Tau- and α-synuclein-targeted gold nanoparticles: applications, opportunities, and future outlooks in the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

The use of nanomaterials in medicine offers multiple opportunities to address neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. These diseases are a significant burden for society and the health system, affecting millions of people worldwide without sensitive and selective diagnostic methodologies or effective treatments to stop their progression. In this sense, the use of gold nanoparticles is a promising tool due to their unique properties at the nanometric level. They can be functionalized with specific molecules to selectively target pathological proteins such as Tau and α-synuclein for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. Additionally, these proteins are used as diagnostic biomarkers, wherein gold nanoparticles play a key role in enhancing their signal, even at the low concentrations present in biological samples such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid, thus enabling an early and accurate diagnosis. On the other hand, gold nanoparticles act as drug delivery platforms, bringing therapeutic agents directly into the brain, improving treatment efficiency and precision, and reducing side effects in healthy tissues. However, despite the exciting potential of gold nanoparticles, it is crucial to address the challenges and issues associated with their use in the medical field before they can be widely applied in clinical settings. It is critical to ensure the safety and biocompatibility of these nanomaterials in the context of the central nervous system. Therefore, rigorous preclinical and clinical studies are needed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of these strategies in patients. Since there is scarce and sometimes contradictory literature about their use in this context, the main aim of this review is to discuss and analyze the current state-of-the-art of gold nanoparticles in relation to delivery, diagnosis, and therapy for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as recent research about their use in preclinical, clinical, and emerging research areas.

A review of recent advances in the use of complex metal nanostructures for biomedical applications from diagnosis to treatment.

Complex metal nanostructures represent an exceptional category of materials characterized by distinct morphologies and physicochemical properties. Nanostructures with shape anisotropies, such as nanorods, nanostars, nanocages, and nanoprisms, are particularly appealing due to their tunable surface plasmon resonances, controllable surface chemistries, and effective targeting capabilities. These complex nanostructures can absorb light in the near-infrared, enabling noteworthy applications in nanomedicine, molecular imaging, and biology. The engineering of targeting abilities through surface modifications involving ligands, antibodies, peptides, and other agents potentiates their effects. Recent years have witnessed the development of innovative structures with diverse compositions, expanding their applications in biomedicine. These applications encompass targeted imaging, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, near-infrared II imaging, catalytic therapy, photothermal therapy, and cancer treatment. This review seeks to provide the nanomedicine community with a thorough and informative overview of the evolving landscape of complex metal nanoparticle research, with a specific emphasis on their roles in imaging, cancer therapy, infectious diseases, and biofilm treatment. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices.

Effect of TiC Nanoparticles on a Zn-Al-Cu System for Biodegradable Cardiovascular Stent Applications.

Despite being a weaker metal, zinc has become an increasingly popular candidate for biodegradable implant applications due to its suitable corrosion rate and biocompatibility. Previous studies have experimented with various alloy elements to improve the overall mechanical performance of pure Zn without compromising the corrosion performance and biocompatibility; however, the thermal stability of biodegradable Zn alloys has not been widely studied. In this study, TiC nanoparticles were introduced for the first time to a Zn-Al-Cu system. After hot rolling, TiC nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the Zn matrix and effectively enabled phase control during solidification. The Zn-Cu phase, which was elongated and sharp in the reference alloy, became globular in the nanocomposite. The strength of the alloy, after introducing TiC nanoparticles, increased by 31% from 259.7 to 340.3 MPa, while its ductility remained high at 49.2% elongation to failure. Fatigue performance also improved greatly by adding TiC nanoparticles, increasing the fatigue limit by 47.6% from 44.7 to 66 MPa. Furthermore, TiC nanoparticles displayed excellent phase control capability during body-temperature aging. Without TiC restriction, Zn-Cu phases evolved into dendritic morphologies, and the Al-rich eutectic grew thicker at grain boundaries. However, both Zn-Cu and Al-rich eutectic phases remained relatively unchanged in shape and size in the nanocomposite. A combination of exceptional tensile properties, improved fatigue performance, better long-term stability with a suitable corrosion rate, and excellent biocompatibility makes this new Zn-Al-Cu-TiC material a promising candidate for biodegradable stents and other biodegradable applications.

