Controlled Release of Aspirin in the Body using Pectin-coated ZIF-8 Nanoparticles

INTRODUCTION

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) play a crucial role among metalorganic frameworks due to their highly desirable properties, including high surface area, appropriate pore size, and excellent thermal and chemical stability.

METHOD

In this study, ZIF-8 loaded with aspirin and coated using pectin (ZIF-8/Asp@Pectin) was utilized as a suitable and effective platform for the drug delivery system. The preparation of this coated MOF followed environmentally friendly methods, and aspirin was successfully loaded.

RESULT

Characterization of the obtained ZIF-8/Asp@Pectin was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and BET analysis.

CONCLUSION

The release of aspirin from ZIF-8/Asp@Pectin was studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy at 258 nm under in vitro conditions in HCl and PBS buffer solutions.

Supramolecular Cu(ii) nanoparticles supported on a functionalized chitosan containing urea and thiourea bridges as a recoverable nanocatalyst for efficient synthesis of 1H-tetrazoles

A cost-effective and convenient method for supporting of Cu(ii) nanoparticles on a modified chitosan backbone containing urea and thiourea bridges using thiosemicarbazide (TS), pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) linkers was designed. The prepared supramolecular (CS-TDI-PMDA-TS-Cu(ii)) nanocomposite was characterized by using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry analysis (TGA/DTA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), EDS elemental mapping and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The obtained supramolecular CS-TDI-PMDA-TS-Cu(ii) nanomaterial was demonstrated to act as a multifunctional nanocatalyst for promoting of multicomponent cascade Knoevenagel condensation/click 1,3-dipolar azide-nitrile cycloaddition reactions very efficiently between aromatic aldehydes, sodium azide and malononitrile under solvent-free conditions and affording the corresponding (E)-2-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-3-arylacrylenenitrile derivatives. Low catalyst loading, working under solvent-free conditions and short reaction time as well as easy preparation and recycling, and reuse of the catalyst for five consecutive cycles without considerable decrease in its catalytic efficiency make it a suitable candidate for the catalytic reactions promoted by Cu species.

The role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis of gastrointestinal cancers: A review

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating the expression of several target genes. miRNAs play a significant role in cancer biology, as they can downregulate their corresponding target genes by impeding the translation of mRNA (at the mRNA level) as well as degrading mRNAs by binding to the 3'-untranslated (UTR) regions (at the protein level). miRNAs may be employed as cancer biomarkers. Therefore, miRNAs are widely investigated for early detection of cancers which can lead to improved survival rates and quality of life. This is particularly important in the case of gastrointestinal cancers, where early detection of the disease could substantially impact patients' survival. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21 or miRNA-21) is one of the most frequently researched miRNAs, where it is involved in the pathophysiology of cancer and the downregulation of several tumor suppressor genes. In gastrointestinal cancers, miR-21 regulates phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (SMAD7), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase /protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), β-catenin, tropomyosin 1, maspin, and ras homolog gene family member B (RHOB). In this review, we investigate the functions of miR-21 in pathogenesis and its applications as a diagnostic and prognostic cancer biomarker in four different gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), pancreatic cancer (PC), gastric cancer (GC), and esophageal cancer (EC).

Hydrazone analogues with promising antibacterial profiles: Synthesis, morphology, in vitro and in silico approaches

Emergence of resistance to antibacterial drugs remains an important global threat that necessitates an urgent need for the discovery of alternative drugs. This study was undertaken to synthesize some novel nitroaryl/heteroaryl hydrazone derivatives as potential antibacterial agents. After synthesizing by a simple reaction between quinoline/quinazoline hydrazine and nitroaryl/heteroaryl aldehydes, all the compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities, cytotoxicity, and in silico investigations. The compound, 2-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-1-(quinazolin-4-yl)hydrazine (1b) displayed significant antimicrobial activity against several susceptible and resistant bacteria without any cytotoxicity. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the complete destruction of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli following exposure to this compound after 2 hours exposure. The in silico studies confirmed the better binding energy of these compounds in comparison with the reference drugs in complex with topoisomerase IV and bacterial ribosomal receptor. Compound 1b can be considered as a promising lead compound for the development of broad-spectrum antibacterial medications after further studies.

