Ferula latisecta gels for synthesis of zinc/silver binary nanoparticles: antibacterial effects against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and physicochemical characteristics.

This study explores the potential antibacterial applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) enhanced with silver (Ag) using plant gel (ZnO-AgO NPs). The problem addressed is the increasing prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and the need for new, effective antimicrobial agents. ZnO NPs possess distinctive physicochemical properties that enable them to selectively target bacterial cells. Their small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio allow efficient cellular uptake and interaction with bacterial cells. In this study, the average size of the synthesized ZnO-Ag nanoparticles was 77.1 nm, with a significant standard deviation of 33.7 nm, indicating a wide size distribution. The nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable antibacterial efficacy against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, with inhibition zones of 14.33 mm for E. coli and 15.66 mm for B. subtilis at a concentration of 300 µg/ml. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined to be 100 µg/ml for E. coli and 75 µg/ml for S. saprophyticus. Additionally, ZnO-Ag NPs exhibited excellent biocompatibility, making them appropriate for various pharmacological uses. This study utilizes Ferula latisecta gels, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to nanoparticle synthesis. Incorporating of Ag into ZnO NPs significantly enhances their antimicrobial properties, with the combined results showing great inhibition effects on pathogenic microbes. The findings suggest that ZnO-Ag NPs could be a promising candidate for addressing the challenges posed by drug-resistant bacterial infections and enhancing antimicrobial treatments.

Alleviated cadmium toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by the coactive role of zinc oxide nanoparticles and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on TaEIL1 gene expression, biochemical and physiological changes.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soil is a major global concern among the multitude of human health and food security. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been known to combat heavy metal toxicity in crops. Herein, the study intended to explore the interactive effect of treatments mediated by inoculation of PGPR and foliar applied ZnO-NPs to alleviate Cd induced phytotoxicity in wheat plants which is rarely investigated. For this purpose, TaEIL1 expression, morpho-physiological, and biochemical traits of wheat were examined. Our results revealed that Cd reduced growth and biomass, disrupted plant physiological and biochemical traits, and further expression patterns of TaEIL1. The foliar application of ZnO-NPs improved growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange parameters in a dose-additive manner, and this effect was further amplified with a combination of PGPR. The combined application of ZnO-NPs (100 mg L-1) with PGPR considerably increased the catalase (CAT; 52.4%), peroxidase (POD; 57.4%), superoxide dismutase (SOD; 60.1%), ascorbate peroxidase (APX; 47.4%), leading to decreased malondialdehyde (MDA; 47.4%), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 38.2%) and electrolyte leakage (EL; 47.3%) under high Cd (20 mg kg-1) stress. Furthermore, results revealed a significant reduction in roots (56.3%), shoots (49.4%), and grains (59.4%) Cd concentration after the Combined treatment of ZnO-NPs and PGPR as compared to the control. Relative expression of TaEIL1 (two homologues) was evaluated under control (Cd 0), Cd, ZnO-NPs, PGPR, and combined treatments. Expression profiling revealed a differential expression pattern of TaEIL1 under different treatments. The expression pattern of TaEIL1 genes was upregulated under Cd stress but downregulated under combined ZnO-NPs and PGPR, revealing its crucial role in Cd stress tolerance. Inferentially, ZnO-NPs and PGPR showed significant potential to alleviate Cd toxicity in wheat by modulating the antioxidant defense system and TaEIL1 expression. By inhibiting Cd uptake, and facilitating their detoxification, this innovative approach ensures food safety and security.

Kinetics analysis of PAHs degradation using SiO2-ZnO nanoparticles and evaluating their antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy.

