The extensive application of graphene oxide nanoparticles (GONPs) across various fields, owing to their unique physicochemical properties, has led to their increasing release into soil ecosystems, raising concerns about potential interactions with soil microorganisms and plants. This study investigated the effects of different GONPs concentrations-0 (control), 200, 300, and 600 mg kg-1 soil-on soil microbial indices after 30, 60, and 90 days of exposure, as well as on the growth performance of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under controlled growth chamber conditions (temperature: 25 ± 2 °C; photoperiod: 16/8 h light/dark; relative humidity: 60 ± 5%). Increasing GONPs concentrations and longer incubation periods significantly enhanced all microbial parameters (p < 0.01). At 600 mg kg-1 after 90 days of incubation, basal respiration (BR) and substrate-induced respiration (SIR) increased by 3.3- and 2.2-fold, respectively, while the microbial population rose 48-fold, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased by 60%, and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) exhibited nearly a sevenfold enhancement compared to the GONPs-free soil. Likewise, basil growth was markedly promoted, with shoot and root dry weights increasing by 2.8- and 7.9-fold, respectively, and root volume by 4.5-fold. The root-to-shoot ratio, leaf area, and plant height increased by 88%, 78% and 39%, respectively. Chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid contents also rose by 69%, 96% and 3.1-fold. Overall, GONPs application-particularly at 600 mg kg-1-significantly enhanced soil biological activity and basil productivity, highlighting their potential as a nanomaterial for improving soil health, boosting plant growth, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Plasmonic photothermal therapy (PTT) offers a promising route for selective cancer treatment through laser-activated metallic nanoparticles (NPs). Here, we systematically evaluated how NP geometry, size, and elemental composition govern photothermal toxicity responses in healthy fibroblasts (L929) and lung carcinoma cells (A549) under both laser-free and 808 nm laser-irradiated conditions. Spherical, rod-shaped, and star-shaped gold nanoparticles (AuNP, AuNR, AuNS), together with spherical and prismatic silver nanoparticles (AgNP, AgNPr), were synthesized, characterized, and assessed across multiple biological endpoints. Cellular viability (MTT), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage (Comet assay), inflammatory cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), and apoptosis (Annexin V/PI staining and caspase-3/9 activation) were systematically analyzed. Laser activation markedly amplified cancer-selective cytotoxicity, with AuNR and AgNPr exhibiting the strongest photothermal responses while largely sparing healthy cells. AuNR and 20 nm AuNP induced pronounced ROS generation and caspase-dependent apoptosis in A549 cells upon irradiation, whereas AgNPr preferentially promoted DNA damage and inflammatory signaling in cancer cells with minimal effects in L929 cells. Across all nanostructures, laser irradiation selectively intensified genotoxic and inflammatory responses in tumor cells, highlighting a strong dependence on nanoparticle geometry and plasmonic resonance matching. Collectively, these results demonstrate that NP shape and photothermal activation synergistically dictate therapeutic/toxic effects and selectivity. AuNR and AgNPr emerge as leading candidates for precision PTT, combining potent anticancer activity with favorable biocompatibility. This work provides mechanistic insight into structure-activity relationships in plasmonic PTT and informs the rational design of next-generation photothermal nanotherapeutics.
New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are increasingly needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nanomaterials in biomedicine while generating human-relevant evidence and reducing reliance on animal studies. For therapeutic nanoformulations, single in vitro assays often fail to capture the sequence of events that determines both functional performance and potential adverse outcomes, including interaction with exposure interfaces, epithelial transport, and response at the target tissue. Here, we present an integrated human-relevant NAMs workflow to evaluate selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) stabilised with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or polysorbate 20 (Tween). These SeNPs were used as a relevant nanomedical case study, as such systems are increasingly being designed with antioxidant, neuroprotective, and drug-delivery properties. The workflow combined three complementary in vitro models: a tri-culture alveolar barrier at a semi-air-liquid interface, a mucus-competent intestinal barrier with continuous transepithelial electrical resistance monitoring, and differentiated dopaminergic-like SH-SY5Y neurons, representing two major therapeutic administration interfaces and a disease-relevant downstream neuronal target. Across models, SeNPs showed coating- and cell-type-dependent cytotoxicity, preserved barrier integrity at non-cytotoxic doses, and exhibited measurable basolateral transport. Neuronal uptake was confirmed, and both SeNP formulations attenuated L-dopa-induced oxidative stress without eliciting measurable pro-inflammatory cytokine release at effective concentrations. By linking two administration-relevant epithelial barrier models with a disease-relevant neuronal target, this study demonstrates how integrated NAMs can support early de-risking, formulation prioritisation, and more informed preclinical development of nanomedical systems.
Modern agriculture is under increasing pressure to meet the food demands of a growing global population while reducing the environmental and health impacts associated with intensive chemical inputs. This study aims to evaluate the role of nanotechnology in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, with a focus on its applications in crop nutrition, crop protection, soil and water management, and post-harvest preservation. The review highlights that nano-fertilizers, particularly those containing essential nutrients such as zinc, phosphorus, and nitrogen, significantly improve nutrient use efficiency, enhance photosynthetic performance, and increase plant resilience to abiotic stress compared to conventional fertilizers. Similarly, nano-pesticides and nano-herbicides enable targeted and controlled delivery of active compounds, resulting in reduced agrochemical usage and minimized adverse effects on non-target organisms and ecosystems. In addition, nanomaterials contribute to soil health by improving water retention, nutrient availability, and overall fertility, while their application in water purification enhances irrigation quality. Post-harvest technologies, including antimicrobial nano-coatings and smart packaging systems, have also been shown to effectively extend shelf life and reduce food losses along the supply chain. These findings suggest that nanotechnology offers a promising pathway toward improving agricultural efficiency while addressing environmental sustainability concerns. However, further research is needed to assess long-term ecological impacts, scalability, and regulatory frameworks. Overall, the integration of nanotechnology into agricultural systems has the potential to support resilient, resource-efficient, and sustainable food production for the future.
The complexity of nanoparticle toxicity necessitates applying machine learning to large toxicological datasets to identify predictive features and toxicity rules. This study investigates the relationships between the physicochemical properties of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), external experimental parameters, and toxicity under in vitro conditions. Data from the literature, databases, and in-house experiments were balanced using our Balanced Fitted Dose-Response approach, yielding nearly equal numbers of concentration data points across toxicity levels. The CatBoost algorithm outperformed Decision Tree models in predicting SiNP toxicity. The Catboost Shapley value analysis revealed the following sequence of feature importance: Mass > Total Surface Area > Serum > Total NP Number ∼ Primary Size > Exposure Time > Chemical Surface Modification > Cell Age > Cell Culture > Cell Disease. Rule extraction from a transparent decision-tree model revealed detailed information on the interrelationships among the features of surface-modified SiNPs and their toxicity. It showed that surface-unmodified SiNPs-OH are more toxic than surface-modified SiNPs-NH2 and SiNPs-COOH. Adsorption and uptake measurements by imaging flow cytometry, employing alveolar macrophages, revealed significantly higher adsorption for SiNPs-OH compared with modified SiNPs, while uptake of SiNPs-OH was lower. The integration of computational and experimental findings suggests that adsorption of SiNPs to the macrophage membrane contributes to their toxicity, in addition to internalization, providing valuable insight into the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle safety.
