Characterization of ankaflavin from Penicillium aculeatum and its cytotoxic properties

Abstract

The pigment was extracted from Penicillium aculeatum, purified and characterized as Ankaflavin by spectroscopic analysis. The stability of the pigment was determined under various conditions and was found to possess high stability. The cytotoxicity property of the purified pigment was determined by MTT assay in MCF-7, HCT116 and PC-3 and the studies were compared with its activity in CHOK1 cells. In MCF-7 and in CHOK 1 cells, the pigment exhibited very less toxicity. However, significant cytotoxicity was observed in HCT116 and PC-3 cells with IC₅₀ of 162?μg mL^?1 and 85?μg mL^?1 for HCT116 and PC-3 cells respectively. In vitro toxicity was tested by haemolysis assay and MTT assay in HEK 293 cells. The pigment showed least cytotoxicity (<5%) at 160 and 320?μg mL^?1 concentrations HEK 293 cells and negligible (<5%) toxicity on human erythrocytes at 160 and 320?μg mL^?1, the highest concentrations tested.     

Green synthesis and chemical characterization of silver nanoparticles obtained using Allium saralicum aqueous extract and survey of in vitro antioxidant,cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal properties

Allium saralicum R.M. Fritsch has been used in Iranian traditional medicine as a remedial supplement for microbial diseases. This paper reports the green synthesis, chemical characterization and antioxidant, cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal properties of silver nanoparticles obtained using aqueous extract of A. saralicum leaves. In this synthesis, no surfactants or stabilizers were used. For characterization, UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy were used. 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl was used in experiments to assess the antioxidant potential of the silver nanoparticles, which revealed an impressive prevention in comparison with butylated hydroxytoluene. The synthesized silver nanoparticles at low doses (1–250 μg dl^?1) did not show marked cytotoxic activity (against cervical cancer cells (Hela), breast cancer cells (MCF‐7) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK‐293)). Agar diffusion tests were applied to determine the antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. Compared with all standard antimicrobials, the silver nanoparticles showed higher antibacterial and antifungal activities (p ≤ 0.01). Also, the silver nanoparticles inhibited the growth of all bacteria and fungi at concentrations of 31–250 μg ml^?1, and destroyed them at concentrations of 31–500 μg ml^?1 (p ≤ 0.01). Because the silver nanoparticles obtained using aqueous extract of A. saralicum leaves have antioxidant, non‐cytotoxic, antifungal and antibacterial potentials, they can be used as a medical supplement or drug.     

Harmless glucose-modified ruthenium complexes suppressing cell migration of highly invasive cancer cell lines

Glucose-substituted ruthenium complexes [(η⁶-benzyl-glucose)RuCp*]⁺Cl⁻, where Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅; benzyl-glucose = peracetylated benzyl β-d -glucopyranoside ( 1 ), benzyl β-d -glucopyranoside ( 2 ), have been prepared and used as efficient antimigration and anti-invasive agents against metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells (SK-OV-3). In addition, these complexes were found to be essentially non-toxic against non-cancerous human kidney cells (HEK293).     

Highly Selective and Sensitive Near‐Infrared‐Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of Cellular Hydrogen Sulfide and the Imaging of H2S in Mice

Herein, we report the development of two fluorescent probes for the highly selective and sensitive detection of H₂S. The probes take advantage of a Cu^II? cyclen complex, which acts as a reaction center for H₂S and as a quencher of BODIPY (boron‐dipyrromethene)‐based fluorophores with emissions at 765 and 680 nm, respectively. These non‐fluorescent probes could only be turned on by the addition of H₂S, and not by other potentially interfering biomolecules, including reactive oxygen species, cysteine, and glutathione. In a chemical system, both probes detected H₂S with a detection limit of 80 nM . The probes were successfully used for the endogenous detection of H₂S in HEK 293 cells, for measuring the H₂S‐release activity of dietary organosulfides in MCF‐7 cells, and for the in vivo imaging of H₂S in mice.     

Synthesis and cell activity of novel galactosylated chitosan as a gene carrier

It is important for gene carrier to transport DNA into target cells. Although viral vectors are very efficient gene-transfer vehicles, significant drawbacks limit their applications. Chitosan (CS) has been researched widely as a non-viral vector. However, the low cell specificity and low transfection efficiency of chitosan need to be overcome. In order to conquer the drawback of chitosan, the present paper is concerned with the synthesis of novel galactosylated chitosan (GC) through etherization of chitosan and galactose in THF using BF₃·OEt₂ as promoter. The final product was characterized and confirmed by FT-IR and ¹H NMR. The degree of O-substitution (DS) of chitosan by galactose was measured to be 10.38% using anthrone-sulfuric acid colorimetric method. The mean particle diameter and average zeta potential of the GC/DNA complex were 350 nm and +22.1 mV, respectively. The GC/DNA nanoparticle was tested to transfect HEK293 cells, and the viability of HEK293 cells was not affected by the GC/DNA nanoparticle compared to that of the control.     

