Scientists at the S.N.Bose National Center for Basic Sciences, Kolkata (SNBNCBS) have developed a safe and cost-effective nanomedicine that promises to treat a number of diseases by altering oxidative stress in the body. The research could give a glimmer of hope in India’s fight against COVID-19, as nanomedicine can reduce or increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) in our body depending on the situation and cure the disease.
The potential of this study for controlled improvement of mammalian ROS raises hopes for a new potential application of nanomedicine in the management of viral infections, including COVID-19. Animal experiments Reduction and oxidation (Redox) healing of various diseases has been completed, and now the institute is looking for sponsors to start clinical trials on humans.
The drug combines nanoparticles extracted from manganese salt with citrus extracts, such as from lemon. A critical combination of manganese and citrate using nanotechnology tricks produces nanomedicine. Artificially made nanomedicine proved important to maintain a balance between reduction and oxidation (Redox) processes in the tissues of our body. Redox reactions in cells add or remove oxygen and are essential for many processes such as generating energy in cells. The redox reactions can also make products that are harmful to cells called reactive oxygen species (ROS) and that can immediately oxidize lipids (fat), proteins and nucleic acids, accelerating the aging process. However, it should be noted that our immune cells naturally produce ROS or generate oxidative stress to kill viruses or bacteria and infected cells in our body. Controlled increases in ROS or oxidative stress thus help our immune cells perform their natural functions more efficiently.
Enhancement of oxidative stress by nanomedicine in animal tissue is also commendable and useful in curative diseases, including neonatal jaundice. Recently, the Institute has shown that the added oxidative stress after nanomedicine administration can break down bilirubin (the toxic molecule that causes jaundice), which is a cure for hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice). In a mouse trial, nanomedicine was found to be safe and rapid, reducing bilirubin levels precisely within two and a half hours. This ability of controlled enhancement of mammalian oxidative stress (ROS) allows for new potential applications of nanomedicine in managing viral infection, including COVID-19. Recently, topical administration of hydrogen peroxide, which belongs to a class of ROS, has been recommended as a way to survive COVID-19. The excess ROS was achieved by applying the chemical hydrogen peroxide into the respiratory tract through a nebulizer that is advised to inactivate COVID-19 by breaking down the viral structure. Since direct administration of hydrogen peroxide causes various complications, including direct oxidation of normal body cells, replacement of the chemical with nanomedicine would be helpful.
These findings have been published in international magazines. In October last year, an extensive review was published in the journal Bimolecular Concepts entitled “Role of Nanomedicine in Redox-mediated Molecular Healing” of all developments. The concept immediately caught the attention of international experts in the field and was recently cited as “a new front in redox medicine, the emerging field of ROS-based nanomedicine, involving nanomaterials with ROS regulatory properties, promises optimized therapeutic efficacy “. Nature magazine in March this year. The effectiveness of developed nanomedicine in balancing oxidative stress (ROS) in mice was recently tested by injecting lead (Pb) ions to cause higher oxidative stress (ROS) and liver damage. It was found that nanomedicine reduces the oxidative stress of the mammal due to exposure to lead and also helps to remove the toxic ions from the liver (popularly known as chelation therapy in medicine) and reverse the damage of the organ. ChemMedChem recently highlighted this work on the front page.
(With inputs from PIB)
