Figure - available from: Frontiers in Chemistry
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(A) TEM micrography of a 1:100 dilution of NLC-Viol-Lip, and (B) TEM micrography of a 1:100 dilution of NLC-Viol-Lip after it was incubated at a pH = 7.4 for 6 h. Arrows in (B) point aggregates.
Source publication
Violacein (Viol) is a bacterial purple water-insoluble pigment synthesized by Chromobacterium violaceum and other microorganisms that display many beneficial therapeutic properties including anticancer activity. Viol was produced, purified in our laboratory, and encapsulated in a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC). The NLC is composed of the solid...
Citations
... This heightened activity persists both after immobilization and even in the absence of the additive SDS. This phenomenon, referred to verbatim as "bio-imprinting" by certain authors [72,73], appears to be inapplicable to derivatives obtained here in the absence of SDS. Similar observations were obtained for TLL immobilized on sulfopropyl-Sepharose ® (SP), a cation exchanger, in the presence of CTAB at relatively high concentrations (0.3%) [25]. ...
Ionic additives affect the structure, activity and stability of lipases, which allow for solving common application challenges, such as preventing the formation of protein aggregates or strengthening enzyme–support binding, preventing their desorption in organic media. This work aimed to design a biocatalyst, based on lipase improved by the addition of ionic additives, applicable in the production of ethyl esters of fatty acids (EE). Industrial enzymes from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL), Rhizomucor miehei (RML), Candida antárctica B (CALB) and Lecitase®, immobilized in commercial supports like Lewatit®, Purolite® and Q-Sepharose®, were tested. The best combination was achieved by immobilizing lipase TLL onto Q-Sepharose® as it surpassed, in terms of %EE (70.1%), the commercial biocatalyst Novozyme® 435 (52.7%) and was similar to that of Lipozyme TL IM (71.3%). Hence, the impact of ionic additives like polymers and surfactants on both free and immobilized TLL on Q-Sepharose® was assessed. It was observed that, when immobilized, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), the TLL derivative exhibited a significantly higher activity, with a 93-fold increase (1.02 IU), compared to the free enzyme under identical conditions (0.011 IU). In fatty acids ethyl esters synthesis, Q-SDS-TLL novel derivatives achieved results similar to commercial biocatalysts using up to ~82 times less enzyme (1 mg/g). This creates an opportunity to develop biocatalysts with reduced enzyme consumption, a factor often associated with higher production costs. Such advancements would ease their integration into the biodiesel industry, fostering a greener production approach compared to conventional methods.
... HTP 3D printing manufacturing platforms enable rapid and efficient preparation of various types of 3D cell models that are tailored to specific research purposes by adjusting the composition, geometry, architecture, and function of bioprinted structures [56][57][58]. In addition, 3D bioprinting allows the integration of multiple cell types and bioactive bioinks to create more complex and dynamic 3D cell models encapsulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) [59,60]. During the 3D bioprinting process, the choice of bioinks is very important. ...
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a novel technology that enables the creation of 3D structures with bioinks, the biomaterials containing living cells. 3D bioprinted structures can mimic human tissue at different levels of complexity from cells to organs. Currently, 3D bioprinting is a promising method in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications, as well as in anti-cancer therapy research. Cancer, a type of complex and multifaceted disease, presents significant challenges regarding diagnosis, treatment, and drug development. 3D bioprinted models of cancer have been used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis, the development of cancers, and the responses to treatment. Conventional 2D cancer models have limitations in predicting human clinical outcomes and drug responses, while 3D bioprinting offers an innovative technique for creating 3D tissue structures that closely mimic the natural characteristics of cancers in terms of morphology, composition, structure, and function. By precise manipulation of the spatial arrangement of different cell types, extracellular matrix components, and vascular networks, 3D bioprinting facilitates the development of cancer models that are more accurate and representative, emulating intricate interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment. Moreover, the technology of 3D bioprinting enables the creation of personalized cancer models using patient-derived cells and biomarkers, thereby advancing the fields of precision medicine and immunotherapy. The integration of 3D cell models with 3D bioprinting technology holds the potential to revolutionize cancer research, offering extensive flexibility, precision, and adaptability in crafting customized 3D structures with desired attributes and functionalities. In conclusion, 3D bioprinting exhibits significant potential in cancer research, providing opportunities for identifying therapeutic targets, reducing reliance on animal experiments, and potentially lowering the overall cost of cancer treatment. Further investigation and development are necessary to address challenges such as cell viability, printing resolution, material characteristics, and cost-effectiveness. With ongoing progress, 3D bioprinting can significantly impact the field of cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
... Violacein has recently attracted the attention of researchers owing to its wide variety of biological activities. During the last two decades, several reports have described numerous biological activities of this pigment, including immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antifungal, anticancer, and antiviral activities (Duran et al., 2021a;Duran et al., 2021b;Duran et al., 2022). The relevance of the antioxidant properties of violacein must be analyzed in the context of COVID-19 pathology, as acute infections of SARS-CoV-2 can produce cell death and long-term neurological pathologies. ...
... Despite the different surface characteristics of the three tested viruses, all shared hydrophobic moieties on their surfaces that could interact with water-insoluble molecules, such as violacein. Since the interaction of violacein with molecules with hydrophobic motifs (i.e., non-ionic surfactants, cyclodextrins, aromatic ionic liquids, lipid carriers) were previously reported (de Azevedo et al., 2000;Rivero Berti et al., 2019;Rivero Berti et al., 2020;Rivero Berti et al., 2022). It is expected that hydrophobic interactions appear to be the unspecific major mechanism of interaction between the virus and violacein. ...
... More recently, violacein was encapsulated in a nanostructured lipid carrier with an active release by lipase and 3D printed using a hydroxypropyl cellulose-chitosan matrix. The formulation was tested against the A549 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines (Rivero Berti et al., 2022). ...
Violacein is a pigment produced by Gram-negative bacteria, which has shown several beneficial biological activities. The most relevant activities of violacein include the interference in the physiological activities of biological membranes, inhibition of cell proliferation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Moreover, the antiviral activities of violacein against some enveloped and non-enveloped viruses have also been reported. Violacein showed a wide spectrum of protease inhibition, both experimentally and in silico. Other in silico studies have suggested that violacein binds to the SARS-CoV-2 spike. Empirical physicochemical studies indicate that violacein (or, occasionally, its derivatives) may be administered orally to treat different disorders. In addition, different alternatives to product violacein, and molecular devices for delivery of this pigment are reviewed.
