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Tong C, Luo J, Xie C, Wei J, Pan G, Zhou Z, Li C. Characterization and Biological Activities of Melanin from the Medicinal Fungi Ophiocordyceps sinensis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10282. [PMID: 37373428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanin is a complex natural pigment that is widely present in fungi. The mushroom Ophiocordyceps sinensis has a variety of pharmacological effects. The active substances of O. sinensis have been extensively studied, but few studies have focused on the O. sinensis melanin. In this study, the production of melanin was increased by adding light or oxidative stress, namely, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS), during liquid fermentation. Subsequently, the structure of the purified melanin was characterized using elemental analysis, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and pyrolysis gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GCMS). Studies have shown that O. sinensis melanin is composed of C (50.59), H (6.18), O (33.90), N (8.19), and S (1.20), with maximum absorbance at 237 nm and typical melanin structures such as benzene, indole, and pyrrole. Additionally, the various biological activities of O. sinensis melanin have been discovered; it can chelate heavy metals and shows a strong ultraviolet-blocking ability. Moreover, O. sinensis melanin can reduce the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and counteract the oxidative damage of H2O2 to cells. These results can help us to develop applications of O. sinensis melanin in radiation resistance, heavy metal pollution remediation, and antioxidant use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jian Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Chaolu Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Junhong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Chunfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Prevention, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Zhu C, Wang H, Ma H, Yang Y, Li F. Tanning process promotes abiotic humification: separation and characterization of humic acid-like polymers complex. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:41437-41445. [PMID: 32683619 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10111-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Humic-like substances are essential components of soluble organic matter in tannery wastewater. However, the tannery process can promote the abiotic humification in wastewater. Therefore, it is of great significance to clarify the pathway and degree of abiotic humification and the properties of the as-derived humic acid-like (HAL) complex polymers in the tannery process in order to control the refractory organic compounds. In the present study, considering the catechol-Maillard system and commercial humic acid (HA) as control, the polyphenol-Maillard humification in the tannery process was simulated under the catalysis of MnO2. Moreover, physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the separated fractions of HAL further. As a result, it was found that the catechol-Maillard system with small molecule organic matter as precursor had higher humification degree. Furthermore, the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectrum of humic acid-like 0 (HAL0) derived from it was different from those of humic acid-like 1 and 2 (HAL1 and HAL2) of polyphenol-Maillard system, indicating the differences of polymer structure between them. In the polyphenol-Maillard system, tannin was the skeleton of polymerization or polycondensation reaction, and the high content of N and the H/C value of HAL2 indicated that in adding to amino acids, proteins promoted the humification, forming industry-specific HAL polymers with a high degree of aliphatic nature. Therefore, it can be concluded that controlling the raw materials in the tannery process (especially tannins), in order to reduce the occurrence of abiotic humification may be the key to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Huiqin Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Hongrui Ma
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China.
| | - Yonglin Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Fan Li
- School of Science, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China
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Cavallini C, Vitiello G, Adinolfi B, Silvestri B, Armanetti P, Manini P, Pezzella A, d’Ischia M, Luciani G, Menichetti L. Melanin and Melanin-Like Hybrid Materials in Regenerative Medicine. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1518. [PMID: 32756369 PMCID: PMC7466405 DOI: 10.3390/nano10081518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are a group of dark insoluble pigments found widespread in nature. In mammals, the brown-black eumelanins and the reddish-yellow pheomelanins are the main determinants of skin, hair, and eye pigmentation and play a significant role in photoprotection as well as in many biological functions ensuring homeostasis. Due to their broad-spectrum light absorption, radical scavenging, electric conductivity, and paramagnetic behavior, eumelanins are widely studied in the biomedical field. The continuing advancements in the development of biomimetic design strategies offer novel opportunities toward specifically engineered multifunctional biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Melanin and melanin-like coatings have been shown to increase cell attachment and proliferation on different substrates and to promote and ameliorate skin, bone, and nerve defect healing in several in vivo models. Herein, the state of the art and future perspectives of melanins as promising bioinspired platforms for natural regeneration processes are highlighted and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cavallini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Barbara Adinolfi
- Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy;
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Paola Manini
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Marco d’Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
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Extraction of Humic Acid from Lignite by KOH-Hydrothermal Method. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9071356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Humic acid (HA) was extracted by a hydrothermal method from Huolinhe lignite from Inner Mongolia. The effects of the alkali-to-carbon mass ratio, water-to-coal mass ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the HA yield were investigated. The physicochemical characterization of the products was performed, and the reaction mechanism was explored. Raw coal, HA, and residual coal were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–VIS), elemental composition, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and compared to each other. The maximum HA yield (90.2%) was obtained from the 0.250–0.180 mm size fraction of the coal sample at a reaction temperature and time of 190 °C and 7 h. Proximate analysis proved that the ash and sulfur of lignite can be removed by hydrothermal treatment. Elemental analysis showed that the O/C and H/C ratios were highest for HA, followed by those for residual coal and raw coal, indicating an increase in the oxygen and hydrogen content of HA. FTIR and UV–VIS analyses showed that hydrothermal extraction destroyed the macromolecular structure of lignite. Moreover, the organics were degraded and hydrolyzed during the reaction process.
