Electrochemical sensing of doxorubicin hydrochloride under sodium alginate antifouling conditions using silver nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrodes.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective anticancer drug with a narrow therapeutic window; thus, sensitive and timely detection of DOX is crucial. Using electrodeposition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and electropolymerization of alginate (Alg) layers on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode, a novel electrochemical probe was constructed (GCE). The fabricated AgNPs/poly-Alg-modified GCE probe was utilized for the quantification of DOX in unprocessed human plasma samples. For the electrodeposition of AgNPs and electropolymerization of alginate (Alg) layers on the surface of GCE, cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used in the potential ranges of -2.0 to 2.0 V and -0.6 to 0.2 V, respectively. The electrochemical activity of DOX exhibited two oxidation processes at the optimum pH value of 5.5 on the surface of the modified GCE. The DPV spectra of poly(Alg)/AgNPs modified GCE probe toward consecutive concentrations of DOX in plasma samples demonstrated wide dynamic ranges of 15 ng/mL-0.1 µg/mL and 0.1-5.0 µg/mL, with a low limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 15 ng/mL. The validation results indicated that the fabricated electrochemical probe might serve as a highly sensitive and selective assay for the quantification of DOX in patient samples. As an outstanding feature, the developed probe could detect DOX in unprocessed plasma samples and cell lysates without the requirement for pretreatment.

Spectrofluorimetric Method for Monitoring Methotrexate in Patients' Plasma Samples and Cell Lysates Using Highly Fluorescent Carbon Dots.

For the first time, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and boron-doped carbon dots (N, S, P, B-codoped CDs) were synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction. The produced CDs were utilized to develop an optical sensor to determine methotrexate (MTX) in cell lysates and patients' plasma samples. Basically, in the presence of MTX, the fluorescence emission of the CD-based probe was quenched. Under optimum conditions, a good proportional relationship was obtained between the quenched fluorescence signal and MTX concentrations from 74.9 ng/mL to 99.9 µg/mL with a limit of detection of 74.9 ng/mL. The developed nanoprobe provided a wide linear range and high accuracy and was successfully utilized in the routine therapeutic drug monitoring of MTX in plasma samples. The obtained results proposed the developed nanoprobe for the on-time and specific detection of MTX in blood samples. As another application, N, S, P, B-codoped CDs were utilized for bioimaging MCF-7 cancer cells and could be proposed as efficient bioimaging agents for tumor cells.

Sanguinarine enhances cisplatin sensitivity via glutathione depletion in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer (A2780) cells.

Ovarian cancer is considered as one of the most lethal gynecological cancers, and cisplatin-based therapy has an important role as the first-line option for chemotherapy. Resistance to chemotherapy is the main obstacle against successful cancer chemotherapy with cisplatin. Therefore, identifying potent compositions and molecules with fewer side-effects is a big challenge to overcome cisplatin resistance. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanism and potency of sanguinarine, a plant-derived alkaloid, in human cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer (A2780/R) cells. The effect of sanguinarine on cytotoxicity of cisplatin was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis-inducing effect of sanguinarine alone and in combination with cisplatin was evaluated by annexin V/PI assay and DAPI staining. Intracellular glutathione (GSH) content was quantitated using GSH assay kit after treatment with sanguinarine. Results indicated that sanguinarine enhances the sensitivity of A2780/R cells to cisplatin. Apoptosis-inducing effect of cisplatin was also enhanced when combined with sanguinarine. Furthermore, sanguinarine reduced intracellular GSH content in a dose-dependent but not time-dependent manner. These findings suggest that sanguinarine could reverse cisplatin resistance in A2780/R cells through GSH reduction. Therefore, sanguinarine can be used as one of the potent adjuvants for ovarian cancer chemotherapy.

Targeting PPAR ligands as possible approaches for metabolic reprogramming of T cells in cancer immunotherapy.

Despite the prominent progress in understanding cancer immunosurveillance mechanisms, there are some types of problems which have been identified to hinder effective and successful immunotherapy of cancers. Such problems have been ascribed to the tumor abilities in the creation of a tolerant milieu that can impair immune responses against cancer cells. In the present study, we represent possible approaches for metabolic reprogramming of T cells in cancer immunotherapy to overcome tumor metabolic impositions on immune responses against cancer cells. Metabolic suppression of effector immune cells in tumor milieu is one of the important strategies recruited by tumor cells to escape from immunogenic cell death. We have investigated the metabolic reprogramming of T cells as a method and a possible new target for cancer immunotherapy. Synergic effects of PPAR ligands in immunotherapy of cancers on the metabolic reprogramming of T cells have been noticed by several studies as a new target of cancer immunotherapy. The current wealth of data like this promises a future scenario which the consideration of metabolic restriction in the tumor microenvironment and administration of therapeutic agents such as PPAR ligands to overcome metabolic restrictions on T cells (refreshing their functionality) may be effective and enhance the accountability and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

Para-sulfonatocalix[n]arene-based biomaterials: Recent progress in pharmaceutical and biological applications.

The history, properties, and characteristics of para-sulfonato-calixarenes are described. On the one hand, the inherent antibacterial and antifungal properties against microorganisms, and on the other hand non-toxicity of these supramolecules toward human organs are analyzed. The resulting biocompatibility of para-sulfonato-calixarenes makes them potential candidates for diverse life sciences and pharmaceutical applications without significant side effects. The interactions with different drugs, the capability of drug encapsulation, delivery, and release, the formation of host-quest assemblies and inclusion complexation between para-sulfonato-calixarenes and drugs were also investigated in detail. Besides, their function in cancer treatment and their toxicity against different cancer cell lines were fully reviewed and summarized. Afterward, the capability of these macrocyclic compounds for biosensing of organic compounds, peptides and enzymes activity was highlighted. In this review, we also take a brief look at recent reports on the applications of para-sulfonato-calixarenes in fluorescence imaging and their usage as highly stable and bright probes for in vivo and in vitro imaging and sensing.

Carbohydrate polymer-based silver nanocomposites: Recent progress in the antimicrobial wound dressings.

Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process which affects the quality of life in patients and annually causes high costs for the health system, worldwide. Polymers from natural origins such as polysaccharides have gained particular interest between researchers for wound dressing applications due to their abundance in nature, biocompatibility with human tissues, and ideal physicochemical properties. Aside from their supportive effect in wound care, polysaccharides and their derivatives can actively contribute to the healing process. Silver nanoparticles are widely used noble metal nanoparticles incorporated in wound dressings due to their low toxicity for human cells, naturally availability, and strong antimicrobial effects. In the present study, we will review the most frequently used polysaccharides in wound dressing procedure with silver or silver nanoparticles accommodated. The methods of synthesis, physicochemical properties, healing efficiencies, toxicity against human tissues, antibacterial and antifungal effects of each material will also be discussed.