An intelligent DNA nanorobot for detection of MiRNAs cancer biomarkers using molecular programming to fabricate a logic-responsive hybrid nanostructure.

Herein, we designed a DNA framework-based intelligent nanorobot using toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction-based molecular programming and logic gate operation for the selective and synchronous detection of miR21 and miR125b, which are known as significant cancer biomarkers. Moreover, to investigate the applicability of our design, DNA nanorobots were implemented as capping agents onto the pores of MSNs. These agents can develop a logic-responsive hybrid nanostructure capable of specific drug release in the presence of both targets. The prosperous synthesis steps were verified by FTIR, XRD, BET, UV-visible, FESEM-EDX mapping, and HRTEM analyses. Finally, the proper release of the drug in the presence of both target microRNAs was studied. This Hybrid DNA Nanostructure was designed with the possibility to respond to any target oligonucleotides with 22 nucleotides length.

Nickel oxide nanoparticles synthesis using plant extract and evaluation of their antibacterial effects on Streptococcus mutans.

Dental decay is known in the world as the most common human infectious disease. Ascending process of dental caries index in the world shows the failure of oral disease prevention. Streptococcus mutans bacteria cause acid damage and tooth decay by producing acid over time. Nanomaterials with suitable functionality, high permeability, extremely large surface area, significant reactivity, unique mechanical features, and non-bacterial resistance can be considered as promising agents for antimicrobial and antiviral applications. In this study, nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles with size range from 2 to 16 nm containing Stevia natural sweetener were eco-friendly synthesized via a simple method. Additionally, their various concentrations were evaluated on S. mutans bacteria by applying the broth dilution method. The results demonstrated that these spherical NiO nanoparticles had efficient bacteriostatic activity on this gram-positive coccus.

Cytotoxicity properties of plant-mediated synthesized K-doped ZnO nanostructures.

In this study, potassium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (K-doped ZnO NPs) were green-synthesized using pine pollen extracts based on bioethics principles. The synthesized NPs were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles (NPs) on normal macrophage cells and cancer cell lines was evaluated. In the same concentrations of K-doped ZnO and pure ZnO NPs, K-doped ZnO NPs demonstrated higher toxicity. The results confirmed that the doped potassium could increase cytotoxicity. The IC50 of K-doped ZnO NPs, pure ZnO NPs, and the examined control drug were 497 ± 15, 769 ± 12, and 606 ± 19 µg/mL, respectively. Considering the obtained IC50 of K-doped ZnO NPs, they were more toxic to the cancer cell lines and had less cytotoxicity on normal macrophage cells.

Quantum dots against SARS-CoV-2: diagnostic and therapeutic potentials.

The application of quantum dots (QDs) for detecting and treating various types of coronaviruses is very promising, as their low toxicity and high surface performance make them superior among other nanomaterials; in conjugation with fluorescent probes they are promising semiconductor nanomaterials for the detection of various cellular processes and viral infections. In view of the successful results for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2, functional QDs could serve eminent role in the growth of safe nanotherapy for the cure of viral infections in the near future; their large surface areas help bind numerous molecules post-synthetically. Functionalized QDs with high functionality, targeted selectivity, stability and less cytotoxicity can be employed for highly sensitive co-delivery and imaging/diagnosis. Besides, due to the importance of safety and toxicity issues, QDs prepared from plant sources (e.g. curcumin) are much more attractive, as they provide good biocompatibility and low toxicity. In this review, the recent developments pertaining to the diagnostic and inhibitory potentials of QDs against SARS-CoV-2 are deliberated including important challenges and future outlooks. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Synthesis characterization of Zn-based MOF and their application in degradation of water contaminants.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are currently popular porous materials with research and application value in various fields such as medicine and engineering. Aiming at the application of MOFs in photocatalysis, this paper mainly reviews the main synthesis methods of ZnMOFs and the latest research progress of Zn MOF-based photocatalysts to degrade organic pollutants in water, such as organic dyes. This nanomaterial is being used to treat wastewater and has proven to be very efficient because of its exceptionally large surface area and porous nature. The results show that Zn-MOFs are capable of high degradation of the above pollutants and over 90% of degradation was observed in publications. In addition, the reusability percentage was examined and studies showed that the Zn-MOF nanostructure has very good stability and can continue to degrade a high percentage of pollutants after several cycles. This review focuses on Zn-MOFs and their composites. First, the methods of synthesis and characterization of these compounds are given. Finally, the application of these composites in the process of photocatalytic degradation of dye pollutants such as methylene blue, methyl orange, crystal violet, rhodamine B, etc. is explained.

