Curcumin loaded gold nanoparticles-chitosan/sodium alginate nanocomposite for nanotheranostic applications.

A solvent casting technique was used for the preparation of biomimetic nanocomposites scaffolds at three various concentrations of Curcumin loaded gold nanoparticles (Cur-AuNPs-1, 1.5, and 2 ml) as filler materials with chitosan-sodium alginate composite. The physico-chemical properties of prepared Cu-Au NPs and biomimetic nanocomposites were analyzed using various characterization techniques. In vitro biocompatibility of biomimetic nanocomposites are determined using simulated body fluid for biomineralization property, HAp formation and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) for swelling property, protein adsorption. Antibacterial activity of Cur-Au NPs and their nanocomposites carried out against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus. In vitro cytotoxicity of Cur-AuNPs is identified against UC-6 and MDA-MB 231 cell lines. The use of above studies and activity of Cur-AuNPs with contain biomimetic nanocomposites can adoptable for nanotheranostics.

Biomimetic development of chitosan and sodium alginate-based nanocomposites contains zirconia for tissue engineering applications.

Nanostructured materials possess unique structural and functional properties that play a crucial position in tissue engineering applications. Present investigation is aimed to synthesize chitosan-sodium alginate (CS) nanocomposite using hydrothermally prepared zirconia nanoparticles. In this, three different weight percentages of (0.5, 1, and 1.5) zirconia nanoparticles are utilized for the preparation of biomimetic nanocomposite scaffolds (CSZ) employing 4 wt% of CS by a solvent casting technique. Physico-chemical and thermal behavior of the prepared nanoparticles and their CSZ scaffolds are comprehensively characterized. Bioactivity of the prepared zirconia nanoparticles and CSZ scaffolds are explored in terms of in vitro biocompatibility, protein absorption in simulated body fluid (SBF), and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Agar disc diffusion method is employed to identify the antibacterial property against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In vitro cytotoxicity of zirconia nanoparticles and CSZ scaffolds is identified against human urothelial carcinoma (UC6) and osteosarcoma (MG-63) cells. These studies explore that zirconia nanoparticles are suitable for biomedical applications while it is interacted with chitosan and sodium alginate (CS) due to their promising biocompatibility. Biomimetically obtained chitosan/sodium alginate scaffold contain 1 wt% zirconia nanoparticles show higher biocompatibility amenable for tissue engineering applications.

Biomimetic TiO2-chitosan/sodium alginate blended nanocomposite scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

The study is aimed to synthesize potent metal oxide based biomimetic nanocomposites to overcome the risk associated with artificial bone tissue engineering. High purity TiO2 nanoparticles are synthesized via hydrothermal route. A biomimetic nanocomposite scaffolds containing chitosan-sodium alginate (4: 4) blended with three different (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%) concentrations of hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles are obtained by solvent casting technique. The physico-chemical and thermal degradation properties of as-synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles and their nanocomposite scaffolds are analyzed. In-vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the prepared TiO2 nanoparticles and nanocomposites are tested against human bladder tumor (UC6) and osteosarcoma (MG-63) cell lines. Antibacterial property is tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These studies reveal that TiO2 nanoparticles and polymeric nanocomposites contain good physico-chemical and mechanical properties for enhanced in-vitro biocompatibility suitable for biomedical applications. Biomimetically prepared chitosan-sodium alginate scaffold containing TiO2 nanoparticles (1 wt%) is found to exhibit superior biocompatibility for bone tissue engineering applications.

Silicon confers protective effect against ginseng root rot by regulating sugar efflux into apoplast.

Root rot caused by Ilyonectria mors-panacis is a devastating fungal disease leading to defect in root quality and causes reduced yield during the perennial life cycle of Panax ginseng Meyer. This indicates the imperative need to understand the molecular basis of disease development and also to enhance tolerance against the fungus. With this idea, the protective effect of silicon (supplied as silica nanoparticles) in P. ginseng root rot pathosystem and its molecular mechanism was investigated in the current study. We have tested different concentrations of silicon (Si) to disease-infected ginseng and found that long term analysis (30 dpi) displayed a striking 50% reduction in disease severity index upon the treatment of Si. Expectedly, Si had no direct degradative effect against the pathogen. Instead, in infected roots it resulted in reduced expression of PgSWEET leading to regulated sugar efflux into apoplast and enhanced tolerance against I. mors-panacis. In addition, under diseased condition, both protopanaxadiol (PPD) and protopanaxatriol (PPT) type ginsenoside profile in roots were higher in Si treated plants. This is the first report indicating the protective role of Si in ginseng-root rot pathosystem, thereby uncovering novel features of ginseng mineral physiology and at the same time, enabling its usage to overcome root rot.

