Majid Sharifi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Majid Sharifi

Research paper thumbnail of An Updated Review on EPR-Based Solid Tumor Targeting Nanocarriers for Cancer Treatment

Cancers

The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect in cancer treatment is one of the key mechan... more The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect in cancer treatment is one of the key mechanisms that enables drug accumulation at the tumor site. However, despite a plethora of virus/inorganic/organic-based nanocarriers designed to rely on the EPR effect to effectively target tumors, most have failed in the clinic. It seems that the non-compliance of research activities with clinical trials, goals unrelated to the EPR effect, and lack of awareness of the impact of solid tumor structure and interactions on the performance of drug nanocarriers have intensified this dissatisfaction. As such, the asymmetric growth and structural complexity of solid tumors, physicochemical properties of drug nanocarriers, EPR analytical combination tools, and EPR description goals should be considered to improve EPR-based cancer therapeutics. This review provides valuable insights into the limitations of the EPR effect in therapeutic efficacy and reports crucial perspectives on how the EPR effect c...

Research paper thumbnail of Explaining chemical clues of metal organic framework-nanozyme nano-/micro-motors in targeted treatment of cancers: benchmarks and challenges

Journal of Nanobiotechnology

Nowadays, nano-/micro-motors are considered as powerful tools in different areas ranging from cle... more Nowadays, nano-/micro-motors are considered as powerful tools in different areas ranging from cleaning all types of contaminants, to development of Targeted drug delivery systems and diagnostic activities. Therefore, the development and application of nano-/micro-motors based on metal–organic frameworks with nanozyme activity (abbreviated as: MOF-NZs) in biomedical activities have received much interest recently. Therefore, after investigating the catalytic properties and applications of MOF-NZs in the treatment of cancer, this study intends to point out their key role in the production of biocompatible nano-/micro-motors. Since reducing the toxicity of MOF-NZ nano-/micro-motors can pave the way for medical activities, this article examines the methods of making biocompatible nanomotors to address the benefits and drawbacks of the required propellants. In the following, an analysis of the amplified directional motion of MOF-NZ nano-/micro-motors under physiological conditions is pre...

Research paper thumbnail of Biothermodynamic, antiproliferative and antimicrobial properties of synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2021

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the therapeutic applications of aptamers and aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles in cancer, inflammatory and viral diseases

Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of The Investigation of the Toxicity of Palladium Nanoparticles on Human Lymphocyte

Palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) have various applications in industries, such as: Biomedicine, S... more Palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) have various applications in industries, such as: Biomedicine, Sewage treatment, Electronics, and Catalytic processes. Different studies on NP have shown that they have negative impacts on different cell categories in vitro. Despite extensive considerations, the molecular mechanism of Pd-NPs toxicity has remained elusive thus far. Therefore, in this paper, we investigated the toxicity of Pd-NPs by evaluating their effects on human lymphocyte. Blood lymphocyte cells were initially isolated by ficoll solution and were exposed to Pd-NPs and Pd (II) ions. Then, we examined oxidative stress, cell cycle and apoptosis employing flow cytometry. We found the NPs administration suppressed cell growth which in turn resulted in cell apoptosis. Also, cell cycle stopped at sub G1 phase, resulting in DNA damage as well as profound ROS increase. Our results showed that Pd-NPs treatment for 24 hours led to apoptosis, oxidative stress, as well as cell cycle blockage. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Influence of nitrate supplementation on in-vitro methane emission, milk production, ruminal fermentation, and microbial methanotrophs in dairy cows fed at two forage levels

Annals of Animal Science, 2021

Modifying the chemical composition of a diet can be a good strategy for reducing methane emission... more Modifying the chemical composition of a diet can be a good strategy for reducing methane emission in the rumen. However, this strategy can have adverse effects on the ruminal microbial flora. The aim of our study was to reduce methane without disturbing ruminal function by stimulating the growth and propagation of methanotrophs. In this study, we randomly divided twenty multiparous Holstein dairy cows into 4 groups in a 2×2 factorial design with two forage levels (40% and 60%) and two nitrate supplementation levels (3.5% and zero). We examined the effect of experimental diets on cow performance, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and changes of ruminal microbial flora throughout the experimental period (45-day). Additionally, in vitro methane emission was evaluated. Animals fed diet with 60% forage had greater dry matter intake (DMI) and milk fat content, but lower lactose and milk urea content compared with those fed 40% forage diet. Moreover, nitrate supplementation had no si...

