Due to the necessity to develop new systems which maintain the proper conditions for cell growth and cell interaction in vitro, this work has focused on the characterisation of two models of maintenance system prototypes type organ-on-chip skeletal muscle tissue of neonatal mouse. Cell growth was monitored for four days. The images of the cells were obtained through an optical microscope to measure the variations of the alignment angle, the analysis was performed using the ImageJ software. It is concluded that the two OoC prototype models delimit and help cell alignment, but because the surface of the microchannels was not homogeneous or completely flat, adding to this the depth factor, the cell proliferation was affected. As a result, we demonstrated that the proposed organ-on-chip system promotes cell alignment.
Plants play an inevitable role in human life by providing the basic needs for livelihood and serving as a source of medicine from ancient civilisation. Globally, a majority of populations rely on phytomedicine as a source of primary healthcare and the demand for the plant-based medicine. Babul or Kikar, scientifically known as Acacia nilotica (A. nilotica) is a perennial tree belonging to the family of Fabaceae, a multipurpose tree widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions of countries. The whole plant part is loaded with therapeutic potential and used as folk medicine from long ago. The tree is also a rich source of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals and secondary active metabolites. In Indian Ayurveda and other traditional medicinal systems, A. nilotica plays an immense role in treating and curing various infections and diseases. The present review briefly provides up-to-date information on morphology, phytochemistry, therapeutic potential and other information on A. nilotica.
Nanomaterials have high surface-to-volume ratios and possess unique physiological and biochemical properties modulating a wide range of reactions causing inflammation and cell toxicity. The present work was aimed to evaluate histopathological and biochemical changes in organs of the glucose metabolism after treatment with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) in diabetic Wistar rats. Induction of diabetes was done with Streptozotocine and animals were treated with ZnONP in three graded doses in different groups. Glipizide was added in standard treatment and one of the ZnONP groups. Overall histopathological changes were observed as mild to moderate in diabetic animals that received no treatment and minimal in those that received standard treatment as Glipizide. The animals that received ZnONP as a treatment showed minimal to no abnormality detected on histopathology. Biochemical analysis revealed that ZnONP possess antidiabetic and lipid lowering activity which was consistent with histopathology. It is concluded that ZnONP play pivotal role in glucose metabolism and should be investigated further so that they can be introduced into diabetes treatment.
Most of the phenolic compounds in olive oil have positive effects on health. These effects can be seen from changes in levels of biomarkers in the body. Olive oil is the main consumption in Mediterranean society. The small fraction of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) was expected to improve the pharmacokinetics of giving olive oil to critically ill patients. This research was the pilot study of the effects of nanonutrition for critically ill patients. The aim of this research was to improve EVOO pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for critically ill patients who have enteral nutrition absorption disturbances. The nanoemulsion was prepared with self-nanoemulsification method by mixing extra virgin olive oil, chremofor RH40, PEG 400. Optimum formula was obtained from extra virgin olive oil, chremofor RH40, PEG 400 with the ratio of 1:8:1. Hence, nanoemulsion is a promising strategy to enhance the potency of extra virgin olive oil.
The increasing fluoride concentration in the drinking water shows severe ecological threat to all living organisms. Numbers of conventional and non-conventional methods have been used to effectively eliminate the fluoride-like heavy metals from contaminated water. A vital advance towards the genuine use of different nano-biomaterials in water purification strategies is to restrict enormous substrates. This extended exposure of heavy metals interestingly guides the researchers to develop innovative, novel, cost effective and easily available strategies to remove the excess amount of fluoride-like heavy metals in the water. The entire significant proposition will make future investigations dependent on the excluded relationship between the nanoconfinement impacts and the water purification innovations. The present review focused on some effective adsorbents which eliminate excessive amounts of fluoride-like heavy metals and it shows expressive elimination with basic, cost effective adsorbent and easy availability as well as accessibility by the common people.
The biosynthesised gold nanoparticles were characterised using various standard techniques. The preliminary confirmation was carried out by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Electron microscopy analysis was carried out by SEM, HRSEM and TEM. The elemental analysis was performed through EDAX on SEM and HRSEM. The SAED pattern of the synthesised gold nanoparticles was analysed by TEM. The zeta potential measurements of all the nanoparticles were observed in concordance with the standard reference values demonstrating highly stable nanoformulations. The plant extracts and nanoparticles were analysed by FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns have been analysed for the biosynthesised nanoparticles and nanoconjugates. ICP-OES elemental analysis was carried out to quantify the concentration of elemental gold present in the synthesised gold nanoparticles.
