Journal of Cluster Science最新文献

{"title":"In Vitro and In Vivo Investigation of Biosynthesized Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using Rose Hip: Characterization and their Potential in Modulating Tubulin and VEGFR-II for Breast Cancer Therapy","authors":"Adil Aldhahrani,&nbsp;Dalal Nasser Binjawhar,&nbsp;Hanadi A. Katouah,&nbsp;Jawaher Albaqami,&nbsp;Fahmy Gad Elsaid,&nbsp;Eman Fayad,&nbsp;Ali H. Abu Almaaty,&nbsp;Manar A. El-Zend","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02854-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02854-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women worldwide, and it is necessary to identify new and green therapeutic mechanisms. In this study, we are planning a green nanomedicine approach by synthesizing copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using <i>Rosa rugosa</i> and evaluating them for anti-breast cancer activity. Using a green phytochemical approach, the stability, functionalization, and nanoscale characteristics of these Green CuO NPs were investigated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, and zeta potential measurement. The CuO NPs showed strong cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 6.98 ± 0.32 <i>µg</i>/mL and 21.33 ± 0.92 <i>µg</i>/mL, respectively, which is better than pure rosehip extract and doxorubicin. Mechanistic investigations revealed that CuO NPs caused G2/M cell cycle arrest, decreased tubulin levels to 62.4%, and enhanced cancer cell mortality (27.64 compared to 2.49% in controls), validating their microtubule-targeting efficacy. CuO NPs further exhibited strong anti-angiogenic activity via VEGFR-II downregulation. In vivo studies have also shown dose-dependent inhibition of the growth of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells, a standard murine breast cancer model, by 66.7% at 5 mg/kg, with a decrease in tumor volume. Notably, oxidative stress markers improved and hepatic and renal functions were in normal levels, pointing toward the therapeutic safety of CuO NPs. This study emphasizes the potential of Green CuO NPs as an easy and eco-friendly nanomedicine strategy for the targeted therapy of breast cancer.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and Optimization of Doxycycline Hyclate and Aloe-Emodin NLC’s Loaded Gel for Diabetic Wound Healing","authors":"Muzammil Husain,&nbsp;Yogeeta Agrawal","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02839-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02839-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Chronic wounds in diabetic patients pose a significant healthcare challenge due to their slow healing rates and associated complications, which result in considerable morbidity, prolonged treatment durations, and elevated healthcare costs. This study aimed to optimize the doxycycline hyclate Aloe emodin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (DH-AE NLCs) approach and assess their therapeutic potential in diabetic wound healing. Different formulation variables were optimized to get the desired particle size, zeta potential, Polydispersity index (PDI), and entrapment efficiency. The diabetic wound healing potential of the formulated system was performed by In-vitro anti-microbial assay and in-vivo studies in rats and validated by histopathological analysis. The optimized formulation has a particle size of 165.32 nm, Zeta potential − 28.2, PDI 0.236, and entrapment efficiency of 79.99 %. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry revealed that both APIs were amorphous in the DH-AE NLCs. In-vitro drug release studies showed a sustained release pattern over 24 h and followed the Higuchi model (R² = 0.98) release kinetics. The antimicrobial activity demonstrated significant inhibition against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In-vivo anti-diabetic studies revealed a significant decrease in blood sugar levels in diabetic rats treated with the DH-AE NLCs formulation, achieving a 65% reduction after 14 days compared to 20% in the pure drug group. Histopathological analysis of skin tissues validated these findings, showing improvement in histopathological changes in damaged skin cells after treatment with gel. From the above findings, it concluded that the optimized DH-AE NLCs formulation has promising physicochemical stability, sustained drug release, enhanced antimicrobial activity, and found therapeutically effective in diabetic wound healing even more than the marketed formulation. Treatment with this gel will enable a path for the clinical society to achieve a synergistic therapeutic application in the management of diabetic wound healing.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nanocapsule Formation of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Zirconia Nanoparticles Coated with Chitosan for Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, Anti-Inflammatory, and Catalytic Applications","authors":"Mouhaned Y. Al-darwesh,&nbsp;Marwa El-Subeyhi,&nbsp;Layth L. Hamid,&nbsp;Thamer Y. Mutter","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02834-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02834-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bacterial infections and inflammation pose significant challenges, particularly with the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. The development of innovative therapeutic strategies is essential to enhance antimicrobial efficacy while reducing resistance. In this study, we report the green synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles (ZrO₂ NPs) using propolis extract, an eco-friendly reducing agent with known bioactive properties. To enhance their biomedical applications, ciprofloxacin (CIP) was loaded onto these