Green nanotechnology has recently had a significant influence on advances in biological applications. The surface manipulation of iron oxide NPs by zinc oxide is increasing attention for biomedical research. Therefore, this work focused on the phytochemicals of creeper Blepharis maderaspantensis (BM) water extract for synthesizing iron oxide NPs and iron oxide/zinc oxide nanocomposite. The UV spectrum analysis showed a wavelength redshift from 294 to 302 nm of iron oxide/ZnO nanocomposite, and the polydispersity index revealed that the perfect preparations of iron oxide NPs were prepared by boiling 0.25 g of the plant in deionized water then the filtrate added to ferric chloride (1:1 v/v). The HRTEM results also illustrated that amorphous iron oxide NPs are spherical and irregular in shape. However, the iron oxide/ZnO nanocomposite showed a rod shape of ZnO with an average length and width of ∼19.25 ± 3.2 × 3.3 ± 0.6 nm surrounding amorphous iron oxide NPs. Furthermore, a high antimicrobial activity with MRSA and E. coli was demonstrated by iron oxide NPs. However, because of instability and negative surface charge of the iron oxide nanocomposite, there was no antimicrobial activity. Future cytotoxic studies of the iron oxide NPs synthesized with polyphenols of BM extract are desirable, and their applications in medical purposes will be recommended.

The overuse of antibiotics is the main reason for the expansion of multidrug-resistantmicroorganisms, especially, pathogenic fungi, such as Candida albicans and others.Nanotechnology provides an excellent therapeutic tool for pathogenic fungi. Several reportsfocused on metal oxide nanoparticles, especially, iron oxide nanoparticles due to their extensiveapplications such as targeted drug delivery. Using biological entities for iron oxide nanoparticlesynthesis attracted many concerns for being eco-friendly, and inexpensive. The fusion ofbiologically active substances reduced and stabilized nanoparticles. Recently, the advancementand challenges for surface engineered magnetic nanoparticles are reviewed for improving theirproperties and compatibility. Other metals on the surface nanoparticles can enhance theirbiological and antimicrobial activities against pathogenic fungi. Furthermore, conjugationof antifungal drugs to magnetic nanoparticulate increases their antifungal effect, antibiofilmproperties, and reduces their undesirable effects. In this review, we discuss different routes forthe synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, surface coating manipulation, their applications asantimicrobials, and their mode of action.

Fungal-contaminated compounded pharmaceuticals and medical devices pose a public health problem. This review aimed to provide an organized overview of the literature on that critical issue. Firstly, it was found that compounding pharmacies can produce drugs that are contaminated with fungi, leading to outbreaks of severe fungal diseases. Secondly, inadequate sterile compounding techniques or storage conditions, or exceeding the limit of a fungal count, can result in fungal contamination. Lastly, nanotools can be used to rapidly detect fungi, thus improving fungal diagnostic procedures. To achieve this goal, we have reviewed the published data on PubMed, the CDC, and FDA Web sites, and a literature search was undertaken to identify severe fungal infections associated with compounding pharmacies outside of hospitals, limited by the dates 2003 to 2021. The “Preferred Reporting Items for Critical Reviews” were followed in searching, including, and excluding papers. Fungal outbreaks have been documented due to contaminated pharmaceuticals and medical devices. In 2013, 55 people died from fungal meningitis caused by contaminated steroid injections containing methylprednisolone acetate. Additionally, in 2021, Aspergillus penicillioides contamination was reported in ChloraPrep drugs, which was attributed to the storage conditions that were conducive to the growth of this fungus. These incidents have resulted in severe infectious diseases, such as invasive mycoses, cornea infections, Endophthalmitis, and intestinal and gastric mycosis. By implementing preventive measures and policies, it is possible to avoid these outbreaks. Creating Nano-diagnostics presents a major challenge, where promptly diagnosing fungal infections is required to determine the proper corrective and preventive measures.

Nanotechnology is considered one of the most frontiers in scientific sector, which increasingly attracted researchers’ interest due to its variable and valuable applications in all areas. Recently, green nanotechnology is serving as an important technique that making the processing more friendly, safe and clean. Selenium is one of the most important dietary supplements in the human diet. It is incorporated into the synthesis of many antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, selenium has become antagonistic to many diseases relying on oxidative stress such as cancer, brain and heart illness. In this study, biogenic selenium nanoparticles (Bio-SeNPs) physicochemical characteristics such as formation, morphology and biological activity of Bio-SeNPs as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph of biosynthesized Bio-SeNPs by Fusarium sp. showed an average length of 61.18 ± 15.85. Antioxidant activity in vitro had showed higher (2,2’-azino-bis(3-rthylbenzothiozoline-6-sulforic acid) ABTS radical scavenging ability and powerful antioxidant potential (5.656 ±0.12 mmol trolox/g) than (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) DPPH (1.362 ± 0.09 mmol trolox/g) as well as Bio-SeNPs possess potent antibacterial potential against burns wound infections and selective anticancer potentials against colon, skin and lung cancers without effect on human normal cells. These findings demonstrate the positive effects of Bio-SeNPs as a promising candidate for future therapeutic applications.