Green synthesis of carbamates and amides via Cu@Sal-Cs catalyzed C-O and C-N oxidative coupling accelerated by microwave irradiation

A new nano-scale Cu@salicylaldehyde-modified-chitosan (Cu@Sal-CS) was synthesized through a green, eco-friendly and cost-effective technique. The prepared catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. The synthesized Cu@Sal-CS catalyst indicated its performance in the C-O and C-N oxidative coupling using the reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl derivatives/2- substituted phenols with amides for the preparation of carbamates, as well as in the reaction of aldehydes and various amines in the synthesis of amides. The significant features of this work are operational simplicity of catalyst synthesis, in situ and new modification method, use of an efficient, recoverable, frequently reused and stable catalyst without any loss of catalytic activity, and high yields of the products in short times.

A pH-sensitive nanocarrier based on BSA-stabilized graphene-chitosan nanocomposite for sustained and prolonged release of anticancer agents

Smart nanomaterials with stimuli-responsive behavior are considered as promising platform for various drug delivery applications. Regarding their specific conditions, such as acidic pH, drug carriers to treatment of tumor microenvironment need some criteria to enhance drug delivery efficiency. In this study, for the first time, pH-sensitive BSA-stabilized graphene (BSG)/chitosan nanocomposites were synthesized through electrostatic interactions between the positively charged chitosan nanoparticles and negatively charged BSG and used for Doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulation as a general anticancer drug. Physicochemical characterization of the nanocomposites with different concentrations of BSG (0.5, 2, and 5wt%) showed effective decoration of chitosan nanoparticles on BSG. Comparing DOX release behavior from the nanocomposites and free BSG-chitosan nanoparticles were evaluated at two pHs of 7.4 and 4.5 in 28 days. It was shown that the presence of BSG significantly reduced the burst release observed in chitosan nanoparticles. The nanocomposite of 2wt% BSG was selected as the optimal nanocomposite with a release of 84% in 28 days and with the most uniform release in 24 h. Furthermore, the fitting of release data with four models including zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas indicated that the addition of BSG changed the release mechanism of the drug, enabling uniform release for the optimal nanocomposite in first 24 h, compared to that for pure chitosan nanoparticles. This behavior was proved using metabolic activity assay of the SKBR-3 breast cancer cell spheroids exposed to DOX release supernatant at different time intervals. It was also demonstrated that DOX released from the nanocomposite had a significant effect on the suppression of cancer cell proliferation at acidic pH.

A straightforward, environmentally beneficial synthesis of spiro[diindeno[1,2-b:2',1'-e]pyridine-11,3'-indoline]-2',10,12-triones mediated by a nano-ordered reusable catalyst

A library of new spiro[diindeno[1,2-b:2',1'-e]pyridine-11,3'-indoline]-2',10,12-trione derivatives has been prepared in an efficient, one-pot pseudo four-component method mediated by a reusable heterogeneous nano-ordered mesoporous SO3H functionalized-silica (MCM-41-SO3H) catalyst. Excellent yields, short reaction times, as well as convenient non-chromatographic purification of the products and environmental benefits such as green and metal-free conditions constitute the main advantages of the developed synthetic methodology. The obtained fused indole-indenone dyes would be of interest to pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. Furthermore, due to their sensitivity to pH changes, they could be used as novel pH indicators.

Fabrication of copper(II)-coated magnetic core-shell nanoparticles Fe3O4@SiO2-2-aminobenzohydrazide and investigation of its catalytic application in the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole compounds

In the present work, an attempt has been made to synthesize the 1,2,3-triazole derivatives resulting from the click reaction, in a mild and green environment using the new copper(II)-coated magnetic core-shell nanoparticles Fe3O4@SiO2 modified by isatoic anhydride. The structure of the catalyst has been determined by XRD, FE-SEM, TGA, VSM, EDS, and FT-IR analyzes. The high efficiency and the ability to be recovered and reused for at least up to 6 consecutive runs are some superior properties of the catalyst.

Discovery of Cephalosporin-3'-Diazeniumdiolates That Show Dual Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Cystic Fibrosis Isolates and Efficacy in a Murine Respiratory Infection Model

