Green and Facile Synthesis of Highly Photoluminescent Multicolor Carbon Nanocrystals for Cancer Therapy and Imaging

A phenanthroline-based erbium (III) complex: molecular docking, DNA/BSA -binding and biological evaluation

With the help of both theoretical as well as experimental research, in vitro binding research with CT-DNA (calf thymus) and BSA (bovine serum albumin) were carefully examined to figure out the chemotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic facets of the Erbium complex, which contains 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen). The binding characteristics and the mechanism of complex's interaction with DNA as well as the protein were determined utilizing fluorescence quenching method. Findings indicated that the complex's interaction with DNA via groove binding into DNA's minor grooves, with their binding constants falling within the 104 M-1 range. Furthermore, thermodynamic characteristics and the fluorescence emission of the tryptophan residues of the protein were obtained through fluorescence quenching studies at different temperatures. According to the results of the binding constants, the protein's interactions with the Er- complex were moderate, demonstrating that the compound may be transported effectively by the protein. Molecular docking results supported that of the experimental research. The HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, along with the normal human fibroblast cell line, were used in an MTT assay evaluation of the Er-complex cytotoxicity. The Er-complex displayed a selective inhibitory effect on the proliferation of different cancer cells.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Carbon dot incorporated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy and fluorescence imaging†

A new and efficient theranostic nanoplatform was developed via a green approach for targeted cancer therapy and fluorescence imaging, without the use of any anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Toward this aim, monodisperse and spherical mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of approximately 50 nm diameter were first synthesized using the sol–gel method and loaded with hydrothermally synthesized anticancer carbon dots (CDs). The resulting MSNs-CDs were then functionalized with chitosan and targeted by an anti-MUC1 aptamer, using the glutaraldehyde cross-linker, and fully characterized by TEM, FE-SEM, EDS, FTIR, TGA, XRD, and BET analysis. Potent and selective anticancer activity was obtained against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells with the maximum cell mortalities of 66.2 ± 1.97 and 71.8 ± 3%, respectively, after 48 h exposure with 100 μg mL⁻¹ of the functionalized MSNs-CDs. The maximum mortality of 40.66 ± 1.3% of normal HUVEC cells was obtained under the same conditions. Based on the results of flowcytometry analysis, the apoptotic mediated cell death was recognized as the main anticancer mechanism of the MSNs-CDs. The fluorescence imaging of MCF-7 cancer cells was also studied after exposure with MSNs-CDs. The overall results indicated the high potential of the developed nanoplatform for targeted cancer theranostics.

Efficient cancer therapy and fluorescence imaging was obtained by aptamer targeted mesoporous silica nanoparticles incorporating carbon dots.

Boron doped Fluorescent Carbon Nano Dots for reduction of ionic dyes and as Encryption and decryption QR code labels

This work discusses the synthesis of fluorescent undoped and boron-doped carbon nanodots (BDCNDs) by a simple hydrothermal approach using Tribulus terretris as carbon precursor and boric acid as boron source....

Recent Advances in Nanomaterials Development for Nanomedicine and Cancer

Cancer is considered one of the leading causes of death, with a growing number of cases worldwide. However, the early diagnosis and efficient therapy of cancer have remained a critical challenge. The emergence of nanomedicine has opened up a promising window to address the drawbacks of cancer detection and treatment. A wide range of engineered nanomaterials and nanoplatforms with different shapes, sizes, and composition has been developed for various biomedical applications. Nanomaterials have been increasingly used in various applications in bioimaging, diagnosis, and therapy of cancers. Recently, numerous multifunctional and smart nanoparticles with the ability of simultaneous diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy have been reported. The multidisciplinary attempts led to the development of several exciting clinically approved nanotherapeutics. The nanobased materials and devices have also been used extensively to develop point-of-care and highly sensitive methods of cancer detection. In this review article, the most significant achievements and latest advances in the nanomaterials development for cancer nanomedicine are critically discussed. In addition, the future perspectives of this field are evaluated.

Facile synthesis of a carbon dots and silver nanoparticles (CDs/AgNPs) composite for antibacterial application

Bacterial infections can seriously harm human health, and the overuse of traditional antibiotics and antibacterial agents will increase the resistance of bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a new kind of antibacterial material. In this work, a carbon dots and silver nanoparticles (CDs/AgNPs) composite has been synthesized in a one-step facile method without the introduction of toxic chemicals, wherein CDs could serve as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The CDs/AgNPs composite was characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which demonstrate that the silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized in the composite. The zeta potential of the CDs/AgNPs composite was −15.3 mV, indicating that the composite possesses high stability. Furthermore, the composite also exhibited biocidal effects for both Gram-negative E. coli bacteria and Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria. Thus, the composite is considered to be of great potential in bactericidal and biomedical applications.

