Bringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay along with HPTLC fingerprinting study.

BACKGROUND: The wound healing process, restoring the functionality of the damaged tissue, can be accelerated by various compounds. The recent experimental analysis highlights the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in improving skin regeneration and wound healing. In traditional medicine, one of the widespread plants used for treating different injuries or skin afflictions is Galium aparine L. (GA). Besides, previously reported chemical compounds of GA suggested its therapeutic effects for the wound healing process, yet its regulatory effects on the cellular and molecular stages of the wound healing process have not been investigated. METHODS: In the present study, the phytochemical profile of the GA extract was analyzed using HPTLC fingerprinting, and further scientific evaluation of its phytochemicals was done. The wound-healing effects of GA extract were explored at the cellular and molecular levels while accounting for cell toxicity. The wound closure enhancing effect, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant activity were assessed. RESULTS: The HPTLC fingerprinting of the GA extract proved its previously reported phytochemical profile including phenols, flavonoids, tannins, plant acids, ergot alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, sterols, salicin, lipophilic compounds, saponins, iridoids, and heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. Antimicrobial assessment, of the extract, indicated the more susceptibility of S. aureus to the inhibitory effects of GA rather than E. coli and S. epidermidis. DPPH test results revealed the antioxidant property of GA extract, which was comparable to ascorbic acid. The results of the viability assay showed no cytotoxicity effects on human umbilical endothelial cell (HUVEC) and normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cell lines treated with different concentrations of whole plant extract and cell viability increased in a dose-dependent manner. The results of the scratch assay showed improved cell migration and wound closure. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and in vitro wound healing wound-healing effects of GA hydroalcoholic extract, which aligns with its use in traditional medicine. No cytotoxicity effects were shown. The results from this study can be the basis for further investigations such as animal models and phytochemical studies. Further evaluation of its effects on mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the wound healing processes such as angiogenesis and cell proliferation can provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic effects of the GA extract.

Preparation, Characterization, and Radiolabeling of Anti-HER2 scFv With Technetium Tricarbonyl and Stability Studies.

Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer, and the second cause of cancer death among women, worldwide. HER2 overexpression occurred in approximately 15% to 20% of breast cancers. Invasive biopsy method has been used for detection of HER2 overexpression. HER2-targeted imaging via an appropriate radionuclide is a promising method for sensitive and accurate identification of HER2+ primary and metastatic lesions. 99mTc-anti-HER2 scFv can specifically target malignancies and be used for diagnosis of the cancer type and metastasis as well as treatment of breast cancer. We radiolabeled anti-HER2 scFv that was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified through Ni-NTA resin under native condition with 99mTc-tricarbonyl formed from boranocarbonate. HER2-based ELISA, BCA, TLC, and HPLC were used in this study. In the current study, anti-HER2 scFv was lyophilized before radiolabeling. It was found that freeze-drying did not change the binding activity of anti-HER2 scFv to HER2. Results demonstrated direct anti-HER2 scFv radiolabeling by 99mTc-tricarbonyl to hexahistidine sequence (His-tag) without any changes in biological activity and radiochemical purity of around 98%. Stability analysis revealed that 99mTc-anti-HER2 scFv is stable for at least 24 h in PBS buffer, normal saline, human plasma proteins, and histidine solution.

Synthesis and Radiolabeling of Glu-Urea-Lys with 99mTc-Tricarbonyl-Imidazole-Bathophenanthroline Disulfonate Chelation System and Biological Evaluation as Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Inhibitor.

Background: The Glu-Urea-Lys (EUK) pharmacophore as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted ligand was synthesized, radiolabeled with 99mTc-tricarbonyl-imidazole-BPS chelation system, and biological activities were evaluated. The strategy [2 + 1] ligand is applied for tricarbonyl labeling. (5-imidazole-1-yl)pentanoic acid as a monodentate ligand and bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS) as a bidentate ligand formed a chelate system with 99mTc-tricarbonyl. EUK-pentanoic acid-imidazole and EUK were evaluated for PSMA active site using AutoDock 4 software. Materials and Methods: EUK-pentanoic acid-imidazole was synthesized in two steps. BPS was radiolabeled with 99mTc-tricarbonyl at 100°C for 30 min. The purified 99mTc(CO)3(H2O)BPS was used to radiolabel EUK-pentanoic acid-imidazole at 100°C, 30 min. Radiochemical purity, Log P, and stability studies were carried out within 24 h. Affinity of 99mTc(CO)3BPS-imidazole-EUK was performed in the saturation binding studies using LNCaP cells at 37°C for 1 h with a range of 0.001-1000 nM radiolabeled compound range. Internalization studies were performed in LNCaP cells with 1000 nM radiolabeled compound incubated for (0-2) h at 37°C. Biodistribution was studied in normal male Balb/c mice. The artificial intelligence predicts the uptake of radiolabeled compound in tumor. Results: The structures of synthesized compounds were confirmed by mass spectroscopy. Radiochemical purity, Log P, and protein binding were ≥95%, -0.2%, and 23%, respectively. The radiolabeled compound was stable in saline and human plasma within 24 h with radiochemical purity ≥90%. There was no release of 99mTc within 4 h in competition with histidine. The affinity was 82 ± 26.38 nM, and the activity increased inside the cells over time. Biodistribution studies showed radioactivity accumulation in kidneys less than 99mTc-HYNIC-PSMA. There was a moderate accumulation of radioactivity in the liver and intestine. Conclusion: Based on the results, 99mTc(CO)3BPS-imidazole-EUK can potentially be used as an imaging agent for studies at prostate bed and distal areas. The chelate system can be potentially labeled with rhenium for imaging studies (fluorescent or scintigraphy) and therapy.

