Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoyan Xiong, Xiaobin Li, Zifan Zhu, Ending Zhang, Jun Shi, Mangeng Lu
Summary: In this study, cationic water-based polyurethane (CWPU) was synthesized and modified with aloe-emodin to obtain materials with improved comprehensive performance. The introduction of herbal extracts as end-blocking groups into the structure provided a simple way to synthesize antibacterial waterborne polyurethane. The modified AE-CWPU exhibited a synergistic antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, making the material resistant to bacterial erosion and increasing its service life. Additionally, AE-CWPU showed smart response characteristics with changes in UV absorbance in response to pH variations, suggesting its potential applications in the field of smart response materials.
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN CHINESE UNIVERSITIES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martyna Nowak-Perlak, Mariusz A. Bromke, Piotr Ziolkowski, Marta Wozniak
Summary: This study investigated the potential of emodin and aloe-emodin as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy for skin cancer. The results showed that these two substances can affect skin cancer cells and normal skin cells in different ways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jingqi Zhao, Yantong Sun, Li Ren, Shuqing Huang, Jie Zhang
Summary: Aloe-emodin, a novel androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, has been identified to inhibit AR signaling by promoting apoptosis, modulating AR protein levels, inhibiting AR downstream target genes, and preventing the nuclear translocation of AR. These findings suggest that aloe-emodin may play a crucial role in prostate cancer prevention and treatment.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vicente Dominguez-Arca, Juan Sabin, Luis Garcia-Rio, Margarida Bastos, Pablo Taboada, Silvia Barbosa, Gerardo Prieto
Summary: A novel formulation of cationic liposomes was studied by mixing dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) with tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide gemini surfactants with different alkane spacer groups lengths attached to their ammonium head-groups. The physicochemical characterization of the cationic liposomes was obtained by combining experimental results with molecular dynamic simulations, in order to understand their structural configuration. The gemini surfactants partition into the lipid bilayer of DPPC liposomes, altering the colloidal stability and phase transition properties.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guorong Cheng, Zhiqiang Liu, Zhong Zheng, Fengrui Song, Xiaoyu Zhuang, Shu Liu
Summary: Through cell metabolomics, this study found that aloe emodin and emodin can inhibit the metastasis of breast cancer cells by inhibiting adhesion, invasion, angiogenesis, and inducing anoikis. Metabolomics analysis also revealed the involvement of multiple pathways, including polyamine metabolism, methionine cycle, TCA cycle, glutathione metabolism, purine metabolism, and aspartate synthesis. The inhibitory effect of aloe emodin was significantly better than emodin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jeroen Heuts, Wim Jiskoot, Ferry Ossendorp, Koen van der Maaden
Summary: Cationic nanoparticles have shown to be effective in cancer immunotherapy by delivering tumor-associated antigens to dendritic cells and inducing strong antigen-specific cellular immune responses. Lipid- and polymer-based cationic nanoparticles are utilized for different types of cancer vaccines, and their potential in T-cell induction is discussed for therapeutic cancer vaccination.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengfei Li, Long Jiang, Lidan Lan, Fei Liu, Zhi Liu, Yun Huang, Yi Dan
Summary: In this study, a polylactide film (PLA/PLA-En film) with the function of blocking light with a specific wavelength was fabricated by end-capping polylactide (PLA) with the renewable light absorber aloe-emodin (PLA-En). The PLA/PLA-En film showed a high transparency of more than 90% at 660 nm, while effectively blocking light around 287 and 430 nm. It also exhibited good mechanical properties and stable light-blocking properties under light irradiation, making it a promising environmentally-friendly solution for UV and short-wavelength light protective food packaging.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Nan Huang, Xiaoxing Yan
Summary: In this study, microcapsules were prepared using urea-formaldehyde resin as the wall material and aloe-emodin as the core material. The optimum preparation process of aloe-emodin microcapsules was determined, and the antibacterial and optical properties of waterborne paint films containing different contents of aloe-emodin microcapsules were explored. The results showed that the microcapsules exhibited antibacterial activity, with the best comprehensive performance observed at a content of 6.0%.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hyeon Jeong Kim, Ji Won Choi, Jin Ree, Jung Sik Lim, Jisun Lee, Jun Il Kim, Samir Bahadur Thapa, Jae Kyung Sohng, Yong Il Park
Summary: This study demonstrated that AE3G significantly and more effectively inhibited the growth and migration of human NSCLC cells than AE by triggering mitochondria-dependent intrinsic apoptosis, suggesting AE3G as a potential new drug candidate for preventing or treating human NSCLC.
