Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hilda Amekyeh, Enas Alkhader, Rayan Sabra, Nashiru Billa
Summary: This review discusses the potential use of CUR-NPs in cancer treatment. CUR incorporation into nanoparticles enhances its pharmaceutical and therapeutic significance, improving solubility, absorption, bioavailability, stability, plasma half-life, targeted delivery, and anticancer effect. Promising anticancer activity suggests the potential application of CUR-NPs, but clinical reports are limited. Further clinical trials are needed to ensure effective translation into clinical applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ya Wang, Giovanni Boero, Xiaosheng Zhang, Juergen Brugger
Summary: Researchers have demonstrated a fully biodegradable composite membrane made from silk fibroin and magnetic nanoparticles. The membrane's porosity can be remotely modified using an alternating magnetic field, allowing for controlled drug release.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
N. Jaya Prakash, D. Shanmugarajan, B. Kandasubramanian, P. Khot, K. Kodam
Summary: The production of biodegradable dressing capable of sustained drug release, along with the monitoring of wound conditions, represents new heights of multifunctional platforms for wound care. The reported curcumin-loaded silk fibroin has shown sustained drug release over the time of 10 days through a non-Fickian diffusion process satisfying Korsmeyer-Peppas' model along with the visual monitoring of wound healing through notable color variation with pH as a biomarker. The superhydrophobic nature (water contact angle = 163.7) of the SF, along with the lipophilicity (CA = 0 (Blood)) and hygroscopic nature prevents wetting of wound surface, whereas the excess exudates from wounds are absorbed along with sufficient water and oxygen permeability. The pH responsiveness as a result of the keto-enol tautom-erism in curcumin was utilized for wound monitoring through visual indication enabling even ordinary people to detect the state of the wound. The in-situ biodegradation studies verified using cow-dung slurry, the degradability of the material with 25.3% weight loss within 30 days following first-order kinetics (R2 = 0.994), as a result of the attack of proteolytic enzymes on the amino acid units of SF, mitigating the concerns of medical wastes. (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cynthia Aracely Alvizo-Baez, Arnulfo Aramis Pena-Torres, Luis Daniel Terrazas-Armendariz, Itza Eloisa Luna-Cruz, Ashanti Concepcion Uscanga-Palomeque, Adriana Sampayo-Reyes, Reyes S. Tamez-Guerra, Cristina Rodriguez-Padilla, Juan Manuel Alcocer-Gonzalez
Summary: Apoptosis is an extensively studied mechanism for cancer therapy. In this study, magnetic nanocomplexes with biopolymers were used as nanocarriers to deliver active molecules and improve apoptosis induction. The combination of MNPs-CHI-TPP-CUR and MNPs-CHI-TPP-TRAIL showed a synergic effect in inducing cellular death in B16F10 tumor cells, and curcumin was found to enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy.
JOURNAL OF NANOPARTICLE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Mhd Anas Tomeh, Roja Hadianamrei, Defeng Xu, Stephen Brown, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: This study developed a new method for producing peptide-functionalized magnetic silk nanoparticles for targeted delivery to cancer cells. The functionalized nanoparticles showed higher selectivity towards cancer cells, increased cellular uptake and improved anticancer activity of the drug ASC-J9.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nicole B. Day, William C. Wixson, C. Wyatt Shields
Summary: Immunotherapy is a rapidly developing area in cancer treatment, with magnetic systems offering advantages in improving performance by increasing spatiotemporal control, reducing off-target effects, and enhancing efficacy. These systems enable various methods for programming immune responses, including magnetic hyperthermia, targeted delivery of drug carriers, structual changes in biomaterials driven by magnets, and interactions with cellular receptors using magnetic particles for promoting antitumor activity.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roya Karimi Alavijeh, Kamran Akhbari, Jonathan M. White
Summary: A new nano bio-coordination polymer was synthesized using ultrasonic irradiation in water, which exhibited reversible structure changes under wet conditions. This polymer, named bio-CP 2, was thermodynamically stable and capable of improving the solubility of curcumin. Experimental results showed that loading curcumin onto bio-CP 2 enhanced its cytotoxicity, leading to increased apoptosis in cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marcela Tavares Luiz, Jessyca Aparecida Paes Dutra, Tais de Cassia Ribeiro, Gabriela Correa Carvalho, Rafael Miguel Sabio, Juliana Maldonado Marchetti, Marlus Chorilli
