Ahmad M. Eid

Bio: Ahmad M. Eid is an academic researcher from An-Najah National University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Chemistry. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 25 publications receiving 427 citations. Previous affiliations of Ahmad M. Eid include Center for Autism and Related Disorders & Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles and silver nanoparticles

Abstract: In this century, the development of nanotechnology is projected to be the establishment of a technological evolutionary of this modern era. Recently, nanotechnology is one of the most active subjects of substantial research in modern material sciences and hence metal nanoparticles have a great scientific interest because of their unique optoelectronic and physicochemical properties with applications in diverse areas such as electronics, catalysis, drug delivery, or sensing. Nanotechnology provides an understanding on fundamental properties of objects at the atomic, molecular, and supramolecular levels. Besides, nanotechnology also leads an alternative technological pathway for the exploration and revolution of biological entities, whereas biology provides role models and biosynthetic constituents to nanotechnology. The findings of this review are important to provide an alternative for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. It showed more cost-effective and environmental friendly application as well as easier for large production, with relation to the properties of silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial, can be served well as an alternative antiseptic agent in various fields. Typically, silver nanoparticles are smaller than 100 nm and consist of about 20–15,000 silver atoms. Due to the attractive physical and chemical properties of silver at the nanoscale, the development of silver nanoparticles is expanding in recent years and is nowadays significant for consumer and medical products.

Preparation, characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of swietenia macrophylla nanoemulgel

Abstract: The advances in knowledge about production and stability of dispersed systems enable the development of differentiated vehicles such as nanoemulsions and nanoemulgels, which have been effectively used to increase the bioavailability and improve the stability of the active ingredients. Nowadays there is an intensely usage of natural bioactive materials as medicinal agent in pharmaceutical industries. Swietenia macrophylla oil is used due to the bioactivity of different parts of the plant as anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenicity, anti-tumor. SM oil Nanoemulgels were prepared by incorporating nanoemulsion with hydrogel. First by preparing mixtures of oil, glycerol with sucrose ester (Laurate, Oleate and Palmitate) to produce pre-nanoemulsion using phase inversion technique, then nanoemulsion was produced using self-emulsification technique. After that, hydrogel was added to nanoemulsion to produce nanoemulgel. It was found that 50% oil with sucrose laurate 20% and 30% glycerol was able to produce pre-nanoemulsion, and then it was diluted with water under gentile agitation to produce nanoemulsion with droplets size 114 nm, low size distribution 0.163 and low zeta potential -43.1 mV. The optimal nanoemulsion formulation was mixed with different grades of hydrogel Carbopol 934 and 940 to produce nanoemulgels. It was found that Carbopol showed no influence on the oil droplets size with a range from 113 to 117 nm, size distribution from 0.155 to 0.163 and zeta potential range from -43.4 to -44.6 mV. In addition, it was able to produce a stable nanoemulgel at different temperatures 4°C, 25°C and 40°C when stored for one year and showed priority as thickening agent in relation to texture and rheological properties when compared to Carbopol 934. The anti-inflammatory test using carrageen an induced rat paw edema method for Swietenia macrophylla oil was carried and it was found that the inflammation inhibition of SM oil was higher for nanoemulgel compared to oil solution.

Ethnopharmacological survey of herbal remedies used for treatment of various types of cancer and their methods of preparations in the West Bank-Palestine.

Abstract: Plants have been the primary source of medicines since life on earth; more than 50 % of existing cancer treatments are derived from plants. An ethnopharmacological survey of herbal remedies used in cancer treatment was carried out in the West Bank/ Palestine. A questionnaire was distributed to one hundred and fifty herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. Collected information included the names of plants, the used parts, types of cancers for which these plants were used and also their methods of preparation. To identify the most important species used, Factor of informant’s consensus (Fic), Fidelity level (Fl) and the Use-value (UV) were calculated. Collected data has shown that 72 plants are utilized for treatment of cancer, belonging to 44 families; from them Compositae and Lamiaceae were the most common. Leaves and fruits were the most commonly used parts, while decoctions, infusions and syrups were the main methods of preparation. Lung cancer was the most common type of cancer treated with these plants and Ephedra alata was the most commonly used plant for treatment of cancer in Palestine. The Fic was high for all the plants; Fl was 100 % for many plants, the highest UV (0.72) was for Ephedra alata. This study showed that many herbal remedies are still used by herbalists in Palestine for treatment of cancer; some of them have been approved scientifically while others are not. A combined effort between informants and scientific institutions working in this field can help in the discovery of new anticancer agents. Moreover, scientists must explore the most suitable method of extraction, formulation and dose determination in order to achieve the best benefits from these herbals.

A Review on the Cosmeceutical and External Applications of Nigella sativa.