Article
Oncology
Teresa Pecere, Eleonora Ponterio, Enzo Di Iorio, Modesto Carli, Matteo Fassan, Luisa Santoro, Maicol Bissaro, Giulia Bernabe, Stefano Moro, Ignazio Castagliuolo, Giorgio Palu
Summary: The study demonstrates that aloe-emodin enters tumor cells through somatostatin receptors SSTR2 and SSTR5. SSTR2 expression was found in all surgical neuroblastoma specimens analyzed, highlighting the potential clinical application of aloe-emodin as an antitumor agent.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mujuan Zhu, Shiping Zhu, Qiubo Liu, Yuehong Ren, Zhiguo Ma, Xingwang Zhang
Summary: This study presents a selenium-based strategy to optimize the structure of liposomes, enhancing their stability and bioavailability. The selenized liposomes exhibited improved gastrointestinal stability and sustained drug release compared to conventional liposomes. Although the selenium modification did not significantly improve drug absorption, it provides an alternative option for stabilizing liposomes for oral delivery of unstable and poorly absorbed drugs.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haifan Yang, Qian Ping, Yan Zhang
Summary: This study used natural aloe-emodin as a photosensitizer to react with PMMA to prepare composite photocatalysts AE/PMMAs. The photocatalyst showed efficient degradation of ofloxacin and diclofenac sodium under visible light and demonstrated excellent stability, recyclability, and industrial feasibility. The research developed an efficient method of composite photocatalyst and realized the application of a natural photosensitizer in pharmaceutical degradations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiuping Zhang, Jingni Wang, Fu Lan, Honglan Zhai, Fengmin Li, Tuo Ma, Danrong Li, Huaxin Hou
Summary: This study aimed to enhance the membrane permeability of cancer cells by introducing alpha-amino phosphate on the anthraquinone scaffold. 13 aloe emodin alpha-amino phosphate derivatives were synthesized, and compounds 2a and 2b showed better anti-tumor activity compared to aloe emodin. The interaction between compounds 2a, 2b, and DNA was studied, revealing that they interacted with DNA through intercalation. Furthermore, confocal microscopy and comet assay confirmed the effective penetration of 2a and 2b into the nucleus and increased DNA fragmentation in cancer cells. The alpha-amino phosphate-anthraquinone scaffold emerges as a promising structure for anticancer activity.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tao Li, Yan Lu, Hua Zhang, Lei Wang, Ross C. Beier, Yajie Jin, Wenjing Wang, Huanrong Li, Xiaolin Hou
Summary: Aloe-emodin demonstrates promising antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis. Its mechanism of action involves disrupting cell morphology and selective membrane permeability, affecting protein synthesis and biofilm formation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Dongxiao Jiang, Shufei Ding, Zhujun Mao, Liyan You, Yeping Ruan
Summary: The research findings suggest that aloe-emodin may induce apoptosis of human colon cancer cells through mitochondria-related pathways.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guanqun Du, Alessandra Del Giudice, Viveka Alfredsson, Anna M. Carnerup, Kaizheng Zhu, Bo Nystrom, Yilin Wang, Luciano Galantini, Karin Schillen, Domagoj Belic
Summary: The condensation of DNA helices into hexagonally packed bundles and toroids is a fascinating example of functional organization of biological macromolecules at the nanoscale. Researchers have successfully reproduced a DNA-like condensation with supramolecular helices of small chiral molecules, suggesting a more general phenomenon. The study reveals unknown similarities between covalent and supramolecular non-covalent helical polyelectrolytes, potentially inspiring the construction of supramolecular versions of biological macromolecules in the future.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Francesca Mondello, Stefano Fontana, Maria Scaturro, Antonietta Girolamo, Marisa Colone, Annarita Stringaro, Maura Di Vito, Maria Luisa Ricci
Summary: This study evaluated the in vitro activity of Terpinen-4-ol as a potential agent for Legionella pneumophila (Lp) control and compared it with tea tree oil. The results showed that Terpinen-4-ol exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Lp, with enhanced bactericidal effects at higher temperatures.