Summary: Breast cancer is a common and lethal cancer in women, and the treatment of which is challenging due to the heterogeneity of tumor cells. This study developed folic acid-modified curcumin-loaded liposomes for breast cancer treatment. The results showed that the modified liposomes exhibited a greater cytotoxicity effect and cellular uptake compared with free curcumin and unmodified liposomes, suggesting the potential of folic acid modification for improving drug internalization in breast cancer cells.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bijaideep Dutta, Sandeep. B. Shelar, Vasumathy Rajan, Swati Checker, B. N. Pandey, Sanjay Kumar, P. A. Hassan, Divya, K. C. Barick
Summary: The study demonstrates a simplified technique for developing gelatin grafted Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Gel-MNPs) and investigates their potential applications in drug delivery and hyperthermia therapy. The Gel-MNPs show good stability and pH dependent surface properties, and exhibit dose dependent cytotoxicity towards lung and breast cancer cells with curcumin as a model drug.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ozi Adi Saputra, Windy Ayu Lestari, Wahyu Nur Safitriono, Murni Handayani, Witri Wahyu Lestari, Fajar Rakhman Wibowo
Summary: The study successfully prepared surface-modified magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles with high loading capacity, which can prevent premature drug release and achieve controlled release under different pH conditions. The nanoparticles also demonstrated good magnetic properties, potentially extending to magnetic hyperthermia for cancer therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shabnam Kazemi, Mehrab Pourmadadi, Fatemeh Yazdian, Azam Ghadami
Summary: This study demonstrated the effective targeted delivery of curcumin anticancer drugs to MCF-7 breast cancer cells using CS-Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites, showing superior performance of the nanocomposite material. The results suggest potential for the development of targeted drug delivery systems against various cancer cells in future research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Ali Mahmoudi, Prashant Kesharwani, Muhammed Majeed, Yong Teng, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: Curcumin is a natural compound with promising therapeutic benefits, but it suffers from low solubility and bioavailability. Incorporating curcumin into gold nanoparticles can improve its properties and enhance its anticancer and antioxidant capacities. Additionally, the combination of nanogold and curcumin can be utilized in various therapeutic methods.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
J. J. Zhu, C. H. Tang, F. C. Luo, S. W. Yin, X. Q. Yang
Summary: This study developed novel nanoparticles for the topical delivery of curcumin to treat atopic dermatitis. The nanoparticles showed enhanced penetration into the dermis and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects. The findings suggest a promising strategy for effective topical delivery systems.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Parisa Heydari Foroushani, Erfan Rahmani, Iran Alemzadeh, Manouchehr Vossoughi, Mehrab Pourmadadi, Abbas Rahdar, Ana M. Diez-Pascual
Summary: This study successfully fabricated silk fibroin-chitosan-silver-curcumin nanofibers, which have the advantages of pH-responsive release of curcumin, accelerated wound healing, and improved mechanical properties. The concentration of chitosan plays a crucial role in the performance of nanofibers, and the incorporation of silver nanoparticles can enhance drug loading and entrapment efficiency. Nanofibers with lower chitosan concentration exhibit stronger inhibitory effects on bacterial growth, and they do not show any toxic effect on cell culture.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madhappan Santhamoorthy, Kokila Thirupathi, Sathish Sundar Dhilip Kumar, Saravanan Pandiaraj, Mostafizur Rahaman, Thi Tuong Vy Phan, Seong-Cheol Kim
Summary: The development of a magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles integrated polyelectrolyte complex-based hydrogel (MPEC HG) system with dual stimuli responsiveness for specific drug delivery has been investigated. The magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized in the synthetic polymer polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG), and the natural biopolymer k-carrageenan (kCG) was used to form the polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) through charge-balancing interaction. The MPEC HG system demonstrated great drug loading efficiency and enhanced drug release under the combined pH and temperature stimuli conditions, making it a potential candidate for dual stimuli-responsive drug delivery applications in cancer therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Roja Hadianamrei, Mhd Anas Tomeh, Stephen Brown, Jiqian Wang, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: This study focused on the development and characterization of short cationic amphiphilic beta-sheet forming anticancer peptides. The peptides exhibited selective anticancer activity influenced by their surface activity and secondary structure in hydrophobic surfaces, leading to disruption of mitochondrial membranes and apoptosis. Insights gained from the study can be used to design new ACPs with improved anticancer activity and lower toxicity against normal cells.