Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Chemogenic and Biogenic Nano-sulfur on Human Carcinoma Cells: A Comparative Study

Synthesis of Pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones via Ugi-Zhu Reaction and In Vitro-In Silico Studies against Breast Carcinoma

An Ugi-Zhu three-component reaction (UZ-3CR) coupled in a one-pot manner to a cascade process (N-acylation/aza Diels-Alder cycloaddition/decarboxylation/dehydration) was performed to synthesize a series of pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones in 20% to 92% overall yields using ytterbium triflate as a catalyst, toluene as a solvent, and microwaves as a heat source. The synthesized molecules were evaluated in vitro against breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, finding that compound 1f, at a concentration of 6.25 μM, exhibited a potential cytotoxic effect. Then, to understand the interactions between synthesized compounds and the main proteins related to the cancer cell lines, docking studies were performed on the serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and Orexetine type 2 receptor (Ox2R), finding moderate to strong binding energies, which matched accurately with the in vitro results. Additionally, molecular dynamics were performed between proteins related to the studied cell lines and the three best ligands.

Phyto-fabrication of ultrafine nanoscale holmium oxide HT-Ho2O3 NPs and their biomedical potential

In this study holmium oxide nanoparticles (Ho2O3 NPs) are fabricated using Hyphaene thebaica extracts as a bioreductant. The XRD pattern of HT-Ho2O3 NPs (product from phyto-reduction) suggested that the nanoparticles are crystalline with no impurities. Scherrer approximation revealed grain sizes of ∼10 nm. The HR-TEM revealed HT-Ho2O3 NPs possessed a quasi-spherical morphology complemented by SEM and the particle sizes were in the range of 6-12 nm. The infrared spectra revealed characteristic Ho-O bonding at ∼603 cm-1. Raman spectra indicated five main peaks positioned at 156 cm-1, 214 cm-1, 328 cm-1, 379 cm-1 and 607 cm-1. Eg (optical bandgap) was found to be 5.1 eV. PL spectra indicated two major peaks at 415 nm and 607 nm. EDS spectra confirmed the elemental presence of holmium (Ho). Spotty rings were obtained during the SAED measurement which indicated crystallinity of HT-Ho2O3 NPs. The HT-Ho2O3 NPs were further analyzed for their antioxidant, anti-angiogenic and cytotoxic properties. The antioxidant potential was moderate i.e., 43.40 ± 0.96% at 1000 μg mL-1 which decreased in a dose dependent manner. Brine shrimp lethality was highest at 1000 μg mL-1 with the LC50 320.4 μg mL-1. Moderate anti-angiogenic potential was observed using in ova CAM assay. MTT bioassay revealed that the HT-Ho2O3 NPs inhibited the 3T3 cells (IC50 67.9 μg mL-1), however, no significant inhibition was observed against MCF-7 cells. α-Amylase and β-glucosidase inhibition revealed that the HT-Ho2O3 NPs can be of use in controlling blood glucose levels. Overall, it can be concluded that biosynthesis using aqueous extracts can be a suitable alternative in finding ecofriendly paradigms for the synthesis of nanoparticles. We suggest extended research into the bioreduced Ho2O3 NPs for establishing their biomedical potential and toxicity.

Shaping Sulfur Precursors to Low Dimensional (0D, 1D and 2D) Sulfur Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization, Mechanism, Functionalization, and Applications

Low-dimensional sulfur nanomaterials featuring with 0D sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs), sulfur nanodots (SNDs) and sulfur quantum dots (SQDs), 1D sulfur nanorods (SNRs), and 2D sulfur nanosheets (SNSs) have emerged as an environmentally friendly, biocompatible class of metal-free nanomaterials, sparking extensive interest in a wide range application. In this review, various synthetic methods, precise characterization, creative formation mechanism, delicate functionalization, and versatile applications of low dimensional sulfur nanomaterials over the last decades are systematically summarized. Initially, it is striven to summarize the progress of low dimensional sulfur nanomaterials from versatile precursors by using different synthetic approaches and various characterization. Then, a multi-faceted proposed formation mechanism with emphasis on how these different precursors produce corresponding SNPs, SNDs, SQDs, SNRs, and SNSs is highlighted. Besides, it is essential to fine-tune the surface functional groups of low dimensional sulfur nanomaterials to form new complex nanomaterials. Finally, these sulfur nanomaterials are being investigated in bio-sensing, bio-imaging, lithium-sulfur batteries, antibacterial activities, plant growth along with future perspective and challenges in emerging fields. The purpose of this review is to tailor low dimensional nanomaterials through accurately selecting precursors or synthetic approach and provide a foundation for the formation of versatile sulfur nanostructure.

