Hemolytic Activity, Cytotoxicity, and Antimicrobial Effects of Human Albumin- and Polysorbate-80-Coated Silver Nanoparticles.

In this study, we aimed to develop a technique for colloidal silver nanoparticle (AgNP) modification in order to increase their stability in aqueous suspensions. For this purpose, 40-nm spherical AgNPs were modified by the addition of either human albumin or Tween-80 (Polysorbate-80). After detailed characterization of their physicochemical properties, the hemolytic activity of the nonmodified and modified AgNPs was investigated, as well as their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial effects. Both albumin- and Tween-80-coated AgNPs demonstrated excellent stability in 0.9% sodium chloride solution (>12 months) compared to nonmodified AgNPs, characterized by their rapid precipitation. Hemolytic activity of nonmodified and albumin-coated AgNPs was found to be minimal, while Tween-80-modified AgNPs produced significant hemolysis after 1, 2, and 24 h of incubation. In addition, both native and Tween-80-covered AgNPs showed dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on human adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The albumin-coated AgNPs showed minimal cytotoxicity. The antimicrobial effects of native and albumin-coated AgNPs against S. aureus, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, Corynebacterium spp., and Acinetobacter spp. were statistically significant. We conclude that albumin coating of AgNPs significantly contributes to improve stability, reduce cytotoxicity, and confers potent antimicrobial action.

Syntheses and anti-tubercular activity of ß-substituted and α,ß-disubstituted peptidyl ß-aminoboronates and boronic acids.

Tuberculosis is still affecting millions of people worldwide, and new resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are being found. It is therefore necessary to find new compounds for treatment. In this paper, we report the synthesis and in vitro testing of peptidyl ß-aminoboronic acids and ß-aminoboronates with anti-tubercular activity.

Boron-containing peptidomimetics--a novel class of selective anti-tubercular drugs.

Medical treatment for tuberculosis is complicated nowadays by the appearance of new multiresistant strains, and therefore, new antibiotics are in great need. Here, we report the synthesis and in vitro testing of a new class of highly selective antimicrobial boron-containing peptidomimetics with compounds exhibiting activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis at ≤5 µg/mL. The new approach developed makes it possible to synthesize variously substituted ß-aminoboronic acids and their derivatives with a high level of diastereoselectivity.