The adsorption of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using nanoparticles is gaining significant attention due to the rapid removal or treatment rates. In this study, Silicon Dioxide-Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (SiO2-ZnO NPs) were synthesized to adsorb pyrene. Physicochemical characterization of SiO2-ZnO NPs showed plasmon resonance at 323 nm, agglomeration, irregular dispersion, and diameters of 90-100 nm. FT-IR analysis identified major functional groups on SiO2-ZnO NPs, including alkyne, amine, and isothiocyanate. SiO2-ZnO NPs demonstrated significant pyrene adsorption at pH 5, with 10 µg/mL of SiO2-ZnO NPs and 2 µg/mL of PAHs, performing better under UV irradiation. Two isotherm models, adsorption isotherm and kinetics adsorption, were used to analyze the PAHs adsorption by SiO2-ZnO NPs. Additionally, SiO2-ZnO NPs were tested for antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. At a concentration of 150 µg/mL, SiO2-ZnO NPs produced inhibition zones of 21.57 mm, 20.30 mm, 19.30 mm, and 11.30 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively. They also inhibited and disrupted biofilms of Micrococcus luteus and Acinetobacter baumannii. Furthermore, SiO2-ZnO NPs exhibited photocatalytic degradation of lead, achieving 68.24% degradation within 5 h of treatment. Therefore, SiO2-ZnO NPs are efficient candidates for multiple applications, including pyrene adsorption, bacterial biofilm disruption, and lead degradation under sunlight.

Impact of ZnO NPs on photosynthesis in rice leaves plants grown in saline-sodic soil.

Saline-sodic stress restricts the absorption of zinc by rice, consequently impacting the photosynthesis process of rice plants. In this experiment, Landrace 9 was selected as the test material and the potting method was employed to investigate the influence of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on zinc absorption and chlorophyll fluorescence in rice grown in saline-sodic land. The research findings demonstrate that the application of ZnO NPs proves to be more advantageous for the growth of rice in saline-sodic soil. Notably, the application of ZnO NPs significantly decreases the levels of Na+ and MDA in rice leaves in saline-sodic soil, while increasing the levels of K+ and Zn2+. Additionally, ZnO NPs enhances the content of chloroplast pigments, specific energy flux, quantum yield, and the performance of active PSII reaction center (PIABS) in rice leaves under saline-sodic stress. Furthermore, the relative variable fluorescence (WK and VJ) and quantum energy dissipation rate (φDo) of rice are also reduced. Therefore, the addition of ZnO NPs enhances the transfer of electrons and energy within the rice photosystem when subjected to saline-sodic stress. This promotes photosynthesis in rice plants growing in saline-sodic land, increasing their resistance to saline-sodic stress and ultimately facilitating their growth and development.

An exploration of the influence of ZnO NPs treatment on germination of radish seeds under salt stress based on the YOLOv8-R lightweight model.

BACKGROUND: Since traditional germination test methods have drawbacks such as slow efficiency, proneness to error, and damage to seeds, a non-destructive testing method is proposed for full-process germination of radish seeds, which improves the monitoring efficiency of seed quality. RESULTS: Based on YOLOv8n, a lightweight test model YOLOv8-R is proposed, where the number of parameters, the amount of calculation, and size of weights are significantly reduced by replacing the backbone network with PP-LCNet, the neck part with CCFM, the C2f of the neck part with OREPA, the SPPF with FocalModulation, and the Detect of the head part with LADH. The ablation test and comparative test prove the performance of the model. With adoption of germination rate, germination index, and germination potential as the three vitality indicators, the seed germination phenotype collection system and YOLOv8-R model are used to analyze the full time-series sequence effects of different ZnO NPs concentrations on germination of radish seeds under varying degrees of salt stress. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that salt stress inhibits the germination of radish seeds and that the inhibition effect is more obvious with the increased concentration of NaCl solution; in cultivation with deionized water, the germination rate of radish seeds does not change significantly with increased concentration of ZnO NPs, but the germination index and germination potential increase initially and then decline; in cultivation with NaCl solution, the germination rate, germination potential and germination index of radish seeds first increase and then decline with increased concentration of ZnO NPs.

Exogenously applied nano-zinc oxide mitigates cadmium stress in Zea mays L. through modulation of physiochemical activities and nutrients homeostasis.

