Gold nanoparticles as carriers for efficient transmucosal insulin delivery

Nanomaterials have gained tremendous importance in biology and medicine because they can be used as carriers for delivering small molecules such as drugs, proteins, and genes. We report herein the binding of the hormone insulin to gold nanoparticles and its application in transmucosal delivery for the therapeutic treatment of diabetes mellitus. Insulin was loaded onto bare gold nanoparticles and aspartic acid-capped gold nanoparticles and delivered in diabetic Wistar rats by both oral and intranasal (transmucosal) routes. Our principle observations are that there is a significant reduction of blood glucose levels (postprandial hyperglycemia) when insulin is delivered using gold nanoparticles as carriers by the transmucosal route in diabetic rats. Furthermore, control of postprandial hyperglycemia by the intranasal delivery protocol is comparable to that achieved using the standard subcutaneous administration used for type I diabetes mellitus, thus showing considerable promise for further development.     

Green fluorescent protein-expressing Escherichia coli as a model system for investigating the antimicrobial activities of silver nanoparticles

Recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used as a model system to investigate the antimicrobial activities of Ag nanoparticles (NPs). A convenient in situ method of Ag NP synthesis using sodium borohydride, in the bacterial growth medium, was developed to produce preformed NPs for the study. Fluorescence spectroscopic and microscopic techniques allowed rapid detection of time-dependent changes in bacterial growth as well as fluorescence characteristics in the presence of Ag NPs. In addition, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopic, and transmission electron microscopic measurements were carried out to understand the effect of Ag NPs on the bacteria. Our observations indicated that Ag NPs, above a certain concentration, not only were bactericidal but also were found to reduce the sizes of treated bacteria in comparison to untreated ones. Cell lysis of Ag NP-treated bacteria was suggested by the increased GFP fluorescence obtained in the medium. In vitro DNA-Ag NP interaction was detected by spectrophotometric analysis. However, electrophoresis studies indicated no direct effect of Ag NPs on DNA or protein profiles.     

Gold nanoparticles as structurizing agents for the formation of hybrid nanocomposites

Two types of transparent gold-containing organo-inorganic hybrid gels (polymer nanocomposites) in which gold nanoparticles (nano-Au) are efficient species were synthesized. The stage of hybrid gel formation is preceded by the in situ chemical reduction of chloroauric acid in an aqueous solution of the synthetic linear polymer (polyvinyl alcohol or poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)) affording a nano-Au. The presence of ultradispersed gold particles in the obtained nanocomposites was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The loss of solubility of the films in water confirms the formation of a gel network. The size of the gold particles and characteristics of the hybrid gel change depending on the molecular weight of the polymer. The interaction of the macromolecules and growing particles mainly determines the diameter and number of particles of the inorganic phase, whereas the content of chloroauric acid affects these parameters to a less extent. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 329–336, February, 2008.     

Antimicrobial peptide-based array for Escherichia coli and Salmonella screening

A method based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma atomic emission detection for determining 16 pesticides of different chemical families (organochlorines, organophosphorus compounds and pyrethrins) in honey is proposed. Parameters affecting the sample enrichment step, such as sample mass, ionic strength, absorption and desorption times and temperatures, were carefully optimized in the direct immersion mode. Element-specific detection and quantification was carried out by monitoring the chlorine (479 nm), bromine (478 nm) and sulphur (181 nm) emission lines, which provided nearly specific chromatograms. The matrix effect was evaluated for samples of different floral origin, it being concluded that standard addition calibration was required for quantification purposes. The detection limits ranged from 0.02 to 10 ng g⁻¹, depending on the compound and the honey sample under analysis. The method is reliable and can be considered useful for routine monitoring. None of the honey samples analyzed contained the studied compounds at concentrations above the corresponding detection limits.     