Silver nanoparticle dressing: The knowledge of advantages and limits improves the indications in clinical practice.

Silver nanoparticle dressings have gained popularity recently as a way to treat challenging wounds. Notwithstanding the properties of Ag-NPS (silver nanoparticles) described by several articles, there is a lack of clinical studies that guide healthcare professionals to specific and conscious use. In this case series, Ag-NPS dressing was tested on a randomized group of 10 patients with complex wounds requiring conservative treatment. Each case was analysed, recording the patient's history, the peculiar characteristics and the progressive changes in the wound. The wound bed and the quality of the peri-wound skin improved and a decrease in signs of infection was observed. The application of the dressing was simple and comfortable for the patient and it was appreciated for its sealing ability. A few capacity restrictions showed up: those should be read as elements to improve the indications for this peculiar dressing. The thin tissue matrix of the Ag-NPS dressing does not allow for massive absorption and also performs poorly in reducing little exudate. The reduction in wound width is also limited: reconstructive surgery was required in half of the enrolled patients to achieve wound healing.

A Step Forward for the Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer Using Gold Nanoparticles Combined with Laser Irradiation.

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the second most common cancer diagnosis in men and the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. The conventional treatments available are beneficial to only a few patients and, in those, some present adverse side effects that eventually affect the quality of life of most patients. Thus, there is an urgent need for effective, less invasive and targeted specific treatments for PCA. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a minimally invasive therapy that provides a localized effect for tumour cell ablation by activating photothermal agents (PTA) that mediate the conversion of the light beam's energy into heat at the site. As tumours are unable to easily dissipate heat, they become more susceptible to temperature increases. In the PTT field, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been attracting interest as PTA. The aim of this study was to formulate AuNPs capable of remaining retained in the tumour and subsequently generating heat at the tumour site. AuNPs were synthesized and characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential (ZP), morphology and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The safety of AuNPs and their efficacy were assessed using in vitro models. A preliminary in vivo safety assessment of AuNPs with a mean size lower than 200 nm was confirmed. The morphology was spherical-like and the SPR band showed good absorbance at the laser wavelength. Without laser, AuNPs proved to be safe both in vitro (>70% viability) and in vivo. In addition, with laser irradiation, they proved to be relatively effective in PCA cells. Overall, the formulation appears to be promising for use in PTT.

Potential Biomedical Applications of Terbium-Based Nanoparticles (TbNPs): A Review on Recent Advancement.

The scientific world is increasingly focusing on rare earth metal oxide nanomaterials due to their consequential biological prospects, navigated by breakthroughs in biomedical applications. Terbium belongs to rare earth elements (lanthanide series) and possesses remarkably strong luminescence at lower energy emission and signal transduction properties, ushering in wide applications for diagnostic measurements (i.e., bioimaging, biosensors, fluorescence imaging, etc.) in the biomedical sectors. In addition, the theranostic applications of terbium-based nanoparticles further permit the targeted delivery of drugs to the specific site of the disease. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of terbium nanoparticles induced via reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative damage to the cell membrane and nuclei of living organisms, ion release, and surface charge interaction, thus further creating or exhibiting excellent antioxidant characteristics. Moreover, the recent applications of terbium nanoparticles in tissue engineering, wound healing, anticancer activity, etc., due to angiogenesis, cell proliferation, promotion of growth factors, biocompatibility, cytotoxicity mitigation, and anti-inflammatory potentials, make this nanoparticle anticipate a future epoch of nanomaterials. Terbium nanoparticles stand as a game changer in the realm of biomedical research, proffering a wide array of possibilities, from revolutionary imaging techniques to advanced drug delivery systems. Their unique properties, including luminescence, magnetic characteristics, and biocompatibility, have redefined the boundaries of what can be achieved in biomedicine. This review primarily delves into various mechanisms involved in biomedical applications via terbium-based nanoparticles due to their physicochemical characteristics. This review article further explains the potential biomedical applications of terbium nanoparticles with in-depth significant mechanisms from the individual literature. This review additionally stands as the first instance to furnish a "single-platted" comprehensive acquaintance of terbium nanoparticles in shaping the future of healthcare as well as potential limitations and overcoming strategies that require exploration before being trialed in clinical settings.