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Theochari I, Papadimitriou V, Papahatjis D, Assimomytis N, Pappou E, Pratsinis H, Xenakis A, Pletsa V. Oil-In-Water Microemulsions as Hosts for Benzothiophene-Based Cytotoxic Compounds: An Effective Combination. Biomimetics (Basel) 2018; 3:biomimetics3020013. [PMID: 31105235 PMCID: PMC6352693 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics3020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics in order to overcome side effects and enhance chemosensitivity remains a major issue in cancer research. In this context, biocompatible oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsions were developed as matrices for the encapsulation of DPS-2 a benzothiophene analogue, exhibiting high cytotoxicity in various cancer cell lines, among them the MW 164 skin melanoma and Caco-2 human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines. The microemulsion delivery system was structurally characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The effective release of a lipophilic encapsulated compound was evaluated via confocal microscopy. The cytotoxic effect, in the presence and absence of DPS-2, was examined through the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay. When encapsulated, DPS-2 was as cytotoxic as when dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Hence, the oil cores of O/W microemulsions were proven effective biocompatible carriers of lipophilic bioactive molecules in biological assessment experiments. Further investigation through fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, comet assay, and Western blotting, revealed that DPS-2, although non-genotoxic, induced S phase delay accompanied by cdc25A degradation and a nonapoptotic cell death in both cell lines, which implies that this benzothiophene analogue is a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Theochari
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (I.T.); (V.Pa.); (D.P.); (N.A.); (E.P.); (A.X.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Papadimitriou
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (I.T.); (V.Pa.); (D.P.); (N.A.); (E.P.); (A.X.)
| | - Demetris Papahatjis
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (I.T.); (V.Pa.); (D.P.); (N.A.); (E.P.); (A.X.)
| | - Nikos Assimomytis
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (I.T.); (V.Pa.); (D.P.); (N.A.); (E.P.); (A.X.)
| | - Efthimia Pappou
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (I.T.); (V.Pa.); (D.P.); (N.A.); (E.P.); (A.X.)
| | - Harris Pratsinis
- Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Ageing, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre of Scientific Research “Demokritos”, 11635 Athens, Greece;
| | - Aristotelis Xenakis
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (I.T.); (V.Pa.); (D.P.); (N.A.); (E.P.); (A.X.)
| | - Vasiliki Pletsa
- Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Avenue, 11635 Athens, Greece; (I.T.); (V.Pa.); (D.P.); (N.A.); (E.P.); (A.X.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +302-107-273-7541
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Miao ZH, Li K, Liu PY, Li Z, Yang H, Zhao Q, Chang M, Yang Q, Zhen L, Xu CY. Natural Humic-Acid-Based Phototheranostic Agent. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701202. [PMID: 29334186 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Humic acids, a major constituent of natural organic carbon resources, are naturally formed through the microbial biodegradation of animal and plant residues. Due to numerous physiologically active groups (phenol, carboxyl, and quinone), the biomedical applications of humic acid have been already investigated across different cultures for several centuries or even longer. In this work, sodium humate, the sodium salt of humic acid, is explored as phototheranostic agent for light-induced photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy based on intrinsic absorption in the near-infrared region. The purified colloidal sodium humate exhibits a high photothermal conversion efficiency up to 76.3%, much higher than that of the majority of state-of-the-art photothermal agents including gold nanorods, Cu9 S5 nanoparticles, antimonene quantum dots, and black phosphorus quantum dots, leading to obvious photoacoustic enhancement in vitro and in vivo. Besides, highly effective photothermal ablation of HeLa tumor is achieved through intratumoral injection. Impressively, sodium humate reveals ultralow toxicity at the cellular and animal levels. This work promises the great potential of humic acids as light-mediated theranostic agents, thus expanding the application scope of traditional humic acids in biomedical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Hua Miao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Micro-System and Micro-Structures Manufacturing, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China
| | - Kai Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China
| | - Pei-Ying Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Micro-System and Micro-Structures Manufacturing, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China
| | - Zhenglin Li
- Condensed Matter Science and Technology Institute, School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China
| | - Huanjie Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China
| | - Qingliang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics and Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, P. R. China
| | - Manli Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Qingzhu Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China
| | - Liang Zhen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Micro-System and Micro-Structures Manufacturing, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China
| | - Cheng-Yan Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Micro-System and Micro-Structures Manufacturing, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China
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Khemakhem M, Sotiroudis G, Mitsou E, Avramiotis S, Sotiroudis TG, Bouzouita N, Papadimitriou V. Melanin and humic acid-like polymer complex from olive mill waste waters. Part II. Surfactant properties and encapsulation in W/O microemulsions. J Mol Liq 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2016.07.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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