Search

Abstract In this study, a novel approach for the environmentally conscious extraction of titanium dioxide from ilmenite ore while limiting the environmental impact and enhancing the advantage from an economic process. Leaching conditions were tested with different acids for effective separation of the TiO2 and were optimized concerning different experimental parameters. TiO2 and TiO2NPs were characterized using with different tools. Catechol polyurethane foam immobilized with TiO2NPs was prepared and its antimicrobial action was tested against Gram-negative bacterium E. coli, Gram-positive bacterium B. cereus, and fungus A. niger. CAT-PUF /TiO2NPs showed antimicrobial effect against E. coli, B. cereus, and A. niger with inhibition zones of 27 ± 0.14, 12 ± 0.14, and 22 ± 0.06 mm, respectively. Incorporating bioinformatics, this research contributes to the burgeoning field of nanotechnology-enabled antimicrobial materials, offering insights into the potential applications of CAT-PUF/TiO2NPs in combating microbial threats. Through bio-informatics tools, the potential toxicity of the synthesized nanoparticles was assessed, providing valuable insights into their safety profile and environmental impact. Furthermore, simulating the binding affinity between the nanoparticles and target biomolecules, such as cell membrane proteins or enzyme receptors, this aspect of the research sheds light on the mechanistic underpinnings of their antimicrobial efficacy.

Abstract Nanocomposites incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO2) have a significant potential for various industrial and medical applications. These nanocomposites exhibit selectivity as antimicrobial and anticancer agents. Antimicrobial activity is crucial for medical uses, including applications in food processing, packaging, and surgical instruments. Additionally, these nanocomposites exhibit selectivity as anticancer agents. A stable nanocomposite as a new anticancer and antibacterial chemical was prepared by coupling titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a polyurethane foam matrix through the thiourea group. The titanium dioxide/thiopolyurethane nanocomposite (TPU/TiO2) was synthesized from low-cost Ilmenite ore and commercial polyurethane foam. EDX analysis was used to determine the elemental composition of the titanium dioxide (TiO2) matrix. TiO2NPs were synthesized and were characterized using TEM, XRD, IR, and UV–Vis spectra. TiO2NPs and TPU foam formed a novel composite. The MTT assay assessed Cisplatin and HepG-2 and MCF-7 cytotoxicity in vitro. Its IC50 values for HepG-2 and MCF-7 were 122.99 ± 4.07 and 201.86 ± 6.82 µg/mL, respectively. The TPU/TiO2 exhibits concentration-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and HepG-2 cells in vitro. The selective index was measured against both cell lines; it showed its safety against healthy cells. Agar well-diffusion exhibited good inhibition zones against Escherichia coli (12 mm), Bacillus cereus (10 mm), and Aspergillus niger (19 mm). TEM of TPU/TiO2-treated bacteria showed ultrastructure changes, including plasma membrane detachment from the cell wall, which caused lysis and bacterial death. TPU/TiO2 can treat cancer and inhibit microbes in dentures and other items. Also, TPU/TiO2 inhibits E. coli, B. cereus, and A. niger microbial strains.

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death, so we should be concerned and look for effective/less-harmful treatments than chemotherapeutics already clinically in application. Aspirin works well ''in conjunction'' with other therapies for HCC since aspirin can boost the sensitivity of anti-cancer activity. Vitamin C also was shown to have antitumor effects. In this study, we examined the anti-HCC activities of synergistic combination (aspirin and vitamin C) vs. doxorubicin on HCC-bearing rats and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) cells. Methods In vitro, we evaluated IC50 and selectivity index (SI) using HepG-2 and human lung fibroblast (WI-38) cell lines. In vivo, four rat groups were used: Normal, HCC (intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered 200 mg thioacetamide/kg/twice a week), HCC + DOXO (HCC-bearing rats i.p. administered 0.72 mg doxorubicin (DOXO)/rat/once a week), and HCC + Aspirin + Vit. C (i.p. administered vitamin C (Vit. C) 4 g/kg/day after day concomitant with aspirin 60 mg/kg/orally day after day). We evaluated biochemical factors [aminotransferases (ALT and AST), albumin, and bilirubin (TBIL) spectrophotometrically, caspase 8 (CASP8), p53, Bcl2 associated X protein (BAX), caspase 3 (CASP3), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cancer antigen 19.9 (CA19.9), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using ELISA], and liver histopathologically. Results HCC induction was accompanied by significant time-dependent elevations in all measured biochemical parameters except the p53 level significantly declined. Liver tissue architecture organization appeared disturbed with cellular infiltration, trabeculae, fibrosis, and neovascularization. Following drug medication, all biochemical levels significantly reversed toward normal, with fewer signs of carcinogenicity in liver tissues. Compared to doxorubicin, aspirin & vitamin C therapy ameliorations were more appreciated. In vitro, combination therapy (aspirin & vitamin C) exhibited potent cytotoxicity (HepG-2 IC50 of 17.41 ± 1.4 µg/mL) and more excellent safety with a SI of 3.663. Conclusions Based on our results, aspirin plus vitamin C can be considered reliable, accessible, and efficient synergistic anti-HCC medication.