Abstract: It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that most of the world's population depends on herbal medicine for their health care. Nigella sativa (N. sativa), also known as black-caraway and as "Kalonji," is a well-known seed all over the world. It is one of the most common medicinal plants worldwide and contains many useful chemical constituents that we can find in its fixed oil, such as thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, nigellicine, carvacrol, nigellimine, nigellicine, nigellidine, and alpha-hederin. Due to these numerous important ingredients it was found that it affects different areas of our body and has many pharmacological effects as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effect and also for acne vulgaris, skin cancer, pigmentation, and many cosmeceutical applications. Based on the folklore usage of N. sativa seeds and oil, they are used in various systems of food and medicines. The aim of this article is to provide a detailed survey of the literature of cosmeceutical and external applications of N. sativa which is expected to stimulate further studies on this subject.

Bactericidal and Cytotoxic Properties of Silver Nanoparticles.

Abstract: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be synthesized from a variety of techniques including physical, chemical and biological routes. They have been widely used as nanomaterials for manufacturing cosmetic and healthcare products, antimicrobial textiles, wound dressings, antitumor drug carriers, etc. due to their excellent antimicrobial properties. Accordingly, AgNPs have gained access into our daily life, and the inevitable human exposure to these nanoparticles has raised concerns about their potential hazards to the environment, health, and safety in recent years. From in vitro cell cultivation tests, AgNPs have been reported to be toxic to several human cell lines including human bronchial epithelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, red blood cells, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, immortal human keratinocytes, liver cells, etc. AgNPs induce a dose-, size- and time-dependent cytotoxicity, particularly for those with sizes ≤10 nm. Furthermore, AgNPs can cross the brain blood barrier of mice through the circulation system on the basis of in vivo animal tests. AgNPs tend to accumulate in mice organs such as liver, spleen, kidney and brain following intravenous, intraperitoneal, and intratracheal routes of administration. In this respect, AgNPs are considered a double-edged sword that can eliminate microorganisms but induce cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. This article provides a state-of-the-art review on the synthesis of AgNPs, and their applications in antimicrobial textile fabrics, food packaging films, and wound dressings. Particular attention is paid to the bactericidal activity and cytotoxic effect in mammalian cells.

Plant-derived anticancer agents: A green anticancer approach

Abstract: Cancer is a frightful disease and represents one of the biggest health-care issues for the human race and demands a proactive strategy for cure. Plants are reservoirs for novel chemical entities and provide a promising line for research on cancer. Hitherto, being effective, chemotherapy is accompanied by certain unbearable side effects. Nevertheless, plants and plant derived products is a revolutionizing field as these are Simple, safer, eco-friendly, low-cost, fast, and less toxic as compared with conventional treatment methods. Phytochemicals are selective in their functions and acts specifically on tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Carcinogenesis is complex phenomena that involves many signaling cascades. Phytochemicals are considered suitable candidates for anticancer drug development due to their pleiotropic actions on target events with multiple manners. The research is in progress for developing potential candidates (those can block or slow down the growth of cancer cells without any side effects) from these phytochemicals. Many phytochemicals and their derived analogs have been identified as potential candidates for anticancer therapy. Effort has been made through this comprehensive review to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in cancer therapies using phytomolecules with their mechanism of action on nuclear and cellular factors. Furthermore, drugs for cancer treatment and their limitations have also been discussed.

Nanoparticles: Alternatives Against Drug-Resistant Pathogenic Microbes.

Abstract: Antimicrobial substances may be synthetic, semisynthetic, or of natural origin (i.e., from plants and animals). Antimicrobials are considered “miracle drugs” and can determine if an infected patient/animal recovers or dies. However, the misuse of antimicrobials has led to the development of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, which is one of the greatest challenges for healthcare practitioners and is a significant global threat. The major concern with the development of antimicrobial resistance is the spread of resistant organisms. The replacement of conventional antimicrobials by new technology to counteract antimicrobial resistance is ongoing. Nanotechnology-driven innovations provide hope for patients and practitioners in overcoming the problem of drug resistance. Nanomaterials have tremendous potential in both the medical and veterinary fields. Several nanostructures comprising metallic particles have been developed to counteract microbial pathogens. The effectiveness of nanoparticles (NPs) depends on the interaction between the microorganism and the NPs. The development of effective nanomaterials requires in-depth knowledge of the physicochemical properties of NPs and the biological aspects of microorganisms. However, the risks associated with using NPs in healthcare need to be addressed. The present review highlights the antimicrobial effects of various nanomaterials and their potential advantages, drawbacks, or side effects. In addition, this comprehensive information may be useful in the discovery of broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs for use against multi-drug-resistant microbial pathogens in the near future.