ABSTRACT
The design of efficient and safe gene delivery vehicles remains a major challenge for the application of gene therapy. Of the many reported gene delivery systems, metal complexes with high affinity for nucleic acids are emerging as an attractive option. We have discovered that certain metallohelices-optically pure, self-assembling triple-stranded arrays of fully encapsulated Fe-act as nonviral DNA delivery vectors capable of mediating efficient gene transfection. They induce formation of globular DNA particles which protect the DNA from degradation by various restriction endonucleases, are of suitable size and electrostatic potential for efficient membrane transport and are successfully processed by cells. The activity is highly structure-dependent-compact and shorter metallohelix enantiomers are far less efficient than less compact and longer enantiomers.
Subject(s)
Cations/chemistry , DNA/chemistry , Gene Transfer Techniques , Genetic Vectors , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Cell Line , Cell Survival , DNA/ultrastructure , Ferrous Compounds/chemistry , Flow Cytometry , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Gene Expression , Genes, Reporter , Genetic Vectors/chemistry , Genetic Vectors/ultrastructure , Humans , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Atomic Force/methods , Molecular Structure , TransfectionABSTRACT
Oilseed crop diseases are a major concern around the world, particularly in India. The synthetic fungicides not only kill the pathogen, but they also harm the host plant and beneficial microbes and on continuous usage, they decrease the soil fertility. To overcome this problem, green nanotechnology has been a greater alternative with promising benefits. The green synthesized nanoparticles from the extract of various plant parts are an effective remedy for killing the pathogens without affecting the host plants and the environment. Hence, in our study silver nanoparticles were synthesized from Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare) extract. The synthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed using UV-vis, Fourier transform infrared, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopic analysis. The in vitro antifungal study was carried out and revealed that the nanoparticles had high efficacy against the isolated phytopathogen Nigrospora oryzae which causes tikka disease in Arachis hypogaea plants. Hence, F. vulgare seed nanoparticles can be used as an effective alternative to synthetic fungicides without causing any deleterious effect on soil microflora or the environment.
Subject(s)
Fungicides, Industrial , Metal Nanoparticles , Silver/pharmacology , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Arachis , Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves , Soil , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform InfraredABSTRACT
At present, the potential role of the AgNPs/endo-fullerene molecule metal nano-composite has been evaluated over the biosystems in-vitro. The intra-atomic configuration of the fullerene molecule (C60) has been studied in-vitro for the anti-proliferative activity of human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cell lines and antimicrobial activity against a few human pathogens that have been augmented with the pristine surface plasmonic electrons and antibiotic activity of AgNPs. Furthermore, FTIR revealed the basic vibrational signatures at ~3300 cm-1, 1023 cm-1, 1400 cm-1 for O-H, C-O, and C-H groups, respectively, for the carbon and oxygen atoms of the C60 molecule. NMR studies exhibited the different footprints and magnetic moments at ~7.285 ppm, explaining the unique underlying electrochemical attributes of the fullerene molecule. Such unique electronic and physico-chemical properties of the caged carbon structure raise hope for applications into the drug delivery domain. The in-vitro dose-dependent application of C60 elicits a toxic response against both the breast adenocarcinoma cell lines and pathogenic microbes. That enables the use of AgNPs decorated C60 endo fullerene molecules to design an effective anti-cancerous drug delivery and antimicrobial agent in the future, bringing a revolutionary change in the perspective of a treatment regime.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Fullerenes/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Silver/chemistry , Antioxidants/chemistry , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Survival/drug effects , Humans , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Nanocomposites/chemistry , Spectrum AnalysisABSTRACT
Protein complexes perform a diversity of functions in natural biological systems. While computational protein design has enabled the development of symmetric protein complexes with spherical shapes and hollow interiors, the individual subunits often comprise large proteins. Peptides have also been applied to self-assembly, and it is of interest to explore such short sequences as building blocks of large, designed complexes. Coiled-coil peptides are promising subunits as they have a symmetric structure that can undergo further assembly. Here, an α-helical 29-residue peptide that forms a tetrameric coiled coil was computationally designed to assemble into a spherical cage that is approximately 9 nm in diameter and presents an interior cavity. The assembly comprises 48 copies of the designed peptide sequence. The design strategy allowed breaking the side chain conformational symmetry within the peptide dimer that formed the building block (asymmetric unit) of the cage. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques showed that one of the seven designed peptide candidates assembled into individual nanocages of the size and shape. The stability of assembled nanocages was found to be sensitive to the assembly pathway and final solution conditions (pH and ionic strength). The nanocages templated the growth of size-specific Au nanoparticles. The computational design serves to illustrate the possibility of designing target assemblies with pre-determined specific dimensions using short, modular coiled-coil forming peptide sequences.
