Search Results (125)

Cancer remains a severe global health threat, with traditional therapies often plagued by limited efficacy and significant side effects. The emergence of nanotechnology, particularly metal-doped nanomaterials, offers a promising avenue for integrating diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single platform, enabling a theranostic approach to oncology. This article explores the design and application of various metal-doped nanosystems, including gadolinium-doped selenium molybdenum nanosheets for magnetic resonance/photoacoustic dual-mode imaging and photothermal therapy, and metal-doped hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles that leverage the tumor’s acidic microenvironment to release ions for catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species. Despite their promise, the limited enzyme-like activity of some nanozymes, insufficient endogenous hydrogen peroxide in tumors, and the tumor microenvironment’s defensive mechanisms, such as high glutathione levels, can restrict therapeutic efficacy. Looking forward, the outlook for the field is contingent upon advancing material engineering strategies. Future research should prioritize the development of intelligent, multifunctional nanoplatforms that can dynamically respond to and remodel the tumor microenvironment. Innovations in surface modification for enhanced targeting, alongside rigorous preclinical studies focused on safety and standardized manufacturing, are crucial for bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical application, ultimately paving the way for personalized cancer medicine. Full article

Aromatic amines such as 3-chloroaniline (3-CA) are toxic, persistent, and environmentally relevant water contaminants. Their reliable determination in aqueous systems has therefore become increasingly important. The monitoring of trace levels of these pollutants in complex water matrices typically necessitates a preconcentration step, most achieved via solid-phase extraction (SPE). However, conventional SPE sorbents often suffer from limited surface reactivity and slow adsorption kinetics, which compromise their performance at ultra-low concentrations. In contrast, nanomaterials offer a promising upgrade due to their high surface area, tunable chemistry, and rapid mass transfer behavior. In this work, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized via a green sol–gel route from sodium silicate precursor using polyethylene glycol template and then chemically functionalized with bisphenol A (BPA) to produce BPA-MSNs with π-rich and hydrogen-bonding active sites. Characterization using XRD, BET, FTIR, SEM/EDX, and TGA confirmed the successful synthesis and surface modification of the nanosorbent. BPA-MSNs achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 30.2 mg/g toward 3-CA, fitting Langmuir and Jovanovic isotherm models. Kinetic analysis followed a pseudo-first-order model, indicating physisorption enhanced by π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding. The optimized dispersive SPE (D-SPE) method allowed a low detection limit (LOD = 0.016 mg/L), recovery of 73–85%, and precision below 5.3% RSD in tap, bottled, synthetic municipal wastewater and groundwater samples. The sorbent retained >90% efficiency over five reuse cycles, demonstrating strong potential as a reusable nanosorbent for preconcentration and remediation of aromatic amines in and treatment water analysis. Full article

The escalating threat of antibiotic resistance has prompted the search for alternative antibacterial therapies. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), which utilizes light-activated photosensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), offers a promising, non-invasive approach. The aim of this review is to analyze recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated aPDT and synthesize crucial design principles necessary to overcome the current translational barriers, thereby establishing a roadmap for future clinically applicable antimicrobial treatments. Emerging nanoparticle platforms, including upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs), carbon dots (CDs), mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), liposomes, and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), have demonstrated improved photosensitizer delivery, enhanced ROS generation, biofilm disruption, and targeted bacterial eradication. Synergistic effects are observed when aPDT is integrated with photothermal, chemodynamic, or immunotherapeutic approaches. The review further examines the mechanisms of action, biocompatibility, and antibacterial performance of these nanoparticle systems, particularly against drug-resistant strains and in challenging environments such as chronic wounds. Overall, nanomaterial-mediated aPDT presents a highly promising and versatile solution to antimicrobial resistance. Future perspectives include the integration of artificial intelligence to personalize aPDT by predicting optimal light dosage and nanoplatform design based on patient-specific data, rigorous clinical validation through trials, and the development of safer, more efficient nanoparticle platforms. Full article

