Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Irina S. R. Rio, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Juliana M. Rodrigues, Maria-Joao R. P. Queiroz, R. C. Calhelha, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Bernardo G. Almeida, Ana Pires, Andre M. Pereira, Joao P. Araujo, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira, Paulo J. G. Coutinho
Summary: The liposome-like nanostructures containing manganese ferrite nanoparticles covered or decorated with gold were developed for dual cancer therapy combining chemotherapy and photothermia. The magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic behavior and were characterized using various techniques. The core/shell magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles efficiently inhibited tumor cell growth when irradiated with red light and had high encapsulation efficiencies for potential antitumor drugs.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Beatriz D. Cardoso, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Manuel Banobre-Lopez, Bernardo G. Almeida, Carlos O. Amorim, Vitor S. Amaral, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Summary: The study introduces a novel lipid nanocarrier with superparamagnetic properties for precise drug release through magnetic guidance and control. Optimized manufacturing techniques result in the production of nano-systems with suitable sizes for biomedical applications and high encapsulation efficiency, exhibiting superior drug release kinetics under hyperthermia temperatures and acidic conditions.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Helena I. O. Gomes, Catarina S. M. Martins, Joao A. Prior
Summary: Nanotechnology has rapidly evolved over the last decade and has found applications in various fields, with nanoparticles being explored as drug carriers with controlled and targeted release advantages. Silver nanoparticles, with unique properties, are increasingly being studied for drug transport, particularly in cancer treatment where conventional chemotherapy has limitations in bioavailability and adverse effects. Strategies utilizing silver nanoparticles as anticancer drug carriers show promise in overcoming these challenges.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Beatriz C. Ribeiro, Cristina A. R. Alvarez, Barbara C. Alves, Juliana M. Rodrigues, Maria Joao R. P. Queiroz, Bernardo G. Almeida, Ana Pires, Andre M. Pereira, Joao P. Araujo, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Summary: The development of stimuli-sensitive drug delivery systems that can respond to pH and temperature is an attractive area of research in cancer therapy. This study successfully developed magnetic liposomes with pH and temperature sensitivity, and efficiently encapsulated anticancer drugs, demonstrating good drug delivery capabilities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabio A. C. Lopes, Andre V. F. Fernandes, Juliana M. Rodrigues, Maria-Joao R. P. Queiroz, Bernardo G. Almeida, Ana Pires, Andre M. Pereira, Joao P. Araujo, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Paulo J. G. Coutinho
Summary: The study involved the preparation of multicore magnetic nanoparticles and magnetoliposomes, showing potential for cancer treatment, especially in combined magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jonas Schreiner, Christopher Rindt, Jana Wachter, Nathalie Jung, Sarah Vogel-Kindgen, Maike Windbergs
Summary: The physicochemical properties of nanocarriers are crucial for oral drug delivery. The composition of the nanocarriers and the assembly process affect these properties. The molecular weight of the drug has an impact on the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers and their permeation through the intestinal epithelium. Intestinal absorption depends on both tissue properties and carrier system properties. The molecular weight of the drug payload is a key factor in determining the properties of polymeric nanocarriers and their oral absorption.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rohitas Deshmukh
Summary: Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease with drug resistance being a significant concern. Nanomedicine has shown promise in overcoming these limitations by utilizing nanomaterials to improve the efficacy of antimalarial drugs. This approach provides a more targeted and safer treatment option for malaria, potentially reducing side effects and increasing treatment efficiency.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR GRAPHICS & MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Stefan Nitica, Ionel Fizesan, Roxana Dudric, Felicia Loghin, Constantin Mihai Lucaciu, Cristian Iacovita
