameters were carbon/nitrogen (C:N) ratio, 9:1; temperature, 25 °C; pH, 5.7; incubation time, 240 h; and rpm, 30. A zone of inhibition of 19.33 mm was observed as maximal bioactivity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial compound was purified by extraction with ethyl acetate, activity-guided fractionation, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies showed that the Aspergillus niger E12 bioactive substance is 4a-methyl-dodecahydro-1H-pyrrolo [3,4-b] quinoline-6-one.

A novel colorimetric technique for estimating iron in magnetosomes of magnetotactic bacteria based on linear regression.

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) use iron from their habitat to create magnetosomes, a unique organelle required for magnetotaxis. Due to a lack of cost-effective assay methods for estimating iron in magnetosomes, research on MTB and iron-rich magnetosomes is limited. A systemized assay was established in this study to quantify iron in MTB using ferric citrate colorimetric estimation. With a statistically significant R2 value of 0.9935, the iron concentration range and wavelength for iron estimation were optimized using linear regression. This colorimetric approach and the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) exhibited an excellent correlation R2 value of 0.961 in the validatory correlative study of the iron concentration in the isolated magnetotactic bacterial strains. In large-scale screening studies, this less-expensive strategy could be advantageous.

Production and characterization of naturally occurring antibacterial magnetite nanoparticles from magnetotactic Bacillus sp. MTB17.

AIMS: This study envisaged the isolation and characterization of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) from magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) and the evaluation of their antibacterial efficacy. METHODS AND RESULTS: MNPs were extracted from 20 motile but morphologically different MTB, and they were subjected to antibacterial activity assay. These MNPs were found to be highly effective against Vibrio cholerae. MTB17 was considered as the potent MTB strain based on the antibacterial activity. The MNPs of MTB17 were isolated and validated by UV-Visible spectroscopy, particle size analysis, FTIR analysis, and PXRD. CONCLUSIONS: Isolation and characterization of ~85 nm MNPs from MTB is reported, and it is highly active against all the gram-positive and gram-negative strains tested. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study focuses on a novel use of biogenic magnetite MNPs as an antibacterial agent, which can be further explored using in vivo studies.

Cytotoxicity and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Polyherbal Formulations, Joint Pain Spl and Rumalaya Forte on Lipopolysaccharide Induced Inflammation in IC-21 Macrophages.

AIM: To test the effectiveness of marketed polyherbal formulations on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory conditions in macrophages. BACKGROUND: Usage of herbal compounds among patients suffering from arthritis and cancer is increasing every year. Many anti-inflammatory herbal products available in the market should be screened thoroughly for their possible mechanism of action. OBJECTIVE: Joint Pain Spl (JPS) is a polyherbal dietary food supplement composed of 13 herbal plants, and Rumalaya Forte (RF) is a polyherbal formulation comprising of 6 herbal plants. These were tested for their cytotoxicity, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in LPS treated IC-21 peritoneal macrophages. METHODS: Commercially available JPS and RF powder was used to prepare the extract. The aqueous and methanol extracts were quantified for the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and confirmed with HPLC. In vitro DPPH free scavenging activity was performed. Cytotoxicity was tested by MTT assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was tested using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IC-21 peritoneal macrophage cells. RESULTS: The phytochemical screening showed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in JPS and RF. The aqueous and methanol extracts of JPS and RF possesses significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity. MTT assay revealed that 90.64% (aqueous extract) and 92.21% (methanol extract) of exposed macrophages are viable even after 24h exposure of maximal tested concentrations of herbal formulations. Pre-treatment of JPS and RF on LPS induced IC-21 macrophages showed a reduction in nitric oxide production (maximal 79.95%) and a high level of superoxide anion scavenging activity (maximal 82.5%) over control. CONCLUSION: The two tested polyherbal formulations, such as JPS and RF possess anti-inflammatory activity by modulating free radical generation in IC-21 macrophages. Thus the presence of the phenolic and flavonoid compounds may contribute to the antioxidant activity.