Hepatic cancer is among the most recurrently detected malignancies worldwide and one of the main contributors to cancer-associated mortality. With few available therapeutic choices, there is an instant necessity to explore suitable options. In this aspect, Nanotechnology has been employed to explore prospective chemotherapeutic approaches, especially for cancer treatment. Nanotechnology is concerned with the biological and physical properties of nanoparticles in the therapeutic use of drugs. In the current work, formulation, and characterization of α-Fe2O3-Sodium Alginate-Eugenol nanocomposites (FSE NCs) using several approaches like SEM and TEM, UV-visible, FTIR, and PL spectroscopy, XRD, EDAX, and DLS studies have been performed. With an average size of 50 nm, the rhombohedral structure of NCs was identified. Further, their anticancer activity against Hep3B liver cancer cell lines has been performed by cell viability, dual staining, DCFH-DA, Annexin-V/-FITC/PI, cell cycle analysis methods, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling proteins were studied to assess the anticancer effects of the NCs in Hep3B cells. Also, anti-cancer activity on animal modeling in-vivo using zebra fishes to hematological parameters, liver enzymes, and histopathology study effectiveness was noticed. Moreover, the NCs reduced the viability, elevated the ROS accumulation, diminished the membrane integrity, reduced the antioxidants, blocked the cell cycle, and triggered the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling axis that eventually resulted in cell death. As a result, FSE NCs possess huge potential for use as a possible anticancer candidate.
The long-term objective of the present study was to determine the ability of NiZn ferrite nanoparticles to kill cancer cells. NiZn ferrite nanoparticle suspensions were found to have an average hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of 254.2 ± 29.8 nm, 0.524 ± 0.013, and -60 ± 14 mV, respectively. We showed that NiZn ferrite nanoparticles had selective toxicity towards MCF-7, HepG2, and HT29 cells, with a lesser effect on normal MCF 10A cells. The quantity of Bcl-2, Bax, p53, and cytochrome C in the cell lines mentioned above was determined by colorimetric methods in order to clarify the mechanism of action of NiZn ferrite nanoparticles in the killing of cancer cells. Our results indicate that NiZn ferrite nanoparticles promote apoptosis in cancer cells via caspase-3 and caspase-9, downregulation of Bcl-2, and upregulation of Bax and p53, with cytochrome C translocation. There was a concomitant collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential in these cancer cells when treated with NiZn ferrite nanoparticles. This study shows that NiZn ferrite nanoparticles induce glutathione depletion in cancer cells, which results in increased production of reactive oxygen species and eventually, death of cancer cells.
Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticle with its unique magnetic properties is recently known to enhance the cell growth rate. In this study, γ-Fe2O3 is mixed into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and then electrospun to form nanofibers. Design of experiments was used to determine the optimum parameter settings for the electrospinning process so as to produce elctrospun mats with the preferred characteristics such as good morphology, Young's modulus and porosity. The input factors of the electrospinnning process were nanoparticles content (1-5%), voltage (25-35 kV), and flow rate (1-3 ml/h) while the responses considered were Young's modulus and porosity. Empirical models for both responses as a function of the input factors were developed and the optimum input factors setting were determined, and found to be at 5% nanoparticle content, 35 kV voltage, and 1 ml/h volume flow rate. The characteristics and performance of the optimum PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofiber mats were compared with those of neat PVA nanofiber mats in terms of morphology, thermal properties, and hydrophilicity. The PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofiber mats exhibited higher fiber diameter and surface roughness yet similar thermal properties and hydrophilicity compared to neat PVA PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofiber mats. Biocompatibility test by exposing the nanofiber mats with human blood cells was performed. In terms of clotting time, the PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofibers exhibited similar behavior with neat PVA. The PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanofibers also showed higher cells proliferation rate when MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was done using human skin fibroblast cells. Thus, the PVA/γ-Fe2O3 electrospun nanofibers can be a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering scaffolds.
Dicranopteris linearis is a fern used traditionally for the treatment of skin afflictions such as external wounds, boils and ulcers. However, there are no scientific studies to date to demonstrate its ability to induce wound recovery. The objective of the present study was to explore the wound healing properties of an active fraction of D. linearis through several in vitro assays and to determine its chemical profile.