NPs, followed by a chitosan coating to form novel nanocapsules. The synthesized nanocomposites were systematically characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and zeta potential analysis, while their thermal stability was evaluated via DSC and TGA. Biological assessments revealed that the CIP/ZrO₂ nanocapsules exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity (94%) and significant catalytic potential in nitrophenol reduction. The in vitro drug release study demonstrated a biphasic release pattern of CIP from ZrO₂ nanocapsules, with an initial rapid release followed by sustained diffusion-controlled release. Antibacterial studies demonstrated inhibition zones ranging from 28 to 46 mm against MDR bacteria, with MIC and MBC values between 3.12 and 6.25 µg/mL. Notably, the combination of CIP with ZrO₂ NPs and chitosan coating enhanced antibiofilm activity compared to the individual components. These findings highlight the potential of chitosan-coated ciprofloxacin-loaded ZrO₂ NPs as a promising multifunctional platform for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and environmental applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Magnetic Nanoparticles Embedded in Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Based Phenolic Resin for Cu (II) Adsorption","authors":"Nghia T. Bui,&nbsp;Thanh T. Hoang,&nbsp;Hien T. Tran,&nbsp;Ngoc T. T. Tran","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02848-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02848-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study reports a new nanocomposite fabricated by incorporating magnetic CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles into phenolic formaldehyde resin. The nanomaterial was obtained by in-situ polymerization of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) in the presence of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles and were fully characterized by a variety of techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. The achieved nanocomposite showed potential capability in removing Cu (II) ions from aqueous solutions. Indeed, the Cu (II) ions adsorption amount reached 90% at pH ~ 8 with an adsorbent dose of 4.0 g/L and Cu(II) concentration of 50 mg/L. The nanocomposite can maintain the effective treatment of Cu(II) ion (only ~ 41% of efficiency loss) up to five cycles of regeneration. Owing to retaining the magnetic property through the regeneration cycles, this novel adsorbent would promise a high potential for long-term treatment of Cu(II) ions from polluted waters with easy separation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity and Molecular Docking Properties of the Green Synthesis of Ag2S Nanoparticles","authors":"Emine Arslan,&nbsp;Busra Ozcay Eksi,&nbsp;Erman Salih Istifli,&nbsp;Keziban Atacan,&nbsp;Salih Zeki Bas,&nbsp;Mustafa Ozmen","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02849-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02849-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that is aggressive and has a high mortality rate with a five-year survival rate. The primary treatment option commonly used today is chemotherapy, which has very severe side effects. Considering all these side effects, the search for a new treatment for pancreatic cancer is extremely important. In this study, the cytotoxicity effect of silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag₂S NPs) synthesized with sweet cherry (<i>Prunus avium</i> L.), gemcitabine (GEM), a chemotherapy drug, and their combination (Ag₂S NPs—GEM) on PANC-1 cancer cell lines was evaluated by MTT method. Additionally, the interaction of Ag₂S NPs, GEM, and their combination with DNA was examined by conducting agarose gel electrophoresis. Also, interactions of Ag₂S NPs, GEM, and their combination (Ag₂S NPs—GEM) with key enzymes involved in nucleotide synthesis and DNA replication were investigated using molecular docking. The cytotoxicity results in PANC-1 cancer cell lines indicated that the most effective incubation period for Ag₂S NPs was 24 hours (IC₅₀: 75.77 µg/mL), while the most effective results for gemcitabine were obtained at 72 hours (IC₅₀: 32.77 µg/mL). The combined application of Ag₂S NPs and GEM produced significantly more effective results compared to monotherapy (IC₅₀: 18.97 µg/mL in 72 h). DNA cleavage study showed that both Ag₂S NPs and GEM bind to DNA, especially Ag₂S NPs has affinity for G-G bases. The Ag₂S NPs—GEM combination showed highly favorable binding affinities compared to Ag₂S and metabolites of GEM, particularly against thymidylate synthase (Δ<i>G</i> = −6.52 kcal/mol) and DNA polymerase alpha catalytic core (Δ<i>G</i> = −6.65 kcal/mol), correlating with its potent cytotoxicity in PANC-1 cells. Additionally, docking simulations with B-DNA revealed that Ag₂S NPs—GEM exhibits the strongest DNA-binding affinity (Δ<i>G</i> = −7.93 kcal/mol), acting as an effective DNA binder that may enhance cytotoxicity in PANC-1 cells.