Cytotoxicity Test Research Articles

Synergistic Antitumor and Apoptotic Activity of Sitagliptin or Linagliptin Plus Cisplatin Against A549 Lung Cancer Cells (an Invitro Study)

Objective: Lung cancer (LC) has the highest mortality rate globally. Most chemotherapeutic medicines now in use are cytotoxic, prompting the search for novel compounds with anticancer properties and improved safety profiles for normal cells. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors have demonstrated anticancer effects and apoptotic properties by specifically inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase -4, a glycoprotein found in various organs that support the spread of cancer and tumor formation. Based on that, this study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity of sitagliptin (SITA) and linagliptin (LINA) against the lung cancer cell line (A549) alone and in combination with cisplatin (CP). Methods: A549 cells were categorized into six groups: control (untreated cells), CP-treated cells, SITA-treated cells, LINA-treated cells, CP plus SITA treated cells (1:1 ratio), and CP plus LINA treated cells (1:1 ratio). After 72 hours of incubation, cell viability (or cytotoxicity) and concentration required to inhibit 50% of cell viability (IC50) for each group were determined using an MTT assay. This method is safe and easy to use, has more reproducibility, and is commonly used for cell viability and cytotoxicity tests. Later, A549 cells were cultured in six flasks and exposed to the IC50 for 36 hours. Afterward, the cells were harvested and centrifuged, and the supernatant was removed. The remaining cell pellets were collected and lysed using a lysis buffer to measure B-cell lymphoma type 2 (BCL-2) levels with ELISA test kits. The data was collected and subjected to statistical analysis techniques. Results: MTT assay results determined that SITA and LINA significantly increased A549 cell cytotoxicity compared to the control group (P<0.0001). Moreover, combining SITA or LINA with CP showed markedly increased antitumor efficacy and more significant cytotoxicity directed toward A549 cells. Additionally, these combinations highly reduced IC50 in comparison to monotherapy. Considerably, both drugs showed remarkable apoptotic activity on A549 cells when used alone or combined with CP by decreasing BCL2 levels. Consequently, it potentiates apoptotic effects and cytotoxicity of CP against cancer cells. Interestingly, Lina was more potent than Sita regarding cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity on A549 cells. Conclusion: SITA and Lina exhibited significant cytotoxic and apoptotic effects against A549 cells through the induction of apoptosis. Notably, the results suggest a potential synergistic anticancer impact on CP.

Evaluation of the effects of temperature and centrifugation time on elimination of uncured resin from 3D-printed dental aligners

The study investigated the effects of temperature and centrifugation time on the efficacy of removing uncured resin from 3D-printed clear aligners. Using a photo-polymerizable polyurethane resin (Tera Harz TC-85, Graphy Inc., Seoul, Korea), aligners were printed and subjected to cleaning processes using isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or centrifugation (g-force 27.95g) at room temperature (RT, 23 °C) and high temperature (HT, 55 °C) for 2, 4, and 6 min. The control group received no treatment (NT). Cleaning efficiency was assessed through rheological analysis, weight measurement, transparency evaluation, SEM imaging, 3D geometry evaluation, stress relaxation, and cell viability tests. Results showed increased temperature and longer centrifugation times significantly reduced aligner viscosity, weight (P < 0.05), and transmittance. IPA-cleaned aligners exhibited significantly lower transparency and rougher surfaces in SEM images. All groups met ISO biocompatibility standards in cytotoxicity tests. The NT group had higher root mean square (RMS) values, indicating greater deviation from the original design. Stress relaxation tests revealed over 95% recovery in all groups after 60 min. The findings suggest that a 2-min HT centrifugation process effectively removes uncured resin without significantly impacting the aligners’ physical and optical properties, making it a clinically viable option.

