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Extensive uses of calcium titanate nanoparticles (CaTiO3-NPs) and erbium oxide nanoparticles (Er2O3-NPs) increase their release into the environment and human exposure, particularly through skin contact. However, there are almost no studies available on the effect of these nanoparticles on skin integrity. Therefore, this study was undertaken to estimate CaTiO3-NP- or Er2O3-NP-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in normal human skin fibroblast (HSF) cells. Cell viability was measured using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, while the level of DNA damage was detected using the alkaline comet assay. The intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as the expression level of p53, Bax, and Bcl2 genes were detected. Although the viability of HSF cells was non-markedly changed after 24 h, prolonged treatment with CaTiO3-NPs or Er2O3-NPs for 72 h induced concentration-dependent death of HSF cells. Treatment of normal HSF cells with IC50/72 h of CaTiO3-NPs or Er2O3-NPs did not cause marked changes in the intracellular level of ROS, DNA damage parameters, and expression levels of apoptosis genes compared to their values in the untreated HSF cells. We thus concluded that CaTiO3-NPs or Er2O3-NPs cause time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity toward normal HSF cells. However, safe and non-genotoxic effects were demonstrated by the apparent non-significant changes in intracellular ROS level, DNA integrity, and apoptotic genes’ expression after exposure of normal HSF cells to nanoparticles. Thus, it is recommended that further studies be conducted to further understand the toxic and biological effects of CaTiO3-NPs and Er2O3-NPs.

Nicotine is the most abundant ingredient in cigarette smoking and has serious side effects on the lung, heart, reproductive system, and many other human organs. Saponins extracted from many plants exhibit multiple biological actions such as anti-cancer effects. Therefore, the possible protective effect of fenugreek saponin (FS) and nanofenugreek saponin (NFS) against nicotine-induced toxicity in male rats was investigated in this study. Animals were divided into a control group and the nicotine (1.5 mg/kg/day), FS (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day), or/and NFS (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day) administered groups. Micronucleus assay, histopathological, and sperm abnormality examinations as well as measurement of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gene expression were conducted. Our findings revealed that nicotine treatment induced significant increases in the incidence of micronucleus, sperm abnormalities, and expression levels of AChE in addition to inducing histopathological changes in rat testis. On the other hand, administration of FS or NFS with nicotine significantly decreased the incidence of micronuclei and the percentage of sperm abnormalities as well as the expression levels of AChE gene. Moreover, nicotine-induced histological alterations were reduced by given FS or NFS with nicotine. In conclusion, nicotine-induced sperm abnormalities, chromosomal damage, and histological injuries were mitigated by administration of FS or NFS with nicotine, and thus, FS and NFS could be used as ameliorating agents against nicotine toxicity. Graphical abstract

Despite the high antioxidant and penetration ability of pomegranate seed oil (PSO), the in vivo antitumor activity of PSO nano-emulsion has not been well investigated. Therefore, this study was undertaken to estimate the antitumor activity and safety of PSO nano-emulsion in mice bearing Ehrlich solid carcinoma cells. For tumor inoculation, about 2 × 106 viable Ehrlich tumor cells (200 µl) were implanted intramuscularly in the left thigh of hind leg. Once a solid tumor appears on the 10th day of transplantation; the mice were randomly divided into five groups (5 animals/group). Characterization of the PSO nano-emulsion using a Zeta sizer Malvern instrument and transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that the PSO nano-droplets were well dispersed with an average particle size of 8.95 nm and a spherical shape. Treatment with PSO nano-emulsions caused a significant reduction in the tumor size and weight, in a dose dependent manner, compared to tumor control group. Marked dose dependent elevations in the DNA damage level together with significant increases in the tumor suppressor p53, Bax and Caspase genes and reductions in the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 gene were also observed in the tumor tissue of mice given PSO nano-emulsions. Histological examination also revealed apoptosis and necrosis of tumor cells and tumor infiltration with inflammatory cells after PSO nano-emulsion treatment. However, high DNA damage was noticed in the liver and kidney tissues of mice given the highest dose of PSO nano-emulsion (400 mg/kg). Therefore, we concluded that PSO nano-emulsion exhibited a potent antitumor activity through induction of DNA breaks that triggers apoptosis of tumor cells but the highest dose caused genotoxicity to liver and kidney tissues, thus it is recommended to use doses lower than 400 mg/kg of PSO nano-emulsion as an alternative drugs for chemotherapy.

