Synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of protamine sulfate stabilized selenium nanoparticles

Preparation, characterization and cytotoxic activity of selenium nanoparticles stabilized with a heteropolysaccharide isolated from Sanghuangporus vaninii residue

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) possess unique features with excellent bioavailability and bioactivity, but the poor stability limits its application. A combination of polysaccharides and SeNPs is an effective strategy to overcome the limitation. Herein, a heteropolysaccharide (SVL-3) with an average molecular weight of 2.428 × 104 Da was purified from the fruiting body residue of Sanghuangporus vaninii after soaking in sorghum wine, which was composed of fucose, galactose, glucose, fructose and 3-O-methyl-galactose. The main chain of SVL-3 was composed of →6)-α-3-MeO-Galp-(1→, →4)-α-D-Galp-(1→, →2,6)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → and →3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and the branched chain was composed of →4)-α-D-Xylp-(1 → and α-L-Fucp-(1→. For enhancing bioactivity of SVL-3 and stability of SeNPs, SVL-3-functionalized SeNPs (SVL-3-SeNPs) was prepared, which contained 45.31 % polysaccharide and 48.49 % selenium. SVL-3-SeNPs maintained an emphatic stability over 28 days at 4 °C and pH 6-8, and exhibited a higher cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells than SVL-3 and SeNPs. The inhibitory effect of SVL-3-SeNPs on the cancer cells may be associated with the mechanisms by inducing S-phase arrest, triggering apoptosis and elevating the protein levels of Cytochrome c, Caspases and cleaved caspases 3 and 9. These results indicated that SeNPs modified by S. vaninii polysaccharides can be utilized as a potential material for targeted antitumor drugs.

Preparation and antitumor activity of selenium nanocomposite stabilized by AAGL from Agerocybe aegerita

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have limited bioavailability because of their poor stability in aqueous solutions. AAGL, a naturally active protein, extracted from Agrocybe aegerita has strong antitumor activity. However, whether AAGL can been used to stabilize SeNPs, and exerts anti-lung cancer effects remains unknown. In this study, a novel nanocomposite, AAGL-SeNPs, was prepared using AAGL-encapsulated SeNPs. The particle size of the AAGL-SeNPs was approximately 206.1 nm, which was uniform and well dispersed in aqueous solution and showed satisfactory stability. AAGL-SeNPs was non-toxic and reduced the hepatotoxicity of AAGL in mice. Importantly, AAGL-SeNPs inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells and suppressed tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. AAGL-SeNPs enhanced the cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cells by stimulating immune cells. In addition, the combination of AAGL-SeNPs and osimertinib inhibited lung cancer, and AAGL-SeNPs reversed osimertinib resistance in H1975 cells. Mechanistically, Krüppel-like transcriptional factor 4 (KLF4) was identified by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS), and its expression levels in lung cancer increased after AAGL-SeNPs treatment. This study demonstrated that nanocomposite AAGL-SeNPs is stable, safe, and has excellent antitumor efficacy, which will be a potential therapeutic drug for lung cancer treatment.

Selenium nanoparticles stabilized by Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides: Synthesis, characterization and bioactivity

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are a potential tumor therapeutic drug and have attracted widespread attention due to their high bioavailability and significant anticancer activity. However, the poor water solubility and degradability of selenium nanoparticles severely limit their application. In this study, spherical selenium nanoparticles with a particle size of approximately 50 nm were prepared by using Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide (SFPS) as a modifier and Tween-80 as a stabilizer. The results of in vitro experiments showed that Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide-Tween-80-Selenium nanoparticles (SFPS-Tw-SeNPs) had a significant inhibitory effect on A549 cells, with an IC50 value of 6.14 μg/mL, and showed antitumor cell migration and invasion ability against A549 cells in scratch assays and cell migration and invasion assays (transwell assays). Western blot experiments showed that SFPS-Tw-SeNPs could inhibit the expression of tumor migration- and invasion-related proteins. These results suggest that SFPS-Tw-SeNPs may be potential tumor therapeutic agents, especially for the treatment of human lung cancer.

Alleviative effect of betaine against copper oxide nanoparticles-induced hepatotoxicity in adult male albino rats: histopathological, biochemical, and molecular studies

Background

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) have gained interest due to their availability, efficiency, and their cost-effectiveness. Betaine is an essential methyl donor and takes part in various physiological activities inside the body; it is found to have protective and curative effects against various liver diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxic effect of CuO-NPs on adult male albino rats and the ability of betaine to alleviate such hepatotoxicity.

