Browsing by Author "Ashtami, J"

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
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    Biomedical application and hidden toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles
    (Materials Today Chemistry, 2019-01) Sruthi, S; Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
    Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) represent a novel type of metal oxide nanoparticles enabling a new horizon for biomedical applications spanning from diagnosis to treatment. ZnO NPs are extensively used in commercial products such as sunscreens and daily-care products. Apart from that, ZnO NPs are used in food packaging and ointments and as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent. They are extensively used for many biomedical applications noticeably in pharmaceutics and theranostics. Its exceptional optical, electrical, and physiochemical properties, notably its incredible surface chemistry, make ZnO NPs a reliable option for bioimaging, biosensors, antimicrobial action, and drug and gene delivery. The present review covers findings and developments in ZnO NPs research in relation to its application and toxicity mechanism. A special emphasis has been given to the neurotoxic potential of the ZnO NPs and glial cell toxicity. Various factors contributing to the toxic potential of ZnO NPs and cell signaling pathways concerning its toxicity are also discussed. Available data point toward the risk of uncontrollable use of zinc nanoformulation. With increasing use, ZnO NPs pose a severe threat both to the ecosystem and human beings. In a nutshell, the review outlines the current state of the art of ZnO NPs.
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    Black phosphorous, a prospective graphene substitute for biomedical applications
    (Materials Science & Engineering C, 2019-01) Anju, S; Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
    2D materials have gained spectacular status across various scientific and technological disciplines owing to their exceptional unique properties. The very recent member of 2D family, Black Phosphorus monolayers, known as Phosphorene have attracted recent scientific attention since its first exfoliation and appreciable rediscovery in 2014. Compared to other 2D materials and graphene analogs, it has outstanding properties like tunable band gap, good carrier mobility, excellent ON-OFF current ratio, potent in vivo biocompatibility and non-toxic biodegradability. Although the outlook of this material seems to be a promising candidate for future biomedical technology, its practical applications are still highly challenging. Unveiling those challenges by proper characterization and functionalization makes this material a mile stone for future theranostic and biomedicine scenario. This review has given precise attention to familiarize with the unique fundamental properties of black phosphorus, which makes it an excellent platform for future biomedical applications. Also underlines various synthesis procedures applicable for BP nanosheets and quantum dot synthesis. Its various biomedical applications including biosensors, cancer therapy, imaging and photothermal/photo acoustic/photodynamic therapy, drug delivery, neuronal regeneration, 3D printing scaffold etc., are subsequently reviewed. Furthermore this review briefly focused on the toxicity of this emerging material.
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    Co-precipitation-hydrothermal mediated synthesis, characterization and toxicity evaluation of 2D Zn–Al LDHs in human osteoblast cells
    (J Mater Sc, 2023-11) Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
    LDHs, 2D (two-dimensional) clay material with memory effect clutches noteworthy properties like high surface area, ion-exchange capacity, tunable properties and possibility for wide elemental as well as anion combinations. A variety of LDHs are being explored for profuse applications including catalysis, absorbent material, flame retardants, drug delivery, polymer additives and bone regeneration. Recent research updates reveal the promising potential of LDHs in bone tissue engineering and are expected to grab a major hold in futuristic medicare. There have been tremendous efforts concentrated on fine-tuning the LDHs properties by controlling the growth parameters to improve its multi-functionality. In this study, an effort has been made to synthesize and characterize Zn–Al LDHs via the co-precipitation method with control over the nucleation and hydrothermal growth steps. The interactions of the fabricated Zn–Al LDHs with human osteoblast (HOS) cells were explored in the context of bone regeneration applications. The effect of Zn–Al LDHs on the mitochondrial function of HOS cells was examined. The study also evaluated the potential of LDHs to trigger apoptosis by using DNA fragmentation as the marker. The potential impact of positively charged LDHs on negatively charged DNA was also probed using the DNA laddering assay, as an audit on genotoxic potential.
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    Conformity of dextrancoated fullerene C70 with L929 fibroblast cells. Colloids and Surfaces
    (B: Biointerfaces, 2019-12) Ashtami, J; Anju, S; Mohanan, PV
    Fullerene C70 with symmetric nanostructure and unique properties that open up leeway for both material science and healthcare applications. Poor water dispersity and limited knowledge about its associated toxicity hinders the biomedical scope of C70. These restraining factors need to be addressed. Dextran, natural and water-soluble polymer was used to improve the dispersity of C70 in water. Dextran coating on C70 successfully yielded stable dispersion of C70 in water with remarkable cytocompatibility with L929 fibroblast cells. The dextran-coated C70 was characterized using different characterization techniques such as fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transition electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential. The cell viability assays suggested that the L929 cells retained more than 80% cell viability after 24 h treatment with dextran-coated C70. The mitochontrial membrane potential of the treated cells were found to be uncompromised. Fluorescent imaging techniques done with the aim of evaluating the integrity of lysosomes detected no potential toxicity in L929 cells treated with dextran-coated C70. Actin filaments showed intact organelles when viewed using Rhodamine- phalloidin staining after 24 h post-treatment. DAPI staining also revealed the integrity of nucleus after exposure to dextran-coated C70. The calcein AM/PI flow cytometry analysis further confirmed that dextran-coated C70 kept cell viability of treated cells above 80% for all concentrations. The results points out the scope of dextran-coated C70 for various health care applications.
