Synthesis, structural, molecular docking, and in vitro biological activities of Cu-doped ZnO nanomaterials

Copper-doped ZnO nanoparticles with the formula Zn1-x(Cu)O, where x = 0.0, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07 were produced using the co-precipitation process. Physical, chemical, and structural properties were properly examined. Powdered X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) patterns revealed the formation of hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure in all samples, through atomic substitutional incorporation in the Cu-doped ZnO lattice. The presence of Cu ions and their dissolution in the host ZnO crystal structure was supported by FT-IR spectra. HR-TEM images were used to assess the average size, morphology, and shape regularity of the synthesized samples. The form and homogeneity of the ZnO changed when Cu ions were substituted, as evidenced by FE-SEM/EDX analysis. The presence of copper signals in the Cu-doped samples indicates that the doping was successful. The decrease in zeta potential with an increased copper doping percentage designates that the nanoparticles (NPs) are more stable, which could be attributed to an increase in the ionic strength of the aqueous solution. The synthesized NPs were evaluated for their substantial in vitro antioxidant properties. In addition, the antimicrobial efficacy of the materials was tested against pathogenic microorganisms. Regarding the anti-diabetic activity, the 7Cu ZnO sample showed the highest inhibitory effect on the α-amylase enzyme. No variations were observed in the activities of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) and proteinase enzymes with ZnO and samples doped with different concentrations of Cu. Therefore, further studies are recommended to reveal the in-vitro anti-diabetic activity of the studied doped samples. Finally, molecular docking provided valuable insights into the potential binding interactions of Cu-doped ZnO with α-amylase, FabH of E. coli, and Penicillin-binding proteins of S. aureus. These outcomes suggest that the prepared materials may have an inhibitory effect on enzymes and hold promise in the battle against microbial infections and diabetes.

In vitro biological studies and computational prediction-based analyses of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives

There is a need for new pharmaceutical discoveries from bioactive nitrogenous derivatives due to the emergence of scourges, numerous pandemics, and diverse health problems. In this context, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives 12a and 12b were synthesized and screened to evaluate their biological potentials in vitro as antioxidants, anti-diabetics, anti-Alzheimer's, anti-arthritics, and anti-cancer agents. Additionally, the computational pharmacokinetic and toxicity properties of the two pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 12a and 12b were calculated and analyzed. The preliminary studies and results of this work represent the initial steps toward more advanced studies and define the bioactive chemical structure of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives with the goal of exploring new drugs to address numerous health problems.

In Vitro Evaluation and Bioinformatics Analysis of Schiff Bases Bearing Pyrazole Scaffold as Bioactive Agents: Antioxidant, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Alzheimer, and Anti-Arthritic

In continuation of our research programs for the discovery, production, and development of the pharmacological activities of molecules for various disease treatments, Schiff bases and pyrazole scaffold have a broad spectrum of activities in biological applications. In this context, this manuscript aims to evaluate and study Schiff base-pyrazole molecules as a new class of antioxidant (total antioxidant capacity, iron-reducing power, scavenging activity against DPPH, and ABTS radicals), anti-diabetic (α-amylase% inhibition), anti-Alzheimer's (acetylcholinesterase% inhibition), and anti-arthritic (protein denaturation% and proteinase enzyme% inhibitions) therapeutics. Therefore, the Schiff bases bearing pyrazole scaffold (22a, b and 23a, b) were designed and synthesized for evaluation of their antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer's, and anti-arthritic properties. The results for compound 22b demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-diabetic (α-amylase% inhibition), and anti-Alzheimer's (ACE%) activities, while compound 23a demonstrated significant anti-arthritic activity. Prediction of in silico bioinformatics analysis (physicochemical properties, bioavailability radar, drug-likeness, and medicinal chemistry) of the target derivatives (22a, b and 23a, b) was performed. The molecular lipophilicity potential (MLP) of the derivatives 22a, b and 23a, b was measured to determine which parts of the surface are hydrophobic and which are hydrophilic. In addition, the molecular polar surface area (PSA) was measured to determine the polar surface area and the non-polar surface area of the derivatives 22a, b and 23a, b. This study could be useful to help pharmaceutical researchers discover a new series of potent agents that may act as an antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-arthritic.

Exploring novel derivatives of isatin-based Schiff bases as multi-target agents: design, synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation, and in silico ADMET analysis with molecular modeling simulations

