Methods: In the current study, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles utilizing pea (Pisum sativum) peels and their evaluation against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens has been proposed. Pea peels were extracted and analyzed for antioxidant potential by non-enzymatic DPPH assay. The extract was used to prepare silver nanoparticles (gAgNPs) characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy, SEM, FTIR, and zeta sizer, and evaluated for antibacterial activity.

Results: The SEM showed that the gAgNPs were spherical with a size of 59.24 nm ± 0.3, and the zeta sizer gave a PDI of 0.2. As adjuvants, these gAgNPs in combination with vancomycin showed a superior antibacterial activity against vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (zone of inhibition= 66 mm ± 0.41) and vancomycin-resistant P. aeruginosa (35 mm ± 1.41) as compared to vancomycin. Hemolysis was IC50= 998.44 μg/mL, creating a therapeutic window for IC50 =5 μg/mL, effective against human pathogens.

Conclusion: This study suggests these gAgNPs could be a good lead to work as adjuvants with vancomycin against vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical bacteria and thus warrants further studies.

Method: CS/5-FU NPs were synthesized using a special fluidic system. Encapsulation efficiency [EE], loading capacity [LC], and the drug release profile of the particles were determined. scFv fragments were produced recombinantly and tailored on the surface of CS/5-FU NPs. The physicochemical features of scFv-CS/5-FU NPs were also characterized. MTT and flow cytometry assay investigated the toxicity effect of scFv-CS/5-FU NPs on the HCT116 cell line.

Results: CS/5-FU NPs had a homogenous spherical shape. They possessed sustainable drugrelease behavior. The produced scFv-CS/5-FU NPs were also spherical. scFv-CS/5-FU NPs significantly decreased the viability of cancerous cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis in 97.97% of targeted cells.

Conclusion: scFv-CS/5-FU NPs showed remarkable anti-CRC activity. This novel targeting delivery system reduced the effective dose of 5-FU which is of vital importance to decrease the devastating side effects of chemotherapy.]]> https://www.benthamscience.com/article/1455242025-11-27 Introduction: Iron oxide nanozyme was synthesized from the fruit peel extract of pomegranate, which served as a reducing agent during the green synthesis. The scavenging of reactive oxygen species is often accompanied by immunomodulation following antiproliferative effects due to the crosstalk between the proteins involved in the inter-related signaling pathways.

Method: In the current study, the green synthesized nanozyme was studied for its ability to induce apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines. The free radical scavenging effect of the nanozyme was reflected as an extension of its intrinsic endogenous enzyme-mimicking property.

Result & Discussion: The cell cycle analysis revealed that the cell death induced by nanozyme mainly affected the G0/G1 phase. The expression of RelA/p65 and the inflammatory mediators affected by the nanozyme established the role of the Fe3O4 nanozyme in immunomodulation along with its antiproliferative activity.

Conclusion: This is the first report on the antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities expressed by the biomimetic iron oxide nanozyme.]]> https://www.benthamscience.com/article/1485352025-11-27Background: The inherent limitation of ocular dosage forms is decreased precorneal residence time which affects the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

Objective: The objective of the current research was to sustain drug release and enhance precorneal drug residence time by formulating lipidic core-shell nanoparticles of Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate and loading them in ion-sensitive in situ gel for corneal neovascularization.

Methods: Polymeric nanoparticles were formulated using Eudragit L100-55 and PVA by twostep solvent diffusión nanoprecipitation method and coated by a lipidic film of Soya phosphatidylcholine with Cholesterol. The optimized lipidic core-shell nanoparticles were transformed into in situ gel using Gellan gum. The lipidic core-shell nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, in vitro reléase and in situ gel was evaluated for in vitro gelling time, pH, drug content, HETCAM studies, etc

Results: The Core-shell lipid nanoparticles exhibited a particle size of 368.00±0.54 nm and zeta potential -13.3±2.0 mV respectively. The lipidic core-shell nanoparticles were found to show a sustained drug release when compared to the drug solution. The optimized in situ gel was found to show a gelation time of 39.59±2.49 seconds and was found to be non-irritant.

Conclusion: A decline in ex vivo drug permeation was observed through an aqueous suspension of core-shell polymeric nanoparticles and core-shell LPN loaded in situ gel thus confirming sustained release for the drug Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate.

Method: The effect of curcumin on beta-amyloid peptide dimers was studied using molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory. The simulations were conducted both in the presence and absence of carbon nanotubes to assess their influence on curcumin's activity and the structural stability of the peptide.

Results: The presence of curcumin and carbon nanotubes induced relative instability in betaamyloid dimers. Curcumin exhibited stronger interactions with the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the peptide than with the middle section. It also reduced the toxicity of the peptide by particularly affecting the salt bridge and the arrangement of Phe19, Ile31, and Leu34 residues. Carbon nanotubes mitigated curcumin's effects on the peptide, altering curcumin's behavior by reducing its activity but increasing its solvation energy.

Conclusion: Curcumin plays a significant role in destabilizing beta-amyloid dimers and reducing their toxicity, with its effect being modulated by the presence of carbon nanotubes. This dual influence highlights the potential of using curcumin, alongside nanomaterials, in therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Other: The study provides valuable insights into the molecular interactions between curcumin, beta-amyloid peptides, and carbon nanotubes. These findings can contribute to the development of more effective treatments targeting amyloid-related toxicity in neurodegenerative conditions.]]> https://www.benthamscience.com/article/1498642025-11-27Introduction: Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune condition affecting lacrimal and salivary glands. While previous studies suggest potential associations between dyslipidemia and autoimmune diseases, the causal relationship between lipid-lowering medications and pSS remains unclear.

Methods: This study employed drug-targeted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess the impact of lipid-lowering drugs on pSS risk, focusing on genetic targets including HMGCR, PCSK9, NPC1L1, APOB, CETP, and LDLR. Data were sourced from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium and UK Biobank. Significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked to LDL cholesterol were utilized as instrumental variables. Causal effects were estimated using Inverse Variance Weighted, Weighted Median, MR Egger, Simple Mode, and Weighted Mode methods. Robustness was ensured through heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses.

Results: The inhibition of HMGCR and CETP genes was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of developing pSS (HMGCR: OR = 3.602, 95% CI [1.051, 12.344], p = 0.041; CETP: OR = 12.251, 95% CI [2.599, 57.743], p = 0.002).

Discussion: HMGCR and CETP may affect pSS risk via non-lipid pathways, suggesting distinct mechanisms among different lipid-lowering drug targets.

Conclusion: This study provides compelling evidence suggesting that lipid-lowering drugs may contribute to the risk of pSS, thus offering new insights for clinical intervention strategies.