Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) were synthesized using a simple, eco-friendly green synthesis approach in an alkaline medium from the extract of grapefruit peel waste. The pre-synthesized, nano-crystalline Al₂O₃ NPs were characterized by using spectroscopic (UV–vis, FTIR, XRD, and EDX) and microscopic (SEM and TEM) techniques. The formed Al₂O₃ NPs exhibited a pronounced absorption peak at 278 nm in the UV–vis spectrum. The average particle size of the as-prepared Al₂O₃ NPs was evaluated to be 57.34 nm, and the atomic percentages of O and Al were found to be 54.58 and 45.54, respectively. The fabricated Al₂O₃ NPs were evaluated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. The Al₂O₃ NPs showed strong antioxidant potential towards all the four tested assays. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential of Al₂O₃ NPs was investigated by measuring the production of nitric oxide and superoxide anion (O₂^•−), as well as proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α, IL-6) and inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF- κB). The results revealed that Al₂O₃ NPs inhibited the production of O₂^•− (99.4%) at 100 μg mL⁻¹ concentrations and intracellular NO^•− (55%), proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (83.3%), and TNF-α (87.9%) at 50 μg mL⁻¹ concentrations, respectively. Additionally, the Al₂O₃ NPs inhibited 41.8% of nuclear factor kappa B at 20 μg mL⁻¹ concentrations. Overall, the outcomes of current research studies indicated that Al₂O₃ NPs possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties and could be used to treat chronic and acute anti-inflammatory conditions.

Background. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) have been fabricated by several approaches, including green chemistry approach due to diverse application and versatile features. Objectives. The current study aimed to prepare a convenient, biocompatible, and economically viable MgONPs using waste citron peel extract (CP‐MgONPs) to evaluate their biological applications. Methods. The CP‐MgONPs were synthesized by a sustainable approach from extract of waste citron peel both as capping and reducing agents without use of any hazardous material. The physicochemical features of formed CP‐MgONPs were determined by sophisticated analytical and microscopic techniques. The biogenic CP‐MgONPs were examined for their antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, and photocatalytic attributes. Results. A prominent absorption peak in the UV‐Vis spectra at 284 nm was the distinguishing characteristic of the CP‐MgONPs. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals polyhedral morphology of nanoparticles with slight agglomeration of CP‐MgONPs. The CP‐MgONPs exerted excellent antibacterial potencies against six bacterial strains. The CP‐MgONPs displayed significant susceptibility towards E. coli (20.72 ± 0.33 mm) and S. aureus (19.52 ± 0.05 mm) with the highest inhibition zones. The anticancer effect of CP‐MgONPs was evaluated against HepG2 (IC₅₀ : 15.3 μg·mL⁻¹) cancer cells and exhibited potential anticancer activity. A prompt inversion of cellular injury manifested as impairment of the integrity of the cell membrane, apoptosis, and oxidative stress was observed in treated cells with CP‐MgONPs. The biosynthesized CP‐MgONPs also conducted successful photocatalytic potential as much as MgO powder under the UV‐light using acid orange 8 (AO‐8) dye. The degradation performance of CP‐MgONPs showed over 94% photocatalytic degradation efficiency of acid orange 8 (AO‐8) dyes within a short time.​ Conclusions. Outcomes of this research signify that biogenic CP‐MgONPs may be advantageous at low concentrations, with positive environmental impacts.

Introduction: A non contact specular microscope has been used to acquire the morphology of the corneal endothelial cell layer. This analysis provides measurements of the Coefficient of Variation (CV), the hexagonal appearance of the cells, and the mean corneal Endothelial Cell Density (ECD). These parameters are used to assess the function of the corneal endothelial layer. Aim: To evaluate the average corneal ECD, Hexagonality (HEX), CV, and their relationship with myopia in young females. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of five months, from November 2016 to March 2017 at the clinics of the Department of Optometry and Vision Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and involved 107 eyes of healthy subjects aged 18-25 years. The participants’ refraction was estimated using an automatic refractor. Non contact specular microscopy was performed on emmetropic and myopic subjects. The average of three successive estimations of ECD, hexagonal appearance, and CV in cell size were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program (version 22.0), and the independent student’s t-test was used to compare the means of various variables between low and moderate myopia. Results: The study included the right eyes of 107 healthy Saudi female subjects aged 18-25 years, who were divided into three groups based on their refractive errors. Non contact specular microscopy was performed on emmetropic (n=36, 20.58±1.20 years and mean Spherical Equivalent (SE) of -0.01±0.23 D), low myopic (n=49, 20.63±1.51 years and SE of -1.19±0.68 D), and moderate myopic (n=22, 20.64±1.26 years with mean SE of -4.15±0.90 D) subjects. The mean ECD in low myopic eyes was 2799.59±184.39 per square millimetre, the mean CV was 26.67±4.03 percent, and the mean hexagonal appearance of the cells was 67.69±4.82%. The average ECD, mean CV, and hexagonal appearance in moderate myopic eyes were found to be 2722.36±143/mm2 , 26.68±3.57%, and 68.73±5.87%, respectively. The results showed no statistically significant differences in ECD (p>0.05) and hexagonal appearance (p>0.05) in the cells of moderate and low myopic eyes. Conclusion: The present study found no significant relationship between corneal endothelial parameters and mild to moderate myopic eyes.