New in vitro approaches for the assessment of their toxicity are crucial for creating better risk assessments given the growing use of nanoparticles (NPs) in the production of consumer goods. Humans will be exposed to nanoparticles through the inhalation route from contaminated aerosol. A promising method for evaluating the genotoxicity of NPs in vitro uses human airway epithelial cells. This study aimed to determine whether there were differences in morphology change of human bronchial/tracheal epithelial (HBTEC) cells responded to NPs in 2D and 3D spheroid models and to evaluate genotoxicity in 2D and 3D cultures after 24 hr exposure to TiO2-, Ag- and ZnO-NPs using the comet assay. Our 2D and 3D HBTEC cultures with TiO2-NPs did not show any statistically significant genotoxicity compared to controls for concentration points tested in vitro. HBTEC cells grown as 2D indicated that exposure to ZnO-NPs at low concentrations (10-50 ug/mL) for 24 hr did not cause any genotoxic effect but, at high concentrations, genotoxicity was observed. In contrast, treatment of 2D HBTEC with AgO-NPs led to an elevated in percentage of tail DNA damage from 50 ug/mL to 100 ug/mL, which was concentra-tion-dependent. Using 3D spheroid assays revealed a lower %tail length in ZnO- and AgO-NPs, thus exhibiting in vitro genotoxicity of NPs in this cell model. Spheroids (3D) rather than mono-layer cultures (2D) are believed to more precisely represent in vivo-like cell behavior when evaluating genotoxicity. Together, our findings demonstrate the genotoxic effects of NPs and point to the critical role that cell culture models play in the evaluation of toxicological risk.

Embryonic and larval Danio rerio is increasingly used as a toxicological model to conduct rapid in vivo tests and developmental toxicity assays; the zebrafish features as high genetic homology to mammals; robust phenotypes; and its value in high-throughput genetic and chemical screening have made it a powerful tool to evaluate in vivo toxicity. New methodologies of genome editing as CRISPR/Cas9; ZFN or Talen make it a suitable model to perform studies to pair human genetic diseases as well. This review surveys recent studies; employing zebrafish as experimental model; comparing it with other in vivo and in vitro models; presenting zebrafish as a potent vertebrate tool to evaluate drug toxicity to facilitate more extensive; easy and comprehensive knowledge of new generation drugs.

Brazil is the number-one country in pesticide consumption, and corn is the second most cultivated crop in the country. Chemical control of weeds associated with corn cultivation is performed by application of herbicides with pre- and postemergence action, such as S-metolachlor. Currently, the toxicity of herbicides is a task of great concern. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of an S-metolachlor-based herbicide through bioassays with the plant model Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) and Zea mays L. (maize). The herbicidal test solutions containing 7.5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480, 600, and 720 mg L-1 of the active ingredient S-metolachlor were prepared from commercial products. Distilled water was used as a negative control, and aluminum was used as a positive control. Macroscopic analyses (germination and growth) were performed for the two species, and microscopic analyses (chromosomal and nuclear changes) were performed for L. sativa. Negative interference of the S-metolachlor-based herbicide on lettuce was observed for all macroscopic and microscopic parameters tested. In maize, there was no significant interference in germination; however, the herbicide interferes negatively in seedling development. In brief, the herbicide based on S-metolachlor has phytotoxic potential, just as discussed.

There are presently more than 18 known aflatoxins (>18) most of which have been insufficiently studied for their incidence, health-risk, and mechanisms of toxicity to allow effective intervention and control means that would significantly and sustainably reduce their incidence and adverse effects on health and economy. Among these, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has by far been the most studied; and yet, many aspects of the range and mechanisms of the diseases it causes remain to be elucidated. Its mutagenicity, tumorigenicity, and carcinogenicity, which are the best known still suffer from many limitations regarding the relative contribution of the oxidative stress and the reactive epoxide derivative (Aflatoxin-exo 8,9-epoxide) in the induction of the diseases, as well as its metabolic and synthesis pathways. Additionally, despite the well-established additive effects for carcinogenicity between AFB1 and other risk factors, e.g., hepatitis viruses B and C, and the algal hepatotoxic microcystins, the mechanisms of this synergy remain unclear. This study reviews the most recent advances in the mechanisms of toxicity of aflatoxins and the adverse health effects that they cause in humans and animals.