Green synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles using Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seeds extract and studies of their photocatalytic activity and cytotoxicity effects.

The physical and chemical properties of Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) have attracted the attention of many and in this regard, this study was performed to produce NiO-NPs by the means of Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seeds extract as the capping agent. Physical and morphological features of the obtained NiO-NPs were examined through the application of TGA, FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, FESEM/EDAX/PSA, and VSM procedures. According to the FESEM/PSA images, the biosynthesized NiO-NPs contained a spherical shape and a size of about 30 nm, while the results of the EDAX study approved the existence of oxygen and nickel elements in the structure of this product. Furthermore, certain corresponding peaks to the crystal structure of NiO-NPs were observed throughout the XRD pattern. Next to the superparamagnetic behavior that was detected in the results of VSM analysis, the cytotoxicity effect of NiO-NPs was not reported to be dependent on concentration. Considering the high photocatalytic capacity along with the low cytotoxic effects of NiO-NPs, we can suggest the applicability of this product for various applications such as disease control and removal of residual toxins.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles: green synthesis using Banana peel, cytotoxic effect, UV protection and their photocatalytic activity.

Nanomaterials, as an active ingredient, have been widely deployed in various science and technological applications with zinc and titanium oxides nanoparticles being commonly applied in sunscreens. On similar lines, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) were synthesized using Musa sapientum peel extract, to investigate its cytotoxic effects, UV protection and photocatalytic activity. The synthesized nanoparticles were identified through Raman, Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX). FESEM results showed that the size of synthesized nanoparticles is in the range 4-13 nm. Their cytotoxic activity revealed a non-toxic behavior in concentrations below 500 µg/mL on lung (A549) cell lines. The Sun protection factor (SPF) was estimated approximately ~ 40 for synthesized CeO2-NPs. The survey of photocatalytic activity showed that synthesized nanoparticles can remove 81.7% of AO7 in 180 min under visible light.

Green synthesis of colloidal selenium nanoparticles in starch solutions and investigation of their photocatalytic, antimicrobial, and cytotoxicity effects.

In this research, we have offered a green and new synthesizing procedure for selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) through the utilization of Na2SeO3, in which starch has a role of stabilizer and capping agent, as the functionality of green reducing mediums is taken by glucose and ascorbic acid. According to the observations, this method has been capable of producing Se-NPs in lab conditions. Additionally, the synthesized Se-NPs can be separated from the aqueous solution of stabilizer and reducing agents by a high-speed. Certain analyzing procedures have been used to characterize the obtained particles including TEM, XRD, UV-VIS, DLS, FESEM, EDX, FTIR, and AFM. In this paper, we have investigated the antimicrobial and photocatalytic functionality of Se-NPs on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Methylene blue (MB) and according to the results, these particles have shown satisfying activity in both cases. To be stated in exact, about 60% of MB has degraded under UV light after 150 min, which indicates the acceptable position of Se-NPs could be applied for eliminating water pollutions. Moreover, the attained data on colorectal cancer SW480 cell lines in regards to the in vitro cytotoxicity assessments have exhibited non-toxic effects, which had lasted throughout concentrations that had measured up to even 100 µg/mL within MTT assay.

Magnetic cobalt oxide nanosheets: green synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity.

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles were prepared via green chemistry route and fully characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses; the CoO and Co3O4 nanoparticles, in sheet-shaped cobalt oxide form, ensued simultaneously in one step. The varying concentrations of NPs were analyzed via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test on the cancer cell line (U87) which revealed that with increasing concentration of cobalt oxide nanoparticles, the survival rate of U87 tumor cells decreases; IC50 of nanoparticles being ~ 55 µg/ml-1.

