Degradable 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate/Gelatin/Alginate Hydrogels Infused by Nanocolloidal Graphene Oxide as Promising Drug Delivery and Scaffolding Biomaterials

The design and evaluation of novel 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate/gelatin/alginate/graphene oxide hydrogels as innovative scaffolding biomaterials, which concurrently are the suitable drug delivery carrier, was proposed. The hydrogels were prepared by the adapted porogen leaching method; this is also the first time this method has been used to incorporate nanocolloidal graphene oxide through the hydrogel and simultaneously form porous structures. The effects of a material’s composition on its chemical, morphological, mechanical, and swelling properties, as well as on cell viability and in vitro degradation, were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), measurements of Young’s modulus, gravimeter method and MTT test, respectively. The engineered hydrogels show good swelling capacity, fully hydrophilic surfaces, tunable porosity (from 56 to 76%) and mechanical properties (from 1.69 to 4.78 MPa), curcumin entrapment efficiency above 99% and excellent curcumin release performances. In vitro cytotoxicity on healthy human fibroblast (MRC5 cells) by MTT test reveal that the materials are nontoxic and biocompatible, proposing novel hydrogels for in vivo clinical evaluation to optimize tissue regeneration treatments by coupling the hydrogels with cells and different active agents to create material/biofactor hybrids with new levels of biofunctionality.

Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Biocompatibility of Ti2AlC in Rabbits

Background: The Titanium and its alloys are suitable for dental implant and medical applications. Biocompatibility of the materials is a major factor in determining the success of the implant and has a great impact on their rate of osseointegration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of Ti2AlC in comparison to CPTi & Ti6Al7Nb in rabbits. Materials and Methods: 10 male New Zealand White rabbits, weighing (2-2.5 kg), aged (10-12 months) were used in this study. Cylindrical implants were prepared from the study materials (CPTi, Ti6Al7Nb and Ti2AlC) with (8mm) height and (3mm) diameter for the evaluation of tissue response and disc specimens were prepared with (6 mm) diameter and (2 mm) thickness for evaluation of cytotoxicity MTT test. A histological study was performed at 2 & 6 weeks post- surgical implant insertion. Results: Histological findings show that Ti2AlC has enhanced proliferation of osteo-progenitor cell and reported mature bone formation at 6 weeks. Moreover, Ti2AlC has recorded a higher percentage for viable cells by MTT test in comparison to CPTi and Ti6Al7Nb. Conclusion: The new Ti2AlC dental implant is considered biocompatible and has showed a better bone formation than the CPTi and Ti6Al7Nb materials at 2 & 6 weeks.

STUDIES OF MAGNESIUM AND PHOSPHORUS COMBINED MEDICATION BASED ON CASEIN

Aim. The Department of Biochemistry and Physiology of Animals, named after Academician Guly NUBIP of Ukraine, developed magnesium and phosphorus combined medication based on casein. Our aim was to test its bioavailability based on the ability to be hydrolyzed by a mixture of pancreatic digestive enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin, also check the absence of cytotoxic effects on cell cultures. Methods. To assess bioavailability, we used hydrolysis of the medication with a mixture of trypsin and chymotrypsin, followed by detection of hydrolysis products by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A standard MTT-test performed on both MT-4 and Namalva cell lines was used to assess cytotoxic effects. Results. Based on electrophoresis data, it was found that despite chemical modifications of the natural casein, the medication based on it is characterized by a high ability to hydrolyze by digestive enzymes under the same conditions as casein. Also, an MTT-test demonstrates that the medication has no cytotoxic properties against cell lines MT-4 and Namalva. Conclusions. Since the negative effects of the drug associated with its digestibility and toxicity have not been observed, it is recommended to continue the study of its effects on living organisms.

HOẠT TÍNH SINH HỌC CỦA DOXORUBICIN KHI KẾT HỢP VỚI CAO CHIẾT CỦA NĂM LOÀI HỌ GỪNG (ZINGIBERACEAE)

