Development of nanoparticles (NPs) as a part of cancer therapeutics has given rise to a new field of research - cancer nanomedicine. In comparison to traditional anti-cancer drugs, NPs provide a targeted approach which prevents undesirable effects. In this communication, we have reviewed the role of gold and silver NPs (AgNPs) in the cancer nanomedicine. The preparation of gold NPs (AuNPs) and AgNPs can be grouped into three categories - physical, chemical and biological. Among the three approaches, the biological approach is growing and receiving more attention due to its safe and effective production. In this review, we have discussed important methods for synthesis of gold and AgNPs followed by techniques employed in characterization of their physicochemical properties, such as UV-visible spectroscopy, electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) and size and surface analysis (DLS). The mechanism of formation of these NPs in an aqueous medium through various stages - reduction, nucleation and growth has also been reviewed briefly. Finally, we conclude our review with the application of these NPs as anti-cancer agents and numerous mechanisms by which they render cancer cell toxicity.

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It would be of great significance to introduce a new biocompatible Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) for the efficient remediation of wastewater. Herein, we designed a facile, biocompatible and environmental friendly layered double hydroxide (LDH) of NiFeTi for the very first time by the hydrothermal route. The materialization of NiFeTi LDH was confirmed by FTIR, XRD and Raman studies. BET results revealed the high surface area (106 m2/g) and the morphological studies (FESEM and TEM) portrayed the sheets-like structure of NiFeTi nanoparticles. The material so obtained was employed as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of organic dyes from synthetic waste water. The dye removal study showed >96% efficiency for the removal of methyl orange, congo red, methyl blue and orange G, which revealed the superiority of material for decontamination of waste water. The maximum removal (90%) of dyes was attained within 2 min of initiation of the adsorption process which supported the ultrafast removal efficiency. This ultrafast removal efficiency was attributed to high surface area and large concentration of -OH and CO32− groups present in NiFeTi LDH. In addition, the reusability was also performed up to three cycles with 96, 90 and 88% efficiency for methyl orange. Furthermore, the biocompatibility test on MHS cell lines were also carried which revealed the non-toxic nature of NiFeTi LDH at lower concentration (100% cell viability at 15.6 μg/ml). Overall, we offer a facile surfactant free method for the synthesis of NiFeTi LDH which is efficient for decontamination of anionic dyes from water and also non-toxic.

Bromo-Noscapine (BrNs) is a tubulin-binding cytotoxic agent with significant activity against breast and lung cancer. The mechanistic interaction insight into the binding of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with BrNs can provide critical information about the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics properties. Here, various spectroscopic techniques and computational methods were employed to understand the dynamics of BrNs and BSA interaction. The intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was quenched by BrNs through a static quenching procedure. The stoichiometry of BrNs-BSA complex was 1:1 and binding constant of the complex was in the order of 103 M−1 at 298 K. Based on thermodynamic analysis, it was deduced that binding process of the BrNs with BSA was spontaneous and exothermic, and the major forces between BrNs and BSA were van der waals forces and hydrogen bonding. Moreover, results of FT-IR, CD, UV spectra concluded significant conformational change in BSA on binding with BrNs. The in vitro findings were further confirmed by in silico assays. Molecular docking showed strong interactions with score of −8.08 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis also suggested the stable binding with lower deviation in RMSD and RMSF values through persistent long simulation run. This study suggests optimal efficiency of diffusion of the BrNs into the bloodstream for the treatment of cancer.

Chalcone, a privileged structure, is considered as an effective template in the field of medicinal chemistry for potent drug discovery. In the present study, a privileged template chalcone was designed, synthesized, and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques (NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction). The mechanism of binding of chalcone with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was determined by multispectroscopic techniques and computational methods. Steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy suggests that the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was quenched upon the addition of chalcone by the combined dynamic and static quenching mechanism. Time-resolved spectroscopy confirms complex formation. FT-IR and circular dichroism spectroscopy suggested the presence of chalcone in the BSA molecule microenvironment and also the possibility of rearrangement of the native structure of BSA. Moreover, molecular docking studies confirm the moderate binding of chalcone with BSA and the molecular dynamics simulation analysis shows the stability of the BSA−drug complex system with minimal deformability fluctuations and potential interaction by the covariance matrix. Moreover, pharmacodynamics and pharmacological analysis show good results through Lipinski rules, with no toxicity profile and high gastrointestinal absorptions by boiled egg permeation assays. This study elucidates the mechanistic profile of the privileged chalcone scaffold to be used in therapeutic applications.