Bioactive Hybrids Containing Artificial Cell Membranes and Phyto-Gold-Silver Chloride Bio-Nanoparticles

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Nov 6;25(22):11929. doi: 10.3390/ijms252211929.

Abstract

This research targets the need for eco-friendly strategies in the synthesis of bioactive materials, addressing the importance of valorization of vegetal waste. This study focuses on developing biohybrids containing biomimetic lipid vesicles and phytosynthesized gold-silver chloride nanoparticles (AuAgCl NPs) derived from Achillea millefolium L. extract. By leveraging the natural antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the plant, the research proposes a sustainable approach to creating materials with potential biomedical applications. The biomimetic membranes were loaded with chlorophyll a, a natural spectral marker. Three types of bioactive materials (biohybrids) were developed by varying the lipid vesicle/AuAgCl NP ratio. Optical (UV-Vis, fluorescence emission, FTIR), structural (XRD), elemental (EDX, XPS), and morphological (TEM) studies were performed to characterize the bio-developed materials. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic characteristics of the samples were investigated by measuring the water contact angle, and their size was estimated by DLS and TEM. Zeta potential measurements were used to evaluate the physical stability of phyto-developed particles. Antioxidant properties of phyto-particles were investigated through the chemiluminescence technique. The obtained biomaterials exhibited high antioxidant activity and antiproliferative activity against HT-29 and B-16 cancer cells. Therapeutic index values were calculated for each biohybrid. Additionally, the bio-prepared hybrids revealed biocidal action against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The phyto-developed biomaterials are promising in biomedical applications, particularly as adjuvants in cancer therapy.

Keywords: Achillea millefolium L.; antioxidant activity; antimicrobial properties; antiproliferative activity; gold–silver chloride nanoparticles; phytosynthesis.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Silver Compounds* / chemistry
  • Silver Compounds* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Gold
  • silver chloride
  • Silver Compounds
  • Antioxidants
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Plant Extracts
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents

Grants and funding

This scientific research work was supported by the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitization, CNCS—UEFISCDI, project PN 23280501/2023. This work was also supported by a grant from the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitization, “Nucleu” Programe within the National Plan for Research, Development, and Innovation, 2022–2027, project PN 23 21 02 02. This work was funded by the Core Program of the National Institute of Materials Physics granted by the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitization through project PC3-PN23080303.