The increasing levels of cadmium (Cd) pollution in agricultural soil reduces plant growth and yield. This study aims to determine the impact of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the physiochemical activities, nutrition, growth, and yield of Zea mays L. under Cd stress conditions. For this purpose, ZnO-NPs (450 ppm and 600 ppm) synthesized from Syzygium aromaticum were applied through foliar spray to Z. mays and also used as seed priming agents. A significant decline in plant height (35.24%), biomass production (43.86%), mineral content, gas exchange attributes, and yield (37.62%) was observed in Cd-spiked plants compared to the control. While, 450 ppm ZnO-NPs primed seed increased plant height (18.46%), total chlorophyll (80.07%), improved ascorbic acid (25.10%), DPPH activity (26.66%), and soil mineral uptake (Mg+2 (38.86%), K+ (27.83%), and Zn+2 (43.68%) as compared to plants only spiked with Cd. On the contrary, the foliar-applied 450 ppm ZnO-NPs increased plant height (8.22%), total chlorophyll content (73.59%), ascorbic acid (21.39%), and DPPH activity (17.61%) and yield parameters; cob diameter (19.45%), and kernels numbers 6.35% enhanced compared to plants that were spiked only with Cd. The findings of the current study pave the way for safer and more cost-effective crop production in Cd-stressed soils by using green synthesized NPs and provide deep insights into the underlying mechanisms of NPs treatment at the molecular level to provide compelling evidence for the use of NPs in improving plant growth and yield.

Novelty statement: Phyto zinc nanoparticles improve stress tolerance and growth of Zea mays under cadmium stress.

Evaluation of the teratogenic potency of bulk zinc oxide and its nanoparticles on embryos of the freshwater snail, Helisoma duryi.

Bulk zinc oxide (ZnO-BPs) and its nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are frequently used in various products for humans. Helisoma duryi embryos can serve as effective model organisms for studying the toxicity of NPs. This study aimed to compare the teratogenic potency of ZnO-BPs and ZnO NPs in the embryonic stages of H. duryi to evaluate the utility of this snail as a bioindicator for ZnO-NPs in the aquatic environment. The mechanisms of teratogenesis were evaluated by determination of the LC50, studying the effect of sub-lethal concentrations of both ZnO forms on the embryos, and studying their enzyme activity, oxidative stress, and biochemical analysis. The SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was undertaken to assess the effect of ZnO-BPs and ZnO NPs on protein synthesis. The results revealed that the veliger stage of H. duryi is the specific stage for bulk and nano ZnO. ZnO-NPs proved to be more toxic to snails' embryos than ZnO-BPs. Exposure to ZnO influences specific types of defects in development, which in the case of BPs are far less drastic than those caused by NPs. Thus, the toxicity of ZnO-NPs in embryonic development is due to their unique physicochemical properties. The observed malformations include mainly hydropic malformation, exogastrulation, monophthalmia, shell misshapen, and cell lyses. Almost all tested oxidative biomarkers significantly changed, revealing that ZnONPs display more oxidative stress than ZnO-BPs. Also, the low concentration of ZnO induces many disturbances in the organic substances of veliger larvae, such as a decrease in the total protein and total lipid levels and an increase in the glycogen level. The results indicated that ZnO-BPs increase the number of protein bands. Conversely, ZnO-NPs concealed one band from treated egg masses, which was found in the control group. Embryos of snail are an appropriate model to control freshwater snails. This study demonstrates that H. duryi embryos can serve as effective model organisms to study the toxicity of ZnO-NPs.

Circular economy reinforcement through molecular fabrication of textile wastes with microbial synthesized ZnO nanoparticles to have multifunctional properties.

