Albumin coated cadmium nanoparticles as chemotherapeutic agent against MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cell line

Novel targeted delivery of quercetin for human hepatocellular carcinoma using starch/polyvinyl alcohol nanocarriers based hydrogel containing Fe2O3 nanoparticles

The common adverse effects of chemotherapy are the reason for the use of effective, natural drugs and targeted administration to specific areas. On the one hand, Quercetin (QC) has positive effects as a natural anticancer agent. On the other hand, Fe2O3, as nanoparticles (NP) with clinical properties and high porosity, can be a suitable carrier for drug loading and controlled release. In this study, QC was encapsulated in a synthesized Fe2O3/Starch/Polyvinyl alcohol nanocarrier (Fe2O3/S/PVA NC). Characterization of the NC was done by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), zeta potential and Dynamic light scattering (DLS). The percentage of drug loading (DLE) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) of QC in the NC containing Fe2O3 nanoparticles was 47 % and 86.50 %, respectively, while it was 36 % and 73 % in the NC without Fe2O3. QC profile release in acidic and natural mediums showed controlled release and pH dependency of the NC. Viability of L929 and HepG2 treated cells with the Fe2O3/S/PVA/QC was demonstrated by MTT staining which was in agreement with flow cytometry. The results show that Fe2O3/S/PVA is a suitable NC for the targeted delivery of QC as a drug against HepG2 cancer cells.

Hypothesizing the Green Synthesis of Tamoxifen Loaded Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death all over the world and is not only limited to females but also affects males. For estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, tamoxifen has been considered the gold-line therapy for many decades. However, due to the side effects associated with the use of tamoxifen, its use is only limited to individuals in high-risk groups and limits its clinical application to moderate and/or lower-risk groups. Thus, there is a necessity to decrease the dose of tamoxifen, which can be achieved by targeting the drug to breast cancer cells and limiting its absorption to other body parts. Artificial antioxidants used in the formulation preparation are assumed to upsurge the risk of cancer and liver damage in humans. The need of the hour is to explore bioefficient antioxidants from natural plant sources as they are safer and additionally possess antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The objective of this hypothesis is to prepare tamoxifen-loaded PEGylated NiO nanoparticles using green chemistry, tumbling the toxic effects of the conventional method of synthesis for targeted delivery to breast cancer cells. The significance of the work is to hypothesize a green method for the synthesis of NiO nanoparticles that are eco-friendly, cost-effective, decrease multidrug resistance, and can be used for targeted therapy. Garlic extract contains an organosulfur compound (Allicin) which has drug-metabolizing, anti-oxidant, and tumour growth inhibition effects. In breast cancer, allicin sensitizes estrogen receptors, increasing the anticancer efficacy of tamoxifen and reducing offsite toxicity. Thus, this garlic extract would act as a reducing agent and a capping agent. The use of nickel salt can help in targeted delivery to breast cancer cells and, in turn, reduces drug toxicity in different organs. This novel strategy may aim for cancer management with less toxic agents acting as an apt therapeutic modality.

Plumeria alba flower extract-mediated synthesis of recyclable chitosan-coated cadmium nanoparticles for pest control and dye degradation

In the current scenario, many synthetic chemicals have used long-term to control pests and mosquitoes, leading to the resistance of strains and toxicity effect on human beings. To overcome the adverse problem in recent advances, the scientific community is looking into nanofabricated pesticides and mosquitoes. This study aims to synthesize the recyclable chitosan-coated cadmium nanoparticles (Ch-CdNps) using Plumeria alba flower extract, which was further applied for insecticidal and mosquitocidal activities. The synthesized Ch-CdNps were confirmed by UV spectroscopy and FTIR analysis. The XRD, TEM, and DLS results confirmed the crystallinity with a spherical shape at 80-100 nm. The insecticidal activity proves that Ch-CdNps inhibited Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura at 100 ppm. In mosquitocidal, LC50 values of larvicidal of 1st instar were 4.116, 4.33, and 4.564 µg/mL, and the remaining three stages of instars, pupicidal, adulticidal, longevity, fecundity, and ovicidal assays inhibit the Anopheles stephensi followed by Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Further, the first-order kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange was confirmed. Based on the obtained results, Ch-CdNps can inhibit the pest, mosquitoes, and photocatalytic degradation.