In recent years the global market of nanomedicine has experienced incredible growth owing to the advances in the field. This translation of the technique to the biomedical industry requires the development of production methods that deliver nanomedicines with a high degree of reproducibility between batches, combined with cost and time efficiency. The use of nanoparticles in medicine usually requires their surface functionalization to improve biocompatibility in addition to providing targeting capacities and/or stimuli-responsive behavior, among other interesting skills. Microfluidic technology has revolutionized the field both in nanomedicine synthesis and in preclinical evaluation. However, microfluidic-assisted synthetic procedures commonly require high-cost methods and equipment to fabricate the microreactors. The aim of this work is to present an ultra-low-cost microfluidic platform that permits the versatile modification of nanomaterials. To prove this approach, two different model nanoparticles with different natures: soft nanoparticles (liposomes) and rigid nanoparticles (mesoporous silica) have been decorated both with small molecules and with other nanoparticles, respectively, in order to evaluate the scope of this approach. The anchoring of the covalently attached elements has been performed using click chemistry, in compliance with the principles for further transfer to the drug industry. Full article

Among the many nanomaterials studied for biomedical uses, silica and gold nanoparticles have gained significant attention because of their unique physical and chemical properties and their compatibility with living tissues. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have great stability and a large surface area, while gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) display remarkable optical features. Both types of nanoparticles have been widely researched for their individual roles in drug delivery, imaging, biosensing, and therapy. When combined with gadolinium (Gd), a common contrast agent, these nanostructures provide improved imaging due to gadolinium’s strong paramagnetic properties. This study focuses on incorporating gold nanoparticles and gadolinium into a silica matrix to develop a theranostic system. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposites, including infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and neutron activation analysis (NAA). Techniques like XRF mapping, XANES, nitrogen adsorption, SEM, and VSM were crucial in confirming the presence of gadolinium and gold within the silica network. VSM and EPR analyses confirmed the attenuation of the saturation magnetization for all nanocomposites. This validates their potential for biomedical applications in diagnostics. Moreover, activating gold nanoparticles in a nuclear reactor generated a promising radioisotope for cancer treatment. These results indicate the potential of using a theranostic nanoplatform that employs mesoporous silica as a carrier, gold nanoparticles for radioisotopes, and gadolinium for imaging purposes. Full article

Tailored mesoporous silicate nanomaterials have attracted significant interest due to their exceptional surface properties, including high interfacial toughness, tunable thickness, customizable topology, optical transparency, and adjustable hydrophobicity. These characteristics enable them to exhibit a wide range of functional behaviors, such as antibacterial, anti-fouling, anti-fogging, lubricating, and abrasion-resistant properties, to name just a few. With recent advances in surface-modified nanosystems for bioengineering and biomedical applications, silica-based nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates owing to their ease of surface functionalization, bioactivity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioavailability. Consequently, they have been widely explored in various therapeutic contexts. This review provides a concise and concentrated summary of recent advances and applications of tailored mesoporous silicate nanomaterials in regenerative medicine and theranostics, with the primary focus being on how endogenous or exogenous triggers can be leveraged to achieve selective and precise delivery of various biomolecules and active therapeutics across diverse cellular environments, by harnessing the intrinsic properties of mesoporous silicate nanoparticles. This focus also guided the selection of specific examples provided to highlight their wide range of applications, with the report concluding with some perspectives and remaining challenges. Full article

Antioxidant nanomaterials, particularly mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) functionalized with polyphenols, offer innovative solutions for protecting oxidation-sensitive components and enhancing bioavailability in pharmaceuticals or extending the shelf life of nutraceutical and food products. This study investigates the influence of MSNs functionalized with caffeic acid (MSN-CAF) on powder flow properties and their tableting performance. Aminated MSNs were synthesized via co-condensation and conjugated with caffeic acid using EDC/NHS chemistry. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH^●, ABTS^●+, ORAC, and FRAP assays. Powder blends with varying MSN-CAF concentrations (10–70%) were characterized for flow properties (angle of repose, Hausner ratio, Carr’s index), tablets were produced via direct compression, and critical quality attributes (weight uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration, nanoparticle release) were assessed. MSN-CAF exhibited reduced antioxidant capacity compared with free caffeic acid due to pore entrapment but retained significant activity. Formulation F1 (10% MSN-CAF) showed excellent flowability (angle of repose: 12°, Hausner ratio: 1.16, Carr’s index: 14%), enabling robust tablet production with rapid disintegration, low friability, and complete nanoparticle release in 10 min. Additionally, the antioxidant nanomaterial demonstrated biocompatibility with the HepG2 cell line. MSN-CAF is a versatile nanoexcipient for direct compression tablets, offering potential as an active packaging agent and delivery system in the nutraceutical and food industries. Full article