In recent years, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ACVD), Obesity and Diabetes, have increase exponentially worldwide. In the present work, we evaluate the genoprotective effect of consuming a flavonoids-rich chocolate and the improvement in the biochemical parameters related to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome in young Mexican adults. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was undertaken in the Autonomous University of Baja California. The treatments were a daily intake of 2 grams of dark chocolate containing 70% cooca or milk chocolate. Total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were evaluated in both chocolates. Anthropometrical and Biochemical parameters were measured in the 84 participants before and after the study. Buccal epithelial genotoxicity was also evaluated from the beginning to the end of the experiment in the participants. Result suggested that flavonoids of cocoa intake have protective effects against DNA damage, and Biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol level in blood) and anthropometrical parameters (waist circumference) were also improved after six months of daily intake of 2 grams of dark chocolate with a 70% of cocoa.

Stainless steel 316L (SS316L) and titanium-alloy Ti6AL4V exhibit properties for bio-medical applications; however their tribocorrosion associated with metallosis is still a major concern. Therefore smoothing DLC coatings aiming for the improvement of tri-bocorrosion and cell viability of stainless steel 316L (SS316L) and titanium-alloy Ti6AL4V with and without DLC coatings were compared. The motivation was due to many papers detailing metallosis caused by metal debris in the body's soft tissues. Nowadays, metallosis is responsible for almost of prosthesis replacement surgeries. DLC coatings were produced using the Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) technique; acetylene gas was used as a carbon precursor, and silane gas produced an amorphous silicon interface between the DLC coating and metal substrate. A combined setup of techniques thoroughly evaluated the coatings considering chemical composition, coatings adhesion at a metallic substrate, scratch resistance, and tribocorrosion susceptibility. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of metallic samples with and without DLC coatings were analyzed, considering cell viability and its correlation with coatings’ chemical composition

Urban air quality is increasingly being studied as a fraction of the world's population is now living in megacities. In this study, particulate matter (PM) along Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines, is investigated in terms of its ability to induce genetic damage on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Size-segregated roadside air samples were obtained from 2015-2016 near the university gate and analyzed using in vitro micronucleus and cytokinesis-block proliferation tests. While cellular proliferation was unaffected by 0 – 0.1 kg·m-3 of PM1.0 and PM2.5, PBL cells treated with PM2.5 displayed significantly higher micronucleus count (p = 0.03) compared to the cells treated with PM1.0. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy revealed greater amounts of Cd, Ca, Pb, K, Na, and Zn in PM2.5 compared to PM1.0. The results indicate the differences in composition of the two size fractions of air particulates are associated with their genotoxicities.

