scholarly journals Carbon nanomaterials: Biologically active fullerene derivatives

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 222-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordana Bogdanovic ◽  
Aleksandar Djordjevic

Since their discovery, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene attract significant attention of researches in various scientific fields including biomedicine. Nano-scale size and a possibility for diverse surface modifications allow carbon nanoallotropes to become an indispensable nanostructured material in nanotechnologies, including nanomedicine. Manipulation of surface chemistry has created diverse populations of water-soluble derivatives of fullerenes, which exhibit different behaviors. Both non-derivatized and derivatized fullerenes show various biological activities. Cellular processes that underline their toxicity are oxidative, genotoxic, and cytotoxic responses. The antioxidant/cytoprotective properties of fullerenes and derivatives have been considered in the prevention of organ oxidative damage and treatment. The same unique physiochemical properties of nanomaterials may also be associated with potential health hazards. Non-biodegradability and toxicity of carbon nanoparticles still remain a great concern in the area of biomedical application. In this review, we report on basic physical and chemical properties of carbon nano-clusters - fullerenes, nanotubes, and graphene - their specificities, activities, and potential application in biological systems. Special emphasis is given to our most important results obtained in vitro and in vivo using polyhydroxylated fullerene derivative C60(OH)24.

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (37) ◽  
pp. 4888-4902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilda D'Urso ◽  
Sonia Piacente ◽  
Cosimo Pizza ◽  
Paola Montoro

The consumption of berry-type fruits has become very popular in recent years because of their positive effects on human health. Berries are in fact widely known for their health-promoting benefits, including prevention of chronic disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Berries are a rich source of bioactive metabolites, such as vitamins, minerals, and phenolic compounds, mainly anthocyanins. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies recognized the health effects of berries and their function as bioactive modulators of various cell functions associated with oxidative stress. Plants have one of the largest metabolome databases, with over 1200 papers on plant metabolomics published only in the last decade. Mass spectrometry (MS) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) are the most important analytical technologies on which the emerging ''omics'' approaches are based. They may provide detection and quantization of thousands of biologically active metabolites from a tissue, working in a ''global'' or ''targeted'' manner, down to ultra-trace levels. In the present review, we highlighted the use of MS and NMR-based strategies and Multivariate Data Analysis for the valorization of berries known for their biological activities, important as food and often used in the preparation of nutraceutical formulations.


Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 3266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gokhan Zengin ◽  
Luigi Menghini ◽  
Antonella Di Sotto ◽  
Romina Mancinelli ◽  
Francesca Sisto ◽  
...  

Due to renewed interest in the cultivation and production of Italian Cannabis sativa L., we proposed a multi-methodological approach to explore chemically and biologically both the essential oil and the aromatic water of this plant. We reported the chemical composition in terms of cannabinoid content, volatile component, phenolic and flavonoid pattern, and color characteristics. Then, we demonstrated the ethnopharmacological relevance of this plant cultivated in Italy as a source of antioxidant compounds toward a large panel of enzymes (pancreatic lipase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and cholinesterases) and selected clinically relevant, multidrug-sensible, and multidrug-resistant microbial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, Candida, and Malassezia spp.), evaluating the cytotoxic effects against normal and malignant cell lines. Preliminary in vivo cytotoxicity was also performed on Galleria mellonella larvae. The results corroborate the use of this natural product as a rich source of important biologically active molecules with particular emphasis on the role exerted by naringenin, one of the most important secondary metabolites.


Author(s):  
C. B. Ranaweera ◽  
A. K. Chandana

Clitoria ternatea commonly known as Butterfly pea is a standard Ayurvedic medicinal plant used in many parts of south Asian countries. Traditional medicinal plants are a great alternative to find new treatments and for the development of novel antimicrobials to combat many diseases. In Ayurveda and traditional and folk medicine in several countries, decoction and extracts made from C. ternatea are recommended to be used for various medical treatments. C. ternatea extracts claimed to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, which had been supported and validated by many in vitro and in vivo experiments. However, biologically active compound/s isolation and development novel compounds still remain in its infancy. Despite its enormous potential health benefits, only a single commercial product managed to reach industrial level production. C. ternatea cyclotide studies are also limited despite the fact that it the fastest known natural ligase discovered to date. These cyclotides are rapid peptide ligators and has been the focus of many recent studies on peptide ligation and cyclization for biotechnological applications. In this mini summary we have tried to point out innate unique biological properties of C. ternatea and suggested few future studies, more specifically on C. ternatea cyclotides development against bacterial heat shock proteins (Hsp 100) for novel antimicrobial discovery and development.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 4941
Author(s):  
Abdelwahab Khalil ◽  
Basem H. Elesawy ◽  
Tarek M. Ali ◽  
Osama M. Ahmed