Nano-sized magnetic core-shell and bulk molecularly imprinted polymers for selective extraction of amiodarone from human plasma.

Bulk and magnetic core-shell Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MMIPs) have been introduced and compared to extract and determine amiodarone from a complex matrix, i.e., plasma, due to the importance of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM). Polymer synthesis was confirmed by FTIR, AFM, TGA, DLS, VSM, TEM, and the adsorption studies such as capacity, isothermal models, selectivity, and regeneration were performed to evaluate and compare polymer efficiency in extraction and separation of amiodarone from sample solutions and human plasma. Both nano-sized and bulk polymers successfully extracted the target molecule at the low therapeutic ranges and the overdose concentrations (recoveries of 98.38%-102.70%). The maximum adsorption capacity of the MMIPs was 42.5 µg/mg compared with 2.6 µg/mg for bulk polymers. The imprinting factors of the polymers were 15.12 and 6.84 for MMIPs and bulk, respectively. MMIPs and bulk polymers presented 4.68 and 1.66 selectivity factors, respectively, towards amiodarone compared with lidocaine. LOD, LOQ, and enrichment factor in human plasma were 0.09, 0.28 µg mL-1, and 10 respectively. Recoveries of therapeutic concentration from plasma were 91.38 and 97.33% for bulk and MMIPs, respectively. MMIPs as an adsorbent in amiodarone extraction from plasma offered reduced necessary sample amount, less adsorbent consumption, reduced pretreatment time, and reduced elution solvent waste while yielding higher extraction recovery and more specificity for the target compared with the bulk polymer. Bulk polymers have a more straightforward synthesis procedure due to fewer synthesis steps and fewer variables, and Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Solid-phase Extraction (MIP-SPE) has already been introduced commercially. MMIPs prevail on a small scale, and in the context of a simple extraction, separation, or concentration in large-scale bioanalysis, efforts towards optimization and development of MMIPs can unearth tremendous opportunities for green chemistry principles.

Design, synthesis, radiolabeling and biological evaluation of new urea-based peptides targeting prostate specific membrane antigen.

Early diagnosis of Prostate cancer (PCa) plays a vital role in successful treatment increasing the survival rate of patients. Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) is over-expressed in almost all types of PCa. The goal of present study is to introduce new 99mTc-labeled peptides as a PSMA inhibitor for specific detection of PCa at early stages. Based on published PSMA-targeting compounds, a set of peptides bearing the well-known Glu-Urea-Lys pharmacophore and new non-urea containing pharmacophore were designed and assessed by in silico docking studies. The selected peptides were synthesized and radiolabeled with 99mTc. The in-vitro tests (log P, stability in normal saline and fresh human plasma, and affinity toward PSMA-positive LNCaP cell line) and in-vivo characterizations of radiopeptides (biodistribution and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT) imaging in normal and tumour-bearing mice) were performed. The peptides 1-3 containing Glu-Urea-Lys and Glu-GABA-Asp as pharmacophores were efficiently interacted with crystal structure of PSMA and showed the highest binding energies range from -8 to -11.2 kcal/mol. Regarding the saturation binding test, 99mTc-labeled peptide 1 had the highest binding affinity (Kd = 13.58 nM) to PSMA-positive cells. SPECT-CT imaging and biodistribution studies showed high kidneys and tumour uptake 1 h post-injection of radiopeptide 1 and 2 (%ID/g tumour = 3.62 ± 0.78 and 1.8 ± 0.32, respectively). 99mTc-peptide 1 (Glu-urea-Lys-Gly-Ala-Asp-Naphthylalanine-HYNIC-99mTc) exhibited the highest binding affinity, high radiochemical purity, the most stability and high specific accumulation in prostate tumour lesions. 99mTc-peptide 1 being of comparable efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties with the well-known PET tracer (68Ga-PSMA-11) seems to be applied as a promising SPECT imaging agent to early diagnose of PCa and consequently increase survival rate of patients.

Are Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) Beneficial in Detection and Determination of Mycotoxins in Cereal Samples?

The process of matrix clean-up and extraction of analytes has a significant influence on the detection and determination of the analyte, especially in trace amounts. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are solid particles that can absorb specific molecules regarding the template molecule used in the synthesis process of each type of MIP. As a result, they can be used in more effective and more specific solid-phase extraction processes. On the other hand, mycotoxins are second metabolites of molds and fungus which are potentially cytotoxic and/or genotoxic even in trace amounts, and due to extensive consumption of cereals and the great concern of public health, several methods were developed and currently are in the process of development to detect and determine the presence and amounts of mycotoxins in cereals. This review is aimed to investigate the application and efficacy of MIPs in detecting and determination of mycotoxins in cereals.