Acrylamide is used in the industry and can be a by-product of high-temperature food processing which has toxic potential in various tissues, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are widely used in toothpaste, sweets, food perseveration, chewing gum and medicines. Consequently, humans are daily exposed to large amounts of acrylamide and TiO2NPs mainly through food intake. However, limited studies are available on the effect of simultaneously intake of acrylamide and TiO2NPs on the integrity of genomic DNA and the induction of apoptosis in brain tissues. Therefore, this study estimated the influence of acrylamide coadministration on TiO2NPs induced genomic instability and oxidative stress in the brain tissues of mice. To achieve this, mice were orally administrated acrylamide (3 mg/kg b.w) or/and TiO2NPs (5 mg/kg b.w) for two successive weeks (5 days per week). The comet assay results showed that concurrent oral administration of acrylamide and TiO2NPs strongly induced single- and double stranded DNA breaks, and that the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also highly elevated within neural cells after simultaneous oral intake of acrylamide and TiO2NPs compared to those observed after administration of acrylamide or/TiO2NPs alone. Moreover, oral co-administration of acrylamide with TiO2NPs increased apoptotic DNA damage to neurons by upregulating the expression levels of P53, TNF-α, IL-6 and Presenillin-1 genes compared to groups administered TiO2NPs. Therefore, from these results, the present study concluded that coadministration of acrylamide renders TiO2NPs more genotoxic and motivates apoptotic DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by TiO2NPs in brain cells, and thus it is recommended to avoid concurrent oral acrylamide administration with TiO2NPs.

Background The distinctive properties and high activity of calcium titanate nanoparticles (CaTiO3-NPs) increase their use in many products. However, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of CaTiO3-NPs in human cancer cell lines have not been well studied. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore CaTiO3-NPs induced cytotoxicity, genomic instability and apoptosis in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. Methods Sulforhodamine B (SRB) and the alkaline comet assays were done to study cell viability and DNA damage induction, respectively. Apoptosis induction and cell cycle distribution were analyzed using flow cytometry. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was studied, and the expression levels of p53, Bax and Bcl2 genes were also measured. Results The results of the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) cytotoxicity assay showed that viability of MCF-7 cells was not affected by CaTiO3-NPs treatment for 24 h, however, exposure to CaTiO3-NPs for 72 h caused concentrations dependent death of MCF-7 cells. Treatment with CaTiO3-NPs for 72 h caused marked increases in intracellular ROS level and induced DNA damage. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with CaTiO3-NPs also caused MCF-7 cell cycle arrest at the G0 and S phases and s triggered apoptosis of MCF-7 cells by causing simultaneous increases in the expression levels of apoptotic p53 and Bax genes and a decrease in the expression level of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 gene. Conclusion Collectively, it was concluded that CaTiO3-NPs cause time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects in human MCF-7 cells through induction of ROS generation, genomic instability and apoptosis. Thus it is recommended that further in vitro and in vivo studies are therefore recommended to understand the cytotoxic and biological effects of CaTiO3-NPs.

Arsenic (As) contamination in drinking groundwater sources is a common environmental problem in Pakistan. Therefore, we collected a total of (n = 81) drinking groundwater samples from various groundwater sources, from two districts’ namely Ghotki (n = 44) and Nawab Shah (n = 37) of Sindh, Province, Pakistan. The current research aimed to investigate the hydrogeochemistry of groundwater with elevated arsenic (As), its effect on the health of local population living in the study area, potential sources of groundwater variables, and the suitability of groundwater for ingestion motive. The results showed that groundwater sample variables of both districts had moderate to high concentration levels. The cations concentrations were observed in decreasing order of Na+ > Ca+ > Mg+ > K+, for both districts, while anions abundance was HCO3− > Cl− > SO42− > F− > NO3− in the Ghotki, and HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− > NO3− > F− in the Nawab Shah, respectively. Arsenic (As) had low to high concentration levels in both districts, observed with average values of 10.1 μg/L and 21.0 μg/L in the Ghotki and Nawab Shah, respectively. The water type was mixed CaMgCl type in both districts, while the groundwater sources were saturated for CO3 minerals indicated by the saturation indices results. Principal component analysis showed the geogenic source of ion exchange, dissolution of minerals, weathering of host rocks and anthropogenic input of industrial activities, agricultural practices and domestic waste for groundwater contamination. The water quality index (WQI) exhibits that majority of groundwater samples (73.6% of Ghotki and 65.7% of Nawab Shah) were suitable for drinking. The non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) values of As were (>1) in groundwater samples of the Ghotki and Nawab Shah, while a high mean HQ value (8.78 × 100) was recorded for children in Nawab Shah. The carcinogenic risk (CR) values of As were significantly higher than the maximum threshold CR value (1 × 10–4). This study emphasized that monitoring strategies are substantially needed to mitigate the As contamination to reduce the potential health risk.