Charge transfer interaction dynamics between 6-Aminoindole and picric acid: Synthesis, spectrophotometric, characterization, computational, DNA binding, and anticancer properties

The charge transfer complex (CT) chemistry is studied between electron donor 6-Aminoindole (AMI) and electron acceptor Picric acid (PA) at 25 °C, in an acetonitrile medium by using UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy. The molecular ratio of the CT complex was determined to be 1:1 by using jobs variation and spectrophotometric titration processes. To assess the stability constant (KCT), and molar extinction coefficient (ƐCT) by using the Benesi-Hildebrand equation. These outcomes reveal that the synthesized CT complex is highly stable. The thermodynamic study is carried out in different temperatures (20-45 °C), and these results indicate increases the stability with increasing temperature. The CT complex structure was analyzed by FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. The surface morphology and elemental composition were identified by the SEM-EDX technique. The crystalline nature was analyzed by powdered XRD investigation. The CT complex has been screened for DNA binding and invitro cytotoxicity. The DNA binding constant value (2.3 × 105 M−1) and in vitro cytotoxicity test results on HeLa, suggest that it could be used as a potential medicinal drug in the future. Finally, the geometry optimizations were carried out by the DFT with the wB97XD method and 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. Here we investigated different parameters like bond parameters, NBO analysis, FMO analysis, DOS, PDOS, and computed electronic spectra. The computational analysis provided additional support for the experimental CT complex formation.

Sucrose and Glycerol Additives: A Way to Tune the Biological and Physicochemical Properties of Agarose Hydrogels?

AbstractSucrose and glycerol have gained attention as additives for hydrogels, owing to their capacity to exert considerable influence over the physicochemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics of these materials. Herein, these effects on agarose hydrogels (AHs) are explored. A series of AHs are synthesized using sucrose (30% and 300% w/v) and glycerol as additives. The storage modulus (10.0–13.7 kPa) and hydrophilicity of the hydrogels (contact angle &lt; 50°) do not vary significantly with sucrose or glycerol addition. However, sucrose enhances the hydration capacity of the hydrogels by up to 170%, whereas glycerol reduces it. Interestingly, sucrose and glycerol individually do not have bacteriostatic effects against Staphylococcus epidermidis, but their combination significantly (p ≤ 0.001) inhibits the growth of both S. epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by 63% and 29%, respectively, in comparison to native agarose. Cytotoxicity testing on NIH/3T3 murine fibroblasts reveals that sucrose increases cell viability up to 98%, while glycerol reduces it below 60%. Overall, these hydrogels hold promise for antibacterial biomedical applications as wound dressing materials and surface coatings for medical devices and can also be used to formulate bioinks for 3D bioprinting.

Facile preparation of a pH-sensitive biocompatible nanocarrier based on magnetic layered double hydroxides/Cu MOFs-chitosan crosslinked к-carrageenan for controlled doxorubicin delivery to breast cancer cells

Recently, the biocompatibility of hydrogel nanoparticles has gained considerable research attention in the field of drug delivery. In this regard, we design a pH-controlled nanocarrier based on magnetic layered double hydroxides/copper metal-organic framework-chitosan crosslinked к-carrageenan hydrogel nanoparticles (LDH-Fe3O4/Cu MOF-DOX-CS@CAR) for targeted release from DOX to breast cancer cells. FT-IR, EDX, XRD, FE-SEM, VSM, and Zeta potential investigated the chemical structure of hydrogel nanoparticles. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity of the DOX were obtained to be 96.1 % and 9.6 %, respectively. The cumulative release of DOX from LDH-Fe3O4/Cu MOF-DOX-CS@CAR at pH 5.5 and 7.4 after 72 h was 60.3 % and 22.6 %, respectively. These in vitro release results confirmed the controlled release and pH-response behavior of hydrogel nanoparticles. Also, the mechanism of DOX release from LDH-Fe3O4/Cu MOF-DOX-CS@CAR hydrogel nanoparticles showed that the Korsmeyer-Peppas model with Fickian diffusion is the best-fitting model for describing the release behavior of DOX from hydrogel nanoparticles. The cellular cytotoxicity and DAPI tests of the prepared LDH and LDH-Fe3O4/Cu MOF toward L929 non-cancerous cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells confirm its relative biocompatibility and safety. Whereas, LDH-Fe3O4/Cu MOF-DOX-CS@CAR hydrogel nanoparticles toward MCF-7 breast cancer cells had higher cytotoxicity effects due to the targeted and controlled release of DOX to MCF-7 cells. The in vitro DPPH, hemolysis assay, colloidal stability, and enzymatic degradation proved the excellent antioxidant activity (71.81 %), blood compatibility (less than 5 %), better stability, and biodegradation behavior of hydrogel nanoparticles. On these findings, the present study suggests the potential of the prepared LDH-Fe3O4/Cu MOF-DOX-CS@CAR hydrogel nanoparticles as a pH-controlled drug delivery system for cancer treatment and various biomedical uses.

