Significant Cytotoxicity Research Articles

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis of ophiobolins sesterterpenoids and bioactive analogs from Bipolaris eleusines

In order to elucidate the mass fragmentation patterns and unveil more undescribed ophiobolin analogs, the mass fragmentation patterns of ophiobolins were analyzed based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS experiments. Different kinds of rearrangements (including McLafferty rearrangement) were the main cleavage patterns. Twenty-six (9–31) analogs were then tentatively characterized based on their mass analysis, and three undescribed ophiobolins (6–8) and a known analogue (5) were isolated in target. Compound 5 possesses a rare polycyclic carbon skeleton only recently reported, and compound 6 contains an undescribed lactone ring system fused with A/B ring at C-3/C-21, whereas compounds 7 and 8 have a peroxyl group in the side chain, which is the first reported in all ophiobolins. Compounds 5 and 7 displayed significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cancer cells.

Structural and functional characterization of gamma-irradiation-enhanced nanocomposites for colorectal cancer therapy

The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a nanocomposite material for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The nanocomposite consisted of manganese-doped silver nanoparticles coated with silica (Si-Ag: Mn3O4). The nanocomposite was synthesized by co-precipitating silver and manganese oxide, followed by a silica coating using the Stöber method. Extensive characterization was conducted to assess the morphological, optical, and stability properties. The key findings of this study are the Si-Ag: Mn3O4 nanocomposite exhibited unexpected and potent cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cells, exceeding the effects of the positive control, cisplatin. The silica coating increased the Ag: Mn ratio, further enhancing the efficacy of the nanocomposite in cancer treatment; the nanocomposite maintained cellular mobility without agglomeration or sedimentation, indicating its potential for targeted tumor destruction; and gamma irradiation of the nanocomposite further increased its cytotoxic effects on colorectal cancer cells. In conclusion, the unique combination of silver, manganese oxide, and silica in this nanocomposite framework shows great promise for advanced applications in selective cancer therapy. The nanocomposite demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, particularly at a gamma dose of 5.256 kGy. The results of this study open new perspectives in biological research, cancer treatment, and nanomedicine.

Anti-Warburg Mechanism of Ginsenoside F2 in Human Cervical Cancer Cells via Activation of miR193a-5p and Inhibition of β-Catenin/c-Myc/Hexokinase 2 Signaling Axis.

Though Ginsenoside F2 (GF2), a protopanaxadiol saponin from Panax ginseng, is known to have an anticancer effect, its underlying mechanism still remains unclear. In our model, the anti-glycolytic mechanism of GF2 was investigated in human cervical cancer cells in association with miR193a-5p and the β-catenin/c-Myc/Hexokinase 2 (HK2) signaling axis. Here, GF2 exerted significant cytotoxicity and antiproliferation activity, increased sub-G1, and attenuated the expression of pro-Poly (ADPribose) polymerase (pro-PARP) and pro-cysteine aspartyl-specific protease (procaspase3) in HeLa and SiHa cells. Consistently, GF2 attenuated the expression of Wnt, β-catenin, and c-Myc and their downstream target genes such as HK2, pyruvate kinase isozymes M2 (PKM2), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), along with a decreased production of glucose and lactate in HeLa and SiHa cells. Moreover, GF2 suppressed β-catenin and c-Myc stability in the presence and absence of cycloheximide in HeLa cells, respectively. Additionally, the depletion of β-catenin reduced the expression of c-Myc and HK2 in HeLa cells, while pyruvate treatment reversed the ability of GF2 to inhibit β-catenin, c-Myc, and PKM2 in GF2-treated HeLa cells. Notably, GF2 upregulated the expression of microRNA139a-5p (miR139a-5p) in HeLa cells. Consistently, the miR139a-5p mimic enhanced the suppression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and HK2, while the miR193a-5p inhibitor reversed the ability of GF2 to attenuate the expression of β-catenin, c-Myc, and HK2 in HeLa cells. Overall, these findings suggest that GF2 induces apoptosis via the activation of miR193a-5p and the inhibition of β-catenin/c-Myc/HK signaling in cervical cancer cells.

Fungal Enzyme-Responsive Hydrogel Drug Delivery Platform for Triggered Antifungal Release.

Fungal infections can lead to debilitating consequences if they are not treated effectively. Antifungal drugs used to treat these infections can be toxic and overuse contributes to growing antifungal resistance. Candida spp., particularly C. albicans, are implicated in a majority of these infections. Virulent C. albicans produce secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) that aid in pathogen tissue invasion and proliferation at an infected site. Here, fungi-responsive hydrogels are developed that degrade in the presence of Saps to provide a triggered release of encapsulated liposomal antifungals. The hydrogel backbone incorporates a Sap-cleavable peptide sequence enabling Sap-responsive degradation. Hydrogels are found to effectively degrade in the presence of Saps extracted from C. albicans. Encapsulated liposomal antifungals show similar release kinetics as hydrogel degradation products in the presence of Saps, supporting a degradation-dependent release mechanism. Antifungal liposome-loaded responsive hydrogels exhibit successful eradication of C. albicans cultures and remain stable in sterile murine wound fluid. Finally, no significant cytotoxicity is observed for murine fibroblast cells and red blood cells exposed to hydrogel degradation products. These fungi-responsive hydrogels have the potential to be used for local, on-demand delivery of antifungal drugs, for effective treatment of fungal infections while helping to limit unnecessary exposure to thesetherapeutics.

A novel zingerone-loaded zinc MOF coated by niosome nanocomposites to enhance antimicrobial properties and apoptosis in breast cancer cells

Breast cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignancy among women, presenting significant health risks. The development of targeted smart drug delivery has greatly enhanced tumor therapy and antibacterial treatments. In this study, we fabricated a novel Zn-metal organic framework (Zn-MOF) at the nanoscale using an oil bath technique and loaded it with zingerone (ZG) and coated with niosomes (Nio) to form ZG-Zn-MOF@Nio, designed for both anti-microbial and anticancer purposes. We investigated the anti-microbial activity by assessing the minimum inhibitory concentration and zone of inhibition by zingerone, Zn-MOF, and ZG-Zn-MOF@Nio. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the synthesized ZG-Zn-MOF@Nio exhibited well-defined rod and cilia-like morphology. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed ZG-Zn-MOF@Nio nanoparticles (NPs) with a spherical-like shape and an average diameter of 0.34 µm and a zeta potential of (+22 mV). The encapsulation efficiency of zingerone into Zn-MOF was up to 92.56 %, with a loading capacity of 11.55 % (*P<0.05). Four kinetic models were used to analyze the release mechanism of zingerone at pH 6.5, with the zero-order model showing an excellent fit (R2 = 0.9985, *P<0.05). Additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentration of synthesized zingerone, Zn-MOF, and ZG-Zn-MOF@Nio NPs were tested against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aures), as well as the gram-negative strains Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In vitro test revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of ZG-Zn-MOF@Nio was 31.25 μg/mL against S. aures and B. subtilis, and 62.5 μg/mL against P. aeruginosa and E.coli were. The MCF-7 cell line was utilized as in-vitro model. The MTT assay demonstrated significant cytotoxicity of ZG-Zn-MOF@Nio against MCF-7 cells, with an IC50 values of 46.2 µg/mL, inducing apoptosis in 94.8 % of the cells.

Investigating the Anticancer Effects of Pleurotus ostreatus Polysaccharide on G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite the advancement of cancer treatment by various means including surgery, chemotherapy etc, cancer is still a challenging disease to manage. This study was undertaken to investigate extraction, purification, structural elucidation, and the potential anti-cancer effects of Pleurotus ostreatus polysaccharide (POP). The anti-cancer activities were performed on the Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cell Line. The results demonstrated that the MW of POP was154649.8 Da with homopolysaccharide composed of D-glucose units, featuring (1→6)-α-D-Glcp backbone with O-6 branches and T-α-D-Glcp terminations. and the yield was 6.27 %. The antitumor activity assessment demonstrated significant cytotoxicity of POP against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells, with an IC50 of 121.801 μg mL, supported by LDH release analysis. POP inhibited cell migration, invasion, and colony formation, indicating its potential as an anti-cancer agent. POP elicited the apoptotic activity with the upregulation of Caspase-9 and Bax, and downregulation of Bcl-2. The DNA fragmentation assay further confirmed apoptosis-mediated DNA degradations. Additionally, POP-induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, by altering the expression of p53, Cyclin D, and Cdk4 proteins. So, Pleurotus ostreatus polysaccharide (POP) showed significant cytotoxicity on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma cells, indicating potential as an anti-cancer agent.

Visible-Light-Induced Diselenide-Crosslinked Polymeric Micelles for ROS-Triggered Drug Delivery.

To synthesize an effective and versatile nano-platform serving as a promising carrier for controlled drug delivery, visible-light-induced diselenide-crosslinked polyurethane micelles were designed and prepared for ROS-triggered on-demand doxorubicin (DOX) release. A rationally designed amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(diselenolane diol-co-isophorone diisocyanate)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-b-PUSe-b-PEG), which incorporates dangling diselenolane groups within the hydrophobic PU segments, was initially synthesized through the polycondensation reaction. In aqueous media, this type of amphiphilic block copolymer can self-assemble into micellar aggregates and encapsulate DOX within the micellar core, forming DOX-loaded micelles that are subsequently in situ core-crosslinked by diselenides via a visible-light-triggered metathesis reaction of Se-Se bonds. Compared with the non-crosslinked micelles (NCLMs), the as-prepared diselenide-crosslinked micelles (CLMs) exhibited a smaller particle size and improved colloidal stability. In vitro release studies have demonstrated suppressed drug release behavior for CLMs in physiological conditions, as compared to the NCLMs, whereas a burst release of DOX occurred upon exposure to an oxidation environment. Moreover, MTT assay results have revealed that the crosslinked polyurethane micelles displayed no significant cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells. Cellular uptake analyses have suggested the effective internalization of DOX-loaded crosslinked micelles and DOX release within cancer cells. These findings suggest that this kind of ROS-triggered reversibly crosslinked polyurethane micelles hold significant potential as a ROS-responsive drug delivery system.

Two New Phenylpropanoids and a Polyphenol with Anti-Cervical Cancer Activity from Smilax china L.

Two novel phenylpropanoids (compounds 1 and 2) and 11 known compounds were isolated from Smilax china L. Their structures were determined by NMR (1D and 2D) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Further, the cytotoxic activity of all the isolated compounds against HeLa, 4T1, and U251 tumor cells was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 assay, revealing that compound 13 showed significant cytotoxicity toward HeLa cells. Further investigations explored the impact of compound 13 on the mitochondrial membrane potential, concentration of reactive oxygen species, wound-healing distance, and cell cycle of HeLa cells. Notably, compound 13 significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, suppressed cell migration, and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in HeLa cells. Furthermore, compound 13 inhibited HeLa cell-cycle progression in the S phase. These findings indicate that compound 13 is a potential drug lead for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Biological and phytochemical analysis of fractionated extracts of Ziziphus nummularia against pathogenic bacteria, oxidative stress and cytotoxicity

In modern medicine, synthetic drugs are predominant, yet they often pose health hazards. So, there is a need to find natural alternatives. Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. F.) Wight &amp; Arn., belongs to family Rhamnaceae, is well known for its traditional value such as its fruits have been used as natural appetizer and orally consumed around the world. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and bioactivity of crude and fractionated extracts from the stem bark of Ziziphus nummularia. Crude extracts were prepared using cold maceration, followed by partitioning based on polarity into n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions. These extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis and evaluated for antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. The crude methanolic extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 136.49 μg/mL in DPPH and 78.9 μg/mL in ABTS assays. Antibacterial tests using the agar well diffusion method revealed that the methanolic extract, ethyl acetate, and chloroform fractions demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and S. epidermidis, with inhibition zones ranging from 0 to 8.43 ± 0.23 mm at 400 mg/mL. The brine shrimp lethality assay indicated significant cytotoxicity in the methanolic, ethyl acetate, and chloroform extracts, compared to the negligible effect of the n-hexane fraction. These findings highlight the potential of Z. nummularia as a source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic applications against infectious diseases, toxins, and oxidative stress. Further isolation of pure compounds and animal trials are recommended to explore its potential in drug discovery.

Application and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Fe-MIL-101 Nanozyme in Milk.

In this study, we used Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme to convert lactose into lactitol, and it was proved that Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme has lactase-like activity. Due to the potential health effects of nanomaterials, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme. To reduce the potential toxicity of the nanozyme, we applied centrifugation and membrane filtration. When the membrane aperture size was 100nm, the residual content of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme was 14.09μg/mL. The residual content of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme was reduced by optimizing time, temperature, and Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme-to-substrate ratio. It was showed that the concentration of Fe was 38.47mg/kg and the concentration of H2BDC was 0mg/kg under optimized conditions (110℃, 2h of reaction and the ratio of Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme to substrate is 1:20). The result met the national standard of China. Experiments measuring cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cell membrane damage revealed that less than 20μg/mL Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme had no significant cytotoxicity. Our study findings showed that Fe-MIL-101 nanozyme reduced lactose content in milk.

Goat lactoferrin–pterostilbene complexes as novel edible functional proteins with enhanced ultraviolet stabilization and antioxidant properties

The use of polyphenols for enhancing protein function in the food industry is limited by their low bioavailability and stability. In this study, we developed complexes of the polyphenol pterostilbene (PTE) and goat lactoferrin (GLF) with the aim of developing a nutritionally enhanced food base with improved functional properties. Specifically, we investigated the binding affinity, structure, and functional modifications of PTE encapsulated with GLF. Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed notable changes in GLF, characterized by reduced fluorescence intensity and a blue shift in the emission peak, following interaction with varying concentrations of PTE. Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy demonstrated a decrease in β-sheet content and an increase in β-turn structure with increasing PTE level. These structural alterations were furthered confirmed through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, GLF–PTE complexes exhibited improved surface hydrophobicity, foaming capability, and emulsifying activity properties. Importantly, GLF maintained the antioxidant capacity of PTE under UV light irradiation and improved the bioaccessibility of PTE according to in-vitro intestinal digestion simulation assays. Furthermore, the GLF–PTE complexes showed no significant cytotoxicity to mouse fibroblast-like, goat mammary epithelial, or human kidney epithelial cells. This study elucidates the interaction mechanisms between GLF and PTE and supports the potential application of GLF–PTE complexes in food systems owing to their enhanced functional properties and bioactivity.

Oxazine drug-seed induces paraptosis and apoptosis through reactive oxygen species/JNK pathway in human breast cancer cells

Small molecule-driven JNK activation has been found to induce apoptosis and paraptosis in cancer cells. Herein pharmacological effects of synthetic oxazine (4aS, 7aS)-3-((4-(4‑chloro-2-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)-4-phenyl-4, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[e] [1,2]oxazine (FPPO; BSO-07) on JNK-driven apoptosis and paraptosis has been demonstrated in human breast cancer (BC) MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 cells respectively. BSO-07 imparted significant cytotoxicity in BC cells, induced activation of JNK, and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. It also enhanced the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins like PARP, Bax, and phosphorylated p53, while decreasing the levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Survivin. Furthermore, the drug altered the expression of proteins linked to paraptosis, such as ATF4 and CHOP. Treatment with N-acetyl-cysteine (antioxidant) or SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) partly reversed the effects of BSO-07 on apoptosis and paraptosis. Advanced in silico bioinformatics, cheminformatics, density Fourier transform and molecular electrostatic potential analysis further demonstrated that BSO-07 induced apoptosis and paraptosis via the ROS/JNK pathway in human BC cells.

Secondary metabolites from marine fungus Penicillium chrysogenum VH17 and their antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential.

One new compound, methyl 3-((1-((2-carbamoylphenyl)amino)-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-3-oxopropanoate (1), along with 9 known secondary metabolites (2-10) were isolated and elucidated chemical structures from the methanol extract of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium chrysogenum VH17. Subsequent bioassays showed the antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of the isolated compounds. All compounds 1-10 displayed antimicrobial effects against at least one tested reference microorganism with MIC values ranging from 32 to 256µg mL-1. Furthermore, compound 4 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines, HepG2, A549, and MCF7 with IC50 values of 29.43±1.37, 33.02±1.53, and 36.72±1.88 µM, respectively, whereas compound 3 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against MCF7 and HepG2 cell lines with IC50 values of 87.17±6.31 and 97.32±5.66 µM, respectively.

