Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology最新文献

In this work, zirconia (ZrO₂) composites modified with bioactive hydroxyapatite (HAp), hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), bioglass (BG), and bioglass with copper (BGCu) via the hydrothermal method were synthesized. The aim was to obtain highly bioactive and cytocompatible materials that could combine beneficial properties of inert and bioactive ceramics. Such materials could be applied as fillers for tooth extraction cavities, guaranteeing osseintegration without the need to introduce additional bone cements or other adhesives. It was proven that while all materials were favourable towards cells adhesion and growth, the HAp and BG-doped ones facilitated early adhesion, especially when compared to unmodified ZrO₂. Only the HAp-doped materials showed satisfactory bioactivity results, with a well-developed apatite layer forming on their surfaces. This study confirms that the Hap-doped ZrO₂ is suitable for treating bone defects.

Green-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles has earned a promising role in the area of nanotechnology due to their biomedical applications. This study describes the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Mikania micrantha leaf extract and its functional activities against cancer. The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrum that exhibited an absorption band at 459 nm. The bioactive compounds of M. micrantha leaf extract that functioned as reducing and capping agents were confirmed by a shift in the absorption bands in Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies validated the spherical shape and size of AgNPs, respectively. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed the presence of elemental silver. The crystalline nature of AgNPs was confirmed by the X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD). AgNPs effectively induced cytotoxicity and prevented A549 cell colony formation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of A549 cells with AgNPs also increased DNA damage, which was coupled with elevated lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Following AgNPs treatment, the mRNA expression levels of the pro-apoptotic genes as well as the activities of caspases were significantly elevated in A549 cells while the expression levels of anti-apoptotic genes were downregulated. Our study demonstrates the potential of the synthesised AgNPs for cancer therapy possibly targeting the apoptotic pathway.

Niosomes (NS) are the promising and novel carrier of the drug for effective transdermal delivery. Apigenin (AN) is a natural bioactive compound and has various pharmacological activities. AN is poorly water soluble which directly affects therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this research work was to develop the AN-NS gel to improve transdermal delivery. The thin-film hydration method was used for the development of AN-NS. The optimized AN-NS (AN-NS2) has a vesicle size of 272.56 ± 12.49 nm, PDI is 0.249, zeta potential is -38.7 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 86.19 ± 1.51%. The FTIR spectra of the AN-NS2 depicted that AN encapsulated in the NS matrix. AN-NS2 formulation was successfully incorporated into chitosan gel and evaluated. The optimized AN-NS2 gel (AN-NS2G4) has 2110 ± 14cps of viscosity, 10.40 ± 0.21g.cm/sec of spreadability, and 99.65 ± 0.53% of drug content. AN-NS2G4 displayed significantly (p < 0.05) higher AN released (67.64 ± 3.03%) than pure AN-gel (37.31 ± 2.87%). AN-NS2G4 showed the Korsmeyer Peppas release model. AN-NS2G4 displayed significantly (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activity (90.72%) than pure AN (64.53%) at 300 µg/ml. AN-NS2G4 displayed significantly (p < 0.05) higher % inhibition of swelling than pane AN-gel in carrageenin-induced paw oedema in rats. The finding concluded that niosomes-laden gel is a good carrier of drugs to improve transdermal delivery and therapeutic efficacy.

Electrical characteristics of living cells have been proven to reveal important details about their internal structure, charge distribution and composition changes in the cell membrane, as well as the extracellular context. An impedance flow cytometry is a common approach to determine the electrical properties of a cell, having the advantage of label-free and high throughput. However, the current techniques are complex and costly for the fabrication process. For that reason, we introduce an integrated dual microneedle-microchannel for single-cell detection and electrical properties extraction. The dual microneedles utilized a commercially available tungsten needle coated with parylene. When a single cell flows through the parallel-facing electrode configuration of the dual microneedle, the electrical impedance at multiple frequencies is measured. The impedance measurement demonstrated the differential of normal red blood cells (RBCs) with three different sizes of microbeads at low and high frequencies, 100 kHz and 2 MHz, respectively. An electrical equivalent circuit model (ECM) was used to determine the unique membrane capacitance of individual cells. The proposed technique demonstrated that the specific membrane capacitance of an RBC is 9.42 mF/m^-2, with the regression coefficients, $\rho$ at 0.9895. As a result, this device may potentially be used in developing countries for low-cost single-cell screening and detection.

