Cyclodextrin nanoparticles in targeted cancer theranostics.

The field of cancer nanotheranostics is rapidly evolving, with cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanoparticles emerging as a promising tool. CDs, serving as nanocarriers, have higher adaptability and demonstrate immense potential in delivering powerful anti-cancer drugs, leading to promising and specific therapeutic outcomes for combating various types of cancer. The unique characteristics of CDs, combined with innovative nanocomplex creation techniques such as encapsulation, enable the development of potential theranostic treatments. The review here focuses mainly on the different techniques administered for effective nanotheranostics applications of CD-associated complex compounds in the domain of cancer treatments. The experimentations on various loaded drugs and their complex conjugates with CDs prove effective in in vivo results. Various cancers can have potential nanotheranostics cures using CDs as nanoparticles along with a highly efficient process of nanocomplex development and a drug delivery system. In conclusion, nanotheranostics holds immense potential for targeted drug delivery and improved therapeutic outcomes, offering a promising avenue for revolutionizing cancer treatments through continuous research and innovative approaches.

Smartphone-based diagnostics for biosensing infectious human pathogens.

The widespread usage of smartphones has made accessing vast troves of data easier for everyone. Smartphones are powerful, handy, and easy to operate, making them a valuable tool for improving public health through diagnostics. When combined with other devices and sensors, smartphones have shown potential for detecting, visualizing, collecting, and transferring data, enabling rapid disease diagnosis. In resource-limited settings, the user-friendly operating system of smartphones allows them to function as a point-of-care platform for healthcare and disease diagnosis. Herein, we critically reviewed the smartphone-based biosensors for the diagnosis and detection of diseases caused by infectious human pathogens, such as deadly viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These biosensors use several analytical sensing methods, including microscopic imaging, instrumental interface, colorimetric, fluorescence, and electrochemical biosensors. We have discussed the diverse diagnosis strategies and analytical performances of smartphone-based detection systems in identifying infectious human pathogens, along with future perspectives.

Biogenic Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Dots (CDs) and Their Application in Bioimaging of Agricultural Crops.

Fluorescent nanoparticles have a transformative potential for advanced sensors and devices for point-of-need diagnostics and bioimaging, bypassing the technical burden of meeting the assay performance requirements. Carbon dots (CDs) are rapidly emerging carbon-based nanomaterials. Regardless of their fate, they will find increasing applications. In this study, a simple approach for synthesizing CDs from fruit peels was developed. The CDs were fabricated from Annona squamosa (L.) peels using a carbonization technique through microwave-assisted hydrothermal digestion at temperatures around 200 °C. Synthesized CDs were detected using a UV transilluminator for the preliminary confirmation of the presence of fluorescence. UV-Vis spectrophotometry (absorbance at 505 nm) analysis, zeta potential measurement (-20.8 mV), nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA) (average size: 15.4 nm and mode size: 9.26 nm), photoluminescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis were used to identify the capping functional groups on the CDs. The total quantum yield exhibited was 8.93%, and the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed the size range up to 40 nm. The germinating mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.)) seeds were incubated with biogenically synthesized CDs to check the absorption of CDs by them. The fluorescence was observed under a UV-transilluminator in the growing parts of seeds, indicating the absorption of CDs during the germination, development, and growth. These fluorescent CDs could be used as a bioimaging agent. This novel method of synthesizing CDs was found to be eco-friendly, rapid, and cost-effective.

In Situ Growth of Biocompatible Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles in Poly-Vinyl Alcohol Thin Film Matrix.

Green synthesis is an eco-friendly approach of nanoparticles fabrication gaining momentum among researches. Nanoparticles are used immensely, due to its small size, physical properties, orientation, which can apparently change the performance of any other material when in proximity. Antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory activities of several nanoparticles capable of wound healing make it a appropriate module for wound dressing materials. Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are recognized as well established antimicrobial and antiseptic agents, thus considering it as a promising candidate for wound healing process and other applications. Here we report an effective and biological approach of a novel thin film preparation based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with SNPs generated within matrix using leaf extract of Aloe vera as a bioreducing agent. Successful incorporation of SNPs into the polymer matrix, which was confirmed by NTA analysis, TEM, SEM. The characterization results revealed that SNPs were found in range of 10-40 nm. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity on Escherichia coli (ATCC 39403), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Klebsiella pneumoniae (clinical isolates), and Candida albicans (diploid fungus) using agar cup and disc diffusion method confirmed effective performance of the PVA-SNPs film. Average ZOI was observed as 3+2mm, 3+2mm, 4+1mm and 4+1mm respectively. Thin film produced is highly biocompatible to HaCat and L929 cell lines for a defined amount and hence can be used as wound dressing materials. The method used in this study is greener, simple, rapid, and cost effective for producing a biocompatible film with profoundly variable applications in food packaging and health care industries.

An Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Leaf Extract of Madhuca longifolia Utilizing Quantitative and Qualitative Methods.

In the current decade, nanoparticles are synthesized using solvents that are environmentally friendly. A number of nanoparticles have been synthesized at room temperature using water as a solvent, such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. As part of nanotechnology, nanoparticles are synthesized through biological processes. Biological methods are the preferred method for the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a result of their simple and non-hazardous nature. Nanoparticles of silver are used in a variety of applications, including catalysts, spectrally selective coatings for solar absorption, optical objectives, pharmaceutical constituents, and chemical and biological sensing. Antimicrobial agents are among the top uses of silver nanoparticles. In the current study, silver nanoparticles were biologically manufactured through Madhuca longifolia, and their antibacterial activity against pathogenic microorganisms, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities were assessed. UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD (X-ray diffraction), transmission electron microscopy, Zeta Potential, and FTIR were used to characterize silver nanoparticles. The current work describes a cheap and environmentally friendly method to synthesize silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate solution by using plant crude extract as a reducing agent.