Subject(s)
Gold/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Peptides/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron, TransmissionABSTRACT
Engineered nanoparticles that have distinctive targeted characteristics with high potency are modernistic technological innovations. In the modern era of research, nanotechnology has assumed critical importance due to its vast applications in all fields of science. Biologically synthesized nanoparticles using plants are an alternative to conventional methods. In the present study, Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) was used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). UV-Vis's spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and FTIR were performed to confirm the formation of AuNPs. UV-Vis's spectra showed a characteristic peak at the range of 531.5-541.5 nm. XRD peaks at 2 θ = 38°, 44°, 64° and 77°, corresponding to 111, 200, 220 and 311 planes, confirmed the crystalline nature of AuNPs. Spherical AuNPs ranged mostly between 7 and 33 nm, and were measured using SEM. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phytochemicals on the surface of AuNPs. Successful synthesis of AuNPs by seed extract of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) as a capping and reducing agent represents the novelty of the present study.
Subject(s)
Citrullus colocynthis/chemistry , Gold/chemistry , Green Chemistry Technology , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Phytochemicals/chemistry , Chemical Phenomena , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Seeds/chemistry , Spectrum AnalysisABSTRACT
Bionanotechnology is a branch of science that has revolutionized modern science and technology. Nanomaterials, especially noble metals, have attracted researchers due to their size and application in different branches of sciences that benefit humanity. Metal nanoparticles can be synthesized using green methods, which are good for the environment, economically viable, and facilitate synthesis. Due to their size and form, gold nanoparticles have become significant. Plant materials are of particular interest in the synthesis and manufacture of theranostic gold nanoparticles (NPs), which have been generated using various materials. On the other hand, chemically produced nanoparticles have several drawbacks in terms of cost, toxicity, and effectiveness. A plant-mediated integration of metallic nanoparticles has been developed in the field of nanotechnology to overcome the drawbacks of traditional synthesis, such as physical and synthetic strategies. Nanomaterials' tunable features make them sophisticated tools in the biomedical platform, especially for developing new diagnostics and therapeutics for malignancy, neurodegenerative, and other chronic disorders. Therefore, this review outlines the theranostic approach, the different plant materials utilized in theranostic applications, and future directions based on current breakthroughs in these fields.
Subject(s)
Gold , Green Chemistry Technology , Metal Nanoparticles , Plant Extracts , Theranostic Nanomedicine/methods , Chemical Phenomena , Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic , Drug Development , Gold/chemistry , Green Chemistry Technology/methods , Humans , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Nanotechnology , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Spectrum AnalysisABSTRACT
This study aimed at fabricating gold (Au), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs) using various natural plant extracts from the Fertile Crescent area and evaluating their potential application as antioxidant and biocompatible agents to be used in the pharmaceutical field, especially in drug delivery. The Au-NPs were synthesized using Ephedra alata and Pistacia lentiscus extracts, whereas the Fe-NPs and Se-NPs were synthesized using peel, fruit and seed extracts of Punica granatum. The phytofabricated NPs were characterized by the UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscope technique showed that the synthesized NPs surface was spherical, and the particle size analysis confirmed a particle size of 50 nm. The crystalline nature of the NPs was confirmed by the XRD analysis. All synthesized NPs were found to be biocompatible in the fibroblast and human erythroleukemic cell lines. Se-NPs showed a dose-dependent antitumor activity as evidenced from the experimental results with breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. A dose-dependent, free-radical scavenging effect of the Au-NPs and Se-NPs was observed in the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, with the highest effect recorded for Au-NPs.
