Synthesis of silver and copper nanoparticle using Spirulina platensis and evaluation of their anticancer activity.

The present research displays the green synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs). The aqueous solution of Spirulina platensis (blue green algae) source was used as a reducing and capping agent and this study assessed the cytotoxicity of Ag- and CuO-NPs on three cancer cell cultures: A549 (lung cancer), HCT (human colon cancer), Hep2 (laryngeal carcinoma cancer) and normal cell (WISH). For NPs characterization, the UV/Vis spectroscopy was used where their formation and crystallinity were proven with λmax values for Ag- and CuO-NPs of 425 and 234 nm, respectively. According to X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Ag-NPs were spherical in shape (size 2.23-14.68 nm) and CuO-NPs were small (size 3.75-12.4 nm). Zeta potential analysis showed the particles potential, which was recorded by -14.95 ± 4.31 mV for Ag-NPs and -21.63 ± 4.90 mV for CuO-NPs. After that, Ag- and CuO-NPs were assessed for anticancer properties against A549, HCT, Hep2 and WISH. IC50 of Ag-NPs recorded 15.67, 12.94, 3.8 and 10.44 µg/ml for WISH, A549, HCT and Hep2, respectively. IC50 for CuO-NPs was recorded as 32.64, 54.59, 3.98 and 20.56 µg/ml for WISH, A549, HCT and Hep2 cells, respectively. Safety limits for WISH and A549 were achieved 98.64% by 2.44 µg/ml and 83.43% by 4.88 µg/ml of Ag-NPs, and it was found to be 97.94% by 2.44 µg/ml against HCT, while that for Hep2 is 95.9% by 2.44 µg/ml. Concerning the anticancer effect of CuO-NPs, the safety limit was recorded as 88.70% by 2.44 and 98.48% by 4.88 µg/ml against WISH and A549, while HCT reached 89.92% by 2.44 µg/ml and Hep2 was 83.33% by 4.88 µg/ml. Green nanotechnology applications such as Ag-NPs and CuO-NPs have numerous benefits of ecofriendliness and compatibility for biomedical applications such as anticancer effects against cancer cells.

The efficient role of algae as green factories for nanotechnology and their vital applications.

Nanoscience has witnessed wide developments in various directions, in addition to its crossing through different vital medical and industrial applications. This prompted the development of green nanotechnology that is environmentally friendly with low toxicity, less energy use, and low eco-hazard. So, algae as green autotrophic organisms, gain increasing attention from nanotechnologists, giving a space for the arising of a new field "Algae nanotechnology", where the algae can be used either directly or via mimicry of their unique features and diversity. Algae can biosynthesis nanoparticles in intercellular or extracellular ways, depending on their cellular reactions inside the cells, their secondary metabolites, or extraction of the algal contents. The different ways of using algae for nanoparticles biosynthesis make it available to control the synthesizing of ecofriendly & biocompatible nanoparticles, with different types and morphologies. This review provides an overview of the previous efforts in this emerging field, giving a summary of the ability of algae in nanotechnology, besides future prospective of these trends in algal nanotechnology.

Antiviral activity of algae biosynthesized silver and gold nanoparticles against Herps Simplex (HSV-1) virus in vitro using cell-line culture technique.

As therapeutic antiviral agents, biological nanoparticles can fight the drug-resistant types of viruses helping the antiviral drug development. In this study, two blue-green algal strains; Oscillatoria sp. and Spirulina platensis were used, mediated by green Ag2O|AgO-NPs and Au-NPs, respectively. For NPs characterization, the UV/Vis spectroscopy were used where their formation and crystallinity were proven with λmax values for silver and gold NPs of 432 and 552 nm, respectively. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) X-ray diffraction showed a spherical-shaped Ag2O|AgO-NPs (size; 14.42 to 48.97) while Au-NPs appeared with octahedral, pentagonal and triangular structures (size; 15.60-77.13 nm). The reducing, capping, and stabilization activities of algal polysaccharides and proteins were indicated via FTIR spectroscopy. Both Ag2O|AgO-NPs and Au-NPs were investigated against Herpes Simplex virus (HSV-1) that has been indicated by its reduction activity of cytopathic effect (CPE). Cytotoxicity was evaluated on Vero cells and measured by MTT assay. Results showed a 90% reduction in CPE of HSV-1 applying Ag2O|AgO-NPs, and Au-NPs at 31.25 µL., with a high reduction rate (49.23%) with Ag2O|AgO-NPs than that of Au-NPs (42.75%). Current results proved the efficiency of green nanotechnology application with both Ag2O|AgO-NPs, and Au-NPs as reducing and inhibitory agents for the HSV-1 replication.