Researchers Yield New Data on Nanoparticles

Investigators at Saveetha University in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India have made significant discoveries in the field of nanotechnology. In a recent study, researchers created iron oxide nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia (Vitex trifolia) leaf, a plant species native to India. The nanoparticles were found to exhibit anti-radical, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, making them a promising tool for various biomedical applications. The study's findings were published in the journal Next Materials.

Key Takeaways:

• Researchers at Saveetha University created iron oxide nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaf, a plant species native to India.
• The nanoparticles exhibited anti-radical, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
• The study found that the nanoparticles inhibited the growth of four bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, and demonstrated dose-responsive anti-inflammatory activity.
• The nanoparticles had a mean size of 55.0 ± 0.6 nm with a polydisperse nature, as confirmed by TEM images.
• The inhibition of nitric oxide radical was 78.98% by the aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaf and 87% by the iron oxide nanoparticles.
• The anti-radical activity of the nanoparticles was dose-related, with the aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaf showing inhibition of 75.9% at a 100 g/mL dose and the iron oxide nanoparticles showing inhibition of 90.9% at the same dose.

Statistics:

• The mean size of the nanoparticles was 55.0 ± 0.6 nm.
• The inhibition of nitric oxide radical was 78.98% by the aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaf and 87% by the iron oxide nanoparticles.
• The anti-radical activity of the nanoparticles was dose-related, with the aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaf showing inhibition of 75.9% at a 100 g/mL dose and the iron oxide nanoparticles showing inhibition of 90.9% at the same dose.
• The growth of four bacterial strains was inhibited by the nanoparticles, including Escherichia coli, with the maximum inhibitory zone width formed for Escherichia coli by both the tested samples.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Saveetha University Researchers Yield New Data on Nanoparticles (Anti-radical, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial efficacy of iron oxide nanoparticles availed using aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaf). Biotech Week. July 9, 2025; p 1458.
• Dhivya Viswanathan, Rajakumar Govindasamy, B. Nisha, S.L. Harish. Anti-radical, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial efficacy of iron oxide nanoparticles availed using aqueous extract of Vitex trifolia leaf. Next Materials, 2025,8():100767.