Developments of nanostructured materials have a significant impact in various areas, such as energy technology and biomedical use. Examples include solar cells, energy management, environmental control, bioprobes, tissue engineering, biological marking, cancer diagnosis, therapy, and drug delivery. Currently, researchers are designing multifunctional nanodrugs that combine in vivo imaging (using fluorescent nanomaterials) with targeted drug delivery, aiming to maximize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing toxicity. These fascinating nanoscale “magic bullets” should be available in the near future. Inorganic nanovehicles are flexible carriers to deliver drugs to their biological targets. Most commonly, mesoporous nanostructured silica, carbon nanotubes, gold, and iron oxide nanoparticles have been thoroughly studied in recent years. Opposite to polymeric and lipid nanostructured materials, inorganic nanomaterial drug carriers are unique because they have shown astonishing theranostic (therapy and diagnostics) effects, expressing an undeniable part of future use in medicine. This review summarizes research from development to the most recent discoveries in the field of nanostructured materials and their applications in drug delivery, including promising metal-based complexes, platinum, palladium, ruthenium, titanium, and tin, to tumor cells and possible use in theranostics. Full article

This study aims to delve into the application potential of immobilized lipases in the catalytic synthesis of isoamyl acetate. Through a comparative analysis of various immobilization methods, including physical adsorption, encapsulation, covalent binding, and crosslinking, along with the utilization of nanomaterials, such as magnetic nanoparticles, mesoporous silica SBA-15, and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as carriers, the study systematically evaluates their enhancing effects on lipase catalytic performance. Additionally, solvent engineering strategies, encompassing the introduction of organic solvents, supercritical fluids, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents, are employed to intensify the enzymatic catalytic process. These approaches effectively improve mass transfer efficiency, activate enzyme molecules, and safeguard enzyme structural stability, thereby significantly elevating the synthesis efficiency and yield of isoamyl acetate. Consequently, this research provides solid scientific rationale and technical support for the industrial production of flavor ester compounds. Full article

Chronic wound healing remains a major challenge in diabetes management due to prolonged inflammation, autonomic neuropathy, and bacterial infections. In particular, multidrug-resistant bacterial infections are important to the development of diabetic wounds, leading to persistent inflammation and delayed healing. To address this issue, we developed a self-adaptive nanozyme designed to modulate infectious and inflammatory microenvironments by doping Ce and Ag into mesoporous silicon nanomaterials (MSNs). The resulting CA@MSNs exhibited strong bacterial capture capabilities via electrostatic attraction. Additionally, the synergistic effects of Ce and Ag endowed CA@MSNs with peroxidase (POD)-like activity, enabling the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to eradicate bacteria in infectious microenvironments. Notably, CA@MSNs also demonstrated the ability to scavenge a broad spectrum of ROS, including hydroxyl free radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide radicals, in inflammatory microenvironments. This dual functionality helped mitigate inflammation and promote endothelial cell migration. Consequently, treatment with CA@MSNs significantly reduced inflammation, enhanced fibroblast activation, and facilitated collagen deposition, ultimately accelerating the healing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected wounds in diabetic mice. In conclusion, this study presents a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic diabetic wounds, offering a novel approach to overcoming infection-related healing delays. Full article

The application of nanotechnology offers a promising solution to improve fertilizer utilization efficiency by mitigating the losses and volatilization of conventional fertilizers, contributing to sustainable agriculture. In this study, a core–shell nanocarbon-based slow-release foliar fertilizer (CN@mSiO₂-NH₂@Urea@PDA) was synthesized using nanocarbon (CN) as the core, amino-functionalized mesoporous silica (mSiO₂-NH₂) as the shell, and polydopamine (PDA) as the coating layer. BET analysis revealed a 3.5-fold and 1.9-fold reduction in material porosity after PDA encapsulation, confirming successful synthesis. The controlled-release performance was enhanced, with a 24% decrease in the release rate and a prolonged nutrient delivery duration. Hydrophobicity tests demonstrated a 20° increase in the contact angle, indicating improved adhesion. Seed germination assays validated biosafety, while field trials showed a 69.94% increase in the choy sum (Brassica rapa) yield, 21.64% higher nitrogen utilization efficiency, and 22.21% reduced nitrogen loss. The foliar application increased the plant nitrogen use efficiency by 18.37%. These findings highlight the potential of CN@mSiO₂-NH₂@Urea@PDA as an advanced foliar fertilizer, providing a strategic approach to promote nanomaterial applications in agriculture and enhance the acceptance of functional fertilizers among farmers. Full article

