Introduction In recent years, with the advancement of nanotechnology, new methods have been invented to treat cancer. The Moringa plant (Moringa oleifera) is rich in flavonoid compounds, especially quercetin, which has anticancer and antioxidant properties. In this research, the characteristics of metal nanoparticles of Iron, Copper, Zinc, and Silver biosynthesized ...

Background Natural compounds from medicinal plants are being increasingly studied for their reduced aftereffect reaction and reduced drug resistance compared to chemical medicines. These plants, known for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties, are utilized in treating various diseases, including cancer. Methods In this study, the antimicrobial and antitumor attributes of Portulaca oleracea L. essential oil were examined using disk diffusion and MTT assays, respectively. Polylactic acid-Polyethylene glycol-Folate (PLA-PEG-FA) nanoparticles were used to target the delivery of P. oleracea essential oil to MCF-7 cells. The average particle size and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were evaluated with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Results The PLA-PEG-FA nanoparticles containing essential oils exhibited a spherical morphology, with a mean diameter varying between roughly 100 to 150 nanometers. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for P. oleracea essential oil against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 6.25 and 12.5 µL mL ^-1 , respectively. The MTT assay demonstrated that the antiproliferative properties of the essential oil increased significantly with encapsulation into the PLA-PEG-FA nanoparticles. Flow cytometry analysis showed that P. oleracea essential oil lessened the viability of MCF-7 cells by inducing apoptosis pathways in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion In summary, the precise administration of essential oils directly into cancer cells significantly enhances anti-cancer efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.

Gene therapy, a novel treatment approach for diseases such as cancer and genetic disorders, involves the transfer of genes to host cells or tissues. In recent decades, methods such as viruses, bacteria, and mechanical techniques have been utilized for gene transfer. However, Owing to the significant side effects of traditional methods for cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy, nanoparticles have emerged as a preferred alternative, enhancing targeted gene delivery and reducing complications. This study utilized copolymers such as spermine-chitosan-polycaprolactone (PCL) (PCS) and iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe ₃ O ₄ ) to protect DNA and facilitate oligonucleotide transfer. Additionally, spermine-PCL-chitosan-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-folic acid (SPCPF) micelles were synthesized to control DNA release and target tumors. SCPPF/Fe ₃ O ₄ /DNA micelles were then prepared, and their properties, including protection against plasma degradation, ability to release DNA, physicochemical properties, transfection efficiency, and cytotoxicity, were evaluated in vitro . The study also investigated the impact of two buffer pH values (6 and 7.4) on DNA release from micelles, revealing that a lower pH significantly increased the release rate. Electrophoretic analysis confirmed that the micelle coating effectively protected DNA from degradation in plasma. VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer) analysis was used to assess the magnetic properties of the SCPPF/Fe ₃ O ₄ /DNA micelles, revealing that encapsulation with PCS and PCPF yielded nanoparticles with desirable magnetic characteristics. However, the encapsulation value reduced the saturation magnetic properties of the samples from 13.4 to 39.3 emu/g. Furthermore, the micelles significantly improved the DNA transfer efficiency compared with that of the polyethylenimine (PEI)/DNA complex in serum, achieving 14.42% efficiency with the SCPPF/Fe ₃ O ₄ /DNA micelles compared with 10.6% for the PEI/DNA complex. In terms of cytotoxicity, the SCPPF/Fe ₃ O ₄ micelles exhibited low toxicity to the AGS cell line.