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Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a substantial global health burden, necessitating advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to investigate the potential of CeO2/GO nanoparticles (NPs) in managing CRC and to compare their efficacy with Ag-doped CeO2 (CeO2:Ag) NPs. The synthesis of cerium oxide (CeO2) and graphene oxide (GO) was meticulously performed, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of NPs' toxicity and their impact on apoptosis-related genes in CRC cells. Characterization techniques, including XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and DLS, validated the successful synthesis and unique properties of CeO2:Ag/GO NPs. XRD confirmed the CeO2 and GO structures, while EDX analysis confirmed high purity in the synthesized NPs and uniform element distribution in CeO2/GO NPs. SEM and TEM micrographs illustrated CeO2 NPs attached to graphene sheets, showcasing reduced size post-attachment. FT-IR revealed characteristic peaks for CeO2 and GO, confirming their composite structure. DLS showed an average NP size of 20 nm in solution. Notably, MTT assays demonstrated that CeO2:Ag/GO NPs exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against CRC cells (C-26 cell line) compared to CeO2:Ag NPs, with higher doses showing heightened efficacy. CeO2:Ag/GO NPs induced stronger growth inhibition and apoptosis in CRC cells, which was linked to their improved cellular uptake and ability to target multiple cancer-related pathways. In contrast, GO NPs alone lacked cytotoxic effects. Gene expression analysis via qPCR revealed CeO2:Ag/GO NPs significantly downregulated Zeb-1, VEGF, Cyclin-D1, and Twist compared to controls, altering cancer-related pathways more effectively than CeO2:Ag NPs. Additionally, CeO2:Ag/GO NPs significantly upregulated BAX and Caspase-1 while downregulating Bcl-2, implicating a more potent apoptotic response. This study highlights the advantage of CeO2:Ag/GO NPs over CeO2:Ag NPs in impeding CRC cell growth and inducing apoptosis, offering a promising foundation for innovative therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to synthesize a novel antibacterial and anticancer nanoformulation using aloe vera-derived carbon quantum dots (Cdot) and chromium-doped alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3:Cr/Cdot NPs) via a sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed crystalline NPs with a size range of 10–12 nm, while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed their elemental composition without impurities. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated strong interactions between Cdot and Al2O3:Cr NPs, forming a robust heterostructure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images provided visual confirmation of monodisperse, spherical NPs, ensuring uniformity for further applications. Evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) demonstrated superior generation of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals by Al2O3:Cr/Cdot NPs, essential for photodynamic therapy. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests revealed potent antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacteria, inhibiting biofilm formation by 89% and 95% for MRSA and P. aeruginosa PAO1, respectively. Furthermore, the anticancer activity of Al2O3:Cr/Cdot NPs was assessed using C26 cells, demonstrating enhanced cytotoxicity upon UVA exposure. The NPs exhibited an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 20 μg/mL without UVA exposure, decreasing to 10 μg/mL with UVA exposure, highlighting the synergistic effect of UVA light in enhancing cytotoxicity. Overall, these findings underscore the significant potential of Al2O3:Cr/Cdot NPs as multifunctional agents for addressing drug-resistant bacteria and advancing cancer therapy, offering promising avenues for nanomedicine research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although conventional drugs are widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), they are being used less frequently due to concerns about possible side effects over the long term. There has been a renewed research interest in medicinal plant products, and their role in protecting the cardiovascular system and treating CVD, which are now being considered as potential alternatives to modern drugs. The most important mechanism causing damage to the myocardium after heart attack and reperfusion, is increased levels of free radicals and oxidative stress. Therefore, treatment approaches often focus on reducing free radicals or enhancing antioxidant defense mechanism. It has been previously reported that bioactive natural products can protect the heart muscle in myocardial infarction (MI). Since these compounds are readily available in fruits and vegetables, they could prevent the risk of MI if they are consumed daily. Although the benefits of a healthy diet are well known, many scientific studies have focused on whether pure natural compounds can prevent and treat MI. In this review we summarize the effects of curcumin, resveratrol, quercitin, berberine, and tanshinone on MI and CVD, and focus on their proposed molecular mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can affect several interconnected processes, its value as a predictive marker for gastric cancer has been demonstrated. Coumarin - a natural compound known to contain some beneficial antitumor qualities - was tested for its effects on AGS gastric cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the expression level of selected cellular lncRNAs (BANCR, MALAT1 and FER1L4) and their target genes (PTEN, p-PI3K and p-AKT) in coumarin-treated AGS cell line. The expressions of the three lncRNAs: BANCR, MALAT1 and FER1L4, as well as their specified targets, PTEN, PI3K and AKT, were measured by qRT-PCR. To gauge the impact of coumarin on the AGS cells, a MTT assay was utilized. A Western blot has been employed to assess variations in PTEN, p-PI3K, and p-AKT expression. The experiment's results showed that AGS viability diminished with increasing doses of coumarin. Compared to the control cells, the cells exposed to coumarin had showed reduced levels of mRNAs which are known targets of the lncRNA BANCR. At the same time, levels of lncRNAs MALAT1 and FER1L4 within coumarin group have been higher comparing to those within control group. Additionally, the Western blot analysis revealed that the coumarin-treated cells expressed lower levels of p-PI3K, PTEN as well as p-AKT compared to control group. This information points to coumarin being a possible option in a treatment regimen for gastric cancer due to its ability to affect lncRNAs and the molecules they target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most lethal brain tumor without any curative treatment. Exosomes can mediate cell-to-cell communication, and may function as a new type of targeted therapy. In this study, the therapeutic benefits of exosomes generated by U87 cells treated with curcumin and/or temozolomide were investigated. The cells were cultured and treated with temozolomide (TMZ), curcumin (Cur), or their combination (TMZ+Cur). Exosomes were isolated with a centrifugation kit and characterized using DLS, SEM, TEM, and Western blotting. The levels of exosomal BDNF and TNF-α were measured. Naïve U87 cells were treated with the isolated exosomes, and the effects on apoptosis-related proteins HSP27, HSP70, HSP90, and P53 were assessed. All exosomes, Cur-Exo, TMZ-Exo, and TMZ+Cur-Exo increased cleaved caspase 3, Bax, and P53 proteins, while reducing HSP27, HSP70, HSP90, and Bcl2 proteins. Moreover all treatment groups increased apoptosis in naïve U87 recipient cells. Exosomes released from treated U87 cells had less BDNF and more TNF-α compared to exosomes released from naive U87 cells. In conclusion, we showed for the first time that exosomes released from drug-treated U87 cells could be a new therapeutic approach in glioblastoma, and could reduce the side effects produced by drugs alone. This concept needs to be further examined in animal models before clinical trials could be considered., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)