A well-known natural ingredient found in several medicinal plants, berberine (Ber), has been shown to have anticancer properties against a range of malignancies. The limited solubility and bioavailability of berberine can be addressed using Ber-loaded nanoparticles. In this study, we compared the in vitro cytotoxic effects of both Ber-loaded silver nanoparticles (Ber-AgNPs) and Ber-loaded selenium nanoparticles (Ber-SeNPs) in the human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and mouse normal liver cells (BNL). The IC₅₀ values in HepG2 for berberine, Ber-AgNPs, Ber-SeNPs, and cisplatin were 26.69, 1.16, 0.04, and 0.33 µg/mL, respectively. Our results show that Ber and its Ag and Se nanoparticles exerted a good antitumor effect against HepG2 cells by inducing apoptosis via upregulating p53, Bax, cytosolic cytochrome C levels, and caspase-3 activity, and the down-regulation of Bcl-2 levels. Similarly, incubation with Ber and both Ber-NPs (Ag and Se) led to a significant dose-dependent elevation in inflammatory markers’ (TNF-α, NF-κB, and COX-2) levels compared to the control group. In addition, it led to the arrest of the G1 cell cycle by depleting the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK-2 mRNA. Furthermore, Ber and both Ber-NPs (Ag and Se) caused a significant dose-dependent increase in LDH activity in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, our findings offer evidence that Ber and its nanoparticles intensified oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the migration rate of cells subjected to berberine and its nanoforms was notably decreased compared to that of control cells. It can be inferred that Ber nanoparticles exhibited superior anticancer efficacy against HepG2 compared to unprocessed Ber, perhaps due to their improved solubility and bioavailability. Furthermore, Ber-SeNPs exhibited greater efficacy than Ber-AgNPs, possibly as a result of the inherent anticancer characteristics of selenium.

We aimed to investigate the potential anticonvulsant effect of green synthetized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Syzygium aromaticum extract (SAE) (SAE-SeNPs) against epileptic seizures and cortical damage induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) injection in rats and its mechanism. A total of 84 rats were divided into six groups; control, PTZ-exposed group, SAE + PTZ-treated group, sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) + PTZ-treated group, SAE-SeNPs + PTZ-treated group, and diazepam + PTZ-treated group. SAE-SeNPs significantly increase (p < 0.05) the latency time to seizures and reduce both the seizure duration and death rate, which were enhanced by the PTZ injection. SAE-SeNPs counteracted the PTZ-induced changes in the oxidants and antioxidants. Furthermore, SAE-SeNPs significantly restored (p < 0.05) the pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) to their normal levels and suppressed the activity of the glial fibrillary acidic protein showing their inhibitory effect on the epilepsy-associated inflammation. In addition, SAE-SeNPs significantly reduced (p < 0.05) PTZ-induced cortical cell apoptosis, as revealed by a reduction in the pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase-3 levels, and an elevation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 level. Moreover, SAE-SeNPs significantly modulate (p < 0.05) the PTZ-induced changes in the neurotransmitter norepinephrine level and acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity. These data concluded the anticonvulsant activity of SAE-SeNPs via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, along with their ability to modulate neurotransmitters.

The role of oxidative stress is known among the patients of diabetes as the level of reactive oxygen species was high among diabetic patients. This oxidative stress is generated in diabetic patients due to continuous high glucose levels that cause to decrease in the defence mechanism for antioxidant enzymes within the body. The reduction of the antioxidant defence mechanism leads towards the generation of hydroxyl radicals consequently results in lipid peroxidation. The objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of Vincamine extracts as antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant in diabetic rats. To evaluate the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects of Vincamine, adult BB Wistar rats, weighing 150- 170 g were obtained and divided in six groups. Blood analysis was taken measure the observed parameters. The findings showed vincamine display antioxidant, hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic activity.It is concluded that vincamine hasa protective role and acts as a good antioxidant activity along with effective antidiabetic effects.

Vincamine, a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid with vasodilatory properties, is extracted from the leaves of Vinca minor. The present study aimed to determine the potential anticancer effects of vincamine loaded in silver nanoparticles (VCN-AgNPs) in mice with Ehrlich solid carcinoma (ESC). After tumor transplantation, the mice were divided into five groups: ESC, ESC+Cisplatin (CPN; 5 mg/kg), ESC+VCN (40 mg/kg), ESC+AgNPs (6 mg/kg), and ESC+VCN-AgNPs (20 mg/kg). The administration of VCN-AgNPs to ESC-bearing mice improved their survival rate and reduced their body weight, tumor size, and tumor weight compared to the ESC group. Furthermore, VCN-AgNPs intensified oxidative stress in tumor tissues, as evidenced by elevated levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO), along with a reduction in the levels of the antioxidants investigated (GSH, GPx, GR, SOD, CAT, and TAC). Furthermore, VCN-AgNPs increased the apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3, decreased the anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2), increased the inflammatory markers TNF-α and IL-1β, and inhibited angiogenesis by lowering VEGF levels in tumor tissues, all of which led to apoptosis. Furthermore, histopathological studies showed that VCN-AgNPs suppressed the progression of Ehrlich carcinoma and induced the formation of clusters of necrotic and fragmented tumor cells. VCN-AgNPs possess cytotoxic and genotoxic effects against ESC because of their pro-oxidant, pro-apoptotic, pro-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic effects. Additionally, the combination of VCN-AgNPs was more effective and safer than chemically synthesized AgNPs, as indicated by an increase in the lifespan of animals and the total tumor inhibition index.