Pediatric respiratory diseases are a major burden of global disease because they are very common and their pathophysiological mechanisms are complex. Conventional therapies have suboptimal pulmonary deposition, systemic toxicity, and poor patient compliance in children. Nanomedicine based interventions provide targeted pulmonary delivery, promote increased bioavailability, controlled drug release and reduce toxicity. Pulmonary deposition, epithelial uptake and intracellular trafficking are regulated by the physicochemical properties and the functionalization of nanoparticles. Preclinical studies in juvenile animal models show superior pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, preclinical therapeutic efficacy and preliminary clinical studies in pediatric patients show favorable safety and tolerability characteristics. There are still challenges associated with translation, such as immunotoxicity, regulatory issues, and optimizing doses in children. New strategies that combine AI-assisted design and synthesis of nanoparticles, nanotheranostics, and biodegradable 2D nanomaterials have potential to address these challenges. In this review, recent advances in pediatric nanomedicine for respiratory diseases are discussed with special focus on mechanistic understanding, preclinical evidence, translation to the clinics and future directions of the therapeutic platforms.
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent and life-threatening malignancies affecting women globally, and the development of precision therapeutic platforms capable of overcoming the inherent limitations of conventional monotherapies is a pressing clinical imperative. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a macrophage membrane-camouflaged IrO2-IR808 nanoplatform (IrO2-IR808@M1) that achieves precise and synergistic tumor ablation through the cooperative action of photothermal/photodynamic therapy (PDT). The IrO2 nanocore provides efficient light-to-heat conversion and catalase-like activity that locally generates oxygen to sustain PDT efficacy in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, while the covalently conjugated near-infrared (NIR) photosensitizer IR808 provides complementary NIR absorption and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Under 808 nm NIR irradiation, IrO2-IR808@M1 achieves rapid and reproducible temperature elevation with a high photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of 55.22%, translating into potent concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and pronounced tumor growth suppression in syngeneic 4T1 murine models without discernible systemic toxicity. The M1 macrophage membrane camouflage confers extended systemic circulation, enhanced colloidal stability, and strengthened tumor selectivity through immune-mimetic surface interactions. This bioinspired, self-oxygen-supplying nanoplatform establishes a concise and translatable blueprint for precision phototherapy in breast cancer, with implications for broader application across solid tumor indications.
The heterogeneity of glioblastoma and recurrence pose a major threat to the life of brain cancer patients. The failure of the current therapeutic regime in preventing its recurrence leads to a growing need for effective cancer treatments with lesser side effects. Previous studies have shown the potential of plants extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against U-87 MG cell line. However, the need for optimum sized and effective nanoparticles is still not fulfilled. Hence, the current work aimed to utilize size controlled bioavailable AgNPs capped with Aloe barbadensis (aqueous extracts) and study their effectiveness against U-87 MG cells. Two different concentrations of Aloe vera extract (ALE) viz. ALE1 and ALE2, were used. Their physiochemistry was characterized via UV-Vis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), FE-SEM (50-60 nm diameter), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The observed zeta potentials were -8 and -16 mV for ALE1- and ALE2-AgNPs, respectively. This indicated that ALE2-AgNPs were more stable. Further, the anticancer potency of both ALE-AgNPs at 0, 24, and 48 h was evaluated. MTT-assay revealed ALE2-AgNPs were more cytotoxic, significantly inhibiting the proliferation of U-87 MG, indicating their dose-dependent cytotoxicity. At an effective concentration of ALE2-AgNPs, (i.e., 10 & micro;g/mL) viability of cancer cell line decreased significantly to 40% after 24 h of treatment. In apoptotic analysis pronounced elevation in early apoptotic cells was noted (5.1% and 9.9% for ALE1- and ALE2-AgNPs, respectively). The significant cytotoxicity and observed apoptosis induction shows ALE-AgNPs's therapeutic potential against glioblastoma and aqueous extract shows its high biocompatibility, thus having significant probability to be translated in clinical settings.
