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In this research, the hydrophilic structure of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was modified by synthesizing polycitric acid (PCA) and attaching folic acid (FA) to create MWCNT-PCA-FA. This modified nanocomplex was utilized as a carrier for the lipophilic compound curcumin (Cur). Characterization techniques including TGA, TEM, and UV-visible spectrophotometry were used to analyze the nanocomplex. The mechanism of cancer cell death induced by MWCNT-PCA-FA was studied extensively using the MTT assay, colony formation analysis, cell cycle assessment via flow cytometry, and apoptosis studies. Furthermore, we assessed the antitumor efficacy of these targeted nanocomplexes following exposure to laser radiation. The results showed that the nanocomposites and free Cur had significant toxicity on melanoma cancer cells (B16F10 cells) while having minimal impact on normal cells (NHDF cells). This selectivity for cancerous cells demonstrates the potential of these compounds as therapeutic agents. Furthermore, MWCNT-PCA-FA/Cur showed superior cytotoxicity compared to free Cur alone. Colony formation studies confirmed these results. The researchers found that MWCNT-FA-PCA/Cur effectively induced programmed cell death. In photothermal analysis, MWCNT-PCA-FA/Cur combined with laser treatment achieved the highest mortality rate. These promising results suggest that this multifunctional therapeutic nanoplatform holds the potential for combination cancer therapies that utilize various established therapeutic methods., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Curcumin has been recognized as an effective anticancer agent. However, due to its hydrophobic property, the cell absorption is not satisfied. Herein, the curcumin nanoparticles were prepared in the presence of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) to reduce its elimination by immune system. For first time, not only the curcumin was encapsulated within the niosome nanoparticles modified by PEG, there are no reports related to the anticancer property of curcumin against thyroid cancers. The nanoparticles was developed and its anticancer was studied on sw-1736 cancer cell line. The nanoparticles were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Also, the release profile of curcumin, the IC50 concentration, the radical amount and the gene expression were evaluated. The optimized nanoparticles showed a diameter of 212 ± 31 nm by SEM and the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of 76% and 16.8% respectively. DLS confirmed the polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.596 and the release model was shown a sustained release with the delivery of 68% curcumin after 6 days. Also, the nanoparticles indicated the higher storage stability at 4 °C. After the cell treatment, the apoptotic bodies were appeared and IC50 was obtained as 0.159 mM. Moreover, the generated radicals by the treated cells was 86% after 72 h and the gene pattern indicated the bax/bcl2 ratio of 6.83 confirming the apoptosis effect of the nanoparticles. The results approved the nanoparticles could be suggested as an anticancer drug candidate for thyroid cancers. The encapsulated curcumin within the niosome nanoparticles modified with PEG, could be released and up-taken by the thyroid cancer cell line due to the same hydrophobic property of cell membrane and the niosome particles. The reaction between curcumin and cellular components generates radicals and activates the apoptotic pathway. The corresponding reaction finally makes cell death., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

In this study, nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared from polyurethane and cellulose acetate using electrospinning. Reduced graphene oxide/silver nanocomposites, rGO/Ag, were also used into the mats due to the strong antibacterial activity of rGO/Ag nanocomposites. In order to prevent the agglomeration of silver nanoparticles, AgNPs, the nanoparticles were decorated onto the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets. Initially, Graphene oxide, briefly GO, was synthesized by the improved Hummer method. Then, nanocomposites of reduced graphene oxide were decorated with Ag and were fabricated via a green and facile hydrothermal method. Thereafter, the scaffold containing rGO/Ag nanocomposites, curcumin or both of them were prepared using the electrospinning method. The obtained scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle, tensile analysis, porosity, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, MTT, confirmed the biocompatibility of the composite nanofibers. The scaffolds were able to hinder both of the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria through direct contact with them. In vivo histopathological studies indicated that the scaffold incorporated rGO/Ag nanocomposites and curcumin has the most effect on wound healing and can promote the healing rate of artificial wounds, which indicates the good biomedical potential of nanomaterial in wound healing., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Electrospun composite scaffolds show high ability to be used in regenerative medicine and drug delivery, due to the nanofibrous structure and high surface area to volume ratio. In this study, we used nanofibrous scaffolds fabricated by chitosan (CS), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), carbopol, and polycaprolactone using a dual electrospinning technique while curcumin (Cur) incorporated inside of the CS/PVA fibers. Scaffolds were fully characterized via scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle, tensile measurement, hydration, protein adsorption, and wrinkled tests. Furthermore, viability of the buccal fat pad-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BFP-MSCs) was also investigated using MTT assay for up to 14 days while cultured on these scaffolds. Cell cycle assay was also performed to more detailed evaluation of the stem cells growth when grown on scaffolds (with and without Cur) compared with the culture plate. Results demonstrated that Cur loaded nanofibrous scaffold had more suitable capability for water absorption and mechanical properties compared with the scaffold without Cur and it could also support the stem cells viability and proliferation. Cur release profile showed a decreasing effect on BFP-MSCs viability in the initial stage, but it showed a positive effect on stem cell viability in a long-term manner. In general, the results indicated that this nanofibrous scaffold has great potential as a delivery of the Cur and BFP-MSCs simultaneously, and so holds the promising potential for use in various regenerative medicine applications., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Context: For many years it has been known that lead is life-threatening, not only as an air pollutant but also because of it has been associated with several conditions including neurodegenerative disease. Curcumin (the principal curcuminoid found in turmeric) has demonstrated potent antioxidant properties., Objective: We investigated neuroprotective effects of endurance exercise and/or curcumin on lead acetate-induced neurotoxicity in the rat hippocampus., Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: 1) lead acetate, 2) curcumin, 3) training, 4) training + curcumin, and 5) control. The rats in the training groups performed treadmill running five times a week for 8 weeks (15-22 m/min, 25-64 min). All groups except control received lead acetate (20 mg/kg), whereas the control group received curcumin solution (ethyl oleate). In addition, the curcumin and training + curcumin groups received curcumin solution (30 mg/kg) intraperioneally., Results: Lead acetate resulted in a significantly increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma (72%), but not significant in hippocampus (59%). In addition, it led to significantly decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampus (17%) and total antioxidant capacity (27%), as compared to control group. Treadmill running, curcumin supplementation or both resulted in a significant decrease in hippocampus MDA (17, 20, 31%, respectively) and plasma MDA (60, 22, 71%) and also, significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (76, 45, 94%) and total antioxidant capacity (47.13, 47.11, 61%) levels, as compared to lead acetate group., Discussion and Conclusion: These results provide a rationale for an inhibitory role of curcumin and regular exercise in the attenuation of lead-induced neurotoxicity.

Background and Objective: Lead threaten living creature’s life as air pollutant and causes several diseases such as degenerative disease of nervous system. This research was conducted to determine the effect of Curcumin on BDNF changes and oxidative/antioxidative process in rat’s hippocampus which exposed to Lead acetate. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of ten: Base, Sham(control), lead and Curcumin+Lead. lead and Curcumin+Lead groups received 20 mg/kg lead acetate and Curcumin+Lead group also received 30 mg/kg Curcumin, peritoneally for 8 weeks (3 days in weeks). MDA (oxidative stress biomarker) and TAC (total antioxidative capacity) levels were measured by TBARS and FRAP methods, respectively, and hippocampus BDNF level was measured by ELISA method in rat hippocampus region. Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and Tukey at P