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The current investigation focuses on producing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) utilizing a quick, economical, and environmentally friendly approach employing aqueous fruit extracts of Dysoxylum binectariferum plant. The ZnO NPs were thoroughly characterized using P‐XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, and BET techniques. The synthesized nanoparticles' anti‐bacterial properties were evaluated against Gram‐negative bacteria (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and Gram‐positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. pyogenes). The findings indicated that the synthesized material exhibited greater efficacy against Gram‐negative bacterial infections, especially E. coli. Furthermore, the anti‐fungal activity was examined using the C. albicans strain, demonstrating that the synthesized ZnO NPs were twice as effective against C. albicans compared to the conventional medication Griseofulvin. In contrast, Griseofulvin, with a 500 μM MIC against the C. albicans pathogenic fungal strain, did not display the same level of efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we developed undoped and aluminum-doped zinc oxide for antimicrobial and anticancer activities. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and aluminum-doped zinc oxide nanocomposites (Zn1−xAlxO NCs) at varying concentrations (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 wt%) using the coprecipitation method. Various characterization techniques such as XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, EDX, and SEM were performed to analyze the crystal structure, optical properties, functional group identification, elemental composition, and surface morphology. The antimicrobial activity test showed that Zn0.75Al0.25O NCs exhibited the strongest inhibition zone against Bacillus cereus compared to Staphylococcus aureus > Pasteurella multocida > Escherichia coli. Moreover, the cytotoxicity and cell viability of liver cancer (HepG-2), breast cancer (MCF-7), ovarian cancer (SKOV3), and normal liver cell lines) were evaluated using the MTT assay, demonstrating that Zn0.75Al0.25O NCs not only enhance cell destruction but also show low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility at low concentrations. These results suggest that Zn0.75Al0.25O NCs could be a promising candidate for in vivo anticancer applications and should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants play an important role in nanoparticle preparation because they are easily accessible, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive. In this study, we used an ethanolic extract of Mangifera indica seed as a reducing and stabilising agent to create zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). The ZnO NPs were examined using characterization techniques such as UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The interaction of phytochemical constituents from plant extracts providing the biological reduction of zinc metal ions to ZnO had been identified by the UV-visible absorption studies. According to the FT-IR results, metal oxides exhibited interatomic vibration-driven absorption in the fingerprint area below 1000 cm–1. Particles appeared to be crystalline and also a rice-grain shape of ZnO NPs was confirmed by XRD, SEM, and TEM, respectively. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of ZnO NPs was checked using the SKMEL-28 cell line, showing an IC50 value of 32.686 μg/mL in the SKMEL-28 cell line, and 49.011 μg/mL in the typical L6 cell line. Furthermore, the synthesized NPs were subjected to (AO/EB) double staining approach to examine the apoptotic activity. The acridine orange/ethidium bromide method made strong evidence for demonstrating chromatin condensation and membrane blebbing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination with chromium (Cr) is becoming a primary ecological and health concern, specifically in the Kasur and Sialkot regions of Pakistan. The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) (0, 25, 50, 100 mg L−1) and Fe NPs (0, 5, 10, 20 mg L−1) in red sails lettuce plants grown in Cr-contaminated soil. Our results showed that both ZnO and Fe NPs improved plant growth, and photosynthetic attributes by minimizing oxidative stress in lettuce plants through the stimulation of antioxidant enzyme activities. At ZnO NPs (100 mgL−1), dry weights of shoots and roots and fresh weights of shoots and roots were improved by 53%, 58%, 34%, and 45%, respectively, as compared to the respective control plants. The Fe NPs treatment (20 mgL−1) increased the dry weight of shoots and the roots and fresh weights of shoots and roots by 53%, 76%, 42%, and 70%, respectively. Application of both NPs reduced the oxidative stress caused by Cr, as evident by the findings of the current study, i.e., at the ZnO NPs (100 mgL−1) and Fe NPs (20 mgL−1), the EL declined by 32% and 44%, respectively, in comparison with respective control plants. Moreover, Fe and ZnO NPs enhanced the Fe and Zn contents in red sails lettuce plants. Application of ZnO NPs at 100 mg L−1 and Fe NPs at 20 mg L−1, improved the Zn and Fe contents in plant leaves by 86%, and 68%, respectively, as compared to the control plants. This showed that the exogenous application of these NPs helped in Zn and Fe fortification in plants. At similar of concenteration ZnO NPs, CAT and APX activities were improved by 52% and 53%, respectively. Similarly, the POD contents were improved by 17% and 45% at 5 and 10 mg/L of Fe NPs. Furthermore, ZnO and Fe NPs limited the Cr uptake by plants, and the concentration of Cr in the leaves of lettuce was under the threshold limit. The exogenous application of ZnO NPs (100 mg L−1) and Fe NPs (20 mg L−1) reduced the Cr uptake in the leaves of red sails lettuce by 57% and 51%, respectively. In conclusion, ZnO and Fe NPs could be used for the improvement of plant growth and biomass as well as nutrient fortification in stressed environments. These findings not only underscore the efficacy of nanoparticle-assisted phytoremediation but also highlight its broader implications for sustainable agriculture and environmental health. However, future studies on other crops with molecular-level investigations are recommended for the validation of the results. HIGHLIGHTS: ZnO and Fe NPs improved the growth and photosynthesis of red sails lettuce plants Both NPs enhanced antioxidants enzymes activities in stressed plants NPs mediated response reduced the oxidative stress and Cr uptake in red sails lettuce ZnO and Fe NPs resulted in Zn and Fe fortification, respectively, in red sails lettuce [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are inorganic compounds listed as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) materials and have been used in plant production as well as for plant disease control. This study investigated the antibacterial efficacy of ZnO NPs with various surface areas against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, assessed the effectiveness of ZnO NPs in controlling black rot disease in Chinese kale, and examined the influence of ZnO NPs application on soil bacterial communities. The results showed that ZnO NPs with high surface area effectively inhibited X. campestris pv. campestris by restraining growth and causing cell damage. Seed treatment and foliar spray application of high surface area ZnO NPs at 250 μg/mL significantly reduced the disease severity of black rot. Furthermore, in the greenhouse experiment, the soil bacterial communities in the treatment of plants applied with ZnO NPs did not differ from those in soil of nontreated plants. Therefore, ZnO NPs have the potential to serve as an alternative substance for plant disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-inspired zinc oxide nanoparticles are gaining immense interest due to their safety, low cost, biocompatibility, and broad biological properties. In recent years, much research has been focused on plant-based nanoparticles, mainly for their eco-friendly, facile, and non-toxic character. Hence, the current study emphasized a bottom-up synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from Psidium guajava aqueous leaf extract and evaluation of its biological properties. The structural characteristic features of biosynthesized ZnO NPs were confirmed using various analytical methods, such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited a hydrodynamic shape with an average particle size of 11.6–80.2 nm. A significant antimicrobial efficiency with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 40 and 27 µg/ml for Enterococcus faecalis, followed by 30 and 40 µg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus, 20 and 30 µg/ml for Staphylococcus mutans, 30 µg/ml for Candida albicans was observed by ZnO NPs. Additionally, they showed significant breakdown of biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans indicating their future value in drug-resistance research. Furthermore, an excellent dose-dependent activity of antioxidant property was noticed with an IC50 of 9.89 µg/ml. The antiproliferative potential of the ZnO NPs was indicated by the viability of MDA MB 231 cells, which showed a drastic decrease in response to increased concentrations of biosynthesized ZnO NPs. Thus, the present results open up vistas to explore their pharmaceutical potential for the development of targeted anticancer drugs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of metal nanoparticles through bio-reduction is environmentally benign and devoid of impurities, which is very important for biological applications. This method aims to improve ZnO nanoparticle's antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity while reducing the amount of hazardous chemicals used in nanoparticle production. The assembly of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is presented via bio-reduction of an aqueous zinc nitrate solution using Echinochloacolona (E. colona) plant aqueous leaf extract comprising various phytochemical components such as phenols, flavonoids, proteins, and sugars. The synthesized nano ZnO NPs are characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometer (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (X-RD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and elemental composition by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The formation of biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by the absorbance at 360–370 nm in the UV–vis spectrum. The average crystal size of the particles was found to be 15.8 nm, as calculated from XRD. SEM and TEM analysis of prepared ZnO NPs confirmed the spherical and hexagonal shaped nanoparticles. ZnO NPs showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae with the largest zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 17 and 18 mm, respectively, from the disc diffusion method. Furthermore, ZnO NPs exhibited significant anti-biofilm activity in a dose-dependent manner against selected bacterial strains, thus suggesting that ZnO NPs can be deployed in the prevention of infectious diseases and also used in food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) coated with 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid (IL) (ZnO‐[BMIM][BF4] NPs) and ZnO NPs without IL coating were both synthesized by co‐precipitation. Various analytical methods were used to characterize the synthesized NPs. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that ZnO NPs had a mean crystallite size of 32 nm and that of ZnO‐[BMIM][BF4] NPs was 22 nm. IL alters the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) peaks of the as‐prepared ZnO NPs. A blueshift was seen in the absorption peak of ZnO‐[BMIM][BF4] NPs as compared to bare ZnO NPs. An examination of the UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectra revealed that the optical bandgap decreases with the addition of IL to ZnO NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) investigation revealed the morphology and size of the nanostructured particles. The chemically prepared ZnO‐[BMIM][BF4] NPs displayed the irregular spherical‐shaped morphologies in the range of nanoscale. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the conventional hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO‐[BMIM][BF4] NPs. Synthesized ZnO‐NPs in water have a zeta potential of −13.1 mV, showing that they are stable solutions. Thermal behaviour of ZnO NPs was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The agar‐well diffusion technique was used to investigate and compare the antimicrobial activity of synthesized ZnO‐[BMIM][BF4] NPs against the following bacteria and fungi: Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The MCF7 breast cancer cells were used to assess the anticancer capabilities of ZnO‐[BMIM][BF4] NPs at various doses (100 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL, 1 μg/mL, 100 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL and 1 ng/mL) using MTT assays. The range of cell inhibition was determined to be from 19.14% to 70.52%. The percentage of cytotoxicity increases was observed when the concentration of synthesized ZnO‐[BMIM][BF4] NPs ranges from 1 ng/mL to 100 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the production of ZnO NPs by the green method and the effects of these nanoparticles on plant growth. Artemisia abrotanum L. leaf extract was used as a chelating and capping agent. It was found that the Artemisia abrotanum L. leaf extract has the potential to biosynthesize ZnO NPs. FT-IR, UV-Vis, XRD, FE-SEM, and EDX techniques were utilized in this study. The energy band gap of ZnO-NPs was calculated to be around 2.48 eV. The average size crystal structure of NPs was 50.29 nm, as confirmed by XRD. However, the ZnO nanoparticles have a nanorod shape with a size of 66.93 nm, as evaluated by FE-SEM, and the EDX confirmed that the sample is pure ZnO nanoparticles. In addition, The nanoparticles were used to grow Lepidium sativum L. plants. The total growth of Lepidium sativum L. dramatically increased with the use of ZnO NPs, and the content of natural dyes like chlorophyll a and b increased twofold compared to the control. It was explained that zinc oxide nanoparticles are a good candidate for growing plants instead of chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential antibacterial applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) enhanced with silver (Ag) using plant gel (ZnO-AgO NPs). The problem addressed is the increasing prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and the need for new, effective antimicrobial agents. ZnO NPs possess distinctive physicochemical properties that enable them to selectively target bacterial cells. Their small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio allow efficient cellular uptake and interaction with bacterial cells. In this study, the average size of the synthesized ZnO-Ag nanoparticles was 77.1 nm, with a significant standard deviation of 33.7 nm, indicating a wide size distribution. The nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable antibacterial efficacy against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, with inhibition zones of 14.33 mm for E. coli and 15.66 mm for B. subtilis at a concentration of 300 µg/ml. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined to be 100 µg/ml for E. coli and 75 µg/ml for S. saprophyticus. Additionally, ZnO-Ag NPs exhibited excellent biocompatibility, making them appropriate for various pharmacological uses. This study utilizes Ferula latisecta gels, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to nanoparticle synthesis. Incorporating of Ag into ZnO NPs significantly enhances their antimicrobial properties, with the combined results showing great inhibition effects on pathogenic microbes. The findings suggest that ZnO-Ag NPs could be a promising candidate for addressing the challenges posed by drug-resistant bacterial infections and enhancing antimicrobial treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azo-Chitosan-dimethylaniline polymer derivatives are promising polymers for biological applications. In this paper, chitosan reacted with 4-nitrosodimethylaniline to form azo-chitosan-dimethylaniline polymer (Chs-DAN) as the novel polymer via condensation reaction. Chs-DAN modificated by doping it with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and insertion it into betacyclodextrine cycle (βCD) to give Chitosan-dimethylaniline/ZnO (Chs-DAN/ZnO NPs) and Chitosan-dimethylaniline/βCD (Chs-DAN/βCD). The generated polymers were confirmed by using XRD, FTIR and SEM analysis. Gram + ve and Gram − ve antimicrobial as well as antifungal activities have been evidenced for all samples. The antimicrobial analysis showed that the synthesized chitosan derivatives (Chs-DAN, Chs-DAN/βCD, Chs-DAN/ZnO NPs) exhibited noticeable antimicrobial and antifungal activities as compared to pure samples (Chs, DAN, ZnO NPs, βCD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-ZnO was synthesized by the reduction of Zn (CH3COO)2.2H2O salt using the extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum leaves. The generated ZnO NPs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques. FT-IR results approved the characteristic peaks, the formation of ZnO bonds, and the morphology changes after the adsorption of Cd2+ and Pb2+ from solutions. The outlined data of the XRD pointed to the formation of a hexagonal wurtzite structure. SEM images showed the spherical nature of the synthesized particles with an average diameter of 19 nm. Moreover, the best conditions for the adsorption of Cd2+ and Pb2+ by ZnO NPs were evaluated and fitted to isotherm and kinetic models. Short contact time of ~ 20 min and a small sorbent dosage of 40 mg were sufficient conditions for attaining maximum Pb2+ adsorption capacity. Based on the modeling parameters, the adsorption follows pseudo-second-order kinetics where ZnO and metal ions are involved in the rate-determining step. Two important applications were thoroughly studied. The nanoparticles significantly removed Pb2+ and Cd2+ contaminants from real environmental water samples collected from different locations in Egypt. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity results provided perfect evidence for the higher efficacy of the synthesized ZnO NPs as an anticancer agent against Panc-1, PC-3, and CACO-2 cell lines with IC50 of 1.70, 3.67, and 5.70 μgml−1, respectively, compared to cisplatin (IC50 = 3.57, 5.09, and 7.75 μgml−1). Furthermore, a low cytotoxic effect was observed on the normal human lung cell line (MRC-5, IC50 = 22.40 μgml−1). The data can be used as a preliminary study for anticancer drug design after further clinical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent decade, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been widely explored owing to their versatile properties and prodigious demands in the drug delivery, medical, energy storage, cosmetics, and the healthcare sectors. Therefore, the current work opts for an environmentally benign method to prepare ZnO NPs. The leaf extract of Calendula officinalis L. acts as a reducing agent for the metal ions; therefore, in the current research, ZnO NPs were prepared via green route by using Calendula officinalis leaf extract. Furthermore, the ZnO NPs were analysed with different spectroscopic techniques to confirm the structure and stability of nanomaterials. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, FT-IR and UV–Vis studies. Also, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the synthesized ZnO NPs were investigated. The XRD result of synthesized ZnO NPs showed the crystalline size 28.23 nm with wurtzite hexagonal structure along with the most intense peak (101). Following preliminary confirmations of the intended ZnO NPs, both big and small agglomerated forms were observed in the FE-SEM, which is often used to determine their exterior assembly. Further, the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated the formation of pure ZnO NPs with an absorption peak of the Zn–O bond between 4000 cm−1 and 500 cm−1 and no discernible peak in the monitoring range. The UV–Vis spectrum of the green synthesized ZnO NPs were revealed two prominent absorption peaks at 355 nm and 370 nm with energy band gap of 2.986 eV. Using the 1, 1-di phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, the antioxidant activity of the described ZnO NPs was assessed. It demonstrated how, ZnO NPs significantly increased their antioxidant activity by scavenging 1, 1-di phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. It could be seen that synthesis of the naturally occurring plant product ZnO NPs have been acting as an alternate of chemical antioxidant. The antimicrobial analysis was also performed with the help of disk diffusion method where three multi-drug resistant human pathogens namely Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and E.coli were used. The Zone of Inhibition diameter values are 35.2 mm ± 0.9, 23.6 mm ± 0.1 and 13.5 mm ± 0.1, respectively, which showed that the ZnO NPs was highly effective against S. aureus. Thus, the green synthesis method of ZnO NPs using leaf extract of Calendula officinalis is evidence that it is superior and environmentally friendly method for the preparation of ZnO NPs and hence it can be utilized in various nano-medicine approaches.Article Highlights: Green synthesis (hydrothermal method) of ZnO-NPs using leaf extract of Calendula officinalis L. and its spectroscopic investigation. Found effective Antioxidant activities of green synthesised ZnO that can be employed as skin care and cosmetics. Green synthesized ZnO NPs having a significant bactericidal activity observed against bacteria S. aureus, K. pneumonia and E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few years, varieties of fungal infections have created a serious threat to human populations worldwide. Fungi are prone to develop infections mainly in immune-compromised individuals, like patients suffering from HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and hematological disorders. Alarmingly, this threat is continuously increasing with the use of the long-term therapeutic and prophylactic use of antifungal agents that have promoted the emergence of multi-drug resistant fungi. Therefore, there is a need to use alternative antifungal agents that will act even against multi-drug-resistant fungi. Among all nanoparticles zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) received much more attention worldwide due to their unique properties like diverse morphology, large surface area to volume ratio, biocompatibility, broad-spectrum antibacterial, antifungal activities, less sensitivity for the development of resistance towards micro-organisms and stay non-hazardous in the environment. This review aims to discuss the multiple drug resistance in fungi, the general properties of ZnO, their synthesis methods, their antifungal applications, their antifungal mechanism, and the nanotoxicity of ZnO. This review will offer a door for the use of ZnO NP-based materials as an alternative approach for treating multi-drug resistant fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The synthesis of metal nanoparticles through bio-reduction is environmentally benign and devoid of impurities, which is very important for biological applications. This method aims to improve ZnO nanoparticle's antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity while reducing the amount of hazardous chemicals used in nanoparticle production. The assembly of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is presented via bio-reduction of an aqueous zinc nitrate solution using Echinochloacolona (E. colona) plant aqueous leaf extract comprising various phytochemical components such as phenols, flavonoids, proteins, and sugars. The synthesized nano ZnO NPs are characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometer (UV–vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (X-RD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and elemental composition by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The formation of biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by the absorbance at 360–370 nm in the UV–vis spectrum. The average crystal size of the particles was found to be 15.8 nm, as calculated from XRD. SEM and TEM analysis of prepared ZnO NPs confirmed the spherical and hexagonal shaped nanoparticles. ZnO NPs showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae with the largest zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 17 and 18 mm, respectively, from the disc diffusion method. Furthermore, ZnO NPs exhibited significant anti-biofilm activity in a dose-dependent manner against selected bacterial strains, thus suggesting that ZnO NPs can be deployed in the prevention of infectious diseases and also used in food preservation.

Abstract This study explores the potential antibacterial applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) enhanced with silver (Ag) using plant gel (ZnO-AgO NPs). The problem addressed is the increasing prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and the need for new, effective antimicrobial agents. ZnO NPs possess distinctive physicochemical properties that enable them to selectively target bacterial cells. Their small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio allow efficient cellular uptake and interaction with bacterial cells. In this study, the average size of the synthesized ZnO-Ag nanoparticles was 77.1 nm, with a significant standard deviation of 33.7 nm, indicating a wide size distribution. The nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable antibacterial efficacy against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, with inhibition zones of 14.33 mm for E. coli and 15.66 mm for B. subtilis at a concentration of 300 µg/ml. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined to be 100 µg/ml for E. coli and 75 µg/ml for S. saprophyticus. Additionally, ZnO-Ag NPs exhibited excellent biocompatibility, making them appropriate for various pharmacological uses. This study utilizes Ferula latisecta gels, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to nanoparticle synthesis. Incorporating of Ag into ZnO NPs significantly enhances their antimicrobial properties, with the combined results showing great inhibition effects on pathogenic microbes. The findings suggest that ZnO-Ag NPs could be a promising candidate for addressing the challenges posed by drug-resistant bacterial infections and enhancing antimicrobial treatments.

One of the biggest problems in the ecosystem is wastewater contaminated with industrial dyes. These pollutants have a very stable chemical structure, which causes complicated removal. However, a possible alternative for wastewater treatment is zinc oxide semiconductor nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The approach of this study was the implementation of a green synthesis methodology for the obtention of ZnO nanoparticles employing Ipomoea stans (TV) leaves as extracts. The properties of the ZnO nanoparticles synthesized at 1 %, 2 %, and 4 % w/v (weight/volume) concentration of the extract were obtained from the characterization using different techniques. The FTIR analysis determined the presence of the active functional groups attached to the surface, which capped and stabilized the ZnO NPs; a band located in the range of 500-390 cm−1 confirms the presence of the Zn–O bond. The UV absorption spectra of all ZnO NPs samples were determined by executing the ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy technique, with a characteristic signal located at ∼370 nm and energy gap values between 3.036 eV and 3.101 eV. In addition, XRD patterns determined the average crystallite sizes to be 30.78 nm for ZnO-TV 1 %, 18.68 nm ZnO-TV 2 %, and 11.96 nm ZnO-TV 4 %, respectively. Furthermore, the results from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) displayed the following values of mean particle size of 21 nm, 24.4 nm, and 10.16 nm for ZnO-TV 1 %, ZnO-TV 2 % and ZnO-TV 4 % with S.D. 9.10, 12.5 and 3.6. Finally, the photocatalytic activity was evaluated utilizing the industrial dyes Methyl Orange, Methylene Blue, Rhodamine B, Malachite Green, and Congo Red. Obtaining outstanding results in the degradation of all industrial dyes. All syntheses achieved degradation greater than 91 % for methyl orange, methylene blue, and rhodamine B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Since traditional germination test methods have drawbacks such as slow efficiency, proneness to error, and damage to seeds, a non-destructive testing method is proposed for full-process germination of radish seeds, which improves the monitoring efficiency of seed quality. Results Based on YOLOv8n, a lightweight test model YOLOv8-R is proposed, where the number of parameters, the amount of calculation, and size of weights are significantly reduced by replacing the backbone network with PP-LCNet, the neck part with CCFM, the C2f of the neck part with OREPA, the SPPF with FocalModulation, and the Detect of the head part with LADH. The ablation test and comparative test prove the performance of the model. With adoption of germination rate, germination index, and germination potential as the three vitality indicators, the seed germination phenotype collection system and YOLOv8-R model are used to analyze the full time-series sequence effects of different ZnO NPs concentrations on germination of radish seeds under varying degrees of salt stress. Conclusions The results show that salt stress inhibits the germination of radish seeds and that the inhibition effect is more obvious with the increased concentration of NaCl solution; in cultivation with deionized water, the germination rate of radish seeds does not change significantly with increased concentration of ZnO NPs, but the germination index and germination potential increase initially and then decline; in cultivation with NaCl solution, the germination rate, germination potential and germination index of radish seeds first increase and then decline with increased concentration of ZnO NPs.

Abstract Developing stable and highly efficient metal oxide photocatalysts remains a significant challenge in managing organic pollutants. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were successfully synthesized using various plant extracts, pomegranate (P.M), beetroot roots (B.S), and seder, along with a chemical process. The produced ZnO NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), and Surface Area. For all prepared samples, the results indicated that the composition of the plant extract affects several characteristics of the produced particles, such as their photocatalytic properties, energy bandgap (Eg), particle size, and the ratio of the two intensity (0 0 2) and (1 0 0) crystalline planes. The particle size of the produced NPs varies between 20 and 30 nm. To examine NPs' photocatalytic activity in the presence of UV light, Methyl Orange (MO) was utilized. The Eg of ZnO synthesized by the chemical method was 3.16 e. V, whereas it was 2.84, 2.63, and 2.59 for P.M, Seder, and B.S extracts, respectively. The most effective ZnO NPs, synthesized using Beetroots, exhibited a degradation efficiency of 87 ± 0.5% with a kinetic rate constant of 0.007 min−1. The ratio of the two intensity (0 0 2) and (1 0 0) crystalline planes was also examined to determine a specific orientation in (0 0 2) that is linked to the production of oxygen vacancies in ZnO, which enhances their photocatalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the increase in photocatalytic effectiveness can be attributed to the improved light absorption by the inter-band gap states and effective charge transfer.

Abstract Saline-sodic stress restricts the absorption of zinc by rice, consequently impacting the photosynthesis process of rice plants. In this experiment, Landrace 9 was selected as the test material and the potting method was employed to investigate the influence of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on zinc absorption and chlorophyll fluorescence in rice grown in saline-sodic land. The research findings demonstrate that the application of ZnO NPs proves to be more advantageous for the growth of rice in saline-sodic soil. Notably, the application of ZnO NPs significantly decreases the levels of Na+ and MDA in rice leaves in saline-sodic soil, while increasing the levels of K+ and Zn2+. Additionally, ZnO NPs enhances the content of chloroplast pigments, specific energy flux, quantum yield, and the performance of active PSII reaction center (PI ABS) in rice leaves under saline-sodic stress. Furthermore, the relative variable fluorescence (W K and V J) and quantum energy dissipation rate (φ Do) of rice are also reduced. Therefore, the addition of ZnO NPs enhances the transfer of electrons and energy within the rice photosystem when subjected to saline-sodic stress. This promotes photosynthesis in rice plants growing in saline-sodic land, increasing their resistance to saline-sodic stress and ultimately facilitating their growth and development.

Abstract Bulk zinc oxide (ZnO-BPs) and its nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are frequently used in various products for humans. Helisoma duryi embryos can serve as effective model organisms for studying the toxicity of NPs. This study aimed to compare the teratogenic potency of ZnO-BPs and ZnO NPs in the embryonic stages of H. duryi to evaluate the utility of this snail as a bioindicator for ZnO-NPs in the aquatic environment. The mechanisms of teratogenesis were evaluated by determination of the LC50, studying the effect of sub-lethal concentrations of both ZnO forms on the embryos, and studying their enzyme activity, oxidative stress, and biochemical analysis. The SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was undertaken to assess the effect of ZnO-BPs and ZnO NPs on protein synthesis. The results revealed that the veliger stage of H. duryi is the specific stage for bulk and nano ZnO. ZnO-NPs proved to be more toxic to snails’ embryos than ZnO-BPs. Exposure to ZnO influences specific types of defects in development, which in the case of BPs are far less drastic than those caused by NPs. Thus, the toxicity of ZnO-NPs in embryonic development is due to their unique physicochemical properties. The observed malformations include mainly hydropic malformation, exogastrulation, monophthalmia, shell misshapen, and cell lyses. Almost all tested oxidative biomarkers significantly changed, revealing that ZnONPs display more oxidative stress than ZnO-BPs. Also, the low concentration of ZnO induces many disturbances in the organic substances of veliger larvae, such as a decrease in the total protein and total lipid levels and an increase in the glycogen level. The results indicated that ZnO-BPs increase the number of protein bands. Conversely, ZnO-NPs concealed one band from treated egg masses, which was found in the control group. Embryos of snail are an appropriate model to control freshwater snails. This study demonstrates that H. duryi embryos can serve as effective model organisms to study the toxicity of ZnO-NPs.

Abstract Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most abundantly used nanomaterials in cosmetics and topical products, and nowadays, they are explored in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Some recent data evidenced that they are responsible for cardiotoxic effects and systemic toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate the toxic effect of ZnO NPs (39 nm) on the heart of Wistar rats and to perform a dose–response relationship using three different dose levels (25, 50, 100 mg/kg bw) of ZnO NPs on the electrocardiogram (ECG) readings, the levels of biochemical function parameters of heart, and the oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarkers. Furthermore, zinc concentration level and histopathological examination of heart tissues were determined. ZnO NPs showed a dose-dependent effect, as the 100 mg/kg bw ZnO NPs treated group showed the most significant changes in ECGs parameters: R–R distance, P–R interval, R and T amplitudes, and increased levels of heart enzymes Creatine Kinase- MB (CK-MB) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). On the other hand, elevated zinc concentration levels, oxidative stress biomarkers MDA and NO, and decreased GSH levels were found also in a dose-dependent manner, the results were supported by impairment in the histopathological structure of heart tissues. While the dose of 100 mg/kg bw of ZnO bulk group showed no significant effects on heart function. The present study concluded that ZnO NPs could induce cardiac dysfunctions and pathological lesions mainly in the high dose.