Methods

Forty adult male albino Wister rats were grouped into 4 groups (10 rats/group): group I a negative control, group II (CuO-NPs) injected with CuO-NPs intra peritoneal by insulin needle (0.5 mg/kg/day), group III (betaine + CuO-NPs) administered betaine orally by gavage needle (250 mg/kg/day 1 h before CuO-NPs) and CuO-NPs (0.5 mg/kg/day) finally, group IV (betaine) administered betaine orally by gavage needle (250 mg/kg/day) for consecutive 28 days. Blood and liver samples were gathered and processed for biochemical, molecular, histopathological, and immunohistochemical investigations.

Results

Group II displayed a marked rise in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Furthermore, there is an excessive upregulation of the inflammatory biomarkers interleukin1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). On the other hand, substantial reduction in glutathione (GSH) levels and significant downregulation at glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA gene expression. Regarding the histopathological deviations, there were severe congestion, dilatation and hyalinization of blood vessels, steatosis, hydropic degeneration, hepatocytic necrosis, increased binucleation, degenerated bile ducts, hyperplasia of ducts epithelial lining, and inflammatory cells infiltration. Immunohistochemically, there was a pronounced immunoreactivity toward IL-1β. Luckily, the pre-administration of betaine was able to mitigate these changes. MDA was dramatically reduced, resulting in the downregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α. Additionally, there was a considerable rise in GSH levels and an upregulation of GPx. Histopathological deviations were substantially improved as diminished dilatation, hyalinization and congestion of blood vessels, hepatocytes, and bile ducts are normal to some extent. In addition, IL-1β immunohistochemical analysis revealed marked decreased intensity.

Conclusion

Betaine can effectively reduce the hepatotoxicity caused by CuO-NPs via its antioxidant properties and its ability to stimulate the cell redox system.

Cytocompatibility, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of a Mucoadhesive Biopolymeric Hydrogel Embedding Selenium Nanoparticles Phytosynthesized by Sea Buckthorn Leaf Extract

Phytosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are less toxic than the inorganic salts of selenium and show high antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Chitosan prevents microbial biofilm formation and can also determine microbial biofilm dispersal. Never-dried bacterial nanocellulose (NDBNC) is an efficient carrier of bioactive compounds and a flexible nanofibrillar hydrophilic biopolymer. This study aimed to develop a selenium-enriched hydrogel nanoformulation (Se-HNF) based on NDBNC from kombucha fermentation and fungal chitosan with embedded biogenic SeNPs phytosynthesized by an aqueous extract of sea buckthorn leaves (SbLEx)-SeNPsSb-in order to both disperse gingival dysbiotic biofilm and prevent its development. We determined the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of SbLEx. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for the identification of polyphenols from SbLEx. SeNPsSb were characterized by transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) in small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS). The hydrogel nanoformulation with embedded SeNPsSb was characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, rheology, mucin binding efficiency, contact angle and interfacial tension measurements. We also assessed the in vitro biocompatibility, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of SeNPsSb and Se-HNF. TEM, DLS and SAXS evidenced polydisperse SeNPsSb, whereas FTIR highlighted a heterogeneous biocorona with various biocompounds. The contact angle on the polar surface was smaller (52.82 ± 1.23°) than that obtained on the non-polar surface (73.85 ± 0.39°). The interfacial tension was 97.6 ± 0.47 mN/m. The mucin binding efficiency of Se-HNF decreased as the amount of hydrogel decreased, and the SEM analysis showed a relatively compact structure upon mucin contact. FTIR and XRD analyses of Se-HNF evidenced an interaction between BNC and CS through characteristic peak shifting, and the rheological measurements highlighted a pseudoplastic behavior, 0.186 N adhesion force and 0.386 adhesion energy. The results showed a high degree of cytocompatibility and the significant antioxidant and antimicrobial efficiency of SeNPsSb and Se-HNF.

Synthesis, characterization, biological activity, and in vitro digestion of selenium nanoparticles stabilized by Antarctic ice microalgae polypeptide

A new type of uniformly dispersed selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) was prepared using Antarctic ice microalgae polypeptides (AIMP) as the stabilizer and dispersant. Different characterization techniques and tests show that the SeNPs are effectively combined with AIMP through physical adsorption and hydrogen bonding to form a more stable structure. Orange-red, zero-valence, amorphous, and spherical AIMP-SeNPs with a diameter of 52.07 ± 1.011 nm and a zeta potential of -41.41 ± 0.882 mV were successfully prepared under the optimal conditions. The AIMP-SeNPs had significantly higher DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radicals scavenging abilities compared with AIMP and Na2SeO3, and prevented the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria by disrupting the integrity of cell walls, cell membranes and mitochondrial membranes. The AIMP-SeNPs had higher gastrointestinal stability compared with SeNPs. Thus, this research highlights the crucial role of AIMP as a biopolymer framework in the dispersion, stabilization, and size management of SeNPs and concludes that AIMP-SeNPs can be exploited as a potent antioxidant supplement and antibacterial substance in foods and medicine.