International Journal of Nanoparticles (4 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Synergistic antibacterial effect against S. Aureus in combination with Amoxicillin using fluconazole nanoparticles studied under Atomic Force Microscopy.  
  by Dania Ahmed, Samina Perveen, Raza Shah, Farid Ahmed 
  Abstract: COVID-19 patients are increasing day by day. The risk of bacteria-virus co-infection also escalates. Because of the extensive use of antibacterial drugs, the drug resistant bacterial strains are increasing. rnAntibiotic resistance caused by pathogenic bacteria has become a major health challenge these days. The key objective was to examine the antibacterial effects of Fluconazole coated silver nanoparticles (Ful-AgNPs) in combination with amoxicillin against bacteria that show resistance to amoxicillin. Here we are reporting a quick, tranquil, and feasible synthetic procedure for the preparation of Ful-AgNPs. Characterization of nanoparticles was performed by employing Uv-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Atomic force microscopic techniques. The size of Ful-AgNPs was found in the range from 9-18 nm. Ful-AgNPs shows selective recognition capability towards amoxicillin in the presence of other competing drugs without showing any interference. The binding ratio between Ful-AgNPs and amoxicillin was observed 1:1 (Ful-AgNPs: amoxicillin) in Jobs plot study. The sensing capability of Ful-AgNPs was also evaluated in blood plasma and tap water to evaluate the matrix effect, and Ful-AgNPs recognize amoxicillin in both mediums without showing any interferences. Fractional inhibitory concentration index shows synergistic interaction of Ful-AgNPs with amoxicillin. These results demonstrate that the combination of amoxicillin with Ful-AgNPs inhibits the growth of bacterial cells and the MIC value found to be 25-50
  Keywords: Silver nanoparticles; Antibacterial potential; UV-Visible spectroscopy; Amoxicillin; Synergistic effect; Combinatorial effect; COVID-19.
  
  
• A combination of carrier erythrocytes and artificial nanoparticles as a promising approach for drug delivery: a review  
  by Nadeesha Athukorala, Sanath Rajapakse, S.D.S.S. Sooriyapathirana 
  Abstract: Increased awareness that drug release patterns can affect therapeutic responses, the necessity of safe and efficient drug administration, and the requirement of novel strategies to deliver complex drugs fuelled the drug delivery research. Scientists have understood that novel therapies are possible when a drug is encapsulated within or attached to a carrier. It became clear that the drug carrier systems are essential as the drug itself. Nanotechnology’s application in drug delivery is reported to improve therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, challenges related to biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and rapid clearance limited the use of nanomedicine. After extensive research, erythrocyte membrane camouflaged nanoparticles loaded with drugs have become an attractive candidate for drug delivery. The combined strategy has offered an opportunity to unite natural cell membrane properties with artificial nanoparticles. This article reviews the background, development, and importance of the combined strategy, and provides a foundation to stimulate the interests in this novel strategy.
  Keywords: erythrocytes; nanoparticles; drug delivery; targeted drug delivery.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2023.10054751
   
  
• Characterisation and Biological Activity of Rare-Earth Ion (Ce3+)-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles  
  by Maryam Al Bitar, Mahmoud Khalil, Ramadan Awad 
  Abstract: Zn1-xCexO nanoparticles with x= 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07 were synthesised using a chemical co-precipitation method. The effects of Ce3+ doping on the properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were studied. The prepared nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), UV
  Keywords: Zinc oxide nanoparticles; Cerium-doping; Co-precipitation technique; Biological activity.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2023.10057726
   
  
• Development of silver nanoparticles using Trigonella foenum graecum leaf extract and evaluation of their antimicrobial and noncytotoxic efficacy for dental applications  
  by LATA S. MUSHANNAVAR, RAMESH K. NADIGER, M.Y. Kariduraganavar, Kiran Kumar Neelakantappa, Sachin Hegde 
  Abstract: Advances in nanotechnology have opened up a new era of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases Maintenance of oral health is a major challenge in dentistry and among them, denture-related infections represent an enormous emerging problem, especially in geriatric patients with limited manual dexterity are more prone to denture stomatitis Microbial resistance represents a challenge for the scientific community to develop new bioactive compounds In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized from the extract of Trigonella foenum graecum and were characterized by different techniques The nanoparticles were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against major microorganisms associated with denture stomatitis The cytotoxic effects were also evaluated using fibroblast cell lines The results revealed that the developed nanoparticles were highly effective against the tested microorganisms and showed no significant cytotoxicity at bactericidal dose, suggesting that silver nanoparticles could be of high potential as antimicrobial additives in the process of acrylic denture
  Keywords: Silver Nanoparticles; denture stomatitis; Trigonella foenum graecum; Antimicrobial activity; Cytotoxicity.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2023.10060751