A Raman spectroscopic study of the mineral coquandite Sb6O8(SO4)·(H2O)

Raman spectra of coquandite Sb₆O₈(SO₄)·(H₂O) were studied, and related to the structure of the mineral. Raman bands observed at 970, 990 and 1007 cm^?1 and a series of overlapping bands are observed at 1072, 1100, 1151 and 1217 cm^?1 are assigned to the SO₄^2? ν₁ symmetric and ν₃ antisymmetric stretching modes respectively. Raman bands at 629, 638, 690, 751 and 787 cm^?1 are attributed to the SbO stretching vibrations. Raman bands at 600 and 610 cm^?1 and at 429 and 459 cm^?1 are assigned to the SO₄^2? ν₄ and ν₂ bending modes. Raman bands at 359 and 375 cm^?1 are assigned to O–Sb–O bending modes. Multiple Raman bands for both SO₄^2? and SbO stretching vibrations support the concept of the non-equivalence of these units in the coquandite structure.     

A Raman spectroscopic study of the antimonite mineral peretaite Ca(SbO)4(OH)2(SO4)2·2H2O

Raman spectra of mineral peretaite Ca(SbO)₄(OH)₂(SO₄)₂·2H₂O were studied, and related to the structure of the mineral. Raman bands observed at 978 and 980 cm^?1 and a series of overlapping bands observed at 1060, 1092, 1115, 1142 and 1152 cm^?1 are assigned to the SO₄^2? ν₁ symmetric and ν₃ antisymmetric stretching modes. Raman bands at 589 and 595 cm^?1 are attributed to the SbO symmetric stretching vibrations. The low intensity Raman bands at 650 and 710 cm^?1 may be attributed to SbO antisymmetric stretching modes. Raman bands at 610 cm^?1 and at 417, 434 and 482 cm^?1 are assigned to the SO₄^2? ν₄ and ν₂ bending modes, respectively. Raman bands at 337 and 373 cm^?1 are assigned to O–Sb–O bending modes. Multiple Raman bands for both SO₄^2? and SbO stretching vibrations support the concept of the non-equivalence of these units in the peretaite structure.     

Three-dimensional graphene materials for UO22+ electrosorption

In this paper, three-dimensional graphene (3DG) electrode material was prepared by hydrothermal reduction using graphene oxide as precursor. Its morphology and structure were characterized by SEM, BET, XRD, Raman, FTIR and TG, and its electrochemical performance was also measured. The results showed that 3DG possessed hierarchical pore structure, large specific surface area, high specific capacitance and low impedance. Using 3DG as electrode material for electrosorption of UO₂²⁺, it showed that the saturated adsorption capacity can reach up to 113.80 mg g^?1 and the adsorption rate is 0.32 mg g^?1 min^?1 at a given optimal applied voltage of 1.8 V.

     

Synthesis,characterization, biological and docking studies of ZrO(II), VO(II) and Zn(II) complexes of a halogenated tetra-dentate Schiff base

The new Schiff base ligand 2,2′-{(4-chloro-1,2-phenylene)bis(nitrilo(E)methylylidene)}bis(4-bromophenol) (H₂L) and its VO(II), Zn(II) and ZrO(II) metal chelates have been synthesized and characterized by spectral, powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), molar conductance, magnetic measurements, thermal and elemental analyses. The molecular geometry of the prepared compounds has been confirmed by applying the theoretical density functional theory calculations (DFT). The analytical data showed that the parent azomethine H₂L ligand binds to the VO(II), Zn(II) and ZrO(II) ions through both of the two azomethine-N and two phenolic-O groups and adopts distorted octahedral geometry for ZnL(H₂O)₂ chelate while square pyramidal geometries for VOL and ZrOL chelates. The antioxidant activity of the compounds was also evaluated by using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) reduction method and compared with the positive control ascorbic acid. Carcinoma cells such as breast (MCF-7), liver (Hep-G2), colon (HCT-116) carcinoma cell lines and human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK-293) were used for in vitro cell proliferation to investigate the anticancer potency of the prepared compounds. The results showed that, the tumor growth is inhibited and dose-dependent according to the following order: VOL > ZrOL > ZnL(H₂O)₂ > H₂L. The titled compounds have been also tested for their antimicrobial activity against certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The results showed that the H₂L ligand and its complexes has enhanced antibacterial and antifungal activities. The CT-DNA binding experiments of azomethine chelates showed that, the binding modes are intercalative, and the determined intrinsic binding constants (K_b) for the VOL, ZrOL, ZnL(H₂O)₂ complexes, are in the range 6.1–7.8 × 10⁵ mol^?1 dm^?3.The docking calculations were performed to probe the nature of binding affinity of the synthesized compounds with human DNA (PDB:1bna). The compounds may be applicable orally in an accurate manner, according to their in-silico intake, delivery, metabolic processes, digestion, and toxic effects (ADME) data.     

