Current advancements in nanotechnology and nanoscience have resulted in new nanomaterials, which may pose health and environmental risks. Furthermore, several researchers are working to optimize ecologically friendly procedures for creating metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. The primary goal is to decrease the adverse effects of synthetic processes, their accompanying chemicals, and the resulting complexes. Utilizing various biomaterials for nanoparticle preparation is a beneficial approach in green nanotechnology. Furthermore, using the biological qualities of nature through a variety of activities is an excellent way to achieve this goal. Algae, plants, bacteria, and fungus have been employed to make energy-efficient, low-cost, and nontoxic metallic nanoparticles in the last few decades. Despite the environmental advantages of using green chemistry-based biological synthesis over traditional methods as discussed in this article, there are some unresolved issues such as particle size and shape consistency, reproducibility of the synthesis process, and understanding of the mechanisms involved in producing metallic nanoparticles via biological entities. Consequently, there is a need for further research to analyze and comprehend the real biological synthesis-dependent processes. This is currently an untapped hot research topic that required more investment to properly leverage the green manufacturing of metallic nanoparticles through living entities. The review covers such green methods of synthesizing nanoparticles and their utilization in the scientific world.
Background: ATP-binding cassette super family G2 protein is an active ATP-binding cassette transporter with potential to combat cancer stem cells. Objective: Due to the lack of potential ATP-binding cassette super family G2 inhibitors we screened natural inhibitors, which could be safe source to control multidrug resistance by blocking the regulation of ATP-binding cassette super family G2 protein. Method: Three-dimensional structure of ATP-binding cassette super family G2 protein downloaded from the protein databank and chemical structures of selected 166 compounds of the training dataset retrieved from PubChem. Drug-likeness and docking analysis shortlisted the dataset for pharmacophore generation. LigandScout 4.1.5 used for pharmacophore-based screening of Zbc library of ZINC database and Autodock Vina utilized for molecular docking against the predicted active pocket of the target protein to evaluate potential association of protein and ligands. Physiochemical properties of novel compounds calculated by admetSAR respectively. Results: Through pharmacophore-based screening, ZINC4098704 (Rhein) was identified as a lead compound which demonstrates least binding energy (-8.5) and highest binding affinity with the target protein and showed optimal physiochemical profile. This compound is highly recommended for laboratory test to confirm its activity as ATP-binding cassette super family G2 inhibitors. Conclusion: Our computer-based study systematically selected natural lead compound, which could be effective in inhibiting ATP-binding cassette super family G2 and may be helpful in reversing the effect of multidrug resistance in order to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in cancer treatment.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Reports of new variants that potentially increase virulence and viral transmission, as well as reduce the efficacy of available vaccines, have recently emerged. In this study, we computationally analyzed the N439K, S477 N, and T478K variants for their ability to bind Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). We used the protein-protein docking approach to explore whether the three variants displayed a higher binding affinity to the ACE2 receptor than the wild type. We found that these variants alter the hydrogen bonding network and the cluster of interactions. Additional salt bridges, hydrogen bonds, and a high number of non-bonded contacts (i.e., non-bonded interactions between atoms in the same molecule and those in other molecules) were observed only in the mutant complexes, allowing efficient binding to the ACE2 receptor. Furthermore, we used a 2.0-μs all-atoms simulation approach to detect differences in the structural dynamic features of the resulting protein complexes. Our findings revealed that the mutant complexes possessed stable dynamics, consistent with the global trend of mutations yielding variants with improved stability and enhanced affinity. Binding energy calculations based on molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) further revealed that electrostatic interactions principally increased net binding energies. The stability and binding energies of N439K, S477 N, and T478K variants were enhanced compared to the wild-type-ACE2 complex. The net binding energy of the systems was −31.86 kcal/mol for the wild-type-ACE2 complex, −67.85 kcal/mol for N439K, −69.82 kcal/mol for S477 N, and −69.64 kcal/mol for T478K. The current study provides a basis for exploring the enhanced binding abilities and structural features of SARS-CoV-2 variants to design novel therapeutics against the virus.
Clonal propagation is a process of asexually reproducing plants by multiplication of one copy to produce several copies that are genetically identical. One of the best methods of clonal propagation is using the cuttings. There are many plants that can be propagated through cuttings and one of them is guava. Guava is popular in Pakistan. To ensure that a guava tree will produce fruits that belong to its original cultivar, this study was conducted. Softwood cuttings of guava were treated with IBA (1600 ppm and 2000 ppm), NAA (7000 ppm and 10,000 ppm) and IBA+NAA (1600+7000 ppm and 2000+10,000 ppm). There were five media used (Soil, Peatmoss+Soil, Sand+Soil, Baggasse+Soil and Soil+Peatmoss+Sand+Bagasse. The experiment was laid out using Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with two-factor factorial arrangement. A total of 105 cuttings were used, each with 12 cm length and with 2-4 nodes. Media samples were collected and physio-chemically analyzed at the Soil and Water Testing Laboratory in Layyah, Pakistan to assess the properties and fertility status. Guava cuttings with 1600 ppm IBA showed the best results in terms of the number of roots, root length and days to sprout, followed by 7000 ppm NAA in Peat moss+soil and soil+peat mass+sand+bagasse. For the combination of growth regulators, the best results were observed in IBA 1600 ppm + NAA 7000 ppm. Poorest result in all parameters (days to sprout, number of roots, and root length) was recorded in control. The 1600 ppm IBA with 10 second dipping time for softwood cuttings of guava yielded best results in peatmoss+soil media for all the parameters tested. Hence, this study concluded that treatment with auxin (such as IBA) can yield best results and can help to solve the problem in propagating guava using cuttings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.