SPIONs/3D SiSBA-16 based Multifunctional Nanoformulation for target specific cisplatin release in colon and cervical cancer cell lines

Nano-sized warriors: zinc chromium vanadate nanoparticles as a dual solution for eradicating waterborne enterobacteriaceae and fighting cancer

The revolution of biomedical applications has opened new avenues for nanotechnology. Zinc Chromium vanadate nanoparticles (VCrZnO4 NPs) have emerged as an up-and-coming candidate, with their exceptional physical and chemical properties setting them apart. In this study, a one-pot solvothermal method was employed to synthesize VCrZnO4 NPs, followed by a comprehensive structural and morphological analysis using a variety of techniques, including X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These techniques confirmed the crystallinity of the NPs. The VCrZnO4 NPs were tested for their antibacterial activity against primary contaminants such as Enterobacteriaceae, including Shigella flexneri, Salmonella cholerasis, and Escherichia coli, commonly found in hospital settings, using the broth dilution technique. The results indicated a stronger antibacterial activity of VCrZnO4 NPs against Shigella and Salmonella than E. coli. Electron microscopy showed that the NPs caused severe damage to the bacterial cell wall and membrane, leading to cell death. In addition, the study evaluated the anticancer activities of the metal complexes in vitro using colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) and cervical cancer cells (HELA), along with non-cancer cells and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). A vanadium complex demonstrated efficient anticancer effects with half-inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 38.50+3.50 g/mL for HCT-116 cells and 42.25+4.15 g/mL for HELA cells. This study highlights the potential of Zinc Chromium vanadate nanoparticles as promising candidates for antibacterial and anticancer applications. Various advanced characterization techniques were used to analyze the properties of nanomaterials, which may help develop more effective and safer antibacterial and anticancer agents in the future.

The Application of Nanoparticle-Based Imaging and Phototherapy for Female Reproductive Organs Diseases

Various female reproductive disorders affect millions of women worldwide and bring many troubles to women's daily life. Let alone, gynecological cancer (such as ovarian cancer and cervical cancer) is a severe threat to most women's lives. Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other chronic diseases-induced pain have significantly harmed women's physical and mental health. Despite recent advances in the female reproductive field, the existing challenges are still enormous such as personalization of disease, difficulty in diagnosing early cancers, antibiotic resistance in infectious diseases, etc. To confront such challenges, nanoparticle-based imaging tools and phototherapies that offer minimally invasive detection and treatment of reproductive tract-associated pathologies are indispensable and innovative. Of late, several clinical trials have also been conducted using nanoparticles for the early detection of female reproductive tract infections and cancers, targeted drug delivery, and cellular therapeutics. However, these nanoparticle trials are still nascent due to the body's delicate and complex female reproductive system. The present review comprehensively focuses on emerging nanoparticle-based imaging and phototherapies applications, which hold enormous promise for improved early diagnosis and effective treatments of various female reproductive organ diseases.

Combined GSK-3β and MEK inhibitors modulate the stemness and radiotherapy sensitivity of cervical cancer stem cells through the Wnt signaling pathway

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the basis of cancer and lead to the recurrence and metastasis of cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of antineoplastic agents on the stemness and radiotherapy sensitivity of cervical CSCs. Side population (SP) and non-side population (NSP) cells from the SiHa cervical cancer cell line were separated using flow cytometry. The cell spheroidization, proliferation, and subcutaneous tumor formation abilities of SP cells were stronger than those of NSP cells, and cervical CSC marker expressions increased in SP cells. The proliferation, anti-apoptosis and migration of SP cells under ionizing radiation were higher than those of SiHa cells. GSK-3β and/or MEK inhibitors can increase the proliferation, migration and anti-apoptosis of SP cells, and CSC marker expressions. The Wnt pathway inhibitor decreased CSC stemness maintenance by combination of GSK-3β and MEK inhibitors. Injection of GSK-3β and MEK inhibitors under ionizing radiation promoted tumor growth and activated downstream factor expressions in the Wnt signaling pathway in vivo. This study demonstrated that combining GSK-3β and MEK inhibitors can activate Wnt signaling pathway in cervical CSCs, thereby affecting their stemness maintenance and radiotherapy sensitivity.

