The continuous loss of human life due to the paucity of effective drugs against different forms of cancer demands a better/noble therapeutic approach. One possible way could be the use of nanostructures-based treatment methods. In the current piece of work, we have synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant (Heliotropiumbacciferum) extract using AgNO3 as starting materials. The size, shape, and structure of synthesized AgNPs were confirmed by various spectroscopy and microscopic techniques. The average size of biosynthesized AgNPs was found to be in the range of 15 nm. The anticancer potential of these AgNPs was evaluated by a battery of tests such as MTT, scratch, and comet assays in breast (MCF-7) and colorectal (HCT-116) cancer models. The toxicity of AgNPs towards cancer cells was confirmed by the expression pattern of apoptotic (p53, Bax, caspase-3) and antiapoptotic (BCl-2) genes by RT-PCR. The cell viability assay showed an IC₅₀ value of 5.44 and 9.54 µg/mL for AgNPs in MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines respectively. We also observed cell migration inhibiting potential of AgNPs in a concentration-dependent manner in MCF-7 cell lines. A tremendous rise (150–250%) in the production of ROS was observed as a result of AgNPs treatment compared with control. Moreover, the RT-PCR results indicated the difference in expression levels of pro/antiapoptotic proteins in both cancer cells. All these results indicate that cell death observed by us is mediated by ROS production, which might have altered the cellular redox status. Collectively, we report the antimetastasis potential of biogenic synthesized AgNPs against breast and colorectal cancers. The biogenic synthesis of AgNPs seems to be a promising anticancer therapy with greater efficacy against the studied cell lines.

Recent research has advocated the significant contribution of metal dyshomeostasis in developing and progressing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Disruption of homeostasis creates an imbalance of the metal ions that causes neuronal dysfunction and death. Flavonoids such as quercetin and naringenin play an essential role in iron homeostasis and are widely explored in treating various complex diseases. Iron is a critical player in many physiological activities, and hence, its homeostasis is essential for the normal functioning of the brain. Iron deficiency and iron overload contribute to AD development, highlighting the importance of maintaining iron homeostasis. Ferritin is an iron protein associated with the storage and sequestration of excess ferrous iron, playing a pivotal role in maintaining iron levels. Flavonoids are the most common polyphenolic compounds present in the human diet and are known to exert multiple neuroprotective actions. Naringenin and quercetin are extensively explored polyphenols having a broad range of therapeutic potential ranging from cancers to neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to investigate their binding, employing molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in light of these polyphenols’ and ferritin’s therapeutic importance in AD. In this study, we performed structure-based docking of quercetin and naringenin with human ferritin. First, the binding affinity of quercetin and naringenin toward ferritin was estimated, and then their close interactions were explored to find the stable poses. All-atom 100 ns MD simulations further escorted the docking study, followed by principal component and free energy landscape analyses. The dynamic studies helped investigate the conformational dynamic, structural stability, and interaction mechanism of ferritin with quercetin and naringenin. The MD analysis suggested that the binding of quercetin and naringenin with ferritin stabilizes throughout the simulation period and leads to fewer conformational deviations. This study gives an insight at the atomistic level into the interaction between quercetin and naringenin with ferritin, thereby aiding in understanding the activity and mechanism of protein and drug binding. The study is clinically significant as iron participates in the occurrence of AD.

Background: Cancer is a chronic, heterogeneous illness that progresses through a spectrum of devastating clinical manifestations and remains the 2nd leading contributor to global mortality. Current cancer therapeutics display various drawbacks that result in inefficient management. The present study is intended to evaluate the anticancer potential of Cu-Mn bimetallic NPs (CMBNPs) synthesized from pumpkin seed extract against colon adenocarcinoma cancer cell line (HT-29). Methods: The CMBNPs were biosynthesized by continuously stirring an aqueous solution of pumpkin seed extract with CuSO4 and manganese (II) acetate tetrahydrate until a dark green solution was obtained. The characteristic features of biogenic CMBNPs were assessed by UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A battery of biological assays, viz. neutral red uptake (NRU) assay, in vitro scratch assay, and comet assay, were performed for anticancer efficacy evaluation. Results: The formation of spherical monodispersed bimetallic nanoparticles with an average size of 50 nm was recorded using TEM. We observed dose-dependent cytotoxicity of CMBNPs in the HT-29 cell line with an IC₅₀ dose of 115.2 µg/mL. On the other hand, CMBNPs did not show significant cytotoxicity against normal cell lines (Vero cells). Furthermore, the treatment of CMBNPs inhibited the migration of cancer cells and caused DNA damage with a significant increase in comet tail length. Conclusions: The results showed substantial anticancer efficacy of CMBNPs against the studied cancer cell line. However, it is advocated that the current work be expanded to different in vitro cancer models so that an in vivo validation could be carried out in the most appropriate cancer model.

In the present study, Peroxidase from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) leaves was purified to homogeneity by three-step procedure including aqueous two-phase system, hydrophobic and Ion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme migrated as single band on SDS-PAGE giving molecular weight of 68 ± 3 kDa. The purification factor for purified date palm peroxidase was 68 with high 41% yield. Enzymatic assays together with far-UV circular dichroism (CD), intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence studies were carried out to monitor the structural stability of date palm and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) against various pH and temperatures. Activity measurements illustrated different pH stability for date palm and HRP. Both peroxidases are more susceptible to extreme acidic conditions as suggested by 4 & 15 nm red shift in date palm and HRP, respectively. Secondary structure analysis using far UV-CD exhibited predominance of α-helical (43.8%) structure. Also, pH induces loss in the secondary structure of date palm peroxidase. Thermal stability analysis revealed date palm peroxidase is more stable in comparison to HRP. In summary, date palm peroxidases could be promising enzymes for various applications where extreme pH and temperature is required.