Enhancing the Neuroprotection Potential of Edaravone in Transient Global Ischemia Treatment with Glutathione- (GSH-) Conjugated Poly(methacrylic acid) Nanogel as a Promising Carrier for Targeted Brain Drug Delivery.

Ischemic stroke is the most common among various stroke types and the second leading cause of death, worldwide. Edaravone (EDV) is one of the cardinal antioxidants that is capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species, especially hydroxyl molecules, and has been already used for ischemic stroke treatment. However, poor water solubility, low stability, and bioavailability in aqueous media are major EDV drawbacks. Thus, to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, nanogel was exploited as a drug carrier of EDV. Furthermore, decorating the nanogel surface with glutathione as targeting ligands would potentiate the therapeutic efficacy. Nanovehicle characterization was assessed with various analytical techniques. Size (199 nm, hydrodynamic diameter) and zeta potential (-25 mV) of optimum formulation were assessed. The outcome demonstrated a diameter of around 100 nm, sphere shape, and homogenous morphology. Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were determined to be 99.9% and 37.5%, respectively. In vitro drug release profile depicted a sustained release process. EDV and glutathione presence in one vehicle simultaneously made the possibility of antioxidant effects on the brain in specific doses, which resulted in elevated spatial memory and learning along with cognitive function in Wistar rats. In addition, significantly lower MDA and PCO and higher levels of neural GSH and antioxidant levels were observed, while histopathological improvement was approved. The developed nanogel can be a suited vehicle for drug delivery of EDV to the brain and improve ischemia-induced oxidative stress cell damage.

Silver sulfide coated alginate radioenhancer for enhanced X-ray radiation therapy of breast cancer.

A wide range of high-Z nanomaterials are fabricated to decrease radiation dose by sensitizing cells to irradiation through various mechanisms such as ROS generation enhancement. Alginate-coated silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2S@Alg) were synthesized and characterized by SEM, TEM, DLS, XRD, EPS, FT-IR, and UV-vis analysis techniques. Cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was tested against HFF-2, MCF-7, and 4 T1 cell lines for biocompatibility and radio enhancement ability evaluation, respectively. Moreover, the hemolysis assay demonstrated that the nanoparticles were biocompatible and nontoxic. In vitro intracellular ROS generation and calcein AM/PI co-staining unveiled cancerous cell death induction by nanoradiosensitizer, Ag2S@Alg. Further, histopathology results emphasized the tumor ablation capability of Ag2S@Alg. Silver anticancer properties were also recognized and combined with its radiosensitizing effect under X-ray irradiation.

Nanotechnology against the novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2): diagnosis, treatment, therapy and future perspectives.

COVID-19, as an emerging infectious disease, has caused significant mortality and morbidity along with socioeconomic impact. No effective treatment or vaccine has been approved yet for this pandemic disease. Cutting-edge tools, especially nanotechnology, should be strongly considered to tackle this virus. This review aims to propose several strategies to design and fabricate effective diagnostic and therapeutic agents against COVID-19 by the aid of nanotechnology. Polymeric, inorganic self-assembling materials and peptide-based nanoparticles are promising tools for battling COVID-19 as well as its rapid diagnosis. This review summarizes all of the exciting advances nanomaterials are making toward COVID-19 prevention, diagnosis and therapy.