Recently, scientists developed a powerful strategy called "one drug-multiple targets" to discover vital and unique therapies to fight the most challenging diseases. Novel derivatives of isatin-based Schiff bases 2-7 have been synthesized by the reaction of 3-hydrazino-isatin (1) with aryl aldehydes, hetero-aryl aldehydes, and dialdehydes. The structure of the synthesized derivatives was proved by physical and spectral analysis. Additionally, in vitro biological studies were performed, including antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-arthritic activities. The four derivatives 3b, 5a, 5b, and 5c possess the highest activities. Among the four potent derivatives, compound 5a exhibited the highest antioxidant (TAC = 68.02 ± 0.15 mg gallic acid per g; IRP = 50.39 ± 0.11) and scavenging activities (ABTS = 53.98 ± 0.12% and DPPH = 8.65 ± 0.02 μg mL^-1). Furthermore, compound 5a exhibited an α-amylase inhibitory percentage of 57.64 ± 0.13% near the acarbose (ACA = 69.11 ± 0.15%) and displayed inhibitor activity of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme = 36.38 ± 0.08%. Moreover, our work extended to determining the anti-arthritic effect, and compound 5a revealed good inhibitor activities with very close values for proteinase denaturation (PDI) = 39.59 ± 0.09% and proteinase inhibition (PI) = 36.39 ± 0.08%, compared to diclofenac sodium PDI = 49.33 ± 0.11% and PI = 41.88 ± 0.09%. Additionally, the quantum chemical calculations, including HOMO, LUMO, and energy band gap were determined, and in silico ADMET properties were predicted, and their probability was recorded. Finally, molecular docking simulations were performed inside α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes.

In vitro enzymatic evaluation of some pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives: Design, synthesis, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-arthritic activities with molecular modeling simulation

The strategy of utilizing nitrogen compounds in various biological applications has recently emerged as a powerful approach to exploring novel classes of therapeutics to face the challenge of diseases. A series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-based compounds 3a-l and 5a-f were prepared by the direct cyclo-condensation reaction of 5-amino-1H-pyrazoles 1a, b with 2-(arylidene)malononitriles and 3-(dimethylamino)-1-aryl-prop-2-en-1-ones, respectively. The structures of the new pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds were confirmed via spectroscopic techniques. The in vitro biological activities of all pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 3a-l and 5a-f were evaluated by assaying total antioxidant capacity, iron-reducing power, the scavenging activity against 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, anti-diabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and anti-arthritic biological activities. All compounds displayed good to potent bioactivity, and three compounds 3g, 3h, and 3l displayed the most active derivatives. Among these derivatives, compound 3l exhibited the highest antioxidant (total antioxidant capacity [TAC] = 83.09 mg gallic acid/g; iron-reducing power [IRP] = 47.93 µg/ml) and free radicals scavenging activities with (DPPH = 18.77 µg/ml; ABTS = 40.44%) compared with ascorbic acid (DPPH = 4.28 µg/ml; ABTS = 38.84%). Furthermore, compound 3l demonstrated the strongest inhibition of α-amylase with a percent inhibition of 72.91 ± 0.14 compared to acarbose = 67.92 ± 0.09%. Similarly, it displayed acetylcholinesterase inhibition of 62.80 ± 0.06%. However, compound 3i showed a significantly higher inhibition percentage for protein denaturation and proteinase at 20.66 ± 0.00 and 26.42 ± 0.06%, respectively. Additionally, some in silico ADMET properties were predicted and studied. Finally, molecular docking simulation was performed inside the active site of α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase to study their interactions.

Green Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial and Anticancer Screening of New Metal Complexes Incorporating Schiff Base

A Schiff base ligand of o-vanillin and 4-aminoazobenzene and its transition metal complexes of Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), and Zr(IV) were prepared under microwave irradiation as a green approach compared to the conventional method. The structures of new compounds have been characterized and elucidated via elemental and spectroscopic analyses. In addition, magnetic susceptibility, electron spin resonance, and electronic spectra of the synthesized complexes explained their geometrical structures. The thermal stability of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Zr(IV) complexes was studied by thermo-gravimetric analyses (TGA). Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzger equations were used to calculate the thermal and dehydration decomposition activities of proposed structures kinetically. Surface morphologies of the solid compounds were imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle size of prepared complexes was measured by using a particle size analyzer at a diffraction angle of 10.9°. The geometry structures of the synthesized compounds were verified utilizing electronic spectra, ESR spectrum, and magnetic moment value. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity. Also, the anticancer activity of the free Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes were studied against two cell lines: human colon (HCT-116) and human liver cancer cells (HepG-2). The obtained results showed that the Cu(II) complex displayed the highest cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ = 18 and 22 μg/mL for HepG-2 and HCT, respectively) compared to the free Schiff base ligand.

Ultrastructural Analysis of Apoptosis Induced By Zinc Oxide Nanosphere in Human Hepatoma Huh7 Through Mitochondria Dysfunction.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-642242/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