Discovery of a novel anticancer drug delivery agent is important to replace conventional cancer therapies which are often accompanied by undesired side effects. This study demonstrated the synthesis of superparamagnetic magnetite nanocomposites (Fe3O4-NCs) using a green method. Montmorillonite (MMT) was used as matrix support, while Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and carrageenan (CR) were used as filler and stabilizer, respectively. The combination of these materials resulted in a novel nanocomposite (MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs). A series of characterization experiments was conducted. The purity of MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis revealed the uniform and spherical shape of Fe3O4 NPs with an average particle size of 9.3 ± 1.2 nm. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis showed an Ms value of 2.16 emu/g with negligible coercivity which confirmed the superparamagnetic properties. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) was loaded onto the MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs and a drug release study showed that 15% and 92% of PCA was released at pH 7.4 and 4.8, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays showed that both MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs and MMT/CR/Fe3O4-PCA effectively killed HCT116 which is a colorectal cancer cell line. Dose-dependent inhibition was seen and the killing was enhanced two-fold by the PCA-loaded NCs (IC50-0.734 mg/mL) compared to the unloaded NCs (IC50-1.5 mg/mL). This study highlights the potential use of MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs as a biologically active pH-responsive drug delivery agent. Further investigations are warranted to delineate the mechanism of cell entry and cancer cell killing as well as to improve the therapeutic potential of MMT/CR/Fe3O4-NCs.
A new graphene-based tetraethoxysilane-methyltrimethoxysilane sol-gel hybrid magnetic nanocomposite (Fe3O4@G-TEOS-MTMOS) was synthesised, characterized and successfully applied in magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) for simultaneous analysis of polar and non-polar organophosphorus pesticides from several water samples. The Fe3O4@G-TEOS-MTMOS nanocomposite was characterized using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Separation, determination and quantification were achieved using gas chromatography coupled with micro electron capture detector. Adsorption capacity of the sorbent was calculated using Langmuir equation. MSPE was linear in the range 100-1000 pg mL(-1) for phosphamidon and dimethoate, and 10-100 pg mL(-1) for chlorpyrifos and diazinon, with limit of detection (S/N = 3) of 19.8, 23.7, 1.4 and 2.9 pg mL(-1) for phosphamidon, dimethoate, diazinon and chlorpyrifos, respectively. The LODs obtained is well below the maximum residual level (100 pg mL(-1)) as set by European Union for pesticides in drinking water. Acceptable precision (%RSD) was achieved for intra-day (1.3-8.7%, n = 3) and inter-day (7.6-17.8%, n = 15) analyses. Fe3O4@G-TEOS-MTMOS showed high adsorption capacity (54.4-76.3 mg g(-1)) for the selected OPPs. No pesticide residues were detected in the water samples analysed. Excellent extraction recoveries (83-105%) were obtained for the spiked OPPs from tap, river, lake and sea water samples. The newly synthesised Fe3O4@G-TEOS-MTMOS showed high potential as adsorbent for OPPs analysis.
This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Strobilanthes crispus extract for possible protection against lipid peroxidation and DNA damage induced by iron nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Fe-NTA is a potent nephrotoxic agent and induces acute and subacute renal proximal tubular necrosis by catalyzing the decomposition of H(2)O(2)-derived production of hydroxyl radicals, which are known to cause lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Incubation of postmitochondrial supernatant and/or calf thymus DNA with H(2)O(2) (40 mM) in the presence of Fe-NTA (0.1 mM) induces lipid peroxidation and DNA damage to about 2.3-fold and 2.9-fold, respectively, as compared to control (P < 0.05). In lipid peroxidation protection studies, S. crispus treatment showed a dose-dependent inhibition (45-53% inhibition, P < 0.05) of Fe-NTA and H(2)O(2) induced lipid peroxidation. Similarly, in DNA damage protection studies, S. crispus treatment also showed a dose-dependent inhibition (18-30% inhibition, P < 0.05) of DNA damage. In addition, the protection was closely related to the content of phenolic compounds as evident by S. crispus extract showing the value of 124.48 mg/g total phenolics expressed as gallic acid equivalent (GAE, mg/g of extract). From these studies, it is concluded that S. crispus inhibits peroxidation of membrane lipids and DNA damage induced by Fe-NTA and H(2)O(2) and possesses the potential to be used to treat or prevent degenerative diseases where oxidative stress is implicated.
Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a biologically active ingredient derived from rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa, has potent anticancer properties as demonstrated in a plethora of human cancer cell lines/animal carcinogenesis model and also acts as a biological response modifier in various disorders. We have reported previously that dietary supplementation of curcumin suppresses renal ornithine decarboxylase (Okazaki et al. Biochim Biophys Acta 1740:357-366, 2005) and enhances activities of antioxidant and phase II metabolizing enzymes in mice (Iqbal et al. Pharmacol Toxicol 92:33-38, 2003) and also inhibits Fe-NTA-induced oxidative injury of lipids and DNA in vitro (Iqbal et al. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1:151-160, 2003). This study was designed to examine whether curcumin possess the potential to suppress the oxidative damage caused by kidney-specific carcinogen, Fe-NTA, in animals. In accord with previous report, at 1 h after Fe-NTA treatment (9.0 mg Fe/kg body weight intraperitoneally), a substantial increased formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified protein adducts in renal proximal tubules of animals was observed. Likewise, the levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and protein reactive carbonyl, an indicator of protein oxidation, were also increased at 1 h after Fe-NTA treatment in the kidneys of animals. The prophylactic feeding of animals with 1.0% curcumin in diet for 4 weeks completely abolished the formation of (i) HNE-modified protein adducts, (ii) 8-OHdG, and (iii) protein reactive carbonyl in the kidneys of Fe-NTA-treated animals. Taken together, our results suggest that curcumin may afford substantial protection against oxidative damage caused by Fe-NTA, and these protective effects may be mediated via its antioxidant properties. These properties of curcumin strongly suggest that it could be used as a cancer chemopreventive agent.
Probucol is a clinically used cholesterol-lowering drug, with pronounced antioxidant properties. We have reported previously, that dietary supplementation of probucol enhances NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (Iqbal M, Okada S (2003) Pharmacol Toxicol 93:259-263) and inhibits Fe-NTA induced lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in vitro (Iqbal M, Sharma SD, Oakada (2004) Redox Rep 9:167-172). Further to this, in the present study, we evaluated the modulatory effect of probucol on iron nitrilotriacetae (Fe-NTA) dependent renal carcinogenesis, hyperproliferative response and oxidative stress. In Fe-NTA alone treated group, a 20% renal cell tumor incidence was recorded whereas, in N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated and Fe-NTA promoted animals, the percentage tumor incidence was increased to 70% as compared with untreated controls. No tumor incidence was recorded in DEN-initiated, nonpromoted group. Diet supplemented with 1.0% probucol fed prior to, during and after Fe-NTA treatment in DEN-initiated animals afforded >65% protection in renal cell tumor incidence. Probucol fed diet pretreatment also resulted a significant and dose dependent inhibition of Fe-NTA induced renal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. In oxidative stress studies, Fe-NTA alone treatment enhanced lipid peroxidation, accompanied by a decrease in the level of GSH, activities of antioxidants and phase II metabolizing enzymes in kidney concomitant with histolopathological changes. These changes were significantly and dose-dependently alleviated by probucol fed diet. From this data, it can be concluded that probucol can modulates toxic and tumor promoting effects of Fe-NTA and can serve as a potent chemopreventive agent to suppress oxidant induced tissue injury and carcinogenesis, in addition to being a cholesterol lowering and anti-atherogenic drug.
In this present study, adsorptive membranes for Cr(VI) ion removal were prepared by blending polyethersulfone (PES) with hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) nanoparticles (NPs). The effects of HFO NPs to PES weight ratio (0-1.5) on the physicochemical properties of the resultant HFO/PES adsorptive membranes were investigated with respect to the surface chemistry and roughness as well as structural morphologies using different analytical instruments. The adsorptive performance of the HFO NPs/PES membranes was studied via batch adsorption experiments under various conditions by varying solution pH, initial concentration of Cr(VI), and contact time. The results showed that the membrane made of HFO/PES at a weight ratio of 1.0 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity which is 13.5 mg/g. Isotherm and kinetic studies revealed that the mechanism is best fitted to the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model. For filtration of Cr(VI), the best promising membranes showed improved water flux (629.3 L/m2 h) with Cr(VI) ion removal of 75%. More importantly, the newly developed membrane maintained the Cr(VI) concentration below the maximum contamination level (MCL) for up to 9 h.
We synthesized 2-aminonicotinic acid (2-ANA) complexes with metals such as Co(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Ag(I),Cr(III), Cd(II) and Cu(II) in aqueous media. The complexes were characterized and elucidated using FT-IR, UV-Vis, a fluorescence spectrophotometer and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA data showed that the stoichiometry of complexes was 1:2 metal/ligand except for Ag(I) and Mn(II) where the ratio was 1:1. The metal complexes showed varied antibacterial, fungicidal and nematicidal activities. The silver and zinc complexes showed highest activity against Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis respectively. Fusarium oxysporum was highly susceptible to nickel and copper complexes whereas Macrophomina phaseolina was completely inert to the complexes. The silver and cadmium complexes were effective against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica.
The authors describe a method for solvent-free mechano-chemical synthesis of a bioinspired sorbent. A 2D ultra-thin carbon sheet similar to graphene oxide was prepared using a natural waste (onion sheet). The formation of 2D carbon sheets was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ATR-IR. The surface morphology was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution tunneling electron microscopy. The carbon sheets were decorated with crystalline MnFe2O4 nanoparticles by solid-state reaction at room temperature. The presence of magnetic particles in the final product was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometry and electron microscopy. The synergistic effect of carbon sheets and MnFe2O4 led to an enhanced sorption of arsenic species compared to bare carbon sheets or to MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. A column was prepared for the simultaneous preconcentration and determination of trace levels of As(III) and As(V) from water samples. The preconcentration factors are between 900 and 833 for As(III) and As(V) species, respectively. The linearity of the calibration plot ranges from 0.4-10 ng mL-1. The detection limits (at 3σ) for both As(III) and As(V) are 30 pg mL-1. The Student's t values for the analysis of spiked samples are lower than the critical Student's t values at a 95% confidence level. The recoveries from spiked water samples range between 99 and 102.8%. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the preparation of carbon sheets similar to graphene oxide from onion sheaths after pyrolysis at 800 °C. The prepared carbon sheet-MnFe2O4 composite shows excellent arsenic sorption and preconcentration down to the pg mL-1 concentration.
This study was designed to reveal the protective effects of dietary supplementation of curcumin against renal cell tumours and oxidative stress induced by renal carcinogen iron nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) in ddY male mice. The results showed that mice treated with a renal carcinogen, Fe-NTA, a 35% renal cell tumour incidence was noticed, whereas renal cell tumour occurrence was elevated to 80% in Fe-NTA promoted and N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated mice as compared with saline- treated mice. No incidence of tumours has been observed in DEN-initiated non-promoted mice. Diet complemented with 0.5% and 1.0% curcumin fed prior to, during and after treatment with Fe-NTA in DEN-initiated animals, tumour incidence was reduced dose-dependently to about 45% and 30% respectively. Immunohistochemical studies also revealed the increased formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified protein adducts and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in kidney tissue of mice treated with an intraperitoneal injection of Fe-NTA (6.0 mg Fe/kg body weight.). Furthermore, Fe-NTA treatment of mice also resulted in significant elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA), serum urea, and creatinine and decreases renal glutathione. However, the changes in most of these parameters were attenuated dose-dependently by prophylactic treatment of animals with 0.5% and 1% curcumin diet, this may be due to its antioxidative impact of curcumin. These results suggest that intake of curcumin is beneficial for the prevention of renal cell tumours and oxidative stress damage mediated by renal carcinogen, Fe-NTA.
Conducting polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in aqueous solution containing ferric sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3), anionic surfactants (sodium dodecylbenzene-sulfonate (NaDBS) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)), 1-pentanol as the oxidant, dopant and co-emulsifier, respectively. The polymerization was carried out at 0 ºC and 25 ºC. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and elemental analysis indicated that anionic surfactants were successfully incorporated into the PPy backbone. Incorporation of anionic surfactants caused enhanced electrical conductivity, increased yield, decreased the size of particles as well as improved the thermal stability of the resultant PPy. The presence of anionic surfactant seems to inhibit undesirable side reactions so as to improve the regularity of the PPy backbone. Globular PPy particles were obtained with diameter ranged from 40 to 118 nm as revealed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and conductivity of 7.89×10-4 –2.35×10-2 S cm-1, as measured using impedance analyzer. It was found that polymerization at low temperature (0 ºC) produced PPy particles with smaller size and higher conductivity. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-doped PPy (SDS-doped PPy) exhibited higher conductivity than that of the sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate-doped PPy (NaDBS-doped PPy), due to the bulkiness of NaDBS as compared to SDS.
A cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate if outpatient administration of in-travenous iron sucrose complex (Venofer) was a sensible option in treating iron defi-ciency anaemia during pregnancy and puerperium. A total of 120 patients with iron deficiency anaemia were recruited from the Obstetric Day Care Clinic at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) over 18 months from March 2003 to August 2004. The main outcome measures were haemoglobin increment, patients’ compliance, adverse effects and saving from hospitalization fees. The pre-treatment haemoglobin (Hb) level was 8.5+0.85g/dl for the antenatal patient and 7.6+0.80 g/dl in the post-partum group. The mean post-treatment haemoglobin increment at day four-teenth was 3.52+0.75g/dl. One patient developed skin rash while another had low-grade pyrexia. Seven patients experienced mild metallic taste. There were no serious side effects or anaphylactic reactions. Ten patients (8.3%) did not complete their ther-apy - eight delivered before completion of treatment; another two defaulted following delivery. The average number of Venofer used was seven ampoules i.e. 700mg per person, most of them required three sessions to complete the course. Outpatient treatment allows each patient to save hospitalization fees of RM45 per day, which to-talled up to RM135 for a 3-days ward stay. An estimation of RM16,200 hospitalization fees for the 120 patients was avoided during the study period. In conclusion, outpatient treatment of anaemia in pregnancy and post-partum period using Venofer was safe and feasible, with high patient compliant and cost-savings from hospitalization fees.