UiO-66/AgNPs Coating for Dental Implants in Preventing Bacterial Infections.

Titanium (Ti)-based biomaterials lack inherent antimicrobial activities, and the dental plaque formed on the implant surface is one of the main risk factors for implant infections. Construction of an antibacterial surface can effectively prevent implant infections and enhance implant success. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit broad antibacterial activity and a low tendency to induce drug resistance, but AgNPs easily self-aggregate in the aqueous environment, which significantly impairs their antibacterial activity. In this study, UiO-66/AgNP (U/A) nanocomposite was prepared, where zirconium metal-organic frameworks (UiO-66) were employed as the confinement matrix to control the particle size and prevent aggregation of AgNPs. The bactericidal activity of U/A against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli increased nearly 75.51 and 484.50 times compared with individually synthesized Ag. The antibacterial mechanism can be attributed to the enhanced membrane rupture caused by the ultrafine AgNPs on UiO-66, leading to protein leakage and generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Then, U/A was loaded onto Ti substrates (Ti-U/A) by using self-assembly deposition methods to construct an antibacterial surface coating. Ti-U/A exhibited excellent antibacterial activities and desired biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. The U/A nanocomposite coating technique is thus expected to be used as a promising surface modification strategy for Ti-based dental implants for preventing dental implant infections.

Gold nanoparticles exhibit anti-osteoarthritic effects via modulating interaction of the "microbiota-gut-joint" axis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease that can cause severe pain, motor dysfunction, and even disability. A growing body of research indicates that gut microbiota and their associated metabolites are key players in maintaining bone health and in the progression of OA. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are a series of active metabolites that widely participate in bone homeostasis. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with outstanding anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, have been demonstrated to ameliorate excessive bone loss during the progression of osteoporosis (OP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the protective effects of GNPs on OA progression are not clear. Here, we observed that GNPs significantly alleviated anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced OA in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. 16S rDNA gene sequencing showed that GNPs changed gut microbial diversity and structure, which manifested as an increase in the abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus. Additionally, GNPs increased levels of SCFAs (such as butyric acid), which could have improved bone destruction by reducing the inflammatory response. Notably, GNPs modulated the dynamic balance of M1/M2 macrophages, and increased the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10. To sum up, our study indicated that GNPs exhibited anti-osteoarthritis effects via modulating the interaction of "microbiota-gut-joint" axis, which might provide promising therapeutic strategies for OA.

Caged gold nanostars: a novel plasmonic nanoplatform with potential theranostic applications.

Here, we first introduce caged gold nanostars (C-GNS), a novel hybrid nanoplatform combining the exceptional plasmonic properties of nanostars with the loading capability of hollow-shell structures. We present two synthetic routes used to produce C-GNS particles and highlight the benefits of the galvanic replacement-free approach. FEM simulations explore the enhanced plasmonic properties of this novel nanoparticle morphology. Finally, in a proof-of-concept study, we successfully demonstrate in vivo hyperspectral imaging and photothermal treatment of tumors in a mouse model with the C-GNS nanoplatform.

211At on gold nanoparticles for targeted radionuclide therapy application.

Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) is a methodology that is being developed as a promising cancer treatment using the α-particle decay of radionuclides. This technique involves the use of heavy radioactive elements being placed near the cancer target area to cause maximum damage to the cancer cells while minimizing the damage to healthy cells. Using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as carriers, a more effective therapy methodology may be realized. AuNPs can be good candidates for transporting these radionuclides to the vicinity of the cancer cells since they can be labeled not just with the radionuclides, but also a host of other proteins and ligands to target these cells and serve as additional treatment options. Research has shown that astatine and iodine are capable of adsorbing onto the surface of gold, creating a covalent bond that is quite stable for use in experiments. However, there are still many challenges that lie ahead in this area, whether they be theoretical, experimental, and even in real-life applications. This review will cover some of the major developments, as well as the current state of technology, and the problems that need to be tackled as this research topic moves along to maturity. The hope is that with more workers joining the field, we can make a positive impact on society, in addition to bringing improvement and more knowledge to science.