Enhancing electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of decellularized umbilical cord arteries using graphene coatings.

Traditional decellularized bioscaffolds possessing intact vascular networks and unique architecture have been extensively studied as conduits for repairing nerve damage. However, they are limited by the absence of electrical conductivity, which is crucial for proper functioning of nervous tissue. This study focuses on investigating decellularized umbilical cord arteries by applying coatings of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to their inner surfaces. This resulted in a homogeneous GO coating that fully covered the internal lumen of the arteries. The results of electrical measurements demonstrated that the conductivity of the scaffolds could be significantly enhanced by incorporating RGO and GO conductive sheets. At a low frequency of 0.1 Hz, the electrical resistance level of the coated scaffolds decreased by 99.8% with RGO and 98.21% with GO, compared with uncoated scaffolds. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the arteries improved by 24.69% with GO and 32.9% with RGO after the decellularization process. The GO and RGO coatings did not compromise the adhesion of endothelial cells and promoted cell growth. The cytotoxicity tests revealed that cell survival rate increased over time with RGO, while it decreased with GO, indicating the time-dependent effect on the cytotoxicity of GO and RGO. Blood compatibility evaluations showed that graphene nanomaterials did not induce hemolysis but exhibited some tendency toward blood coagulation.

Formulation of Neem and Echinacea Gel for Oral Health Along With the Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Anti-inflammatory, and Free Radical Scavenging Activity: An In Vitro Study.

Background Herbs have been used in medical practice for centuries and continue to play a significant role in modern complementary and alternative medicine.Phytochemicals in these herbs possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial in targetingoral health issues, such as dental plaque, gingivitis, and oral microbial infections.As research progresses, the challenge remains to translate these natural compounds into safe, effective, and accessible treatments for a wide range of diseases. Aim The aim of this research was to formulate the neem and echinacea gel along with the evaluation of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, free-radical scavenging activity, and cytotoxic potential. Materials and methods The neem and echinacea gel was prepared using a concentrated powdered mixture of neem and echinacea (5 grams each) to which 100 ml of distilled water was added, and the mixture was boiled for 30 minutes at 60°C. The 10 ml concentrate was mixed with 20 ml of a carbopol and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) mixture and mixed thoroughly, which resulted in neem and echinacea gel. Then, theantimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic potential, and free-radical scavenging activity of the gel were evaluated. The data obtained were statistically analyzed with the help of a paired t-test, where a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The antimicrobial assay showed that neem and echinacea gel at the concentration of 100 micrograms showed a greater zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus(3.15 ± 0.26), Streptococcus mutans (2.48 ± 0.45), Enterococcus faecalis (2.89 ± 0.15), and Candida albicans (4.28 ± 0.87). The cytotoxic test revealed that even at an 80 µg concentration of the extract,more than 70% of the nauplii were vital, which indicated that the gel was not cytotoxic.The highest anti-inflammatory activity (78.39 ± 1.82) of the gel was seen at 50 micrograms when compared with diclofenac sodium (73.16 ± 1.80). The free radical scavenging activity showed that the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) absorbance of the neem and echinacea extract was highest at 50 micrograms. Conclusion The combination of neem and echinacea extract-based gel possessed high antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity when compared with standard drugs, such as amoxicillin and diclofenac sodium. The antioxidant activity of the gel was equal to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and also the gel has a low cytotoxic potential even at its higher concentrations. Hence, the gel can be used as a natural remedy with minimal side effects, making it a valuable alternative to chemical agents.

