EDTA-modified mesoporous silica as supra adsorbent of copper ions with novel approach as an antidote agent in copper toxicity

PURPOSE

Mesoporous silica (MS) have been considered as a biocompatible compound and found to have various pharmaceutical applications. Recently, novel approaches in applications of MS as antidote agents were introduced. In this study, the capacity of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid modified mesoporous silica (MS-EDTA) was evaluated in in vitro and in vivo adsorption of copper (Cu).

METHODS

The MS-EDTA was characterized by fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction, while surface area was determined by N2 adsorption-desorption technique. Morphological studies were observed by high resolution-transmission electron microscopy and field emission-scanning electron microscopy and the sizes were determined by dynamic light scattering. The capacity of these particles for copper adsorption was investigated in vitro in both 1.2 and 7.2 pH. In in vivo animal study, the Cu adsorption efficiency of MS-EDTA in Cu-overdosed mice was evaluated. In this case, an animal model of acute copper poisoning was prepared.

RESULTS

The MS-EDTA with surface area of 352.35 was synthesized. Scanning electron microscope showed spherical particle formation with less than 500 nm in size. Transmission electron microscope images showed porous and honeycomb structure. FT-IR spectroscopy showed an appropriate formation of functional groups. Particle efficiency was investigated for Cu adsorption. MS-EDTA in both media showed a high adsorption capability for Cu (II) adsorption in pH=1.2 and pH=7.2. In addition, the study of Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson adsorption models showed that copper adsorption by MS-EDTA followed the Freundlich model with multi-layer adsorption. In vivo evaluation showed that MS-EDTA could alleviate the symptoms of acute copper poisoning by lowering Cu plasma levels.

CONCLUSION

Structural evaluation showed successful formation of MS-EDTA. In vitro analysis demonstrated that supreme Cu adsorption occurs in both pH conditions (7.2 and 1.2), and was especially more favorable in simulated intestinal pH (7.2). The in vivo studies in animal models with acute Cu poisoning showed that MS-EDTA could be a potent antidote agent.

Prognosticating the effect of temperature and pH parameters on size and stability of the nanoliposome system based on thermodynamic modeling

The main challenge of using nanoliposome systems is controlling their size and stability. In order to overcome this challenge, according to the research conducted at the Research Centre for New Technologies of Biological Engineering, University of Tehran, a model for predicting the size and stability of nanoliposome systems based on thermodynamic relations has been presented. In this model, by using the presented equations and without performing many experiments in the laboratory environment, the effect of temperature, ionic power and different pH can be considered simultaneously whereas examining the components of size, stability and any feature were considered before. Synthesis and application of liposomal nanocarriers in different operating conditions can be investigated and predicted, and due to the change in temperature and pH, the smallest size of th system can be obtained. In this study, we were able to model the synthesis and storage conditions of liposomal nanocarriers at different temperatures and acidic, neutral and alkaline pHs, based on the calculation of mathematical equations. This model also indicates that with increasing temperature, the radius increases but with increasing pH, the radius first increases and then decreases. Therefore, this model can be used to predict size and stability in different operating conditions. In fact, with this modelling method, there is no need to study through laboratory methods and analysis to determine the size, stability and surface loads, and in terms of Accuracy, time and cost savings are affordable.