Background and aims: Combination therapy is a promising new strategy that has been proposed to increase the efficacy of cancer treatment. We aimed to investigate the anti-cancer activity of rifampicin monotherapy and its combination with doxorubicin against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and methods: The in vitro half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and selectivity index (SI) of the drugs under investigation against HepG2 and human lung fibroblast (WI38) cell lines were determined. For the in vivo experiment, male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were injected with thioacetamide at 200 mg/kg twice a week for 90 days; HCC development was confirmed histopathologically. Following HCC induction, the rats were treated with intraperitoneal doxorubicin, rifampicin, or their combination for 45 or 90 days. After sacrifice, the livers were examined histopathologically. The levels of aminotransferases, albumin, bilirubin, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and nitric oxide were measured by spectrophotometry. Alpha-fetoprotein, cancer antigen 19-9, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, Bcl-2-associated X protein, caspase 3, caspase 8, and p53 were estimated using ELISA. Results: In vitro, the combination of doxorubicin and rifampicin showed the highest SI of 3.43. In vivo, among the measured markers, the levels of TAC, CAT, SOD, and p53 decreased (P

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to formulate an oil-in-water nanoemulsion of a next generation taxoid DHA-SBT-1214 and evaluate its biodistribution and pharmacokinetics., Methods: DHA-SBT-1214 was encapsulated in a fish oil containing nanoemulsion using a high pressure homogenization method. Following morphological characterization of the nanoemulsions, qualitative and quantitative biodistribution was evaluated in naïve and cancer stem cell-enriched PPT-2 human prostate tumor bearing mice., Results: DHA-SBT-1214 was successfully encapsulated up to 20 mg/ml in the nanoemulsion formulation and had an average oil droplet size of 200 nm. Using a DiR near infra-red dye encapsulated nanoemulsion, we have shown the delivery of nanoemulsion to mouse tumor region. By quantitative analysis, DHA-SBT-1214 encapsulated nanoemulsion demonstrated improved pharmacokinetic properties in plasma and different tissues as compared to its solution form. Furthermore, the nanoemulsions were stable and had slower in vitro drug release compared to its solution form., Conclusions: The results from this study demonstrated effective encapsulation of the drug in a nanoemulsion and this nanoemulsion showed sustained plasma levels and enhanced tumor delivery relative to the solution form.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of an oil-in-water nanoemulsion formulation encapsulating DHA-SBT-1214, a novel omega-3 fatty acid conjugated taxoid prodrug, against prostate cancer stem cells. Nanoemulsions of DHA-SBT-1214 (NE-DHA-SBT-1214) were prepared and characterized. In vitro delivery efficiency and cytotoxicity of NE-DHA-SBT-1214 was compared with solution formulation in PPT2 cells. In vivo studies included analysis of comparative efficacy of NE-DHA-SBT-1214 with Abraxane ® and placebo nanoemulsions as well as post-treatment alternations in clonogenic and sphere-forming capabilities of the tumor cells. Qualitative intracellular uptake studies of dye encapsulated NEs by confocal imaging showed uptake by both monolayer and spheroid cultured PPT2 cells. Treatment of PPT2 cells with NE DHA-SBT-1214 (1nM-1μM for monolayer culture of cells grown on collagen-coated dishes for 48 h) induced complete cell death, showing higher efficacy as compared to the drug solution. This nanoemulsion (10nM-10μM) also showed toxicity in 3D culture of floating spheroids. Weekly intravenous administration of the NE-DHA-SBT-1214 to NOD/SCID mice bearing subcutaneous PPT2 tumor xenografts led to dramatic suppression of tumor growth compared to Abraxane ® and placebo nanoemulsion formulation. Viable cells that survived from this in vivo treatment regimen were no longer able to induce floating spheroids and holoclones, whereas control and Abraxane ® treated tumor cells induced a large number of both. The results show that NE-DHA-SBT-1214 possesses significant activity against prostate CD133 high /CD44+/ high tumor-initiating cells both in vitro and in vivo., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)