Research paper thumbnail of Polymeric micelles functionalized with cell penetrating peptides as potential pH-sensitive platforms in drug delivery for cancer therapy: A review

Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2021

Abstract Improving the intrinsic pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetic of drugs is regarded as a cr... more Abstract Improving the intrinsic pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetic of drugs is regarded as a crucial step in developing more productive drug therapies. In this context, the development of nanostructure-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) responsive to exogenous or endogenous stimuli demonstrate an outstanding platform to clinical applications. Polymeric micelles (PM)-based DDSs are often modified with selective short peptides like cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) for highly efficient cellular internalization. In this review, we discussed recent achievements in the design and development of nanoscale pH-responsive micelles modified with CPPs to provide controlled drug release in the tumor cells. An overview on the application of micelles, especially PMs as promising engineered nanocarriers to combine pharmaceutical agents with CPPs are presented. Afterwards, the peptide-based transfection method as one of the promising approaches for drug delivery and therapeutic agents was explained. Subsequently, conjugation of pH-responsive micelles with CPPs as a novel DDS in cancer therapy was surveyed. Finally, the current challenges and future application of stimuli-sensitive nanoplatforms conjugated with CPP was discussed. In conclusion, the application of controlled delivery using pH-sensitive PMs-based DDSs conjugated with peptides can be considered as a potential approach to improve the therapeutic index of anticancer drugs.

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the interaction of nucleoside analogues with SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021

The outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019, have highl... more The outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019, have highlighted the concerns about the lack of potential vaccines or antivirals approved for inhibition of CoVs infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) which is almost preserved across different viral species can be a potential target for development of antiviral drugs, including nucleoside analogues (NA). However, ExoN proofreading activity of CoVs leads to their protection from several NAs. Therefore, potential platforms based on the development of efficient NAs with broad-spectrum efficacy against human CoVs should be explored. This study was then aimed to present an overview on the development of NAs-based drug repurposing for targeting SARS-CoV-2 RdRp by computational analysis. Afterwards, the clinical development of some NAs including Favipiravir, Sofosbuvir, Ribavirin, Tenofovir, and Remdesivir as potential inhibitors of RdRp, were surveyed. Overall, exploring broad-spectrum NAs as promising inhibitors of RdRp may provide useful information about the identification of potential antiviral repurposed drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

Research paper thumbnail of Thermodynamic and anticancer properties of inorganic zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized through co-precipitation method

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2021

Abstract In this paper, inorganic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized through co-... more Abstract In this paper, inorganic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized through co-precipitation method and after evaluating their physicochemical properties by using TEM and XRD techniques, the bio-thermodynamic and structural parameters upon interaction of ZnO NPs with human serum albumin (HSA) were determined by using fluorescence, UV–vis, CD and molecular docking studies. Also, the selective anticancer effects of ZnO NPs on leukemia (K562) cells were explored by using different cellular and molecular assays. It was determined that the crystalline structure of ZnO NPs has a diameter of about 30 nm. Thermodynamic parameters and docking analysis indicated that the hydrophobic forces mediate the formation of static complex between ZnO NPs and HSA molecules. UV–vis and CD spectroscopic methods showed that the melting temperature (Tm) and secondary structure of HSA, respectively remain substantially unchanged by increase of ZnO NPs. Anticancer assays demonstrated that ZnO NPs trigger an inhibitory impact on the proliferation of K562 cells while being safe against lymphocyte normal cells. Exposure of K562 cells to ZnO NPs resulted in membrane leakage, activation of caspase-9, -3, overexpression of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio, increase in the level of ROS, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis/necrosis. In conclusion, it may be suggested that ZnO NPs can be utilized as potential agents in the development of anticancer platforms.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring the Interaction of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles with Albumin, Leukemia Cancer Cells and Pathogenic Bacterial by Multispectroscopic, Docking, Cellular and Antibacterial Approaches

