A. M. Badawi

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Biphenylsulfonamides with inhibitory action towards the transmembrane, tumor-associated isozymes IX possess cytotoxic activity against human colon, lung and breast cancer cell lines

Reaction of 4,4-biphenyl-disulfonyl chloride with aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides also incorporating a free amino group, such as 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide, 4-aminoethyl-benzenesulfonamide, 6-chloro-4-aminobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide or 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide afforded bis-sulfonamides which have been tested as inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4..2.1.1). The compounds were rather modest inhibitors of isozymes CA I and XII, but were more efficient as inhibitors of the cytosolic CA II and transmembrane, tumor-associated CA IX (inhibition constants in the range of 21–129 nM gainst hCA II, and 23–79 nM against hCA IX, respectively). The new bis-sulfonamides also showed inhibition of growth of several tumor cell lines (ex vivo), with GI50 values in the range of 0.74–10.0 μg/mL against the human colon cancer cell line HCT116, the human lung cancer cell line H460 and the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

Synthesis and Characterization of Self-Assembling Some Thiol Surfactants on Gold Nanoparticles

The purpose of this work is to study the self-assembling of some synthesized thiol surfactants namely (mercaptopropane-, mercaptohexane-, mercaptooctane-, and mercaptodecane sodium sulfonate) on the fabricated gold nanoparticles. The self-assembling of these surfactants on gold nanoparticles characterized using different techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Spectroscopic evidence suggests that the synthesized thiol surfactants have been attached to the gold nanoparticles. The effect of self-assembling of these surfactants on the size of the gold nanoparticles was studied using TEM images. The growth of the gold nanoparticles was investigated with respect to the increase of alkyl chain in the synthesized thiol surfactants. The results show that the stabilization of gold nanoparticles was affected by the increase in alkyl chain length of these surfactants. The effect of gold nanoparticles on the interfacial tension and the emulsion stability of these surfactants with crude oil was studied.

Crystal structure and chemotherapeutic efficacy of the novel compound, gallium tetrachloride betaine, against breast cancer using nanotechnology

The objective of this study was to investigate the antitumor efficacy of a novel synthesized compound, betaine gallium-tetrachloride (BTG), alone or combined with ZnO-nanoparticles (BTG + ZnO-NPs) on the incidence of 7, 12-dimethylbenz-anthrathene-induced mammary tumor in female rats. Crystal and molecular structure of the prepared BTG were identified using X-ray crystallography. In vitro study revealed BTG more cytotoxic than BTG + ZnO-NPs on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line. In vivo study demonstrated that the blood antioxidant status of tumor-bearing rats (DMBA group) was significantly lower than normal noticeable by a significant decrease in GSH content, GPx, SOD, and CAT activities associated with a significantly high MDA content. Both treatments have significantly elevated SOD and CAT activities with a concomitant decrease of MDA level compared to DMBA group. However, BTG + ZnO-NPs accentuated the decrease of GSH regarding DMBA group. The results showed also that both treatments significantly activate caspase-3 enzyme and apoptosis in mammary glands. Their administration to tumor-bearing rats was found to significantly reduce plasma iron and iron-binding capacity (TIBC) compared to DMBA group. Regarding liver function, both treatments significantly reduced the increase of ALT and AST activities compared to DMBA group. However, BTG + ZnO-NPs decreased albumin below normal level. Histopathological studies showed that normalization of tissue structures was higher in BTG than BTG + ZnO-NPs treatment. According to the results obtained, it is observed that the antitumor effect of BTG alone was as strong as BTG + ZnO-NPs and even more efficient in some aspects accordingly, a combination is not needed. Thus, the novel synthetic gallium derivatives may potentially present a new hope for the development of breast cancer therapeutics, which should attract further scientific and pharmaceutical interest.

Influence in the Surface Activity for Some Cationic Thiol Surfactants Using Their Nanostructures

A series of some cationic thiol surfactants based on 2-mercapto pyridine were synthesized. These surfactants have decyl, dodecyl and cetyl hydrophobic moiety, respectively. The nanopowder forms of the synthesized surfactants were prepared using the ball mill technique and studied using transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition, the nanostructure of these surfactants with the prepared colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was investigated using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer and TEM techniques. The surface activity of the synthesized surfactants and their nanostructures as nanopowder forms and with silver nanoparticles was investigated using surface tension, interfacial tension, and emulsion stability techniques. The surface and thermodynamic parameters such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), effectiveness (Πcmc), minimum area (Amin), and free energies (ΔGmic, ΔGads) were determined. The results show the influence in the surface activity of the nanostructures for the synthesized surfactants more than that of the individual surfactants.

