Asif Sherwani

Fungus-mediated biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles: potential in detection of liver cancer

Background Nanomaterials are considered to be the pre-eminent component of the rapidly advancing field of nanotechnology. However, developments in the biologically inspired synthesis of nanoparticles are still in their infancy and consequently attracting the attention of material scientists throughout the world. Keeping in mind the fact that microorganism-assisted synthesis of nanoparticles is a safe and economically viable prospect, in the current study we report Candida albicans-mediated biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Methods and results Transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and various spectrophotometric analyses were performed to characterize the gold nanoparticles. The morphology of the synthesized gold particles depended on the abundance of C. albicans cytosolic extract. Transmission electron microscopy, nanophox particle analysis, and atomic force microscopy revealed the size of spherical gold nanoparticles to be in the range of 20–40 nm and nonspherical gold particles were found to be 60–80 nm. We also evaluated the potential of biogenic gold nanoparticles to probe liver cancer cells by conjugating them with liver cancer cell surface-specific antibodies. The antibody-conjugated gold particles were found to bind specifically to the surface antigens of the cancer cells. Conclusion The antibody-conjugated gold particles synthesized in this study could successfully differentiate normal cell populations from cancerous cells.

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Efficacy of Extracellular Silver Nanoparticles Biofabricated from Chromium Reducing Novel OS4 Strain of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Biofabricated metal nanoparticles are generally biocompatible, inexpensive, and ecofriendly, therefore, are used preferably in industries, medical and material science research. Considering the importance of biofabricated materials, we isolated, characterized and identified a novel bacterial strain OS4 of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (GenBank: JN247637.1). At neutral pH, this Gram negative bacterial strain significantly reduced hexavalent chromium, an important heavy metal contaminant found in the tannery effluents and minings. Subsequently, even at room temperature the supernatant of log phase grown culture of strain OS4 also reduced silver nitrate (AgNO3) to generate nanoparticles (AgNPs). These AgNPs were further characterized by UV–visible, Nanophox particle size analyzer, XRD, SEM and FTIR. As evident from the FTIR data, plausibly the protein components of supernatant caused the reduction of AgNO3. The cuboid and homogenous AgNPs showed a characteristic UV-visible peak at 428 nm with average size of ∼93 nm. The XRD spectra exhibited the characteristic Bragg peaks of 111, 200, 220 and 311 facets of the face centred cubic symmetry of nanoparticles suggesting that these nanoparticles were crystalline in nature. From the nanoparticle release kinetics data, the rapid release of AgNPs was correlated with the particle size and increasing surface area of the nanoparticles. A highly significant antimicrobial activity against medically important bacteria by the biofabricated AgNPs was also revealed as decline in growth of Staphylococcus aureus (91%), Escherichia coli (69%) and Serratia marcescens (66%) substantially. Additionally, different cytotoxic assays showed no toxicity of AgNPs to liver function, RBCs, splenocytes and HeLa cells, hence these particles were safe to use. Therefore, this novel bacterial strain OS4 is likely to provide broad spectrum benefits for curing chromium polluted sites, for biofabrication of AgNPs and ultimately in the nanoparticle based drug formulation for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Synthesis and anti-tumor evaluation of B-ring substituted steroidal pyrazoline derivatives

The synthesis and anti-tumor activity screening of new steroidal derivatives (4-18) containing pharmacologically attractive pyrazoline moieties are performed. During in vitro anticancer evaluation, the newly synthesized compounds displayed moderate to good cytotoxicity on cervical and leukemia cancer cell lines. In addition these compounds were found to be nontoxic to normal cell (PBMCs) (IC50>50 μM). The structure-activity relationship is also discussed. The most effective anticancer compound 9 was found to be active with IC50 value of 10.6 μM. It demonstrated significant antiproliferative influence on Jurkat cell lines. The morphological changes and growth characteristics of HeLa cells treated with compound 4 were analyzed by means of SEM.