Raman spectroscopic study of the antimonate mineral roméite

Raman spectroscopy has been sued to study the antimony containing mineral roméite Ca₂Sb₂O₆(OH,F,O) from three different origins. Roméite is a calcium antimonate mineral of the pyrochlore group. An intense Raman band at ～518 cm^?1 for roméite is assigned to the SbO ν₁ symmetric stretching mode and the band at 466 cm^?1 to the SbO ν₃ antisymmetric stretching mode. The Raman band at 303 cm^?1 is attributed to the OSbO bending mode. Some variation in band positions is observed and is attributed to the variation in composition between the three mineral samples.     

Laser Raman and ac impedance spectroscopic studies of PVA: NH4NO3 polymer electrolyte

Ion conducting polymer electrolyte PVA:NH₄NO₃ has been prepared by solution casting technique and characterized using XRD, Raman and ac impedance spectroscopic analyses. The amorphous nature of the polymer films has been confirmed by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. An insight into the deconvoluted Raman peaks of υ₁ vibration of NO₃^? anion for the polymer electrolyte reveals the dominancy of ion aggregates at higher NH₄NO₃ concentration. From the ac impedance studies, the highest ion conductivity at 303 K has been found to be 7.5 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 for 80PVA:20NH₄NO₃. The conductivity of the polymer electrolytes has been found to depend on the degree of dissociation of the salt in the host polymer matrix. The combination of the above-mentioned analyses has proven worth while and in fact necessary in order to achieve better understanding of these complex systems.     

Ultraviolet Radiation Reduces the Photoprotective Capacity of the Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae, Heterokontophyta)

This study demonstrates that UV radiation (UVR) reduces the photoprotective capacity of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum by affecting xanthophyll cycle (XC) activity. The short‐term reduction of photosystem II (PSII) maximum efficiency of charge separation (F_v/F_m) in cells exposed to UVR could be explained mainly by a reduced photoprotective capacity under this condition. Phaeodactylum tricornutum cells acclimated to two different photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intensities, high light (HL, 200 μmol quanta m^?2 s^?1) and low light (LL, 50 μmol quanta m^?2 s^?1), were exposed to saturating irradiance (1100 μmol quanta m^?2 s^?1) in the presence (PAR + UVR) and absence of UVR (PAR). HL cells exhibited a greater reduction in F_v/F_m in PAR + UVR when compared with the PAR treatment that was related to a reduction in the de‐epoxidation of XC pigments. In contrast, in LL cells, UVR did not considerably affect XC de‐epoxidation even though the reduction in F_v/F_m was greater than in HL cells. The negative effect of UVR on photoprotection was more pronounced in HL cells because they synthesized more XC pigments than LL cells. This was confirmed when XC activity was blocked with dithiothreitol and when PSII repair was inhibited with chloramphenicol (CAP). The differential reduction of F_v/F_m between PAR + UVR and PAR treatments disappeared when XC was blocked in HL cells. A higher reduction and an incomplete recovery of F_v/F_m were observed in cells incubated with CAP in the presence of UVR. Such responses confirm that UVR had a negative effect on photoprotective mechanisms causing an enhancement of damage by PAR, especially in HL‐acclimated cells in which heat dissipation is important for PSII regulation.     

Radiolysis and radiolytic by-product of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine in HNO3 at lower dose

N, N-diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) is a novel salt-free reducing reagent used in the separation of Pu and Np from U in the treatment of used nuclear fuel. This paper reports on the radiation damage and radiolytic by-product of 0.5 mol L^?1 DEHA in 0.3 mol L^?1?~?1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ at dose up to 25 kGy. Results show that the radiolysis rate of DEHA is less than 10%. The main radiolytic products are hydrogen, acetaldehyde, acetic acid and nitrous acid, which increase with the dose. The concentration of acetaldehyde and acetic acid is much higher than that of nitrous acid.

