Nano LIFE

Carbon-based nanomaterials (NMs) are a specific class of materials used in biomedical applications, such as the delivery of therapeutics, biomedical imaging, biosensors, tissue engineering, and genetic engineering. Carbon-based NMs are interesting tools with specific qualities, including strong mechanical structure, good conductivity, appealing visual qualities and great chemical versatility. Among these carbon-based NMs, graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great biological importance. In this paper, we discuss about graphene, CNTs, fullerene and carbon quantum dots (CQDs), the structure, properties, toxicity, mechanism of action and applications in cancer treatment and diagnosis. Graphene, fullerene, CNTs and CQDs are allotropic forms of carbon. The circle of biomedical engineering is increasing daily, and in recent years, carbon-based NMs have played a vital role as biomaterials. Carbon-based NMs attracted the attention of a wide range of researchers due to their multifunctional properties. In this paper, we discuss the function of carbon-based NMs in the detection and treatment of cancer and explore their role in controlling tumor-causing cells and damaging cancer-causing cells. If we use their derivatives as a source for cancer treatment and diagnosis, we can cease tumor growth to a tremendous level.

Approximately 20 million new instances of cancer and 10 million cancer-related deaths were reported in 2023, making cancer one of the leading causes of mortality globally. The number of deaths due to cancer worldwide is expected to double by 2050 to an estimated 18.5 million, compared to 9.7 million in 2022. Though there are heaps of new advanced techniques and therapies present for the treatment or control of cancer exist; however, complete treatment is not yet available. Chemotherapy and radiation-based therapy are examples of cancer treatments that function by eradicating or damaging cancer cells, which may sometimes negatively affect as well as harm normal cells throughout the process. Phyto-pharmaceuticals have shown promising results in the management of cancer due to potential anticancer efficacy. There is a large variety of medicinal herbs that exhibit anticancer properties; however, few are known and not yet evaluated in humans. Recently these bioactive compounds were combined with modified medications driven by nanotechnology (NT), and drug delivery systems are being fabricated and commercialized to improve the management of cancer with positive results. Drug delivery to cancer cells can be made more effective using nano-carriers with prolong medication half-lives, improve solubility and stability, and lessen side effects in organs other than the target. The review focuses on a new nano-enabled approach to delivering the medication that leverages bioactive compounds in either entrapped or tagged to carriers. Additionally, the review provides a sense of the obstacles and constraints associated with conventional cancer therapy, as well as the bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

Chemotherapy and other traditional anticancer treatments are losing their efficacy in the battle against cancer. As a result, cancer treatment strategies must be continually adjusted to meet the rising demand for alternative medicines. Several viral and non-viral vectors have been used previously. However, it has been shown that microorganisms are a strong contender for successfully combating cancer. They are a remarkable source of toxins, polysaccharides, tumor-specific anticancer genes, nanodrugs and gene-delivery vectors. One of the emerging key players in cancer therapy is bacteria. It has been demonstrated that traditional methods of altering the microbiome, such as antibiotics, probiotics and microbiota transplants, can sometimes increase the effectiveness of cancer therapies. However, problems with these methods, such as consistency and collateral damage to the commensal microbiota, spur the development of new technologies specifically aimed at the microbiome-cancer interface. In light of nanotechnology’s success in transforming cancer diagnostics and treatment, nanotechnologies with the capacity to control interactions that occur across microscopic and molecular length scales in the microbiome and the tumor microenvironment have the potential to provide innovative methods for cancer treatment. The relationship between nanotechnology, the microbiome and cancer offers tremendous potential. This paper highlights the contributions of significant bacterial groups to several anticancer research fields.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used in diverse fields. However, the toxicological effects of ZnO NPs remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to investigate the toxicities of various concentrations of ZnO NPs <50 nm (ZnO NP50), <100 nm (ZnO NP100), and ZnO bulk particles (ZnO BP) after different exposure durations using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as an in vivo model, focusing on reproductive capacity, feeding behavior, and lifespan. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to assess expressions of stress-related cep-1 and pmk-1 genes. The results revealed that the effects of ZnO particles on C. elegans’ reproductive capacity were inconsistent after exposure for 24, 48, and 72 h. It was seen a general concentration-dependent reduction in pharyngeal pumping rate, with 1000$\mu$g/mL having the most significant impact across all ZnO particle treatments. Lifespan studies showed no significant differences post exposure of ZnO particles for the mean lifespan of C. elegans, while significant differences for ZnO NP50 treatment at 100$\mu$g/mL and 1000$\mu$g/mL compared to the control and the ZnO BP groups were observed. Finally, PCR results suggested significant up-regulation of cep-1 and pmk-1 gene expression, showing a size-dependent linear trend with ZnO NP50 > ZnO NP100 > ZnO BP. In conclusion, this study underscores the complex size-dependent toxicological effects of ZnO NPs on C. elegans, highlighting significant impacts on pharyngeal pumping rate and gene expression profiles associated with stress response and DNA damage repair pathways. These findings contribute to our understanding of NP toxicity and underscore the importance of size, concentration, and exposure duration considerations in assessing their biological effects.

Introduction: An important worldwide health concern that has an adverse effect on both people and societies is obesity. It may result in diseases linked to obesity, a lower standard of living, or even death. Therefore, there is a pressing need for more advanced and novel drug delivery techniques, such as topical therapy, to treat obesity. However, there are several obstacles to overcome, including low molecular weight, high lipophilicity, limited efficacy, and skin irritation. It seems that nanoliposomes (NLPs) are a nearly ideal drug-carrier system. They are thought to be the best delivery vehicles for physiologically active substances, both in vitro and in vivo, due to their advantages in biology and technology. Material and Method: Carboxy methyl cellulose-based gel containing NLPs loaded with chilli pepper and ginger extracts (CMC-gel containing Chi/G-NLPs) has been studied. The NLPs containing the extracts are synthesized using a thin layer hydration and ultrasound method. Then nanocarrier’s physicochemical properties, drug loading capacity, and rate of release are evaluated. Results: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential (ZP), in vitro release profile, and in vitro skin absorption assays verify the optimal physicochemical characteristics, 30% in vitro skin absorption and slow control in vitro release behavior. Conclusion: When considered collectively, our findings supported the idea that using Chi/G-NLPs in a CMC-gel will optimize its effectiveness as an innovative topical therapy for obesity.