Nano-pesticides: the lunch-box principle-deadly goodies (semio-chemical functionalised nanoparticles that deliver pesticide only to target species).

Nature contains many examples of "fake promises" to attract "prey", e.g., predatory spiders that emit the same sex-attractant-signals as moths to catch them at close range and male spiders that make empty silk-wrapped gifts in order to mate with a female. Nano-pesticides should ideally mimic nature by luring a target and killing it without harming other organisms/species. Here, we present such an approach, called the lunch-box or deadly-goodies approach. The lunch-box consists of three main elements (1) the lure (semio-chemicals anchored on the box), (2) the box (palatable nano-carrier), and (3) the kill (advanced targeted pesticide). To implement this approach, one needs to draw on the vast amount of chemical ecological knowledge available, combine this with recent nanomaterial techniques, and use novel advanced pesticides. Precision nano-pesticides can increase crop protection and food production whilst lowering environmental impacts.

Antinociception induced by artemisinin nanocapsule in a model of postoperative pain via spinal TLR4 inhibition.

Artemisinin (ART) was initially described for the control of inflammation and pain. However, the mechanisms involved with its antinociceptive effect are still poorly understood. Thus, this present study aimed to investigate the effect of ART in both free and nanocapsulated form on postoperative pain, as well as the participation of the spinal Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in this process. Postoperative pain was induced using the skin/muscle incision retraction (SMIR) model in male Swiss mice. After 3 and 28 days of SMIR, the animals received an intrathecal injection of free or nanocapsulated ART, and the nociceptive threshold was evaluated by von Frey filament test. To evaluate the involvement of the microglia, astrocytes, and TLR4, minocycline (a microglia inhibitor), fluorocitrate (an astrocyte inhibitor), and Lipopolysaccharide Rhodobacter sphaeroides (LPS-RS), a TLR4 antagonist, were intrathecally injected on the third day of SMIR. The levels of spinal TLR4 protein and proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1ß) were quantified by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The results showed that free ART reduced postoperative pain (P < 0.001, F5,30 = 7.49, 16.66% for 1000 ng dose; and P < 0.01, F5,30 = 7.49, 14.58% for 500 ng dose) on the 3rd day of SMIR; while the ART nanocapsule had this effect on both the third (P < 0.001; F5,30 = 4.94; 43.75, 39.58 and 72.91% for the 250, 500 and 1000 ng doses, respectively) and 28th (P < 0.05; F5,30 = 7.71; 29.16 and 33.33% for the 500 and 1000 ng doses, respectively) day. The ART nanocapsule had a more potent and longer antinociceptive effect than free ART or morphine. Postoperative pain was also reduced by minocycline and LPS-RS. The ART nanocapsule also reduced the increased levels of TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-1ß induced by SMIR. These data suggest that the ART nanocapsule has a potent analgesic effect on postoperative pain at the spinal level, and this response involves the inhibition of TLR4 and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß.

Biomarker Evaluation in Fish After Prolonged Exposure to Nano-TiO2: Influence of Illumination Conditions and Crystal Phase.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of prolonged exposure to two different nano-TiO2 crystal phases under different illumination conditions. Fish (Piaractus mesopotamicus) were exposed for 21 days to 100 mg/L of nano-TiO2 anatase and a mixture of anatase:rutile (80%:20%) under visible light and UV light (UVA and B, 22.47 J/cm2/h). The following oxidative stress biomarkers were mon- itored: concentrations of lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), carbonylated proteins (PCO), and specific activ- ities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Other biomarkers as well as specific activities of acid phosphatase (AP), Na+, K(+)-ATPase and metalloth- ionein levels (MT) were also evaluated. Moreover, micronucleus and comet assays were performed to assess genotoxicity. Our results showed low toxicity of nano-TiO2 to fish and lack of titanium accumulation in muscle tissue. However, it was observed the occurrence of sublethal effects that were influenced by nano-TiO2 crystal phase and illumination condition. Pure anatase caused more oxidative damage without co-exposure to UV, while the mixture anatase:rutile caused more sub- lethal effects when exposure occurred under UV. These findings show that the specific activity of CAT, GST, PCO levels and comet assay are useful as biomarkers of prolonged exposure to nano- TiO2. Overall, our study substantiates the development and implementation of nanoecotoxicological protocols.