Abstract Background Nanotechnology holds revolutionary potential in the field of agriculture, with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) demonstrating advantages in promoting crop growth. Enhanced photosynthetic efficiency is closely linked to improved vigor and superior quality in tea plants, complemented by the beneficial role of phyllosphere microorganisms in maintaining plant health. However, the effects of ZnO NPs on the photosynthesis of tea plants, the sprouting of new shoots, and the community of phyllosphere microorganisms have not been fully investigated. Results This study investigated the photosynthetic physiological parameters of tea plants under the influence of ZnO NPs, the content of key photosynthetic enzymes such as RubisCO, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, transcriptomic and extensive targeted metabolomic profiles of leaves and new shoots, mineral element composition in these tissues, and the epiphytic and endophytic microbial communities within the phyllosphere. The results indicated that ZnO NPs could enhance the photosynthesis of tea plants, upregulate the expression of some genes related to photosynthesis, increase the accumulation of photosynthetic products, promote the development of new shoots, and alter the content of various mineral elements in the leaves and new shoots of tea plants. Furthermore, the application of ZnO NPs was observed to favorably influence the microbial community structure within the phyllosphere of tea plants. This shift in microbial community dynamics suggests a potential for ZnO NPs to contribute to plant health and productivity by modulating the phyllosphere microbiome. Conclusion This study demonstrates that ZnO NPs have a positive impact on the photosynthesis of tea plants, the sprouting of new shoots, and the community of phyllosphere microorganisms, which can improve the growth condition of tea plants. These findings provide new scientific evidence for the application of ZnO NPs in sustainable agricultural development and contribute to advancing research in nanobiotechnology aimed at enhancing crop yield and quality. Graphical Abstract

Soil fertility, quality and improving crop productivity with fertilizers is a critical problem in agriculture. The nutrition of agriculture crops relies on traditional chemical fertilizers, the production of which is expensive and still depends on fossil-fuel consumption, with a harmful effect on humans and global environment. In order to solve this problem, fertilizers must become environmentally friendly and with high nutritional content. Nanotechnology is a promising alternative method. Nanofertilizers provide favourable nutrition by their strong potential to increase nutrient proficiency and protection from leaching into groundwater; its balanced nutrient supply and biodegradability stimulates the growth of crops and improves the quality and production. Zinc is an essential micronutrient for the growth and developments of plants, but it is the most commonly deficient micronutrient in soils. In order to overcome the problem of zinc deficiency in soils, this study carried out a synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by green synthesis method using aqueous extract of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and characterisation by UV-visible spectrophotometer and SEM analysis. These synthesized NPs were applied as nanofertilizers and their effect on the growth of the common plant Triticum aestivum L. was tested. An improvement in plant growth was achieved by the application of ZnO NPs mediated nanofertilizers. From this study, it can be concluded that ZnO NPs are a promising alternative for managing zinc deficiency in soil and increasing the plant productivity.

Abstract Background The biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Enterobacter sp. and the evaluation of their antimicrobial and copper stress (Cu+ 2)-reducing capabilities in Vicia faba (L.) plants. The green-synthesized ZnO NPs were validated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD); Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. ZnO NPs could serve as an improved bactericidal agent for various biological applications. as well as these nanoparticles used in alleviating the hazardous effects of copper stress on the morphological and physiological traits of 21-day-old Vicia faba (L.) plants. Results The results revealed that different concentrations of ZnO NPs (250, 500, or 1000 mg L-1) significantly alleviated the toxic effects of copper stress (100 mM CuSO4) and increased the growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), and pigments (Chlorophyll a and b) contents in Cu-stressed Vicia faba (L.) seedlings. Furthermore, applying high concentration of ZnO NPs (1000 mg L-1) was the best dose in maintaining the levels of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and POX), total soluble carbohydrates, total soluble proteins, phenolic and flavonoid in all Cu-stressed Vicia faba (L.) seedlings. Additionally, contents of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were significantly suppressed in response to high concentrations of ZnO NPs (1000 mg L-1) in all Cu-stressed Vicia faba (L.) seedlings. Also, it demonstrates strong antibacterial action (0.9 mg/ml) against various pathogenic microorganisms. Conclusions The ZnO NPs produced in this study demonstrated the potential to enhance plant detoxification and tolerance mechanisms, enabling plants to better cope with environmental stress. Furthermore, these nanoparticles could serve as an improved bactericidal agent for various biological applications.

Background: Since traditional germination test methods have drawbacks such as slow efficiency, proneness to error, and damage to seeds, a non-destructive testing method is proposed for full-process germination of radish seeds, which improves the monitoring efficiency of seed quality. Results: Based on YOLOv8n, a lightweight test model YOLOv8-R is proposed, where the number of parameters, the amount of calculation, and size of weights are significantly reduced by replacing the backbone network with PP-LCNet, the neck part with CCFM, the C2f of the neck part with OREPA, the SPPF with FocalModulation, and the Detect of the head part with LADH. The ablation test and comparative test prove the performance of the model. With adoption of germination rate, germination index, and germination potential as the three vitality indicators, the seed germination phenotype collection system and YOLOv8-R model are used to analyze the full time-series sequence effects of different ZnO NPs concentrations on germination of radish seeds under varying degrees of salt stress. Conclusions: The results show that salt stress inhibits the germination of radish seeds and that the inhibition effect is more obvious with the increased concentration of NaCl solution; in cultivation with deionized water, the germination rate of radish seeds does not change significantly with increased concentration of ZnO NPs, but the germination index and germination potential increase initially and then decline; in cultivation with NaCl solution, the germination rate, germination potential and germination index of radish seeds first increase and then decline with increased concentration of ZnO NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing stable and highly efficient metal oxide photocatalysts remains a significant challenge in managing organic pollutants. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were successfully synthesized using various plant extracts, pomegranate (P.M), beetroot roots (B.S), and seder, along with a chemical process. The produced ZnO NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), and Surface Area. For all prepared samples, the results indicated that the composition of the plant extract affects several characteristics of the produced particles, such as their photocatalytic properties, energy bandgap (Eg), particle size, and the ratio of the two intensity (0 0 2) and (1 0 0) crystalline planes. The particle size of the produced NPs varies between 20 and 30 nm. To examine NPs' photocatalytic activity in the presence of UV light, Methyl Orange (MO) was utilized. The Eg of ZnO synthesized by the chemical method was 3.16 e. V, whereas it was 2.84, 2.63, and 2.59 for P.M, Seder, and B.S extracts, respectively. The most effective ZnO NPs, synthesized using Beetroots, exhibited a degradation efficiency of 87 ± 0.5% with a kinetic rate constant of 0.007 min−1. The ratio of the two intensity (0 0 2) and (1 0 0) crystalline planes was also examined to determine a specific orientation in (0 0 2) that is linked to the production of oxygen vacancies in ZnO, which enhances their photocatalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the increase in photocatalytic effectiveness can be attributed to the improved light absorption by the inter-band gap states and effective charge transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saline-sodic stress restricts the absorption of zinc by rice, consequently impacting the photosynthesis process of rice plants. In this experiment, Landrace 9 was selected as the test material and the potting method was employed to investigate the influence of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on zinc absorption and chlorophyll fluorescence in rice grown in saline-sodic land. The research findings demonstrate that the application of ZnO NPs proves to be more advantageous for the growth of rice in saline-sodic soil. Notably, the application of ZnO NPs significantly decreases the levels of Na+ and MDA in rice leaves in saline-sodic soil, while increasing the levels of K+ and Zn2+. Additionally, ZnO NPs enhances the content of chloroplast pigments, specific energy flux, quantum yield, and the performance of active PSII reaction center (PIABS) in rice leaves under saline-sodic