Carbon quantum dot modified electrodes developed for electrochemical monitoring of Daunorubicin-DNA interaction

Recent Applications of Quantum Dots in Pharmaceutical Analysis

Nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most potential areas for pharmaceutical analysis. The need for nanomaterials in pharmaceutical analysis is comprehended in terms of economic challenges, health and safety concerns. Quantum dots (QDs)or colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals are new groups of fluorescent nanoparticles that bind nanotechnology to drug analysis. Because of their special physicochemical characteristics and small size, QDs are thought to be promising candidates for the electrical and luminescent probes development. They were originally developed as luminescent biological labels, but are now discovering new analytical chemistry applications, where their photo-luminescent properties are used in pharmaceutical, clinical analysis, food quality control and environmental monitoring. In this review, we discuss QDs regarding properties and advantages, advances in methods of synthesis and their recent applications in drug analysis in the recent last years.

Impedimetric DNA Sensors for Epirubicin Detection Based on Polythionine Films Electropolymerized from Deep Eutectic Solvent

An electrochemically active polymer, polythionine (PTN), was synthesized in natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) via multiple potential scans and characterized using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). NADES consists of citric acid monohydrate, glucose, and water mixed in the molar ratio of 1:1:6. Electrodeposited PTN film was then applied for the electrostatic accumulation of DNA from salmon sperm and used for the sensitive detection of the anticancer drug epirubicin. Its reaction with DNA resulted in regular changes in the EIS parameters that made it possible to determine 1.0-100 µM of epirubicin with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 µM. The DNA sensor developed was successfully applied for the detection of epirubicin in spiked samples of artificial and natural urine and saliva, with recovery ranging from 90 to 109%. The protocol of the DNA sensor assembling utilized only one drop of reactants and was performed with a minimal number of steps. Together with a simple measurement protocol requiring 100 µL of the sample, this offers good opportunities for the further use of the DNA sensor in monitoring the drug level in biological samples, which is necessary in oncology treatment and for the pharmacokinetics studies of new antitumor drugs.

Electrochemical DNA biosensors developed for the monitoring of biointeractions with drugs: a review

The interaction of drugs with DNA is important for the discovery of novel drug molecules and for understanding the therapeutic effects of drugs as well as the monitoring of side effects. For this reason, many studies have been carried out to investigate the interactions of drugs with nucleic acids. In recent years, a large number of studies have been performed to electrochemically detect drug-DNA interactions. The fast, sensitive, and accurate results of electrochemical techniques have resulted in a leading role for their implementation in this field. By means of electrochemical techniques, it is possible not only to demonstrate drug-DNA interactions but also to quantitatively analyze drugs. In this context, electrochemical biosensors for drug-DNA interactions have been examined under different headings including anticancer, antiviral, antibiotic, and central nervous system drugs as well as DNA-targeted drugs. An overview of the studies related to electrochemical DNA biosensors developed for the detection of drug-DNA interactions that were reported in the last two decades in the literature is presented herein along with their applications and they are discussed together with their future perspectives.

Elucidation of DNA-Eltrombopag Binding: Electrochemical, Spectroscopic and Molecular Docking Techniques

Eltrombopag is a powerful adjuvant anticancer drug used in treating MS (myelodysplastic syndrome) and AML (acute myeloid leukemia) diseases. In this study, the interaction mechanism between eltrombopag and DNA was studied by voltammetry, spectroscopic techniques, and viscosity measurements. We developed a DNA-based biosensor and nano-biosensor using reduced graphene oxide-modified glassy carbon electrode to detect DNA-eltrombopag binding. The reduction of desoxyguanosine (dGuo) and desoxyadenosine (dAdo) oxidation signals in the presence of the drug demonstrated that a strong interaction could be established between the eltrombopag and dsDNA. The eltrombopag-DNA interaction was further investigated by UV absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy to gain more quantitative insight on binding. Viscosity measurements were utilized to characterize the binding mode of the drug. To shed light on the noncovalent interactions and binding mechanism of eltrombopag molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD), simulations were performed. Through simultaneously carried out experimental and in silico studies, it was established that the eltrombopag binds onto the DNA via intercalation.