Bioactivity Diversity (Antibacterial and Antioxidant) of Macroalgae in the Ekas Beach Area, Lombok

Macroalgae in the southern coastal area of Lombok has not been explored much in terms of bioactivity. The aim of this research is to explore the usefulness of 9 types of macroalgae on Ekas Lombok beach by searching for their bioactivity capabilities, whether each macroalgae has no bioactivity at all, has antibacterial and antioxidant activity, only has antibacterial activity but no antioxidant activity or vice versa and whether there are macroalgae that even have anticancer activity. The method used in this research consists of several steps: Macroalgae Sampling, Morphological Analysis of Macroalgae Samples, Isolation of active compounds from macroalgae and Cytotoxic Test on Breast Cancer Cells in Vitro which consists of 3 tests: Culture and sub culture of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells, Cell Viability and Cytotoxicity Test with MTT and DNA Isolation of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. The research results show that the macroalgae with the best antibacterial activity is the red macroalgae Acanthophora spicifera and the macroalgae with the best antioxidant activity is the green macroalgae Ulva reticulata.

Phytochemical Evaluation and Anti-angiogenic Activity of Alingatong (Dendrocnide meyeniana Walp.) Root Extracts Using the Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay on Duck Embryo

Dendrocnide meyeniana (Walp.), known as "Alingatong" in the Visayas region of the Philippines, is a plant from the Urticaceae family. It is commonly found in the mountain areas of Taiwan and the Philippines. This study aims to determine the Dendrocnide meyeniana root extract's anti-angiogenic activity. The methanolic extracts of Dendrocnide meyeniana were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. Cytotoxicity test using Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay was conducted with different plant concentrations to determine the concentration to use for the anti-angiogenic activity of the root extracts. The anti-angiogenic activity was observed by calculating blood vessel percent inhibition using chorioallantoic membrane assay or CAM assay. Phytochemical screening reveals that the plant contains varying levels of detection of bioactive compounds, including saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids. Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay showed that the ethyl acetate and hexane extracts from Dendrocnide meyeniana were highly toxic as their LC50 values were lower than 100 ppm. CAM assay results showed that hexane with 250 ppm concentration has the highest percent inhibition with 34.98% followed by hexane at 125 ppm with 34.07% inhibition. Both concentrations of ethyl acetate showed low percentage inhibition, where 250 ppm was at 19.05% and 125 ppm at 15.93%. One-way ANOVA indicates that the different treatments have significant differences (p-value&lt; 0.0001) in the number of branches present using the CAM assay. Therefore, based on the results, Dendrocnide meyeniana root extracts have anti-angiogenic properties and these findings will help to understand the efficacy of the traditional medicine used by the local people.

Evaluating the Biocompatibility of Maxillofacial Silicone Enhanced by Hexagonal Boron Nitride Particles

This study aims to evaluate the biocompatibility of a novel filler material intended to improve the longevity of polymer systems used in prosthetics in respect of cytotoxicity and skin irritation. RTV50F silicone elastomer incorporated with various percentages of hexagonal boron nitride (H-BN) (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 wt%) have been tested. Silicone without H-BN was utilized as the control for comparison. The in vitro cytotoxicity test includes specimens (n=18) with 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness applied directly to the normal human fibroblast cell line (NHF) and incubated for 72 hours, then 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the cell viability. The skin irritation test was conducted in vivo, in which specimens (n=12) with 25 mm × 25 mm dimensions were applied on the back of 5 different rabbits for 4 hours, then the skin response was evaluated after 24, 48, and 72 hours. The acquired in vitro data were statically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey’s tests with GraphPad Prism 8, where P-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The H-BN powder and silicone specimens were studied via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results revealed a negligible effect of maxillofacial silicone on cell viability after 72 hours of incubation, only one group (1wt%) showed a significant difference compared to the control group but the toxicity percentage didn’t exceed 30% of cell viability and there was no skin irritation during the in vivo test.

