Quaiser Saquib

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and DNA damage in human amnion epithelial (WISH) cells

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2)-NPs) induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage have been investigated using human amnion epithelial (WISH) cells, as an in vitro model for nanotoxicity assessment. Crystalline, polyhedral rutile TiO(2)-NPs were synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analyses. The neutral red uptake (NRU) and [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assays revealed the concentration dependent cytotoxic effects of TiO(2)-NPs (30.6nm) in concentration range of 0.625-10μg/ml. Cells exposed to TiO(2)-NPs (10μg/ml) exhibited significant reduction (46.3% and 34.6%; p<0.05) in catalase activity and glutathione (GSH) level, respectively. Treated cells showed 1.87-fold increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and 7.3% (p<0.01) increase in G(2)/M cell cycle arrest, as compared to the untreated control. TiO(2)-NPs treated cells also demonstrated the formation of DNA double strand breaks with 14.6-fold (p<0.05) increase in Olive tail moment (OTM) value at 20μg/ml concentration, vis-à-vis untreated control, under neutral comet assay conditions. Thus, the reduction in cell viability, morphological alterations, compromised antioxidant system, intracellular ROS production, and significant DNA damage in TiO(2)-NPs exposed cells signify the potential of these NPs to induce cyto- and genotoxicity in cultured WISH cells.

ZnO nanoparticles induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cells and their antibacterial activity.

Liver and breast cancer are the most traumatic diseases because they affect the major organs of the body. Nanomedicine recently emerged as a better option for the treatment of these deadly diseases. As a result, many nanoparticles have been used to treat cancer cell lines. Of the various nanoparticles, zinc oxide exhibits biocompatibility. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. The NPs (∼13±2 nm) were prepared via a non-protonated chemical route and were well-characterized through standard techniques. The study showed that treatment with NPs is notably effective against the proliferation of HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole) assays revealed the concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects of NPs in range of 2.5-100 μg/ml. HepG2 and MCF-7 cells were exposed to ZnO-NPs and exhibited a significant reduction in their cell viability (95% and 96%; p<0.05) in response to a very low concentration (25 μg/ml) of the ZnO-NPs; this finding was confirmed with FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) data. The reduction in cell viability in response to NP treatment induces cytotoxicity in the cultured cells. The quantitative RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) results demonstrate that the exposure of HepG2 cells to ZnO-NPs results in significant upregulation of the mRNA expression level of Bax, p53, and caspase-3 and the down regulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. The NPs were also tested against five pathogenic bacteria through the disk diffusion method, and their antibacterial activities were compared with that of ZnO salt.

Phytotoxic hazards of NiO-nanoparticles in tomato: A study on mechanism of cell death

Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) in the concentration range of 0.025-2.0mg/ml were examined for the induction of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis/necrosis in tomato seedling roots, as an in vivo model for nanotoxicity assessment in plants. Compared to the control, catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in 2.0mg/ml NiO-NPs treatments exhibited 6.8, 3.7, 1.7 and 2.6-fold higher activities of antioxidative enzymes. At 2.0mg/ml, 122% and 125.4% increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) of seedling roots confirmed the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Comet assay exhibited a significant increase in the number of apoptotic (21.8%) and necrotic (24.0%) cells in 2.0mg/ml treatment groups vis-á-vis in control 7% apoptotic and 9.6% of necrotic cells were observed. Flow cytometric analysis revealed 65.7% of apoptotic/necrotic cell populations and 2.14-fold higher caspase-3 like protease activity were recorded in 2.0mg/ml treatment groups. Ultrastructure analysis revealed NiO-NPs translocation, nuclear condensation, abundance in peroxisomes and degenerated mitochondrial cristae. The dissolution of Ni ions from NiO-NPs signifies its potential to induce cell death presumably by Ni ions, triggering the mitochondrial dependent intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Aloe vera extract functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles as nanoantibiotics against multi-drug resistant clinical bacterial isolates

ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesised through a simple and efficient biogenic synthesis approach, exploiting the reducing and capping potential of Aloe barbadensis Miller (A. vera) leaf extract (ALE). ALE-capped ZnO nanoparticles (ALE-ZnONPs) were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. XRD analysis provided the average size of ZnONPs as 15 nm. FTIR spectral analysis suggested the role of phenolic compounds, terpenoids and proteins present in ALE, in nucleation and stability of ZnONPs. Flow cytometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) data analyses revealed the surface binding and internalization of ZnONPs in Gram +ve (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram -ve (Escherichia coli) cells, respectively. Significant antibacterial activity of ALE-ZnONPs was observed against extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) positive E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates exhibiting the MIC and MBC values of 2200, 2400 μg/ml and 2300, 2700 μg/ml, respectively. Substantial inhibitory effects of ALE-ZnONPs on bacterial growth kinetics, exopolysaccharides and biofilm formation, unequivocally suggested the antibiotic and anti-biofilm potential. Overall, the results elucidated a rapid, environmentally benign, cost-effective, and convenient method for ALE-ZnONPs synthesis, for possible applications as nanoantibiotics or drug carriers.

Microwave Accelerated Green Synthesis of Stable Silver Nanoparticles with Eucalyptus globulus Leaf Extract and Their Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity on Clinical Isolates

A simple and rapid microwave assisted method of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was developed using aqueous leaf extract of Eucalyptus globulus(ELE), and their antibacterial and antibiofilm potential investigated. With this aim, the aqueous solutions of ELE and AgNO3(1 mM) were mixed (1:4 v/v), and microwave irradiated at 2450 Mhz, for 30 sec. The instant color change of the ELE-AgNO3 mixture from pale yellow to dark brown indicated ELE-AgNPs synthesis. The intensity of peak at 428 nm in UV-Vis spectra, due to the surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs, varied with the amount of ELE, AgNO3 concentration, pH and time of incubation. The biosynthesized ELE-AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, SEM-EDX, FTIR and TGA analyses. The size of ELE-AgNPs was determined to be in range of 1.9–4.3 nm and 5-25 nm, with and without microwave treatment, respectively. SEM exhibited the capping of AgNPs with the ELE constituents, and validated by FTIR analysis. The FTIR data revealed the presence of plant organic constituents and metabolites bound to ELE-AgNPs, which contributes for their stability. The antimicrobial activity of ELE-AgNPs was assessed by growth and biofilm inhibition of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) clinical bacterial isolates. The results demonstrated that S. aureus were more sensitive to ELE-AgNPs than E. coli and P. aeruginosa. MRSA exhibited higher sensitive than MSSA, whereas P. aeruginosa were more sensitive than E. coli to ELE-AgNPs treatment. Also, significant (83 ± 3% and 84 ± 5%) biofilm inhibition was observed in case of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. The results elucidated environmentally friendly, economical and quick method for production of colloidal bio-functionalized ELE-AgNPs, for effectual clinical applications, as broad spectrum antibacterial agents and biofilm inhibitors.

Interaction of Al2O3 nanoparticles with Escherichia coli and their cell envelope biomolecules

The aim of this study is to investigate the antibacterial activity of aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) against multidrug‐resistant clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and their interaction with cell envelope biomolecules.

Phorate-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and transcriptional activation of p53 and caspase genes in male Wistar rats

Male Wistar rats exposed to a systemic organophosphorus insecticide, phorate [O,O-diethyl S-[(ethylthio) methyl] phosphorothioate] at varying oral doses of 0.046, 0.092 or 0.184mg phorate/kg bw for 14days, exhibited substantial oxidative stress, cellular DNA damage and activation of apoptosis-related p53, caspase 3 and 9 genes. The histopathological changes including the pyknotic nuclei, inflammatory leukocyte infiltrations, renal necrosis, and cardiac myofiber degeneration were observed in the liver, kidney and heart tissues. Biochemical analysis of catalase and glutathione revealed significantly lesser activities of antioxidative enzymes and lipid peroxidation in tissues of phorate exposed rats. Furthermore, generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in bone marrow cells confirmed phorate-induced oxidative stress. Significant DNA damage was measured through comet assay in terms of the Olive tail moment in bone marrow cells of treated animals as compared to control. Cell cycle analysis also demonstrated the G(2)/M arrest and appearance of a distinctive SubG(1) peak, which signified induction of apoptosis. Up-regulation of tumor suppressor p53 and caspase 3 and 9 genes, determined by quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, elucidated the activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathways in response to cellular stress. Overall, the results suggest that phorate induces genetic alterations and cellular toxicity, which can adversely affect the normal cellular functioning in rats.

