Biocompatible pH and folate sensitive large pore MSNs with controllable and targeted CUR delivery.

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Doxorubicin and paclitaxel, two hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agents, are used in cancer therapies. Presence of hydrophobic patches and a flexible fold could probably make α-Lactalbumin a suitable carrier for hydrophobic drugs. In the present study, a variety of thermodynamic, spectroscopic, computational, and cellular techniques were applied to assess α-lactalbumin potential as a carrier for doxorubicin and paclitaxel. According to isothermal titration calorimetry data, the interaction between α-lactalbumin and doxorubicin or paclitaxel is spontaneous and the K (M−1) value for the interaction of α-lactalbumin and paclitaxel is higher than that for doxorubicin. Differential scanning calorimetry and anisotropy results indicated formation of α-lactalbumin complexes with doxorubicin or paclitaxel. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamic studies revealed that TRPs are not involved in α-Lac’s interaction with Doxorubicin while TRP 60 interacts with paclitaxel. Based on Pace analysis to determine protein thermal stability, doxorubicin and paclitaxel induced higher and lower thermal stability in α-lactalbumin, respectively. Besides, fluorescence lifetime measurements reflected that the interaction between α-lactalbumin with doxorubicin or paclitaxel was of static nature. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that α-lactalbumin could serve as a carrier for doxorubicin and paclitaxel by reducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis which was demonstrated during our in vitro cell studies.

Petroleum, as the major energy source, is indispensable from our lives. Presence of compounds resistant to degradation can pose risks for human health and environment. Basidiomycetes have been considered as powerful candidates in biodegradation of petroleum compounds via secreting ligninolytic enzymes. In this study a wood-decaying fungus was isolated by significant degradation ability that was identified as Daedaleopsis sp. by morphological and molecular identification methods. According to GC/MS studies, incubation of heavy crude oil with Daedaleopsis sp. resulted in increased amounts of C24 compounds. Degradation of asphaltene, anthracene, and dibenzofuran by the identified fungal strain was determined to evaluate its potential in biodegradation. After 14 days of incubation, Daedaleopsis sp. could degrade 93.7% and 91.2% of anthracene and dibenzofuran, respectively, in pH 5 and 40 °C in optimized medium, as revealed by GC/FID. Notably, analysis of saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes showed a reduction of 88.7% and 38% in asphaletene and aromatic fractions. Laccase, lignin peroxidase, and manganese peroxidase activities were enhanced from 51.3, 145.2, 214.5 U ml in the absence to 121.5, 231.4, and 352.5 U ml in the presence of heavy crude oil, respectively. This is the first report that Daedaleopsis sp. can degrade asphaltene and dibenzofuran. Moreover, compared to the reported results of asphaltene biodegradation, this strain was the most successful. Thus, Daedaleopsis sp. could be a promising candidate for biotransformation of heavy crude oil and biodegradation of recalcitrant toxic compounds.

Wound healing is a complex process and rapid healing necessitates a proper micro-environment. Therefore, design and fabrication of an efficacious wound dressing is an impressive innovation in the field of wound healing. The fabricated wound dressing in this scenario was designed using a combination of the appropriate coagulating and anti-bacterial materials like fibrinogen (as coagulating agent), nisin (as anti-bacterial agent), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (as anti-bacterial agent), and alginate (as wound healing agent). Biophysical characterization showed that the interaction of fibrinogen and alginate was associated with minor changes in the secondary structure of the protein. Conformational studies showed that the protein was structurally stable at 42 °C, is the maximum temperature of the infected wound. The properties of the hydrogel such as swelling, mechanical resistance, nisin release, antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, gel porosity, and blood coagulation were assessed. The results showed a slow release for the nisin during 48 h. Antibacterial studies showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The hydrogel was also capable to absorb a considerable amount of water and provide oxygenation as well as incorporation of the drug into its structure due to its sufficient porosity. Scanning electron microscopy showed pore sizes of about 14–198 µm in the hydrogel. Cell viability studies indicated high biocompatibility of the hydrogel. Blood coagulation test also confirmed the effectiveness of the synthesized hydrogel in accelerating the process of blood clot formation. In vivo studies showed higher rates of wound healing, re-epithelialization, and collagen deposition. According to the findings from in vitro as well as in vivo studies, the designed hydrogel can be considered as a novel attractive wound dressing after further prerequisite assessments.

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