New organoruthenium(II) complexes containing N, X-donor (X = O, S) heterocyclic chelators: Synthesis, spectral characterization, in vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis investigation

LINC02535 + miR-30a-5p combination enhances proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in metastatic breast Cancer cells

Current clinical therapies for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have limited therapeutic efficacy and induce significant systemic side effects, leading to poor patient compliance. To address this challenge, this investigation focuses on the design of LINC02535 + miR-30a-5p for treating breast cancer. In vitro cytotoxicity studies confirmed that LINC02535 + miR-30a-5p was more effective in 4 T1 cells, with reduced toxicity in NIH3T3 cells. Further verification of cellular morphology was achieved through various biochemical staining methods. Additionally, the antimetastatic attributes of LINC02535 + miR-30a-5p have been evaluated using both migration scratch and Transwell migration assays, which have collectively revealed excellent antimetastatic potential. The DNA fragmentation of the 4 T1 cells was assessed using a comet assay. LINC02535 + miR-30a-5p improved ROS levels and caused mitochondrial membrane potential alterations and DNA damage, which resulted in apoptosis. Therefore, we propose that LINC02535 + miR-30a-5p could be an alternative therapeutic strategy for breast cancer therapy.

Facile engineering of aptamer-coupled silk fibroin encapsulated myogenic gold nanocomposites: investigation of antiproliferative activity and apoptosis induction

Nanocomposites selectively induce cancer cell death, holding potential for precise liver cancer treatment breakthroughs. This study assessed the cytotoxicity of gold nanocomposites (Au NCs) enclosed within silk fibroin (SF), aptamer (Ap), and the myogenic Talaromyces purpureogenus (TP) against a human liver cancer cell (HepG2). The ultimate product, Ap-SF-TP@Au NCs, results from a three-step process. This process involves the myogenic synthesis of TP@Au NCs derived from TP mycelial extract, encapsulation of SF on TP@Au NCs (SF-TP@Au NCs), and the conjugation of Ap within SF-TP@Au NCs. The synthesized NCs are analyzed by various characteristic techniques. Ap-SF-TP@Au NCs induced potential cell death in HepG2 cells but exhibited no cytotoxicity in non-cancerous cells (NIH3T3). The morphological changes in cells were examined through various biochemical staining methods. Thus, Ap-SF-TP@Au NCs emerge as a promising nanocomposite for treating diverse cancer cells.

Exploring the cytotoxicity of dinuclear Ru(II) p-cymene complexes appended N,N'-bis(4-substituted benzoyl)hydrazines: insights into the mechanism of apoptotic cell death

Cancer is a perilous life-threatening disease, and attempts are constantly being made to create multinuclear transition metal complexes that could lead to the development of potential anticancer medications and administration procedures. Hence, this work aims to design, synthesize, characterize, and assess the anticancer efficacy of ruthenium p-cymene complexes incorporating N,N'-bis(4-substituted benzoyl)hydrazine ligands. The formation of the new complexes (Ru2H1-Ru2H3) has been thoroughly established by elemental analysis, and FT-IR, UV-vis, NMR, and HR-MS spectral techniques. The solid-state molecular structures of the complexes Ru2H1 and Ru2H3 have been determined using the SC-XRD study, which confirms the N, O, and Cl-legged piano stool pseudo-octahedral geometry of each ruthenium(II) ion. The stability of these complexes in the solution state and their lipophilicity profile have been determined. Furthermore, the title complexes were tested for their in vitro anticancer activity against cancerous H460 (lung cancer cells), SkBr3 (breast cancer cells), HepG2 (liver cancer cells), and HeLa (cervical cancer cells) along with non-cancerous (HEK-293) cells. The IC50 results revealed that complex Ru2H3 exhibits potent activity against the proliferation of all four cancer cells and outscored the effect of the standard metallodrug cisplatin. This may be attributed to the presence of a couple of lipophilic electron-donating methoxy groups in the ligand scaffold and also the ruthenium(II) p-cymene motifs. Advantageously, all the complexes (Ru2H1-Ru2H3) displayed cytotoxic specificity only towards cancerous cells by leaving the off-target non-cancerous cells undamaged. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining, Hoechst 33342, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining assays were used to investigate the apoptotic pathway and ROS levels in mitochondria. The results of western blot analysis confirmed that the complexes triggered apoptosis through an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway by upregulating Bax and downregulating Bcl-2 proteins. Finally, the extent of apoptosis triggered by the complex Ru2H3 was quantified with the aid of flow cytometry using the Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) double-staining technique.

