Advancing oral health: Harnessing the potential of chitosan and polyphenols in innovative mouthwash formulation.

This paper explores the therapeutic perspectives of polyphenols and chitosan as potential anticancer agents in the mouthwash formulations. Taking into account the high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among oral cancers, this discussion will concentrate on the potential advantages of these compounds in oral care, focusing on their impact on improving oral health and cancer prevention. According to the data, it appears that the mixture of BACs extract and chitosan may increase the efficiency of the apoptosis of cancer cells while reducing the undesired side effects. The cytotoxicity assays demonstrate a significant reduction in squamous carcinoma cell viability after incubation with BACs extract, with a marked decrease observed over 24-72 hours up to 76%. The anti-cancer properties of the BAC extract are related to luteolin, which is a predominant compound. The addition of 0.025% chitosan reduced the metabolic activity of cancer cells by 37.5%, suggesting a synergistic interaction between the compounds. This research highlights the potential of BACs and chitosan in modulating important molecular targets associated with cancer cell.

Can a Small Change in the Heterocyclic Substituent Significantly Impact the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of (Z)-2-(5-Benzylidene-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetic Acid Derivatives?

Rhodanine-3-acetic acid derivatives are attractive compounds with versatile effects. What is very important is that compounds of this type have many biological properties. They are tested, among others, as fluorescent probes for bioimaging and aldose reductase inhibitors. Rhodanine-3-acetic acid derivatives also have antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activity. The presented work demonstrates that a slight change in the five-membered heterocyclic substituent significantly affects the properties of the compounds under consideration. Three rhodanine-3-acetic acid derivatives (A-1-A-3) were obtained in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction with good yields, ranging from 54% to 71%. High thermal stability of the tested compounds was also demonstrated above 240 °C. The absorption and emission maxima in polar and non-polar solvents were determined. Then, the possibility of using the considered derivatives for fluorescence bioimaging was checked. Compounds A-1 and A-2 were successfully used as fluorescent dyes of fixed cells of mammalian origin. In addition, biological activity tests against bacteria and fungi were carried out. Our results showed that A-1 and A-2 showed the most excellent antimicrobial activity among the newly synthesized compounds, especially against Gram-positive bacteria.

Effect of four fluoroquinolones on the viability of bladder cancer cells in 2D and 3D cultures.

Introduction: The anticancer properties of fluoroquinolones and the high concentrations they achieve in urine may help in bladder cancer therapy. This study aimed to analyze the properties of 4 fluoroquinolones as potential candidates for supportive treatment of bladder cancer. Methods: Comparative analyses were performed on the cytotoxic effects of norfloxacin, enrofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and ofloxacin on normal and cancer urothelial cell lines. In 2D culture, the cytotoxic properties of fluoroquinolones were evaluated using MTT assay, real-time cell growth analysis, fluorescence and light microscopy, flow cytometry, and molecular analysis. In 3D culture, the properties of fluoroquinolones were tested using luminescence assays and confocal microscopy. Results and Discussion: All tested fluoroquinolones in 2D culture decreased the viability of both tested cell lines in a dose- and timedependent manner. Lower concentrations did not influence cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization. In higher concentrations, destruction of the actin cytoskeleton and shrinkage of the nucleus was visible. Flow cytometry analysis showed cell cycle inhibition of bladder cancer cell lines in the G2/M phase. This influence was minimal in the case of normal urothelium cells. In both tested cell lines, increases in the number of late apoptotic cells were observed. Molecular analysis showed variable expression of studied genes depending on the drug and concentration. In 3D culture, tested drugs were effective only in the highest tested concentrations which was accompanied by caspase 3/7 activation and cytoskeleton degradation. This effect was hardly visible in non-cancer cell lines. According to the data, norfloxacin and enrofloxacin had the most promising properties. These two fluoroquinolones exhibited the highest cytotoxic properties against both tested cell lines. In the case of norfloxacin, almost all calculated LC values for bladder cancer cell lines were achievable in the urine. Enrofloxacin and norfloxacin can be used to support chemotherapy in bladder cancer patients.

Christmas Tree Bio-Waste as a Power Source of Bioactive Materials with Anti-Proliferative Activities for Oral Care.

According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 54,000 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers have been detected in the United States of America in 2021, and they will cause about 10,850 deaths. The main therapies for cancer management, such as surgery and radio- and chemotherapy, have some own benefits, albeit they are often destructive for surrounding tissues; thus, deep investigations into non-surgical treatments for oral cavities are needed. Biologically active compounds (BACs) extracted from European Spruce needles were analyzed to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content and were used as additional ingredients for oral hygiene products. An anti-proliferation investigation was carried out using extracts containing BACs with the use of several cell lines (cancer and a normal one). ESI-MS studies on BACs showed that luteolin, a natural flavonoid compound with anti-tumorigenic properties against various types of tumors, is the predominant component of the extracts. MTT, BrdU, and LIVE/DEAD studies demonstrated that BAC extracts obtained from Christmas tree needles possess anticancer properties against squamous cell carcinoma (with epithelial origins). We proved that BAC extracts contain high amounts of luteolin, which induces cytotoxicity toward cancer cells; along with their high selectivity, robustness, and nontoxicity, they are very promising materials in oral health applications.

