Adsorption of Chlormethine Anti-Cancer Drug on Pure and Aluminum-Doped Boron Nitride Nanocarriers: A Comparative DFT Study

The ability of ZnO and MgO nanocages for adsorption and sensing performance of anticancer drug detection

In recent years, researchers have carried out numerous research studies on the application of nanomaterials as tools for detecting various types of drugs within the field of pharmaceuticals, particularly for treating various cancer types such as Nitrosourea (NURS). Based on DFT calculations, the present study aims at examining the capability of the ZnO nanocage (ZnONC) and the MgO nanocage (MgONC) in detecting NURS. Different parameters such as the sensor mechanism, non-covalent interactions (NCIs), natural bond orbitals (NBOs), frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and adhesion energies were analyzed. The adhesion of NURS onto ZnO was accompanied by an energy of -45.01 kcal/mol. However, the adhesion energy of the complexes of MgONC was less. The bandgap of the complexes of ZnO and MgO decreased from 5.98 eV to 6.76 eV respectively for the pristine nanocage, which showed that these nanocages could be used for detecting NURS. Based on the analysis of FMOs, the complex of 6m-ZnONC@Nur had the lowest bandgap of 2.81 eV. Moreover, the recovery time of NURS from the MgONC was substantially shorter than its recovery time from the ZnONC. According to the topological analyses, the interactions between the ZnONC and MgONC were non-covalent. Following the adhesion process, there was an increase in the electrical conductance values. The complex of ZnO had the highest electrical conductance value. The analysis of the sensor mechanism revealed that the complexes of the ZnONC had the highest sensitivity since the bandgaps were narrow. Hence, the ZnONC can be used for detecting NURS and delivering NURS for treating cancers.

Computational investigation of graphyne monolayer as a promising carrier for anticancer drug delivery

The study employs density functional theory (DFT) to examine the drug-loading efficiency of graphyne (GYN) as a vehicle for the Tioguanine (TG) drug. The researchers analyzed the interaction energy, electrical properties of pure GYN, TG molecules, and TG@GYN complex to determine their effectiveness as a carrier. Configuration a, which utilized nitrogen and sulfur atoms in interactions, was deemed the most suitable among the three considered TG sites. Gas-phase interaction between TG drug and GYN resulted in an energy of adsorption about -1.64 eV. The study utilized non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis to assess the interaction between GYN and TG drug, indicating weak forces of interaction in the TG@GYN complex. The HOMO-LUMO and charge-decomposition analysis described the transfer of charge from TG molecules to pure GYN during formation of TG@GYN. The results suggest that GYN could function as a promising candidate for carrying and delivering TG drug, leading to further research into similar 2D nanomaterials for drug transport applications.

Smart drug delivery: a DFT study of C24 fullerene and doped analogs for pyrazinamide

The potential applicability of the C24 nanocage and its boron nitride-doped analogs (C18B3N3 and C12B6N6) as pyrazinamide (PA) carriers was investigated using density functional theory. Geometry optimization and energy calculations were performed using the B3LYP functional and 6-31G(d) basis set. Besides, dispersion-corrected interaction energies were calculated at CAM (Coulomb attenuated method)-B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory. The adsorption energy (E ads), enthalpy (ΔH), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) values for C24-PA, C18B3N3-PA, and C12B6N6-PA structures were calculated. The molecular descriptors such as electrophilicity (ω), chemical potential (μ), chemical hardness (η) and chemical softness (S) of compounds were investigated. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis confirms the charge transfer from the drug molecule to nanocarriers upon adsorption. Based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), the nature of interactions in the complexes was determined. These findings suggest that C24 and its doped analogs are promising candidates for smart drug delivery systems and PA sensing applications, offering significant potential for advancements in targeted tuberculosis treatment.