Fungal pathogens threaten global food security, ecosystem stability, and human health, while the overuse of conventional fungicides accelerates resistance and disrupts beneficial microbiota. Nanotechnology offers a powerful new paradigm for fungal control, but its greatest potential lies at the interface with microbial biotechnology. Here, we critically review advances in antifungal nanoparticles (NPs) with a focus on their integration into microbiome-aware and microbe-assisted systems. We discuss biogenic NP synthesis by bacteria, fungi, and yeast; synergistic nanobiofungicides that combine NPs with biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma and Bacillus; and NP-enabled strategies that selectively suppress pathogens while preserving beneficial taxa. Mechanistic insights include NP-mediated membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, ion release, and biofilm inhibition, with special attention to how these processes modulate plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. Translational applications span pre- and postharvest agriculture, seed treatments, microbial inoculant stabilization, and smart delivery systems for agrochemicals. We also examine the ecological implications of NP deployment, highlighting safe-by-design (SbD) strategies, biodegradability, and microbiome resilience as key design criteria. Finally, we outline a future roadmap where nanotechnology converges with synthetic biology, microbial engineering, and AI-guided design to enable precision antifungal systems that are adaptive, ecologically compatible, and scalable. Together, these insights position antifungal nanotechnology as a next-generation tool in microbial biotechnology, with the potential to reshape crop protection, soil health management, and sustainable fungal control.
Background and PurposePaclitaxel's clinical use is limited by poor aqueous solubility and Cremophor EL-related toxicity in commercial formulations. This study aimed to develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) to improve paclitaxel solubility, bioavailability, and anticancer efficacy.Experimental ApproachPaclitaxel-loaded SNEDDSs were prepared using oleic acid, Tween 80, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 in different ratios and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and solubility. The optimized formulation (F1) was assessed for cytotoxicity, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and nuclear morphology in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.Key ResultsFormulation F1 (10% oleic acid, 10% PEG 400, and 80% Tween 80) exhibited the highest solubility, smallest particle size, and lowest PDI, with near-neutral zeta potential ensuring stability. F1 demonstrated superior cytotoxic activity, inducing G2/M arrest (41.8%) and total apoptosis of 70.6%, mainly in the early phase (64.4%), compared to pure paclitaxel and Paxol. MMP and 4 ', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) assays confirmed mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and nuclear fragmentation, consistent with paclitaxel's mechanism of microtubule stabilization and mitotic catastrophe.Conclusion and ImplicationsEncapsulation of paclitaxel into SNEDDS significantly enhanced solubility, cellular uptake, and proapoptotic activity. The optimized F1 formulation provides a promising nanocarrier platform for improving paclitaxel's therapeutic performance and may serve as a safer, more effective alternative to Cremophor EL-based products for breast cancer treatment.
This study reports the green synthesis, development, and characterization of novel eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) coated with chitosan (ZnO NPs-Chsn) and their incorporation into a polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/saffron (PSS) hydrogel for enhanced antibacterial applications. ZnO NPs were biosynthesized using quince (Cydonia oblonga) peel extract, yielding semi-spherical particles with an average size of similar to 72 nm. The Chsn coating improved particle dispersion, surface uniformity, and colloidal stability while modifying the surface charge (zeta potential from -27 to -11.6 mV), thereby enhancing biocompatibility and antibacterial potential. The ZnO NPs-Chsn were integrated into the PSS hydrogel matrix via a freeze-thaw method to improve biocompatibility and generate a highly porous structure. Incorporation of ZnO NPs-Chsn increased the maximum swelling ratio from 220.91% +/- 1.89% (PSS) to 589.39% +/- 1.77% and enhanced hydrophilicity, as confirmed by contact angle (CA) measurements. Antibacterial assays (disc diffusion) showed that the PSS/ZnO NPs-Chsn hydrogel produced inhibition zones of 4.64 +/- 0.20 mm (S. aureus), 1.55 +/- 0.10 mm (E. coli), and 4.94 +/- 0.14 mm (B. cereus), compared with negligible inhibition for the base PSS hydrogel. The enhanced antibacterial effect is attributed to the synergistic action of ZnO NPs and Chsn through bacterial membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and metabolic impairment, potentially boosted by the bioactive compounds in saffron (crocin and safranal). These findings highlight the potential of PSS/ZnO NPs-Chsn hydrogels as eco-friendly antibacterial biomaterials; however, further evaluations are required to confirm clinical applicability.