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Roja Hadianamrei, Mhd Anas Tomeh, Stephen Brown, Jiqian Wang, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: The study introduced a new library of short cationic amphiphilic α-helical anticancer peptides with selective cytotoxicity against colorectal and cervical cancer, and investigated their anticancer mechanisms through a series of experiments.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ting Dai, Jiayi Ma, Su Ni, Chun Liu, Yan Wang, Siyu Wu, Jun Liu, Yiping Weng, Dong Zhou, Ana Jimenez-Franco, Hongbin Zhao, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: Electrospun PCL scaffolds, widely used in tissue engineering, have the potential to mimic the natural extracellular matrix structure. However, their small pore size and low bioactivity hinder cell migration and tissue formation. In this study, different materials were used to fabricate porous scaffolds, and the removal of water-soluble fibers increased the porosity. Biocompatibility and osteogenesis were evaluated, and the results showed that washed PCL/PEG/ATP scaffolds promoted better cell infiltration and differentiation into osteoblasts compared to PCL scaffolds. In vivo studies also demonstrated enhanced bone regeneration in rat cranium defects using ATP-doped electrospun PCL scaffolds.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Songwei Lv, Dong Zheng, Zhaoxian Chen, Bin Jia, Peng Zhang, Jiaxuan Yan, Xiubo Zhao, Wanlan Jiang, Jing-Juan Xu
Summary: This study designed a near-infrared light-responsive microfluidic chip for biocompatible single-cell manipulation and study of CTC heterogeneity. The chip combined immunomagnetic labeling and a gradient magnetic field to distribute CTCs in different regions. The lateral flow microarray chip achieved high capture efficiency and purity, and the captured single CTC cell can be released individually by near-infrared at a specific point.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Xinyu Xu, Yujie Ding, Roja Hadianamrei, Songwei Lv, Rongrong You, Fang Pan, Peng Zhang, Nan Wang, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential application of functionalized gold nanorods with antimicrobial peptides in photothermal therapy for bacterial infections. The conjugation of peptides increased selectivity, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility of the gold nanorods. The experiments conducted in vitro and in a mouse model of wound infection highlight the effective antimicrobial effects and wound healing properties of the peptide-functionalized gold nanorods with and without laser irradiation.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Fang Pan, Yueping Li, Yujie Ding, Songwei Lv, Rongrong You, Roja Hadianamrei, Mhd Anas Tomeh, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: This study systematically designed a series of new alpha-helical short peptides with different anticancer activities and demonstrated their interaction mechanism with cancer cells. The peptides exhibited high selectivity towards cancer cells due to their balanced amphiphilicity and cationic nature, while showing low toxicity to normal cells. Furthermore, the peptides not only damaged the mitochondria and induced apoptosis in cancer cells, but also activated the Caspase enzyme-linked reaction. The results suggest the potential of these peptides for clinical applications and provide guidance for the development of highly selective anticancer medications.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Jin, Mhd Anas Tomeh, Peng Zhang, Mingzhu Su, Xiubo Zhao, Zhiqiang Cai
Summary: This study utilized a newly developed microfluidic swirl mixer to fabricate temperature-sensitive liposomes (TSL) for the treatment of breast cancer through near-infrared stimulation. The results demonstrated that AP-3/ICG@TSL significantly inhibited the growth of breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo without causing damage to other organs. These findings suggest that the AP-3/ICG@TSL manufactured using the microfluidic swirl mixer is a promising drug delivery system for breast cancer therapy.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nan Wang, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: This article systematically introduces the important role of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in studying contact electrification (CE) phenomena, especially in researching the CE mechanism at the nanoscale. In addition, the working mechanism of metal-semiconductor direct current triboelectric nanogenerators based on conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) studies is also introduced. The potential utility and limitations of AFM in future TENG technology development and its improvement direction are analyzed. This review provides an updated overview and understanding of the existing challenges and opportunities, and it is hoped to contribute to the advancement of TENG technologies.