Assessment of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of pillar[5]arene derivatives by Allium cepa roots and Drosophila melanogaster haemocytes

Preparation of water-soluble imidazole-functionalized pillar[5]arenes: The activities of antibacterial and antioxidant, catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Macrocyclic supramolecular materials such as pillar[n]arenes play a prominent role in enhancing antibacterial activity through host-guest interactions. Herein, the water-soluble pillar[5]arene imidazole-1 and pillar[5]arene imidazole-2 were prepared, and their structure and chemical compositions were analyzed through multiple characterization methods. Afterward, the prepared imidazole-functionalized pillar[5]arenes were examined for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium bacteria. Also, the antioxidant activities of the prepared imidazole-functionalized pillar[5]arenes were investigated using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. In addition, the catalytic activities of pillar[5]arene imidazole-1 and pillar[5]arene imidazole-2 by reduction of 4-nitrophenol were studied, indicating the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol was 93.0 % for the pillar[5]arene imidazole-1 catalyst at 18 min. Comparison of the reactivity of pillar[5]arene imidazole-1 with that of pillar[5]arene imidazole-2 shows an increase in antibacterial and catalytic activity. This study summarized that using suitable catalysts, catalytic reduction aims to convert the most harmful and toxic organic compound 4-nitrophenol into non-toxic 4-aminophenol and popularize it in industry.

A supramolecular electrochemical probe based on a tetrazole derivative pillar[5]arene/methylene blue system

For the first time, an original synthetic approach has been developed that enables the introduce ten tetrazole fragments into the pillar[5]arene structure. A supramolecular electrochemical probe was assembled for the first time from the obtained macrocycles and an electrochemically active signal converter: methylene blue (MB) dye. The ability of pillar[5]arene containing tetrazole fragments to selectively bind MB was confirmed by UV-vis and 2D 1H-1H NOESY spectroscopy. The stoichiometry of the resulting pillar[5]arene/MB complex = 1 : 2. This new supramolecular probe pillar[5]arene/MB allowed the detection of changes in the electrochemical signals of MB implemented in the supramolecular complex depending on the presence or absence of some metal ions (Zn2+ and Co2+) that do not exert their own redox activity. This will find further applications for the enhancement of the range of analytes detected by their influence on host-guest complexation and for the design of biosensors based on specific DNA-MB interactions.

Rational tuning of binding properties of pillar [5] arene-based sensing material by synergistic effect and its application for fluorescent turn-on detection of isoniazid and controlled reversible morphology

Isoniazid (INH) is crucial in the treatment of tuberculosis; however, its overuse may induce significant gastrointestinal and hepatic side effects. On October 27, 2017, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, under the auspices of the World Health Organization, published a list of carcinogens for preliminary collation and reference. Isoniazid was categorized as a Group 3 carcinogen. The efficient detection of INH poses an important and challenging task. In this study, a "synergistic effect" is incorporated into the pillar (Yamagishi and Ogoshi, 2018) [5] arene-based macrocyclic host (DPA) by strategically attaching bis-p-hydroxybenzoic acid groups to the opposite ends of the pillar (Yamagishi and Ogoshi, 2018) [5] arene. This combination endows DPA with a reversible and selective fluorescence response to isoniazid. Additionally, DPA exhibits excellent analytical capabilities for isoniazid, including speed and selectivity, with a detection limit as low as 4.85 nM. Concurrently, DPA can self-assemble into a microsphere structure, which is convertible into micrometer-sized tubular structures through host-guest interactions with isoniazid. The introduction of a competitive guest, trimethylamine, enables the reversion to its microsphere structure. Consequently, this study presents an innovative and straightforward synthetic approach for smart materials that facilitates the reversible morphological transition between microspheres and microtubes in response to external chemical stimuli. This discovery provides a valuable strategy for designing "synergistic effects" in constructing trace-level isoniazid-responsive interfaces, with potential applications across various fields, such as controlled drug delivery.

Water-soluble Pillar[5]arene-based drug candidates for lung and breast cancer

The objective of research was to examine the likely anticancer effectiveness of distinct pillar[5] arene derivatives, ws-penta-P[5] and ws-deca-P[5], on breast and lung cancer cell lines in vitro. To achieve this goal, breast cancer (MCF7) cells, lung cancer (A549) cells, healthy cells (HEK293) were utilized. The IC50 dose of ws-penta-P[5] and ws-deca-P[5] was determined using the MTT method. Both treatment (pillar[5] arene applied) and control (pillar[5] arene not applied) groups were established for all three cell lines. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to evaluate changes in gene expression following pillar[5] arene treatment. Flow cytometry analysis was used to determine apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The treatment group and control group results were compared after the study. The results revealed that in both cell lines treated with ws-deca-P[5], proapoptotic gene expressions were upregulated, while antiapoptotic gene expressions and caspase activation gene expressions were down-regulated. The flow cytometry apoptosis and cell cycle analysis in treatment group compared to the control, it was observed that the apoptosis rate increased in the ws-deca-P[5] and ws-deca-P[5] were shown to cause G0/G1 phase arrest in both cell groups. Results from our study that pillar[5] arene derivatives had the potential for treating breast and lung cancer, and more research is required in this area.

