Curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) has traditionally been used due to its pharmacological properties, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and antioxidant activities, but has had limitations in use due to low bioavailability. Nanoparticles have protuberant efficacies to diagnose or cure a variety of diseases, including tumors, by fine-tuning their size, structure, and physicochemical characteristics. This study aims to develop a new dosage form of curcumin nanoparticles with zinc oxide to enhance its therapeutic efficacy against cancer and cause no damage to genetics. Curcumin zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared and characterized by using a Zeta sizer, ultraviolet (UV)-spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Different concentrations range from 40 to 0.078 μg/mL, and these nanoparticles were evaluated for their anticancer activity by colorimetric analysis (MTT assay) on normal (Vero) and cancerous cell lines (MCF-7) and genotoxicity by the comet assay. The spherical-shaped curcumin zinc oxide nanoparticles of 189 nm size were prepared with characteristic functional groups. The selectivity index of curcumin zinc oxide nanoparticles, calculated from IC₅₀ values, is 4.60 > 2.0, showing anticancer potential comparable to tamoxifen. The genetic damage index of the highest concentration (40 μg/mL) of curcumin zinc oxide nanoparticles was 0.08, with a percent fragmentation of 8%. The results suggest that nanoparticles of curcumin zinc oxide produced better anticancer effects and did not cause any significant damage to the DNA. Consequently, further research is required to ensure the development of a safe and quality dosage form of nanoparticles for proper utilization.

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a significant healthcare crisis with substantial socioeconomic impact on global community. The development of new antibiotics is both costly and time-consuming prompting the exploration of alternative solutions such as nanotechnology which represents opportunities for targeted drug delivery and reduced MIC. However, concerns have arisen regarding genotoxic effects of nanoparticles on human health necessitating an evaluation of nanoparticle induced DNA damage. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial potential of already prepared, characterized chitosan nanoparticles loaded with carvacrol and their potential synergism with Topoisomerase II inhibitors against S. aureus, E. coli and S. typhi using agar well diffusion, microdilution and checkerboard method. Genotoxicity was assessed through comet assay. Results showed that both alone and drug combinations of varying concentrations exhibited greater zones of inhibition at higher concentrations. Carvacrol nanoparticles combined with ciprofloxacin and doxorubicin significantly reduced MIC compared to the drugs used alone. The MIC₅₀ values for ciprofloxacin were 35.8 µg/ml, 48.74 µg/ml, 35.57 µg/ml while doxorubicin showed MIC₅₀ values of 20.79 µg/ml, 34.35 µg/ml, 25.32 µg/ml against S. aureus, E. coli and S. typhi respectively. The FICI of ciprofloxacin and doxorubicin with carvacrol nanoparticles found ≤ 0.5 Such as 0.44, 0.44,0.48 for ciprofloxacin and 0.45, 0.45, 0.46 for doxorubicin against S. aureus, E. coli and S. typhi respectively revealed the synergistic effect. The analysis of comet assay output images showed alteration of DNA at high concentrations. Our results suggested that carvacrol nanoparticles in combination with Topoisomerase inhibitors may prevent and control the emergence of resistant bacteria with reduced dose.

(1) Background: Surra is a debilitating disease of wild and domestic animals caused by Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi), resulting in significant mortality and production losses in the affected animals. This study is the first to assess the genetic relationships of T. evansi in naturally affected buffaloes from Multan district, Pakistan, using ITS-1 primers and evaluating the effects of parasitemia and oxidative stress on DNA damage and hematobiochemical changes in infected buffaloes. (2) Methods: Blood samples were collected from 167 buffaloes using a multi-stage cluster sampling strategy, and trypomastigote identification was performed through microscopy and PCR targeting RoTat 1.2 and ITS-1 primers. Molecular characterization involved ITS-1 via neighbor-joining analysis. The impact of parasitemia loads was correlated with oxidative stress markers, genotoxicity, and hematobiochemical parameters using Pearson correlation and multivariable regression models. (3) Results: Field-stained thin blood film microscopy and molecular identification revealed 8.98% and 10.18% infection rates, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-1 region sequences of the identified isolates showed close genetic associations with Indian isolates. The mean trypomastigote count observed in the infected buffaloes was 5.15 × 10⁶ (±5.3 × 10²)/µL of blood. The parasitemia loads were significantly correlated with the alterations in oxidative stress markers, DNA damage, and changes in hematobiochemical parameters. Infected animals exhibited significant (p < 0.05) alterations in oxidative stress biomarkers, including catalase, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde concentrations. Noteworthily, a comet assay revealed a significantly (p < 0.0001) higher mean genetic damage index in the infected buffaloes (0.7 ± 0.04) compared with the healthy ones (0.196 ± 0.004). Alongside significant (p < 0.05) reductions in red cell indices, a marked elevation in leukocyte counts and serum hepatic enzyme levels was recorded in the affected buffaloes. (4) Conclusion: T. evansi isolates of buffaloes from Multan, Pakistan, have genetic similarities to Indian isolates. This study also revealed that higher parasitemia loads induce genotoxicity in the infected animals through oxidative stress and cause hematobiochemical alterations under natural field conditions.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected billions of lives and is expected to impose a significant burden on the economy worldwide. Vaccination is the only way to prevent the infection. However, convincing people to get themselves vaccinated is challenging in developing countries such as Pakistan. Therefore, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted (n = 982 participants) all over Pakistan to evaluate the perception, knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of the general public towards the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, in general, and a booster dose of SARS-CoV-2, in particular. The highest number of participants were from the province of Punjab (84.5%), followed by Islamabad (3.8%), Sindh (3.7%), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2.7%), Baluchistan (2.6%), Gilgit Baltistan (1.4%), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (1.4%). A total of 915 participants were vaccinated against COVID-19, out of which 62.2% received one booster dose, followed by double booster doses (25.5%) and single vaccine shots (12.3%). The highest number of vaccinated participants were from Punjab (85.8%), followed by Islamabad (3.9%), Sindh (2.8%); Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2.6%); Baluchistan (2.3%); Gilgit-Baltistan (1.3%); and Azad, Jammu, and Kashmir (1.2%). Among the vaccinated individuals, 71.4% were unemployed, 27.4% were employed (653), and 1.2% were retired from service. However, no significant association was observed among genders and educational levels in regard to acceptance of the booster vaccine. The outcomes of the study revealed that the increased acceptance of booster doses of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines among the public was associated with the intent of personal and family protection. Moreover, individuals with low socioeconomic status and pregnant females showed the least acceptance towards the vaccine inoculation. The study also revealed a decline trend of accepting SARS-CoV-2 vaccine among children.