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Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is a more sustainable, safe, and environmentally friendly method. This study aimed to investigate the synthesis procedure of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using the seed extract of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) as a strong reducing agent and to estimate their cytotoxic and antibacterial properties. The obtained IONPs were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential (ZP), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The cytotoxicity of the biosynthesized IONPs was demonstrated by the MTT on a Vero cell line. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the fabricated biosynthesis metal oxide NPs was tested on Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ATCC 35218) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (ATCC 29213) bacterial strains using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. This study showed the formation of a well-dispersed, highly stable (ZP ζ = −51.8 mV) IO NPs with an average diameter of about 31.45 nm. Moreover, the biosynthetic NPs (IONPs) exhibited a significantly noncytotoxic effect when analyzed by the MTT assay. The biosynthetic NPs (NS-IONPs) exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, where the inhibition zones were 12.34 ± 0.58 and 11.52 ± 0.58, respectively.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer that occurs and develops in the liver and is among the top frequent cancer-related death worldwide. Currently, clinical treatment options can control the HCC cancer, but, in some cases, it develops resistance to standard therapies and does not respond to these treatment options. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is used in traditional and alternative therapies for its various health benefits. Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the anticancer and cytotoxic effects of Ajwa date ethanol extract (ADX) on hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. Materials and Methods: The polyphenolic constituents of ADX were analysed using HPLC to identify the major polyphenols in the extract. The cell proliferation and viability percentages were examined through Trypan blue dye and MTT assay. Additionally, DNA fragmentation and mRNA expression level of apoptotic genes were applied to investigate the cell death mechanism. Results: The ADX induced significant cytotoxic effects against hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro. It was reduced the viability and proliferation in HepG2 cells treated with ADX at various concentrations for different exposure times comparing to untreated cells. Furthermore, the microscopic investigation showed apparent changes in HepG2 treated cells and the results of DNA fragmentation showed an increase in the percentage of fragmented DNA. Moreover, the expression of p53 and Bax genes was up regulated, while Bcl-2 gene expression was down regulated, in HepG2 cells treated with ADX. Conclusion: The ADX may be a promising natural anticancer agent and can be developed as a new anticancer therapy tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chamomile, one of the most popular curative plants that possess anticancer, anti-inflammatory and scavenging activities. However, the influence of chamomile as an immunostimulatory or immunoregulator remains, for the most part, unknown. In our research, we have attempted to ascertain the immunomodulatory effects of chamomile extracts (Chx) using different methods on isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and elucidated the mechanism by which chamomile extract treatment enhance the immune system. MTT assay was performed to set the proliferation percentage of PBMCs well as the viability percentage after Chx treatment. Also, the expression levels of cytokines, interlukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were investigated based on mRNA expression and protein synthesis via semi-quantitative PCR and ELISA method. The obtained data revealed that treatment of PBMCs with Chx at a dose of 5,10, 15, 20 and 25μg/ml for 0 - 48 hour enhanced cell viability and proliferation in a time and dose following pattern. Cell proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation was increased to reach 85% vs 70% and 87.5% vs 67% after 24 and 48 h. respectively and significantly enhanced the viability. Furthermore, Chx significantly depleted intracellular IL-6 and TNF levels by 36% and 25% below that of untreated cells at a dose of 15μg/ml which represent the most effective dose. The findings indicated that chamomile extract is a potent immunomodulative that enhanced PBMCs proliferation and viability and downregulate the pro-inflammatory cytokines and these modulating effects might promote the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual-targeting nanomedicine composed of pH-sensitive superparamagnetic iron oxide core-gold shell SPION@Au, chitosan (CS), and folate (FA) was developed as a doxorubicin (DOX) antitumor medication. Microemulsion was used for preparation and cross-linking conjugation. The characteristics of the designed nanocomposite were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, Zeta potential and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The prepared SPION@Au-CS-DOX-FA nanoparticles (NPs) were spherical with an average diameter of 102.6 ± 7 nm and displayed an elevated drug loading behavior and sustained drug release capacity. The SPION@Au-CS-DOX-FA NPs revealed long term anti-cancer efficacy due to their cytotoxic effect and apoptotic inducing efficiency in SkBr3 cell lines. Additionally, Real-time PCR outcomes significantly showed an increase in BAK and BAX expression and a decrease in BCL-XL and BCL-2. In vivo results revealed that SPION@Au significantly decreased the tumor size in treated mice through magnetization. In conclusion, prepared SPION@Au-CS-DOX-FA could be a beneficial drug formulation for clinical breast cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]