Determination of biological activities of nanoparticles containing silver and copper in water disinfection with/without ultrasound technique

The final and most crucial step in obtaining clean water is disinfection. More innovative methods of water disinfection have recently been sought. Water disinfection is a promising application for nanoparticles as disinfectants. As a contribution to the literature, biofilm and metal-containing nanoparticles as antiadhesion inhibitors were used in conjunction with ultrasound in this study. The microbroth dilution test was used to reveal the microbiological antibacterial activities of different concentrations of AgNO3 and CuCl2 containing nanoparticles against the Escherichia coli ATCC 25,922 strain, which is an indicator bacterium in water systems. Antibiofilm activities were then investigated using biofilm attachment and biofilm inhibition tests. The inhibitory effect of nanoparticle ultrasonic waves on biofilm contamination was determined using a novel approach. Human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT cell line) were used in cell culture studies after water disinfection, and their cytotoxic effects were demonstrated using the MTT assay. The findings suggest that the nanoparticles utilized might be a viable choice for water disinfection applications. Furthermore, employing ultrasound at low doses with nanoparticles resulted in greater results. One feasible option is to employ nanoparticles to cleanse water without producing cytotoxicity.

Decolorization of reactive blue 13 by Sporotrichum sp. and cytotoxicity of biotreated dye solution

Wastewater from the textile industry contaminated with azo dyes affects the environment negatively, causes pollution, and threatens environmental balance. Among various methods for wastewater treatment, bioremediation emerges as an environmentally friendly, economical, and sustainable solution. In this study, white-rot fungus Sporotrichum sp. was employed to decolorize reactive blue 13 (RB13). The long-term decolorization capacity of the fungus was investigated by a sequential batch experiment under optimized conditions. The fungus showed high decolorization efficiency upon repeating usage, and its decolorization efficiency decreased from 97.4% to 87.09% after transferring to a freshly prepared medium seven times. The MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay) method using Chinese Hamster Lung V79 379A was performed to assess the cytotoxicity of treated water samples. This study revealed that Sporotrichum sp. has short-term enzymatic and long-term biosorption capacity on reactive blue 13 and the decolorization potential of the alive and dead cells is impressively high. PRACTITIONER POINTS: White-rot fungus Sporotrichum sp. is able to decolorize sulfonated azo-dye reactive blue 13 upon sequential incubation in freshly prepared dye solution. The decolorization mechanism of the fungus is estimated to be bioadsorption. Sporotrichum sp. can be considered for long-term usage and immobilization applications.

Vulpinic acid, a lichen metabolite, emerges as a potential drug candidate in the therapy of oxidative stress–related diseases, such as atherosclerosis

Vulpinic acid, a lichen compound, has been shown to have many beneficial effects and its medicinal value increases day by day. As in atherosclerosis, endothelial damage is the basis of many diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of vulpinic acid against oxidative stress damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in endothelial cells. In order to find the IC50 of H2O2 and the protective dose of vulpinic acid, methyl thiazolyldiphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were performed. The amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by H2O2 and the protective effects of vulpinic acid against ROS were examined by fluorometric DCF-DA kit. The effects of H2O2 and vulpinic acid on actin filaments were determined by tetramethyl rhodamine (TRITC)-phalloidin fluorescence staining. Expression of Tie2 proteins was immunocytochemically analyzed in H2O2- and vulpinic acid-treated cells. After 24 h, the IC50 was found to be 215 μM in HUVECs treated with H2O2. The most effective dose of vulpinic acid against H2O2-associated damage was found to be 15 μM. Vulpinic acid pretreatment was shown to reduce H2O2-induced ROS production significantly ( p < 0.05). It was shown that 215 μM of H2O2 caused actin fragmentation, cell shrinkage, and decrease in actin florescence intensity while vulpinic acid protected the cells from these damages. It was found that Tie2 immunoreactivity was decreased in H2O2-treated groups and vulpinic acid pretreatment reduced the expression of this protein. In conclusion, vulpinic acid decreases H2O2-induced oxidative stress and oxidative stress–related damages in HUVECs. It may be drug candidate in the therapy of atherosclerosis.

