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Nanosilver has been tremendously gaining attention among scientific world owing to its impressive features. Use of appropriate reducing and capping agents results in the formation of homogeneous population of silver nanoforms. Here, we have compared the properties and efficacy of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared via green route using two different monosaccharides, glucose and galactose. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) showed a sharp peak at 400nm and 430nm for glucosyl- (Glu) and galactosylated (Gal) AgNPs, respectively, confirming the presence of AgNPs. The hydrodynamic size of Glu-AgNPs and Gal-AgNPs was found to be ~191 and 136 nm, respectively, with their respective surface charges ~ -35 and -13 mV. These NPs acted as efficient nanocatalysts in combination with sodium borohydride for converting Congo red (highly toxic azo colorant) into benign products. Besides, these particles were found to have significant antibacterial potential and potent antibiofilm effects with minimal toxic effects on human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells but highly toxic towards lung carcinoma (A549). Altogether, the present work affirms formation of efficient nanoparticles with excellent pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, in this study, we have investigated the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of pegylated aminoglycosides (gentamicin, kanamycin, and neomycin). The antibacterial activity of pegylated aminoglycosides, prepared in two different ratios (1:1 and 1:2, aminoglycoside:polyethylene glycol), was determined against some common pathogens, namely, Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), by zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The activity of pegylated aminoglycosides was found to be decreased as compared to their respective native aminoglycosides. Moreover, aminoglycoside:polyethylene glycol (1:1) derivatives showed much higher activity as compared to aminoglycoside:polyethylene glycol (1:2) derivatives, that is, an increase in the content of polyethylene glycol decreased the activity considerably. This decrease in antibacterial activity was found to be the most prominent in Gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus. On the other hand, pegylation significantly decreased the cytotoxicity as determined by hemolysis and MTT assays. These results advocate exploration of different types of crosslinkers consisting of a small degree of amphiphilicity, which could facilitate better interactions with the bacterial cell membranes and inhibit induction of bacterial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement in nanotechnology has completely revolutionized various fields, including pharmaceutical sciences, and streamlined the potential therapeutic of many diseases that endanger human life. The synthesis of green nanoparticles by biological processes is an aspect of the newly emerging scientific field known as "green nanotechnology". Due to their safe, eco-friendly, nontoxic nature, green synthesis tools are better suited to produce nanoparticles between 1 and 100 nm. Nanoformulation of different types of nanoparticles has been made possible by using green production techniques and commercially feasible novel precursors, such as seed extracts, algae, and fungi, that act as potent reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents. In addition to this, the biofunctionalization of nanoparticles has also broadened its horizon in the field of environmental remediation and various novel therapeutic innovations including wound healing, antimicrobial, anticancer, and nano biosensing. However, the major challenge pertaining to green nanotechnology is the agglomeration of nanoparticles that may alter the surface topology, which can affect biological physiology, thereby contributing to system toxicity. Therefore, a thorough grasp of nanoparticle toxicity and biocompatibility is required to harness the applications of nanotechnology in therapeutics.