Extensive uses of calcium titanate nanoparticles (CaTiO

Six mungbean parental lines and their fifteen F

The remarkable physical and chemical characteristics of noble metal nanoparticles, such as high surface-to-volume ratio, broad optical properties, ease of assembly, surfactant and functional chemistry, have increased scientific interest in using erbium oxide nanoparticles (Er2O3-NPs) and other noble metal nanostructures in cancer treatment. However, the therapeutic effect of Er2O3-NPs on hepatic cancer cells has not been studied. Therefore, the current study was conducted to estimate the therapeutic potential of Er2O3-NPs on human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) cells. Exposure to Er2O3-NPs for 72 h inhibited growth and caused death of Hep-G2 cells in a concentration dependent manner. High DNA damage and extra-production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were induced by Er2O3-NPs in Hep-G2 cells. As determined by flow cytometry, Er2O3-NPs arrested Hep-G2 cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and markedly increased the number of Hep-G2 cells in the apoptotic and necrotic phases. Moreover, Er2O3-NPs caused simultaneous marked increases in expression levels of apoptotic (p53 and Bax) genes and decreased level of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 gene expression level in Hep-G2 cells. Thus it is concluded that Er2O3-NPs inhibit proliferation and trigger apoptosis of Hep-G2 cells through the extra ROS generation causing high DNA damage induction and alterations of apoptotic genes. Thus it is recommended that further in vitro and in vivo studies be carried out to study the possibility of using Er2O3-NPs in the treatment of cancer.

Curcumin is the primary polyphenol in turmeric’s curcuminoid class. It has a wide range of therapeutic applications, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and anticancer effects against various cancers, but has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Objective: To improve curcumin’s bioavailability, plasma concentration, and cellular permeability processes. The nanocurcumin approach over curcumin has been proven appropriate for encapsulating or loading curcumin (nanocurcumin) to increase its therapeutic potential. Conclusion: Though incorporating curcumin into nanocurcumin form may be a viable method for overcoming its intrinsic limitations, and there are reasonable concerns regarding its toxicological safety once it enters biological pathways. This review article mainly highlights the therapeutic benefits of nanocurcumin over curcumin.

Nicotine is the most abundant ingredient in cigarette smoking and has serious side effects on the lung, heart, reproductive system, and many other human organs. Saponins extracted from many plants exhibit multiple biological actions such as anti-cancer effects. Therefore, the possible protective effect of fenugreek saponin (FS) and nanofenugreek saponin (NFS) against nicotine-induced toxicity in male rats was investigated in this study. Animals were divided into a control group and the nicotine (1.5 mg/kg/day), FS (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day), or/and NFS (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day) administered groups. Micronucleus assay, histopathological, and sperm abnormality examinations as well as measurement of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gene expression were conducted. Our findings revealed that nicotine treatment induced significant increases in the incidence of micronucleus, sperm abnormalities, and expression levels of AChE in addition to inducing histopathological changes in rat testis. On the other hand, administration of FS or NFS with nicotine significantly decreased the incidence of micronuclei and the percentage of sperm abnormalities as well as the expression levels of AChE gene. Moreover, nicotine-induced histological alterations were reduced by given FS or NFS with nicotine. In conclusion, nicotine-induced sperm abnormalities, chromosomal damage, and histological injuries were mitigated by administration of FS or NFS with nicotine, and thus, FS and NFS could be used as ameliorating agents against nicotine toxicity.

