The study of biologically important Cu2+ and S2− ions has drawn great attention in the recent years since an abnormal level of these ions is an indication for health impairment. Therefore, a reliable strategy for effective fluorescence determination of Cu2+ and S2− ions was developed. Simply, the method based on economical plant-dependent thermolysis procedure for efficient green synthesis of water dispersible luminescent polyamine-based carbon dots (PA@C-dots) utilizes Vitis vinifera juice as precursor with a high quantum yield (32.1%) and good photo-stability. The fluorescent PA@C-dots were characterized by different spectroscopical, physical, and structural techniques. Furthermore, the synthesized PA@C-dots can be used as an efficient dual functional fluorescent probe for the sensitive and selective estimation of Cu2+ and S2− ions. The incorporation of Cu2+ ions and their adsorption on the surface of PA@C-dot skeleton leads to the respectable fluorescence quenching of C-dots (turn-off mode). The Cu2+-PA@C-dot was found to be sensitive to S2− ions. The addition of S2− recovers the fluorescence (turn-on mode) of Cu2+-PA@C-dots, thanks to its capacity for withdrawing Cu2+ from the shell of PA@C-dots. Fluorescence quenching in the range of 0.07–60 μM Cu2+ was obtained with LOD and LOQ of 0.02 and 0.066 μM, respectively. Sulfide detection provides linearity in the range of 0.8 to 95 μM with LOD and LOQ of 0.24 and 0.79 μM, respectively. The optimal excitation and emission wavelengths for all experiments are 435 nm and 498 nm, respectively. Experiment results elucidate that the proposed method is suitable for Cu2+and S2− ion detection in environmental water samples.

The study of biologically important Cu2+ and S2− ions has drawn great attention in the recent years since an abnormal level of these ions is an indication for health impairment. Therefore, a reliable strategy for effective fluorescence determination of Cu2+ and S2− ions was developed. Simply, the method based on economical plant-dependent thermolysis procedure for efficient green synthesis of water dispersible luminescent polyamine-based carbon dots (PA@C-dots) utilizes Vitis vinifera juice as precursor with a high quantum yield (32.1%) and good photo-stability. The fluorescent PA@C-dots were characterized by different spectroscopical, physical, and structural techniques. Furthermore, the synthesized PA@C-dots can be used as an efficient dual functional fluorescent probe for the sensitive and selective estimation of Cu2+ and S2− ions. The incorporation of Cu2+ ions and their adsorption on the surface of PA@C-dot skeleton leads to the respectable fluorescence quenching of C-dots (turn-off mode). The Cu2+-PA@C-dot was found to be sensitive to S2− ions. The addition of S2− recovers the fluorescence (turn-on mode) of Cu2+-PA@C-dots, thanks to its capacity for withdrawing Cu2+ from the shell of PA@C-dots. Fluorescence quenching in the range of 0.07–60 μM Cu2+ was obtained with LOD and LOQ of 0.02 and 0.066 μM, respectively. Sulfide detection provides linearity in the range of 0.8 to 95 μM with LOD and LOQ of 0.24 and 0.79 μM, respectively. The optimal excitation and emission wavelengths for all experiments are 435 nm and 498 nm, respectively. Experiment results elucidate that the proposed method is suitable for Cu2+and S2− ion detection in environmental water samples.

An innovative electrochemical nanoprobe, for analysis of salinomycin (SAL), was proposed. The nanoprobe based on decoration of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with 3D rose like La3+@ ZrO2 supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets. The 3D rose like La3+@ ZrO2 was synthesized via sintering process. The successful decoration of 3D rose like La3+@ ZrO2 on the surface of RGO was characterized using different spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The obtained voltammetric results confirmed the good electrochemical performance of 3D rose like La3+@ ZrO2 in terms of lower peak potential (Epc) and higher cathodic current (Ipc). Moreover, the modified nanoprobe showed wide linearity range (0.34–115 × 10−8 M), lower detection limit (0.11 × 10−8 M) and higher selectivity. Besides, the nanocomposite showed good applicability for analysis of SAL in biological fluids and during pharmacokinetic evaluation in rabbit plasma. The obtained results opens a new venue for the determination of futuristic drug, SAL, during pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics studies.

An innovative electrochemical nanoprobe, for analysis of salinomycin (SAL), was proposed. The nanoprobe based on decoration of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with 3D rose like La3+@ ZrO2 supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets. The 3D rose like La3+@ ZrO2 was synthesized via sintering process. The successful decoration of 3D rose like La3+@ ZrO2 on the surface of RGO was characterized using different spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The obtained voltammetric results confirmed the good electrochemical performance of 3D rose like La3+@ ZrO2 in terms of lower peak potential (Epc) and higher cathodic current (Ipc). Moreover, the modified nanoprobe showed wide linearity range (0.34–115 × 10−8 M), lower detection limit (0.11 × 10−8 M) and higher selectivity. Besides, the nanocomposite showed good applicability for analysis of SAL in biological fluids and during pharmacokinetic evaluation in rabbit plasma. The obtained results opens a new venue for the determination of futuristic drug, SAL, during pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics studies.