CeO2 foam-like nanostructure: biosynthesis and their efficient removal of hazardous dye.

In this study, CeO2 (cerium oxide) nanoparticles were synthesized using Pinus halepensis pollen and were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the ensuing CeO2 nanostructures, ranging in size from 5 to 25 nm, had high porosity. Synthesized CeO2 showed the effective catalytic activity towards the photocatalytic removal of dyes. In this work, the photocatalytic activity to removal dye (methyl violet 2B), in the absence of UV radiation, using cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NP) was determined. In this research, four main factors such as effect on color, concentration and pH were examined and maximum %R was obtained about was 97% in 75 min in presence of 50 mg of hydrogen peroxide.

Leishmanicidal activities of biosynthesized BaCO3 (witherite) nanoparticles and their biocompatibility with macrophages.

The aim of this study was cost-effective and greener synthesis of barium carbonate (BaCO3 or witherite) nanoparticles with economic importance, and to evaluate their therapeutic potentials and biocompatibility with immune cells. Barium carbonate nanoparticles were biosynthesized using black elderberry extract in one step with non-toxic precursors and simple laboratory conditions; their morphologies and specific structures were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX). The therapeutic capabilities of these nanoparticles on the immune cells of murine macrophages J774 and promastigotes Leishmania tropica were evaluated. BaCO3 nanoparticles with IC50 = 46.6 µg/mL were more effective than negative control and glucantium (positive control) in reducing promastigotes (P < 0.01). Additionally, these nanoparticles with a high value of cytotoxicity concentration 50% (CC50) were less toxic to macrophage cells than glucantime; however, they were significantly different at high concentrations compared to the negative control.

Inhibition of miR-155 in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line by gold nanoparticles functionalized with antagomir and AS1411 aptamer.

MicroRNAs are key factors for many biological functions. These regulatory molecules affect various gene networks and involve the subsequent signaling pathways. Therefore, disrupting the expression of these molecules is associated with multiple anomalies in the cells and body. One of the most important related abnormalities is the incidence of cancer. Thus, targeting microRNAs (miRNAs) is an effective approach for cancer gene therapy. Various factors are used for this purpose, including the antagomir nucleotide structure. There are some obstacles in the delivery of nucleotide therapeutics to the target cells, however, the use of nanoparticles could partly overcome these defeciencies. On the other hand, targeted delivery of antagomirs using aptamers, reduces nonspecific effects on nontarget cells. Considering the above, in this study, we designed and fabricated a nanocarrier composed of gold nanoparticles (GNPs), antagomir-155, and nucleolin specific aptamer for breast cancer study and therapy. Here, GNPs were synthesized using citrate reduction and were modified by polyA sequences, AS1411 aptamer, and antagomir-155. Attachment of molecules were confirmed using gel electrophoresis, atomic force microscopy imaging and electrochemical test. The specific entry of modified nanoparticles was investigated by fluorescence microscopy. The efficacy of modified nanoparticles was evaluated using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) for miR-155 and its target gene. Efficient and specific delivery of AuNP-Apt-anti-miR-155 to target cells was confirmed in comparison with the control cell. The q-PCR analysis showed not only a significant decrease in mir-155 levels but also an elevated TP53INP1 mRNA, direct target of miR-155. The proposed structure inhibits proliferation and stimulates apoptosis by increasing the expression of TP53INP1. Our results suggest that AuNP-Apt-anti-miR-155 could be a promising nano constructor for breast cancer treatment.

Potential drugs used in the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) architecture for cancer therapy.

