Scolicidal and apoptotic effects of phyto- and chemically synthesized silver/boehmite nanocomposites on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces.

Cystic hydatid disease (CHD) is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus). This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), silver boehmite nanocomposite (Ag/Bhm NC), and silver boehmite nanocomposite modified with chitosan (Ag/Bhm/Chit NC) using Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) extract and chemical method, and to evaluate their scolicidal and apoptotic effects on protoscoleces (PSCs) in vitro. The nanomaterials (NMs) were characterized by XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDS, DLS, PDI, and zeta potential (ZP). The NMs were tested against PSCs at different concentrations (0.2-1.6 mg/mL) and exposure times (10-60 min). The size of Ag NPs, phytosynthesized Ag/Bhm NC, Ag/Bhm/Chit NC, and chemically synthesized Ag/Bhm NC were 25.55, 43, 72.3, and 60.8 nm, respectively. Ag NPs and phytosynthesized Ag/Bhm NC showed the highest scolicidal effect, with 65.34 % and 51.60 % mortality rate at 1.6 mg/mL and 60 min, respectively. Caspase-3 mRNA expression was higher in PSCs treated with Ag NPs and Ag/Bhm NC than in control groups (P < 0.05). Phytosynthesized Ag/Bhm NC had stronger scolicidal and apoptotic effect than chemically synthesized Ag/Bhm NC. Ag/Bhm/Chit NC had a weaker scolicidal effect but higher gene expression than Ag/Bhm NC. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of phytosynthesized Ag NPs and Ag/Bhm NC as effective scolicidal and apoptotic agents against PSCs of hydatid cysts, which may be useful for the treatment of this disease.

Facile fabricating of rGO and Au/rGO nanocomposites using Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes biomass for non-invasive approach in cancer therapy.

In this study, we report a facile green-synthesis route for the fabrication of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using biomass of Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes (B. oleracea). In addition, we have attempted to provide a green synthesis approach to prepare Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on the surface of rGO by using stem extract of B. oleracea. The synthesized Au/rGO nanocomposite was evaluated using UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, Raman, FE-SEM, EDX, AFM and DLS techniques. The obtained results demonstrated that the synthesized Au NPs on the surface of rGO was spherical with sizes ranging about 12-18 nm. The Au/rGO NC was, also, developed as photo-synthesizer system for the photothermal therapy (PTT) of MCF7 breast cancer cells. The near-infrared (NIR) photothermal properties of Au/rGO NCs was evaluated using a continuous laser at 808 nm with power densities of 1 W.cm-2. Their photothermal efficacy on MCF7 breast cancer cells after optimizing the proper concentration of the NCs were evaluated by MTT assay, Cell cycle and DAPI staining. In addition, the potential of the synthesized Au/rGO NCs on reactive oxygen species generating and antioxidant activity were assessed by DPPH. Au/rGO NCs possess high capacity to light-to-heat conversion for absorption in range NIR light, and it is able to therapeutic effects on MCF7 cells at a low concentration. The maximum amount of cell death is 40.12% which was observed in treatment groups that received a combination of Au/rGO NCs and laser irradiation. The results demonstrate that the nanomaterials synthesized by green approach lead to efficient destruction of cancer cell and might thus serve as an excellent theranostic agent in Photothermal therapy applications.

The biological synthesis of gold/perlite nanocomposite using Urtica dioica extract and its chitosan-capped derivative for healing wounds infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The preparation of ointments from natural compounds is essential for accelerating infected wounds. This study investigated the effects of topical uses of gold nanoparticles (Au)/perlite (Au/Perl) nanocomposites (NCs) by the help of Urtica dioica extract and its chitosan-capped derivative (Chit) on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected wound healing in a mouse model. Furthermore, Au/Perl/Chit nanocomposite was prepared using protonated chitosan solution. The physicochemical properties of the as-synthesized nanocomposites were also investigated. The effects of Au/Perl/Chit NC were assessed by antibacterial, histopathological parameters as well as molecular evaluations. Then, they were compared with synthetic agent of mupirocin. The results revealed that Au/Perl NC was mesoporous and spherical in a range of 13-15 nm. Topical administration of Au/Perl/Chit ointment accelerated wound healing by reducing bacteria colonization and wound rate enhancing collagen biosynthesis and re-epithelialization, the expressions of IL-10, PI3K, AKT, bFGF, and COL1A genes, which is in agreement with the obtained results for mupirocin. In conclusion, the results strongly demonstrated that administration of ointments prepared from Au/Perl and Au/Perl/Chit nanocomposites stimulates MRSA-infected wound healing by decreasing the length of healing time and regulating PI3K/AKT/bFGF signaling pathway and is a promising candidate in stimulating MRSA-infected wound regeneration.

