Basis For Medical Applications Research Articles

Antibacterial, antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of crude extract from the endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. isolate OQ-Fus-2-F from Euphorbia sp. plant

Context: Human life is contested with the emergence of new infectious diseases and antibiotic-resistant pathogens, cellular deterioration due to oxidative stress, and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Aims: To evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of crude extract from the endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. isolate OQ-Fus-2-F as a basis for medical application. Methods: Fusarium sp. isolate OQ-Fus-2-F was isolated from the stem of Euphorbia sp. plant. It was identified morphologically and based on 18S rRNA gene partial sequence. The isolated was cultivated in a malt extract glucose medium. Cell filtrate was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the crude extract was dried in vacuum. The crude extract was assessed for its antimicrobial activity through agar diffusion and micro-broth dilution assays; antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and ABTS methods, and the anticholinergic activity was evaluated in terms of inhibition in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Results: Crude extract of Fusarium sp. isolate OQ-Fus-2-F was more potent in inhibiting the growth of B. subtilis with a MIC value of 125 µg/mL. Its antioxidant activity was highly detected in ABTS than DPPH assay with IC50 values 37.5 ± 3.5 µg/mL and 191.3 ± 17.6 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the extract inhibited the AChE activity with IC50 177.0 ± 13.7 µg/mL. Conclusions: Crude extract of Fusarium sp. isolate OQ-Fus-2-F has potential biomedical applications as it contains secondary metabolites with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activates.

Unsaturated esters and polymeric materials on their basis of medical applications

Unsaturated esters and polymeric materials on their basis of medical applications

The biological effects of terahertz laser radiation as a fundamental premise for designing diagnostic and treatment methods

This review considers experimental research of the biological effects of terahertz radiation and their results, which provide a basis for medical application of laser terahertz radiation. Therapeutic and diagnostic uses of laser terahertz radiation are described with reference to preliminary basic investigations at the organismic, cell, and molecular levels. It is emphasized that preliminary basic studies of this kind are of importance as another avenue of research to design diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in addition to terahertz imaging and spectroscopy.

Cellular compatibility of magnetic nanocomposites

Objective: To study the cellular compatibility of the magnetic nanocomposite (n-HA/PLLA/Fe2O3) and to discuss the biological behaviors of cells including surface adhesion, proliferation, and expression. The present work provides an experimental basis for medical application. Method: Rat osteoblasts (OB) were co-cultured with the magnetic nanocomposite. Cell proliferation, cell adhesion, and the expression of type I collagen (Col-I) and osteocalcin (OCN) gene were characterized by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Results: CCK-8 detection showed that there was no difference in cell proliferation on the magnetic nanocomposite between the experimental group and control group (P > 0.05). SEM indicated that a large amount of cells adhered to the surface and in the pores of the magnetic nanocomposite. As the co-culture time increased, the cells adhering to the magnetic nanocomposite showed an obvious increase. RT-PCR detection showed that as the co-culture time increased, the expression of the Col-I gene was enhanced (P 0.05). There was no obvious difference in the expression of the OCN gene (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The magnetic nanocomposite is suitable for cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation with a high cellular compatibility.

Biological evaluation of poly-l-lactic acid composite containing bioactive glass

Biodegradable and biocompatible materials are the basis for medical application. As an initial step for developing bone internal fixation materials, the biological evaluation of poly-l-lactic acid/bioactive glass (PLLA/BG) composite in vitro and in vivo, including the hemolysis test, pyrogen test, acute systemic toxicity test, genetic toxicity test, anaphylaxis test, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test, direct cell culture and in vivo implant experiment, was performed. The results indicated that PLLA/BG composite showed no acute systemic toxicity, genetic toxicity, anaphylaxis reaction, and pyrogen reaction, and the hemolysis ratio was 0.39%. MTT assay indicated that no cytotoxic effect was observed for the PLLA/BG composite, and in addition, a significant increase in cellular activity compared to the negative control group was found. Excellent adhesion between fibroblast and PLLA/BG material was observed, the fibroblasts cultured on the PLLA/BG composite substrates revealed a higher proliferation and differentiation rate than those on the pure PLLA substrates. In vivo implant experiment showed that the PLLA/BG composite could maintain the mechanical properties during the course of fracture therapy, and the malleolar fracture of rabbits was healed in 8 weeks on the whole. Therefore, PLLA/BG composites have a promising biological response as a potential implant material.

Nanotechnology for parasitic plant control

The field of nanotechnology opens up novel potential applications for agriculture. Nanotechnology applications are already being explored and used in medicine and pharmacology, but interest for use in crop protection is just starting. The development of nanodevices as smart delivery systems to target specific sites and nanocarriers for controlled chemical release is discussed. Some nanotechnologies can improve existing crop management techniques in the short to medium term. Nanocapsules would help to avoid phytotoxicity on the crop by using systemic herbicides against parasitic weeds. Nanoencapsulation can also improve herbicide application, providing better penetration through cuticles and tissues, and allowing slow and constant release of the active substances. On the other hand, new crop management tools could be developed on the basis of medical applications. Nanoparticles have a great potential as 'magic bullets', loaded with herbicides, chemicals or nucleic acids, and targeting specific plant tissues or areas to release their charge. Viral capsids can be altered by mutagenesis to achieve different configurations and deliver specific nucleic acids, enzymes or antimicrobial peptides acting against the parasites. Many issues are still to be addressed, such as increasing the scale of production processes and lowering costs, as well as toxicological issues, but the foundations of a new plant treatment concept have been laid, and applications in the field of parasitic plant control can be started.