Bionic nanotheranostic for multimodal imaging-guided NIR-II-photothermal cancer therapy.

In photothermal therapy (PTT), the photothermal conversion of the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window allows deeper penetration and higher laser irradiance and is considered a promising therapeutic strategy for deep tissues. Since cancer remains a leading cause of deaths worldwide, despite the numerous treatment options, we aimed to develop an improved bionic nanotheranostic for combined imaging and photothermal cancer therapy. We combined a gold nanobipyramid (Au NBP) as a photothermal agent and MnO2 as a magnetic resonance enhancer to produce core/shell structures (Au@MnO2; AM) and modified their surfaces with homologous cancer cell plasma membranes (PM) to enable tumour targeting. The performance of the resulting Au@MnO2@PM (AMP) nanotheranostic was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. AMP exhibits photothermal properties under NIR-II laser irradiation and has multimodal in vitro imaging functions. AMP enables the computed tomography (CT), photothermal imaging (PTI), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumours. In particular, AMP exhibited a remarkable PTT effect on cancer cells in vitro and inhibited tumour cell growth under 1064 nm laser irradiation in vivo, with no significant systemic toxicity. This study achieved tumour therapy guided by multimodal imaging, thereby demonstrating a novel strategy for the use of bionic gold nanoparticles for tumour PTT under NIR-II laser irradiation.

Targeting EGFR and VEGFR-2 Kinases With Nanoparticles: A Computational Approach for Cancer Therapy Advancement.

The study investigates titanium and zinc nanoparticles as inhibitors for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), pivotal regulators of cell processes. VEGFR-2 activation fuels tumor angiogenesis in cancer cells, sustaining malignant tissue expansion. Molecular docking analysis illustrates the nanoparticles' binding to the active sites, inhibiting the phosphorylation of key proteins in downstream signaling. This inhibition offers a promising therapeutic approach to impede cancer-related signaling, potentially slowing down aberrant protein cascades controlled by EGFR and VEGFR-2. The findings propose a novel avenue for cancer treatment, targeting abnormal growth pathways using titanium and zinc nanoparticles.

Unravelling the Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, Suppressing Fibronectin Binding Protein A (fnba) and cna Virulence Genes, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Biosynthesized Solanum lycopersicum Silver Nanoparticles.

Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infections [UTIs] are considered the third most known risk of infection in human health around the world. There is increasing appreciation for the pathogenicity of Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains in UTIs, aside from fungal infection, as they have numerous virulence factors. Materials and Methods: In this study, fifty urine samples were collected from patients suffering from UTI. Among the isolates of UTI microbes, six isolates were described as MDR isolates after an antibiotic susceptibility test carried out using ten different antibiotics. An alternative treatment for microbial elimination involved the use of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from Solanum lycopersicum [S. cumin]. Results: The sizes and shapes of AgNPs were characterized through TEM imaging, which showed spherical particles in a size range of 35-80 nm, of which the average size was 53 nm. Additionally, the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) demonstrated inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (OR648079), exhibiting a 31 mm zone of inhibition at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 8 mg/mL. This was followed by Aspergillus niger (OR648075), which showed a 30 mm inhibition zone at an MIC of 16 mg/mL and a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 32 mg/mL. Then, Enterococcus faecalis (OR648078), Klebsiella pneumoniae (OR648081), and Acinetobacter baumannii (OR648080) each displayed a 29 mm zone of inhibition at an MIC of 8 mg/mL and an MBC of 16 mg/mL. The least inhibition was observed against Candida auris (OR648076), with a 25 mm inhibition zone at an MIC of 16 mg/mL and an MFC of 32 mg/mL. Furthermore, AgNPs at different concentrations removed DPPH and H2O2 at an IC50 value of 13.54 µg/mL. Also, AgNPs at 3 mg/mL showed remarkable DNA fragmentation in all bacterial strains except Enterococcus faecalis. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of different active organic components in the plant extract, which concluded that rutin was 88.3 mg/g, garlic acid was 70.4 mg/g, and tannic acid was 23.7 mg/g. Finally, AgNPs concentrations in the range of 3-6 mg/mL showed decreased expression of two of the fundamental genes necessary for biofilm formation within Staphylococcus aureus, fnbA (6 folds), and Cna (12.5 folds) when compared with the RecA gene, which decreased by one-fold when compared with the control sample. These two genes were submitted with NCBI accession numbers [OR682119] and [OR682118], respectively. Conclusions: The findings from this study indicate that biosynthesized AgNPs from Solanum lycopersicum exhibit promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties against UTI pathogens, including strains resistant to multiple antibiotics. This suggests their potential as an effective alternative treatment for UTIs. Further research is warranted to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to explore the therapeutic applications of these nanoparticles in combating UTIs.

