Antifungal activity of amphotericin B conjugated to nanosized magnetite in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis

This study reports on in vitro and in vivo tests that sought to assess the antifungal activity of a newly developed magnetic carrier system comprising amphotericin B loaded onto the surface of pre-coated (with a double-layer of lauric acid) magnetite nanoparticles. The in vitro tests compared two drugs; i.e., this newly developed form and free amphotericin B. We found that this nanocomplex exhibited antifungal activity without cytotoxicity to human urinary cells and with low cytotoxicity to peritoneal macrophages. We also evaluated the efficacy of the nanocomplex in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. BALB/c mice were intratracheally infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and treated with the compound for 30 or 60 days beginning the day after infection. The newly developed amphotericin B coupled with magnetic nanoparticles was effective against experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, and it did not induce clinical, biochemical or histopathological alterations. The nanocomplex also did not induce genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that amphotericin B coupled to magnetic nanoparticles and stabilized with bilayer lauric acid is a promising nanotool for the treatment of the experimental paracoccidioidomycosis because it exhibited antifungal activity that was similar to that of free amphotericin B, did not induce adverse effects in therapeutic doses and allowed for a reduction in the number of applications

Recyclable magnetite nanoparticle coated with cationic polymers for adsorption of DNA

<p>Magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) grafted with a cationic copolymer between poly(2-(<i>N,N</i>-diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) and poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)) for efficient and recyclable adsorption of 5’-fluorescein-tagged DNA (FAM-dT₉) was prepared. MNP having highest degree of positive charge (+32.1 ± 1.9 mV) retained 100% adsorption of FAM-dT₉ during eight adsorption–separation–desorption cycles. The MNP having lower degree of positive charge showed a slight decrease in adsorption percentages (94–98% adsorption) after multiple recycling processes. This biocompatible hybrid material with charged surface and magnetic-responsive properties might be applicable for use as a nanosolid support for efficient and facile separation of various bioentities.</p

Fabrication of amine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles for water treatment processes

International audienceAmine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles are synthesized by a one pot water based process using N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] diethylenetriamine (TRIS) as surfactant. The prepared functionalised nanoparticles are characterised by BET surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential measurement, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). The results clearly show the presence of TRIS on the surface of the nanoparticles. XPS analysis indicates the presence of very small amounts of maghemite on the surface of the magnetite nanoparticles. Water treatment test shows that the prepared nanoparticles are capable to remove natural organic matter (NOM) from natural water samples. The removal of NOM by the prepared particles is characterized by analysing the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content and UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254) after the treatment of the water samples at various doses and treatment times