Summary: This paper presents a simple method for preparing thermosensitive magnetoliposomes loaded with doxorubicin. The liposomes showed no toxicity against cancer cells at low concentrations, but when the drug was released and the cells were exposed to a magnetic field, their viability significantly decreased.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ruth Antwi-Baah, Yajing Wang, Xiaoqin Chen, Heyang Liu, Kui Yu
Summary: Paramagnetic nanoagents are essential in imaging and therapy applications, transcending from MRI contrast agents to multifunctional diagnostics and theranostics. The large surface area and ease of functionalization of nanoparticles facilitate ligand attachment. The composite component enhances diagnostic abilities and confers therapeutic potential depending on each unit's function. These advances have led to new imaging modalities, therapeutic processes, precision, and efficient imaging-guided therapy procedures, making theranostics an intriguing area of biomedical research.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohamed Abbas, Mohammed S. Alqahtani
Summary: Nanotechnology is increasingly being applied in the field of colorectal cancer treatment, with nano drug delivery systems showing promise in delivering pharmaceutical drugs more effectively. Research indicates that nanoscale drugs may be more efficient in preventing disease progression compared to conventional drugs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Asier R. R. Muguruza, Alessandro di Maio, Nikolas J. J. Hodges, Jessica M. A. Blair, Zoe Pikramenou
Summary: In this study, a novel hybrid silica nanoparticle system was designed, which carried membrane targeting groups and encapsulated antibiotics along with a ruthenium luminescent tracking agent for optical detection of nanoparticle delivery in bacterial cells. The hybrid system successfully delivered vancomycin and exhibited efficacy against various Gram-negative bacterial species. The penetration of nanoparticles in bacterial cells was confirmed via the luminescence of the ruthenium signal. These findings demonstrate that nanoparticles modified with aminopolycarboxylate chelating groups can serve as an effective delivery system for inhibiting bacterial growth in species where molecular antibiotics are ineffective. This design provides a new platform for delivering antibiotics that cannot penetrate the bacterial membrane alone.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andreea Teodora Iacob, Florentina Geanina Lupascu, Maria Apotrosoaei, Ioana Mirela Vasincu, Roxana Georgiana Tauser, Dan Lupascu, Simona Eliza Giusca, Irina-Draga Caruntu, Lenuta Profire
Summary: Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems using chitosan or chitosan derivatives are promising due to their biocompatibility and versatility, offering controlled release options for various drugs and bioactive molecules. These systems are being extensively researched for their potential applications in medical and pharmaceutical fields.
Review
Oncology
Eliana B. Souto, Ana L. R. de Souza, Fernanda K. dos Santos, Elena Sanchez-Lopez, Amanda Cano, Aleksandra Zielinska, Rafal Staszewski, Jacek Karczewski, Maria P. D. Gremiao, Marlus Chorilli
Summary: Hyperproliferative skin diseases (HSD) encompass a variety of conditions, with diverse drugs used for treatment, often hindered by low solubility and poor skin permeation. Utilizing lipid nanocarriers to load drugs can enhance treatment efficacy and reduce side effects.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Minja Mladenovic, Ibrahim Morgan, Nebojsa Ilic, Mohamad Saoud, Marija V. Pergal, Goran N. Kaluderovic, Nikola Z. Knezevic
Summary: Ruthenium complexes with potent cytotoxic activity are being studied for cancer treatment, with a focus on constructing drug delivery systems using mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with pH-responsive ligands to enhance the release of Ru(II) complexes in tumor acidic environments. In vitro evaluations on metastatic melanoma cells demonstrate the promising pH-responsive delivery of metallotherapeutics and targeted treatment of cancer using these designed MSN nanocarriers.