Cytotoxic small-molecule drugs have a major influence on the fate of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). An ideal cytotoxic agent should be highly potent, remain stable while linked to ADCs, kill the targeted tumor cell upon internalization and release from the ADCs, and maintain its activity in multidrug-resistant tumor cells. Lessons learned from successful and failed experiences in ADC development resulted in remarkable progress in the discovery and development of novel highly potent small molecules. A better understanding of such small-molecule drugs is important for development of effective ADCs. The present review discusses requirements making a payload appropriate for antitumor ADCs and focuses on the main characteristics of commonly-used cytotoxic payloads that showed acceptable results in clinical trials. In addition, the present study represents emerging trends and recent advances of payloads used in ADCs currently under clinical trials.

Tragacanth-mediate synthesis of NiO nanosheets for cytotoxicity and photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes.

In this study, NiO nanosheets have been manufactured using a co-precipitation approach that involved the usage of nickel nitrate (Ni (NO3)2.6H2O) as the raw material and tragacanth in the role of a stabilizing agent. NiO nanosheets have been fabricated through the reduction of nickel nitrate solution that had been obtained by the application of aqueous extract of tragacanth, which is capable of functioning as a reducing and stabilizing agent. In the following, the physical and chemical properties of tragacanth-stabilized NiO nanosheets have been identified via FESEM, EDS, XRD, UV-Vis, and FT-IR techniques. According to the XRD pattern, these particular nanosheets have contained a cubic structure and group space Fm3m, along with the average size of about 18 to 43 nm that had been in agreement with the FESEM measurements. In addition, we have evaluated the photocatalytic activity of tragacanth-stabilized NiO nanosheets on the degradations of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes. The performed photocatalytic assessment has displayed that the nanosheets can degrade 82% of MO within 210 min and 60% of MB in 300 min. The cytotoxicity of tragacanth-stabilized NiO nanosheets on human Glioblastoma cancer (U87MG) cell lines has been investigated via the MTT assay, while it has been detected in the obtained results that the inhibitory concentration (IC50) had been 125 µg/mL.

Efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa essential oil to inactivate hydatid cyst protoscoleces.

BACKGROUND: One of the most important ways to cure hydatid cysts is surgery. Today, available chemical drugs have shown severe complications during hydatid cyst surgery. Here we investigated theefficacy and safety of Curcuma longa (C. longa) essential oil (CLEO) against hydatid cysts protoscoleces. METHODS: Here, the collected protoscoleces from fertile hydatid cysts were exposed to different concentrations of the CLEO (50-200 µl/mL) for 5-30 min in vitro and ex vivo. In addition, male NIH mice (48 mice) were applied to examine the safety of CLEO. RESULTS: All protoscoleces were completely killed in 5th min of treatment to the doses of 200 µl /mL of CLEO. On the other hand, in the 10th min of treatment, CLEO entirely killed 100% of protoscoleces at the dose of 100 µL/mL. Other doses of CLEO, but, revealed a postponed activity. Although CLEO at the doses of 50, and 100 µL/mL exhibited no similar effect in the ex vivo analysis; but, at the dose of 200 µL/mL and an exposure time of 5 min, approximately 100% of protoscoleces were destroyed into the cyst. We found that after intra-peritoneal injection of the CLEO for 14 days, although blood and biochemical parameters were changed; but there was no significant difference in comparison with the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This research demonstrated that C. longa revealed the promising scolicidal effects against protoscoleces in vitro and in vivo, of course, after additional tests; it might be considered as an herbal scolicidal drug in order to decrease the threat of discharge of protoscoleces through hydatid cyst surgery. Nevertheless, supplementary studies will be desired to prove the current findings by examination the essential oil in a clinical setting.

Cockroach wings-promoted safe and greener synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their insecticidal activity.

Simpler and biocompatible greener approaches for the assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) have been the focus lately which have minimum environmental damage and often entails the use of natural biomolecules to synthesize NPs. Such greener synthesis of nanoparticles has capitalized on the use of microbes, fungi, and plants using biological resources. In this study, Periplaneta americana (American cockroach) wings' extract (chitin-rich) is studied as a novel biomaterial for the first time to synthesize silver NPs (less than 50 nm); chitin is the second most abundant polymer after cellulose on earth. The physicochemical properties of these NPs were analyzed using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The insecticidal effect of ensuing NPs was examined on the mortality of Aphis gossypii under laboratory conditions; 48 h after treatments of A. gossypii with silver NPs (100 µg/ml), the mortality rate in treated aphids was about 40% (an average), while an average percentage of losses in the control sample was about 10%. These results indicate the lethal effect of green-synthesized silver NPs on A. gossypii, in vitro. Greener synthesis of silver nanoparticles using American cockroach wings and their insecticidal activities.

