Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensor based on silver nanoparticles/multi wall carbon nanotubes for ultrasensitive detection of cholesterol.

Cholesterol is vital for living things because of an important part of cell membranes, as well as one of the basic components of brain and nerve cells. However, cholesterol must be at an optimum level. If it is below or above this level, it is a marker of many various diseases. Therefore, the detection of cholesterol amount is very important. Herein, MWCNTs were synthesized and AgNPs were grown on their surfaces. Thus, AgNP/MWCNT hybrid material was obtained. The AgNP/MWCNTs were used as surface enhancement Raman scattering (SERS) substrate to quantify the cholesterol molecule. High SERS enhancement of AgNP/MWCNT, specific SERS sensing platform and high sensitive SERS substrate were proposed to determine and monitor cholesterol molecule. AgNP/MWCNT substrate was studied in the concentration range of 10-3-10-10 M and the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as 3.24 × 10-11 M. In addition, the enhancement factor (EF) was determined as 6.21 × 109. As a result, it was reported in this study that cholesterol molecule can be determined with excellent accuracy, precision and sensitive by using AgNP/MWCNT substrate and therefore it can provide great potential in clinical diagnosis and health management.

Ultrasensitive detection of amoxicillin using the plasmonic silver nanocube as SERS active substrate.

Even though amoxicillin is used as an antibacterial drug in some foods such as fish, chick, etc. However, the use of amoxicillin in the food industry is prohibited. Therefore, rapid detection and sensitive detection at ultra-low concentration of amoxicillin is very important for human. Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is fast and reliable method to determine the molecules at ultra-low concentration. In this study, silver nanocubes were synthesized and used as SERS active substrate. The synthesized Ag NCs exhibit an excellent sensitivity towards the detection of amoxicillin at the lowest concentration of 10-9 M based on the effect resulting from Ag NCs leading to the high electromagnetic effect and chemical mechanism. The dynamic linear regression between the Raman intensity and amoxicillin concentration over seven orders of magnitude (from 10-4 to 10-9 M) was excellent with high reliability (R2 = 0.99). On the one hand, SERS substrate can be used after storing for 20 days. Because Ag NCs also demonstrated remarkable recyclability, reproducibility, and chemical stability. As a result, Ag NCs can be used as a potential SERS substrate to detect amoxicillin at ultra-low concentration.

Antifungal and antibiofilm efficacy of cinnamaldehyde-loaded poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles against Candida albicans / Eficacia antifúngica y antibiopelícula de nanopartículas de poli(DL-láctido-co-glicólido) (PLGA) cargadas con cinamaldehído contra Candida albicans

Biofilm-associated Candida infections threaten public health and show high mortality. The drugs used in treatment are very limited due to reasons such as toxicity, low efficacy, and drug resistance, and new alternatives are needed. The use of natural products of plant origin in the biofilm management draws attention. CA (cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic aldehyde, or 3-phenyl-2-propenal) is an essential oil component that can also inhibit mold growth and mycotoxin production. However, there are some limitations in its use due to its poor solubility and volatility in water. Recently, the combination of natural components and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems shows positive results. In this study, the effects of PLGA (poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)) nanoparticles arrested with CA (CA-PLGA NPs) on C. albicans planktonic and biofilm forms (prebiofilm and postbiofilm) were investigated. According to the results, the amount of active ingredient loaded in CA-PLGA NPs is much lower than the free CA and a strong antifungal effect was obtained even at this rate. Also, the postbiofilm application is more effective than prebiofilm application. PLGA NPs can also be a useful carrier for other essential oils, and their potential in various antifungal, antibiofilm, and biomedical applications should be investigated.(AU)

Antifungal and antibiofilm efficacy of cinnamaldehyde-loaded poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles against Candida albicans.

