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Gallic acid is a natural antioxidant present in many plants such as tea, sumac, gallnut and other plants. This naturally occurring gallic acid is known to exhibit auto-oxidation under certain conditions, generating several reactive oxygen species (ROS) including superoxides, hydroxyls and hydrogen peroxide radicals that plays key roles in its antimicrobial activity. Here, we demonstrate that incorporating gallic acid as a linker in Ni-based metal organic frameworks (Ni-gallate MOFs) produces mesoporous nanostructures with antimicrobial and anticancer activity. The synthesized Ni-gallate MOFs have shown antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and antifungal activity against two different strains of fungi species. Furthermore, Ni-gallate MOFs have shown a significant cytotoxic effect on rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells, compared to the standard anticancer drug, Doxorubicin. In this study, the Ni-gallate MOF nanostructures were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method for surface area. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of gallic acid-based mesoporous framework nanostructure were tested, suggesting that Ni-gallate MOF has a dual anticancer and antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonspecificity of doxorubicin (DOX), as well as its oral bioavailability, is a major obstacle in the clinical setting. This study was based on the change of pH value and designed for the 1st time a novel nano-matrix; multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with mesoporous silica (MS) and chitosan (CS). The latter possessed a unique nanostructure with pH-sensitivity in DOX release to be administered orally for the treatment of breast cancer. The loaded DOX and entrapment efficiency reached 64% and 99%, respectively. The results of MWCNTs@MS@CS@DOX confirmed its efficiency as pH-based drug delivery for oral breast cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) has short survival rates. This study aimed to prepare a novel formula of sorafenib, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and folic acid to be tested as a drug delivery system targeting versus TNBC compared with free sorafenib and to evaluate the formula stability, in vitro pharmacodynamic, and in vivo pharmacokinetic properties. The formula preparation was done by the synthesis of polyethylene glycol bis amine linker, CNT PEGylation, folic acid attachment, and sorafenib loading. The prepared formula has been characterized using X‐ray diffraction, Flourier‐transform infrared, 1HNMR, UV, high resolution–transmission electron microscope, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Zeta potential. In vitro studies included drug release determination, MTT assay, flow cytometry to determine the apoptotic stage with percent, cell cycle analysis, and apoptotic marker assays for caspase‐3, 8, 9, cytochrome c, and BCL‐2. The in vivo study was performed to determine bioavailability and half‐life in rats. The in vitro MTT antiproliferative assay revealed that the formula was threefold more cytotoxic toward TNBC cells than free sorafenib, and the flow cytometry showed a significant increase in apoptosis and necrosis. The formula has a greater inhibitory effect on BCL‐2 and a lessening effect on cytochrome c and caspases 3, 8, and 9 than free sorafenib. In vivo experiments proved that our novel formula was superior to free sorafenib by increasing bioavailability by eight times and prolonging the half‐life by three times. These results confirmed the successful preparation of the desired formula with better pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. These promising results may show a novel therapeutic strategy for TNBC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study inspects the therapeutic effects of orally ingested insulin-loaded chitosan nanobeads (INS-CsNBs) with a pectin-dextrin (PD) coating on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in Wistar rats. The study also assessed antioxidant effects in pancreatic tissue homogenate, insulin, C-peptide, and inflammatory markers interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 (IL-1β and IL-6) in serum. Additionally, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of insulin granules, oxidative stress, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB P65), and sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) protein detection, as well as gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in pancreatic tissue were investigated. After induction of diabetes with STZ, rats were allocated into 6 groups: the normal control (C), the diabetic control (D), and the diabetic groups treated with INS-CsNBs coated with PD shell (50 IU/kg) (NF), free oral insulin (10 IU/kg) (FO), CsNBs-PD shell (50 IU/kg) (NB), and subcutaneous insulin (10 IU/kg) (Sc). The rats were treated daily for four weeks. Treatment of diabetic rats with INS-CsNBs coated with PD shell resulted in a significant improvement in blood glucose levels, elevated antioxidant activities, decreased NF-κB P65, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels, upregulated Nrf-2 and HO-1, in addition to a marked improvement in the histological architecture and integrity compared to the diabetic group. The effects of oral INS-CsNBs administration were comparable to those of subcutaneous insulin. In conclusion, oral administration of INS-loaded Cs-NBs with a pectin-dextrin shell demonstrated an ameliorative effect on STZ-induced diabetes, avoiding the drawbacks of subcutaneous insulin., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Suhailah Saud Al-Jameel reports article publishing charges was provided by Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Suhailah Saud Al-Jameel reports a relationship with Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia that includes: funding grants. Suhailah Saud Al-Jameel has patent pending to no. no conflict of interest If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Neuroinflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders. This study examined the neuroprotective effect of quercetin (QUR)-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (QUR NANO) against the neurotoxicity induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. A QUR NANO formulation was prepared and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, entrapment efficiency (EE), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and in vitro drug release profile. Levels of glutathione, malondialdehyde, catalase, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), amyloid beta 42 (Aβ 42 ), β-secretase, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) were measured in the mouse brain tissues. The gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 ( Nrf-2 ) and heme oxygenase-1 ( HO-1 ) were also determined. The prepared QUR NANO formulation showed 92.07 ± 3.21% EE and drug loading of 4.62 ± 0.55. It exhibited clusters of nano-spherical particles with smooth surface areas, and the loading process was confirmed. In vivo , the QUR NANO preserved the spatial memory of mice and protected the hippocampus from LPS-induced histological lesions. The QUR NANO significantly reduced the levels of malondialdehyde, iNOS, Aβ 42 , β-secretase, and AChE in brain tissue homogenates. Conversely, QUR NANO increased the glutathione, catalase, and GABA concentrations and upregulated the expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1 genes. Remarkably, the neuroprotective effect of QUR NANO was significantly greater than that of herbal QUR. In summary, the prepared QUR NANO formulation was efficient in mitigating LPS-induced neurotoxicity by reducing memory loss, oxidative stress, and amyloidogenesis while preserving neurotransmission and upregulating the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 genes. This study addresses several key factors in neuroinflammatory disorders and explores the potential of QUR-loaded nanoparticles as a novel therapeutic approach to alleviate these factors., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

