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Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 22460

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Miguel Ángel Morcillo Alonso

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Guest Editor

Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
Interests: pharmacokinetics; radiopharmacy; molecular imaging; PET/CT; radiobiology

Dr. Jorge Rubio-Retama

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: design; synthesis and characterization of organic; inorganic and hybrid nanomaterials for biological applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology has become one of the most interesting areas of research due to its capacity to produce new nanomaterials that exhibit fascinating properties, which are not observed in bulk materials. The interest in nanomaterials arises from the unique size-dependent physical, optical, electronic, catalytic, or chemical properties that emerge at the nanoscale. These properties include the tunable photoluminescence emission of semiconductor nanocrystals, plasmon resonance of metallic nanoparticles, electrical properties of sp² allotropic carbon materials or superparamagnetism, and catalytic properties found in metal oxides and metal alloys respectively. Multiple synthetic routes can be used to tailor-make nanoparticles with the desired properties, controlling size, shape, and surface properties (charge and hydrophobicity). Such high tunability of material properties is of the utmost importance to design nanoparticles with unique capabilities for biomedical and clinical use.

Inorganic nanoparticles can be prepared to be used in different biomedical applications such as drug delivery vehicles for therapeutic applications and imaging contrast agents for medical imaging and sensoring. For each of the new nanoparticles developed, the toxicity, efficacy, and bioavailability should be determined. The biodistribution and elimination of nanoparticles by different routes, for instance, depends on many factors including the nature, size of nanoparticle agglomerates, surface charge, and overall surface chemistry and protein corona, etc. This Special Issue will focus on “Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications” and is an open forum where researchers may share their investigations and findings in this promising field. Contributions to this issue, both in the form of original research or review articles, may cover all aspects of biomedical applications of inorganic nanoparticles; studies with multidisciplinary input, offering new methodologies or insights, are particularly welcome.

Dr. Miguel Ángel Morcillo Alonso
Dr. Jorge Rubio-Retama
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Fluorescent, magnetic, radioactive, and plasmonic nanoparticles
Inorganic nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery, cancer treatment, etc.
Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution for the development of inorganic nanoparticles

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 3627 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zinc-Doped Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as a Proton-Activatable Agent for Dose Range Verification in Proton Therapy

by Marta Ibáñez-Moragues, Irene Fernández-Barahona, Rocío Santacruz, Marta Oteo, Víctor M. Luján-Rodríguez, María Muñoz-Hernando, Natalia Magro, Juan I. Lagares, Eduardo Romero, Samuel España, Andrea Espinosa-Rodríguez, Miguel García-Díez, Víctor Martínez-Nouvilas, Víctor Sánchez-Tembleque, José Manuel Udías, Víctor Valladolid-Onecha, Miguel Á. Martín-Rey, Edilia I. Almeida-Cordon, Sílvia Viñals i Onsès, José Manuel Pérez, Luis Mario Fraile, Fernando Herranz and Miguel Ángel Morcillo Show full author list Hide full author list

Molecules 2023, 28(19), 6874; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28196874 - 29 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1776

Abstract

Proton therapy allows the treatment of specific areas and avoids the surrounding tissues. However, this technique has uncertainties in terms of the distal dose fall-off. A promising approach to studying the proton range is the use of nanoparticles as proton-activatable agents that produce detectable signals. For this, we developed an iron oxide nanoparticle doped with Zn (IONP@Zn-cit) with a hydrodynamic size of 10 nm and stability in serum. Cytotoxicity, defined as half of the surveillance, was 100 μg Zn/mL in the U251 cell line. The effect on clonogenic cell death was tested after X-ray irradiation, which suggested a radioprotective effect of these nanoparticles at low concentrations (1–10 μg Zn/mL). To evaluate the production of positron emitters and prompt-gamma signals, IONP@Zn-cit was irradiated with protons, obtaining prompt-gamma signals at the lowest measured concentration (10 mg Zn/mL). Finally, ⁶⁷Ga-IONP@Zn-cit showed accumulation in the liver and spleen and an accumulation in the tumor tissue of 0.95% ID/g in a mouse model of U251 cells. These results suggest the possibility of using Zn nanoparticles as proton-activatable agents to verify the range by prompt gamma detection and face the challenges of prompt gamma detection in a specific biological situation, opening different avenues to go forward in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications)