Coumarin-transition metal complexes with biological activity: current trends and perspectives

Coumarin (2H-1-benzopyran-2-one) presents the fundamental structure of an enormous class of biologically active compounds of natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic origin. Extensive efforts are continually being put into the research and development of coumarin derivatives with medicinal properties by the broad scientific community. Transition metal coordination compounds with potential biological activity are a "hot topic" in the modern search for novel drugs. Complexation with transition metals can enhance the physiological effect of a molecule, modify its safety profile, and even imbue it with novel attributes of interest in the fields of medicine and pharmacy. The present review aims to inform the reader of the latest developments in the search for coumarin transition metal complexes with biological activity, their potential applications, and structure-activity relationships, where such can be elucidated. Each section of the present review addresses a certain kind of biological activity (antiproliferative, antioxidant, antimicrobial, etc.), explores the most recent discoveries in the field, and, at the same time, tries to offer useful perspectives for potential future investigations.

Synthesis of novel coumarin-based thiosemicarbazones and their implications in diabetic management via in-vitro and in-silico approaches

Diabetes mellitus has a high prevalence rate and it has been deemed a severe chronic metabolic disorder with long-term complications. This research aimed to identify compounds that could potentially inhibit the vital metabolic enzyme α-glucosidase and thereby exert an anti-hyperglycemic effect. The main goal was to establish an effective approach to control diabetes. To proceed with this study, a series of novel coumarin-derived thiosemicarbazones 3a-3m was synthesized and examined using a variety of spectroscopic methods. Moreover, all the compounds were subjected to α-glucosidase inhibition bioassay to evaluate their antidiabetic potential. Fortunately, all the compounds exhibited several folds potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values ranging from 2.33 to 22.11 µM, in comparison to the standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 873.34 ± 1.67 µM). The kinetic studies of compound 3c displayed concentration-dependent inhibition. Furthermore, the binding modes of these molecules were elucidated through a molecular docking strategy which depicted that the thiosemicarbazide moiety of these molecules plays a significant role in the interaction with different residues of the α-glucosidase enzyme. However, their conformational difference is responsible for their varied inhibitory potential. The molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the top-ranked compounds (3c, 3g and 3i) have a substantial effect on the protein dynamics which alter the protein function and have stable attachment in the protein active pocket. The findings suggest that these molecules have the potential to be investigated further as novel antidiabetic medications.

A Convergent fabrication of silk fibroin nanoparticles on quercetin loaded metal-organic frameworks for promising nanocarrier of myocardial infraction

The biomacromolecule silk fibroin (SF) may be constructed to promote biomimetic nucleation and nanostructures of inorganic nanomaterials, offering it a promising candidate for use in various biomimetic applications. We combined SF-NPs and ZIF-8-NPs to fabricate new drug vehicles that effectively release the drug. SF nanoparticles (SF-NPs) were assembled into quercetin (QCT), a myocardial drug added to fabricate QSF-NPs. By acting as a template for the ZIF-8 nucleation onto the surface, the QSF-NPs fabricated core-shell-structured nanocomposites (named QSF@Z-NCs) with ZIF-8 as the core-shell and the QSF-NPs. The biocompatibility analysis using the MTT assay revealed that the developed QCT, SF-NPs, and QSF@Z-NCs are not harmful to cardiac myoblast (H9C2) cells. The in vivo model demonstrated that H9C2 cells encouraged cardiomyocyte fibre regeneration in myocardial infarction rats. We fabricated a brand-new technique using H9C2 cells and QSF@Z-NCs that might encourage the healing processes in myocardial ischemia cells. This study's results demonstrate that it successfully treats myocardial injury.

Facile construction of drugs loaded lipid-coated calcium carbonate as a promising pH-Dependent drug delivery system for thyroid cancer treatment

To develop innovative drug delivery carriers for controllable release and cancer-targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to accomplish efficient cancer chemotherapy. Herein we effectively fabricated CaCO3 primarily loaded biotin (BT) and directly the self-assembly of oxaliplatin (Pt (IV)) prodrugs form in liposomes. The acquired BT-Pt (IV)@PEG/CaCO3 with outstanding biological stability displays rapid pH-mediated degradations, thus allowing the effective pH-responsive delivery of BT. In vitro, anticancer assays proved that BT-Pt (IV)@PEG/CaCO3 effectively kills the thyroid cancer cells (B-CPAP and FTC-133). The biochemical staining assays investigated the morphological changes of thyroid cancer after treatment with nanoparticles. The DNA fragmentation of the cells was assessed by utilizing the comet assay. BT-Pt (IV)@PEG/CaCO3 increased ROS levels and caused mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA damage, which resulted in apoptosis. Due to its versatile drug-loading capability, this research demonstrates that CaCO3 liposomal formulation is a biocompatible and reliable substrate for establishing pH-mediated drug delivery methods and promising for possible therapeutic application.