Thân rễ của các loài Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ZO), Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm. (ZZ), Curcuma clovisii Škornič (CC), Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe (CZ) và quả của Amomum villosum Lour (AV) được sử dụng để khảo sát lý trích cao chiết bằng phương pháp ngâm dầm trong ba loại dung môi hữu cơ khác nhau dưới điều kiện tránh sáng tại nhiệt độ phòng. Các dung môi sử dụng bao gồm chloroform (TCM), ethyl aceate (AcOEt) và ethanol (EtOH) với các khoảng thời gian ngâm dầm khảo sát gồm 1, 7, 14 và 30 ngày. Trong đó, TCM và EtOH được đánh giá là hai dung môi thích hợp cho việc trích ly cao chiết. ZZ cho hiệu suất ly trích cao nhất (8%) so với các nguyên liệu còn lại. Hoạt tính kháng tế bào ung thư ruột kết HCT-116 và độc tính trên nguyên bào sợi da người HSF của các cao chiết được đánh giá bằng MTT - test. Kết quả cho thấy tại nồng độ IC25, khi kết hợp các cao chiết này với doxorubicin, đều có ảnh hưởng tích cực trên hoạt tính sinh học. Thành phần hóa học của các cao chiết được phân tích bằng phương pháp sắc ký lỏng phối khổ (LC/MS), sắc ký bản mỏng (TLC) và sắc ký cột.

Isolation of Cyanobacterial Strains from Water and Soil Samples in Hanoi and Investigation of Their Cytotoxic Activity

As a part of ongoing efforts to exploit the pharmaceutical potential of domestic cyanobacteria, six strains belonging to the Nostocales order have been isolated from several sampling sites in Ha Noi as prerequisite material. The cytotoxic activity evaluation based on the MTT test resulted in four extracts from two strains (NK7 and NK1111) exhibiting the inhibitory activity against HeLa cells, with IC50 values ranging from 84.6 µg/mL to 257.3 µg/mL. In addition, the bioassay-guided isolation of the HK7 methanol extract led to one cytotoxic activity K3 fraction possessing two natural compounds. Compounds 1 showed the accurate mass of 352.2633 Da with the formula of C21H36O4 similar to three cytotoxic compounds 7Z-plakortide H, 10-gingerdiol, and ebelactone B. Compound 2 had the accurate mass of 278.1545 Da with the formula of C16H22O4 similar to four cytotoxic compounds pestaloficiol G, penicitrinol E-D, and isoversiol C.

Anti-proliferative Effects of Prunus Armeniaca Semen on Acute Leukemia by Regulate of Cell Cycle Progression

Introduction: Prunus armeniaca is one member of the Rosaceae family. Antitumor activity of this family on the colon, prostate, bladder, cervix, lung and breast cancers has been proven in previous research, which is attributed to a natural compound called amygdalin. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of apricot kernel extract on acute leukemia that has not been studied before. Methods: In this experimental study, Aqueous, ethyl acetate, and hydro alcoholic of the Armeniacae semen extracts were prepared. The NALM-6 and KG-1 cell lines were treated with different doses of extracts; cell viability was investigated with MTT test and using double staining fluorescent, cell apoptosis was detected. Cell cycle progression was analyzed, using a BD Cycle TEST PLUS DNA Kit. Results: The results showed that different extracts of Prunus armeniaca induced dose-dependent inhibition in both Kg1 and Nalm6 cell lines. According to the results of MTT test, the strongest IC50 in Kg1 and Nalm6 cell lines was related to the 48h effect of ethyl acetate extract of Prunus armeniaca. Fluorescent microscopy analysis showed apoptosis. The ethyl acetate extract application in both cell lines increased the number of cells in the G0 / G1 phase and decreased the number of cells in the G2 / M phase. Conclusion: It seems that ethylacetat extract of Prunus armeniaca can reduce the proliferation of Kg1 and Nalm6 cell lines, probably by regulates cell cycle progression.

The synergistic anticancer traits of graphene oxide plus doxorubicin against BT474 and MCF7 breast cancer stem cells in vitro

Breast cancer is among leading causes of death due to cancers around the globe. Current therapeutic approaches towards healing of breast cancer have been associated with poor outcomes. Graphene and its derivatives have a two-dimensional flat structure, which is characterized by the ability to carry drugs and modify the surface, low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility. This study was performed on MCF7 and BT474 human breast cancer cells. Different concentrations of doxorubicin (DOX), graphene oxide (GO) and graphene oxide plus doxorubicin (GO-DOX) were subjected to both cell lines at specified intervals. At the end of the treatments, MTT test was applied to determine the viability of cells and then flow cytometry, colony formation and spheroid tests were implemented for both cell lines treated with DOX, GO and GO-DOX components. We used DLS and TEM to confirm the GO properties. According to the MTT test results, 1 µL of DOX at 10 mg /mL (equivalent to 0.1 mg / mL) caused 50% survival of MCF7 cells at 24 hours. In both cell lines, an increase in apoptosis occurred after incubation with GO and DOX. Although, a rate of mortality of MCF-7 cells was due to necrosis, the BT474 cells death was merely through the apoptosis. Furthermore, the results of colony formation test outlined an enhancing inhibitory effect in the presence of GO-DOX as a comparison to the control. Additionally, spheroids formed following treatment with GO-DOX exhibited a significant decrease compared to their control group; with an increase in the number of spheroids in BT474 cells compared to those in the MCF-7. The decreasing effect of compounds against the migration and cell invasion potential was also observed, being higher in MCF7 than BT474 cells. The effects of cytotoxic GO were observed at higher concentrations.

