Abstract The present study was aimed at evaluating the potential toxicity and the general mechanism involved in multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-induced cytotoxicity using human embryonic kidney ...cell line (HEK293) cells. Two multi wall carbon nanotubes (coded as MWCNT1, size: 90–150 nm and MWCNT2, size: 60–80 nm) used in this study are MWCNT1 (produced by the electric arc method and size of the nanotubes was 90–150 nm) and MWCNT2 (produced by the chemical vapor deposition method with size of 60–80 nm). To elucidate the possible mechanisms of MWCNT induced cytotoxicity, cell viability, mitochondrial function (MTT assay), cell membrane damage (LDH assay), reduced glutathione (GSH), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and lipid peroxidation levels were quantitatively assessed under carbon nanotubes exposed (48 h) conditions. Exposure of different sizes of two carbon nanotubes at dosage levels between 3 and 300 μg/ml decreased cell viability in a concentration dependent manner. The IC50 values (concentration of nanoparticles to induce 50% cell mortality) of two (MWCNT1, MWCNT2) nanoparticles were found as 42.10 and 36.95 μg/ml. Exposure of MWCNT (10–100 μg/ml) to HEK cells resulted in concentration dependent cell membrane damage (as indicated by the increased levels of LDH), increased production of IL-8, increased TBARS and decreased intracellular glutathione levels. The cytotoxicity and oxidative stress was significantly more in MWCNT2 exposed cells than MWCNT1. In summary, exposure of carbon nanotubes resulted in a concentration dependent cytotoxicity in cultured HEK293 cells that was associated with increased oxidative stress.
The outbreak of novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has infected more than 36 million people and caused approximately 1 million deaths around the globe as of 9 October 2020. The escalating outspread of ...the virus and rapid rise in the number of cases require the instantaneous development of effectual drugs and vaccines. Presently, there are no approved drugs or vaccine available to treat the infection. In such scenario, one of the propitious therapeutic approaches against viral infection is to explore enzyme inhibitors amidst natural compounds, utilizing computational approaches aiming to get products with negligible side effects. In the present study, the inhibitory prospects of ilimaquinone (marine sponge metabolite) were assessed in comparison with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, favipiravir, ivermectin and remdesivir at the active binding pockets of nine different vital SARS-CoV-2 target proteins (spike receptor binding domain, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Nsp10, Nsp13, Nsp14, Nsp15, Nsp16, main protease, and papain-like-protease), employing an
in silico
molecular interaction based approach. In addition, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro)-ilimaquinone complex were also carried out to calculate various structural parameters including root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), root mean square deviation (RMSD), radius of gyration (
R
g
) and hydrogen bond interactions. PLpro is a promising drug target, due to its imperative role in viral replication and additional function of stripping ubiquitin and interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) from host-cell proteins. In light of the possible inhibition of all vital SARS-CoV-2 target proteins, our study has emphasized the importance to study in depth ilimaquinone actions
in vivo
.
Inhibitory potential of ilimaquinone (marine sponge metabolite) against nine essential SARS-CoV-2 target proteins, employing a molecular interaction and dynamics simulation approach.
Bioactive peptides, specific protein fragments with positive health effects, are gaining traction in drug development for advantages like enhanced penetration, low toxicity, and rapid clearance. This ...comprehensive review navigates the intricate landscape of peptide science, covering discovery to functional characterization. Beginning with a peptidomic exploration of natural sources, the review emphasizes the search for novel peptides. Extraction approaches, including enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, and specialized methods for disulfide-linked peptides, are extensively covered. Mass spectrometric analysis techniques for data acquisition and identification, such as liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, untargeted peptide analysis, and bioinformatics, are thoroughly outlined. The exploration of peptide bioactivity incorporates various methodologies, from in vitro assays to in silico techniques, including advanced approaches like phage display and cell-based assays. The review also discusses the structure-activity relationship in the context of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), ACE-inhibitory peptides (ACEs), and antioxidative peptides (AOPs). Concluding with key findings and future research directions, this interdisciplinary review serves as a comprehensive reference, offering a holistic understanding of peptides and their potential therapeutic applications.
This study evaluated the ability of the multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to induce extra pulmonary toxicities in rats following intra-tracheal (IT) instillation of two MWCNT. Two carbon ...nanoparticles were instilled into the lungs of rats (0.2, 1, and 5 mg/kg b.w.) and at different post-exposure intervals, blood and organs like liver, kidney, etc. were collected. The histopathological examination of liver tissues revealed a dose-dependent periportal lymphocytic infiltration, ballooning, foamy degeneration, and necrosis at all post-instillation periods. However, examination of kidney revealed the tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis with 5 mg/kg dose at 1 month of post-instillation of both MWCNT. These liver and kidney toxicities were further confirmed by the elevated levels of respective tissue damage biomarkers. These results suggest the extra pulmonary toxicities of these carbon nanoparticles might be due to the translocation into the liver and kidney.