Design and Evaluation of Pegylated Large 3D Pore Ferrisilicate as a Potential Insulin Protein Therapy to Treat Diabetic Mellitus

An iron-based SBA-16 mesoporous silica (ferrisilicate) with a large surface area and three-dimensional (3D) pores is explored as a potential insulin delivery vehicle with improved encapsulation and loading efficiency. Fe was incorporated into a framework of ferrisilicate using the isomorphous substitution technique for direct synthesis. Fe³⁺ species were identified using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The large surface area (804 m²/g), cubic pores (3.2 nm) and insulin loading were characterized using XRD, BET surface area, FTIR and TEM analyses. For pH sensitivity, the ferrisilicate was wrapped with polyethylene glycol (MW = 400 Daltons) (PEG). For comparison, Fe (10 wt%) was impregnated on a Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Number 6 (KIT-6) sieve and Mesocellular Silica Foam (MSU-F). Insulin loading was optimized, and its release mechanism was studied using the dialysis membrane technique (MWCO = 14,000 Da) at physiological pH = 7.4, 6.8 and 1.2. The kinetics of the drug's release was studied using different structured/insulin nanoformulations, including Santa Barbara Amorphous materials (SBA-15, SBA-16), MSU-F, ultra-large-pore FDU-12 (ULPFDU-12) and ferrisilicates. A different insulin adsorption times (0.08-1 h), insulin/ferrisilicate ratios (0.125-1.0) and drug release rates at different pH were examined using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The rate of drug release and the diffusion mechanisms were obtained based on the release constant (k) and release exponent (n). The cytotoxicity of the nanoformulation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using human foreskin fibroblast (HFF-1) cells. A low cytotoxicity was observed for this nanoformulation starting at the highest concentrations used, namely, 400 and 800 μg. The hypoglycemic activity of insulin/ferrisilicate/PEG on acute administration in Wistar rats was studied using doses of 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight. The developed facile ferrisilicate/PEG nanoformulation showed a high insulin encapsulation and loading capacity with pH-sensitive insulin release for potential delivery through the oral route.

Two-dimensional-Ti3C2 magnetic nanocomposite for targeted cancer chemotherapy

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women, so novel therapeutic approaches are needed to improve the effectiveness of current therapies or extend their activity. In recent decades, graphene analogs, such as Mxene, an emerging class of two-dimensional (2D) graphene analogs, have been drawing considerable attention based on their intrinsic physicochemical properties and performance as potential candidates for tumor therapy, particularly for therapeutic purposes. Here we explored the targeted drug delivery in cervical cancer in in vivo model. Mxene-based nanocarriers are not able to be precisely controlled in cancer treatment. Method: To solve this problem, the titanium carbide-magnetic core-shell nanocarrier (Ti₃C₂-Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-FA) is also developed to provide synergetic anticancer with magnetic controlling ability along with pH-responsive drug release. A xenograft model of the cervix was used to investigate the effects of Cisplatin alone, or in combination with Ti₃C₂@FA and Ti₃C₂@ Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-FA, on tumor growth following histological staining for evaluation of necrosis. Result and Discussion: A significant tumor-growth suppression effect is shown when the Ti₃C₂-Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-FA nanocarrier is magnetically controlled Cisplatin drug release. It reveals a synergistic therapeutic efficacy used in conjunction with pharmaceuticals (p < .001). According to the in vivo study, the Ti₃C₂@FA@Cisplatin nanocomposite exhibits less tumor growth than the drug alone or Ti₃C₂@FA@Cisplatin via increasing necrosis effect (p < .001). Through this study, Mxene nanosheets are expanded for biomedical applications, not only through the fabrication of biocompatible magnetic Mxene nanocomposite but also through the development of functionalization strategies that enable the magnetic Ti₃C₂ nanocomposite to load high levels of Cisplatin for cervical cancer treatment (242.5%). Hence, Ti₃C₂-Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-FA nanocarriers would be promising candidates to improve cancer treatment efficiency.

