Cytotoxicity Test Research Articles

Photodynamic Therapy as a Novel Therapeutic Modality Applying Quinizarin-Loaded Nanocapsules and 3D Bioprinting Skin Permeation for Inflammation Treatment.

Skin inflammation associated with chronic diseases involves a direct role of keratinocytes in its immunopathogenesis, triggering a cascade of immune responses. Despite this, highly targeted treatments remain elusive, highlighting the need for more specific therapeutic strategies. In this study, nanocapsules containing quinizarin (QZ/NC) were developed and evaluated in an in vitro model of keratinocyte-mediated inflammation, incorporating the action of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and analyzing permeation in a 3D skin model. Comprehensive physicochemical, stability, cytotoxicity, and permeation analyses of the nanomaterials were conducted. The nanocapsules demonstrated desirable physicochemical properties, remained stable throughout the analysis period, and exhibited no spectroscopic alterations. Cytotoxicity tests revealed no toxicity at the lowest concentrations of QZ/NC. Permeation and cellular uptake studies confirmed QZ/NC permeation in 3D skin models, along with intracellular incorporation and internalization of the drug, thereby enhancing its efficacy in drug delivery. The developed model for inducing the inflammatory process in vitro yielded promising results, particularly when the synthesized nanomaterial was combined with PDT, showing a reduction in cytokine levels. These findings suggest a potential new therapeutic approach for treating inflammatory skin diseases.

Cytotoxicity of two fluoride-releasing adhesive tapes.

Sodium fluoride-polyvinyl alcohol (NaF-PVA) tape was developed to deliver fluoride to teeth by adding fluoride to polymer tape. Previous studies have demonstrated that tapes are effective and have antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of two fluoride-releasing adhesive tapes. We investigated two polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) tapes: (i) a fluoride-PVA (F-PVA) tape, and (ii) a pullulan-incorporated F-PVA (PF-PVA) tape. The cytotoxicity test was conducted on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Using an adhesive tape containing fluoride, we performed the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on these cells. Genetic analysis of the cells was performed to conduct a stability test on humans. In the MTT assay, PF-PVA had 66% greater cytotoxicity than control by PDL and 69% by HGF. F-PVA showed less cytotoxicity than PF-PVA by 29% in PDL and 33% in HGF. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed as gene expression analyses. GO analysis indicated that PF-PVA displayed more expression changes of genes related to cytotoxicity than F-PVA. In addition, GSEA found more inflammatory response associations in PF-PVA than in F-PVA. MTT and genetic testing yielded comparable results.

Evaluation of surface roughness, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial effects of silver nanoparticle coating on copper nickel titanium orthodontic arch wires - in vitro study.

Surface roughness of arch wires directly impacts their corrosion behavior, friction resistance, and plaque accumulation, which may hinder tooth movement and lead to dental caries. The study aims to synthesize vanillin-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), characterize them, assess surface roughness and cytotoxicity of arch wires after silver nanoparticle coating, and test their antibacterial properties. Nine copper-nickel-titanium arch wires (CuNiTi) were cut into equal pieces. Three were sent for surface roughness assessment, three for cytotoxicity, and three for antibacterial testing. Dip coating of wires was done using the sol-gel thin film method. The surface roughness (Ra) before and after coating was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Cytotoxicity testing was done with a (3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay using gingival fibroblasts. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Antibacterial activity against S. mutans was tested using the Agar-well diffusion method. The CuNiTi wires were coated successfully, and the coating appeared homogeneous. The mean Ra after coating (297.3+/- 30.4 nm) was significantly less than that before coating (339.7+/-49.2 nm). AgNPs showed minimal cytotoxicity against human gingival fibroblasts at different concentrations. Optical microscopy showed over 90% viability between 12.5 and 100 µg/ml. At 100 µg/ml, only 80% of cells remained viable. AgNP coating is biocompatible at concentrations up to 75 µg/ml. There was a significant intergroup difference in the zone of inhibition (antibacterial activity) noted with higher values in noncoated wires. (P value <0.007). AgNPs coated on CuNiTi arch wires showed reduced surface roughness and minimal cytotoxic effects on human gingival cells and good antibacterial activity against S. mutans compared to noncoated arch wires.