Concentration‐dependent induction of reactive oxygen species, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human liver cells after nickel nanoparticles exposure

Due to advent of nanotechnology, nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) are increasingly recognized for their utility in various applications including catalysts, sensors and electronics. However, the environmental and human health effects of Ni NPs have not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined toxic effects of Ni NPs in human liver (HepG2) cells. Ni NPs were prepared and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. We observed that Ni NPs (size, ∼28 nm; concentration range, 25–100 μg/mL) induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells and degree of induction was concentration‐dependent. Ni NPs were also found to induce oxidative stress in dose‐dependent manner evident by induction of reactive oxygen species and depletion of glutathione. Cell cycle analysis of cells treated with Ni NPs exhibited significant increase of apoptotic cell population in subG1 phase. Ni NPs also induced caspase‐3 enzyme activity and apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Upregulation of cell cycle checkpoint gene p53 and bax/bcl‐2 ratio with a concomitant loss in mitochondrial membrane potential suggested that Ni NPs induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells was mediated through mitochondrial pathway. This study warrants that applications of Ni NPs should be carefully assessed as to their toxicity to human health.

Salubrious effects of dexrazoxane against teniposide-induced DNA damage and programmed cell death in murine marrow cells

The intention of the present study was to answer the question whether the catalytic topoisomerase-II inhibitor, dexrazoxane, can be used as a modulator of teniposide-induced DNA damage and programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the bone marrow cells in vivo. The alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis, scoring of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei and mitotic activity were undertaken in the current study as markers of DNA damage. Apoptosis was analysed by the occurrence of a hypodiploid DNA peak and caspase-3 activity. Oxidative stress marker such as intracellular reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidised glutathione were assessed in bone marrow as a possible mechanism underlying this amelioration. Dexrazoxane was neither genotoxic nor apoptogenic in mice at the tested dose. Moreover, for the first time, it has been shown that dexrazoxane affords significant protection against teniposide-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in the bone marrow cells in vivo and effectively suppresses the apoptotic signalling triggered by teniposide. Teniposide induced marked biochemical alterations characteristic of oxidative stress including accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, enhanced lipid peroxidation, accumulation of oxidised glutathione and reduction in the reduced glutathione level. Prior administration of dexrazoxane ahead of teniposide challenge ameliorated these biochemical alterations. It is thus concluded that pretreatment with dexrazoxane attenuates teniposide-induced oxidative stress and subsequent DNA damage and apoptosis in bone marrow cells. Based on our data presented, strategies can be developed to decrease the teniposide-induced DNA damage in normal cells using dexrazoxane. Therefore, dexrazoxane can be a good candidate to decrease the deleterious effects of teniposide in the bone marrow cells of cancer patients treated with teniposide.

Gum arabic capped-silver nanoparticles inhibit biofilm formation by multi-drug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Clinical isolates (n = 55) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were screened for the extended spectrum β‐lactamases and metallo‐β‐lactamases activities and biofilm forming capability. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the antibiofilm efficacy of gum arabic capped‐silver nanoparticles (GA‐AgNPs) against the multi‐drug resistant (MDR) biofilm forming P. aeruginosa. The GA‐AgNPs were characterized by UV‐spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and high resolution‐transmission electron microscopy analysis. The isolates were screened for their biofilm forming ability, using the Congo red agar, tube method and tissue culture plate assays. The biofilm forming ability was further validated and its inhibition by GA‐AgNPs was demonstrated by performing the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. SEM analysis of GA‐AgNPs treated bacteria revealed severely deformed and damaged cells. Double fluorescent staining with propidium iodide and concanavalin A‐fluorescein isothiocyanate concurrently detected the bacterial cells and exopolysaccharides (EPS) matrix. The CLSM results exhibited the GA‐AgNPs concentration dependent inhibition of bacterial growth and EPS matrix of the biofilm colonizers on the surface of plastic catheters. Treatment of catheters with GA‐AgNPs at 50 µg ml−1 has resulted in 95% inhibition of bacterial colonization. This study elucidated the significance of GA‐AgNPs, as the next generation antimicrobials, in protection against the biofilm mediated infections caused by MDR P. aeruginosa. It is suggested that application of GA‐AgNPs, as a surface coating material for dispensing antibacterial attributes to surgical implants and implements, could be a viable approach for controlling MDR pathogens after adequate validations in clinical settings.