TiO-ZnPc nanoparticles functionalized with folic acid as a target photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy against glioblastoma cells.

The use of TiO as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy is limited due to TiO generates reactive oxygen species only under UV irradiation. The TiO surface has been modified with different functional groups to achieve activation at longer wavelengths (visible light). This work reports the synthesis, characterization, and biological toxicity assay of TiO nanoparticles functionalized with folic acid and combined with a zinc phthalocyanine to obtain a nano-photosensitizer for its application in photodynamic therapy for glioblastoma cancer treatment.

Neuroprotective-Neurorestorative Effects Induced by Progesterone on Global Cerebral Ischemia: A Narrative Review.

Progesterone (P4) is a neuroactive hormone having pleiotropic effects, supporting its pharmacological potential to treat global (cardiac-arrest-related) cerebral ischemia, a condition associated with an elevated risk of dementia. This review examines the current biochemical, morphological, and functional evidence showing the neuroprotective/neurorestorative effects of P4 against global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Experimental findings show that P4 may counteract pathophysiological mechanisms and/or regulate endogenous mechanisms of plasticity induced by GCI.

Targeted delivery of temozolomide by nanocarriers based on folic acid-hollow TiO -nanospheres for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant brain tumor. Its standard treatment includes a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The last involves the oral delivery of free drug molecules to GBM such as Temozolomide (TMZ).

Synthesis and characterization of VO-GaO photocatalysts and their application on the photocatalytic reduction of CO.

The photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO) to produce methanol (CHOH) is a promising strategy for producing clean energy. The catalyst, the aqueous medium, and the UV light are key parameters for the formation of the most relevant pair (e/h) and the specific selectivity towards the desired product (methanol). The use of GaO and VO in the photocatalytic reduction of CO to produce methanol has been little studied.

Amyloid β, Lipid Metabolism, Basal Cholinergic System, and Therapeutics in Alzheimer's Disease.

The presence of insoluble aggregates of amyloid β (Aβ) in the form of neuritic plaques (NPs) is one of the main features that define Alzheimer's disease. Studies have suggested that the accumulation of these peptides in the brain significantly contributes to extensive neuronal loss. Furthermore, the content and distribution of cholesterol in the membrane have been shown to have an important effect on the production and subsequent accumulation of Aβ peptides in the plasma membrane, contributing to dysfunction and neuronal death.

Lactate-Loaded Nanoparticles Induce Glioma Cytotoxicity and Increase the Survival of Rats Bearing Malignant Glioma Brain Tumor.

A glioblastoma is an aggressive form of a malignant glial-derived tumor with a poor prognosis despite multimodal therapy approaches. Lactate has a preponderant role in the tumor microenvironment, playing an immunoregulatory role as well as being a carbon source for tumor growth. Lactate homeostasis depends on the proper functioning of intracellular lactate regulation systems, such as transporters and enzymes involved in its synthesis and degradation, with evidence that an intracellular lactate overload generates metabolic stress on tumor cells and tumor cell death.

Cytotoxic Activity of Cu/TiO₂ Nanoparticles on Uterine-Cervical Cancer Cells.

Nanoparticles based on metal oxides serve as carrier matrices for molecules of biological interest. In this work, we used different copper complexes that were coupled to TiO₂ nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were prepared with the sol-gel method.

Preparation and characterisation of silica-based nanoparticles for cisplatin release on cancer brain cells.

In the present work, the preparation, characterisation, and efficiency of two different silica nanostructures as release vehicles of Cisplatin are reported. The 1-hexadeciltrimethyl-ammonium bromide templating agent was used to obtain mesoporous silica nanoparticles which were later loaded with Cisplatin. While sol-gel silica was very fast prepared using an excess of acetic acid during the hydrolysis-condensation reactions of tetraethylorthosilicate and at the same time the Cisplatin was added.

Nanobiomaterials' applications in neurodegenerative diseases.

The blood-brain barrier is the interface between the blood and brain, impeding the passage of most circulating cells and molecules, protecting the latter from foreign substances, and maintaining central nervous system homeostasis. However, its restrictive nature constitutes an obstacle, preventing therapeutic drugs from entering the brain. Usually, a large systemic dose is required to achieve pharmacological therapeutic levels in the brain, leading to adverse effects in the body.

Catalytic nanomedicine technology: copper complexes loaded on titania nanomaterials as cytotoxic agents of cancer cell.

The anticancer properties of pure copper (II) acetate and copper (II) acetylacetonate, alone and loaded on functionalized sol-gel titania (TiO(2)), were determined in four different cancer cell lines (C6, RG2, B16, and U373), using increasing concentrations of these compounds. The copper complexes were loaded onto the TiO(2) network during its preparation by the solgel process. Once copper-TiO(2) materials were obtained, these were characterized by several physical-chemical techniques.

Nanostructured Pt(NH(3))(4)Cl(2)/SiO(2) for nanomedicine: catalytic degradation of DNA in cancer cells.

In vivo suppression of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in Wistar rats using silica-shelled biocatalytic Pt(NH(3))(4)Cl(2) nanoparticles is reported. These nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol-gel technique and characterized by SEM and HRTEM imaging. We confirmed morphological uniformity (30 nm) and surface acidity of the nanoparticles, respectively, by TEM imaging and FTIR spectral analysis.

Treatment of Parkinson's disease: nanostructured sol-gel silica-dopamine reservoirs for controlled drug release in the central nervous system.

Introduction: We have evaluated the use of silica-dopamine reservoirs synthesized by the sol-gel approach with the aim of using them in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, specifically as a device for the controlled release of dopamine in the striatum. Theoretical calculations illustrate that dopamine is expected to assume a planar structure and exhibit weak interactions with the silica surface.

Methods: Several samples were prepared by varying the wt% of dopamine added during the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate.

Room temperature olefins oligomerization over sulfated titania.

Oligomerization reaction was carried out at room temperature using sulfated titania as catalyst. Total isobutene conversion was obtained with high stability for a long period of time. In case of deactivation, total reactivation of the catalyst was reached.