Periodontitis, a leading cause of tooth loss, is conventionally treated by mechanical curettage and antibiotics, which may cause adverse effects. Curcumin (Cur), a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, shows therapeutic potential but suffers from low solubility and bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, we developed an electrospun nanofiber membrane (HP-Cur-IC/poly-L-lactone-co-epsilon-caprolactone [PLCL]) containing cyclodextrin-encapsulated Cur for localized sustained drug delivery within periodontal pockets. The resulting membrane exhibited improved water solubility, mechanical strength, and drug release profile. It demonstrated significant antioxidant and antibacterial effects, as evidenced by reductions in oxidative stress markers and bacterial viability. Furthermore, the membrane modulated the JAK2/STAT3 and ERK/JNK/p38 signaling pathways, alleviating oxidative damage in periodontal tissues. These findings suggest that the HP-Cur-IC/PLCL nanofiber membrane represents a promising nonsurgical strategy for periodontitis treatment.
Ionizing radiation poses a serious health risk to humans; therefore, sensitive detection is significant. Gamma rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can pass through the human body and interact with matter through ionization. Several techniques have been conventionally used to detect ionizing radiation. Despite the advantages of current methods, it is important to develop alternative approaches that can provide cost-effective, sensitive, and low-cost radiation detection. Quartz tuning fork (QTF) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs) sensors are some of these techniques that have drawn increasing interest. In this work, we aim to detect low doses of gamma radiation with fast response time using a QTF and MEMS sensors coated with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) with different immersion times 2, 8, and 17 h. The structural and optical properties of quartz and silicon-coated CdCl2 thin film were also investigated before and after gamma irradiation with different immersion times 2, 8, and 17 h. These properties were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). Comparing the resonance frequency shift (RFS) for the three QTFs-coated CdCl2, measured using the Quester Q10, the RFS of QTF8 (8 h immersion time) had an excellent response and was about 1800 Hz in the irradiation region. The root mean square (RMS) roughness (Sq) using AFM and the transmittance using UV-VIS of the samples increase after gamma irradiation. On the other side, the MEMSs-coated CdCl2 results illustrated that the RFS of MEMS2 (2 h immersion time) was about 4.2 Hz in the irradiation region, measured using the Picomeasure PM3. AFM and SE supported MEMSs results. Both showed a clear increase in the surface roughness of the CdCl2 as a coating layer onto the silicon substrate after irradiation. Finally, the QTF-based sensor (QTF8) was more sensitive than the MEMS-based sensor (MEMS2) which strongly makes a candidate to be a sensitive detector for low gamma rays.
Metal nanoparticles produced via green chemistry routes offer broad potential for nanotechnology, yet their practical deployment is often constrained by colloidal instability and aggregation. Herein, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized using phytonutrients in Stellera chamaejasme L. S. chamaejasme root extract (SCRE), which served as both reducing and stabilizing agents. The synthesis was optimized through a one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) approach, enabling precise control of reaction conditions. A characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 402 nm confirmed the formation of AgNPs and the appearance of a distinct yellow coloration. Under optimal conditions, the AgNPs were spherical, uniformly dispersed, and highly crystalline, with an average size of 23.3 +/- 3.3 nm and a d-spacing of 0.236 nm. Selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns confirmed a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. The biogenic AgNPs demonstrated strong antibacterial efficacy, achieving >98.5% reductions in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) with inhibition zones of 14.25 +/- 1.43 mm and 12.34 +/- 1.2 mm, respectively. Furthermore, they catalyzed the degradation of reactive yellow 179 dye, achieving nearly 100% removal within 30 min, following pseudo-first-order kinetics (k = 0.11155 min(-1), R-2 = 0.9973). These results highlight the potential of SCRE-mediated AgNPs for applications in antimicrobial coatings and sustainable wastewater treatment, particularly in textile effluents.
Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) oligomers, formed through an accumulation pathway, are toxic to insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cells and are considered to contribute for beta-cell death and insulin deficiency commonly observed in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. In this study, we investigated and compared the antiaggregation effects of several nanoparticles (NPs) including zinc acetate, graphene oxide (GO), and zinc-conjugated GO (GO-NH2-Zn) on their interactions with hIAPP. For this purpose, GO was purchased and subsequently conjugated with zinc acetate. Recombinant hIAPP was produced and its amyloidogenic behavior was evaluated in the presence of different concentrations of GO, zinc acetate, and GO-NH2-Zn. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to examine the amyloid behavior of the protein. Additionally, the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of amyloid particles alone and in the presence of GO-NH2-Zn NP were recorded. A cell toxicity assay revealed these NPs protected insulin-secreting NIT-1 pancreatic beta-cells from hIAPP-induced toxicity. TEM images and ThT fluorescence spectra confirmed the reduction in hIAPP aggregation in the presence of GO-NH2-Zn. Our results clearly demonstrated that both zinc acetate and GO extended the lag-phase latency to form amyloid fibrils, while GO-NH2-Zn exerted a synergistic inhibitory effect on fibril formation. Furthermore, when GO-NH2-Zn was incubated with fetal bovine serum (FBS) to form a hard corona mimicking in vivo circumstances, it effectively prevented the formation of amyloid as expected. Our study suggests that the GO-NH2-Zn, as an antiaggregation NP, has potential for use in designing new nanomedicine agents to inhibit hIAPP fibril formation and treat T2D disease.
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is widely utilized in tumor research. However, platform-specific technical biases may impact data interpretation. This study compared the performance of droplet- and microwell-based scRNA-seq platforms in the analysis of clinical samples. Despite the similarities after batch effect correction, significant differences were observed in multiple aspects, including mRNA preference, cell type restoration, and gene expression patterns. The droplet-based platform captured a higher proportion of immune cells, whereas the microwell-based platform provided a more accurate immune cell representation. Differential gene expression, pseudotime, and cell-cell communication analyses further revealed platform-dependent variations across multiple aspects. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into platform selection and optimization for cross-platform data integration in single-cell transcriptomics.
A characteristic of many neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, is amyloidogenic protein aggregation, for which there are currently no proven cures. Aging, mutation, and physiological stress can cause proteins to deviate from their natural folding patterns, potentially leading to the formation of hazardous protein aggregates. Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs), due to their unique physicochemical properties, have emerged as promising tools in biomedicine, with applications ranging from tissue engineering to drug delivery and diagnostics. Although concerns regarding cytotoxicity exist, small-sized silver (Ag) NPs (AgNPs) have demonstrated potential in antiviral, anticancer, and antibacterial therapies. This study investigated the development of biocompatible AgNPs using a green synthesis approach and examined their chaperone-like activity against protein aggregation, emphasizing the role of meticulous in vitro design. Human lysozyme (HLZ) served as a model protein for aggregation inhibition assays. Biogenic AgNPs exhibited a concentration-dependent effect on HLZ aggregation, demonstrating an optimal inhibitory concentration, followed by a decrease in efficacy at higher concentrations. Furthermore, astrocytes treated with AgNPs displayed reduced protein aggregation, suggesting a chaperone-like behavior. The initial phase focused on the detailed characterization of AgNPs synthesized using orange juice extract. Subsequently, this study explored the mechanistic understanding of AgNP-mediated inhibition of protein aggregation under controlled conditions. A battery of biophysical techniques, including circular dichroism (CD), 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence, thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence, Congo red (CR) assay, and turbidity measurements, was employed to meticulously assess the inhibitory effect on HLZ aggregation in vitro.