The anti-angiogenic potential of (±) gossypol in comparison to suramin

Cotton, a staple fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plants (Gossypium), is produced throughout the world, and its by products, such as cotton fibers, cotton-seed oil, and cottonseed proteins, have a variety of applications. Cotton-seed contains gossypol, a natural phenol compound. (±)-Gossypol is a yellowish polyphenol that is derived from different parts of the cotton plant and contains potent anticancer properties. Tumor growth and metastasis are mainly related to angiogenesis; therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy targets the new blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to actively proliferating tumor cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-angiogenic potential of (±)-gossypol in vitro. (±)-Gossypol has anti-proliferative effects on cancer cell lines; however, its anti-angiogenic effects on normal cells have not been studied. Anti-proliferative activities of gossypol assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, anti-angiogenic activities using tube formation assay, and cell migration inhibition capability using a wound-healing assay on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were revealed. (±)-Gossypol displayed the following potent anti-angiogenic activities in vitro: it inhibited the cell viability of HUVECs, it inhibited the migration of HUVECs, and disrupted endothelial tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the anti-angiogenic effects of (±)-gossypol were investigated in ovo in a model using a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Decreases in capillary density were assessed and scored. (±)-Gossypol showed dose-dependent anti-angiogenic effects on CAM. These findings suggest that (±)-gossypol can be used as a new anti-angiogenic agent.

Assessment of in vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic activities of some trimethoprim conjugates

Trimethoprim, a commonly used antibacterial agent, is widely applied in the treatment of variety of infections in human. A few studies have demonstrated an extensive exposure of man to antibiotics, but there is still a lack of data for cytotoxic effects including nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, hematotoxicity, neurotoxicity and ototoxicity. The main purpose behind this study was to determine cytotoxic and genotoxic activities of trimethoprim (1), trimethoprim with maleic acid (2) and trimethoprim in conjugation with oxalic acid dihydrate (3). The cytotoxic effects of these three conjugates were elucidated by employing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoium bromide (MTT) assay using embryonic rat fibroblast-like cell line (F2408) and H-ras oncogene activated embryonic rat fibroblast-like cancer cell line (5RP7). Additionally, determination of genotoxic activity of these three compounds were studied by using cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay (CBMN) in human lymphocytes. The results demonstrated that trimethoprim alone and its combination with other compounds are able to induce both cytotoxic and genotoxic damage on cultured cells (F2408, 5RP7, human lymphocytes).

Biocompatibility of designed MicNo-ZnO particles: Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and phototoxicity in human skin keratinocyte cells

Recently, designed platelet shaped micron particles that are composed of nano primary particles, called MicNo (=Micron+naNo) particles, have been developed to exploit the benefits of nano size, while removing the adverse effects of nanoparticles. It has been shown that MicNo-ZnO particles exhibit both micron and nanosized particle characteristics. Although physical and chemical properties of MicNo-ZnO particles have been studied, their biocompatibility has not yet been evaluated. Accordingly, the research objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and phototoxicity behaviors of designed MicNo-ZnO particles over human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. MicNo-ZnO particles exhibit much less cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ concentrations between 40 and 50μg/ml, genotoxicity above 40μg/ml and lower photo genotoxicity under UVA on HaCaT than the ZnO nanoparticles. Although their chemistries are the same, the source of this difference in toxicity values may be attributed to size differences between the particles that are probably due to their ability to penetrate into the cells. In the present study, the expansive and detailed in vitro toxicity tests show that the biocompatibility of MicNo-ZnO particles is much better than that of the ZnO nanoparticles. Consequently, MicNo-ZnO particles can be considered an important active ingredient alternative for sunscreen applications due to their safer characteristics with respect to ZnO nanoparticles.