The formation of biofilms provides a formidable defense for many bacteria against antibiotics and host immune responses. As a consequence, biofilms are thought to be the root cause of most chronic infections, including those occurring on medical indwelling devices, endocarditis, urinary tract infections, diabetic and burn wounds, and bone and joint infections. In cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) respiratory infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults. Previous studies have shown that many bacteria can undergo a coordinated dispersal event in the presence of low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), suggesting that NO could be used to initiate biofilm dispersal in chronic infections, enabling clearance of the more vulnerable planktonic cells. In this study, we describe efforts to create "all-in-one" cephalosporin-based NO donor prodrugs (cephalosporin-3'-diazeniumdiolates, C3Ds) that show both direct β-lactam mediated antibacterial activity and antibiofilm effects. Twelve novel C3Ds were synthesized and screened against a panel of P. aeruginosa CF clinical isolates and other human pathogens. The most active compound, AMINOPIP2 ((Z)-1-(4-(2-aminoethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2-(((6R,7R)-7-((Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(((2-carboxypropan-2-yl)oxy)imino)acetamido)-2-carboxy-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-en-3-yl)methoxy)diazene 1-oxide)-ceftazidime 12, showed higher antibacterial potency than its parent cephalosporin and front-line antipseudomonal antibiotic ceftazidime, good stability against β-lactamases, activity against ceftazidime-resistant P. aeruginosa in vitro biofilms, and efficacy equivalent to ceftazidime in a murine P. aeruginosa respiratory infection model. The results support further evaluation of AMINOPIP2-ceftazidime 12 for P. aeruginosa lung infections in CF and a broader study of "all-in-one" C3Ds for other chronic infections.

Magnetite mesoporous silica nanoparticles embedded in carboxybetaine methacrylate for application in hyperthermia and drug delivery

Magnetite mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNs) are biocompatible and can easily deliver a drug to the target tissue, but there are two challenges: burst effect and protein corona.

pH-Sensitive magnetite mesoporous silica nanocomposites for controlled drug delivery and hyperthermia

In clinical applications, chemotherapy and hyperthermia are commonly used together. To achieve this, we synthesized multifunctional magnetite mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNs) coated with a chitosan hydrogel. pH-Responsive chitosan hydrogels (cross-linked glutaraldehyde) were used to cover mesoporous silica pores. The infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and electron microscopy images (SEM and TEM) confirm that a hydrogel layer and a silica shell were formed. By applying alternating magnetic fields (AMF) to nanogels, heat generation (43 °C) occurred within a short time. The drug release (tamoxifen) of nanogels was studied for 72 h at different pH and temperatures. Drug release at pH 7.4/T = 37 °C (simulating physiological condition) and pH 5/T = 43 °C (pH simulating endosomes/hyperthermia) were 15 and 70%, respectively, so, drug release was increased with hyperthermia. To determine the biocompatibility of the nanogels, an MTT assay of L929 cells was performed for 24, 48 and 72 h. The results show high biocompatibility of nanogels even at high concentrations (over 80% cell viability after 72 h for all concentrations).

Magnetite mesoporous silica nanoparticles coated with chitosan for simulanious hypertherima and chemotherapy.

Solvent-Free preparation of Monoacylaminals Assisted by Microwave Irradiation

Reaction of amide 1, aldehyde 2, and amine 3 promoted by microwave irradiation produced monoacylaminals 4 up to 100% yield in a short time under solvent-free conditions.

A Facile Solvent-free One-pot Three-component Mannich Reaction of Aldehydes, Amines and Terminal Alkynes Catalysed by CuCl2

A solventless Mannich condensation of aldehydes, amines, and terminal alkynes catalysed by 10 mol% of CuCl2 was investigated. The components were simply mixed and heated together under vacuum, without any need of solidsupport or solvent. This results in the formation of Mannich products in high yields.

Stimuli-responsive graphene-incorporated multifunctional chitosan for drug delivery applications: a review

INTRODUCTION

Recently, the use of chitosan (CS) in the drug delivery has reached an acceptable maturity. Graphene-based drug delivery is also increasing rapidly due to its unique physical, mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties. Therefore, the combination of CS and graphene can provide a promising carrier for the loading and controlled release of therapeutic agents.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we will outline the advantages of this new drug delivery system (DDS) in association with CS and graphene alone and will list the various forms of these carriers, which have been studied in recent years as DDSs. Finally, we will discuss the application of this hybrid composite in other fields.

EXPERT OPINION

The introducing the GO amends the mechanical characteristics of CS, which is a major problem in the use of CS-based carriers in drug delivery due to burst release in a CS-based controlled release system through the poor mechanical strength of CS. Many related research on this area are still not fully unstated and occasionally they seem inconsistent in spite of the intent to be complementary. Therefore, a sensitive review may be needed to understand the role of graphene in CS/graphene carriers for future drug delivery applications.