Ultra pH-sensitive nanocarrier based on Fe2O3/chitosan/montmorillonite for quercetin delivery

Harmful side effects of the chemotherapeutic agent have been investigated in many recent studies. Since Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles have proper porosity, they are capable for loading noticeable amount of drugs and controlled release. We developed Fe₂O₃/chitosan/montmorillonite nanocomposite. Quercetin (QC) nanoparticles, which have fewer side effects than chemical anti-tumor drugs, were encapsulated in the synthesized nanocarrier and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential. For quercetin, the encapsulation efficiency and the loading efficiency of the drug in Fe₂O₃-CS-MMT@QC were found to be about 94% and 57%, respectively. The release profile of QC in different mediums indicated pH-dependency and controlled release of the nanocomposite, adhering to The Weibull kinetic model. Biocompatibility of the Fe₂O₃/CS/MMT nanoparticles against the MCF-7 cells was shown by MTT assay and confirmed by flow cytometry. These data demonstrate that the designed Fe₂O₃-CS-MMT@QC would have potential drug delivery to treat cancer cells.

Chitosan/carbon quantum dot/aptamer complex as a potential anticancer drug delivery system towards the release of 5-fluorouracil

Nowadays, nanotechnology contributes diminishing side effects rather than traditional therapeutic methods like chemotherapy. Thus, designing a biocompatible specific targeted nanocarrier with prolonged half-life and enhanced bio-availability using simultaneous cell imaging seems urgent. To meet this demand, 5-fluorouracil-chitosan‑carbon quantum dot-aptamer (5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt) nanoparticle was successfully synthesized for specific targeted delivery of 5-FU anti-cancer drug used in breast cancer treatment and this was done by following facile water-in-oil (W/O) emulsification method. Physicochemical properties were characterized and high drug loading and entrapment efficiency were achieved. The average size and zeta potential of the nanoparticle were 122.7 nm and + 31.2 mV, respectively. According to the in-vitro drug release profile, 5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt released the drug in a controlled manner. MTT assay, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and gene expression results demonstrated that the blank nanoparticle was biocompatible, and 5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt could kill tumor cells efficiently. Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased after 5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt treatment in MCF-7 cells. It was concluded that 5-FU-CS-CQD-Apt could be used as a potential nanocarrier in breast cancer treatment.

Poly(propylene imine) dendrimers can bind to PEGylated albumin at PEG and albumin surface: Biophysical examination of a PEGylated platform to transport cationic dendritic nanoparticles

Cationic dendrimers are considered one of the best drug transporters in the body. However, in order to improve their biocompatibility, modification of them is required to reduce toxicity. In this way, many dendrimers may lose their original properties, for example, anticancer. To improve biocompatibility of dendrimers, it is possible to complex them with albumin, as is done very often in drug delivery. However, the interaction of dendrimers with albumin can lead to protein structure disruption or no complexation at all. Therefore, the investigation of the interaction between cationic poly-(propylene imine) dendrimers and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-albumin by fluorescence, circular dichroism, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and transmission electron microscopy was carried out. Results show that cationic dendrimers bind to PEGylated albumin at PEG and albumin surfaces. The obtained results for 5k-PEG indicate a preferential binding of the dendrimers to PEG. For 20k-PEG binding of dendrimers to PEG and protein could induce a collapse of the PEG chain onto the protein surface. This opens up new possibilities to the use of PEGylated albumin as a platform to carry dendrimers without changing the albumin structure and improve the pharmacokinetic properties of dendrimers without further modification.