Subject(s)
Coordination Complexes/chemical synthesis , Coordination Complexes/pharmacology , Gold/chemistry , Green Chemistry Technology , Iron/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Phytochemicals/chemistry , Selenium/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants/chemical synthesis , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Coordination Complexes/chemistry , Humans , MCF-7 Cells , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Spectrum AnalysisABSTRACT
Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized through the coprecipitation method and used as nanocarriers for etoricoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor drug) and montelukast (leukotriene product inhibitor drug) in combination therapy. The CuO NPs, free drugs, and nanoformulations were investigated through UV/Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and DLS. SEM imaging showed agglomerated nanorods of CuO NPs of about 87 nm size. The CE1, CE2, and CE6 nanoformulations were investigated through DLS, and their particle sizes were 271, 258, and 254 nm, respectively. The nanoformulations were evaluated through in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, in vivo analgesic activity, in vivo anti-pyretic activity, and in vivo acute toxicity activity. In vivo activities were performed on albino mice. BSA denaturation was highly inhibited by CE1, CE2, and CE6 as compared to other nanoformulations in the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. The in vivo bioactivities showed that low doses (5 mg/kg) of nanoformulations were more potent than high doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) of free drugs in the inhibition of pain, fever, and inflammation. Lastly, CE2 was more potent than that of other nanoformulations.
Subject(s)
Acetates/chemical synthesis , Acetates/pharmacology , Copper/chemistry , Cyclopropanes/chemical synthesis , Cyclopropanes/pharmacology , Etoricoxib/chemical synthesis , Etoricoxib/pharmacology , Metal Nanoparticles , Quinolines/chemical synthesis , Quinolines/pharmacology , Sulfides/chemical synthesis , Sulfides/pharmacology , Acetates/chemistry , Analgesics/chemical synthesis , Analgesics/chemistry , Analgesics/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/chemical synthesis , Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemical synthesis , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic , Cyclopropanes/chemistry , Drug Compounding , Etoricoxib/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Quinolines/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis , Structure-Activity Relationship , Sulfides/chemistryABSTRACT
Platinum-based concurrent chemo-radiotherapy is the most common strategy for the treatment of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, low efficacy and side effects are the two major problems associated with this approach. Therefore, it is urgent need to explore novel therapeutic modalities to meet clinically standards. Photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are non-invasive and light trigger modalities received great attention to overcome the limitations and significantly improved cancer therapy. Here, we developed acidity surface charge transformable nanocluster (NCs) composed of Indocyanine green (ICG), Fe3O4, and Palmitoyl ascorbic acid (PA) with pH-responsive PEG-b-PAEMA-PDMA for enhanced synergistic PDT/PTT. NCs has the neutral hydrophilic surface helps to prolong blood circulation and instantly transformed to positively charged surface at tumoral acidic pH (6.5), which promoted the cellular uptake. Under laser irradiation (808 nm, 1 W/cm2), NCs produced PTT effect, concurrently it converts singlet oxygen (1O2) into H2O2, which can be further involved in Fenton reaction and produce toxic hydroxyl radical (â¢OH) enhances therapy efficacy. In vitro experiments on HNE-1 cancer cells showed improved intracellular uptake of NCs at low pH and simultaneously induced higher cytotoxicity medicated by synergetic PDT/PTT effect. In vivo therapeutic study revealed that NCs treatment under laser irradiation showed superior inhibition of tumor growth in HNE-1 tumor bearing mice model. Taken together, the present findings suggest that NCs could be used as "all in one" nano theranostic agent for enhanced PDT/PTT of cancer therapy.