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is responsible for the majority of cold sores, herpetic keratitis-induced blindness, profound skin lesions, and encephalitis that can be fatal. Currently, acyclovir and its derivatives are the first-line therapy for the treatment of HSV-1 infection. But there are drawbacks to these treatments: limited efficacy against drug-resistant strains of the virus. Hence, it is of critical importance to explore and develop new antiviral drugs for HSV-1. In the present study, we explored whether tungsten oxide nanoparticles (WO 3 NPs) were potent inhibitors of HSV-1 infection as a new class of agent. WO 3 NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis. Cytotoxicity of Vero cells caused by WO 3 NPs was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was utilized for further verification of the action of the WO 3 NPs on HSV-1. The cytotoxicity test showed low toxicity (<20%) of the rod-shaped WO 3 NPs when they were assayed on Vero cells at concentrations of up to 700 μg/mL. When HSV-1 was treated with WO 3 NPs at 700 µg/mL [20% cytotoxicity concentration (CC 20 ); the concentration causing 20% cytotoxicity, ~80% cell viability] and 1000 µg/mL [50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC 50 ); the concentration causing 50% cytotoxicity, ~50% cell viability] for 3 h, the viral load was significantly reduced, achieving inhibition rates of 99.4% and 99.9%, respectively. Additionally, experiments conducted after HSV-1 infection of Vero cells (post-treatment assays) indicated that WO 3 NPs at concentrations of 250, 500, and 750 µg/mL significantly suppressed viral replication, with inhibition rates of 82%, 87.5%, and 96.5%, respectively. WO 3 NPs have potent inhibitory effects on HSV-1. Therefore, they can be considered potential candidates for therapeutic development against infections caused by this virus.
The stem rust disease caused by obligate biotrophic fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is a worldwide threat to the global wheat production with frequent epidemics leading to widespread reliance on chemical fungicides such as cyproconazole. To reduce fungicide risks on human health and environmental integrity, chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) and novel chitosan-cyproconazole nanocomposite (Chi-Cyp) were synthesized. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the size of 80-90 nm and surface charge and uniformity. To evaluate their efficacy against the disease, various concentrations of CNP and Chi-Cyp were applied via irrigation, foliar spray, and a combination of both methods. Wheat seedlings were treated 24 h prior to inoculation, as well as at 48- and 96-h post-inoculation with Pgt urediniospores. Phenotypic assessments conducted 2 weeks post-inoculation revealed that CNPs (100 μg/mL) and Chi-Cyp (1 μg/mL), along with the positive control cyproconazole (10 μg/mL), significantly suppressed stem rust infection. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis corroborated these findings, demonstrating a substantial reduction in fungal biomass in treated plants. Additionally, the impact of the nanomaterials on plant growth parameters was examined. Notably, Chi-Cyp treatment at 50 μg/mL significantly enhanced seedling growth, as evidenced by increased shoot and root lengths, and elevated fresh and dry biomass accumulation. This study highlights the potential of the Chi-Cyp nanocomposite, which contains a 10-fold lower concentration of cyproconazole, to effectively control stem rust with comparable efficacy to the fungicide alone. These findings underscore the promise of nanotechnology-based strategies in sustainable plant disease management.
This study presents an environmentally friendly and nontoxic method for the selective separation and removal of trace amounts. A magnetic nanocomposite made of Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan–acrylic acid was utilized to separate and remove Cu 2+ ions using its magnetic properties. Various characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and VSM, were employed to investigate and identify the nanocomposite. Additionally, the research discusses adsorption isotherm models related to the adsorption of Cu 2+ ions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the biodegradable Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan–acrylic acid nanocomposite for Cu 2+ ions was found to be 30.68 mg/g. The adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm model when using the Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan–acrylic acid adsorbent. The method exhibited a linear range of 10–1000 µg/L for Cu 2+ ions, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.15 μg/L for the adsorption of Cu 2+ ions by the Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan–acrylic acid adsorbent. These findings indicate that Fe 3 O 4 /chitosan–acrylic is a high‐performance adsorbent for removing Cu 2+ ions from tap, well, river, and spring water samples.
