Composite Conjugated Polymer/Fullerene Nanoparticles as Sensitizers in Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer

An endophytic fungus, Penicillium simplicissimum conjugated with C60 fullerene for its potential antimitotic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and photodegradation activities

In the present study, endophytic fungus, Penicillium simplicissimum isolated from Loranthus micranthus was used to analyze phytochemical studies by qualitative and GC-MS methods. The endophytic fungus P. simplicissimum yielded novel compound penisimplicissin identified through GC-MS studies. Further, P. simplicissimum was conjugated with C60 fullerene nanoparticles (Ps-FNPs) were verified using UV-vis spectra, XRD, FTIR, DLS, EDX and SEM. Ps-FNPs was confirmed using UV-visible spectra with a peak at 260 nm. The IR bands were recorded at 2085, 1428, 1181, 661, 652, 644, 628, and 604 cm-1. The Ps-FNPs treated cells showed a nucleolar shrinkage and cell arrest atprophase, binuclear and multinucleolar cells, a chromosomal bridge and diversion at anaphase was observed, whereas, chromosomal fragment and abnormal distribution at metaphase stage. The Ps-FNPs exhibited a noteworthy anticancer activity on lung cancer cell line H1975 through cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity was induced by increasing caspase-3, 7, and 9 activities and also showed highest inhibition in xanthine oxidase and COX-II assay proved good anti-inflammatory activity. Ps-FNPs have been extensively studied for photocatalytic activity test against Rhodamine B, Methylene blue and nigrosine showed potential dye degradation in the presence of sunlight proved to be novel photocatalysts. With all the results recorded, Ps-FNPs also have a synergetic effect having on anti-mitotic, anticancer, anti-inflammation potential and photocatalytic degradation of dyes. Hence, the conjugated Ps-FNPs could be one of the potent nano-drug formulations in future. Thus, the present study gives a clear idea of the multifaceted therapeutic and photocatalytic applications.

Silk fibroin scavenges hydroxyl radicals produced from a long-term stored water-soluble fullerene system

In this study, we find that silk fibroin as an antioxidant is capable of scavenging OH˙ and accelerating the degradation of water-soluble fullerene, which provides further insight into the application of WSF in intratracheal instillation and inhalation.

Conducting polymer nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy

Functionalized conducting polymer nanoparticles allow for targeted delivery, tracking by fluorescence bioimaging, and therapeutics through formation of reactive oxygen species.