Nanomedicine Journal
Volume:9 Issue: 1, Winter 2022

Nanotechnology has introduced many useful uses to people's lifestyles in various fields such as health care, agriculture, the food industry, and separate industries during the previous few decades, and it is now available to the majority of the world's population. Among these applications, nanotechnology is critical in the realm of medical therapy. Many forms of studies indicate that nanoparticles, particularly metal oxide, can make a significant contribution to this field. In the current work, we examined one of them, MgO, a critical inorganic oxide used in a variety of applications. MgO is a multilateral oxide material with several properties, including great thermodynamic stability and a low refractive index and dielectric constant. The wide bandgap allows for a variety of uses in ceramics, catalysis, hazardous waste remediation, and antibacterial materials as a refractory additive paint and as a superconductor product. MgO NPs have been used in a variety of disciplines due to their extensive properties and functions, which we will discuss in this article.

Nanotechnology has become one of the most widely used technologies in translational research and may significantly impact the future of healthcare. Because of their distinctive physicochemical characteristics, nanoparticles (NPs) have diverse applications in all areas of science including biomedicine, agriculture, biolabeling, catalysis, electronics, sensors, and fiber optics. Recently, green synthesis technology, as a reliable and eco-friendly method, has been taken into consideration for synthesizing a wide range of nanomaterials of desired sizes, shape, and functionalities. In this regard, zinc selenide nanoparticles (ZnSe-NPs) as a semiconductor nanostructure with low toxicity and high luminescence features have potential applications in different research fields like optoelectronic devices, laser solar cells, and, particularly in medical and biological sciences. ZnSe NPs can be synthesized by various chemical methods, including sol-gel, solvothermal, hydrothermal, wet chemical, and green and biological synthesis approaches. In this study, we have reviewed the green chemical or biological ZnSe nanoparticles synthesis as eco-friendly methods. Also, we have discussed the biological applications of ZnSe nanoparticles, including antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity effect, biomedical imaging and, drug delivery.

This review provides a literature update of the progress in optical and electrochemical aptasensors for the detection of streptomycin in human sera and animal-derived foods.  The uncontrolled use of antibiotics and rising resistance to them, has created a global problem. Therefore, the detection and quantitation of antibiotics, i.e., streptomycin by robust, easy, and sensitive methods is in great demand. Among different strategies, new analytical methods for the efficient detection and quantitative determination of streptomycin have been developed. Aptasensors or aptamer-based biosensors have attracted more attention due to their unique recognition, simple fabrication, and significant selectivity, sensitivity, and specificity. Advantages of aptasensors will be highlighted in this review, with emphasis on methodological technique and specific properties of aptasensors developed for STR determination.  In this review paper, we will focus on the recent development of aptasensors for streptomycin detection, considering the papers summarized in the data bases scopus and google scholar covering the period of time from 2013 till 2021.

Wound healing is one of the most fundamental issues in medical science. Solanum nigrum L. has been attracted great attention for its antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of leaf extract of S. nigrum L-loaded sodium alginate nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in chitosan hydrogel on wound healing. Ethanolic extract of S. nigrum L. leaves (5% v/v) were loaded into sodium alginate NPs using the ionic gelation technique and characterized (Ext-AG NPs). Then, NPs were incorporated into chitosan hydrogel (Ext-AG-CS hydrogel) and the properties of this formulation such as viscosity and release profile were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity of the extract alone and loaded into the hydrogel (Ext-CS hydrogel) was measured on the Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilius by MIC assay. Finally, their wound healing effects were studied on full-thickness wound in rat animal model in 3, 7 and 14 days.  The particle size of Ext-AG NPs was obtained 437±15 nm. The encapsulation efficiency of extract was about 91.6%. The in vitro release profile from NPs showed that the maximum released extract was 30% during 6 days. However, by embedding of NPs into hydrogel, the release of extract was about 12% after 6 days.  The results showed that the extract could be release from hydrogel about 30% in the first 4h followed by about 70% release on the fifth day. Therefore, this formulation was used in subsequent studies. Ext-CS hydrogel 5% exhibited lower MICs on all tested microorganisms in compared with aqueous extract alone. Finally, the results of in vivo wound healing analysis revealed that on day 3, the extract solution and Ext-CS hydrogel were more effective in reducing inflammation than chitosan gel and positive control. The process of epithelial tissue formation on day 14, in all treated groups, seemed to be better than negative control, which shows the positive effect of these compounds on faster epithelial tissue formation. In general, it seems that S. nigrum L. leaf extract 5% and Ext-CS hydrogel 5% were more effective in wound healing process than other treated groups. However, the chitosan hydrogel-extract formulation showed better antimicrobial activity.

In this study we synthesized and characterized nanoniosome containing Hedera Helix extract to evaluate its therapeutic properties on breast cancer cells in order to provide a new effective treatment strategy with low side effects for the treatment of this malignancy in the clinical stage. After extracting the Hedera helix by Soxhlet method, different formulations of noisomes containing the extract were synthesized and after investigating the load and release rate of the drug by spectrophotometry, the optimal formulation was selected. Then other physiochemical properties of nanosystems such as size and zeta potential by DLS method, system interaction and extract by FTIR method, system response to temperature and pH stimuli by spectrophotometry, nanoparticle morphology using SEM and AFM microscope, the stability of nanoparticles over 6 months and the antimicrobial properties of the system compared to the free form of extract were examined. Finally, the cellular uptake of nanosystem by flow cytometry microscope and its toxicity on MCF-7 and BT-474 breast cancer cell lines, MCF-10A breast normal cell line and HFF cell line were evaluated by MTT method. Results showed that the synthesized nanosystems with a size of 75.1 nm and PDI of 0.345 with a zeta potential of -20.6 ± 0.44 mV were morphologically suitable and had no interaction between niosomes and extracts. Also, the Encapsulation Efficiency in the system was 80.1 ± 2.2% and the drug release rate from the nanosystem was 57.2% in 72 hours. The stability of the system during 6 months and the response of the system to various stimuli was also appropriate. Also, encapsulation of the extract not only improved its antimicrobial properties compared to the extract, but also increased its anti-cancer effect on cancer cells although the nanosystem had no toxic effect on normal cells.