Sheath blight (ShB), caused by the necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani, is one of the most serious rice diseases worldwide. In this study, we successfully grafted salicylic acid (SA) onto mesoporous silica nanoparticles through an amide-bond coupling method, forming functionalized MSN-SA nanoparticles. Physicochemical characterization showed that the MSN-SA nanoparticles were spherical, with an average particle size of approximately 30 nm and an SA loading rate of around 7.21%. The assessment of ShB resistance revealed that both SA and MSN-OH treatments were capable of inducing resistance to a certain extent. When SA and MSN-OH were applied in combination, the resistance was further augmented, indicating an additive effect between them. Intriguingly, MSN-SA treatment (50% in Lemont) exhibited a higher and more durable control efficacy compared with SA + MSN-OH treatment (33%). Moreover, field experiments demonstrated that the MSN-SA was safe for rice, and under severe disease conditions, it could recover 16.7% of the yield loss, thus highlighting its substantial application value. Further transcriptome analysis and physicochemical assays suggested that MSN-SA released SA in a slow and continuous manner, thus persistently activating the immune response, and that MSN-SA integrated the effects of SA and MSN-OH, thereby enhancing the ShB resistance. Altogether, our results provide new perspectives and a novel nanomaterial-based immune elicitor for the green control of ShB. Full article

Due to their biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and surface conjugation properties, nanomaterials are effective nanocarriers capable of encapsulating chemotherapeutic drugs and facilitating targeted delivery across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Although research on nanoparticles for brain cancer treatment is still in its early stages, these systems hold great potential to revolutionize drug delivery. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common and lethal brain tumors, and its heterogeneous and aggressive nature complicates current treatments, which primarily rely on surgery. One of the significant obstacles to effective treatment is the poor penetration of drugs across the BBB. Moreover, GBM is often referred to as a “cold” tumor, characterized by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and minimal immune cell infiltration, which limits the effectiveness of immunotherapies. Therefore, developing novel, more effective treatments is critical to improving the survival rate of GBM patients. Current strategies for enhancing treatment outcomes focus on the controlled, targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to GBM cells across the BBB using nanoparticles. These therapies must be designed to engage specialized transport systems, allowing for efficient BBB penetration, improved therapeutic efficacy, and reduced systemic toxicity and drug degradation. Lipid and inorganic nanoparticles can enhance brain delivery while minimizing side effects. These formulations may include epitopes—small antigen fragments that bind directly to free antibodies, B cell receptors, or T cell receptors—that interact with transport systems and enable BBB crossing, thereby boosting therapeutic efficacy. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs), such as liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), are among the most promising delivery systems due to their unique properties, including their size, surface modification capabilities, and proven biosafety. Additionally, inorganic nanoparticles such as gold nanoparticles, mesoporous silica, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, and dendrimers offer promising alternatives. Inorganic nanoparticles (INPs) can be easily engineered, and their surfaces can be modified with various elements or biological ligands to enhance BBB penetration, targeted delivery, and biocompatibility. Strategies such as surface engineering and functionalization have been employed to ensure biocompatibility and reduce cytotoxicity, making these nanoparticles safer for clinical applications. The use of INPs in GBM treatment has shown promise in improving the efficacy of traditional therapies like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and gene therapy, as well as advancing newer treatment strategies, including immunotherapy, photothermal and photodynamic therapies, and magnetic hyperthermia. This article reviews the latest research on lipid and inorganic nanoparticles in treating GBM, focusing on active and passive targeting approaches. Full article

Nanomaterials have attracted significant attention as signal reporters for immunoassays. They can directly generate detectable signals or release a large number of signaling elements for readout. Among various nanolabels, nanomaterials composed of multiple signaling molecules have shown great potential in immunoassays. Generally, signaling molecules can be entrapped in nanocontainers or self-assemble into nanostructures for signal amplification. In this review, we summarize the advances of signaling molecules-entrapped or assembled nanomaterials for colorimetric and fluorescence immunoassays. The nanocontainers cover liposomes, polymers, mesoporous silica, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), various nanosheets, nanoflowers or nanocages, etc. Signaling molecules mainly refer to visible and/or fluorescent organic dyes. The design and application of immunoassays are emphasized from the perspective of nanocontainers, analytes, and analytical performances. In addition, the future challenges and research trends for the preparation of signaling molecules-entrapped or assembled nanolabels are briefly discussed. Full article