Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Biosynthesis, Cytotoxic and UV Protection

In recent years, the nanoparticles applications have been well recognized in various fields. It is known that nanoparticles as an active ingredient in sunscreens are widely used. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles are common nanoparticles utilized in sunscreens. In this study, we aimed to suggest new nanoparticles for this purpose. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) were synthesized by using Musa sapientum fruit peel extract. Synthesized nanoparticles were identified through Raman, Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Energy Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX). The results showed that size of synthesized nanoparticles are in range 4-13 nm. The cytotoxic activity of synthesized nanoparticles on lung (A549) cancer cell line was performed through MTT assay. The results showed that synthesized nanoparticles are non-toxicity against A549 cell line to below 500 μg/mL of nanoparticles concentration. The Sun protection factor (SPF) was estimated ~ 40 for synthesized CeO2-NPs. So, synthesized nanoparticles can be a good option for use in the cosmetics industry.

Chondroitin Sulphate Decorated Polymeric Nanoparticles: An Effective Carrier for Enhancement of Lung Cancer Targeting Capabilities of Anticancer Drug

Background: Currently, cancer is rising as one of the dominant causes of human deaths worldwide. The application of nano-carriers may help to treat cancer through the delivery of anticancer drugs inside the tumor cells. Objective: The foremost objective behind this research was to formulate chondroitin sulfate tailored cellulose acetate phthalate (CSAC) core shield nanoparticles (NPs) containing 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) as an anticancer drug. Methods: The FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopic methods were used to analyze and characterize the formulation of CSAC copolymer. NPs were typified by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Entrapment efficiency and in-vitro drug release. Results: CSAC NPs were found to exhibit moderate release (95.59±0.15% in 34hrs) than CAP NPs (78.97±0.08% in 8 hours). In the course of cytotoxicity examination in A549 cancer cell line, the results revealed that these 5-FU loaded CSAC NPs showed an immense cytotoxic potentiality. Moreover, CSAC NPs exhibit least hemolytic activity when compared with CAP NPs and plain 5-FU. Conclusion: Conclusively, it was found that the CSAC NPs is an efficient carrier system for the better release of 5-FU in lung cancer.

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of New Hydrazide-hydrazones and Their Pd(II) Complexes

Background: Hydrazones, one of the important classes of organic molecules, are pharmaceutical agents comprising –CO-NH-N=CH- group in the structure therefore and exhibiting significant biological activity. Methods: 5-Chloro-N’-[(substituted)methylidene] pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide (3a-g) and their Pd(II) complexes (4a-h) were synthesized and investigated in vitro anticancer activity on A549, Caco2 cancer and normal 3T3 fibroblast cell lines, using the MTT assay. Results: Anticancer activity screening results revealed that some compounds showed remarkable cytotoxic effect. Among them, 5-chloro-N'-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methylidene] pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide (3c) displayed higher cytotoxic activity against A549 cancer cell line than the reference drug cisplatin. Conclusion: Compound 3c showed high cytotoxic activity against A549 cancer cell line but it showed low cytotoxic effect against normal 3T3 fibroblast cell line. Antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of 3c were determined by the real-time monitoring of cell proliferative system (RTCA DP). The cell proliferation, metastatic and invasive activities of A549 cells were decreased due to increased concentration of 3c.

Two new glycosidal metabolites of endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. (NO.4) from Tapiscia sinensis

Two new glycosides, 8-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-6-methyl-1-carboxylate methyl ester xanthone (1) and 4′-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl djalonensone (2), together with four known compounds, 8-hydroxy-6-methyl-9-oxo-9H-xanthene-1-carboxylate methyl ester (3), cassionllin (4), djalonensone (5) and alternariol (6), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. (NO.4) of Tapiscia sinensis Oliv. The structures of compounds 1–6 were elucidated by the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated against four cancer cell lines, as well as antimicrobial activities against two plant-pathogenic microbes. Compounds 1–6 showed moderate cytotoxicity against the A549 cancer cell line with IC50 values ranging from 6.8 to 35.8 μg mL−1 and were found to be inactive against three other cancer cell lines MCF-7, Caski and Hep G-2.