Synthesis and characterization of Schiff base octaazamacrocyclic complexes and their biological studies

A condensation reaction between 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione dihydrazone (DPEDDH) and dimethyl or diethyloxalate in methanol resulted in a novel Schiff base octaazamacrocyclic ligand, (L): (6,7,14,15-tetraoxa-2,3,10,11-tetraphenyl-1,4,5,8,9,12,13,16-octaazacyclohexadecane-1,3,9,11-tetraene). Subsequently metal complexes of the type [MLX2] and [CuL]X2; (M=Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II); X=Cl or NO3) were synthesized by the reaction of the free macrocyclic ligand (L) with the corresponding metal salts in 1:1 molar ratio. These complexes were characterized on the basis of analytical data, molar conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements, ESI-mass, IR, NMR ((1)H and (13)C), EPR and electronic spectral studies. The thermal stability of the complexes was also studied by TGA and DTA analyses. These studies show that all the complexes have octahedral arrangement around the metal ions except copper complexes which are square planar. The ligand and its complexes were screened for their antibacterial activity in vitro against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and were also studied for their anticancer activity against the human cancer cells lines: HeLa (Human cervical carcinoma), MCF7 (Human breast adenocarcinoma) and Hep3B (Human Hepatocellular carcinoma). The recorded IC50 values for the tested compounds show moderate to good cytotoxicity against these cancer cell lines. The copper complex, [CuL]Cl2, showed excellent antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms which is almost equivalent to the standard drug ciprofloxacin.

Aloe vera Induced Biomimetic Assemblage of Nucleobase into Nanosized Particles

Aim Biomimetic nano-assembly formation offers a convenient and bio friendly approach to fabricate complex structures from simple components with sub-nanometer precision. Recently, biomimetic (employing microorganism/plants) synthesis of metal and inorganic materials nano-particles has emerged as a simple and viable strategy. In the present study, we have extended biological synthesis of nano-particles to organic molecules, namely the anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), using Aloe vera leaf extract. Methodology The 5-FU nano- particles synthesized by using Aloe vera leaf extract were characterized by UV, FT-IR and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The size and shape of the synthesized nanoparticles were determined by TEM, while crystalline nature of 5-FU particles was established by X-ray diffraction study. The cytotoxic effects of 5-FU nanoparticles were assessed against HT-29 and Caco-2 (human adenocarcinoma colorectal) cell lines. Results Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopic techniques confirmed nano-size of the synthesized particles. Importantly, the nano-assembled 5-FU retained its anticancer action against various cancerous cell lines. Conclusion In the present study, we have explored the potential of biomimetic synthesis of nanoparticles employing organic molecules with the hope that such developments will be helpful to introduce novel nano-particle formulations that will not only be more effective but would also be devoid of nano-particle associated putative toxicity constraints.

Multistep synthesis of 1-[{(5-alkenyl/hydroxyalkenylsubstituted)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}-methyl]-2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole series and in vitro anticancer screening, SAR studies

A novel series of hydroxy and non-hydroxy long chain substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety bearing 2-methyl-1H-benzimidazoles 15(a–d) have been synthesized from cyclization reaction of 2-(2-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl) acetohydrazide (13) with different unsaturated hydroxy and non-hydroxy fatty esters in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride and product obtained in appreciable yield. Compound (13) was synthesized from the corresponding ethyl (2-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl) acetate (12) and 2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole (11). All the synthesized compounds were characterized with the help of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectral studies. These compounds were tested for cytotoxic (or antiproliferative) activity against normal human blood cells (PBMCs), Hep3B (human hepatocellular carcinoma), MCF 7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), and HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cell lines.

Tissue Specific Heterogeneity in Effector Immune Cell Response

Post pathogen invasion, migration of effector T-cell subsets to specific tissue locations is of prime importance for generation of robust immune response. Effector T cells are imprinted with distinct “homing codes” (adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors) during activation which regulate their targeted trafficking to specific tissues. Internal cues in the lymph node microenvironment along with external stimuli from food (vitamin A) and sunlight (vitamin D3) prime dendritic cells, imprinting them to play centre stage in the induction of tissue tropism in effector T cells. B cells as well, in a manner similar to effector T cells, exhibit tissue-tropic migration. In this review, we have focused on the factors regulating the generation and migration of effector T cells to various tissues along with giving an overview of tissue tropism in B cells.

Synthesis and In Vitro Biological Evaluation of 1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2(3H)-one and Tetrahydropyridazine-3,6-dione Derivatives of Fatty Acids.

Herein we report saturated and unsaturated fatty acid derivatives of 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one and tetrahydropyridazine-3,6-dione as new potential anticancer agents. All the synthesised compounds were characterised by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectral data. The relative sensitivity of three cancer cell lines varied depending on the nature of the compound. Among the most effective anticancer compounds studied, 3b and 6b displayed remarkable anticancer activity against the MDA-MB-231 and KCL-22 lines, respectively. On the other hand, compound 3c was found to be most sensitive to nearly all the tested cell lines, MDA-MB-231, KCL-22, and HeLa.