Article
Biophysics
Simona Sennato, Angelo Sarra, Carlo Panella La Capria, Cecilia Bombelli, Enrica Donati, Paolo Postorino, Federico Bordi
Summary: Laser Transmission Spectroscopy (LTS) is a technique that can determine the particle concentration and size of colloidal suspensions by measuring the transmittance of a laser beam through the suspension as a function of wavelength. This study demonstrates the application of LTS in investigating liposome suspensions, where accurate quantification of particle concentration is crucial for defining the colloidal properties. LTS is validated by comparing results with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, and then applied to state-of-art liposomal nanocarrier suspensions. The study also explores data analysis methods and potential future applications of LTS in characterizing nanocarriers and other nanoparticles.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudio Tabolacci, Daniela De Vita, Antonio Facchiano, Giuseppina Bozzuto, Simone Beninati, Cristina Maria Failla, Marta Di Martile, Carla Lintas, Carlo Mischiati, Annarita Stringaro, Donatella Del Bufalo, Francesco Facchiano
Summary: Improving the immune response is important for treating melanoma, and plant secondary metabolites have been considered as potentially useful therapeutic tools due to their low side effects and high effectiveness. This study reviews the current research on the topic, which mainly focuses on conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments on melanoma models.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liangchen Zhang, Yaxun Fan, Luciano Galantini, Karin Schillen, Alessandra Del Giudice, Guanqun Du, Yilin Wang
Summary: A class of noncovalent antimicrobials composed of bile acid oligomers and polyamines has been developed, showing strong antibacterial activity against methicillinand vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus without significant cytotoxicity and skin irritation.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cristina Tortolini, Valeria Gigli, Antonio Angeloni, Luciano Galantini, Federico Tasca, Riccarda Antiochia
Summary: In this work, a simple electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of D-dimer protein in human plasma samples. The immunosensor was constructed by drop-casting chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) as a biocompatible support, Protein A (PrA) to facilitate antibody orientation, and D-dimer antibody onto a carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes screen printed electrode (MWCNTs-SPE). The immunosensor showed promising performance in antibody immobilization and specific D-dimer detection, with a linear range from 2 to 500 μg L-1, LOD of 0.6 μg L-1, and sensitivity of 1.3 μA L μg(-1) cm(-2). The stability and fast response time (5 s) were also reported. Moreover, the immunosensor demonstrated satisfactory results in detecting D-dimer in human plasma samples.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandra Del Giudice, Libero Gurrieri, Luciano Galantini, Silvia Fanti, Paolo Trost, Francesca Sparla, Simona Fermani
Summary: CP12 is a redox-dependent conditionally disordered protein found in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. It acts as a light-dependent redox switch in regulating the metabolic phase of photosynthesis. A small angle X-ray scattering analysis confirmed the disordered nature of this protein and showed a decrease in size and conformational disorder upon oxidation. The presence of disulfide bonds in the oxidized form does not confer rigidity to the protein structure, highlighting the importance of recruiting partner proteins for its final folding.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Julia Jianwei Tan, Natalie Gjerde, Alessandra Del Giudice, Kenneth D. Knudsen, Luciano Galantini, Guanqun Du, Karin Schillen, Sverre Arne Sande, Bo Nystrom
Summary: This study investigates the interactions between cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (catHEC) and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC) or sodium cholate (NaC). It is found that there are strong interactions between catHEC and NaDC, while the interactions with NaC are weak. This difference may be due to the ability of NaDC to form more connections and entanglements.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppina Bozzuto, Marisa Colone, Laura Toccacieli, Agnese Molinari, Annarica Calcabrini, Annarita Stringaro