Biofilm-associated Candida infections threaten public health and show high mortality. The drugs used in treatment are very limited due to reasons such as toxicity, low efficacy, and drug resistance, and new alternatives are needed. The use of natural products of plant origin in the biofilm management draws attention. CA (cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic aldehyde, or 3-phenyl-2-propenal) is an essential oil component that can also inhibit mold growth and mycotoxin production. However, there are some limitations in its use due to its poor solubility and volatility in water. Recently, the combination of natural components and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems shows positive results. In this study, the effects of PLGA (poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)) nanoparticles arrested with CA (CA-PLGA NPs) on C. albicans planktonic and biofilm forms (prebiofilm and postbiofilm) were investigated. According to the results, the amount of active ingredient loaded in CA-PLGA NPs is much lower than the free CA and a strong antifungal effect was obtained even at this rate. Also, the postbiofilm application is more effective than prebiofilm application. PLGA NPs can also be a useful carrier for other essential oils, and their potential in various antifungal, antibiofilm, and biomedical applications should be investigated.

The application of qNMR for the determination of rosuvastatin in tablet form.

In this study, quantative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) method was used to determine the content of rosuvastatin in tablet. Linearity, range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision were determined in validation study of rosuvastatin. Furthermore, validation study of rosuvastatin was performed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Uncertainties of qNMR and HPLC methods were determined using per EURACHEM/CITAC Guide CG 4 (3th edition), quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement. qNMR and HPLC methods were linear in the ranges of 0.10 - 5.00 mg/mL and 0.001 - 0.0995 mg/mL, respectively and these lineraties indicate very good linearity performance with regression coefficients (R2 value) above > 0.99. Moreover, LOD and LOQ values using qNMR method were observed as 0.25 mg/mL and 0.80 mg/mL, respectively. These values using HPLC method were found as 0.00051 µg/mL and 0.001695 µg/mL, respectively. The strengths and weaknesses of qNMR method and HPLC method were determined with spectral emphasis on the role of identical reference standards in qualitive and quantitative analyses. It was found that qNMR method is simple, efficient, reliable, and accurate method. Moreover, qNMR method is an easy, practical, and useful method for the validation and optimization of rosuvastatin in the tablet.

Intrinsic physicochemical interactions of calcium hydroxide-based medications.

To investigate intrinsic physicochemical properties and interactions of three different calcium hydroxide-based medications via means of different analytical methods. Two-commercial premixed medications: TempCanal(TCmx) and ProCalR(PCmx) and powder-form ProCal(PCpw) with glycerin were used. Vibrational modes were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. Spectral mapping of samples was carried out using characteristic vibrational modes of calcium hydroxide and barium sulfate. Crystalline and amorphous phases were studied with X-rays powder diffraction analysis. Topographic features were examined by scanning electron microscope examination and quantitative analysis was determined using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Strong OH stretch of in Raman spectra were observed at 3,697 and 3,615 cm-1 for TCmx and reference, respectively. However, OH mode was not observed for PCmx and PCpw. Moreover, some peaks in the fingerprint areas of TCmx and PCpw overlapped with each other. The characteristic vibration bands of barium sulfate and calcium hydroxide were observed in all samples, and no new peak was observed in the Raman spectra of samples. Calcium hydroxide-based medications were seen as differed in their chemical composition. No new crystalline or amorphous phase peak was observed. Only calcium hydroxide and barium sulfate were matched in X-rays powder-diffraction analysis. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed that amount of Ba and S elements in the PCpw were lower than TCmx and PCmx whereas, for Ca in the PCpw was higher than TCmx and PCmx. The present study revealed the structural difference among different forms of calcium hydroxide-based medications. The vehicle and substrates of the tested medications altered the physicochemical properties of the compound via electrostatic interactions.

The Raman, SERS and computational studies of 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid and its silver complex.