Integrating Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents into Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: An Industrial Look.

The industries are searching for greener alternatives for their productions due to the rising concern about the environment and creation of waste and by-products without industrial utility for that specific line of products. This investigation describes the development of two stable nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs): one is the formulation of a standard NLC, and the other one is the same NLC formulation associated with a natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES). The research presents the formulation paths of the NLCs through completeness, which encompass dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential tests, and pH. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy were performed to clarify the morphology. Cytotoxicity tests with zebrafish were realized, and the results are complementary to the in vitro outcomes reached with fibroblast L132 tests by the MTT technique and the zymography test. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry tests elucidated the link between the physicochemical characteristics of the formulation and its behavior and properties. Different cooling techniques were explored to prove the tailorable properties of the NLCs for any industrial applications. In conclusion, the compiled results show the successful formulation of new nanocarriers based on a sustainable, eco-friendly, and highly tailorable technology, which presents low cytotoxic potential.

Anti-inflammatory activities of phycoerythrin and phycocyanin on human fibroblast cells

Background and AimCyanobacteria are highly regarded for their nutritional value and the scientific community has shown great interest in studying their biological activity and bioactive compounds, especially pigments. They have a wide range of properties, making them potentially useful in various health applications, including dermatology. Given the growing demand for natural products and actives in the cosmetics and medical sectors, these microorganisms have emerged as a valuable source. Therefore, this study investigated the bioactivity of phycoerythrin (PE) and phycocyanin (PC) extracted from Nostoc sp. and Spirulina sp. on CCD-966SK cell lines, specifically focusing on apoptosis, necrosis, anti-inflammatory effects, and enzymatic reactions. MethodsThe study involved conducting various bioassays on a human skin fibroblast cell line (CCD-966SK) after performing cyanobacterial cell culture, pigment extraction, and fibroblast cell culture. The bioassays included the MTT test, TNF-α and IL-6 release assays, measurement of human collagen I and III, assessment of apoptosis and necrosis, and analysis of enzyme activity for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). ResultsThe cytotoxicity test results indicated that higher concentrations of PE and PC were associated with lower survival rates. The flow cytometry analysis confirmed a significant increase in necrotic cells and a decrease in living cells at high concentrations of both pigments. The largest percentages of collagen I for PC and PE were identified at 125 and 62.5 ppm, whereas the lowest quantities were reported at 1000 ppm for both pigments. PC and PE had the highest collagen II concentrations at 3.91 and 15.63 ppm, respectively. PC and PE had the lowest collagen II levels at 1000 ppm. PE and PC released anti-inflammatory IL-6 and TNF-a cytokines, indicating high inflammation resistance. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations showed that both pigments were most active at 1000 ppm. ConclusionIn conclusion, both PC and PE pigments exhibited positive effects in enhancing necrotic, anti-inflammatory, and enzymatic activity against the human skin fibroblast cell line.

Synthesis of novel chitosan-Schiff bases nanoparticles for high efficiency Helicobacter pylori inhibition