In vitro evaluation of combination of EGCG and Erlotinib with classical chemotherapeutics on JAR cells

Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN) is a term used for a group of malignant gynecological tumors including choriocarcinoma. Low-risk neoplasias can be cured using single agents Methotrexate (MTX) and actinomycin-D (ACD), but in certain cases, decreased responsiveness and serious side effects occur. Therefore, researchers have been attempting to find new treatment modalities. One of the most popular way for increasing cancer patient survival rates is supporting treatment with adjuvant molecules or chemosensitizers. For this purpose, we investigated epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea cathecin, and Erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, as single agents and combined with MTX or ACD. In accordance with this, JAR (human placenta choriocarcinoma) cell line was used as an in vitro model and MTT, LDH, caspase-3 activation, RT-PCR, and Western Blot analyses were performed to investigate the effects of the test materials. Our studies demonstrate that combination of Erlotinib and EGCG with MTX and ACD decreases JAR cell proliferation and metastatic HER2 protein synthesis and increases caspase-3 activation compared to ACD or MTX alone. In addition, significant increase was observed in the apoptotic Bax gene, but no notable protein synthesis occurred in the Western Blot analysis, which suggests that combination of Erlotinib and EGCG with classical chemotherapeutics ACD or MTX may lead the JAR cells to apoptosis, but not by a mitochondrial pathway. All the results indicate that the synergetic effect of Erlotinib and EGCG with classical chemotherapeutics may help to increase patient survival rates of choriocarcinoma, but the detailed mechanism needs further investigation.

Analyses of the modulatory effects of antibacterial silver doped calcium phosphate-based ceramic nano-powder on proliferation, survival, and angiogenic capacity of different mammalian cells in vitro

In this study, the antibacterial, cytotoxic, and angiogenic activities of silver doped calcium phosphate-based inorganic powder (ABT or PAG) were systematically investigated. ABT powders containing varying silver content were fabricated using a wet chemical manufacturing method. Antibacterial efficiencies of the ABT powders were investigated using a standard test with indicator bacteria and yeast. The cytotoxic effects of ABT on three different fibroblast cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were assessed using MTT assay. ABT powder exhibits concentration-related cytotoxicity characteristics. Apoptotic activity, attachment capability, and wound healing effects were examined on fibroblasts. The angiogenic activity of ABT was investigated by tube formation assay in HUVECs; 10 μg ml(-1) and 100 μg ml(-1) concentrations of the highest metal ion content of ABT did not disrupt the tube formation of HUVECs. All these tests showed that ABT does not compromise the survival of the cells and might impose regeneration ability to various cell types. These results indicate that silver doped calcium phosphate-based inorganic powder with an optimal silver content has good potential for developing new biomaterials for implant applications.

Investigation of the pharmacological profiles of dinuclear metal complexes as novel, potent and selective cytotoxic agents against ras-transformed cells

Around the world scientists try to design successful cures against still incurable diseases, especially cancers. New targets for prevention and new agents for therapy need to be identified. We synthesized novel metal complexes [Au(L1)(L2)Pt]Cl2 and [Ru(L1)2(L2)Pt]Cl2 for determining their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects. The complexes are synthesized by using 1,8-diaminonaphthalene (L1), and bis-1,4-di[([1,10]phenanthroline-5-il)aminomethyl]cyclohexane (L2) as ligands. This is the first study to examine these metals and these molecules in cancer treatment. We elucidated the effects of test compounds with embryonic rat fibroblast-like cells (F2408) and H-ras oncogene activated embryonic rat fibroblast-like cancer cells (5RP7). Results showed that our complexes are more effective than cisplatin to kill ras-transformed cells. Although the [Au(L1)(L2)Pt]Cl2 compound showed a cytotoxic potency higher than [Ru(L1)2(L2)Pt]Cl2 against cancer cells, it proved to be almost five times less effective in decreasing cell viability over healthy cells. Au(III) compound selectively targets the cancer cells but not the healthy cells.

