Characterization and Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver and Iron Nanoparticles Using Microalgae Extracts: Implications for Nanobiotechnology.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The remarkable surface-to-volume ratio and efficient particle interaction capabilities of nanoparticles have garnered significant attention among researchers. Microalgal synthesis presents a sustainable and cost-effective approach to nanoparticle production, particularly noteworthy for its high metal uptake and ion reduction capabilities. This study focuses on the eco-friendly and straightforward synthesis of Silver (AgNPs) and Iron (FeNPs) nanoparticles by utilizing Spirulina (<i>Arthrospira platensis</i>) and <i>Chlorella pyrenoidosa</i> extract, devoid of any chemical reducing or capping agents. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Following the mixing of 1 mM AgNO₃ and 1 mM iron oxide solution with the algal extract, the resulting filtrated solution underwent comprehensive characterization, including UV-visible absorption spectra analysis, observation of particle morphology, Zetasizer measurements and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) analysis. <b>Results:</b> The UV-visible spectroscopy revealed a maximum absorbance peak at 430-440 nm, confirming the successful green synthesis of AgNPs and FeNPs, as indicated by the distinct color change from transparent to dark reddish-yellow and brown to reddish-brown, respectively. The SEM-EDX analysis further elucidated the spherical morphology of the nanoparticles, with an average diameter of 93.71 nm for AgNPs and 6198 nm for FeNPs. The Zeta potential measurements indicated average values of -56.68 mV for AgNPs and 29.73 mV for FeNPs, with conductivities of 0.1764 and 0.6786 mS/cm, respectively. <b>Conclusion:</b> The observed bioaccumulation of silver and iron nanoparticles within the algal extract underscores its potential as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for nanoparticle synthesis. These findings suggested a promising avenues for the application of silver and iron nanoparticles in the field of nanobiotechnology. Future research endeavors could focus on optimizing preparation conditions and controlling nanoparticle size to further enhance their utility and effectiveness.

Urtica pilulifera leaves extract mitigates cadmium induced hepatotoxicity via modulation of antioxidants, inflammatory markers and Nrf-2 signaling in mice.

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) is a harmful heavy metal that results in many toxic issues. Urtica pilulifera showed potential pharmaceutical applications. This study investigated the possible ameliorative mechanism of Urtica pilulifera leaves extract (UPLE) against hepatotoxicity induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in mice. Methods: In vitro phytochemical screening and the metal-chelating activity of UPLE were ascertained. Four groups of forty male mice were used (n = 10) as follows; Group 1 (G1) was a negative control. G2 was injected i.p., with UPLE (100 mg/kg b. wt) daily. G3 was injected i.p., with Cd (5 mg/kg b. wt) daily. G4 was injected with Cd as in G3 and with UPLE as in G2. On day 11, the body weight changes were evaluated, blood, and serum samples were collected for hematological and biochemical assessments. Liver tissues were used for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological investigations. Results: The results showed that UPLE contains promising secondary metabolites that considerably lessen the negative effects of Cd on liver. Furthermore, UPLE inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation; restored antioxidant molecules; and promoted nuclear-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) expression. Also, UPLE improved the histopathological alterations induced by Cd. Discussion: This study explored the beneficial role of UPLE treatment in Cd-induced liver injury through enhancing Nrf-2 signaling and antioxidant enzyme gene expression in the liver of mice. Therefore, UPLE could have valuable implications against hepatotoxicity induced by environmental cadmium exposure. Which can be used as a chelating agent against Cd.

Exosomal miRNAs as a Promising Source of Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer Progression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide amongst males and females. CRC treatment is multidisciplinary, often including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Early diagnosis of CRC can lead to treatment initiation at an earlier stage. Blood biomarkers are currently used to detect CRC, but because of their low sensitivity and specificity, they are considered inadequate diagnostic tools and are used mainly for following up patients for recurrence. It is necessary to detect novel, noninvasive, specific, and sensitive biomarkers for the screening and diagnosis of CRC at earlier stages. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has an essential role in tumorigenesis; for example, extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes can play a crucial role in communication between cancer cells and different components of TME, thereby inducing tumor progression. The importance of miRNAs that are sorted into exosomes has recently attracted scientists' attention. Some unique sequences of miRNAs are favorably packaged into exosomes, and it has been illustrated that particular miRNAs can be directed into exosomes by special mechanisms that occur inside the cells. This review illustrates and discusses the sorted and transported exosomal miRNAs in the CRC microenvironment and their impact on CRC progression as well as their potential use as biomarkers.

Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids from the Aerial Parts of Rhazya stricta Induce Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in Human Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Chromatographic investigation of the aerial parts of the Rhazya stricta (Apocynaceae) resulted in the isolation of two new monoterpene indole alkaloids, 6-nor-antirhine-N1-methyl (1) and razyamide (2), along with six known compounds, eburenine (3), epi-rhazyaminine (4), rhazizine (5), 20-epi-sitsirikine (6), antirhine (7), and 16-epi-stemmadenine-N-oxide (8). The chemical structures were established by various spectroscopic experiments. Compounds 1-8 exhibited cytotoxic effects against three cancer cells with IC50 values ranging between 5.1 ± 0.10 and 93.2 ± 9.73 µM against MCF-7; 5.1 ± 0.28 and 290.2 ± 7.50 µM against HepG2, and 3.1 ± 0.17 and 55.7 ± 4.29 µM against HeLa cells. Compound 2 showed the most potent cytotoxic effect against all cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HepG2 and HeLa with IC50 values = 5.1 ± 0.10, 5.1 ± 0.28, and 3.1 ± 0.17 µM, respectively). Furthermore, compound 2 revealed a significant increase in the apoptotic cell population of MCF-7, HepG2, and HeLa cells, with 31.4 ± 0.2%, 29.2 ± 0.5%, and 34.9 ± 0.6%, respectively. Compound 2 decreased the percentage of the phagocytic pathway on HepG2 cells by 15.0 ± 0.1%. These findings can explain the antiproliferative effect of compound 2.

