Nanomedicine Journal
Volume:10 Issue: 2, Spring 2023

The biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (MtNPs) has increased greatly in the last few decades. Nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized via different approaches like chemical and physical methods. However various drawbacks such as higher cost, high energy requirement, and the use of toxic chemicals limit the use of these approaches. It is thus important to look for an alternative method for the development of MtNPs. One such method, which has gained the most attention in recent years, is the bio-fabrication of MtNPs using microorganism like bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and viruses. Amongst the microorganism used for NPs synthesis, bacteria are the most preferred candidate due to their diversity and better growth control. In this context, the present article concerns with association of genus bacillus with metal and metal oxide NPs. The current review thoroughly summarizes the mechanisms involved in the synthesis of MtNPs and their biomedical applications. The review also explains the major drawbacks associated with the synthesis of NPs via bacillus spp as well as the future prospects.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) cause cell dysfunction with a gradual loss of neurons in the central nervous system and aberrant accumulation of aggregated proteins such as synuclein, tau, and amyloid. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are the two frequently occurring neurodegenerative disorders. Nanobiotechnology being an emerging field used in applied biotechnology holds great potential for the advancement of treatments. This review aims to give a brief but comprehensive idea about the possibilities of utilizing the advanced nanotechnological aspect to treat the Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s NDs that can be explored through proper investigations. In the present study, various kinds of literature were surveyed and reviewed to appreciate the neurodegenerative disease manifestation. It is becoming challenging to treat and discuss the potentiality of effective nano-mediated treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The capability of current drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes NDs’ treatment even more challenging. Recent therapies for such kinds of diseases are focused on symptomatic relief. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems address all the challenges from all aspects and offer novel therapeutics for NDs. With targeted drug delivery of the required drug or protein to the site of interest, this approach is expected to turn out to be an exact and advanced therapeutic approach.

Micronutrients are one of the major groups of nutrients required by the body. Vitamins and minerals are considered micronutrients that are vital for growth, immune function, brain development, and many other important functions. they also play a role in preventing and fighting diseases. Malnutrition (undernutrition) is caused by a lack of nutrients and is the leading cause of death in the world. Biofortification of staple crops with micronutrients has been proposed as a potential technique for combating malnutrition by enriching target food crops. Iron deficiency is one of the most frequent dietary problems worldwide, affecting both industrialized and developing nations. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition in which the blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells. It may be due to blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, and high rates of red blood cell destruction, but it leads to reduced oxygen flow to the body’s organs and causes fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, light-headedness, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat. Nanotechnology is the creation and use of innovative structures, materials, and systems in a variety of disciplines, including agriculture, food, and medicine. The study and management of matter at sizes of 1 to 100 nanometers is known as nanotechnology. It can help with everything from food production to manufacturing, and it can make a big impact on food quality and safety, and also the health benefits of foods. While nanotechnology may be the greatest technique to reduce anemia’s effects while also boosting iron bioavailability in the blood, it has some negative effect on the body that depends on the duration of exposure and the level of intake. In this paper, we discuss how micronutrient deficiencies and anemia can be prevented by using nano techniques as well as how they impact the human body.

One of the most important neurotrophins is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that is closely associated with insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This study was done under the objective of investigating the effects of curcumin (CUR) and nano-curcumin (nCUR) on serum levels of BDNF, fasting blood sugar (FBS), water and food intake, and body weight in T2DM rats. 

Our work required the division of 48 male Wistar rats into the 6 groups of Control, diabetic, diabetic treated with two doses of CUR and nCUR (100 and 200 mg/kg), T2DM induced rats by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin, and nicotinamide in the fasting state. Once the rats received nCUR and CUR doses through gavage for 28 days, their Serum level of BDNF was measured at the end of intervention period, while their body weight, FBS, and food and water intake were also examined at both onset and ending of this period.

Considering the effect of curcumin and nano-curcumin administration on the induced significant increase in serum BDNF and decrease in FBS, food, and water intake in T2DM rats (P<0.05), we can confirm the superior effectiveness of nano-curcumin 100 in serum BDNF elevation than curcumin (P<0.05). It is also notable that the body weight of intervention groups did not face any significant reduction when compared to that of diabetic control group.