To overcome the low bioavailability of lipophilic free thymoquinone (TQ), this study aims to evaluate a novel oral formula of TQ-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (TQ-CsNPs) for the effective treatment of diabetes. The XRD, FTIR, FESEM, HRTEM, and dynamic light scattering were all conducted on the prepared formula. The release pattern of TQ, cytotoxicity against MRC-5 cell line (human lung fibroblast cells), and antidiabetic activity on streptozotocin/nicotinamide (STZ/NA) rat model of diabetes were investigated. The results confirmed the formation of TQ-CsNPs with an entrapment efficiency of 75.7 ± 6.52 %, a mean Zetasizer distribution of 84.25 nm, and an average particle size of about 50 nm. After 24 h, the percentage of free TQ-cumulative release was approximately 35.8 %, whereas TQ-CsNPs showed a sustained release pattern of 78.5 %. The investigated formula was not toxic to normal lung cells, and more efficient in ameliorating the altered glycemia, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress induced by STZ/NA than free TQ, blank CsNPs, and metformin-HCl (as a reference drug). Additionally, TQ-CsNPs restored the normal pancreatic islets' configuration and morphometry, suggesting a potent insulinotropic action. In conclusion, the antidiabetic efficacy of TQ was improved by engaging TQ with CsNPs as an excellent nanoplatform to enhance the oral bioavailability of TQ., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors confirm no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The current study was designed to synthesize a nanoformula comprising of magnetite nanoparticles (MN) with mesoporous silica (MS), which was in turn coated with chitosan (CS) and further loaded with a chemotherapeutic agent, Abemaciclib (ABE). The prepared formula, MN@MS@CS@ABE, was characterized by XRD, FTIR, HRTEM, FESEM, DLS, VSM, BET, and BJH. The ABE loading capacity and entrapment efficiency were calculated, and an in vitro drug release experiment was conducted. Cytoxicity was studied by the MTT assay. The formula was investigated as an anticancer agent versus MCF-7 cells by performing Annexin V-FITC flow cytometry and cell cycle analysis. Furthermore, we examine the formula as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ABE loading and encapsulation efficiency were 24.2 % and 63.4 %, respectively. The formula demonstrated sustained drug release behavior for 72 h. The MTT assay revealed a higher cytotoxicity of free ABE in MCF-7 cells compared to MN@MS@CS@ABE. Flow cytometry revealed early and late phases of apoptosis and necrosis with different percentages. The formula stimulated a reduction in signal intensity in the MR T2-weighted imaging technique. In conclusion, the current study developed a nanoformula which could be a promising theranostic agent in cancer therapy and diagnosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Though acrylic resins possess many useful properties, denture fracture is nevertheless a familiar issue., Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of low-percent recycled Zirconia nanoparticles as filler on the transverse strength, impact strength, surface hardness, water sorption, and solubility of resin using the sprinkle cold-curing technique., Materials and Methods: Various formulae were prepared and mixed with PMMA (polymer) powder containing varying percentages (0.01%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) of recycled ZrO2NPs to mono-methyl methacrylate (MMA monomer). A 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA) agent was used to functionalize recycled zirconia (ZrO 2 ) nano-fillers. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering were used to characterize the samples. For mechanical tests, standard metallic moulds (according to American Dental Association specification no. 27) were machined for 60 specimens' preparation, 12 for each percent (zero, 0.01%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%). A one-way ANOVA test was used to compare the five groups for parametric data, while the Kruskal-Wallis test was employed for nonparametric data. The P 0.05 value was accepted as the significance level. All formulae were tested for cytotoxicity at 24 and 48 hours on WI38 normal lung cell lines., Results: The XRD analysis demonstrated the tetragonal crystallographic structure of the recycled zirconia nanoparticles. Incorporating a low percentage of recycled ZrO 2 nanoparticles (0.01%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) improved the tested properties of PMMA to different degrees in a significant and non-significant pattern, while the optimal tested percent was 0.3%., Conclusion: The 0.3% percentage of recycled zirconia nanoparticles maintained and improved the physical and mechanical properties of acrylic resin. Recycled ZrO 2 /PMMA nanocomposite is a synergistic candidate due to its economic return and clinical application safety., Competing Interests: The authors report no competing interests in this work., (© 2022 Elzahar et al.)

The current study tested the antibacterial activity of layered double hydroxide (LDH), LDH-Doxycycline nanohybrid, Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) and Cobalt ferrite-Chitosan nanohybrid against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. In addition, the study investigated the Cobalt ferrite NPs and Cobalt ferrite-Chitosan nanohybrids against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The nanoparticles and nanohybrids were synthesized by a chemical method and characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transformation Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR). Multi-point Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method determined the specific surface area while Barrett-Joyner-Halenda for (BJH) figured the corresponding specific pore volume and pore size and Zetasizer ranked the particle size distribution. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) measurements besides agar well diffusion method showed the antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles. The results revealed no antibacterial activity of the LDH and Cobalt ferrite NPs alone. Meanwhile, the Cobalt ferrite-Chitosan nanohybrid and LDH-Doxycycline showed a high activity antibacterial effect., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)