Evaluation of antibiotic-induced behavioral changes in mice.

Gut microbiota (GM) plays a critical role in health maintenance. Previous reports connected GM with metabolic, immunologic and neurologic pathways. The main purpose of the current investigation was to study whether antibiotic-induced disturbances of GM affects psychological or behavioral conditions on mice as animal model. Mice were exposed to clindamycin or amoxicillin, and their behaviors were evaluated. Antibiotic-treated groups displayed reduced recognition memory and increased depression. No significant changes in the locomotor activity and anxiety were observed. Our data suggested that changes in GM composition by antibiotics may lead to the cognitive and behavioral deficit.

Nidulantes of Aspergillus (Formerly Emericella): A Treasure Trove of Chemical Diversity and Biological Activities.

The genus Emericella (Ascomycota) includes more than thirty species with worldwide distribution across many ecosystems. It is considered a rich source of diverse metabolites. The published classes of natural compounds that are discussed here are organized according to the following biosynthetic pathways: polyketides (azaphilones, cyclopentenone pigments, dicyanides, furan derivatives, phenolic ethers, and xanthones and anthraquinones); shikimate derivatives (bicoumarins); mevalonate derivatives (meroterpenes, sesquiterpenes, sesterterpenes and steroids) and amino acids derivatives (alkaloids (indole-derivatives, isoindolones, and piperazine) and peptides (depsipeptides)). These metabolites produce the wide array of biological effects associated with Emericella, including antioxidant, antiproliferative, antimalarial, antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and kinase inhibitors. Careful and extensive study of the diversity and distribution of metabolites produced by the genus Emericella (either marine or terrestrial) revealed that, no matter the source of the fungus, the composition of the culture medium effectively controls the metabolites produced. The topic of this review is the diversity of metabolites that have been identified from Emericella, along with the contextual information on either their biological or geographic sources. This review presents 236 natural compounds, which were reported from marine and terrestrial Emericella. Amongst the reported compounds, only 70.2% were biologically assayed for their effects, including antimicrobial or cytotoxicity. This implies the need for substantial investigation of alternative activities. This review includes a full discussion of compound structures and disease management, based on materials published from 1982 through December 2019.

Euryops arabicus displays anti-inflammatory activities in experimental models.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Euryops arabicus (Asteraceae) is grown in Arab Peninsula. Its aerial parts possess ethnomedicinal applications against several inflammatory conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Euryops arabicus (E. arabicus) organic extract as well as its major polymethoxylated flavonoids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute toxicity of the total extract of E. ararbicus was evaluated by assessing LD50. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in rats injected with carrageenan in the plantar area. Paw edema volume, histological changes and rats'stair climbing and motility were assessed. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) challenged with carrageenan. Inflammation markers were assessed in cellular lysates and collected media. RESULTS: The extract was found safe and considered unclassified with an oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg in rats. Pretreatment of rats with a total extract of E. arabicus at doses of 100 and 250 mg/kg significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced increase in paw edema volume and histopathological changes. Also, it significantly ameliorated diminution of climbing and motility. Phytochemical studies led to the isolation and identification of five polymethoxylated flavonoids. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated in carrageenan-challenged peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). All compounds exhibited appreciable antioxidant activities. Further, pre-incubation of the cells with the isolated metabolites significantly ameliorated the rise in cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) induced by carrageenan challenge. Further, the compounds inhibited the leakage of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in media collected from stimulated cells. CONCLUSION: E. arabicus exhibited in vivo anti-inflammatory effects in the carrageenan model as it ameliorated rat paw edema, histopathological changes and movement dysfunction. in vitro activity of isolated compounds was confirmed in stimulated PBMCs. Thus, the anti-inflammatory activity of E. arabicus can be attributed, at least partly, to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-chemotactic properties.

Alcyonium Octocorals: Potential Source of Diverse Bioactive Terpenoids.

Alcyonium corals are benthic animals, which live in different climatic areas, including temperate, Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. They were found to produce different chemical substances with molecular diversity and unique architectures. These metabolites embrace several terpenoidal classes with different functionalities. This wide array of structures supports the productivity of genus Alcyonium. Yet, majority of the reported compounds are still biologically unscreened and require substantial efforts to explore their importance. This review is an entryway to push forward the bio-investigation of this genus. It covers the era from the beginning of reporting metabolites from Alcyonium up to March 2019. Ninety-two metabolites are presented; forty-two sesquiterpenes, twenty-five diterpenes and twenty-five steroids have been reported from sixteen species.

Alcyonacea: A Potential Source for Production of Nitrogen-Containing Metabolites.

Alcyonacea (soft corals and gorgonia) are well known for their production of a wide array of unprecedented architecture of bioactive metabolites. This diversity of compounds reported from Alcyonacea confirms its productivity as a source of drug leads and, consequently, indicates requirement of further chemo-biological investigation. This review can be considered a roadmap to investigate the Alcyonacea, particularly those produce nitrogen-containing metabolites. It covers the era from the beginning of marine nitrogen-containing terpenoids isolation from Alcyonacea up to December 2018. One hundred twenty-one compounds with nitrogenous moiety are published from fifteen genera. Their prominent biological activity is evident in their antiproliferative effect, which makes them interesting as potential leads for antitumor agents. For instance, eleutherobin and sarcodictyins are in preclinical or clinical stages.