Optimization of Phloretin-loaded Nanospanlastics for Targeting of FAS/SREBP1c/AMPK/ OB-Rb Signaling Pathway in HFD-induced Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Obese patients are at increased risk for CVD, which is the main cause of premature death and has been a major cause of disability and ill health in recent years. PTN, a natural dihydrochalcone flavonoid, has a variety of pharmacological characteristics. This article aimed to prepare PTN-NSLs to evaluate their anti-obesity activity. METHODS: Morphology, Particle size, zeta potential, UV-vis, entrapment efficiency, FT-IR spectra, and an in vitro release study of PTN-NSLs were described. PTN-NSLs were also tested for their anti-obesity properties in obese rats. The LD50 of PTN-NSLs was calculated, as was the 1/20 LD50 prepared for the treatment of obese rats. Also, the level of glycemic, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were estimated in the obese rat's model. RESULTS: The synthesized PTN-NSLs were uniform, spherically shaped, and well dispersed with no aggregation noted, with a size range of 114.06 ± 8.35 nm. The measured zeta potential value of PTN-NSLs was -32.50.8 mv. Also, the UV spectra of PTN and PTN-NSLs have strong absorption at 225 and 285 nm. Also, the LD50 of PTN-NSLs was found to be 2750 mg/kg.b.w. Moreover, administrating obese rats with PTN-NSLs resulted in improved glycemic features as well as GSH, SOD, GPx, GR, IL10, TBARs, and IL-6 levels, as well as attenuated FAS, SREBP1c, AMPK, ACO, CPT1, and OB-Rb gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of PTN-NSLs significantly attenuated the levels of glycemic, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers. The biochemical and PCR findings are aided by histological investigations. Also, the present findings imply that PTN-NSLs might be a promising pharmacological tool for the treatment of obesity-related diseases.

Novel Cold Cure Acrylic Denture Base with Recycled Zirconia Nano-Fillers That Were Functionalized by HEMA Agent Incorporation: Using the Sprinkle Approach.

Background: Though acrylic resins possess many useful properties, denture fracture is nevertheless a familiar issue. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of low-percent recycled Zirconia nanoparticles as filler on the transverse strength, impact strength, surface hardness, water sorption, and solubility of resin using the sprinkle cold-curing technique. Materials and Methods: Various formulae were prepared and mixed with PMMA (polymer) powder containing varying percentages (0.01%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) of recycled ZrO2NPs to mono-methyl methacrylate (MMA monomer). A 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA) agent was used to functionalize recycled zirconia (ZrO2) nano-fillers. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering were used to characterize the samples. For mechanical tests, standard metallic moulds (according to American Dental Association specification no. 27) were machined for 60 specimens' preparation, 12 for each percent (zero, 0.01%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%). A one-way ANOVA test was used to compare the five groups for parametric data, while the Kruskal-Wallis test was employed for nonparametric data. The P 0.05 value was accepted as the significance level. All formulae were tested for cytotoxicity at 24 and 48 hours on WI38 normal lung cell lines. Results: The XRD analysis demonstrated the tetragonal crystallographic structure of the recycled zirconia nanoparticles. Incorporating a low percentage of recycled ZrO2 nanoparticles (0.01%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) improved the tested properties of PMMA to different degrees in a significant and non-significant pattern, while the optimal tested percent was 0.3%. Conclusion: The 0.3% percentage of recycled zirconia nanoparticles maintained and improved the physical and mechanical properties of acrylic resin. Recycled ZrO2/PMMA nanocomposite is a synergistic candidate due to its economic return and clinical application safety.

Conversion of a 2D Lepidocrocite-Type Layered Titanate into Its 1D Nanowire Form with Enhancement of Cation Exchange and Photocatalytic Performance.

Layered titanates with one-dimensional (1D) shapes have been an important class of nanomaterials due to their combination of 1D and 2D fascinating properties. Among many layered titanates, lepidocrocite-type layered titanates have significant advantages such as superior intercalation and exfoliation properties, while the synthesis of the 1D-shape forms is still challenging. Here, we report on a facile one-pot hydrothermal conversion of a lepidocrocite-type layered titanate into the corresponding nanowire-shape form. The reaction mechanism involves the decomposition of the starting layered titanate into 1D small segments which assemble into the nanowire. This new nanowire shows properties resulting from the combination of 1D and 2D nanostructural features, excellent cation exchange ability, and high photoinduced charge separation and photocatalytic efficiency. As a demonstration, we evaluate the nanowire as a sequestrating material capable of collecting toxic cations, like Cd2+, from water and photoreducing them (immobilizing them tightly). We find that the nanowire shows an efficient and ultrafast photoimmobilization activity, whereas the starting layered titanate and a benchmark TiO2 photocatalyst (P25) show no activity under the identical conditions. The photoimmobilization rate (within 1 min) is considerably faster than the cation exchange rates reported for state-of-the-art cation exchangers (with no photoimmobilization ability). The nanowire used for photoimmobilization reactions is easily recovered from water by decantation, showing the possible practical use for safe disposal of toxic cations in the environment.

Alginate-based nanocomposites for efficient removal of heavy metal ions.

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CF), titanate nanotubes (T), alginate (G) and their nanocomposite microparticles (CF/G and T/G) were prepared and used for efficient removal of Cu2+, Fe3+ and As3+ ions from water. The nanocomposites were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), FTIR and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). In addition, the effects of pH, contact time, adsorbent weight and heavy metal ion concentration on the removal efficiency were investigated. Our results revealed a successful preparation of the nanocomposite particles. The optimized batch experiment conditions were found to be pH of 6.5, contact time of 2h and adsorbent weight of 0.15g. The removal efficiencies for Cu2+ using G, CF, T, CF/G and T/G were found to be 91%, 100%, 99.9%, 95% and 98%, respectively. While that of Fe3+ removal was 60%, 100%, 100%, 60% and 82%, respectively. Efficient removal of As3+ ions was also attained (98% upon using T nanoadsorbents). The current study demonstrated that the developed nanomaterials (CF and T) and their corresponding alginate-based nanocomposite microparticles could be further tailored and used as efficient adsorbents for the uptake of different heavy metal ions from wastewater.