A new bodipy/pillar[5]arene functionalized magnetic sporopollenin for the detection of Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions in aqueous solution

In this study, a new bodipy/pillar[5]arene functionalized magnetic MS-Sp-P[5]-bodipy microcapsule sensor was prepared based on the use of environmentally friendly for the selective and sensitive detection of Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions in aqueous media. SEM results used in the characterization process of the materials synthesized at each stage confirmed the structural and morphological changes in the pore structure, while other characterization results (FT-IR and XRD) elucidated the role of pillar[5]arene compound and bodipy dye in the synthesis of magnetic microcapsule sensors. The colloidal solution of MS-Sp-P[5]-bodipy (water/ethanol)) showed two fluorescence bands centered at 402 and 540 nm. The detection limits of MS-Sp-P[5]-bodipy for Hg(II) and Cu(II) were calculated to be 0.06 µM and 2.27 µM, respectively (at 540 nm). The linear range of the magnetic sensor for Hg(II) and Cu(II) was found to be in the range of 1-150 µM and 10-150 µM, respectively. The experimental results (response time, pH, temperature, sensitivity and selectivity) demonstrated the applicability and potential of the prepared magnetic microcapsule sensor for the detection of Cu(II) and Hg(II) in water and tap water samples containing heavy metal ions.

Highly selective Cu2+ detection with a naphthalimide-functionalised pillar[5]arene fluorescent chemosensor

Ligand 1, a rim-differentiated pillar[5]arene macrocycle modified with five naphthalimide groups through click chemistry, serves as an effective ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+. In contrast to the monomeric naphthalimide control compound 2, which shows only monomer emission, ligand 1 demonstrates dual emission characteristics encompassing both the monomer and excimer of the naphthalimide moieties. The binding properties of ligand 1 toward 15 different metal ions were systematically investigated in CH2Cl2/CH3CN (v/v, 1 : 1) by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Remarkably, ligand 1 exhibits exceptional selectivity for Cu2+ ions. Upon complexation with Cu2+, the excimer emission of ligand 1 diminishes, concomitant with an enhancement of its monomer emission. The binding ratio for 1·Cu2+ was determined to be 1 : 1, with an association constant of (3.39 ± 0.40) × 105 M-1 calculated using a nonlinear least-squares curve-fitting method. Furthermore, the limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 185 ± 7 nM. Our results from 1H NMR titration, high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis and density functional theory calculations of 1·Cu2+ suggest synergistic coordination between Cu2+ and the triazole groups on ligand 1.

A scoping review of recent advances in the application of comet assay to Allium cepa roots

The comet assay is a sensitive method for the evaluation of DNA damages and DNA repair capacity at single-cell level. Allium cepa is a well-established plant model for toxicological studies. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate the recent application of the comet assay in Allium cepa root cells to assess the genotoxicity. To explore the literature a search was performed selecting articles published between January 2015 and February 2023 from Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases using the combined search terms "Comet assay" and "Allium cepa". All the original articles that applied the comet assay to Allium cepa root cells were included. Of the 334 records initially found, 79 articles were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Some studies reported results for two or more toxicants. In these cases, the data for each toxicant were treated separately. Thus, the number of analyzed toxicants (such as chemicals, new materials, and environmental matrices) was higher than the number of selected papers and reached 90. The current use of the Allium-comet assay seems to be directed towards two types of approach: the direct study of the genotoxicity of compounds, mainly biocides (20% of analyzed compounds) and nano- and microparticles (17%), and assessing a treatment's ability to reduce or eliminate genotoxicity of known genotoxicants (19%). Although the genotoxicity identified by the Allium-comet assay is only one piece of a larger puzzle, this method could be considered a useful tool for screening the genotoxic potential of compounds released into the environment.

Cyto-genotoxicity, antibacterial, and antibiofilm properties of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Penicillium toxicarium

The fungi are becoming the distinguished organisms utilized in the biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles because of their metal bioaccumulation ability. Addressed herein, the extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out by using the cell-free filtrate of Penicillium toxicarium KJ173540.1. P. toxicarium was locally isolated and identified using both classical and molecular methods according to ribosomal internal transcribed spacer area of 18S rDNA. The optimum conditions for the AgNPs synthesis were found as 0.25 mM AgNO₃ concentrations with pH 12 values at 45°C after 64 hr incubation in dark. Biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized via microscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Zetasizer measurements presented that the high negative potential value (-18.1 mV) and PDI (0.495) supported the excellent colloidal nature of AgNPs with long-range stability and high dispersity. AgNPs exhibited cyto-genotoxicity in Allium cepa root meristem cells by decreasing mitotic index and increasing chromosome aberrations in a dose-dependent manner. Then, 100 and 50% concentration of biosynthesized AgNPs showed antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. A decreasing biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 80.69, 48.32, and 28.41% was also observed at 100, 50, and 25% of mycosynthesized AgNP, respectively.

Preventive efficiency of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit extract in diniconazole fungicide-treated Allium cepa L. roots

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a medicinal plant with antioxidant-rich fruits. Diniconazole, a broad-spectrum fungicide, is employed extensively. The present study was designed to evaluate the preventive efficiency of C. mas fruit extract (CME) against the toxic effects of diniconazole on a model organism, Allium cepa L. For this aim, physiological, cytogenetic and biochemical parameters as well as the meristematic cell damages were investigated in A. cepa treated with diniconazole and C. mas extract. A. cepa bulbs were divided into six groups which were treated with tap water, 0.5 g/L CME, 1.0 g/L CME, 100 mg/L diniconazole, 0.5 g/L CME + 100 mg/L diniconazole and 1.0 g/L CME + 100 mg/L diniconazole, respectively. Diniconazole application caused a significant reduction in germination percentage, root elongation and total weight gain. Mitotic index decreased, while chromosomal aberrations increased following diniconazole application. Diniconazole caused significant rises in malondialdehyde content and the total activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes. The meristematic cell damages induced by diniconazole were indistinct transmission tissue, epidermis cell deformation, thickening of the cortex cell wall and flattened cell nucleus. Aqueous C. mas extracts induced a dose-dependent prevention and amelioration in all damages arisen from diniconazole application.