Priti Paralikar

Recent advances in use of silver nanoparticles as antimalarial agents

Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases, which has become a great public health problem all over the world. Ineffectiveness of available antimalarial treatment is the main reason behind its menace. The failure of current treatment strategies is due to emergence of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum and drug toxicity in human beings. Therefore, the development of novel and effective antimalarial drugs is the need of the hour. Considering the huge biomedical applications of nanotechnology, it can be potentially used for the malarial treatment. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have demonstrated significant activity against malarial parasite (P. falciparum) and vector (female Anopheles mosquito). It is believed that AgNPs will be a solution for the control of malaria. This review emphasizes the pros- and cons of existing antimalarial treatments and in depth discussion on application of AgNPs for treatment of malaria. The role of nanoparticles for site specific drug delivery and toxicological issues have also been discussed.

Synergistic antimicrobial potential of essential oils in combination with nanoparticles: Emerging trends and future perspectives

The development of resistance to different antimicrobial agents by bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, etc. is a great challenge to the medical field for the treatment of infections caused by them, and therefore, there is a pressing need to search for new and novel antimicrobials. The antimicrobial activity of essential oils and biogenic nanoparticles is well known. Recent studies have demonstrated that nanoparticles functionalized with essential oils have significant antimicrobial potential against multidrug- resistant pathogens. The aim of the present review is to discuss various studies on the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of essential oils used singly and in combination with nanoparticles. The brief explanation of their mechanism has also been discussed.

Mycoendophytes as efficient synthesizers of bionanoparticles: nanoantimicrobials, mechanism, and cytotoxicity

Abstract Mycoendophytes are the fungi that occur inside the plant tissues without exerting any negative impact on the host plant. They are most frequently isolated endophytes from the leaf, stem, and root tissues of various plants. Among all fungi, the mycoendophytes as biosynthesizer of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are less known. However, some reports showing efficient synthesis of metal nanoparticles, mainly silver nanoparticles and its remarkable antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens of humans and plants. The nanoparticles synthesized from mycoendophytes present stability, polydispersity, and biocompatibility. These are non-toxic to humans and environment, can be gained in an easy and cost-effective manner, have wide applicability and could be explored as promising candidates for a variety of biomedical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications. Mycogenic silver nanoparticles have also demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines and may prove to be a promising anticancer agent. The present review focuses on the biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles from mycoendophytes and their application in medicine. In addition, different mechanisms of biosynthesis and activity of nanoparticles on microbial cells, as well as toxicity of these mycogenic metal nanoparticles, have also been discussed.

Broadening the spectrum of small-molecule antibacterials by metallic nanoparticles to overcome microbial resistance

Now-a-days development of microbial resistancce have become one of the most important global public health concerns. It is estimated that about 2 million people are infected in USA with multidrug resistant bacteria and out of these, about 23,000 die per year. In Europe, the number of deaths associated with infection caused by MDR bacteria is about 25,000 per year, However, the situation in Asia and other devloping countries is more critical. Considering the increasing rate of antibiotic resistance in various pathogens, it is estimated that MDR organisms can kill about 10 million people every year by 2050. The use of antibiotics in excessive and irresponsible manner is the main reason towards its ineffectiveness. However, in this context, promising application of nanotechnology in our everyday life has generated a new avenue for the development of potent antimicrobial materials and compounds (nanoantimicrobials) capable of dealing with microbial resistance. The devlopement and safe incorporation of nanoantimicrobials will bring a new revolution in health sector. In this review, we have critically focused on current worldwide situation of antibiotic resistance. In addition, the role of various nanomaterials in the management of microbial resistance and the possible mechanisms for antibacterial action of nanoparticles alone and nanoparticle-antibiotics conjuagte are also discussed.

Sulfur and sulfur nanoparticles as potential antimicrobials: from traditional medicine to nanomedicine

ABSTRACT Introduction: The alarming rate of infections caused by various pathogens and development of their resistance towards a large number of antimicrobial agents has generated an essential need to search for novel and effective antimicrobial agents. Metal nanoparticles such as silver have been widely used and accepted as strong antimicrobial agents, but considering the cost effectiveness and significant bioactivities, researchers are looking to utilize sulfur nanoparticles as an effective alternative to silver nanoparticles. Areas covered: This review has been focused on different approaches for the synthesis of sulfur nanoparticles, their broad spectrum bioactivities and possible mechanisms involved in their bioactivities. Expert commentary: Sulfur nanoparticles are reported to possess broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, and hence can be used to treat microbial infections and potentially tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance. Thus, in the future, sulfur nanoparticles can be used as an effective, non-toxic and economically viable alternative to other precious metal nanoparticles.

Chapter 6 – Antibiotic Resistance: Can Nanoparticles Tackle the Problem?

