Purpose: Breast cancer is one of the most lethal types of cancer in women. Curcumin showed therapeutic potential against breast cancer, but applying that by itself does not lead to the associated health benefits due to its poor bioavailability, which appears to be primarily due to poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and rapid elimination. Moreover, poor water solubility of curcumin causes accumulation of a high concentration of curcumin and so decrease its permeability to the cell. Many strategies are employed to reduce curcumin metabolism such as adjuvants and designing novel delivery systems. Therefore, in this study sodium alginate and chitosan were used to synthesize the hydrogels that are known as biocompatible, hydrophilic and low toxic drug delivery systems. Also, folic acid was used to link to chitosan in order to actively targetfolate receptors on the cells. Methods: Chitosan-β-cyclodextrin-TPP-Folic acid/alginate nanoparticles were synthesized and then curcumin was loaded on them. Interaction between the constituents of the particles was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. Morphological structures of samples were studied by FE-SEM. Release profile of curcumin was determined by dialysis membrane. The cytotoxic test was done on the Kerman male breast cancer (KMBC-10) cell line by using MTT assay. The viability of cells was detected by fluorescent staining. Gene expression was investigated by real-time PCR. Results: The encapsulation of curcumin into nano-particles showed an almost spherical shape and an average particle size of 155 nm. In vitro cytotoxicity investigation was indicated as dose-respond reaction against cancer breast cells after 24 h incubation. On the other hand, in vitro cell uptake study revealed active targeting of CUR-NPs into spheroids. Besides, CXCR₄ expression was detected about 30-fold less than curcumin alone. The CUR-NPs inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis in spheroid human breast cancer cells. Conclusion: Our results showed the potential of NPs as an effective candidate for curcumin delivery to the target tumor spheroids that confirmed the creatable role of folate receptors.

Purpose: The main aim of this review was to provide an updated comprehensive report regarding isolation methods of MSCs from human extra embryonic tissues, including cord blood, amniotic fluid, and different parts of the placenta and umbilical cord, with respect to the efficacy of these methods. Results: Extra embryonic tissues are the most available source for harvesting of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). They make a large number of cells accessible using non-invasive methods of isolation and the least immune-rejection reactions. A successful culture of primary cells requires obtaining a maximum yield of functional and viable cells from the tissues. In addition, there are many reports associated with their differentiation into various kinds of cells, and there are some clinical trials regarding their utilization for patients. Conclusion: Currently, cord blood-MSCs have been tested for cartilage and lung diseases. Umbilical cord-MSCs were tested for liver and neural disorders. However, these MSCs can be isolated, expanded, and cryopreserved in a cell bank for patients in need.

Purpose: Genetic diseases can be the result of genetic dysfunctions that happen due to some inhibitory and/or environmental risk factors, which are mostly called mutations. One of the most promising treatments for these diseases is correcting the faulty gene. Gene delivery systems are an important issue in improving the gene therapy efficiency. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was modifying graphene oxide nanoparticles by spermine in order to optimize the gene delivery system. Methods: Graphene oxide/APTES was modified by spermine (GOAS) and characterized by FT-IR, DLS, SEM and AFM techniques. Then pEGFP-p53 was loaded on GOAS, transfected into cells and evaluated by fluorescent microscopy and gene expression techniques. Results: FT-IR data approved the GOAS sheet formation. Ninety percent of the particles were less than 56 nm based on DLS analysis. SEM analysis indicated that the sheets were dispersed with no aggregation. AFM results confirmed the dispersed structures with thickness of 1.25± 0.87 nm. STA analysis showed that GOAS started to decompose from 400°C and was very unstable during the heating process. The first weight loss up to 200°C was due to the evaporation of absorbed water, the second one observed in the range of 200– 550°C was assigned to the decomposition of labile oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups, and the third one above 550°C was attributed to the removal of oxygen functionalities. In vitro release of DNA demonstrated the efficient activity of the new synthesized system. Ninety percent of the cells were transfected and showed the GFP under fluorescence microscopy, and TP53 gene was expressed 51-fold in BT-20 cells compared to β-actin as the reference gene. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed the apoptosis of the cells rather than necrosis. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the new synthesized structure could transfer a high amount of the therapeutic agent into cells with best activity.

Curcumin is known as an effective anticancer herbal medicine but unfortunately, its bioavailability is poor which necessitate efforts for developing more efficient and specific delivery systems. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2) due to its overexpression in various types of cancers, is demonstrated to be a good candidate as a target for anticancer therapy. In this study, cytotoxicity of curcumin encapsulated in ZHER2:342 Affibody-decorated liposome was investigated against SKBR3 and MCF-7 cancerous cell lines. Curcumin-containing liposomes were prepared from soybeans lecetin and cholesterol by thin-film hydration method. Affibody ZHER2:342 molecules via C-terminal cysteine residue were conjugated covalently to the prepared liposomes. Particle size analysis was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Curcumin loading was measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and cytotoxic activity of curcumin formulations against cancerous cell lines was investigated by MTT assay. Induction of apoptosis was investigated using flow cytometry through Annexin V staining. Particle analysis showed the formation of spherical liposomes with a mean diameter of about 150 nm. Cytotoxic activity of curcumin was improved by its encapsulation in both liposomes and affibody-decorated liposomes. The Annexin V staining indicated the induction of apoptosis by affibody-decorated liposomes in both MCF-7 and SKBR3 cells. Decoration of curcumin-loaded liposomes with affibody ZHER2:342 may improve curcumin apoptotic function independently of HER2 expression level.

Purpose: The main aim of the present study was to design, fabrication and physicochemicalcharacteristics of the magnetogel nanospheres as carriers for Cisplatin in the in vitro environment.Methods: Magnetic nanospheres were synthesized by using a chemical co-precipitation methodand coated by sodium alginate through double emulsion method. Then cisplatin was encapsulatedinto β-cyclodextrin -sodium alginate grafted magnetic nanospheres. The physicochemicalproperties of the sodium alginate grafted magnetic nanospheres were characterized by using FTIR,particle size analyzing, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric and SEM analysis.Also the drug entrapment efficiency, content and in vitro release profile were investigated.Results: Size distribution results revealed that the particles size was distributed in the rangeof 50± nm. Also morphological properties showed that particles are separated and sphericalwith the grafted layers of the polymer. The release profile data were in the acceptable rangecompared to the blank (cisplatin solution).Conclusion: It could be concluded that the sodium alginate grafted magnetic nanospheres couldact as a slow and controlled release system to deliver cisplatin.

The cyclodextrin glucanotransferase are extracellular enzymes that can hydrolysis starch as a substrate to cyclodextrin. Encapsulation and immobilization technique of microbial cells within the polymeric network have widespread applications in the production of enzyme. Bacterial cells were isolated from soil by serial dilution method. The molecular identity was established using 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and the identified strain was immobilized in the synthesized composites. Physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized composites were determined by using field emission scanning electron microscopy, Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS and FT-IR analyses. Enzyme activity was measured by phenolphthalein assay. Streptomyces griseobrunneus was identified according to the 16S rDNA sequence. FT-IR analyses indicated that there was an interaction between all of the elements. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed a cross-section of composites without cells and cells attached to composites. Enzyme activity was 1109, 948 and 606 U/ml in alginate/chitosan/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) sheets, agar/gelatin/MCC beads and free cells, respectively. It could be concluded that the polymeric immobilization was effective in improving enzyme production because of its excellent properties such as guarding the bacterial cells against inhibitors and toxins.