Two chitosan Schiff bases were synthesized by condensation of chitosan with 2-(4-formylphenoxy)-N-phenylacetamide and N-(4-bromophenyl)-2-(4-formylphenoxy) acetamide denoted as Cs-SBA and Cs-SBBr, respectively. The molecular structures of the resulting chitosan derivatives were characterized using FTIR and 1HNMR and their thermal properties were investigated by TGA. These derivatives were treated with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) to produce Cs Schiff base nanoparticles. The nanoparticles physicochemical properties were determined by FTIR, XRD, TEM, and zeta potential analysis. The antimicrobial action against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was evaluated and the results indicated that the anti-H. pylori activity had minimal inhibitory concentration MIC values of 15.62 ± 0.05 and 3.9 ± 0.03 μg/mL for Cs-SBA and Cs-SBBr nanoparticles (Cs-SBA NPs and Cs-SBBr NPs), respectively. The better biologically active nanoparticles, Cs-SBBr NPs, were tested for their cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitory potential. Cs-SBBr NPs demonstrated COX enzyme inhibition activity against COX-2 (IC50 4.5 ± 0.165 μg/mL) higher than the conventional Indomethacin (IC50 0.08 ± 0.003 μg/mL), and Celecoxib (IC50 0.79 ± 0.029 μg/mL). Additionally, the cytotoxicity test of Cs-SBBr NPs showed cytotoxic effect on Vero cells (CCL-81) with IC50 = 17.95 ± 0.12 μg/mL which is regarded as a safe compound. Therefore, Cs-SBBr NPs may become an alternative to cure H. pylori and prevent gastric cancer.

Anticancer Potential of Ethanolic Extract Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. Leaves against Human Colon Cancer WiDr Cell Line

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) is a plant contains various compounds that has potential as anticancer drugs. Secondary metabolites of jackfruit leaves are flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, triterpenoids, and saponins. A typical flavonoid compound group in the Artocarpus genus, namely artocarpin, is able to kill cancer cells through apoptosis. Not many have conducted cytotoxicity research and apoptosis induction of ethanolic extracts from jackfruit leaves, especially against WiDr colon cancer cells. Therefore, this study aims to study the cytotoxic effects and apoptosis induction of ethanolic extracts of jackfruit leaves against WiDr colon cancer cells. The research was conducted by cytotoxicity test using the MTT assay. Apoptosis test was done using double staining method with AO/PI dye. The treatment was conducted at various concentrations of ethanolic extract of jackfruit leaves, doxorubicin as positive control, and DMSO as solvent control. The data were analyzed by one way ANOVA (p ≤ 0.05) and continued using Tukey HSD Post Hoc test. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of jackfruit leaves was not toxic to WiDr cells with an IC50 740.43 μg/mL, but could significantly reduce cell viability at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. The ethanolic extract of jackfruit leaves could also induce apoptotic cell death at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. Based on these results, ethanolic extract of jackfruit leaves has little potential to be developed as an anticancer drug.

Fabrication and Characterization of Porous PEGDA Hydrogels for Articular Cartilage Regeneration.

Functional articular cartilage regeneration remains an unmet medical challenge, increasing the interest for innovative biomaterial-based tissue engineering (TE) strategies. Hydrogels, 3D macromolecular networks with hydrophilic groups, present articular cartilage-like features such as high water content and load-bearing capacity. In this study, 3D porous polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels were fabricated combining the gas foaming technique and a UV-based crosslinking strategy. The 3D porous PEGDA hydrogels were characterized in terms of their physical, structural and mechanical properties. Our results showed that the size of the hydrogel pores can be modulated by varying the initiator concentration. In vitro cytotoxicity tests showed that 3D porous PEGDA hydrogels presented high biocompatibility both with human chondrocytes and osteoblast-like cells. Importantly, the 3D porous PEGDA hydrogels supported the viability and chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (hBM-MSC)-based spheroids as demonstrated by the positive staining of typical cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) (glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)) and upregulation of chondrogenesis marker genes. Overall, the produced 3D porous PEGDA hydrogels presented cartilage-like mechanical properties and supported MSC spheroid chondrogenesis, highlighting their potential as suitable scaffolds for cartilage TE or disease modelling strategies.

Ionic Liquid-Based Silane for SiO2 Nanoparticles: A Versatile Coupling Agent for Dental Resins.