Refining cPRA calculation to improve HLA compatibility assessment in organ transplantation: A detailed picture of the Paris waiting list.

The determination of panel reactive antibodies (cPRA) scores plays a critical role in assessing the immunological compatibility between organ transplant recipients and potential donors. Traditional cPRA methods focus on a limited number of HLA loci using physical cytotoxicity tests. However, advancements such as the Luminex single antigen (LSA) assay, which uses mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of individualised HLA antigens for antibody evaluation, provide a foundation for a more precise assessment. We developed cPRAdictor, a novel cPRA calculation tool using a large series of HLA-type individuals in France with NGS. cPRAdictor was applied to a cohort of 5962 kidney transplant candidates in Paris. We analysed how extending the range of HLA specificities could affect cPRA values. Implementing cPRAdictor revealed and allowed quantification of the significant discrepancies in cPRA values that appeared when HLA loci C and DP, and antigen-specific antibodies were taken into account. Notably, over 43% of the immunised transplant candidates showed an increase in calculated cPRA values when considering C/DP loci and antigen-specific antibodies, negatively impacting their eligibility and prioritisation in the transplantation programme. These findings highlight the necessity of revisiting cPRA calculation methodologies to include a broader spectrum of immunological data, as more exhaustive and precise information regarding anti-HLA antibodies in patients' sera and donor and recipient HLA typing are available prospectively. This will strongly improve both accuracy and equity at the organ allocation step, especially for highly sensitised candidates for whom organ offers are very limited in number.

Fabrication of recoverable plant polyphenol-based surfactants for efficient removal of uranyl ions from skin and cotton fabric

With the increasing demand for uranium in the nuclear industry, the unintended uranium contamination of skin or clothing for individuals involved in nuclear activities has raised public health concerns. Herein, a plant polyphenol-based surfactant (sulfonated bayberry tannin surfactant, SBTS) was fabricated by modifying the hydrophobic groups in the sulfonated bayberry tannin (SBT) structure using a simple Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction. The surfactant modified with tetradecane chloride showed superior foaming ability and emulsifying properties compared with SBT. The characterization of SBTS by FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed that hydrophobic chains were successfully grafted on SBT molecules via covalent bonds. As expected, SBTS could disperse in water under near-neutral pH condition, and showed good foaming and emulsifying properties. Moreover, the surfactant exhibited effective removal ability for UO22+-contaminated cotton fabric and skin in a broad application range, reaching a removal rate of 99 % for low amounts of UO22+, and even above 55 % for high UO22+ amounts. More importantly, SBTS after reacing with UO22+ could be easily separated from aqueous systems after standing for 60 min in acidic and neutral conditions, which is a favorable feature to avoid secondary pollution. In vitro cytotoxicity tests suggested that SBTS was much safer than commonly used synthetic surfactants. Based on XPS and FT-IR measurements, we propose a decontamination mechanism mainly originating from the chelation effect between the phenolic hydroxyl group of SBTS and UO22+. This study highlights the potential of plant tannin surfactants as effective materials for the removal of UO22+ from skin or clothing of individuals involved in various nuclear-related activities.

Calcium-based nanowires for bone repair

Abstract Bone defects due to the older population, severe trauma, congenital malformations, resection of bone tumors, and infections are serious problems faced in orthopedic clinical treatment, posing great hazards to human health and life, and external interventions are generally required to promote bone healing. Considering the osteogenic promotion of calcium ions, Ca-POM nanowires were synthesized in this study to facilitate the osteogenesis process through the release of calcium ions. The cytotoxicity test showed that the material possesses good biocompatibility. Furthermore, the Alizarin Red S staining demonstrated that the material could promote osteogenesis, indicating its potential as an ideal candidate for bone repair.

Apelin-13-Loaded Macrophage Membrane-Encapsulated Nanoparticles for Targeted Ischemic Stroke Therapy via Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis.

