Optimization and Synthesis of Nano-Niosomes for Encapsulation of Triacontanol by Box-Behnken Design.

Triacontanol is a long-chain primary alcohol derived from policosanol, known for its diverse biological activities, including functioning as a plant growth regulator and exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antitumoral effects. However, its application is limited due to its high hydrophobicity, resulting in poor absorption and reduced therapeutic effectiveness. A potential solution to this problem is the use of niosomes. Niosomes are carriers composed of non-ionic surfactants, cholesterol, charge-inducing agents, and a hydration medium. They are effective in encapsulating drugs, improving their solubility and bioavailability. The objective of this study was to optimize and synthesize nano-niosomes for the encapsulation of triacontanol. Niosomes were synthesized using a thin-film hydration method combined with ultrasonication, following a Box-Behnken design. Niosomes were characterized using various techniques including dynamic light scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confocal microscopy, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Formulation 14 of niosomes achieved the desired size, polydispersity index (0.198 ± 0.008), and zeta potential (-31.28 ± 1.21). FTIR analysis revealed a characteristic signal in the 3400-300 cm-1 range, indicating intermolecular interactions due to a bifurcated hydrogen bond between cholesterol and S60. Confocal microscopy confirmed the presence of triacontanol through Nile Red fluorescence. TEM revealed the spherical structure of niosomes.

Content and Yield of L-DOPA and Bioactive Compounds of Broad Bean Plants: Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity In Vitro.

The broad bean plant contains L-DOPA, a compound that is essential for patients with Parkinson's disease. However, little has been reported on other broad bean compounds that have beneficial effects on health. The objective was to evaluate plants of four Mexican broad bean varieties to determine the content and yield of total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoids (TF), and L-DOPA, as well as to analyze the flavonoid profile and antioxidant (AA) and anti-inflammatory (AANTI) activity in vitro. Broad bean seeds were sown in the field and plants were harvested 20 days after emergence. The analyses were performed with visible UV spectrophotometry and HPLC. The variety José María produced the highest yield of TPC (9.30 g m-2), TF (8.08 g m-2), and L-DOPA (5.64 g m-2) per unit of area. The highest yields per plant were obtained with the Rojita variety: TPC (0.25 g plant-1), TF (0.21 g plant-1), and L-DOPA (0.17 g plant-1). This variety also had the highest antioxidant (IC50 = 87.68 µg mL-1) and anti-inflammatory (IC50 = 74.40 mg mL-1) activity, which was attributed to the L-DOPA compounds and to rutin and isoorientins, respectively. The flavonoid profile revealed the presence of rutin and isoorientins, which had not been previously detected in the broad bean plant.

Bioprocess conditions and regulation factors to optimize squalene production in thraustochytrids.

Squalene is a widely distributed natural triterpene, as it is a key precursor in the biosynthesis of all sterols. It is a compound of high commercial value worldwide because it has nutritional, medicinal, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications, due to its different biological properties. The main source of extraction has been shark liver oil, which is currently unviable on a larger scale due to the impacts of overexploitation. Secondary sources are mainly vegetable oils, although a limited one, as they allow low productive yields. Due to the diversity of applications that squalene presents and its growing demand, there is an increasing interest in identifying sustainable sources of extraction. Wild species of thraustochytrids, which are heterotrophic protists, have been identified to have the highest squalene content compared to bacteria, yeasts, microalgae, and vegetable sources. Several studies have been carried out to identify the bioprocess conditions and regulation factors, such as the use of eustressors that promote an increase in the production of this triterpene; however, studies focused on optimizing their productive yields are still in its infancy. This review includes the current trends that also comprises the advances in genetic regulations in these microorganisms, with a view to identify the culture conditions that have been favorable in increasing the production of squalene, and the influences that both bioprocess conditions and applied regulation factors partake at a metabolic level.

Cytotoxic effect of the immunotoxin constructed of the ribosome-inactivating protein curcin and the monoclonal antibody against Her2 receptor on tumor cells.

The toxicity of the curcin on cancer cells allows to consider this protein as the toxic component of an immunotoxin directed to Her2, which is associated with cancer. Reductive amination was proposed to conjugate curcin and an anti-Her2; the binding was tested using Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western blot, and immunocytochemistry. The in vitro cytotoxicity of curcin and the immunotoxin was assessed on breast cancer cell lines SK-BR-3 (Her2(+)) and MDA-MB-231 (Her2(-)). IC50 values for curcin were 15.5 ± 8.3 and 18.6 ± 2.4 µg/mL, respectively, statistically equivalent (p < 0.05). While to the immunotoxin was 2.2 ± 0.08 for SK-BR-3 and 147.6 ± 2.5 µg/mL for MDA-MB-231. These values showed that the immunotoxin was seven times more toxic to the SK-BR-3 than curcin and eight times less toxic to the MDA-MB-231. The immunotoxin composed of curcin and an antibody against Her2 and constructed by reductive amination could be a therapeutic candidate against Her2(+) cancer.

Antioxidant and chelating activity of Jatropha curcas L. protein hydrolysates.

BACKGROUND: Antioxidant and chelating activities were determined in protein hydrolysates that were produced by treating a protein isolate of a non-toxic genotype of Jatropha curcas with the protease preparation alcalase. RESULTS: 50 min protein hydrolysate with a degree of hydrolysis of 31.7% showed highest antioxidant and chelating activity. These activities were also determined in six peptidic fractions that were separated by gel filtration chromatography of the 50 min hydrolysate. The lower-molecular-weight peptidic fractions had the highest antioxidant and chelating activities, which correlated with a higher content in antioxidant and chelating amino acids such as tyrosine and histidine. CONCLUSION: Results show that J. curcas represents a good source of bioactive peptides. This may be important for the revalorization of defatted J. curcas flour, a by-product resulting form oil extraction for biodiesel production. This is especially important in Third World and developing countries such as Mexico.