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2020

The interaction of NPs with biological systems may reveal useful details about their pharmacodyna... more The interaction of NPs with biological systems may reveal useful details about their pharmacodynamic, anticancer and antibacterial effects. Methods: Herein, the interaction of as-synthesized Co 3 O 4 NPs with HSA was explored by different kinds of fluorescence and CD spectroscopic methods, as well as molecular docking studies. Also, the anticancer effect of Co 3 O 4 NPs against leukemia K562 cells was investigated by MTT, LDH, caspase, real-time PCR, ROS, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays. Afterwards, the antibacterial effects of Co 3 O 4 NPs against three pathogenic bacteria were disclosed by antibacterial assays. Results: Different characterization methods such as TEM, DLS, zeta potential and XRD studies proved that fabricated Co 3 O 4 NPs by sol-gel method have a diameter of around 50 nm, hydrodynamic radius of 177 nm with a charge distribution of −33.04 mV and a welldefined crystalline phase. Intrinsic, extrinsic, and synchronous fluorescence as well as CD studies, respectively, showed that the HSA undergoes some fluorescence quenching, minor conformational changes, microenvironmental changes as well as no structural changes in the secondary structure, after interaction with Co 3 O 4 NPs. Molecular docking results also verified that the spherical clusters with a dimension of 1.5 nm exhibit the most binding energy with HSA molecules. Anticancer assays demonstrated that Co 3 O 4 NPs can selectively lead to the reduction of K562 cell viability through the cell membrane damage, activation of caspase-9,-8 and-3, elevation of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio, ROS production, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Finally, antibacterial assays disclosed that Co 3 O 4 NPs can stimulate a promising antibacterial effect against pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion: In general, these observations can provide useful information for the early stages of nanomaterial applications in therapeutic platforms.

Research paper thumbnail of Electrospun chitosan membranes containing bioactive and therapeutic agents for enhanced wound healing

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnostic and drug release systems based on microneedle arrays in breast cancer therapy

Journal of Controlled Release, 2021

Microneedle arrays have recently received much attention as cancer detection and treatment platfo... more Microneedle arrays have recently received much attention as cancer detection and treatment platforms, because invasive injections and detection of the biopsy are not needed, and drug metabolism by the liver, as well as adverse effects of systemic drug administration, are diminished. Microneedles have been used for diagnosis, vaccination, and in targeted drug delivery of breast cancer. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in diagnosis and targeted drug delivery for breast cancer treatment, using microneedle arrays to deliver active molecules through the skin. The results not only suggest that health and well-being of patients are improved, but also that microneedle arrays can deliver anticancer compounds in a relatively noninvasive manner, based on body weight, breast tumor size, and circulation time of the drug. Moreover, microneedles could allow simultaneous loading of multiple drugs and enable controlled release, thus effectively optimizing or preventing drug-drug interactions. This review is designed to encourage the use of microneedles for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, by describing general properties of microneedles, materials used for construction, mechanism of action, and principal benefits. Ongoing challenges and future perspectives for the application of microneedle array systems in breast cancer detection and treatment are highlighted.

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the cleavage priming of the spike protein on coronavirus by angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and furin

Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 2020

The widespread antigenic changes lead to the emergence of a new type of coronavirus (CoV) called ... more The widespread antigenic changes lead to the emergence of a new type of coronavirus (CoV) called as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 that is immunologically different from the previous circulating species. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) is one of the most important receptors on the cell membrane of the host cells (HCs) which its interaction with spike protein (SP) with a furincleavage site results in the SARS-CoV-2 invasion. Hence, in this review, we presented an overview on the interaction of ACE-2 and furin with SP. As several kinds of CoVs, from various genera, have at their S1/S2 binding site a preserved site, we further surveyed the role of furin cleavage site (FCS) on the life cycle of the CoV. Furthermore, we discussed that the small molecular inhibitors can limit the interaction of ACE-2 and furin with SP and can be used as potential therapeutic platforms to combat the spreading CoV epidemic. Finally, some ongoing challenges and future prospects for the development of potential drugs to promote targeting specific activities of the CoV were reviewed. In conclusion, this review may pave the way for providing useful information about different compounds involved in improving the effectiveness of CoV vaccine or drugs with minimum toxicity against human health.

Research paper thumbnail of Enzyme–polymeric/inorganic metal oxide/hybrid nanoparticle bio-conjugates in the development of therapeutic and biosensing platforms

Journal of Advanced Research, 2021

Graphical abstract

Research paper thumbnail of Rapid diagnostics of coronavirus disease 2019 in early stages using nanobiosensors: Challenges and opportunities

Talanta, 2021

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Fabrication of inorganic alumina particles at nanoscale by a pulsed laser ablation technique in liquid and exploring their protein binding, anticancer and antipathogenic activities

Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2021

Abstract The interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems can provide useful information ... more Abstract The interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems can provide useful information about their therapeutic applications. The aluminum nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) were synthesized by laser ablation technique and well-characterized by different methods. Fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and molecular docking studies were employed to evaluate the effect of Al2O3 NPs on the protein structure. Growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of the Al2O3 NPs against K562 cancer cells and lymphocyte cells were assessed using [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT), flow cytometry, and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The antipathogenic activity of Al2O3 NPs against a diverse range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens was explored through a disk diffusion method. The characterization techniques determined that the Al2O3 NPs were successfully synthesized in the nanoscales. Intrinsic, 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and acrylamide fluorescence spectroscopy studies disclosed that Al2O3 NPs can partially change the tertiary structure of human serum albumin (HSA), whereas CD spectroscopy investigation depicted that the secondary structure of HSA remained intact. Molecular docking investigation also manifest that the Al2O3 nano-clusters preferably bind to electrostatic residues. Al2O3 NPs exhibited promising and selective anticancer features through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis induction, and elevation of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio. Furthermore, the Al2O3 NP showed a remarkable antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. In conclusion, it may be suggested that the synthesized Al2O3 NPs can be integrated in the development of anticancer and antipathogenic agents.

Research paper thumbnail of Insecurity Communities of South Asia and the Middle East: Consequences of US Foreign Policy

Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Non-viral delivery systems of DNA into stem cells: Promising and multifarious actions for regenerative medicine

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2020

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring the interaction of synthesized nickel oxide nanoparticles through hydrothermal method with hemoglobin and lymphocytes: Bio-thermodynamic and cellular studies

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2020

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Application of gelatin nanoconjugates as potential internal stimuli-responsive platforms for cancer drug delivery

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2020

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of An Updated Review on EPR-Based Solid Tumor Targeting Nanocarriers for Cancer Treatment

Cancers

The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect in cancer treatment is one of the key mechan... more The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect in cancer treatment is one of the key mechanisms that enables drug accumulation at the tumor site. However, despite a plethora of virus/inorganic/organic-based nanocarriers designed to rely on the EPR effect to effectively target tumors, most have failed in the clinic. It seems that the non-compliance of research activities with clinical trials, goals unrelated to the EPR effect, and lack of awareness of the impact of solid tumor structure and interactions on the performance of drug nanocarriers have intensified this dissatisfaction. As such, the asymmetric growth and structural complexity of solid tumors, physicochemical properties of drug nanocarriers, EPR analytical combination tools, and EPR description goals should be considered to improve EPR-based cancer therapeutics. This review provides valuable insights into the limitations of the EPR effect in therapeutic efficacy and reports crucial perspectives on how the EPR effect c...

Research paper thumbnail of Explaining chemical clues of metal organic framework-nanozyme nano-/micro-motors in targeted treatment of cancers: benchmarks and challenges

Journal of Nanobiotechnology

Nowadays, nano-/micro-motors are considered as powerful tools in different areas ranging from cle... more Nowadays, nano-/micro-motors are considered as powerful tools in different areas ranging from cleaning all types of contaminants, to development of Targeted drug delivery systems and diagnostic activities. Therefore, the development and application of nano-/micro-motors based on metal–organic frameworks with nanozyme activity (abbreviated as: MOF-NZs) in biomedical activities have received much interest recently. Therefore, after investigating the catalytic properties and applications of MOF-NZs in the treatment of cancer, this study intends to point out their key role in the production of biocompatible nano-/micro-motors. Since reducing the toxicity of MOF-NZ nano-/micro-motors can pave the way for medical activities, this article examines the methods of making biocompatible nanomotors to address the benefits and drawbacks of the required propellants. In the following, an analysis of the amplified directional motion of MOF-NZ nano-/micro-motors under physiological conditions is pre...

