Therapeutic Potential of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles for Promoting Wound-Healing Process in Diabetic Mice.

Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal glucose levels in the body. Delayed wound healing is a severe diabetes complication. Nanotechnology represents the latest advancement in treating diabetic wounds through nanoparticles (NPs). In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a green method involving cucumber pulp extract. The synthesis was confirmed using techniques including ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). To evaluate wound-healing properties, mouse models were utilized with wounds induced by excision on the dorsal surface. An ointment containing silver nanoparticles was applied to assess its healing potential. Additionally, antibacterial and antioxidant activities were examined using agar well diffusion and DPPH scavenging methods, respectively. The results demonstrated that the ointment prepared with green synthesized AgNPs effectively healed the wounds within 15 days, while also exhibiting antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Therefore, it can be concluded that due to its efficacy in biological activities, silver nanoparticles can be employed in the treatment of diabetic wounds.

Gold nanoparticles capped with L-glycine, L-cystine, and L-tyrosine: toxicity profiling and antioxidant potential.

Biomolecules-based surface modifications of nanomaterials may yield effective and biocompatible nanoconjugates. This study was designed to evaluate gold nanoconjugates (AuNCs) for their altered antioxidant potential. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and their conjugates gave SPR peaks in the ranges of 512-525 nm, with red or blueshift for different conjugates. Cys-AuNCs demonstrated enhanced (p < 0.05) and Gly-AuNCs (p > 0.05) displayed reduced DPPH activity. Gly-AuNCs and Tyr-AuNCs displayed enhanced ferric-reducing power and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, respectively. Cadmium-intoxicated mice were exposed to gold nanomaterials, and the level of various endogenous parameters, i.e., CAT, GST, SOD, GSH, and MTs, was evaluated. GSH and MTs in liver tissues of the cadmium-exposed group (G2) were elevated (p < 0.05), while other groups showed nonsignificance deviations than the control group. It is concluded that these nanoconjugates might provide effective nanomaterials for biomedical applications. However, more detailed studies for their safety profiling are needed before their practical applications.

In-vivo (Albino Mice) and in-vitro Assimilation and Toxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Food Materials.

Purpose: Recent advances in nanotechnology have given rise to the potential utilization of nanoparticles as food, nano-medicine/biomedicines. Patient: The study aimed to investigate the effects of nano-zinc oxide (nano-zinc) on the bio-assimilation of mineral (Zn) in mice, aged 3-6 weeks. Methods: ZnO nanoparticles were added to the basal diet as a supplement at amounts of 0.07, 0.14 and 0.21 mg/kg. The synthesized material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, particle size, scanning electron microscope, Thermogravimetric Analysis Thermal, X-ray diffraction spectrophotometer and Zeta potential. Results: In-vitro bioavailability of synthesized group ZnO (120 nm) was 43%, whereas for standard group ZnO (50 nm) was reported as 55%. In-vivo bioavailability of zinc oxide illustrated the maximum absorption level compared with the control. In-vivo toxicity was characterized as damage done to the liver and spleen tissues with a high dose of 0.21 mg/kg, while smaller doses indicated no toxic effects. Conclusion: The study provided important insights on the toxicological effects of ZnO nanoparticles, depending on dose rate and bio-assimilation, as well as particles, under various conditions (in-vitro and in-vivo). These findings will motivate further detailed research on nano-based medicine for alleviating malnutrition conditions.

Novel Biosynthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Zingiber and Allium sp. with Synergic Effect of Doxycycline for Anticancer and Bactericidal Activity.

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), due to their cost-effective synthesis, interesting properties, and a wide range of applications in conductive inks, cooling fluids, biomedical field, and catalysis, have attracted the attention of scientific community in recent years. The aim of the present study was to develop and characterize antibacterial and anticancer CuNPs synthesized via chemical and biological methods, and further synthesize CuNPs conjugated with doxycycline to study their synergic effect. During the chemical synthesis, ascorbic acid was used as a stabilizing agent, while Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum-derived extracts were used during the biological methods for synthesis of CuNPs. Characterization of CuNPs was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray crystallography (XRD). Antimicrobial evaluation of the nanomaterials against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli was performed by using disk diffusion method, while anticancer behavior against HeLa and HepG2 cell lines was studied by MTT assay. TEM revealed spherical-shaped nanoparticles with mean size of 22.70 ± 5.67, 35.01 ± 5.84, and 19.02 ± 2.41 nm for CuNPs, Gin-CuNPs, and Gar-CuNPs, respectively, and surface plasmon resonance peaks were obtained at 570 nm, 575 nm, and 610 nm for CuNPs, Gar-CuNPs, and Gin-CuNPs, respectively. The results of FTIR confirmed the consumption of biomolecules from the plant extracts for the synthesis of CuNPs. XRD analysis also confirmed synthesis of CuNPs. Doxycycline-conjugated NPs exhibited more antibacterial effects than doxycycline or CuNPs alone. Copper nanoparticles prepared by biological synthesis are cost-effective and eco-friendly as compared to their chemical counterparts. The chemically synthesized nanoparticles displayed more significant antimicrobial activity when capped with doxycycline than Z. officinale and A. sativum-mediated CuNPs; however, green-synthesized nanoparticles showed greater anticancer activity than their chemical counterparts.

Psychological Adjustment To Amputation: Variations On The Bases Of Sex, Age And Cause Of Limb Loss.

BACKGROUND: Amputation is the removal of a limb or part of a limb by a surgical procedure in order to save the life of a person. The underlying reasons behind the occurrence of this tragic incidence may be varied. However, irrespective of its cause limb loss is associated with wide range of life challenges. The study was done to investigate the psychological sequel of an individual after losing a limb and to know the level of strain and pressure they experience after this traumatic event. It also attempts to examine the moderating role of some demographic traits such as age, sex and cause of limb loss in psychosocial adjustment to amputation. METHODS: The study includes 100 adult amputees of both genders and the data was collected from major government and private hospitals of Peshawar district. Demographic data sheet was constructed in order to know the demographics traits of amputees and a standardize Psychological Adjustment Scale developed by Sabir (1999) was used to find out the level of psychological adjustment after limb loss. RESULTS: Nearly all the amputees' exhibit signs of psychological maladjustment at varying degrees. Males showed much greater signs of maladjustment than women and young adults were much psychologically shattered and disturbed as a result of limb loss. Amputation caused by planned medical reasons leads to less adjustment issues as compared to unplanned accidental amputation in which patient were not mentally prepare to accept this loss. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological aspect of amputation is an important aspect of limb loss which needs to be addressed properly in order to rehabilitate these patients and helps them to adjust successfully to their limb loss.

Development of Latent Fingermarks on Various Surfaces Using ZnO-SiO2 Nanopowder.

Fingermarks are one of the most useful forms of evidence in identification and can provide generalized proof of identity in crime investigation. They are developed using various conventional powders. The novel nanopowder ZnO-SiO2 was synthesized via the conventional heating method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mean particle size of ZnO-SiO2 nanopowder calculated through TEM was 32.9 nm. The development of fingermarks was carried out by powder dusting and small particle reagent (SPR) methods. Powder dusting method was used for the development of latent fingermarks on various dry, nonporous, and semi-porous surfaces. The SPR method was also applied to wet nonporous surface. The developed latent fingermarks using ZnO-SiO2 nanopowder were found to have excellent quality with very clear third-level ridges detail and had better visibility than commercially available white powder.