Are biosynthesized nanomaterials toxic for the environment? Effects of perlite and CuO/perlite nanoparticles on unicellular algae Haematococcus pluvialis.

The properties of nanomaterials such as perlite nanoparticles and their increased application have raised concerns about their probable toxic impacts on the aquatic ecosystems and algae. Here, a novel biochemical synthesis and immobilization of CuO is reported on perlite nanoparticles (CuO/Per-NPs) and its toxic effect on alga has been compared with nanoperlites. This biosynthesis of CuO/Per-NPs performed using phytochemicals of Haematococcus pluvialis, Sargassum angustifolium, and walnut leaves in the aqueous extract. The structural, morphological, and colloidal properties of the as-synthesized nanoparticles have been confirmed by various methods. According to the obtained results, the morphology of the synthesized CuO/Per-NPs was spherical with sizes ranging from about 13 to 24 nm. Besides, the effects of Per-NPs and CuO/Per-NPs on unicellular algae H. pluvialis were studied. The changes in the amount of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and Carotenoids in the presence of different concentrations of Per-NPs (25, 50, 100 mg/L) were more than CuO/Per-NPs. Also, decreased growth rate and efficiency of photosystem II confirmed the toxic effects of Per-NPs. However, the toxicity of CuO/Per-NPs appears to be lower than that of Per-NPs, which can be due to the changes in the surface and cationic charge of modified nanoperlit. These changes lead to a decrease in the interaction of nanoparticles with H. pluvilalis and a reduction in ROS production. Finally, the results of GC-MS used to evaluate volatile compounds, indicated an increase in the number of phenolic compounds in comparison to the control samples in 25, 50, and 100 mg/L treatments of nano-perlite.

Green and facile synthesis of gold/perlite nanocomposite using Allium Fistulosum L. for photothermal application.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) procedure is anticipated as a new generation of cancer therapy techniques. With this in mind, in this work, an effective drug-free approach was developed to kill MCF7 breast cancer cells using PTT. A novel biocompatible nanocomposite as a PTT transducer was prepared from the in situ phytosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in the presence of perlite as a platform and extract of Allium Fistulosum L. as a stabilizing and reducing agent (Au/perlite NC). The common characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), zeta potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used to approve the synthesis of Au/perlite NC. The potential of the synthesized NCs on ROS generating and antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH. In the following, the PTT efficacy of the Au/perlite NC on the destruction of MCF-7 breast cancer cells was assessed in vitro via the cell cycle, cell viability, and DAPI staining assays. The DPPH assay results showed that Au/perlite NC had a radicals scavenging capacity of about 41.47 % in 30 min. Cellular uptake results indicated a significant cell uptake after 1.5 h exposure with Au/perlite NC. Interestingly, cell death was increased dramatically by increasing irradiation time from 6 to 10 min. Cell viability assay revealed that the maximum number of cell death is around 50 % which was observed in the presence of Au/perlite NC by irradiation time of 10 min. Cell cycle results showed that the maximum amount of apoptotic cells (85 %) was observed in Au/perlite NC treatment group received laser irradiation for 10 min. The outcomes demonstrated that the Au/perlite NC can be used as a new drug-free and efficient agent for PTT of breast cancer cells without any concern cytotoxicity.

