Synthesis, Characterization, Biomedical Application, Molecular Dynamic Simulation and Molecular Docking of Schiff Base Complex of Cu(II) Supported on Fe3O4/SiO2/APTS

Derivatives of D(-) glutamine-based MMP-2 inhibitors as an effective remedy for the management of chronic myeloid leukemia-Part-I: Synthesis, biological screening and in silico binding interaction analysis

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a global issue and the available drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) comprise various toxic effects as well as resistance and cross-resistance. Therefore, novel molecules targeting specific enzymes may unravel a new direction in antileukemic drug discovery. In this context, targeting gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) can be an alternative option for the development of novel molecules effective against CML. In this article, some D(-)glutamine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated through cell-based antileukemic assays and tested against gelatinases. The lead compounds, i.e., benzyl analogs exerted the most promising antileukemic potential showing nontoxicity in normal cell line including efficacious gelatinase inhibition. Both these lead molecules yielded effective apoptosis and displayed marked reductions in MMP-2 expression in the K562 cell line. Not only that, but both of them also revealed effective antiangiogenic efficacy. Importantly, the most potent MMP-2 inhibitor, i.e., benzyl derivative of p-tosyl D(-)glutamine disclosed stable binding interaction at the MMP-2 active site correlating with the highly effective MMP-2 inhibitory activity. Therefore, such D(-)glutamine derivatives might be explored further as promising MMP-2 inhibitors with efficacious antileukemic profiles for the treatment of CML in the future.

Drug delivery particles for targeted imaging-guided photothermal/chemotherapy synergy cancer therapy

The early stage of pancreatic cancer is asymptomatic and the treatment effect is not ideal. The progression to the advanced stage leads to a close relationship between mortality and morbidity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop precise and efficient therapeutic strategies to combat pancreatic cancer. In this study, we introduce a near-infrared (NIR) targeted drug delivery nanoparticle for ultrasound (US) imaging to guide magnetothermal/chemotherapy synergistic treatment of pancreatic cancer. Carboxylated polylactic acid (PLGA-PEG-COOH) serves as the structure of the nanoparticles, specifically binding the RGD cyclic peptide for pancreatic cancer targeting activity and promoting tumor aggregation of the nanoparticles. NIR-induced superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles convert near-infrared light into thermal energy, triggering vaporization of perfluoropentane (PFH) droplets to generate PFH bubbles that enhance US imaging and help load doxorubicin (DOX), which are released from nanoparticles. SPIO can also be used for thermal ablation of tumors to improve therapeutic effect in treating pancreatic cancer. The results show that the targeted particles mediated by NIR have the characteristics of targeted drug delivery imaging. The microspheres exhibit strong acoustic and near-infrared responsiveness. Cell proliferation experiments showed that IR-mediated PFH-DOX@PLGA/SPIO-RGD NPs (RNPs) had a higher inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Animal experiments have shown that RNPS can accumulate highly in the tumor area and show good therapeutic effect. In conclusion, this nanotherapeutic particle is a very promising targeted image-guided photothermal/chemotherapeutic synergistic tumor therapy strategy.

Molecular Docking Approach for Biological Interaction of Green Synthesized Nanoparticles

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the subject of nanotechnology, with a range of methods developed to synthesize precise-sized and shaped nanoparticles according to particular requirements. Often, the nanoparticles are created by employing dangerous reducing chemicals to reduce metal ions into uncharged nanoparticles. Green synthesis or biological approaches have been used recently to circumvent this issue because biological techniques are simple, inexpensive, safe, clean, and extremely productive. Nowadays, much research is being conducted on how different kinds of nanoparticles connect to proteins and nucleic acids using molecular docking models. Therefore, this review discusses the most recent advancements in molecular docking capacity to predict the interactions between various nanoparticles (NPs), such as ZnO, CuO, Ag, Au, and Fe3O4, and biological macromolecules.

