Characterization and cytotoxic effect of aqua-(2,2',2''-nitrilotriacetato)-oxo-vanadium salts on human osteosarcoma cells.

The use of protonated N-heterocyclic compound, i.e. 2,2'-bipyridinium cation, [bpyH+], enabled to obtain the new nitrilotriacetate oxidovanadium(IV) salt of the stoichiometry [bpyH][VO(nta)(H2O)]H2O. The X-ray measurements have revealed that the compound comprises the discrete mononuclear [VO(nta)(H2O)]- coordination ion that can be rarely found among other known compounds containing nitrilotriacetate oxidovanadium(IV) moieties. The antitumor activity of [bpyH][VO(nta)(H2O)]H2O and its phenanthroline analogue, [phenH][VO(nta)(H2O)](H2O)0.5, towards human osteosarcoma cell lines (MG-63 and HOS) has been assessed (the LDH and BrdU tests) and referred to cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 (used as a positive control). The compounds exert a stronger cytotoxic effect on MG-63 and HOS cells than in untransformed human osteoblast cell line. Thus, the [VO(nta)(H2O)]- containing coordination compounds can be considered as possible antitumor agents in the osteosarcoma model of bone-related cells in culture.

Capping Agent-Dependent Toxicity and Antimicrobial Activity of Silver Nanoparticles: An In Vitro Study. Concerns about Potential Application in Dental Practice.

Objectives: In dentistry, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have drawn particular attention because of their wide antimicrobial activity spectrum. However, controversial information on AgNPs toxicity limited their use in oral infections. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activities against a panel of oral pathogenic bacteria and bacterial biofilms together with potential cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblasts of 10 nm AgNPs: non-functionalized - uncapped (AgNPs-UC) as well as surface-functionalized with capping agent: lipoic acid (AgNPs-LA), polyethylene glycol (AgNPs-PEG) or tannic acid (AgNPs-TA) using silver nitrate (AgNO3) as control. Methods: The interaction of AgNPs with human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF-1) was evaluated using the mitochondrial metabolic potential assay (MTT). Antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was tested against anaerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from patients with oral cavity and respiratory tract infections, and selected aerobic Staphylococci strains. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined by the agar dilution method for anaerobic bacteria or broth microdilution method for reference Staphylococci strains and Streptococcus mutans. These strains were also used for antibiofilm activity of AgNPs. Results: The highest antimicrobial activities at nontoxic concentrations were observed for the uncapped AgNPs and the AgNPs capped with LA. It was found that AgNPs-LA and AgNPs-PEG demonstrated lower cytotoxicity as compared with the AgNPs-TA or AgNPs-UC in the gingival fibroblast model. All of the tested nanoparticles proved less toxic and demonstrated wider spectrum of antimicrobial activities than AgNO3 solution. Additionally, AgNPs-LA eradicated Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus mutans 1-day biofilm at concentration nontoxic to oral cells. Conclusions: Our results proved that a capping agent had significant influence on the antibacterial, antibiofilm activity and cytotoxicity of AgNPs. Clinical significance: This study highlighted potential usefulness of AgNPs against oral anaerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial infections and aerobic Staphylococci strains provided that pharmacological activity and risk assessment are carefully performed.

Nanodrugs as a New Approach in the Therapy of Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer with Tumor-associated Angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer, along with cardiovascular diseases, is globally defined as the leading cause of death. Importantly, some risk factors are common to these diseases. The process of angiogenesis and platelet aggregation is observed in cancer development and progression. In recent years, studies have been conducted on nanodrugs for these diseases that have provided important information on the biological and physicochemical properties of nanoparticles. Their attractive features are that they are made of biocompatible, well-characterized, and easily functionalized materials. Unlike conventional drug delivery, sustained and controlled drug release can be obtained by using nanomaterials. METHODS: In this article, we review the latest research to provide comprehensive information on nanoparticle-based drugs for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease associated with abnormal haemostasis, and the inhibition of tumor-associated angiogenesis. RESULTS: The results of the analysis of data based on drugs with nanoparticles confirm their improved pharmaceutical and biological properties, which give promising antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and antiangiogenic effects. Moreover, the review included in vitro, in vivo research and presented nanodrugs with chemotherapeutics approved by Food and Drug Administration. CONCLUSION: By the optimization of nanoparticle size and surface properties, nanotechnology is able to deliver drugs with enhanced bioavailability in treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer and inhibition of cancer-related angiogenesis. Thus, nanotechnology can improve the therapeutic efficacy of the drug, but there is a need for a better understanding of the nanodrugs interaction in the human body because this is a key factor in the success of potential nanotherapeutics.

Characterization and Cytotoxicity Comparison of Silver- and Silica-Based Nanostructures.