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9 pages, 2278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Amphotericin B-Silver Hybrid Nanoparticles Help to Unveil the Mechanism of Biological Activity of the Antibiotic: Disintegration of Cell Membranes

by Sebastian Janik, Ewa Grela, Sylwia Stączek, Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas, Rafal Luchowski, Wieslaw I. Gruszecki and Wojciech Grudzinski

Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4687; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124687 - 10 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1339

Abstract

Amphotericin B is a popular antifungal antibiotic, and despite decades of pharmacological application, the exact mode of its biological activity is still a matter of debate. Amphotericin B-silver hybrid nanoparticles (AmB-Ag) have been reported to be an extremely effective form of this antibiotic to combat fungi. Here, we analyze the interaction of AmB-Ag with C. albicans cells with the application of molecular spectroscopy and imaging techniques, including Raman scattering and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy. The results lead to the conclusion that among the main molecular mechanisms responsible for the antifungal activity of AmB is the disintegration of the cell membrane, which occurs on a timescale of minutes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications)

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20 pages, 8111 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Characterization of Carvedilol-Etched Halloysite Nanotubes Composites with Enhanced Drug Solubility and Dissolution Rate

by Lauretta Maggi, Claudia Urru, Valeria Friuli, Chiara Ferrara, Debora Maria Conti, Giovanna Bruni and Doretta Capsoni

Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3405; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083405 - 12 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1876

Abstract

Carvedilol is a poorly water-soluble drug employed to treat chronic heart failure. In this study, we synthesize new carvedilol-etched halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) composites to enhance solubility and dissolution rate. The simple and feasible impregnation method is used for carvedilol loading (30–37% weight). Both the etched HNTs (acidic HCl and H₂SO₄ and alkaline NaOH treatments) and the carvedilol-loaded samples are characterized by various techniques (XRPD, FT-IR, solid-state NMR, SEM, TEM, DSC, and specific surface area). The etching and loading processes do not induce structural changes. The drug and carrier particles are in intimate contact and their morphology is preserved, as demonstrated by TEM images. The ²⁷Al and ¹³C solid-state NMR and FT-IR findings show that carvedilol interactions involve the external siloxane surface, especially the aliphatic carbons, the functional groups, and, by inductive effect, the adjacent aromatic carbons. All the carvedilol–halloysite composites display enhanced dissolution rate, wettability, and solubility, as compared to carvedilol. The best performances are obtained for the carvedilol–halloysite system based on HNTs etched with HCl 8M, which exhibits the highest value of specific surface area (91 m² g⁻¹). The composites make the drug dissolution independent of the environmental conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and its absorption less variable, more predictable, and independent from the pH of the medium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications)

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15 pages, 6455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biosynthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Application of Novel Silver Nanoparticles against Drug Resistant Pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella Enteritidis

by Md. Amdadul Huq and Shahina Akter

Molecules 2021, 26(19), 5996; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195996 - 2 Oct 2021

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 3973

Abstract

The present study highlights the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using culture supernatant of Massilia sp. MAHUQ-52 as well as the antimicrobial application of synthesized AgNPs against multi-drug resistant pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella Enteritidis. Well-defined AgNPs formation occurred from the reaction mixture of cell-free supernatant and silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution within 48 h of incubation. UV-visible spectroscopy analysis showed a strong peak at 435 nm, which corresponds to the surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by FE-TEM, EDX, XRD, DLS and FT-IR. From FE-TEM analysis, it was found that most of the particles were spherical shape, and the size of synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) was 15–55 nm. EDX spectrum revealed a strong silver signal at 3 keV. XRD analysis determined the crystalline, pure, face-centered cubic AgNPs. FT-IR analysis identified various functional molecules that may be involved with the synthesis and stabilization of AgNPs. The antimicrobial activity of Massilia sp. MAHUQ-52 mediated synthesized AgNPs was determined using the disk diffusion method against K. pneumoniae and S. Enteritidis. Biosynthesized AgNPs showed strong antimicrobial activity against both K. pneumoniae and S. Enteritidis. The MICs of synthesized AgNPs against K. pneumoniae and S. Enteritidis were 12.5 and 25.0 μg/mL, respectively. The MBC of biosynthesized AgNPs against both pathogens was 50.0 μg/mL. From FE-SEM analysis, it was found that the AgNPs-treated cells showed morphological changes with irregular and damaged cell walls that culminated in cell death. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications)

