Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Extracts from Different Parts of the Kunth Plant: Characterization and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity.

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be developed using safe and environmentally friendly routes, can replace potentially toxic chemical methods, and can increase the scale of production. This study aimed to synthesize AgNPs from aqueous extracts of guarana () leaves and flowers, collected in different seasons of the year, as a source of active biomolecules capable of reducing silver ions (Ag) and promoting the stabilization of colloidal silver (Ag). The plant aqueous extracts were characterized regarding their metabolic composition by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), phenolic compound content, and antioxidant potential against free radicals.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Curcumin Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of malignant tumors in the world, resulting in a high incidence of death. The development of new molecules and technologies aiming to apply more effective and safer therapy strategies has been intensively explored to overcome this situation. The association of nanoparticles with known antitumor compounds (including plant-derived molecules such as curcumin) has been considered an effective approach to enhance tumor growth suppression and reduce adverse effects.

Effects of the phenotypic polarization state of human leukocytes on the optical absorbance spectrum.

This study evaluated the optical absorbance spectrum of human monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes polarized, or not, to the inflammatory or immunoregulatory phenotypes. Peripheral human blood leukocytes were isolated and polarized (10 ng/mL) with LPS or IL-4 + LPS for 2 hours. After polarization, cells were washed and incubated for an additional 24 hours (monocytes and lymphocytes) or 12 hours (neutrophils).

From cow manure to bioactive carbon dots: a light-up probe for bioimaging investigations, glucose detection and potential immunotherapy agent for melanoma skin cancer.

Bioactive carbon dots (C-dots) with 4 nm were successfully produced with singular photophysical properties, low-toxicity and interesting immunological response. The optical properties of the C-dots were investigated and the "light-up" behaviour enabled them to be explored in glucose detection and bioimaging experiments (mitochondrial selective probe). C-dots were not selective to the tumour region and several fluorescent spots were visualized spread on animal bodies.

Effects of photobiomodulation on cellular viability and cancer stem cell phenotype in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck malignancy; it has been shown that cancer stem cells (CSC) are present in OSCC and associated with tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an alternative tool for oncologic treatment adverse effects such as oral mucositis (OM); however, controversy exists regarding the undesirable effects of PBM on tumor or CSC. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro, the effects of PBM, with the same dosimetric parameters as those used in the clinic for OM prevention and treatment, on OSCC cellular viability, as well as PBM's effect on CSC properties and its phenotype.

Photodynamic therapy mediated by aluminium-phthalocyanine nanoemulsion eliminates primary tumors and pulmonary metastases in a murine 4T1 breast adenocarcinoma model.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective in the treatment of different types of cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and other superficial cancers. However, improvements in photosensitizer delivery are still needed, and the use of PDT against more deeply located tumors has been the subject of many studies. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a nanoemulsion containing aluminium-phthalocyanine (AlPc-NE) as a mediator of photodynamic therapy (PDT-AlPc-NE) against grafted 4T1 breast adenocarcinoma tumors in mice (BALB/c).

In vivo toxicological evaluation of polymer brush engineered nanoceria: impact of brush charge.

Nanoceria has a broad variety of industrial and pharmacological applications due to its antioxidant activity. Nanoceria can be modified by surface coating with polyelectrolyte brushes. Brushes can increase the surface charge of nanoceria, providing greater aqueous stability while reducing agglomeration.

Photobiomodulation is associated with a decrease in cell viability and migration in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) involves surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy, which can cause mucositis (inflammation of the oral mucosa that causes considerable pain and can compromise the continuity of oncological treatment). Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been successfully used in the treatment of mucositis, but doubts arise regarding the use of laser for areas in which tumor cells may remain. In this study, the effect of PBM on the viability, mitochondrial activity, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of cells derived from oral SCC was evaluated.

Itraconazole encapsulated PLGA-nanoparticles covered with mannose as potential candidates against leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease threatening over 350 million people. Antimonials are first-line drugs due to resistance and side effects there is a demand for alternative chemotherapy. Itraconazole (ITZ) is an antimycotic.

Photobiomodulation and different macrophages phenotypes during muscle tissue repair.

Macrophages play a very important role in the conduction of several regenerative processes mainly due to their plasticity and multiple functions. In the muscle repair process, while M1 macrophages regulate the inflammatory and proliferative phases, M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages direct the differentiation and remodelling phases, leading to tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of red and near infrared (NIR) photobiomodulation (PBM) on macrophage phenotypes and correlate these findings with the repair process following acute muscle injury.

Antifungal Activity of Amphotericin B Conjugated to Nanosized Magnetite in the Treatment of Paracoccidioidomycosis.

This study reports on in vitro and in vivo tests that sought to assess the antifungal activity of a newly developed magnetic carrier system comprising amphotericin B loaded onto the surface of pre-coated (with a double-layer of lauric acid) magnetite nanoparticles. The in vitro tests compared two drugs; i.e.

Aluminium-phthalocyanine chloride nanoemulsions for anticancer photodynamic therapy: Development and in vitro activity against monolayers and spheroids of human mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines light, molecular oxygen and a photosensitizer to induce oxidative stress in target cells. Certain hydrophobic photosensitizers, such as aluminium-phthalocyanine chloride (AlPc), have significant potential for antitumor PDT applications. However, hydrophobic molecules often require drug-delivery systems, such as nanostructures, to improve their pharmacokinetic properties and to prevent aggregation, which has a quenching effect on the photoemission properties in aqueous media.

Preparation and characterization of collagen-nanohydroxyapatite biocomposite scaffolds by cryogelation method for bone tissue engineering applications.

Recent efforts of bone repair focus on development of porous scaffolds for cell adhesion and proliferation. Collagen-nanohydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds (70:30; 50:50; and 30:70 mass percentage) were produced by cryogelation technique using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide as crosslinking agents. A pure collagen scaffold was used as control.

Acute and long-term effects of hyperthermia in B16-F10 melanoma cells.

Objective: Hyperthermia uses exogenous heat induction as a cancer therapy. This work addresses the acute and long-term effects of hyperthermia in the highly metastatic melanoma cell line B16-F10.

Materials And Methods: Melanoma cells were submitted to one heat treatment, 45°C for 30 min, and thereafter were kept at 37°C for an additional period of 14 days.

Biodistribution and biocompatibility of DMSA-stabilized maghemite magnetic nanoparticles in nonhuman primates (Cebus spp.).

Aim: This work represents the first reported investigation on the effects of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in nonhuman primates. Biodistribution, biocompatibility and nanotoxicity of maghemite nanoparticles stabilized with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were accessed.

Materials & Methods: A control animal was used and three other animals were intravenously injected with DMSA-MNPs and euthanized 12 h, 30 and 90 days following administration.

Leukocyte transepithelial migration in lung induced by DMSA functionalized magnetic nanoparticles.

Magnetic nanoparticles surface-covered with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (MNPs-DMSA) constitute a promising approach for tissue- and cell-targeted delivery of therapeutic drugs in the lung. However, they can also induce a transient transendothelial migration of leukocytes in the organ as a side effect after endovenous administration of MNPs-DMSA. We demonstrated that monocytes/macrophages constitute the main subpopulation of leukocytes involved in this process.

Evaluation of the binding properties of maghemite nanoparticle surface-coated with meso-2-3-dimercaptosuccinic acid to serum albumin.

In this study the interaction between magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) surface-coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) with both bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated. The binding of the MNP-DMSA was probed by the fluorescence quenching of the BSA and HSA tryptophan residue. Magnetic resonance and light microscopy analyses were carried out in in vivo tests using female Swiss mice.