This study aims to characterize and determine the antibacterial activities of synthesized Strobilanthes crispus-mediated AgNPs (SC-AgNPs) against Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S. crispus water extract acts as a reducing and capping agent in the synthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR). FESEM images showed a rough surface with a spherical shape. The average size distribution of 75.25 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.373. XRD analysis matched the face-centred cubic structure of silver. FTIR analysis revealed a shifted peak from 1404.99 to 1345.00 cm^-1. MIC and MBC values of SC-AgNPs were 1.25 mg/mL and 2.5 mg/mL against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. mutans, respectively. Time-kill assay showed that SC-AgNPs significantly reduced bacterial growth as compared to non-treated bacteria. Morphologies of bacteria treated with SC-AgNPs were shrunk, lysed, irregular and smaller as compared to control. SC-AgNPs significantly disrupted the gene expression of eae A, gtf B and Pel A (p < 0.05). This study indicated that the synthesized SC-AgNPs were stable with enhanced antibacterial activities.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and related diseases are clinical challenges. The efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) using red laser (630 ± 5 nm) is remarkable and safe. In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy of ALA-450 nm PDT comparing with ALA-635 nm PDT. We detected cell proliferation and cell apoptosis through MTT assay and flow cytometry assay respectively. Flow cytometry assay determined the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Western blotting analysis investigated the protein expression. In vivo, immunohistochemical staining assay and TUNEL assay were performer to detect cell apoptosis. ALA-450 nm PDT inhibited the proliferation of End1 and HeLa cells, promoted cell apoptosis more effectively than ALA-635 nm PDT, and induced cell death probably through increasing the intracellular ROS generation and caspase-dependent apoptosis pathway. In vivo, ALA-450 nm PDT significantly inhibited tumour growth and activated cell apoptosis. The ALA-450 nm PDT had an advantage over ALA-635 nm PDT on inhibiting the proliferation of End1 and HeLa cells and inducing cell apoptosis. The ALA-450 nm PDT might be a promising therapeutic strategy for eradicating the HR-HPV infected cells and promoting the integration of diagnosis and treatment of HR-HPV related diseases.HighlightsWe combined 5-aminolevulinic acid with 450 nm blue laser using as a novel type of photodynamic therapy.The ALA-450 nm PDT had an advantage over ALA-635 nm PDT on inhibition of the proliferation of End1 and HeLa cells and inducing cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.The ALA-450 nm PDT may provide a novel alternative therapeutic option in patients with persistent HPV infection and promote the integration of diagnosis and treatment.

This study was aimed to develop an efficient tumour-targeted liposome nanobubbles (LNBs) system using ultrasound-targeted nanobubble destruction for enhanced release and transfection of miRNA-199a-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. The prepared LNBs comprised a polyethylene glycol-modified liposome shell and a perfluoropentane (PFP) core. MiRNA-199a-3p was attached to the nanocomposite surface via electrostatic adsorption, while RGD peptide functionalized the LNBs surface for enhanced HCC cell targeting, namely PFP@miR-RGD-LNBs. The LNBs were spherical with a narrow size distribution. The gene-loaded LNBs effectively condensed miR-199a-3p and protected it from enzymatic degradation. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) promoted a fast release of miR-199a-3p from the prepared LNBs, thereby enhancing therapeutic effects. The combined application of PFP@miR-RGD-LNBs and LIFU exhibited a more potent inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells than the other groups, potentially due to LIFU promoting rapid and efficient gene release at the target site and increasing cell membrane permeability. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed significantly increased mRNA expression levels of key apoptosis markers (Bad, Bax, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3) in the PFP@miR-RGD-LNBs + LIFU group compared to other groups. These findings suggest that the prepared LNBs are highly likely to be promising candidates for further exploration of HCC gene delivery and therapy.