Effects of Carvacrol on a Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cell Line, A549

Carvacrol, the predominant monoterpene in many essential oils of Labitae including Origanum, Satureja, Thymbra, Thymus, and Corydothymus has substantial antibacterial, antifungal, antihelmintic, insecticial, analgesic and antioxidant activities. Approximately 75% of lung cancer is non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) which comprises several histologic types squamous cell, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. It was reported that the portion of lung tumors diagnosed as denocarcinoma has increased. Thus a human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line, A549 was chosen for this study.To investigate the effects of carvacrol on cell morphology, apoptosis and total protein amount, the cells incubated with various concentration of carvacrol in DMSO for 24 h. In carvacrol applied A549 cell line, increase in dose of carvacrol caused a decrease in cell number, degeneration of cell morphology and a decrease in total protein amount. To characterize carvacrol induced changes in cell morphology, cells were examined by light microscopy. Cells were treated with carvacrol were seen to have detached from the disk, with cell rounding, cytoplasmic blebbing and irregularity in shape. The data demonstrate that carvacrol is very potent inhibitor of cell growth in A549 cell line.

Angiogenesis inhibition by a lichen compound olivetoric acid

Lichens have been used in folk medicine for centuries and are symbiotic organisms of fungi and algae that produce unique secondary metabolites. Olivetoric acid is one of these secondary metabolites. In the present study, the effect of olivetoric acid isolated from acetone extract of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea (var. ceratea) on angiogenesis was evaluated. It displayed potent anti-angiogenic activities in vitro: inhibited proliferation of rat adipose tissue endothelial cells (RATECs) and disrupted endothelial tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, dose-dependent depolymerization effects of olivetoric acid on F-actin stress fibers were observed. Decrease in the tube formation of RATECs by olivetoric acid might be explained by a disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. These findings suggest that olivetoric acid is a new anti-angiogenic agent and can be developed as a new therapeutic agent for angiogenesis-related diseases.

In vitro cytotoxic activities of (+)-usnic acid and (-)-usnic acid on V79, A549, and human lymphocyte cells and their non-genotoxicity on human lymphocytes

This study investigates cytotoxic and genotoxic activities of (+)-Usnic acid and (-)-usnic acid isolated from the lichen Ramalina farinacea and the lichen Cladonia foliacea, respectively. To determine the activities of these acids, we used the MTT assay on V79 (Chinese hamster lung fibroblast like) and A549 (human lung carcinoma epithelial like) cell lines and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay in human lymphocytes in vitro. Our results suggest that both enantiomers of usnic acid are non-genotoxic shown by the absence of micronucleus induction in human lymphocytes and have significant cytotoxic and apoptotic effects to induce cell killing in cultured human lymphocytes, V79 and A549 cell lines. Even low doses of (+)-usnic acid showed high cytotoxic activity against cancerous cells. The MTT results and cell proliferation index (CPI) values based on the CBMN test results are found in good agreement.

Differential effect of green tea catechins on three endothelial cell clones isolated from rat adipose tissue and on human umbilical vein endothelial cells

By single colony isolation from the cells in stromal vascular fraction (SVF) dispersed from rat adipose tissues, we isolated three independent clones with different proliferation potential. All clones showed cobblestone-like morphology at the confluence and incorporated fluorescent Dil acetylated low density lipoprotein. When plated on Matrigel, they formed a capillary network-like structure. These rat adipose tissue endothelial cell (RATEC) clones showed higher expression of wnt2, wnt4, wnt5a, wnt5b, fzd1 and fzd5 whereas lower expression of cell cycle controlling genes such as CIP1, KIP1, KIP2, CDKN2A, CDKN2B, CDKN2C and CDKN2D compared to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). As reported for HUVEC, the growth of RATEC was inhibited by green tea catechins such as epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epicatechin and epigallocatechin gallate but with higher sensitivity than HUVEC. The sensitivity of RATEC to catechins was higher for the cultures with low plating density and for the clone with higher proliferation potential.