Toxicity of Nanoscaled Zero-Valent Iron Particles on Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus.

This research effort aims to evaluate the hazardous potential of the redox state (OH-) of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) and its histopathological and oxidative stress toward Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) validated the nZVI nanoparticles' chemical composition, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that their physical form is round and oval. The exposure to 10 g/mL of nZVI induced the activation of the cellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Dose-dependent testing of O. mossambicus had a reduction in SOD and an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, suggesting that nZVI caused oxidative damage. At a concentration of 100 g/mL, the catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities of diverse tissues exhibited a gradual decrease after 2 days of exposure and a fast increase until day 6. The scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the epidermis, liver, and gills of O. mossambicus deteriorated and accumulated gradually. MDA levels in the skin, gill, and liver tissues were substantially higher after 8 days of exposure to 100 and 200 g/mL nZVI compared to those of the control group and those exposed to 10 and 50 g/mL nZVI for 2 days. Extreme histological and morphological abnormalities were seen in the skin, gill, and liver tissues of experimental animals, demonstrating that the damage resulted from direct contact with nZVI in water. A one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's post-test was performed to investigate significant differences.

Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Eclipta prostrata leaves extract and their antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.

The present study outlines the development of a method to synthesize copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) by mixing copper acetate solution with leaf extract of Eclipta prostrata without using any surfactant or external energy. E. prostrata leaf extract function as an excellent reducing agent of copper ions, and the biosynthesized CuNPs are safer for the environment. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern provided evidence for the formation of face-centered cubic structure ranging from 23 to 57 nm, with an average size of 31±1.2 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the biomolecules and capping reagents in the E. prostrata leaf extract that may be responsible for the reduction of copper ions and the stability of the bioreduced nanoparticles. The biosynthesized CuNPs displayed considerable antioxidant capacity. Similarly, in vitro anticancer studies demonstrated the cytotoxicity value of synthesized CuNPs against tested HepG2 cells. The findings of the present study suggested that biosynthesized CuNPs that utilize extracts of E. prostrata may be used for therapeutic application, and thus are a promising nanomaterial.

An Investigation of the Cytotoxicity and Caspase-Mediated Apoptotic Effect of Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Eclipta prostrata on Human Liver Carcinoma Cells.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and sustained focus is on the discovery and development of newer and better tolerated anticancer drugs, especially from plants. In the present study, a simple, eco-friendly, and inexpensive approach was followed for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the aqueous leaf extract of Eclipta prostrata. The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Selected area (electron) diffraction (SAED). The HRTEM images confirmed the presence of triangle, radial, hexagonal, rod, and rectangle, shaped with an average size of 29 ± 1.3 nm. The functional groups for synthesized ZnO NPs were 3852 cm-1 for H-H weak peak, 3138 cm-1 for aromatic C-H extend, and 1648 cm-1 for Aromatic ring stretch. The 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT), caspase and DNA fragmentation assays were carried out using various concentrations of ZnO NPs ranging from 1 to 100 mg/mL. The synthesized ZnO NPs showed dose dependent cytopathic effects in the Hep-G2 cell line. At 100 mg/mL concentration, the synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited significant cytotoxic effects and the apoptotic features were confirmed through caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation assays.

Novel and simple approach using synthesized nickel nanoparticles to control blood-sucking parasites.

The present study was on assessment of the anti-parasitic activities of nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) against the larvae of cattle ticks Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum (a.) anatolicum (Acari: Ixodidae), fourth instar larvae of Anopheles subpictus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex gelidus (Diptera: Culicidae). The metallic Ni NPs were synthesized by polyol process from Ni-hydrazine as precursor and Tween 80 as both the medium and the stabilizing reagent. The synthesized Ni NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis which indicated the presence of Ni NPs. Synthesized Ni NPs showed the X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks at 42.76°, 53.40°, and 76.44°, identified as 111, 220, and 200 reflections, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the synthesized Ni NPs clearly showed that the Ni NPs were spherical in shape with an average size of 150 nm. The Ni NPs showed maximum activity against the larvae of R. (B.) microplus, H. a. anatolicum, A. subpictus, C. quinquefasciatus and C. gelidus with LC(50) values of 10.17, 10.81, 4.93, 5.56 and 4.94 mg/L; r(2) values of 0.990, 0.993, 0.992, 0.950 and 0.988 and the efficacy of Ni-hydrazine complexes showed the LC(50) values of 20.35, 22.72, 8.29, 9.69 and 7.83 mg/L; r(2) values of 0.988, 0.986, 0.989, 0.944 and 0.978, respectively. The findings revealed that synthesized Ni NPs possess excellent larvicidal parasitic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on larvicidal activity of blood feeding parasites using synthesized Ni NPs.