1
|
Novello E, Scalzo G, D’Agata G, Raucci MG, Ambrosio L, Soriente A, Tomasello B, Restuccia C, Parafati L, Consoli GML, Ferreri L, Rescifina A, Zagni C, Zampino DC. Synthesis, Characterisation, and In Vitro Evaluation of Biocompatibility, Antibacterial and Antitumor Activity of Imidazolium Ionic Liquids. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:642. [PMID: 38794304 PMCID: PMC11125126 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, ionic liquids (ILs) have garnered research interest for their noteworthy properties, such as thermal stability, low or no flammability, and negligible vapour pressure. Moreover, their tunability offers limitless opportunities to design ILs with properties suitable for applications in many industrial fields. This study aims to synthetise two series of methylimidazolium ILs bearing long alkyl chain in their cations (C9, C10, C12, C14, C16, C18, C20) and with tetrafluoroborate (BF4) and the 1,3-dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate (DMSIP) as counter ions. The ILs were characterised using 1H-NMR and MALDI-TOF, and their thermal behaviour was investigated through DSC and TGA. Additionally, the antimicrobial, anticancer, and cytotoxic activities of the ILs were analysed. Moreover, the most promising ILs were incorporated at different concentrations (0.5, 1, 5 wt%) into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by solvent casting to obtain antimicrobial blend films. The thermal properties and stability of the resulting PVC/IL films, along with their hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, IL surface distribution, and release, were studied using DSC and TGA, contact angle (CA), SEM, and UV-vis spectrometry, respectively. Furthermore, the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of blends were analysed. The in vitro results demonstrated that the antimicrobial and antitumor activities of pure ILs against t Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens strains, and the breast cancer cell line (MCF7), respectively, were mainly dependent on their structure. These activities were higher in the series containing the BF4 anion and increased with the increase in the methylimidazolium cation alkyl chain length. However, the elongation of the alkyl chain beyond C16 induced a decrease in antimicrobial activity, indicating a cut-off effect. A similar trend was also observed in terms of in vitro biocompatibility. The loading of both the series of ILs into the PVC matrix did not affect the thermal stability of PVC blend films. However, their Tonset decreased with increased IL concentration and alkyl chain length. Similarly, both the series of PVC/IL films became more hydrophilic with increasing IL concentration and alkyl chain. The loading of ILs at 5% concentration led to considerable IL accumulation on the blend film surfaces (as observed in SEM images) and, subsequently, their higher release. The biocompatibility assessment with healthy human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells and the investigation of antitumoral properties unveiled promising pharmacological characteristics. These findings provide strong support for the potential utilisation of ILs in biomedical applications, especially in the context of cancer therapy and as antibacterial agents to address the challenge of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the unique properties of the PVC/IL films make them versatile materials for advancing healthcare technologies, from drug delivery to tissue engineering and antimicrobial coatings to diagnostic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Novello
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)—CNR, Section of Catania, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (E.N.); (G.S.); (G.D.); (D.C.Z.)
| | - Giuseppina Scalzo
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)—CNR, Section of Catania, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (E.N.); (G.S.); (G.D.); (D.C.Z.)
| | - Giovanni D’Agata
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)—CNR, Section of Catania, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (E.N.); (G.S.); (G.D.); (D.C.Z.)
| | - Maria G. Raucci
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)—CNR, Section of Napoli, Viale J.F. Kennedy n.54, Pad.20, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Luigi Ambrosio
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)—CNR, Section of Napoli, Viale J.F. Kennedy n.54, Pad.20, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Alessandra Soriente
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)—CNR, Section of Napoli, Viale J.F. Kennedy n.54, Pad.20, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (L.A.); (A.S.)
| | - Barbara Tomasello
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (B.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Cristina Restuccia
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.R.); (L.P.)
| | - Lucia Parafati
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.R.); (L.P.)
| | - Grazia M. L. Consoli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB)-CNR, via Paolo Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.C.); (L.F.)
| | - Loredana Ferreri
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB)-CNR, via Paolo Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (G.M.L.C.); (L.F.)
