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

Abstract 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.