Browsing by Author "Pothen, LA"

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    Evaluation of in-vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiency of zidovudine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles modified with Aloe Vera in glioma cells
    (MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, 2016) Joshy, KS; Sharma, CP; Kalarikkal, N; Sandeep, K; Thomas, S; Pothen, LA
    Zidovudine loaded solid lipid nanoparticles of stearic acid modified with Aloe Vera (AV) have been prepared via simple emulsion solvent evaporation method which showed excellent stability at room temperature and refrigerated condition. The nanoparticles were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), which revealed the overlap of the AV absorption peak with the absorption peak of modified stearic acid nanopartides. The inclusion of AV to stearic acid decreased the crystallinity and improved the hydrophilidty of lipid nano particles and thereby improved the drug loading efficacy of lipid nanopartides. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging revealed that, the average particle size of unmodified (bare) nanoparticles was 45.66 +/- 12.22 nm and modified solid lipid nanoparticles showed an average size of 265.61 +/- 80.44 nm. Solid lipid nanoparticles with well-defined morphology were tested in vitro for their possible application in drug delivery. Cell culture studies using C6 glioma cells on the nanoparticles showed enhanced growth and proliferation of cells without exhibiting any toxicity. In addition, normal cell morphology and improved uptake were observed by fluorescence microscopy images of rhodamine labeled modified solid lipid nanoparticles compared with unmodified nanoparticles. The cellular uptake study suggested that these nanopartides could be a promising drug delivery system to enhance the uptake of antiviral drug by brain cells and it could be a suitable drug carrier system for the treatment of HIV. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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    Simultaneous synthesis of carbon quantum dots, fluorescent probes, biofilms and hydrochar from sustainable vermicompost for versatile applications
    (Chemical Papers, 2023-03) Rekha, RK; Arunima, R; Siji, KM; Jijo, TK; Hema, S; Jayasree, RS; Pothen, LA; Thomas, S
    Sustainable and renewable sources of nanomaterial synthesis are a demanding approach. This work provides new insight into the versatile applications of materials derived from vermicompost. The report explains the simultaneous conversion of vermicompost to hydrophilic and stable carbon quantum dots (CDs) and hydrochar. The as-prepared CDs exhibit broad range emission spectrum from blue (400) to red (600 nm) with excitation dependent emission phenomenon. The films prepared using the CDs showed higher cellular uptake and intracellular localization. The FTIR results supported the existence of hydroxyl, amine, carboxylate and carbonyl groups on the surfaces of the CD. The zeta potential value of CDs was − 38.5. The ion absorption was tested for different cations and was maximum for Fe3+ ions, even for micromolar solutions. The hydrochar produced was used for adsorption of methylene blue dye from water and it was found that 80% of dye was removed after 12 h. of treatment. Thus, we suggest vermicompost as a promising alternative for nanomaterial synthesis.