Exploring the therapeutic potential of Aloin: unraveling neuroprotective and anticancer mechanisms, and strategies for enhanced stability and delivery.

We investigate the therapeutic potential of Aloin A and Aloin B, two natural compounds derived from Aloe vera leaves, focusing on their neuroprotective and anticancer properties. The structural differences between these two epimers suggest that they may exhibit distinct pharmacological properties. Our investigations revealed that both epimers are not stable in aqueous solution and tend to degrade rapidly, with their concentration decreasing by over 50% within approximately 12 h.

A novel cationic β-cyclodextrin decorated with a choline-like pendant exhibits Iodophor, Mucoadhesive and bactericidal properties.

Iodine is a vital microelement and a powerful antiseptic with a rapid and broad spectrum of action. The development of iodophor compounds to improve the solubility and stability of iodine is still challenging. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel cationic β-cyclodextrin bearing a choline-like pendant (β-CD-Chol) designed to complex and deliver iodine to bacterial cells.

Calix[4]arene Derivative for Iodine Capture and Effect on Leaching of Iodine through Packaging.

A hydrophobic calix[4]arene derivative was investigated for its iodine (I) capture efficiency from gaseous and liquid phase. The iodine uptake was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy. Additionally, the influence of the calix[4]arene derivative-polyolefin system on the leaching of iodine through packaging from a povidone-iodine-based (PVP-I) formulation was evaluated.

-Sulfonato-Calix[4]arene Micelles Stabilize a Povidone Iodine Solution: Supramolecular Interactions, Iodine Retention, and Bactericidal Activity.

Povidone iodine (PVPI) is an antiseptic widely used against a broad spectrum of pathogens. However, undesired side-effects are still associated with PVPI treatment due to the irritant effect of iodine. Reducing the concentration of a PVPI formulation could provide safer and more friendly formulations, for routine use and applications in very delicate organs such as the eye.

Antibacterial Nanoassembled Calix[4]arene Exposing Choline Units Inhibits Biofilm and Motility of Gram Negative Bacteria.

The high incidence of antibiotic resistance and biofilm-associated infections is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality and triggers the need for new antimicrobial drugs and strategies. Nanotechnology is an emerging approach in the search for novel antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the inherent antibacterial effects of a self-assembling amphiphilic choline-calix[4]arene derivative () against Gram negative bacteria.

A novel facile one-pot synthesis of photothermally responsive carbon polymer dots as promising drug nanocarriers.

Luminescent and photothermic carbon polymer dots (CPDs-PNM), composed of a carbonized core and cross-linked chains of poly(-isopropylacrylamide), were synthetized by a novel, simple, solvent- and reagent-free method. The formation of CPDs-PNM was controlled by both temperature and heating time. The CPDs-PNM exhibited LCST behaviour, high photothermal conversion efficiency, curcumin loading capacity and no toxicity to eukaryotic cells.

Novel Peptide-Calix[4]arene Conjugate Inhibits Aβ Aggregation and Rescues Neurons from Aβ's Oligomers Cytotoxicity .

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting people in the elderly. Targeting aggregation of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) is considered a promising approach for the therapeutic treatment of the disease. Peptide based inhibitors of β-amyloid fibrillation are emerging as safe drug candidates as well as interesting compounds for early diagnosis of AD.

Binding Affinity and Driving Forces for the Interaction of Calixarene-Based Micellar Aggregates With Model Antibiotics in Neutral Aqueous Solution.

The search for novel surfactants or drug delivery systems able to improve the performance of old-generation antibiotics is a topic of great interest. Self-assembling amphiphilic calix[4]arene derivatives provide well-defined nanostructured systems that exhibit promising features for antibiotics delivery. In this work, we investigated the capability of two micellar polycationic calix[4]arene derivatives to recognize and host ofloxacin, chloramphenicol, or tetracycline in neutral aqueous solution.

Injectable supramolecular nanohydrogel from a micellar self-assembling calix[4]arene derivative and curcumin for a sustained drug release.

In the search for soft and smart materials for nanomedicine, which is a present challenge, supramolecular nanohydrogels built on self-assembling low-molecular-weight building blocks attract interest for their structural, mechanical and functional properties. Herein, we describe a supramolecular nanohydrogel formed by a biofriendly micellar self-assembling choline-calix[4]arene derivative in the presence of curcumin, a natural and multitarget pharmacologically relevant drug. Morphology and mechanical properties of the nanohydrogel were investigated, and theoretical simulation performed to model the nanohydrogel structure.

Synthesis of a calix[4]arene derivative exposing multiple units of fucose and preliminary investigation as a potential broad-spectrum antibiofilm agent.

Calix[4]arene derivative (1), bearing four α-l-C-fucosyl units linked via a flexible spacer, and a monomeric analogous (2) bearing a single moiety of fucose, were synthesized. Compounds 1 and 2 were assayed for antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram+). The macrocyclic compound 1 showed very high percentage of biofilm inhibition against two different bacterial strains while compound 2, which does not possess a macrocyclic structure, showed only moderate biofilm inhibition against P.

Essential oils encapsulated in polymer-based nanocapsules as potential candidates for application in food preservation.

The aim of this work is the encapsulation of essential oils (EOs) in polymeric nanocapsules (NCs), in order to enhance their antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens. Thymus capitatus and Origanum vulgare EOs were selected for their different chemical composition, carvacrol (73%) and thymol (44%) being the major constituent, respectively. Polymeric poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules loaded with EOs were prepared by a nanoprecipitation method.

Design and synthesis of a multivalent fluorescent folate-calix[4]arene conjugate: cancer cell penetration and intracellular localization.

A novel fluorescently labeled folate conjugate in which four folic acid units are covalently conjugated with a 7-nitro-benzofurazan fluorophore by means of a calix[4]arene platform was synthesized by using a Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (click chemistry). The synthesized construct (FA-C4-NBD) was characterized by mass spectrometry, NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. Confocal fluorescence microscopy experiments were carried out to evaluate the cell penetration ability of FA-C4-NBD on normal and cancer cells.

The KDEL receptor couples to Gαq/11 to activate Src kinases and regulate transport through the Golgi.

Membrane trafficking involves large fluxes of cargo and membrane across separate compartments. These fluxes must be regulated by control systems to maintain homoeostasis. While control systems for other key functions such as protein folding or the cell cycle are well known, the mechanisms that control secretory transport are poorly understood.