Search

A new quinoxaline derivative (QM: 6-methyl-2,3-di(quinoline-2-yl)quinoxaline) was synthesized as a colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for detecting Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions. QM can selectively detect Fe3+ among a number of essential cations and showed an obvious colorimetric response (colorless to yellow) in the presence of Fe3+ ions and considerable fluorescence quenching response towards Cu2+ ions. The molar ratio and Job plot showed a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio for the QM-Fe3+ and QM-Cu2+ complexes. The binding constants for QM-Fe3+ and QM-Cu2+ were found to be 3.335 × 105 and 2.230 × 103 M−1, respectively, using the Benesi-Hildebrand method. The quenching rate constant (Ksv) for QM-Cu2+ was 18.8 × 103 M−1 using the Stern-Volmer plot. The limits of detection and quantification for QM-Fe3+ were calculated as 0.236 and 0.787 µM, respectively, and those for QM-Cu2+ were 0.39 and 1.31 µM, respectively. Therefore, sensor QM can be used to quantify Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions in real samples with good recovery.

Background and purpose: Removable prostheses made of polymethyl methacrylate are susceptible to Candida-dependent denture stomatitis and Candida albicans is considered to be the first common cause. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antifungal effect of acrylic resin modified by zinc oxide nanoparticles. Materials and methods: In this laboratory study, 72 disks (10*4 mm) made of polymethyl methacrylate (Acropars, Marlic, Iran) were divided into three groups (n= 24). Concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were 1 (group A), 0.5 (group B), and 0 (group C, control) mg/ml. Samples were studied in laboratory using Candida albicans strains (ATCC 10231) according to CLSI M27-A3 and M27-S4 documents. For data analysis, one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's post-test were performed using SPSS V24. Results: There were significant differences in mean numbers of fungal colonies in study groups. The amount of fungal colonies in group A was lower than those in group B and in group B was lower than those in group C (P

Objective(s): Nowadays, iron ions intoxication is the center of attention of interest in the management and treatment of thalassemia and different sorts of anemia associated with regular blood transfusions. Due to the major side effects of current drugs, they should be replaced with safer alternatives. Thus, in this study, functionalized hybrid silver nanoparticles, as an emerging perspective, were investigated for absorbing excess iron ions and their removal in an animal thalassemia model. Methods: The silver nanoparticles were green-synthesized using the Myrtus communis leaf methanolic extact (MC-AgNPs). The produced hybrid nano-Sorbents based on hydrolyzable tannin matrix loaded with silver nanoparticles were delivered for trying out in vivo iron chelation in thalassemia model mice in which iron-overload was imposed. MC-AgNPs and desferral were injected intraperitoneally four times a week for one month in mice with excess iron load. The total iron and Fe3+ content of serum was evaluated with the aid of plasma-atomic spectrometry microscopy and a Fe3+ ion measurement kit, respectively. Also, liver enzyme levels were evaluated by an auto-analyzer. Also, hepatic enzyme levels were appraised by using an auto-analyzer based the corresponding kits. Morphological transformations of the liver tissue were investigated by way of Prussian blue staining. Results: The mice treated with the MC-AgNPs demonstrated a significant reduction in serum iron content when compared with the iron-overload mice. MC-AgNPs revealed satisfying effectiveness to chelate excess iron in mice. Conclusions: This method could be considered as a competitive option for lowering the level of excess iron in vivo.

Objective(s): The use of silver nanoparticles in the field of biomedicine is increasing day by day, but less attention has been paid to its toxicity. In this paper, the ability of the silver nanoparticles produced by a green synthesis procedure to protect the liver and its effects on liver function in male mice was investigated in a sub-chronic toxicity study. Methods: The silver nanoparticles functionalized the hydrolyzable tannin fraction of Myrtus communis (MC-AgNPs) were used for testing in vivo sub-chronic toxicity in mice model. The MC-AgNPs and Ag+ were intraperitoneally injected with different doses 5 times a week over 90 days. The biochemical, hematological factors were determined using an autoanalyzer following the routine procedures. In addition, histopathological test of liver tissue in laboratory mice were examined through haematoxylin & eosin staining. Results: The obtained results showed that liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) were decreased. The mean value ± standard deviation of white blood cells, lymphocytes, red blood cells and Hb were increased, while red blood cells and hemoglobin decreased. Histopathological investigations indicated no obvious effect on hepatic cyto-architecture in the group receiving silver nanoparticles (50 mg/kg), and mild inflammation in the port space. In the groups receiving silver nanoparticles (100 and 200 mg/kg), mild inflammation, and moderate inflammation were observed in the port space and pre portal, respectively. Conclusions: The findings indicated that AgNPs could be safe even for long-term use in a therapeutic period if hybridized with active biomolecules.