Characterizations of Centrifugal Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sodium Alginate/Tamanu Oil/Silver Nanoparticles Wound Dressing.

Known for its water solubility, flexibility, strong adhesion, and eco-friendly nature, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is widely used in various industries. In the medical field, it is used for applications such as creating bandages and orthopaedic devices. Incorporating sodium alginate (SA) into PVA membranes enhances their structural integrity, breathability, and permeability, thereby minimising the risk of cellular damage in the wound zone. Moreover, the addition of tamanu oil (C alophyllum inophyllum L.) and silver nanoparticles, both of which are known for their antibacterial properties and benefits in traditional wound healing, further enhances the membranes' wound-healing effectiveness. Following production, the membranes undergo a series of tests designed to evaluate their physical properties as well as their antioxidant and antibacterial capabilities. Subsequently, in vitro testing is conducted using human skin cells; experiments on Wistar rats are then performed. Numerous experiments have consistently demonstrated that the performance of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/tamanu oil (PVA/SA/Oil) membrane is superior to that of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/tamanu oil/silver nanoparticles (PVA/SA/Oil/Ag NP) membrane. Specifically, the polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/SA) combination exhibits an impressive wound-healing rate of 98.82% after 15 days, with cells maintaining a high viability of 92% in a nourishing environment. Moreover, these membranes exhibit exceptional resistance to the oxidation of free radicals, surpassing the 70% threshold, and they possess antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus in vitro. Based on the obtained results, the nanofiber membranes composed of polyvinyl alcohol/ alginate/ tamanu oil, with or without silver nanoparticles, have shown potential as wound dressings in the wound care discipline.

Multifunctional Metal-Phenolic Composites Promote Efficient Periodontitis Treatment via Antibacterial and Osteogenic Properties.

Periodontitis, a complex inflammatory disease initiated by bacterial infections, presents a significant challenge in public health. The increased levels of reactive oxygen species and the subsequent exaggerated immune response associated with periodontitis often lead to alveolar bone resorption and tooth loss. Herein, we develop multifunctional metal-phenolic composites (i.e., Au@MPN-BMP2) to address the complex nature of periodontitis, where gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are coated by metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). In this design, MPNs exhibit remarkable antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and AuNPs and BMP2 promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under inflammatory conditions. In a rat model of periodontitis, treatment with Au@MPN-BMP2 leads to notable therapeutic outcomes, including mitigated oxidative stress, reduced progression of inflammation, and the significant prevention of inflammatory bone loss. These results highlight the multifunctionality of Au@MPN-BMP2 nanoparticles as a promising therapeutic approach for periodontitis, addressing both microbial causative factors and an overactivated immune response. We envision that the rational design of metal-phenolic composites will provide versatile nanoplatforms for tissue regeneration and potential clinical applications.

Improved Immune Response for Colorectal Cancer Therapy Triggered by Multifunctional Nanocomposites with Self-Amplifying Antitumor Ferroptosis.