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19 pages, 11265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibacterial Activity of Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Using Extracts of Calendula officinalis against Potentially Clinical Bacterial Strains

by José A Hernández-Díaz, Jorge JO Garza-García, Janet M León-Morales, Adalberto Zamudio-Ojeda, Jenny Arratia-Quijada, Gilberto Velázquez-Juárez, Julio C López-Velázquez and Soledad García-Morales

Molecules 2021, 26(19), 5929; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195929 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 5139

Abstract

The use of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in the biomedical area has been increasing as an alternative to the growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In this research, SeNPs were synthesized by green synthesis using ascorbic acid (AsAc) as a reducing agent and methanolic extract of Calendula officinalis L. flowers as a stabilizer. Characterization of SeNPs was performed by UV-vis spectrophotometry, infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. SeNPs of 40–60 nm and spherical morphologies were obtained. The antibacterial activity of marigold extracts and fractions was evaluated by disk diffusion methodology. The evaluation of SeNPs at different incubation times was performed through the colony-forming unit (CFU) count, in both cases against Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, and Alcaligenes faecalis bacteria. Partial antibacterial activity was observed with methanolic extracts of marigold leaves and flowers and total inhibition with SeNPs from 2 h for S. marcescens, 1 h for E. cloacae, and 30 min for A. faecalis. In addition, SeNPs were found to exhibit antioxidant activity. The results indicate that SeNPs present a potentiated effect of both antimicrobial and antioxidant activity compared to the individual use of marigold extracts or sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃). Their application emerges as an alternative for the control of clinical pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications)

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9 pages, 3347 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Two-Sided Antibacterial Cellulose Combining Probiotics and Silver Nanoparticles

by Laura Sabio, Andrea Sosa, José M. Delgado-López and José M. Dominguez-Vera

Molecules 2021, 26(10), 2848; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26102848 - 11 May 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3011

Abstract

The constant increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria demands the design of novel antibiotic-free materials. The combination of antibacterials in a biocompatible biomaterial is a very promising strategy to treat infections caused by a broader spectrum of resistant pathogens. Here, we combined two antibacterials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and living probiotics (Lactobacillus fermentum, Lf), using bacterial cellulose (BC) as scaffold. By controlling the loading of each antibacterial at opposite BC sides, we obtained a two-sided biomaterial (AgNP-BC-Lf) with a high density of alive and metabolically active probiotics on one surface and AgNPs on the opposite one, being probiotics well preserved from the killer effect of AgNPs. The resulting two-sided biomaterial was characterized by Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). The antibacterial capacity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a broad range of skin infections, was also assessed by agar diffusion tests in pathogen-favorable media. Results showed an enhanced activity against PA when both antibacterials were combined into BC (AgNP-BC-Lf) with respect to BC containing only one of the antibacterials, BC-Lf or AgNP-BC. Therefore, AgNP-BC-Lf is an antibiotic-free biomaterial that can be useful for the therapy of topical bacterial infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications)

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21 pages, 12879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Colloidal Stability and Cytotoxicity of Polydopamine-Conjugated Gold Nanorods against Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

by Nouf N. Mahmoud, Hakam Aqabani, Suhair Hikmat and Rana Abu-Dahab

Molecules 2021, 26(5), 1299; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051299 - 28 Feb 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4005

Abstract

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Cell invasion is an important step in the process of cancer metastasis. Herein, gold nanorods (GNRs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated GNRs were conjugated with polydopamine (PDA). The PDA-nanoconjugates demonstrated excellent colloidal stability upon lyophilization and dispersion in cell culture media with or without the addition of fetal bovine albumin (FBS), compared to unconjugated GNRs. PDA-nanoconjugates exhibited a considerable cytotoxicity against DU-145 and PC3 prostate cancer cell lines over a concentration range of 48 μg/mL–12 μg/mL, while they were biocompatible over a concentration range of 3.0 μg/mL–0.185 μg/mL. Furthermore, PDA-nanoconjugates demonstrated possible anti-invasion activity towards prostate cancer cell lines, particularly DU-145 cell line, by reducing cell migration and cell adhesion properties. The PDA-nanoconjugates could be considered a promising nano-platform toward cancer treatment by reducing the invasion activity; it could also be considered a drug delivery system for chemotherapeutic agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications)

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