Development and application of nanomaterials, nanotechnology and nanomedicine for treating hematological malignancies

Hematologic malignancies (HMs) pose a serious threat to patients' health and life, and the five-year overall survival of HMs remains low. The lack of understanding of the pathogenesis and the complex clinical symptoms brings immense challenges to the diagnosis and treatment of HMs. Traditional therapeutic strategies for HMs include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Although immunotherapy and cell therapy have made considerable progress in the last decade, nearly half of patients still relapse or suffer from drug resistance. Recently, studies have emerged that nanomaterials, nanotechnology and nanomedicine show great promise in cancer therapy by enhancing drug targeting, reducing toxicity and side effects and boosting the immune response to promote durable immunological memory. In this review, we summarized the strategies of recently developed nanomaterials, nanotechnology and nanomedicines against HMs and then proposed emerging strategies for the future designment of nanomedicines to treat HMs based on urgent clinical needs and technological progress.

Magnetite carboxymethylcellulose as biological macromolecule-based absorbent for cationic dyes removal from environmental samples

In this study, magnetite carboxymethylcellulose (CMC@Fe₃O₄) composite as magnetic biological molecules were synthetized for the use as adsorbent to remove four types of cationic dyes, namely Methylene Blue, Rhodamine B, Malachite Green, and Methyl Violet from aqueous solution. The characteristic of the adsorbent was achieved by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis techniques. Besides, essential influencing parameters of dye adsorption; the solution pH, solution temperature, contact time, adsorbent concentration and initial dye dosage were studied. FESEM analysis showed the magnetic Fe₃O₄-TB, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-NH₂ and CMC@Fe₃O₄ composites were in spherical shape, with average size of 43.0 nm, 92.5 nm, 134.0 nm and 207.5 nm, respectively. On the saturation magnetization (Ms), the results obtained were 55.931 emu/g, 34.557 emu/g, 33.236 emu/g and 11.884 emu/g. From the sorption modelling of Isotherms, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics, the adsorption capacity of dyes is (MB = 103.33 mg/g), (RB = 109.60 mg/g), (MG = 100.08 mg/g) and (MV = 107.78 mg/g). With all the adsorption processes exhibited as exothermic reactions. The regeneration and reusability of the synthetized biological molecules-based adsorbent was also assessed.

Application of molecular dynamics simulation in self-assembled cancer nanomedicine

Self-assembled nanomedicine holds great potential in cancer theragnostic. The structures and dynamics of nanomedicine can be affected by a variety of non-covalent interactions, so it is essential to ensure the self-assembly process at atomic level. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is a key technology to link microcosm and macroscale. Along with the rapid development of computational power and simulation methods, scientists could simulate the specific process of intermolecular interactions. Thus, some experimental observations could be explained at microscopic level and the nanomedicine synthesis process would have traces to follow. This review not only outlines the concept, basic principle, and the parameter setting of MD simulation, but also highlights the recent progress in MD simulation for self-assembled cancer nanomedicine. In addition, the physicochemical parameters of self-assembly structure and interaction between various assembled molecules under MD simulation are also discussed. Therefore, this review will help advanced and novice researchers to quickly zoom in on fundamental information and gather some thought-provoking ideas to advance this subfield of self-assembled cancer nanomedicine.

Combining Copper and Zinc into a Biosensor for Anti-Chemoresistance and Achieving Osteosarcoma Therapeutic Efficacy

