Surface modification minimizes the toxicity of silver nanoparticles: an in vitro and in vivo study.

Currently toxicological research in Silver nanoparticle is a leading issue in medical science. The surface chemistry and physical dimensions of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) play an important role in toxicity. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of Ag-NPs as well as the alteration of toxicity profile due to surface functionalization (PEG and BSA) and the intracellular signaling pathways involved in nanoparticles mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo system. Ag-NPs released excess Ag+ ions leads to activation of NADPH oxidase and helps in generating the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Silver nanoparticles elicit the production of excess amount of ROS results activation of TNF-α. Ag-NPs activates caspase-3 and 9 which are the signature of mitochondrial pathway. Ag-NPs are responsible to decrease the antioxidant enzymes and imbalance the oxidative status into the cells but functionalization with BSA and PEG helps to protect the adverse effect of Ag-NPs on the cells. This study suggested that Ag-NPs are toxic to normal cells which directly lead with human health. Surface functionalization may open the gateway for further use of Ag-NPs in different area such as antimicrobial and anticancer therapy, industrial use or in biomedical sciences.

Double mutation in the pfmdr1 gene is associated with emergence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Eastern India.

Malaria is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries, including India. This study elucidates the cause of chloroquine treatment failure (for Plasmodium falciparum infection) before the introduction of artemisinin combination therapy. One hundred twenty-six patients were randomized to chloroquine treatment, and the therapeutic efficacy was monitored from days 1 to 28. An in vitro susceptibility test was performed with all isolates. Parasitic DNA was isolated, followed by PCR and restriction digestion of different codons of the pfcrt gene (codons 72 to 76) and the pfmdr1 gene (N86Y, Y184F, S1034C, N1042D, and D1246Y). Finally, sequencing was done to confirm the mutations. Forty-three (34.13%) early treatment failure cases and 16 (12.69%) late treatment failure cases were observed after chloroquine treatment. In vitro chloroquine resistance was found in 103 isolates (81.75%). Twenty-six (60.47%) early treatment failure cases and 6 (37.5%) late treatment failure cases were associated with the CVMNK-YYSNY allele (the underlined amino acids are those that were mutated). Moreover, the CVIEK-YYSNY allele was found in 8 early treatment failure (18.60%) and 2 late treatment failure (12.5%) cases. The presence of the wild-type pfcrt (CVMNK) and pfmdr1 (YYSNY) double mutant allele in chloroquine-nonresponsive cases was quite uncommon. In vivo chloroquine treatment failure and in vitro chloroquine resistance were strongly correlated with the CVMNK-YYSNY and CVIEK-YYSNY haplotypes (P < 0.01).

Anticancer and immunostimulatory role of encapsulated tumor antigen containing cobalt oxide nanoparticles.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prospect of using surface modified cobalt oxide(CoO) nanoparticles as carriers of cancerantigens to human macrophages. N-Phosnomethyliminodiacetic acid (PMIDA) was used for surface modification to overcome the toxic effect of CoO nanoparticles. Here, the phosphonate group of the PMIDA acts as a surface-anchoring agent and the remaining -COOH groups bind nonspecifically with tumor associated antigens. This modification allows the conjugation of human oral carcinoma (KB) cell lysate (CL) as an antigen with PMIDA coated CoO nanoparticles (CL-PMIDA-CoO). Particle characterization was performed by dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy studies. Fourier transform IR spectroscopy was used to investigate conjugation of the protein with nanoparticles. Protein encapsulation was confirmed by protein gel electrophoresis. Active uptake of antigen-conjugated nanoparticles by macrophages was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The antitumor activity of the nanocomplex pulsed macrophages was investigated on a human oral carcinoma cell line (KB) in vitro. The modified nanocomplexes upregulate IFN-γ and TNF-α and induce an anticancer immune response by activating macrophages. The use of TNF-α inhibitor confirmed the ability of the CL-PMIDA-CoO nanocomplex to stimulate TNF-α mediated immunostimulation. CL-PMIDA-CoO nanoparticles efficiently increased the CD4(+) population. Thus, our findings provide insight into the use of PMIDA coated CoO nanoparticles as antigen delivery vehicles.