Research paper thumbnail of Biothermodynamic, antiproliferative and antimicrobial properties of synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2021

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the therapeutic applications of aptamers and aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles in cancer, inflammatory and viral diseases

Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of The Investigation of the Toxicity of Palladium Nanoparticles on Human Lymphocyte

Palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) have various applications in industries, such as: Biomedicine, S... more Palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) have various applications in industries, such as: Biomedicine, Sewage treatment, Electronics, and Catalytic processes. Different studies on NP have shown that they have negative impacts on different cell categories in vitro. Despite extensive considerations, the molecular mechanism of Pd-NPs toxicity has remained elusive thus far. Therefore, in this paper, we investigated the toxicity of Pd-NPs by evaluating their effects on human lymphocyte. Blood lymphocyte cells were initially isolated by ficoll solution and were exposed to Pd-NPs and Pd (II) ions. Then, we examined oxidative stress, cell cycle and apoptosis employing flow cytometry. We found the NPs administration suppressed cell growth which in turn resulted in cell apoptosis. Also, cell cycle stopped at sub G1 phase, resulting in DNA damage as well as profound ROS increase. Our results showed that Pd-NPs treatment for 24 hours led to apoptosis, oxidative stress, as well as cell cycle blockage. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Influence of nitrate supplementation on in-vitro methane emission, milk production, ruminal fermentation, and microbial methanotrophs in dairy cows fed at two forage levels

Annals of Animal Science, 2021

Modifying the chemical composition of a diet can be a good strategy for reducing methane emission... more Modifying the chemical composition of a diet can be a good strategy for reducing methane emission in the rumen. However, this strategy can have adverse effects on the ruminal microbial flora. The aim of our study was to reduce methane without disturbing ruminal function by stimulating the growth and propagation of methanotrophs. In this study, we randomly divided twenty multiparous Holstein dairy cows into 4 groups in a 2×2 factorial design with two forage levels (40% and 60%) and two nitrate supplementation levels (3.5% and zero). We examined the effect of experimental diets on cow performance, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and changes of ruminal microbial flora throughout the experimental period (45-day). Additionally, in vitro methane emission was evaluated. Animals fed diet with 60% forage had greater dry matter intake (DMI) and milk fat content, but lower lactose and milk urea content compared with those fed 40% forage diet. Moreover, nitrate supplementation had no si...

Research paper thumbnail of Polymeric micelles functionalized with cell penetrating peptides as potential pH-sensitive platforms in drug delivery for cancer therapy: A review

Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2021

Abstract Improving the intrinsic pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetic of drugs is regarded as a cr... more Abstract Improving the intrinsic pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetic of drugs is regarded as a crucial step in developing more productive drug therapies. In this context, the development of nanostructure-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) responsive to exogenous or endogenous stimuli demonstrate an outstanding platform to clinical applications. Polymeric micelles (PM)-based DDSs are often modified with selective short peptides like cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) for highly efficient cellular internalization. In this review, we discussed recent achievements in the design and development of nanoscale pH-responsive micelles modified with CPPs to provide controlled drug release in the tumor cells. An overview on the application of micelles, especially PMs as promising engineered nanocarriers to combine pharmaceutical agents with CPPs are presented. Afterwards, the peptide-based transfection method as one of the promising approaches for drug delivery and therapeutic agents was explained. Subsequently, conjugation of pH-responsive micelles with CPPs as a novel DDS in cancer therapy was surveyed. Finally, the current challenges and future application of stimuli-sensitive nanoplatforms conjugated with CPP was discussed. In conclusion, the application of controlled delivery using pH-sensitive PMs-based DDSs conjugated with peptides can be considered as a potential approach to improve the therapeutic index of anticancer drugs.