Six mungbean parental lines and their fifteen F1s produced from half-diallel mating design were investigated for combining ability and heterosis in terms of a yield and its components. Results showed highly significant variations among the parents and F1s, suggesting a wide genetic variability for the studied characters. Analysis of variance indicated that genotypes mean square values, general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant (p ≤ 0.001) for all measured traits except for days to flowering, days to maturity, and pod length indicating genetic diversity of parents and both additive and non-additive gene effects in the inheritance of the measured traits. A higher effect of SCA than GCA for plant height and seeds per pod suggests the preponderance of non-additive gene effects in the expression of characters. Based on per se performance and GCA, BARI Mung-1, PS-7, and BMXK1-14004 were the best general combiners for yield per plant. In the context of SCA, hybrids BMXK1-14004 × Sonali mung, BMXK1-14004 × PS-7, BMXK1-14004 × BINA Mung-8, Sukumar × PS-7, and BARI Mung-1 × BINA Mung-8 were good specific combiners. BMXK1-14004 × Sonali mung and BMXK1-14004 × PS-7 were the best heterotic hybrids for yield and yield-contributing traits. These parents and crosses could be utilized for further use in breeding programs to improve yields in mungbean crops.

In a batch reactor, the EF advanced oxidation decolorization of aqueous solutions of methyl orange MO, a commercial azo reactive textile dye, was investigated in the presence of two different electrodes. The evaluation included various operational variables such as the IC current intensity (60 mA, 80 mA, and 100 mA), initial concentration of pollutant MO (20 mg/L, 40 mg/L, and 60 mg/L), initial pH of solution (3, 5, and 7), temperature of solution (20 °C, 30 °C, and 50 °C), and initial concentration of catalyst [Fe2+] (0.1 mM, 0.2 mM, and 0.3 mM) on the discoloration rate. A Box-Behnken Design of Experiment (BBD) was used to optimize the parameters that directly affect the Electro-Fenton (EF) process. Under the optimal experimental conditions such as [Fe2+] = 0.232 mM, pH = 3, IC = 80 mA, [MO] = 60 mg/L, and T = 30 ± 0.1 °C, the maximum discoloration rate achieved was 94.9%. The discoloration of the aqueous MO solution during the treatment time was confirmed by analysis of the UV-visible spectrum. After a review of the literature on organic pollutant degradation, the EF system provided here is shown to be one of the best in terms of discoloration rate when compared to other AOPs.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of gibberellic acid on both concentration and time of application on the seed production ability of BU cauliflower-1. The experiment was conducted to determine seed production ability at five concentrations of GA3: G0 = Control, G1 = 100 ppm, G2 = 200 ppm, G3 = 300 ppm, G4 = 400 ppm, along with four application times at different growth stages including T1 = Foliar application at 3 weeks after planting, T2 = Foliar application at 4 weeks after planting, T3 = Foliar application at 5 weeks after planting and T4 = Foliar application at 6 weeks after planting. Results revealed that 200 ppm GA3 gave the highest plant height (44.05 cm), the number of primary (10.88) and secondary flowering branches (31.33), stalk length (79.53 cm), seeded pods per plant (465), pod length (4.975 cm), seeds per pod (10.87), seed yield per plant (16.16 g), seed yield (0.24 ton/ha), and weight of thousand seeds (4.826 g) with the earliest curd (51.02 days) and flower initiation (84.17 days). It also gave the highest net return (Tk. 4.7 lakh/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (4.34). GA3 application at 3 weeks after transplanting had the highest numbers of primary and secondary flowering branches, pods, seeded pods, and seed yield per plant. The treatment combination of G2T1 gave the earliest curd initiation (49.60 days), the highest number of secondary flowering branches (34.87), seed yield per plant (22.75 g), and seed yield (0.27 ton/h). In contrast, the G2T2 treatment resulted in the earliest flower initiation (81.77 days) with the highest pod length (5.20 cm), the number of pods per plant (707), and seeded pods per plant (507), and seeds per pod (11.30). Hence, 200 ppm GA3 applied three weeks after transplanting could be used as the best combination for cauliflower seed production with the highest net return and benefit-cost ratio. Enhancing seed yield is our ultimate goal; hence, we suggest 200 ppm GA3 three weeks after transplanting for increased cauliflower seed production with the highest return and benefit-cost ratio in the study area. As we performed the study in a particular location, we recommend multilocation trials in different agro-ecological regions to study the genotype–environment interaction for final confirmation of the results.