One-step facile synthesis of a carbon dots and silver nanoparticles (CDs/AgNPs) composite without the introduction of toxic chemicals.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer monitoring of pH-responsive doxorubicin release from carbon dots/aptamer functionalized magnetic mesoporous silica

Aim: To develop a novel theranostic nanoplatform for simultaneous fluorescent monitoring and stimuli-triggered drug delivery. Materials & methods: Different microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were used for the characterization of nanocarriers. MCF-7 and human umbilical vein endothelial cell lines were cultured and treated with different doses of doxorubicin-loaded nanocarriers. The cell viability and drug release were studied using MTT assay and fluorescence microscopy. Results: Biocompatible and mono-disperse nanocarriers represent hollow and mesoporous structures with the calculated surface area of 552.83 m².g^-1, high magnetic activity (12.6 emu.g^-1), appropriate colloidal stability and high drug loading capacity (up to 61%). Conclusion: Taxane-based carbon dots act as the pH-responsive gatekeepers for the controlled release of doxorubicin into cancer cells and provide a fluorescence resonance energy transfer system for real-time monitoring of drug delivery.

Cyan color-emitting nitrogen-functionalized carbon nanodots (NFCNDs) from Indigofera tinctoria and their catalytic reduction of organic dyes and fluorescent ink applications

The present study reports the synthesis of nitrogen-functionalized carbon nanodots (NFCNDs) by a low-cost hydrothermal method using the leaf extract of Indigofera tinctoria as a novel carbon precursor.

Experimental and computational interaction studies of terbium (III) and lanthanide (III) complexes containing 2,2'-bipyridine with bovine serum albumin and their in vitro anticancer and antimicrobial activities

To investigate the chemotherapeutic and pharmacokinetic aspects of two lanthanide complexes (Tb(III) and La(III) containing 2,2'-bipyridine ligand), in vitro binding studies were carried out with BSA by employing multiple biophysical methods and molecular modeling study. There are different techniques containing fluorescence, absorption spectroscopy and competitive experiments to determine the interaction mode between BSA and these complexes. These complexes efficiently quenched the BSA emission through a static procedure. The results showed that the terbium and lanthanum complexes exhibited a high propensity for BSA interaction via van der Waals force. Further, competitive examination and docking study showed that the interaction site of these complexes on BSA is site III. The results of docking calculations were in good agreement with experimental examinations. Also, the energy transfer from BSA to these complexes has happened with high possibility. Moreover, antimicrobial studies of different bacterial and fungi indicated its promising antibacterial activity. In vitro cytotoxicity of the Tb complex and La complex was carried out in MCF-7 and A-549 cell lines, which revealed significantly good activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

In vitro anticancer activity of parent and nano-encapsulated samarium(iii) complex towards antimicrobial activity studies and FS-DNA/BSA binding affinity

Based on the potential anticancer properties of lanthanide complexes, the anticancer activity of the Sm(iii) complex containing a 2,2′-bipyridine ligand (bpy) and its interaction with FS-DNA (Fish-Salmon DNA) and BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) were examined experimentally and by molecular docking in this paper. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used to define the thermodynamic parameters, binding constant (K_b), and the probable binding mechanism. It was concluded that the Sm complex interacts with FS-DNA through a minor groove with a K_b of 10⁵ M⁻¹. Also, the K_b for the BSA binding at 298 K was found to be 5.89 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, showing relatively a high tendency of the Sm complex to DNA and BSA. Besides, the Sm complex was docked to BSA and DNA by the autodock program. The results of the docking calculations were in good agreement with the experimental examinations. Additionally, the antifungal and antibacterial properties of this complex were investigated. The anticancer tests on the effect of the Sm complex, starch nano-encapsulation, and lipid nano-encapsulation in MCF-7 and A-549 cell lines were performed by the MTT method. It can be observed that the Sm complex and its nanocarriers presented a selective inhibitory effect on various cancer cell growths.

The biological properties of the Sm-complex, such as its interaction with FS-DNA and BSA, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities were studied.