Recent advances in pomegranate peel extract mediated nanoparticles for clinical and biomedical applications

Manufacturing new materials at the nanoscale level is a field that is rapidly expanding with widespread application in advanced science and MMT is effectively used for the technology. Nanoparticles (NP), the building blocks of nanotechnology, exhibit improved properties than the larger counterparts and can be prepared from a variety of metals, including silver, copper, gold, zinc, and others. Phytonanotechnology is gaining major attention as various clinical researches have focused on the excellent properties (physicochemical and biological) of nanoscale phytochemicals and its applications in biological systems. In recent developments, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has gained major attention due to the phenolic compounds like apigenin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, cyanidin, ellagic acid, gallic acid, granatin A, granatin B, pelargonidin, punicalagin, punicalin and quercetin found in its peel. Pomegranate Peel Extract (PPE) that aid the synthesis of PPE mediated nanoparticles (PPE-MNPs) like PPE-MAuNPs, PPE-MAgNPs, PPE-MZnONPs, PPE-MCuNPs, PPE-MPtNPs and PPE-MFeNPs has yielded plethora of beneficial properties in both plants and humans. In the current review, we discuss in detail the recent advances in synthesis and characterization of various nanoparticles from PPE. Moreover, the multitude biological properties of PPE-MNPs make up the long list of clinical uses. In addition, we discuss the pharmacokinetics, current advantages, and limitations of PPE-MNPs which can further help in development of more efficient therapeutics. Despite some of the challenges, PPE-MNPs hold a lot of potential for drug delivery and are always a better choice. The convergence of science and engineering has created new hopes, in which phytomedicines will have more efficacy, bioavailability, and less toxicity.

Low-dose exposure to phytosynthesized gold nanoparticles combined with glutamine deprivation enhances cell death in the cancer cell line HeLa via oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest

Cancer cells use nutrients like D-glucose (Glc) and L-glutamine (Q) more efficiently for their development. This increased nutritional dependency of malignant cells has been commonly employed in various in vitro and in vivo models of anticancer therapies. This study utilized a combination of a low dose (25 μg mL^-1) of S2, a phytosynthesized gold nanoparticle (AuNP) that was previously proven to be non-toxic, and deprivation of extracellular glutamine as an anticancer strategy in the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa. We discovered that 24 h Q deprivation led to a less significant decrease in the viability of HeLa cells while a low dose of S2 caused a non-significant reduction in the viability of HeLa cells. However, combining these two treatments resulted in highly significant inhibition of cell growth, as measured by the MTT test and morphological examination. Glutamine starvation in HeLa cells was found to induce cellular uptake of S2 via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, thus facilitating the improved antitumor effects of the combined treatment. Flow cytometry-based assays using fluorescent probes H₂DCFDA and MitoSOX Red confirmed that this combination therapy involved the development of oxidative stress conditions owing to a surplus of cytosolic reactive oxygen species (cytoROS) and mitochondrial superoxide (mtSOX) generation. Furthermore, the investigated combinatorial treatment also indicated mitochondrial inactivity and disintegration, as evidenced by the drop in the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) and the decrease in the mitochondrial mass (mtMass) in a flow-cytometric assay utilizing the probes. Tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester and MitoTracker Green FM, respectively. Cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, induction of cell death via apoptosis/necrosis, and inhibition of migration capacities of HeLa cells were also seen after the combined treatment. Thus, this research provides insight into a new combinatorial approach for reducing the dose of nanoparticles and increasing their efficacy to better inhibit the growth of human cervical cancer cells by leveraging their extracellular glutamine dependence.