Study site: Obstetric Day Care Clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Surface modification of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) has been introduced with lauric acid and oleic acid via co-precipitation and thermal decomposition methods, respectively. This modification is required to increase the stability of SPIONs when incorporated in hydrophobic, biodegradable and biocompatible polymers such as poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). In this work, the solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion-solvent extraction/evaporation method was utilized to fabricate magnetic polymer microspheres incorporating SPIONs in PHBV. The prepared magnetic PHBV microspheres exhibited particle sizes <1 µm. The presence of functional groups of lauric acid, oleic acid and iron oxide in the PHBV microspheres was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to further confirm the success of the combination of modified SPIONs and PHBV. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that PHBV microspheres were incorporated with SPIONsLauric as compared with SPIONsOleic. This was also proven via magnetic susceptibility measurement as a higher value of this magnetic property was detected for PHBV/SPIONsLauric microspheres. It was revealed that the magnetic PHBV microspheres were non-toxic when assessed with mouse embryotic fibroblast cells (MEF) at different concentrations of microspheres. These results confirmed that the fabricated magnetic PHBV microspheres are potential candidates for use in biomedical applications.
Nanostructured hematite materials for advanced applications are conventionally prepared with the presence of additives, tainting its purity with remnants of copolymer surfactants, active chelating molecules, stabilizing agents, or co-precipitating salts. Thus, preparing nanostructured hematite via additive-free and green synthesis methods remains a huge hurdle. This study presents an environmentally friendly and facile synthesis of spherical nanostructured hematite (Sp-HNP) using rice starch-assisted synthesis. The physicochemical properties of the Sp-HNP were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DR UV-Vis), and nitrogen adsorption⁻desorption analysis. The Sp-HNP showed a well-crystallized structure of pure rhombohedral phase, having a spherical-shaped morphology from 24 to 48 nm, and a surface area of 20.04 m²/g. Moreover, the Sp-HNP exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye, owing to the large surface-to-volume ratio. The current work has provided a sustainable synthesis route to produce spherical nanostructured hematite without the use of any hazardous agents or toxic additives, in agreement with the principles of green chemistry for the degradation of dye contaminant.
The present work reports the successful synthesis of biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) with the use of non-toxic leaf extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The successful synthesis was confirmed by infrared spectra analysis with strong peak observed between 400-600 cm-1 that corresponds to magnetite nanoparticles characteristics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that iron oxide nanoparticles were of high purity with crystalline cubic structure phases in nature. Besides, the average size of magnetite nanoparticles was observed to be 9-12 nm with mostly irregular shapes using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and was supported by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Energy dispersive X-ray analysis shown that the elements iron (Fe) and oxygen (O) were present with atomic percentages of 33.29% and 66.71%, respectively. From the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis it was proven that the nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic properties with a magnetization value of 73 emu/g and the results showed superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, suggesting potential applications for a magnetic targeting drug delivery system.
Coal combustion and the disposal of combustion wastes emit enormous quantities of nano-sized particles that pose significant health concerns on exposure, particularly in unindustrialized countries. Samples of fresh and weathered class F fly ash were analysed through various techniques including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman Spectroscopy. The imaging techniques showed that the fresh and weathered coal fly ash nanoparticles (CFA-NPs) are mostly spherical shaped. The crystalline phases detected were quartz, mullite, ettringite, calcite, maghemite, hematite, gypsum, magnetite, clay residues, and sulphides. The most abundant crystalline phases were quartz mixed with Al-Fe-Si-K-Ti-O-amorphous phases whereas mullite was detected in several amorphous phases of Al, Fe, Ca, Si, O, K, Mg, Mn, and P. The analyses revealed that CFA-NPs are 5-500 nm in diameter and encapsulate several potentially hazardous elements (PHEs). The carbon species were detected as 5-50 nm carbon nanoballs of graphitic layers and massive fullerenes. Lastly, the aspects of health risks related to exposure to some detected ambient nanoparticles are also discussed.
The decoction of the whole plant of Elephantopus mollis Kunth. is traditionally consumed to treat various free radical-mediated diseases including cancer and diabetes.