Nano and Medical Materials

Development of Nigella sativa (black seed) extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for targeting Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced metastatic colon cancer

2025-01-10T08:22:07+00:00

Metastatic colon cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with increasing evidence linking microbial infections, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, to cancer progression. This study focuses on the development of Nigella sativa (black seed) extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (NS-CNPs) as a targeted therapeutic approach against K. pneumoniae-induced metastatic colon cancer. NS-CNPs were synthesized using ionic gelation, yielding nanoparticles with an average size of 140 ± 5 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.23 ± 0.02, and an encapsulation efficiency of 85.7 ± 4.3%. Morphological analysis confirmed their spherical shape. The NS-CNPs exhibited superior antibacterial efficacy against K. pneumoniae (zone of inhibition 22.00 ± 2.5 mm) compared to the crude extract (zone of inhibition 12.3 ± 0.1 mm), highlighting improved bioavailability and targeted delivery. Cytotoxicity studies on colon cancer cell lines showed a significant reduction in cell viability (IC₅₀ = 0.16 ± 0.01 µg/mL), accompanied by modulation of key cancer biomarkers such as TNF-α with values of 12.50 ± 1.2 and 13.70 ± 1.5 pg/mL. The treatment elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 48%, increased caspase-3 and Bax expression by 2.5-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively, while reducing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression by 40%. These effects indicate oxidative stress induction and apoptosis activation. Furthermore, NS-CNPs suppressed tumor-promoting pathways and enhanced pro-apoptotic mechanisms, demonstrating dual antibacterial and anticancer functionalities. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of NS-CNPs as a novel nanoplatform for combating K. pneumoniae-associated metastatic colon cancer, paving the way for integrative strategies in cancer treatment that address both microbial and tumorigenic factors.

The planetary ball milling of different powders yields similar granulometry

2025-03-07T07:20:33+00:00

The main objectives of nanotechnology include the establishment of processes for the development and control of the nanoparticles’ size and shape. Bottom-up or top-down methods can be used to achieve these objectives, but independently various parameters such as rotational speed, temperature, revolution time, and others must be controlled. However, both methods can be expensive, especially from an industrial point of view. To reduce production costs, we have investigated the feasibility of applying an identical top-down process to compounds with different chemical and physical properties. Starting from powders with very variable particle size, we arrive at powders with a particle size practically indistinguishable from the point of view of pharmaceutical technology. This procedure can be useful in industrial preparations.

Preparation of antimicrobial polyamide fibers based on surface treatment

2025-04-22T03:47:49+00:00

Antibacterial nylon fiber, a crucial functional material, has demonstrated substantial potential for applications in medical, textile, food packaging, and other fields. While conventional nylon fibers possess excellent mechanical properties, their lack of inherent antimicrobial functionality has spurred research into surface treatment methods, including modification and post-finishing techniques. These approaches enable the integration of antibacterial agents such as silver ions, copper ions, and chitosan while preserving fiber integrity. Despite this progress, challenges persist in durability, biocompatibility, and economic feasibility, driving ongoing innovation. This review focuses on surface treatment methods, including chemical modification, dyeing, and post-finishing, covering antibacterial agents, and antimicrobial performance, providing insights into structure-property relationships and optimization strategies. The advancement of antibacterial nylon fibers not only meets critical healthcare demands but also aligns with global sustainability goals, offering innovative solutions with significant societal and economic impact.

A trandisciplinary overview about the electronic nose

2025-07-01T02:18:52+00:00

The mechanism by which the human nose perceives an odor is complex and involves various chemical reactions. The instrumental detection of the smell can be carried out through the “electronic nose”, an interactive device that lends itself to various applications. In the agri-food sector, the development of portable devices makes it possible to smell foods and measure their level of deterioration and maturation. Applications regard the olfactory nuisance in environmental compatibility of materials and techniques for packing and laying conglomerates (for example, bituminous), as well as the environmental monitoring of pollutants. The electronic nose also represents an important resource in the screening of respiratory pathologies. The gas sensor market leverages physics, chemistry and materials engineering to develop highly sensitive, reliable and stable sensor platforms. In this direction, new materials are being considered, including polymers, nanostructured metal oxides and nanostructured carbon-based materials (CNTs). In addition to the experimental aspects, theoretical-mathematical modeling plays an extremely important role in this sector, with particular attention to the case of micro- and nanometric dimensions. The paper also offers an overview of the mathematical models relating to mechanical processes and dynamics at the micro-nanometric scale, focusing on the Drude-Lorentz-type models, with related more recent generalizations.