Biological and nano-indentation properties of polybenzoxazine-based composites reinforced with zirconia particles as a novel biomaterial

INTRODUCTION

The biological and mechanical properties of substances are relevant to their application as biomaterials and there are many efforts to enhance biocompatibility and mechanical properties of bio-medical materials.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, to achieve a low rate of shrinkage during polymerization, good mechanical properties, and excellent biocompatibility, benzoxazine based composites were synthesized.

METHODS

Benzoxazine monomer was synthesized using a solventless method. FTIR and DSC analysis were carried out to determine the appropriate polymerization temperature. The low viscosity of the benzoxazine monomer at 70°C attract us to use in situ polymerization after high speed ball milling of the benzoxazine and it mixture with different weight fractions of zirconia particles. Dispersion and adhesion between the ceramic and polymer components were evaluate by SEM. To evaluate the biological properties and toxicity of the polybenzoxazine-based composite samples reinforced with zirconia particles, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was conducted. The micromechanical properties of each composite were evaluated by more than 20 nanoindentation tests and 3 nanoscratching tests. Surface topography of scratched regions was investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy. Shrinkage was simulated by Materials Studio software.

RESULTS

SEM images showed good dispersion and adhesion between the ceramic and polymer components. Biocompatibility assay showed excellent in vitro biocompatibility. Nano-indentation force-displacement curves showed matrix, reinforcement and interphase regions in specimens and excellent homogeneity in mechanical properties. The nanoindentation results showed that the addition of zirconia particles to the polybenzoxazine matrix increased the modulus and hardness of the neat polybenzoxazine; however, by adding more than an optimum level of reinforcement particles, the mechanical properties decreased due to the agglomeration of reinforcement particles and weak interphase that cause inappropriate load transferring between matrix and reinforcement particles. Results of nano-scratching tests showed effects of zirconia particles as reinforcement on the coeffiecient of friction of the synthesized composites. Shrinkage simulation showed a low rate of shrinkage for polybenzoxazine in comparison with other low shrinkage polymers, such as Bis-GMA.

CONCLUSION

Polybenzoxazine based composites that reinforced with an optimum amount of zirconia particles (60% wt micro and 10% wt nano-particles) could be used as a novel biomaterial duo to its excellent biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, appropriate viscosity and low rate of polymeization shrinkage.

(Fe)MIL-100-Met@alginate: a hybrid polymer–MOF for enhancement of metformin's bioavailability and pH-controlled release

Metformin hydrochloride (Met) was combined with iron(iii) chloride and trimesic acid (1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid, BTC) as an organic linker in a short and simple method, providing a MOF in which the drug is a part of the constituent.

Ball milling for the quantitative and specific solvent-free Knoevenagel condensation + Michael addition cascade in the synthesis of various 2-amino-4-aryl-3-cyano-4H-chromenes without heating

Various 2-amino-4-aryl-3-cyano-4H-chromenes have been quantitatively prepared by dry ball milling in the presence of catalytic Na₂CO₃. The orientation specificities are discussed; existing misattributions are pointed out and clarified by NMR.

[Omim][BF4] Ionic Liquid, a Green and Recyclable Medium for One-pot Aminomethylation of Electron-rich Aromatic Compounds

An efficient catalyst-free procedure has been developed for one-pot aminomethylation of some electron-rich aromatic compounds such as 1- and 2-naphthols, indole, N-methylindol and benzamide, in [omim][BF4] ionic liquid at room temperature. The ionic liquid can be recovered and reused without any noticeable loss of performance.

Electrospun PGA/gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds and their potential application in vascular tissue engineering

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

In this study, gelatin was blended with polyglycolic acid (PGA) at different ratios (0, 10, 30, and 50 wt%) and electrospun. The morphology and structure of the scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical properties were also measured by the tensile test. Furthermore, for biocompatibility assessment, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells were cultured on these scaffolds, and cell attachment and viability were evaluated.

RESULTS

PGA with 10 wt% gelatin enhanced the endothelial cells whilst PGA with 30 wt% gelatin increased smooth muscle cell adhesion, penetration, and viability compared with the other scaffold blends. Additionally, with the increase in gelatin content, the mechanical properties of the scaffolds were improved due to interaction between PGA and gelatin, as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.

CONCLUSION

Incorporation of gelatin improves the biological and mechanical properties of PGA, making promising scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering.