The fibrous wastes generated from the mills of textile production can be recycled and converted into high add-values products to be implemented in several applications. The current study aimed to employ commercial free cellulase enzyme to partially hydrolyze (activate) the polyester cotton blended (PET/C) fibrous wastes by creation functional groups such as OH and COOH on their surfaces. The activated fibrous wastes were then modified by coating with ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) biosynthesized by actinobacterial cultures free supernatant. The isolate was identified as Streptomyces pseudogriseolus with accession number of OR574241. The conditions that influence the actino-synthesis of ZnO-NPs were optimized and the product was characterized using spectroscopic vision, FTIR, XRD, TEM and SEM. The characteristic ZnO peaks were obviously observed by EDX analysis with 0.38 and 0.75% (wt%), respectively. TEM analyses proved the nanoscale of ZnO-NPs (5-15 nm) which was followed by cytotoxic evaluation for the produced NPs. Fortunately, the tested actino-ZnO-NPs didn't have any cytotoxicity against human normal fibroblast cell line (BJ1), which means that the product can be safely used in a direct-contact with human skin. The treated PET/C blended waste fabrics coated with ZnO-NPs showed high antimicrobial activity and ultraviolet protection values after functionalization by cellulase. EDX analysis demonstrates the presence of Zn peaks on the coated fabrics compared with their absence in blank and control samples, while SEM images showed the formation of a thin layer of ZnO-NPs on the fabric surface. The obtained smart textile can be applied several needed sectors.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using low-cost plant extracts.

Developing stable and highly efficient metal oxide photocatalysts remains a significant challenge in managing organic pollutants. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were successfully synthesized using various plant extracts, pomegranate (P.M), beetroot roots (B.S), and seder, along with a chemical process. The produced ZnO NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), and Surface Area. For all prepared samples, the results indicated that the composition of the plant extract affects several characteristics of the produced particles, such as their photocatalytic properties, energy bandgap (Eg), particle size, and the ratio of the two intensity (0 0 2) and (1 0 0) crystalline planes. The particle size of the produced NPs varies between 20 and 30 nm. To examine NPs' photocatalytic activity in the presence of UV light, Methyl Orange (MO) was utilized. The Eg of  ZnO synthesized by the chemical method was 3.16 e. V, whereas it was 2.84, 2.63, and 2.59 for P.M, Seder, and B.S extracts, respectively. The most effective ZnO NPs, synthesized using Beetroots, exhibited a degradation efficiency of 87 ± 0.5% with a kinetic rate constant of 0.007 min-1. The ratio of the two intensity (0 0 2) and (1 0 0) crystalline planes was also examined to determine a specific orientation in (0 0 2) that is linked to the production of oxygen vacancies in ZnO, which enhances their photocatalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the increase in photocatalytic effectiveness can be attributed to the improved light absorption by the inter-band gap states and effective charge transfer.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) by Streptomyces baarnensis and its active metabolite (Ka): a promising combination against multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens and cytotoxicity.

