Unlocking the potential of phenyl boronic acid functionalized-quercetin nanoparticles: Advancing antibacterial efficacy and diabetic wound healing.

This study investigates the novel application of Phenyl Boronic Acid Functionalized-Quercetin nanoparticles (PBA-Qt NPs) in the context of antibacterial and diabetic wound healing. The research reveals a multifaceted approach, encompassing physicochemical characterization, antioxidant activity, antibacterial potential, and wound healing efficacy. The purpose of the study was to improve wound healing and antibacterial effects of quercetin and its esterified nanoparticles with phenyl boronic acid (PBA-Qt) compared with phenytoin streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats as a model. PBA-Qt NPs were confirmed using TLC, SEM, and FTIR. They exhibited superior DPPH scavenging (84.2 ± 0.12 %) compared to PBA (59.00 ± 0.18 %) and quercetin (79.02 ± 0.17 %). PBA-Qt showed significant antimicrobial properties with ZOI against Gram-negative (30.34 ± 0.02) and Gram-positive bacteria (25.40 ± 0.03). The MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 1.41 ± 0.03 µg/100 µL, and for Staphylococcus aureus, it was 8.25 ± 0.02 µg/100 µL. The MBC against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 4.33 ± 0.02 µg/100 µL, and for Staphylococcus aureus, it was 8.25 ± 0.02 µg/100 µL. PBA-Qt NPs reduced MIC for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria compared to quercetin. They enhanced wound healing by 60-99 % in infected diabetic rats, outperforming phenytoin. PBA-Qt NPs stimulated angiogenesis, tissue repair, and regeneration, improving wound closure. In diabetic and non-diabetic wounds, PBA-Qt NPs demonstrated superior wound contraction and granulation tissue formation. In conclusion, PBA-Qt nanoparticles are promising for treating diabetic chronic wounds due to reduced irritation and enhanced antibacterial and wound-healing properties.

Survival, growth, behavior, hematology and serum biochemistry of mice under different concentrations of orally administered amorphous silica nanoparticle.

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are used extensively in consumer products and biomedical research basically due to ease of production and low cost. However, insufficient literature is reported regarding the toxicity and biocompatibility of SiNPs. The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of amorphous SiNPs on survival, growth, behavioral alterations, hematology and serum biochemistry of mice at four concentrations (control, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day) of an oral supplementation for a period of 3 months. Signs of toxicity (lethargy, nausea, coma, tremors, vomiting and diarrhea, etc.) were noted at 9:00 am and 9:00 pm (twice a day) and the body weight of each of these mice was measured every week. The data were subjected to mean, standard deviation (S.D). Moreover, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett's test were applied for analysis of statistical significance between groups by using SPSS software, version 20. All the mice survived with minor alterations in behavior and no significant weight changes were observed during the stipulated time period. Complete blood count (CBC) analysis indicated non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) systemic dysfunctions of organ systems. However, there was elevation in the level of AST and ALT in the analysis of serum biochemistry, while the values of all other examined parameters were not-significant (P ≥ 0.05). The study concluded that orally administered large silica nanoparticles up to the dose level of 150 mg/kg/day are nontoxic for the in vivo use in mice.

Exploring the Potent Combination of Quercetin-Boronic Acid, Epalrestat, and Urea Containing Nanoethosomal Keratolytic Gel for the Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathic Pain: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Transdermal penetration of therapeutic moieties from topical dosage forms always remains a challenge due to the presence of permeation impeding keratin which should be addressed. The purpose of the study was to formulate quercetin and 4-formyl phenyl boronic acid (QB complex) used for the preparation of nanoethosomal keratolytic gel (EF3-G). The QB complex was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy while skin permeation, viscosity, and epalrestat entrapment efficiency were used for the optimization of nanoethosomal gel. The keratolytic effect of the proposed nanoethosomal gel with urea (QB + EPL + U) was calculated in rat and snake skin. The spherical shape of nanoethosomes was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. According to the findings of stability studies, viscosity decreases as temperature increases, proving their thermal stability. The negative charge of optimized EF3 with 0.7 PDI proved narrow particle size distribution with homogeneity. Optimized EF3 showed two folds increase of epalrestat permeation in highly keratinized snake skin as compared to rats' skin after 24 h. Antioxidant behaviors of EF3 (QB) > QB complex > quercetin > ascorbic acid proved reduction of oxidative stress in DPPH reduction analysis. Interestingly, the hot plate and cold allodynia test in the diabetic neuropathic rat model reduced 3-fold pain as compared to the diabetic control group which was further confirmed by in vivo biochemical studies even after the eight week. Conclusively, ureal keratolysis, primary dermal irritation index reduction, and improved loading of epalrestat render the nanoethosomal gel (EF3-G) ideal for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain.

Growth Response in Oryctolagus cuniculus to Selenium Toxicity Exposure Ameliorated with Vitamin E.

The adverse impacts of high temperature during the summer season on the rabbit industry have gained increased global attention. In this study, the comparative effects of biological (BIO) and chemical (CH) nanoselenium (nano-Se) combined with vitamin E on the growth and immune performances of rabbits were observed. A total of 200 white male rabbits of similar age (90 days) were divided into five treatment groups (T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4), 40 animals in each treatment. The rabbits in the first treatment group (T0) was fed basal diet; (T1) basal diet supplemented with 35 mg biological synthesized nanoselenium/kg diet; (T2) basal diet with 35 mg biological nanoselenium/kg diet+150 mg Vit. E/kg; (T3) basal diet+35 m chemically synthesized nanoselenium/kg diet; and (T4) basal diet+35 mg of chemical nanoselenium/kg diet+150 mg Vit. E/kg. The duration of this experiment was 63 days. The body weight of each rabbit was recorded weekly. Results revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in live body weight (LBW), total body gain (TBG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of rabbits treated with BIO-Se+Vit. E (T2) compared to the other groups. Selenium concentrations in the kidneys and liver were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in animals fed with BIO-Se+Vit. E (T2). The concentrations of serum urea, glutamyl transferase (GGT), and triglycerides (TG) were lower in untreated (T0) and treated groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that biological nano-Se gave maximum improvement for the parameters under study compared to the chemically synthesized nanoselenium by playing a role in alleviating heat stress, increasing the growth performance, and enhancing the immunity of growing white male rabbits. Further addition of Vit. E is an alternative method to maximize productivity with no adverse effects during the fattening period of growing white male rabbits.