Ischemic stroke is a refractory disease wherein the reperfusion injury caused by sudden restoration of blood supply is the main cause of increased mortality and disability. However, current therapeutic strategies for the inflammatory response induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury are unsatisfactory. This study aimed to develop a functional nanoparticle (MM/ANPs) comprising apelin-13 (APNs) encapsulated in macrophage membranes (MM) modified with distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine-polyethylene glycol-RVG29 (DSPE-PEG-RVG29) to achieve targeted therapy against ischemic stroke. MM were extracted from RAW264.7. PLGA was dissolved in dichloromethane, while Apelin-13 was dissolved in water, and CY5.5 was dissolved in dichloromethane. The precipitate was washed twice with ultrapure water and then resuspended in 10 mL to obtain an aqueous solution of PLGA nanoparticles. Subsequently, the cell membrane was evenly dispersed homogeneously and mixed with PLGA-COOH at a mass ratio of 1:1 for the hybrid ultrasound. DSPE-PEG-RVG29 was added and incubated for 1 h to obtain MM/ANPs. In this study, we developed a functional nanoparticle delivery system (MM/ANPs) that utilizes macrophage membranes coated with DSPE-PEG-RVG29 peptide to efficiently deliver Apelin-13 to inflammatory areas using ischemic stroke therapy.MM/ANPs effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and selectively accumulate in ischemic and inflamed areas. In a mouse I/R injury model, these nanoparticles significantly improved neurological scores and reduced infarct volume.Apelin-13 is gradually released from the MM/ANPs, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome assembly by enhancing sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) activity, which suppresses the inflammatory response and pyroptosis. The positive regulation of SIRT3 further inhibits the NLRP3-mediated inflammation, showing the clinical potential of these nanoparticles for ischemic stroke treatment. The biocompatibility and safety of MM/ANPs were confirmed through in vitro cytotoxicity tests, blood-brain barrier permeability tests, biosafety evaluations, and blood compatibility studies. MM/ANPs offer a highly promising approach to achieve ischemic stroke-targeted therapy inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis.

Preliminary In Vitro Evaluation of Silver, Copper and Gold Nanoparticles as New Antimicrobials for Pathogens That Induce Bovine Locomotion Disorders.

Lameness is a crucial problem in dairy farming. It worsens the welfare of cattle, reduces the milk yield, and causes economic losses. The etiology of lameness is varied and the cattle's condition may be infectious or non-infectious. The aim of this research was to analyze the biocidal properties of silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs), and copper (CuNPs) nanoparticles against bacteria causing lameness in cattle. The isolated pathogens used were Aerococcus viridans, Corynebacterium freneyi, Corynebacterium xerosis, and Trueperella pyogenes. The tested concentrations of nanoparticles were 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, and 1.56 mg/L. The methods used included the isolation of pathogens using standard microbiological procedures and their identification using mass spectrometry, physicochemical analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and cytotoxicity tests. Studies have shown that AgNPs at 3.125 and 1.56 mg/L concentrations, and CuNPs at 25 and 12.5 mg/L concentrations, have strong biocidal properties, while AuNPs have the weakest antimicrobial properties. The very limited number of in vivo studies focusing on lameness prevention in cattle indicate that new solutions need to be developed. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate if nanoparticles (NPs) may, in the future, become components of innovative biocides used to prevent lameness in dairy cattle.

Electrospun nanofibers incorporating lactobionic acid as novel active packaging materials: biological activities and toxicological evaluation

In this study, lactobionic acid (LBA) was incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) by electrospinning. The antimicrobial effects of the nanofibers were tested using the agar diffusion method. Only the PVA formulations showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The PVA and PCL nanofibers containing LBA showed antioxidant activity ranging from 690.33 to 798.67 µM TEAC when tested by the ABTS method. The characterization of nanofibers was performed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and mechanical analysis. The nanofibers showed a uniform morphology and their average diameters ranged from 295.5 to 2778.2 nm. The LBA addition induced a decrease in the enthalpy of fusion (ΔHm) of PVA and PCL nanofibers, while the Young’s modulus was reduced from 20 to 10 MPa in PCL and PCL-LBA nanofibers, respectively. No relevant differences were observed between the FTIR spectra of the control nanofibers and the nanofibers containing LBA. All nanofibers presented hemolysis rate below 2%, thus can be considered as non-hemolytic materials. Further toxicological assessment was performed with the selected formulation PVA10 + LBA. The evaluations by mutagenicity assay, cell survival measurement, cell viability analysis and agar diffusion cytotoxicity test indicated that there are no significant toxic effects. Electrospun nanofibers PVA-LBA and PCL-LBA were successfully produced, showing good thermal and mechanical properties and non-toxic effects. Furthermore, the nanofibers showed antimicrobial activity and antioxidant activity. The findings of this study indicate that PVA and PCL electrospun nanofibers incorporating LBA are promising for use in packaging applications.

