Current Nanoscience - Volume 22, Issue 1, 2026

Echinococcus granulosus is the etiological agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE), a tropical disease that is widely distributed yet often overlooked. As a major zoonotic parasitic disease, it impacts both humans and animals. Given the lack of a viable vaccine, therapy remains the sole preventive option for CE. This systematic review aims to consolidate existing research on biosynthesized nanoparticles as potential drugs for treating hydatid cyst protoscoleces in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo.

This study was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive global search was performed without date restrictions up to October 15^th, 2024, using Google Scholar and six English-language databases, EMBASE, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, to gather all relevant articles. The keywords used in the search were “protoscolicidal”, “scolicidal”, “protoscolex”, “scolex”, “nanoparticle”, “nanomedicine”, “nanomaterial”, “green synthesis”, “biosynthesis”, “hydatid cyst”, “cystic echinococcosis”, and “Echinococcus granulosus”.

Out of the 2185 studies considered, this systematic review included twenty. Of these, thirteen (65%) were conducted in vitro, three (15%) were in vitro/ex vivo, two (10%) were in vivo, one (5%) was in vitro/ex vivo/in vivo, and one (5%) was in vitro/in vivo. The results indicated that metal nanoparticles, including silver, gold, zinc, copper, and selenium (n = 13, 65%), were the most commonly used biosynthesized nanoparticles in the study. Metal oxide nanoparticles, such as zinc oxide, copper oxide, nickel oxide, and silver-zinc oxide, were the next most frequent (n = 6, 30%). Lastly, a single study (n = 1, 5%) utilized polymeric nanoparticles, specifically chitosan-based ones.

This systematic review highlights the promising potential of biosynthesized nanoparticles as protoscolicidal agents against E. granulosus. The analysis of 20 studies revealed a predominant focus on metal nanoparticles, particularly silver, gold, zinc, copper, and selenium, which exhibited notable efficacy across in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo settings. The findings emphasize the necessity of exploring diverse nanoparticle types, such as metal oxides and polymeric nanoparticles, to enhance treatment strategies for this neglected zoonotic disease.

This study aimed to investigate the structural alterations of nanoparticles due to external forces. These forces, both direct and indirect, are crucial in changing the structures and characteristics of nanoparticles, which may have an impact on important variables and results.

The main focus of this study was on how researchers might modify the characteristics of nanoparticles by using a simple technique and adding precursor chemicals. The employed methodology, referred to as the simple bath method, made it easier to prepare and characterize composite nanoparticles using high-resolution TEM, XRD, SEM, and UV. To obtain important information, a comparative examination was carried out against standard market combinations.

This study explored the size and shape fluctuations of nanoparticles as identified by XRD and SEM investigations. Using Tauc plots for UV-vis spectroscopy, the refractive indices of the nanoparticles were calculated, and energy gaps, extinction coefficients, and dielectric constants were visualized. Moreover, ZnO nanoparticles were tested against Gram-positive (S pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus megaterium) and Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumonia, Shigella dysenteriae, ‘E-coli’) bacteria using an agar well diffusion process. Region reserve values (mm) were measured after twenty-four hours at thirty-seven degrees Celsius.

The common antibiotic amoxicillin (10 µg/disc) was used as a standard. The activity of IN, ISB, ISC, and ISN on bacteria and fungi was examined. It was found that ZnO nanoparticles exhibited antibacterial capabilities, such as ion release and rupture, as well as the generation of antibacterial properties of IN, ISB, ISC, and ISN. IN, where ZnO nanoparticles alone were evaluated directly to establish baseline activity; ISB, where Lawsonia inermis (henna) extract was combined with ZnO nanoparticles in a Petri dish under different substrates and conditions; ISC, where Lawsonia inermis extract with ZnO nanoparticles was combined in a concave dish and tested under varying substrates and conditions; and ISN, where Lawsonia inermis extract with ZnO nanoparticles was further doped with NaOH.

Identifying abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and its condition is crucial for providing better treatment before rupture. Since AAA is often asymptomatic, regular monitoring is necessary for elderly individuals to detect changes in the aorta.

Although imaging techniques are commonly used to diagnose AAA, they are expensive and can cause discomfort to patients. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein, and its concentration is highly correlated with the size of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter. It was found that patients with elevated CRP levels above 1.4 mg/mL had an AAA expansion rate of 4.8 mM, compared to 3.9 mM in those with levels below 1.4 mg/mL. In addition, CRP helps to identify AAA in asymptomatic patients. Compared to other biomarkers, CRP levels are useful in assessing the size of AAA.

Therefore, quantifying CRP levels aids in identifying and monitoring AAA size. This research focuses on developing a CRP biosensor on a zeolite-modified electrode with a silica substrate for diagnosing AAA. An anti-CRP aptamer serves as the capture molecule, while an anti-CRP antibody functions as the detection molecule. The aptamer is conjugated with gold nanoparticles and linked to the electrode via an amine-modified zeolite to enhance aptamer immobilization.

Using an aptamer-antibody sandwich assay, a detection limit of 1 pg/mL of CRP was achieved on this surface. Furthermore, CRP-spiked serum samples showed a noticeable increase in current responses, while control proteins and complementary aptamers failed to elevate the current level, indicating the selective and specific detection of CRP.

Biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was prepared by seed, fruit pulp crude methanolic extract of a medicinal plant Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrad exhibited the potential effect to inhibit the growth of the fungus (Scopulariopsis alboflavescens) isolated from the Juniper tree from Ziarat, Pakistan. The shape, size, specific surface area, charge, and composition of the silver nanoparticles were studied by UV-visible spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction technique, and atomic force microscopy.

UV-visible spectrum of AgNPs displayed the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at (427 nm), and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectrum revealed the possible presence of polyphenols and alkaloids involved in the synthesis, capping, and stabilizing of AgNPs. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed face centered cubic (FCC) shape of AgNPs. Atomic force microscopic (AFM) analysis showed poly dispersion of AgNPs with a size of 28.8 nm. The AgNPs exhibited a significant inhibitory zone of 22.5 mm against Scopulariopsis alboflavescens as compared to the standard with an inhibition zone of 7.5 mm at 1000 ppm, the biosynthesized AgNPs might be an effective strategy to control these pathogenic fungi and combat fungal diseases.

The findings focus on the efficiency of Cc-AgNPs against S. alboflavescens of plant-pathogenic fungus and support to develop new and more active therapeutic substitutes for fungus diseases.

Stem cell therapy has emerged as a highly active field of research due to the remarkable abilities of stem cells to renew themselves and differentiate into various types of cells when cultured. However, scientists have recently become more aware of the limitations of traditional 2D culture and stem cell culture media.

This study aims to create an alternative polymeric three-dimensional (3D) scaffold by utilizing the self-assembly process of a star-shaped amphiphilic copolymer (poly(caprolactone) and poly(ethylene oxide)) into nanofibers. These nanofibers closely resemble the native extracellular matrix in terms of scale and capability of replicating the extracellular microenvironment, enabling the observation and manipulation of stem cell functions.

The findings of this study indicate that polymeric nanofibers are highly effective as a 3D scaffold for the proliferation of mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs) while maintaining their stem cell characteristics.

These findings strongly suggest that the polymeric 3D scaffolds, in the form of nanofibers, not only support the growth and proliferation of stem cells but also preserve the pluripotency of mESCs.

There is a growing interest in plant extracts due to their natural origin and wide range of desirable features and benefits. These extracts are easily transferred to other media to explore their properties and usefulness using advanced technological approaches. Their encapsulation in a suitable polymer matrix and electrospinning can improve their bioavailability and maintain the required concentration release of bioactive compounds to the targeted medicinal site.

In this study, plant species Pelargonium alchemilloides (L) L’herit (PA) leaf extract was incorporated into the polyvinylpyrrolidone/cellulose acetate (PVP/CA) polymer blended matrix and characterized for their morphology, fiber diameter distribution, and structural changes. The antibacterial sensitivity of the nanofibers was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using agar diffusion and microdilution methods. GC-MS spectra revealed the active polyphenolic compounds confirmed using the functional groups in the FTIR spectra and complimented by the qualitative tests for the presence of various classes of organic bioactive compounds. The FTIR spectra revealed the dominance of the functional groups such as C-H, C=O, and COOH due to their significant shifts in their wave numbers, which demonstrated the interaction and presence of extract in the polymer matrix.

The nanofibers' SEM images showed smooth, uniform nanofibers with diameters decreasing with a slight increase in leaf extract concentration (306 to 288 nm). The presence of PA extract in the fibers promoted the antibacterial activity of nanofibers, as proven in the in vitro antibacterial test (inhibition of bacterial growth). The 5 wt% PA nanofibers showed optimal antibacterial efficacy, pioneering plant extract-based PVP/CA nanofiber mats with antibacterial activity.

The present work, thus, proves that the electrospinning technique is an effective strategy for the formation of antibacterial fibers for the biomedicine, pharmacy, and food industries.

In recent years, azo dyes have become the dominant choice in the textile industry, accounting for about 60-70% of all dyes used, which has led to growing environmental concerns.

This research focused on the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and methyl green (MG) dyes using a novel g-C3N4 (GCN)/polyaniline (PANI)/Ag composite under visible light.

This composite was synthesized through a straightforward preparation process and characterized by using various techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Characterization results confirmed the incorporation of PANI and Ag nanoparticles into the GCN matrix. This composite enhanced the visible light absorption and improved charge separation, leading to increased photocatalytic efficiency. Photocatalytic experiments were conducted under visible light irradiation with a catalyst dosage of 10 mg in a 10-ppm solution of the MO and MG dyes mixture.

The GCN/PANI/Ag composite achieved significant degradation efficiencies of 70% for MO and 69% for MG within 120 minutes. The degradation process followed first-order kinetics, with rate constants of 0.0087 min⁻¹ for MO and 0.0086 min⁻¹ for MG, respectively. Reusability tests showed that the composite retained over 60% of its initial efficiency after five cycles. These findings highlight the potential of the GCN/PANI/Ag composite as a sustainable and effective photocatalyst for visible-light-driven dye degradation, offering an eco-friendly approach to wastewater treatment.