Facile synthesis of Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles using Glechoma hederacea L. extract, and their activity against leukemia

Metal combinations have been attracting the attention of scientists for some time. They usually exhibit new characteristics that are different from the ones possessed by their components. In this work, Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles were synthesized biologically using Glechoma hederacea L. extract. The synthesized Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The microscopic methods confirmed the presence of spherical nanoparticles of 50–70 nm. The influence of biologically synthesized Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles on the vitality of human cells was evaluated in vitro with the use of established human Acute T Cell Leukemia cell line, Jurkat (ATCC® TIB-152™), as well as mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood (PBMC) of voluntary donors. Cell survival and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration index (IC50) were analyzed by the MTT test. The studies showed that the total loss of cell viability occurred at the Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticle concentration range of 10 µmol–50 µmol. The use of Au/ZnO/Ag nanoparticles at the concentration of 100 µmol eliminated almost all living cells from the culture in 24h. The above observation confirms the result obtained during the MTT test.

Anticancer Activity of Kefir on Glioblastoma Cancer Cell as a New Treatment

Kefir drink is one of the most important probiotic products, which is made using kefir microorganisms in fermenting the milk. Numerous investigation have been accomplished in the field of the therapeutic property of probiotic products. In the present study, we assessed the cytotoxic effect of kefir on the rate of growth and increase of glioblastoma cancer cell as the most severe form of brain tumors. In this experimental study, we used a U87 cancer cell line (glioblastoma). The interaction between cancer cells and different concentrations of kefir drink and supernatants at 24 and 48 hours was considered. The cell cytotoxicity of kefir and sedimentation of cell lysate and extract of kefir was assessed using the MTT test after 24 and 48 hours. The result of the MTT test, treatment of the cells with the 48-hour fermented drink, demonstrated the most cell cytotoxicity in comparison with the control group. Results showed that the toxicity effect in all groups was dose-dependent, and by increasing the concentration, cell survival decreased noticeably. The results indicated that the supernatant of fermented kefir drink as a probiotic product has more toxicity and lethality effect on the glioblastoma cancer cell. This product can be utilized as a replacement or a complementary therapy of cancer.

Betaine influence on the endothelial cells

The use of betaine as a bioactive substance remains relevant due to its role in methylation processes (including methionine), antioxidant protection of cells for lipid metabolism, participation in anti-inflammatory processes and stabilization of the endothelial-epithelial barrier as a powerful regulator of metabolic processes in cells and tissues. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the direct effect of betaine on cultured endothelial cells. The objectives of the work were to analyze the literature on the use of betaine as a donor of methyl groups and osmoprotector (especially the use of its osmotolytic properties), and to conduct experimental studies of its effect on endothelial cells. The effect of betaine on endothelial cells (RAE lines) was studied using traditional methodological approaches: MTT test to determine the activity of mitochondrial enzymes and cell survival, assessment of glucose uptake and morphological properties of endothelial cells. The results of the study of the effect of betaine on endothelial cells showed no toxic effects, increased concentration of endothelial cells compared with control of its level of 0,5 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml when stained with trypan blue, increased optical absorption due to reduction of formazan by mitochondrial enzymes in living cells within its concentrations of 1–4 mg/ml by MTT test, increasing the activity of mitochondrial oxidoreductases per unit of living cells at its concentrations of 1 and 4 mg/ml, the highest absorption of glucose by cells at 0,125 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml of the biological product, compared with the control there were morphological differences of cells, namely: elongation, greater number of processes and the formation of structures that had signs of procapillary. Therefore, betaine at a concentration of 1 mg/ml may serve as a kind of standard of positive effects on endothelial cells in subsequent studies of bioactive drugs.