Search

Arundo donax, an indigenous plant in the Mediterranean region, has affected the growth of native vegetation as an invasive plant, ultimately reducing soil quality and affecting the food chain in several areas of the world. Thus, the present work aims to obtain cellulose from the A. donax leaf extract via organosolv fractionation and bleaching method, followed by centrifugal fractionation to yield nanocellulose of moderately monodispersed (0.428 PDI) 91.2 nm in size and a zeta potential of -35.5 mV of high stability in aqueous medium (water). In addition, the resultant nanocellulose was formulated in ballistic gelatin hydrogel, and their antidiabetic effect via alpha-amylase enzyme inhibition activity was also investigated. Systematic characterization of the hydrogel samples (different volume ratios of gelatin and nanocellulose) revealed that the sample with 18:2 (v/v) gelatin:nanocellulose content is thermally stable until 152 °C, releasing nanocellulose for three days from hydrogel until 45 °C. This study confirms the feasibility and potential of utilizing invasive plant species to extract nanocellulose for medical purposes. Furthermore, the gelatin-formulated nanocellulose, with its demonstrated alpha-amylase inhibition activity at a dosage of 80 µg/mL, holds the promise of being a potential revolutionary medical gummy for sustained reduction of blood glucose levels.

Breast cancer (BC) ranks among the most diagnosed solid tumors worldwide. For decades, significant research efforts have been dedicated to finding selective treatments for these solid tumors. Currently, the primary treatment method for BC involves surgery, with the subsequent utilization of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, these subsequent treatments often fall short of effectively treating BC due to their side effects and harm to healthy tissues. Today, a range of nanoparticles are being developed to target BC cells without affecting the surrounding healthy tissues. This in-depth review, based on studies, seeks to shed light on these specially designed nanoparticles and their potential in BC treatment. Typically, therapeutic drugs or naturally occurring bioactive compounds are incorporated into precisely crafted nanoparticles. This enhances their solubility, longevity in the bloodstream, and distribution in the body while also minimizing side effects and immune reactions. Nanoparticles have been designed to address the shortcomings of standalone therapeutics and traverse various biological obstacles spanning the systemic, microenvironmental, and cellular that differ among patients and diseases. We prioritize breakthroughs in nanoparticle design to surpass diverse delivery obstacles and believe that smart nanoparticle engineering not only enhances effectiveness for general delivery but also allows customized solutions for specific needs, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients.

Nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles have emerged as promising nanocarriers for the target-specific delivery and improved bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. Janus particles, with two distinct regions exhibiting different physical and chemical properties, provide a unique platform for the simultaneous delivery of multiple drugs or tissue-specific targeting. Conversely, dendrimers are branched, nanoscale polymers with well-defined surface functionalities that can be designed for improved drug targeting and release. Both Janus particles and dendrimers have demonstrated their potential to improve the solubility and stability of poorly water-soluble drugs, increase the intracellular uptake of drugs, and reduce their toxicity by controlling the release rate. The surface functionalities of these nanocarriers can be tailored to specific targets, such as overexpressed receptors on cancer cells, leading to enhanced drug efficacy The design of these nanocarriers can be optimized by tuning the size, shape, and surface functionalities, among other parameters. The incorporation of Janus and dendrimer particles into composite materials to create hybrid systems for enhancing drug delivery, leveraging the unique properties and functionalities of both materials, can offer promising outcomes. Nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles hold great promise for the delivery and improved bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. Further research is required to optimize these nanocarriers and bring them to the clinical setting to treat various diseases. This article discusses various nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles for target-specific delivery and bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. In addition, the development of Janus-dendrimer hybrid nanoparticles to address some limitations of standalone nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles is discussed.