The current longevity of dental resins intraorally is limited by susceptibility to acidic attacks from bacterial metabolic byproducts and vulnerability to enzymatic or hydrolytic degradation. Here, we demonstrate synthesizing an ionic liquid-based antibiofilm silane effective against Streptococcus mutans, a major caries pathogen. Furthermore, we incorporate this silane into dental resins, creating antibiofilm- and degradation-resistant materials applicable across resin types. FTIR, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of the expected ionic liquid-based silane. The characterization of SiO2 after the silanization indicated the presence of the silane and how it interacted with the oxide. All groups achieved a degree of conversion similar to that found for commercial resin composites immediately and after two months of storage in water. The minimum of 2.5 wt % of silane led to lower softening in solvent than the control group (GCTRL) (p < 0.05). While the flexural strength indicated a lower value from 1 wt % of silane compared to GCTRL (p < 0.05), the ultimate tensile strength did not indicate differences among groups (p > 0.05). There was no difference within groups between the immediate and long-term tests of flexural strength (p > 0.05) or ultimate tensile strength (p > 0.05). The addition of at least 5 wt % of silane reduced the viability of S. mutans compared to GCTRL (p < 0.05). The fluorescence microscopy analysis suggested that the higher the silane concentration, the higher the amount of bacteria with membrane defects. There was no difference among groups in the cytotoxicity test (p > 0.05). Therefore, the developed dental resins displayed biocompatibility, proper degree of conversion, improved resistance against softening in solvent, and stability after 6 months of storage in water. This material could be further developed to produce polymeric antimicrobial layers for different surfaces, supporting various potential avenues in developing novel biomaterials with enhanced therapeutic characteristics using ionic liquid-based materials.

Chitosan‐based pH‐sensitive antibacterial bionanocomposites with laponite immobilized silver nanoparticles for delivery of sunitinib maleate to breast cancers

In this work, new pH‐sensitive and antibacterial drug carrier systems based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded in the interlayer of laponite (Lap) in the presence of chitosan (CTS) for the controllable release of sunitinib maleate (STM) were developed. Silver ions and sunitinib maleate were first loaded into Lap, and the CTS‐based hybrid bionanocomposite carrier (Lap@CTS@AgNPs@STM) was obtained in the presence of citric acid as a cross‐linker agent. The successful preparation of nanocarrier and Ag NPs formation was thoroughly confirmed using techniques such as FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM, and TEM. TEM images illustrated the excellent distribution of Ag NPs in the structure of Lap@CTS@AgNPs. The as‐prepared samples showed a pH‐sensitive anticancer drug release behavior. The STM release mechanism was studied using Korsmeyer–Peppas and Higuchi kinetic models. Furthermore, the in vitro cytotoxicity and antibacterial tests were carried out against both bacteria S. aureus and E. coli and MCF‐7 cell lines, respectively, to prove the effectiveness of synthesized samples as multifunctional carrier systems for biomedical applications.

