scholarly journals Graphene: One Material, Many Possibilities—Application Difficulties in Biological Systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Skoda ◽  
Ilona Dudek ◽  
Anna Jarosz ◽  
Dariusz Szukiewicz

Energetic technologies, nanoelectronics, biomedicine including gene therapy, cell imaging or tissue engineering are only few from all possible applications for graphene, the thinnest known carbon configuration and a basic element for other more complicated, better discovered and widely used nanostructures such as graphite, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes. The number of researches concerning graphene applications is rising every day which proves the great interest in its unique structure and properties. Ideal pristine graphene sheet presents a flat membrane of unlimited size with no imperfections while in practice we get different flakes with irregular edges and structural defects which influence the reactivity. Nanomaterials from graphene family differ in size, shape, layer number, lateral dimension, surface chemistry and defect density causing the existence of graphene samples with various influence on biological systems. Whether graphene induces cellular stress and activates apoptosis, or on the contrary facilitates growth and differentiation of the cells depends on its structure, chemical modifications and the growth process. A certain number of in vitro studies has indicated cytotoxic effects of graphene while the other show that it is safe. The diversity of the samples and methods of the production make it impossible to establish clearly the biological impact of graphene.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Guo ◽  
Z Yang ◽  
J Xu ◽  
J Sehouli ◽  
AE Albers ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zehao Huang ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Kaifeng Rao ◽  
Cuiting Liu ◽  
Zijian Wang ◽  
...  

Background: More than 2,000 chemicals have been used in the tannery industry. Although some tannery chemicals have been reported to have harmful effects on both human health and the environment, only a few have been subjected to genotoxicity and cytotoxicity evaluations. Objective: This study focused on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of ten tannery chemicals widely used in China. Materials and Methods: DNA-damaging effects were measured using the SOS/umu test with Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002. Chromosome-damaging and cytotoxic effects were determined with the high-content in vitro Micronucleus test (MN test) using the human-derived cell lines MGC-803 and A549. Conclusion: The cytotoxicity of the ten tannery chemicals differed somewhat between the two cell assays, with A549 cells being more sensitive than MGC-803 cells. None of the chemicals induced DNA damage before metabolism, but one was found to have DNA-damaging effects on metabolism. Four of the chemicals, DY64, SB1, DB71 and RR120, were found to have chromosome-damaging effects. A Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) analysis indicated that one structural feature favouring chemical genotoxicity, Hacceptor-path3-Hacceptor, may contribute to the chromosome-damaging effects of the four MN-test-positive chemicals.


Author(s):  
Zeinab Abedian ◽  
Niloofar Jenabian ◽  
Ali Akbar Moghadamnia ◽  
Ebrahim Zabihi ◽  
Roghayeh Pourbagher ◽  
...  

Objective/ Background: Cancer is still the most common cause of morbidity in world and new powerful anticancer agents without severe side effects from natural sources is important. Methods: The evaluation of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction was carried out in MCF-7,HeLa and Saos-2 as cancerous cell lines with different histological origin and human fibroblast served as control normal cell. The cells were treated with different concentrations of chitosan and the cytotoxicity was determined using MTT assay after 24, 48 and 72 h .The mode of death was evaluated by flow cytometry . Results: While both types of chitosan showed significant concentration-dependently cytotoxic effects against the three cancerous cell lines, fibroblast cells showed somehow more compatibility with chitosan. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between LMWC and HMWC cytotoxicity in all cell lines. The flow cytometry results showed the apoptosis pattern of death more in Saos-2 and HeLa while necrosis was more observable with MCF7. Also higher viability with both types of chitosan was seen in fibroblast as normal cells Conclusion: Chitosan shows anticancerous effect against 3 cancerous cell lines, while it is compatible with normal diploid fibroblast cells. Furthermore, it seems that the molecular weight of chitosan does not affect its anticancerous property.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5823
Author(s):  
Alexia Barbarossa ◽  
Alessia Catalano ◽  
Jessica Ceramella ◽  
Alessia Carocci ◽  
Domenico Iacopetta ◽  
...  

Thalidomide is an old well-known drug that is still of clinical interest, despite its teratogenic activities, due to its antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties. Therefore, efforts to design safer and effective thalidomide analogs are continually ongoing. Research studies on thalidomide analogs have revealed that the phthalimide ring system is an essential pharmacophoric fragment; thus, many phthalimidic compounds have been synthesized and evaluated as anticancer drug candidates. In this study, a panel of selected in vitro assays, performed on a small series of phthalimide derivatives, allowed us to characterize compound 2k as a good anticancer agent, acting on A2058 melanoma cell line, which causes cell death by apoptosis due to its capability to inhibit tubulin polymerization. The obtained data were confirmed by in silico assays. No cytotoxic effects on normal cells have been detected for this compound that proves to be a valid candidate for further investigations to achieve new insights on possible mechanism of action of this class of compounds as anticancer drugs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088532822110134
Author(s):  
Sushant Singh ◽  
Udit Kumar ◽  
David Gittess ◽  
Tamil S Sakthivel ◽  
Balaashwin Babu ◽  
...  

