Self-assembling micellar system based on Pluronic and pyrazole-dithiocarbazate-conjugate stimulates production of nitric oxide from macrophages

• Published in: Colloid and interface science communications Vol. 41; p. 100378
• Main Authors: Costa, Analu Rocha, França, Rodrigo Novais, Silva-Jardim, Izaltina, Silva, Raner Jose Santana, Lima-Santos, Jane, Salay, Luiz Carlos, Santos, Rodrigo Luis Silva Ribeiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-03-2021
• Subjects: Hofmeister; Macrophage; Molecular interactions; Nitric oxide; Polymeric micelles; Hofmeister; Molecular interactions; Nitric oxide; Polymeric micelles; Macrophage
• ISSN: 2215-0382; 2215-0382
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colcom.2021.100378

Nitrogen and sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds as pyrazole and dithiocarbazate have historically been reported as sources of therapeutic agents. This work reports by fluorescence measurements the colloid phenomena between the 3-methyl-5-phenyl-pyrazoline-1-(S-benzyldithiocarbazate) (DTC) and Pluronic F127, a copolymer that has a tendency to self-assemble into micelles in aqueous medium. The cytotoxicity of the DTC-based micellar system was evaluated in Swiss mice peritoneal macrophages, and the production of nitric oxide (NO) by these cells was also analyzed in vitro and molecular docking analysis. The DTC-based micellar system prevents the DTC decomposition and increases solubility. The Hofmeister ions modulate DTC-micelle interactions. The DTC-based micellar system is not cytotoxic to Swiss mice peritoneal macrophages and induces the production of NO by these cells. These findings make the DTC-based micellar system of great interest in health/disease processes, since its immunomodulatory action on the macrophages may be tools on further studies for the development of novel microbicide or anti-inflammatory drugs.
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•Molecular interactions between Pluronic F127 and dithiocarbazate Schiff base (DTC) in aqueous solution are investigated.•Self-assembling of Pluronic F127 stabilizes and prevents the decomposition of the hydrophobic DTC compound.•Hofmeister ions modulate DTC-micelle interactions.•DTC is not cytotoxic to peritoneal macrophages of mice.•DTC induces the production of nitric oxide by BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages.