The therapeutic potential of γ-Al2O3 nanoparticle containing 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is being used in the treatment of several malignancies, but side effects are often reported and include: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, poor appetite, watery eyes, and photophobia. We have developed and tested the cytotoxic activity of nanocrystalline powder of γ-alumina (γ-Al2O3) containing 5-FU in two-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) CRC cell culture. γ-Al2O3 was prepared using a facile sol-gel method. The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDXA). Moreover, the particle size was monitored by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). We used MTT and a scratch assay to assess the antiproliferative and anti-migratory of this agent. The effect of γ-Al2O3-5-FU on SOD, MDA, and total-thiols levels were evaluated. We assessed the expression of apoptotic markers in mRNA or proteins by RT-PCR and ELISA respectively. γ-Al2O3-5-FU inhibited cell growth in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture and increased apoptosis as detected by DAPI stainning via modulation of caspases, BAx, BCl2 and cyclinD1. γ-Al2O3-5-FU also reduced the migratory activity of CRC cells relative to untreated controls. γ-Al2O3-5-FU increased the level of MDA, while reducing the level of SOD and total-thiols as well as inflamatory markers (e.g., TNF-s and IL-6). Our study demonstrated that γ-Al2O3-5-FU inhibited cell growth and migration, indicating its potential value in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Early-stage cervical cancer diagnosis based on an ultra-sensitive electrochemical DNA nanobiosensor for HPV-18 detection in real samples.

BACKGROUND: In several years ago, infection with human papillomaviruses (HPVs), have been prevalent in the worlds especially HPV type 18, can lead to cervical cancer. Therefore, rapid, accurate, and early diagnosis of HPV for successful treatment is essential. The present study describes the development of a selective and sensitive electrochemical biosensor base on DNA, for early detection of HPV-18. For this purpose, a nanocomposite of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were electrodeposited on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). Then, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were dropped on a modified SPCE. Subsequently, single strand DNA (ssDNA) probe was immobilized on the modified electrode. The link attached between AuNPs and probe ssDNA provided by L-cysteine via functionalizing AuNPs (Cys-AuNPs). The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) assay was also used to electrochemical measurement. The measurement was based on the oxidation signals of anthraquninone-2-sulfonic acid monohydrate sodium salt (AQMS) before and after hybridization between the probe and target DNA. RESULTS: The calibration curve showed a linear range between 0.01 fM to 0.01 nM with a limit of detection 0.05 fM. The results showed that the optimum concentration for DNA probe was 5 µM. The good performance of the proposed biosensor was achieved through hybridization of DNA probe-modified SPCE with extracted DNA from clinical samples. CONCLUSIONS: According to the investigated results, this biosensor can be introduced as a proprietary, accurate, sensitive, and rapid diagnostic method of HPV 18 in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of real samples.

Facile and greener hydrothermal honey-based synthesis of Fe3 O 4 /Au core/shell nanoparticles for drug delivery applications.

In the present research, we report a greener, faster, and low-cost synthesis of gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3 O4 /Au-NPs) by different ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 molar ratio) of iron oxide and gold with natural honey (0.5% w/v) under hydrothermal conditions for 20 minutes. Honey was used as the reducing and stabilizing agent, respectively. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The XRD analysis indicated the presence of Fe3 O4 /Au-NPs, while the TEM images showed the formation of Fe3 O4 /Au-NPs with diameter range between 3.49 nm and 4.11 nm. The VSM study demonstrated that the magnetic properties were decreased in the Fe3 O4 /Au-NPs compared with the Fe3 O4 -NPs. The cytotoxicity threshold of Fe3 O4 /Au-NPs in the WEHI164 cells was determined by using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. It was demonstrated no significant toxicity in higher concentration up to 140.0 ppm which can become the main candidates for biological and biomedical applications, such as drug delivery.

Ultrasmall superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: honey-based green and facile synthesis and in vitro viability assay.

INTRODUCTION: In the present research, we report a quick and green synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) in aqueous solution using ferric and ferrous chloride, with different percentages of natural honey (0.5%, 1.0%, 3.0% and 5.0% w/v) as the precursors, stabilizer, reducing and capping agent, respectively. The effect of the stabilizer on the magnetic properties and size of Fe3O4-NPs was also studied. METHODS: The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS: The XRD analysis indicated the presence of pure Fe3O4-NPs while the TEM images indicated that the Fe3O4-NPs are spherical with a diameter range between 3.21 and 2.22 nm. The VSM study demonstrated that the magnetic properties were enhanced with the decrease in the percentage of honey. In vitro viability evaluation of Fe3O4-NPs performed by using the MTT assay on the WEHI164 cells demonstrated no significant toxicity in higher concentration up to 140.0 ppm, which allows them to be used in some biological applications such as drug delivery. CONCLUSION: The presented synthesis method can be used for the controlled synthesis of Fe3O4-NPs, which could be found to be important in applications in biotechnology, biosensor and biomedicine, magnetic resonance imaging and catalysis.

Advancements in electrochemical DNA sensor for detection of human papilloma virus - A review.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease, transmitted through intimate skin contact or mucosal membrane. The HPV virus consists of a double-stranded circular DNA and the role of HPV virus in cervical cancer has been studied extensively. Thus it is critical to develop rapid identification method for early detection of the virus. A portable biosensing device could give rapid and reliable results for the identification and quantitative determination of the virus. The fabrication of electrochemical biosensors is one of the current techniques utilized to achieve this aim. In such electrochemical biosensors, a single-strand DNA is immobilized onto an electrically conducting surface and the changes in electrical parameters due to the hybridization on the electrode surface are measured. This review covers the recent developments in electrochemical DNA biosensors for the detection of HPV virus. Due to the several advantages of electrochemical DNA biosensors, their applications have witnessed an increased interest and research focus nowadays.