Bladder Cancer Cells Exert Pleiotropic Effects on Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

Stem cell-based therapies are considered one of the most promising disciplines in biomedicine. Bladder cancer patients could benefit from therapies directed to promote healing after invasive surgeries or to lessen urinary incontinence, a common side effect of both cancer itself and the treatment. However, the local delivery of cells producing large amounts of paracrine factors may alter interactions within the microenvironment. For this reason, reconstructive cellular therapies for patients with a history of cancer carry a potential risk of tumor reactivation. We used an indirect co-culture model to characterize the interplay between adipose-derived stem cells and bladder cancer cells. Incubation with ASCs increased MCP-1 secretion by bladder cancer cells (from 2.1-fold to 8.1-fold, depending on the cell line). Cancer cell-derived factors altered ASC morphology. Cells with atypical shapes and significantly enlarged volumes appeared within the monolayer. Incubation in a conditioned medium (CM) containing soluble mediators secreted by 5637 and HB-CLS-1 bladder cancer cell lines decreased ASC numbers by 47.5% and 45.7%. A significant increase in adhesion to ECM components, accompanied by reduced motility and sheet migration, was also observed after incubation in CM from 5637 and HB-CLS-1 cells. No differences were observed when ASCs were co-cultured with HT-1376 cells. Our previous and present results indicate that soluble mediators secreted by ASCs and bladder cancer cells induce opposite effects influencing cells that represent the non-muscle-invasive urinary bladder.

Ciprofloxacin and Graphene Oxide Combination-New Face of a Known Drug.

Drug modification with nanomaterials is a new trend in pharmaceutical studies and shows promising results, especially considering carbon-based solutions. Graphene and its derivatives have attracted much research interest for their potential applications in biomedical areas as drug modifiers. The following work is a comprehensive study regarding the toxicity of ciprofloxacin (CIP) modified by graphene oxide (GO). The influence on the morphology, viability, cell death pathway and proliferation of T24 and 786-0 cells was studied. The results show that ciprofloxacin modified with graphene oxide (CGO) shows the highest increase in cytotoxic potential, especially in the case of T24 cells. We discovered a clear connection between CIP modification with GO and the increase in its apoptotic potential. Our results show that drug modification with carbon-based nanomaterials might be a promising strategy to improve the qualities of existing drugs. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that cytotoxicity effects are highly dependent on dose and nanomaterial size. It is necessary to conduct further research to determine the optimal dose of GO for drug modification.

Modification of Collagen/Gelatin/Hydroxyethyl Cellulose-Based Materials by Addition of Herbal Extract-Loaded Microspheres Made from Gellan Gum and Xanthan Gum.

Because consumers are nowadays focused on their health and appearance, natural ingredients and their novel delivery systems are one of the most developing fields of pharmacy, medicine, and cosmetics. The main goal of this study was to design, prepare, and characterize composite materials obtained by incorporation of microspheres into the porous polymer materials consisting of collagen, gelatin, and hydroxyethyl cellulose. Microspheres, based on gellan gum and xanthan gum with encapsulated Calendula officinalis flower extract, were produced by two methods: extrusion and emulsification. The release profile of the extract from both types of microspheres was compared. Then, obtained microparticles were incorporated into polymeric materials with a porous structure. This modification had an influence on porosity, density, swelling properties, mechanical properties, and stability of materials. Besides, in vitro tests were performed using mouse fibroblasts. Cell viability was assessed with the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The obtained materials, especially with microspheres prepared by emulsion method, can be potentially helpful when designing cosmetic forms because they were made from safely for skin ingredients used in this industry and the herbal extract was successfully encapsulated into microparticles.

Stability and anti-proliferative properties of biologically active compounds extracted from Cistus L. after sterilization treatments.

The growing interest of oncologists in natural compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids is encouraging the development of innovative and efficient carriers for the delivery of those drugs. This study examines carboxymethyl chitosan-based microcapsules created by spray drying as a method for delivering biologically active compounds isolated from the Cistus herb. Effects of sterilization and encapsulation on the polyphenol and flavonoid content of Cistus extract were investigated to optimize the production process. Furthermore, in vitro studies were carried out to examine the anticancer properties of sterilized polyphenols and flavonoids on glioblastoma cells isolated from oncological patients. Acquired results show high anticancer potential towards glioblastoma as well as low cytotoxicity towards non-cancer cell lines by the substances in question. Steam sterilization is shown to affect the content of biologically active compounds the least. We demonstrate that the investigated form of drug encapsulation is both efficient and potentially possible to scale up from the viewpoint of the pharmaceutical industry.

