Functionalization of iron oxide nanoparticles with clove extract to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Tetracycline Adsorption: Experimental Insights and DFT Study

An eco-friendly approach was used to fabricate zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using thyme, Thymus vulgaris L., leaf extract. The produced ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and SEM analysis. The ZnO NPs showed remarkable adsorption efficiency for tetracycline (TC) from water systems, with a maximum removal rate of 95% under optimal conditions (10 ppm, 0.10 g of ZnO NPs, pH 8.5, and 30 min at 25 °C). The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-2nd-order model, and the adsorption process fitted the Temkin isotherm model. The process was spontaneous, endothermic, and primarily chemisorptive. Quantum chemistry calculations, utilizing electrostatic potential maps and HOMO-LUMO gap analysis, have confirmed the stability of the TC clusters. This study suggests that green synthesis using plant extracts presents an opportunity to generate nanoparticles with properties suitable for real-world applications.

Effect of non-covalent interactions on the stability and structural properties of 2,4-dioxo-4-phenylbutanoic complex: a computational analysis

CONTEXT

The 2,4-dioxo-4-phenylbutanoic acid (DPBA) is a subject of interest in pharmaceutical research, particularly in developing new drugs targeting viral and bacterial infections. Complexation with metal ions can improve the stability and solubility of organic compounds. The present study uses quantum chemical calculations to explore the structural and electronic results arising from the interaction between the metal cation (Fe2+) and the π-system of DPBA in different solvents. For this purpose, the analyses of atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) are employed to comprehend the interaction features and the charge delocalization during the process of complexation. The results demonstrate that the strongest/weakest interactions are evident when the complex is situated in non-polar/polar solvents, respectively. In addition, the investigated complex exhibits two intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IMHBs) characterized by the O-H···O motif. The results indicate that the HBs present in the complex fall within the category of weak to medium HBs. Moreover, the O-H···O HBs are influenced by cation-π interactions, which can increase/decrease their strength in polar/non-polar solvents. To enhance understanding of the interactions above, an examination is conducted on various physical properties including the energy gap, electronic chemical potential, chemical hardness, softness, and electrophilicity power.

METHOD

All calculations are conducted within the density functional theory (DFT) using the ωB97XD functional and 6-311 +  + G(d,p) basis set. The computations are performed using the quantum chemistry package GAMESS, and the obtained results are visualized by employing the GaussView program.

Oxidative stress modulating nanomaterials and their biochemical roles in nanomedicine

Many pathological conditions are predominantly associated with oxidative stress, arising from reactive oxygen species (ROS); therefore, the modulation of redox activities has been a key strategy to restore normal tissue functions. Current approaches involve establishing a favorable cellular redox environment through the administration of therapeutic drugs and redox-active nanomaterials (RANs). In particular, RANs not only provide a stable and reliable means of therapeutic delivery but also possess the capacity to finely tune various interconnected components, including radicals, enzymes, proteins, transcription factors, and metabolites. Here, we discuss the roles that engineered RANs play in a spectrum of pathological conditions, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, and inflammation. We visualize the dual functions of RANs as both generator and scavenger of ROS, emphasizing their profound impact on diverse cellular functions. The focus of this review is solely on inorganic redox-active nanomaterials (inorganic RANs). Additionally, we deliberate on the challenges associated with current RANs-based approaches and propose potential research directions for their future clinical translation.

Anticancer of genus Syzygium: a systematic review

Aim

One in eight fatalities globally are considered cancer-related. The need for cancer therapy is growing. Natural products continue to play a role in drug development, as up to 50% of authorized drugs in the last 30 years have been isolated from natural sources.

Methods

Anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and other actions have all been reported in research papers using plants from the Syzygium genus in the treatment and prevention of disease.

Results

Results from the anticancer test showed that the genus, especially Syzygium aqueum, Syzygium samarangense, and Syzygium cumini had significant promise as an anticancer agent in vitro against several cancer cell lines. Numerous factors, including phytochemical composition, increased apoptotic activity, decreased cell proliferation, stopped angiogenesis, and reduced inflammation.

Conclusions

These results, despite preliminary, show promise for further purification and investigation of bioactive compounds and extracts within the genus Syzygium for their anticancer properties.

