NANOMEDICINE RESEARCH JOURNAL
Year:2024 | Volume:9 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

G. lucidum mushroom has been recorded in conventional medicine for more than 2000 years due to has several bioactive compounds including triterpenoids (GLTs). This study aimed to extract and detect of the triterpenoids and biological synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles by using the aqueous extract of this mushroom, then evaluate their antifungal activity against four dermatophytes. From the 1000 g of G. lucidum dried fruiting bodies powder which were used in this study, 16.1 g GLTs was extracted. HPLC was used to analyses GLTs and detection of Ganoderic Acid by using (Ganoderic Acid A) as a standard. The results showed that the concentration of Ganoderic acid in the sample was 985 µg per gram of the extract. ZnO nanoparticles were biosynthesized by using 1 gm of zinc chloride salt with 10 ml of G. lucidum aqueous extract to obtain ZnO nanoparticles. The biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles were characterize by using different approaches included UV spectrophotometer, FTIR, AFM, EDX, and FESEM. These techniques demonstrated the biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles with a diameter 44.62 nm. The result of antifungal activity of these compounds showed significant difference among treatments for inhibit the four dermatophytes. The combinations between GLTs with ZnO nanoparticles showed synergistic effect to inhibit the growth of M. canis, T. rubrum, E. floccosum, and T. mentagrophytes. The concentration 100 mg/ ml of this treatment showed highest inhibition percentage followed by 50 and 25 mg/ml. In other words, the inhibition percentage increased by increasing the concentrations of the tested treatments.

In recent years, anti-cancer and stem cell differentiation properties have been reported for some molybdenum derivatives such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). Diabetes mellitus as a chronic metabolic disorder has symptoms such as insufficient insulin secretion or insulin dysfunction due to β cell destruction. Each of the current diabetes treatment methods has limitations. In the present research the effects of MoS2–PEG on survival rate, expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism, and insulin secretion in diabetic RIN-5F β cell was studied. Synthesized MoS2-PEG nanosheets was used for possible effects of MoS2 on RIN-5F cells induced by STZ (40 mM). MTT assay, RT-PCR, and hormonal analyses were used to investigate the anti-toxicity effect of MoS2 and its role in improving the function of diabetic RIN-5F cells. The results showed that MoS2 is biocompatible and non-toxic at the dose used in the present study and significantly increased the expression of GLUT4, GCK, and INS genes involved in glucose metabolism as well as anti- apoptotic gene BCL2 in the diabetic RIN-5F cells. Also, treatment with MoS2 increased insulin secretion in diabetic RIN-5F cells. It could be concluded that MoS2 –PEG represents a protective role in the diabetic cells and significantly improve the treatment of diabetic cells mouse model. These results demonstrate the increased expression genes involved in glucose metabolism in pancreatic damaged cells.

Vitamin C (Vit-C) and lemon essential oil have several notably benefits for human skin physiology such as stimulating the biosynthesis of collagen, reduce acne and dark spot. But, they poorly bypass the epidermis stratum corneum barrier. Also, lemon essential oil has high vapor pressure. To address these challenges, our aim was preparing and size optimizing a lipophilic version of Vit-C (Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate) and lemon essential oil by encapsulation of them inside of nanoemulsion droplets (used as oil phase of nanoemulsion), for improving skin diffusion and delivery across the stratum corneum cells. Lemon essential oil was characterized with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Multiple regression analysis was used for obtaining of the HLB required of mix Lemon essential oil and Vit-C. The results revealed that the concentration ratio of Tween 80 to Tween 85 is important for achieving nano-range particle size with good stability. Particle size was determined by Dynamic light scattering method. FT-IR showed encapsulation of Vit-C and lemon essential oil inside of nanoemulsion droplets. The pH of final formulation (F1) was 4.8. Current study indicated that the stable lemon essential oil nanoemulsion contain Vit-C is a good candidate for increasing dispersity and protection of lemon essential oil and Vit-C in water.