Subject(s)
Ferric Compounds/chemistry , Hydrogen Peroxide/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/radiation effects , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/drug therapy , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Photochemotherapy/methods , Photothermal Therapy/methods , Animals , Ascorbic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Ascorbic Acid/chemistry , Biological Availability , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cell Survival/radiation effects , Female , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Indocyanine Green/chemistry , Lasers , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Particle Size , Polymers/chemistry , Precision Medicine , Xenograft Model Antitumor AssaysABSTRACT
miRNAs are attractive factors in cancer research studies due to their important roles for regulating of gene expression. Because of miRNA-21 expression surplus in many types of cancers, so accurate identification is important. Increasing efforts have caused different methods to improve the sensitivity and specificity of detection. Present study is an attempt to report a new electrochemical label-free PNA-based bioassay for detection of miRNA-21. In this study, gold electrode was modified by gold nanoparticles to improve a functional PNA-based biosensor. The EDS and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) were used to detect fabrication of biosensor. The electrochemical behavior of sensor was evaluated after inserting of acpcPNA probes and miRNA-21 on the stucture of electrode and analyzed essential parameters such as various concentration of target miRNA, hybridization time, reproducibility, stability, and applicability. The results of study demonstrated that engineered biosensor was successfully fabricated. The findings showed the highest amount of current in 5 minutes hybridization time, with suitable reproducibility and stability. This innovative miRNA-based biosensor presents a sensitive and specific method in fast and may be lab-on chip assay in future.
Subject(s)
Biomedical Technology , Biosensing Techniques , Gold/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , MicroRNAs/blood , Peptide Nucleic Acids/chemistry , Point-of-Care Testing , Pyrrolidines/chemistry , Electrochemical Techniques , Electrodes , Humans , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Oxidation-Reduction , Reproducibility of Results , Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission , Staining and LabelingABSTRACT
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are gaining a lot of attention in recent decades from researchers due to their unique optoelectronic properties and their significance in the field of biomedicine. Keeping this in view, our research work was designed to investigate gold nanoparticles obtained by using a fungal endophytic strain Chaetomium globosum, isolated from Vitex negundo which showed significant activity on enzyme inhibition. In the present study, the fungal isolate C. globosum was characterized using HPLC and LC-MS. A novel compound Catechin was matched with standard Catechin. Further, the endophyte C. globosum extract was utilized to synthesize gold nanoparticles (CgAuNPs) which was analysed by UV-visible spectroscopy. The CgAuNPs exhibited wine red color and the absorption peak appeared at 542 nm confirming the formation of the AuNPs. Further, Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to confirm the various functional groups present in mycosynthesized CgAuNPs. FTIR analysis demonstrated the presence of amines, flavonoids, as well as the presence of amide I linkage which possibly reduces Au+ to Au0. The synthesized CgAuNPs exhibited potential cytotoxicity against HeLa cells in a dose dependent manner. Further, CgAuNPs demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity. Overall, the present work provides insights into the design of nano delivery and may be applied for clinical studies in future.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Chaetomium/chemistry , Endophytes/chemistry , Gold/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Acetic Acid/toxicity , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemical synthesis , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Carrageenan/toxicity , Catechin/chemistry , Catechin/pharmacology , Catechin/therapeutic use , Chaetomium/metabolism , Cyclooxygenase 2/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Edema/chemically induced , Edema/drug therapy , Edema/pathology , Endophytes/isolation & purification , Endophytes/metabolism , Female , HeLa Cells , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Inflammation/chemically induced , Inflammation/drug therapy , Inflammation/pathology , Lipoxygenase/drug effects , Male , Metal Nanoparticles/therapeutic use , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Mice , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Vitex/chemistry , Vitex/metabolism , Xanthine Oxidase/antagonists & inhibitors , Xanthine Oxidase/drug effectsABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are used in many commercial products. However, their effects on human and animal organism remained to be clarified. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of TiO2-NPs on the behavioural performance, monoamine neurotransmitters and oxidative stress in the rat brain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were injected intravenously with a single dose of TiO2-NPs (20 mg/kg body weight) and were subjected to cognitive and emotional tests using Morris water maze and elevated plus maze. RESULTS: Cognitive capacity as well as the emotional reactivity were significantly disrupted, in TiO2-NPs-administered rats compared to control group. These behavioural effects were correlated with changes in brain neurotransmitter contents reflected by a significant increase in dopamine and a decrease in serotonin levels. TiO2-NPs also induced oxidative stress in the brain manifested by increased levels of H2O2 and malondialdehyde, associated with antioxidant enzymes activities disturbance, in particular, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Moreover, TiO2-NPs administration caused histological damages in the brain tissue with abundant lymphocytic clusters, capillary dilations, vascular congestion and oedema. CONCLUSIONS: Acute intravenous injection of TiO2-NPs impaired behaviour performances through brain biochemical and structural changes and precautions should be taken to their usage in food additive and medical applications.