Various eco-friendly techniques are being researched for synthesizing ZnO-NPs, known for their bioactivity. This study aimed at biosynthesizing ZnO-NPs using Streptomyces baarnensis MH-133, characterizing their physicochemical properties, investigating antibacterial activity, and enhancement of their efficacy by combining them with a water-insoluble active compound (Ka) in a nanoemulsion form. Ka is a pure compound of 9-Ethyl-1,4,6,9,10-pentahydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrotetracene-5,12-dione obtained previously from our strain of Streptomyces baarnensis MH-133. Biosynthesized ZnO-NPs employing Streptomyces baarnensis MH-133 filtrate and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4.7H2O) as a precursor were purified and characterized by physicochemical investigation. High-resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) verified the effective biosynthesis of ZnO-NPs (size < 12 nm), whereas dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed an average size of 17.5 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) exhibited characteristic diffraction patterns that confirmed crystalline structure. ZnO-NPs efficiently inhibited both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (MICs: 31.25-125 µg/ml). The pure compound (Ka) was combined with ZnO-NPs to improve effectiveness and reduce dose using checkerboard microdilution. Niteen treatments of Ka and ZnO-NPs combinations obtained by checkerboard matrix inhibited Klebsiella pneumonia. Eleven combinations had fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICi) between 1.03 and 2, meaning indifferent, another five combinations resulted from additive FICi (0.625-1) and only one combination with FICi of 0.5, indicating synergy. In the case of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Ka-ZnO-NPs combinations yielded 23 treatments with varying degrees of interaction. The results showed eleven treatments with indifferent interaction, eight additive interactions, and two synergies with FICi of 0.5 and 0.375. The combinations that exhibited synergy action were transformed into a nanoemulsion form to improve their solubility and bioavailability. The HR-TEM analysis of the nanoemulsion revealed spherical oil particles with a granulated core smaller than 200 nm and no signs of aggregation. Effective dispersion was confirmed by DLS analysis which indicated that Ka-ZnO-NPs nanoemulsion droplets have an average size of 53.1 nm and a polydispersity index (PI) of 0.523. The killing kinetic assay assessed the viability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and K. pneumonia post-treatment with Ka-ZnO-NPs combinations either in non-formulated or nanoemulsion form. Results showed Ka-ZnO-NPs combinations show concentration and time-dependent manner, with higher efficacy in nanoemulsion form. The findings indicated that Ka-ZnO-NPs without formulation at MIC values killed K. pneumonia after 24 h but not MRSA. Our nanoemulsion loaded with the previously mentioned combinations at MIC value showed bactericidal effect at MIC concentration of Ka-ZnO-NPs combination after 12 and 18 h of incubation against MRSA and K. pneumonia, respectively, compared to free combinations. At half MIC value, nanoemulsion increased the activity of the combinations to cause a bacteriostatic effect on MRSA and K. pneumonia after 24 h of incubation. The free combination showed a bacteriostatic impact for 6 h before the bacteria regrew to increase log10 colony forming unit (CFU)/ml over the initial level. Similarly, the cytotoxicity study revealed that the combination in nanoemulsion form decreased the cytotoxicity against kidney epithelial cells of the African green monkey (VERO) cell line. The IC50 for Ka-ZnO-NPs non-formulated treatment was 8.17/1.69 (µg/µg)/ml, but in nano-emulsion, it was 22.94 + 4.77 (µg/µg)/mL. In conclusion, efficient Ka-ZnO-NPs nanoemulsion may be a promising solution for the fighting of ESKAPE pathogenic bacteria according to antibacterial activity and low toxicity.

Zno nanoparticles: improving photosynthesis, shoot development, and phyllosphere microbiome composition in tea plants.

BACKGROUND: Nanotechnology holds revolutionary potential in the field of agriculture, with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) demonstrating advantages in promoting crop growth. Enhanced photosynthetic efficiency is closely linked to improved vigor and superior quality in tea plants, complemented by the beneficial role of phyllosphere microorganisms in maintaining plant health. However, the effects of ZnO NPs on the photosynthesis of tea plants, the sprouting of new shoots, and the community of phyllosphere microorganisms have not been fully investigated. RESULTS: This study investigated the photosynthetic physiological parameters of tea plants under the influence of ZnO NPs, the content of key photosynthetic enzymes such as RubisCO, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, transcriptomic and extensive targeted metabolomic profiles of leaves and new shoots, mineral element composition in these tissues, and the epiphytic and endophytic microbial communities within the phyllosphere. The results indicated that ZnO NPs could enhance the photosynthesis of tea plants, upregulate the expression of some genes related to photosynthesis, increase the accumulation of photosynthetic products, promote the development of new shoots, and alter the content of various mineral elements in the leaves and new shoots of tea plants. Furthermore, the application of ZnO NPs was observed to favorably influence the microbial community structure within the phyllosphere of tea plants. This shift in microbial community dynamics suggests a potential for ZnO NPs to contribute to plant health and productivity by modulating the phyllosphere microbiome. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that ZnO NPs have a positive impact on the photosynthesis of tea plants, the sprouting of new shoots, and the community of phyllosphere microorganisms, which can improve the growth condition of tea plants. These findings provide new scientific evidence for the application of ZnO NPs in sustainable agricultural development and contribute to advancing research in nanobiotechnology aimed at enhancing crop yield and quality.