In this study, we prepared Epirubicin-loaded magnetic solid lipid nanoparticles for intravenous drug dosing. Magnetic lipid carriers were fabricated using a hot microemulsion approach using stearic acid and Compritol ATO 888 as a core of particles. Prepared nanoparticles are characterized using transtition electon microscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The size of nanoparticles was about 130 nm after drug loading. Also, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, in vitro drug release, and release kinetic were investigated in detail. In vitro cell cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of particles evaluated by MCF-7 cell lines. The entrapment efficiency of 86±4.5% and 51.7±3.5% were obtained for solid lipid and magnetic solid lipid nanoparticles respectively. Size investigation showed that prepared NPs have an increase in particle size with magnetic loading. In vitro cytotoxicity of the formulations on the MCF-7 cell line demonstrated the greater toxicity of drug-loaded nanoparticles compared to the free drug. This study proved the efficiency of lipid-based carriers in drug dosing and targeting.  These studies showed that the Magnetic Lipid Nanoparticle (mSLN) has a very remarkable anticancer effect on the MCF-7 cell line in comparison with pure drug.

Developing nanoparticles with multimodal contrast agents with therapeutic and contrast effects can greatly improve disease diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are sophisticated medical imaging modalities utilized for visualizing internal tissues and bones, facilitating the diagnosis of organ-related ailments and diseases. In MRI, bovine serum albumin (BSA) is a well-known compound used to carry gadolinium oxide as a contrast agent. Bismuth ferrite nanoparticles (BiFeO3 NPs) have been identified as a novel multifunctional therapeutic agent suitable for applications in radiotherapy, MRI, CT, and as mediators for magnetic hyperthermia. This study presents new NPs that can serve as dual imaging contrast agents for MRI and CT. These novel nanoparticles (BiFeO3@BSA-Gd2O3) consist of BiFeO3 nanoparticles, with BSA acting as a carrier for gadolinium oxide nanoparticles. BiFeO3 was synthesized by the sol-gel method and covered with a BSA layer, then gadolinium oxide was added to the BSA layer. Synthesized nanoparticles were identified using different physicochemical methods. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP) confirms the existence of Gd, Bi, and Fe in the nanoparticle and the average size of nanoparticles regarding to SEM was 120 nm. The presence of BiFeO3 nanoparticles as a promising agent with multi-functional properties such as CT and MRI imaging and BSA-Gd2O3 as an MRI contrast agent, the newly synthesized nanoparticle has the potential to be used as nanomedicine for simultaneous MRI and CT as a Dual imaging contrast.

The field of bioceramics has emerged as a critical component in various medical and dental applications, with calcium phosphate (CaP) materials like tricalcium phosphate (TCP) gaining significant attention. CaP bioceramics are valued for their exceptional biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and ability to promote new bone formation, making them invaluable in the optimization of dental implant integration and performance. This study explores a novel approach to developing versatile CaP-based ceramics that can find applications in the pharmaceutical, dental, and even ancient artifacts preservation domains, leveraging the power of machine learning (ML) modeling techniques. Tricalcium phosphate, a widely studied CaP ceramic, was the focus of this investigation, as it can be fabricated with varying degrees of crystallinity and porosity to tailor its biodegradation and bone regeneration properties. Through the use of a feedforward artificial neural network (FFANN), the researchers were able to predict the changes in dental ceramics, biocompatibility, and tissue reactions across a wide range of non-toxicity and bone growth parameters. The FFANN modeling approach provided valuable insights into the relationships between these key attributes, allowing for the optimization of CaP-based ceramics for specific clinical and preservation applications. The versatility of TCP extends beyond dental implants, with applications in periodontal regeneration, tooth root repair, and even direct pulp capping procedures. By manipulating the material's composition and microstructure, researchers and clinicians can tailor the performance of CaP bioceramics to meet the diverse needs of the healthcare and cultural heritage sectors. As the field of bioceramics continues to evolve, the integration of advanced ML modeling techniques, such as the FFANN approach employed in this study, promises to unlock new possibilities for the development of innovative, tissue-friendly ceramics that can revolutionize dentistry, pharmaceutical formulations, and the preservation of precious ancient artifacts.

Objective(s): Nanoparticles can be used in therapies by increasing drug delivery and radiosensitivity. In this study, we investigated the radio- and photo-sensitivity of the conjugation of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and hollow gold nanoparticles (conjugate) on the KYSE cells. Methods: After the determination of the dark toxicity of the therapeutic agent, the experiments were performed at three different radiation doses. Then, the photodynamic effect of each of group was analyzed at three optical doses.Results: There was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups in X-ray treatment. In the photodynamic therapy (PDT), a significant difference was noted between the control group and the treatment groups, particularly within the 5-ALA and conjugate groups. Notably, the conjugate group induced approximately 90% cell death.Conclusions: The study found that the conjugate induced a cell death rate more than three times higher than that of free 5-ALA alone. Thus, it can be concluded that the conjugate serves as an effective delivery agent for 5-ALA and enhances tumor cell destruction following PDT.