Gold nanoparticles incarcerated in nanoporous syndiotactic polystyrene matrices as new and efficient catalysts for alcohol oxidations

The controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), incarcerated in a semicrystalline nanoporous polymer matrix that consisted of a syndiotactic polystyrene-co-cis-1,4-polybutadiene multi-block copolymer is described. This catalyst was successfully tested in the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols, in which we used dioxygen as the oxidant under mild conditions. Accordingly, (±)-1-phenylethanol was oxidised to acetophenone in high yields (96%) in 1 h, at 35 °C, whereas benzyl alcohol was quantitatively oxidised to benzaldehyde with a selectivity of 96% in 6 h. The specific rate constants calculated from the corresponding kinetic plots were among the highest found for polymer-incarcerated AuNPs. Similar values in terms of reactivity and selectivity were found in the oxidation of primary alcohols, such as cinnamyl alcohol and 2-thiophenemethanol, and secondary alcohols, such as indanol and α-tetralol. The remarkable catalytic properties of this system were attributed to the formation, under these reaction conditions, of the nanoporous ε crystalline form of syndiotactic polystyrene, which ensures facile and selective accessibility for the substrates to the gold catalyst incarcerated in the polymer matrix. Moreover, the polymeric crystalline domains produced reversible physical cross-links that resulted in reduced gold leaching and also allowed the recovery and reuse of the catalyst. A comparison of catalytic performance between AuNPs and annealed AuNPs suggested that multiple twinned defective nanoparticles of about 9 nm in diameter constituted the active catalyst in these oxidation reactions.     

Gold nanoparticles supported on cellulose aerogel as a new efficient catalyst for epoxidation of styrene

A new efficient heterogeneous catalyst was introduced for the epoxidation of styrene. The catalyst was obtained from deposition of gold nanoparticles on the cellulose aerogel. The catalyst was characterized with XRD, TGA, EDX, BET, FAAS and SEM. High yield and excellent selectivity were achieved for the epoxidation of styrene in solvent-free conditions at room temperature using H₂O₂ as a green oxidant during 1 h. The reaction has some advantages such as solvent-free and mild reaction conditions, low catalyst loading, high yield, excellent selectivity, green oxidant and short reaction duration. In addition, the catalyst is recyclable and applicable for six times without decrease in yield.     

Au纳米标记物增强电化学免疫分析大肠杆菌的研究

通过在Au纳米颗粒表面修饰辣根过氧化酶(HRP)标记的大肠杆菌抗体制备了一种新型的Au纳米标记物, 并将该纳米标记物应用于增强电化学免疫分析大肠杆菌. 经过酶联免疫反应后, Au纳米标记物、免疫磁性颗粒(IMB)和大肠杆菌形成了IMB/抗体-大肠杆菌-Au纳米标记物的三明治式免疫复合物. 以3,3,5,5-四甲基联苯二胺(TMB)溶液作为底物, 采用电化学与流动注射检测(FIA)相结合的技术测定HRP的活性. 检测到的电流大小与免疫复合物上HRP的量成正比, 从而与大肠杆菌的浓度成正比. Au纳米颗粒增加了HRP的负载量, 增强了电化学信号, 大大提高了大肠杆菌的检测灵敏度. 实验结果表明, 大肠杆菌浓度在 1.0×102～5.0×104 cfu•mL－1范围内与电流大小成线性相关, 最低检测限达50 cfu•mL－1, 若对大肠杆菌样品溶液进行预浓缩, 将得到更宽的检测范围和更低的检测限. 本方法总的分析时间比其他方法短, 在1 h内就能完成对大肠杆菌样品的快速检测.     

