Spirulina maxima Derived Pectin Nanoparticles Enhance the Immunomodulation, Stress Tolerance, and Wound Healing in Zebrafish.

In this study, Spirulina maxima derived pectin nanoparticles (SmPNPs) were synthesized and multiple biological effects were investigated using in vitro and in vivo models. SmPNPs were not toxic to Raw 264.7 cells and zebrafish embryos up to 1 mg/mL and 200 µg/mL, respectively. SmPNPs upregulated Il 10, Cat, Sod 2, Def 1, Def 2, and Muc 1 in Raw 264.7 cells and tlr2, tlr4b, tlr5b, il1ß, tnfα, cxcl8a, cxcl18b, ccl34a.4, ccl34b.4, muc5.1, muc5.2, muc5.3, hamp, cstd, hsp70, cat, and sod1 in the larvae and adult zebrafish, suggesting immunomodulatory activity. Exposure of larvae to SmPNPs followed by challenge with pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila resulted a two-fold reduction of reactive oxygen species, indicating reduced oxidative stress compared to that in the control group. The cumulative percent survival of larvae exposed to SmPNPs (50 µg/mL) and adults fed diet supplemented with SmPNPs (4%) was 53.3% and 76.7%, respectively. Topical application of SmPNPs on adult zebrafish showed a higher wound healing percentage (48.9%) compared to that in the vehicle treated group (38.8%). Upregulated wound healing markers (tgfß1, timp2b, mmp9, tnfα, il1ß,ccl34a.4, and ccl34b.4), enhanced wound closure, and restored pigmentation indicated wound healing properties of SmPNPs. Overall, results uncover the multiple bioactivities of SmPNPs, which could be a promising biocompatible candidate for broad range of aquatic and human therapies.

Chitosan silver nanocomposite (CAgNC) as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans.

Due to limited numbers of antifungal drugs and emergence of drug resistance have directed to develop nonconventional therapeutic agents against fungal pathogen Candida albicans. In this study, anticandidal activity of chitosan silver nanocomposite (CAgNC) was tested against C. albicans Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of CAgNC were determined as 25 and 100 µg/ml, respectively. Electron microscopic image results confirmed the ultrastructural cell wall deformities and injuries caused by CAgNC. Propidium iodide (PI) penetration into the CAgNC treated cells could be considered as an evidence for loss of cell membrane integrity and cell death at MFC. Level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased, while cell viability was decreased with the increased of CAgNC concentrations. In our protein profile results, several induced proteins were observed under CAgNC treatment, and they could be related to multidrug and stress resistant proteins such as CDR1 (55 kDa) and CaHSP70 based on the protein band size. CAgNC mediated cell wall damage, loss of cell membrane integrity, elevated ROS level, and associated oxidative stress have been identified as the main causative factors for the anticandidal activity. Overall results from our study indicated that CAgNC could affect negatively on physiological and biochemical functions of C. albicans suggesting CAgNC as a potential alternative for antifungal chemotherapy.