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    Do Graphene Worship Cerebellar Granular Neuron Cells?
    (Pharmaceutica Analytica Acta, 2021-12) Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
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    Effect of Surface Modified Fullerene C70 on the ROS Production and Cellular Integrity Using Chinese Hamster Ovarian Cells
    (General Chemistry, 2019-11) Anju, S; Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
    Fullerene, a distinct buckyball structured carbon allotrope, has immense popularity among various scientific disciplines. Comparing various fullerene allotropes, recent attention is focused on C70 fullerene owing to it potent applications in various interdisciplinary arenas including optoelectronics, photovoltaics as well as in biomedical technology. Although C70 suggests as a tunable material in biomedicine, con-vincing results about its toxic effects are still under controversy, which recommends the necessity for proper toxicity evaluation. Dextran polysaccharide was effectively coated on C70 to overcome the poor dispersion in water and for achieving proper stabilization. The as-prepared material was further characterized using various sophisticated techniques such as DLS, TEM, FTIR and zeta potential. Chinese Hamster Ovarian cell lines (CHO) served as the subject for major experiments. Various cytotoxicity assays and DCFH-DA probe ROS scavenging analysis were done. Morphological examinations of major sub-cellular organelles were carried out with the aid of fluorescent microscopy for nuclear condensation, mitochondrial membrane potential, lysosomal integrity, cytoskeletal integrity, etc. Flow cytometric FACS analysis for possible apoptosis-necrosis mediated cell death assessment and DNA ladder experiment for genotoxicity was done. Cell viability assays show up to 80% live CHO cells after dextran-coated C70 treatment for 24 h. The fluorescent staining results that confirm intact or-ganelles further prove the non-toxic nature of dextran-coated C70. DNA laddering assay results ex-clude chances for genotoxic potential of dextran-coated C70. Experimental results of the present study indicate that dextran stabilized C70 fullerene is a potent candidate material for futuristic healthcare ap-plications.
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    Effect of surface modified reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles on cerebellar granule neurons
    (Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2020-05) Cherian, RS; Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
    Graphene has been the cornerstone material in various disciplines owing to its captivating properties. But graphene also exerts some toxic effects apart from its extraordinary characteristics. Various surface functionalizations on graphene are developed in order to overcome the toxicity. In this background, pluronics functionalization of reduced graphene oxide was done as an effort to modify its colloidal stability. Effect of pluronics functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO-P) on cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) was examined to infer on its neurotoxic potential. Male Wister rats were exposed to rGO-P and were analyzed for acute toxicity and toxicokinetic studies. Immunotoxicity was performed on rGO-P exposed female rats on the 7th day of gestation by tritiated thymidine incorporation assay. CGNs were also isolated from rat newborns born to female rats dams exposed with rGO-P and examined for any subsequent toxic reactions. The findings suggest that CGNs isolated from rat newborns pups born to particle exposed female rats dams showed normal cell yield and morphology. Findings from toxicokinetic studies using confocal Raman mapping revealed that rGO-P has got cleared off from the blood within 21 days. Overall results validate rGO-P as safe for in vivo systems. Hence rGO-P can be fine-tuned to serve the purpose of neurobiological applications promisingly for neuroregeneration.
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    Fullerene C70: A Promising Carbon Cage for Biomedical Applications
    (Trends Biomater. Artif. Organs, 2021-03) Ashtami, J; Athira, SS; Mohanan, PV
    Nanomaterials have conquered the field of science and technology, and are considered as the driving force behind most of the scientific discoveries in the 20th century. Fullerenes entail one among the leading members of the family of nanomaterials which are characteristically allotropic forms of carbon. The uniqueness lies in its structure itself that it has a closely packed cage-like pattern of carbon atoms arranged like a ‘buckyball’. This peculiarity further makes the nanostructure a suitable platform for a wider range of medical and non-medical applications. Furthermore, proper fine-tuning or modification can accomplish targeted application requisite. Nevertheless, such an increased level of applications concurrently necessitates toxicity assessment as well. Available studies on the cytocompatibility of fullerene C70 confirm the fact that C70 is not eliciting any discernible toxic impacts in fibroblast cells up to the maximum tested concentration. This view undoubtedly justifies the utilization of fullerene C70 in various applications. However, authors recommend deeper toxicity evaluations to guarantee its biocompatibility and hence wider applicability.
