Introduction: Wound healing is a complex physiological process essential for the restoration of tissue integrity and function. Novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed to enhance wound-healing outcomes. Nanotechnology, particularly zinc oxide nanoparticles, has shown promise due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. β-chitosan, derived from squid pens, possesses superior solubility and bioactivity compared to α-chitosan, making it a valuable biomaterial for biomedical applications. Through the integration of β-chitosan and zinc oxide nanoparticles, this study seeks to use the complementary properties of both substances to overcome present constraints in wound care treatments. Methods: β-chitosan was extracted from squid pens and characterized for its molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, and solubility properties. Further characterization of the synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles involved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to analyze chemical bonding and functional groups, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy to determine optional properties such as band gap energy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy to confirm the crystalline phase and calculate crystallite size, and the size was confirmed with the scanning electron microscope. Each technique provided complementary information, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the synthesized nanoparticles' properties and their potential applications. Adult zebrafish (six to eight months old) were employed as a model organism due to their genetic similarity to humans and regenerative capabilities. Zebrafish were wounded and divided into treatment and control groups, with β-chitosan and β-chitosan-derived zinc nanoparticles treatments administrated at 50 µg/ml, while control groups received 0.05% phosphate buffer saline. The treatments, conducted in triplicate, enabled a comparative analysis of wound closure activity between β-chitosan-derived zinc nanoparticles' healing effects against standard and baseline treatments. Further, gene expression analysis on Bax, BCl-2, IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) was done using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: Characterization studies confirmed the successful synthesis of β-chitosan-derived zinc oxide nanoparticles and a crystalline structure corresponding to zinc oxide. Treatment with β-chitosan-derived zinc oxide nanoparticles significantly accelerated wound closure compared to controls and other treatment groups. Microscopic analysis demonstrated enhanced epithelialization, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, increased collagen deposition, and improved tissue organization in wounds treated with β-chitosan-derived zinc oxide nanoparticles. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of inflammation-causing genes such as BCl-2, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-a, hence it showed wound-healing activity. The results were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: β-chitosan-derived zinc oxide nanoparticles show promising potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for enhancing wound healing. The synergistic effects of β-chitosan and zinc oxide nanoparticles address multiple aspects of wound healing, including antimicrobial activity, inflammation modulation, and tissue regeneration. This study highlights the advantages of nanotechnology in wound care and underscores the need for further research to optimize nanoparticle formulations for clinical applications.

The development of novel scaffold incorporating Cissus quadrangularis extract, bioceramics and tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) for periodontal bone regeneration necessitates a thorough assessment of their embryotoxicity to ensure biocompatibility and safety. This study evaluates the embryonic toxicology of these innovative scaffold using the zebrafish model, which provides a rapid transparent and highly sensitive system for assessing development toxicity. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to scaffold containing Cissus quadrangularis extract (80 % ethanol), bioceramics, and tendon extracellular. Briefly, the scaffold immerged in the E3 medium for 48h and the extract (10, 50 and 100μl/ml) was evaluated against developing embryos for different developmental anomalies such as survival, malformation, heartbeat and the expression of RunX2 and Bmp2 genes. The results showed that the SEM analysis revealed that the membrane was rough in nature. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of hydroxylate groups, collagen and hydroxyapatite in the synthesized membrane. Meanwhile, the scaffold did not show any of the developmental defects such as hatchability inhibition and neural toxicity. The mortality was comparable to negative control. Further, the study revealed that the scaffold induced the osteogenic potential by elevating the RunX2 and Bmp2 expression. This study highlighted the inclusion of C. quadrangularis extract could be a beneficial for enhancing periodontal bone regeneration. Further, this also revealed that the extract did not impede the normal tissue development or regeneration using zebrafish embryo as a model.