Genipin promotes the apoptosis and autophagy of neuroblastoma cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

This study investigated the underlying function and mechanism of genipin in neuroblastoma (NB). Using flow cytometry analysis and cytotoxicity tests, in vitro studies were conducted to assess the effects of genipin on the SK-N-SH cell line. The mechanism of action of genipin was explored through immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, and caspase-3 activity assays. In addition, we also created a xenograft tumour model to investigate the effects of genipin in vivo. This research confirmed that genipin suppressed cell viability, induced apoptosis, and promoted autophagy, processes that are likely linked to the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway. Autophagy inhibition increases the sensitivity of SK-N-SH cells to genipin. Furthermore, combination treatment with a PI3K inhibitor enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of genipin. These results highlight the potential of genipin as a candidate drug for the treatment of NB.

A novel “cells-on-particles” cytotoxicity testing platform in vitro: design, characterization, and validation against engineered nanoparticle aerosol

The presented research introduces the "Cells-on-Particles" integrated aerosol sampling and cytotoxicity testing in vitro platform, which allows for the direct assessment of the biological effects of captured aerosol particles on a selected cell type without the need for extraction or resuspension steps. By utilizing particles with unaltered chemical and physical properties, the method enables simple and fast screening of biological effects on specific cell types, making it a promising tool for assessing the cytotoxicity of particulate matter in ambient and occupational air. Platforms fabricated from cellulose acetate (CA) and poly[ε]caprolactone (PCL) were proven to be biocompatible and promoted the attachment and growth of the human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. The PCL platforms were exposed to simulated occupational aerosols of silver, copper, and graphene oxide nanoparticles. Each nanoparticle type exhibited different and dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on cells, evidenced by reduced cell viability and distinct, particle type-dependent gene expression patterns. Notably, copper nanoparticles were identified as the most cytotoxic, and graphene oxide the least. Comparing the “Cells-on-Particles" and submerged exposure (“Particles-on-Cells") testing strategies, BEAS-2B cells responded to selected nanoparticles in a comparable manner, suggesting the developed testing system could be proposed for further evaluation with more complex environmental aerosols. Despite limitations, including particle agglomeration and the need for more replicates to address variability, the “Cells-on-Particles” platform enables effective detection of toxicity induced by relatively low levels of nanoparticles, demonstrating good sensitivity and a relatively simpler procedure compared to standard 2D cell exposure methods.

Bone regeneration by a bone substitute biomaterial containing hydroxyapatite, chitosan, xanthan and graphene oxide supplemented with conditioned medium from mesenchymal stem cells.

This study analyzed a recently developed bone substitute biomaterial made of chitosan-xanthanhydroxyapatite-graphene oxide (CXHAG). The CXHAG particles underwent in vitro structural and morphological characterization, and in vivo testing with or without osteogenic conditioned medium from mesenchymal stem cells. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether the CXHAG novel biomaterial, supplemented with conditioned medium from mesenchymal stem cells, could be useful for bone regeneration. Materials and Method: For the in vitro study, cells were incubated with 20mg of CXHAG granules for 24 hours and a MTT assay was performed to tests for cytotoxicity. For the in vivo study, critical size calvarial bone defects were created in twenty-five rats. One animal had the defect unfilled (Control Group-CG) and was euthanized after 42 days. Twelve rats received the CXHAG particles (Group 1-G1) and the other twelve received the CXHAG particles supplemented with the conditioned medium (Group 2-G2). All G1/G2 grafts were covered with a CXHAG membrane. G1/G2 animals were euthanized after 14 days (T1) or 42 days (T2). The specimens were processed and histologically evaluated. Results: SEM analysis of the CXHAG particles showed granules of 300-400μm, with a rough irregular surface. They were not cytotoxic to dental pulp stem cells in vitro. The CG specimen showed loose immature connective tissue and no bone formation at the center of the defect. G1 and G2 presented remnant biomaterial particles at both time points, but only G2 had bone formation at the enter of the defect. Conclusions: The conditioned medium had a positive effect on bone regeneration in rat calvarial critical size defects when associated with the novel bone substitute biomaterial.