Cinchona officinalis Phytochemicals-Loaded Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Cytotoxicity and Stimulate Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

The present study aimed to synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles loaded with quinine and alkaloids-rich Cinchona officinalis (Peruvian bark) stem bark extract, and further evaluate their cytotoxic effect and apoptosis mechanisms in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Nanoparticles were prepared by biological reduction of iron oxide with Cinchona officinalis extract, using the green synthesis method. The nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, and UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vitro cytotoxicity analyses of Cinchona officinalis extract, ferrous oxide, and Cinchona officinalis extract-loaded iron oxide nanoparticles (CO-NPs) were carried out using the MTT test for 24 h and 48 h. We found that CO-NPs reduced the MCF-7 cell viability with IC₅₀ values of 16.2 and 9 µg/mL in 24 h and 48 h, respectively. In addition, CO-NPs were tested with normal hMSCs to determine their toxicity, and we did not find noticeable cytotoxicity. Confocal fluorescent microscopy revealed that CO-NPs efficiently increased the nuclear condensation and chromatin damage in propidium iodide staining; meanwhile, there was decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in CO-NPs-treated MCF-7 cells. In addition, AO-EB staining confirmed the late apoptotic and apoptotic morphology of cancer cells. Further gene expression analysis confirmed that the upregulation of tumor suppressors, Cdkn1A, Prb, and p53 was significantly increased, and inflammatory traits such as TNF-α and Nf-κb were increased in cancer cells treated with CO-NPs. Apoptotic stimulators such as Bax and caspase-3 expression were highly significantly increased, while mdm-2 and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased. Overall, the enhanced cytotoxic potential of the Cinchona officianlis stem bark extract loaded CO-NPs versus free Cinchona officianlis extract might be due to the functional stabilization of bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, quinine, flavonoids, phenolics, etc., into the iron oxide, providing bioavailability and internalization of cinchona metabolites intracellularly.

Nanomaterials alleviating redox stress in neurological diseases: mechanisms and applications

Overproduced reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species (RONS) in the brain are involved in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and stroke, as they attack neurons and glial cells, triggering cellular redox stress. Neutralizing RONS, and, thus, alleviating redox stress, can slow down or stop the progression of neurological diseases. Currently, an increasing number of studies are applying nanomaterials (NMs) with anti-redox activity and exploring the potential mechanisms involved in redox stress-related neurological diseases. In this review, we summarize the anti-redox mechanisms of NMs, including mimicking natural oxidoreductase activity and inhibiting RONS generation at the source. In addition, we propose several strategies to enhance the anti-redox ability of NMs and highlight the challenges that need to be resolved in their application. In-depth knowledge of the mechanisms and potential application of NMs in alleviating redox stress will help in the exploration of the therapeutic potential of anti-redox stress NMs in neurological diseases.

Activity of Povidone in Recent Biomedical Applications with Emphasis on Micro- and Nano Drug Delivery Systems

Due to the unwanted toxic properties of some drugs, new efficient methods of protection of the organisms against that toxicity are required. New materials are synthesized to effectively disseminate the active substance without affecting the healthy cells. Thus far, a number of polymers have been applied to build novel drug delivery systems. One of interesting polymers for this purpose is povidone, pVP. Contrary to other polymeric materials, the synthesis of povidone nanoparticles can take place under various condition, due to good solubility of this polymer in several organic and inorganic solvents. Moreover, povidone is known as nontoxic, non-carcinogenic, and temperature-insensitive substance. Its flexible design and the presence of various functional groups allow connection with the hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. It is worth noting, that pVP is regarded as an ecofriendly substance. Despite wide application of pVP in medicine, it was not often selected for the production of drug carriers. This review article is focused on recent reports on the role povidone can play in micro- and nano drug delivery systems. Advantages and possible threats resulting from the use of povidone are indicated. Moreover, popular biomedical aspects are discussed.

Ferrite Nanoparticles-Based Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Cancer Therapy

Ferrite nanoparticles have been widely used in the biomedical field (such as magnetic targeting, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, etc.) due to their appealing magnetic properties. In tumor acidic microenvironment, ferrite nanoparticles show intrinsic peroxidase-like activities, which can catalyze the Fenton reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to produce highly toxic hydroxyl free radicals (•OH), causing the death of tumor cell. Recent progresses in this field have shown that the enzymatic activity of ferrite can be improved via converting external field energy such as alternating magnetic field and near-infrared laser into nanoscale heat to produce more •OH, enhancing the killing effect on tumor cells. On the other hand, combined with other nanomaterials or drugs for cascade reactions, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can also be increased to obtain more efficient cancer therapy. In this review, we will discuss the current status and progress of the application of ferrite nanoparticles in ROS-mediated cancer therapy and try to provide new ideas for this area.