Anthelmintic activity of crude powder and crude aqueous extract of Trachyspermum ammi on gastrointestinal nematodes in donkey (Equus asinus): An in vivo study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Trachyspermum ammi has been used traditionally as a popular ethnobotanical plant in human and animal parasitic infestations. Few scientific studies have been conducted on in vitro anthelmintic activity of T. ammi against various helminths and there is no study on its in vivo/in vitro anthelmintic properties against equine helminths. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo anthelmintic activity of crude powder (CP) and crude aqueous extract (CAE) of T. ammi seeds against gastrointestinal nematodes in the donkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty donkeys, naturally and severely infected with Strongyle-type nematodes, were randomly divided into six groups and administered orally with graded doses of CP and CAE at single dose as follow: Two groups were treated with 1 and 3 gkg-1 body weight of CP, two groups were treated with CAE at the equivalent dose rate 1 and 3 gkg-1 bw of CP and one group was treated with 200 µgkg-1 bw of Ivermectin 0.2% (Positive Control). One group received no medication (Negative Control). Efficacy was determined by faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test. The faecal samples were taken from the donkeys on days 7, 14 and 28 post-treatments (PT) and the egg per gram (EPG) of faeces was determined for each animal. FECR for donkeys treated with CP, CAE, and Ivermectin 0.2% was calculated on days 7, 14, and 28 PT. In the present study, CAE was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine CAE chemical components. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a marker (thymol) was applied to confirm the existence of thymol as an active principle. RESULTS: Based on the FECR findings, the maximum FECR (71.2%) was observed in the group treated with CAE3 on day 14 PT, while it was 66.2% for CP3 on the same day. The effects of different treatments (P < 0.001), time (P < 0.001) and their interactions (P < 0.05) on EPG showed a significant difference. A dose-dependent response in the anthelmintic activity of CP and CAE was observed. GC-MS analysis indicated that thymol was the major component of CAE (Area = 45.01%) with the respective peak at retention times (Rt) 10.41 min. On HPLC analysis of CAE, thymol was found to be the major constituent of CAE (Area = 58.76%) with the same Rt at 13.233 min. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that both CP and CAE of T. ammi had the dose-dependent anthelmintic effects. Due to the development of drug resistance against synthetic anti-helminthics, T. ammi seems to be a promising alternative for the treatment and prevention of helminths in livestock.

Modulation of secondary metabolite profiles by biologically synthesized MgO/perlite nanocomposites in Melissa officinalis plant organ cultures.

In this work, biological synthesis of MgO/perlite nanocomposites (NCs) besides their effects on morphology and secondary metabolite profiles of Melissa officinalis plant organ cultures were evaluated. MgO NPs were immobilized on the surface of nanoperlite using M. officinalis extract as a capping agent. The as-synthesized MgO/perlite NCs were characterized by using FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDS and DLS. The average particle size of nanoperlite and MgO/perlite NCs was about 10 and 30 nm, respectively. Morphological observations showed that nanoperlite and MgO/perlite NCs had no effect on root number, as well as root and shoot length. None of the applied concentrations of perlite and MgO/perlite NCs could significantly increase the growth parameters in comparison to the control, except for 150 mg/L of nanoperlite which caused an increase in the shoot number. Although, the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids were not affected, the maximum content of volatile compounds obtained at 100 of MgO/perlite NCs. Rosmarinic acid was detected in shoots, which treated with 25-100 mg/L of perlite and 25, 50 and 150 mg/L of MgO/perlite NCs. Our results provided the evidence that nanoperlite and MgO/perlite NCs at specific levels may act as a novel elicitor for in vitro biosynthesis of valuable secondary metabolites.

Are the green synthesized nanoparticles safe for environment? A case study of aquatic plant Azolla filiculoides as an indicator exposed to magnetite nanoparticles fabricated using microwave hydrothermal treatment and plant extract.

It has been claimed that the green synthesized NPs possess no toxicity in comparison to the NPs fabricated via conventional protocols like reduction by sodium borohydride. Therefore, it is necessary to test the toxic effects of NPs on environment. In the current study, we report the binding of Fe3O4 NPs to galate ions containing biomaterial namely "galate bio-capping agent". The bio-capping agent is simply mixed with the Fe3+ cations at pH 8 to produce negatively charged bio-capped Fe3O4 NPs. Finally, the toxic effects of the Fe3O4 NPs were investigated on some growth and developmental indices of the aquatic plant species Azolla filiculoides. The relative frond number and relative growth rate were calculated after treatment of plants with different concentrations of bio-capped Fe3O4 NPs. In addition, the content of phenolics as well as antioxidant enzymes' activity including superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were assessed. The Fe3O4 NPs led to growth reduction and significant changes in total phenol and flavonoid content as well as in antioxidant enzymes' activity. All these findings confirm reactive oxygen species formation due to the nanoparticle toxicity. In consequence, the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems of plant were stimulated against oxidative stress.

Pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the Mahabad (West Azerbaijan) biosphere reserve: ethno-pharmaceutical formulations, nutraceutical uses and quantitative aspects

This study endeavors to overcome the limits of an orally transmitted pharmacopoeia, and tries to utilize the large ethnobotany patrimony of the area to investigate the biological diversity. Thirty-five traditional practitioners from dissimilar ethnic groups including traditional health practitioners (THPs) and indigenous people were interviewed. A total of 35 species of plants, belonging to 20 families were recognized for the treatment of more than 26 types of ailments. Informant consensus factor (FIC) values of this study reflected the high agreement in the use of plants in the treatment of gastro-intestinal complaints, infectious, parasitic diseases and constipation among the informants. Constipation had the highest use-reports and 8 species of plants had the highest fidelity level (FL) of 100%. In addition one of the species showed the highest relative importance (RI) value of 2.00. Priority should be given to phytochemical investigation of plants that scored the highest FL, FIC, RI values; as such values could be considered as a good indicator of potential plants for discovering new drugs. In addition, traditional knowledge of THPs should be taken into consideration in order to smooth continuation and extension of the nutraceutical aspects and biological diversity of the region.

A novel non-invasive strategy for low-level laser-induced cancer therapy by using new Ag/ZnO and Nd/ZnO functionalized reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites.

In the present research, an effective drug-free approach was developed to kill MCF7 breast cancer cells using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based hybrid nanocomposites (NCs). Here, fruit extract of Rosa canina was used for the first time to obtain the rGO/ZnO, Ag-ZnO/rGO and Nd-ZnO/rGO NCs by green synthesis. Physico/photochemical properties of these NCs were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, Raman, XPS, SEM/EDX, UV-Vis, DLS and AFM. The potential of the as-synthesized NCs on ROS generating and antioxidant activity were assessed by DPPH. After optimizing the proper concentration of the NCs their anti-tumoral efficacy were evaluated by DAPI staining and MTT assay tests for laser therapy on MCF7 breast cancer cells. Interestingly, cell death was increased dramatically by increasing irradiation dose from 8-32 J/cm2 and then decreased by enhancing laser dose. The maximum amount of cell death is 50% which was observed in the presence of ZnO/rGO 20% by irradiation dose of 32 J/cm2. Furthermore, in comparison with 810 nm, 630 nm lasers were more effective in LLLT of MCF7 cells. The results show the potential of using rGO-based NCs in LLLT, which may be combined with other therapeutic approaches to assist our fight against cancer.

Biofabrication of zinc oxide nanoparticles using fruit extract of Rosa canina and their toxic potential against bacteria: A mechanistic approach.

The use of plant extract in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) can be an eco-friendly approach and have been suggested as a possible alternative to classic methods namely physical and chemical procedures. In this study, the biosynthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs by both "conventional heating" (CH) and "microwave irradiation" (MI) methods has been reported. Stable and spherical ZnONPs were produced using zinc nitrate and flesh extract of Rosa canina fruit (rosehip) which was used as a precursor. The flesh extract acts as a reducing and capping agent for generation of ZnONPs. The structural, morphological and colloidal properties of the as-synthesized NPs have been confirmed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). In comparison with the CH method, the MI method has some advantages such as significantly short reaction time (within 8min) owing to the high heating rate and thus the accelerated reaction rate. Both methods led to the synthesis of nearly identical NPs with respect to shape and size according to the results of DLS, XRD and SEM techniques. The possible mechanism for synthesis pathway has been proposed based on FT IR results, XRD patterns, potentiometric data and antioxidant activity. In addition, the antibacterial activity of as-prepared ZnONPs was investigated against several bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, the efficacy of ZnONPs to treat cancer cell lines were measured by means of cell viability test via MTT assay in which concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1mg/mL of ZnONPs induced a very low toxicity. Thus, the present investigation reveals that ZnONPs have the potential for various medical and industrial applications.