We report biological procedure of synthesising nano-gold (AuNPs) over reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using physiologically important enzyme β galactosidase. The Au@rGO NC was characterised using biophysical techniques. Au@rGO immobilised with glucose oxidase (GOx) was achieved by drop-coating glassy carbon electrode surface with Nafion (Nf) as preservative membrane. EIS, amperometric response and cyclic voltammetry were used to determine electrochemical properties of the biosensor. The Nf/GOx/Au@rGO/GCE biosensor had sensitivity of 18.25 μA mM−1 cm−2 and linear range of 0.05-18 mM (R2 = 0.997) with detection limit of 36 μM (S/N = 3). The response time over a period of 60 days depicted the biosensor to be quite stable. The potential of the bioelectrode in assessment of human blood glucose concentrations was compared with commercially available glucose sensors. The sensitivity and stability infer the biosensor is capable of functioning specifically in analysis of glucose in physiological fluids.
A dual-gated ultra-thin graphene field effect transistor (GFET) suitable for electronic sensing application is modelled. The applied simulation approach reproduces accurately the transport properties of the GFET characteristics and enables investigation of the influence of the different physical, biological and chemical factors. The simulation readouts and additional charges in the system are interpreted in the form of current-voltage characteristics and shift in Dirac peaks. These features could be extracted to predict the sensing mechanism of the GFET.
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is secreted by a few strains of bacteria and consists of a cellulose nanofibre network with unique characteristics. In this study, Gluconoacetobacter xylinus was used to isolate bacterial cellulose. Moreover, microbial cellulose has proven to be a remarkably versatile biomaterial and can be used in paper industry, electronics, wound healing and biomedical devices. The cellulose isolated from G. xylinus was confirmed by the biochemical tests. The parameters for the production of cellulose such as pH, temperature, carbon source, nitrogen source, and growth factor both static and shaking conditions were optimised. The cellulose obtained was observed by phase contrast microscope. The isolated bacterial cellulose is impregnated with silver nanoparticles synthesised by neem leaves extract. The bio cellulose and neem AgNPs were converted into nanofibres by electrospinning technique. The cellulose-PVA composite was analysed by SEM, zeta potential and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This approach can be easily used in the large scale production of bio cellulose fibres loaded with silver nanoparticles. These fibres can be used in the wound dressing including use as a biomaterial for scaffolds in tissue engineering.
The synthesis of metallic nanoaprticles (NPs) is currently performed through the development of methodologies using microorganisms, plant extracts, and even organic waste, seeking to mitigate the impact on the environment. However, for both synthesis and biosynthesis it is necessary to consider physical and chemical factors such as temperature, stirring and pH, that allow controlling size and shape in an accurate way, as size and shape play an important role in the optical, electronic and thermal properties and determine many features of the structure and activity of molecules and biomolecules. In this work, we carry out chemical synthesis and biosynthesis of AuNPs at acidic (3-6), neutral (7) and basic (9) pH; the process is fast, simple and eco-friendly. We obtained AuNPs from 5-100 nm and determined that the pH of the solution is a key factor in the distribution and shape of the nanoparticles. Uniform AuNPs were obtained at neutral pH, or values of pH near neutrality. In addition, they have potential applications in various fields, due to their optical, magnetic, catalytic and electrical properties.
Nanotechnology is a science which deals with particles in the nanometre size range. They made from different metals such as copper, silver, zinc, gold, platinum etc. Gold nanoparticles have been synthesised at large scale due to their wide applications in diagnostics, treatment, food safety and forensic areas. Nanoparticles are synthesised using different strategies such as chemical synthesis, biogenic synthesis and via biological sources like plants, bacteria, algae, fungi. They are used because of their low toxicity and biocompatibility. Chemical synthesis methods have problems like toxicity so the stimulus of synthesis has shifted from physical and chemical processes towards 'green' chemistry and bioprocesses. Use of plant extracts has been increased widely for synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, fungi, algae and blue green algae have been used mainly for synthesising gold nanoparticles.
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element playing vital role in the physiological processes. It was ignored as a therapeutic agent in the past, but in 1950s it was revealed that it must be obtained from diet as it cannot be produced by organisms. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-androgenic and metabolic effects of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on letrozole induced PCOS using female rats. All rats were administered orally with letrozole (1 mg/kg) in CMC (0.5%) for 36 days. Rats were provided with metformin (2 mg/kg), Se-I (250 mg/kg), Se-II (500 mg/kg), SeNPs-I (50 mg/kg) and SeNPs-II (100 mg/kg) for 15 days. On 37th day animals were sacrificed and biochemical tests, antioxidants and histopathological analysis were performed. The results of the current study depict the anti-androgenic potentials of Se and SeNP for the treatment of PCOS that can be a new drug in the management of PCOS.
