Brian Musikavanhu,Dongwei Zhu,Mengran Tang,Zhaoli Xue,Shengjun Wang,Long Zhao
Naphthol hydrazone derivatives are recognized as efficient chelating agents for both qualitative and quantitative detection of metal ions. Here we design a naphthol hydrazine-based chemosensor with covalently linking a strong electron-withdrawing benzothiadiazole group to modulate the molecular electronic structure, nominated as NtHzBtd . The fluorescent probe performs excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards Fe 3+ with 1:1 binding stoichiometry, while exhibiting a quick response at 55 s with a relatively low limit of detection of 0.036 µM. A series of spectroscopic measurements in tandem with theoretical calculations suggest that the probe undergoes both intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and chelation enhanced quenching (CHEQ) processes. Successful color rendering of paper strips and bioimaging in PC3 cells demonstrate the promising applicability of NtHzBtd for portable Fe 3+ detection in real samples and biosystems.
The purpose of this study was to optimize the preparation conditions of podophyllotoxin liposomes (PPT-Lips), and to investigate their effects on PC3 cells. PPT-Lips were prepared by using a thin-film dispersion method. In order to achieve maximum drug encapsulation efficiency (EE), the process and formulation variables were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum preparation conditions were cholesterol to lecithin ratio of 3.6:40 (w/w), lipid to drug ratio of 15.8:1 (w/w), and the ultrasonic intensity of 35% (total power of 400 W). The experimental EE of PPT-Lips was 90.425%, which was consistent with the theoretically predicted value. The characterization studies showed that PPT-Lips were well-dispersible spherical particles with an average size of 106 nm and a zeta potential of –10.1 mV. A gradual and time-dependent pattern of PPT from liposomes was found in in vitro drug release with a cumulative release amount up to 70.3% in 24 h. Results of cell viability experiments on PC3 cells demonstrated that PPT-Lips exhibited more effective anticancer activity in comparison with free PPT. Therefore, PPT-Lips represent an efficient and promising drug delivery system for PPT.
Ailin Yang,Yanan Zhao,Ying Wang,Xiaojun Zha,Yunfang Zhao,Pengfei Tu,Zhongdong Hu
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies occurring in males. Although large advances have been made in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, the development of drugs with high efficacy and low toxicity for the treatment of prostate cancer is urgently needed. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the antitumor effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) worldwide. Trametes robiniophila Murr. (Huaier) has been applied as a type of TCM drug for ~1,600 years. Huaier exhibits excellent clinical efficacy in the treatment of cancer, including prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-prostate cancer effect of Huaier remain largely unclear. In the present study, we revealed that Huaier aqueous extract inhibited the proliferative and metastatic capabilities of human prostate cancer PC3 cells through CCK-8 assay, in vitro scratch assay and Transwell assay. Moreover, decreased Lamin B1 was implicated in Huaier-induced suppression of proliferative and metastatic potential of PC3 cells. Intriguingly, we demonstrated that Huaier treatment induced autophagic cell death in PC3 cells. This study sheds new light on the mechanisms underlying the activity of Huaier against prostate cancer and provides a new theoretical basis for the clinical application of Huaier in prostate cancer.