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the interaction of nucleoside analogues with SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021

The outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019, have highl... more The outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019, have highlighted the concerns about the lack of potential vaccines or antivirals approved for inhibition of CoVs infection. SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) which is almost preserved across different viral species can be a potential target for development of antiviral drugs, including nucleoside analogues (NA). However, ExoN proofreading activity of CoVs leads to their protection from several NAs. Therefore, potential platforms based on the development of efficient NAs with broad-spectrum efficacy against human CoVs should be explored. This study was then aimed to present an overview on the development of NAs-based drug repurposing for targeting SARS-CoV-2 RdRp by computational analysis. Afterwards, the clinical development of some NAs including Favipiravir, Sofosbuvir, Ribavirin, Tenofovir, and Remdesivir as potential inhibitors of RdRp, were surveyed. Overall, exploring broad-spectrum NAs as promising inhibitors of RdRp may provide useful information about the identification of potential antiviral repurposed drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

Research paper thumbnail of Thermodynamic and anticancer properties of inorganic zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized through co-precipitation method

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2021

Abstract In this paper, inorganic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized through co-... more Abstract In this paper, inorganic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized through co-precipitation method and after evaluating their physicochemical properties by using TEM and XRD techniques, the bio-thermodynamic and structural parameters upon interaction of ZnO NPs with human serum albumin (HSA) were determined by using fluorescence, UV–vis, CD and molecular docking studies. Also, the selective anticancer effects of ZnO NPs on leukemia (K562) cells were explored by using different cellular and molecular assays. It was determined that the crystalline structure of ZnO NPs has a diameter of about 30 nm. Thermodynamic parameters and docking analysis indicated that the hydrophobic forces mediate the formation of static complex between ZnO NPs and HSA molecules. UV–vis and CD spectroscopic methods showed that the melting temperature (Tm) and secondary structure of HSA, respectively remain substantially unchanged by increase of ZnO NPs. Anticancer assays demonstrated that ZnO NPs trigger an inhibitory impact on the proliferation of K562 cells while being safe against lymphocyte normal cells. Exposure of K562 cells to ZnO NPs resulted in membrane leakage, activation of caspase-9, -3, overexpression of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio, increase in the level of ROS, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis/necrosis. In conclusion, it may be suggested that ZnO NPs can be utilized as potential agents in the development of anticancer platforms.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring the Interaction of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles with Albumin, Leukemia Cancer Cells and Pathogenic Bacterial by Multispectroscopic, Docking, Cellular and Antibacterial Approaches

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2020

The interaction of NPs with biological systems may reveal useful details about their pharmacodyna... more The interaction of NPs with biological systems may reveal useful details about their pharmacodynamic, anticancer and antibacterial effects. Methods: Herein, the interaction of as-synthesized Co 3 O 4 NPs with HSA was explored by different kinds of fluorescence and CD spectroscopic methods, as well as molecular docking studies. Also, the anticancer effect of Co 3 O 4 NPs against leukemia K562 cells was investigated by MTT, LDH, caspase, real-time PCR, ROS, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays. Afterwards, the antibacterial effects of Co 3 O 4 NPs against three pathogenic bacteria were disclosed by antibacterial assays. Results: Different characterization methods such as TEM, DLS, zeta potential and XRD studies proved that fabricated Co 3 O 4 NPs by sol-gel method have a diameter of around 50 nm, hydrodynamic radius of 177 nm with a charge distribution of −33.04 mV and a welldefined crystalline phase. Intrinsic, extrinsic, and synchronous fluorescence as well as CD studies, respectively, showed that the HSA undergoes some fluorescence quenching, minor conformational changes, microenvironmental changes as well as no structural changes in the secondary structure, after interaction with Co 3 O 4 NPs. Molecular docking results also verified that the spherical clusters with a dimension of 1.5 nm exhibit the most binding energy with HSA molecules. Anticancer assays demonstrated that Co 3 O 4 NPs can selectively lead to the reduction of K562 cell viability through the cell membrane damage, activation of caspase-9,-8 and-3, elevation of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio, ROS production, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Finally, antibacterial assays disclosed that Co 3 O 4 NPs can stimulate a promising antibacterial effect against pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion: In general, these observations can provide useful information for the early stages of nanomaterial applications in therapeutic platforms.