Metal-Metalloid Modified C36 Fullerene: A Dual Role in Drug Delivery and Sensing for Anticancer Chlormethine Explored through DFT and MD Simulations

Spurred by the latest developments and growing utilization of zero-dimensional (0D) drug delivery and drug sensors, this investigation examines the possibilities of the 0D C36 fullerene for drug delivery and the detection of the anticancer drug chlormethine (CHL), the overabundance of which poses a significant threat to living organisms. This study employs density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations (AIMD) to evaluate and gain insights into the interaction mechanisms between pristine C36 fullerene, metal-metalloid (MM)-modified C36 fullerene (with Al, Fe, and B), and the anticancer drug CHL. It is observed that in the gas phase, the CHL drug molecule adsorbs onto the fullerenes in the following order: B-C36 > Fe-C36 > Al-C36 > C36. However, when considering the solvent effect, the adsorption energy of the CHL drug molecule on B-C36 increases, indicating chemisorption behavior. This implies that B-C36 could be a promising candidate for drug delivery applications, particularly for the CHL anticancer drug. In contrast, the adsorption energy of the CHL drug molecule on Fe-C36 decreases with the presence of the solvent, resulting in intermediate physisorption. Due to its minimal recovery time, excellent sensing response, intermediate physisorption, and shorter interatomic distance compared to C36 and Al-C36 fullerenes, Fe-C36 is well-suited as a drug sensor for CHL. AIMD simulations demonstrate that the B-C36/CHL and Fe-C36/CHL complexes are well-equilibrated and highly stable in the aqueous phase at 300 and 310 K respectively, with no evidence of bond breakage or formation. The structural stability observed, even with temperature fluctuations, indicates that the electrostatic interactions are robust enough to maintain cohesion of the fragments.

A DFT investigation on the potential of beryllium oxide (Be12O12) as a nanocarrier for nucleobases

The study of the interactions between biomolecules and nanostructures is quite fascinating. Herein, the adsorption propensity of beryllium oxide (Be12O12) nanocarrier toward nucleobases (NBs) was investigated. In terms of DFT calculations, the adsorption tendency of Be12O12 toward NBs, including cytosine (NB-C), guanine (NB-G), adenine (NB-A), thymine (NB-T), and uracil (NB-U), was unveiled through various configurations. Geometrical, electronic, and energetic features for Be12O12, NBs, and their associated complexes were thoroughly evaluated at M06-2X/6-311+G** level of theory. The potent adsorption process within NBs∙∙∙Be12O12 complexes was noticed through favorable interaction (Eint) and adsorption (Eads) energies with values up to -53.04 and -38.30 kcal/mol, respectively. Generally, a significant adsorption process was observed for all studied complexes, and the favorability followed the order: NB-C∙∙∙ > NB-G∙∙∙ > NB-A∙∙∙ > NB-T∙∙∙ > NB-U∙∙∙Be12O12 complexes. Out of all studied complexes, the most potent adsorption was found for NB-C∙∙∙Be12O12 complex within configuration A (Eint = -53.04 kcal/mol). In terms of energy decomposition, SAPT analysis revealed electrostatic (Eelst) forces to be dominant within the studied adsorption process with values up to -99.88 kcal/mol. Analyzing QTAIM and NCI, attractive intermolecular interactions within the studied complexes were affirmed. From negative values of thermodynamic parameters, the nature of the considered adsorption process was revealed to be spontaneous and exothermic. Regarding density of state, IR, and Raman analyses, the occurrence of the adsorption process within NBs∙∙∙Be12O12 complexes was confirmed. Noticeable short recovery time values were observed for all studied complexes, confirming the occurrence of the desorption process. The findings provided fundamental insights into the potential application of Be12O12 nanocarrier in drug and gene delivery processes.

A Comparative DFT Investigation of the Adsorption of Temozolomide Anticancer Drug over Beryllium Oxide and Boron Nitride Nanocarriers