Aflatoxins continue to raise health concerns as unavoidable and widespread natural contaminants of foods and feeds with serious impact on health, agricultural and livestock productivity, and food safety. They are secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus species distributed on three main sections of the genus (section Flavi, section Ochraceorosei, and section Nidulantes). Aflatoxin-producing species, mainly A. flavus and A. parasiticus thrive under hot and humid conditions in the field or during storage, which are met in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Poor economic status of a country exacerbates the risk and the extent of crop contamination due to faulty storage conditions that are usually suitable for mold growth and mycotoxin production; temperature of 22 to 29°C and water activity of 0.90 to 0.99. This situation paralleled the prevalence of high liver cancer and the occasional acute aflatoxicosis episodes that have been associated with these regions. Few of the presently known aflatoxins (>18) have been sufficiently studied for their incidence, health-risk, and mechanisms of toxicity to allow effective intervention and control means that would significantly and sustainably reduce their incidence and adverse effects on health and economy. Among these, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has by far been the most studied; and yet, many aspects of the range and mechanisms of the diseases it causes remain to be elucidated. Its mutagenicity, tumorigenicity, and carcinogenicity, which are the best known still suffer from many limitations regarding the relative contribution of the oxidative stress and the reactive epoxide derivative (Aflatoxin-exo 8,9-epoxide) in the induction of the diseases, as well as its metabolic and synthesis pathways. Additionally, despite the well-established additive effects for carcinogenicity between AFB1 and other risk factors, e.g., hepatitis viruses B and C, and the algal hepatotoxic microcystins, the mechanisms of this synergy remain unclear. A review of publications on the incidence and concentrations of aflatoxins in selected foods and feeds from countries whose crops are classically known for their highest contamination with aflatoxins, reveals that despite the intensive efforts made to reduce such an incidence, there has been no clear tendency, with the possible exception of South Africa, towards sustained improvements. The levels and incidence are essentially influenced by the rainfall and temperature during the cultivation year or two successive years with alternating dry and wet seasons. This review aimed to update the main aspects of aflatoxin production, occurrence and incidence in selected countries, and associated adverse health effects. In addition to AFB1 which was the main focus of the review, other aflatoxins were addressed whenever relevant data were available.

The use of nanomaterials has been increasing in recent times, and they are widely used in industries such as cosmetics, drug, food, water treatment and agriculture. The rapid development of new nanomaterials demands a set of approaches to evaluate the potential toxicity and risks related to them. In this regard, nanosafety has been using and adapting already existing methods (toxicological approach), but the unique characteristics of nanomaterials demand new approaches (nanotoxicology) to fully understand the potential toxicity, immunotoxicity and (epi)genotoxicity. Also, new technologies, such as organ-on-chip and sophisticated sensors, are under development and/or adaptation. All the information generated is used to develop new in silico approaches trying to predict the potential effects of newly developed materials. The overall evaluation of how from the production to final disposition chain of nanomaterials is evaluated under Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is becoming an important element of nanosafety considering sustainability and environmental impact. In this review we give an overview of all these elements of nanosafety.

Wound infections evidently appeared in times of World War I that accounted a significant mortality and morbidity rate among injured soldiers. Currently, around 11 million people worldwide require medical treatment for wound infections and 300,000 die every year due to untreated wound infection. The extensive use of antibiotics to treat wound infection leads to emerging new microbial strains that are resistant to many antibiotics. There is a growing concern on the emergence and re-emergence of drug-resistant pathogens such as multi-resistant bacterial strains. Hence, the development of new antimicrobial compounds or the modification of those that already exist to improve antibacterial activity is a high priority area of research. During the past few decades, nanotechnology has arisen with new promising technology for synthesis of nanobiomaterials. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are considered as new alternative treatment with superior antibacterial activity. In this study, new formulation of titanium oxide (TiO2) NPs with different sizes were synthesized and characterized. Genotoxicity, mutagenicity and antibacterial activities of TiO2 NPs against the causative agents of wound infection were investigated. Antibacterial activity of TiO2 NPs was conducted against three ATCC ® bacterial strains: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results clearly illustrate a superior antibacterial activity of all newly formulated TiO2 NPs against the most causative agents of wound infection. Most of our TiO2 NPs showed non-genotoxic and non-mutagenic results at the maximum concentrations. Findings of this study will enhance the future of the therapeutic strategies against the resistant pathogenic strains that cause wound infections.