     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the antimonate mineral bindheimite Pb2Sb2O6(O,OH)

Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared spectroscopy has been used to characterise the antimonate mineral bindheimite Pb₂Sb₂O₆(O,OH). The mineral is characterised by an intense Raman band at 656 cm⁻¹ assigned to SbO stretching vibrations. Other lower intensity bands at 664, 749 and 814 cm⁻¹ are also assigned to stretching vibrations. This observation suggests the non-equivalence of SbO units in the structure. Low intensity Raman bands at 293, 312 and 328 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the OSbO bending vibrations. Infrared bands at 979, 1008, 1037 and 1058 cm⁻¹ may be assigned to δOH deformation modes of SbOH units. Infrared bands at 1603 and 1640 cm⁻¹ are assigned to water bending vibrations, suggesting that water is involved in the bindheimite structure. Broad infrared bands centred upon 3250 cm⁻¹ supports this concept. Thus the true formula of bindheimite is questioned and probably should be written as Pb₂Sb₂O₆(O,OH,H₂O).     

Synthesis,crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of two new organotin (IV) complexes and their antiproliferative effect against cancerous and non-cancerous cells

Cancer has become a leading cause of death worldwide, which is responsible for 7.6 million cancer deaths according to GLOBOCAN survey conducted in 2008. The exploration of cis-platin analogues (carboplatin, lobaplatin, nedaplatin, oxaliplatin) and their incorporation to the treatment of cancer patients has further led interest in exploring metal-based anticancer drugs. The current study describes the synthesis of two new tetra-coordinated mono- and tetranuclear organotin(IV) carboxylate complexes and their in vitro anticancer studies. Each one of the complexes (1–2) has been characterized by analytical (micro- and gravimetric analysis) and spectroscopic (FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR) techniques. Furthermore, molecular structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using X-ray crystallography. The characterization data showed that the coordination took place via oxygen atoms from the carboxylate anions to generate 1 as an organodistannoxane dimer and 2 as a mononuclear complex. Exceptionally, the NMR spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic study showed that acetone molecules also took part in crystallizing 2. Both complexes were tested against three cancerous (colon cancer HCT 116, breast cancer MCF 7, leukemia K562) and one non-cancerous (3T3-L1) cell lines. Both complexes showed same IC₅₀ value (0.2 μM) against HCT 116, whereas for the other two cancer cell lines (MCF 7 and K562) and a normal cell line (3T3-L₁), 2 showed results better than 1. Importantly, the complexes showed exceptional activity against MCF 7 and K562 cell lines and the IC₅₀ values were calculated in nanomoles (MCF 7, IC_50s = 86.5 and 53.4 nM; K 562, IC_50s = 22.9 and 49.6 nM for 1 and 2, respectively). Both, 1 and 2, showed IC₅₀ values many times better than the standard drugs (5-FU, Tamoxifen, betulinic acid and cis-platin) used. Compared to cancerous cell lines, the complexes showed mild toxicity against normal cells (3T3-L1). Overall, two remained relatively effective.     

Characterization of Interactions Between Taspine Derivate TPD7 and EGF Receptor by Cell Membrane Chromatography with Zonal Elution and Frontal Analysis

In this study, a high epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression cell membrane chromatography method was established to investigate the interactions between ligands and EGFR. The affinity of ligands for EGFR was evaluated by frontal analysis. Competition study using afatinib as the marker was used to evaluate the interactions that occurred at specific binding sites on EGFR. The results indicated that TPD7, HMQ1611 and afatinib may have direct competition at a single common binding site on EGFR. From the model of frontal analysis, the dissociation equilibrium constants (K _D) were 6.05 × 10⁻⁷ M for afatinib, 6.91 × 10⁻⁷ M for TPD7, and 9.68 × 10⁻⁷ M for HMQ1611. In cells, HMQ1611 and TPD7 could both inhibit the growth of HEK293/EGFR cells and significantly decrease EGFR phosphorylation in HEK293/EGFR cells in a dose-dependent manner. The studies showed that TPD7 and HMQ1611 could bind EGFR as afatinib. TPD7 exhibited higher inhibitory effect than HMQ1611 while TPD7 and HMQ1611 had a similar effect in HEK293/EGFR cells, thus indicating that TPD7 might be the novel blocker for cancer with high-EGFR expression.