Due to its recalcitrant and carcinogenic nature, the presence of methyl orange (MO) in the environment is a serious threat to human and animal life and is also toxic to plants. MO being recalcitrant cannot be effectively reclaimed from industrial effluents through physical and chemical approaches. Biological methods on the other hand have the potential to degrade such dyes because of their compatibility with nature and low chances of adverse effects on the environment. Bacteria, due to their fast growth rate and capability of surviving in extreme environments can effectively be used for this purpose. In the current research study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated and characterized using 16rRNA from textile wastewater. In the preliminary tests it was found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa has the ability to degrade and mineralize methyl orange effectively. The physicochemical conditions were then optimized, in order to get maximum degradation of MO which was achieved at 37 °C, a pH of 7, a low salt concentration of 0.1 g/15 mL, a high carbon source of 0.6 g/15 mL, and 72 h experimental time. In a single set of experiments where all these optimum conditions were combined, 88.23% decolorization of the selected dye was achieved. At the end of the experimental cycle, the aliquots were homogenized and filtered. The filtrates were subjected to FTIR and GC-MS analysis where azo linkage breaking was confirmed from the FTIR spectra. The filtrates were then extracted with ethyl acetate and then passed through a silica gel column. On the basis of Rf value (TLC plates used) similar fraction were combined which were then subjected to NMR analysis. The compounds detected through GC-MS, peaks were not observed in proton and C-13 NMR. Instead, solvent and some impurity peaks were present, showing that complete mineralization of the dye had occurred due to the action of different bacterial enzymes such as azoreductase, peroxidases, and classes on MO. The prosed mechanism of complete mineralization is based on spectral data that needs to be verified by trapping the individual step products through the use of appropriate inhibitors of individual enzymes.

Increasing the uses of molybdenum (Mo) nanoparticles in a wide range of applications including food, industry, and medicine, resulted in increased human exposure and necessitated the study of their toxic effects. However, almost no studies are available on their genotoxic effects, especially on pregnant females and their fetuses. Therefore, this study was undertaken to estimate the possible induction of genotoxicity and fetal abnormalities, especially fetal malformations and skeletal abnormalities by Mo nanoparticle administration in mice. Oral administration of Mo nanoparticles resulted in significant decreases in the maternal body weight, the number and length of fetuses as well as skeletal abnormalities mainly less ossification and less chondrification. Administration of Mo nanoparticles also caused DNA damage induction which elevated the expression levels of p53, the vital gene in maintaining the genomic stability and cell differentiation in both maternal and fetus tissues. Similarly, the expression levels of E-Cad and N-Cad genes that control skeleton development have also been increased in the tissues of female mice administered Mo nanoparticles and their fetuses. Thus, we concluded that oral administration of Mo nanoparticles induced genotoxic effects and fetal abnormalities that necessitated further studies on the possible toxic effects of Mo nanoparticles.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of incorporating Cicer arietinum in the diet on the testicular functions of the male mice. Seventy-two mice were divided equally into four groups that were daily fed a diet containing 0, 20, 30 and 50% of C. arietinum seeds, respectively. After 7, 14 and 21 days of starting the experiments, the mice were anesthetized and euthanized to collect the blood, testes, epididymis and seminal vesicles. The present results showed that the increased percentage of C. arietinum in the diet caused significant elevations in the serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), sperm concentration, sperm motility as well as the testicular levels of antioxidants including glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), in comparison to the controls. On the other hand, marked reductions in the sperm abnormality, testicular levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), the percentage of DNA damage in tail and tail moment (TM) were observed in the mice that received a diet containing C. arietinum as compared to the controls. Both the sperms and testes of the mice fed a diet containing C. arietinum in the diet showed a normal intact appearance of the electrophoresed genomic DNA on agarose, as those of the controls. In conclusion, C. arietinum is not only a safe ingredient in the fast-food but also an enhancer of the testicular functions.