Current study reports a simple and one-pot synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using an aqueous extract of Solanum torvum and evaluation of its toxicological profile (0.5% w/w and 1.0% w/w) in Wistar albino rats with respect to the biochemical index. The nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction technique. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential of synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed to know the average size and stability of particles. Synthesized nanoparticles were stable, discreet, and mostly spherical, and size of particles was within the nanometre range. Biochemical markers of hepatic and renal functions were measured. Zinc oxide nanoparticles significantly decreased serum uric acid level (p < 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner, while the serum alkaline phosphatase level was increased at the two test doses. The level of alanine transaminase was increased after exposure for 28 days (p < 0.05). This study concludes that biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles-infused hydrogel applied dermatologically could affect hepatic and renal performance in rats, and there was an observed cumulative toxicological effect with time of exposure.

In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using aqueous leaf extracts of three Congolese plant species, namely Brillantaisia patula (BR-PA), Crossopteryx febrifuga (CR-FE) and Senna siamea (SE-SI). The obtained AgNPs were studied for their optical, structural, surface morphological and antibacterial properties. The prepared AgNPs were characterized by using UV-Visible spectra, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The synthesized nanoparticles were spherical shaped and well-dispersed with average sizes ranging from 45 to 110 nm. The AgNPs derived from BR-PA, CR-FE and SE-SI exhibited higher antibacterial activity against three bacterial pathogens of the human skin compared to their respective crude extracts and AgNO3. This indicated that the biomolecules covering the nanoparticles may enhance the biological activity of metal nanoparticles. Hence, our results support that biogenic synthesis of AgNPs from Congolese plants constitutes a potential area of interest for the therapeutic management of microbial diseases such as infectious skin diseases.

Article Enaminones: versatile intermediates for natural product synthesis was published on June 30, 1999 in the journal Pure and Applied Chemistry (volume 71, issue 6).

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have brought a revolution in the pharmaceutical field over the last decade. Natural and modified CDs (α-CD and β-CD) have been studied and some have gained US FDA approval or achieved 'Generally Regarded as Safe' (GRAS) status. Another characteristic of CDs is the ease with which they can be induced to form supramolecular structures for its use in drug delivery. CDs, grafted or crosslinked with polymers, are now being developed into 'smart' systems for efficient targeted drug delivery, especially for hydrophobic drugs. Amphiphilic CDs have the ability to form nanospheres or nanocapsules via a simple nanoprecipitation technique. This review deals with different types of CDs, and their efficacy, physicochemical properties and transformation into nanoparticles with interesting in vitro and in vivo applications.