Creating Plant-Based Nanoparticles to Detect Drugs in Medicine

Greg Howard
1st March, 2024

Creating Plant-Based Nanoparticles to Detect Drugs in Medicine

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers developed a new way to measure stomach drugs using light and nanoparticles
  • The method is precise, even at very low drug levels, and works among other substances
  • It uses eco-friendly particles from anise and clove, improving environmental safety
In the realm of medical diagnostics and drug monitoring, precision is paramount. Researchers at King Saud University have made a significant leap forward in this field with their latest study[1]. They developed a new method to measure the levels of certain gastrointestinal medications, specifically omeprazole (OMZ) and domperidone (DOM), using a technique known as spectrofluorometry. Spectrofluorometry is a type of analysis that measures the intensity of light emitted from a substance when it is excited by a specific wavelength of light. This method is highly sensitive and can detect minute quantities of a substance by measuring its fluorescence, the light emitted by the substance when it returns to its ground state after being excited. The King Saud University team's method involves the use of nanoparticles, which are particles so small they can only be seen with powerful microscopes. These nanoparticles are made from zinc oxide (ZnONPs) and cerium oxide (CeO2NPs), and are synthesized using natural extracts from Pimpinella anisum (anise) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove), respectively. This green synthesis approach not only provides a more environmentally friendly method to produce these nanoparticles but also leverages their unique optical properties to enhance the detection of OMZ and DOM. In earlier research, the use of nanoparticles, such as those made from metal oxides, has been shown to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of sensors and probes for various drugs and biological molecules[2][3][4]. The current study builds on this knowledge by successfully applying ZnONPs and CeO2NPs to the spectrofluorometric assay of gastrointestinal drugs. The study found that when OMZ or DOM is present in a solution with these nanoparticles, the fluorescence intensity (FI) of the solution increases. The researchers measured this increase at specific excitation/emission wavelengths (λex/λem): 350/450 nm for OMZ with ZnONPs and 284/392 nm for DOM with CeO2NPs. The FI correlated linearly with the concentration of the drugs within a wide range, which means that by measuring the FI, the concentration of the drugs can be accurately determined. The proposed method has been thoroughly validated following analytical method guidelines to ensure its accuracy, suitability, and precision. The researchers demonstrated that the fluorescence systems they developed could reliably determine the concentration of OMZ and DOM in both their pure forms and in commercial pharmaceutical preparations. This novel approach offers a wide range of benefits. It is highly sensitive, with the ability to detect very low concentrations of OMZ and DOM. The method is also selective, meaning it can accurately measure the drug levels even in the presence of other substances that might otherwise interfere with the results. Moreover, the use of green chemistry principles in the synthesis of the nanoparticles makes this method more environmentally friendly compared to traditional chemical synthesis routes. In practical terms, this research could lead to better monitoring of drug levels in patients, ensuring that they receive the correct dosage for their needs. For OMZ, which is used to treat conditions like acid reflux, precise dosage is crucial to manage symptoms effectively[2]. Similarly, for DOM, which is used off-label to treat gastrointestinal motility disorders in children, accurate measurement is essential for safe and effective use[5]. The implications of this study are far-reaching. It not only advances the field of drug monitoring but also opens up new possibilities for the application of green-synthesized nanoparticles in medical diagnostics. As research continues to evolve, such innovative methods will be instrumental in enhancing patient care and treatment outcomes.

MedicineBiotechBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Plant extract mediated synthesis of ZnO and CeO2 nanoparticles for spectrofluorometric assay of omeprazole and domperidone in pharmaceuticals.

Published 29th February, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26164

Related Studies

2) An amplified electrochemical sensor employing one-step synthesized nickel-copper-zinc ferrite/carboxymethyl cellulose/graphene oxide nanosheets composite for sensitive analysis of omeprazole.

https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ra04766k

3) Charge Transfer Copper Chelating Complex and Biogenically Synthesized Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Using Salvia officinalis Laves Extract in Comparative Spectrofluorimetric Estimation of Anticancer Dabrafenib.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-023-03388-9

4) Ultrasensitive functionalized CeO2/ZnO nanocomposite sensor for determination of a prohibited narcotic in sports pethidine hydrochloride.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15793

5) Drugs in Focus: Domperidone.

https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000003822


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