Nano-sized warriors: zinc chromium vanadate nanoparticles as a dual solution for eradicating waterborne enterobacteriaceae and fighting cancer

Abstract

The revolution of biomedical applications has opened new avenues for nanotechnology. Zinc Chromium vanadate nanoparticles (VCrZnO4 NPs) have emerged as an up-and-coming candidate, with their exceptional physical and chemical properties setting them apart. In this study, a one-pot solvothermal method was employed to synthesize VCrZnO4 NPs, followed by a comprehensive structural and morphological analysis using a variety of techniques, including X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These techniques confirmed the crystallinity of the NPs. The VCrZnO4 NPs were tested for their antibacterial activity against primary contaminants such as Enterobacteriaceae, including Shigella flexneri, Salmonella cholerasis, and Escherichia coli, commonly found in hospital settings, using the broth dilution technique. The results indicated a stronger antibacterial activity of VCrZnO4 NPs against Shigella and Salmonella than E. coli. Electron microscopy showed that the NPs caused severe damage to the bacterial cell wall and membrane, leading to cell death. In addition, the study evaluated the anticancer activities of the metal complexes in vitro using colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) and cervical cancer cells (HELA), along with non-cancer cells and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). A vanadium complex demonstrated efficient anticancer effects with half-inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 38.50+3.50 g/mL for HCT-116 cells and 42.25+4.15 g/mL for HELA cells. This study highlights the potential of Zinc Chromium vanadate nanoparticles as promising candidates for antibacterial and anticancer applications. Various advanced characterization techniques were used to analyze the properties of nanomaterials, which may help develop more effective and safer antibacterial and anticancer agents in the future.

Keywords: antibacterial activity; anticancer: small molecule; nanomaterial; nanotherapeutics; zinc chromium vanadate.

FIGURE 1

Schematic representation of the synthesis protocol for ZnCrVO4 nanoparticles (NPs) with antibacterial and anticancer activities.

FIGURE 2

PXRD pattern for ZnCrVO₄ NPs recorded at room temperature.

FIGURE 3

TEM images and SEAD analysis for ZnCrVO₄ NPs.

FIGURE 4

HAADF elemental mapping and EDX analysis for ZnCrVO₄ NPs.

FIGURE 5

(A) survey analysis, (B) narrow V 2p and O 1s XPS spectrum, (C) Cr 2p XPS spectrum and (D) Zn 2p XPS spectrum, for ZnCrVO₄ NPs.

FIGURE 6

Photo depicting the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the tested bacteria. Each number on photo represents a different concentration as follows: (1) 16 mg/mL, (2) 8 mg/mL, (3) 4 mg/mL, (4) 2 mg/mL, (5) 1 mg/mL, (6) 0.5 mg/mL, (7) 0.25: mg/mL, (C) control group of untreated bacteria.

FIGURE 7

Morphological changes in three bacterial cells following treatment with nanoparticles VCrZnO₄ nanoparticles. (A) Control group of untreated cells. (B) Cells treated with VCrZnO4 nanoparticles at the selected minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

FIGURE 8

Figure 8: Impact of VCrZnO4 nanoparticle treatment on the viability of HCT-116, HELA, and HEK-293 cells after 48 h of treatment. The graph depicts the observed effects on cell viability. ****p < 0.0001.

FIGURE 9

Apoptotic death of cancer cells revealed by DAPI staining. (A) Control cells with normal morphology and intact, healthy cells. (B) Impact of VCrZnO4 nanoparticles on colon cancer cells (HCT-116) after 48 h of treatment (60 μg/mL). (C) Control cells with normal morphology and intact, healthy cells. (D) Impact of VCrZnO4 nanoparticles on HELA cancer cells. Arrows indicate observed chromatin condensation, nuclear augmentation, and formation of apoptotic bodies.