RESUMO
The main goal of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of green superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) produced with coconut water for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania amazonensis. Optical and electron microscopy techniques were used to evaluate the effects on cell proliferation, infectivity percentage, and ultrastructure. SPIONs were internalized by both parasite stages, randomly distributed in the cytosol and located mainly in membrane-bound compartments. The selectivity index for intracellular amastigotes was more than 240 times higher compared to current drugs used to treat the disease. The synthesized SPIONs showed promising activity against Leishmania and can be considered a strong candidate for a new therapeutic approach for treating leishmaniases.
RESUMO
This paper reports an XPS surface study of pure phase BiFeO3 thin film produced and later etched by pure argon ions. Analysis of high-resolution spectra from Fe 2p, Bi 4f and 5d, O 1s, and the valence band, exhibited mainly Fe3+ and Bi3+ components, but also reveal Fe2+. High-energy argon etching induces the growth of Fe(0) and Bi(0) and an increment of Fe2+, as expected. The BiFeO3 semiconductor character is preserved despite the oxygen loss, an interesting aspect for the study of the photovoltaic effect through oxygen vacancies in some ceramic films. The metal-oxygen bonds in O 1s spectra are related only to one binding energy contrary to the split from bismuth and iron reported in other works. All these data evidence that the low-pressure argon atmosphere is proved to be efficient to produce pure phase BiFeO3, even after argon etching.