stress. Furthermore, the relative variable fluorescence (WK and VJ) and quantum energy dissipation rate (φDo) of rice are also reduced. Therefore, the addition of ZnO NPs enhances the transfer of electrons and energy within the rice photosystem when subjected to saline-sodic stress. This promotes photosynthesis in rice plants growing in saline-sodic land, increasing their resistance to saline-sodic stress and ultimately facilitating their growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nanotechnology holds revolutionary potential in the field of agriculture, with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) demonstrating advantages in promoting crop growth. Enhanced photosynthetic efficiency is closely linked to improved vigor and superior quality in tea plants, complemented by the beneficial role of phyllosphere microorganisms in maintaining plant health. However, the effects of ZnO NPs on the photosynthesis of tea plants, the sprouting of new shoots, and the community of phyllosphere microorganisms have not been fully investigated. Results: This study investigated the photosynthetic physiological parameters of tea plants under the influence of ZnO NPs, the content of key photosynthetic enzymes such as RubisCO, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, transcriptomic and extensive targeted metabolomic profiles of leaves and new shoots, mineral element composition in these tissues, and the epiphytic and endophytic microbial communities within the phyllosphere. The results indicated that ZnO NPs could enhance the photosynthesis of tea plants, upregulate the expression of some genes related to photosynthesis, increase the accumulation of photosynthetic products, promote the development of new shoots, and alter the content of various mineral elements in the leaves and new shoots of tea plants. Furthermore, the application of ZnO NPs was observed to favorably influence the microbial community structure within the phyllosphere of tea plants. This shift in microbial community dynamics suggests a potential for ZnO NPs to contribute to plant health and productivity by modulating the phyllosphere microbiome. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that ZnO NPs have a positive impact on the photosynthesis of tea plants, the sprouting of new shoots, and the community of phyllosphere microorganisms, which can improve the growth condition of tea plants. These findings provide new scientific evidence for the application of ZnO NPs in sustainable agricultural development and contribute to advancing research in nanobiotechnology aimed at enhancing crop yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNAzyme-based gene therapy faces some challenges including cell penetration, activity limitation, and co-delivery functions. Self-assembled DNA nanomedicine has attracted widespread attention due to its many advantages. It is urgent to develop a universal DNA degradation strategy for precise programmable drug release. Herein, we reported a self-catabolic DNAzyme nanospheres (SCNS), which could simultaneously achieve cell penetration, activity enhancement, and co-delivery functions. The SCNS were assembled through Y-DNA stepwise hybridization with each other, which were then loaded with aptamer (Apt), doxorubicin (Dox), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The acid-triggered dissociation of ZnO NPs leads to the generation of Zn2+ ions cofactors for immediately self-catabolic DNAzyme nanospheres. After the disassembly of the SCNS, three types of anticancer treatments would be activated, which include Zn2+ involved reactive oxygen species (ROS), Dox-induced chemotherapy, and DNAzyme-based gene therapy. The experimental results show that the nanoplatform (Apt-SCNS-Dox-ZnO) has a good tumor-killing effect and minimal side effects. As a smart self-driven drug delivery nanoplatform, it is anticipated to displace extraordinary potential in biomedicine and bioengineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) exhibit diverse applications, including antimicrobial, UV-blocking, and catalytic properties, due to their unique structure and properties. This study focused on the characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized from Juglans regia leaves and their application in mitigating the impact of simultaneous infection by Meloidogyne arenaria (root-knot nematode) and Macrophomina phaseolina (root-rot fungus) in cowpea plants. The characterization of ZnO NPs was carried out through various analytical techniques, including UV–visible spectrophotometry, Powder-XRD analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX analysis. The study confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO NPs with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and exceptional purity. Under in vitro conditions, ZnO NPs exhibited significant nematicidal and antifungal activities. The mortality of M. arenaria juveniles increased with rising ZnO NP concentrations, and a similar trend was observed in the inhibition of M. phaseolina mycelial growth. SEM studies revealed physical damage to nematodes and structural distortions in fungal hyphae due to ZnO NP treatment. In infected cowpea plants, ZnO NPs significantly improved plant growth parameters, including plant length, fresh mass, and dry mass, especially at higher concentrations. Leghemoglobin content and the number of root nodules also increased after ZnO NP treatment. Additionally, ZnO NPs reduced gall formation and egg mass production by M. arenaria nematodes and effectively inhibited the growth of M. phaseolina in the roots. Furthermore, histochemical analyses demonstrated a reduction in oxidative stress, as indicated by decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in ZnO NP-treated plants. These findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized ZnO NPs as an eco-friendly and effective solution to manage disease complex in cowpea caused by simultaneous nematode and fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fertility, quality and improving crop productivity with fertilizers is a critical problem in agriculture. The nutrition of agriculture crops relies on traditional chemical fertilizers, the production of which is expensive and still depends on fossil-fuel consumption, with a harmful effect on humans and global environment. In order to solve this problem, fertilizers must become environmentally friendly and with high nutritional content. Nanotechnology is a promising alternative method. Nanofertilizers provide favourable nutrition by their strong potential to increase nutrient proficiency and protection from leaching into groundwater; its balanced nutrient supply and biodegradability stimulates the growth of crops and improves the quality and production. Zinc is an essential micronutrient for the growth and developments of plants, but it is the most commonly deficient micronutrient in soils. In order to overcome the problem of zinc deficiency in soils, this study carried out a synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by green synthesis method using aqueous extract of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and characterisation by UV-visible spectrophotometer and SEM analysis. These synthesized NPs were applied as nanofertilizers and their effect on the growth of the common plant Triticum aestivum L. was tested. An improvement in plant growth was achieved by the application of ZnO NPs mediated nanofertilizers. From this study, it can be concluded that ZnO NPs are a promising alternative for managing zinc deficiency in soil and increasing the plant productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have dualistic properties due to their advantage and toxicity. However, the impact and mechanisms of ZnO NPs on the prefrontal lobe have limited research. This study investigates the behavioral changes following exposure to ZnO NPs (34 mg/kg, 30 days), integrating multiple behaviors and bioinformatics analysis to identify critical factors and regulatory mechanisms. The essential differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including ORC1, DSP, AADAT, SLITRK6, and STEAP1. Analysis of the DEGs based on fold change reveals that ZnO NPs primarily regulate cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis in neural cells, damaging the prefrontal lobe. Moreover, disruption of cell communication, mineral absorption, and immune pathways occurs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) further shows enrichment of behavior, neuromuscular process, signal transduction in function, synapses-related, cAMP signaling, and immune pathways. Furthermore, alternative splicing (AS) genes highlight synaptic structure/function, synaptic signal transduction, immune responses, cell proliferation, and communication. [Display omitted] • ZnO NPs alter mice's PFC function, behavior, emotion, and learning memory. • Identified DEGs regulate neural survival, proliferation, and communication. • ZnO NPs adversely affect neuronal apoptosis, synaptic transmission, immune response, and ion homeostasis. • Alternative splicing of key genes/molecules should be considered for brain research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel crystalline and thermally stable chitosan-N-acetylisatin (Chs-NAI) polymer derivatives were synthesized by chitosan modification. These polymers were formed by insertion of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and doping with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) yielding pseudopolyrotaxane (Chs-NAI/βCD), Chs-NAI/ZnO-NPs, and Chs-NAI/βCD/ZnO NP composites. The chemical structure and morphology of the newly prepared polymers were investigated by FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses. Also, the optical properties and thermal stability analysis of the synthesized polymers were examined. These results showed that the use of β-CD or ZnO NPs to modify the polymer (Chs-NAI) dramatically improves the thermal stability and optical properties of the synthesized polymer. The weight losses of the synthesized polymers are 66%, 56%, 48%, and 59% in Chs-NAI, Chs-NAI/βCD, Chs-NAI/ZnO, and Chs-NAI/βCD/ZnO, respectively. For mineral deposition, Chs-NAI/βCD/ZnO was presoaked with a PO43− containing solution before being immersed in a Ca2+ containing solution. The properties of Chs-NAI/βCD/ZnO nanoparticles/calcium phosphate materials were examined to confirm the deposition of the calcium phosphate on the Chs-NAI/βCD/ZnO nanoparticles surface using different techniques. Based on the results of the tests on the Vero cell lines, Chs-NAI/βCD/ZnO NPs)/calcium phosphate demonstrated very mild cytotoxicity. In addition, the feasibility of a wide variety of hybrid was assessed with an MTT test, and it was determined that they were noncytotoxic under a variety of hybrid concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The rapid development of nanotechnologies with their widespread prosperities has advanced concerns regarding potential health hazards of the Nanoparticles. Results: Nanoparticles are currently present in several consumer products, including medications, food, textiles, sports equipment, and electrical components. Despite the advantages of Nanoparticles, their potential toxicity has negative impact on human health, particularly on reproductive health. Conclusions: The impact of various NPs on reproductive system function is yet to be determined. Additional research is required to study the potential toxicity of various Nanoparticles on reproductive health. The primary objective of this review is to unravel the toxic effects of different Nanoparticles on the human reproductive functions and recent investigations on the reproductive toxicity of Nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has focused on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in culture and in vivo cell lines due to their cytotoxic potential. In addition, ZnO has garnered considerable interest in cancer therapy. Our objective was to assess the cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs on cell lines from the ovary, prostate, and bone (SK-OV-3, PC3, and Saos-2). ZnO nanoparticles were used to culture SK-OV-3, PC3, and Saos-2 cancer cells at concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 ppm. Cancer cells were subsequently incubated for 24 and 48 h. Using the MTT assay, the apoptosis and cytotoxicity of cells were quantified. ZnO NPs of both diameters exhibited cytotoxic properties. Regardless of the lowest concentration, the extent of the cytotoxic effect on apoptosis is 32.55 nm. A rise in ZnO NP concentration was associated with an increase in apoptosis and a decrease in viability. The findings of this study suggest that the examined cancer types exhibited cytotoxic effects upon exposure to ZnO NPs, as compared to the control group that was not exposed. Furthermore, the maximum cytotoxic effects were observed at higher concentrations. It seems that the observed increase in cytotoxicity may not be significantly altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Enterobacter sp. and the evaluation of their antimicrobial and copper stress (Cu+ 2)-reducing capabilities in Vicia faba (L.) plants. The green-synthesized ZnO NPs were validated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD); Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. ZnO NPs could serve as an improved bactericidal agent for various biological applications. as well as these nanoparticles used in alleviating the hazardous effects of copper stress on the morphological and physiological traits of 21-day-old Vicia faba (L.) plants. Results: The results revealed that different concentrations of ZnO NPs (250, 500, or 1000 mg L-1) significantly alleviated the toxic effects of copper stress (100 mM CuSO4) and increased the growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), and pigments (Chlorophyll a and b) contents in Cu-stressed Vicia faba (L.) seedlings. Furthermore, applying high concentration of ZnO NPs (1000 mg L-1) was the best dose in maintaining the levels of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and POX), total soluble carbohydrates, total soluble proteins, phenolic and flavonoid in all Cu-stressed Vicia faba (L.) seedlings. Additionally, contents of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were significantly suppressed in response to high concentrations of ZnO NPs (1000 mg L-1) in all Cu-stressed Vicia faba (L.) seedlings. Also, it demonstrates strong antibacterial action (0.9 mg/ml) against various pathogenic microorganisms. Conclusions: The ZnO NPs produced in this study demonstrated the potential to enhance plant detoxification and tolerance mechanisms, enabling plants to better cope with environmental stress. Furthermore, these nanoparticles could serve as an improved bactericidal agent for various biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we present a novel approach for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using a non-thermal plasma source generated by the gliding arc discharge-air system. The effect of discharge time on the physical and optical properties, as well as the photocatalytic performance of the as-fabricated ZnO NPs, was investigated. The characterization techniques revealed that the as-synthesized ZnO exhibit hexagonal Wurtzite structure, with a wide energy gap and peak intensities of UV–vis absorption with longer discharge times. A decrease in particle size from 29 to 25 nm was also observed with increasing discharge time, while all samples were thermally stable between 25 and 700 °C. The photocatalytic performance of the ZnO NPs was evaluated by degrading Congo Red (CR) dye with a concentration of 20 ppm under sunlight at a dose of 1 mg/mL. The as-synthesized ZnO NPs revealed exceptional photocatalytic performance by degrading ~ 97% of CR dye after irradiation for 150 min. This work presents an easy and simple method for synthesizing NPs in a short time and pave the way for other potential ideas on the application of plasma gliding arc discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization poses a threat to the sustainability of agricultural production and has become a global issue. Cotton is an important cash crop and plays an important role in economic development. Salt stress has been harming the yield and quality of many crops, including cotton, for many years. In recent years, soil salinization has been increasing. It is crucial to study the mechanism of cotton salt tolerance and explore diversified materials and methods to alleviate the salt stress of cotton for the development of the cotton industry. Nanoparticles (NPs) are an effective means to alleviate salt stress. In this study, zinc oxide NPs (ZnO NPs) were sprayed on cotton leaves with the aim of investigating the intrinsic mechanism of NPs to alleviate salt stress in cotton. The results show that the foliar spraying of ZnO NPs significantly alleviated the negative effects of salt stress on hydroponic cotton seedlings, including the improvement of above-ground and root dry and fresh weight, leaf area, seedling height, and stem diameter. In addition, ZnO NPs can significantly improve the salt-induced oxidative stress by reducing the levels of MDA, H2O2, and O2− and increasing the activities of major antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, RNA-seq showed that the foliar spraying of ZnO NPs could induce the expressions of CNGC, NHX2, AHA3, HAK17, and other genes, and reduce the expression of SKOR, combined with the CBL-CIPK pathway, which alleviated the toxic effect of excessive Na+ and reduced the loss of excessive K+ so that the Na+/K+ ratio was stabilized. In summary, our results indicate that the foliar application of ZnO NPs can alleviate high salt stress in cotton by adjusting the Na+/K+ ratio and regulating antioxidative ability. This provides a new strategy for alleviating the salt stress of cotton and other crops, which is conducive to the development of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a high likelihood of being discharged into aquatic habitats, zinc oxide nanoparticles have been widely employed in a variety of industrial and commercial goods. Concerns over their effects on the environment and human health have grown. This study evaluated the developmental toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the embryo Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus). With three replicates for each treatment group, the Java medaka embryos were subject to various concentrations of ZnO NPs (10, 25, 50, 100, and 150 μg/L). The heartbeat of treated embryos was increased compared to the control group at 5-, 8-, and 11-days post-exposure (dpe). However, the hatching and mortality of embryos decreased when the concentrations of ZnO NPs increased. Meanwhile, deformities such as low pigmentation, edema (yolk sac and pericardial edema), and spinal deformities were observed in the embryo and larva during the exposure time. Compared to previous studies, ZnO NPs show severe toxicity to selected endpoints at lower concentrations in the embryos of Java medaka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication of nanoparticles by green routes is gaining extensive attention owing to their reliability, sustainability, being eco-friendly, cost-effectiveness, high productivity, and purity and biocompatibility. In the current study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were successfully fabricated via green route using leaf extract of Pontederia crassipes. The synthesized sample was characterized by various techniques, such as FT-IR, XRD, BET, FEEM, TEM, and EDS. The characterization results confirmed the success of the synthesis process, with prepared ZnO NPs exhibiting good purity. The synthesized ZnO NPs were employed as an adsorbent for the