Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis for Enhanced Apoptosis Induction and Cellular Imaging in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Casein-Protected Blue-Emissive Carbon Dots.

The development of multifunctional nanoplatforms capable of drug delivery and real-time cellular imaging remains a key challenge in cancer theranostics. Herein, we report the development of a casein-protected maleic acid-derived nitrogen-doped carbon dot-based luminescent nanoplatform (MNCD@Cas NPs) for efficient delivery of the anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) to triple-negative breast cancer cells. Synthesized via a facile two-step method, the MNCD@Cas NPs exhibit bright blue fluorescence (λ = 390 nm), high water dispersibility, excellent colloidal stability, and substantial DOX loading capacity (∼84%) driven by electrostatic interactions.

Bio-Nano Interactions of Recombinant Cyanobacterial Metallothionein with Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Removal of Cadmium and Uranium.

Heavy metal pollution, as a result of anthropogenic activities, is a subject of concern and needs sustainable remedial measures. In this context, we synthesized a bio-nanocomposite comprising a metal-binding protein, metallothionein (NmtA), from a filamentous, heterocystous cyanobacterium, sp. strain PCC 7120, immobilized in magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for removal of cadmium (Cd) and uranium (U).

Development of Water-Dispersible CuS Nanoparticles for Chemo-Photothermal Therapy and Photoacoustic Application.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising treatment option for cancer. However, biocompatibility, water dispersibility, and good photoresponsiveness are necessary for photothermal agents to be used in PTT. Herein, a soft chemical approach is reported for the design and development of phosphorylethanolamine-functionalized CuS nanoparticles (PEA-CuS NPs) using phosphorylethanolamine (PEA) as a surface passivation agent for combinatorial chemo-photothermal therapy.

Fluorescence tunable carbon dots for nuclear dynamics and gastrointestinal imaging in live zebrafish and their toxicity evaluation by cardio-craniofacial disfunction assessment.

Sub-cellular organelle anomalies are frequently observed in diseases such as cancer. Early and precise diagnosis of these alterations can be crucial for patient outcomes. However, current diagnostic tools using conventional organic dyes or metal quantum dots face limitations, including poor biocompatibility, stringent storage conditions, limited solubility in aqueous media, and slow staining speeds.

pH-Responsive magnetic nanocarriers for chelator-free bimodal (MRI/SPECT-CT) image-guided chemo-hyperthermia therapy in human breast carcinoma.

Although chemotherapy with magnetic nanocarriers has witnessed significant advancement in the field of cancer treatment, multimodal diagnosis and combinatorial therapy using a single nanoplatform will have much better efficacy in achieving superior results. Herein, we constructed a smart theranostic system by combining pH-sensitive tartaric acid-stabilized FeO magnetic nanocarriers (TMNCs) with SPECT imaging and a chemotherapeutic agent for image-guided chemo-hyperthermia therapy. The carboxyl-enriched exteriors of TMNCs provided sites for the conjugation of a chemotherapeutic drug (doxorubicin hydrochloride, DOX) and radiolabeling (Ce).

Interfacial Engineering over Pt-Calcium Ferrite/2D Carbon Nitride Nanosheet p-n Heterojunctions for Superior Photocatalytic Properties.

The present study discloses the fabrication of efficient p-n heterojunctions using n-type polymeric bulk carbon nitride (b-CN, = 2.7 eV) or exfoliated nanosheets of carbon nitride (NSCN, = 2.9 eV) with p-type spinel ferrite CaFeO (CFO, = 1.

Polyphosphate-Mediated Crystallographic and Colloidal Stabilization of CuS Nanoparticles: Enhanced NIR-Responsive Chemo-Photothermal Efficacy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an emerging treatment modality for cancer management. However, the photothermal agents (PTAs) used in PTT should have sufficient biocompatibility, water dispersibility, and good photoresponsive. In this aspect, water-dispersible and biocompatible linear polyphosphate (LP)-functionalized CuS nanoparticles (LP-CuS NPs) were developed using sodium tripolyphosphate (LP molecule) as a surface passivating agent.

Smart Magnetic Nanocarriers for Codelivery of Nitric Oxide and Doxorubicin for Enhanced Apoptosis in Cancer Cells.

