Luminescence

NIR‐Excited Imaging of Cervical Cancer Cells Using Biocompatible LaF3:Er3+,Yb3+ Upconversion Nanophosphors

ABSTRACTBioimaging plays a vital role in understanding complex biological processes, from tracking cellular activity to studying entire organisms. To improve the sensitivity and specificity of imaging techniques, researchers are increasingly turning to nanomaterials as contrast agents. Among them, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) stand out for their ability to convert near‐infrared (NIR) light into visible emission. This property enables deep tissue penetration, reduced autofluorescence, and low phototoxicity. We report the synthesis of LaF3 codoped with 2 mol% Er3+ and 20 mol% Yb3+ using a hydrothermal method, followed by surface modification with human serum albumin (HSA). Structural analysis confirms the formation of rhombohedral LaF3 with uniform dopant incorporation, and electron microscopy reveals a near‐spherical morphology with average particle sizes increasing from ~25 nm (bare) to ~60 nm (HSA‐coated). Under 976‐nm excitation, the nanophosphors exhibit bright green and red UC emissions via a two‐photon mechanism. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrate high cell viability at concentrations up to 0.4 mg/mL in HeLa cells, while fluorescence uptake assays indicate time‐dependent internalization, peaking at 6‐h post‐treatment. These findings highlight the potential of HSA‐coated LaF3:Er3+,Yb3+ nanophosphors as efficient, biocompatible contrast agents for NIR‐excited luminescent bioimaging.

In vitro cancer cell line luminescence‐based validation of anticancer phytocompounds obtained from Leucas biflora against HELA cervical and A549 lung cancer cells

AbstractCurrent research aims to screen the anticancer prospective of Leucas biflora phytocompounds against apoptotic regulator target protein essential for cancer progression. In gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis major phytocompounds such as tetracosahexaene, squalene, phytol, 22‐stigmasten‐3‐one, stigmasterol, fluorene, and 1,4‐dihydro were identified in ethanolic leaf extract of Leucas biflora. In vitro, the free radical scavenging potential of ethanolic leaf extract of Leucas biflora was examined through its DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging potential IC50 value 15.35 and 13.20 μg/ml, respectively. Dose‐dependent cytotoxicity was monitored against both A549 lung cancer and HELA cervical cancer cells. Leucas biflora ethanolic leaf extract highly reduces the cell viability of both HELA and A549 cells in in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Leucas biflora ethanolic extract produces 23.76% and 29.76% viability rates against A549 lung and HELA cervical cancer cell lines, and their IC50 values differ slightly at 95.80 and 90.40 μg/ml, respectively. In molecular docking analysis lung cancer target protein–ligand complex 5Y9T‐16132746 showed a maximum score of −14 kcal/mol by exhibiting stable binding affinity and interactions among all screened complexes. Based on docking score nine phytocompounds from Leucas biflora and two reference standard drugs were chosen for further analysis. Further validation reveals that the fluorene, 1,4‐dihydro possess good ADMET, Bioactivity and density functional theory indices.