Design, synthesis and docking studies of new molecular hybrids bearing benzimidazole and thiazolidine-2,4-dione as potential antitubercular agents

Finding novel therapeutic medications to combat tuberculosis (TB) is crucial, as evidenced by the disease's growth as a worldwide health concern in recent decades and the rise of drug-resistant forms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). In this article, we describe the synthesis and design of a novel class of thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (5a-i) based on 1H-benzo [d]imidazoles as antitubercular drugs. Spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis were used to characterize each of the newly synthesized molecules. The antitubercular activity of all the newly synthesized title compounds was assessed against drug-sensitive Mtb H37Rv, multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB), and extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB) tuberculosis. Compounds 5e and 5 h had the most antitubercular activity among all the newly synthesized hybrids against drug-sensitive, MDR-TB, and XDR-TB strains, with MIC values ranging from 0.21 to 47.84 μM. When it comes to drug-sensitive, drug-resistant, and XDR Mtb strains, compound 5 h with a trifluoromethyl group is 1.71, 10.86, and 3.50 times more potent, whereas compound 5e with a nitro group is 1.12, 8.50, and 2.61 times more active. Remarkably, the compounds' in vitro cytotoxicity test demonstrated good selectivity indices, highlighting their safety on the normal lung fibroblast (WI-38) cell line experiment. To further understand the interactions between potent hybrids and the target enzyme, molecular docking investigations were conducted against the decaprenyl-phosphoryl-ribose 2′-epimerase (DprE1) enzyme. The target protein exhibited preferentially positive interactions with the potent compounds 5e, 5f, 5 h, and 5i. Relationships between structure-activity as well as drug-likeness were used to connect the freshly synthesized compounds' physical and biological properties. When considered collectively, these results suggest that compounds 5e and 5 h might be promising candidates for the development of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB therapies in the future.

Powder mixed micro-electric discharge milling of Ni-rich NiTi SMA: an investigation on machining performance and biocompatibility

ABSTRACT Nickel and titanium (NiTi) based shape memory alloys (SMAs) are novel materials endowed with exceptional super-elasticity, corrosion resistance, and shape memory capabilities, making them well-suited for biomedical and industrial applications. The current study explores the impact of process parameters in powder mixed micro-electrical discharge milling (µ-EDM) on NiTi SMA, focusing on pulse on time (TON), voltage, pulse off time (TOFF), and RPM individually, employing a one factor at a time (OFAT) methodology to analyze surface characteristics, surface roughness (Ra), and material removal rate (MRR). The impact of black phosphorus powder combined with sesame oil (dielectric) on the surface of fabricated channels in commonly used biomaterials was investigated. The cytotoxicity test for biocompatibility was carried out to enhance the cell viability up to 79.89% after machining, which showed enhanced cell viability. The highest MRR the lowest Ra were obtained at the best input factors combination of 24 µs (TON), 6 µs (TOFF), 240 V, and 50 RPM tool rotation. Improved micro-channel quality was observed with lower TON, voltage, and RPM.

Stimuli-Responsive Phosphate Hydrogel: A Study on Swelling Behavior, Mechanical Properties, and Application in Expansion Microscopy.

Phosphorus-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels have potential in a wide range of applications due to their ionizable phosphorus groups, biocompatibility, and tunable swelling capacity utilizing hydrogel design parameters and external stimuli. In this study, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate) (PMOEP) hydrogels were synthesized via aqueous activators regenerated by electron transfer atomic transfer radical polymerization using ascorbic acid as the reducing agent. Swelling and deswelling behaviors of PMOEP hydrogels were examined in different salt solutions, pH conditions, and temperatures. The degree of swelling in salt solutions followed CaCl2 < MgCl2 < KCl < NaCl with a decrease in swelling rate at higher concentrations until reaching a saturation point. In water, the degree of swelling increased significantly around neutral pH and remained constant at basic pH values. The effects of polymerization conditions, including pH, temperature (30, 40, 50 °C), and MOEP concentration (40, 50, 60% v/v MOEP/H2O), on the hydrogel swelling behavior in various salt solutions were also investigated. PMOEP hydrogels showed a decrease in the degree of swelling as the pH was increased above the native pH of the monomer solution. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were utilized to examine the microstructure and chemical composition of the dried hydrogel after salt solution swelling. Cytotoxicity testing using rat bone marrow stem cells confirmed the biocompatibility of the PMOEP hydrogels. A unique feature of this effort was evaluation of these phosphate hydrogels for use in expansion microscopy where a significant twofold enhancement in cellular expansion capacity was showcased utilizing 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the stimuli-responsive behavior and expansion characteristics of phosphate hydrogels, highlighting their potential in diverse biomedical applications.

