Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated enhanced anti-candidal activity of ZnS-ZnO nanocomposites with low inhibitory concentrations

Enhanced antifungal activity against the yeast species Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was displayed by ZnS-ZnO nanocomposites prepared by a simple precipitation technique. The antifungal activity was significantly more in the presence of indoor light than under dark conditions and was a clear confirmation of the inhibitory role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in situ by the photocatalytic nanocomposites. The generation of ROS was further evidenced by flow cytometry results and membrane permeabilisation studies. Time kill assay and growth curve analysis indicated diminished antifungal activity under dark conditions due primarily to Zn2+ efflux in solution. © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Bifunctional lanthanum phosphate substrates as novel adsorbents and biocatalyst supports for perchlorate removal

Porous lanthanum phosphate substrates, obtained by an environmentally benign colloidal forming process employing methyl cellulose, are reported here as excellent adsorbents of perchlorate with >98% efficiency and with 100% reusability. Additionally, the effectiveness of such substrates as biocatalyst supports that facilitate biofilm formation of perchlorate reducing microbes (Serratia marcescens NIIST 5) is also demonstrated for the first time. The adsorption of perchlorate ions is attributed to the pore structure of lanthanum phosphate substrate and the microbial attachment is primarily ascribed to its intrinsic hydrophobic property. Lanthanum phosphate thus emerges as a dual functional material that possesses an integrated adsorption/bioremediation property for the effective removal of ClO4- which is an increasingly important environmental contaminant. © 2014 Elsevier B.V

Growth Inhibitory Efficacy of Chinese Herbs in a Cellular Model for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor-α progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2. Treatment for this breast cancer subtype is restricted to multidrug chemotherapy and survival pathway-based molecularly targeted therapy. The long-term treatment options are associated with systemic toxicity, spontaneous and/or acquired tumor resistance and the emergence a of drug-resistant stem cell population. These limitations lead to advanced stage metastatic cancer. Current emphasis is on research directions that identify efficacious, naturally occurring agents representing an unmet need for testable therapeutic alternatives for therapy resistant breast cancer. Chinese herbs are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine in women for estrogen related health issues and also for integrative support for cancer treatment. This review discusses published evidence on a TNBC model for growth inhibitory effects of several mechanistically distinct nontoxic Chinese herbs, most of them nutritional in nature, and identifies susceptible pathways and potential molecular targets for their efficacy. Documented anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of these herbs are associated with downregulation of RB, RAS, PI3K, and AKT signaling, modulation of Bcl-2/BAX protein expressions and increased caspase activity. This review provides a proof of concept for Chinese herbs as testable alternatives for prevention/therapy of TNBC

Targeting LIF/LIFR signaling in cancer

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and its receptor (LIFR), are commonly over-expressed in many solid cancers and recent studies have implicated LIF/LIFR axis as a promising clinical target for cancer therapy. LIF/LIFR activate oncogenic signaling pathways including JAK/STAT3 as immediate effectors and MAPK, AKT, mTOR further downstream. LIF/LIFR signaling plays a key role in tumor growth, progression, metastasis, stemness and therapy resistance. Many solid cancers show overexpression of LIF and autocrine stimulation of the LIF/LIFR axis; these are associated with a poorer relapse-free survival. LIF/LIFR signaling also plays a role in modulating multiple immune cell types present in tumor micro environment (TME). Recently, two targeted agents that target LIF (humanized anti-LIF antibody, MSC-1) and LIFR inhibitor (EC359) were under development. Both agents showed effectivity in preclinical models and clinical trials using MSC-1 antibody are in progress. This article reviews the significance of LIF/LIFR pathways and inhibitors that disrupt this process for the treatment of cancer

Delivery of antiinflammatory nutraceuticals by nanoparticles for the prevention and treatment of cancer

ix, 178 hlm. ; 17,5 x 25 cm

Antifungal properties of nanosized ZnS particles synthesised by sonochemical precipitation

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles, synthesised by a sonochemical route employing zinc chloride and sodium sulphide, displayed significant antifungal properties against the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans (MTCC 227) at a minimum fungicidal concentration of 300 µg ml<sup>-1</sup>. The antifungal properties of zinc sulphide particles is attributed to the generation of reactive oxygen species due to the interaction of the nanoparticles with water. Additionally, the presence of Zn in the zone of inhibition and the absence of antifungal effects for large micron sized particles of ZnS suggest a size induced effect leading to perturbation of fungal cell membranes, resulting in growth inhibition. © The Royal Society of Chemistry