The gradual increase in bacterial resistance to prevalent antimicrobial therapies is a severe global threat. In this context, there is an urgent need to search for alternative strategies to cope with drug resistance in human pathogens worldwide. Antimicrobial nanoparticles have gained considerable scientific attention as potent bioagents to restrict the growth of disease-causing pathogens. Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, nanoparticles have shown an ability to interact with even multidrug-resistant microbes, leading to their death. Moreover, combining metallic or polymeric nanoparticles with standard antibiotics is a new approach toward improvization of bioactivity of both nanoparticles and antibiotics to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections. This chapter reviews the possibilities of using nanoparticle-based modern therapeutic strategies against drug-resistant infections.

Nanotechnology-Based Developments in Biofuel Production: Current Trends and Applications

The extensive consumption of fossil fuels due to ever increasing global population leads to the depletion in its resources all over the world. Moreover, these fuels are playing a major role in creating environmental pollution. As a renewable energy alternative resources, utilization of biomass resources for the production of biofuels attracted a great deal of attention from every corner of the world. Various conventional approaches including chemical, thermochemical, biological methods, etc. have been developed but certain limitations in the smooth application of these methods create pressing need to investigate rapid and environment friendly approaches for sustainable biofuel production. In this context, nanotechnological approaches are found as more promising. Nanotechnologies represent one of the most fascinating techno-scientific revolutions ever undertaken in various sectors including biofuel and bioenergy. Various nanomaterials in the form nanocatalysts play an important role in catalytic degradation of different lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars, which are further used for bioethanol production. Similarly, the production of biodiesel and biogas through nanotechnological approaches has attained a great deal of attention. In this chapter, we have mainly focused on recent trends and applications of nanotechnology in biofuel production. In addition, conventional methods commonly used for biofuel production are also discussed in brief.

Platinum in Biomedical Applications

For a long time, platinum (Pt) is used in medicine because of its outstanding properties such as biocompatibility, electrical conductivity, radiopacity, and durability. Despite the high cost of the noble metal, its unique properties were exploited in a large number of medical devices. These include stents, catheters, pacemakers, defibrillators, cochlear implants, and many others. Pt compounds play an important role in cancer therapy. In the age of nanotechnology, the horizon of the potential applications of Pt was substantially expanded. Nanostructured Pt-based materials were proposed for producing electrodes with advanced characteristics embedded in implantable electronic devices and sensors for detection of biologically important molecules. Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) are perspective for the treatment of the diseases related to oxidative stress. It is expected that nanoparticle formulations will reduce adverse effects of Pt-based anticancer drugs. In this chapter, we review the traditional and new fields of Pt application in medicine. Special attention is paid to the questions of in vivo biocompatibility and corrosion behavior of Pt implants. In conclusion, we summarize the benefits of Pt usage for future medicine and diagnostics and indicate the problems to be solved to give the green light for the Pt-based new products to get entry in medical market.

Copper in Medicine: Perspectives and Toxicity

Copper is one of the most important microelements required by all kind of life forms including human beings for their proper growth, development, and survival. Copper plays an important role in various body functions and regulation of different pathways. Hence, it has been used since pre-Vedic time as potential medicine to cure a number of diseases. Although, copper has significant medicinal value, the maintenance of adequate copper levels in the body is of vital importance because the lack or excess amount of such essential trace elements are known to cause a variety of health problems. The failure in the regulation of copper metabolism is mainly responsible for deficiency and accumulation of copper in different parts of the body. Generally, deficiency of copper leads to several copper deficiency syndromes including Menkes’ disease. Similarly, high level of copper due to accumulation results in many diseases like Wilson’s diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. Considering the key role of copper in human health, the present chapter has been focused on such related aspects, which include uptake and metabolism of copper, and its dietary recommendations. In addition, various disorders caused due to deficiency and excess amount of copper are also discussed in detail.

Metal Nanoparticles in Management of Diseases of the Central Nervous System

Abstract Central nervous system (CNS) or neurological disorders are very serious problems and major health concerns all over the world. Various treatment strategies have been investigated but the label of low therapeutic success is always associated with them. The main reason behind the low success rate is active drug molecules that are unable to reach their target sites of action inside the body. In addition, various CNS barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, etc., always hinder the circulation of therapeutic drugs in the body. Therefore, considering the last decades contribution of nanotechnology in the biomedical sector, it is believed that the problem of ever-increasing neurological disorders can only be managed by nanotechnology. Nanotechnology offers many exciting and promising new means of treating neurological disease. In this chapter, we have mainly focused on various aspects related to CNS diseases involving current treatment strategies and their limitations, the necessity of nanoneuromedicines, the role of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of CNS diseases, and toxicological issues.