Synthesis of Self-Targeted Carbon Dot with Ultrahigh Quantum Yield for Detection and Therapy of Cancer
ACS OMEGA
Authors: Azizi, Mehdi; Valizadeh, Hadi; Shahgolzari, Mehdi; Talebi, Mehdi; Baybordi, Elahe; Dadpour, Mohammad Reza; Salehi, Roya; Mehrmohammadi, Mohammad
Abstract
This study aims to engineer a new type of ultrahigh quantum yield carbon dots (CDs) from methotrexate (MTXCDs) with self-targeting, imaging, and therapeutic effects on MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells. CDs were synthesized via a straightforward thermal method using a methotrexate (MTX) drug source. The physicochemical characteristics of the prepared MTX-CDs were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM and DLS revealed which MTX-CDs have homogeneous spherical morphology with a smaller average size of 5.4 +/- 2.2 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.533, and positive surface charge of around +3.93 mV. Results of FT-IR spectroscopy and high-resolution XPS indicated the presence of residues of MTX on CDs. Therefore, the synthesized MTX-CDs could be targeted and be taken up by FR-positive cell lines without the aid of additional targeting molecules. In vitro epifluorescence images demonstrated high-contrast cytoplasm biodistribution of MTX-CDs after 2 h of treatment. A much stronger fluorescent signal was detected in MDA-MB 231 compared to MCF 7, indicating their ability to precisely target FR. The highest cytotoxic and apoptotic effects were observed in MTX-CDs compared to free MTX obtained by the MTT assay, cell cycle arrest, and annexin V-FITC apoptosis techniques. Results revealed that the novel engineered MTX-CDs were capable of inducing apoptosis (70.2% apoptosis) at a lower concentration (3.2 mu M) compared to free MTX, which was proved by annexin V and cell cycle. This work highlights the potential application of CDs for constructing an intelligent nanomedicine with integration of diagnostic, targeting, and therapeutic functions.
Synthesis of (Z)-3-(arylamino)-1-(3-phenylimidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-1-yl) prop-2-en-1-ones as potential cytotoxic agents
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
Authors: Mani, Geeta Sai; Anchi, Pratibha; Sunkari, Satish; Donthiboina, Kavitha; Godugu, Chandraiah; Shankaraiah, Nagula; Kamal, Ahmed
Abstract
The new derivatives based on (Z)-3-(arylamino)-1-(3-phenylimidazo [1,5-a]pyridin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1 one scaffold was synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic potential against a panel of cancer cell lines, viz., A549 (human lung cancer), HCT-116 (human colorectal cancer), B1 6F10 (murine melanoma cancer), BT-474 (human breast cancer), and MDA-MB-231 (human triple-negative breast cancer). Among them, many of the synthesized compounds exhibited promising cytotoxic potential against the panel of tested cancer cell lines with IC50 < 30 mu M. Based on the preliminary screening results, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the compounds was established. Among the synthesized compounds, 15i displayed a potential anti-proliferative activity against HCT-116 cancer cell line with an IC50 value of 1.21 +/- 0.14 mu M. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that compound 15i arrested the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, clonogenic assay, acridine orange staining, DAPI nuclear staining, measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m), and annexin V-FITC assays revealed that compound 15i promoted cell death through apoptosis.