Cuttlefish bones are an inexpensive source of calcium carbonate, which are produced in large amounts by the marine food industry, leading to environmental contamination and waste. The nontoxicity, worldwide availability and low production cost of cuttlefish bone products makes them an excellent calcium carbonate precursor for the fabrication of hydroxyapatite. In the present study, a novel oil-bath-mediated precipitation method was introduced for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (Hap) nanorods using cuttlefish bone powder as a precursor (CB-Hap NRs). The obtained CB-Hap NRs were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques to evaluate their physicochemical properties. The crystallite size (20.86 nm) obtained from XRD data and the elemental analysis (Ca/P molar ratio was estimated to be 1.6) showed that the Hap NRs are similar to that of natural human bone (≈1.67). Moreover, the FTIR data confirmed the presence of phosphate as a functional group and the TGA data revealed the thermal stability of Hap NRs. In addition, the antibacterial study showed a significant inhibitory effect of CB-Hap NRs against S. aureus (zone of inhibition – 14.5 ± 0.5 mm) and E. coli (13 ± 0.5 mm), whereas the blood compatibility test showed that the CB-Hap NRs exhibited a concentration-mediated hemolytic effect. These biogenic CB-Hap NRs with improved physicochemical properties, blood compatibility and antibacterial efficacy could be highly beneficial for orthopedic applications in the future.

Janus particles have emerged as a novel and smart material that could improve pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery, and theranostics. Janus particles have two distinct compartments that differ in functionality, physicochemical properties, and morphological characteristics, among other conventional particles. Recently, Janus particles have attracted considerable attention as effective particulate drug delivery systems as they can accommodate two opposing pharmaceutical agents that can be engineered at the molecular level to achieve better target affinity, lower drug dosage to achieve a therapeutic effect, and controlled drug release with improved pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. This article discusses the development of Janus particles for tailored and improved delivery of pharmaceutical agents for diabetes treatment and antimicrobial applications. It provides an account of advances in the synthesis of Janus particles from various materials using different approaches. It appraises Janus particles as a promising particulate system with the potential to improve conventional delivery systems, providing a better loading capacity and targeting specificity whilst promoting multi-drugs loading and single-dose-drug administration.

Peptides are short sequences of proteins consisting of two or more amino acids that are linked by peptide bonds. Peptide-based designs and drug deliveries can offer several advantages, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive activities, along with immunomodulatory and antithrombotic properties, with hormone or drug-like potential. Peptide-based therapeutic formulations are used as drug candidates for the treatment of various diseases. However, there are several concerns associated with the efficacy of peptides in pharmaceutical design and delivery, including rapid degradation, limited solubility, and poor permeability. The nanoformulation of peptides has been identified as a promising approach for improving the stability of peptides and providing metabolic stability and bioavailability. This article provides an overview of the advances in the development of peptides for drug design and formulation applications. It discusses various peptide nanoformulation approaches as well as recent developments in the in vitro and in vivo analyses of nanoformulated peptides for pharmaceutical applications.

2020 and 2021 were disastrous years across the world, with the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) virus as a pandemic, which continues to be a top global health issue. There are still many countries and regions struggling to fight coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and, with the emergence of the various variants of the virus, we are still far from considering this global pandemic over. In addition to having good diagnostic tools and a variety of vaccines with high efficacy, it is of utmost importance to develop effective antiviral drugs or therapies to battle COVID-19. Aptamers known as the next-generation targeting elements can offer promising opportunities in developing antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2. This is owing to their high specificity and affinity, making them ideal for targeting ligands and neutralizers to impede both, viral entry and replication or even further enhance the anti-infection effects in the infected host cells. Also, aptamers are extremely attractive as they can be rapidly synthesized and scalable with a lower production cost. This work provides in-depth discussions on the potential of aptamers in therapeutic applications, their mode of action, and current progress on the use of aptamer-based therapies against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. The article also discusses the limitations associated with aptamer-based SARS-CoV-2-antiviral therapy with several proposed ideas to resolve them. Lastly, theranostic applications of aptamer nanoformulated dendrimers against viral infections are discussed.

Invention of novel nanomaterials guaranteeing enhanced biomedical performance in diagnostics and therapeutics, is a perpetual initiative. In this regard, the upsurge and widespread usage of nanoparticles is a ubiquitous phenomenon, focusing predominantly on the application of submicroscopic (< 100 nm) particles. While this is facilitated attributing to their wide range of benefits, a major challenge is to create and maintain a balance, by alleviating the associated toxicity levels. In this minireview, we collate and discuss particularly recent advancements in therapeutic applications of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in skin and cosmetic applications. On the one hand, we outline the dermatological intrusions, including applications in wound healing. On the other hand, we keep track of the recent trends in the development of cosmeceuticals via nanoparticle engrossments. The dermato-cosmetic applications of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles encompass diverse aspects, including targeted, controlled drug release, and conferring ultraviolet and antimicrobial protections to the skin. Additionally, we deliberate on the critical aspects in comprehending the advantage of rheological assessments, while characterizing the nanoparticulate systems. As an illustration, we single out psoriasis, to capture and comment on the nanodermatology-based curative standpoints. Finally, we lay a broad outlook and examine the imminent prospects.