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (B.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Chiara Zagni
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (B.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Daniela C. Zampino
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)—CNR, Section of Catania, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (E.N.); (G.S.); (G.D.); (D.C.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bajetto G, Scutera S, Menotti F, Banche G, Chiaradia G, Turesso C, De Andrea M, Vallino M, Es DSV, Biolatti M, Dell’Oste V, Musso T. Antimicrobial Efficacy of a Vegetable Oil Plasticizer in PVC Matrices. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1046. [PMID: 38674966 PMCID: PMC11054656 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing prevalence of bacterial and viral infections, highlighted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, urgently calls for new antimicrobial strategies. To this end, we have synthesized and characterized a novel fatty acid epoxy-ester plasticizer for polymers, named GDE. GDE is not only sustainable and user-friendly but also demonstrates superior plasticizing properties, while its epoxy components improve the heat stability of PVC-based matrices. A key feature of GDE is its ability to confer antimicrobial properties to surfaces. Indeed, upon contact, this material can effectively kill enveloped viruses, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the β-coronavirus prototype HCoV-OC43, but it is ineffective against nonenveloped viruses like human adenovirus (HAdV). Further analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on HSV-1 virions exposed to GDE showed significant structural damage, indicating that GDE can interfere with the viral envelope, potentially causing leakage. Moreover, GDE demonstrates antibacterial activity, albeit to a lesser extent, against notorious pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Overall, this newly developed plasticizer shows significant potential as an antimicrobial agent suitable for use in both community and healthcare settings to curb the spread of infections caused by microorganisms contaminating physical surfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta Bajetto
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (S.S.); (F.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.A.); (V.D.); (T.M.)
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Disease—CAAD, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Sara Scutera
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (S.S.); (F.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.A.); (V.D.); (T.M.)
| | - Francesca Menotti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (S.S.); (F.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.A.); (V.D.); (T.M.)
| | - Giuliana Banche
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (S.S.); (F.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.A.); (V.D.); (T.M.)
| | | | | | - Marco De Andrea
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (S.S.); (F.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.A.); (V.D.); (T.M.)
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Disease—CAAD, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Marta Vallino
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Centre (CNR), 10135 Turin, Italy;
| | - Daan S. Van Es
- Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, 6708 WG Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Matteo Biolatti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (S.S.); (F.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.A.); (V.D.); (T.M.)
| | - Valentina Dell’Oste
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (S.S.); (F.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.A.); (V.D.); (T.M.)
| | - Tiziana Musso
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10100 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (S.S.); (F.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.A.); (V.D.); (T.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Soni SK, Marya T, Sharma A, Thakur B, Soni R. A systematic overview of metal nanoparticles as alternative disinfectants for emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:111. [PMID: 38372809 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03818-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Coronaviruses are a diverse family of viruses, and new strains can emerge. While the majority of coronavirus strains cause mild respiratory illnesses, a few are responsible for severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is an example of a coronavirus that has led to a pandemic. Coronaviruses can mutate over time, potentially leading to the emergence of new variants. Some of these variants may have increased transmissibility or resistance to existing vaccines and treatments. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the recent past has sparked innovation in curbing virus spread, with sanitizers and disinfectants taking center stage. These essential tools hinder pathogen dissemination, especially for unvaccinated or rapidly mutating viruses. The World Health Organization supports the use of alcohol-based sanitizers and disinfectants globally against pandemics. However, there are ongoing concerns about their widespread usage and their potential impact on human health, animal well-being, and ecological equilibrium. In this ever-changing scenario, metal nanoparticles hold promise in combating a range of pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, as well as other viruses such as norovirus, influenza, and HIV-1. This review explores their potential as non-alcoholic champions against SARS-CoV-2 and other pandemics of tomorrow. This extends beyond metal nanoparticles and advocates a balanced examination of pandemic control tools, exploring their strengths and weaknesses. The manuscript thus involves the evaluation of metal nanoparticle-based alternative approaches as hand sanitizers and disinfectants, providing a comprehensive perspective on this critical issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Kumar Soni
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
| | - Tripta Marya
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Apurav Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Bishakha Thakur
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Raman Soni
- Department of Biotechnology, DAV College, Chandigarh, 160011, India
| |
Collapse
|