Formulating co-loaded nanoliposomes with gallic acid and quercetin for enhanced cancer therapy

Cancer is considered one of the top global causes of death. Natural products have been used in oncology medicine either in crude form or by utilizing isolated secondary metabolites. Biologically active phytomolecules such as gallic acid and quercetin have confirmed antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and neoplastic properties. There is an agreement that microorganisms could mediate oncogenesis or alter the immune system. This research project aims to develop a novel formulation of co-loaded gallic acid and quercetin into nanoliposomes and investigate the efficacy of the free and combined agents against multiple cancerous cell lines and bacterial strains. Thin-film hydration technique was adopted to synthesize the nanocarriers. Particle characteristics were measured using a Zetasizer. The morphology of nanoliposomes was examined by scanning electron microscopy, Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were evaluated using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Cytotoxicity was determined against Breast Cancer Cells MCF-7, Human Carcinoma Cells HT-29, and A549 Lung Cancer Cells. The antibacterial activities were evaluated against Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Therapeutic formulas were categorized into groups: free gallic acid, free quercetin, free-mix, and their nano-counterparts. Findings revealed that drug loading capacity was 0.204 for the mix formula compared to 0.092 and 0.68 for free gallic acid and quercetin, respectively. Regarding the Zeta potential, the mix formula showed more amphiphilic charge than the free quercetin and free gallic acid formulas (P-values 0.003 and 0.002 receptively). On the contrary, no significant difference in polydispersity indices was reported. Lung cancerous cells were the most affected by the treatments. The best estimated IC50 values were observed in breast and lung cancer lines for the nano-gallic acid and co-loaded particles. The nano-quercetin formula exhibited the least cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of ≥200 μg/mL in both breast (MCF-7) and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (HT-29) with no activity against the lung. A remarkable improvement in the efficacy of quercetin was measured after mixing it with gallic acid against the breast and lungs. The tested therapeutic agents exhibited antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. Nano-liposomes can either enhance or reduce the cytotoxicity activity of active compounds depending on the physical and chemical properties of drug-loaded and type of cancer cells

Artificial intelligence-based fuzzy logic systems for predicting radiation protection awareness levels among university population

The present study aims to assess the knowledge level of radiation protection among individuals of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) using artificial intelligence baesd fuzzy logic system. This crosssectional study included 428 PNU participants. They were asked to fill in the online questionnaire, consisting of demographic data, education level, and radiation protection awareness. After informed consent was completed, a statistical package for the social sciences as well as fuzzy logic system was used for data analysis. The participant group consisted of 98.4% females, 96.3% individuals aged 18–28 years (the most common age group), 63.1% bachelor’s degree holders, and 65.7% medical participants. Specialty and radiation protection awareness exhibited significant association (P 0.05). PNU individuals in the medical field differed significantly (P > 0.05) with the non-medical individual in their knowledge of radiation protection. This study suggests that PNU individuals in the medical field have a reasonable awareness of radiation protection. However, the general knowledge of nonmedical individuals must be improved to raise awareness. Based on the obtained results by using fuzzy model, this study suggests that the tool can be used in the process of radiation protection awareness in other institutions and areas