Copper-based compounds are promising entities for target-specific next-generation anticancer and NSAIDS therapeutics. In lieu of this, benzimidazole scaffold plays an important role, because of their wide variety of potential functionalizations and coordination modes. Herein, we report three copper complexes 1 – 3 with benzimidazole-derived scaffolds, a biocompatible molecule, and secondary ligands viz, 1–10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridyl. All the copper complexes have been designed, synthesized and adequately characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. In-vitro , human serum albumin (HSA) binding was also carried out using fluorescence technique and in-silico molecular modeling studies, which exhibited significant binding affinities of the complexes with HSA. Furthermore, copper complexes 1 – 3 were tested for biological studies, i.e., anticancer as well as NSAIDS. In vitro cytotoxicity results were carried out on cultured MCF-7 cell lines. To get the insight over the mechanism of action, GSH depletion and change in lipid peroxidation were tested and thus confirmed the role of ROS generation, responsible for the cytotoxicity of the complexes 1 – 3 . Moreover, the copper complexes 1 – 3 were tested for potential to act as NSAIDS on albino rats and mice in animal studies in-vivo . Additionally, we also predicted the mechanism of action of the copper complexes 1 – 3 using molecular modeling studies with COX-2 inhibitor.

No abstract

No abstract

Background Recent studies claimed the important role of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) with nanotechnology in cancer treatments. In this study, silymarin nanoemulsion (SN) was used along with air CAP as therapeutic agent to counter human melanoma. Methods In this study, we examined the combined treatment of CAP and SN on G-361 human melanoma cells by evaluating cellular toxicity levels, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels, DNA damage, melanoma-specific markers, apoptosis, caspases and poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) levels using flow cytometer. Dual-treatment effects on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/c-MET) pathway, sphere formation and the reversal of EMT were also assessed using western blotting and microscopy respectively. SN and plasma-activated medium (PAM) were applied on tumor growth and body weight and melanoma-specific markers and the mesenchymal markers in the tumor xenograft nude mice model were checked. Results Co-treatment of SN and air CAP increased the cellular toxicity in a time-dependent manner and shows maximum toxicity at 200 nM in 24 h. Intracellular RONS showed significant generation of ROS (< 3 times) and RNS (< 2.5 times) in dual-treated samples compared to control. DNA damage studies were assessed by estimating the level of γ-H2AX (1.8 times), PD-1 (> 2 times) and DNMT and showed damage in G-361 cells. Increase in Caspase 8,9,3/7 (> 1.5 times), PARP level (2.5 times) and apoptotic genes level were also observed in dual treated group and hence blocking HGF/c-MET pathway. Decrease in EMT markers (E-cadherin, YKL-40, N-cadherin, SNAI1) were seen with simultaneously decline in melanoma cells (BRAF, NAMPT) and stem cells (CD133, ABCB5) markers. In vivo results showed significant reduction in SN with PAM with reduction in tumor weight and size. Conclusions The use of air CAP using μ-DBD and the SN can minimize the malignancy effects of melanoma cells by describing HGF/c-MET molecular mechanism of acting on G-361 human melanoma cells and in mice xenografts, possibly leading to suitable targets for innovative anti-melanoma approaches in the future. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0360-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Nanotechnology offers immense opportunities for improvement in the quality of life through applications in agriculture and the food systems. Development of nanotechnology-based novel agro-products, viz., nanosensors, nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides and nanoformulations of biocontrol agents, is currently a subject of intense investigation. A variety of nanomaterials has been recommended for use in agriculture, in order to help reduce the consumption of agrochemicals by use of smart delivery systems, minimize the nutrient losses and increase the yield through optimized water and nutrients management. Nanotechnology-derived devices have also been explored in the areas of plant breeding and genetics. Additionally, the agricultural products and/or by-products can be utilized as a source for developing bio-nanocomposites. Nevertheless, the potential advantages of nanotechnology applications in the agricultural sector are still marginal, and have not been commercialized to a signifi cant extent, as compared to other industrial sectors. Researches in the area of agricultural nanotechnology are being extensively pursued in quest for the solutions to the agricultural and environmental challenges, such as sustainability, increased productivity, disease management and crop protection through innovative techniques for monitoring, assessing and controlling the agricultural practices. This chapter provides a basic knowledge about the role of nanotechnology in developing sustainable agriculture and environment, and eventually in the welfare of human society, at large, in the near future.