Development of Ag-ZnO/AgO Nanocomposites Effectives for Leishmania braziliensis Treatment

Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. Leishmania braziliensis (L.b) is one of the most clinically relevant pathogens that affects the skin and mucosa, causing single or multiple disfiguring and life-threatening injuries. Even so, the few treatment options for patients have significant toxicity, high dropout rates, high cost, and the emergence of resistant strains, which implies the need for studies to promote new and better treatments to combat the disease. Zinc oxide nanocrystals are microbicidal and immunomodulatory agents. Here, we develop new Ag-ZnO/xAgO nanocomposites (NCPs) with three different percentages of silver oxide (AgO) nanocrystals (x = 49%, 65%, and 68%) that could act as an option for tegumentary leishmaniasis treatment. Our findings showed that 65% and 68% of AgO inhibit the extra and intracellular replication of L.b. and present a high selectivity index. Ag-ZnO/65%AgO NCPs modulate activation, expression of surface receptors, and cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells toward a proinflammatory phenotype. These results point to new Ag-ZnO/AgO nanocomposites as a promising option for L. braziliensis treatment

NanoBioSensors: From Electrochemical Sensors Improvement to Theranostic Applications

This chapter comments on the advantages of nanobiosensors using nanocrystals in improving electrochemical sensors’ response and their use as theragnostic tools in biomedical applications. The use of nanomaterials to modify electrochemical sensors’ surfaces to increase these devices’ sensitivity and their bio-functionality enables high-quality nanotechnological platforms. Thus, graphene nanostructures and CdSe/CdS magic-sized quantum dots (MSQDs) were shown to improve biosensor’s sensitivity. In addition, the use of CdSe/CdS MSQDs and cobalt ferrite nanocrystals (NCs) as potential tools for drug delivery systems and biocompatible titanium dioxide NCs in osseointegration processes and their bio-location are also demonstrated. So, this chapter shows some impressive results on which the group has been working regarding the applications of nanocrystals to electrochemical sensors and theranostic applications