Measles outbreak among the Dukpa tribe of Buxa hills in West Bengal, India: epidemiology and vaccine efficacy.

Although measles is a vaccine preventable disease, its occurrence and outbreaks are common in India. Four remote and inaccessible hamlets, inhabited by the Dukpa tribe, at Buxa Hills under Kalchini Block of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal experienced a measles outbreak during the months of April-June, 2011. The authors conducted an investigation to assess vaccine coverage, vaccine efficacy (VE) and to describe the patterns of measles outbreaks in this community. The over-all attack rate was 14.3%; that among males and females were 12.6% and 16.0% respectively (P = 0.189). Attack rate was highest (40%) in 0 to <5 years followed by that in the 5 to <15 years (36.5%). VE was 66.3% (95% of the confidence interval 46.9-78.6%). There is an urgent need to increase the vaccination coverage through special tactics for reaching the unreached.

Bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles preferentially targets Gram positive depending on cell surface charge.

Recently bio-inspired experimental processes for synthesis of nanoparticles are receiving significant attention in nanobiotechnology. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been used very frequently in recent times to the wounds, burns and bacterial infections caused by drug-resistant microorganisms. Though, the antibacterial effects of Ag NPs on some multi drug-resistant bacteria specially against Gram positive bacteria has been established, but further investigation is needed to elicit its effectiveness against Gram negatives and to identify the probable mechanism of action. Thus, the present study was conducted to synthesize Ag NPs using Andrographis paniculata leaf extract and to investigate its antibacterial efficacy. After synthesis process the biosynthesized nanoparticles were purified and characterized with the help of various physical measurement techniques which raveled their purity, stability and small size range. The antimicrobial activity of Ag NPs was determined against both Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis and Gram-negative Proteus vulgaris. Results showed comparatively higher antibacterial efficacy of Ag NPs against Gram positive Enterococcus faecalis strains. It was found that greater difference in zeta potential values between Gram positive bacteria and Ag NPs triggers better internalization of the particles. Thus the cell surface charge played vital role in cell killing which was confirmed by surface zeta potential study. Finally it may be concluded that green synthesized Ag NPs using Andrographis paniculata leaf extract can be very useful against both multi drug resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Metal based nanoparticles as cancer antigen delivery vehicles for macrophage based antitumor vaccine.

In the present study, we would like to evaluate the efficacy of modified metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) as cancer antigen delivery vehicles for macrophage (MФs) based antitumor vaccine. The cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoO NPs) were promising tools for delivery of antigens to antigen presenting cells and have induced an antitumor immune response. Synthesized CoO NPs were modified by N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid (PMIDA), facilitated the conjugation of lysate antigen, i.e. cancer antigen derived from lysis of cancer cells. The cancer cell lysate antigen conjugated PMIDA-CoO NPs (Ag-PMIDA-CoO NPs) successfully activated macrophage (MФ) evident by the increasing the serum IFN-γ and TNF-α level. Immunization of mice with the Ag-PMIDA-CoO NPs constructed an efficient immunological adjuvant induced anticancer IgG responses, and increased the antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) response than only lysate antigen treated group to combat the cancer cell. The nanocomplexes enhanced the anticancer CD4(+)T cell response in mice. The result showed that Ag-PMIDA-CoO NPs can stimulate the immune responses over only lysate antigens, which are the most important findings in this study. These NP-mediated Ag deliveries may significantly improve the anticancer immune response by activating MФs and may act as adjuvant and will balance the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immunoresponse. The crosstalk between the activated MФ with other immune competent cells will be monitored by measuring the cytokines which illustrate the total immunological network setups.

Eugenol Provokes ROS-Mediated Membrane Damage-Associated Antibacterial Activity Against Clinically Isolated Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains.

