Roula Bayram

Background: Plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical methods, offering environmentally friendly routes for producing nanomaterials with biomedical potential. This study employed aqueous extracts of Artemisia absinthium and Ziziphus vulgaris to synthesize AgNPs and evaluate their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, wound healing activities. Methods: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by mixing aqueous plant extracts with 1 mM silver nitrate under ambient conditions. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by UV–Visible spectroscopy, while morphology and structure were characterized using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were further characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements to determine hydrodynamic size and surface charge, and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm crystalline phase. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was also performed to assess elemental composition, providing a comprehensive physicochemical profile of the plant-mediated AgNPs. Antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the agar well diffusion, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by hypotonicity-induced human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated using the MTT assay against a panel of human cell lines comprising MCF-7 breast cancer cells, A549 lung cancer cells, HepG2 hepatic cancer cells, and WI-38 non-cancerous lung fibroblasts to assess both anticancer potency and selectivity toward normal cells. Scratch wound healing was also evaluated. Results: The biosynthesized AgNPs showed surface plasmon resonance bands at 420–450 nm and mainly spherical particles with sizes of 15–22 nm. FTIR analysis indicated hydroxyl and carbonyl groups involved in nanoparticle reduction and stabilization. DLS and zeta potential analyses revealed monomodal size distributions and strongly negative surface charges (approximately −33 to −34 mV), indicating homogeneous, electrostatically stabilized colloids. XRD patterns confirmed a face-centered cubic metallic silver phase with a dominant (111) orientation, while EDX spectra verified the presence of elemental silver alongside signals from the plant-derived capping layer. The nanoparticles displayed remarkable antibacterial activity against both bacteria, strong inhibition of erythrocyte hemolysis, and dose-dependent cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 19–21 µg mL⁻¹. MIC values ranged from 15.62 to 125 µg mL⁻¹, with the lowest MIC observed for Ziziphus stem-mediated AgNPs (15.62 µg mL⁻¹). All AgNPs samples exhibited enhanced wound healing, with closure percentages reaching up to 93.4% in Ziziphus leaves compared to WI-38 control (77.6%). Good colloidal stability was maintained for 90 days. Conclusions: These findings show that Artemisia absinthium and Ziziphus vulgaris are effective sources for green synthesis of stable AgNPs with multifunctional in vitro biological activities. This pro-healing effect is consistent with their demonstrated antimicrobial activity, supporting their dual functionality as both antibacterial and wound-healing materials. However, the biological and therapeutic activities require further in vivo confirmation. The results support their biomedical and environmentally sustainable nanotechnology applications.

The objective is to develop immediate release buccal films of Eletriptan Hydrobromide (EHBR) using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) E5. The buccal films have the ability to disintegrate rapidly and provide both systemic and local effects. The solvent casting method was employed to prepare the films and the central composite rotatable design (CCRD) model was used for film optimization. All the formulated films were characterized for physicochemical evaluation (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo drug release. The fabricated films were transparent, colorless, and evenly distributed. The FTIR spectra showed no chemical interaction between the drug and excipients. In in-vitro analysis, the film has the highest% drug release (102.61 ± 1.13), while a maximum of 92.87 ± 0.87% drug was diffused across the cellulose membrane having a pore size of 0.45 µm. In the ex-vivo study, drug diffusion across the goat mucosa was performed and 80.9% of the drug was released in 30 min. In-vivo results depict a mean half-life (t½) of 4.54 ± 0.18 h and a C_max of 128 ± 0.87 (ng/mL); T_max was achieved in 1 h. Furthermore, instability and histopathological studies buccal films were proven to be safe and act as an effective dosage form. In a nutshell, optimized and safe instant release EHBR buccal films were prepared that have the tendency to provide effect effectively.