2'-(1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)-phenyl-4-carboxylic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester: A new phenanthroimidazole derivative as a fluorescent probe for medical imaging applications.

In this study a new probe (2'-(1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)-phenyl-4-carboxylic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, PB1-1) was synthesized and presented, containing the ester group as reactive group for medical imaging applications. The tests included a comparison to the PB1 probe with the aldehyde group described earlier. Also, the photophysics of PB1 and PB1-1 when conjugated to albumin (HSA) and concanavalin A (Con A) was studied. The fluorescence anisotropy measurements and the method of fluorescence quenching of protein were used to examine these interactions. The results showed that both dyes are highly bound to the studied proteins, especially PB1-1. In the present study we also compared the stability of prepared conjugates. The in vitro study have shown that all tested compounds presented to be usable in the case of fixated cell staining. PB1-1-ConA and PB1-1-HSA were characterized with the lowest cytotoxicity during the MTT assay, and thus should be more suitable for live imaging applications than PB1-ConA and PB1-HSA. The results obtained in this work confirmed the theses presented in in silico studies as to the correctness of the choice of ester group as actively binding to the protein. At the same time, we have experimentally demonstrated the significant influence of a probe-protein linker on the spectral properties of conjugates used in medical imaging. We have clearly indicated that a detailed analysis of derivatives with different reactive group allows for proper probe selection. We also pointed out that based on the geometric skeleton of one dye, a whole range of fluorescent probes with different absorption and fluorescence spectra can be obtained for in vitro tests in medical imaging.

Does the Harvesting Technique Affect the Properties of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells?-The Comparative Biological Characterization.

The objective of this study was to evaluate complex biological properties of human stem cells isolated from adipose tissue (ASCs) harvested utilizing different methods: surgical resection (R), power-assisted liposuction (PAL), and laser-assisted liposuction (LAL). ASCs were isolated from healthy donors, due to surgical resection, power-, and laser-assisted liposuction. Isolated cells were characterized by their clonogenicity, proliferation rate, doubling time, multilineage differentiation, and senescence potential. The average number of ASCs from 1g/1 ml of solid adipose tissue/lipoaspirate was 2.9 × 105 ± 2.4 × 105 , 1.1 × 105 ± 0.8 × 105 , and 1.2 × 105 ± 0.7 × 105 , respectively, for ASCsR, ASCsPAL, and ASCsLAL. However, number of colonies formed by ASCsR and ASCsPAL was significantly higher compared to the average number of colonies formed by ASCsLAL. Also, in comparison to other analyzed cell groups, ASCsPAL obtained the highest proliferative activity. All analyzed cells were characterized by stable expression of CD90 and CD44 markers during prolonged culture. Expression of CD34 and CD45 markers was decreasing in subsequent passages. Presented study shows that different ASCs collection method affects some basic characteristics of these cells, such as number of isolated cells, clonogeneity, or doubling time. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1097-1107, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High Quality Independent From a Donor: Human Amniotic Fluid Derived Stem Cells-A Practical Analysis Based on 165 Clinical Cases.

The aim of the study was to extend the potential use of human stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid in medical applications by confirming their high homogeneity and quality. Amniotic fluid samples were collected during amniocentesis from 165 women during pregnancy. The proliferation rate, clonogenicity, karyotype, aging process, pluripotent cell markers, expression of surface markers, and the potential to differentiate into adipose, bone and cartilage cells of hAFSCs were analyzed. Obtained results revealed that mesenchymal stem cells could be derived successfully from amniotic fluid, which exhibit properties comparable with MSCs of other origins. It is the first study, in which such a large group of patients was involved. Comprehensive statistical and biological analysis were conducted some of which clearly being innovative in relation to human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 116-126, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells as a Tool in Cell-Based Therapies.

Recent development in stem cell isolation methods and expansion under laboratory conditions create an opportunity to use those aforementioned cells in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Particular attention is drawn towards mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) being multipotent progenitors exhibiting several unique characteristics, including high proliferation potential, self-renewal abilities and multilineage differentiation into cells of mesodermal and non-mesodermal origin. High abundance of MSCs found in adipose tissue makes it a very attractive source of adult stem cells for further use in regenerative medicine applications. Despite immunomodulating properties of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and a secretion of a wide variety of paracrine factors that facilitate tissue regeneration, effectiveness of stem cell therapy was not supported by the results of clinical trials. Lack of a single, universal stem cell marker, patient-to-patient variability, heterogeneity of ASC population combined with multiple widely different protocols of cell isolation and expansion hinder the ability to precisely identify and analyze biological properties of stem cells. The above issues contribute to conflicting data reported in literature. We will review the comprehensive information concerning characteristic features of ASCs. We will also review the regenerative potential and clinical application based on various clinical trials.