https://ojs.acad-pub.com/index.php/NMM <p><em>Nano and Medical Materials</em>&nbsp;(NMM) is an international, peer-reviewed journal presenting novel, significant, and interdisciplinary theoretical and experimental results related to nanoscience, nanotechnology, and any materials available in medicine.&nbsp;</p> Academic Publishing Pte. Ltd. en-US Nano and Medical Materials 2811-0285 <p>Authors contributing to this journal agree to publish their articles under the <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>, allowing third parties to share their work (copy, distribute, transmit) and to adapt it <span lang="EN-US">for any purpose, even commercially, under the condition that the authors are given credit.</span> With this license, authors hold the copyright.</p><p><img src="https://esp.apacsci.com/public/site/images/reviewer/OIP-C.jpg" alt="" /></p> https://ojs.acad-pub.com/index.php/NMM/article/view/2119 <p>Metastatic colon cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with increasing evidence linking microbial infections, such as <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, to cancer progression. This study focuses on the development of <i>Nigella sativa</i> (black seed) extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (NS-CNPs) as a targeted therapeutic approach against <em>K. pneumoniae</em>-induced metastatic colon cancer. NS-CNPs were synthesized using ionic gelation, yielding nanoparticles with an average size of <strong>140 ± 5 nm</strong>, a polydispersity index (PDI) of <strong>0.23 ± 0.02</strong>, and an encapsulation efficiency of <strong>85.7 ± 4.3%</strong>. Morphological analysis confirmed their spherical shape. The NS-CNPs exhibited superior antibacterial efficacy against <em>K. pneumoniae</em> (zone of inhibition <strong>22.00 ± 2.5 mm</strong>) compared to the crude extract (zone of inhibition <strong>12.3 ± 0.1 mm</strong>), highlighting improved bioavailability and targeted delivery. Cytotoxicity studies on colon cancer cell lines showed a significant reduction in cell viability (<strong>IC₅₀ = 0.16 ± 0.01 µg/mL</strong>), accompanied by modulation of key cancer biomarkers such as TNF-<i>α</i> with values of 12.50 <strong>± 1.2 and 13.70 ± 1.5 pg/mL</strong>. The treatment elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by <strong>48%</strong>, increased caspase-3 and Bax expression by <strong>2.5-fold</strong><b> </b>and <strong>1.8-fold</strong>, respectively, while reducing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression by <strong>40%</strong>. 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 <em>K. pneumoniae</em>-associated metastatic colon cancer, paving the way for integrative strategies in cancer treatment that address both microbial and tumorigenic factors.</p> Cletus Anes Ukwubile Otalu Otalu Jr Semen Ibrahim Gangpete Copyright (c) 2025 Cletus Anes Ukwubile, Otalu Otalu Jr, Semen Ibrahim Gangpete https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 2025-01-10 2025-01-10 5 1 2119 2119 10.59400/nmm2119 https://ojs.acad-pub.com/index.php/NMM/article/view/2466 <p>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.</p> Clarissa Ciarlantini Antonella Piozzi Sergio Ammendola Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 2025-03-07 2025-03-07 5 1 2466 2466 10.59400/nmm2466