Research paper thumbnail of Electrospun chitosan membranes containing bioactive and therapeutic agents for enhanced wound healing

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnostic and drug release systems based on microneedle arrays in breast cancer therapy

Journal of Controlled Release, 2021

Microneedle arrays have recently received much attention as cancer detection and treatment platfo... more Microneedle arrays have recently received much attention as cancer detection and treatment platforms, because invasive injections and detection of the biopsy are not needed, and drug metabolism by the liver, as well as adverse effects of systemic drug administration, are diminished. Microneedles have been used for diagnosis, vaccination, and in targeted drug delivery of breast cancer. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in diagnosis and targeted drug delivery for breast cancer treatment, using microneedle arrays to deliver active molecules through the skin. The results not only suggest that health and well-being of patients are improved, but also that microneedle arrays can deliver anticancer compounds in a relatively noninvasive manner, based on body weight, breast tumor size, and circulation time of the drug. Moreover, microneedles could allow simultaneous loading of multiple drugs and enable controlled release, thus effectively optimizing or preventing drug-drug interactions. This review is designed to encourage the use of microneedles for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, by describing general properties of microneedles, materials used for construction, mechanism of action, and principal benefits. Ongoing challenges and future perspectives for the application of microneedle array systems in breast cancer detection and treatment are highlighted.

Research paper thumbnail of A review on the cleavage priming of the spike protein on coronavirus by angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and furin

Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 2020

The widespread antigenic changes lead to the emergence of a new type of coronavirus (CoV) called ... more The widespread antigenic changes lead to the emergence of a new type of coronavirus (CoV) called as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 that is immunologically different from the previous circulating species. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) is one of the most important receptors on the cell membrane of the host cells (HCs) which its interaction with spike protein (SP) with a furincleavage site results in the SARS-CoV-2 invasion. Hence, in this review, we presented an overview on the interaction of ACE-2 and furin with SP. As several kinds of CoVs, from various genera, have at their S1/S2 binding site a preserved site, we further surveyed the role of furin cleavage site (FCS) on the life cycle of the CoV. Furthermore, we discussed that the small molecular inhibitors can limit the interaction of ACE-2 and furin with SP and can be used as potential therapeutic platforms to combat the spreading CoV epidemic. Finally, some ongoing challenges and future prospects for the development of potential drugs to promote targeting specific activities of the CoV were reviewed. In conclusion, this review may pave the way for providing useful information about different compounds involved in improving the effectiveness of CoV vaccine or drugs with minimum toxicity against human health.

Research paper thumbnail of Enzyme–polymeric/inorganic metal oxide/hybrid nanoparticle bio-conjugates in the development of therapeutic and biosensing platforms

Journal of Advanced Research, 2021

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Research paper thumbnail of Rapid diagnostics of coronavirus disease 2019 in early stages using nanobiosensors: Challenges and opportunities

Talanta, 2021

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Fabrication of inorganic alumina particles at nanoscale by a pulsed laser ablation technique in liquid and exploring their protein binding, anticancer and antipathogenic activities

Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2021

Abstract The interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems can provide useful information ... more Abstract The interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems can provide useful information about their therapeutic applications. The aluminum nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) were synthesized by laser ablation technique and well-characterized by different methods. Fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and molecular docking studies were employed to evaluate the effect of Al2O3 NPs on the protein structure. Growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of the Al2O3 NPs against K562 cancer cells and lymphocyte cells were assessed using [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT), flow cytometry, and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The antipathogenic activity of Al2O3 NPs against a diverse range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens was explored through a disk diffusion method. The characterization techniques determined that the Al2O3 NPs were successfully synthesized in the nanoscales. Intrinsic, 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and acrylamide fluorescence spectroscopy studies disclosed that Al2O3 NPs can partially change the tertiary structure of human serum albumin (HSA), whereas CD spectroscopy investigation depicted that the secondary structure of HSA remained intact. Molecular docking investigation also manifest that the Al2O3 nano-clusters preferably bind to electrostatic residues. Al2O3 NPs exhibited promising and selective anticancer features through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis induction, and elevation of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio. Furthermore, the Al2O3 NP showed a remarkable antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. In conclusion, it may be suggested that the synthesized Al2O3 NPs can be integrated in the development of anticancer and antipathogenic agents.

Research paper thumbnail of Insecurity Communities of South Asia and the Middle East: Consequences of US Foreign Policy

Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Non-viral delivery systems of DNA into stem cells: Promising and multifarious actions for regenerative medicine

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2020

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring the interaction of synthesized nickel oxide nanoparticles through hydrothermal method with hemoglobin and lymphocytes: Bio-thermodynamic and cellular studies

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2020

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Research paper thumbnail of Application of gelatin nanoconjugates as potential internal stimuli-responsive platforms for cancer drug delivery

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2020

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.