Due to its built-up chemoresistance after prolonged usage, the demand for replacing platinum in metal-based drugs (MBD) is rising. The first MBD approved by the FDA for cancer therapy was cisplatin in 1978. Even after nearly four and a half decades of trials, there has been no significant improvement in osteosarcoma (OS) therapy. In fact, many MBD have been developed, but the chemoresistance problem raised by platinum remains unresolved. This motivates us to elucidate the possibilities of the copper and zinc (CuZn) combination to replace platinum in MBD. Thus, the anti-chemoresistance properties of CuZn and their physiological functions for OS therapy are highlighted. Herein, we summarise their chelators, main organic solvents, and ligand functions in their structures that are involved in anti-chemoresistance properties. Through this review, it is rational to discuss their ligands' roles as biosensors in drug delivery systems. Hereafter, an in-depth understanding of their redox and photoactive function relationships is provided. The disadvantage is that the other functions of biosensors cannot be elaborated on here. As a result, this review is being developed, which is expected to intensify OS drugs with higher cure rates. Nonetheless, this advancement intends to solve the major chemoresistance obstacle towards clinical efficacy.

Copper in tumors and the use of copper-based compounds in cancer treatment

Copper homeostasis is strictly regulated by protein transporters and chaperones, to allow its correct distribution and avoid uncontrolled redox reactions. Several studies address copper as involved in cancer development and spreading (epithelial to mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis). However, being endogenous and displaying a tremendous potential to generate free radicals, copper is a perfect candidate, once opportunely complexed, to be used as a drug in cancer therapy with low adverse effects. Copper ions can be modulated by the organic counterpart, after complexed to their metalcore, either in redox potential or geometry and consequently reactivity. During the last four decades, many copper complexes were studied regarding their reactivity toward cancer cells, and many of them could be a drug choice for phase II and III in cancer therapy. Also, there is promising evidence of using ⁶⁴Cu in nanoparticles as radiopharmaceuticals for both positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and treatment of hypoxic tumors. However, few compounds have gone beyond testing in animal models, and none of them got the status of a drug for cancer chemotherapy. The main challenge is their solubility in physiological buffers and their different and non-predictable mechanism of action. Moreover, it is difficult to rationalize a structure-based activity for drug design and delivery. In this review, we describe the role of copper in cancer, the effects of copper-complexes on tumor cell death mechanisms, and point to the new copper complexes applicable as drugs, suggesting that they may represent at least one component of a multi-action combination in cancer therapy.

Nanomaterials for cancer therapy: current progress and perspectives

Cancer is a disease with complex pathological process. Current chemotherapy faces problems such as lack of specificity, cytotoxicity, induction of multi-drug resistance and stem-like cells growth. Nanomaterials are materials in the nanorange 1–100 nm which possess unique optical, magnetic, and electrical properties. Nanomaterials used in cancer therapy can be classified into several main categories. Targeting cancer cells, tumor microenvironment, and immune system, these nanomaterials have been modified for a wide range of cancer therapies to overcome toxicity and lack of specificity, enhance drug capacity as well as bioavailability. Although the number of studies has been increasing, the number of approved nano-drugs has not increased much over the years. To better improve clinical translation, further research is needed for targeted drug delivery by nano-carriers to reduce toxicity, enhance permeability and retention effects, and minimize the shielding effect of protein corona. This review summarizes novel nanomaterials fabricated in research and clinical use, discusses current limitations and obstacles that hinder the translation from research to clinical use, and provides suggestions for more efficient adoption of nanomaterials in cancer therapy.

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity evaluation of a novel magnetic nanocomposite with iron oxide deposited on cellulose nanofibers with nickel (Fe3O4@NFC@ONSM-Ni)

A heterogeneous, magnetically recoverable nanocomposite, Fe3O4@NFC@ONSM-Ni(ii) was prepared by immobilization of a novel Ni(ii) Schiff base complex on Fe3O4@NFC nanoparticles followed by treatment with melamine. This trinuclear catalyst has been characterized using several analytical techniques including FT-IR, TEM, Fe-SEM, EDX, DLS, ICP, TGA, VSM, and XRD. It was used as an efficient catalyst for one-pot solvent-free synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridine and poly-hydro quinoline derivatives through Hantzsch reaction. This catalyst showed remarkable advantage over previously reported catalysts due to suitable conditions, short reaction time, high efficiency and lower catalyst load and timely recovery of the magnetic catalyst. Moreover, the effects of Fe3O4@NFC@ONSM-Ni(ii) nanoparticles on the in vitro proliferation of human leukemia cell line (k562) and human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) were investigated. The results of MTT and Hochest assays suggested that the nanoparticles could effectively inhibit the proliferation of these cancer cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.

