Cytotoxicity influence of new chitosan composite on HEPG-2, HCT-116 and MCF-7 carcinoma cells

Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding interactions, DFT calculations, and Covid-19 molecular docking of novel bioactive copper(I) complexes developed via unexpected reduction of azo-hydrazo ligands

In this work, we focused on the 3rd goal of the sustainable development plan: achieving good health and supporting well-being. Two redox-active hydrazo ligands namely, phenylcarbonohydrazonoyldicyanide (PCHD) and pyridin-4-ylcarbonohydrazonoyl-dicyanide (PyCHD), and their copper(I) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The analytical data indicates the formation of copper(I) complexes despite starting with copper(II) perchlorate salt. The 1H-NMR and UV-visible spectral studies in DMSO revealed that PyCHD mainly exists in its azo-form, while PCHD exists in azo ↔ hydrazo equilibrium form, and confirmed the copper(I) oxidation state. XPS, spectral and electrochemistry data indicated the existence of copper(I) valence of both complexes. Cyclic voltammetry of PCHD and its copper(I) complex supported the reduction power of the ligand. The antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity against the mammalian breast carcinoma cell line (MCF7), and DNA interaction of the compounds are investigated. All compounds showed high antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities, relative to the standard drugs. Upon studying the wheat DNA binding, PCHD and PyCHD were found to bind through external contacts, while both [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O were intercalated binding. In-silico molecular docking simulations against Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain (ID: 6CBZ) were performed on all produced compounds and confirmed the invitro experimentally best anticancer activity of [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O. The molecular docking tests against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (ID: 6 WTT) showed promising activity in the order of total binding energy values: [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > PCHD > PyCHD.

Chitosan-based nanoscale delivery systems in hepatocellular carcinoma: Versatile bio-platform with theranostic application

The field of nanomedicine has provided a fresh approach to cancer treatment by addressing the limitations of current therapies and offering new perspectives on enhancing patients' prognoses and chances of survival. Chitosan (CS) is isolated from chitin that has been extensively utilized for surface modification and coating of nanocarriers to improve their biocompatibility, cytotoxicity against tumor cells, and stability. HCC is a prevalent kind of liver tumor that cannot be adequately treated with surgical resection in its advanced stages. Furthermore, the development of resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy has caused treatment failure. The targeted delivery of drugs and genes can be mediated by nanostructures in treatment of HCC. The current review focuses on the function of CS-based nanostructures in HCC therapy and discusses the newest advances of nanoparticle-mediated treatment of HCC. Nanostructures based on CS have the capacity to escalate the pharmacokinetic profile of both natural and synthetic drugs, thus improving the effectiveness of HCC therapy. Some experiments have displayed that CS nanoparticles can be deployed to co-deliver drugs to disrupt tumorigenesis in a synergistic way. Moreover, the cationic nature of CS makes it a favorable nanocarrier for delivery of genes and plasmids. The use of CS-based nanostructures can be harnessed for phototherapy. Additionally, the incur poration of ligands including arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) into CS can elevate the targeted delivery of drugs to HCC cells. Interestingly, smart CS-based nanostructures, including ROS- and pH-sensitive nanoparticles, have been designed to provide cargo release at the tumor site and enhance the potential for HCC suppression.

L-Selenocysteine induced HepG-2 cells apoptosis through reactive oxygen species-mediated signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Currently, Liver cancer is the fifth most common tumor and the second most important reason for cancer-related death in the world. However, there are still many limitations of the clinical treatment of liver cancer, and new treatment options are clearly needed. Fortunately, studies have shown that L-Selenocysteine has a certain effect on cancer. This study was to investigate the effects of L-Selenocysteine on the inhibition of cell proliferation and the promotion of apoptosis of HepG-2 cells through ROS mediated fine signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CCK-8 assay was applied to evaluating the cytotoxic effect of L-Selenocysteine on HepG-2 cells. Electron microscopy, flow cytometry and Western Blot was utilization in further researching cells signaling pathways.

RESULTS

The growth of HepG-2 cells was inhibited by L-selenocysteine ​​treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The cell viability decreased to 52.20%, 43.20% and 30.83% under the treatment of 4, 8, 16 µM L-selenocysteine, respectively. L-Selenocysteine had higher cytotoxicity towards HepG-2 cells than normal cells. L-Selenocysteine can induce the apoptosis of HepG-2 cells by increasing the DNA fragmentation, and activating the Caspase-3. In addition, it was found that the mechanism of the induction to HepG-2 cell apoptosis by L-Selenocysteine was closely related to the overproduction of ROS and promoted apoptosis through the Bcl-2 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that L-selenocysteine ​​may cause mitochondrial damage and subsequently stimulate ROS production. ROS can damage cellular DNA and mediate the production of Casapase-8, Bid, Bcl-2 and other proteins, affecting downstream signaling pathways, and ultimately induced apoptosis.

One pot synthesis of new cross-linked chitosan-Schiff' base: Characterization, and anti-proliferative activities

Four novel chitosan hydrogels were successfully synthesized through the cross-linking reaction of chitosan with different concentrations of ethyl 5-(3,5-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxan-2-yl)-2-methylfuran-3-carboxylate. Their structures were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ¹³C Cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CP/MAS ¹³C NMR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, DTA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Cytotoxicity on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) cell line and a normal African green monkey kidney (Vero) cell line were studied using the MTT assay. The resultant hydrogels showed a good inhibitory effect comparing to the un-modified parent; the hydrogels with the lowest degree cross-linking (0.125 and 0.25 mol cross-linker per one chitosan residue) showed potent anticancer activity in the HepG2 cells with IC₅₀ of 57.9 and 80.9 μg/ml, respectively. These results show that the newly synthesized cross-linked chitosan derivatives demonstrated more selectivity to the HepG2 than the Vero cells, indicating its potential for Investigation in the cure of hepatocellular carcinoma.