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MnZnFe2O4 ferrite was successfully synthesized using metallic chlorides and polyvinylpyrolidone, by Co-precipitate method. Deferent concentrations of PVP (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9) wt%, were used as capping agent to stabilize the particles and prevent them from agglomeration. The PVP content had a vital influence on enhancing the properties of the ferrite nanoparticles. From X-ray data the degree of crystallinity and the Lattice constants (a) of the nanoparticles increased from (8.92 nm) and (8.344 Å) to (19.94 nm) and (8.395 Å) respectively with increasing PVP concentrations. The morphology and average particle size of the MnZn ferrite nanoparticles were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the values were in a good agreement with the XRD results. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the cubic structure with octahedral and tetrahedral, also indicated the formation of bond between PVP and surface of metallic hydroxide of ferrite nanoparticles. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis was performed for all samples at room temperature, results showed that the specimens exhibited a paramagnetic behavior in the absence of PVP while in the presence of PVP they have super paramagnetic characteristics. The values of saturation magnetization (Ms) (1.78–17.67 emu/g), remnant magnetization (Mr) (0.0022–0.0696 emu/g) also increased with increasing pvp concentration. Polyvinylpyrrolidone loaded-MnZnFe2O4 magnetic nanocomposites were used it alone or as a combination therapy with NIR laser, and alternating magnetic field (AMF) as anti-proliferative agent against breast cancer cell lines AMJ-13, MCF-7,and ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 as well as against normal cell line HBL. While, its capability to induce apoptosis was detected using different techniques which is acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) staining and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and flow cytometry assay membrane potential (MMP). q-PCR was used to investigate the changes in the expression of P53 gene. The influence of Polyvinylpyrrolidone loaded-MnZnFe2O4 magnetic nanocomposites in viability of breast and ovarian cancer cells alone or when they used as a combination therapy with laser photo-thermal therapy and alternating magnetic field (AMF) was also tested using MTT assay. Our results in the present study demonstrated that the inhibition activity of Polyvinylpyrrolidone loaded-MnZnFe2O4 magnetic nanocomposites against treated cancer cell lines increased when Polyvinylpyrrolidone loaded-MnZnFe2O4 nanocomposites used with NIR laser, while highly increased cytotoxic activities were observed after exposure of Polyvinylpyrrolidone loaded-MnZnFe2O4 nanocomposites to induction heating with AMF. Treated cancer cells with polyvinylpyrrolidone loaded-MnZnFe2O4 magnetic nanocomposites significantly increased ROS synthesis, with subsequent reduction of the MMP. The results of the current study show that tested compounds suppressed cancers cells' proliferation and has a growth inhibitory effect on different cancer cells, resulting in apoptosis as a novel pathway that involves mitochondrial damage mechanism via activated P53. Taken together the present data suggest that the Polyvinylpyrrolidone loaded-MnZnFe2O4 magnetic nanocomposites could be promising therapy protocol for cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy is a cellular process for maintaining cellular homeostasis. This process can be induced by different factors, such as immune stimuli and pathogen-associated molecules. Autophagy has an important role in the control of IL-1β secretion by macrophages and other cell types. In present study, we describe a novel role for Iraqi propolis affecting autophagy in controlling the secretion of IL-1β in bone-marrow macrophages (BMDMs). After infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence of propolis, the degradation of IL-1β was induced, and the activity of inflammasome was reduced. Iraqi propolis-induced autophagy in in vitro and in vivo models decreased the levels of IL-1β and caspase-1. Results indicated that IL-1β pathway production is regulated by autophagy via two different novel mechanisms, namely, regulation of the activation of NLRC4 inflammasome and IL-1β targeting for lysosomal degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles of gold with zinc oxide (Au@ZnO NPs) were prepared by laser ablation and then capped with curcumin nanoparticles (Cur-Au@ZnO NPs). The synthesized NPs were characterized using different techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. In addition, the ability of NPs as a promising antibacterial agent was tested against Staphylococcus aureus through the agar well diffusion method and AO/EtBr staining assay. The results showed that the prepared nanoparticles (Cur-Au@ZnO) served as an antibacterial agent and can destroy the bacterial cells by losing the cell wall integrity and penetrating the cytoplasmic membrane. Moreover, the findings confirmed the role of the formed NPs in attenuation of the adherence and invasion of S. aureus to rat embryonic fibroblast (REF) cells. Furthermore, the activity of Cur-Au@ZnO NPs against the S. aureus α-hemolysin toxin was evaluated using the western blot technique, using human alveolar epithelial cells (A549), and through histopathology examination in a mouse model. In conclusion, the built Cur-Au@ZnO NPs can be used as a potential antibacterial agent and an inhibitor of α-hemolysin toxin secreted by S. aureus. These NPs may offer a new strategy in combating pathogen infections and in the future for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was employed to cap super magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) through hydrothermal preparation. The main goal of this study is to investigate the influence of physical incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) loaded Fe3O4. The anticancer potentials of these particles were studied against breast cancer cell line (AMJ13). Syntheses bare Fe3O4, and Fe3O4-PEG were confirmed by TEM, SEM, and FTIR. The