Ecotoxicological evaluation of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanocapsules containing triazine herbicides.

The triazine class of herbicides includes the compounds ametryn, atrazine, and simazine, which are used to control weeds in plantations of crops such as maize, sorghum, and sugar cane. Despite their acceptance in agriculture, these herbicides can be dangerous to the environment, depending on their toxicity, the degree of contamination, and the duration of exposure. Controlled release systems are increasingly used to mitigate problems of toxicity and minimize environmental impacts, and can also increase herbicide efficiency. The objective of this work was to prepare poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanocapsules containing ametryn and atrazine, and evaluate their toxicity to aquatic organisms as well as in cytogenetic tests employing human lymphocyte cultures. The PCL nanocapsules were prepared according to the interfacial deposition of pre-formed polymer method. Ecotoxicological assays were performed with the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and the microcrustacean Daphnia similis. The cytogenetic tests consisted of observing mitotic index alterations after exposing lymphocyte cell cultures to different formulations. Encapsulation of the herbicides in the nanocapsules resulted in lower toxicity to the alga and higher toxicity to the microcrustacean, compared to the herbicides alone. The cytogenetic tests showed that formulations of nanocapsules containing the herbicides were less toxic than the herbicides alone. The findings indicate the potential of the nanocapsule formulations in agricultural applications, where they could help to reduce the quantities of herbicides used as well as impacts on the environment and human health.

Use of 2D and co-culture cell models to assess the toxicity of zein nanoparticles loading insect repellents icaridin and geraniol.

After the latest dengue and Zika outbreaks, the fight against mosquito vectors has become an emerging area of research. One tool for this combat is repellents; however, these products are composed of different toxic agents. Botanical compounds with repellent potential are an alternative; however these compounds are highly volatile. Thus, the present study aimed to synthesize zein-based polymeric nanoparticles as an efficient carrier system for the sustained release of the repellents icaridin and geraniol and evaluate the toxicity of these nanorepellents comparing two different cell models. In vitro tests were carried out due to current Brazilian legislation prohibiting animal testing for cosmetics (current classification of repellents). The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the nanoparticles were evaluated in 2D and co-culture cell models (A549/lung epithelium, HaCaT/keratinocytes, HT-29/intestinal epithelium, and THP-1/peripheral blood monocytes). Cell viability by mitochondrial activity, cell membrane integrity, damage to genetic material, and expression of genes involved in the allergic/inflammatory system were evaluated. The results of cytotoxicity evaluation showed cell viability above 70% in both cell models. No differences were observed in genotoxicity assessment between cells exposed to nanorepellents and controls. In contrast, gene expression analysis showed increased cytokine expression for the emulsion compounds in 2D cell cultures compared to co-cultures. These findings open perspectives that zein-based nanorepellents have potential applications due to the reduced toxicity observed when the compounds are encapsulated and emerge as an alternative for arbovirus control. In addition, the study demonstrated that depending on the analysis, different results might be observed when comparing 2D and co-culture cell models to evaluate the toxicity of new nanosystems.

Pyrethrum extract encapsulated in nanoparticles: Toxicity studies based on genotoxic and hematological effects in bullfrog tadpoles.

The environment receives about 2.7 kg.ha-1 annually of pesticides, used in crop production. Pesticides may have a negative impact on environmental biodiversity and potentially induce physiological effects on non-target species. Advances in technology and nanocarrier systems for agrochemicals led to new alternatives to minimize these impacts, such as nanopesticides, considered more efficient, safe and sustainable. However, it is important to evaluate the risk potential, action and toxicity of nanopesticides in aquatic and terrestrial organisms. This study aims to evaluate genotoxic and hematological biomarkers in bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus) submitted to acute exposure (48 h) to pyrethrum extract (PYR) and solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with PYR. Results showed increased number of leukocytes during acute exposure, specifically eosinophils in nanoparticle-exposed groups, and basophil in PYR-exposed group. Hematological analysis showed that PYR encapsulated in nanoparticles significantly increased the erythrocyte number compared to the other exposed groups. Data from the comet assay indicated an increase in frequency of the classes that correspond to more severe DNA damages in exposed groups, being that the PYR-exposed group showed a high frequency of class-4 DNA damage. Moreover, erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities were triggered by short-time exposure in all treatments, which showed effects significantly higher than the control group. These results showed genotoxic responses in tadpoles, which could trigger cell death pathways. Concluding, these analyses are important for applications in assessment of contaminated aquatic environments and their biomonitoring, which will evaluate the potential toxicity of xenobiotics, for example, the nanoparticles and pyrethrum extract in frog species. However, further studies are needed to better understand the effects of nanopesticides and botanical insecticides on non-target organisms, in order to contribute to regulatory aspects of future uses for these systems.