An efficient synthesis of designed 4-thiazolidinone fused pyrimidine derivatives as potent antimicrobial agents

A novel series of hybrid 2-substituted ((pyrimidin-2-yl)hydrazinyl)thiazolidin-4-one derivatives were synthesized by means of aromatic nucleophilic displacement of chlorine atoms of 2,4,6-trichloro pyrimidine. Synthesis of some novel 2-(2-(6-morpholino-4-substituted(phenyl amino)pyrimidin-2-yl)hydrazinyl)thiazol-4(5H)-one derivatives have been carried out by the displacement of chlorine atoms on the basis of functionality concept on varying conditions. The synthesized hydrazinyl thiazolidin-4-one pyrimidine derivatives were evaluated for their expected antimicrobialactivity; where, the majority of these compounds showed potent antibacterial and antifungal activities against the tested strains of bacteria and fungi. Afforded title analogs were subsequently characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, Mass spectroscopy. SAR and HOMO-LUMO studies were also carried out for confirming the structure biological activity. Thus, these studies suggested that hydrazinyl pyrimidine derivatives bearing thiazolidinone moiety are interesting scaffolds for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.     

An efficient synthesis of some new 3-bipyridinyl substituted coumarins as potent antimicrobial agents

As a part of the ongoing studies in developing new antimicrobials,a series of structurally novel 3- bipyridinyl substituted coumarin derivatives 4a-f and 5a-f were synthesized by a single-step reaction protocol under Krohnke’s reaction conditions.¹H NMR,¹³C NMR,IR and mass spectral techniques were employed for the structural elucidation of the synthesized compounds.An evaluation of antimicrobial activity showed that almost all compounds exhibited better results than the referenced drugs.Among the synthesized derivatives 4f,5a and 5d were found to be the most potent analogs.Thus they could be promising lead for novel drugs.     

Dye-doped silica nanoparticles as efficient labels for glycans

We report that dye-doped fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) are highly efficient labels for glycans. Mono- and oligo-saccharides were conjugated to FSNPs using a general photocoupling chemistry. FSNP-labeled glycans were applied to image and detect bacteria, and to study carbohydrate-lectin interactions on a lectin microarray.     

Silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial agent: a case study on E. coli as a model for Gram-negative bacteria

The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles against E. coli was investigated as a model for Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteriological tests were performed in Luria-Bertani (LB) medium on solid agar plates and in liquid systems supplemented with different concentrations of nanosized silver particles. These particles were shown to be an effective bactericide. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were used to study the biocidal action of this nanoscale material. The results confirmed that the treated E. coli cells were damaged, showing formation of "pits" in the cell wall of the bacteria, while the silver nanoparticles were found to accumulate in the bacterial membrane. A membrane with such a morphology exhibits a significant increase in permeability, resulting in death of the cell. These nontoxic nanomaterials, which can be prepared in a simple and cost-effective manner, may be suitable for the formulation of new types of bactericidal materials.     

An efficient synthesis of new thiazolidin-4-one fused s-triazines as potential antimicrobial and anticancer agents

As a part of our endeavor toward the synthesis of new heterocyclic bioactive agents, two series of thiazolidin-4-one fused s-triazines were synthesized by applying an efficient palladium catalyzed C–C Suzuki coupling using catalyst system Pd(OAC)₂, Xphos and K₃PO₄ as a base in toluene solvent. Moreover, the synthesized analogs were further screened for their in vitro antimicrobial as well as anticancer efficacy against prostate cancer PC3 cells. Some compounds displayed remarkable antimicrobial activity and noticeable anticancer activity. It was observed that, both benzonitrile and nicotinonitrile are essential to increase the different pharmacological activities. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS analysis.     

Gold nanoparticles as dehydrogenase mimicking nanozymes for estradiol degradation

Nanozyme catalysis has been mainly focused on a few chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates, while environmentally and biologically important compounds need to be tested to advance the field. In this work, we studied oxidation of estradiol (E2) in the presence of various nanomaterials including gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), nanoceria (CeO₂), Fe₃O₄, Fe₂O₃, MnO₂ and Mn₂O₃, and found that AuNPs had a dehydrogenase-mimicking activity to convert E2 to estrone (E1). This conversion was monitored using HPLC. The reaction was faster at higher pH and reached saturation at pH 8. Smaller AuNPs had a higher catalytic efficiency and 5 nm AuNPs were 4.8-fold faster than 13 nm at the same total surface area. Finally, we tried 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) as a substrate and found that 5 nm AuNPs can catalyze EE2 oxidation in the presence of H₂O₂. This work indicated that some nanomaterials can affect environmentally important hormones via oxidation reactions, and this study has expanded the scope of substrate of nanozymes.     

