Current Nanomaterials - Volume 8, Issue 1, 2023

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers in women worldwide, and despite significant improvements in treatment modalities, the prognosis of this cancer is still poor. Herbs and plant extracts have been associated with various health benefits, and traditional folk medicine is still receiving great interest among patients as proven by accumulated records, tolerable side effects of herbal compounds compared to their synthetic counterparts, and low cost. Curcumin is a polyphenol identified as the main active ingredient in turmeric and has been used in the treatment of various diseases and ailments. Additionally, the pharmacological activities of curcumin on many cancers have been investigated substantially due to its ability to regulate many signaling pathways involved in cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, the low solubility and bioavailability of curcumin limit its benefits, urging the need for new curcumin formulations and delivery systems. Nanotechnology has been widely publicized in cancer treatment not only to overcome the limitations of poorly soluble and physiologically unstable compounds but also to improve the delivery of the drug to the diseased site and cellular uptake. In this review, we summarized the main anti-tumor effect of curcumin and its mode of action on breast cancer and focused on the anticancer efficacy of various and recent curcumin nanoformulations and delivery systems. Such nanotechnological systems could pave the way to address a new future direction in this research area, enhancing the therapeutic potential of curcumin in the treatment of breast cancer. In the next few years, there will be more focus on developing curcumin-based materials for breast cancer treatment.

Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) are considered second-generation lipid-based pharmaceutical formulations in drug delivery systems. It is a more efficient drug delivery system that includes the development of a nano-particulate system, and it is superior to the conventional drug delivery system. Among all available nanoparticles, NLC has gained more attention due to its superior characteristics, such as being lipophilic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. This lipid nanoparticulate system is more advantageous over liposomes, microparticles, emulsions, and solid lipid nanoparticles. NLCs have emerged as a promising carrier for the delivery of targeted drug substances via oral, parenteral, topical, pulmonary, transdermal, and ocular routes. These nanocarriers are utilized for the delivery of both lipophilic as well as hydrophilic drugs. NLCs are composed of a matrix of physiological lipids, i.e., solid lipid and liquid lipid, emulsifiers, and water. NLCs provide an opportunity for large-scale production, ease of preparation with enhanced encapsulation, targeted efficiency, and reduced toxic effects. This review is focused on the advantages, limitations, methods of preparation, characterization, and applications of NLCs.

Background: The present world population is about 7.9 billion and it is increasing continuously. Thus, there is an urgent requirement to enhance the agricultural output sustainably. Agricultural approaches such as the use of advanced agriculture methods, high productivity varieties, and enhanced application of fertilizers and pesticides have significantly increased food grain production but in an unsustainable way. Chemical-based conventional fertilizers and pesticides have been found associated with environmental pollution and other unwanted effects on the ecosystem, soil quality, soil microflora, etc. Nanomaterials may be used to replace conventional fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. Objective: The aim of this review is to provide information about the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the use of nanomaterials in agriculture. Including this, the health risks of nanomaterials are discussed. Method: This review article includes a survey of literature from different online sources (for example, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, etc.). Results: The improvement in agricultural output using chemical fertilizers and pesticides is considered unsustainable as it is increasing the cost of production, affecting the soil quality, disturbing nutrient availability in crops, and causing environmental pollution. Nanotechnology is a potent innovative practice and nanomaterials may be used in agriculture as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and nanosensors. Although these approaches have the potential to enhance agricultural productivity in a sustainable way, nanomaterials are also assumed to exhibit potential health risks to humans. Reports have indicated that nanomaterials have been found associated with many systematic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, neurotoxicity, and toxicity to the reproductive system, etc. Conclusion: It is well accepted that chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture cause environmental toxicity and affect ecosystem activity. Nanomaterials have the potential to enhance agricultural output, but these are also associated with health risks. Thus, detailed scientific studies must be conducted about the potential health risk of nanomaterials before their commercial applications in agriculture.

Background: Green approach is among the preferable methods for metal-based nanoparticles synthesis due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, eco-friendly reagents, and a broad spectrum of biological activities. This study aimed to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles using Eichhornia Crassipes (Water hyacinth) leaf extract in an eco-friendly manner. Methods: Copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using Eichhornia Crassipes (Water hyacinth) leaf extract. The effect of different parameters, such as concentration of the plant extract, time, light, and pH, on the formation of the nanoparticles was investigated. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, and P-XRD spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial and photocatalytic activities of the synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles were determined. Results: Powder X-Ray diffraction analysis (PXRD) showed that the copper oxide nanoparticles have a size of 9.1 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images displayed that the Nps were spherical, polydispersed, and well crystallized. The nanoparticles displayed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella typhi, with the highest activity against Salmonella typhi. Conclusion: Copper oxide nanoparticles were effectively synthesized, and secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenols, acted as both capping and stabilizing agents. The good antibacterial and photocatalytic activities of the synthesized nanoparticles indicated their potential for applications in pharmacology and environmental protections, respectively. However, the product needs further investigation to enhance its antibacterial potential for efficient pharmacological application.

