Interaction of donepezil with human serum albumin on amine-modified magnetic nanoparticles

Albumin Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems

Nanoparticle-based systems are extensively investigated for drug delivery. Among others, with superior biocompatibility and enhanced targeting capacity, albumin appears to be a promising carrier for drug delivery. Albumin nanoparticles are highly favored in many disease therapies, as they have the proper chemical groups for modification, cell-binding sites for cell adhesion, and affinity to protein drugs for nanocomplex generation. Herein, this review summarizes the recent fabrication techniques, modification strategies, and application of albumin nanoparticles. We first discuss various albumin nanoparticle fabrication methods, from both pros and cons. Then, we provide a comprehensive introduction to the modification section, including organic albumin nanoparticles, metal albumin nanoparticles, inorganic albumin nanoparticles, and albumin nanoparticle-based hybrids. We finally bring further perspectives on albumin nanoparticles used for various critical diseases.

Green Synthesis of CuFe2O4@Ag Nanocomposite Using the Chlorella vulgaris and Evaluation of its Effect on the Expression of norA Efflux Pump Gene Among Staphylococcus aureus Strains

Increasing drug resistance among Staphylococcus aureus is a global health threat and finding alternative antimicrobial agents against it has been considered. Multidrug resistance efflux pumps, including NorA, are involved with resistance to different drugs, especially fluoroquinolones, in S. aureus. Using metal nanoparticles against pathogenic bacteria is a promising approach; however, physio-chemical synthesis of nanoparticles has limitations. Biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles with antibacterial activity has gained interest, recently. In this study, biosynthesis of CuFe₂O₄@Ag nanocomposite using aqueous extract from microalgae Chlorella vulgaris was performed, and its antibacterial property and effect on expression of norA efflux pump gene were investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray mapping analysis (EDX-map), differential reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to characterize synthesized nanocomposite. Antibacterial activity of the prepared nanocomposite individually and combined with ciprofloxacin against S. aureus strains was evaluated using the disk assay method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each agent was determined using the broth dilution method. Anti-biofilm activity of this nanocomposite was checked. Finally, the effect of CuFe₂O₄@Ag nanocomposite alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin on the expression of norA was assessed by real-time PCR. The physical analysis revealed proper synthesis of spherical and well-dispersed CuFe₂O₄@Ag nanocomposite with an average diameter of 20 nm. Synthesized nanocomposite had synergistic antibacterial activity with ciprofloxacin. Moreover, expression of norA gene among clinical and standard strains treated with CuFe₂O₄@Ag nanocomposite combined with ciprofloxacin reduced by 59% and 65%, respectively. Thus, CuFe₂O₄@Ag nanocomposite synthesized in this study can be considered as a promising candidate to be used to inhibit staphylococcal efflux pump genes and increasing the antibiotic efficacy.

Testing for Ketoprofen Binding to HSA Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles under Normal Conditions and after Oxidative Stress

Binding and transport of ligands is one of the most important functions of human blood serum proteins. Human serum albumin is found in plasma at the highest concentration. Because of this, it is important to study protein–drug interactions for this albumin. Since there is no single model describing this interaction, it is necessary to measure it for each active substance. Drug binding should also be studied in conditions that simulate pathological conditions of the body, i.e., after oxidative stress. Due to this, it is expected that the methods for testing these interactions need to be easy and fast. In this study, albumin immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles was successfully applied in the study of protein–drug binding. Ketoprofen was selected as a model drug and interactions were tested under normal conditions and artificially induced oxidative stress. The quality of obtained results for immobilized protein was confirmed with those for free albumin and literature data. It was shown that the type of magnetic core coverage does not affect the quality of the obtained results. In summary, a new, fast, effective, and universal method for testing protein–drug interactions was proposed, which can be performed in most laboratories.

Fe3O4/Ag nanocomposite biosynthesised using Spirulina platensis extract and its enhanced anticancer efficiency

In this work, the authors investigated the apoptotic activities of Fe₃O₄/Ag nanocomposite biosynthesised by Spirulina platensis extract against MCF-7 (human breast cancer cells). The physico-chemical properties of prepared Fe₃O₄/Ag nanocomposite were studied by different spectroscopic methods. To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic effect, MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of Fe₃O₄/Ag nanocomposite and examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Moreover, apoptotic effects were also studied by Hoechst 33258 staining, caspase 3 activation assays, and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and propidium iodide staining. Microscopic observations of Fe₃O₄/Ag nanocomposites indicated approximately spherical shape and small particles in the size range of about 30-50 nm. The MTT assay result revealed that the Fe₃O₄/Ag nanocomposite causes a dose-dependent cell proliferation reduction in MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ = 135 μg/ml). Regarding to the Annexin V/PI staining result, the increase percentage of apoptotic cells (28.09%) was detected as compared to untreated cells. According to the caspase assay, Fe₃O₄/Ag nanocomposite enhances caspase 3 level. Furthermore, in vitro anti-cancer activity of the nanocomposite was performed by Hoechst 33258 staining method. The proposed data suggest that Fe₃O₄/Ag nanocomposite may be an effective agent for the inhibition of breast cancer cells at in vitro level.