Subject(s)
Brain/drug effects , Cognition/drug effects , Metal Nanoparticles/toxicity , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Spatial Behavior/drug effects , Titanium/toxicity , Animals , Brain/metabolism , Catalase/metabolism , Cognition/physiology , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism , Male , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Maze Learning/drug effects , Maze Learning/physiology , Memory/drug effects , Memory/physiology , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism , Rats, Wistar , Spatial Behavior/physiology , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Titanium/metabolism , X-Ray DiffractionABSTRACT
Owing to the excellent antibacterial and antiviral activity, silver nanoparticles have a widespread use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. With the increase in the production and use of the related products, the potential hazard of silver nanoparticles has aroused public attention. The main purpose of this study is to explore the toxicity of silver nanoparticles and induction of lung inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Here, we validated that small amounts of silver ions dissolved from silver nanoparticles caused the depolarization of plasma membrane, resulting in an overload of intracellular sodium and calcium, and eventually led to the cell necrosis. The blockers of calcium or sodium channels inversed the toxicity of silver ions. Then, we instilled silver nanoparticles or silver nitrate (50 µg per mouse) into the lungs of mice, and this induced pulmonary injury and mitochondrial content release, led to the recruitment of neutrophils to the lung tissue via p38 MAPK pathway. Altogether, these data show that released silver ions from nanoparticles induced cell necrosis through Na+ and Ca2+ influx and triggered pulmonary inflammation through elevating mitochondrial-related contents released from these necrotic cells.
Subject(s)
Metal Nanoparticles/adverse effects , Mitochondria/metabolism , Pneumonia/pathology , Silver/adverse effects , A549 Cells , Animals , Calcium/metabolism , DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism , GTPase-Activating Proteins/metabolism , Humans , Ions , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mitochondria/drug effects , N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine/pharmacology , Necroptosis/drug effects , Necrosis , Neutrophil Infiltration/drug effects , Protein Kinases/metabolism , Sodium/metabolismABSTRACT
It is of great significance to construct specially designed gold nanocrystals (AuNCs) with precisely controllable size and morphology to achieve an excellent physicochemical performance. In this work, sea urchin-shaped AuNCs with tunable plasmonic property were successfully synthesized by the hybridized double-strand poly adenine (dsPolyA) DNA-directed self-assembly technique. Hybridized dsPolyA as the directing template had suitable rigidity and upright conformation, which benefited the controllable formation of these anisotropic multi-branched AuNCs with the assistance of surfactant. The effects of essential conditions influencing the synthesis and precise morphology control were investigated in detail. COMSOL simulation was used to evaluate their electromagnetic field distribution according to their morphologies, and the result suggested that sea urchin-shaped AuNCs had abundant 'hot spots' for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection due to their regular nanoprotuberance structure. Finally, sea urchin-shaped AuNCs with excellent SERS and catalytic performance were applied for the quantitative analysis of food colorant and catalytic degradation of potential pollutants. The SERS enhancement factor of sea urchin-shaped AuNCs was up to 5.27 × 106, and the catalytic degradation rate for 4-NP by these AuNCs was up to -0.13min-1.
