The Potential of Dutasteride for Treating Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris Infection.

Novel antifungal drugs are urgently needed to treat candidiasis caused by the emerging fungal multidrug-resistant pathogen Candida auris. In this study, the most cost-effective drug repurposing technology was adopted to identify an appropriate option among the 1615 clinically approved drugs with anti-C. auris activity. High-throughput virtual screening of 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferase inhibitors was conducted, followed by an analysis of the stability of 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferase drug complexes and 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferase-dutasteride metabolite interactions and the confirmation of their activity in biofilm formation and planktonic growth. The analysis identified dutasteride, a drug with no prior antifungal indications, as a potential medication for anti-auris activity in seven clinical C. auris isolates from Saudi Arabian patients. Dutasteride was effective at inhibiting biofilm formation by C. auris while also causing a significant reduction in planktonic growth. Dutasteride treatment resulted in disruption of the cell membrane, the lysis of cells, and crushed surfaces on C. auris, and significant (p-value = 0.0057) shrinkage in the length of C. auris was noted at 100,000×. In conclusion, the use of repurposed dutasteride with anti-C. auris potential can enable rapid recovery in patients with difficult-to-treat candidiasis caused by C. auris and reduce the transmission of nosocomial infection.

Optically active organic and inorganic nanomaterials for biological imaging applications: A review.

Recent advancements in the field of nanotechnology have enabled targeted delivery of drug agents in vivo with minimal side effects. The use of nanoparticles for bio-imaging has revolutionized the field of nanomedicine by enabling non-invasive targeting and selective delivery of active drug moieties in vivo. Various inorganic nanomaterials like mesoporous silica nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, magnetite nanoparticles graphene-based nanomaterials etc., have been created for multimodal therapies with varied multi-imaging modalities. These nanomaterials enable us to overcome the disadvantages of conventional imaging contrast agents (organic dyes) such as lack of stability in vitro and in vivo, high reactivity, low-quantum yield and poor photo stability. Inorganic nanomaterials can be easily fabricated, functionalised and modified as per requirements. Recently, advancements in synthesis techniques, such as the ability to generate molecules and construct supramolecular structures for specific functionalities, have boosted the usage of engineered nanomaterials. Their intrinsic physicochemical properties are unique and they possess excellent biocompatibility. Inorganic nanomaterial research has developed as the most actively booming research fields in biotechnology and biomedicine. Inorganic nanomaterials like gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, graphene-based nanomaterials and quantum dots have shown excellent use in bioimaging, targeted drug delivery and cancer therapies. Biocompatibility of nanomaterials is an important aspect for the evolution of nanomaterials in the bench to bedside transition. The conduction of thorough and meticulous study for safety and efficacy in well-designed clinical trials is absolutely necessary to determine the functional and structural relationship between the engineered nanomaterial and its toxicity. In this article an attempt is made to throw some light on the current scenario and developments made in the field of nanomaterials in bioimaging.

Nanomaterials in anticancer applications and their mechanism of action - A review.

The current challenges in cancer treatment using conventional therapies have made the emergence of nanotechnology with more advancements. The exponential growth of nanoscience has drawn to develop nanomaterials (NMs) with therapeutic activities. NMs have enormous potential in cancer treatment by altering the drug toxicity profile. Nanoparticles (NPs) with enhanced surface characteristics can diffuse more easily inside tumor cells, thus delivering an optimal concentration of drugs at tumor site while reducing the toxicity. Cancer cells can be targeted with greater affinity by utilizing NMs with tumor specific constituents. Furthermore, it bypasses the bottlenecks of indiscriminate biodistribution of the antitumor agent and high administration dosage. Here, we focus on the recent advances on the use of various nanomaterials for cancer treatment, including targeting cancer cell surfaces, tumor microenvironment (TME), organelles, and their mechanism of action. The paradigm shift in cancer management is achieved through the implementation of anticancer drug delivery using nano routes.

The impact of engineered nanomaterials on the environment: Release mechanism, toxicity, transformation, and remediation.

The presence and longevity of nanomaterials in the ecosystem, as well as their properties, account for environmental toxicity. When nanomaterials in terrestrial and aquatic systems are exposed to the prevailing environmental conditions, they undergo various transformations such as dissociation, dissolution, and aggregation, which affects the food chain. The toxicity of nanomaterials is influenced by a variety of factors, including environmental factors and its physico-chemical characteristics. Bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and biomagnification are the mechanisms that have been identified for determining the fate of nanomaterials. The route taken by nanomaterials to reach living cells provides us with information about their toxicity profile. This review discusses the recent advances in the transport, transformation, and fate of nanomaterials after they are released into the environment. The review also discusses how nanoparticles affect lower trophic organisms through direct contact, the impact of nanoparticles on higher trophic organisms, and the possible options for remediation.

Utilization of Carica papaya latex on coating of SPIONs for dye removal and drug delivery.

Latex, a milky substance found in a variety of plants which is a natural source of biologically active compounds. In this study, Latex was collected from raw Carica papaya and was characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR and GC-MS analyses. Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) were synthesized, coated with C. papaya latex (PL-Sp) and characterized using UV-Vis, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, XRD, VSM and Zeta potential analyses. SPIONs and latex coated SPIONs (PL-Sp) were used in batch adsorption study for effective removal of Methylene blue (MB) dye, where (PL-Sp) removed MB dye effectively. Further the PL-Sp was used to produce a nanoconjugate loaded with curcumin and it was characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, XRD, VSM and Zeta potential. It showed a sustained drug release pattern and also found to have good antibacterial and anticancer activity.