In this work, we loaded Auraptene (AUR) into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and performed an assessment on inhibitory activities of the obtained AUR-NLCs on melanogenesis.  AUR-NLCs were prepared through a high shear homogenization and ultrasound method.  Entrapment efficiency and Particle size of the optimized formulation were 103.1±4.9 nm and 89.56±3.75. The TEM outcomes exhibited the spherical shape of our nanoparticles, while the DSC analysis revealed the lack of any drug-lipid incompatibility throughout the formulations. A prolonged drug-release was observed from AUR-NLCs when compared to the AUR-solution. According to results, this product can significantly attenuated the activity of cellular tyrosinase and ROS content with minimal cytotoxic effects in B16F10 cell line, which in contrast to AUR-solution. Moreover, the western blotting analysis was indicative of AUR-NLCs ability to inhibit melanogenesis through the suppression of MITF and act much more efficiently than AUR-solution. AUR-NLCs can offer merits as a natural anti-tyrosinase agent for the treatment of hyperpigmentory disorders.

As an alternative to chemical drugs, natural compounds such as Genipin can reduce toxicity and side effects. In recent years, Genipin's antioxidant properties have been considered a potential cancer treatment. Therefore, the present study investigated anti-cancer activity of newly formulated nano-liposomal loaded Genipin, made from soy lecithin, against MCF-7 cancer cell line. After synthesis, the physicochemical properties of the liposomes were confirmed by Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-vis spectrophotometry. Our results showed that the prepared nano-liposome had a diameter of 166.2 nm. Its Zeta potential was -25.4 mV which indicates the good electrostatic stability of nano-liposomes. Also, a slight size distribution (PDI 0.2870) and a high encapsulation efficiency (EE% >82% and DL>28%) are other features of synthesized nano-liposomal loaded Genipin. The in vitro result profile demonstrated that the drug-controlled release from Genipin loaded-liposomal is 65% during 70h. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of nano-liposomal loaded Genipin in comparison with free Genipin, was explored on MCF-7 cell line using MTT colorimetric assay. Our results revealed that the IC50% (cytotoxicity) of MCF-7 cells treated with nano-liposomes loaded Genipin were higher than those treated with free Genipin (about 2.4 orders of magnitude). Additionally, cell uptake studies evidenced a higher uptake of negative nano-liposomal loaded Genipin. In a nutshell, newly formulated nano-liposomal is an ideal vehicle for negative targeting (anticancer effect) of drugs to tumor cells that may result in improved efficacy and reduced toxicity of encapsulated drug moiety.

Auraptene (AUR) is a monoterpene coumarin compound with several biological activities specifically anti-cancer. The bioavailability of AUR in biological fluids is negligible, thus, the cytotoxicity of this compound for the target cells is low. Herein, the synthesis of AUR-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles is presented as a strategy to increase the cytotoxicity of AUR on PC3, DU145, and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation method, coated with AUR and stabilized by dextran. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). In vitro release test for coated nanoparticles was performed in both physiologic (pH= 7.4) and acidic (pH= 5.5) environments. Cytotoxicity for prostate cancer cells was evaluated by AlamarBlue assay and the results were analyzed by one-way and two-way ANOVA tests. Characterization outcomes represented the formation of magnetic nanoparticles with good crystalline structure, relatively spherical shape and superparamagnetic properties. AUR release profile from nanoparticles demonstrated that coated nanoparticles are able to inhibit burst release of this compound. AUR release was remarkably higher in acidic medium that can be advantageous for treating tumor regions. Cytotoxicity results indicated that AUR had a very low toxicity against prostate cancer cells at the tested concentrations. In contrast, AUR-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were significantly cytotoxic on all the cell lines. The coating of AUR on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was a successful approach to enhance the efficacy and cytotoxicity of this compound.

The optimal formulation of Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) that contains argan oil and caffeine was considered to be developed as a topical treatment for hair loss.  26 batches were prepared according to the central composite design. Dynamic light scattering technique showed size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential, and electron microscopy depicted the morphology of NLCs. Caffeine encapsulation efficiency (EE) was measured by UV/Vis spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was applied to show caffeine and NLCs interactions. The caffeine invivo morin model was designed to determine the caffeine penetration into follicles and stratum corneum.  The optimal formulation consisted of 2% lipid, 2% surfactant, stearic acid/argan oil ratio of 3.5, and span/tween ratio of 1.25. Its spherical NLCs size, PDI, and zeta potential were 256.2 nm, 0.225, and -25.4 respectively. The caffeine EE% was 89% which was homogenously encapsulated in NLCs as shown in FTIR analysis. In vivo studies showed these nanoparticles have the ability to accumulate in the hair follicles by the time.  The NLC formulation optimized in this study is a potential formulation for intrafollicular delivery of caffeine.