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

Review

Article ID: 2044

Biomedical applications of nanomaterials: A short review

by Hüseyin Okan Durmuş

Nano and Medical Materials, Vol.4, No.1, 2024;

Nanomaterials have emerged as transformative tools in the biomedical field due to their distinct physical and chemical properties. This review delves into the synthesis, classifications, and applications of nanomaterials, emphasizing advancements in drug delivery, bioimaging, and diagnostics. Unique aspects include a focused discussion on sol-gel synthesis methods and recent trends in nanomaterial applications for personalized medicine. The review concludes with a future perspective on overcoming challenges such as toxicity and regulatory issues, paving the way for sustainable biomedical innovations.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1895

Preparation of cuttlefish ink-porphyrin nanoconjugates and its application in photodynamic-photothermal synergistic treatment of tumor cells

by Wei Wang, Yuting Zhang, Yan Li, Yuzi Huang, Shuzhang Xiao, Wenquan Huang, Peng Geng

Nano and Medical Materials, Vol.4, No.1, 2024;

Biologically derived nanomaterials have gained increasing attention in tumor diagnosis and treatment due to their inherent biocompatibility. In this study, a nanoconjugate of cuttlefish ink (M, extracted from cuttlefish ink sacs) and meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP), termed M-TCPP, was synthesized. The nanoparticle size of M-TCPP was approximately 120 nm, and it could be activated by a 660 nm light to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via TCPP for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumor cells. Additionally, when triggered by an 808 nm light (near-infrared light), the cuttlefish ink component efficiently converted light into heat for photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumor cells. Compared to standalone PDT or PTT, the synergistic combination of PDT-PTT resulted in significantly enhanced tumor cell destruction. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that M-TCPP exhibited no noticeable toxic side effects. The research offers some inspiration for the development of natural multifunctional biomaterials and their use in tumor therapy.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2170

Formulation and development of topical nano-emulgel TDDS for delivering Vitex Negundo as a painkiller: Enhancing effectiveness with natural essential oil permeation promoters in an innovative drug delivery system for rheumatoid arthritis treatment—A NDDS

by Bhandare Saurabh Dilip, Malode Sarika Shivaji

Nano and Medical Materials, Vol.4, No.1, 2024;

Vitex negundo is a powerful herbal anti-inflammatory with effects similar to those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Despite its benefits, Vitex negundo shares some drawbacks with NSAIDs, including gastrointestinal side effects such as vomiting and poor transdermal penetration, which limits its effectiveness in transdermal and gastrointestinal drug delivery. This study aimed to enhance the bioavailability of Vitex negundo by developing nano-emulgel with reduced particle size and to assess their effectiveness in treating rheumatoid arthritis. The researchers utilised a modified emulsification-diffusion method to create nanosized dispersions of Vitex negundo, incorporating hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as a gelling agent. Essential oils were also included to improve skin penetration by interacting with the stratum corneum (SC), thus enhancing the absorption of both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. The prepared Vitex negundo nano-emulgel were evaluated for various parameters, including rheology, particle size, drug content, drug release percentage, and in-vitro diffusion. The results indicated favourable properties: the particle size was 120.10 nm, the zeta potential was ± 30 mV, drug content was 99.50%, drug release percentage was 98.92%, and drug diffusion was approximately 98%. The formulation also had a pH of 6.8 ± 0.1. Overall, the Vitex negundo nano-emulgel, formulated with HPMC and eucalyptus oil as a permeation enhancer, demonstrated potential as an effective topical treatment for oedema and rheumatoid arthritis. “The study illustrates the formulation process of a drug blended with a polymer matrix. The drug is uniformly dispersed within the polymer matrix through high-shear mixing, ensuring optimal integration and consistency in the final product. The process involves high-shear blending to achieve a homogenous mixture, enhancing the drug’s stability and release characteristics within the polymer matrix.”

Open Access

Review

Article ID: 1573

A brief review on declarative concepts of pharmaceutical characteristics, classification, mechanisms, preparation, formulation and evaluation studies of moisturizing cream

by Victor Dey, Subhasri Mohapatra

Nano and Medical Materials, Vol.4, No.1, 2024;

The pharmaceutical creams play important role on tropical applications in which moisturizers are one of the widely industrial preparations involved for to nourish, soften and moisten the skin for the clients. These are mainly effectively works on dry skin clients combating various cases such as itch, pain, stinging, tightness, tingling and many more problems. The moisturizers are products mainly aimed to raising the SC’s water surface content helps the skin smooth, hydrates and hence maintaining a normal pH of skin. They are classified as emollients, humectants, occlusives and protein rejuvenators moisturizers helps to aid skin layers and even modifies its barriers. But its ingredients needed to be considered as non-irritant, nontoxic and non-adverse effects. This review main purpose is to describe about the overall published studies being for making moisturizing creams are interest able, advantageous and all the characteristics, mechanism, preparation, formulation and evaluation within the elegant criteria fulfilled. Even have clinical details for various disorder which are already been suggested by expert as well as adjuvant therapy suggested by experts. The patterns are being studied about water-in-oil emulsion design along with its needs which are being qualified under evaluation parameters for to know about qualified moisturizing creams.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 145

Preparation and analysis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by plant extract techniques of green tea and study optical and structural properties

by Ashraf M. Alattar, Nathera A. Al-tememee

Nano and Medical Materials, Vol.4, No.1, 2024;

In order to study the green creation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by decreasing the Ag+ ions in a silver nitrate solution, green tea plant extract was utilized. The generated AgNPs were examined by UV-Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The produced AgNPs were 685 nm in size, spherical in shape, polydispersed in nature, and exhibited a maximum absorbance at 416 nm. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus were successfully combatted by the AgNPs.