I need to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxicity activity for polymeric material . It doesnt dissolve in common organic solvents even dmso. Is there is a way to do such test!
Performing biological tests like MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) or DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) on insoluble samples can present challenges due to the limited solubility of the samples. However, there are approaches you can consider to overcome this issue. Here are some general strategies for conducting these tests on insoluble samples:
Sample Preparation: If your insoluble sample is in solid form, you can try to grind or pulverize it into fine particles to increase its surface area and facilitate better solubility. You can use a mortar and pestle or a suitable grinder for this purpose. If the insoluble sample is in a particulate form, make sure to homogenize it well to ensure representative sampling.
Solvent Selection: Choose an appropriate solvent or mixture of solvents that have the potential to dissolve or extract the bioactive components from your insoluble sample. Consider both polar and nonpolar solvents based on the nature of the compounds you expect to be present. Conduct a preliminary solvent screening to identify the solvent(s) that provide the best solubility or extraction efficiency.
Extraction Procedure: Develop an extraction method to extract the bioactive components from the insoluble sample. This can involve techniques such as maceration, sonication, refluxing, or Soxhlet extraction. Optimize parameters like extraction time, temperature, and solvent-to-sample ratio to enhance the extraction efficiency. Filtration or centrifugation steps may be required to remove insoluble particles or debris from the extracted solution.
Concentration of Extract: Following extraction, concentrate the extract to a manageable volume using techniques such as rotary evaporation, freeze-drying, or solvent evaporation under reduced pressure. This step aims to concentrate the bioactive components, making it easier to perform the subsequent biological tests.
Solubilization or Reconstitution: If the concentrated extract remains insoluble or forms a suspension, consider solubilizing or reconstituting it in a suitable solvent or vehicle that is compatible with the biological assay. The choice of solvent or vehicle should not interfere with the assay or affect the biological activity of the sample.
Assay Adaptation: Adapt the MTT or DPPH assay protocols to accommodate the specific characteristics of your solubilized or reconstituted extract. This may involve modifying the concentrations, incubation times, or other parameters to ensure compatibility with the sample matrix. Ensure that any modifications do not compromise the validity or interpretation of the assay results.
Controls and Comparisons: Include appropriate controls in your assay, such as vehicle control (solvent without the sample) and positive/negative controls, to provide reference points for comparison. This allows you to assess the impact of the solvent or vehicle on the assay and determine the specific bioactivity of the sample.
Data Interpretation: Analyze and interpret the assay results, comparing the effects of your insoluble sample with the controls. Assess the biological activity, cytotoxicity, or antioxidant potential based on the specific assay endpoints and parameters.
Remember to perform validation and replication of the assay to ensure reliability and reproducibility of the results. Additionally, it is important to consider the potential interference of the solvent, extraction process, or other sample components on the assay system and carefully interpret the obtained data in the context of the sample's characteristics.
I totally agree with abdullah's very comprehensive answer.
In order to perform these tests, it is essential to dissolve the chromogenic substrate in the same solvent in which you finish to dissolve your extract.
Most antioxidant tests, like MTT or DPPH or others, are based on reductions or oxidations of chromogenic substrates. They are therefore totally dependent on the electronic state of the chromogenic substrate. They are therefore particularly sensitive to anything that might modify this state, and of course to the solvent in which they are dissolved. The solvent will of course impose, among other things, its polarity and a "pH equivalent" (as we are in a non-aqueous phase).