Brief Comparison of the Efficacy of Cationic and Anionic Liposomes as Nonviral Delivery Systems.

In recent decades, the development and application of nonviral vectors, such as liposomes and lipidic nanoparticles, for gene therapy and drug delivery have seen substantial progress. The interest in the physicochemical properties and structures of the complexes liposome/DNA and liposome/RNA is due to their potential to substitute viruses as carriers of drugs or genetic material into cells with minimal cytotoxicity, which could lead to their use in gene therapy. Initially, cationic liposomes were utilized as nonviral DNA delivery vectors; subsequently, different molecules, such as polymers, were incorporated to enhance transfection efficiency.

Monocyte (THP-1) Response to Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized with Root Extract.

The study, synthesis, and application of nanomaterials in medicine have grown exponentially in recent years. An example of this is the understanding of how nanomaterials activate or regulate the immune system, particularly macrophages. In this work, nanoparticles were synthesized using as a reducing agent (AgRhNPs).

miRNAs Contained in Extracellular Vesicles Cargo Contribute to the Progression of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: An In Vitro Aproach.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease. Lesions in the lung epithelium cause alterations in the microenvironment that promote fibroblast accumulation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) transport proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, such as microRNAs (miRNAs).

Au@Ag Core@Shell Nanoparticles Synthesized with Rumex hymenosepalus as Antimicrobial Agent.

In this work, we used a sequential method of synthesis for gold-silver bimetallic nanoparticles with core@shell structure (Au@AgNPs). Rumex hymenosepalus root extract (Rh), which presents high content in catechins and stilbenes, was used as reductor agent in nanoparticles synthesis. Size distribution obtained by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) gives a mean diameter of 36 ± 11 nm for Au@AgNPs, 24 ± 4 nm for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and 13 ± 3 nm for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

Hydrogel with silver nanoparticles synthesized by Mimosa tenuiflora for second-degree burns treatment.

In this work we use Mimosa tenuiflora (MtE) extracts as reducing agents to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgMt NPs) which were characterized by DPPH and Total Polyphenols Assays, UV-visible, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). AgMt NPs possess average sizes of 21 nm and fcc crystalline structure, it was also confirmed that the MtE is present in the AgMt NPs even after the cleaning protocol applied. Subsequently, carbopol hydrogels were made and the MtE and the synthesized AgMt NPs were dispersed in different gels (MtE-G and AgMt NPs-G, respectively) at 100 µg/g concentration.

Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Mimosa tenuiflora Extract, Assessments of Cytotoxicity, Cellular Uptake, and Catalysis.

Synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with plant extracts has gained great interest in the field of biomedicine due to its wide variety of health applications. In the present work, AuNPs were synthesized with Mimosa tenuiflora (Mt) bark extract at different metallic precursor concentrations. Mt extract was obtained by mixing the tree bark in ethanol-water.

Silver nanoparticles synthesized with Rumex hymenosepalus extracts: effective broad-spectrum microbicidal agents and cytotoxicity study.

We synthesized silver nanoparticles using Rumex hymenosepalus root extract (Rh). Nanoparticles were subjected to a purification process and final product is a composite of Rh and silver nanoparticles (AgNPsC). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to perform a microstructure study.

Effect of calcium and magnesium on phosphatidylserine membranes: experiments and all-atomic simulations.

It is known that phosphatidylserine (PS(-)) lipids have a very similar affinity for Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) cations, as revealed by electrokinetic and stability experiments. However, despite this similar affinity, experimental evidence shows that the presence of Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) induces very different aggregation behavior for PS(-) liposomes as characterized by their fractal dimensions. Also, turbidity measurements confirm substantial differences in aggregation behavior depending on the presence of Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) cations.

Charge reversal in anionic liposomes: experimental demonstration and molecular origin.

We present experimental and simulation evidence for a new mechanism of charge reversal operating only for ions capable to penetrate into soft interfaces. It is based on the preferential solvation of counterions by amphiphilic molecules and hydration water rather than by bulk water. This mechanism does not require high surface charge densities and it is not affected by the addition of 1:1 salt.

A theoretical and experimental approach to the compaction process of DNA by dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide/zwitterionic mixed liposomes.

The compaction of DNA by cationic liposomes constituted by a mixture of a cationic lipid, dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB), and a zwitterionic lipid, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) or 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC), has been evaluated by means of experimental studies (electrophoretic mobility, conductometry, cryogenic electron transmission microscopy or cryo-TEM, and fluorescence spectroscopy) as well as theoretical calculations. This information reveals that DODAB/DOPE and DODAB/DLPC liposomes are mostly spherical and unilamellar, with a mean diameter of around 70 and 61 nm, respectively, a bilayer thickness of 4.5 nm, and gel-to-fluid transition temperatures, T(m), of around 19 and 28 degrees C, respectively.