Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots as a novel treatment for black fungal bone infections (Mucormycosis): in vitro and in vivo study.

Most fungal bone and joint infections (arthritis) are caused by Mucormycosis (Mucor indicus). These infections may be difficult to treat and may lead to chronic bone disorders and disabilities, thus the use of new antifungal materials in bone disorders is vital, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, such as those who have contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, we reported for the first time the preparation of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N/CQDs) and a nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (N/MC) using a quick micro-wave preparation and hydrothermal approach. The structure and morphology were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and surface area analyser. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), disc diffusion tests, minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and antifungal inhibitory percentages were measured to investigate the antifungal activity of N/CQDs and N/MC nanostructures. In addition to the in vivo antifungal activity in rats as determined by wound induction and infection, pathogen count and histological studies were also performed. According to in vitro and in vivo testing, both N/CQDs with small size and N/MC with porous structure had a significant antifungal impact on a variety of bone-infecting bacteria, including Mucor infection. In conclusion, the present investigation demonstrates that functional N/CQDs and N/MC are effective antifungal agents against a range of microbial pathogenic bone disorders in immunocompromised individuals, with stronger and superior fungicidal activity for N/CQDs than N/MC in vitro and in vivo studies.

A study on the therapeutic potential of graphene titanate nanocomposite for treating chemically induced arthritis in rats.

Nanotechnology holds substantial promise in the innovative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The current study was designed to synthesize and characterize a new graphene titanate nanocomposite (GTNc) and explore its anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potencies against Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats, as well as investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our characterization methods included XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, zeta potential, practical size, and XRF to characterize the novel GTNc. Our findings revealed that arthritic rats treated with GTNc exhibited lower levels of RF, CRP, IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-17, and ADAMTS-5, and higher levels of IL-4 and TIMP-3. In arthritic rats, GTNc reduced LPO levels while increasing GSH content and GST antioxidant activity. Additionally, GTNc decreased the expression of the TGF-ß mRNA gene in arthritic rats. Histopathological investigation showed that GTNc reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, cartilage degradation, and bone destruction in joint injuries caused by CFA in the arthritic rats. Collectively, the anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of GTNc appear promising for future arthritis treatments and bone disability research.

Green synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles for the removal of heavy metals (Cd2+ and Ni2+) from aqueous solutions with Antimicrobial Investigation.

Clove and green Coffee (g-Coffee) extracts were used to synthesize green iron oxide nanoparticles, which were then used to sorb Cd2+ and Ni2+ ions out of an aqueous solution. Investigations with x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption and desorption (BET), Zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopy were performed to know and understand more about the chemical structure and surface morphology of the produced iron oxide nanoparticles. The characterization revealed that the main component of iron nanoparticles was magnetite when the Clove extract was used as a reducing agent for Fe3+, but both magnetite and hematite were included when the g-Coffee extract was used. Sorption capacity for metal ions was studied as a function of sorbent dosage, metal ion concentration, and sorption period. The maximum Cd2+ adsorption capacity was 78 and 74 mg/g, while that of Ni2+ was 64.8 and 80 mg/g for iron nanoparticles prepared using Clove and g-Coffee, respectively. Different isotherm and kinetic adsorption models were used to fit experimental adsorption data. Adsorption of Cd2+ and Ni2+ on the iron oxide surface was found to be heterogeneous, and the mechanism of chemisorption is involved in the stage of determining the rate. The correlation coefficient R2 and error functions like RMSE, MES and MAE were used to evaluate the best fit models to the experimental adsorption data. The adsorption mechanism was explored using FTIR analysis. Antimicrobial study showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity of the tested nanomaterials against both Gram positive (S. aureus) (25923) and Gram negative (E. coli) (25913) bacteria with increased activity against Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative one and more activity for Green iron oxide nanoparticles prepared from Clove than g-Coffee one.