Facile construction of calcium titanate-loaded silk fibroin scaffolds hybrid frameworks for accelerating neuronal cell growth in peripheral nerve regeneration

Different concentrations of calcium titanate (CaTiO3) nanoparticles were loaded into the Silk fibroin (SF) solution to construct porous SF@CaTiO3 hybrid scaffolds, which were shown to have enhanced properties for stimulating peripheral nerve regeneration. Surface charges, crystallization intensity, wettability, porosity, and morphology were measured and analyzed. We analyzed the hybrid porous SF@CaTiO₃ scaffolds that affected the expansion of Schwann cells. The results demonstrated a concentration-dependent influence on the dispersion of nanoparticles in the CaTiO₃ hybridized SF scaffolds. Incorporating CaTiO₃-NPs into the porous SF@CaTiO₃ hybrid scaffolds can boost hydrophobicity while decreasing surface charge density and porosity. The hybridized scaffolds mostly had an orthorhombic calcium titanate crystal structure with amorphous Silk fibroin mixed. Schwann cell cultures revealed that SF@CaTiO₃ hybrid scaffolds containing an optimal CaTiO₃-NPs concentration could stimulate the proliferation, attachment, and protection of Schwann cell biological functions, suggesting the scaffolds' potential for use in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Facile construction of irinotecan loaded mesoporous nano-formulation with surface-initiated polymerization to improve stimuli-responsive drug delivery for breast cancer therapy

This work uses rice husk to fabricate mesoporous silica nanoparticles (D-RMN) for breast cancer therapy. The biocompatible dual-responsive (DAN-RMN) was developed by polymerizing acrylic acid (AA) and n-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) on the DV-RMN surface monomeric ratio to increase drug delivery efficiency after vinyl groups were added to the surface of nanoparticles (DAN-RMN). Various analytical and spectroscopical methods characterized the fabricated nanoparticles. Additionally, further encapsulation with SN-38 into the DAN-RMN enhances anticancer efficiency. The in-vitro controlled SN-38 release displayed remarkable temperature and pH response. The MTT assay established the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of natural sources of silica and DAN-RMN. The fabricated SN-38@DAN-RMN nanoparticles effectively killed the MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cancerous cells, confirmed by the MTT assay. The IC₅₀ values of SN-38@DAN-RMN in MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 for 1.8 μg/mL and 1.7 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO-EB) dual staining methods were used to determine morphological changes of cell shrinkage and fragmentation. Nuclear staining methods confirmed the nuclear fragmentation and condensation of the cells. Further, the cell death was examined using dual staining Annexin V-FITC/PI in flow cytometric analyses to assess apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cell lines. The apoptotic cell ratio of SN-38@DAN-RMN in MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 for 27.8 and 32.8, respectively. Since there is no drug leakage in the blood while the carrier is in circulation, the DAN-RMN nanocarrier may be used for targeted and stimuli-responsive administration using ultrasound imaging.

Hydroxylated Coumarin-Based Thiosemicarbazones as Dual Antityrosinase and Antioxidant Agents

The design of novel antityrosinase agents appears extremely important in medical and industrial sectors because an irregular production of melanin is related to the insurgence of several skin-related disorders (e.g., melanoma) and the browning process of fruits and vegetables. Because melanogenesis also involves a nonenzymatic oxidative process, developing dual antioxidant and antityrosinase agents is advantageous. In this work, we evaluated the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibition ability of two new bishydroxylated and two new monohydroxylated derivatives of (1E)-2-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (T1) using different experimental and computational approaches. The study was also carried out on another monohydroxylated derivative of T1 for comparison. Interestingly, these molecules have more potent tyrosinase-inhibitory properties than the reference compound, kojic acid. Moreover, the antioxidant activity appears to be influenced according to the number and substitution pattern of the hydroxyl groups. The safety of the compounds without (T1), with one (T3), and with two (T6) hydroxyl groups, has also been assessed by studying their cytotoxicity on melanocytes. These results indicate that (1E)-2-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide and its hydroxylated derivatives are promising molecules for further drug development studies.

