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Over the past few decades, nanotechnology has shown promising prospects in biomedicine and has a proven impact on enhancing therapeutics by facilitating drug delivery. The present study brings an amalgamation of nanoscience and “clean technology” by fabricating nature-friendly nanoparticles (NPs) sans the use of chemical surfactants using Indian mustard seed, Brassica juncea L. The as-synthesized NPs were characterized to assess their average size, crystallinity, morphology, and constituent functional groups through conventional techniques: dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The NPs were crystalline in nature and exhibited a mean size of 205.5 nm (PDI of 0.437) being primarily polygonal in shape. Additionally, the therapeutic efficacy of the green NPs was evaluated based on their cytotoxic effect against two human cancer lines, MCF-7 and HepG-2. Both the NPs and the bulk seeds showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect. However, an assessment of the antiproliferative/cytotoxic potential of the green NPs versus the bulk seeds showed that the NPs were relatively more efficacious on both cell lines. Taken together, the mustard seed NPs could be potential nutraceuticals considering the green credential in their mode of biosynthesis.

The study assessed the antidiabetic effect of Solenostemma argel and its nanoformulations with silver/gold nanocomposites (CNPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), and metaformin drug. Experimental groups consisted of normal control, diabetic control, and four diabetic groups treated with metformin, CNPs, ZnONPs, and bulk argel leaf extract (So-argel). Transmission electron microscopy characterization showed that the synthesized CNPs and ZnONPs were of variable sizes and dimensions and were quasi-spherical in shape. Particle sizes measured by dynamic light scattering were 106 and 139 nm for CNPs and ZnONPs, respectively. Also, the polydispersity index values were 0.473 and 0.269 for CNPs and ZnONPs, respectively. The biochemical parameters were as follows: the group treated with bulk So-argel (105.00 ± 4.041 mg·dL−1) and CNPs (109.00 ± 8.373 mg·dL−1) showed a more profound anti-hyperglycemic effect and were comparable to the control (88.40 ± 2.249). Liver and kidney functions (p ≤ 0.05) improved with So-argel and its nanoformulations compared to metformin. However, bulk argel (170.33 ± 20.431 and 38.00 ± 3.05 U·L−1) and the nanocomposite (228.33 ± 11.464 and 48.00 ± 5.291 U·L−1) were efficacious in lowering serum levels of liver enzymes (AST and ALT, respectively). No significant difference was observed between urea levels. Nevertheless, bulk So-argel (0.26 ± 0.007) and CNPs (0.24 ± 0.018) were more effective than ZnONPs (0.41 ± 0.289) on serum creatinine. Nanotreatment exhibited a reduction in lesions size/healing. Overall, nanoparticles may offer a safe potential for Type 2 diabetes management.

Effect of naringenin and its nanoparticles on Cd-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia.