Gold nanoparticles as dehydrogenase mimicking nanozymes for estradiol degradation

Small gold nanoparticles can mimic dehydrogenase activity to catalyze estradiol (E2) oxidation to estrone (E1), extending the range of nanozyme catalysis to environmentally and biologically important substrates.     

Carbon nanoparticles as effective nucleating agents for polypropylene

The effect of four nucleating agents on the crystallization of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The nucleating agents are: carbon nanofibers (CNF), carbon nanotubes (CNT), lithium benzoate and dimethyl-benzylidene sorbitol. Avrami?s model is used to analyze the isothermal crystallization kinetics of iPP. Based on the increase in crystallization temperature (T _c) and the decrease in half-life time (τ_½) for crystallization, the most efficient nucleating agents are the CNF and CNT, at concentrations as low as 0.001 mass%. Sorbitol and lithium benzoate show to be less efficient, while the sorbitol needs to be present at concentrations above 0.05 mass% to even act as nucleating agent.     

Amphiphilic branched polymers as antimicrobial agents

Cationic amphiphilic polymers were prepared from PEI and functional ethylene carbonates bearing cationic, hydrophobic or amphiphilic groups. The polymers are designed to exhibit antimicrobial properties. In a one-step addition, different functional ethylene carbonates were added to react with the primary amine groups of PEI. The water soluble polymers were studied regarding their ability to form soluble aggregates. Their hydrodynamic radii, their inhibition potential against proliferation of E. coli and their hemolytic potential were determined. A structure-property relationship was established by analyzing the antimicrobial activity as a function of the ratio of alkyl to cationic groups, length of the alkyl chains, and molecular weight of the PEI.     

Amphiphilic polymethacrylate derivatives as antimicrobial agents

We have investigated the structure-activity relationship of cationic amphiphilic polymethacrylate derivatives in antimicrobial and hemolytic assays. The polymers were prepared by radical copolymerizations of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)aminoethyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate in the presence of methyl 3-mercaptopropionate as a chain transfer agent to give precursor polymers protected with a tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group. Subsequent treatment of the Boc-protected polymers with TFA affords the desired cationic random copolymers. We examined antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of a series of polymers having a wide range of mole percentage of butyl groups (0-60%) in three different molecular weight (MW) ranges. The smallest polymers (MW < 2000) showed the lowest MIC and reduced hemolytic activity compared to that of the higher MW ones. In addition, polymers containing a high percentage of butyl groups are less selective for bacterial cells than their less hydrophobic counterparts.     

Discovery of natural berberine-derived nitroimidazoles as potentially multi-targeting agents against drug-resistant Escherichia coli

A series of natural berberine-derived nitroimidazoles as novel antibacterial agents were designed, synthesized and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), infrared spectra(IR), and high resolution mass spectra(HRMS) spectra. The antimicrobial evaluation showed that some target molecules exhibited moderate to good inhibitory activities against the tested bacteria and fungi including clinical drug-resistant strains isolated from infected patients. Especially, 2-fluorobenzyl derivative8 f not only gave strong activity against drug-resistant E. coli with the minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) value of0.003 m M, 33-fold more active than norfloxacin, but also exhibited low toxicity toward RAW 264.7 cells and less propensity to trigger resistance. The aqueous solubility and Clog P values of target compounds were investigated to elucidate the structureactivity relationships. Molecular docking and quantum chemical studies for compound 8 f rationally explained its antibacterial effect. The further exploration of antibacterial mechanism revealed that the highly active compound 8 f could effectively permeabilize E. coli cell membrane and intercalate into DNA isolated from resistant E. coli to form 8 f-DNA complex that might block DNA replication to exert the powerful bioactivities. Compound 8 f could also selectively address resistant E. coli from a mixture of various strains.