Insects of the order Hymenoptera have a defensive substance that contains many biologically active compounds. Specifically, venom from honeybees (Apis mellifera) contains many enzymes and peptides that are effective against various diseases. Different research papers stated the possibility of using bee venom (a direct bee sting or in an injectable form) in treating several complications; either in vivo or in vitro. Other reports used the active fractions of bee venom clinically or at labratory scale. Many reports and publications have stated that bee venom and its constituents have multiple biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-protozoan, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic properties. The present review aims to refer to the use of bee venom itself or its fractions in treating several diseases and counteracting drug toxicities as an alternative protocol of therapy. The updated molecular mechanisms of actions of bee venom and its components are discussed in light of the previous updated publications. The review also summarizes the potential of venom loaded on nanoparticles as a drug delivery vehicle and its molecular mechanisms. Finally, the products of bee venom available in markets are also demonstrated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Luan ◽  
Lixia Peng ◽  
Ziqin Lei ◽  
Xiyu Jia ◽  
Junbo Zou ◽  
...  

Averrhoa carambola L. (star fruit) is an edible fruit that is extensively cultivated in southern China, Southeast Asia, India, and northern South America. It has a sweet and juicy taste and is frequently used in fruit salads and fruit platters, as a garnish in cocktail drinks and beverages, or squeezed into juice and served as a beverage. Traditionally, it has been used for treating diabetes and diabetic nephropathy, arthralgia, vomiting, lithangiuria, coughing, hangovers, and chronic paroxysmal headache for thousands of years. Currently, approximately 132 compounds have been isolated from A. carambola. Among them, flavonoids, benzoquinone, and their glycosides have been considered as biologically active substances, which are responsible for various biological activities. Pharmacological studies have revealed that crude extracts or monomeric compounds from A. carambola exhibit multiple bioactivities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-obesity, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-hypertensive, neuroprotective, and others. Thus, A. carambola is a valuable treatment in Chinese medicine with therapeutic potential for multiple diseases, especially diabetes and diabetes-related diseases. Even though it is a very promising candidate in the development of functional food and the pharmaceutical industry, reports on its bioactivities have only been conducted in vivo and in vitro and there is a gap in research regarding clinical settings and safety. This review therefore provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of current progress on botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of A. carambola, providing a valuable reference for further developments and applications of A. carambola in the pharmaceutical industry and functional food.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jahid M. M. Islam ◽  
Md. Ismail ◽  
Md. Rakibul Islam ◽  
Md. Faruk Hossain ◽  
Hossain Uddin Shekhar

Abstract Foods (natural or processed) containing known biologically active compounds, which supplies clinically established and well-documented health benefits, are termed as functional food. Study objectives were to boost food functionality of spirulina, to optimize the required radiation dose, and to test functionality of spirulina both in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose fat binding capacity, sugar binding capacity, hydration property, antioxidative property, total polyphenol content were assessed at different radiation doses. A total of 30 rats were divided into three groups to carry out in vivo experiments to validate the outcomes of in vitro experiments. Targeted physico-chemical properties of spirulina were increased at their maximum level at 15 kGy radiation dose. In vivo experiments validated the outcomes of in vitro experiments. Though gamma radiation improves food functionality of spirulina at various radiation doses, but the optimum dose is recommended as 15 kGy.


