Articles
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces (09277765)255
Synthesis of casein-coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CACoFe NPs) using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method and their potential application as a cancer theranostic agent is reported. The colloidal and monodispersed CACoFe NPs represented an average hydrodynamic size of 245.4 nm, a zeta potential of −54.9 mV and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.282. These semi-spherical and crystalline NPs displayed a saturation magnetization of 46.54 emu g−1 and a porous structure with a specific surface area of 118.8 m2 g−1 and total pore volume of 0.3 cm3 g−1. CACoFe NPs served as a nanocarrier for targeted delivery of sunitinib, achieving a high loading capacity of 162 µg mg−1 and cumulative release of 56.44 % over 48 h. MTT assay showed only 12.3 % mortality of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells after 24 h exposure with 200 μg mL−1 CACoFe NPs while 59.9 % and 68.5 % cell death were obtained at the same condition using the bevacizumab functionalized CACoFe NPs (B-CACoFe NPs) and the sunitinib loaded B-CACoFe NPs (S-B-CACoFe NPs), respectively. Apoptosis was confirmed as the primary anticancer mechanism of S-B-CACoFe NPs through real-time PCR, flow cytometry and ELISA studies. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay demonstrated significant anti-angiogenic effect of S-B-CACoFe NPs. Furthermore, the ability of B-CACoFe NPs to entrap vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was validated in situ and in vivo with entrapment efficiency of 76.5 % and 68.3 %, respectively. Additionally, CACoFe NPs exhibited a high R2 relaxivity value of 81.6 mM−1 S−1 and were successfully used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumor-bearing mice. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Nanoscience And Nanotechnology - Asia (22106812)15(2)
Background: Therapeutic effects of plant metabolites have been used for the treatment of burns, wounds and infections over the centuries. Electrospun nanofibers containing plant metabolites have also been considered recently for the development of new and efficient wound dressings. Ferula assa-foetida has received much attention in traditional medicine due to its numerous healing properties. Objective: In the present study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers containing aqueous extracts of F. assa-foetida gum (FAE) were prepared and characterized. The antibacterial activity of nanofibers was investigated. Methods: Electrospinning was utilized for the fabrication of PVA/FAE nanofibers. The morphology, physical and chemical properties of the synthesized nanofibers were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and contact angle test. Results: The uniform nanofibers with the average diameter of 256 nm were obtained by using 8 wt.% PVA, 1:4 (w: w %) ratio of PVA/FAE, needle to collector distance of 13 cm, 20 kV voltage, collector rotation speed of 3 m/min, and flow rate of 0.5 mL/h. The use of FAE led to the increased diameter of nanofibers and their contact angle compared to PVA nanofibers. Interestingly, the PVA/FAE nanofibers displayed considerable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: The overall results indicated that PVA/FAE nanofibers can be considered as a potential candidate for the preparation of wound dressings with antibacterial properties. © 2025 Bentham Science Publishers.
Iranian Journal Of Science (27318095)49(3)pp. 577-584
Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have attracted great attention for the biomedical applications as a new group of nanoparticles with high biocompatibility and interesting optical properties. In this study, the fluorescent CDs were synthesized by a biogenic hydrothermal method using Taxus baccata extract and ethylene diamine (EDA). The CDs, predominantly semi-spherical and smaller than 20 nm, exhibit high colloidal stability. They have a hydrodynamic size of 43.6 nm, a polydispersity index (PI) of 0.526, and a zeta potential of -56.7 mV. Their surface is rich in hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. They also exhibit fluorescence emission, with a quantum yield (QY) of 11.6% at 490 nm, when excited at 400 nm. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay on the human fibroblast (HFB) and umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells confirmed the biocompatibility of CDs. These CDs represent significant antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 40 and 160 μg mL− 1, respectively. The rapid and efficient uptake of CDs with E. coli and HFB cells was confirmed by the fluorescence imaging. Based on the results, the biogenic CDs can be a suitable alternative to the antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria and also for the staining and labeling of the microbial cells. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Shiraz University 2024.
Rezaie, H.,
Abbasi kajani, A.,
Jafarian, F.,
Asgari, S.,
Taheri kafrani, A.,
Bordbar, A. Journal of Biotechnology (01681656)387pp. 23-31
Enzyme immobilization in membrane bioreactors has been considered as a practical approach to enhance the stability, reusability, and efficiency of enzymes. In this particular study, a new type of hybrid membrane reactor was created through the phase inversion method, utilizing hybrid of graphene oxide nanosheets (GON) and polyether sulfone (PES) in order to covalently immobilize the Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). The surface of hybrid membrane was initially modified by (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES), before the use of glutaraldehyde (GLU), as a linker, through the imine bonds. The resulted enzymatic hybrid membrane reactors (EHMRs) were then thoroughly analyzed by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), contact angle goniometry, surface free energy analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection (ATR), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The study also looked into the impact of factors such as initial CRL concentration, storage conditions, and immobilization time on the EHMR's performance and activity, which were subsequently optimized. The results demonstrated that the CRLs covalently immobilized on the EHMRs displayed enhanced pH and thermal stability compared to those physically immobilized or free. These covalently immobilized CRLs could maintain over 60% of their activity even after 6 reaction cycles spanning 50 days. EHMRs are valuable biocatalysts in developing various industrial, environmental, and analytical processes. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