Background and purpose: Cancer is one of the major health challenges in the world. The efficacy of current treatments is low but their side effects are high. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a new modality for cancer treatment. This study aimed to compare the cytotoxicity effect of CAP on the cell line models of common cancers and normal cells. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, argon based CAP was used to treat mouse melanoma (B16-F10), human breast cancer (MCF-7), human lung cancer (A549) cell lines, and compared with normal mouse fibroblast cells (L929), and human immortalized normal respiratory epithelial cell (Beas). We cultivated 4 groups in each cancer and normal cell lines: untreated cells; CAP exposed cells for 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and 40 seconds.The morphological alterations and proliferation rate of the cells were evaluated after 24 and 48 hours. Results: The viability of CAP-treated cancer cells significantly decreased compared to that of the untreated cells. The viability of A549 and MCF-7 cell lines decreased to 33.9% and 49.5%, 24 hours after CAP therapy for 30 seconds. In addition, 40 seconds exposure to CAP reduced viability of B16-F10 melanoma cells to 37.9%. Whereas the CAP had no detrimental cytotoxic effect on normal L929 cells. The maintenance effect of CAP had a time dependent pattern and its cytotoxicity effect increased from 24 to 48 hour incubation. Conclusion: This study showed that the effect of CAP on cancer cells is a selective effect that is largely dependent on the radiation dose and duration of exposure of cells to compounds produced by CAP. We can use CAP in treatment of cancer because of its cytotoxicity and selectivity on cancer cells.

Objective(s): Nowadays, examining the toxicity of nanoparticles including the synthesized and functionalized iron nanoparticles using methods like green synthesis is highly considered, due to their increasing usage in various fields of medicine, biology, industrial, and pollution removal. Hence, in this study, the toxicity of the zero valent iron nanoparticles synthesized by plant-Myrtus communis (MC-ZVINP) was investigated. Methods: Human normal Foreskin Fibroblast (HFF) cells were used for cytotoxicity examination using MTT method. Also, biochemical factors such as liver enzymes level, and factors such as the number of white and red globules, lymphocytes, platelets, amount of blood hemoglobin, and histopathological test of liver tissue in laboratory small rats were examined after intraperitoneal injections of the MC-ZVINP with different concentrations daily and a duration of 3-month, with the groups receiving trivalent iron, the extract of plant-case, and normal saline. Results: Cytotoxicity concentration of iron-case nanoparticles was obtained for 50% of HFF cells (CC50=149.23±4.45μg/mL). The results obtained from the blood factors examination showed a decreased the serum level of liver enzymes as well as an increase in the number of red and white globules and hemoglobin rate in mice receiving iron nanoparticles compared to the trivalent iron receiving group. Receiving the concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg/bw of iron nanoparticles have caused the incidence of mild and moderate inflammation in the liver of mice. Conclusions: Generally, it can be concluded that, the MC-ZVINP have shown no significant toxicity on the levels of blood cells, enzymes, and liver tissue.

Objective(s): Active species used in bio-chemical for synthesizing nanoparticles is poly phenolic compounds. The ability of flavonoids (e.g. quercetin) to dissolve in water is low and the production of metallic nanoparticles from them in the aqueous medium is hard. Previous studies recommend that quercetin was not capable of reducing Ag+ to Ag0. The current research aimed at synthesizing quercetin-mediated silver nanoparticles (Q-AgNPs) and evaluate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of Q-AgNPs in vitro. Methods: The green synthesis of Q-AgNPs in an aqueous medium has been demonstrated. The resultant nanoparticles were characterized by several analytical techniques of imaging and spectroscopic. The improved antioxidant activity of Q-AgNPs (DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging and iron chelating assay) was determined by the colorimetric method. Possible biomedical applications such as antioxidant and anticancer activities of Q-AgNPs have been assessed. Results: The DPPH and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity of Q-AgNPs was found to be (IC50=46.47±1.79 and 30.64±3.18μg/mL, respectively). Q-AgNPs exhibited better iron chelating activity than standard EDTA (IC50=3.12 ±0.44μg/mL). Significant anticancer activity of Q-AgNPs (IC50=57.42μg/mL) was found against HepG2 cell lines after 24-hour exposure. Furthermore, the antifungal activity (MIC = 4, 8 and > 64 μg/mL) was found against Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis and Aspergillus fumigatus, respectively. Conclusions: The present method is a competitive option to produce multifunctional nanoscale hybrid materials with higher efficiency and using natural sources for diverse biomedical applications such as antioxidant and anticancer activities.