The exponent 3/2 at pyramidal nanoindentations

The analysis of published loading curves reveals the exponent 3/2 to the depth for nanoindentations with sharp pyramidal or conical tips. This has geometric reasons, as it occurs independent on the bonding states and indentation mechanisms. Nevertheless, most mathematical deductions and finite element simulations of nanomechanical parameters in the literature continue using the experimentally not supported Hertzian exponent 2. Therefore, numerous published loading curves of various authors are plotted using the experimental exponent 3/2 to present unbiased proof for its generality with metals, oxides, semiconductors, biomaterials, polymers, and organics. Linearity is independent of equipment and valid for load controlled, or depth controlled, or continuous stiffness, or AFM force measurements. The linearity with exponent 3/2 often extends from the nano- into the microindentation ranges. The tip rounding and taper influence of the "geometrical similar" indenters are discussed. When kinks occur in such linear plots through the origin, these indicate change of the materials' mechanical properties under pressure by phase transition. These events are discussed for nanoindentations with respect to the known hydrostatic transformation pressures that are, of course, always higher than the necessary indentation mean pressure. Numerous Raman, as well as X-ray and electron diffraction results from the literature support the phase transitions that are now easily detected. Nanoporous materials first fill the pores upon indentation. Published loading curves exhibit more information than hitherto assumed.

Sustainable synthesis of aldehydes, ketones or acids from neat alcohols using nitrogen dioxide gas, and related reactions

Benzylic alcohols are quantitatively oxidized by gaseous nitrogen dioxide to give pure aromatic aldehydes. The reaction gas mixtures are transformed to nitric acid, which renders the processes free of waste. The exothermic gas-liquid or gas-solid reactions profit from the solubility of nitrogen dioxide in the neat benzylic alcohols. The acid formed impedes further oxidation of the benzaldehydes. The neat isolated benzaldehydes and nitrogen dioxide quantitatively give the benzoic acids. Solid long-chain primary alcohols are directly and quantitatively oxidized with nitrogen dioxide gas to give the fatty acids in the solid state. The oxidations with ubiquitous nitrogen dioxide are extended to solid heterocyclic thioamides, which gives disulfides, and to diphenylamine, which gives tetraphenylhydrazine. These sustainable (green) specific oxidation procedures produce no dangerous residues from the oxidizing agent or from auxiliaries.

Waste-free and facile solid-state protection of diamines, anthranilic acid, diols, and polyols with phenylboronic acid

Phenylboronic acid (2) reacts quantitatively by ball-milling in the solid state with o-phenylendiamine, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, anthranilic acid, pyrocatechol, pyrogallol, pinacol, bicyclic cis-diols, mannitol, and inositol to form the five- or six-membered cyclic phenylboronic amides or esters. Catalysts or other auxiliaries are strictly excluded as they are not required and would have to be removed after the reactions. These varied model reactions provide pure protected products without the necessity of further purifying workup and the potential for protection chemistry is demonstrated. Some of the reactions can also be quantitatively performed if stoichiometric mixtures of the reactants are co-ground or co-milled and heated to appropriate temperatures either below the eutectics or above the melting points. The temperatures are much higher in the latter case. Similar reactions in solution suffer from less than 100 % yield of the mostly sensitive compounds that are difficult to purify and thus create much waste. The hydrolysis (deprotection) conditions of the products are rather mild in most cases. Therefore, this particularly easy access to heteroboroles, heteroborolanes, heteroborinones, heteroborines, and heteroborinines is highly valuable for their more frequent use in protective syntheses.

Quantitative reaction cascades of ninhydrin in the solid state

Crystalline ninhydrin (1) undergoes waste-free solid-state cascade reactions with dimedone, L-proline, three o-phenylenediamines, o-mercaptoaniline, two ureas, three thioureas, and methyl 3-aminocrotonate. The yields are quantitative and give pure crystalline products without workup just by milling stoichiometric mixtures of the crystalline reagents. The structures of the new and the previously obtained products with lower yields from solutions are established or confirmed by spectroscopic data and density functional calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. The success of 3- and 4-cascade reactions in the crystal without melting is unusual and of unmatched atom economy. They are mechanistically investigated with atomic force microscopy techniques (AFM) on six different faces of 1 when o-phenylenediamine was the reagent (substitution, elimination, cyclization, elimination) and interpreted on the basis of known crystal structure data. Strict correlations to the crystal packings are observed. The characteristic surface features grow to microm heights in some cases at distances of 0.5 mm from the contact edge of the reacting crystals. The waste-free and easy syntheses of highly functionalized (C=O; O-H; C=N) heterocycles or of a tetraketone are also of interest for synthetic use.