Synthesis, mechanical characterization, and biocompatibility evaluation of Graphene-TiO2 reinforced alumina for biomedical applications

The study addresses the limited fracture toughness of Al2O3 ceramics by developing graphene-TiO2 reinforced alumina nanocomposites through pressing. Mechanical properties, including hardness, fracture toughness, and elasticity, were examined, alongside the structural characterization via XRD analysis and microstructure evaluation using SEM. Cytotoxicity and cell adhesion tests were conducted for in vitro biological evaluation. The inclusion of a graphene additive led to a nearly threefold increase in fracture toughness, reaching up to 8.161 MPa m1/2. Graphene doping induced a discernible shift to lower angles in the XRD pattern, revealing the presence of Al2O3, Al2TiO5, and TiO2 phases. Samples immersed in artificial body fluid for 14 days exhibited minimal ion release, with Titanium ion below 0.001 mg/L and aluminum ion below 0.05 mg/L, indicating a lack of significant ion release. The cytotoxic activity of the samples against NIH/3T3 cells was assessed through Alamar Blue analysis, revealing no significant change in cell viability after 48 h of exposure.

Multi-factor optimization and interaction analysis for enhanced nanobubble formulation and performance of Dasatinib

The objective of this study was to develop and optimize PLGA nanobubbles as a delivery system for dasatinib. In this study, we developed nanobubbles with a perfluoropentane core and a PLGA outer shell, optimizing their properties using a three-level Box-Behnken design. We thoroughly examined the physical and chemical attributes of dasatinib-loaded nanobubbles, including size, surface charge, and structure, and assessed drug encapsulation and release, as well as investigating cell uptake and antitumor effectiveness. The encapsulation efficiency, particle size, and zeta potential of the nanobubbles varied from 15.12 % to 69.23 %, 96.78 nm–767.72 nm, and −38.56 mV to −12.34 mV, respectively, in 29 trials using a Box-Behnken design. Employing Response Surface Methodology, we optimized the formulation, resulting in an ideal combination: 160.35 mg dasatinib, 500 mg PLGA, 2.0 % w/v PVA, and stirring at 6000 rpm, achieving a high global desirability value of 0.971. These nanobubbles demonstrated an encapsulation efficiency of 80.12 % and a loading capacity of 24.34 %, with a low viscosity of 6.1 cP. Nanobubbles showed notable differences in drug release with and without ultrasound. Under sonication, 59.42 % of dasatinib was released in 6 h compared to 35.34 % without sonication, and after 24 h, 76.89 % was released without ultrasound, while nearly 99.58 % was released with ultrasound. Stability tests at different temperatures showed consistent encapsulation efficiency and particle size, especially at lower temperatures. Safety evaluations indicated no hemolysis, and cellular uptake studies revealed around a 2.5-fold increase in fluorescence intensity in cells exposed to Dasatinib Nanobubbles with ultrasound. Cytotoxicity tests demonstrated enhanced sensitivity, with IC50 values of 86.82 μM for free dasatinib, 63.58 μM for nanobubbles without ultrasound, and 44.58 μM for nanobubbles with ultrasound. The PLGA nanobubbles efficiently encapsulated dasatinib, boosting cellular uptake and cytotoxicity, underscoring their potential for enhanced cancer therapy, particularly with ultrasound.