Article
Polymer Science
Ladislav Androvic, Lucie Woldrichova, Klaudia Jozefjakova, Michal Pechar, Geoffrey M. Lynn, Dana Kankova, Lenka Malinova, Richard Laga
Summary: A series of novel star polymer nanocarriers have been developed to improve the therapeutic effects of drugs, with suitable sizes for tumor uptake and programmable degradability.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria Gomes, Sergio R. S. Veloso, Miguel A. A. Correa-Duarte, Paula M. T. Ferreira, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Summary: Self-assembled peptide-based gels offer numerous advantages for technological applications. The co-assembly of gelators has recently emerged as a strategy to modulate and tune gel properties and achieve stimuli-responsiveness. However, there are still limitations regarding the required library of compounds and resulting properties. Therefore, efforts have been made to combine peptide-based gels with (in)organic composites to create stimuli-responsive materials with suitable properties for various fields.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Crystallography
Goncalo N. P. Oliveira, Pedro R. Rodrigues, Joao G. Correia, Joao P. E. Araujo, Armandina M. L. Lopes
Summary: In this study, the importance of local distortions in perovskite-like orthochromites for their exhibited properties was investigated through structural and DC magnetisation measurements combined with local probe studies in polycrystalline ErCrO3. The evolution of electric field gradient (EFG) parameters with temperature showed two clear signals of local environment changes, one at the ferroelectric phase transition (T-FE) and the other below 250 K. The observed changes in EFG and the development of a magnetic hyperfine field (MHF) at around 250 K were consistent with the magnetisation measurements, which showed a relatively strong coercive field well above the Cr sub-lattice ordering temperature.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Renata Matos, Iwona Kuzniarska-Biernacka, Mariana Rocha, Joao H. Belo, Joao Pedro Araujo, Ana C. Estrada, Joana L. Lopes, Tushti Shah, Brian A. Korgel, Clara Pereira, Tito Trindade, Cristina Freire
Summary: This study presents the preparation and characterization of nanocomposites of graphene flakes (GF) combined with CuS, Fe3O4, and CuS-Fe3O4. The adsorption and photocatalytic properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated using Rhodamine B (RhB) as the model contaminant. The results showed successful attachment of CuS and/or Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto GF. The GF@CuS-Fe3O4 nanocomposite exhibited the highest RhB adsorption efficiency and photocatalytic activity, completely eliminating the dissolved RhB after 60 minutes of irradiation.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jorge M. Goncalves, Joao N. D. Goncalves, Ana S. Pera, Nadia R. Senhoraes, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Rui Oliveira, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira, Alice M. Dias
Summary: New fluorescent nucleobase analogues (FBAs) have proven to be valuable tools for DNA labelling technologies. Among the newly synthesized FBAs, the highly fluorescent adenine analogue 2-aminopurine (2AP) is widely used, but its UV excitation poses a risk to living cells. New derivatives of 2AP with high fluorescence were synthesized using a simpler method. These compounds have superior photophysical properties, such as absorption and emission in the visible region, high fluorescence quantum yields, and large Stokes' shifts, particularly in non-protic organic solvents. Computational calculations were performed to predict their absorption and emission spectra. Furthermore, these compounds showed little to no toxicity in yeast cell assays.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria F. Araujo, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira, Sergio F. Sousa
Summary: Insecticides are crucial in controlling the spread of insect-borne diseases and protecting crop health. They are formulated to kill or manage insect populations, but their use can have potential consequences on non-target species, the environment, and human health. It is important to follow recommended instructions and employ integrated pest management practices for responsible and sustainable utilization. This review article provides a comprehensive examination of insecticides, including their modes of action, physiological targets, impacts on the environment and human health, and alternatives.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniela Santos, Rosa M. F. Baptista, Adelino Handa, Bernardo Almeida, Pedro V. Rodrigues, Ana R. Torres, Ana Machado, Michael Belsley, Etelvina de Matos Gomes
Summary: This work presents the fabrication of hybrid systems based on chiral cyclic dipeptide L-Tryptophan-L-Tryptophan incorporated into biopolymer electrospun fibers. The micro/nanofibers contain self-assembled nano-spheres embedded into the polymer matrix, exhibiting wide-band gap semiconductors with a 4.0 eV band gap energy, blue photoluminescence, and significant piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. These hybrid mats have potential applications in thermal sensing and energy harvesting.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sara C. Freitas, Joao H. Belo, Andreia Granja, Miguel Canhota, Ana S. Silva, Salette Reis, Helder Crespo, Joao P. Araujo, Celia T. Sousa
Summary: This study systematically investigated the heating performance of gold nanorods under near-infrared radiation and evaluated the influence of nanorods concentration, total volume, laser output power, and spot area. The experimental results showed that the lowest concentration of nanorods (24 μg/mL) exhibited the most promising heating results, with a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value of 24.6 kW/g(Au) under the highest laser power, spot area, and volume conditions. Laser output power and concentration were identified as the key parameters for the global heating of the sample.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Rita F. Pacheco, Beatriz D. Cardoso, Ana Pires, Andre M. Pereira, Joao P. Araujo, Violeta M. Carvalho, Raquel O. Rodrigues, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, Teresa Castelo-Grande, Paulo A. Augusto, Domingos Barbosa, Rui A. Lima, Senhorinha F. C. F. Teixeira, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Summary: Late diagnosis and systemic toxicity associated with conventional treatments pose challenges in cancer therapy. Nanomedicine offers a new approach for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. This study developed pH-sensitive solid magnetoliposomes (SMLs) for controlled release of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX). The SMLs showed efficient drug release at pH = 5 and significantly reduced cell viability when exposed to tumor cells, suggesting their potential for synergistic cancer therapy with magnetic targeting and dual hyperthermia.