Interaction of nanoparticles with biological macromolecules: a review of molecular docking studies

The high frequency of using engineered nanoparticles in various medical applications entails a deep understanding of their interaction with biological macromolecules. Molecular docking simulation is now widely used to study the binding of different types of nanoparticles with proteins and nucleic acids. This helps not only in understanding the mechanism of their biological action but also in predicting any potential toxicity. In this review, the computational techniques used in studying the nanoparticles interaction with biological macromolecules are covered. Then, a comprehensive overview of the docking studies performed on various types of nanoparticles will be offered. The implication of these predicted interactions in the biological activity and/or toxicity is also discussed for each type of nanoparticles.

Biological evaluation, proposed molecular mechanism through docking and molecular dynamic simulation of derivatives of chitosan

We synthesized Schiff base and its complexes derivatives of chitosan (CS) in order to develop antibiotic compounds based on functionalized-chitosan against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. IR, UV-Vis, AFM, SEM, Melting point, X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis, and ¹H NMR techniques were employed to characterize the chemical structures and properties of these compounds. XRD, UV-Vis, and ¹H NMR techniques confirmed the formation of Schiff base and its functionalized-chitosan to metals. Subsequently, our antibacterial studies revealed that antibacterial activities of [Zn(Schiff base)(CS)] against S. aureus bacteria increased compared to those of their compounds. In addition, hemolysis test of CS-Schiff base-Cu(II) demonstrated better hemolytic activity than vitamin C, CS-Schiff base, CS-Schiff base-Zn(II), and CS-Schiff base-Ni(II). In a computational strategy, we carried out the optimization of compounds with molecular mechanics (MM⁺), Semi-emprical (AM1), Abinitio (STO-3G), AMBER, BIO+(CHARMM), and OPLS. Frontier orbital density distributions (HOMO and LUMO), and the optimized computational UV of the compounds were assessed. The optimized computational UV-Vis was similar to the experimental UV-Vis. We applied the docking methods to predict the DNA binding affinity, Staphylococcus aureus enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENRs), and Staphylococcus aureus enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (saFabI). Ultimately, the obtained data herein suggested that Schiff base is more selective toward ENRs and saFabI compared to chitosan, its complexes, and metronidazole.

Synthesis and toxicity assessment of Fe3O4 NPs grafted by ∼ NH2-Schiff base as anticancer drug: modeling and proposed molecular mechanism through docking and molecular dynamic simulation

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized using chain length of (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane for cancer therapy. First, we have developed a layer by layer functionalized with grafting 2,4-toluene diisocyanate as a bi-functional covalent linker onto a nano-Fe₃O₄ support. Then, they were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and VSM techniques. Finally, all nanoparticles with positive or negative surface charges were tested against K562 (myelogenous leukemia cancer) cell lines to demonstrate their therapeutic efficacy by MTT assay test. We found that the higher toxicity of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@APTS ∼ Schiff base-Cu(II) (IC₅₀: 1000 μg/mL) is due to their stronger in situ degradation, with larger intracellular release of iron ions, as compared to surface passivated NPs. For first time, the molecular dynamic simulations of all compounds were carried out afterwards optimizing using MM+, Semi-empirical (AM1) and Ab-initio (STO-3G), Forcite Gemo Opt, Forcite Dynamics, Forcite Energy and CASTEP in Materials studio 2017. The energy (eV), space group, lattice parameters (Å), unit cell parameters (Å), and electron density of the predicted structures were taken from the CASTEP module of Materials Studio. The docking methods were used to predict the DNA binding affinity, ribonucleotide reductase, and topoisomerase II.