Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology最新文献

Recently green nanotechnology has gained great interest as a promising tool for drug discovery. In the present study, we synthesized and characterized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Azadirachta indica (AI) and evaluated their hemocompatibility and effect against Plasmodium falciparum strains. AI leaves and barks were used for aqueous extracts (AIL and AIB) and AgNPs synthesis. AgNPs were characterized using spectroscopic, diffraction, electron microscopic and electrostatic techniques. Anti-plasmodial and haemolytic activity were assessed following the SYBR Green I fluorescence assay and Miki et al. protocol, respectively. The normalized fluorescence counts were plotted against the log-transformed drug concentration and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) determined by analyzing the dose-response curves. AgNPs were stored for 120 days at room temperature-RT, +4 °C and -20 °C and subsequently their stability was evaluated by spectroscopy. Both NPs were predominantly spheroidal, crystalline in nature, stable, well dispersed with mean size of 13.01 nm for AIL-NPs and 19.30 nm for AIB-NPs and exhibited good antiplasmodial activity against 3D7 and RKL9 P. falciparum strains with IC₅₀ of 9.27 µg/mL and 11.14 µg/mL for AIL-NPs, 8.10 µg/mL and 7.87 µg/mL for AIB-NPs, respectively. A. indica contain bioactive phyto-compounds indicating great potential for anti-malarial drug development through green nanotechnology. The AgNPs were structurally stable after 120 days but antiplasmodial activity was considerably affected. A significant haemolytic activity (>25%) was observed with AIL- and AIB-AgNPs at concentrations ≥125 µg/mL.

Recent evidence has implicated microRNA-219 (miR-219) in regulation of gene contributed in glioblastoma (GBM) pathogenesis. This study aimed to prepare miR-219 in chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs), characterize and investigate their efficacy on human GBM cell line (U87 MG). NPs were prepared using ionic gelation method. The influence of process parameters on physicochemical characteristics of NPs was investigated. Apoptotic effect of miR-219 was examined on U87 MG cells. Formulated NPs showed particle size of 109 ± 2.18 nm, with poly dispersity index equal to 0.2 ± 0.05, and zeta potential of +20.5 ± 0.7 mV. Entrapment efficiency of miR-219 in loaded NP has reached 95%. The in vitro release study demonstrated sustained release pattern of miR-219 from CS-NPs. Gel retardation assay has confirmed the integrity of miR-219 after production process. The fabricated NPs reduced the survival of U87 MG cells to 78% after 24 h of post-transfection, and into 67.5% after 48 h. However, fibroblasts were not affected by the NPs, revealing their specificity for GBM cells. Given the tumour suppressing function of miR-219, and advantage of CS-NPs for gene delivery to the central nervous system, the presented NPs have a great potential for treatment of GBM.

This study aimed to synthesize the silver nanoparticles (SNPs) and loaded chitosan nanoparticles (LCNPs) using Euphorbia prostata based on their anticandidal activity. Antioxidant capacity and the total phenolic and total flavonoid content of plant samples and synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were also evaluated. SNPs and LCNPs were prepared, respectively using chemical reduction of silver salt solution and ionotropic gelation method. The anticandidal activity was assessed by broth micro-dilution method and the antioxidant activity was determined using free-radical scavenging assays. The synthesized NPs after the optimization process were found to be spherical with sizes ranging from 12 to 100 nm. Spectroscopic analysis of NPs showed the appearance of peaks in prescribed wavelength ranging between 402 and 493 nm. The synthesized NPs showed potent anticandidal activity compared to the free extract. The SNPs formulations NpEPM 7.5 and NpEPMR 7.5, showed significantly low MIC values ranging between 2 and 128 µg/mL. In the case of LCNPs, NpEPM (4:1) and NpEPME (4:1) also showed lower MIC values ranging from 32 to 256 µg/mL. The plant samples as well as NPs showed antioxidant potential. In addition, plant extracts and NPs possess the potent biological potential and can be further investigated through in vivo experiments.

The widespread use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) requires a study of their safety. The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of oxidative stress markers and histopathological changes in the experimental model of sarcoma S-180 of outbred mice caused by biogenic AgNPs. AgNPs were synthesized using 50% ethanol extract of Ocimum araratum leaves that was standardized for rosmarinic acid content. The effects of AgNPs were tested on chemiluminescence (ChL), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) content and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in healthy and experimental model of sarcoma S-180 mice. It was shown that, under the influence of AgNPs, the intensity of ChL decreased, in contrast with control groups (with the exception of the hepatocytes of animals with transplanted sarcoma). The presence of AgNPs leads to the decrease of MDA in the tissues of healthy mice and to a slight increase of MDA content in the tumour and kidney tissues. AgNPs neutralize the activity of SOD in kidney tissue samples in animals with transplanted sarcoma, and in tumour tissue, they reduce SOD activity by three times. The results of the histological analysis indicate that AgNPs not only cause the destruction of tumour tissue but also lead to structural changes in hepatocytes and nephrons, which can affect the function of these organs. AgNPs are potential agents for antitumor therapy. Future studies are needed using biocompatible non-toxic NPs that meet the requirement for these drugs.

Co-delivery of anticancer drugs and biologics can provide synergetic effects and outperform single delivery therapies. Here, a nanoparticle (NP) system for co-delivery of methotrexate (MTX) and STAT3 siRNA has been developed and tested in vitro. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were functionalized with chitosan (ch) by covalent grafting mediated by aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) via glutaraldehyde as the linker. Co-delivery of MTX and STAT3 siRNA to MCF7 cells was demonstrated in cells by flow cytometric analysis and confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy for use in breast cancer treatment. MTX either competitively inhibits the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) receptor or suppresses the STAT3 metabolic pathway. STAT3 protein plays an essential role in cell division, proliferation and survival. Reduction of the protein by both MTX and STAT3 siRNA, achieved by chMSNs, significantly decreased the viability of breast cancer cells compared to single treatments alone. Cellular uptake of modified NPs was increased over time when additional free MTX was added implicating the DHFR receptor in uptake. In addition, protein corona compositions coated the NPs outer surface, were different between the NPs with and without drug potentially modulating cellular uptake. This study is the first report on co-delivery of MTX and STAT3 siRNA by chitosan modified MSNs.

Purpose: The present study was carried out to evaluate anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic attributes of simvastatin and its nanofilms containing silver nanoparticles.

Methods: Silver nanoparticles and simvastatin-loaded nanocomposite (SNSN) films were formulated by using polymeric solution (pectin + sericin) through casting solution method. Different in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory assays were performed. In addition, chick chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) was also employed for angiogenesis activity.

Results: FTIR spectra of the film depicted the presence of intact simvastatin. Differential scanning calorimetry exhibited no endothermic expression in F9 film thermogram. The simvastatin release from all films exhibited a burst effect. Cotton-pellet induced granuloma model study showed that high dose of simvastatin and indomethacin produced comparable (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effect. Noteworthy, RT-PCR showed dose-dependent, anti-oedematous effect of simvastatin through downregulation of serum TNF-α and interleukin-1ß levels. While results of CAM assay exhibited remarkable anti-angiogenic potential of SNSN films showing dissolved blood vessels network macroscopically.

Conclusion: To reiterate, simvastatin and its SNSN films can add significant contribution to the field of biomedicines due to their promising anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic properties, however, clinical studies are required to validate their commercial use.