Synthesis and Application of Albumin Nanoparticles Loaded with Prussian Blue Nanozymes

Expanding Mn2+ loading capacity of BSA via mild non-thermal denaturing and cross-linking as a tool to maximize the relaxivity of water protons

Development of nanoparticles (NPs) serving as contrast enhancing agents in MRI requires a combination of high contrasting effect with the biosafety and hemocompatibility. This work demonstrates that bovine serum albumin (BSA) molecules bound to paramagnetic Mn2+ ions are promising building blocks of such NPs. The desolvation-induced denaturation of BSA bound with Mn2+ ions followed by the glutaraldehyde-facilitated cross-linking provides the uniform in size 102.0 ± 0.7 nm BSA-based nanoparticles (BSA-NPs) loaded with Mn2+ ions, which are manifested in aqueous solutions as negatively charged spheres with high colloid stability. The optimal loading of Mn2+ ions into BSA-NPs provides maximum values of longitudinal and transverse relaxivity at 98.9 and 133.6 mM-1 s-1, respectively, which are among the best known from the literature. The spin trap EPR method indicates that Mn2+ ions bound to BSA-NPs exhibit poor catalytic activity in the Fenton-like reaction. On the contrary, the presence of BSA-NPs has an antioxidant effect by preventing the accumulation of hydroxyl radicals produced by H2O2. The NPs exhibit remarkably low hemolytic activity and hemagglutination can be avoided at concentrations lower than 110 μM. Thus, BSA-NPs bound with Mn2+ ions are promising candidates for combining high contrast effect with biosafety and hemocompatibility.

The application of peroxidase mimetic nanozymes in cancer diagnosis and therapy

In recent decades, scholarly investigations have predominantly centered on nanomaterials possessing enzyme-like characteristics, commonly referred to as nanozymes. These nanozymes have emerged as viable substitutes for natural enzymes, offering simplicity, stability, and superior performance across various applications. Inorganic nanoparticles have been extensively employed in the emulation of enzymatic activity found in natural systems. Nanoparticles have shown a strong ability to mimic a number of enzyme-like functions. These systems have made a lot of progress thanks to the huge growth in nanotechnology research and the unique properties of nanomaterials. Our presentation will center on the kinetics, processes, and applications of peroxidase-like nanozymes. In this discourse, we will explore the various characteristics that exert an influence on the catalytic activity of nanozymes, with a particular emphasis on the prevailing problems and prospective consequences. This paper presents a thorough examination of the latest advancements achieved in the domain of peroxidase mimetic nanozymes in the context of cancer diagnosis and treatment. The primary focus is on their use in catalytic cancer therapy, alongside chemotherapy, phototherapy, sonodynamic therapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. The primary objective of this work is to offer theoretical and technical assistance for the prospective advancement of anticancer medications based on nanozymes. Moreover, it is anticipated that this will foster the investigation of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at achieving efficacious tumor therapy.

Smart Nanozymes for Cancer Therapy: The Next Frontier in Oncology

Nanomaterials that mimic the catalytic activity of natural enzymes in the complex biological environment of the human body are called nanozymes. Recently, nanozyme systems have been reported with diagnostic, imaging, and/or therapeutic capabilities. Smart nanozymes strategically exploit the tumor microenvironment (TME) by the in situ generation of reactive species or by the modulation of the TME itself to result in effective cancer therapy. This topical review focuses on such smart nanozymes for cancer diagnosis, and therapy modalities with enhanced therapeutic effects. The dominant factors that guide the rational design and synthesis of nanozymes for cancer therapy include an understanding of the dynamic TME, structure-activity relationships, surface chemistry for imparting selectivity, and site-specific therapy, and stimulus-responsive modulation of nanozyme activity. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the subject including the diverse catalytic mechanisms of different types of nanozyme systems, an overview of the TME, cancer diagnosis, and synergistic cancer therapies. The strategic application of nanozymes in cancer treatment can well be a game changer in future oncology. Moreover, recent developments may pave the way for the deployment of nanozyme therapy into other complex healthcare challenges, such as genetic diseases, immune disorders, and ageing.

Chitosan nanocomposite as an effective carrier of potential herbicidal metabolites for noteworthy phytotoxic effect against major aquatic invasive weed water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

In this current work, the herbicidal activity of fungal metabolites stacked chitosan nanocomposite against significant aquatic invasive weed Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) was examined. Herbicidal metabolites from the fungal strain Allophoma oligotrophica were extracted and purified under standard condition. Altered ionic gelation technique was received for the amalgamation of chitosan nanocomposite fabricated with herbicidal metabolites. Synthesized nanocomposite incited checked herbicidal impact on the leaflets of water hyacinth. Synthesized nanocomposite induced marked herbicidal effect on the tested leaflets of water hyacinth. Necrotic development on the tested leaflets at earlier incubation period followed by progressive enhancement of necrotic lesion reveals the noteworthy herbicidal activity of the synthesized nanocomposite. Parenchymal, mesenchymal tissue disintegration, reduction of total chlorophyll content, elevated anti oxidative enzymes and changes in qualitative protein profiling of tested leaflets reveals the nanocomposite induced noteworthy morphometric and functional effects. Effect of solvents on the release profile demonstrates that ethyl acetate treatment brought about controlled or sustained release of metabolites. No sign of toxic effect on the zebra fish embryonic developmental stages revealed biocompatibility of the nanocomposite.

Protein encapsulation of nanocatalysts: A feasible approach to facilitate catalytic theranostics

Enzyme-mimicking nanocatalysts, also termed nanozymes, have attracted much attention in recent years. They are considered potential alternatives to natural enzymes due to their multiple catalytic activities and high stability. However, concerns regarding the colloidal stability, catalytic specificity, efficiency and biosafety of nanomaterials in biomedical applications still need to be addressed. Proteins are biodegradable macromolecules that exhibit superior biocompatibility and inherent bioactivities; hence, the protein modification of nanocatalysts is expected to improve their bioavailability to match clinical needs. The diversity of amino acid residues in proteins provides abundant functional groups for the conjugation or encapsulation of nanocatalysts. Moreover, protein encapsulation can not only improve the overall performance of nanocatalysts in biological systems, but also bestow materials with new features, such as targeting and retention in pathological sites. This review aims to report the recent developments and perspectives of protein-encapsulated catalysts in their functional improvements, modification methods and applications in biomedicine.