Ferroptosis, as a type of regulated cell death, can trigger the release of damage-associated molecular patterns from cancer cells and lead to the enhancement of immune recognition. Fenton reaction-mediated chemodynamic therapy could initiate ferroptosis by generating lipid peroxides, but its efficiency would be greatly restricted by the insufficient H2O2 and antioxidant system within the tumor. Herein, this work reports the successful preparation of H2O2 self-supplied and glutathione (GSH)-depletion therapeutic nanocomposites (Cu2O@Au) through in situ growth of Au nanoparticles on the surface of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanospheres. Upon delivery into cancer cells, the released Cu2O could consume endogenous H2S within colorectal cancer cells to form Cu31S16 nanoparticles, while the released Au NPs could catalyze glucose to generate H2O2 and gluconic acid. The self-supplying endogenous H2O2 and lower acidity could amplify the Cu ion-induced Fenton-like reaction. Meanwhile, the consumption of glucose would reduce GSH generation by disrupting the pentose phosphate pathway. Additionally, the Cu2+/Cu+ catalytic cycle promotes the depletion of GSH, leading to lipid peroxide accumulation and ferroptosis. It was found that the onset of ferroptosis triggered by Cu2O@Au could initiate immunologic cell death, promote dendritic cell maturation and T-cell infiltration, and finally enhance the antitumor efficacy of the PD-L1 antibody. In summary, this collaborative action produces a remarkable antitumor effect, which provides a promising treatment strategy for colorectal cancer.

Green Synthesis of Metal-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles Using Bauhinia racemosa Lam. Extract and Evaluation of Their Photocatalysis and Biomedical Applications.

A fascinating problem in the fields of nanoscience and nanobiotechnology has recently emerged, and to tackle this, the production of metal oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts offers numerous benefits over traditional physicochemical methods. In the present investigation, ZnO nanoparticles were fabricated from Bauhinia racemosa Lam. (BR) leaves extract with various transition metal (TM) dopants (Ni, Mn, and Co). Plant leaves extract containing metal nitrate solutions were utilized as a precursor to synthesize the pristine and TM-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Structural, functional, optical, and surface properties of the fabricated samples were studied by using physicochemical and photoelectrochemical measurements. The organic pollutants tetracycline (TC), ampicillin (AMP), and amoxicillin (AMX) were used in the photocatalytic degradation assessment of the fabricated samples. Through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation, the fabricated nanoparticles wurtzite crystal structure was verified. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis verified the existence of functional groups in the fabricated nanoparticles. The migration of electrons from the deep donor level and zinc interstitial to the Zn-defect and O-defect is related to the emission peaks seen at 468, 480, 534, and 450 nm in photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Co-ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated potent and excellent photocatalytic degradation performance for TC (91.09%), AMP (87.97%), and AMX (92.42%) antibiotics within 210, 180, and 150 min of visible light irradiation. Co-ZnO nanoparticles also demonstrated strong antimicrobial performance against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Bacillus subtilis. Further investigation of in vitro cytotoxic potential against the A549 cell line (IC50 = 24 ± 0.5 µg/mL) utilizing MTT assay and the free radical scavenging performance of Co-ZnO nanoparticles estimated by DPPH assay utilizing l-ascorbic acid as a reference was also performed. Anti-inflammatory potential is also reviewed by comparing it with the standard drug Diclofenac, and the maximum activity was obtained for Ni-ZnO nanoparticles (IC50 = 72.4 µg/mL).

Gold nanoparticles-mediated photothermal and photodynamic therapies for cancer.

Cancer remains one of the major causes of death globally, with one out of every six deaths attributed to the disease. The impact of cancer is felt on psychological, physical, and financial levels, affecting individuals, communities, and healthcare institutions. Conventional cancer treatments have many challenges and inadequacies. Nanomedicine, however, presents a promising solution by not only overcoming these problems but also offering the advantage of combined therapy for treatment-resistant cancers. Nanoparticles specifically engineered for use in nanomedicine can be efficiently targeted to cancer cells through a combination of active and passive techniques, leading to superior tumor-specific accumulation, enhanced drug availability, and reduced systemic toxicity. Among various nanoparticle formulations designed for cancer treatment, gold nanoparticles have gained prominence in the field of nanomedicine due to their photothermal, photodynamic, and immunologic effects without the need for photosensitizers or immunotherapeutic agents. To date, there is no comprehensive literature review that focuses on the photothermal, photodynamic, and immunologic effects of gold nanoparticles. In this review, significant attention has been devoted to examining the parameters pertaining to the structure of gold nanoparticles and laser characteristics, which play a crucial role in influencing the efficacy of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Moreover, this article provides insights into the success of PTT and PDT mediated by gold nanoparticles in primary cancer treatment, as well as the immunological effects of PTT and PDT on metastasis and recurrence, providing a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In summary, gold nanoparticles, with their unique properties, have the potential for clinical application in various cancer therapies, including the treatment of primary cancer, recurrence and metastasis.