Nickel-Doped Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis Using Stevia and Protective Effect against Harmful Ultraviolet Rays.

Nanoparticles of cerium oxide CeO2 are important nanomaterials with remarkable properties for use in both industrial and non-industrial fields. In a general way, doping of oxide nanometric with transition metals improves the properties of nanoparticles. In this study, nickel- doped cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from Stevia rebaudiana extract. Both doped and non-doped nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray, Raman spectroscopy, and Vibrating-Sample Magnetometry analysis. According to X-ray diffraction, Raman and Energy Dispersive X-ray crystalline and single phase of CeO2 and Ni doped CeO2 nanoparticles exhibiting fluorite structure with F2g mode were synthesized. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy shows that CeO2 and Ni doped nanoparticles have spherical shape and sizes ranging of 8 to 10 nm. Ni doping of CeO2 results in an increasing of magnetic properties. The enhancement of ultraviolet protector character via Ni doping of CeO2 is also discussed.

Naltrexone; as an efficient adjuvant in induction of Th1 immunity and protection against Fasciola hepatica infection.

Toxic effects of available therapeutics are major drawbacks for conventional management approaches in parasitic infections. Vaccines have provided a promising opportunity to obviate such unwanted complications. In present study, we examined immune augmenting capacities of an emerging adjuvant, Naltrexone, against Fasciola hepatica infection in BALB/c mice. Seventy BALB/c mice were divided into five experimental groups (14 mice per group) including 1- control (received PBS), 2- vaccine (immunized with F. hepatica E/S antigens), 3- Alum-vaccine (immunized with Alum adjuvant and E/S antigens), 4- NLT-vaccine (immunized with NLT adjuvant and E/S antigens), and 5- Alum-NLT-vaccine (immunized with mixed Alum-NLT adjuvant and E/S antigens). Lymphocyte stimulation index was assessed by MTT assay. Production of IFN-γ, IL-4, IgG2a and IgG1 was assessed by ELISA method. Results showed that NLT, either alone or in combination with alum, can induce immune response toward production of IFN-γ and IgG2a as representatives of Th1 immune response. Also, using this adjuvant in immunization experiment was associated with significantly high proliferative response of splenocytes/lymphocytes. Utilization of mixed Alum-NLT adjuvant revealed the highest protection rate (73.8%) in challenge test of mice infected with F. hepatica. These findings suggest the potential role of NLT as an effective adjuvant in induction of protective cellular and Th1 immune responses against fasciolosis.

Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesis Using Alhagi Maurorum Leaf Extract and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxic Effect on Breast Cancer Cell Lines and Antibacterial Effects.

INTRODUCTION: Green synthesis offers a fast, simple, and economical method for producing metallic nanoparticles.The basis of this method is to obtain nanoparticles using natural materials, such as plants, fungi, and bacteria, instead of harmful and expensive chemical-reducing agents. In this study, CeO2NPs were produced using Alhagi maurorum extract, and their anticancer and antibacterial activities were evaluated. METHOD: Alhagi maurorum extract was prepared according to a previously described protocol, and CeO2NPs were synthesized from the salt of this extract. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of the nanoparticles were measured by MIC, MBC, and MTT assays, respectively. The results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Prism software. RESULTS: The MTT assay on breast cancer cell lines showed that the cytotoxic effect of CeO2NPs on cell lines was concentration-dependent. In addition, this nanoparticle was more effective against Gram-positive bacteria. CONCLUSION: These nanoparticles can be used as cancer drug delivery systems with specific targeting at low concentrations in addition to anticancer treatments. It can also have biological and medicinal applications, such as natural food preservation and wound dressing.