Preparation and characterization of nanoparticles made from amphiphilic mono and per-aminoalkyl-β-cyclodextrins

Preparation and Characterization of a Nano-Inclusion Complex of Quercetin with β-Cyclodextrin and Its Potential Activity on Cancer Cells

Quercetin (QRC), a flavonoid found in foods and plants such as red wine, onions, green tea, apples, and berries, possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These properties make it effective in combating cancer cells, reducing inflammation, protecting against heart disease, and regulating blood sugar levels. To enhance the potential of inclusion complexes (ICs) containing β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in cancer therapy, they were transformed into nano-inclusion complexes (NICs). In this research, NICs were synthesized using ethanol as a reducing agent in the nanoprecipitation process. By employing FT-IR analysis, it was observed that hydrogen bonds were formed between QRC and β-CD. Moreover, the IC molecules formed NICs through the aggregation facilitated by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Proton NMR results further confirmed the occurrence of proton shielding and deshielding subsequent to the formation of NICs. The introduction of β-CDs led to the development of a distinctive feather-like structure within the NICs. The particle sizes were consistently measured around 200 nm, and both SAED and XRD patterns indicated the absence of crystalline NICs, providing supporting evidence. Through cytotoxicity and fluorescence-assisted cell-sorting analysis, the synthesized NICs showed no significant damage in the cell line of MCF-7. In comparison to QRC alone, the presence of high concentrations of NICs exhibited a lesser degree of toxicity in normal human lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. Moreover, the individual and combined administration of both low and high concentrations of NICs effectively suppressed the growth of cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). The solubility improvement resulting from the formation of QRC-NICs with β-CD enhanced the percentage of cell survival for MCF-7 cell types.

Novel bioactive surface functionalization of bacterial cellulose membrane

Bacterial cellulose (BC) membrane is a promising biopolymer which can be used for tissue implants, wound healing, and drug delivery due to its unique properties, such as high crystallinity, high mechanical strength, ultrafine fiber network structure, good water holding capacity and biocompatibility. However, BC does not intrinsically present antibacterial properties. In the present study, functionalized BC membranes were prepared. FTIR, SEM and XPS were used to characterize the chemical composition and surface morphology. Static water contact angles were measured to investigate surface wettability. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans were used to evaluate the antibacterial properties of membranes. HEK293 cell lines were applied to assess the biocompatibility of membrane surfaces by MTT assay and their morphologies were observed by Confocal Microscopy. Interestingly, the resultant functionalized BC membranes exhibiting excellent antibacterial property and good biocompatibility demonstrated great utility and potential as biomaterial materials.

Interfacial properties and thermodynamic behavior of cationic amphiphilic β-cyclodextrins substituted with one or seven alkyl chains

New cationic amphiphilic β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) were investigated for their surface-active properties and self-association.