Introduction Dental caries, primarily caused by cariogenic microorganisms, remains a significant global health concern. β-Chitosan, known for its biofilm-targeting properties, and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs), recognized for their potent antimicrobial effects, offer a promising approach for caries prevention and treatment. This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties of β-Chitosan-derived ZnO NPs (β-Ch-ZnO-NPs) against these pathogens. Methodology β-Chitosan from fresh squid bones was isolated using demineralization and deproteinization methods. β-Ch-ZnO-NPs were synthesized and characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm their size, shape, and stability. Antibacterial efficacy(agar well plate method)was assessed through standardized assays, demonstrating significant inhibition of cariogenic bacteria. The results were represented as mean± standard deviation. The Kruskal-Wallis test with post hoc analysis (Mann-Whitney U test) was conducted for statistical analysis. Molecular docking studies (blind docking method) were conducted to elucidate the interactions between β-Ch-ZnO-NPs and key bacterial enzymes involved in microbial genetic material synthesis, also known as dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH, PDB ID-2J0Y). Results The synthesized β-Ch-ZnO-NPs exhibited well-defined characteristics verified by UV-vis spectroscopy and FTIR confirming their nanoparticulate nature and stability. The antimicrobial effects of Streptomycin (50 µg/mL) and β-Ch-ZnO-NPs were compared across various microorganisms. β-Ch-ZnO-NPs at 100 µg/mL consistently showed larger inhibition zones than Streptomycin and β-Ch-ZnO-NPs at 50 µg/mL against Escherichia coli​​, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans. This suggests that β-Ch-ZnO-NPs at a higher concentration have potent antimicrobial activity across a broad spectrum of pathogens, highlighting their potential as effective antimicrobial agents. Kruskal-Wallis test showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) for all microbes, and post hoc analysis (Mann-Whitney U test) confirmed the P-value was less than 0.05. Molecular docking studies indicated strong binding affinities between β-Ch-ZnO-NPs and bacterial enzymes crucial for biofilm formation, suggesting inhibition of enzyme activity critical for bacterial virulence and survival. Conclusions This study highlights the synergistic potential of β-Chitosan and zinc oxide NPs in combating dental caries. The synthesized β-Ch-ZnO-NPs demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against cariogenic microorganisms, attributed to their ability to disrupt bacterial metabolism and inhibit biofilm formation. Molecular docking analysis provided mechanistic insights into how β-Ch-ZnO-NPs interact with bacterial enzymes, reinforcing their role in impeding biofilm development. Overall, the findings support using β-Ch-ZnO-NPs as a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating dental caries, leveraging their combined biofilm-targeting capabilities and antimicrobial effects.

Introduction: This study explores the anticancer potential of Thioflavin-derived zinc nanoparticles (Th-ZnNPs) using both in vitro and in silico methods. Thioflavin, known for its specific binding properties, faces challenges such as bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and solubility. To overcome these limitations and enhance therapeutic efficacy, nanotechnology was utilized to synthesize Th-ZnNPs. These nanoparticles (NPs) are designed to improve drug delivery and effectiveness. The Beclin protein, which plays a critical role in regulating autophagy in cancer cells, was identified as a potential target for these NPs. The study aims to evaluate the interaction between Th-ZnNPs and Beclin protein in glioblastoma cell lines and assess the potential of these NPs as novel anticancer agents. Methods: Th-ZnNPs were synthesized using advanced nanotechnology techniques to improve the bioavailability and solubility of Thioflavin. To explore their anticancer potential, in silico analyses were performed, including molecular docking studies to evaluate the binding affinity between the ZnNPs and Beclin protein, which is integral to autophagy regulation. This computational approach identified the Beclin protein as a promising target for the ZnNPs. Complementary in vitro assays were then conducted, where glioblastoma cell lines (procured from the National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India) were treated with ZnNPs to assess their cytotoxic effects. The assays also included mechanistic studies to validate the interaction between ZnNPs and Beclin protein and to understand their influence on autophagy pathways. Results: The synthesis of Th-ZnNPs successfully enhanced their solubility and bioavailability compared to Thioflavin alone. In silico findings showed a strong binding affinity between the Th-ZnNPs and the Beclin protein, suggesting that these NPs may effectively target cancer cells through this interaction. Beclin protein was validated as a relevant target due to its critical role in autophagy regulation. In vitro assays further confirmed the anticancer potential of the Th-ZnNPs, as they exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on glioblastoma cells. Additionally, mechanistic studies revealed that Th-ZnNPs impact Beclin protein and modulate autophagy pathways, supporting their proposed role as effective anticancer agents. Conclusions: The study highlights the promising anticancer potential of Th-ZnNPs. By overcoming the limitations of Thioflavin through nanotechnology, these NPs show significant therapeutic promise in targeting glioblastoma cells. The strong binding affinity between Th-ZnNPs and the Beclin protein, coupled with confirmed cytotoxic effects, underscores their potential as novel anticancer agents. This integrated approach not only enhances the delivery and efficacy of Thioflavin but also opens new avenues for targeted therapy in glioblastoma treatment.

Tumor epithelial development and chemoresistance are highly promoted by the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is mostly made up of the cancer stroma. This is due to several causes. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) stand out among them as being essential for the promotion of tumors. Understanding the fibroblastic population within a single tumor is made more challenging by the undeniable heterogeneity within it, even though particular stromal alterations are still up for debate. Numerous chemical signals released by tumors improve the connections between heterotypic fibroblasts and CAFs, promoting the spread of cancer. It becomes essential to have a thorough understanding of this complex microenvironment to effectively prevent solid tumor growth. Important new insights into the role of CAFs in the TME have been revealed by recent studies. The objective of this review is to carefully investigate the relationship between CAFs in tumors and plant secondary metabolites, with a focus on thymoquinone (TQ). The literature published between 2010 and 2023 was searched in PubMed and Google Scholar with keywords such as TQ, TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts, mechanism of action, and flavonoids. The results showed a wealth of data substantiating the activity of plant secondary metabolites, particularly TQ's involvement in blocking CAF operations. Scrutinized research also clarified the wider effect of flavonoids on pathways related to cancer. The present study highlights the complex dynamics of the TME and emphasizes the critical role of CAFs. It also examines the possible interventions provided by secondary metabolites found in plants, with TQ playing a vital role in regulating CAF function based on recent literature.