Folate-modified, curcumin and paclitaxel co-loaded PLA-TPGS nanoparticles: preparation, optimization and
                    in vitro
                    cytotoxicity assays

Atherosclerosis may lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the primary cause of death globally. In addition to conventional therapeutics for CVD, use of nutraceuticals that prevents cholesterol deposition, reduce existing plaques and hence anti-atherosclerotic effects of nutraceuticals appeared to be promising. As such, in the present study we evaluated the beneficial effects of punicalagin, a phytochemical against an atherosclerotic cell model in vitro. Cytotoxicity assays were examined for 10 µM concentration of punicalagin on THP-1 macrophages. Real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expressions. Monocyte migration and cholesterol efflux assays were performed to investigate punicalagin’s further impact on the key steps of atherosclerosis. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated no significant toxicity for punicalagin (10 µM) on THP-1 macrophages. Punicalagin inhibited the IFN-γ-induced overexpression of MCP-1 and ICAM-1 in macrophages by 10 fold and 3.49 fold, respectively, compared to the control. Punicalagin also reduced the MCP-1- mediated migration of monocytes by 28% compared to the control. Percentages of cellular cholesterol efflux were enhanced in presence or absence of IFN-γ by 88% and 84% compared to control with 58% and 62%, respectively. Punicalagin possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects. Punicalagin also did not exhibit any cytotoxicity and therefore can be considered a safe and potential candidate for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.

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A Comparison of In Vitro Cytotoxicity Assays and Their Application to Water Samples

Alternatives to Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1177/026119298701500104 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 20-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephen M. Hunt ◽

Christina Chrzanowska ◽

Christopher R. Barnett ◽

Helen N. Brand ◽

John K. Fawell

Keyword(s):

Cell Growth ◽

Water Samples ◽

Industrial Effluent ◽

Exposure Period ◽

In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽

Cloning Efficiency ◽

Cytotoxicity Assays ◽

River Water Samples ◽

Vital Dye

A group of 13 compounds were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity in four test systems; MIT-24 test, inhibition of cell growth (protein method), inhibition of cell growth (vital dye method) and cloning efficiency. In general, all four assays tended to rank compounds in a similar order for toxicity. The length of the exposure period appeared to be important for some compounds. The cytotoxicity of a variety of water samples was examined in two tests; inhibition of cell growth (vital dye method) and cloning efficiency. Under the conditions in which the assays were carried out, the latter proved to be the more sensitive test. River water samples gave little or no indication of cytotoxicity, samples of domestic sewage effluent gave some evidence of cytotoxicity, while an industrial effluent was markedly cytotoxic.

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Synthesis and Properties of CurNQ for the Theranostic Application in Ovarian Cancer Intervention

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25194471 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (19) ◽

pp. 4471

Author(s):

Lara G. Freidus ◽

Pradeep Kumar ◽

Thashree Marimuthu ◽

Priyamvada Pradeep ◽

Viness Pillay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Cancer Detection ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cell ◽

In Vitro Cytotoxicity ◽

Cancer Targeting ◽

The Novel ◽

Cytotoxicity Assays ◽

Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines ◽

Cancer Intervention

Synthesis of a novel theranostic molecule for targeted cancer intervention. A reaction between curcumin and lawsone was carried out to yield the novel curcumin naphthoquinone (CurNQ) molecule (2,2′-((((1E,3Z,6E)-3-hydroxy-5-oxohepta-1,3,6-triene-1,7-diyl) bis(2-methoxy-4,1-phenylene))bis(oxy))bis(naphthalene-1,4-dione). CurNQ’s structure was elucidated and was fully characterized. CurNQ was demonstrated to have pH specific solubility, its saturation solubility increased from 11.15 µM at pH 7.4 to 20.7 µM at pH 6.8. This pH responsivity allows for cancer targeting (Warburg effect). Moreover, CurNQ displayed intrinsic fluorescence, thus enabling imaging and detection applications. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated the chemotherapeutic properties of CurNQ as CurNQ reduced cell viability to below 50% in OVCAR-5 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines. CurNQ is a novel theranostic molecule for potential targeted cancer detection and treatment.

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