The efficiently of hepatocellular carcinoma therapy predominantly depends on advancement of nanomedicine. Zinc oxide nanostructure is promising material in nanomdicine field due to their unique properties. Zinc oxide Nanosphere (ZnO Ns) was fabricated with a size 50 nm diameter by a developed Sol-gel approach, using non-toxic biotemplate yeast extract. The physicochemical properties of zinc oxide nanosphere were estimated by Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Liberated zinc ions released from the zinc oxide nanosphere suspended medium was determined by ICP-AS. The viability was tested by using HuH7 and Vero cells.ZnO nanosphere was more effectively on cell line than released Zn ions. The cell cycle arrested at G1/S. Also, the apoptosis assay by using Annexin-V/PI showed that apoptosis of HuH7 by ZnO nanosphere is concentration and time-dependent. The mechanism of apoptosis was evaluated via using techniques such as RT-PCR and flow cytometry. The results revealed significance up-regulated of Bax, P53, and Cytochrome C, while a Bcl2 results displayed significance down-regulated.Caspase 3 assay results showed that the apoptosis mechanism was intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Also, ZnO nanosphere and free Zn+2 ions induced oxidative stress via increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. The ultrastructural analysis of HuH7 cell was occurred by TEM.Transmission electron microscope analysis of HuH7 after treated with ZnO nanosphere at different times revealed a chromatin condensation of the nuclear periphery fragmentation appearance. Interestingly, the apoptosis of HuH7 cells induced by Zinc oxide nanosphere, showed the canonical ultrastructure features of apoptotic nuclei, and fragmented by budding. Furthermore, There were many vacuoles that filled in the cytoplasm, majority lipid droplets, which resembling those observed in foamy cells, and vesicles with intact membranes, which were recognized as swollen mitochondria.

Phyto-Phospholipid Complexation as a Novel Drug Delivery System for Management of Cancer with Better Bioavailability: Current Perspectives and Future Prospects

Cancer is the foremost cause of death, and it supports the need for the identification of novel anticancer drugs to improve the efficacy of current-therapy. While the synthetic anticancer drug is associated with numerous side effects. Hence the plant active or phytoconstituents are in high demand for the treatment of cancer due to minimum side effects. But the polar nature of phytoconstituents hindered the absorption of the drug and lowered the therapeutic efficacy. The plant activity incorporated into Phyto-phospholipid Complexation can enhance bioavailability and improved therapeutic efficacy. In this review article, advantages, limitation and application of Phyto-phospholipid complexes have been illustrated. The article highlights the application of Phyto-phospholipid complexes as a promising drug carrier system to treat cancer.

Withdrawal Notice: Electrophoresis as a Tool for Early Cancer Diagnosis

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Assessment of absorbed dose of gamma rays using the simultaneous determination of inactive hemoglobin derivatives as a biological dosimeter

Biological dosimetry based on sulfhemoglobin (SHb), methemoglobin (MetHb), and carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) levels was evaluated. SHb, MetHb and HbCO levels were estimated in erythrocytes of mice irradiated by γ rays from a ⁶⁰Co source using the method of multi-component spectrophotometric analysis developed recently. In this method, absorption measurements of diluted aqueous Hb-solution were made at λ = 500, 569, 577 and 620 nm, and using the mathematical formulas based on multi-component spectrophotometric analysis and the mathematical Gaussian elimination method for matrix calculation, the concentrations of various Hb-derivatives and total Hb in mice blood were estimated. The dose range of γ rays was from 0.5 to 8 Gy and the dose rate was 0.5 Gy min^-1. Among all Hb-derivatives, MetHb, SHb and HbCO demonstrated an unambiguous dose-dependent response. For SHb and MetHb, the detection limits were about 0.5 Gy and 1 Gy, respectively. After irradiation, high levels of MetHb, SHb and HbCO persisted for at least 10 days, and the maximal increase of MetHb, SHb and HbCO occurred up to 24 h following γ irradiation. The use of this "MetHb + SHb + HbCO"-derivatives-based absorbed dose relationship showed a high accuracy. It is concluded that simultaneous determination of MetHb, SHb and HbCO, by multi-component spectrophotometry provides a quick, simple, sensitive, accurate, stable and inexpensive biological indicator for the early assessment of the absorbed dose in mice.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Carob Pods Extract (Ceratonia siliqua L.) against Cyclophosphamide Induced Alterations in Rats

Drugs used for treatment of cancerous diseases by mean of chemotherapy are often limited due to their severe undesirable side effects in multiple organs. Cyclophosphamide (CYP) belongs to class of the cytotoxic bifunctional alkylating agents. In the current study, it was revealed that CYP caused significant (P˂0.05) elevation in levels of different biochemical measurements. Carob extract exhibited beneficial effect through lowering of all elevated parameters. Furthermore, CYP caused decline in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level in association with elevation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and significantly (P˂0.05) in liver tissue. Carob extract restored TAC and lowered LPO level. CYP caused several histopathological alterations in the hepatocytes and carob extract minimized severity of these alterations. The similarity index percent (SI %) in the native electrophoretic protein, lipoprotein and calcium moiety of protein patterns was represented by lowest values (87.50, 66.67 and 70.59, respectively) with the CYP-treated group. The SI % values increased in all carob treated groups. In all electrophoretic isoenzymes, the SI % value was represented by the lowest value (60.00, 66.67, 66.67 and 53.33 respectively with catalase (CAT), peroxidase (GPx), α- and β-esterase (EST) patterns) in CYP-treated group. While in all carob treated groups, the SI % value reached the highest value (100.00). Furthermore, CYP induced cleavage of the genomic DNA and the carob extract maintained the DNA integrity. The study concluded that carob showed ameliorative effect against alterations induced by CYP at biochemical, histopathological and molecular levels in liver tissue of rats.