     

Effect of potassium permanganate on morphological,structural and electro-optical properties of graphene oxide thin films

This work investigated the effect of Potassium Permanganate (KMnO₄) on graphene oxide (GO) properties, especially on electrical properties. The GO thin films were deposited on a glass substrate using drop casting technique and were analysed by using various type of spectroscopy (e.g. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Ultra- Violet Visible (UV–VIS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), optical band gap, Raman Spectroscopy). Furthermore, the electrical experiments were carried out by using current–voltage (I-V) characteristic. The GO thin film with 4.5 g of KMnO₄ resulted in higher conductivity which is 3.11 × 10^?4 S/cm while GO with 2.5 g and 3.5 g of KMnO₄ achieve 2.47 × 10^?9 S/cm and 1.07 × 10^?7 S/cm, respectively. This further affects the morphological (SEM), optical (band gap, UV–Vis, FTIR, and Raman), and crystalline structural (XRD) properties of the GO thin films. The morphological, elemental, optical, and structural data confirmed that the properties of GO is affected by different amount of KMnO₄ oxidizing agent, which revealed that GO can potentially be implemented for electrical and electronic devices.     

Bioactive Tryptophan-Based Copper Complex with Auxiliary β-Carboline Spectacle Potential on Human Breast Cancer Cells: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Biocompatible tryptophan-derived copper (1) and zinc (2) complexes with norharmane (β-carboline) were designed, synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for the potential anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro cytotoxicity of both complexes 1 and 2 were assessed against two cancerous cells: (human breast cancer) MCF7 and (liver hepatocellular cancer) HepG2 cells with a non-tumorigenic: (human embryonic kidney) HEK293 cells. The results exhibited a potentially decent selectivity of 1 against MCF7 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 7.8 ± 0.4 μM compared to 2 (less active, IC₅₀ ~ 20 μM). Furthermore, we analyzed the level of glutathione, lipid peroxidation, and visualized ROS generation to get an insight into the mechanistic pathway and witnessed oxidative stress. These in vitro results were ascertained by in vivo experiments, which also supported the free radical-mediated oxidative stress. The comet assay confirmed the oxidative stress that leads to DNA damage. The histopathology of the liver also ascertained the low toxicity of 1.     

Effects of the Pulse Polarity on Helium Plasma Jets: Discharge Characteristics,Key Reactive Species,and Inactivation of Myeloma Cell

In this paper, we report the effects of the pulse polarity on the plasma jet’s discharge characteristics, particularly, on the production of the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and the inactivation efficiency of myeloma cells, for the purpose of identifying and elucidating the correlation between the dose of RONS and cell viability. Experimental results reveal that the positive plasma jet has a longer length than that for negative plasma jet with the equivalent pulse power. The positive pulse plasma jet would produce higher production of the excited reactive species (OH(A), N₂(C), N₂⁺(B), He(3s³S), O(3p⁵P)), the positive ions (N⁺, O⁺, N₂⁺, O₂⁺), and the aqueous species O₂^?, OH, and ONOO^?, while negative plasma jet would generate higher concentration of the negative ions (OH^?, O₂^?, NO₂^?, NO₂^?) and the aqueous species NO₂^? and NO₃^?. Additionally, the myeloma cells treated by positive plasma jet results in more cell apoptosis and more CD95 expression compared to negative plasma jet, indicating the impact for the cell apoptosis is more significant in the cellular response to the positive plasma jet. By comparing and analyzing the different doses of RONS to the responses of myeloma cells under positive and negative pulse plasma jet, our findings suggest the cell viability has a positive correlation with the concentration of the concentration of ONOO^? and the concentration ratio of H₂O₂ to NO₂^?, implying the high concentrations for ONOO^? and H₂O₂ might be responsible for the inactivation of myeloma cancer cells.     

In situ monitoring of pH titration by Raman spectroscopy

Molecular speciation of organic compounds in solution is essential for the understanding of ionic complexation. The Raman technique was chosen because it allows the identification of compounds in different states, and it can give information about the molecular geometry from the analysis of the vibrational spectra. The effect of pH on organic compounds can give information about the ionisation of molecule species. In this study the ionisation steps of salicylic acid and paracetamol have been studied by means of potentiometry coupled with Raman spectroscopy at 30.0 °C in a solution of ionic strength 0.96 mol dm^?3 (KNO₃) and 0.04 mol dm^?3 (HNO₃). The protonation and deprotonation behaviour of the molecules were studied in different pH regions. The abundance of the three different species in the Raman spectra of aqueous salicylic acid have been identified satisfactorily, characterised, and determined by numeric treatment of the data using a multiwavelength curve-fitting program and confirmed with the observed spectral information.