Recent developments in nanotechnology has increased the market value of nanoproducts in various industries. This has increased concerns associated with potential toxicity of nanoproducts to humans and the environments. Even though, green and biosynthesized nanoparticles are considered to be less toxic than chemically synthesized nanoparticles, they still possess some level of toxicity. Conventional toxicity assessments via human cells, live animals such as rat, frog or rabbit have several drawbacks including ethical issue and challenges involving the maintenance and development of cell cultures. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a transparent vertebrate fish that can reproduce rapidly. Its larvae develop in 5 days up to 3-5 cm long. It also possesses about 69% similar genetic profile, molecular mechanism, cell development and organ physiology as humans. Hence, it has the potential to be utilized as an alternative to humans or live animal models for initial drug screening and toxicity tests. European Union, USFDA and ICH have approved the use of zebrafish for toxicological evaluation of pharmaceutical products including nanomedicines. The article presents for the potential of zebrafish in preclinical evaluation of the toxicity of nanomaterials. It also discusses other potential applications, including medical imaging and environmental toxicity.

Dental implants resemble synthetic materials, mainly designed as teeth-mimics to replace the damaged or irregular teeth. Specifically, they are demarcated as a surgical fixture of artificial implant materials, which are placed into the jawbone, and are allowed to be fused with the bone, similar to natural teeth. Dental implants may be categorized into endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic classes, based on the placement of the implant “in the bone” or on top of the jawbone, under the gum tissue. In general, titanium and its alloys have found everyday applications as common, successful dental implant materials. However, these materials may also undergo corrosion and wear, which can lead to degradation into their ionic states, deposition in the surrounding tissues, as well as inflammation. Consequently, nanomaterials are recently introduced as a potential alternative to replace the conventional titanium-based dental implants. However, nanomaterials synthesized via physical and chemical approaches are either costly, non/less biocompatible, or toxic to the bone cells. Hence, biosynthesized nanomaterials, or bionanomaterials, are proposed in recent studies as potential non-toxic dental implant candidates. Further, nanobiomaterials with plant origins, such as nanocelluloses, nanometals, nanopolymers, and nanocarbon materials, are identified to possess enhanced biocompatibility, bioavailability and no/less cytotoxicity with antimicrobial efficacy at low costs and ease of fabrication. In this minireview, we present an outline of recent nanobiomaterials that are extensively investigated for dental implant applications. Additionally, we discuss their action mechanisms, applicability, and significance as dental implants, shortcomings, and future perspectives.

Nanoparticles are of great importance in development and research because of their application in industries and biomedicine. The development of nanoparticles requires proper knowledge of their fabrication, interaction, release, distribution, target, compatibility, and functions. This review presents a comprehensive update on nanoparticles’ toxic effects, the factors underlying their toxicity, and the mechanisms by which toxicity is induced. Recent studies have found that nanoparticles may cause serious health effects when exposed to the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact without caution. The extent to which toxicity is induced depends on some properties, including the nature and size of the nanoparticle, the surface area, shape, aspect ratio, surface coating, crystallinity, dissolution, and agglomeration. In all, the general mechanisms by which it causes toxicity lie on its capability to initiate the formation of reactive species, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, among others.