Nanotechnology: the next revolution for wastewater treatment (TNT contaminate)

Abstract Trinitrotoluene (TNT), a nitroaromatic explosive, is encountered groundwater contaminant that can pose a human health risk, even at very low aqueous concentrations. In this study, a series of catalytic degradation of dissolved TNT have been investigated using iron nanocatalysts (zero valent and its oxide) and Fe2O3 bentonite nanocomposite. The prepared nano catalysts were characterized via XRD, BET and TEM. The degradation of TNT by Fe-PILC, is almost complete after 30 min, whereas 65, 100 min on using the Fe-zero valent and Fe-oxide, respectively. These results indicate that the reaction rate is a strong function of the number of iron surface active sites, and therefore the Fe-catalysts an important reaction variable.

Synthesis of Some Novel Nonionic Ethoxylated Surfactants Based on α-Amino Acids and Investigation of Their Surface Active Properties

Eight novel ethoxylated nonionic surfactants were prepared based on oil soluble α-amino acids. The L-phenylalanine and L-leucine were esterified and amidated with cetyl alcohol and palamitic acid, respectively; two amides and two esters of α-amino acids were obtained. The ethylene oxide was condensed with the prepared amides and esters to get three different polyethylene oxide units (40, 60, and 100) as phenylalanine derivatives. The amide and ester of α-L-leucine were ethoxylated at (60 ethylene oxides units). The analytical micro analysise, FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectra were carried out to confirm the chemical structures. The surface tension of the water soluble prepared compounds was measured at 25°C, further the surface active properties were determined and calculated. Such that critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface excess (Γmax); area per molecule (Amin), effectiveness (γCMC) free energy of micellization and adsorption (ΔGmic, ΔGad). From the data obtained it was found that the CMC of phenylalanine esters is greater than that obtained for the amide derivatives. The Γmax decreased as the ethylene oxide units (EO) increased. It was found also that the ΔGad was greater than the ΔGmic. The obtained data and discrepancy were discussed on the light of surfactant chemical structure.

Styrene N-vinylpyrrolidone metal-nanocomposites as antibacterial coatings against Sulfate Reducing Bacteria.

Copolymer of styrene, and vinylpyrrolidone was prepared by various techniques. Different nanometals and nanometal oxides were added into the copolymer as antimicrobial agents against Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB). The nanocomposite chemical structure was confirmed by using FTIR, (1)H NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The biocidal action of these nanocomposites against the SRB was detected using sulfide determination method in Postgate medium B. The data indicated that the nanocomposites had an inhibitory effect on the growth of SRB and reduced the bacterial corrosion rate of mild steel coupons. The prepared nanocomposites have high inhibition efficiency when applied as coatings and show less efficiency when applied as solids or solution into SRB medium. The copolymer and its nanocomposites effectively reduced the total corrosion rate as determined by total weight loss method.

Hydrolysis of Pesticides in Wastewater Catalyzed by Cu(II) Complexes of Silyl Based Cationic Micelles

The effect of cationic surfactant micelles, namely hexadecyl trimethyl silane ammonium chloride (A), dodecyl trimethyl silane ammonium chloride, (B) and their copper (II) ion complexes on the hydrolysis of the pesticides: diazinon, cypermethrin, and carbaryl was studied. The rate of the pesticides decay in water was significantly accelerated in presence of these cationic micellar solutions. Furthermore, the copper (II) ion complexes of these micellar were found to be much more effective in hydrolysis of these pesticides. The results indicate that the complexes with a 1:1 ratio of both ligands to the metal ions are the active species in catalytic hydrolysis of carbaryl pesticide. Kinetic study is explained.

Alkaline Hydrolysis of TNT in Micellar System

The influence of micellar and Ca(OH)2 water system on the rates of alkaline hydrolysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was studied and evaluated quantitatively via capillary gas chromatography (CGC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The critical micelle concentrations and rate constants of reactions in the micellar phase were determined in micellar solutions of cationic, anionic or nonionic systems. An increase in the rates of alkaline hydrolysis of TNT was observed. Alkaline hydrolysis of TNT using mixture of nonionic surfactant micelles and anionic surfactant showed higher degradation than that with a cationic surfactant.

Biological study of the effect of water soluble [N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-aspartato] gallium complexes on breast carcinoma and fibrosarcoma cells

Two water soluble gallium complexes described as [Ga(III)LCl], where l is the deprotonated form of N-2-hydroxybenzyl aspartic acid derivatives, were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The 2-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylamino)succinic acid derivative (GS2) has been found to be a promising anticancer drug candidate. This compound was found to be more cytotoxic against human breast carcinoma MDA-MB231 and fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cell lines than the unsubstituted derivative and GaCl3. GS2 was able to induce apoptosis through downregulation of AKT phosphorylation, G2M arrest in cell cycle, and caspase 3/7 pathway. This gallium complex was found to induce an increase in mitochondrial ROS level in HT-1080 cells but not in MDA-MB231 cells. This suggests that the mechanism of action of GS2 would not be mediated by the drug-induced oxidative stress but probably by directly and indirectly inhibiting the AKT cell-signaling pathway.Graphical abstract