Human Hemoglobin and Antipsychotics Clozapine, Ziprasidone and Sertindole: Friends or Foes?

Packed with hemoglobin, an essential protein for oxygen transport, human erythrocytes are a suitable model system for testing the pleiotropic effects of lipophilic drugs. Our study investigated the interaction between antipsychotic drugs clozapine, ziprasidone, sertindole, and human hemoglobin under simulated physiological conditions. Analysis of protein fluorescence quenching at different temperatures and data obtained from the van't Hoff diagram and molecular docking indicate that the interactions are static and that the tetrameric human hemoglobin has one binding site for all drugs in the central cavity near αß interfaces and is dominantly mediated through hydrophobic forces. The association constants were lower-moderate strength (~104 M-1), the highest observed for clozapine (2.2 × 104 M-1 at 25 °C). The clozapine binding showed "friendly" effects: increased α-helical content, a higher melting point, and protein protection from free radical-mediated oxidation. On the other hand, bound ziprasidone and sertindole had a slightly pro-oxidative effect, increasing ferrihemoglobin content, a possible "foe". Since the interaction of proteins with drugs plays a vital role in their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, the physiological significance of the obtained findings is briefly discussed.

Voltammetric immunoassay based on MWCNTs@Nd(OH)3-BSA-antibody platform for sensitive BSA detection.

An electrochemical approach is presented based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and neodymium(III) hydroxide (Nd(OH)3) nanoflakes for detection of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The materials were characterized morphologically (XRPD, SEM, and HR-TEM) and electrochemically (DPV, EIS). The MWCNTs@Nd(OH)3 composite was used as support for bovine serum albumin polyclonal antibody (anti-BSA). After the antibody immobilization on the electrochemical platform and antigen/antibody binding time (optimum 60 min), the proposed approach shows a linear voltammetric response toward BSA concentration in the range 0.066 to 6.010 ng mL-1 at maximum peak potential of 0.13 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 18 pg mL-1 and 61 pg mL-1, respectively. The precision of the method calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD) of five independent measurements was better 3%. The selectivity of the optimized method regarding structurally similar proteins (human serum albumin and human hemoglobin), ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and NO2-), or compounds (glucose, ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid, paracetamol, and glycine) was found to be satisfactory, with the current changes of less than 5% in the presence of up to 1 × 105 times higher concentrations (depending on the compound) of the listed potential interfering compounds. Practical applicability of immunosensor for BSA determination in cow whey sample, with recovery values in the range 97 to 103%, shows that the developed method has high potential for precise and accurate detection of BSA, as well as exceptional miniaturization possibilities for on-site and equipment-free sensing.

Antibacterial Activities of Agaricus bisporus Extracts and Their Synergistic Effects with the Antistaphylococcal Drug AFN-1252.

Agaricus bisporus, commonly known as the button mushroom, has attracted attention for its biological properties, including antimicrobial activities. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of ethanolic and acetonic extracts from white and brown A. bisporus against different bacterial strains, including antibiotic-resistant strains. Bioautography and principal component analysis identified the most active antibacterial compounds for each of the tested bacteria and indicated the main markers responsible for the strain-specific effects. In addition, the mushroom extracts demonstrated a synergistic impact when combined with the antistaphylococcal antibiotic AFN-1252.