Nanomaterials are becoming important materials in several fields and industries thanks to their very reduced size and shape-related features. Scientists think that nanoparticles and nanostructured materials originated during the Big Bang process from meteorites leading to the formation of the universe and Earth. Since 1990, the term nanotechnology became very popular due to advances in imaging technologies that paved the way to specific industrial applications. Currently, nanoparticles and nanostructured materials are synthesized on a large scale and are indispensable for many industries. This fact fosters and supports research in biochemistry, biophysics, and biochemical engineering applications. Recently, nanotechnology has been combined with other sciences to fabricate new forms of nanomaterials that could be used, for instance, for diagnostic tools, drug delivery systems, energy generation/storage, environmental remediation as well as agriculture and food processing. In contrast with traditional materials, specific features can be integrated into nanoparticles, nanostructures, and nanosystems by simply modifying their scale, shape, and composition. This article first summarizes the history of nanomaterials and nanotechnology. Followed by the progress that led to improved synthesis processes to produce different nanoparticles and nanostructures characterized by specific features. The content finally presents various origins and sources of nanomaterials, synthesis strategies, their toxicity, risks, regulations, and self-aggregation.

Nanomaterials (NMs) have gained prominence in technological advancements due to their tunable physical, chemical and biological properties with enhanced performance over their bulk counterparts. NMs are categorized depending on their size, composition, shape, and origin. The ability to predict the unique properties of NMs increases the value of each classification. Due to increased growth of production of NMs and their industrial applications, issues relating to toxicity are inevitable. The aim of this review is to compare synthetic (engineered) and naturally occurring nanoparticles (NPs) and nanostructured materials (NSMs) to identify their nanoscale properties and to define the specific knowledge gaps related to the risk assessment of NPs and NSMs in the environment. The review presents an overview of the history and classifications of NMs and gives an overview of the various sources of NPs and NSMs, from natural to synthetic, and their toxic effects towards mammalian cells and tissue. Additionally, the types of toxic reactions associated with NPs and NSMs and the regulations implemented by different countries to reduce the associated risks are also discussed.

Nanocelluloses are promising bio-nano-materials for use as water treatment materials in environmental protection and remediation. Over the past decades, they have been integrated via novel nanoengineering approaches for water treatment processes. This review aims at giving an overview of nanocellulose requirements concerning emerging nanotechnologies of waster treatments and purification, i.e., adsorption, absorption, flocculation, photocatalytic degradation, disinfection, antifouling, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. Firstly, the nanocellulose synthesis methods (mechanical, physical, chemical, and biological), unique properties (sizes, geometries, and surface chemistry) were presented and their use for capturing and removal of wastewater pollutants was explained. Secondly, different chemical modification approaches surface functionalization (with functional groups, polymers, and nanoparticles) for enhancing the surface chemistry of the nanocellulose for enabling the effective removal of specific pollutants (suspended particles, microorganisms, hazardous metals ions, organic dyes, drugs, pesticides fertilizers, and oils) were highlighted. Thirdly, new fabrication approaches (solution casting, thermal treatment, electrospinning, 3D printing) that integrated nanocelluloses (spherical nanoparticles, nanowhiskers, nanofibers) to produce water treatment materials (individual composite nanoparticles, hydrogels, aerogels, sponges, membranes, and nanopapers) were covered. Finally, the major challenges and future perspectives concerning the applications of nanocellulose based materials in water treatment and purification were highlighted.

Microalgae are an excellent source of bioactive compounds for the production of a wide range of vital consumer products in the biofuel, pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, and agricultural industries, in addition to huge upstream benefits relating to carbon dioxide biosequestration and wastewater treatment. However, energy-efficient, cost-effective, and scalable microalgal technologies for commercial-scale applications are limited, and this has significantly impacted the full-scale implementation of microalgal biosystems for bioproduct development, phycoremediation, and biorefinery applications. Microalgae culture dewatering continues to be a major challenge to large-scale biomass generation, and this is primarily due to the low cell densities of microalgal cultures and the small hydrodynamic size of microalgal cells. With such biophysical characteristics, energy-intensive solid–liquid separation processes such as centrifugation and filtration are generally used for continuous generation of biomass in large-scale settings, making dewatering a major contributor to the microalgae bioprocess economics. This article analyzes the potential of electroflotation as a cost-effective dewatering process that can be integrated into microalgae bioprocesses for continuous biomass production. Electroflotation hinges on the generation of fine bubbles at the surface of an electrode system to entrain microalgal particulates to the surface. A modification of electroflotation, which combines electrocoagulation to catalyze the coalescence of microalgae cells before gaseous entrainment, is also discussed. A technoeconomic appraisal of the prospects of electroflotation compared with other dewatering technologies is presented.