Mentha piperita silver nanoparticle-loaded hydrocolloid film for enhanced diabetic wound healing in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Mentha piperita silver nanoparticle-loaded carbopol gel for enhanced wound healing in a diabetic rat model. This research further aims to explore bioactive compounds derived from Mentha piperita obtained from high altitude. METHOD: Methanolic extracts of Mentha piperita (MP), Mentha spicata (MS) and Mentha longifolia (ML) were used to synthesise silver nanoparticles (AgNP). AgNP synthesis was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antioxidant activity was assessed by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) assay. Antiglycation potential was determined by measuring the fluorescent advanced glycation end products. The bioactive compound identified in the Mentha piperita methanolic (MPM) fraction through electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometric analysis (ESI-MS) was responsible for the highest antiglycation. The effects of MPM and MPM.AgNP-loaded Carbopol (Sanare Lab, India) on wound healing were compared in male, alloxan-induced, diabetic albino rats (200-250g), divided into control and treated groups. Effects on wound healing were assessed via histopathology. RESULTS: UV-Vis and FTIR confirmed NP synthesis with peaks for flavonoids and polyphenols. SEM and XRD explored the cubical, 30-63nm crystalline NP. The maximum antioxidant and antiglycation potential was observed in order of; MP.AgNP>MS.AgNP>ML.AgNP. The highest antioxidant activity was observed by methanolic and aqueous MP.AgNPs (88.55% and 83.63%, respectively) at 2mg.ml-1, and (75.16% and 69.73%, respectively) at 1mg.ml-1, compared to ascorbic acid (acting as a positive control, 90.01%). MPM.AgNPs demonstrated the best antiglycation potential of 75.2% and 83.3% at 1mg.ml-1 and 2mg.ml-1, respectively, comparable to positive control (rutin: 88.1%) at 14 days post-incubation. A similar trend was observed for antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus and Escherichia coli with an inhibition zone of 21mm, 21.6mm and 24.6mm. Rosmarinic acid was the active compound present in Mentha piperita, as identified by ESI-MS. MPM.AgNP-loaded Carbopol resulted in 100% wound closure compared with control at 20 days post-wounding. In the treatment group, re-epithelialisation was achieved by day 18, compared with 25 days for the positive control group. CONCLUSION: MPM.AgNP-loaded Carbopol demonstrated safer and more effective biological properties, hence accelerating the diabetic excision wound healing process in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Multifunctional Inorganic-Organic Composite Carriers for Synergistic Dual Therapy of Melanoma.

Many methods for cancer treatment have been developed. Among them photothermal therapy (PTT) has drawn the most significant attention due to its noninvasiveness, remote control activation, and low side effects. However, a limited depth of light penetration of PTT is the main drawback. To improve the therapeutic efficiency, the development of combined PTT with other therapeutic agents is highly desirable. In this work, we have designed multifunctional composite carriers based on polylactic acid (PLA) particles decorated with gold nanorods (Au NRs) as nanoheaters and selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in order to perform a combined PTT against B16-F10 melanoma. To do this, we have optimized the synthesis of PLA particles modified with Se NPs and Au NRs (PLA-Se:Au), studied the cellular interactions of PLA particles with B16-F10 cells, and analyzed in vivo biodistribution and tumor inhibition efficiency. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the synergistic effect from ROS induced by Se NPs and the heating from Au NRs. In melanoma tumor-bearing mice, intratumoral injection of PLA-Se:Au followed by laser irradiation leads to almost complete elimination of tumor tissues. Thus, the optimal photothermal properties and ROS-generating capacity allow us to recommend PLA-Se:Au as a promising candidate for the development of the combined PTT against melanoma.