Currently, in clinics, breast cancer is treated with free chemotherapeutic drugs, as a result there is not much therapeutic effect in treated models, leading to substantial systemic toxicity. To overcome these critical problems for the primary outcome, we developed the formulated nanomaterial (FA-PEG@BBR-AgNPs) aimed to specifically target cancer cells via nanoscopic-based drug delivery for getting better therapeutic effectiveness. In the present study, an isoquinoline alkaloid, berberine (BBR), was chosen as a cancer therapeutic agent, encapsulated on citrate-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through electrostatic interactions (BBR-AgNPs). Then, BBR-AgNPs were conjugated with polyethylene glycol-functionalized folic acid (FA-PEG) via hydrogen bonding interactions (FA-PEG@BBR-AgNPs). The transmission electron microscopy study shows the cellular invasion of the formulated FA-PEG@BBR-AgNPs, indicating the accretion of the nanomaterial at the tumor-specific site. Hence, FA conjugated with the nanomaterial suggests an efficient release of BBR molecules into the specific cancer site. Consequently, the results showed an increase in apoptotic induction via reactive oxygen species and condensed nuclei in cancer cells. Moreover, the western blotting analysis shows reduced/increased expression of PI3K, AKT, Ras, Raf, ERK, VEGF, HIF1α, Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase-9, and caspase-3, thereby enhancing apoptosis. Likewise, the in vivo antitumor efficiency of FA-PEG@BBR-AgNPs showed a significant restraint of tumor progression, and histopathological observations of lung, liver, kidney, heart, and brain tissues proved lesser toxicity of FA-PEG@BBR-AgNPs. Thus, the successfully formulated nanomaterial can serve as a potential drug-discharging vehicle to combat cancer cells by a molecular-based targeting approach.

the chelating ability of aqueous leaf extract of Aerva lanata was assessed in vitro. the aqueous leaf extract showed a dose dependent decrease in chelating ability using FeCl 2. the highest chelating ability of aqueous leaf extract was observed at 2. 10-5 g/ml (100 ± 0.00). the antioxidant activity of the aqueous leaf extract ranged from 42.13% to 88.66%. At 2. 10-5 g/ml concentration, a strong positive significant correlation was observed between chelating ability and total phenolics concentration (r = 0.94; P = 0.001). the chelating ability of aqueous leaf extract (2. 10-5 g/ml) showed a high positive significant correlation with antioxidant activity (r = 0.78; P = 0.001). Aqueous leaf extract removed the chromium from tannery effluent by 43 mg/g. Allium cepa toxicity test was performed on tannery effluent treated with aqueous leaf extract that increased the root length of onion.