Biocompatible and fluorescent superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with superior magnetic properties coated with charged polysaccharide derivatives

Curcumin-Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) Conjugates as Potent Zika Virus Entry Inhibitors

Curcumin, a natural product with recognized antiviral properties, is limited in its application largely due to its poor solubility. This study presents the synthesis of water-soluble curcumin-poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (Cur-PSSNan) covalent conjugates. The antiflaviviral activity of conjugates was validated in vitro by using the Zika virus as a model. In the development of these water-soluble curcumin-containing derivatives, we used the macromolecules reported by us to also hamper viral infections. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the conjugates exhibited excellent stability and bioavailability. The curcumin and macromolecules in concerted action interact directly with virus particles and block their attachment to host cells, hampering the infection process.

Hyaluronic Acid Modified Metal Nanoparticles and Their Derived Substituents for Cancer Therapy: A Review

The use of metal nanoparticles (M-NPs) in cancer therapy has gained significant consideration owing to their exceptional physical and chemical features. However, due to the limitations, such as specificity and toxicity towards healthy cells, their application in clinical translations has been restricted. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide, has been extensively used as a targeting moiety, due to its ability to selectively bind to the CD44 receptors overexpressed on cancer cells. The HA-modified M-NPs have demonstrated promising results in improving specificity and efficacy in cancer therapy. This review discusses the significance of nanotechnology, the state of cancers, and the functions of HA-modified M-NPs, and other substituents in cancer therapy applications. Additionally, the role of various types of selected noble and non-noble M-NPs used in cancer therapy are described, along with the mechanisms involved in cancer targeting. Additionally, the purpose of HA, its sources and production processes, as well as its chemical and biological properties are described. In-depth explanations are provided about the contemporary applications of HA-modified noble and non-noble M-NPs and other substituents in cancer therapy. Furthermore, potential obstacles in optimizing HA-modified M-NPs, in terms of clinical translations, are discussed, followed by a conclusion and future prospects.

Magnetic Nanoparticles Mediated Thrombolysis-A Review

Nanoparticles containing thrombolytic medicines have been developed for thrombolysis applications in response to the increasing demand for effective, targeted treatment of thrombosis disease. In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest in nanoparticles that can be navigated and driven by a magnetic field. However, there are few review publications concerning the application of magnetic nanoparticles in thrombolysis. In this study, we examine the current state of magnetic nanoparticles in the application of in vitro and in vivo thrombolysis under a static or dynamic magnetic field, as well as the combination of magnetic nanoparticles with an acoustic field for dual-mode thrombolysis. We also discuss four primary processes of magnetic nanoparticles mediated thrombolysis, including magnetic nanoparticle targeting, magnetic nanoparticle trapping, magnetic drug release, and magnetic rupture of blood clot fibrin networks. This review will offer unique insights for the future study and clinical development of magnetic nanoparticles mediated thrombolysis approaches.

Photocatalytic response in water pollutants with addition of biomedical and anti-leishmanial study of iron oxide nanoparticles

Public health is a major concern globally, owing to the presence of industrial dyes in the effluent. Nanoparticles with green synthesis are an enthralling research field with various applications. This study deals with investigating the photocatalytic potential of Fe-oxide nanoparticles (FeO-NPs) for the degradation of methylene blue dye and their potential biomedical investigations. Biosynthesis using Anthemis tomentosa flower extract showed to be an effective method for the synthesis of FeO-NPs. The freshly prepared FeO-NPs were characterized through UV/Vis spectroscopy showing clear peak at 318 nm. The prepared FeO-NPs were of smaller size and spherical shape having large surface area and porosity with no aggregations. The FeO-NPs were characterized using XRD, FTIR, HRTEM, SEM and EDX. The HRTEM results showed that the particle size of FeO-NPs was 60-90 nm. The antimicrobial properties of FeO-NPs were investigated against two bacterial Staphylococcus aureus 13 (±0.8) and Klebsiella pneumoniae 6(±0.6) and three fungal species Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus fumigatus exhibiting a maximum reduction of 57% 47% and 50%, respectively. Moreover, FeO-NPs exhibited high antioxidant properties evaluated against ascorbic acid. Overall, this study showed high photocatalytic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of FeO-NPs owing to their small size and large surface area. However, the ecotoxicity study of methylene blue degradation products showed potential toxicity to aquatic organisms.