Extremely short half-life therapeutic molecule nitric oxide (NO) plays significant roles in the functioning of various physiological and pathological processes in the human body, whereas doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) is a clinically important anticancer drug widely used in cancer chemotherapy. Thus, the intracellular delivery of these therapeutic molecules is tremendously important to achieve their full potential. Herein, we report a novel approach for the development of highly water-dispersible magnetic nanocarriers for codelivery of NO and DOX.

Radiolabelled folate micellar carriers as proposed diagnostic aid for CNS tumors by nasal route.

Glioma refers to the most atypical variant of the malignant central nervous system tumors posturing massive challenge to the research fraternity owing to the flimsy improvement in the patient survival rate over the past years. The aim of the proposed work was developing a diagnostic aid for brain tumors, which could be administered via the non-invasive intranasal route. Since overexpression of folate receptors in the central nervous system tumors is 500 times more than the normal healthy cells, we aimed at fabricating a radiolabeled folate encapsulated micellar delivery system to be given via the nasal route.

Carbon nano-dot for cancer studies as dual nano-sensor for imaging intracellular temperature or pH variation.

Cellular temperature and pH govern many cellular physiologies, especially of cancer cells. Besides, attaining higher cellular temperature plays key role in therapeutic efficacy of hyperthermia treatment of cancer. This requires bio-compatible, non-toxic and sensitive probe with dual sensing ability to detect temperature and pH variations.

Recent advances in active targeting of nanomaterials for anticancer drug delivery.

One of the challenges in cancer chemotherapy is the low target to non-target ratio of therapeutic agents which incur severe adverse effect on the healthy tissues. In this regard, nanomaterials have tremendous potential for impacting cancer therapy by altering the toxicity profile of the drug. Some of the striking advantages provided by the nanocarriers mediated targeted drug delivery are relatively high build-up of drug concentration at the tumor site, improved drug content in the formulation and enhanced colloidal stability.

Curcumin Encapsulated Casein Nanoparticles: Enhanced Bioavailability and Anticancer Efficacy.

The poor water solubility and bioactivity of drugs can be potentially improved by using suitable nanocarriers. Herein, an economically viable methodology is developed for encapsulation of hydrophobic anticancer agent, curcumin in casein nanoparticles (CasNPs). The successful encapsulation of curcumin was evident from the structural, thermal and spectroscopic analysis of curcumin encapsulated CasNPs (Cur-CasNPs).

Glutamic acid-coated FeO nanoparticles for tumor-targeted imaging and therapeutics.

We have developed surface functionalised FeO magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) based system that can be used for tumor-targeted multimodal therapies and MR imaging. Biocompatible, non-essential amino acid (glutamic acid) was introduced onto the surface of FeO MNPs to provide functional sites for binding of chemotherapeutic drugs. These glutamic acid-coated FeO MNPs (GAMNPs) exhibit good water-dispersibility, magnetic responsivity and pH dependent charge conversal feature.

Biopolymer assisted synthesis of silica-carbon composite by spray drying.

Spray drying had been used to synthesize silica-carbon black nanocomposite micrometric granules with a uniform distribution of the two components. This was achieved by hindering the preferential diffusion of hydrophobic carbon and hydrophilic silica particles in the water droplets during evaporative assembly by introducing gum arabic as a stabilizing agent and network former. Both positive and negatively charged silica nanoparticles were used to check the stability of the sol and its effect on the morphology of the spray dried granules.

pH sensitive surfactant-stabilized FeO magnetic nanocarriers for dual drug delivery.

Highly water-dispersible surfactant-stabilized FeO magnetic nanocarriers (SMNCs) were prepared by self-assembly of anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) on hydrophobic (oleic acid coated) nanoparticles and their biomedical applications were investigated. These nanocarriers have an average size of about 10nm and possess tunable surface charge properties. The formation of an organic coating of SDS was evident from infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential and thermogravimetric measurements.

PEG coated vesicles from mixtures of Pluronic P123 and l-α-phosphatidylcholine: structure, rheology and curcumin encapsulation.

PEG coated vesicles are important vehicles for the passive targeting of anticancer drugs. With a view to prepare PEG decorated vesicles using co-assembly of block copolymers and lipids, here we investigated the microstructure of aggregates formed in mixtures comprising lipids (l-α-phosphatidylcholine) and block copolymers (Pluronic P123), in the polymer rich regime. DLS and SANS studies show that the structure of the aggregates can be tuned from micelles to rod-like micelles or vesicles by changing the lipid to polymer composition.