Effect of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles by Sargassum swartzii in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Sargassum swartzii and its anti-diabetic effect were studied using male wistar Albino rats. Formation of AuNPs were confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, High-Resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fasting blood glucose levels, serum insulin, hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in diabetic treated rats with AuNPs were significantly decreased compared to the control group. The results of the blood glucose level and serum insulin levels indicated that AuNPs could significantly improve the insulin resistance and glucose level in diabetic rats. AuNPs also shows reduction in anti-inflammation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein in diabetic rats. The data showed that AuNPs synthesized using S. swartzii exerted antidiabetic effect, accordingly improve pancreas, liver and kidney damage caused by alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and Identification of Capping Agent Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Mass Spectrometry.

In the present study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized using leaf extract of Syzygium jambolanum and capping agent has been explored. The synthesized AuNPs have been characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and atomic force microscopic (AFM) analysis. The AuNPs show intense surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 528 nm and were found to be spherical and hexagonal in shape with particle size ranging from 20-30 nm. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to analyze the surface morphology of synthesized AuNPs. The capping ligand has been evaluated using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.

Size controlled biogenic silver nanoparticles as antibacterial agent against isolates from HIV infected patients.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are synthesized using biological sources due to its high specificity in biomedical applications. Herein, we report the size and shape controlled synthesis of AgNPs using the aqueous extract of blue green alga, Spirulina platensis. Size, shape and elemental composition of AgNPs were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, FT-IR (Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy), FT-RS (Fourier Transform-Raman Spectroscopy), SEM-EDAX (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis) and HR-TEM (High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy). AgNPs were stable, well defined and monodispersed (spherical) with an average size of 6 nm. The synthesized AgNPs were tested for its antibacterial potency against isolates obtained from HIV patients.

Blue green alga mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles and its antibacterial efficacy against Gram positive organisms.

Biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) play an important role in design and development of nanomedicine. Synthesis of AuNPs from biogenic materials is environmentally benign and possesses high bacterial inhibition and bactericidal properties. In the present study, blue green alga Spirulina platensis protein mediated synthesis of AuNPs and its antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria is discussed. AuNPs were characterized using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Stable, well defined AuNPs of smaller and uniform shape with an average size of ~ 5 nm were obtained. The antibacterial efficacy of protein functionalized AuNPs were tested against Gram positive organisms Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.

Effect of biologically synthesized gold nanoparticles on alloxan-induced diabetic rats-an in vivo approach.

Development of novel antidiabetic agents using various organic compounds and biomolecules has been in practice for a long time. Recently, nanomaterials are also being used in antidiabetic studies for their unique properties such as small size, biocompatibility and ability to penetrate cell membrane for carrying drugs. Herein, in vivo antidiabetic activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized using the antidiabetic potent plant Gymnema sylvestre R. Br on wistar albino rats has been evaluated. The formation of AuNPs and their morphology were confirmed using spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, respectively. The treatment of AuNPs has shown significant reduction in blood glucose level on diabetic rats. AuNPs were also tested for its anti-inflammatory effect by estimating the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP).

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using Sargassum swartzii and its cytotoxicity effect on HeLa cells.

In this investigation, biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Sargassum swartzii and its cytotoxicity against human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells is reported. The biological synthesis involved the reduction of chloroauric acid led to the formation of AuNPs within 5min at 60°C and the formation of AuNPs was confirmed using UV-vis spectrophotometer. The AuNPs were stable; spherical in shape with well-defined dimensions, and the average size of the particle is 35nm. A zeta potential value of -27.6mV revealed synthesized AuNPs were highly stable. The synthesized AuNPs exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxicity against human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. Furthermore, induction of apoptosis was measured by DAPI (4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride) staining.

Facile synthesis of silver chloride nanoparticles using marine alga and its antibacterial efficacy.

Exploitation of advancements in antimicrobial agent synthesis assisted by nanomaterials has received considerable attention in the recent years. Based on this, an eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of silver chloride nanoparticles (AgClNPs) using aqueous extract of Sargassum plagiophyllum is emphasized. UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the formation of AgClNPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns clearly illustrate the presence of AgClNPs. The synthesized AgClNPs were tested for its antibacterial activity and it was found to cause considerable amount of deterioration to bacterial cells, when examined using electron microscope and cell viability analysis.

Hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite plates prepared using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).

Materials with enhanced physical and biological properties have been used for biomedical applications and can be developed by functionalizing them using various components. Hydroxyapatite (HAP), among other available synthetic material, serves as one of the best tools in orthopaedics and ceramic coatings. The porous structure of HAP helps in bone cell regeneration, chemical integration of bone and also favours the interaction between bone and tissues. Herein, we have demonstrated a simple procedure for the synthesis of HAP using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), a structural analogue of bone heparan sulphate proteoglycan. The presence of small sized HAP plates with well-defined structures was revealed using electron microscopic analysis. The phase purity of the synthesized HAP was evaluated using X-ray diffraction pattern obtained before and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF).

Facile green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using leaf extract of antidiabetic potent Cassia auriculata.

A simple biological method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Cassia auriculata aqueous leaf extract has been carried out in the present study. The reduction of auric chloride led to the formation of AuNPs within 10 min at room temperature (28°C), suggesting a higher reaction rate than chemical methods involved in the synthesis. The size, shape and elemental analysis were carried out using X-ray diffraction, TEM, SEM-EDAX, FT-IR and visible absorption spectroscopy. Stable, triangular and spherical crystalline AuNPs with well-defined dimensions of average size of 15-25 nm were synthesized using C. auriculata. Effect of pH was also studied to check the stability of AuNPs. The main aim of the investigation is to synthesize AuNPs using antidiabetic potent medicinal plant. The stabilizing and reducing molecules of nanoparticles may promote anti-hyperglycemic if tested further.