Optimized chemical structure, Raman and SERS spectra of 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (35D4HCA) molecule and its silver (Ag) complex were calculated using time-dependent density functional theory in conjunction with B3LYP functional and LANL2DZ/6-311 + G(d,p) basis sets. Moreover, excitation and HOMO-LUMO energies were computed by the same level of theory. Because of the fact that energy of excitation electronic transition depends on infinite lifetime approximation, Raman activities were calculated under this approximation. Normal Raman spectra and SERS spectra of 35D4HCA and its silver complex were obtained with different excitation laser frequencies such as 532 nm and 785 nm and so interaction between metal surface and 35D4HCA was examined using SERS spectra. Moreover, theoretical and experimental UV-VIS spectra in the water of 35D4HCA and its silver complex were obtained and transitions, wavelengths and energy values of samples were shown. 1H NMR experiment of 35D4HCA and its silver complex were performed and it was determined interaction between Ag atoms and 35D4HCA. In order to determine thermal properties of 35D4HCA and its silver complex, TG and DTA analysis were carried out. HOMO and LUMO energy levels corresponding to these energy values were determined and transitions between these levels were determined.

Talazoparib Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy In vitro.

OBJECTIVE: In the present work, we report for the first time the therapeutic potential of talazoparib (BMN 673)-SLNs for the treatment of BRCA1 deficient Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). BMN 673-SLNs were produced by hot-homogenization technique and then characterized. METHODS: The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of BMN 673-SLNs compared with BMN 673 were determined on HCC1937BRCA1-/-, HCC1937-R resistant TNBC and MCF-10A control cell lines. BMN 673- SLNs were found to have reduced particle size (219.5 ± 1.45 nm) and thus more stable (-28.4 ± 2.52 mV) than BMN 673 (1652 ± 2.46 nm and -18.6 ± 0.45 mV) at 4°C. RESULTS: In vitro cell line studies demonstrated that BMN 673-SLNs showed significant cytotoxic effects on HCC1937 (29.8%) and HCC1937-R cells (35.7%) at 10 nM for 12 days compared with BMN 673 (HCC1937 cells: 34.0% and HCC1937-R cells: 93.8% at 10 nM for 12 days) (p<0.05). Additionally, BMN 673-SLNs (40.1%) reduced the toxicity of BMN 673 (53.1%) on MCF-10A control cells thanks to unique physical properties. CONCLUSION: The apoptotic rates in the 10 nM BMN 673-SLNs treatment (88.78% and 85.56%) for 12 days were significantly higher than those in 10 nM BMN 673 (82.6% and 25.86%) for 12 days in HCC1937 and HCC1937-R cells, respectively (p<0.01). Furthermore, these effects were consistent with the findings of colony formation, wound healing and calcein accumulation analysis. In conclusion, the therapeutic potential of BMN 673-SLNs provides a promising chemotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of drugresistant TNBC.

Solid lipid nanoparticles: Reversal of tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of tamoxifen (Tam) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) on MCF7 Tam-resistant breast cancer cells (MCF7-TamR). Tam-SLNs were produced by the hot homogenization method. The characterization studies of Tam-SLNs demonstrated good physical stability with small particle size. The in vitro cytotoxicity results showed that Tam-SLNs enhanced the efficacy of Tam and reversed the acquired Tam resistance by inducing apoptosis, altering the expression levels of specific miRNA and the related apoptosis-associated target-genes in both MCF7 and MCF7-TamR cells without damaging the MCF10A control cells (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we demonstrated a molecular mechanism of the induction of apoptosis by Tam-SLNs in MCF7 and MCF7-TamR cells, and thus, we demonstrated that Tam-SLNs were more effective than Tam. The present study suggests that the use SLNs may be a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome Tam-resistance in breast cancer for clinical use.