Characterization and biological activity evaluation of water-soluble resveratrol complexes obtained by spray drying, ball milling and jet milling

To increase the water solubility of resveratrol (RES) and explore the possibility of solid-phase preparation technology as an alternative to traditional spray drying technology. In this study, herein, three resveratrol-stevia glycoside-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (RES-STE-HP-β-CD) complexes were prepared by jet milling, ball milling and spray drying. The three complexes were subjected to saturation solubility determination, characterization (SEM, XRD, FT-IR and 1H NMR), antioxidant activity evaluation and in vitro cytotoxicity assay. The results demonstrated that RES was successfully complexed with STE and HP-β-CD, and the crystalline state of RES was changed after the complexation. The water solubility of RES increased about 30 times, and the saturated solubility of the complexes prepared by jet milling reached the highest of 993.32 μg/mL. Meanwhile, RES could interact with STE through hydrogen bonding, and also could be probably inserted into the cavities of HP-β-CD. Moreover, the complexes prepared by different methods possessed good antioxidant activity and did not exhibit significant cytotoxicity. In conclusion, STE&HP-β-CD can effectively solubilize RES, and solid-phase preparation technologies (e.g., jet milling) have the potential to prepare water-soluble complexes. The complex powders can be used as raw materials for nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals.

Fe-doped herbal medicine-based carbon dots nanozyme as safe and effective antimicrobial and wound healing agent

Bacterial infections pose a serious worldwide public health concern and play an important role in slowing or dramatically delaying wound healing. However, traditional antibiotics are faced with obstacles such as bacterial resistance and unsatisfactory biocompatibility, which has impeded further clinical translation. In recent years, antimicrobial nanomaterials have emerged as viable alternatives for combating bacterial infections, and carbon dots (CDs) have received particularly widespread attention due to their superior characteristics. In this work, a simple and eco-friendly one-step hydrothermal method was employed using the natural herbal medicine Eucommia ulmoides as a biomass carbon source to synthesize an Fe-doped CDs nanozyme (Fe-CDs) with good peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity, high biocompatibility, and strong antimicrobial activity for safe and effective antimicrobial therapy and the promotion of wound healing. L929 cells co-cultured with Fe-CDs did not show significant cytotoxicity and favored cell proliferation at appropriate concentrations. In addition, Fe-CDs catalyzed the decomposition of low-concentration H2O2 to ·OH, leading to enhanced antimicrobial activity. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that Fe-CDs exhibit potent antibacterial properties, the ability to promote cell migration and angiogenesis, and significant potential for promoting the healing of infected wounds. In summary, a green and safe antimicrobial nanozyme based on a biomass herbal medicine was developed in this work, offering promising insight into the development of novel antimicrobial materials and tissue regeneration engineering.

A multi-component paclitaxel −loaded β-elemene nanoemulsion by transferrin modification enhances anti-non-small-cell lung cancer treatment

A multi-component paclitaxel (PTX) −loaded β-elemene nanoemulsion by transferrin modification (Tf-PE-MEs) was developed to enhance non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. After transferrin modification, the particle size of Tf-PE-MEs was (14.87 ± 1.84) nm, and the zeta potential was (−10.19 ± 0.870) mV, respectively. In vitro experiments showed that Tf-PE-MEs induced massive apoptosis in A549 cells, indicating that it had significant cytotoxicity to A549 cells. Through transferrin modification, Tf-PE-MEs accumulated at the tumor site efficiently with overexpressed transferrin receptor (TfR) on the surface of A549 cells. This will allow increasing PTX and β-elemene concentration in the target cells, enhancing the therapeutic effect. Compared to PTX alone, Tf-PE-MEs displayed good anti-tumor efficacy and diminished systemic toxicity in vivo studies. With favourable therapeutic potential, this study provides a new strategy for the combined anticancer treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Cisplatin-induced pyroptosis: a double-edged sword in cancer treatment

