Evaluating Cell Viability with EZ4U

Exciting research in glycobiology using our EZ4U cell viability assay!

Scientists developed innovative sugar compounds that combine features of natural molecules through advanced synthesis methods. These novel molecules have shown promising biological effects on human skin cells (dermal fibroblasts).

The First Simplified Heparan Sulphate-Alginate Hybrid Trisaccharides: Synthesis and Biological Effects on Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Key highlights:

• At tested doses, the compounds did not impact cell viability or collagen production.
• Some molecules exhibited anti-inflammatory properties.
• These findings suggest potential applications in reducing inflammation and promoting skin healing.

 

Evaluating Cell Viability with EZ4U

“Cell viability was evaluated in dermal fibroblasts using the EZ4U assay (Biomedica, Wien, Austria), following the manufacturer’s instructions. In this method, mitochondrial dehydrogenases catalyze the conversion of a non-toxic tetrazolium compound into a soluble formazan dye. In brief, cells were seeded in 96-well plates, cultured for 24 hours, and then treated with various compounds for 24, 48, and 72 hours. After treatment, 20 µL of the tetrazolium substrate solution was added to 200 µL of phenol red-free culture medium in each well, followed by a two-hour incubation. The resulting formazan dye’s absorbance was then measured at 450 nm (with a reference at 620 nm)”

EZ4U (Easy for You!)  Cell Viability & Cytotoxicity Assay (cat.no. BI-5000)

– Method: Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assay , 10 x 96 tests, method based on the reduction of tetrazolium salt to colored formazan

-Sample type: Cell culture

-Assay time: 2-5 hours depending on the metabolic capacity of the living cells

Reliable & Sensitive

• One step incubation  – for use on living cells
• Widely used – referenced in +290 publications

 

Download the BROCHURE – EZ4U cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assay and the PROTOCOL BOOKLET

Literature

The First Simplified Heparan Sulphate-Alginate Hybrid Trisaccharides: Synthesis and Biological Effects on Human Dermal Fibroblasts. Kútvölgyi K, Peleskei Z, Demeter F, Barta RA, Mándi A, Homoki E, Oláh A, Hajkó J, Herczeg M, Lisztes E. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Aug 27;26(17):8305. doi: 10.3390/ijms26178305. PMID: 40943230; PMCID: PMC12428572.

Abstract

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear, high molecular weight polydisperse heteropolysaccharides consisting of repeating disaccharide units, which always contain a uronic acid building block (e.g., d-glucuronic acid or l-iduronic acid). Their analogues containing d-mannuronic acid were not known until now. Another important class of the linear negatively charged polisaccharides are alginates, which are also present in the cell surface in the cell wall. They are composed of blocks of 1,4-linked β-d-mannuronic acid and its C-5 epimer α-l-guluronic acid in alternating or random order. Both groups of molecules have significant biological activity (e.g., cell growth inhibitory activity, anti-inflammatory effect, etc.). In the course of our research, we combined the structural characteristics of these two groups of molecules and produced a series of heparan sulphate analogue trisaccharides containing d-mannuronic acid, with a simplified structure, in which α- and β-mannosidic bonds are also found. Since trisaccharides may exert diverse biological effects and alginate derivatives can influence wound healing processes, we investigated the effects of the synthesized compounds on primary human dermal fibroblasts. We found that, when applied at 10 μM, none of the compounds influenced viability or spontaneous collagen production; however, some derivatives exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and suppressed the poly(I:C)-induced release of interleukin 6.