Harnessing Walnut-Based Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: A Sustainable Approach to Combat the Disease Complex of Meloidogyne arenaria and Macrophomina phaseolina in Cowpea.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) exhibit diverse applications, including antimicrobial, UV-blocking, and catalytic properties, due to their unique structure and properties. This study focused on the characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized from Juglans regia leaves and their application in mitigating the impact of simultaneous infection by Meloidogyne arenaria (root-knot nematode) and Macrophomina phaseolina (root-rot fungus) in cowpea plants. The characterization of ZnO NPs was carried out through various analytical techniques, including UV-visible spectrophotometry, Powder-XRD analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX analysis. The study confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO NPs with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and exceptional purity. Under in vitro conditions, ZnO NPs exhibited significant nematicidal and antifungal activities. The mortality of M. arenaria juveniles increased with rising ZnO NP concentrations, and a similar trend was observed in the inhibition of M. phaseolina mycelial growth. SEM studies revealed physical damage to nematodes and structural distortions in fungal hyphae due to ZnO NP treatment. In infected cowpea plants, ZnO NPs significantly improved plant growth parameters, including plant length, fresh mass, and dry mass, especially at higher concentrations. Leghemoglobin content and the number of root nodules also increased after ZnO NP treatment. Additionally, ZnO NPs reduced gall formation and egg mass production by M. arenaria nematodes and effectively inhibited the growth of M. phaseolina in the roots. Furthermore, histochemical analyses demonstrated a reduction in oxidative stress, as indicated by decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in ZnO NP-treated plants. These findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized ZnO NPs as an eco-friendly and effective solution to manage disease complex in cowpea caused by simultaneous nematode and fungal infections.

Electrophysiological and biochemical effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on heart functions of male Wistar rats.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most abundantly used nanomaterials in cosmetics and topical products, and nowadays, they are explored in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Some recent data evidenced that they are responsible for cardiotoxic effects and systemic toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate the toxic effect of ZnO NPs (39 nm) on the heart of Wistar rats and to perform a dose-response relationship using three different dose levels (25, 50, 100 mg/kg bw) of ZnO NPs on the electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, the levels of biochemical function parameters of heart, and the oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarkers. Furthermore, zinc concentration level and histopathological examination of heart tissues were determined. ZnO NPs showed a dose-dependent effect, as the 100 mg/kg bw ZnO NPs treated group showed the most significant changes in ECGs parameters: R-R distance, P-R interval, R and T amplitudes, and increased levels of heart enzymes Creatine Kinase- MB (CK-MB) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). On the other hand, elevated zinc concentration levels, oxidative stress biomarkers MDA and NO, and decreased GSH levels were found also in a dose-dependent manner, the results were supported by impairment in the histopathological structure of heart tissues. While the dose of 100 mg/kg bw of ZnO bulk group showed no significant effects on heart function. The present study concluded that ZnO NPs could induce cardiac dysfunctions and pathological lesions mainly in the high dose.

Ca-doped ZnO nanoparticles for MB dye degradation and adsorptive removal of tinidazole.

Industrial dye degradation involves several processes by which dyes are broken down, ideally into innocuous products. Methylene blue (MB) is one of the most commonly employed dyes in the textile industry and is released into water in routine industry processes. These discharges lead to creating a nocuous nature for humans and animals. Drugs are also discharged into water bodies from various pharmaceutical industries. In these two contexts, in the present work, the green synthesis of calcium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ca-doped ZnO NPs) is achieved using the aqueous peel extract of Citrus limetta by the solution combustion technique. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the synthesized Ca-doped ZnO NPs are investigated using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The prepared NPs were subjected to photocatalytic degradation of MB dye under visible-light illumination, which shows ~ 95% dye degradation. The synthesized Ca-doped ZnO NPs were also employed to adsorb tinidazole (TDZ), a nitroimidazole antibiotic, from water samples. An excellent adsorptive capacity of the NPs was observed for selectively adsorbing the TDZ ~ 96.2%. The drug TDZ was found to have pseudo-second-order kinetics. The catalyst recycling proved its repeatability; removal of the dye reached up to 92% after three successive usages. Therefore, using waste Citrus limetta peel extract, the multifunctional Ca-doped ZnO NPs were synthesized, which maintained effective adsorption potential and photocatalytic abilities and could be used as an effective material for environmental remediation.

Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles via neem extract and their anticancer and antibacterial activities.

In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized using neem leaf aqueous extracts and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Then compare its efficacy as anticancer and antibacterial agents with chemically synthesized ZnO-NPs and the neem leaf extract used for the green synthesis of ZnO-NPs. The TEM, UV-vis, and particle size confirmed that the developed ZnO-NPs are nanoscale. The chemically and greenly synthesized ZnO-NPs showed their optical absorbance at 328 nm and 380 nm, respectively, and were observed as spherical particles with a size of about 85 nm and 62.5 nm, respectively. HPLC and GC-MS were utilized to identify the bioactive components in the neem leaf aqueous extract employed for the eco-friendly production of ZnO-NPs. The HPLC analysis revealed that the aqueous extract of neem leaf contains 19 phenolic component fractions. The GC-MS analysis revealed the existence of 21 bioactive compounds. The antiproliferative effect of green ZnO-NPs was observed at different concentrations (31.25 µg/mL-1000 µg/mL) on Hct 116 and A 549 cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 111 µg/mL for A 549 and 118 µg/mL for Hct 116. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was estimated. The antibacterial result showed that the MIC of green synthesized ZnO-NPs against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were 5, and 1 µg/mL. Hence, they could be utilized as effective antibacterial and antiproliferative agents.

Reproductive toxicity perspectives of nanoparticles: an update.

INTRODUCTION: The rapid development of nanotechnologies with their widespread prosperities has advanced concerns regarding potential health hazards of the Nanoparticles. RESULTS: Nanoparticles are currently present in several consumer products, including medications, food, textiles, sports equipment, and electrical components. Despite the advantages of Nanoparticles, their potential toxicity has negative impact on human health, particularly on reproductive health. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of various NPs on reproductive system function is yet to be determined. Additional research is required to study the potential toxicity of various Nanoparticles on reproductive health. The primary objective of this review is to unravel the toxic effects of different Nanoparticles on the human reproductive functions and recent investigations on the reproductive toxicity of Nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo.

Fortified electrospun collagen utilizing biocompatible Poly Glycerol Sebacate prepolymer (PGSp) and zink oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for diabetics wound healing: Physical, biological and animal studies.

Collagen, a naturally occurring fibrous protein, is a potential resource of biological materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because it is structurally biocompatible, has low immunogenicity, is biodegradable, and is biomimetic. Numerous studies have documented in the literature how Collagen nanofibers exhibit limited cell adhesion, poor viscosity, and no interior fibril structure. The biomedical industry is using Poly Glycerol Sebacate prepolymer(PGSp), a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester with high adhesion and very viscous appearance, more often. Here, unique electrospun Collagen/PGSp/ZnO/NPs blend nanofibers for skin tissue application were developed and described with varied PGSp percent. Additionally, when ternary blends of Collagen, PGSp, and Zink Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are used, the antibacterial properties of the scaffolds are improved. The bead-free electrospun nanofibers were produced by raising the PGSp concentration to 30%w/w. SEM, EDS, tensile, MTT, FTIR, SDS-page, swelling test, contact-angle, antimicrobial, biodegradation, XRD, and cell attachment procedures were used to characterize the crosslinked nanofibers. The ternary blend nanofibers with a weight ratio of Collagen/PGSp 30%/ZnONPs 1% had higher stress/strain strength (0.25 mm/mm), porosity (563), cell survival, and degradation time. Moreover, after applying for wound healing in diabetic rats, Collagen/PGSp 30%/could be show improving wound healing significantly compared to other groups.