Many studies have linked reactive oxygen species (ROS) to various diseases. Biomedical research has therefore sought a way to control and regulate ROS produced in biological systems. In recent years, cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria, CNPs) have been pursued due to their ability to act as regenerative ROS scavengers. In particular, they are shown to have either superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase mimetic (CAT) potential depending on the ratio of Ce3+/Ce4+ valence states. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that SOD mimetic activity can be diminished by the presence of phosphate, which can be a problem given that many biological systems operate in a phosphate-rich environment. Herein, we report a CNP formulation with both SOD and catalase mimetic activity that is preserved in a phosphate-rich media. Characterization demonstrated a highly dispersed, stable solution of uniform-sized, spherical-elliptical shaped CNP of 12 ± 2 nm, as determined through dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy. Mixed valence states of Ce ions were observed via UV/Visible spectroscopy and XPS (Ce3+/Ce4+ > 1) (Ce3+∼ 62%). X-ray diffraction and XPS confirmed the presence of oxygen-deficient cerium oxide (CeO2-x) particles. Finally, the CNP demonstrated very good biocompatibility and efficient reduction of hydrogen peroxide under in-vitro conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (15) ◽  
pp. 5197-5207
Author(s):  
Mohini Gupta ◽  
Rajamani Nagarajan ◽  
Chitteti Ramamurthy ◽  
Perumal Vivekanandan ◽  
G. Vijaya Prakash

Strong and site selective red-emitting photoluminescent/MRI multi-functional KLa(0.95−x)GdxF4:Eu3+ (x = 0–0.4) bio-compatible nanomaterials for targeted in-vitro liver cancer cell imaging.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Anne Caroline Morais Caldeirão ◽  
Heitor Ceolin Araujo ◽  
Laís Salomão Arias ◽  
Wilmer Ramírez Carmona ◽  
Gustavo Porangaba Miranda ◽  
...  

The contribution of different Candida species in oral fungal infections has stimulated the search for more effective therapies. This study assessed the antibiofilm effects of nanocarriers of miconazole (MCZ) or fluconazole (FLZ) on Candida biofilms, and their cytotoxic effects on murine fibroblasts. Three-species biofilms (Candida albicans/Candida glabrata/Candida tropicalis) were formed on 96-well plates, and they were treated with nanocarriers (iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan—“IONPs-CS”) of MCZ or FLZ at 39/78/156 µg/mL; antifungals alone at 156 µg/mL and artificial saliva were tested as positive and negative controls, respectively. Biofilms were analyzed by colony forming units (CFU), biomass, metabolic activity, and structure/viability. The cytotoxicity (L929 cells) of all treatments was determined via 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. Data were submitted to one- or two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s or Fisher LSD’s tests (p < 0.05). IONPs-CS-MCZ at 78 µg/mL promoted similar antibiofilm and cytotoxic effects compared with MCZ at 156 µg/mL. In turn, IONPs-CS-FLZ at 156 µg/mL was overall the most effective FLZ antibiofilm treatment, surpassing the effects of FLZ alone; this nanocarrier was also less cytotoxic compared with FLZ alone. It can be concluded that both nanocarriers are more effective alternatives to fight Candida biofilms compared with their respective positive controls in vitro, being a promising alternative for the treatment of oral fungal infections.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Mélody Dutot ◽  
Elodie Olivier ◽  
Sophie Fouyet ◽  
Romain Magny ◽  
Karim Hammad ◽  
...  

Phlorotannins are polyphenols occurring exclusively in some species of brown algae, known for numerous biological activities, e.g., antioxidant, antiproliferative, antidiabetic, and antiallergic properties. Their effects on the response of human lung cells to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) has not been characterized. Our objective was to in vitro evaluate the effects of a phlorotannin-rich extract obtained from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus on B[a]P cytotoxic effects. The A549 cell line was incubated with B[a]P for 48 and 72 h in the presence or absence of the brown algae extract. Cytochrome P450 activity, activation of P2X7 receptor, F-actin disorganization, and loss of E-cadherin expression were assessed using microplate cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Relative to control, incubation with the brown algae extract was associated with lower B[a]P-induced CYP1 activity, lower P2X7 receptor activation, and lower reactive oxygen species production. The brown algae extract inhibited the alterations of F-actin arrangement and the downregulation of E-cadherin expression. We identified a phlorotannins-rich extract that could be deeper investigated as a cancer chemopreventive agent to block B[a]P-mediated carcinogenesis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 7202
Author(s):  
Tamara Bruna ◽  
Francisca Maldonado-Bravo ◽  
Paul Jara ◽  
Nelson Caro

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been imposed as an excellent antimicrobial agent being able to combat bacteria in vitro and in vivo causing infections. The antibacterial capacity of AgNPs covers Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug resistant strains. AgNPs exhibit multiple and simultaneous mechanisms of action and in combination with antibacterial agents as organic compounds or antibiotics it has shown synergistic effect against pathogens bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The characteristics of silver nanoparticles make them suitable for their application in medical and healthcare products where they may treat infections or prevent them efficiently. With the urgent need for new efficient antibacterial agents, this review aims to establish factors affecting antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles, as well as to expose the advantages of using AgNPs as new antibacterial agents in combination with antibiotic, which will reduce the dosage needed and prevent secondary effects associated to both.


1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-167
Author(s):  
D. Arenholt-Bindslev ◽  
P. Hørsted-Bindslev ◽  
H.P. Philipsen

The aim of the present study was to compare the toxicity in vitro with the toxicity in vivo of two commercial chemicals marketed for use in the oral cavity (GLUMA BondR and 3M Etching LiquidR). Confluent cultures of human buccal epithelial cells were exposed to graded concentrations of GLUMA Bond or 3M Etching Liquid for 5 minutes. The cytotoxic effects induced by this treatment were observed (cytomorphology, proliferation rate). In vivo, monkey buccal epithelium was exposed to GLUMA Bond or 3M Etching Liquid for 5 minutes. Biopsies were taken after 24 hours, and the buccal epithelium processed for light microscopical examination. In both models, the toxic reactions to GLUMA Bond were far more extensive than those caused by 3M Etching Liquid.


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