Article
Polymer Science
Helena Vilaca, Andre Carvalho, Tarsila Castro, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira, Loic Hilliou, Ian Hamley, Manuel Melle-Franco, Paula M. T. Ferreira, Jose A. Martins
Summary: Self-assembled peptide-based hydrogels have a wide range of applications in nanomedicine and biomaterials. This study reports the synthesis of a library of dehydrodipeptides protected with 1-naphthoyl and 2-naphthylacetyl groups, and demonstrates that the 1-naphthoyl group can lead to stronger and lower concentration hydrogels compared to the 2-naphthylacetyl group.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Daniela Santos, Rosa M. F. Baptista, Adelino Handa, Bernardo Almeida, Pedro V. Rodrigues, Cidalia Castro, Ana Machado, Manuel J. L. F. Rodrigues, Michael Belsley, Etelvina de Matos Gomes
Summary: In this study, a hybrid system comprising biopolymer electrospun fibers incorporated with the chiral cyclo-dipeptide L-Tryptophan-L-Tyrosine was developed. The resulting nanofibers are wide-bandgap semiconductors consisting of self-assembled nanotubes embedded within a polymer matrix, exhibiting intense blue photoluminescence. Moreover, the cyclodipeptide L-Tryptophan-L-Tyrosine incorporated into polycaprolactone nanofibers displays strong second harmonic generation and notable piezoelectric properties. These hybrid systems hold great promise for applications in the field of nanoenergy harvesting and nanophotonics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Beatriz D. Cardoso, Diana E. M. Fernandes, Carlos O. Amorim, Vitor S. Amaral, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Summary: This study focuses on the design, development, and characterization of magnetoliposomes (MLs) for targeted encapsulation and controlled release of antitumor drugs. It introduces a new synthesis methodology for coupling superparamagnetic nanoparticles to the lipid surface of MLs. The magnetic nanoparticles have demonstrated good potential for photothermal hyperthermia, and when coupled with lipids, they form nano-carriers for drug delivery. The results show that the MLs have a higher drug release rate in acidic environments and under NIR-laser stimulation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Melanie Pereira, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Leslie Amaral, Manuela Corte-Real, Catia Santos-Pereira, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Summary: Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is an effective antifungal protein derived from milk. Its encapsulation in plasmonic magnetoliposomes (PMLs) enhances its biological activities. PMLs containing manganese ferrite nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles were prepared and loaded with bLf, demonstrating promising potential for bLf delivery in antifungal therapy.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sergio R. S. Veloso, Eva S. Marta, Pedro V. Rodrigues, Cacilda Moura, Carlos O. Amorim, Vitor S. Amaral, Miguel A. Correa-Duarte, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Summary: In this study, multicore-like iron oxide and manganese ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized and combined with nanogels based on chitosan and alginate to create a multimodal drug delivery system. The nanoparticles displayed crystalline structures and different sizes, with improved magnetization and heating efficiency after functionalization. Encapsulated in nanogels, the nanoparticles exhibited high drug encapsulation efficiencies and sustained release, with enhanced release under near-infrared laser irradiation and acidic pH.