Subject(s)
Gold/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Oligonucleotides/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Catalysis , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Nanotechnology/methods , Surface PropertiesABSTRACT
The utilization of nanoparticle-polymer bead hybrid nanostructures as a SERS substrate depends on the control of the deposition, density, and distribution of nanoparticles on the bead surface. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of a large area SERS substate via a two- step DNA mediated assembly of gold nanoprisms and polystyrene (PS) beads into a large ensemble of beads that are densely coated with nanoprisms. First, nanoprisms are loaded on PS beads through DNA hybridization. The close packed arrangement of anisotropic nanoprisms in different orientations on a bead surface results in a plasmonic substrate with a variable nanogap size ranging 1-20 nm. Nanoprisms-coated beads are then assembled into a large stack or aggregate of beads using a DNA-induced crystallization approach. Each aggregate consists of 20-50 nanoprisms-coated beads, leading to the formation a large area of three-dimensional SERS substrate with a high-density of hot spots for SERS enhancement. An excellent enhancement factor (EF) of [Formula: see text] and a very high detection sensitivity (up to 10-10 M) are observed for the analysis of a probe molecule (Methylene blue) using the SERS substrate.
Subject(s)
DNA/chemistry , Gold/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Polystyrenes/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Methylene Blue/analysis , Nanotechnology/methods , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methodsABSTRACT
SERS tags are a class of nanoparticles with great potential in advanced imaging experiments. The preparation of SERS tags however is complex, as they suffer from the high variability of the SERS signals observed even at the slightest sign of aggregation. Here, we developed a method for the preparation of SERS tags based on the use of gold nanostars conjugated with neutravidin. The SERS tags here obtained are extremely stable in all biological buffers commonly employed and can be prepared at a relatively large scale in very mild conditions. The obtained SERS tags have been used to monitor the expression of fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) on the membrane of primary fibroblasts obtained from patients affected by Crohn's disease. The SERS tags allowed the unambiguous identification of FAP on the surface of cells thus suggesting the feasibility of semi-quantitative analysis of the target protein. Moreover, the use of the neutravidin-biotin system allows to apply the SERS tags for any other marker detection, for example, different cancer cell types, simply by changing the biotinylated antibody chosen in the analysis.
Subject(s)
Endopeptidases/genetics , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Myofibroblasts/metabolism , Octoxynol/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Avidin/chemistry , Biotin/chemistry , Crohn Disease/genetics , Crohn Disease/metabolism , Crohn Disease/pathology , Endopeptidases/analysis , Endopeptidases/metabolism , Gene Expression , Gold/chemistry , Humans , Ileum/metabolism , Ileum/pathology , Membrane Proteins/analysis , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Myofibroblasts/pathology , Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry , Primary Cell Culture , Staining and LabelingABSTRACT
Renal complications are long-term effect of diabetes mellitus where glucose is excreted in urine. Therefore, reliable glucose detection in urine is critical. While commercial urine strips offer a simple way to detect urine sugar, poor sensitivity and low reliability limit their use. A hybrid glucose oxidase (GOx)/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) assay remains the gold standard for pathological detection of glucose. A key restriction is poor stability of HRP and its suicidal inactivation by hydrogen peroxide, a key intermediate of the GOx-driven reaction. An alternative is to replace HRP with a robust inorganic enzyme-mimic or NanoZyme. While colloidal NanoZymes show promise in glucose sensing, they detect low concentrations of glucose, while urine has high (mM) glucose concentration. In this study, a free-standing copper NanoZyme is used for the colorimetric detection of glucose in human urine. The sensor could operate in a biologically relevant dynamic linear range of 0.5-15 mM, while showing minimal sample matrix effect such that glucose could be detected in urine without significant sample processing or dilution. This ability could be attributed to the Cu NanoZyme that for the first time showed an ability to promote the oxidation of a TMB substrate to its double oxidation diimine product rather than the charge-transfer complex product commonly observed. Additionally, the sensor could operate at a single pH without the need to use different pH conditions as used during the gold standard assay. These outcomes outline the high robustness of the NanoZyme sensing system for direct detection of glucose in human urine. Graphical abstract.
