Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025)

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2119

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

by Cletus Anes Ukwubile, Otalu Otalu Jr, Semen Ibrahim Gangpete

Nano and Medical Materials, Vol.5, No.1, 2025;

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.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2466

The planetary ball milling of different powders yields similar granulometry

by Clarissa Ciarlantini, Antonella Piozzi, Sergio Ammendola

Nano and Medical Materials, Vol.5, No.1, 2025;

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.