Here we report a comparative study of the pyhtochemical profile and a biological activity of the two onion extracts, namely A. cepa L. and A. × cornutum (Clementi ex Visiani 1842). Identification of flavonoids and anthocyanins and their individual quantities were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The potency of both extracts to scavenge free radicals was determined by DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. DNA protective role was further tested by single-cell gel electrophoresis (COMET) assay and by Fenton’s reagent causing double strand brakes on pUC19 plasmid. In the presence of both extracts, a significant decrease in the DNA damage was observed, which indicates a protective role of A. cepa and A. × cornutum on the DNA strand brakes. Additionally, cytotoxicity was tested on glioblastoma and breast cancer cell lines. The results showed that both extracts had antiproliferative effect, but the most prominent decrease in cellular growth was observed with glioblastoma cells

The botanical species Ceratonia siliqua L., commonly referred to as the Carob tree, and locally as “L’Kharrûb”, holds significance as an agro-sylvo-pastoral species, and is traditionally utilized in Morocco for treating a variety of ailments. This current investigation aims to ascertain the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of the ethanolic extract of C. siliqua leaves (CSEE). Initially, we analyzed the chemical composition of CSEE through high-performance liquid chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD). Subsequently, we conducted various assessments, including DPPH scavenging capacity, β-carotene bleaching assay, ABTS scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity assays, to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the extract. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial properties of CSEE against five bacterial strains (two gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis; and three gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Escherichia vekanda, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two fungi (Candida albicans, and Geotrichum candidum). Additionally, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of CSEE on three human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-436) and assessed the potential genotoxicity of the extract using the comet assay. Through HPLC-DAD analysis, we determined that phenolic acids and flavonoids were the primary constituents of the CSEE extract. The results of the DPPH test indicated a potent scavenging capacity of the extract with an IC50 of 302.78 ± 7.55 µg/mL, which was comparable to that of ascorbic acid with an IC50 of 260.24 ± 6.45 µg/mL. Similarly, the β-carotene test demonstrated an IC50 of 352.06 ± 12.16 µg/mL, signifying the extract's potential to inhibit oxidative damage. The ABTS assay revealed IC50 values of 48.13 ± 3.66 TE µmol/mL, indicating a strong ability of CSEE to scavenge ABTS radicals, and the TAC assay demonstrated an IC50 value of 165 ± 7.66 µg AAE/mg. The results suggest that the CSEE extract had potent antioxidant activity. Regarding its antimicrobial activity, the CSEE extract was effective against all five tested bacterial strains, indicating its broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. However, it only showed moderate activity against the two tested fungal strains, suggesting it may not be as effective against fungi. The CSEE exhibited a noteworthy dose-dependent inhibitory activity against all the tested tumor cell lines in vitro. The extract did not induce DNA damage at the concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/ml, as assessed by the comet assay. However, the 100 µg/ml concentration of CSEE resulted in a significant genotoxic effect compared to the negative control. A computational analysis was conducted to determine the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the constituent molecules present in the extract. The Prediction of Activity Spectra of Substances (PASS) test was employed to forecast the potential biological activities of these molecules. Additionally, the toxicity of the molecules was evaluated using the Protox II webserver.

Nanosilver plays an important role in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and is becoming increasingly used for applications in nanomedicine. Nanosilver ranges in size from one to one hundred nanometers. Smaller particles more readily enter cells and interact with the cellular components. The exposure dose, particle size, coating, and aggregation state of the nanosilver, as well as the cell type or organism that it is tested on, all have a large determining factor on the effect and potential toxicity of nanosilver. A high exposure dose to nanosilver alters the cellular stress responses and initiates cascades of signaling that can eventually trigger organelle autophagy and apoptosis. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the effects of nanosilver on cellular metabolic function and response to stress. Both the causative effects of nanosilver on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and hypoxic stress, as well as the effects of nanosilver on the responses to such stresses, are outlined. The interactions and effects of nanosilver on cellular uptake, oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species), inflammation, hypoxic response, mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum function and the unfolded protein response, autophagy and apoptosis, angiogenesis, epigenetics, genotoxicity, and cancer development and tumorigenesis, as well as other pathway alterations are examined in this review.