Fuente: PubMed "nature biotechnology" 3 Biotech. 2026 Aug;16(8):361. doi: 10.1007/s13205-026-04998-3. Epub 2026 Jul 29.ABSTRACTDue to the rapid increase in industrial and urban areas, environmental pollution is increasing worldwide, which is causing unwanted changes in air, water, and soil at biological, physical, as well as chemical levels that ultimately causing the negative effects in living things because of toxic level of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). However, nanotechnology is capturing great interest worldwide due to their stirring applications in various fields. For this purpose, a controlled pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar-applied silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs), and aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) in mitigating Cd and As toxicity in maize (Zea mays L.) grown at 0, 100, and 200 mg kg⁻1 of each metal. The research outcomes indicated that the toxic concentration of Cd and As notably reduced plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange attributes. Increasing Cd and As concentrations intensified oxidative stress, as indicated by greater hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and altered enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant responses, sugar metabolism, and antioxidant-related gene expression. Furthermore, a significant increase in proline metabolism, the AsA-GSH cycle, and the pigmentation of cellular components was observed. The application of Si NPs, TiO₂ NPs, and Al₂O₃ NPs significantly improved plant growth, biomass production, photosynthetic pigments, gas-exchange characteristics, antioxidant activities, and antioxidant-related gene expression while reducing oxidative damage. Nanoparticle treatments also regulated proline metabolism and the AsA-GSH cycle, strengthened cell-wall components, and reduced Cd and As accumulation and translocation in Z. mays seedlings. Research findings, therefore, suggest that the application of Si NPs, TiO₂ NPs, and Al₂O₃ NPs can ameliorate Cd and As toxicity in Z. mays seedlings Overall, the nanoparticles enhanced maize tolerance to Cd and As toxicity by improving photosynthetic performance, strengthening antioxidant and cellular defense mechanisms, and limiting metal-induced oxidative damage, with TiO₂ NPs showing the most promising overall response.SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04998-3.PMID:42534739 | PMC:PMC13421566 | DOI:10.1007/s13205-026-04998-3