Simulation of in vitro embolization effect of drug-loaded microspheres

Drug-loaded microspheres are widely used in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Controlled drug release from drug-loaded microspheres reduces systemic toxicity, thus necessitating the development of microspheres with controlled release properties. In this study, three different sizes of sodium hyaluronate microspheres (SH) were prepared by a one-step solution drying method using 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) as a crosslinking agent. The average sizes of the three SH microspheres (small, medium and large) were 410 μm, 550 μm and 750 μm, respectively. The morphology of the small-sized SH microspheres (SS-SH) was solid spherical; the medium-sized SH microspheres (MS-SH) were semi-hollow spherical; and the large-sized SH microspheres (LS-SH) had a bowl with an opening on one side and a cavity inside. A drug-loaded microsphere (DOX@SH) was prepared by immersing SH microspheres in a doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) solution. The average size of the three DOX@SH microspheres increased to 607 μm, 876 μm and 1187 μm, respectively. The encapsulation efficiencies of small, medium and large-sized SH microspheres reached 97.09 %, 96.73 % and 74.87 % at 2 h in a 2 mg/mL DOX solution. The maximum drug loadings of the small, medium and large-sized SH microspheres were 0.38, 0.38 and 0.33 mg DOX/mg SH, respectively. All sizes of DOX@SH microspheres could be controlled and sustained to release and reach equilibrium after 48 h. The cumulative release rates of small, medium and large-sized DOX@SH microspheres (SS-DOX@SH, MS-DOX@SH and LS-DOX@SH) at 72 h were 24.3 %, 28.1 % and 33.8 % in a release medium of pH 6.5, respectively. Blood compatibility and cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that SH microspheres exhibit good biocompatibility. The cytotoxicity of DOX@SH microspheres to HepG2 cells and the uptake of DOX in HepG2 cells showed effective anti-tumor activity. Simulated embolization in vitro experiments indicated that the small-sized DOX@SH microspheres had a good embolization effect for 500–800 μm and 300–500 μm blood vessels. These findings indicate that the newly developed DOX@SH microspheres can be used as a promising drug-loaded embolization agent to enhance the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Galleria mellonella larvae as an alternative model to determine the pathogenicity of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT The pathogenicity of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) can be reliably determined using a biological model with 1-day-old chicks. However, public concerns regarding the use of vertebrates in research have led to the exploration of other biological models. Alternative infection models, including Galleria mellonella larvae, have also been studied. This study aimed to evaluate whether G. mellonella larvae are a viable in vivo model for evaluating the pathogenicity of APEC isolates and to determine the best protocol for this model. First, the pathogenicity index (PI) in vivo was determined for 40 APEC isolates from 1-day-old chicks. The same isolates were then used to establish the best protocol for the determination of PI in larvae of G. mellonella by determining the LD50, melanization, cytotoxicity test, total haemocyte count, mortality rate, construction of survival curves, and larval disease score. Cytotoxicity tests and total haemocyte counts were not suitable for distinguishing the pathogenicity groups. LD50 was a useful tool for differentiating between high and low pathogenicity but not for intermediate pathogenicity. Similarly, melanization could be used as a variable to characterize the pathogenicity of APEC isolates but should be associated with other variables. Mortality rates and survival curves were useful tools for characterizing nonpathogenic and highly pathogenic isolates. In this study, G. mellonella larvae were a viable model, and the larval disease score was the main variable that determined the pathogenicity of APEC isolates in the G. mellonella model. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Galleria mellonella larvae are a viable model for determining APEC pathogenicity. Larval disease score is the main variable for determining APEC pathogenicity. Response variables should be evaluated up to 24 h post-inoculation.

Enhanced binding interaction and antibacterial inhibition for nanometal oxide particles activated with Aloe Vulgarize through one-pot ultrasonication techniques

The interaction of green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with bacterial strains are still scarcely reported. This work was conducted to study the green-one-pot-synthesized ZnO NPs from the Aloe Vulgarize (AV) leaf peel extract assisted with different sonication techniques followed by the physicochemical, biological activities and molecular docking studies. The NPs structure was analyzed using FTIR, UV–vis and EDX. The morphology, particle size and crystallinity of ZnO NPs were identified using FESEM and XRD. It was found that the formed flower-like structure with sharp edge and fine size of particulates in ZnO NPs/AV could enhance the bacterial inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for all the tested bacterial strains is at 3.125 µg/ml and the bacterial growth curve are dependent on the ZnO NPs dosage. The results of disc diffusion revealed that the ZnO NPs/AV possess better antibacterial effect with bigger ZOI due to the presence of AV active ingredient. The molecular docking between active ingredients of AV in the NPs with the protein of IFCM and 1MWU revealed that low binding energy (Ebind = -6.56 kcal/mol and −8.99 kcal/mol, respectively) attributes to the excessive hydrogen bond from AV that highly influenced their interaction with the amino acid of the selected proteins. Finally, the cytotoxicity test on the biosynthesized ZnO NPs with concentration below 20 µg/ml are found nontoxic on the HDF cell. Overall, ZnO NPs/20 % AV (probe sonication) is considered as the best synthesis option due to its efficient one-pot method, short sonication time but own the best antibacterial effect.