Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the anticancer properties of pH-responsive carvacrol-zinc oxide quantum dots on breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231).

Since most solid tumors have a low pH value, a pH-responsive drug delivery system may offer a broad method for tumor-targeting treatment. The present study is used to analyze the anticancer activity of carvacrol-zinc oxide quantum dots (CVC-ZnO QDs) against breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). CVC-ZnO QDs demonstrate pH responsive and are specifically released within the acidic pH tumor microenvironment. This property enables targeted drug delivery exclusively to cancer cells while minimizing the impact on normal cells. To the synthesized ZnO QDs, the CVC was loaded and then examined by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy. For up to 20 h, CVC release was examined in different pH-buffered solutions. The results showed that carvacrol release was stable in an acidic pH solution. Further, cytotoxicity assay, antioxidant, and lipid peroxidation activity, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, nuclear damage, and the ability of CVC-ZnO QDs to cause apoptosis were all examined. Apoptosis markers such as Bcl2, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9, were also studied. In conclusion, the CVC-ZnO QDs destabilized the MDA-MB-231cells under its acidic tumor microenvironment and regulated apoptosis.

Evaluation of immunotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles on coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) have gained considerable attention due to their diverse applications in various fields. However, concerns about their potential toxic effects on the environment and living organisms have also emerged. In this study, we synthesized and characterized Fe3O4 NPs and assessed their immunotoxicity on the coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida. The Fe3O4 NPs were synthesized using a co-precipitation method, and their physicochemical properties were determined using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The synthesized Fe3O4 NPs exhibited a uniform size distribution with spherical morphology and the phase purity was confirmed from XRD analysis. To evaluate the immunotoxicity of Fe3O4 NPs, Eisenia fetida coelomocytes were exposed to various concentrations of Fe3O4 NPs for 14 days. Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of Fe3O4 NPs on the biochemical parameters, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (APs), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total protein content (TPC), as well as conducted a histological examination. Biochemical analysis revealed significant alterations in the activity levels of SOD, CAT, APs, ALP, and TPC in the coelomocytes, indicating immune system dysregulation upon exposure to Fe3O4 NPs. Moreover, histological examination demonstrated structural changes, suggesting cellular damage caused by Fe3O4 NPs. These findings provide valuable insights into the immunotoxic effects of Fe3O4 NPs on Eisenia fetida and underscore the need for further investigation into the potential environmental impact of nanoparticles.