Objective(s): Numerous stem cells are distributed throughout various regions of the central nervous system. Currently, extensive research has been conducted on the potential use of neural stem cells (NSCs) for the repair of the central nervous system. These neural stem cells possess the ability to differentiate into several cell types, including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is crucial in regulating the circadian rhythm as well as the sleep-wake cycle.This research investigates the NSCs transplantation on the sleep-wake cycle in suprachiasmatic nucleus lesions of rats.Methods: Apigenin-coated gold nanoparticles have been synthesized. NSCs were cultured in DMEM F12 enriched with apigenin-coated gold nanoparticles. Thirty adult male Wistar rats weighing between 220-250 g, were classified into three groups (Lesion, experimental, and control). The Subventricular zone (SVZ) of newborn rat brains was applied for NSCs separation. The animals received Suprachiasmatic nucleus lesions (2mA current, 8 seconds), (0.2 mm ML, -9.2 mm DV, -0.6 mm AP from bregma). To record the sleep cycle, 2 Electromyography (EMG) and 3 electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes were situated in the neck, muscles, and skull, respectively. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used for ultrastructural analysis of cells.Results: In this study, we observed the expression of Nestin and Sox2 in NSCs and neurospheres. The lesion group showed a significant increase of REM and NREM sleep compared to the control group. After NSCs transplantationin, a huge diminish in REM and NREM sleep was observed in the experimental group compared to the lesion group. In TEM analysis, NSCs labeled with gold nanoparticles were observed in the injury area. Nanoparticles were evident in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of these cells. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates that gold nanoparticles can interact well with NSCs and can be used to investigate cell transplantation. Also, NSCs transplantation improves sleep-wake cycle disruption after Suprachiasmatic nucleus lesion.

Conclusions: Cancers and bacterial infections are significant global public health challenges and economic issues. Nanostructures containing essential oils have been considered a suitable alternative as therapeutic agents. In this study, the chemical composition of Matricaria chamomilla essential oil (EO) as herbal medicine was investigated using GC-MS analysis. β-hymacalene (23%), limonene (10%), azonol (9%), and α-farnesene (9%) were identified as major compounds. Different tween 20 and tween 80 concentrations were screened to prepare an optimum nanoemulsion containing the EO. It showed a circular shape with droplet size and Zeta potential of 135 ± 8 nm and -21 ± 2 mV, and ATR-FTIR confirmed the successful loading of the EO in droplets. In vitro biological assays demonstrated that the nanoemulsion exhibited significant potency with IC50 values of 30, 311, 544, 88, and 213 µg/mL against A-375, A-431, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, compared to the unformulated EO. These findings prove the merit of the prepared nanoemulsion as a suitable candidate for further research against other types of cancer, various pathogens, and in vivo studies.

Objective(s): This study assessed how Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis (Sage) influence the expression levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) genes, which play a role in wound healing.Methods: An excision wound was induced on the back of the 48 adult male mice. Wound treatments done with AgNPs and Salvia officinalis extract in separate animal groups for 14 days. On two weeks after treatment, the wound skin tissue was removed and gene expression analysis was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results: The results showed that the expression of both target genes (VEGF and MMP2) in the wound skins treated with 0.05% Ag NPs increased significantly compared with the wound skin of control. The expression of VEGF gene increased significantly in the wound tissues treated with Sage extract compared with the Vaseline group, but the expression of MMP2 gene didn’t change significantly. The expression of two target genes increased significantly in the wound tissues treated with 0.5% Sage extract plus 0.05% Ag NPs in comparison to the wound tissues treated with 0.5% Sage extract alone. The expression of the two target genes did not significantly differ in the wound tissues treated with Sage extract and Ag NPs compared to those treated with 0.05% Ag NPs alone.Conclusions: Based on the results above, it can be concluded that the combination of hydroalcoholic extract of sage and low doses of Ag NPs exhibits significant healing activity and could serve as a viable option for wound healing management.