Subject(s)
Copper/chemistry , Glucose/analysis , Glycosuria/urine , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Biomimetic Materials/chemistry , Catalysis , Colloids/chemistry , Colorimetry/methods , Humans , Limit of Detection , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Oxidation-ReductionABSTRACT
Accurate and rapid quantitative detection of pesticide and pollutant levels in the actual sample can aid in protecting food security, environmental security, and human health. A high Raman enhancement factor and good repeatability of the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates are favorable to quantitative analysis. Herein, a quantitative SERS sensor based on constructed self-assembled plasmonic Au@Ag heterogeneous nanocuboids (Au@Ag NCs) monolayer was developed. The sensor was used to quantitatively detect the trace pesticides extracted from pear surfaces and pollutants in fishpond water. Densely packed Au@Ag NCs fabricated into large-scale monolayer films were chemically functionalized using 4-methyl-thiobenzoic acid (4-MBA) at the organic/aqueous interface, in which plentiful nanogaps contribute to increase hotspots. Their sharp corners and edges make the sensor have high SERS performance through providing abundant "hot spots." The obtained optically SERS-based sensor with uniform liquid-state interfacial nanoparticle arrays appeared to have nice SERS performance and uniformity using crystal violet (CV) as a probe molecule. In particular, the proposed SERS sensor was applied for quantitative detection of thiabendazole (TBZ) extracted from pear surfaces and malachite green (MG) in fishpond water down to levels of 0.0105 nM and 0.87 nM for SERS assay respectively. As a result, our proposed SERS quantitative detection strategy is quite preferred to on-site analysis and supervision of contaminant in food samples.
Subject(s)
Gold/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Pesticides/analysis , Silver/chemistry , Spectrum Analysis, Raman/methods , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Fresh Water/analysis , Fruit/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Pyrus/chemistry , Rosaniline Dyes/analysis , Thiabendazole/analysisABSTRACT
The use of nanomaterials as mimic enzymes provides a promising way to implement bio-molecule detection in living systems. However, to achieve highly efficient catalytic processes with gold nanocluster-based nanozymes is still challenging. In this study, a facile reduction method was utilized to synthesize gold nanoclusters with 1-methyl-D-tryptophan as the reducing and capping agent. The obtained gold nanoclusters exhibited a peroxidase-mimicking property in the redox reaction of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine to blue oxidized 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine in the presence of H2O2. The addition of norfloxacin endowed the nanozymes with a 10-fold enhancement in catalytic efficiency due to the surface charge-controlled electron transfer modulation. The colorimetric sensing system presented a high selectivity toward norfloxacin. The good linear relationship of norfloxacin monitoring was gained in the range of 1.25~8.0 µM (R2 = 0.996), with a detection limit of 0.2 µM. The practical application of the proposed protocol for the measurement of norfloxacin in capsules was realized. This demonstrates that on account of their significant catalytic efficiency enhancement, the gold nanocluster-based nanozymes hold great promise in realizing the selective detection of drugs. Graphical Abstract.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/analysis , Gold/chemistry , Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry , Norfloxacin/analysis , Benzidines/chemistry , Capsules , Catalysis , Colorimetry/methods , Hydrogen Peroxide/chemistry , Limit of Detection , Metal Nanoparticles/ultrastructure , Oxidation-Reduction , Peroxidase/chemistryABSTRACT
In this paper, we present a microstructured optofluidic in-fiber Raman sensor for the detection of quinolone antibiotic residue in a water environment based on Ag surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate grown on the surface of the suspended core of micro-hollow optical fiber (MHF). Here, MHF has a special structure with a suspended core and a microchannel inside, which can become a natural in-fiber optofluidic device. Meanwhile, the self-assembled Ag SERS substrate can be grown on the suspended core's surface through chemical bonds, forming a microstructured optofluidic device with a Raman enhancement effect. Therefore, it can effectively detect the Raman signal of unlabeled trace quinolone antibiotic residue (ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin) inside the optical fiber. The results show that the ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin detection limits (LOD) are 10-10M and 10-11M, respectively. Compared with the maximum residue limit (3.01×10-7mol/L) stipulated by the European Union, the results are much lower, and an ideal quantitative relationship can be obtained within the detection range. Significantly, this study provides an in-fiber microstructured optofluidic Raman sensor for the label-free detection of quinolone antibiotic residue, which will have good development prospects in the field of antibiotic water pollution environmental detection.