Insights of Platinum Drug Interaction with Spinel Magnetic Nanocomposites for Targeted Anti-Cancer Effect

In nanotherapeutics, gaining insight about the drug interaction with the pore architecture and surface functional groups of nanocarriers is crucial to aid in the development of targeted drug delivery. Manganese ferrite impregnated graphene oxide (MnFe₂O₄/GO) with a two-dimensional sheet and spherical silica with a three-dimensional interconnected porous structure (MnFe₂O₄/silica) were evaluated for cisplatin release and cytotoxic effects. Characterization studies revealed the presence of Mn²⁺ species with a variable spinel cubic phase and superparamagnetic effect. We used first principles calculations to study the physisorption of cisplatin on monodispersed silica and on single- and multi-layered GO. The binding energy of cisplatin on silica and single-layer GO was ~1.5 eV, while it was about double that value for the multilayer GO structure. Moreover, we treated MCF-7 (breast cancer cells) and HFF-1 (human foreskin fibroblast) with our nanocomposites and used the cell viability assay MTT. Both nanocomposites significantly reduced the cell viability. Pt⁴⁺ species of cisplatin on the spinel ferrite/silica nanocomposite had a better effect on the cytotoxic capability when compared to GO. The EC50 for MnFe₂O₄/silica/cisplatin and MnFe₂O₄/GO/cisplatin on MCF-7 was: 48.43 µg/mL and 85.36 µg/mL, respectively. The EC50 for the same conditions on HFF was: 102.92 µg/mL and 102.21 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, immunofluorescence images using c-caspase 3/7, and TEM analysis indicated that treating cells with these nanocomposites resulted in apoptosis as the major mechanism of cell death.

Fabrication and application of cisplatin-loaded mesoporous magnetic nanobiocomposite: a novel approach to smart cervical cancer chemotherapy

There are significant challenges in developing drug carriers for therapeutic perspective. We have investigated a novel nanocarrier system, based on combining functionalized magnetic nanocomposite with Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs). Magnetic nanoparticles modified using biocompatible copolymers may be suitable for delivering hydrophobic drugs, such as cisplatin. Furthermore, compared to polymeric nanocarriers, nanocomposite constructed from zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) have demonstrated better drug loading capacity, as well as excellent pH-triggered drug release. Cisplatin-encapsulated Fe3O4@SiO2-ZIF-8@N-Chit-FA has been evaluated to determine the antitumor effects of free cisplatin enhancement in cervical cancer cells. In order to increase the stability of the proposed nanocarrier in aqueous solutions, in addition to the density of functional groups, a nano-chitosan layer was coated on top of the magnetic nanocomposite. It was then added with cisplatin onto the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2-ZIF-8@N-Chit-FA to deliver anticancer treatment that could be targeted using a magnetic field. A mouse isograft model of TC1 cells was used to evaluate the in vivo tumor growth inhibition. In tumor-bearing mice, Fe3O4@SiO2-ZIF-8@N-Chit-FA-cisplatin was injected intraperitoneally, and the targeted delivery was amplified by an external magnet (10 mm by 10 mm, surface field strength 0.4 T) fixed over the tumor site. Based on in vivo results, cisplatin-Loaded Mesoporous Magnetic Nanobiocomposite inhibited the growth of cervical tumors (P < 0.001) through the induction of tumor necrosis (P < 0.05) when compared to cisplatin alone. With the application of an external magnetic field, the drug was demonstrated to be able to induce its effects on specific target areas. In summary, Fe3O4 @ SiO2-ZIF-8 @ N-Chit-FA nanocomposites have the potential to be implemented in targeted nanomedicine to deliver bio-functional molecules.

Hybrid System for Local Drug Delivery and Magnetic Hyperthermia Based on SPIONs Loaded with Doxorubicin and Epirubicin

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, thus new solutions in anticancer therapies are highly sought after. In this work, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) conjugated with anticancer drugs are synthesized and investigated as potential magnetic drug nanocarriers for local drug delivery and mild magnetic hyperthermia. We have obtained a hybrid system loaded with holmium and anticancer drugs and thoroughly studied it with respect to the size, morphology, surface modifications and magnetic properties, and interactions with the model of biological membranes, cytotoxicity. We present that nanoparticles having a round shape and size 15 nm are successfully stabilized to avoid their agglomeration and modified with doxorubicin or epirubicin within a controlled way. The number of drugs loaded into the SPIONs was confirmed with thermogravimetry. The hybrid based on SPIONs was investigated in touch with model biological membranes within the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, and results show that modified SPION interacts effectively with them. Results obtained with magnetic hyperthermia and biological studies confirm the promising properties of the hybrid towards future cancer cell treatment.