removal of carcinogenic anionic congo red (CR) and cationic malachite green (MG) dyes from aqueous solutions. All experiments were performed in a batch process where the effects of dye concentration, adsorbent dose, equilibrium time, temperature, pH, and salinity have been investigated. High removal capacity of 96.39% for CR was achieved with pH 2, dye concentration of 40 mg/L, and adsorbent dosage of 1.2 g within 30-min equilibration time. On the other hand, the maximum adsorption efficiency for MG dye was 95.75% with pH 7, dye concentration of 15 mg/L, and ZnO dosage of 1.2 g within 60-min equilibration time. The Temkin and Freundlich isotherm models match the dye adsorption process for CR and MG, respectively. Depending on the thermodynamic functions, it was proven that the adsorption process for both dyes is endothermic and spontaneous. Employing ZnO as anti-breast cancer (MCF7 cancer cell line) was also studied. ZnO NPs exhibit high in vitro cytotoxic efficacy against cancerous MCF7 (IC50 = 39.3 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we outlined the green synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the plant-mediated method. Employing the nitrate derivative of Zinc and the extract from the native medicinal plant, Ottonia anisum, the nanoparticles were effectively produced. After obtaining a yellow-colored paste, it was meticulously dried, gathered, and set aside for subsequent examination. The UV-visible spectrometry analysis indicated an absorption peak at 320 nm, which is indicative of ZnO NPs. Characterization techniques, such as XRD and HR-TEM, confirmed the existence of agglomerated ZnO NPs with an average diameter of 40 nm. Through EDS analysis, distinct energy signals for both Zinc and Oxygen were observed, confirming their composition. Furthermore, FT-IR spectroscopy highlighted an absorption peak for Zn-O bonding in the range of 400 to 600 cm-1. Further, we employed three distinct pain models in mice to evaluate the influence of ZnO NPs on the nociceptive threshold. Our findings revealed that, when orally administered, ZnO NPs at concentrations ranging from 5-20 mg/kg exerted a dose-dependent analgesic effect in both the hot-plate and the acetic acid-induced writhing tests. Moreover, when ZnO NPs were administered at doses between 2.5-10 mg/kg, there was a notable reduction in pain responses during both the initial and subsequent phases of the formalin test, but no change in PGE2 production within the mice's hind paw was found. On the other hand, acute lung injury studies revealed that the administration of ZnO NPs orally 90 minutes prior to HCl instillation decreased the neutrophil infiltration into the lungs in a dose- responsive manner. This reduction in pulmonary inflammation was paralleled by a significant decrease in lung edema, as evidenced by the reduced total protein content in the BALF. Additionally, the ZnO NPs appeared to recalibrate the lung's redox equilibrium following HCl exposure, which was determined through measurements of ROS, malondialdehyde, glutathione, and catalase activity. All these results further indicated the potential of biofabricated ZnO NPs for future applications in analgesics and acute lung injury treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diverse population of fungi colonizes human hair and skin due to millions of years of functional integration and mutual adaptation. The human body, with its fungal communities, forms a complex entity. Microbial imbalance is promoted by instabilities in the host–mycobiota interaction system, which can be related to the development of various diseases. By morphological and molecular identification, 15 genera comprising 24 species were isolated from 18 scalp samples collected from girls. Yeast‐like structures were the most common species in this study; they were recovered from six samples (33.3%). They were represented by five species: Arachniotus ruber; Cosmospora aurantiicola; Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosum; Geotrichum candidum and Suhomyces tanzawaensis. For the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), an aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale was utilized as a reducing and capping agent. The prepared NPs tested by X‐ray diffraction, they had a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Most of the ZnO NPs were spherical, and their diameter was about 38.9 nm using a transmission electron microscope. ZnO NPs of the Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy spectra were recorded in the range of 400–4000 cm−1. UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed the 200–800 nm wavelength range. ZnO NPs showed the highest activity against Ambrosiella hartigii Ambh2; Cladosporium cladosporioides Cladcl12; C. cf. cucumerinum Cladcu13; S. tanzawaensis Suht34, with minimal inhibitory concentrations 1.25 × 103 µg/mL on the four isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from Lupinus albus L. (white lupin) seed extract and investigate their photocatalytic and antibacterial applications. Phytochemical analysis of the seed extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds. Three ZnO NP samples were prepared using different ratios of the seed extract and zinc nitrate and one sample without seed extract as a control. The nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, and the average crystallite sizes were found to be in the range of 20.96–30.67 nm, exhibiting a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The photo catalytic activity of the ZnO NPs was evaluated by the degradation of malachite green dye under visible light. The results showed that ZnO NPs synthesized with the seed extract, particularly the 9:1 and 3:2 ratios, exhibited higher photocatalytic activity, with degradation efficiencies of 98 % and 97 %, respectively, compared to the ZnO NPs prepared without the extract (89 % degradation). The antibacterial activity of the ZnO NPs was assessed against four bacterial strains using the disc diffusion method. The ZnO NPs synthesized with the seed extract demonstrated the greatest activity against Klebsiella pneumonia, with an inhibition zone of 15 ± 0.58 mm, while the ZnO NPs without the extract showed lower antibacterial activity. In conclusion, the green synthesis of ZnO NPs using Lupinus albus L. seed extract is a promising approach for the development of materials with efficient photocatalytic and antibacterial properties.

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using an environmentally benign biogenic approach employing an extract of kernels of Nigella Sativa (kalonji). The presence of primary and secondary metabolites in Nigella Sativa extract acted as the capping and reducing agent. The as-synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using various advanced techniques i.e., UV, SEM, XRD, EDS, TGA, DSC, and FTIR spectra. UV characterization of ZnO NPs revealed a peak within the 350-400 cm−1 range, confirming their successful formation. XRD spectra revealed that the particles possess a nano-rods and platelets structure, with an average size of 65 nm. XRD analysis revealed that the particles possess a size of 65 nm with a nano-rods and platelets structure. FTIR spectra of the ZnO NPs exhibited a peak at a wavenumber range of 500–600 cm−1. The newly fabricated ZnO NPs were utilized in a pyrolysis reaction for the production of high-yield bio-oil, resulting in a maximum yield of 65.6 % at 350 °C. The spectra of the bio-oil display distinct peaks at 1340 cm−1, 2923.6 cm−1, and 1617 cm−1, which suggest the existence of phenolic and carbonyl chemicals. After incubating for 24 h under UV light, they also demonstrated significant catalytic degradation of methylene blue dye. The highest degradation was recorded to be an average of 71 % in 60 min of UV exposure. Taken together, ZnO NPs developed by eco-benign methods have the potential to be implemented as a novel catalytic system in the production of bio-oil as well as the remediation of dye-harboring industrial wastewater.

Abstract Different strains of Escherichia coli that exhibit genetic characteristics linked to diarrhea pose a major threat to both human and animal health. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), the genetic linkages and routes of transmission between E. coli isolates from different animal species. The efficiency of disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Virkon®S, TH4+, nano zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), and H2O2-based zinc oxide nanoparticles (H2O2/ZnO NPs) against isolated strains of E. coli was evaluated. Using 100 fecal samples from different diarrheal species (cow n = 30, sheep n = 40, and broiler chicken n = 30) for E. coli isolation and identification using the entero-bacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC–PCR) fingerprinting technique. The E. coli properties isolated from several diarrheal species were examined for their pathogenicity in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, and particle size distribution were used for the synthesis and characterization of ZnO NPs and H2O2/ZnO NPs. The broth macro-dilution method was used to assess the effectiveness of disinfectants and disinfectant-based nanoparticles against E. coli strains. Regarding the results, the hemolytic activity and Congo red binding assays of pathogenic E. coli isolates were 55.3 and 44.7%, respectively. Eleven virulent E. coli isolates were typed into five ERIC-types (A1, A2, B1, B2, and B3) using the ERIC-PCR method. These types clustered into two main clusters (A and B) with 75% similarity. In conclusion, there was 90% similarity between the sheep samples' ERIC types A1 and A2. On the other hand, 89% of the ERIC types B1, B2, and B3 of cows and poultry samples were comparable. The H2O2/ZnO NPs composite exhibits potential antibacterial action against E. coli isolates at 0.04 mg/ml after 120 min of exposure.