One-Step Preparation of Highly Stable Copper-Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles in Water Suitable for MRI Thermometry

Superparamagnetic ferrite nanoparticles coated with a polymer layer are widely used for biomedical applications. The objective of this work is to design nanoparticles as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) temperature-sensitive contrast agent. Copper-zinc ferrite nanoparticles coated with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) layer are synthesized using a one-step thermal decomposition method in a polymer matrix. The resulting nanoparticles are stable in water and biocompatible. Using Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetometry, it was determined that the grown nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic properties. Embedding these particles into an agarose gel resulted in significant modification of water proton relaxation times T ₁, T ₂, and T ₂* determined by nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. The results of the spin-echo T ₂-weighted MR images of an aqueous phantom with embedded Cu_0.08Zn_0.54Fe_2.38O₄ nanoparticles in the presence of a strong temperature gradient show a strong correlation between the temperature and the image intensity. The presented results support the hypothesis that CuZn ferrite nanoparticles can be used as a contrast agent for MRI thermometry.

Imaging Constructs: The Rise of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Over the last decade, an important challenge in nanomedicine imaging has been the work to design multifunctional agents that can be detected by single and/or multimodal techniques. Among the broad spectrum of nanoscale materials being investigated for imaging use, iron oxide nanoparticles have gained significant attention due to their intrinsic magnetic properties, low toxicity, large magnetic moments, superparamagnetic behaviour and large surface area-the latter being a particular advantage in its conjunction with specific moieties, dye molecules, and imaging probes. Tracers-based nanoparticles are promising candidates, since they combine synergistic advantages for non-invasive, highly sensitive, high-resolution, and quantitative imaging on different modalities. This study represents an overview of current advancements in magnetic materials with clinical potential that will hopefully provide an effective system for diagnosis in the near future. Further exploration is still needed to reveal their potential as promising candidates from simple functionalization of metal oxide nanomaterials up to medical imaging.

Combining Inducible Lectin Expression and Magnetic Glyconanoparticles for the Selective Isolation of Bacteria from Mixed Populations

The selective isolation of bacteria from mixed populations has been investigated in varied applications ranging from differential pathogen identification in medical diagnostics and food safety to the monitoring of microbial stress dynamics in industrial bioreactors. Selective isolation techniques are generally limited to the confinement of small populations in defined locations, may be unable to target specific bacteria, or rely on immunomagnetic separation, which is not universally applicable. In this proof-of-concept work, we describe a novel strategy combining inducible bacterial lectin expression with magnetic glyconanoparticles (MGNPs) as a platform technology to enable selective bacterial isolation from cocultures. An inducible mutant of the type 1 fimbriae, displaying the mannose-specific lectin FimH, was constructed in Escherichia coli allowing for "on-demand" glycan-binding protein presentation following external chemical stimulation. Binding to glycopolymers was only observed upon fimbrial induction and was specific for mannosylated materials. A library of MGNPs was produced via the grafting of well-defined catechol-terminal glycopolymers prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization to magnetic nanoparticles. Thermal analysis revealed high functionalization (≥85% polymer by weight). Delivery of MGNPs to cocultures of fluorescently labeled bacteria followed by magnetic extraction resulted in efficient depletion of type 1 fimbriated target cells from wild-type or afimbriate E. coli. Extraction efficiency was found to be dependent on the molecular weight of the glycopolymers utilized to engineer the nanoparticles, with MGNPs decorated with shorter Dopa-(ManAA)₅₀ mannosylated glycopolymers found to perform better than those assembled from a longer Dopa-(ManAA)₂₀₀ analogue. The extraction efficiency of fimbriated E. coli was also improved when the counterpart strain did not harbor the genetic apparatus for the expression of the type 1 fimbriae. Overall, this work suggests that the modulation of the genetic apparatus encoding bacterial surface-associated lectins coupled with capture through MGNPs could be a versatile tool for the extraction of bacteria from mixed populations.

Thermoresponsive polymer gated and superparamagnetic nanoparticle embedded hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles as smart multifunctional nanocarrier for targeted and controlled delivery of doxorubicin