[Drug carrier nanosystems in malignant pleural mesothelioma]. / Malign plevral mezotelyomada ilaç tasiyici nanosistemler.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), the incidence increased with each passing day, is an important lethal disease due to the limited survive with available treatment methods and with the lack of a standard treatment. Response and survive rates of cytotoxic agents which is used in MPM treatment are not good enough. Therefore, treatment studies of MPM seem to quite important and urgent. In cancer therapy, convensional chemotherapeutic agent applications, due to the lack of selectivity, lead to systemic toxicity. Besides the limited solubility of the agent used, the distribution between the cells is weak. It is very difficult to the pass through cellular barriers, particularly, drug resistance may develop to the treatment. All of these reasons lead to failure in the treatment process. Because of the fact that cytotoxic drugs either kill the rapidly growing and dividing cells or make them disfunctional by showing toxic effect on them, to avoid the side effects and to make an inherent effect for cytotoxic drug of active ingredient given for treatment on tumor, different studies have been under investigation. At the present time, nanocarriers as one of these solutions seem to have an important place. Nanocarriers are promising for the development of therapeutic effectiveness and safety. It seems that use of the nanocarrier in the treatment of mesothelioma has a potential, as effective alternative a method, with improve of the drug efficacy and reduce of toxicity in normal tissues.

The Anticancer Activity of Complex [Cu2(µ-(C6H5)2CHCOO)3(bipy)2)] (ClO4) -Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on MCF-7 Cells.

Recent studies have focused on the potential use of metal-based complexes for the treatment of cancer. However, there are some limitations of metal-based ligands for the treatment of cancer due to their toxic effects. In the present study, a novel bimetallic Cu(II) complex, [Cu2(µ-(C6H5)2CHCOO)3 (bipy)2)](ClO4), has firstly been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, and X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, Cu(II) complex-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were initially prepared by hot homogenization method to overcome their toxic effects. After characterization, comparative cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of the complex and Cu(II) complex-SLNs on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were determined. Cu(II) complex demonstrated considerable in vitro cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 (p<0.05) and induced apoptotic cell death (88.02 ± 3.95%) of MCF-7 cells. But, the complex has also toxic effects (69.5%) on HUVEC control cells. For this purpose, Cu(II) complex-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) were firstly produced, with a distrubution range of 190±1.45 nm to 350±1.72 nm and zeta potentials of -27.4±1.98 mV and -18.2±1.07 mV, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of SLNs were also obtained. In vitro studies have shown that Cu(II) complex-SLNs help in reducing the side effect of Cu(II) complex (29.9%) on HUVEC control cells. Therefore, metal based complex might potentially be used for cancer treatment through nanoparticle based drug delivery systems.

Characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles containing caffeic acid and determination of its effects on MCF-7 cells.

Many anticancer drugs that are currently used in cancer treatment are natural products or their analogues by structural modification. Caffeic acid (3, 4-dihydroxycinnamic acid; CA) is classified as hydroxycinnamic acid and has a variety of potential pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. As a drug carrier, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) introduced to improve stability, provide controlled drug release, avoid organic solvents and are obtained in small sizes. In this study, we developed solid lipid nanoparticles incorporating with caffeic acid using hot homogenization method. Caffeic acid loaded solid lipid nanoparticles were characterized regarding particle size, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, drug release, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT-IR. The effects of caffeic acid loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on MCF-7 cells were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-dimethyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and Annexin V-PI analysis. As a result, solid lipid nanoparticles could potentially be used for the delivery of caffeic acid and solid lipid nanoparticles formulation enhanced the effects of caffeic acid on MCF-7 cells. Some relevant patents are also referred in this article.

Preparation and characterization of nocodazole-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles.

Nocodazole (NCD) has more carcinogenic effect than similar drugs. Moreover, it has low drug release time and high particle size. Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) have been evaluated for decrease in particle size and therefore increase in drug release time, for such drugs. In this study, NCD has been successfully incorporated into SLNs systems and remained stable for a period of 90 days. NCD structure related to the chemical nature of solid lipid is a key factor to decide whether anticarcinogenic agent will be incorporated in the long term and for a controlled optimization of active ingredient incorporation and loading, intensive characterization of the physical state of the lipid particles were highly essential. Thus, NMR, FT-IR, DSC (for thermal behavior) analyses were performed and the results did not indicate any problem on stability. Moreover, SLNs were decreased size of NCD in addition to increase in time of the drug release. After SLN preparation, particle size, polydispersity index, electrical conductivity and zeta potential were measured and drug release from NCD-loaded SLNs were performed. These values seem to be of the desired range.