Effects of gallic acid and quercetin on the structural, thermal, spectroscopic, in vitro biocompatibility and electronic properties of Au-based hydroxyapatite structure

The aim of this study is investigating the structural, thermal, spectroscopic, electronic and biocompatibility properties of the Au-based hydroxyapatites containing quercetin (Q) or gallic acid (GA) at various concentration. Different characterization techniques including; XRD analysis, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, differential thermal analysis, SEM and EDX analysis were utilized. Cell cytotoxicity test was conducted with the cells of MG-63 human bone cancer, hFOB 1.19 human osteoblast and Caco-2 human colon cancer. It has been shown that the utilized samples had no cytotoxic activity on the L-929, hFOB 1.19 and MG-63 cells. However, these samples had cytotoxic activity on Caco-2. The current study showed that the bandgap of the un-doped HAp structure was 4.976 eV. The crystallite size is also affected by Au-doping, type of the as-used biological additive and its amount. Also, the as-produced samples were thermally stable in the range from room temperature to 1000 °C. The particle size distributions of the samples were found at variable ranges. The molar ratios were close to the stoichiometric value of 1.667. These novel findings not only expand our appreciation for the role of dopants in materials science but also opens avenues for deliberate engineering of electronic properties for enhanced performance in various applications.

Synthesis of oleic acid – coated zinc – doped iron boride nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Although various iron-based magnetic materials have been extensively studied in biomedical field for many years, iron boride compounds with interesting chemical and magnetic properties are relatively less explored, and their potential applications are not as widely known. In this study, the synthesis, coating, surface modification, and cytotoxicity tests of the Fe–Zn–B system were presented. Iron boride-based nanoparticles (NPs) containing elemental zinc (Zn) were developed by using a direct chemical synthesis of FeCl3, ZnCl2 and NaBH4, and investigated for potential use in biomedical applications. Powders having the phases of pure FeB with small amount of elemental Zn were obtained with a uniform morphology and an average particle size of 68 nm. The NPs were then coated with oleic acid (OA) and surface modified with sodium tricitrate, to increase their stability and biocompatibility, and well-dispersed NPs were obtained with sizes below 30 nm. TEM investigations revealed the presence of hybrid clusters with nanoparticle – OA structures, indicating that FeB nanoparticles were stabilized by being embedded in OA clusters, forming both agglomerated sub-micron and free nano-sized structures. Obtained NPs showed ferromagnetic property, with a saturation magnetization of 25.9 emu/g and a low coercivity of 90 Oe. As a result of testing different types of healthy and cancer cell lines with NPs, Zn-doped-FeB@OA NPs exhibited a high biocompatibility. Results suggested that highly biocompatible and magnetic OA-coated Zn-doped FeB particles can be potential candidates for biomedical applications such as medical imaging or drug delivery systems.

Enhancement of Cinnamomum camphora magnetic nanoparticle bioactivities via carboxymethyl cellulose immobilization for potential therapeutic applications in cancer treatment

A promising method for cancer therapy is the coating of magnetic nanoparticles with carboxy methylcellulose. In a research project, hydroalcoholic extract of Cinnamomum camphora leaves was used to demonstrate the production of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs); MNPs were coated with carboxymethyl cellulose to form carboxymethyl cellulose-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CMNPs)were formed. Preliminary phytochemical screening of C. camphora confirmed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, and proteins. Phenolics 280.59 (mg/g), flavonoids 15.46 (mg/g), proteins 1.9 (mg/mL) and total carbohydrates 293.80 (mg/g) were all quantified. To confirm the formation of MNPs and CMNPs, UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used. Peaks were observed at 232 nm and 240 nm, respectively. The largest absorption peaks were observed in MNPs and CMNPs, respectively. The particles were spherical in shape and less than 10 (nm) in diameter. The potential scavenging activity of biosynthesized MNPs and CMNPs was evaluated by the ABTS and DPPH assays, and the inhibition values IC50 were 141.3 ± 3.0 and 61.67 ± 2.5 (µg/mL) for ABTS and 176.1 ± 4.0 and 70.92 ± 3.0 (µg/mL) for DPPH, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the cytotoxicity test results showed that the HCT-116 human colon cancer cell line had the lowest IC50 value of 20 (µg/mL) for CMNP, followed by the HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line with an IC50 value of 33 (µg/mL) for CMNP, indicating that the cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells is stronger than on liver cancer cells. Molecular docking studies have revealed that CMNPs target and bind to apoptotic protein, enhancing their bioactivity and cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the induction of apoptosis may be responsible for the anticancer effects of CMNPs.Graphical abstract