γ-Polyglutamic acid/chitosan nanoparticles for the plant growth regulator gibberellic acid: Characterization and evaluation of biological activity.

The growth regulator gibberellic acid (GA3) has several uses in the field, improving germination, plant development, productivity, and the quality of food. This work describes the development of a nanocarrier system for GA3, based on the poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) and chitosan (CS) polymers, Nanoparticles without GA3 (nano-γPGA/CS-GA3) showed colloidal characteristics, with an average size of 117±9nm, PDI of 0.43±0.07, and zeta potential of -29±0.5mV. The encapsulated nanoparticles (nano-γPGA/CS-GA3) presented an average size of 134±9nm, PDI of 0.35±0.05, zeta potential of 27.9±0.5mV, and 61% encapsulation. The images of nanoparticles observed by Transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM) showed a spherical shape of the nanoparticles. The system showed sustained release, with 58% release after 48h. Evaluation of thermal properties using DSC and TGA analyses indicated that there was an interaction between the CS and γ-PGA polymers. In tests using Phaseolus vulgaris seeds, nano-γPGA/CS-GA3 showed high biological activity, enhancing the rate of germination in the first day (50-70%) when compared with free GA3 (10-16%). Encapsulated GA3 was also more efficient than the free hormone in the increase of leaf area and the induction of root development (including the formation of lateral roots). These effects were not observed when seeds were treated with nano-γPGA/CS without GA3. The results demonstrated the considerable potential of nano-γPGA/CS-GA3 for use in agriculture.

Interaction of benzocaine with model membranes.

We measured the absorption properties, water solubility and partition coefficients (P) between n-octanol, egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) liposomes and erythrocyte ghosts/water for benzocaine (BZC), an ester-type always uncharged local anesthetic. The interaction of BZC with EPC liposomes was followed using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, with spin labels at different positions in the acyl chain (5, 7, 12, 16-doxylstearic acid methyl ester). Changes in lipid organization upon BZC addition allowed the determination of P values, without phase separation. The effect of BZC in decreasing membrane organization (maximum of 11.6% at approx. 0.8:1 BZC:EPC) was compared to those caused by the local anesthetics tetracaine and lidocaine. Hemolytic tests revealed a biphasic (protective/inductive) concentration-dependent hemolytic effect for BZC upon rat erythrocytes, with an effective BZC:lipid molar ratio in the membrane for protection (RePROT), onset of hemolysis (ReSAT) and 100% membrane solubilization (ReSOL) of 1.0:1, 1.1:1 and 1.3:1, respectively. The results presented here reinforce the importance of considering hydrophobic interactions in the interpretation of the effects of anesthetics on membranes.

Toxicity assessment of TiO2 nanoparticles in zebrafish embryos under different exposure conditions.