Screening the UV-blocking and antimicrobial properties of herbal nanoparticles prepared from Aloe vera leaves for textile applications.

Nanomaterials play a vital role in textile industries due to their unique properties and applications. There is an increase in the use of nanoscale phyto products in textiles to control the bacterial infection in fabrics. Here, natural herbal nanoparticles of different sizes were prepared from shade-dried Aloe vera plant leaves using ball milling technique without any additives. The amorphous herbal A. vera nanoparticles possess an average particle size of 40 ± 2 nm and UV-absorption maximum at 269 nm. A. vera nanopowders-chitosan nanocomposites were prepared and coated on cotton fabrics using pad-dry cure method. The evaluation of antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (22.05 ± 0.06 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (27.17 ± 0.02 mm), UV-protection properties (UV-protection factor = 57.2 ± 0.1), and superhydrophobic nature (155 ± 3°) of the prepared herbal nanoparticles and their composites were analysed by disc diffusion, UV-visible spectral analysis, and contact angle analysis. Understanding the functional properties of herbal nanoparticles, coated particles on fabrics highlights their potential applications in protective clothing with better antimicrobial properties, hydrophobicity, and UV-protection properties. This study of using A. vera herbal nanoparticles in textiles significantly enhances the fabric performance to develop protective textile fabrics in defence and biomedical fields.

In vitro and in vivo characteristics of biogenic high surface silica nanoparticles in A549 lung cancer cell lines and Danio rerio model systems for inorganic biomaterials development.

Silica based organic-inorganic hybrids are turned over the most necessitate biomaterial due to their exotic biomedical properties. Colloidal silica nanoparticles (SNPs) of high surface area are synthesized from the bamboo wastes (leave biomass) as a viable and promising alternative to synthetic silica sol through alkaline extraction process. Physico-chemical properties of the prepared silica powders are examined employing extensive characterization tools. The characteristic results of the silica sol demonstrate amorphous particles (average size: 25 nm) with relatively high surface area (428 m2 g-1) and spherical morphology. The teratogenicity of the surface and size dependant SNPs is evaluated using an alternative animal model, zebrafish (Danio rerio) in comparison with micron sized particles. LDH based cytotoxicity assay reveals non-significant cell damage in all the tested silica particles. Less mortality, uptake and dysfunctionalities of the organs during the developmental stages of zebrafish treated with bulk and nanoparticles confirm their biocompatibility. The least DNA strand breakage during genotoxic assay and teratogenic parameters are found to exhibit desirable bioactivity of SNPs for clinical applications even at higher concentrations. For the first time, bamboo derived silica sol induced genotoxicity is assessed at molecular level to understand the interaction mechanism with the fish genome.

Effect of silica nanoparticles on microbial biomass and silica availability in maize rhizosphere.

The effect of silica nanoparticles and conventional silica sources on the changes in microbial biomass and silica availability to pure soil and maize rhizosphere was studied. Nanosilica (20-40 nm) was synthesized from rice husk and comprehensively characterized. The efficiency of nanosilica was evaluated in terms of its effects on beneficial microbial population such as phosphate solubilizers, nitrogen fixers, silicate solubilizers, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen content, and silica content in comparison with other silica sources such as microsilica, sodium silicate, and silicic acid. Nanosilica significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced microbial populations, total biomass content (C = 1508 µg g(-1) and N = 178 µg g(-1) ), and silica content (14.75 mg mL(-1) ). Although microsilica sources enhanced factors associated with soil fertility, their use by maize roots and silicification in soil was found to be less. The results show that nanosilica plays a vital role in influencing soil nutrient content and microbial biota and, hence, may promote the growth of maize crop.