These findings provide evidence for the beneficial effects of CUR and nCUR as an antidiabetic agent, which can be potentially considered as an adjunct for the available diabetes therapies.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EV), which are released from the endosomal membrane of the cells. They are 30-120 nm in size, and carry many biological substances such as protein, lipids, and RNA. All kinds of cells release exosomes during their life. Exosomes are a small showcase of the mother cell’s contents. Platelets-derived exosomes (Exo-Plt) are the most frequent nanoscale particles in the peripheral blood. Their availability and non-toxicity as an autologous carrier and a growth factor cargo made us introduce the most efficient method to isolate exosomes from platelet products and also examine their ability as a delivery system.

Two different protocols including stimulated and unstimulated were used in the present study to obtain Exo-Plt. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), BCA assay, Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM), and western blotting were performed to assess the basic characteristics (size and zeta potential, protein content, morphology, and CD markers, respectively) of the isolated particles. Consequently, the ability of Exo-plts for delivery of exogenous miRNA into the model cell line was assessed by Real-Time PCR.

The stimulated method was more efficient to isolate Exo-Plt. Additionally, the applied agonist and the time of sample preparation from individuals affected the exosome yield. The Exo-Plts prosperously delivered the exogenous cargo into the cell line.

This research provided a standard protocol to isolate high-quality and pure Exo-Plt for bio-compound delivery and even therapeutic objectives. Exosomes provide the opportunity for cell-free therapy.

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is an allograft bone composed of native insoluble bone morphogenetic proteins and plays important roles in skeletal development, osteogenesis, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The osteoinductive capabilities of Allogenic DBM make it a potential drug delivery system for preventive treatment in various anatomical sites. In this study, the cytotoxic and teratogenic effects of DBM nanoparticles, on Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells and chicken embryos were evaluated. 

DBM nanoparticles were injected into fertile eggs at doses of 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 µM / egg. Then morphological, histological, and skeletal malformations were evaluated. Cytotoxic effects of DBM nanoparticles on Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells were also assessed using MTT test.

Results showed that the fetal growth abnormality occurred only in embryos treated at the highest dose tested (i.e., 100 µM / egg) and MTT test showed no cytotoxicity in low concentration. 

These results indicated that nanoparticles do not have significant toxic effects on chick embryos and cultured stem cells. Only high doses of DBM nanoparticles reduce growth in embryos and cultured cells.

Boswellia essential oil possesses bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-oxidant and antiangiogenic activities of nanoemulsion prepared from Boswellia essential oil.

In this study, an oil-in-water nanoemulsion was prepared using the ultrasonic method and Boswellia essential oil (the oil phase) and Tween 80 surfactant, and water (the aqueous phase). Droplet size, dispersion index, and zeta potential of the prepared nanoemulsion were evaluated, and the ability of the nanoemulsion to inhibit DPPH free radicals was measured. Also, the angiogenic activity of the nanoemulsion was investigated using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model.

The formulated nanoemulsion revealed particles with a spherical shape, average size of 58.29 nm, a dispersion index of 0.29, and a zeta potential of -28.87. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of the nanoemulsion shown that  the particles were almost uniformly spherical. The anti-oxidant activity of Boswellia essential oil, enclosed in O/W emulsion, was confirmed via the DPPH free radical inhibition assay with an IC50 of 61.92 μg/mL. In addition, the nanoemulsion was shown to inhibit the growth of new vessels in the CAM model, indicating anti-angiogenic effects.

Our findings suggest that due to anti-oxidant and anti-angiogenic effects, nanoemulsion loaded with Boswellia essential oil can be used as a therapeutic agent.

The aim of this study was to determine the entrance skin dose distribution for breast cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy in the presence of bolus containing gold and Fe3O4 nanoparticles to evaluate and compare the changes in dose distribution.

Gold and Fe3O4 nanoparticles can increase the rate of photoelectric, Compton, and pair production absorption of x-ray photons. Nanoparticles were simulated in the bolus, over the skin of a breast phantom, by the exertion of MCNPX Monte Carlo code. The skin dose was also experimentally measured by using a bolus that contained homogeneously distributed Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of a slab phantom and an advanced Markus chamber. 

A significant skin dose enhancement was obtained for the case that 25 nm gold and Fe3O4 nanoparticles with 3% concentration were uniformly distributed in the bolus. However, increased concentration of nanoparticles in the bolus will increase the skin dose.

It is concluded that using nanoparticles in the bolus leads to a significant skin dose enhancement for 6 MV x-ray photons. Furthermore, this study suggested that, less thick blouses may provide the same dose distribution.