ABSTRACT
Objective: Numerous researches have been conducted to comprehend the anti-cancer effects of curcumin [Cu]. Although the anti-proliferative properties of Cu on cancerous cells is known, the clinical application of this gold substrate is limited. This limitation is mostly due to low solubility, inefficient bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and improper uptake. In this study, we have synthesized a novel biodegradable gemini surfactant [Gs], after which the curcumin [Cu] molecules were encapsulated within the polymer to overcome its physicochemical limitations
Methods: We prepared Gs-Cu nanoparticles by the nanoprecipitation method. Size and polydispersity index of the nanoparticles were determined by the dynamic light scattering [DLS] technique. The release profile of Cu from the polymer matrix was studied, and the MTT assay and cellular uptake of Gs-Cu on MDA-MB-231 cells were investigated in vitro
Results: The Gs polymer had the capability to form polymersomes in an aqueous solution; a narrow size distribution was obtained [PDI=0.3]. The encapsulation efficiency approximated 87%. We observed a sustained release profile due to incorporation of Cu into the polymer matrix. The Gs-Cu complex showed more cytotoxicity compared to free Cu because of the higher rate of cellular internalization
Conclusions: The data indicate that Gs polymersomes can be regarded as nanocarriers for hydrophobic curcumin molecules
ABSTRACT
Widespread of telecommunication systems in recent years, have raised the concerns on the possible danger of cell phone radiations on human body. Thus, the study of the electromagnetic fields on proteins, particularly the membrane nano channel forming proteins is of great importance. These proteins are responsible for keeping certain physic-chemical condition within cells and managing cell communication. Here, the effects of cell phones radiation on the activity of a single nanopore ion channel forming protein, OmpF, have been studied biophysically. Planar lipid bilayers were made based on Montal and Muller technique, and the activity of single OmpF channel reconstituted by electrical shock was recorded and analyzed by means of voltage-clamp technique at 20[degree]C. The planar lipid bilayers were formed from the monolayers made on a 60 micro m diameter aperture in the 20 micro m thick Teflon film that separated two [cis and trans] compartments of the glass chamber. In this practical approach we were able to analyze characteristics of an individual channel at different chemical and physical experimental conditions. The voltage clamp was used to measure the channel's conductance, voltage sensitivity, gating patterns in time scales as low as microseconds in real time. Our results showed that exposure of single voltage dependent channel, OmpF, to EMF of cell phone at high-frequency has a significant influence on the voltage sensitivity, gating properties and substate numbers of the single channel but has no effect on single-channel conductance. Regarding to the relaxation time, the channel also recovers in the millisecond time range when the field is removed. We observed an increase in the voltage sensitivity of the OmpF single channel while it had no effect on the single-channel conductance, which is remained to be further elucidated.