Background: Amongst the different spinel cobaltites investigated to date, the FeCo2O4 phase has been relatively less studied in detail despite the potential applications in several areas. As the nanostructured spinels are sensitive to the processing conditions, we have extended our research interest in FeCo2O4 phase materials. Objective: The objective of this study is (i) to synthesize the FeCo2O4 nanomaterials by different approaches using different precursors and (ii) to investigate the structural, thermal, optical, and microstructural properties of different materials by various characterization techniques. Methods: Different approaches such as hexamine-assisted combustion synthesis, co-precipitation, and solvothermal methods were employed to obtain FeCo2O4 nanomaterials using different precursors. Results: The XRD pattern of the as-prepared product of the solvothermal method is significantly different from other processed as-prepared products. The annealed FeCo2O4 materials obtained by coprecipitation using nitrates and/or chlorides showed nearly a single phase of FeCo2O4 nanomaterials. Conclusion: The phase formation of FeCo2O4 materials is sensitive to the presently employed synthesis conditions. The XRD patterns confirmed the deficient crystalline nature of the as-prepared materials produced by sol-gel combustion and co-precipitation methods. The annealed materials obtained by the co-precipitation using nitrates and chlorides showed nearly a single FeCo2O4 phase. The observed particle sizes of the FeCo2O4 phase materials are octahedral shaped with different sizes of 89 to 344 nm. The optical property studied using the FT-IR technique shows IR bands at 500 ∼ 630 cm^-1.

Aim: AgSn alloys of different compositions were prepared by direct mixing with silver nanoparticles, and synthesized, in turn, by an environmentally friendly method. Methods: The procedure was carried out by following the standard technique for preparing dental materials and devices. A detailed mechanical characterization, including the maximum elongation at break, the ultimate tensile strength and the hardness of the resulting nanocomposites, was obtained and numerically fitted by statistically significant equations. Results: The results showed improved mechanical performance, as compared to standard materials used in dentistry, in particular, amalgams. Conclusion: The procedure described allows to produce low-cost materials with tailored mechanical properties.

Background: Treatment used for cancer is generally associated with serious side effects. New solutions for cancer therapy can overcome the shortcomings and problems of conventional therapies by designing drug delivery nanosystems. Methods: In this study, magnetic Fe3O4@AU@albumin core-shell-shell (CSS) nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by various analyses, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetization (VSM). Podophyllotoxin (PPT) was then loaded on magnetic nanoparticles as an anti-cancer drug and its effect on HT-29 and MCF-7 cell lines was evaluated using an MTT assay. Results: The crystallinity of synthesized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD analysis. Next, a layer of gold was coated with the Fe3O4 MNPs. The UV-Vis analysis of core-shell nanoparticles (iron oxide/gold) confirmed the successful synthesis of these nanoparticles. The surface of the core-shell nanoparticles was then coated with albumin to load the drug. TEM image confirmed the existence of albumin nanoparticles loaded with core-shell magnetic nanoparticles. VSM analysis revealed that iron oxide, Fe3O4@AU, and Fe3O4@AU@albumin nanoparticles have the highest magnetic properties, respectively. After the synthesis of PPT loaded onto MNP, the loading efficiency was found to be 50%. The IC50 values of PPT alone and loaded onto nanoparticles on MCF-7 cells after 24 hours were 3085.75 and 1868.09 nM, respectively, which were significantly toxic (P-value ≤ 0.05) but not significant after 48 hours. The PPT loaded on nanoparticles was found to be significantly more toxic to HT-29 cells after 24 and 48 h than PPT alone (P-value ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The anticancer drug of PPT-loaded MNPs has significant advantages over PPT alone due to its improved properties with appropriate cytotoxic activity. Thus, the PPT-loaded MNPs may be considered effective anti-cancer agents for further research on drug development.

Background: Cinacalcet HCl is a calcimimetic, BCS class IV drug with low oral bioavailability. Polymeric nanoparticles are widely used as biomaterials owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, varied structures, low toxicity, and simple and easy formulation process. Objective: The aim of the study was to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug, i.e., cinacalcet HCl, by using a suitable particulate nanocarrier system, i.e., polymeric nanoparticles. Methods: Biodegradable Cinacalcet HCl (CH)-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation method using Poloxamer-188 as a stabilizer. The experimental parameters, like polymer concentration, stabilizer concentration, temperature, and RPM speed, were optimized. An optimized polymeric nanoparticle formulation PNP (F8) was solidified by adsorption on the porous carrier sylysia 350. Results: PNP (F8) exhibited a particle size of 155 nm with low PDI (0.231) and high zeta potential (- 21.3 mV). In vitro diffusion study revealed sustained release of CH for 24 h for both PNP (F8) and solidified PNP (F8). Pharmacokinetics after oral administration of PNP (F8) and solidified PNP (F8) exhibited a 5-fold increase in bioavailability. Thus, both PNP (F8) and solidified PNP (F8) showed significant improvement in oral bioavailability. Conclusion: Adsorption of polymeric nanoparticles onto porous carriers like sylysia 350 can be considered as a promising approach for long-term stability.