Core-shell structures are the most common type of composite material nanostructures due to their multifunctional properties. Silver nanoparticles show broad antimicrobial activity, but the safety of their utilization still remains an issue to tackle. In many applications, the silver core is coated with inorganic shell to reduce the metal toxicity. This article presents the synthesis of various materials based on silver and silica nanoparticles, including SiO2@Ag, Ag@SiO2, and sandwich nanostructures-Ag@SiO2@Ag-and the morphology of these nanomaterials based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and FT-IR spectroscopy. Moreover, we conducted the angle measurements due to the strong relationship between the level of surface wettability and cell adhesion efficiency. The main aim of the study was to determine the cytotoxicity of the obtained materials against two types of human skin cells-keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (HDF). We found that among all the obtained structures, SiO2@Ag and Ag@SiO2 showed the lowest cell toxicity and very high half-maximal inhibitory concentration. Moreover, the measurements of the contact angle showed that Ag@SiO2 nanostructures were different from other materials due to their superhydrophilic nature. The novel approach presented here shows the promise of implementing core-shell type nanomaterials in skin-applied cosmetic or medical products.

Metal nanoparticles in dermatology and cosmetology: Interactions with human skin cells.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing branch of science, which studies control of phenomena and materials sized below 100 nm. Nanotechnology is applicable in many areas of life and medicine including skin care and personal hygiene. The nanoparticles (NPs) of metals and metal oxides are increasingly used in dermatology and cosmetology, especially in prevention and treatment of bacterial and fungal infections, in protection against the harmful effects of the sun and in preparations reducing the visibility of scars by accelerating the repair processes of skin cells. NPs may also be used for skin care and dermatological treatments to improve the quality of life of patients. Nanodermatology and nanocosmetology offer effective, safe, fast-acting product formulations, thus minimizing the side effects of the products used so far. The unique properties of NPs: high surface area relative to the size as well as the ability to penetrate biological membranes and barriers greatly reduces systemic dose thus potential side effects and toxicity. Recent studies show very promising clinical potential of NPs to serve as controlled release and delivery systems for drugs/active substances. In addition, NPs can be used in diagnostic imaging of skin diseases. However, NPs may also carry a risk of cytotoxicity and side effects. The present review focuses on the use of metal and metal oxide NPs in dermatology and cosmetology and their interactions with skin cells.

CuO nanoparticles induce apoptosis by impairing the antioxidant defense and detoxification systems in the mouse hippocampal HT22 cell line: protective effect of crocetin.

Several studies have reported that CuO nanoparticles (CuONPs) have the capacity to cross the blood brain barrier and exert a toxic effect. The aims of our study were to investigate mechanisms underlying CuONPs-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and neuroprotective effects of crocetin. We investigated the toxicological effects of exposure of HT22 hippocampal cells to CuONPs (31 nm) in the presence or absence of crocetin. Crocetin is a carotenoid with wide spectrum of pharmacological effects and the ability to cross blood-brain barrier. Exposure of HT22 cells to CuONPs resulted in: (1) increased cell death in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, with a LC50 of 25.9 µg/ml after 24 h; (2) decreased antioxidant/detoxification enzymes activities: glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-tranferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels; (3) decreased gene expression of GPx and SOD; (4) reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; (5) enhanced apoptosis; and (6) up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax, and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2. Importantly, all these effects were significantly attenuated by co-incubation of hippocampal cells with 5 µM crocetin.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles enhance production of superoxide anion and alter the antioxidant system in human osteoblast cells.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are manufactured worldwide for a variety of engineering and bioengineering applications. TiO2NPs are frequently used as a material for orthopedic implants. However, to the best of our knowledge, the biocompatibility of TiO2NPs and their effects on osteoblast cells, which are responsible for the growth and remodeling of the human skeleton, have not been thoroughly investigated. In the research reported here, we studied the effects of exposing hFOB 1.19 human osteoblast cells to TiO2NPs (5-15 nm) for 24 and 48 hours. Cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, cellular uptake of NPs, cell morphology, superoxide anion (O2 (•-2)) generation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and protein level, sirtuin 3 (SIR3) protein level, correlation between manganese (Mn) SOD and SIR, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde were measured following exposure of hFOB 1.19 cells to TiO2NPs. Exposure of hFOB 1.19 cells to TiO2NPs resulted in: (1) cellular uptake of NPs; (2) increased cytotoxicity and cell death in a time- and concentration-dependent manner; (3) ultrastructure changes; (4) decreased SOD and ALP activity; (5) decreased protein levels of SOD1, SOD2, and SIR3; (6) decreased total antioxidant capacity; (7) increased O2 (•-) generation; and (8) enhanced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde level). The linear relationship between the protein level of MnSOD and SIR3 and between O2 (•-) content and SIR3 protein level was observed. Importantly, the cytotoxic effects of TiO2NPs were attenuated by the pretreatment of hFOB 1.19 cells with SOD, indicating the significant role of O2 (•-) in the cell damage and death observed. Thus, decreased expression of SOD leading to increased oxidizing stress may underlie the nanotoxic effects of TiO2NPs on human osteoblasts.