The study includes eco-friendly synthesis and characterization of silver/gold composite nanocinammon particles and antidiabetic assessment of orally administered aqueous extracts of cinnamon (JF) and silver/gold nano-cinnamon (SG JF) in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The experimental groups (36 rats) were equally divided: a diabetic control group treated with metformin (standard drug), diabetic group treated with aqueous cinnamon extract, and diabetic group treated with silver/gold nanoparticles. The nano silver/gold cinnamon particles were characterized. The body weight and blood glucose levels were estimated. Nanoparticles characterization employed zetasizer, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The size and shape of the SG JF were 45.34 nm, stable, homogenous and showed mono dispersity distribution. The morphology of SG JF was highly variable with variety of shapes, following various arrangements. Body weights of rats treated with cinnamon vs nano-cinnamon showed no significant change. However, JF and SG JF showed a significant decrease in body weights as compared to metformin. SG JF significantly decreased glucose levels among diabetic rats in comparison with the rats treated with metformin and control JF. Similarly, metformin lowered glucose levels when compared to JF. Thus, eco-friendly synthesized nano-cinnamon possesses a potent antihyperglycemic that ameliorated and improved insulin sensitivity and body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the antidiabetic potential of Emblica officinalis, Gaertn on diabetic rats. Methods: The study investigated the anti-hyperglycemic potential of the aqueous fruit extract of amla (E. officianalis, for eleven weeks in streptozotocin-induced diabetic obese rats. The study utilized forty eight rats divided into four groups as follows. Untreated diabetic control (group 1) received 2% gum acacia as vehicle; groups 2 and 3 were diabetic rats administered the fruit extract in 400 and 200 mg/kg doses, respectively; while group 4 (diabetic rats) received metformin (600 mg/kg) as reference drug. The parameters assessed weekly were body weight, as well as fasting blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in venous blood. Results: Both plant extract-treated groups showed significant (p ≤ 0.001) reduction in blood glucose levels in the fifth and sixth weeks compared to the metformin-treated group. Body weight significantly increased during the fourth, fifth and sixth weeks, being more pronounced in the extract-treated groups (272 ± 15.0 g and 227 ± 7.23 g for 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, respectively; the corresponding body weight for untreated diabetic control was 197 ± 9.83 g. Furthermore, both extract doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) produced significant decrease (p ≥ 0.05) in serum glucose (186 ± 15.5 mg/L and 146 ± 15.1 mg/L), cholesterol (143.6 ± 0.86 mg/L and 151.0 ± 0.77mg/L) and triglyceride (82.6 ± 0.51mg/dl and 84.8 ± 0.84 m/dl) levels, respectively, similar to the metformin treated group. Conclusion: The anti-diabetic activity of the aqueous extract of E. officianalis used showed a better potential than metformin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytotherapy has a promising future in the management of diabetes, considered to be less toxic and free from side effects as compared to the use of synthetic drugs. The aim of the present study was to assess the antidiabetic possible of orally administered aqueous extracts of Murraya koenigii (ML) and Olea europaea (OL) leaves (100 and 200 mg/kg doses), in streptozotocin (70 mg/kg) induced diabetic rats. Metformin was used as a standard drug. Blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine levels and body weight were estimated. ML and OL administration showed significant decrease (p>0.05) in cholesterol, triglyceride, and serum glucose levels (range 55.6%-64.6%) compared to the metformin (62.7%); however, there was no significant effect on body weight and serum creatinine. Our results suggest that both the ML and OL possess a potent antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effect, which may be due to the presence of antioxidants such as carbazole alkaloids and polyphenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess whether bisphenol A contamination occurred in seven brands of bottled drinking water in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Liquid-liquid extraction (using dichloromethane) was used to analytically extract bisphenol A from drinking water bottles and a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer was employed for its detection using a splitless capillary column and helium as the carrier gas. Results: The concentration of bisphenol A (BPA) was high in all the bottled water brands tested. The mean concentration of BPA of the bottled water stored indoors (4.03 ng/L) was significantly lower than that stored outdoors (7.5 ng/L). Conclusion: Our results show that significant amounts of BPA leached from bottle containers into the water. Long storage of bottled water under direct sunlight should be avoided to reduce the risk of human exposure to BPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the potential role of bisphenol A (BPA) in inducing endocrine disruption in fish. Methods: Adult male koi carps, Cyprinus carpio carpio (n = 60, mean body weight = 125 ± 12.288 g and mean length = 24 ± 1.392 cm) were exposed to three graded concentrations of BPA (10, 100 and 1000 μg/L) for a period of 21 days. A single dose of 17-ß estradiol ( 1 ng/l) was used as positive control. Results: The mean plasma concentration of vitellogenin (VTG) significantly increased in the carps exposed to 100 yg BPA/L reaching a mean value of 14600.0 ± 1400.0 ng/ml in comparison to 1140.00 ± 34.64 ng/ml observed for the control group,. However, BPA at all experimental concentrations had no significant effect on metallothionein levels in the liver, but the levels in the kidney were significantly decreased in all BPA-exposed groups in comparison to the level recorded for control (181.69 ± 0.77 pg/g wet tissue). Conclusion: Exposure to BPA modulates plasma vitellogenin at median concentration and renal metallothionein levels at all concentrations in carp. Thus, these parameters are potential biomarkers in the biomonitoring of the aquatic environment for estrogenic chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present studywas undertaken to assess the bioaccumulation potential of cadmium in liver, kidney, gills and muscles of freshwater fish, Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and the changes in oxidative stress indices in liver and kidney with or without simultaneous treatment with waterborne vitamin C and rosemary leaf extract. Adult tilapia were divided into seven groups. Six groups were exposed to sublethal concentrations of Cd, three groups to 5 ppm, while other three to 10 ppm. Two groups from each of the Cd exposed groups were treated with Vitamin C (5ppm) and rosemary leaf extract (2.5 ppm) for a period of 21 days. Cadmium concentration in liver, kidneys and gills was significantly higher in the cadmium exposed groups being invariably high in the groups exposed to 10 ppm CdCl2.H2O.Treatment with Vitamin C and rosemary leaf extract significantly reduced cadmium concentration in comparison to non-treated Cd exposed groups. Treatment with Vitamin C and rosemary leaf extract significantly reduced oxidative stress in Cd exposed fish as evidenced from lower concentration of lipid peroxides and reduced activity of catalase and higher activity of superoxide dismutase in liver and kidney as compared to control fish. Reduction in Cd induced oxidative stress and bioaccumulation was comparable between the two antioxidant treatments, Vitamin C and rosemary leaf extract. The key findings suggest that both the antioxidants used showed ameliorative potential to reduce tissue accumulation of Cd and associated oxidative stress in fresh water fish, Nile tilapia.

Background: Breast cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Olive oil induces apoptosis in some cancer cells due to phenolic compounds like oleuropein. Although oleuropein has anticancer activity, the underlying mechanisms of action remain unknown. The study aimed to assess the mechanism of oleuropin-induced breast cancer cell apoptosis., Materials and Methods: p53, Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression was evaluated by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in luminal MCF-7 cells., Results: Oleuropein-induced apoptosis was accompanied by up-regulation of both p53 and Bax gene expression levels and down-regulation in Bcl2., Conclusions: Oleuropein induces apoptosis in breast tumour cells via a p53-dependent pathway mediated by Bax and Bcl2 genes. Therefore, oleuropein may have therapeutic potential in breast cancer patients by inducing apoptosis via activation of the p53 pathway.

Phytotherapy has a promising future in the management of diabetes, considered to be less toxic and free from side effects as compared to the use of synthetic drugs. The aim of the present study was to assess the antidiabetic possible of orally administered aqueous extracts of Murraya koenigii (ML) and Olea europaea (OL) leaves (100 and 200 mg/kg doses), in streptozotocin (70 mg/kg) induced diabetic rats. Metformin was used as a standard drug. Blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine levels and body weight were estimated. ML and OL administration showed significant decrease (p>0.05) in cholesterol, triglyceride, and serum glucose levels (range 55.6%-64.6%) compared to the metformin (62.7%); however, there was no significant effect on body weight and serum creatinine. Our results suggest that both the ML and OL possess a potent antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effect, which may be due to the presence of antioxidants such as carbazole alkaloids and polyphenols.