Biosynthesis of Fe3O4@Ag Nanocomposite and Evaluation of Its Performance on Expression of norA and norB Efflux Pump Genes in Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

At present, the universal health problem with Staphylococcus aureus is the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains due to the overuse of antibiotics. Drug extrusion through efflux pumps is one of the bacterial mechanisms to neutralize the bactericidal effect of antibiotics. The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticle as well as Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle had been previously studied and widely described. Today, the development of green methods for nanomaterial synthesis is an important aspect of research in the field of nanotechnology. Here, we report the biosynthesis and characterization of Fe₃O₄@Ag nanocomposite by Spirulina platensis cyanobacterium and it impacts on the expression of efflux pump genes in ciprofloxacin-resistant S. aureus (CRSA). The physical properties of biosynthesized nanocomposite measured and confirmed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin in CRSA strains was determined in the presence of Fe₃O₄@Ag nanoparticles by broth microdilution method. The effect of Fe₃O₄@Ag nanocomposite on the expression of norA and norB genes was evaluated by real-time PCR. The physical analysis confirmed well-dispersed, highly stable, and mostly spherical Fe₃O₄/Ag NPs with the average size of 30-68 nm. The results of antibacterial tests showed the synergistic effects of nanocomposite and antibiotics in MIC reduction. Additionally, in the presence of Fe₃O₄@Ag nanocomposite, the expression of norA and norB genes was decreased more than twofold compared to control. In conclusion, the Fe₃O₄/Ag nanocomposite can use as an effective inhibitor of antibiotic resistance in medicine.

Immobilization of a molybdenum complex on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles for the catalytic epoxidation of olefins

A molybdenum complex was immobilized on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles modified with chloropropyl by two routes and used as a nanocatalyst for the oxidation of alkenes.

Towards hybrid biocompatible magnetic rHuman serum albumin-based nanoparticles: use of ultra-small (CeLn)3/4+ cation-doped maghemite nanoparticles as functional shell

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a protein found in human blood. Over the last decade, HSA has been evaluated as a promising drug carrier. However, not being magnetic, HSA cannot be used for biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic drug targeting. Therefore, subsequent composites building on iron oxide nanoparticles that are already used clinically as MRI contrast agents are extensively studied. Recently and in this context, innovative fully hydrophilic ultra-small CAN-stabilized maghemite ((CeLn)(3/4+)-γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles have been readily fabricated. The present study discusses the design, fabrication, and characterization of a dual phase hybrid core (rHSA)-shell ((CeLn)(3/4+)-γ-Fe2O3 NPs) nanosystem. Quite importantly and in contrast to widely used encapsulation strategies, rHSA NP surface-attached (CeLn)(3/4+)-γ-Fe2O3 NPs enabled to exploit both rHSA (protein functionalities) and (CeLn)(3/4+)-γ-Fe2O3 NP surface functionalities (COOH and ligand L coordinative exchange) in addition to very effective MRI contrast capability due to optimal accessibility of H2O molecules with the outer magnetic phase. Resulting hybrid nanoparticles might be used as a platform modular system for therapeutic (drug delivery system) and MR diagnostic purposes.

Magnetic nanoparticles-serum proteins bioconjugates for binding of irinotecan

The binding of irinotecan to serum proteins (hemoglobin, globulin and human serum albumin) was studied on the surface of epoxide modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (GPTS-SPIONs), which were synthesized by the coprecipitation of ferrous and ferric salts with NH4OH and then modified with [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyl] trimethoxy silane (GPTS) to obtain functional epoxide groups on the SPIONs' surface. Results were compared to find an alternative as drug carries system. Data showed that binding amount of human serum albumin (HSA), globulin (Glb) and hemoglobin (Hb) found to be as 44, 21.2 and 32.6 μg per 20 mg of GPTS modified SPIONs, respectively. The thermal behavior of the serum protein-Ir interaction on GPTS-SPIONs was also studied by using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique and then the kinetic parameters for the thermal decomposition were determined using Horowitz-Metzger method.