In a batch reactor, the EF advanced oxidation decolorization of aqueous solutions of methyl orange MO, a commercial azo reactive textile dye, was investigated in the presence of two different electrodes. The evaluation included various operational variables such as the I_C current intensity (60 mA, 80 mA, and 100 mA), initial concentration of pollutant MO (20 mg/L, 40 mg/L, and 60 mg/L), initial pH of solution (3, 5, and 7), temperature of solution (20 °C, 30 °C, and 50 °C), and initial concentration of catalyst [Fe²⁺] (0.1 mM, 0.2 mM, and 0.3 mM) on the discoloration rate. A Box-Behnken Design of Experiment (BBD) was used to optimize the parameters that directly affect the Electro-Fenton (EF) process. Under the optimal experimental conditions such as [Fe²⁺] = 0.232 mM, pH = 3, I_C = 80 mA, [MO] = 60 mg/L, and T = 30 ± 0.1 °C, the maximum discoloration rate achieved was 94.9%. The discoloration of the aqueous MO solution during the treatment time was confirmed by analysis of the UV-visible spectrum. After a review of the literature on organic pollutant degradation, the EF system provided here is shown to be one of the best in terms of discoloration rate when compared to other AOPs.

Phytochemical characterization of the ethyl acetate fraction of Saussurea hypoleuca root extract resulted in the isolation of oleic acid (1) and luteolin (2), which were isolated for the first time from Saussurea hypoleuca root. A heavy metal analysis of the root powder performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy showed that the contents of iron, cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel, and copper were within the certified limits according to the WHO guidelines. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed its crystalline and amorphous nature; meanwhile, standardization of the root with UHPLC revealed the presence of 14.79 ± 0.015 µg/mL of luteolin. Both the total methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of the plant root held significant anthelmintic activity. Oleic acid and luteolin exhibited potent antioxidant activity, evidenced by their IC₅₀ values, which were equal to 47.0 and 119.8 µg/mL, respectively, in a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. In silico studies showed that luteolin exerted the highest fitting within the binding sites of NADPH oxidase (Nox). For myeloperoxidase (MP), oleic acid revealed the best fitting in its active sites. The results of ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) and TOPKAT (toxicity prediction) protocols revealed acceptable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics, in addition to reasonable toxicity characteristics for both compounds. Thus, they can be incorporated into pharmaceutical dosage forms to combat oxidative stress.

Due to its recalcitrant and carcinogenic nature, the presence of methyl orange (MO) in the environment is a serious threat to human and animal life and is also toxic to plants. MO being recalcitrant cannot be effectively reclaimed from industrial effluents through physical and chemical approaches. Biological methods on the other hand have the potential to degrade such dyes because of their compatibility with nature and low chances of adverse effects on the environment. Bacteria, due to their fast growth rate and capability of surviving in extreme environments can effectively be used for this purpose. In the current research study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated and characterized using 16rRNA from textile wastewater. In the preliminary tests it was found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa has the ability to degrade and mineralize methyl orange effectively. The physicochemical conditions were then optimized, in order to get maximum degradation of MO which was achieved at 37 °C, a pH of 7, a low salt concentration of 0.1 g/15 mL, a high carbon source of 0.6 g/15 mL, and 72 h experimental time. In a single set of experiments where all these optimum conditions were combined, 88.23% decolorization of the selected dye was achieved. At the end of the experimental cycle, the aliquots were homogenized and filtered. The filtrates were subjected to FTIR and GC-MS analysis where azo linkage breaking was confirmed from the FTIR spectra. The filtrates were then extracted with ethyl acetate and then passed through a silica gel column. On the basis of Rf value (TLC plates used) similar fraction were combined which were then subjected to NMR analysis. The compounds detected through GC-MS, peaks were not observed in proton and C-13 NMR. Instead, solvent and some impurity peaks were present, showing that complete mineralization of the dye had occurred due to the action of different bacterial enzymes such as azoreductase, peroxidases, and classes on MO. The prosed mechanism of complete mineralization is based on spectral data that needs to be verified by trapping the individual step products through the use of appropriate inhibitors of individual enzymes.