Mechanistic insight into the synergistic antimicrobial potential of Fagonia indica Burm.f. extracts with cefixime.

Fagonia indica Burm.f. is known for its anti-infective character and has been studied in the present work as a synergistic remedy against resistant bacterial strains. Initially, phytochemicals were quantified in n-Hexane (n-Hex), ethyl acetate (E.A), methanol (MeOH), and aqueous (Aq.) extracts by Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) and Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis. Later, after establishing an antibacterial resistance profile for extracts and antibiotics against gram-positive and gram-negative strains, synergism was evaluated in combination with cefixime through time-kill kinetics and bacterial protein estimation studies. Topographic images depicting synergism were obtained by scanning electron microscopy for Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Resistant Escherichia coli (R.E. coli). Results showed the presence of maximum phenolic (28.4 ± 0.67 µg GAE/mg extract) and flavonoid (11 ± 0.42 µg QE/mg extract) contents in MeOH extract. RP-HPLC results also displayed maximum polyphenols in MeOH extract followed by E.A extract. Clinical strains were resistant to cefixime whereas these were moderately inhibited by all extracts (MIC 150-300 µg/ml) except Aq. extract. E.A and n-Hex extracts demonstrated maximum synergism (Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) 0.31) against R.E. coli. The n-Hex extract displayed total synergism against R.P. a with a 4-fold reduction in cefixime dose. Time-kill kinetics showed maximum inhibition of gram-negative bacterial growth from 3 to 12 h when treated at FICI and 2FICI values with > 10-fold reduction of the extracts' dose. All combinations demonstrate > 70 % protein content inhibition with bacterial cell wall disruption in SEM images. Fortunately, FICI concentrations have low hemolytic potential (<5%). Conclusively, F. indica extracts can mitigate antimicrobial resistance against cefixime and can be investigated in detail by in vivo and mechanistic studies.

Impact of Ce doping on the optoelectronic and structural properties of a CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cell.

This paper provides a detailed analysis of pure CsPbIBr2 and 4% Ce-doped CsPbIBr2 perovskite films, emphasizing their structural, optical and photovoltaic properties. X-ray diffraction confirms a predominant cubic perovskite phase in both samples, with Ce doping leading to the increased crystal size (21 nm to 32 nm). UV-vis spectroscopy reveals a reduced bandgap energy (2.2 eV to 2.1 eV) with Ce doping. Dielectric constant analysis indicates the enhanced permittivity of the Ce-doped sample, crucial for solar-cell light trapping. Energy band structure analysis demonstrates improved photovoltaic cell performance with Ce doping, yielding higher open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and efficiency (9.71%) compared to pure CsPbIBr2 (8.02%). Ce doping mitigates electron-hole recombination, enhancing cell stability, electron affinity, and power output. This research underscores the potential of cost-effective, efficient, and stable CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cells.

Antibacterial and in vivo toxicological studies of Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite synthesized via cost effective methods.

In this research work, Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites have been synthesized via an eco-friendly green synthesis technique, solgel route and co-precipitation method respectively for the assessment of antibacterial activity as well as in vivo toxicity. The XRD patterns confirm the formation of Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites showing monoclinic structures. Crystallite size and lattice strain are calculated by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and Willimson Hall plot methods. Average crystallite size measured for Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and WH-plot methods are (5.1, 13.9, 11.5)nm, (5.4, 14.2, 11.3)nm and (5.2, 13.5, 12.0)nm respectively. Optical properties such as absorption peaks and band-gap energies are studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. The FTIR peaks at 513 cm-1, 553 cm-1 and 855 cm-1 confirms the successful synthesis of Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites. The antibacterial activity of synthesized Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites is examined against two gram-negative (Escherichia coli and pseudomonas) as well as gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) at dose 25 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg by disk diffusion technique. Zone of inhibition for Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO at dose 40 mg/kg against E. coli (gram - ve) are 12 mm, 17 mm and 18 mm respectively and against Pseudomonas (gram - ve) are 28 mm, 19 mm and 21 mm respectively. While the zone of inhibition for Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO at dose 40 mg/kg against B. cereus (gram + ve) are 8 mm and 8.5 mm respectively and against S. aureus (gram + ve) are 5 mm and 10.5 mm respectively. These amazing results reveal that Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite as a kind of antibacterial content, have enormous potential for biomedical applications. In addition, the in vivo toxicity of synthesized Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite is investigated on Swiss Albino mice at dose of 20 mg/kg by evaluating immune response, hematology and biochemistry at the time period of 2, 7, 14 and 30 days. No severe damage is observed in mice during whole treatment. The p value calculated by statistical analysis of hematological and biochemistry tests is nonsignificant which ensures that synthesized nanocomposites are safe and non-toxic as they do not affect mice significantly. This study proves that Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites are biocompatible and can be explored further for different biomedical applications.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Morphological Assessments of GO-ZnO against the MCF-7 Cells: Determination of Singlet Oxygen by Chemical Trapping.

