Lignin (LIG), one of the major natural polymers in the biomass is widely used for various industrial and biomedical applications, mainly in its modified form of grafted lignin. The present study focuses on the isolation of lignin from Aloe barbadensis Miller by a microwave extraction technique and its applicability as a medicinal biomass. The isolated lignin was used for the synthesis of a drug carrier by grafting with methacrylate (MA). Lignin grafted methacrylate was synthesised (LIG-g-MA) via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was used as a model cancer drug and it was encapsulated on the hollow nanocarrier by the emulsion/solvent evaporation technique. While NMR spectroscopy elucidates the structure of the isolated lignin, FT-IR and XRD techniques address the binding nature and crystalline character of 5-FU loaded carrier. The surface morphology of the isolated lignin, grafted lignin and drug-loaded carrier was confirmed with SEM and TEM techniques. The encapsulation efficiency and in vitro drug release were studied to determine the efficiency of the carrier. The cell viability and cytotoxicity effect of 5-FU loaded on LIG-g-MA and unloaded LIG-g-MA were performed against MCF-7 and VERO cell lines. In short, the modified natural lignin based on LIG-g-MA hollow-nanofibrous material has been shown to be a potentially useful biocompatible nanocarrier in chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

Human pluripotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), hold promise as novel therapeutic tools for diabetes treatment because of their self-renewal capacity and ability to differentiate into beta (β)-cells. Small and large molecules play important roles in each stage of β-cell differentiation from both hESCs and hiPSCs. The small and large molecules that are described in this review have significantly advanced efforts to cure diabetic disease. Lately, effective protocols have been implemented to induce hESCs and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to differentiate into functional β-cells. Several small molecules, proteins, and growth factors promote pancreatic differentiation from hESCs and hMSCs. These small molecules (e.g., cyclopamine, wortmannin, retinoic acid, and sodium butyrate) and large molecules (e.g. activin A, betacellulin, bone morphogentic protein (BMP4), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), noggin, transforming growth factor (TGF-α), and WNT3A) are thought to contribute from the initial stages of definitive endoderm formation to the final stages of maturation of functional endocrine cells. We discuss the importance of such small and large molecules in uniquely optimized protocols of β-cell differentiation from stem cells. A global understanding of various small and large molecules and their functions will help to establish an efficient protocol for β-cell differentiation.

Background There is potential for nanotechnology to address the drawbacks associated with conventional cancer therapies. The current study was undertaken to formulate amygdalin-functionalized Albumin-Glutaraldehyde Nanoparticles (AAG-NPs) and evaluate their antimicrobial and anticancer properties against oral cancer KB cells. Materials and Methods The AAG-NPs were synthesized and characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TEM, DLS, FT-IR and PL analyses. The well diffusion technique was used to examine the antimicrobial potentials of the AAG-NPs against various pathogens like S. pneumoniae, B. megaterium, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, P. vulgaris, V. cholerae, and C. albicans. The cytotoxicity of AAG-NPs was assessed by MTT assay at various concentrations. Fluorescent staining tests were performed on KB cells treated with AAG-NPs to assess apoptosis. The levels of pro- and anti-apoptotic protein expressions were analyzed using assay kits. Results The various characterization analyses demonstrated the presence of spherical-shaped AAG-NPs with an average particle size of 148.30 nm. The occurrence of various elements and functional groups in AAG-NPs was also observed. The synthesized AAG-NPs showed excellent antimicrobial activities by effectively inhibiting the growth of various pathogens. The treatment of AAG-NPs significantly inhibited the growth of KB cells. As a result of fluorescent staining assays, NP-treated KB cells showed evidence of apoptosis. The AAG-NPs treatment increased apoptotic protein expression in KB cells. Conclusion The current results demonstrate that AAG-NPs inhibit cellular proliferation and induce apoptosis in KB cells. Nevertheless, further study is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying AAG-NPs-induced apoptosis in KB cells.

Background The study aims to synthesize and characterize berberine-loaded albumin-glutaraldehyde nanoparticles and evaluate their anticancer activity against colon cancer HCT-116 cells. The research focuses on the mechanisms involved in oxidative stress-dependent apoptosis, crucial for inhibiting colon cancer growth and promoting overall health. Materials and Methods The synthesized Berberine-Albumin NPs were characterized using several techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Photoluminescence (PL) studies. The antibacterial potentials of Berberine-Albumin NPs against various pathogens were examined using the well diffusion technique. The cytotoxicity of Berberine-Albumin NPs against HCT-116 cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. The study evaluated ROS production and apoptosis in HCT-116 cells treated with Berberine-Albumin NPs using fluorescence staining and oxidative stress marker levels using assay kits. Results The characterization analyses revealed the presence of Berberine-Albumin NPs with a cuboidal shape and an average particle size of 155.80 nm. Several elements and functional groups in Berberine-Albumin NPs were also identified. The synthesized Berberine-Albumin NPs exhibited remarkable antimicrobial properties by efficiently suppressing the growth of several pathogens. The treatment with Berberine-Albumin NPs effectively suppressed the proliferation of HCT-116 cells. The findings of fluorescence staining experiments confirmed more ROS accumulation and apoptosis in HCT-116 cells treated with Berberine-Albumin NPs. The administration of Berberine-Albumin NPs resulted in an upregulation of oxidative stress in HCT-116 cells. Conclusion In summary, this work revealed that synthesized Berberine-Albumin NPs had anticancer effects against colon cancer. Hence, the present findings indicate that Berberine-Albumin NPs hold promise as an effective candidate for colon cancer treatment. In future studies, we would like to evaluate clinical relevance, comparative analysis, long-term effects and biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of Berberine-Albumin NPs.

In this study the drinking water is treated by nano coated pottery was produced by using chitosan nano particles prepared from marine crab shells. It is an alternative method for physical and chemical water treatment. In this experiment the low cost, non toxic and pollution free chitosan nano particles was prepared in laboratory level then it was integrated into existing traditional water storage pot system and through which indicator organism E.coli number was reduced effectively. The presence of nano sized particles in the prepared samples and capacity of integration and elution of nano particles in the pot systems were determined by XRD and AFMN and N2 compound elementary analysis method respectively. The result from this experiment showed that compared with control pot system the chitosan coated pot has more potential for reducing indicator microorganisms E.coli in the water sample. Also, it was concluded that this low cost and pollution free technology is suitable for purification of contaminated water sample in rural as well as urban areas. However it has some limitations that will be overcome by further research.