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    Glial Cell Colony Injured on Exposure to Fullerene Soot Nanoparticles
    (Letters in Applied Nano Biosciences, 2020-12) Athira, SS; Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
    An expansion in the field of nanotechnology and their applications in medicine and pharmaceuticals have revolutionized the 20th century. Principally it deals with particles exhibiting a size below 100nm at least in a single dimension. Various fields that gain application potentials of nanotechnology include health and medicine, electronics, energy and environment, space research, etc. Advancements in experimental techniques have to lead to the development of multi functionalized nanoparticles like fullerenes, which is one of the allotropic forms of carbon. Fullerene was initially fabricated by laser ablation of graphite in an inert atmosphere. The crude early form consists of a mixture of interlocked carbon cages in its impure version, referred to as fullerene soot. Nature gets exposed to fullerene soot from a cluster of sources, including vehicle, industrial, and other household exhausts. An increasing level of exposure requires toxicity evaluation of such materials in biological systems. Present study addresses in vitro toxicity studies of fullerene soot nanoparticles in C6 glial cells. The study particularly analyzes cell viability assays, morphological evaluations, organelle functionality analysis, live-dead assays, and nuclear integrity measurement. The study confirms the dose-dependent toxicity of the nanomaterials, which further recommends proper precautions to be taken during exposure occasions
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    Green synthesis of Pluronic stabilized reduced graphene oxide: Chemical and biological characterization.
    (Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2019-03) Cherian, RS; Sandeman, S; Ray, S; Savina, IN; Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
    The wonder material graphene has numerous potential applications in nanoelectronics, biomedicine, storage devices, etc. Synthesis of graphene is highly challenging due to the toxic chemicals used and its low yield. In the present study, a facile green route for synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was carried out using ascorbic acid as reducing agent. rGO was stabilized using Pluronic P123 polymer to give Pluronic stabilized reduced graphene oxide (rGO-P) and gave superior yield (15 mg graphene oxide yielded ˜13 mg rGO-P). Despite the potential neuroscience applications of graphene, the impending toxicological outcome upon interaction with neurons is not well understood. Here, differentiated PC-12 neuron-like cells exposed to rGO-P showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Membrane disruption and cytoskeletal integrity remained uncompromised after 24 h exposure. Oxidative stress in PC-12 was evident due to an increase in ROS generation in dose and time-dependent manner. In vivo acute toxicity was assessed in mice administered with 10 mg/kg body weight of rGO-P. There were no evident changes in behaviour, motor function or other morphological changes. In conclusion, rGO-P was successfully synthesized and provided superior yield. Even though in vitro toxicity testing showed dose-dependent toxicity, in vivo toxic effect was not apparent.
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    Nano Fullerene Mixture Impose Threat to Alveolar Epithelial Cells
    (Ec Pharmacology And Toxicology, 2020-08) Athira, SS; Ashtami, J; Mohanan, PV
    Fullerenes, the symmetric allotrope of carbon with bucky ball structure is gaining high magnitude of interest in material chemistry as well as in medical scheme. Fullerenes find its role in batteries, solar cells, for hydrogen storage, trapping reactive species, as lubricants, MRI contrast agents, protective coatings, superconductors and also in biomedical applications as neuroprotective agents, anti-oxidant, enzyme inhibitor, delivery vector, biosensor, for photodynamic therapy etc. Apart from the intentional exposure during usage in various applications, nano fullerene mixture is present in automobile/industrial exhaust, release from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels etc. Increased exposure entail the exigency for toxicity profiling of fullerene. Inhalation being a major route of nanoparticle exposure compels lungs at high risk of toxicity due to accumulation. Retention at the “alveoli site” potentially causes translocation into blood that further complicates the scenario. Improved perception on the effect of nano fullerene mixture on lung cells is needed to make a critical inference.
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    Toxicity of dextran stabilized fullerene C60 against C6 Glial cells
    (Brain Research Bulletin, 2020-01) Biby, TE; Prajitha, N; Ashtami, J; Sakthikumar, D; Maekawa, T; Mohanan, PV
    Elevated application potential of fullerene C60 paved the way to think on its adverse effect when it reaches to biological system and environment. Though fullerenes are insoluble in water, various strategies are employed to make it soluble. Method of solubilization with organic solvents, yield cytotoxic responses both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, dextran was used to stabilize C60 particle. Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transition electron microscopy (TEM) were used for characterization and it confirms effective surface stabilization and morphological characteristics. This was followed by various cytotoxicity studies to evaluate its bio-nano interactions. The results of the study suggest that the dextran stabilized C60 nanoparticles (Dex-C60) forms uniform suspension in water and was stable up to 72 h. The C6 glial cell-Dex-C60 interactions indicated that the Dex-C60 nanoparticles penetrate deeper into the cells and cause dose dependent toxic response. The result of the study recommended that Dex-C60 nanoparticles should undergo intensive risk assessment before biomedical applications and should take proper safety measure to avoid its entry to the environment.