Browsing by Author "Arathi, A"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    L-Cysteine capped zinc oxide nanoparticles induced cellular response on adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells using a conventional and organ-on-a-chip approach
    (Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2022-03) Arathi, A; Joseph, X; Akhil, V; Mohanan, PV
    Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are among the well-characterized nanomaterials with multifaceted biomedical applications, including biomedical imaging, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical preparations. The high surface charge of ZnO NPs leads to the agglomeration of the particles. Therefore, surface coating with a suitable ligand can increase colloidal stability. In this present study, in-vitro responses of ZnO NPs capped with a sulfur-containing amino acid, L-cysteine (Cys-ZnO NPs), on A549 cells was investigated. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) studies were carried out to confirm the capping of ZnO NPs with L-cysteine. Cytotoxic studies using A549 cells demonstrated reduced cytotoxicity in comparison with already reported pristine Zinc Oxide nanoparticles. The cellular uptake is confirmed by fluorescent cytometry. However, a higher concentration (160 µg/mL) of Cys-ZnO NPs led to apoptotic cell death marked by nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, actin filament condensation, lysosomal damage LDH leakage, intracellular ROS production, blebbing, upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 gene expression. Cys-ZnO NPs treatment was also carried out in cells cultured in a microfluidic lung-on-a-chip device under a physiologically relevant flow rate. The study concluded that the microfluidic-based lung-on-a-chip culture resulted in reduced cell death compared to the conventional condition.
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    Microfluidic devices for the detection of disease-specific proteins and other macromolecules, disease modelling and drug development: A review
    (International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023-04) Amir, S; Arathi, A; Reshma, S; Mohanan, PV
    Microfluidics is a revolutionary technology that has promising applications in the biomedical field.Integrating microfluidic technology with the traditional assays unravels the innumerable possibilities for translational biomedical research. Microfluidics has the potential to build up a novel platform for diagnosis and therapy through precise manipulation of fluids and enhanced throughput functions. The developments in microfluidics-based devices for diagnostics have evolved in the last decade and have been established for their rapid, effective, accurate and economic advantages. The efficiency and sensitivity of such devices to detect disease-specific macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids have made crucial impacts in disease diagnosis. The disease modelling using microfluidic systems provides a more prominent replication of the in vivo microenvironment and can be a better alternative for the existing disease models. These models can replicate critical microphysiology like the dynamic microenvironment, cellular interactions, and biophysical and biochemical cues. Microfluidics also provides a promising system for high throughput drug screening and delivery applications. However, microfluidics-based diagnostics still encounter related challenges in the reliability, real-time monitoring and reproducibility that circumvents this technology from being impacted in the healthcare industry. This review highlights the recent microfluidics developments for modelling and diagnosing common diseases, including cancer, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and autoimmune disorders, and its applications in drug development.
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    Microfluidic synthesis of gelatin nanoparticles conjugated with nitrogen-doped carbon dots and associated cellular response on A549 cells
    (Chemico-Biological Interactions, 2022-01) Joseph, X; Akhil, V; Arathi, A; Mohanan, PV
    Gelatin nanoparticles are a versatile class of nanoparticles with wide applications, especially in drug delivery and gene delivery. The inherent biocompatible nature of gelatin and various functional groups can improve the cellular interactions and enhance the efficacy of different drug formulations. Microfluidic hydrodynamic flow-focusing techniques can be used for the synthesis of gelatin nanoparticles. The present work syntheses nitrogen-doped carbon dots conjugated with gelatin nanoparticles (NQD-GNPs) using a microfluidic approach and associated cellular response through various assays. MTT, neutral red uptake, and Calcein AM/Propidium iodide (PI) assays independently proved the biocompatible nature of NQD-GNPs. The NQD-GNPs treatment demonstrated a slight increase in reactive nitrogen species generation and lactate dehydrogenase release. However, it does not alter the mitochondrial membrane potential or lysosomal stability. The cellular uptake of NQD-GNP depends on the concentration and does not affect the apoptotic pathway of the cells. Most of the cells remained viable even after treatment with high concentrations of NQD-GNPs.
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    Nanobiomaterials in support of drug delivery related issues
    (Materials Science & Engineering B, 2022-05) Joseph, X; Akhil, V; Arathi, A; Mohanan, PV
    Nanobiomaterials have been widely accepted as potential drug delivery agents over the past decade. A wide variety of materials have been utilized as drug delivery carriers for various diseases like Cancer, Alzheimer's etc. Being the leading cause of death worldwide, effective drug delivery to cancer cells by using nanomaterials has become the most fascinating and dynamic regions of research. The decreased size of these materials increased permeability through physiological barriers, and increased cell to cell interactions are the properties that are highly suitable for drug delivery applications. Biocompatibility and biodegradability are added advantages of using nano biomaterials as drug delivery systems. However, to transfer the nanobiomaterials for advanced clinical applications, a detailed study should be established considering the interactions of these nanobiomaterials with the physiological environment. Moreover, the need for extensive toxicity studies will open up a new window for the effective translation of these materials into clinical drug delivery carriers. The integration of nanomedicine and drug delivery system framework is unquestionably the pattern that will stay in the field of innovative work for quite a long time. Herein, we highlight the challenges of nanobiomaterials related to drug delivery and the possible strategies utilized to overcome the drug delivery-related issues.
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    Significance of Melatonin in the Regulation of Circadian Rhythms and Disease Management
    (Mol Neurobiol., 2024-01) Megha, KB; Arathi, A; Shikha, S; Alka, R; Ramya, P; Mohanan, PV
    Melatonin, the ‘hormone of darkness’ is a neuronal hormone secreted by the pineal gland and other extra pineal sites. Responsible for the circadian rhythm and seasonal behaviour of vertebrates and mammals, melatonin is responsible for regulating various physiological conditions and the maintenance of sleep, body weight and the neuronal activities of the ocular sites. With its unique amphiphilic structure, melatonin can cross the cellular barriers and elucidate its activities in the subcellular components, including mitochondria. Melatonin is a potential scavenger of oxygen and nitrogen-reactive species and can directly obliterate the ROS and RNS by a receptor-independent mechanism. It can also regulate the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in various pathological conditions and exhibit therapeutic activities against neurodegenerative, psychiatric disorders and cancer. Melatonin is also found to show its effects on major organs, particularly the brain, liver and heart, and also imparts a role in the modulation of the immune system. Thus, melatonin is a multifaceted candidate with immense therapeutic potential and is still considered an effective supplement on various therapies. This is primarily due to rectification of aberrant circadian rhythm by improvement of sleep quality associated with risk development of neurodegenerative, cognitive, cardiovascular and other metabolic disorders, thereby enhancing the quality of life.