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10876-025-02849-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation of 6, 8-Dithiooctanoic Acid-Functionalized Copper Nanoclusters with Near-Infrared Emission: Application for Determination of Melamine in Food Matrices","authors":"Yousef A. Bin Jardan,&nbsp;Aya M. Mostafa,&nbsp;James Barker,&nbsp;Almontaser Bellah H. Ali,&nbsp;Mohamed M. El-Wekil","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02845-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02845-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this study, a novel near-infrared (NIR)-emissive probe was developed for the detection of melamine, based on 6, 8-dithiooctanoic acid-functionalized copper nanoclusters (DAC@Cu NCs). The probe exhibited a strong emission peak at 712 nm under excitation at 330 nm. Interestingly, the addition of melamine alone did not alter the fluorescence emission of DAC@Cu NCs, indicating the necessity of an intermediate quencher for effective detection. To address this, Hg²⁺ ions were employed as a quencher, effectively reducing the fluorescence emission of DAC@Cu NCs through a static quenching mechanism. Upon introducing melamine, coordination between melamine and Hg²⁺ resulted in the removal of Hg²⁺ from the probe’s surface, restoring its fluorescence emission. Under optimized conditions, the ratio of fluorescence intensity before (F⁰) and after the addition of melamine (F) exhibited a linear relationship with melamine concentration over the range of 0.01–110 µM, with an impressive limit of detection (LOD, S/<i>N</i> = 3) of 0.0015 µM. The system demonstrated excellent selectivity for melamine detection, even in the presence of amine-containing compounds, confirming its robustness. Furthermore, the DAC@Cu NCs + Hg²⁺ system was successfully applied to real-world samples, including infant formula and commercial milk, achieving recovery rates of 98.7–103.5% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 2.43% and 3.78%. These findings highlight the practical utility of the proposed probe for rapid, accurate, and cost-effective melamine detection. The system’s simplicity, high sensitivity, and outstanding selectivity position it as a promising candidate for routine monitoring in food safety and quality control. Additionally, its versatility suggests potential for expansion into other sample matrices and on-site analysis applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation Novel Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polyaniline Hybrid Nanocomposites Based on Barium Titanate and Magnetite","authors":"D. A. Wissa,&nbsp;A. A. Ward,&nbsp;S. A. Gad,&nbsp;A. M. Moustafa,&nbsp;N. N. Rozik,&nbsp;A. Nassar,&nbsp;S. S. Ibrahim,&nbsp;Sh. A. Khairy,&nbsp;S. L. Abd-El-Messieh","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02855-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02855-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the current study, the host matrix was a polymer blend consisting of 10 wt% conductive polyaniline (PANi) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). PVA/ 10 wt% PANi nanocomposites were prepared by compositing it with different barium titanate (BaTiO₃) contents (2.5, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) before/after ionic liquid (IL) treatment by using casting techniques. To enhance magnetic characteristics of the nanocomposites described above, magnetite (Fe₃O₄) was involved at constant 10 wt% percentages (optimum concentration). Various methodologies were employed to analyze the prepared nanocomposites, including Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scan Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Micro-hardness and magnetic investigation as well. Furthermore, the electrical and dielectric properties were investigated, including permittivity (ε’), dielectric loss (ε’’), and electrical conductivity (σ). FESEM micrographs show a uniform dispersion of either Fe₃O₄ or IL-treated BaTiO₃ particles in the PVA/PANi matrix up to a concentration of 10 wt%. Beyond this concentration, there are signs of particle aggregation. The micro-hardness data indicate a decrease in composites containing ionic liquid, which is attributed to the enhanced flexibility of these composites. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis of nanocomposites containing 10 wt% Fe₃O₄ discloses their super paramagnetic properties. In addition, the dielectric investigation revealed that PVA/PANi nanocomposites exhibit optimal permittivity (ε’) and dielectric loss (ε’’) values when Fe₃O₄ and treated BaTiO₃ are combined with ionic liquid particles. It was found that ε′ dramatically increased by the addition of Fe₃O₄ with 10% when compared with that free from Fe₃O₄ For example, ε′ for PVA/ 10 wt% PANi/ 10 wt% IL- treated BaTiO₃ was 14 × 10³ while it was 93 × 10³ after the addition of 10 wt% Fe₃O₄. On the other hand, ε″ is found to be dramatically increased when compared with that for NCPs containing only IL- treated BaTiO₃. For example, ε′ for PVA/ 10 wt% PANi/ 10 wt% IL- treated BaTiO₃ was 14 × 10³ and ε″ was 0.5 × 10² while they detected 93 × 10³ and 0.3 × 10². The electrical conductivity values (σ_dc) of these nanocomposites lie within the range of 10^− 7 to 10^− 6 Scm^− 1. These nanocomposites can be recommended for use as anti-dissipation materials at an appropriate σ_dc range of 10^− 5–10^− 9 Scm^− 1.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10876-025-02855-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Focused Review on Metal Nanoparticles in Hair Regeneration and Alopecia: Insights into Mechanisms, Assessment Techniques, Toxicity, Regulatory and Intellectual Property Perspectives","authors":"Rahul Pokale,&nbsp;Anoushka Mukharya,&nbsp;Amrita Arup Roy,&nbsp;Soji Soman,&nbsp;Sanjay Kulkarni,&nbsp;Riyaz Ali Osmani,&nbsp;Abhijeet Pandey,&nbsp;Srinivas Mutalik","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02841-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02841-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hair loss is characterized by a progressive reduction in hair follicle size, decreased hair diameter and length, and alterations in the hair growth cycle, which remains a significant challenge to treat despite the availability of current therapies. Alopecia, lacking a definitive cure, necessitates the development of novel approaches to address hair follicle-related disorders. The application of metal nanoparticles as nanocarriers has emerged as a promising strategy for treating alopecia, gaining