Herein, a novel “ON-OFF” colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor; 1N-allyl-2-(2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-4, 5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole (ADPPI), was constructed for sequential determination of Cu2+ and S2− ions in aqueous media. The interaction between chemosensor ADPPI and different metal cations was investigated using UV-VIS and fluorimetric spectroscopy. ADPPI showed a favorable and good interaction with Cu2+ ions producing blue colored solution peaked at 610 nm with blue fluorescence at λem. = 447 nm. The produced complex between Cu2+ ions and ADPPI can be used as a cascade probe for detection of S2− ions. The detection limits (LODs) were 1.01 nM and 1.25 μM for Cu2+ and S2− ions, respectively (the lowest between the family of colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensors). To further increase the applicability of the proposed method, Cu2+ and S2− ions concentrations were measured in environmental water samples.

Herein, a novel “ON-OFF” colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor; 1N-allyl-2-(2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-4, 5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole (ADPPI), was constructed for sequential determination of Cu2+ and S2− ions in aqueous media. The interaction between chemosensor ADPPI and different metal cations was investigated using UV-VIS and fluorimetric spectroscopy. ADPPI showed a favorable and good interaction with Cu2+ ions producing blue colored solution peaked at 610 nm with blue fluorescence at λem. = 447 nm. The produced complex between Cu2+ ions and ADPPI can be used as a cascade probe for detection of S2− ions. The detection limits (LODs) were 1.01 nM and 1.25 μM for Cu2+ and S2− ions, respectively (the lowest between the family of colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensors). To further increase the applicability of the proposed method, Cu2+ and S2− ions concentrations were measured in environmental water samples.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 5th most common cancer type and the worldwide’s third cause of cancer-related deaths. Conventional chemotherapy is the only available therapeutic option for non-resectable or metastatic tumors, but it is challenged by high off-target cytotoxicity and the emergence of multidrug resistance by cancer cells. In the current study, we used RNA interference gene therapy (RNAi) by small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown Midkine gene (MK), an overexpressed gene in HCC, which is responsible for anti-apoptotic and chemoresistant functions. We proposed that using such approach in combination with the cytotoxic drug, sorafenib (SOR), would act synergistically to maximize the anticancer activity and reduce the therapeutic dose of the drug. We designed a novel lipid-based nanocarrier for the co-delivery of SOR and MK-siRNA to HCC cells based on YSK05, a novel pH-responsive lipid synthesized in our laboratory. Nanoparticles were modified with a novel targeting peptide to ensure highly-specific delivery of the payload. The performance of the delivery system and the cargo was evaluated by cytotoxicity and gene knockdown studies. Furthermore, optimization of the different formulation variables maximized the efficiency of the combination and the biotolerability of the nanocarrier. We showed the first proof that MK-siRNA increases the sensitivity of HCC cells to SOR. In addition, our system showed amazing selectivity to HCC cells compared to other cancerous and normal cells. Our selective and efficient co-delivery system, encapsulating the novel anticancer combination, holds promise as a novel strategy for HCC treatment. We are currently optimizing it for the in vivo application.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 5th most common cancer type and the worldwide’s third cause of cancer-related deaths. Conventional chemotherapy is the only available therapeutic option for non-resectable or metastatic tumors, but it is challenged by high off-target cytotoxicity and the emergence of multidrug resistance by cancer cells. In the current study, we used RNA interference gene therapy (RNAi) by small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown Midkine gene (MK), an overexpressed gene in HCC, which is responsible for anti-apoptotic and chemoresistant functions. We proposed that using such approach in combination with the cytotoxic drug, sorafenib (SOR), would act synergistically to maximize the anticancer activity and reduce the therapeutic dose of the drug. We designed a novel lipid-based nanocarrier for the co-delivery of SOR and MK-siRNA to HCC cells based on YSK05, a novel pH-responsive lipid synthesized in our laboratory. Nanoparticles were modified with a novel targeting peptide to ensure highly-specific delivery of the payload. The performance of the delivery system and the cargo was evaluated by cytotoxicity and gene knockdown studies. Furthermore, optimization of the different formulation variables maximized the efficiency of the combination and the biotolerability of the nanocarrier. We showed the first proof that MK-siRNA increases the sensitivity of HCC cells to SOR. In addition, our system showed amazing selectivity to HCC cells compared to other cancerous and normal cells. Our selective and efficient co-delivery system, encapsulating the novel anticancer combination, holds promise as a novel strategy for HCC treatment. We are currently optimizing it for the in vivo application.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not easily cleared from the human body and in most cases turned into chronic infection. This chronicity is a major cause of liver damage, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, immediate detection and treatment of HCV guarantees eradication of the virus and prevention of chronicity complications. Since discovery of HCV in 1989, several emerging treatments were developed such as polyethylene glycol(PEG)-ylated interferon/ribavirin, direct acting antivirals and host targeting antivirals. Despite the progress in anti-HCV therapy, there is still a pressing need of new approaches for affordable and effective drug delivery systems using nanomedicine. In this review, the contribution of nanoparticles as a promising delivery system for HCV immunizing, diagnostic and therapeutic agents are discussed.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not easily cleared from the human body and in most cases turned into chronic infection. This chronicity is a major cause of liver damage, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, immediate detection and treatment of HCV guarantees eradication of the virus and prevention of chronicity complications. Since discovery of HCV in 1989, several emerging treatments were developed such as polyethylene glycol(PEG)-ylated interferon/ribavirin, direct acting antivirals and host targeting antivirals. Despite the progress in anti-HCV therapy, there is still a pressing need of new approaches for affordable and effective drug delivery systems using nanomedicine. In this review, the contribution of nanoparticles as a promising delivery system for HCV immunizing, diagnostic and therapeutic agents are discussed.