A novel facile synthesis of metal nitride@metal oxide (BN/Gd2O3) nanocomposite and their antibacterial and anticancer activities

Abstract

In this study, a novel core/shell nanocomposite structure (h-BN@Gd2O3 NCs) was created for the first time by combining hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with doped gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) using different laser pulse numbers, i.e., 150, 338, and 772 pulses. We employed various analytical techniques, including mapping analysis, FE-SEM, EDS, HRTEM, SAED, XRD, zeta potential analysis, DLS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and PL measurements, to characterize the synthesized h-BN, c-Gd2O3, and h-BN@Gd2O3 NCs (338 pulses). XRD results indicated hexagonal and cubic crystal structures for BN and Gd2O3, respectively, while EDS confirmed their chemical composition and elemental mapping. Chemical bonds between B–N–Gd, B–N–O, and Gd–O bands at 412, 455, 474, and 520 cm−1 were identified by FTIR analysis. The antimicrobial and anticancer activities of these NCs using agar well diffusion and MTT assays. They exhibited potent antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Furthermore, NCs have reduced the proliferation of cancerous cells, i.e., human colon adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29) and human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), while not affecting the proliferation of the normal breast cell line (MCF-10). The anticancer efficacy of NCs was validated by the AO/EtBr assay, which confirmed apoptotic cell death. Blood compatibility on human erythrocytes was also confirmed by hemolytic and in vitro toxicity assessments. The compiled results of the study proposed these nanoparticles could be used as a promising drug delivery system and potentially in healthcare applications.

Surface Modification Strategies for Chrysin-Loaded Iron Oxide Nanoparticles to Boost Their Anti-Tumor Efficacy in Human Colon Carcinoma Cells

“…Interestingly, both PEG and chitosan-coated NPs exhibited a statistically significant anti-cancer effect, even in the absence of the anti-cancer drug chrysin, when compared to the negative control. The selective cytotoxicity of iron oxide NPs in cancer cells compared to normal cells is a known phenomenon, underscoring the importance of conducting further investigations to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms [56]. The mechanisms being studied extensively in this context include the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and the stimulation of magnetic hyperthermia in tumor tissues [57].…”

Precision in cancer diagnostics: ultra-sensitive detection of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by gold nanostructure-enhanced electrochemical biosensing

“…Cancer is a serious health concern that requires immediate attention, as it is the leading cause of death worldwide. 1 Breast cancer, in particular, continues to be a significant cause of mortality globally. 2 For the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, early screening, understanding disease progression mechanisms, and predicting treatment prognosis rely on rapid analysis and detection of tumor cells and their biomarkers.…”