Abstract Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide and a serious threat to human health. Cisplatin, a widely used first-line chemotherapeutic agent for various solid tumors, is renowned for its efficacy but is limited by significant cytotoxicity. Cisplatin triggers pyroptosis in tumor cells by activating Gasdermin proteins, thereby enhancing its anticancer efficacy. However, this same mechanism can induce pyroptosis in normal cells, causing inflammation and toxicity in healthy tissues, such as nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The objective of this review is to identify the major molecular targets for optimizing the cisplatin treatment window by summarizing recent advances in the pyroptosis caused by cisplatin in different cancer types and normal tissues. Among them, gasdermin D and gasdermin E are the main molecular targets involved in cisplatin-induced pyroptosis, and GSDMB also has similar effects. Future research directions include exploring targeted drug delivery systems and target regulating GSDMs (gasdermin protein family) to selectively modulate pyroptosis, thereby maximizing cisplatin’s anticancer effects while minimizing its side effects. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of cisplatin-induced pyroptosis, offering new insights into therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment.

Polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from the pericarps of Garcinia multiflora champ. ex Benth. with cytotoxic property

The phytochemical investigation on the pericarps of Garcinia multiflora resulted in the isolation of 12 previously undescribed polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs, 1–12) with a variety of skeletons. Their structures were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, ECD calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 6–9 possess a rare bicyclo[4.3.1]decane skeleton. Additionally, the anti-tumor activity of the 12 isolates was evaluated. The results indicated that compounds 5, 9, and 12 exhibited significant cytotoxicity in a wide range of cancer cell lines, including the human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, human lung cancer A549 cells, human colon cancer SW480 cells and human ovarian cancer HEY cells. Further studies indicated that compound 5 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, to inhibit the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, these findings expand the chemical diversity of PPAPs and further demonstrate the potential of PPAPs as candidates for cancer treatment.

Chemical Composition of Anabasis articulata, and Biological Activity of Greenly Synthesized Zinc Oxide Composite Nanoparticles (Zn-NPs): Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Larvicidal Activities

The synthesis of nanoparticles utilizing green techniques is becoming increasingly important due to its low cost, biocompatibility, high productivity, and eco-friendliness. Herein, the current work focused on the biosynthesis, characterization, and biological applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) from Anabasis articulata, including antioxidant anticancer and larvicidal properties, as well as modifications to the phytochemical ingredients. Hence, the tannin, phenolic, and flavonoid concentrations of the produced nanoparticle samples were lower than those of the original aqueous extract. When compared to the results of ascorbic acid (12.78 mg/mL), the produced extract of A. articulata and its zinc nanoparticles showed remarkable efficacy as antioxidant agents with IC50 values of 27.48 and 69.53 mg/mL, respectively. A normal lung fibroblast cell line (WI-38) and three tumor cells were used to test the compounds’ anticancer properties. With an IC50 of 21.19 µg/mL, the ZnO-NPs of A. articulata showed the greatest cytotoxicity against HePG-2 cell lines. Additionally, A. articulata zinc nanoparticles showed significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and PC3 tumor cell lines, with IC50 values of 30.91 and 49.32 µg/mL. The biogenic ZnO-NPs had LC50 and LC90 values of 13.64 and 26.23 mg/L, respectively, and are very effective against Aedes aegypti larval instar (III). Additionally, the percentages of larval mortality increased from 28.61% at 5 ppm to 84.69% at 25 ppm after 24 h post-treatment. The overall results of this study point to the potential of A. articulata as a substitute biological agent for potential therapeutic/leutic uses in the medical domains and for preventing the proliferation of malarial vector insects.

Sol-gel synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles and their evaluation as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Aim: We synthesized MgO NPs via sol-gel reaction and investigated them as carriers to deliver Mg2+ to the affected joint for osteoarthritis (OA).Materials & methods: The physicochemical properties of samples were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The release of Mg2+ was monitored by ICP-MS. The potential cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. The efficacy and biosafety were evaluated in a rabbit OA model.Results: MgO NPs can prolong the Mg2+ release time from 0.5 h to 12 h. No significant cytotoxicity was observed when concentrations below 250μg/ml. Intra-articular samples could effectively alleviate the degeneration and destruction of the cartilage.Conclusion: this study demonstrates the potential of MgO NPs as a safe and effective treatment of OA. Simultaneously, the size of the particles may play a significant role in influencing the therapeutic outcome.