The glycosylation of five-coordinate Pt(ii) compounds through a Pt–C linkage can be a very effective strategy for attacking cancer cells, while preserving the survival of the healthy ones.

We have previously demonstrated that the Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii extracts have powerful anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects against acute pain models. We profiled their chemical composition and found many phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phenolic diterpenes. In this work, we investigated their antioxidant properties on HaCaT cells exposed to UVA-induced oxidative stress and examined their effects against chronic neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanisms. Through a rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model, we induced chronic neuropathic pain by placing 4 loose ligatures around the right sciatic nerve for 14 days. Thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in addition to cold and dynamic allodynia were tested on the day before surgery and on the 7th and 14th post-surgery days. Key markers of the nitrosative and oxidative stresses, in addition to markers of inflammation, were measured at day 14 post surgery. Histopathological examination and immunostaining of both synaptophysin and caspase-3 of sciatic nerve and brain stem were also performed. Results of this study showed that T. algeriensis extract suppresses UVA oxidative stress in HaCaT cells via activation of the Nrf-2 pathway. Both extracts attenuated hyperalgesia and allodynia at 7- and 14-days post-surgery with more prominent effects at day 14 of surgery. Their protective effects against neuropathic pain were mediated by inhibiting NOX-1, iNOS, by increasing the enzyme activity of catalase, and inhibition of inflammatory mediators, NF-κB, TNF-α, lipoxygenase, COX-2 enzymes, and PGE2. Furthermore, they improved deleterious structural changes of the brainstem and sciatic nerve. They also attenuated the increased caspase-3 and synaptophysin. The data indicate that both extracts have neuroprotective effects against chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain. The observed protective effects are partially mediated through attenuation of oxidative and nitrosative stress and suppression of both neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis, suggesting substantial activities of both extracts in amelioration of painful peripheral neuropathy.

The effects of encapsulating the cytotoxic dinuclear trithiolato‐bridged arene ruthenium complex [(η6‐p‐MeC6H4iPr)2Ru2(μ2‐S‐p‐C6H4tBu)3]Cl (DiRu‐1) within the apoferritin (AFt) nanocage were investigated. The DiRu‐1‐AFt nanocarrier was characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, ICP‐MS, CD and X‐ray crystallography. In contrast to previously reported Au‐ and Pt‐based drug‐loaded AFt carriers, we found no evidence of direct interactions between DiRu‐1 and AFt. DiRu‐1‐AFt is cytotoxic toward immortalized murine BALB/c‐3T3 fibroblasts transformed with SV40 virus (SVT2) and human epidermoid carcinoma A431 malignant cells, and exhibits moderate selectivity for these cancer cells over normal BALB/c‐3T3 cells. DiRu‐1‐AFt triggers the production of reactive oxygen species, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, and induces cell death via p53‐mediated apoptosis. Comparison between our data and previous results suggests that the presence of specific interactions between a metal‐based drug and AFt within the protein cage is not essential for drug encapsulation.

The Algal Collection at the University Federico II (ACUF) is a bioresource center where over 800 live microalgal strains are maintained, mainly belonging to Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Bacillariophyceae. The extremophilic algae maintained at ACUF include thermo-acidophilic and acidotolerant strains, mostly belonging to the Cyanidiophyceae isolated from European and extra-European sites, and also terrestrial isolates from bare rocks and monuments. The main target of the ACUF Center is the study and preservation of the diversity of extremophylic microalgae. This collection is used as a resource for studies about biochemical and evolutionary strategies as well as mechanisms involved in cell functioning under harsh environmental conditions. These organisms can be also useful sources for the production of chemical compounds or other biological products with potential biotechnological applications.

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