Myco-Fabrication of Copper Nanoparticles and Its Effect on Crop Pathogenic Fungi.

Phytopathogens are responsible for huge losses in the agriculture sector. Amongst them, fungal phytopathogen is quite difficult to control. Many chemicals are available in the market, claiming the high activity against them. However, the development of resistance by the fungal pathogen is the main concern to overcome their menace. Nanotechnology-based products can be a potential alternative to conventional fungicides. Amongst various nanoparticles, Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are appearing to be a promising antifungal candidate. It can be synthesized by various methods, but the myco-fabrication appears to be an environmental-friendly approach. Hence, the present study is an attempt to synthesize CuNPs using Aspergillus flavus. The myco-fabricated CuNPs were characterized by UV spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Nanoparticles tracking and analysis system (NTA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Zeta potential measurement. Myco-fabricated CuNPs showed maximum absorbance at 602 nm and particle size ranging 5-12 nm with the least average size of 8 nm with spherical shape and moderate stability. Myco-fabricated CuNPs tested against selected fungal crop pathogens viz. Aspergillus niger, Fusariumoxysporum, and Alternaria alternata reveal a significant effect. Besides these we have given the hypothetical mechanism depicting the antifungal action of myco-fabricated CuNPs.

Biocompatible antimicrobial cotton fibres for healthcare industries: a biogenic approach for synthesis of bio-organic-coated silver nanoparticles.

Cotton fibres coated with biogenically fabricated silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are most sought material because of their enhanced activity and biocompatibility. After successful synthesis of SNPs on cotton fibres using leaf extract of Vitex negundo Linn, the fibres were studied using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, energy dispersive X-ray, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The characterisation revealed uniformly distributed spherical agglomerates of SNPs having individual particle size around 50 nm with the deposition load of 423 µg of silver per gram of cotton. Antimicrobial assay of cotton-SNPs fibres showed effective performance against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The method is biogenic, environmentally benign, rapid, and cost-effective, producing highly biocompatible antimicrobial coating required for the healthcare industry.

Antibody tagged gold nanoparticles as scattering probes for the pico molar detection of the proteins in blood serum using nanoparticle tracking analyzer.

We report a rapid one-step immunoassay to detect protein using antibody conjugated gold nanoparticles (AbGNPs) where the targeted protein concentration was determined by analyzing the gold nanoparticle aggregation caused by antibody-antigen interactions using nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA) technique. The sandwich structure constituting the binding of the targeted human IgG to the gold nanoparticle conjugates with goat anti human monoclonal IgG (AbGNPs) was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The binding of human IgG (antigen, mentioned hence forth as AT) induce AbGNPs to form dimers or trimers through a typical antibody-antigen-antibody sandwich structure that can be analyzed for the sensitive determination on the basis of change in hydrodynamic diameter of AbGNPs. By this method the minimum detectable concentration of AT is found to be below 2pg/ml. We expect that a significant change in the hydrodynamic diameter of AbGNP could form the basis for the rapid one-step immunoassay development.

Photosensitized synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Withania somnifera leaf powder and silver nitrate.

The metal nanoparticle synthesis is highly explored field of nanotechnology. The biological methods seem to be more effective; however, due to slow reduction rate and polydispersity of the resulting products, they are less preferred. In the present study, we report rapid and facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles at room temperature. The exposure of reaction mixtures containing silver nitrate and dried leaf powder of Withania somnifera Linn to direct sunlight resulted in reduction of metal ions within five minutes whereas, the dark exposure took almost 12h. Further studies using different light filters reveal the role of blue light in reduction of silver ions. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis, Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction studies (XRD), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). The Antibacterial and antifungal studies showed significant activity as compared to their respective standards.

Synthesis and characterization of molecules containing thiazole and oxazole moieties and study of ESIPT phenomenon.

Two novel ESIPT molecules, 2-[4-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)naphtho[1,2-d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl]phenol 9a and 4-[4-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)naphtho[1,2-d][1,3]oxazol-2-yl]benzene-1,3-diol 9b were synthesized by condensing 1-amino-3-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)naphthalen-2-ol with 2-hydroxybenzoic acid and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid respectively. The novel compounds were characterized by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, Mass spectral and elemental analysis. Effect of polarity on photo physical properties, absorption and emission were studied. Compounds showed single absorption and dual emission due to ESIPT phenomenon. The structural changes due to ESIPT phenomenon in terms of bond angle, bond distances and geometry were investigated by using Gaussian 03 software. These two novel ESIPT molecules are thermally stable up to 200 °C.

Synthesis, characterization and biological activities of mixed ligand Zr(IV) complexes.

Mixed ligand ternary Zr(IV) complexes of type [M(Q)2LNO3xH2O] have been synthesized using 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) as a primary ligand and N- and/O-donor amino acids (HL) such as L-serine, L-alanine and glycine as secondary ligands. These complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, conductance measurement, spectral and thermal studies. The molar conductance study of the complexes in DMF solvent signifies their non-electrolytic nature whereas the thermal analyses specify presence of a coordinated water molecule. The complexes were tested for antifungal and antibacterial activity by using agar well diffusion bioassay. The antibacterial activity was tested against the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium. The results obtained were evaluated with antibacterial standard vancomycin. The antifungal activity was tested against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Aspergillus fumigatus and the results obtained were compared with antifungal standard amphotericin B. The complexes were also screened for cytotoxicity studies against Ehrlich ascites cells and Daltons lymphoma ascites cells and show very low cytotoxicity.