Self-assembled amphiphilic copolymers-doxorubicin conjugated nanoparticles for gastric cancer therapy with low in vivo toxicity and high efficacy

Amphiphilic copolymers have long been utilized to turn hydrophobic anticancer drugs into nanoparticles administered to patients with cancer. A lack of stability in these monotherapies may be blamed for their poor clinical results in patients with cancer. We propose novel nanotherapies based on polymeric small prodrugs that preserve pharmacologic effectiveness while significantly reducing the toxicity of the fabricated drugs in animals to overcome this problem. Doxorubicin is attached to the end of the PLA fragments through a hydrolyzable ester bond utilizing methoxypolyethylene glycol-block-poly(d, l-lactic acid) (mPEG-PCL(2K)) with conjugates to mimic the self-assembly of colloidal nanotherapies. In a gastric cancer xenograft model, this nanotherapy displays a long-lasting suppression of tumor growth once a reasonable dosage is administered. Our findings imply that a toxic chemical and hydrophobic can be converted into therapeutic effective self-delivery nanotreatment.

Fabrication of novel ruthenium loaded silk fibroin nanomaterials for fingolimod release improved antitumor efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer targeted nanomaterials-based drug delivery systems have been described as promising. In this work, we employed silk fibroin (SF), ruthenium nanomaterials (RuNMs), heptapeptide (T7), and fingolimod (FTY720) to construct a pH-responsive smart nanomaterials drug delivery system. They were spherical with a mean size of around 120 nm, which may have contributed to the improved penetration and retention of the NMs in tumour areas. T7-FTY720@SF-RuNMs had an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 72.51 ± 4.02%. When the pH of an environment is acidic, the release of FTY720 from nanocarriers is enhanced. T7-FTY720@SF-RuNMs demonstrated increased cellular uptake selective and anticancer efficacy for hepatocellular cancer in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Additionally, the in vivo biodistribution investigation showed that T7-FTY720@SF-RuNMs could efficiently aggregate in the tumour location, improving their in vivo potential to kill cancer cells. T7-FTY720@SF-RuNMs demonstrated little toxicity to tumour-bearing animals in investigations of histology and immunohistochemistry, showing that the fabricated NMs are biocompatible in vivo. For the treatment of hepatocellular cancer, the T7-FTY720@SF-RuNMs delivery method offers significant promise.

Self-assembling porphyrin conjugate-carboplatin(IV) prodrug nanoparticles for enhancing high efficacy nasopharyngeal cancer and low systemic toxicity

Nanomedicine has developed as a potential technique for successful cancer therapy. A simple supramolecular self-assembly process is a helpful strategy for generating carrier-free nanodrugs. Mixing photodynamic treatment with chemotherapy has been sought to obtain a high therapeutic impact. In this study, we effectively construct a nanocarrier (CD-Por-PEG: Ada-CPT-Pt(IV)) combined with Carboplatin prodrug (Ada-CPT-Pt(IV)) and photosensitizer porphyrin (CD-Por-PEG) by host-guest interactions to accomplish stimuli-response combination treatment. Supported by greater spatial control of the binding ratio among host-guest molecules, Carboplatin and porphyrin were independently altered with β-cyclodextrin and adamantane to produce the amphiphilic host-guest combination for sequential self-assembly into therapeutic nanoparticles. The colloidal stability of the produced CD-Por-PEG: Ada-CPT-Pt(IV)-NPs was excellent, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of ∼170 nm. The microscopy images showed that CD-Por-PEG: Ada-CPT-Pt(IV) could aggregate cells and generate ROS after light irradiation (630 nm). Monotherapy had a cytotoxicity three times greater than the CD-Por-PEG: Ada-CPT-Pt(IV) nanoparticles. Studies in mice carrying SUNE1 nasopharyngeal tumours showed that nanoparticles effectively suppressed tumour development without causing systemic damage in this examination. The current self-assembly nanosystem makes precise control over the photosensitizer and drug loading possible ratio. It reduces the systemic adverse toxicity issues of drugs carrier, making this system ideal for nasopharyngeal cancer treatment.

Fabrication of Zinc loaded silicon carbide Nanocomposite for in vitro cell viability and in vivo wound dressing care

AIM

In this investigation, Zinc-silicon carbide (Zn-SiC) materials were fabricated by a simple approach by using Zn nanoparticles (Zn-NPs) loaded on silicon carbide (SiC) with enhanced antibacterial and healing activity.

METHODS

Zn-NPs loaded on SiC fabricated by the DIY laser melting technique. The TEM and Zeta-sizer confirmed the morphology and size of the nanoparticles. The characterization was done using Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Further, the fabricated nanoparticles were evaluated for their mechanical properties and biocompatibility under storage conditions. In-vivo wound healing was measured by observing a percentage reduction in the wound.

RESULTS

Zn-SiC NPs have 54.6 ± 5.25 nm mean particle size, -15.9 ± 2.35 mV zeta potential with 0.187 ± 0.05 polydispersity index (PD1). The nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility and in-vivo wound healing properties.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly support the possibility of using these Zn particles loaded on SiC NPs as a promising wound healing agent after cesarean section.