The design and development of drug-delivery nanocarriers with high loading capacity, excellent biocompatibility, targeting ability and controllability have been the ultimate goal of the biomedical research community. In this work, we have reported the synthesis and characterization of novel and smart thermoresponsive polymer coated and Fe₃O₄ embedded hollow mesoporous silica (HmSiO₂) based multifunctional superparamagnetic nanocarriers for the delivery of doxorubicin (Dox) for cancer treatment. P(NIPAM-MAm) coated and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle (NP) embedded hollow mesoporous silica nanocomposite (HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm)) was prepared by the in situ polymerization of NIPAM and MAm monomers on the surface of hollow mesoporous silica NPs (HmSiO₂) in the presence of Fe₃O₄ NPs, oxidizer and crosslinker. TEM analysis showed nearly spherical morphology of HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm) nanocarrier with a diameter in the range of 100-300 nm. The coating of P(NIPAM-MAm) layer and embedding of Fe₃O₄ NPs on the surface of the HmSiO₂ NPs was revealed by HRTEM analysis. XRD and FTIR analysis also confirmed the presence of P(NIPAM-MAm) shells and Fe₃O₄ NPs on hollow mesoporous silica NPs. VSM analysis suggested the superparamagnetic nature of HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm) nanocarrier. DSC analysis of HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm) nanocarrier showed a phase transition at the temperature of ∼38 °C. The prepared HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm) nanocarrier was investigated for its suitability for drug-delivery application using doxorubicin as the model drug by an in vitro method. The encapsulation efficiency and encapsulation capacity were found to be 95% and 6.8%, respectively. HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm)-Dox has shown a pH and temperature-dependent Dox release profile. A relatively faster release of Dox from the nanocarrier was observed at temperature above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) than below the LCST. HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm) nanocarrier was found to be biocompatible in nature. In vitro cytotoxicity studies against Hela cells suggested that the HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm)-Dox nanocomposite nanocarrier has good anticancer activity. In vitro cellular uptake study of HmSiO₂-F-P(NIPAM-MAm)-Dox nanocomposite nanocarrier demonstrated its good internalisation ability into Hela cells. Thus, the prepared nanocomposites show potential as nanocarrier for targeted and controlled drug delivery for cancer treatment.

Polymer Capsules with Hydrophobic Liquid Cores as Functional Nanocarriers

Recent developments in the fabrication of core-shell polymer nanocapsules, as well as their current and future applications, are reported here. Special attention is paid to the newly introduced surfactant-free fabrication method of aqueous dispersions of nanocapsules with hydrophobic liquid cores stabilized by amphiphilic copolymers. Various approaches to the efficient stabilization of such vehicles, tailoring their cores and shells for the fabrication of multifunctional, navigable nanocarriers and/or nanoreactors useful in various fields, are discussed. The emphasis is placed on biomedical applications of polymer nanocapsules, including the delivery of poorly soluble active compounds and contrast agents, as well as their use as theranostic platforms. Other methods of fabrication of polymer-based nanocapsules are briefly presented and compared in the context of their biomedical applications.

Curcumin as a Therapeutic Option in Retinal Diseases

The retina is subjected to oxidative stress due to its high vascularization, long time light exposition and a high density of mitochondria. Oxidative stress can lead to pathological processes, like cell apoptosis, angiogenesis and inflammation ending in retinal pathologies. Curcumin, a major bioactive component obtained from the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome has been used for centuries in Asian countries for cooking and for curing all kinds of diseases like dysentery, chest congestion and pain in general, due to its antioxidant effects. Curcumin prevents the formation of reactive oxygen species and so it is a good protective agent. Curcumin has shown also anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. Curcumin is a natural product, which can be a therapeutic option in a variety of retinal diseases due to its pleiotropic properties. Some drawbacks are its poor solubility, bioavailability and lack of stability at physiological conditions; which have been shown in curcumin skeptical publications. In this review, we provide some lights and shadows on curcumin administration on the major retinal pathologies.

SPIONs/3D SiSBA-16 based Multifunctional Nanoformulation for target specific cisplatin release in colon and cervical cancer cell lines

Multifunctional nanomaterials can be used for dual applications: drug delivery as well as in bioimaging. In current study, we investigated potential use of silica based supports; 3D cage type SiSBA-16 (S-16), monodispersed hydrophilic spherical silica (HYPS) and mesocellular foam (MSU-F) for cisplatin (Cp) delivery. To obtain magnetic resonance characteristics, 10 wt% iron oxide was loaded through enforced adsorption technique. For pH stimuli responsive release of Cp, 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16 was functionalized with 3-(Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (A) and poly acrylic acid (PAA) termed as 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16-A-Cp and 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16-APAA-Cp. By TEM analysis, the average diameter of the SPIONs was found to range between 10–60 nm. VSM analysis showed saturation magnetization over S-16, HYPS and MSU-F were in the following order: 10 wt%SPIONs/HYPS (4.08 emug⁻¹) > 10 wt%SPIONs /S-16 (2.39 emug⁻¹) > 10 wt%SPIONs/MSU-F (0.23 emug⁻¹). Cp release study using dialysis membrane in PBS solution over 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16 nanoformulations showed highest cumulative release (65%) than 10 wt%SPIONs/MSU-F-A-Cp (63%), 10 wt%SPIONs/HYPS-A-Cp (58%), and Cp-F127/S-16 (53%), respectively. 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16-A-Cp and 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16-APAA-Cp were evaluated for in vitro target anticancer efficiency in human cancer cell lines (colon cancer (HCT 116), cervical cancer (HeLa)) and normal cells (Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) using MTT and DAPI staining. 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16-A-Cp treated Hela and HCT116 cancerous cell lines showed significant control of cell growth, apoptotic activity and less cytotoxic effect as compared to Cp and 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16. Target specific Cp release in the cells shows that 10 wt%SPIONs/S-16-A-Cp can be easily upgraded for magnetic resonance imaging capability.