Author(s):  
THANIARASU R ◽  
LOGESHWARI M

Objective: The present investigation focuses on the use of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. in their phytochemical and biological activities. Methods: In this study, in vivo stem and in vitro callus ethanolic extracts of C. halicacabum were tested for their phytochemical attributes by qualitative method, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), antioxidant, antibacterial, and bioactive compound properties. The bactericidal activity of the in vivo stem and in vitro callus extract has been evaluated in both Gram+ve and Gram-ve microorganisms using the disk diffusion method. Results: The highest frequency (78%) of well developed, dark green organogenic callus was induced from stem explant on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.7 mg/l 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and 0.5 mg/l benzyl adenine (BA). The results of FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of functional groups in wild stem and in vitro callus extract of C. halicacabum with various peaks. The total phenolic content in ethanolic extract of in vivo plant and in vitro callus was 80.46 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight and 76.4 mg GAE/g dry weight, respectively. The highest percentage of tannins was measured at 78.03 in wild stem ethanol extracts followed by 75.22 in callus extract. The antioxidant activity of 2,2-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) ethanol extract was found to be 206.54 μg/ml. IC50 values of the stem extracts of C. halicacabum are 306 μg/ml and 286 μg/ml in callus extract, respectively. Antibacterial activity of the ethanol extract was higher for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) with a 17 mm zone of inhibition. Conclusion: The present investigation recommended that the callus ethanolic extract function as a good source of biologically active compounds and natural antioxidants.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (02) ◽  
pp. 199-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zefeng Zhao ◽  
Xirui He ◽  
Qiang Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyang Wei ◽  
Linhong Huang ◽  
...  

Plants from the genus Sanguisorba have been treated as medicinal ingredients for over 2000 years. This paper reviews advances in the botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of the genus. To date, more than 120 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from these plants, especially from S. officinalis and S. minor. Among these compounds, triterpenoids, phenols and flavonoids are the primary biologically active constituents. Triterpenoids can be used as quality control markers to determine the quality of medicinal materials and their preparations. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that plants from the genus Sanguisorba exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties, including hemostatic, antibacterial, antitumor, neuroprotective and hypoglycemic activities. In Chinese medical practice, many drugs (e.g., tablets and powders) that contain S. officinalis roots have been used to treat leukopenia, hemorrhaging and burns. However, there is still a multitude of Sanguisorba species that have garnered little or no attention. Indeed, there are few reports concerning the clinical use and toxic effects of these plants. Further attention should be focused on the study of these species in order to gather information on their respective toxicology data, any relevant quality-control measures, and the clinical value of the crude extracts, active compounds, and bioactive metabolites from Genus Sanguisorba.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1508
Author(s):  
Danica Jović ◽  
Vesna Jaćević ◽  
Kamil Kuča ◽  
Ivana Borišev ◽  
Jasminka Mrdjanovic ◽  
...  

Being a member of the nanofamily, carbon nanomaterials exhibit specific properties that mostly arise from their small size. They have proved to be very promising for application in the technical and biomedical field. A wide spectrum of use implies the inevitable presence of carbon nanomaterials in the environment, thus potentially endangering their whole nature. Although scientists worldwide have conducted research investigating the impact of these materials, it is evident that there are still significant gaps concerning the knowledge of their mechanisms, as well as the prolonged and chronic exposure and effects. This manuscript summarizes the most prominent representatives of carbon nanomaterial groups, giving a brief review of their general physico-chemical properties, the most common use, and toxicity profiles. Toxicity was presented through genotoxicity and the activation of the cell signaling pathways, both including in vitro and in vivo models, mechanisms, and the consequential outcomes. Moreover, the acute toxicity of fullerenol, as one of the most commonly investigated members, was briefly presented in the final part of this review. Thinking small can greatly help us improve our lives, but also obliges us to deeply and comprehensively investigate all the possible consequences that could arise from our pure-hearted scientific ambitions and work.


Author(s):  
Wang Wang ◽  
Yutong Li ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Dejuan Sun ◽  
Hua Li ◽  
...  

: Natural products have been proven as the main source of biologically active compounds, which are potentially useful for drug development. As one of the most studied pentacyclic triterpenes, oleanolic acid (OA) exhibits a broad range of biological activities and serves as a good scaffold for the development of novel derivatives that could be vital in drug discovery for various ailments. Up to now, many of its derivatives with multiple bioactivities have been prepared through chemical modification. This review summarizes the recent reports of OA derivatives (2016-present) and their biological effects and action mechanisms in vitro and in vivo models, and discusses the design of novel and potent derivatives.


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