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer is often carried out at late‐stage, thus requiring more effective treatment strategies. Kushenol E (KE) as a poorly soluble drug exhibits strong antiproliferative activity in cancer cells but no related studies have reported in anti‐ovarian cancer. It is very beneficial to enhance antineoplastic properties of KE to establish an ovarian tumor‐targeting nanoparticle system modified with tumor‐homing c(RGDfK) peptides. In the current study, PLGA‐PEG‐c(RGDfK)‐KE micelles (PPCKM) were prepared to overcome poor water solubility of KE to meet the requirement of tumor active targeting. The PPCKM showed a higher drug cumulative release ratio (82.16 ± 7.69 % vs 34.96 ± 3.05 %, at 1.5 h) with good morphology, particle size (93.41 ± 2.84 nm), and entrapment efficiency (89.7% ± 1.3%). The cell viability, migration and apoptosis analysis of SKOV‐3 cells demonstrated that PPCKM retained potent anti‐tumor effects, and promoted apoptosis at early and advanced stage with concentration‐dependent. Based on establishment of xenograft models in BALB/c nude mice, we discovered that PPCKM reduced tumor volume and weight, inhibited PCNA and Ki67 expression, as well as promoted apoptosis by targeting the tumor site. Collectively, these findings suggest that PPCKM may serve as an effective therapeutic option for ovarian cancer. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The study aims to fabricate eco-friendly, biogenic magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) mediated by ethanol-guar gum extract, which acts as both a reducing and coating/stabilizing agent. The prepared MgO NPs were first synthesized and characterized by various analytical techniques, including UV-visible, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) crystallography. Bioactivity studies included antibacterial studies focusing on the inhibition of a dental caries-causing pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis, by MIC, MBC, well diffusion (WD) agar, antibiofilm, and time-kill (TK) assays. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of MgO NPs were examined. A bacterial adherence study was conducted as the main aim by exposing the bacteria to human teeth in vitro. Findings demonstrated that biogenic MgO NPs were successfully synthesized with flaky morphologies, with an average size of 20-30 nm and the desired purity. FTIR showed possible functional groups, confirming the involvement of guar metabolites in NP formation. The XRD pattern elucidated the crystalline phase of MgO NPs to be a cubic (FCC) periclase structure with a crystallite size of 16.5 nm. Antibacterial experiments showed that MgO NPs had a moderate effect on Enterococcus faecalis, with MIC and MBC of 32 and 64 µg/mL, respectively. In contrast, chlorhexidine (CHX), doxycycline (Dox), and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) were more effective, while the guar extract showed the weakest inhibition; additionally, antibiofilm assessments were followed by antibacterial outcomes. However, cytotoxicity studies exhibited the least toxicity for MgO NPs compared with other compounds. The dental adherence test also showed that MgO NPs can inhibit bacterial interactions with the dental surface without inhibiting bacterial growth at sub-MIC concentrations. Meanwhile, other groups killed them rapidly before they could adhere to teeth. Here, biocompatibility and long-term antibacterial effectiveness were advantages of biogenic MgO NPs over other compounds that have been shown to be toxic to the host over long-term consumption. Therefore, guar extract-mediated MgO NPs demonstrated that they can be a favorable alternative for biofilm control in dental health without toxicity to related tissues in the oral cavity.
This study presents an environmentally friendly and nontoxic method for the selective separation and removal of trace amounts. A magnetic nanocomposite made of Fe3O4/chitosan-acrylic acid was utilized to separate and remove Cu2+ ions using its magnetic properties. Various characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and VSM, were employed to investigate and identify the nanocomposite. Additionally, the research discusses adsorption isotherm models related to the adsorption of Cu2+ ions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the biodegradable Fe3O4/chitosan-acrylic acid nanocomposite for Cu2+ ions was found to be 30.68 mg/g. The adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm model when using the Fe3O4/chitosan-acrylic acid adsorbent. The method exhibited a linear range of 10-1000 µg/L for Cu2+ ions, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.15 μg/L for the adsorption of Cu2+ ions by the Fe3O4/chitosan-acrylic acid adsorbent. These findings indicate that Fe3O4/chitosan-acrylic is a high-performance adsorbent for removing Cu2+ ions from tap, well, river, and spring water samples.