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roja Hadianamrei, Mhd Anas Tomeh, Jiqian Wang, Stephen Brown, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: In this study, two new surfactant-like peptides (SLPs), named (IA)4K and (IG)4K, were developed for selective delivery of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) to cancer cells. The interaction of the peptides with nucleic acids, their transfection efficiency, and cytotoxicity were investigated. Both SLPs showed high transfection efficiency and selectivity for cancer cells, and exhibited low cytotoxicity. This study provides insights into the structural features required for nucleic acid complexation and delivery, and serves as a guide for the design of new SLPs for selective gene delivery to minimize adverse effects in healthy tissues.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yu Xia, Ruicheng Xu, Siyuan Ye, Jiaxuan Yan, Piyush Kumar, Peng Zhang, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: Current anticancer research suggests that combining multiple treatment methods can enhance the killing of tumor cells. In this study, we developed multi-responsive targeted antitumor nanoparticles (NPs) using microfluidic swirl mixer technology. The NPs were made of folate-functionalized gelatin NPs, CuS NPs, Fe3O4 NPs, and curcumin. The results showed that the combination of photothermal-ablation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted delivery of the NPs efficiently killed tumor cells.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Piyush Kumar, Ana Jimenez Franco, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: 3D cell culture is a technique that mimics in vivo environment for cells to grow in vitro. This study proposes two independent 3D cell culture models for different applications. One uses porous spherical structures as carriers to retain cell shape, while the other uses 3D printed silk fibroin structures for directed cell growth. These models have advantages in cell research, such as drug discovery and treatment of neuropathies.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinguo Qiu, Mhd Anas Tomeh, Yi Jin, Bo Zhang, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: This study presented a high-performance microfluidic device to fabricate ACP loaded nanoparticles (NPs) with controllable properties. The encapsulated ACP showed reduced toxicity, controlled release, and increased cell uptake, leading to enhanced anticancer effects. The development of At3 loaded NPs provides a promising approach for ACP-based cancer therapy.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Letao Xu, Xing Wang, Yun Liu, Guangze Yang, Robert J. Falconer, Chun-Xia Zhao
Summary: This article provides an overview of lipid nanoparticles, including their different types, preparation methods, and applications in drug delivery. It also summarizes the challenges and potential future studies for lipid nanoparticles to achieve wider clinical and pharmaceutical applications.
ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Songwei Lv, Jingfang Wang, Rongrong You, Suyu Liu, Yujie Ding, Roja Hadianamrei, Mhd Anas Tomeh, Fang Pan, Zhiqiang Cai, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the chemical structure and biological activity of AMPs derived from a naturally occurring AMP from ants. The designed peptides showed enhanced antibacterial activity by replacing cationic amino acids with hydrophobic amino acids in the hydrophobic region, and improved selectivity for bacteria by increasing the number of cationic amino acids in the hydrophilic region. Four of the designed peptides displayed significant antibacterial activity and high selectivity for bacteria. The results can provide a better understanding of the structural features required for strong antibacterial activity and selectivity, and guide the future rational design of AMPs.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jiayi Ma, Siyu Wu, Jun Liu, Chun Liu, Su Ni, Ting Dai, Xiaoyu Wu, Zhenyu Zhang, Jixin Qu, Hongbin Zhao, Dong Zhou, Xiubo Zhao
Summary: Hydroxyapatite (HA) has limitations in bone defect treatment due to the lack of angiogenic properties and undesirable mechanical properties. This study utilized nanoattapulgite (ATP) to enhance the bioactivity of HA scaffolds for bone regeneration. The incorporation of ATP improved the printing fidelity and mechanical properties of the scaffolds in vitro, and increased the expression levels of osteogenic and vascularization-related genes. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the PVA/COL/ATP/HA scaffolds promoted vascularization and bone formation in a rabbit tibial defect model. The combination of ATP and HA shows promise for vascularized bone tissue engineering.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