The popularity of TiO2 nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) lies in their wide range of nanotechnological applications, together with low toxicity. Meanwhile, recent studies have shown that the photocatalytic properties of this material can result in alterations in their behavior in the environment, causing effects that have not yet been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of two formulations of nano-TiO2 under different illumination conditions, using an experimental model coherent with the principle of the three Rs of alternative animal experimentation (reduction, refinement, and replacement). Embryos of the fish Danio rerio were exposed for 96h to different concentrations of nano-TiO2 in the form of anatase (TA) or an anatase/rutile mixture (TM), under either visible light or a combination of visible and ultraviolet light (UV). The acute toxicity and sublethal parameters evaluated included survival rates, malformation, hatching, equilibrium, and overall length of the larvae, together with biochemical biomarkers (specific activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and acid phosphatase (AP)). Both TA and TM caused accelerated hatching of the larvae. Under UV irradiation, there was greater mortality of the larvae of the groups exposed to TM, compared to those exposed to TA. Exposure to TM under UV irradiation altered the equilibrium of the larvae. Alterations in the activities of CAT and GST were indicative of oxidative stress, although no clear dose-response relationship was observed. The effects of nano-TiO2 appeared to depend on both the type of formulation and the illumination condition. The findings contribute to elucidation of the factors involved in the toxicity of these nanoparticles, as well as to the establishment of protocols for risk assessments of nanotechnology.

Fish exposure to nano-TiO2 under different experimental conditions: methodological aspects for nanoecotoxicology investigations.

The ecotoxicology of nano-TiO2 has been extensively studied in recent years; however, few toxicological investigations have considered the photocatalytic properties of the substance, which can increase its toxicity to aquatic biota. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects on fish exposed to different nano-TiO2 concentrations and illumination conditions. The interaction of these variables was investigated by observing the survival of the organisms, together with biomarkers of biochemical and genetic alterations. Fish (Piaractus mesopotamicus) were exposed for 96 h to 0, 1, 10, and 100 mg/L of nano-TiO2, under visible light, and visible light with ultraviolet (UV) light (22.47 J/cm(2)/h). The following biomarkers of oxidative stress were monitored in the liver: concentrations of lipid hydroperoxide and carbonylated protein, and specific activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase. Other biomarkers of physiological function were also studied: the specific activities of acid phosphatase and Na,K-ATPase were analyzed in the liver and brain, respectively, and the concentration of metallothionein was measured in the gills. In addition, micronucleus and comet assays were performed with blood as genotoxic biomarkers. Nano-TiO2 caused no mortality under any of the conditions tested, but induced sublethal effects that were influenced by illumination condition. Under both illumination conditions tested, exposure to 100 mg/L showed an inhibition of acid phosphatase activity. Under visible light, there was an increase in metallothionein level in fish exposed to 1 mg/L of nano-TiO2. Under UV light, protein carbonylation was reduced in groups exposed to 1 and 10 mg/L, while nucleus alterations in erythrocytes were higher in fish exposed to 10 mg/L. As well as improving the understanding of nano-TiO2 toxicity, the findings demonstrated the importance of considering the experimental conditions in nanoecotoxicological tests. This work provides information for the development of protocols to study substances whose toxicity is affected by illumination conditions.

Preparação e caracterização inicial de complexo de inclusão entre nitrofurazona e 2-hidroxipropil-Beta-ciclodextrina / Preparation and initial characterization of inclusion complex between nitrofurazone and 2-hydroxypropyl-Beta-cyclodextrin

Nitrofurazona(NF), 5-nitro-2-furaldeído semicarbazona, é um antibiótico de amplo espectro, que apresenta diversos efeitos tóxicos e baixa solubilidade aquosa. A complexação da NF com ciclodextrinas é de grande interesse para o desenvolvimento de uma formulação para este antibiótico que seja mais segura e eficiente. Neste trabalho foi realizada a preparação e caracterização inicial do complexo de inclusão entre NF e hidroxipropil-Beta-ciclodextrina (HP-Beta-CD) através de experimentos para determinação da cinética de complexação, medidas de fotoestabilidade, medidas de constante de afinidade fármaco: ciclodextrina, ensaios de liberação in vitro, estequiometria de formação do complexo e morfologia do complexo por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os ensaios de cinética de complexação mostram que para o complexo atingir o equilíbrio são necessárias 17,3h. As isotermas de solubilidade determinadas para a NF em função da temperatura mostraram perfis do tipo A e B indicando que a temperatura é um fator importante na complexação da NF com ciclodextrina. Os experimentos de fotoestabilidade indicam que a inserção da molécula de NF na cavidade interna da ciclodextrina protege o fármaco da fotodecomposição. A cinética de liberação mostra que o perfil de liberação do fármaco é modificado pela presença da ciclodextrina no meio. A estequiometria de complexação entre NF e HP-Beta-CD determinada foi de 1:1 NF:HP-Beta-CD. Os resultados demicroscopia eletrônica de varredura indicam alterações na estrutura cristalina da NF em presença deciclodextrina. Este estudo está baseado na caracterização físico-química da complexação entre NF e HP-Beta-CD podendo ser uma nova potencial opção para utilização terapêutica do NF.