Enhanced hyperthermic properties of biocompatible zinc ferrite nanoparticles with a charged polysaccharide coating

Zinc doping of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with an ionic derivative of chitosan significantly improves their properties for magnetic hyperthermia.

The synthesis and characterization of glutathione-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and their distribution in rat brains after injection in substantia nigra

Glutathione-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (GSH-SPIONs) were prepared by conjugating glutathione (GSH) on the surface of the PEG (Polyethylene glycol)/PEI (polyethyleneimine)-SPIONs which were synthesized by thermal decomposition method. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the mass fraction of GSH on the surface of SPIONs was 30.64 wt%. GSH-SPIONs in PBS were injected into the substantia nigra of rat brains. The subcellular distributions of the nanoparticles in the brains was examined by the transmission electron microscope (TEM). A remarkable amount of GSH-SPIONs were found in vesicles inside cell bodies and axons, and in mitochondria. TEM pictures show that GSH-SPIONs enter the neuronal cells by endocytosis and travel through axoplasmic transport. GSH-SPIONs have great potential as drug delivery agents in the brain to treat diseases or study brain function via mitochondria-targeting way or axoplasmic transport way.

How to Study the Uptake and Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Cultured Brain Cells: The Dos and Don't Forgets

Due to their exciting properties, engineered nanoparticles have obtained substantial attention over the last two decades. As many types of nanoparticles are already used for technical and biomedical applications, the chances that cells in the brain will encounter nanoparticles have strongly increased. To test for potential consequences of an exposure of brain cells to engineered nanoparticles, cell culture models for different types of neural cells are frequently used. In this review article we will discuss experimental strategies and important controls that should be used to investigate the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles for the cell incubation conditions applied as well as for studies on the biocompatibility and the cellular uptake of nanoparticles in neural cells. The main focus of this article will be the interaction of cultured neural cells with iron oxide nanoparticles, but similar considerations are important for studying the consequences of an exposure of other types of cultured cells with other types of nanoparticles. Our article aims to improve the understanding of the special technical challenges of working with nanoparticles on cultured neural cells, to identify potential artifacts and to prevent misinterpretation of data on the potential adverse or beneficial consequences of a treatment of cultured cells with nanoparticles.

Robust oil-core nanocapsules with hyaluronate-based shells as promising nanovehicles for lipophilic compounds

The design of nanodelivery systems has been recently considered as a solution to the major challenge in pharmaceutical research - poor bioavailability of lipophilic drugs. Nanocapsules with liquid oil cores and shells based on amphiphilic polysaccharides were developed here as robust carriers of hydrophobic active compounds. A series of modified charged hyaluronates were synthesized and used as stabilizing shells ensuring also the biocompatibility of the nanocapsules that is crucial for applications related to the delivery of lipophilic drugs in vivo. Importantly, the oil nanodroplets were found to be stably suspended in water for at least 15 months without addition of low molar mass surfactants. Moreover, their size and stability may be tuned by varying the relative content of hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups in the hyaluronate derivatives as was confirmed by dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis as well as electron microscopy. In vivo studies demonstrated that hyaluronate-based nanocapsules accumulated preferentially in the liver as well as in the lungs. Moreover, their accumulation was dramatically potentiated in endotoxemic mice. In vitro studies showed that the nanocapsules were taken up by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and by mouse lung vascular endothelial cells. Importantly, the capsules were found to be nontoxic in an acute oral toxicity experiment even at a dose of 2000 mg per kg b.w. Biocompatible hyaluronate-based nanocapsules with liquid cores described herein represent a promising and tunable nanodelivery system for lipophilic active compounds via both oral and intravenous administration.

Uptake and bioreactivity of charged chitosan-coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles as promising contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

Bioreactivity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) coated with thin layers of either cationic or anionic chitosan derivatives and serving as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was studied in vivo using BALB/c mouse model. Synthesized dual-modal fluorescing SPION were tracked in time using both fluorescent imaging and MRI. Although SPION started to be excreted by kidneys relatively shortly after administration they were uptaken by liver enhancing MRI contrast even up to 7 days. Importantly, chitosan-coated SPION caused only mild activation of acute phase response not affecting biochemical parameters of blood. Liver histology indicated the presence of SPION and modest increase in the number of Kupffer cells. The overall results indicated that SPION coated with ultrathin layers of chitosan ionic derivatives can serve as T₂ contrast agents for diagnosis of liver diseases or imaging of other organs assuming the dose is optimized according to the need.