Herein, attempts were made to explore the adsorption prospective of beryllium oxide (Be12O12) and boron nitride (B12N12) nanocarriers toward the temozolomide (TMZ) anticancer drug. A systematic investigation of the TMZ adsorption over nanocarriers was performed by using quantum chemical density functional theory (DFT). The favorability of Be12O12 and B12N12 nanocarriers toward loading TMZ was investigated through A↔D configurations. Substantial energetic features of the proposed configurations were confirmed by negative adsorption (E ads) energy values of up to -30.47 and -26.94 kcal/mol for TMZ•••Be12O12 and •••B12N12 complexes within configuration A, respectively. As per SAPT results, the dominant contribution beyond the studied adsorptions was found for the electrostatic forces (E elst = -100.21 and -63.60 kcal/mol for TMZ•••B12N12 and •••Be12O12 complexes within configuration A, respectively). As a result of TMZ adsorption, changes in the energy of molecular orbitals followed by alterations in global reactivity descriptors were observed. Various intermolecular interactions within the studied complexes were assessed by QTAIM analysis. Notably, a favorable adsorption process was also observed under the effect of water with adsorption energy ( reaching -28.05 and -22.26 kcal/mol for TMZ•••B12N12 and •••Be12O12 complexes within configuration A, respectively. The drug adsorption efficiency of the studied nanocarriers was further examined by analyzing the IR and Raman spectra. From a sustained drug delivery point of view, the release pattern of TMZ from the nanocarrier surface was investigated by recovery time calculations. Additionally, the significant role of doping by heavy atoms (i.e., MgBe11O12 and AlB11N12) on the favorability of TMZ adsorption was investigated and compared to pure analogs (i.e., Be12O12 and B12N12). The obtained data from thermodynamic calculations highlighted that the adsorption process over pure and doped nanocarriers was spontaneous and exothermic. The emerging findings provide a theoretical base for future works related to nanocarrier applications in the drug delivery process, especially for the TMZ anticancer drug.

Elucidating the adsorption of 2-Mercaptopyridine drug on the aluminum phosphide (Al12P12) nanocage: A DFT study

Adsorption amplitude of the aluminum phosphide (Al12P12) nanocage toward the 2-Mercaptopyridine (MCP) drug was herein monitored based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The adsorption process through MCP⋅⋅⋅Al12P12 complex in various configurations was elucidated by means of adsorption (Eads) energies. According to the energetic affirmations, the Al12P12 nanocage demonstrated potential versatility toward adsorbing the MCP drug within the investigated configurations and exhibited significant negative adsorption energies up to -27.71 kcal/mol. Upon the results of SAPT analysis, the electrostatic forces showed the highest contributions to the overall adsorption process with energetic values up to -74.36 kcal/mol. Concurrently, variations of molecular orbitals distribution along with alterations in the energy gap (Egap) and Fermi level (EFL) of the studied nanocage were denoted after adsorbing the MCP drug. The favorable impact of water solvent within the MCP⋅⋅⋅Al12P12 complexes was unveiled and confirmed by negative solvation energy (ΔEsolv) values up to -17.75 kcal/mol. According to thermodynamic parameters, the spontaneous and exothermic natures of the considered adsorption process were proclaimed by negative values of ΔG and ΔH parameters. Significant changes in the IR and Raman peaks, along with the appearance of new peaks, were noticed, confirming the occurrence of the targeted adsorption process. Furthermore, the adsorption features of the MCP drug on the Al12N12 nanocage were elucidated and compared to the Al12P12 analog. The obtained results demonstrated the higher preferability of Al12P12 nanocage than the Al12N12 candidate towards adsorbing the MCP drug without structural distortion.

Adsorption of Molnupiravir anti-COVID-19 drug over B12N12 and Al12N12 nanocarriers: a DFT study

The potentiality of B12N12 and Al12N12 nanocarriers to adsorb Molnupiravir anti-COVID-19 drug, for the first time, was herein elucidated using a series of quantum mechanical calculations. Density function theory (DFT) was systematically utilized. Interaction (Eint) and adsorption (Eads) energies showed higher negative values for Molnupiravir···Al12N12 complexes compared with Molnupiravir···B12N12 analogs. Symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) results proclaimed that the adsorption process was predominated by electrostatic forces. Notably, the alterations in the distributions of the molecular orbitals ensured that the B12N12 and Al12N12 nanocarriers were efficient candidates for delivering the Molnupiravir drug. From the thermodynamic perspective, the adsorption process of Molnupiravir drug over B12N12 and Al12N12 nanocarriers had spontaneous and exothermic nature. The ESP, QTAIM, NCI, and DOS observations exposed the tendency of BN and Al12N12 to adsorb the Molnupiravir drug. Overall, these findings proposed that the B12N12 and Al12N12 nanocarriers are efficient aspirants for the development of the Molnupiravir anti-COVID-19 drug delivery process.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.