Incorporating Fullerenes in Nanoscale Metal-Organic Matrixes: An Ultrasensitive Platform for Impedimetric Aptasensing of Tobramycin

The rational design and preparation of available fullerene@metal-organic matrix hybrid materials are of profound significance in electrochemical biosensing applications due to their unique photoelectric properties. In this work, C₆₀@UiO-66-NH₂ nanocomposites serve as greatly promising materials to modify electrodes and fix aptamers, resulting in a remarkable electrochemical aptasensor for impedimetric sensing of tobramycin (TOB). Nanoscale composites have preferable electroactivity and small particle size with more exposed functional sites, such as Zr(IV) and -NH₂, to immobilize aptamers for enhanced detection performance. As we know, most of the electrochemical impedance aptasensors require a long time to complete the detection process, but this prepared biosensor shows the rapid quantitative identification of target TOB within 4 min. This work expands the synthesis of functional fullerene@metal-organic matrix hybrid materials in electrochemical biosensing applications.

Electroanalytical overview: utilising micro- and nano-dimensional sized materials in electrochemical-based biosensing platforms

Research into electrochemical biosensors represents a significant portion of the large interdisciplinary field of biosensing. The drive to develop reliable, sensitive, and selective biosensing platforms for key environmental and medical biomarkers is ever expanding due to the current climate. This push for the detection of vital biomarkers at lower concentrations, with increased reliability, has necessitated the utilisation of micro- and nano-dimensional materials. There is a wide variety of nanomaterials available for exploration, all having unique sets of properties that help to enhance the performance of biosensors. In recent years, a large portion of research has focussed on combining these different materials to utilise the different properties in one sensor platform. This research has allowed biosensors to reach new levels of sensitivity, but we note that there is room for improvement in the reporting of this field. Numerous examples are published that report improvements in the biosensor performance through the mixing of multiple materials, but there is little discussion presented on why each nanomaterial is chosen and whether they synergise well together to warrant the inherent increase in production time and cost. Research into micro-nano materials is vital for the continued development of improved biosensing platforms, and further exploration into understanding their individual and synergistic properties will continue to push the area forward. It will continue to provide solutions for the global sensing requirements through the development of novel materials with beneficial properties, improved incorporation strategies for the materials, the combination of synergetic materials, and the reduction in cost of production of these nanomaterials.

What Can Electrochemical Methods Offer in Determining DNA-Drug Interactions?

The interactions of compounds with DNA have been studied since the recognition of the role of nucleic acid in organisms. The design of molecules which specifically interact with DNA sequences allows for the control of the gene expression. Determining the type and strength of such interaction is an indispensable element of pharmaceutical studies. Cognition of the therapeutic action mechanisms is particularly important for designing new drugs. Owing to their sensitivity, simplicity, and low costs, electrochemical methods are increasingly used for this type of research. Compared to other techniques, they require a small number of samples and are characterized by a high reliability. These methods can provide information about the type of interaction and the binding strength, as well as the damage caused by biologically active molecules targeting the cellular DNA. This review paper summarizes the various electrochemical approaches used for the study of the interactions between pharmaceuticals and DNA. The main focus is on the papers from the last decade, with particular attention on the voltammetric techniques. The most preferred experimental approaches, the electrode materials and the new methods of modification are presented. The data on the detection ranges, the binding modes and the binding constant values of pharmaceuticals are summarized. Both the importance of the presented research and the importance of future prospects are discussed.

A Mini-Review on Nano Technology in the Tumour Targeting Strategies: Drug Delivery to Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Recently, the application of cancer nanotechnology-based drug delivery to cancer cells has arisen as an important method to resolve multiple molecular, biophysical, and biochemical obstacles, which the body is preparing to resist against the productive implementation of chemotherapeutic medications. Drug delivery technologies focused on nanoparticles, which have resolved some of the drawbacks of conventional chemotherapy as, decreased drug viscosity, chemo-resistance, precise malignity, limited medicative measures with low oral bioactivity. Due to their adjustable size and surface properties, the half-life period of a drug can be increased in the bloodstream.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study is to collect and document the data available on the drug delivery system for anticancer drugs. The present study includes some of the drug carriers like liposomes, carbon dots, micelles, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, etc. Methods: To write this review, an exhaustive literature survey was carried out using relevant work published in various SCI, Scopus, and non-SCI indexed journals. The different search engines used to download the research/ review papers are Google search, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scientific Information Database and Research Gate, etc. Results: Nanotechnology offers better pharmacokinetics, reduces the systematic toxicities related to the chemotherapies and a better route of drug administration. In the analysis, we critically highlight recent studies on carcinoma-fighting nanotechnology.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, different kinds of nano-based drug delivery systems have been discussed along with their characteristic features, the encapsulation of anticancer agents into different types of nanometresized vehicles and their general mechanism.