considerable attention in recent years. Metal nanoparticles, including iron, zinc, gold, silver, copper, and molybdenum, not only enhance targeted drug delivery to hair follicles but also promote follicular proliferation, maintain scalp hygiene, facilitate wound healing, improve blood circulation, and offer innovative therapeutic solutions for alopecia. Furthermore, these nanoparticles exhibit antioxidant properties and modulate gene expression associated with alopecia, leveraging their dual effects of scavenging reactive oxygen species and remodeling microvasculature. This review comprehensively explores the efficacy of metal nanoparticles and metal chelates in treating alopecia, elucidating their mechanisms in promoting hair regrowth. It also evaluates various experimental methodologies, including permeation studies targeting hair follicles, advanced imaging techniques to assess nanoparticle penetration, in vitro cell line studies, and in vivo animal models. Additionally, the review highlights regulatory considerations, patent landscapes, toxicity profiles, and potential clinical applications of metal nanoparticles in alopecia treatment and hair regeneration. Notably, few articles have provided an integrated analysis covering all these critical aspects, hence making this review a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians seeking innovative solutions for alopecia management.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10876-025-02841-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phyto-Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Black Chokeberry Fruit (Aronia melanocarpa L.) Extracts for Promising Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, and Photocatalytic Activities","authors":"Soner Donmez","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02830-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02830-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In recent years, environmentally friendly methods for synthesizing nanoparticles have gained significant attention. This study aimed to develop a green, cost-effective, and facile method for synthesizing ZnO NPs using black chokeberry fruit (<i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> L.<i>)</i> extract and to evaluate their antibacterial, antidiabetic, and photocatalytic activities. Characterization of the phyto-mediated synthesized ZnO NPs was carried out using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The antioxidant activity of the ZnO NPs was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, yielding a calculated IC₅₀ value of 154.2 µg/mL. The ZnO NPs exhibited effective antibacterial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>,<i> Listeria monocytogenes</i>,<i> Salmonella enteritidis</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 137.5 µg/mL, 135.4 µg/mL, 137.7 µg/mL, and 185.2 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the ZnO NPs demonstrated antidiabetic activity by effectively inhibiting α-amylase, an enzyme involved in carbohydrate digestion, with an IC₅₀ value of 2.355 mg/mL. Moreover, the ZnO NPs exhibited significant degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye, achieving a 95.5% degradation efficiency within 120 min under UV irradiation. These results suggest that phytogenically synthesized ZnO NPs using black chokeberry fruit extract have great promise for degrading environmental pollutants and may be valuable in various biomedical applications, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic therapies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10876-025-02830-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Encapsulating Apigenin in Chitosan-PLGA Nanoparticles for Enhanced Breast Cancer Cytotoxicity","authors":"Fatemeh Nejati,&nbsp;Fariba Esmaeili,&nbsp;Masoumeh Zahmatkeshan,&nbsp;Fazel Gorjipour,&nbsp;Moein Adel","doi":"10.1007/s10876-025-02831-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10876-025-02831-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, with limitations in current therapies highlighting the need for novel approaches. Apigenin (APG), a flavonoid derived from natural sources, displays promising anti-cancer effects, but its effectiveness is limited by its low solubility and bioavailability. This study aimed to develop and evaluate chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles (CS-PLGA NPs) for enhanced delivery and efficacy of APG against breast cancer cells. CS-PLGA NPs loaded with APG were synthesized and characterized by size, surface charge, drug loading, and release profile. Subsequently, their cytotoxicity against SKBR3 breast cancer cells was compared to free APG. APG-CS-PLGA NPs exhibited the desired characteristics (size ~ 170 nm, positive zeta potential, high encapsulation efficiency 98.7%) and displayed a sustained APG release profile. Release results in gastrointestinal conditions suggest that PLGA-CS nanoparticles are promising for oral apigenin (APG) administration, as they retain most of the drug content. Notably, these nanoparticles significantly enhanced APG cytotoxicity toward SKBR3 cells compared to free APG (IC50: 67.1 vs. 151.5 µg/mL), indicating improved cellular uptake and efficacy. This study demonstrates the successful development of CS-PLGA NPs as a promising platform for targeted APG delivery with enhanced anticancer activity against breast cancer cells. Further investigations are warranted to explore in vivo efficacy and optimize the system for clinical applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":618,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cluster Science","volume":"36 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145141917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}