Development and Evaluation of a Reconstitutable Dry Suspension Containing Isoniazid for Flexible Pediatric Dosing

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of childhood death. Despite the startling statistics, it is neglected globally as evidenced by treatment and clinical care schemes, mostly extrapolated from studies in adults. The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate a reconstitutable dry suspension (RDS) containing isoniazid, a first-line anti-tubercular agent used in the treatment and prevention of TB infection in both children and adults. The RDS formulation was prepared by direct dispersion emulsification of an aqueous-lipid particulate interphase coupled with lyophilization and dry milling. The RDS appeared as a cream-white free-flowing powder with a semi-crystalline and microparticulate nature. Isoniazid release was characterized with an initial burst up to 5 minutes followed by a cumulative release of 67.88% ± 1.88% (pH 1.2), 60.18% ± 3.33% (pH 6.8), and 49.36% ± 2.83% (pH 7.4) over 2 h. An extended release at pH 7.4 and 100% drug liberation was achieved within 300 min. The generated release profile best fitted the zero order kinetics (R² = 0.976). RDS was re-dispersible and remained stable in the dried and reconstituted states over 4 months and 11 days respectively, under common storage conditions.

Cisplatin delivery, anticancer and antibacterial properties of Fe/SBA-16/ZIF-8 nanocomposite

Nanoformulation involving biocompatible MOFs and magnetic nanocarriers is an emerging multifunctional platform for drug delivery and tumor imaging in targeted cancer therapeutics. In this study, a nanocomposite has been developed comprising Fe/SBA-16 and ZIF-8 (Fe/S-16/ZIF-8) through ultrasonication. The drug delivery of cisplatin was studied using an automated diffusion cell system equipped with a flow type Franz cell. The anticancer activity of Fe/S-16/ZIF-8 was studied in vitro in MCF-7, HeLa cells and Human Foreskin Fibroblast (HFF-1) cells. XRD and d-spacing measurements of Fe/S-16/ZIF-8 using TEM revealed the presence of cubic-structured Fe₃O₄, γ-Fe₂O₄ (magnetite), and α-FeOOH (goethite) over an SBA-16/ZIF-8 nanocomposite. The composite showed a surface area of 365 m² g⁻¹, a pore size of 8.3 nm and a pore volume of 0.33 cm³ g⁻¹. VSM analysis of Fe/S-16/ZIF-8 showed that it possessed paramagnetic behavior with a saturated magnetization value of 2.39 emu g⁻¹. The Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ coordination environment was characterized using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The cisplatin drug delivery study clearly showed the synergistic effects present in Fe/S-16/ZIF-8 with over 75% of cisplatin release as compared to that of Fe/S-16 and ZIF-8, which showed 56% and 7.5%, respectively. The morphology analysis of CP/Fe/SBA-16/ZIF-8 using TEM showed an effective transit of nanoparticles into MCF-7 cells. The lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of Fe/SBA-16/ZIF-8 for MCF-7 and HeLa cells is 0.119 mg mL⁻¹ and 0.028 mg mL⁻¹ at 24 h, respectively. For HFF-1 cells, the LC₅₀ is 0.016 mg mL⁻¹. The antibiofilm activity of Fe/SBA-16/ZIF-8 was investigated against biofilm-forming strains of drug resistant P. aeruginosa and MRSA by a microtiter tissue culture plate assay. Overall, nanosized ZIF-8 with a bioactive alkaloid imidazole inside the 3D cage type of SBA-16 pores is found to exhibit both anticancer and antibacterial properties. A Fe/S-16/ZIF-8 composite could be effectively used as a drug and drug delivery system against cancer and promote antibacterial activity.

The role of nano ZIF-8 in a Fe/SBA-16/ZIF composite has been explored as a potential anticancer drug and drug delivery system.