Nitrofurazone (NF), 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde semicarbazone, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has reported toxic effects and low solubility in water. It would be of great interest to form inclusion complexes between NF and a cyclodextrin, to develop more effective and safer antibiotic formulations. This paper focuses on the preparation of inclusion complexes of NF with 2- hydroxypropyl- -cyclodextrin (HP- -CD) and their initial characterization by evaluating rates of complex formation, photostability, solubility isotherms, release rate profiles, stoichiometry of the complexes and their morphology, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The kinetic tests of complex formation revealed that 17,3 h is enough for stabilization of the NFcyclodextrin complex. The solubility isotherm studies showed that the isotherm changes from type A to type B, as a function of temperature. The photostability experiments showed that the insertion of the NF in the HP- -CD cavity protects the drug from photodecomposition. The release kinetic tests showed that the profile of NF release from the complex is altered by the presence of HP- -CD in the medium. A Job's plot indicated that the stoichiometry of the complex was 1:1 NF:HP- -CD. The scanning electron micrographs showed changes in the crystal structure of NF in the complex. This study focused on the physicochemical properties of drug-delivery formulations that could potentially be developed into a novel type of therapy with NF.

Interação de anestésicos locais com lipossomos determinada por espectroscopia de infravermelho / Interaction between local anesthetic and liposomes determined by infrared spectroscopy

Neste trabalho foram investigados os efeitos de dois anestésicos locais, lidocaína e benzocaína, sobre as propriedades estruturais e dinâmicas de vesículas unilamelares de fosfatidilcolina de ovo em pH 7,4 e 10,5 para determinar a localização preferencial destes anestésicos no interior da bicamada.Mudanças na organização de vesículas unilamelares pequenas foram determinadas através de espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier.Os experimentos de infravermelho mostraram que os anestésicos locais alteram as ligações de hidrogênio das moléculas de água monitoradas através das regiões da cadeia acila, grupamento fosfato e carbonilas da região do glicerol dos fosfolipídios.Os efeitos do aumento da concentração dos anestésicos locais nestas regiões mostraram que a lidocaína ionizada torna maior o acesso de moléculas de água nas regiões do grupamento de fosfato e carbonilas da região do glicerol.Para a lidocaína neutra (pH 10,5) o principal efeito observado foi na região do glicerol.Já para o anestésico local benzocaína foi observada uma diminuição do acesso de moléculas de água na região das carbonilas do glicerol.Um modelo proposto indica que a lidocaína ionizada e a neutra ligam-se aos lipídios próximos ao grupamento fosfato e região do glicerol.Para a benzocaína a localização preferencial proposta foi a região do glicerol e os primeiros carbonos da cadeia acila.A posição preferencial dos anestésicos nas membranas fosfolipídicas modelo pode modular o acesso destas moléculas em seus sítios de ligação na proteína canal de sódio voltagem-dependente.

Inclusion complex of S(-) bupivacaine and 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin: study of morphology and cytotoxicity

Local anesthetics (LA) belong to a class of pharmacological compounds that attenuate or eliminate pain by binding to the sodium channel of excitable membranes, blocking the influx of sodium ions and the propagation of the nerve impulse. S (-) bupivacaine (S(-)bvc) is a local anesthetic of amino-amide type, widely used in surgery and obstetrics for sustained peripheraland central nerve blockade. This article focuses on the characterization of an inclusion complex of S(-) bvc in2-hydroxypropyl- beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta -CD). Differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy andX-Ray diffraction analysis showed structural changes inthe complex. In preliminary toxicity studies, the cellviability tests revealed that the inclusion complex decreased the toxic effect (p smaller that 0.001) produced by S(-) bvc.These results suggest that the S(-) bvc:HP- beta-CD inclusion complex represents a promising agent for the treatment of regional pain.