Graphene-based materials have attracted considerable interest owing to their distinctive characteristics, such as their biocompatibility in terms of both their physical and intrinsic chemical properties. The use of nanomaterials with graphene as a biocompatible agent has increased due to an uptick in dedication from biomedical investigators. Here, GO-ZnO was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Raman spectroscopy for structural, morphological, and elemental analysis. The toxic extent of GO-ZnO was noted by a methyl-thiazole-tetrazolium (MTT), while cellular morphology was observed towards the MCF-7 cells using an inverted microscope at magnification 40×. The cytotoxic effect of GO-ZnO investigated the cell viability reduction in a dose-dependent manner, as well as prompted the cell demise/destruction in an apoptotic way. Moreover, statistical analysis was performed on the experimental outcomes, with p-values < 0.05 kept as significant to elucidate the results. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) demonstrated the potential applicability of graphene in tumor treatment. These key results attest to the efficacy of GO-ZnO nanocomposites as a substantial candidate for breast malignancy treatment.

An In Vitro Study of the Photodynamic Effectiveness of GO-Ag Nanocomposites against Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Graphene-based materials have garnered significant attention because of their versatile bioapplications and extraordinary properties. Graphene oxide (GO) is an extremely oxidized form of graphene accompanied by the functional groups of oxygen on its surface. GO is an outstanding platform on which to pacify silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), which gives rise to the graphene oxide-silver nanoparticle (GO-Ag) nanocomposite. In this experimental study, the toxicity of graphene oxide-silver (GO-Ag) nanocomposites was assessed in an in vitro human breast cancer model to optimize the parameters of photodynamic therapy. GO-Ag was prepared using the hydrothermal method, and characterization was done by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-rays Analysis (EDAX), atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The experiments were done both with laser exposure, as well as in darkness, to examine the phototoxicity and cytotoxicity of the nanocomposites. The cytotoxicity of the GO-Ag was confirmed via a methyl-thiazole-tetrazolium (MTT) assay and intracellular reactive oxygen species production analysis. The phototoxic effect explored the dose-dependent decrease in the cell viability, as well as provoked cell death via apoptosis. An enormously significant escalation of ¹O2 in the samples when exposed to daylight was perceived. Statistical analysis was performed on the experimental results to confirm the worth and clarity of the results, with p-values < 0.05 selected as significant. These outcomes suggest that GO-Ag nanocomposites could serve as potential candidates for targeted breast cancer therapy.

Photodynamic Effect of Ni Nanotubes on an HeLa Cell Line.

Nickel nanomaterials are promising in the biomedical field, especially in cancer diagnostics and targeted therapy, due to their distinctive chemical and physical properties. In this experiment, the toxicity of nickel nanotubes (Ni NTs) were tested in an in vitro cervical cancer model (HeLa cell line) to optimize the parameters of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for their greatest effectiveness. Ni NTs were synthesized by electrodeposition. Morphological analysis and magnetic behavior were examined using a Scanning electron microscope (SEM), an energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis. Phototoxic and cytotoxic effects of nanomaterials were studied using the Ni NTs alone as well as in conjugation with aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA); this was performed both in the dark and under laser exposure. Toxic effects on the HeLa cell model were evaluated by a neutral red assay (NRA) and by detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, 10-200 nM of Ni NTs was prepared in solution form and applied to HeLa cells in 96-well plates. Maximum toxicity of Ni NTs complexed with 5-ALA was observed at 100 J/cm2 and 200 nM. Up to 65-68% loss in cell viability was observed. Statistical analysis was performed on the experimental results to confirm the worth and clarity of results, with p-values = 0.003 and 0.000, respectively. Current results pave the way for a more rational strategy to overcome the problem of drug bioavailability in nanoparticulate targeted cancer therapy, which plays a dynamic role in clinical practice.