Summary: In this study, the mechanisms of melanoma cell extravasation were analyzed using a high throughput label-free cell impedance assay and transwell chamber invasion assay. The results showed that resistant melanoma cells migrated faster than sensitive cells, and caused damage to endothelial cells by degrading their cytoplasm. Moreover, the transcellular invasion was preferred by resistant cells compared to the paracellular one, and the endothelial damage mediated by tumor metalloproteinases seemed to be reversible.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iolanda Francolini, Luciano Galantini, Fernando Rea, Cristiano Di Cosimo, Pierpaolo Di Cosimo
Summary: Polymeric wet-strength agents are important additives used in the paper industry to improve paper products' mechanical properties when exposed to water. They enhance durability, strength, and dimensional stability. This review provides an overview of wet-strength agents, their mechanisms, challenges, and recent advances in developing sustainable and environmentally friendly agents. As demand for sustainable and durable paper products grows, the use of wet-strength agents is expected to increase.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elena Allegritti, Sara Battista, Maria Anna Maggi, Claudia Marconi, Luciano Galantini, Luisa Giansanti
Summary: This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of mixed liposomes for delivering levodopa and two natural substances to treat Parkinson's disease. The results show that the composition of the liposomes plays a significant role in the delivery of levodopa.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalie Solfrid Gjerde, Alessandra Del Giudice, Kaizheng Zhu, Kenneth D. Knudsen, Luciano Galantini, Karin Schillen, Bo Nystrom
Summary: In this study, a diblock copolymer called methoxy-poly(ethyleneglycol)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (MPEG-b-PCL) was synthesized with a unique block composition that allows it to exhibit both an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) and a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in aqueous solutions. The UCST value was found to be 32°C upon heating and 23°C upon cooling, while the LCST remained unaffected. Various characterization techniques revealed that the solution consisted of spherical core-shell particles and rodlike objects at intermediate temperatures, cylindrical core-shell crystals at low temperatures, and large aggregation complexes at temperatures above 52°C. This work provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between UCST and LCST and the resulting structures formed in aqueous solutions of MPEG-b-PCL diblock copolymers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Simone Amatori, Alberto Lopez, Carlo Meneghini, Annarica Calcabrini, Marisa Colone, Annarita Stringaro, Sofia Migani, Ivan Khalakhan, Giovanna Iucci, Iole Venditti, Chiara Battocchio
Summary: Gold nanorods stabilized by binary ligand mixtures of CTAB and either ascorbic acid or hydroquinone were studied using synchrotron radiation-induced spectroscopies and microscopies. The influence of the secondary ligand molecular and chemical structure on the nanorod shapes and size ratios was investigated. The findings suggest that the selection of secondary ligands can finely control the shape and dimension of nanorods, providing new possibilities for designing and synthesizing anisotropic nanoparticles.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Benedetta Brugnoli, Alessia Mariano, Beatrice Simonis, Cecilia Bombelli, Simona Sennato, Antonella Piozzi, Vincenzo Taresco, Veeren M. Chauhan, Steven M. Howdle, Anna Scotto d'Abusco, Iolanda Francolini
Summary: This study investigates the use of chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for an anticancer drug, demonstrating their ability to reduce hepatotoxicity and potentially decrease invasiveness of osteosarcoma.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Natalie Solfrid Gjerde, Alessandro Nicola Nardi, Cheng Giuseppe Chen, Paolo Di Gianvincenzo, Marco D'Abramo, Anita Scipioni, Luciano Galantini, Sergio E. Moya, Mauro Giustini
Summary: Anthracycline doxorubicin hydrochloride (DX), a positively charged fluorescent drug, can self-associate into non-fluorescent antiparallel dimers in water. When complexed with polyanion polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), the fluorescence of DX is quenched, but can be recovered with increased ionic strength. Molecular dynamics studies suggest a preferential orientation of DX into parallel dimers when interacting with PSS.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
