Chemistry

Plant-based nanoparticles fight bacteria, cancer cells, and disease virulence

How the science connects

NanoparticleGreen chemistry

AI Insight

Researchers successfully synthesized nickel-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles using an environmentally friendly green chemistry approach with Salvia hispanica (chia) seed extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The resulting Ni-doped ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, anticancer properties against cancer cell lines, and anti-virulence effects that reduced bacterial pathogenicity factors. The green synthesis method offers advantages over conventional chemical approaches by being non-toxic, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.


This research provides a sustainable alternative for producing nanomaterials with potential medical applications, particularly in developing antibacterial agents to combat drug-resistant infections and exploring new anticancer therapies. The anti-virulence activity is especially promising as it could lead to treatments that disarm pathogens without killing them, potentially reducing the development of antimicrobial resistance.


Source: Green synthesis of Ni-doped ZnO nanoparticles using Salvia hispanica and their antibacterial, anticancer and anti-virulence activities