Green synthesized zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) have high potential in cancer therapy. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is also an emerging biomedical technique that has great potential to cure cancer. Therefore, the combined effect of CAP and nZVI might be promising in treatment of cancer. In this study, we evaluated the combined effect of CAP and nZVI on the metabolic activity of the surviving cells and induction of apoptosis in malignant melanoma in comparison with normal cells. Therefore, the effect of various time exposure of CAP radiation, different doses of nZVI, and the combined effect of CAP and nZVI were evaluated on the viability of malignant melanoma cells (B16-F10) and normal fibroblast cells (L929) at 24 h after treatment using MTT assay. Then, the effect of appropriate doses of each treatment on apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry with Annexin/PI staining. In addition, the expression of BAX, BCL2 and Caspase 3 (CASP3) was also assayed. The results showed although the combined effect of CAP and nZVI significantly showed cytotoxic effects and apoptotic activity on cancer cells, this treatment had no more effective compared to CAP or nZVI alone. In addition, evaluation of gene expression showed that combination therapy didn't improve expression of apoptotic genes in comparison with CAP or nZVI. In conclusion, combined treatment of CAP and nZVI does not seem to be able to improve the effect of monotherapy of CAP or nZVI. It may be due to the resistance of cancer cells to high ROS uptake or the accumulation of saturated ROS in cells, which prevents the intensification of apoptosis.

Biogenic methods are an effective alternative to chemical methods in the preparation of nanoparticles. Our study used Crocus caspius extract to synthesize gold nanoparticles (CC-AuNPs) in a green manner. The eco-friendly synthesis of AuNPs was conducted by optimizing the temperature and concentration of HAuCl4 and extract. Synthesized CC-AuNPs were characterized using TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The prepared CC-AuNPs were detected with a size of around 22.66 ± 1.67 nm. The FT-IR analysis of the biomolecules involved in synthesizing CC-AuNPs was performed. Additionally, these biomolecules capped on the AuNPs were revealed by TG/DTA analysis. The EDX study demonstrated the existence of elemental gold. The biosynthesized CC-AuNPs were effectively applied as green catalysts to reduce three organic pollutant dyes—methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and 4-nitrophenol. In the biological evaluations, the free radical scavenging activity of the eco-friendly CC-AuNPs (DPPH assay) indicated an IC50 value of 29.22 ± 0.47 µg/mL. They displayed effective antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains. Their anticancer activity against AGS and MCF-7 cells showed IC50 concentrations at 48.2 µg/mL and 51.76 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, CC-AuNPs presented excellent antileishmanial activity (IC50 = 13.92 µg/mL). Therefore, the green AuNPs are efficient in biomedicine and nanobiotechnology.

Today, it is very important to protect plants in soils contaminated with metals. We investigated the behavior of cadmium during the establishment of oak seedlings (Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey.) under biochar influence. This study was conducted in pots with loamy soil. Cadmium was added to soil at 0, 10, 30, and 50 mg per kg of soil, indicated by Control, Cd10, Cd30 and Cd50. Biochar was produced at 500–550 °C from rice husk and added at 1, 3, and 5% (wt/wt) levels, indicated by B1, B3, B5, and mixed with soil at planting in three replications. Generally, increasing biochar rates had significant effects on seedling height, diameter, and biomass. This coincided with Cd immobilization in the contaminated soil which reflects a decrease in Cd concentrations in the plant bioavailability of Cd. The tolerance index increased significantly, by 40.9%, 56%, and 60.6% in B1, B3, and B5 with Cd50, respectively, compared to polluted soil. The percent of Cd removal efficiency for Cd50 was 21%, 47%, and 67% in B1, B2, and B5, respectively. Our study highlights that biochar can reduce Cd bioavailability and improve the growth of oak seedlings in contaminated soil.

We propose chlorpromazine (CHP) as a new mediator for the rapid, sensitive, and highly selective voltammetric determination of homocysteine (Hcy) using multiwall carbon nanotube paste electrode (MWCNTPE). The experimental results showed that the carbon nanotube paste electrode has a highly electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of Hcy in the presence of CHP as a mediator. Cyclic voltammetry, double potential step chronoamperometry, and square wave voltammetry (SWV) are used to investigate the suitability of CHP at the surface of MWCNTPE as a mediator for the electrocatalytic oxidation of Hcy in aqueous solutions. The kinetic parameters of the system, including electron transfer coefficient, and catalytic rate constant were also determined using the electrochemical approaches. In addition, SWV was used for quantitative analysis. SWV showed wide linear dynamic range (0.1–210.0 μM Hcy) with a detection limit of 0.08 μM Hcy. Finally, this method was also examined as a selective, simple, and precise electrochemical sensor for the determination of Hcy in real samples.