Due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, resistance to antibiotics has increased remarkably in Staphylococcus aureus. Vancomycin is the final drug to treat the S. aureus infection, but nowadays, resistance to this antibiotic is also increasing. So, the investigation of antibiotic resistance pattern is important. As there is already resistance to vancomycin, there is an urgent need to develop a new kind of antimicrobial to treat S. aureus infection. Eugenol may be the new drug of choice. This study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial activity of eugenol against vancomycin-resistant S. aureus isolated from clinical pus samples. Thirty six pus samples were included in the study. Samples were isolated, identified and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed as per routine laboratory protocol. The antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of killing of eugenol were studied. Out of 36 pus samples, only 20 isolates were confirmed as S. aureus strains and 6 isolates exhibited vancomycin resistance. Eugenol successfully destroyed the vancomycin-resistant strains via reactive oxygen species generation and membrane damage. The prevalence of vancomycin resistance is increased day by day in different countries, and necessary steps to prevent the spread and emergence of resistance should be taken. The findings of the study suggested that eugenol might be used to treat vancomycin-resistant S. aureus.

Toxicity of cobalt oxide nanoparticles to normal cells; an in vitro and in vivo study.

The aim of this study was to find out the intracellular signaling transduction pathways involved in cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoO NPs) mediated oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo system. Cobalt oxide nanoparticles released excess Co++ ions which could activated the NADPH oxidase and helps in generating the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results showed that CoO NPs elicited a significant (p<0.05) amount of ROS in lymphocytes. In vitro pretreatment with N-acetylene cystine had a protective role on lymphocytes death induced by CoO NPs. In vitro and in vivo results showed the elevated level of TNF-α after CoO NPs treatment. This TNF-α phosphorylated the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase followed by activation of caspase 8 and caspase 3 which could induce cell death. This study showed that CoO NPs induced oxidative stress and activated the signaling pathway of TNF-α-caspase-8-p38-caspase-3 to primary immune cells. This study suggested that bare CoO NPs are a toxic for primary human immune cells that deals directly with human health. Surface modification or surface functionalization may open the gateway for further use of CoO NPs in different industrial use or in biomedical sciences.

Self-assembled betulinic acid augments immunomodulatory activity associates with IgG response.

Studies relating to the adjuvanic role of self assembly, nanosized betulinic acid (SA-BA) are relatively limited. The concept of immunostimulatory activity of SA-BA is based on the activation of immune system against cancer antigen. This study showed that SA-BA, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the bark of the Ziziphus jujube tree, elevated the immunological functions of cancer antigen in anticancer immunotherapy. We found that, SA-BA pulsed human macrophages secreted elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokines with an increased CD4(+) cell population. Pulse macrophages were also significantly arrested the KG-1A and K562 cell growth in vitro setup at 1:10 ratio for 48h. The use of TNF-α inhibitors confirmed the association between SA-BA with TNF-α function. SA-BA pulsed macrophages displayed substantial T cell allostimulatory capacity and promoted the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The adjuvanticity of SA-BA was proved by the generation of in vivo IgG response. Collectively, these findings will enrich the biomedical applications of SA-BA as a potent immune stimulating agent. Moreover, the macrophage stimulating efficacy of SA-BA might be an effective way in the cancer immunotherapy.

The folklore medicinal orchids of Sikkim.

BACKGROUND: Orchids are well-known for decorative and aromatic values than its medicinal properties. Jivanti, Jivaka, Rsabhaka, Rasna, Manakanda, Pañcagula are used in Ayurveda are said to be orchids. There are 50 species of orchids in medicine. Sikkim has identified 523 species of wild orchids so far. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the folklore medicinal use of orchids in Sikkim. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess the traditional medicinal uses of orchid species, close contacts were made with native people particularly, traditional healers, religious leaders, nursery growers and villagers of Sikkim. The information was gathered with the help of the questionnaire and personal interviews with various knowledgeable respondents during the field visit in between August 2009 and December 2011. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We found that 36 species of orchids are used as medicines for different purposes of health. The botanical and ayurvedic name, phenology, parts used and medicinal uses of 36 orchids are presented in this paper along with its local distribution.

Gastric gangrene due to necrotizing gastritis.

Gangrene of the stomach is a rare, often fatal disease which may be due to vascular, chemical, mechanical or infectious etiologies. We report a case of gastric gangrene due to necrotizing gastritis in a 50 year old female.