ABSTRACT
Metal encapsulation delivers a straightforward strategy to improve miscellaneous nanoparticle properties and qualifies the resulting nanocomposite for exceptional application, including bioimaging, drug release, and theranostic development. Besides crucial applications, investigations associated with the nanocomposite impact on the biological media are highly relevant from a pharmacological viewpoint. Such studies can be conducted by exploring nanocomposite attributes and all aspects of their interaction with proteins existing in biofluids. Based on these aspects, the present work examines manganese-encapsulated carbonaceous nanocomposite (MnCQD) and their interaction with plasma proteins. On one side, the obtained nanocomposite has almost spherical shapes (≈12 nm in size), an appropriate composition and interesting optical properties for bioimaging applications. On another side, MnCQD quenches the fluorescence of two plasma proteins (BSA and HTF) following a static mechanism, confirming the formation of the MnCQD-BSA and MnCQD-HTF complexes. Although hydrophobic forces guide the stability of both formed complexes, MnCQD binds preferentially to BSA compared to HTF, with affinity constants differing by almost an order of magnitude. Furthermore, HTF and BSA underwent modifications in their secondary structure provoked due to contact with the nanocomposite, which also presented neglectable opsonization levels when exposed to appropriate biological media. These results highlight the MnCQD outstanding potential to be employed in diverse bioapplications.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Subject(s)
Manganese , Nanocomposites , Opsonization , Fluorescence , Blood Proteins , Nanocomposites/chemistry , Serum Albumin, Bovine/chemistry , Protein Binding , Spectrometry, FluorescenceABSTRACT
Introducción: la corteza del fuste de Cedrela adorata L (cedro) es utilizada por la población para el tratamiento del asma, como vermífuga, antibacteriana, febrífuga y en cocimiento para dolores cuando se sufren caídas o golpes. Objetivo: identificar los metabolitos secundarios presentes en esta parte de la planta y evaluar su posible actividad antibacteriana. Métodos: se recolectó la corteza del fuste de Cedrela adorata. El material vegetal fue lavado, desinfectado, secado y seguidamente se procedió a su pulverización. Este polvo se utilizó en la elaboración de los diferentes extractos y tintura. La tintura obtenida se concentró y se fraccionó sucesivamente con n-hexano, cloroformo, acetato de etilo y agua. A estos extractos se les realizó el tamizaje fitoquímico, ensayos microbiológicos y cromatografía de capa fina. Resultados: las pruebas in vitro efectuadas a los extractos obtenidos a partir de la tintura 20 por ciento, demostraron que estos presentan actividad antibacteriana frente a Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sp., Salmonella enterica y Enterobacter aerogene; destacándose los resultados obtenidos frente al Staphylococcus aureus, para el extracto hexánico de cedro. En estos extractos están presentes en mayor proporción alcaloides, triterpenos o esteroles, y quinonas, que son los responsables de esta actividad, lo cual se logró corroborar con la identificación de estos metabolitos secundarios mediante la cromatografía de capa fina y el tamizaje fitoquímico realizados. Conclusiones: mediante la cromatografía de capa fina y el tamizaje fitoquímico de los extractos se identificaron alcaloides, triterpenos o esteroles, y quinonas, que pueden ser los responsables de la actividad antibacteriana
Introduction: the stem bark of Cedrela adorata L (cedar) is used by the population to treat asthma, as vermifuge, antibacterial and febrifuge, and in the form of decoction to relieve the pain caused by falls or bumps. Objective: identify the secondary metabolites present in this part of the plant and evaluate their potential antibacterial activity. Methods: stem bark from Cedrela adorata was collected. The plant material was washed, disinfected, dried and pulverized. The powder obtained was used to make the various extracts and the tincture. The latter was concentrated and successively fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and water. The extracts underwent phytochemical screening, microbiological assays and thin-layer chromatography. Results: in vitro tests of the extracts obtained from the 20 percent tincture showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sp., Salmonella enterica and Enterobacter aerogen. Antibacterial activity of the hexanic cedar extract against Staphylococcus aureus was noteworthy. Alkaloids, triterpenes or sterols, and quinones, which are found in a large proportion in the extracts, are responsible for the above-mentioned antibacterial activity. Identification of these secondary metabolites was confirmed through thin-layer chromatography and phytochemical screening. Conclusions: the alkaloids, triterpenes or sterols, and quinones potentially responsible for antibacterial activity were identified through thin-later chromatography and phytochemical screening
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Cedrela , Mass Screening/methods , Chromatography, Thin Layer/methodsABSTRACT
Introducción: tradicionalmente, los campesinos han empleado la resina del fuste de Rheedia aristata Griseb. para extraer espinas encarnadas y en la cura de enfermedades respiratorias como el asma y la pulmonitis. Objetivo: identificar los metabolitos secundarios presentes en la decocción, tintura 20 por ciento y el extracto fluido de hojas de Rheedia aristata Griseb., y establecer la estabilidad de la tintura 20 por ciento y del extracto fluido. Métodos: se recolectaron partes aéreas, se lavaron, desinfectaron, secaron, y pulverizaron. De estas se obtuvieron la decocción, tintura 20 por ciento y el extracto fluido, los cuales se filtraron. Finalmente, se realizaron ensayos fitoquímicos y control de calidad.Resultados: el tamizaje fitoquímico confirma la existencia de varias familias de metabolitos secundarios de interés biológico y farmacológico; entre otras, saponinas, quinonas, coumarinas y alcaloides. Los ensayos del control de calidad mostraron que son estables la tintura 20 por ciento y el extracto fluido bajo las condiciones aplicadas. Conclusiones: la tintura 20 por ciento y el extracto fluido de las hojas de Rheedia aristata son formulados ricos en metabolitos secundarios, que pudieran ser los principios activos responsables del uso como medicamento, reportado en estudios etnobotánicos. Esto, unido a la gran estabilidad que muestran y a la no existencia de reportes de toxicidad, convierten a esta planta en fuente potencial de fitomedicamentos
Introduction: traditionally, farmers have used the resin of the shaft of Rheedia aristata Griseb. to remove penetrated thorns in the body and cure respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung inflammatory process. Objective: to identify the secondary metabolites in the decoction, tincture at 20 percent and fluid extract of the leaves of Rheedia aristata Griseb. and to establish the tincture and the fluid extract stability at a 20 percent. Methods: air parts of the plant were collected; they were washed, disinfected, dried and pulverized. The decoction, tincture at 20 percent, and extract were obtained and they were filtered. Finally, phytochemical screenings and quality control tests were performed. Results: phytochemical screening confirms the existence of several families of secondary metabolites of biological and pharmacological interest; among others, saponins, quinones, coumarins and alkaloids. The quality control tests carried out to the tincture at 20 percent and flowing extract indicated that, under the conditions applied, the elaborated products are stable. Conclusions: the 20 percent tincture and the fluid extract of the leaves of Rheedia aristata are rich formulations in secondary metabolites that could be the active principles responsible for the use of the plant as medicine, as reported in ethnobotanical studies. This fact, together with the great stability and absence of toxicity reports, converts this plant in a potential source of phytomedicines