Psidium guajav-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles as a multifunctional, microbicidal, antioxidant and antiproliferative agent against destructive pathogens.

Bio-inspired zinc oxide nanoparticles are gaining immense interest due to their safety, low cost, biocompatibility, and broad biological properties. In recent years, much research has been focused on plant-based nanoparticles, mainly for their eco-friendly, facile, and non-toxic character. Hence, the current study emphasized a bottom-up synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from Psidium guajava aqueous leaf extract and evaluation of its biological properties. The structural characteristic features of biosynthesized ZnO NPs were confirmed using various analytical methods, such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited a hydrodynamic shape with an average particle size of 11.6-80.2 nm. A significant antimicrobial efficiency with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 40 and 27 µg/ml for Enterococcus faecalis, followed by 30 and 40 µg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus, 20 and 30 µg/ml for Staphylococcus mutans, 30 µg/ml for Candida albicans was observed by ZnO NPs. Additionally, they showed significant breakdown of biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans indicating their future value in drug-resistance research. Furthermore, an excellent dose-dependent activity of antioxidant property was noticed with an IC50 of 9.89 µg/ml. The antiproliferative potential of the ZnO NPs was indicated by the viability of MDA MB 231 cells, which showed a drastic decrease in response to increased concentrations of biosynthesized ZnO NPs. Thus, the present results open up vistas to explore their pharmaceutical potential for the development of targeted anticancer drugs in the future.

Topical gel formulations as potential dermal delivery carriers for green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles.

This study aimed to incorporate green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and linked to doxorubicin (DOX), into various topical gel formulations (hydrogel, oleogel, and bigel) to enhance their dermal delivery. The ZnO NPs were produced using the aqueous extract of the root hair of Phoenix dactylifera. The optimized green-synthesized ZnO NPs, PEGylated and conjugated to DOX, demonstrated a particle size below 100 nm, low polydispersity index, and zeta potential between - 11 and - 19 mV. The UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis confirmed characteristic absorption peaks at 351 and 545 nm for ZnO and DOX, respectively. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images revealed well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles without aggregation. Additionally, ZnO NPs-loaded gels exhibited uniformity, cohesion, no phase separation, pseudoplastic flow, and viscoelastic properties. The in vitro release studies showed that DOX-PEG-ZnO NPs hydrogel released 99.5% of DOX after 5 h of starting the release. Moreover, the penetration of DOX-PEG-ZnO NPs through excised rat skin was visualized by TEM. In conclusion, the hydrogel formulation containing green-synthesized DOX-PEG-ZnO NPs holds great promise for dermal administration in skin cancer treatment. Furthermore, the release rate and skin penetration of DOX from gels were varied based on the type of gel matrix and corroborated with their corresponding rheological properties.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles damage the prefrontal lobe in mouse: Behavioral impacts and key mechanisms.

Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have dualistic properties due to their advantage and toxicity. However, the impact and mechanisms of ZnO NPs on the prefrontal lobe have limited research. This study investigates the behavioral changes following exposure to ZnO NPs (34 mg/kg, 30 days), integrating multiple behaviors and bioinformatics analysis to identify critical factors and regulatory mechanisms. The essential differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including ORC1, DSP, AADAT, SLITRK6, and STEAP1. Analysis of the DEGs based on fold change reveals that ZnO NPs primarily regulate cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis in neural cells, damaging the prefrontal lobe. Moreover, disruption of cell communication, mineral absorption, and immune pathways occurs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) further shows enrichment of behavior, neuromuscular process, signal transduction in function, synapses-related, cAMP signaling, and immune pathways. Furthermore, alternative splicing (AS) genes highlight synaptic structure/function, synaptic signal transduction, immune responses, cell proliferation, and communication.