size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles range of 9–20 and 5–12 nm for the Fe3O4–PEG nanoparticles which exerted superparamagnetic properties as well as elevated saturation level of magnetization at ambient conditions. The MTT test was employed to detect the ability of the bare Fe3O4 and Fe3O4-PEG on the proliferative of AMJ13 cells. IC50 values was 37.33 µg mL− 1 for bare Fe3O4 and 18.23 µg mL−1 for Fe3O4-PEG. AMJ13 Cells exposed to bare Fe3O4, and Fe3O4-PEG NPs demonstrated a significant cell death, which increased with PEG, loaded Fe3O4 NPs. The capability of Fe3O4-PEG to induce cellular apoptosis was tested using DAPI, Acridine orange/ Ethedium bromide stains, flow cytometry, with the assays of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence were performed to measure expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins. The toxicity of bare Fe3O4 and Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles using animal model were investigated. Animal's body weight, liver and kidney function enzymes, and histological alterations for liver, kidney, and lungs were addressed. The findings demonstrated that nanoparticles were biocompatible with liver and kidney function enzymes and no significant alterations were recorded in the liver, kidney and the lungs. Both nanoparticles revealed a proliferation inhibitory effect on AMJ13 cells, resulting in apoptosis as a novel pathway that involve the mitochondrial damage and NF-kB. Taken together the present data suggest that bare Fe3O4 and Fe3O4-PEG could be promising therapy protocol for cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Linalool is a monoterpene alcohol which occurs naturally in several aromatic plants. The aims of this study are to load Linalool on gold nanoparticles, conjugate the complex with CALNN peptide, and investigate them for in-vitro anticancer activities against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line. Linalool was obtained with 98% purity while gold nanoparticles and CALNN peptide were chemically synthesized. The formation of LIN-GNPs and LIN-GNPs-CALNN was observed through a color change. These compounds were confirmed and characterized using SEM, DLS, AFM, UV–VIS spectrophotometer, XRD, and FTIR. The free radical scavenging potential of each compound was confirmed based on its stable antioxidant effects using different parameters. Blood compatibility on red blood cells was confirmed by hemolytic and in vitro cytotoxicity assays. The in-vitro anticancer activity of each compound towardMCF-7 cell line was investigated using various parameters. From the results, Linalool, GNPs, LIN-GNPs, and LIN-GNPs-CALNN were found to exert cell growth arrest against MCF-7 cell line. The anti-proliferative effect of these compounds was due to cell death and induction of apoptosis confirmed using acridine orange-Ethidium bromide dual staining, DAPI staining, and electrophoresis analysis of DNA fragmentation. High fluorescent signals specific for the cellular uptake of LIN-GNPs and LIN-GNPs-CALNN into the cytoplasm of the cell line were confirmed. To study the toxicity of LIN-GNPs-CALNN in animal models, the hematological, histopathological, and body weight changes were estimated after 4 weeks of intraperitoneal injection of the compounds into the animal models. Our results demonstrate that Linalool, GNPs, Linalool-GNPs, and Linalool-GNPs-CALNN peptide had no side effects and could be clinically used for future therapeutic purposes. Highlights • A novel nano-delivery system for linalool loaded on CALNN peptide-conjugated gold nanoparticles. • This novel nano-delivery system showed anticancer activity against MCF-7 cell line. • The novel nano-delivery system could be used as a medicine drug in treating different types of cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a platinum(II) complex ([Pt(H2L)(PPh3)] complex) containing a thiocarbohydrazone as the ligand was tested as an anti-proliferative agent against ovarian adenocarcinoma (Caov-3) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) through MTT assays. Apoptotic markers were tested by the AO/PI double staining assay and DNA fragmentation test. Flow cytometry was conducted to measure cell cycle distribution, while the p53 and caspase-8 pathways were tested via immunofluorescence assay. Results demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect of the Pt(II)-thiocarbohydrazone complexes against Caov-3 and HT-29 cells was highly significant, and this effect triggered the activation of the p53 and caspase-8 pathways. Besides, apoptosis stimulated by the Pt(II)-thiocarbohydrazone complex was associated with cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. These findings suggest that the target complex inhibited the proliferation of Caov-3 and HT-29 cells, resulting in the arrest of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis via the stimulation of the p53 and caspase-8 pathways. The present data suggests that the Pt(II)-thiocarbohydrazone complex could also be a promising chemotherapeutic agent for other types of cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the roles of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and graphene oxide flakes (GOFs) as phagocytosis enhancers against cancer cells. The nanomaterials were characterized through SEM and UV-VIS absorptions. The GNPs and GOFs increased the macrophages' phagocytosis ability in engulfing, thereby annihilating the cancer cells in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The GNPs and GOFs augmented serine protease class apoptotic protein, granzyme, passing through the aquaporin class protein, perforin, with mediated delivery through the cell membrane site for the programmed, calibrated, and conditioned cancer cells killing. Additionally, protease inhibitor 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin (DCI) significantly reduced granzyme and perforin activities of macrophages. The results demonstrated that the GOFs and GNPs increased the activation of phagocytic cells as a promising strategy for controlling cancer cells by augmenting the cell mortality through the granzyme-perforin-dependent mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]