Arimisia annua L. is an important anticancer herb used in traditional Chinese medicine. The molecular basis underpinning the anticancer activity is complex and not fully understood, but the herbal ...polysaccharides, broadly recognised as having immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticancer activities, are potential key active agents. To examine the functions of polysaccharides from A. annua, their immunomodulatory and antioxidant potentials were evaluated, as well as their structural characterization. The water-soluble polysaccharides (AAPs) were fractionated using size-exclusion chromatography to obtain three dominant fractions, AAP-1, AAP-2 and AAP-3, having molecular masses centered around 1684, 455 and 5.8kDa, respectively. The antioxidant potentials of the isolated polysaccharides were evaluated by measuring radical scavenging activities against DPPH● (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical), ABTS●+ (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical ion), and the OH● (hydroxyl radical). AAP-1 displayed high antioxidant activities against these radicals, which were 68%, 73% and 78%, respectively. AAP-2 displayed lower scavenging activities than the other two fractions. Immunostimulatory activities of AAPs were measured using mouse macrophages. The three polysaccharide fractions displayed significant antioxidant activities and stimulated the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). AAP-1 showed significant immunostimulatory activity (16-fold increase in the production of IL-6 compared to the control and 13-fold increase in the production of TNF-α) with low toxicity (>60% cell viability at 125 μg/mL concentration). Preliminary structural characterization of the AAPs was carried out using gas chromatography (GC) and FTIR techniques. The results indicate that AAP-1 and AAP-2 are pyranose-containing polysaccharides with β-linkages, and AAP-3 is a β-fructofuranoside. The results suggest that these polysaccharides are potential candidates for immunotherapy and cancer treatment.
The fundamental of this study has been to analyze the Casson nanofluid and joule parameter effects on variable radiative flow of MHD stretching sheet. By applying similarity transformations, the ...governing equations (PDEs) for the flow are changed into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The resulting equations are numerically solved by Keller Box Method with MATLAB tool. The variations of concentration, temperature and velocity profiles, the results of the most crucial physical parameters have been represented graphically and described. For different types factors, giving figures and numerical results for Sherwood number, Skin friction and Nusselt number are given and explained.
Hydrochemical studies were conducted in Chinnaeru river basin of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India, to explore the causes of high fluorides in groundwater and surface water causing a ...widespread incidence of fluorosis in local population. The concentration of fluoride in groundwater ranges from 0.4 to 2.9 and 0.6 to 3.6 mg/l, stream water ranges from 0.9 to 3.5 and 1.4 to 3.2 mg/l, tank water ranges from 0.4 to 2.8 and 0.9 to 2.3 mg/l, for pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. The modified Piper diagram reflects that the water belongs to Ca
2+
–Mg
2+
–HCO
3
−
to Na
+
–HCO
3
−
facies. Negative chloroalkali indices in both the seasons prove that ion exchange between Na
+
and K
+
in aquatic solution took place with Ca
2+
and Mg
2+
of host rock. The interpretation of plots for different major ions and molar ratios suggest that weathering of silicate rocks and water–rock interaction is responsible for major ion chemistry of groundwater/surface water. High fluoride content in groundwater was attributed to continuous water–rock interaction during the process of percolation with fluorite bearing country rocks under arid, low precipitation, and high evaporation conditions. The low calcium content in rocks and soils, and the presence of high levels of sodium bicarbonate are important factors favouring high levels of fluoride in waters. The basement rocks provide abundant mineral sources of fluoride in the form of amphibole, biotite, fluorite, mica and apatite.
The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of water and ethanol extracts of 14 Chinese medicinal plants were investigated and also their total phenolics and flavonoid contents ...measured. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in a biological assay using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas the radical scavenging activity was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Total phenolics and flavonoid contents were estimated by Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activities of the plant extracts were determined by measuring the inhibition of production of nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-α in LPS and IFN-γ activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Their cytotoxic activities against macrophages were determined by Alamar Blue assay. Four plants, namely, Scutellaria baicalensis, Taxillus chinensis, Rheum officinale, and Sophora japonica, showed significant antioxidant activity in both yeast model and also free radical scavenging methods. The ethanol extract of S. japonica showed highest levels of phenolics and flavonoids (91.33 GAE mg/g and 151.86 QE mg/g, respectively). A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity and the total phenolics and flavonoid contents indicates that these compounds are likely to be the main antioxidants contributing to the observed activities. Five plant extracts (S. baicalensis, T. chinensis, S. japonica, Mahonia fortunei, and Sophora flavescens) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by in vitro inhibition of the production of NO and TNF-α with low IC50 values. These findings suggest that some of the medicinal herbs studied in this paper are good sources of antioxidants.
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